"All I Really Want (Remix)" by Rick Ross featuring Twista, Krayzie Bone and The-Dream
I was a happy to see this song got a remix since I felt like it should've been a bigger hit than it was, had a video and is probably The-Dream's only hook on a rap song that's actually on par with his solo stuff, but instead the kind of annoying "Maybach Music 2" was pushed to radio. Also a good look that they just took the random "do it more faster" line from the original as a jumping off point to get a couple classic speed rappers on the track instead of the usual suspects. Of course I like that's though, I'm a Twista stan.
Best Verse: Twista
Overall Grade: A-

"5 Star Bitch (Remix)" by Yo Gotti featuring Gucci Mane, Trina and Lil Boosie
It's weird that Yo Gotti has kind of come out of nowhere with the biggest single of his career, even moreso that the beat sounds like some Lil Jon track from 5 years ago. The hook also totally rips off Webbie's "Bad Bitch," which Trina was on the remix of, so it's appropriate that she's here, and she as usual she kinda goes beyond just being the token female on the track.
Best Verse: Lil Boosie
Overall Grade: B

"God In Me (Remix)" by Mary Mary featuring Ne-Yo
A couple years ago it would've been worth at least raising an eyebrow at an AutoTune gossip joint, but at this point it's just business as usual. After clubs started playing it like crazy and Malice from the Clipse did a version of it, I wondered if they would let any rappers on an official remix, but nah they played it safe, and Ne-Yo just smooths it out predictably but it's still not bad.
Best Verse: n/a
Overall Grade: C+

"Heard Em All (Remix)" by Amerie featuring Lil Wayne
David Drake's review of this song really did a good job of summing up what works but mostly doesn't work about this song and why it's kind of lame in the context of Amerie's career. And the remix with Wayne, along with the more recent news that the version with him will be the official single, aren't much more exciting, although at least the the track's manic scattered energy is a good fit for him. I don't think he's really been able to 'make' an R&B song a hit with his presence in a while, though, even "Turnin' Me On" probably didn't need him although it worked well with him.
Best Verse: n/a
Overall Grade: C

"Ice Cream Paint Job (Remix)" by Dorrough featuring Jermaine Dupri, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, Jim Jones, Slim Thug, E-40 and Rich Boy
In the tradition of the "Get Silly" and "Krispy" remixes, here we have a humble mid-level hit by a relative unknown and for some reason they're totally going for broke with a 6-minute remix with half a dozen totally random guests, some of them hot but nobody really A list or even really B list. It's even got a lot of the same guys as those remixes, except this time there's nothing like an absurd British-accented Bubba Sparxxx at the end to make it halfway worthwhile. It still offends me to hear Jim Jones on this, though, aren't we done with him by now? Please? Soulja Boy turns in one of those occasional decent verses that make you suspect he might actually give a shit, and in a weird way that's enough for him to steal the track. Rich Boy is dope, too.
Best Verse:
Overall Grade: C+

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 12:06 AM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.