bookMarq this.

magicjuan:

2. Snoop Dogg - Beautiful (feat. Pharrell, Uncle Charlie Wilson)

About 6 years ago during the spring/summer of 2003, a new alternative rock radio station opened up to the airways in Ottawa. And to celebrate the occasion, the station declared that they would play music non-stop, all day, all night with no commercials for the first few weeks. Also, despite being an alternative rock station, the programmers would also play just a little bit of hip hop here and there. Snoop Dogg’s Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Bo$$ just came out the previous winter. And the highlight track from said album was on HEAVY rotation. Like to the tune of 10-15 times a day or at least once every couple of hours. Back then, I admit I kinda got sick of it (and how could you not?). Then, once said station started playing commercials, I stopped listening (I’m so fickle). And that’s the end of my history with radio.

Fast forward to a year later and by chance I happened to catch a certain reality TV based “documentary” on TMN, brought to us by the producers of MTV’s The Real World. Yes, I’m talking about one of the worst rated movies of all-time and one of my greatest guilty pleasures ever: The Real Cancun. I’m not really sure why everyone hated this flick, because it delivered exactly what was advertised: all the good stuff from The Real World TV series over the backdrop of Cancun, Mexico (a location that The Real World has made a glorious return to in the current season). All crammed into a 96 minute feature length film. Oh and the music selection was fantastic (highlights included The Roots, Gorillaz, N*E*R*D and James Brown). Speaking of the music, there is a scene right near the middle, following the infamous wet t-shirt contest (because you gotta have one of those), where the producers bring out the special musical guest to entertain the drunken Cancun crowd. And that guest would be none other than the one man who is undefeated on grass (a little tennis/weed humour there), Snoop (Doggy) Dogg, performing the latest single to his then new album. The live joint, of course, was none other than Bea-u-ti-ful.

Now, I don’t know if it was the tropical sights, the copious amounts of alcohol being waved around or the countless number of hotties in bikini tops bouncing to the beat (or a devilish combination of all the above). But hearing Snoop’s previously played out Neptunes joint performed live over those hedonistic visuals awakened something in me (“What happen in Cancun…stay down there.” (c) Yeezy). And from that day forward, I absolutely loved the track. It is quite possibly the one song I’ve listened to the most times within the past 5 years (I’ve scrobbled it 100 times in the past 2.5 years alone). And for that reason, it should be the number one track on this list (but Numero Uno will have a little something to say about that). Still, this and the yet-to-be-revealed number one entry could easily be switched out for one another (and by all means, do so if you wish). But on this evening, at this time, Beautiful stands as my 2nd favourite Neptunes-produced joint. Now, onto the track in question.

From the opening “uh-uh-uh-ohh-ohhhhh” by Pharrell, it instantly feels like summertime no matter what season it is (thankfully, as I type this, the capital region is soaked in humid summery weather with some fresh Canada Day fireworks smoke to boot). And thanks to The Real Cancun, I also immediately think about tropical getaways, Spring Break and lots of drinking. So good thoughts all around. And really, isn’t that what music is all about? Instantly changing our moods for the better and taking us to a special place, 3-5 minutes at a time? The premium production definitely helps in both conveying and creating those wonderful visuals.

From the gentle yet fast-paced keyboard/bell-like stabs (which pose as little angelic footsteps twinkling throughout the composition), to the contrasting heavy drums and sharp snares which are arranged in a simple and very accessible manner (but pump nice and hard; so beautiful), to Pharrell’s infamous falsetto voice which is everywhere from the background vocals (some of which are also supplied by long-time soulful Neptunes collaborator Uncle Charlie Wilson) to the hook to the breakdown. Beautiful is just that; it exudes a pure and care-free attitude indicative of the summer months where love and high temperatures go hand in hand (and lips to lips).

But the best part is when the trademark ‘Tunes hand claps slowly crawl in to join the party, just as all other sounds (save for the “really special” background vocals) are fazed out at an equal pace until everything is eventually silent. “Oh yeah, there’s something about you.” (c) P. Bam! Drums. Keys. Everyone comes back for the brief finale. Oh yeah, there’s something about that breakdown, alright. The perfect ending before we fade out on the perfect summer jam and one of the most perfect Neptunes compositions ever. Perfect (which is the name of the track that would actually end up being the sequel to Beautiful, from Snoop’s follow-up Rhythm & Gangsta album).

A little about Paid Tha Cost…despite it’s exorbitant length and, as a result, sections of filler, it has grown to become my personal favourite Snoop album…not including Doggystyle, of course (a standard statement that one must make when rating Snoop’s albums). Actually, I’m tired of fans comparing every new Snoop album to the gangsta rap perfection that was Doggystyle. That early 90’s time capsule will NEVER be made again. Dre and Snoop are both in VERY different places in their lives and could never surpass an album the calibre of Doggystyle EVER (hell, they would probably be amongst the first to say that). So get over it. And if you can get past that, you might be able to appreciate the fact that Snoop has been coming with it for some time since then and hasn’t fallen off for very long. Although IMO, the best career move he made was hiring the Neptunes in 2002 to resurrect his career. And it worked like a charm as it’s been a successful (and head-nodding) partnership ever since. Everytime that Snoop, Pharrell and Chad (and to a lesser degree, Uncle Charlie Wilson) get together, it is musical magic and I for one appreciate each and every one of the Snoop/’Tunes collabos as well as look forward to the future ones.

This song is my sh!t *patting chest* MY SH!T. I never get tired of this near 5-minute masterpiece and never will again (for the numerous reasons listed above).

Planet Neptunes track selection #2 is now in the books. And then there was one…

Stay (Nep)tuned.

As another fun summer weekend comes to a close, let us look forward to more, all of which (this year and forever) must be soundracked to include this perfect summer classic. Great writeup.

Love the above anecdotes about The Real Cancun too. It’s use in the movie as always remembered when this song plays to this day. An underated movie, that I always find myself watching when it shows up on TV. Hopefully the new Real World Cancun season at least partially matches some of that movie’s fun.