I just got Beyonce's new album and I have to admit, overall it's pretty tight. I liked some of her Destiny Child's stuff but she was getting predictable. The thing i really dig about this album is that you can hear that she's gained control of her vocal abilities. Often in her past music she sounds unrestrained and unfocused. Not the case here, she is very focused and overall the music and the lyrics are great.

Now to my point... The opening song is a killer track and it's practically ruined by Jay-Zs rapping. Stop already with infusing rap onto otherwise perfect music. It's tired and I hate it. I'm hoping there is an edited version without the rap. Otherwise I'm going to have to get crafty with my Cakewalk editing software

Props to Beyonce for a great solo album

agreed!!!

YES!!! I have successfully edited out the rap portion and it sounds PERFECT! I love editing software!

I agree. Not that I ever buy any new music anyway, but I get so sick of seeing ads for new singles that are being released with a whole list of other people that are singing/rapping on it as well. Like, ___ Featuring: Blah-blah, crap, poop-on-toast, and a million others all on one song!

Can't people make it on their own anymore?

To answer my own question: NO.

This is non-Beyoncé related. I want to vent about Fabolous re-interpretation of Tamia's "So Into You." I loved (and still love) Tamia's original version. Fabolous' version adds no magic to the song and does it a disservice. It should've been left alone.

JANFAN4L said:

Ha, two things. I was about to mention Beyonce's 'Crazy in love'...I love Jay-Z's rap. He makes a world of a difference for the song, and I heard that Fabolous and Tamia's song was first recorded with Ashanti, but I like Tamia's version with Fabolous' rap.

Seems like Puffy started that magic and no one's about to let go. Besides, if it weren't for the rappers, half of those songs wouldn't even be hits, and why? Because they're good songs! So it doesn't bother me at all, but sometimes it's really not neccessary, like the version of Monica's 'So gone' with that whack rapper. But overall, I do enjoy the 'the best of both worlds'...
[This message was edited Tue Jul 22 9:09:44 PDT 2003 by Starmist7]

I don't get it, why is Jay-Z always given so much credit? I think, together with Ja Rule, he is the lousiest rapper out there!

I completely agree. But you wanna know whta's worse? All those damn "remixes". Take Jennifer Lopez, for example, she had great song "ain't it funny"(which I loved, still do) and what does she do? Remixes it and puts ja rule on it
It was a great song before, why ruin it???
And Mariah--oh, she takes the cake when it comes to this.
[This message was edited Tue Jul 22 2:07:01 PDT 2003 by lovebizzare]

abierman said:

Agreed. To each his own, I guess.



Then again, I don't really like Beyonce's music, but I don't think having him on there helps it any, IMHO.

i have to agree somewhat...and beyonces song could do without Jay-z rappers dont need to be on every song...and even worse with songs like that the remix(with the rappers) gets the video to the original...uggg

You guys are WHACK!!!
[This message was edited Tue Jul 22 18:46:45 PDT 2003 by Starmist7]

I tend to agree. Usually, this blending of pop and hip-hop doesn't do any good for the singer or the rapper. But some singers need a hot rapper to get buzz for a track and/or because they can't carry an entire song on their own.

I am waiting for the day hip-hop isn't hot anymore. It has been corrupted, it is ruining music, and fading back into the underground will be the only thing that will ultimately keep it alive.