MY TOP 10: Soundtrack Songs — 4. Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, and P!nk “Lady Marmalade”

For those who don’t know, I was a film major.  It was my dream to direct music videos.  I wasn’t even interested in feature films.  I thought I’d be happy doing just music videos.   Don’t get me wrong.  I love film and music.  With this countdown I combine both loves.

This MY TOP 10 features songs that either equaled or transcended the pop cultural significance of the films from whence they came.  It’s less about the movies and more about the songs.  I’m including 5 male and 5 female performers and alternating between them to keep things fair and balanced.  I’m starting off with a woman so a man can be on top. 

Just flipping the script from how I ran thangs with February’s MY TOP 10 (Sexiest Videos for those of you who don’t know) where a woman lead the pack.

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4. Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, and P!nk  “Lady Marmalade” from Moulin Rouge!

This was the remake (of the Labelle classic) movie collabo that took all these ladies to the next level.  A great video that emulated the film with each vocalist getting equal screen and vocal time.  Though, Christina Aguilera does drip all over this joint with her sonic flourishes.  And, who doesn’t love the call-outs?  ‘Nuff said.  Now watch.

 

MY TOP 10: Left Eye Videos — 4. TLC “No Scrubs”

4. TLC “No Scrubs”
From FanMail
Released:  Spring 1999

Oh, yes!  It had to be “No Scrubs.”  When I first heard this song…Well, first off I was just so happy to have TLC back after 4 years.  I’ve always said that an artist has to come back strong with that first single off of a new project after they’ve been away for awhile.  And the promotional single, “Silly Ho,” just didn’t do it for me.  It sounded like a wannabe Missy song. 

So, I was weary of the first official single.  But this, just sounded like something else.  Today it just sounds like “No Scrubs.”  But, when I first heard it.  I knew it was TLC, but it was like I hadn’t heard them before.  Chilli hadn’t ever been in the front really.  And the harmonies were just bananas to me.  And the beat was so infectiously sweet that I…I don’t know…I was going to say got tooth decay, but that’s just corny.  It was just anthemic and the video was first class with all the extras.  And what made it extra extra special was Left Eye’s call-outs all over it, which is signature TLC, and her rap, of course. (I don’t understand why this wasn’t the version on the album from the gitty-up.  Why wouldn’t the record company want all 3 girls on the album version? It’s obviously better by far.)

I remember thinking that one reason TLC was so popular was because they had a nice balance of masculine and feminine (though all 3 got sexier and more womanly as they “grew up”).  Chilli was the most girly.  Left Eye was the most tomboyish.  And, T-Boz was right in the middle with a nice balance of both.  There was something for everyone; something for every taste.

 

MY TOP 10: Left Eye Videos — 5. Lil’ Kim “Not Tonight (Remix)”

5. Lil’ Kim  featuring Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Angie Martinez, Da Brat, and Missy Elliott  “Not Tonight (Remix)”
From Hard Core
Released:  June 24, 1997

Now, this was the jam back in the day and it was also used for some Martin Lawrence movie soundtrack (that explains those scenes).  Obviously, it samples another great jam from even further back in the day.  Goes without saying which one.  You had a nice showing of female rappers, which didn’t happen and doesn’t happen enough.  I think we got to hear Queen Latifah sing for the first time.  Who knew she sang?  Now it’s old hat with her jazz standards and all.

I’m partial, but I always thought Left Eye had the best rap.  I guess that’s open to debate. Who’s the only one who brought the whole dance crew, though?  Now, that’s a consummate entertainer!  And she called out the house fire, too, and that, that right there was pure genius.

I remember my 18th birthday party was at my friend’s house.  I don’t always celebrate birthdays, but I wanted to mark this occasion.  My house was too small, so I asked if I could have it at his.  There was a point when we were all dancing to TLC’s “Creep” from CrazySexyCool.  We were trying to do the dance moves from the video. 

 

popolio podcast: Interview about Left Eye Legacy [with Lisa Lopes' brother, Ron Lopes]

Freddie speaks with Ron Lopes, the brother of the late, great firecracker of his all-time favorite group, TLC, about Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and her upcoming posthumous release, Eye Legacy.

They touch on past controversies,  the Lauren Lazin-directed documentary, The Last Days of Left Eye, and the Lisa Lopes Foundation.

Included in the show is the first single “Let’s Just Do It” featuring TLC and Missy Elliott.

Find out more about the January 27, 2009 release at the official site and MySpace Page.

Learn about the Lisa Lopes Foundation.

 

Single and Listening

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

♪	♫	♫♪	♫♫	♫♫♪
all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

I’m overdue for one of these.  I decided to review David Archuleta’s latest since I reviewed David Cook last time.  Wanted to throw in some men because I’m trying to be more conscious of that and more gender-balanced in my content here on popolio.  So, Musiq Soulchild gets the single review treatment, too.  I love TLC and Left Eye’s posthumous release is due next month, so I review her first single.  Lastly, Idina Menzel got me in a Broadway way last time, so I include Shoshana Bean’s first attempt at a pop/R&B single.

Shoshana Bean “Superhero” Released:  October 3, 2008
From Latest Release:  Superhero♫♪

Nice voice.  Not the best use of it.  The song was waiting to exhale but never got it out.  Coulda’,  shoulda’ hit the spot.  Just didn’t.  Want Shoshana to get her groove and exhale.

Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes featuring Missy Elliott & TLC “Let’s Just Do It” 
Released:  November 2008 From Forthcoming Release:  Eye Legacy ♫♪

Need to say that TLC is my favorite group of all-time, so I am partial.  That said, I didn’t like it on first listen.  It’s hard to update an old track and put a new collaborator on it especially when the artist has passed.  I’ve listened to it over and over and now I do like it.  With an infectious quality, the beat’s just different sounding. There’s something to be said for the right flow over the right beat.  Missy compliments the track nicely.  

Musiq Soulchild featuring Mary J. Blige “IfULeave”
Released:  November 25, 2008 From Latest Release:  OnMyRadio ♫♪

Good collabo.  I like the song.  Seems like a collabo between these two should have been through the roof, though.  I’m still just dancing in the living room.

David Archuleta “A Little Too Not Over You” Released:  January 6, 2009
From Latest Release:  David Archuleta♫♪

Catchy.  Not bad for the American Idol pre-, tween, and teen set.  Not sure it’s adult fare, but it doesn’t need to be.  He’s not one.  Shows promise for growth into adulthood.

 

MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Diva Music Video Jump-Offs – 2. Missy Elliott “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”

2. Missy Elliott “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”

Formerly Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott and currently only Missy Elliott to the masses, her first video, Number 2, “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” released in 1997, set a high standard for the rest of her video work.  Missy had been behind-the-scenes writing for other artists for years, when she finally introduced herself as a solo artist, with Supa Dupa Fly, she kicked the door down.  A few rap cameos along the way didn’t hurt. 

Sampling Ann Peebles’ 1973 hit, “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” this video featured Missy’s simple yet clever, nonsensical, and fun rhymes.  There’s unintelligent lyricism and then there’s this.  I think Missy’s style is sometimes mistaken for the former.  With a stripped down, melodic, and well thought out flow, she definitely has influenced other artists since.   With rhymes more bulky and complex at the time, she brought an alternative style that harkened back to old school roots with a ‘90s update.

I’ll name-check Hype Williams once more, because the collaboration between him and Missy is really what made this video special.  His fish eye lens effect, at this point, was fresh and not overwrought.  Name-checking other hip hop/R&B artists and actually having them in the video was a fun treat for music fans.  And the black trash bag outfit was bananas.  

Though her latest release, Block Party, has had many delays and single changes, refreshingly, not a skinny thing, at the time, Missy was, and remains, a true multi-threat performer with stage presence and charisma that’s carried her through with trash bag, flawless makeup and ‘dos, tomboyish yet feminine style, and talents for rapping, singing, dancing, and producing.