I rediscovered this Kanye classic this month and fell in love with it all over again - it may have even overtaken Flashing Lights as my favourite Kanye song.
It is a swift reminder that only five years ago Kanye was truly a musical visionary and a revolutionary rapper that made songs with substance and edge without being overly-dramatic or annoying.
Elle Varner - Where Your Man Is
Elle Varner can go no wrong in my eyes and I adore every song she has ever released as a single and her latest track is no different. The attitude, lyrics and innovative production is seriously sassy and fun and sure to be a hit with a decent video alongside it.
This song has definitely got me excited for an Elle Varner album this year and I hope she sticks to this R'n'B with an edge style.
Fifth Harmony - Worth It
I have never been a fan of this American girl group because their past music has tended to lean towards the more mainstream pop sound. But I am quite impressed with their new album and this song in particular which features rapper Kid Ink.
It is undeniably catchy and would be really hot with a DJ Mustard remix although it is a pretty strong club banger as it is.
The trumpet on the chorus is reminiscent of Jason Derulo's and Ariana's Grande's smash hits from the past year so maybe they have found the perfect recipe for an R'n'B breakout track.
Rihanna has finally dropped some new music after a two year break and she opted to join forces with Kanye West and Paul McCartney for the track. FourFiveSeconds is not your typical Rihanna song and certainly not what I was expecting to hear which is why I am a little disappointed.
The song is a laid-back, guitar strumming mid-tempo debut that strays very far away from the club bangers and sexy slow jams we are used to.
This might be a grower and I will give it a few more listens before I make my final decision but at the moment I am not too excited about Riri's comeback now.
Jhene Aiko seems to be dishing out these music videos faster than a McDonalds drive-thru (awful metaphor but it's late) and I am not complaining. I believe this is her fourth video for a track off of her debut album Souled Out and it just so happens to be my favourite song on the album. Spotless Mind is a really soulful, laid-back track with a much lighter melody and lyrics than many of the other songs on the album.
It has a similarly light-hearted music video with Jhene playing many different characters - possibly to highlight her characters multiple personalities - alongside her real life baby daddy and Omarion's brother. I also love this song, and video, because it is obviously based on my favourite movie 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'.
Check it out below.
Major Lazer has teamed up with quite the surprising duo, Ariana Grande and Machel Montano for this fun dancehall-inspired track All My Love. It's a remix on the original song which featured on the Hunger Games : Mockingjay soundtrack.
Although it feels a bit too early in the year for a song such as this - more suited as a summer hit - it's a refreshing sound particularly for young Ariana. She fits well in this song and with Machel's soca edge and the great production skill of Major Lazer, it makes for a really catchy dance track.
Frank Ocean has been noticeably absent from the music scene for over a year now which has left me particularly disappointed. However, he has graced us with his presence once again with a cover of an Isley Brothers track At Your Best (You Are Love) to pay tribute to the late Aaliyah on her 36th birthday.
The original track and Aaliyah's version are both stunning but there is something about Frank's voice and his ability to emote every word he sings which makes this cover so captivating. It was not only a wonderful gift for Aaliyah but a great gift for his fans as I am sure this will keep us going until his next project.
Ciara has been out of the scene music-wise for a little while now as she was a bit busy having a baby and breaking up with Future. But she has now returned with a new single called I Bet and it's a good one.
There is no subtlety in the lyrics or subject matter as it is clearly aimed at her ex/baby father and addresses the allegations of cheating. But, regardless of the personal issue she is discussing, it is a song that I feel many women can relate to and will be singing after they've gone through a break-up.
Plus, it's nice to hear this softer side of Ciara who is more known for her uptempo dance music, and even though she isn't the strongest vocalist, the song is pretty.
Sevyn Streeter is a potentially huge R'n'B singer who has never quite had a great song since her debut It Won't Stop. Well she may finally have the breakout song which could lead to a hit album thanks to this collaboration with her mentor Chris Brown. Don't Kill The Fun isn't an instant attention catcher but after a couple of listens you can appreciate the quality of the production and the commercial potential it has.
I think at this point it's safe to say that Sevyn is at her best when she is with Chris.
It's becoming an annual tradition of mine to kick off the year by looking at some songs that will celebrate their 10th birthday in the coming months.
So here is a look at a few of the songs that were released ten years ago this year...
Chris Brown - Run It
It was ten years ago that Chris started his career in music as a fresh-faced R'n'B star and the decade that has passed he has become a young man. He has faced many a trial and tribulation over these ten years whether it be his stint in prison, his bust-ups with other celebrities or his on-off relationship with both Rihanna and Karrueche Tran.
Even though Chris has undergone a massive transformation since this debut one thing has remained the same, his talent. Throughout all the ups and downs Chris' music has never suffered and he has managed to still be the most requested feature artist and the biggest selling male R'n'B star until this day.
The Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha
Nicole Scherzinger, too, had her big music break ten years ago as part of the dance and singing group, The Pussycat Dolls. Although they have since disbanded, they racked up a string of hits in their five years together with Nicole remaining the face and voice of the group.
She has managed to keep herself in the spotlight as a popular X Factor judge in the UK and a semi-successful solo artist but this song and this band will always be the height of her career.
Rihanna - Pon De Replay
Yet another artist who will be celebrating ten years in the industry this year, Rihanna became a household name in 2005 thanks to this club classic.
The Bajan pop princess may be just as well known for her relationships, fashion choices and outspoken personality as she is for her music but it is undeniable how many hits this girl has stacked up in ten years. She may have grown tougher, richer and all the more fabulous since Pon De Replay, but Riri is still the fun island girl that we all fell in love with in this video.
Destiny's Child - Soldier
2015 will also mark ten years since Destiny's Child decided to take a 'break' and gifted us with Cater To You and Soldier as a farewell present. Soldier was one of their strongest R'n'B tracks with a very heavy hip-hop influence that was only solidified by the presence of Lil Wayne and T.I. It is always one of my favourite from the girl group and is still just as relevant ten years later.
Though Beyonce has gone from strength to strength these past ten years, and Kelly and Michelle haven't done so badly either, fans are always going to request that the girls reunite as a three-piece to grace us with new DC music.
Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers
Ten years ago, Eminem had hit a peak in his career and spent much of 2005 exploring some more poignant and emotional topics such as with Like Toy Soldiers. This was one of my favourite Eminem phases which helped gain him the title as one of the best rappers ever.
Unfortunately he has never quite reached the success of this period in his career and has been a lot quieter and less influential over the past three or four years but songs like this remind me why he is such an icon.
Missy Elliot - Lose Control
Can you believe that it has been ten years since Missy Elliot has blessed us with a huge dance number like Lose Control. This song will never fail to have everyone head to the dancefloor even in 2015, and it only makes me yearn for her return even more.
If she was still making music like this Iggy would certainly find it difficult to chart and there would be no question who the queen of rap is at the moment.
Missy come back !
The Black Eyed Peas - My Humps
Another musical talent who has abandoned us in the past few years, The Black Eyed Peas were giving us hip hop classics such as Don't Lie, Don't Phunk With My Heart and My Humps ten years ago.
Although they have promised us new music this year, I can't be certain that it will live up to their Elephunk and Monkey Business era which was the quartet as their best. Say what you want about the repetitiveness and shallow content of this track, you know you love it.
Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
Ten years ago, Mariah Carey had already reached icon status but it was this classic love song that made her known to a new generation of music lovers.
Her vocals were on point, she looked stunning and the song is just so well-written and executed- what went wrong. In the years that have passed Mariah has never delivered to this standard again, though she keeps trying, and it may be time for her to hang up her mic. But I have a feeling she will still be trying ten years from now.
Will Smith - Switch
I had to include this Will Smith classic and one of my favourite songs from 2005. I remember it as if it was yesterday, the last time Will Smith gave music a go...and it wasn't bad at all.
Although he has since stuck to what he does best, making great action (and occasionally romcom) films and raising his brilliantly talented family, Will did have a substantial music career which people often forget.
I can't remember if this was a major hit for Will but I still love it and it would probably chart well had it been released now.
Britney Spears - Do Somethin'
To think that just a decade ago Britney was in her prime - childless and pretty free of controversy - and still making fun pop music. This song was literally one of the last Britney tracks before the massive breakdown so it has a special place in Brit history. Even if the song is one of her worst, the dancing was on point, as was her body, and she looked happy and healthy.
Unfortunately ten years later she is a shell of her former self and we may never see Brit Brit like this again, but at least we have the memories.
A surprisingly amazing album (check out my review) that solidified Teyana as a great vocalist and strong R'n'B artist. Each song was authentic and innovative yet it just didn't get the recognition and promotion it deserved.
Winner : Jhene Aiko 'Souled Out'
It was a close call between runner up and winner but Jhene's album just tipped the post because it was so long overdue for Jhene and the album has been given a lot of promotion and successful singles.
Jhene built a fanbase on EP's for so long and she had a lot to prove with this album but thankfully it delivered. She stuck to her soulful and earthy sound without being too repetitive or predictable and this album is still on repeat today.
Any time Beyonce and Jay-Z collaborate they create a smash, and this follow up to Crazy In Love is no different. It was the biggest song of the first quarter of the year and the breakthrough track from Beyonce record-breaking self titled album, and the video is hot too.
Winner : Chris Brown 'Loyal'
Chris Brown has a stack of hits but this one might just be his biggest having created a tagline for every male who has had his heartbroken. This will always be a party starter and 2014 favourite no matter how overplayed it may be.
Beyonce released a visual album and the whole world watched, so in a sense she won because every video on that album was a cinematic story. But XO stood out for being so different from the others. It is a simple yet effective video idea and really projects the anthemic production of the song. (Also worth mentioning that Beyonce would have won for her latest video 7/11 but it dropped a little too late).
Winner : Iggy Azalea 'Fancy'
If Iggy is accused of lacking in any are it cannot be her music videos which always seem to be creative and fun. It could be argued that much of the success of this song is down to the brilliant video which sees Iggy take on the role of Cher from Clueless with costume, set and character replicas to tell re-enact scenes from the cult classic.
