What makes it a hit?
written by D.O.T.
written by D.O.T.
Can you answer that question? What makes a song a hit these days. Don't you wonder why songs like M.I.M.S, "This is why I'm hot", Mike Jones "Back Then" and Chingy's "Right Thur" are the ones that top the charts in todays music world? Or do you already know why? There's no question the songs mentioned above have bangin' beats which helps but do the words even matter anymore? I mean really tho'. If that's the case I know plenty of underground artists with the same hot beats(if not better) and song concepts (if not better) as the chart topping industry heavy
hitters and they don't have a hit.
I listen to more music on a day to week basis than lil' Wayne can make in a year. A week or so ago I came across this video on mtv jams where an R&B artist by the name of Razah had a video for a song entitled "Feels So Good". The hook goes, "Feels so Goood! Lovin' Somebody!...When somebody loves you back!" Its a remake of an older original ("When Sombody Loves You Back") by Teddy Pendegrass. Its a good song that basically talks about how good it feels to love his mom because she's always been there for him, loves him back, and he knows she always will.
hitters and they don't have a hit.
I listen to more music on a day to week basis than lil' Wayne can make in a year. A week or so ago I came across this video on mtv jams where an R&B artist by the name of Razah had a video for a song entitled "Feels So Good". The hook goes, "Feels so Goood! Lovin' Somebody!...When somebody loves you back!" Its a remake of an older original ("When Sombody Loves You Back") by Teddy Pendegrass. Its a good song that basically talks about how good it feels to love his mom because she's always been there for him, loves him back, and he knows she always will.
Razah - Feels So Good
It just so happens that an "underground" artist/dj/writer/producer /movie maker like gWiz has a song similar to Razah's accept Wiz joint is a rap record. "Good To Know" is gWiz version of how good it feels to know people got your back just as much as you have theirs yet his song isn't a "hit". The hook goes "Nothin like Real people havin your back/ you know it's good to know that/ you show em love and they turn around and they show it back/you know It's good to know that...you get love!" Both songs have been added to this post for your listening pleasure. You be the judge. Personally I believe both songs to be hit songs. This happens all of the time in music. So what makes a song a hit?
gWiz - Good To Know feat. Yomaris
9 comments:
Good question, Dot.
I don't think there's one thing that makes a song a hit. I think there are various factors to consider. The money behind a record or artist plays a HUGE role. The timing of a song is also crucial.
But ultimately, once the song is out there, the reception of the audience.
What other factors play a role, PTM community?
D-NYCE
This is incredibly tough for me given my medical condition. I have a severe allergy to wackness. It limits my objectivity and simply keeps me in a constant state of pissed off.
But i'll try...
Mims beat was beyond "hot"... its up there with some of the best that i've ever heard. Plus his hook is very easy to remember and its catchy in its simplicity... translation: its really easy to market this guy. An underground emcee might have a dope beat but because he actually wants to challenge his listener, it runs the risk of A&R's getting scared that people won't "get it".
"Still Tippin" other than the incredibe beat, had the whole Houston thing going. The chopped and screwed hook was unique at the time to the mainstream and there's something about that accent and southern swagger that people draw too... translation: its easy to market.
A&R's aren't interested with being nice on the mic anymore. They want something that can be packaged up with a nice pretty bow. "Southern D-Boy w/ grillz and a candy car" or "Peep the dance that goes with this song, people will do it in the club all day" or "this beat, will sound good on your cell phone"... sadly, "witty metaphors and a dynamic flow, doesn't look good on a marketing proposal"
So hits i guess are simple. "Catchy, simple with a noticeable gimmick"
That's my point though! When did this shift happen where you have to be catchy and simple in order to sell records? Are we getting dumber or smarter? I feel like LiL Wayne goes over peoples heads all of the time and he's doin his thing musically. So why do we allow M.I.M.S. to sell by supporting? That's why I like 50 cause I think he has the same medical condition as Jus and that's why he's always trying to end the career of "wack" rappers...
But there's another point to throw into the cluster-f**k that is "what's hot", MIMS sold 3 million ringtones, but his album didn't even go GOLD!
Young Joc didn't go plat either despite having a million selling single.
Oh I have an idea on "when" we shifted... i'm working on that PTM piece... will be out soon (haha) (shameless plug)
50 might be allergic to other rappers altogether. Good or bad, he dislikes them all. haha.
"Something Something Something, stack that cheese"
I think Lil' Wayne and Eminem made it off the whole, "wow, he can rap?" thing. A dude from NY that raps like Wayne would just be another underground artist.
My name is Just K, and I endorse justin's message.
There's so much that goes behind a hit record. There's timing, the beat, the dance gimmick, the money behind the record (how many times have u heard a whack song, but it played so much that you eventually started liking it?).
Jushhh, I'm really waiting to see that piece that might explain the shift. I have an idea, too, but I'm quite interested to see what you have to say.
note: JusHH = Justin. Put my government out there by accident.
JusHH also allergic to the wackness
i dont think there is one thing about a hit that you can say "yep, that's it" a hit just is. the one thing that is constant is that its infectious and catchy, something about the song, you kids remember an underground hidden smash off a AAO mixtape from a few years ago called "take em to da crib"? started as a joke but was the most noteworthy song on the mixtape, why? shit, catchy as a mf, hahaha "bounce like this..."
HAHAHAHAHA...I still have that shit...
"Take em to the crib/put it in her ribs..." Classic!
We live in microwave society now folks. Everything is now, now, now and the days when your sh!t could "bubble quietly and then blow" are long gone.
That being said, however, there is a place where true artistry is appreciated and though it may not sell as well (correct me if I'm wrong, but American Gangster still isn't Plat), I think that it has more to do with the fact that so much of the music is that is out there is leaked and distributed through less reputable channels.
End of the day, Soundscan is a relic of a somewhat forgotten era. Those numbers are like home run numbers in the MLB: sorely over-hyped and most likely bolstered by cheating...
The ability to catch listeners from diverse backgrounds is a big one I think we are missing. MIMS song had about 8 different beats in it. He had beats/ and lyrics that included the EAST, WEST, NORTH AND SOUTH. Some music is hot UP NORTH, but if you go down SOUTH ITS not getting any RADIO, or CLub love. If a song can make all types of people relate/ sing along/ shake their ass, ITS A HIT.
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