Review: “Remember I told You”
By Niy Birden

Dancehall, dubstep and EDM have created a whirlwind of hits for mainstream radio. This has been happening since the 70’s, but with the era of technology and live retweets, when there’s a hit,there’s a hit. For the song “Remember I Told You”, however, this hit is much more interesting due to the roster of artists featured.

Nick Jonas, the legendary ex-Jonas Brother hailing from the teenage stardom of Disney Channel, has come such a long way. From Disney rock, to young-but-still-impressionable rock, and now to R&B and Pop, Nick actually has quite the discography on his hands. While he has only managed to get genuine hits since the start of his “Chains” and “Jealous” year, the hits he make are charming, upbeat, and, if you’re like me, something that you probably wouldn’t mind listening to.

He’s managed to pair with a lot of notable names in the last few years (including Mike Posner, who joins him again for this song), but for this new release, he’s tapped into a little old school and a little new school with sorta-newcomer Anne Marie, who has her first U.S. hit this year with “Alarm” and pop heartthrob Mike Posner, who you might remember from his earlier hits “Cooler Than Me” and “Please Don’t Go”, or more recently, “I Took A Pill In Ibiza”. So what can come from two veteran artists and one newbie? Electro gold, apparently.
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By Niy Birden

There’s something so timeless that comes from a feature with veteran musician Pharrell Williams. Perhaps it’s the endless influence of old school R&B? Perhaps it’s his open mindset? Or maybe it’s the fact that somehow, he really hasn’t aged at all that much? Who knows. But no one can deny: he has a certain Midas touch. He’s even managed to make a traditional EDM DJ be able to sound like a down with the culture disco-clubbing goer.

In all honesty, the only real hint of what most people know of Calvin Harris that shows in this song is actually the soundscape in the very beginning, before any voices come through. But for a DJ like Calvin, this is actually a very good thing. Like Pharrell, Calvin Harris has created a genuine career from his versatile sounds. Pharrell opens up with his classic “Hey!” and immediately the fun begins. One thing that is notable about Pharrell is that he has this impeccable way of always making the listener feel like he is talking directly to them.

The muffled organs and 4 on the floor drum beat take you right back to those early California, rap/song combo, ‘90s-2000s hits he so masterfully created, and he starts by giving you that charming talk that he usually does on collaborations: “Hey!/Well nothing ever last forever, no/One minute you’re here and the next you’re gone/So I respect you, wanna take it slow/I need a mental receipt to know this moment I owe/Do you mind if I steal a kiss? (Chop, chop)/A little souvenir, can I steal it from you?/To memorize the way you shock me/The way you move it here (Hey)/Just wanna feel it from you (Hey)”. So you might get a kiss stolen from you, but at least you’ll be gettin’ down.
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Because she will grab you by your weave.
Review: Tamar Braxton’s ‘My Man’

By Niy Birden

Tamar Braxton knows drama. And she knows that you know, that she knows that you know- that what is hers, is hers. Which is why her song and video “My Man” will be one of the biggest breakup you-must-not-know-bout-me anthems for R&B this year. I can picture it already, girls driving down the street, top down, maybe your girlfriend doing her nails, instagramming or posting a video to musical.ly of her belting out the song with a puppy filter.

The song, a perfect combo of traditional r&b ballad and soft D’Angelo or Miguel-inspired guitar strums, details her resentment for a lover who has done her absolutely dirty. But she’s not just talking about the guy. She is even calling out his mistress, who she very aptly calls- or shouts-a heifer (right on). The song starts off with soft piano and quickly introduces the main theme of the instrumental, guitar, piano and a nice kick perfectly complimenting her beautiful contralto voice. Classic Braxton harmonies pair with her voice and make you remember the good ‘ole days of listening to The Braxtons when they were still a group.

The song hits a critical point when she sings “Word around town/Is that you live with her/And you said she took your heart away, oh baby/I told them, that’s a lie/Cause I don’t wanna hear no bullshit stories ’bout my man.” Tamar also doesn’t waste any time with getting into her staple belting, once she gets closer to the heart of the stories detailing just exactly how her man was stolen. Lyrics such as “Looked me in the face, and she took my man/Never trust a lonely woman with the one you love/She ate dinner at my table, even watched my kids/And she took my man/Bitch actin’ like she was my friend/She called me ’bout her man/Well, I didn’t understand/She was talkin’ ’bout my man (heifer)” make you want to ask her “Who in the world are you talking about?!” And finally, the ending “Oh oh oh oh oh oh ohs” channeling Lenny Williams add the icing on the cake, reminding people that once again, this is a very passionate song.
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