This weekend is about celebrating The King Of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson, and his legacy. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I initially had plans to do a write-up on “The Lady In My Life” from Thriller. However, in honor of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary, I decided to go with one of my favorite Hip Hop ballads, “Hey Lover,” which samples the song.
The year was 1995, and legendary MC LL Cool J was at a crossroads in his recording career. While he had the lead role on the sitcom In The House two years prior, his fifth album, 14 Shots To The Dome, where he adapted a West Coast sound, was a critical and commercial failure. For album#6, Mr. Smith, Uncle L got back on track working with Hip Hop heavyweight producers Rashad Smith, Chad Elliott, and Easy Mo Bee. However, the Trackmaster’s production of the lead single, “Hey Lover,” propelled Mr. Smith to double platinum sales.
Linking up with the highly successful R&B quartet Boyz II Men, “Hey Lover” found LL using his appeal with the ladies to his advantage. Hip Hop heads already knew LL was no slouch in the bars department, but eight years prior, LL had changed the game with “I Need Love.” Thus, doing another Hip Hop ballad as the lead single for his comeback album made sense.
Sampling MJ’s “The Lady In My Life,” “Hey Lover,” opens with Michael “Bass” McCray giving an introduction and setting up the song. LL then smoothly confesses his emotions to a woman he has feelings for. In the song, LL expresses how he would love and care for the person he desires through various means. He begins by complimenting their appearance and acknowledging his attraction toward them.
LL then explains how he wants to take her out on dates and treat her like a queen while promising to be faithful and loyal. And, of course, we have to shout out to 4 guys from Philly who slay the hook on the song. I was in eighth grade when the song dropped, and I remember so many fellas who lacked game using the song for dedications on the Back Seat Slow Jam segment on the local radio station.
Despite some folks looking for internet fame by trying to cancel LL, twenty-eight years later, “Hey Lover” is still a BOP that expresses admiration for someone who has caught your eye.
Final Grade: A
“Hey Lover” from Mr. Smith is available on all streaming platforms.
For their second single, the group presented a ballad entitled “Feels Like The First Time.” Once again, Greene handles the lyrics, while Neville Hodge is responsible for production duties. Greene begins the song with robust energy, proclaiming his love for the lady. Greene’s group members provide stellar work on the background vocals, and the songs eschew nineties R&B without going into crass vulgarity.
The ballad was composed by Michael Masser and lyricist Gerry Goffin, and it was first recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1981. Eight years later, Natalie Cole covered the song, shortening the title. It became the fourth single from her twelfth album, “Good to Be Back.”
Braxton’s vocal talent is perfect on the standards “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song.” However, like any good R&B Christmas album, it is the soulful yuletide bops where Braxton truly shines. The album’s first single, “Snowflakes of Love,” is instrumental of Earl Klugh’s “Now We’re One”. Braxton’s lush vocals encapsulate the warmth and joy of romantic love amidst a wintery backdrop.