Everything you’ve heard is lie. (wait. that’s rather strong..lemme try this again). When your local radio station claims it plays “hip-hop and r&b”, it’s only half right. Today’s monopolized radio stations rarely specialize in true r&b. What you can count on, however, is hip hop masquerading as r&b. (I could go into this further, but it usually evokes a debate that has no place here). Now, I don’t want to mislead anybody. I know this is an album review, and I aim to do simply that. But if you are to appreciate this album and artist at all..you have to understand the difference between what was originally termed “rhythm and blues” and what we now know as r&b.

Van Hunt is tale as old as time. Any devoted music lover will tell you the greats are rarely seen, often misunderstood, overly underapreciated, and known only by a few. Van is no different.



In 1997, a movie hit theaters that sent apparent waves of pride through the black community and achieved cult-like status. Ask any relatively conscious young black person who lived through the 90’s and they will quote “Love Jones” as one of the greatest movies of all time (there are many reasons for this, and i think i just might just save that for another blog). Depending on how deep their fan-hood runs, they’ll also express their fondness for a certain song by the name of “hopeless”. The vocalist of this song was one Dionne Farris. Older viewers would have recognized her as a former member of early 90’s hip hop group “Arrested Development” (Everyday People, Tennessee), but Dionne wasn’t the writer of this incredible tune (and lyric). We wouldn’t meet the writer until years later even though he appears four seconds in, and throughout the video that accompanied the song. Amidst a rush of scenes from the movie, and jovial shots of nameless movie-goers on a couch, was one Dionne Farris, future American Idol judge Randy Jackson, and the young Mr. Van Hunt.

Approximately 7 years later, after writing for several other artists (including A Different World’s Cree Summers, Rahsaan Patterson, and Outkast affiliate Joi), Van Hunt released his Self titled Debut Album in 2004. I remember him being on VH1’s “Artists You Should Know” and was even recommended by two friends to check out his album…but other than that it didn’t make much of a “splash” (To be fair, his lead single “Dust” earned him a Grammy nod for best urban/alternative performance…but he lost. [to whom I am not sure]) . In 2006 Van released a sophomore effort entitled “On the Jungle Floor”, but the reaction (amongst the general public- often deemed the only one that matters) was again far lower than his work deserved and it went largely unnoticed by radio, video and whatever else people find hear music from.

In 2007, an announcement was made by Blue Note (his label at the time) that Mr Hunt would release his 3rd effort “Popular” in January of 2008. A month before it’s scheduled release, however, Blue Note and Van parted ways. Standing in their fractured shadow, like the child of a divorce, was 2008’s “Popular”….

“Popular” is the diary of a poet mid-epiphany. As with most songwriters, knowledge of Van’s journey sheds incredible insight into what many would mistakenly regard as “simple love songs”. The continuous thread throughout all of Van’s releases (and arguably any crooner’s- in my opinion) is his relationship with his heart’s work and the work of one’s heart. Love, to a songwriter (and especially a romantic one), exists on several levels and often serves as an apt analogy for the ups and downs of “an artist and his relationship with dreams, reality, and the viewing public”.

If I could, I would paste every lyric in this album- but I am far too aware that my passion for words is not shared by everyone…besides, words mean nothing (or at least less) if the message is lost on those who hear.

“Van Hunt” (the debut album) sounds of man high on possibility (not “wasted” mind you), calling to his lover- the arrival of her destiny. “On the Jungle Floor” throbs with the rhythm of a brand new wardrobe and a new night out at the club. “Popular”, however, is both of these with a little something more. The sobering collision of heartbreak, and the redemptive nature of faith in another day.

*it should be noted i prefer to fully absorb albums in shuffle mode. what follows is not the original order for which the listener was intended to view the album*

All throughout “Popular” is a haunting despair and an incessant glimmer of hope. Urgent desire, and a cautious reserve. Confessions of passion, and acknowledgment- of what said passions entail. Quotes like “water the memories/keep them alive with the tears from our eyes” suggest that sorrow and pain, may be the leading component to resilient faith and flourishing possibility...

wow....never knew he wrote that great song

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In addition to writing "Hopeless", Van Hunt was actually a member of Dionne Farris's first touring band, playing 2nd Guitar and Keyboards ([b]David Ryan Harris[/b] played lead guitar)...






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Popular got better the more i listened to it. It's a real dense, twisted album, and you can feel the frustration and anger in it.

Van Hunt is a much more interesting songwriter at this point (after his first three albums) than Prince was after his first three albums.

Yea, but Van Hunt has yet to do his Sign O The Times, so eat that..lol

chuckaducci said:

Couldn't agree with you more.

I enjoyed Popular. What I found to be interesting was Van Hunt's take on bootlegging his album. For the most part he wasn't against it because it got the music to peoples ears. Besides the personal satisfaction knowing that people thought enough of his work to acquire it by any means necessary.... he got financial rewards when they would then come and see him perform and such. He said more... but that was the gist.

paligap said:

I did not knwo that Harris was there as well. Thanks.

I just had a look at my hit counter and guess what?

Exactly what you posted right here on Prince.Org (actually, the link to the entire blog entry) was listed under "Referres."

Mind you, I've reviewed this album as well as his previous two....as a matter of fact, my "Jungle Floor" review was the first one that WordPress listed under "Possibly Related Posts."

The only difference.....is that I actually reviewed each and every album in the correct running order, as opposed to Shuffle Mode.

But hey, if that's how ya wanna listen to the album, then...

Van Hunt is a much more interesting songwriter at this point (after his first three albums) than Prince was after his first three albums.