Devotion #17

Devotion’s Top Singles of 2007

Justice – “D.A.N.C.E.” (Ed Banger)

People may stop paying for music, which I hear is a bit of a problem for some. But let me know when they stop dancing, because that will be a problem for everyone.

UGK featuring OutKast – “International Players Anthem” – UGK (Underground Kingz) (Jive)

R.I.P. Pimp C

Keyshia Cole featuring Diddy – “Last Night” – Just Like You (Geffen)

Before you scoff, just remember that Prince used to make songs like this. And we loved him for it.

J Dilla – “Wild” – Ruff Draft EP reissue (Stones Throw)

“Jay Dee [J Dilla] was the cat that, if you were a freshman on the first day of school, the creative equivalent would be him rocking a polka dot T-shirt with some plaid pants and multicolored sneakers, but walking with such confidence. Everyone else would be rocking a track suit or some color-coordinated shit, but his feng shui was just totally out of whack.” – Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Wax Poetics #17

Bjork – “Innocence” – Volta (Atlantic/WEA)

I think it’s funny when critics insist on pigeonholing Bjork, although for the most part, they’ve given up on that. There is still, however, this ongoing quest to “figure” her out, or impose one’s own set of Bjorkian standards and expectations, but it’s best to let her be and appreciate an artist of her caliber. Bjork’s music is a lot more enjoyable when you don’t put too much thought into it. And based on the audacity of her output over the years, she’s definitely not thinking about you.

50 Cent – “I Get Money” – Curtis (Aftermath)

“I Get Money” is a standout track on an album that is far from outstanding. 50 seems to be regressing – which isn’t out of the ordinary for wealthy rappers (see: Jay-Z) – but he always manages to bless us with a banger or two. This is that banger.

Kid Sister featuring Kanye West – “Pro Nails” remix (Fool’s Gold)

I'm not even going to taint this one with words.

Saigon featuring Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz – “C'mon Baby” remix – The Moral of the Story (Fort Knocks, but you’re better off reading producer Just Blaze’s blog)

“If everybody fuckin’ dimes, who got all these ugly bitches pregnant?”

Crass? Sure.
A valid question? Probably.
Do I wish I had thought to ask it first? Absolutely.

Saul Williams – “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! (Niggytardust.com)

Williams could have fallen on his sword with this cover of “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” one of the most popular songs in the U2 catalog. But I find his effort pretty respectful, and almost matching the intensity of the original, albeit in a much different context.

Cool Kids – “Black Mags” (Chocolate Industries)

Growing up with groups like the Pharcyde, and songs like “Pickin’ Boogers,” and live shows that featured giant, inflatable phalluses with crabs attached, I miss the fun in contemporary hip-hop. And as much as I criticize the current state of chart-topping rap music (see: Devotion #15), I do give groups credit for maintaining the lightheartedness which has long been a part of this thing of ours. The Cool Kids are all that and then some.

And this magazine is sending me a gang of video games to play with them for an upcoming story, so it’s nice to see the happy fun ball keep rolling, and rolling, and rolling…