Anyone else love "hip-hop" ballads?
Posted: 2005-05-18 03:18am
I'm talking about the end of 80's. The 4/4 "synth-pop" era was waning. The likes of A-Ha, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, and Big Fun were falling apart one after another; being replaced by MC Hammer, C&C Music Factory, New Kids on the Block, and Suzanne Vega. Everybody's crazy about this new "hip-hop" rythm popularized by the likes of Mili Vanili and Poppa Ron Love which just came shortly beforehand.
Soon, non hip-hop, "mainstream" artist started to have "black music"-like rythm as well. Even "ballad"-type songs started to be made in such way.
I still remember two "hip-hop" ballad tunes which were my favorite on that time:
Close To You by Whigfield.
Too Many Walls by Cathy Dennis.
(note that the two ain't even hip-hop performers. Their other songs are mostly 4/4 "pop-house" which took place in niche market after synth-pop sank to oblivion).
They're both melodious and catchy, and fit perfectly with the rythm even though they're non-rap (although Close To You has a short "rapping" interlude).
Do you have any favorites as well?
EDIT: I just remember another: Once In My Lifetime by Gregorian. Yes, apparently everybody's crazy about such rythm at that time.
Soon, non hip-hop, "mainstream" artist started to have "black music"-like rythm as well. Even "ballad"-type songs started to be made in such way.
I still remember two "hip-hop" ballad tunes which were my favorite on that time:
Close To You by Whigfield.
Too Many Walls by Cathy Dennis.
(note that the two ain't even hip-hop performers. Their other songs are mostly 4/4 "pop-house" which took place in niche market after synth-pop sank to oblivion).
They're both melodious and catchy, and fit perfectly with the rythm even though they're non-rap (although Close To You has a short "rapping" interlude).
Do you have any favorites as well?
EDIT: I just remember another: Once In My Lifetime by Gregorian. Yes, apparently everybody's crazy about such rythm at that time.