P Diddy ft. Mario Winans - 'Through The Pain (She Told Me)'
For what I am about to do, for the sins I am about to commit, may the gods of hip hop and R&B forgive me. These are not the actions of a mindless bigot, but a concerned friend. I come not to damn two entire genres with hate, but to encourage them both to develop and grow, with love and support.
And maybe throw in a few little snarky jokes too, because I am only human, and it is fun.
There's a fine line between 'working to a succesful formula' and 'having no new ideas at all', and P Diddy's footprint is right across that line, next to a little spot of spilled champagne. Now, there's no reason why he should care about this, he's a multi-millionaire party-animal, after all. Buit I care. I'm bored. I'm VERY bored. And when I get bored, I make lists.
Here's a list of cliches which are used in this song and video which, frankly, I could live without ever hearing or seeing again.
Rhythm track consists of a drum machine repeating the same bar over and over again.
Star drives an expensive car at night, listening to the song and REALLY enjoying it, while wearing shades.
Rapper talks over the singer, singer sings over the rapper.
Star and cohort also perform into the camera, in front of a nearby wall, with a single spotlight on them, making both of them look like they're in a lift.
Philosophical questions in the song, like "has anyone ever made you feel that way?" sung by singer and then repeated by rapper. Heard it the first time, thanks.
The expensive car with the star in pulls up next to another expensive car, driven by a hot girl, at traffic lights. Meaningful glances are exchanged, through shades.
The talky bit at the beginning of the song. It doesn't matter what the rapper says (in this case it's "Can you feel me? Can you love me?") it still just sounds like he's just checking the microphone is switched on before the song starts properly.
Expensive car is parked at a crossroads or in a car park and star performs part of his song into the camera lens, with cohort or co-singer standing behind looking menacing (in shades).
Impassioned singing, contrasted by rapper who sounds vertically asleep. The bit where the Didster says "thank you for showing me how to love" at the end is mumbled and snoozy, He doesn't sound remotely bothered about this girl who is supposed to have broken his heart. Does rather subtract from the point.
The star walks into a nightclub in slow motion, everyone parts to let him walk by. Shades still on.
A video in which the expensive car is featured more prominently that the star, his cohort, or the girl. It's only a car.
If this was an indie song, it would sound like Coldplay/Snow Patrol and it would feature the band playing live in the rain. THAT'S how bad this sorry affair is.
Now, I'm going to sit quietly and pray for salvation. Who's with me?
Download: Out now
CD Released: August 20th
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comments
Oh, my god!!
You're sooo right!!!
The beat at the back seems to be of Mario Winans' "I don't wanna know"!
Before, I used to like r&b/hip hop! But now it has let me down so much, that I've gone to dance and all that, although I've got to say that there are still some REALLY GOOD r&b songs!
Cheers from Spain!