Song of the day – 551: Nina B

Another recommendation from Tamsin, this time listed under Favourite two slightly melancholic hip-hop tracks that remind me a bit of Robyn’s ‘With Every Heartbeat’:

She was referring to another (newer) song, but this one (from 2011, oh man I’m shit out of date) works simply fine for me. It ain’t in your face, it’s laden down with those sweet strings you know you just love to have this shit laden down by, it never quite escapes its parameters but that’s fine because that’s where it’s existing, it’s a little bit too upbeat in its praise of being alive for my liking (shit, why be grateful, why do every rapper have to have their own ‘It Was A Good Day’?) but … wait, Nina B was born in the Bronx and raise in Brookyln? She ain’t a rapper, she’s a living comic book character. This song has grace, and charm, and a piano. If only everything had this much grace, and charm, and a piano.

I do wonder whether if I was exposed to this music more often I’d be writing about it nonstop, or be turned off by familiarity. Or whether, if someone else had recommended this to me, i.e. Someone Who Is Not Tamsin (i.e. not a trusted source), that I wouldn’t bother giving it more than a cursory five-second listen. Sure. Probably. (Shrugs.) Does it matter? You’re not even reading these words, are you? Just a visual device to fill in the space between the photograph and the video and make us all feel a fraction more validated. Look how easy it is:

I’m not an expert, but:
Angel Haze
I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert, but:
Sasha Go Hard
I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert, but:
Katie Got Bandz
I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert, but:
Nitty Scott MC
I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert, but:
Brianna Perry
I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert, but:
Azealia Banks
I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert. I’m not an expert, but:
Lady Leshurr

I think you know the answer.

I like the above photo. She’s bubblegum, get it? Not so much heavy on the irony as going with the good. Of course there’s a free mixtape to download.

Here’s the one Tamsin likes. Not sure if I don’t still prefer that:

by Everett True

My name is Everett True. I am a music critic. This is what I do. I criticise music. The clue is in my job description – music critic. I do not consider myself a journalist, as I do not research or report hard news. I do not consider myself a commentator as I believe that everyone should be a participant. I criticise people and in return I am not surprised if other people criticise me. It is part of the whole deal of being in the public arena. I am Everett True. Believe in me and I have power like a God. Quit believing in me and I no longer exist.