Lady British Rapper Got It On Lock

The other day I was showing my TOTALLY ADORABLE new shoes to my old man, and I asked him, “Aren’t these the cutest shoes I own?” And he said, “I guess, but don’t you say that about every pair of shoes you buy… ?” Hmmph! My man clearly does not understand the shoe relationship cycle.

I’m kind of like that with music, too – whatever I’m listening to right now is just about the banginest cut I’ve ever heard. Until the next one. Anybody remember Unklejam? me neither.

But this time, it’s different! I think my relationship with UK MC Estelle will be long-term. First of all, she wasn’t born until 1980, but she’s got mad respect for classic soul older than her. She runs her own label, and she rolls with John Legend, Kanye and Swizz Beats. Also: her grill is straight wrecked, and I kind of respect that.

Folks are comparing Estelle to Lauryn Hill, and I guess I can see that – she’s got a husky voice and she’s the stylistic antidote to Beyoncé. But Estelle seems more authentic, and more importantly, she’s not dressing like a clown or rambling batshit nonsense to interviewers.

Estelle
1980
The 18th Day, 2004
Estelle’s first big UK hit.

Musiq Soulchild Featuring Estelle
People Everyday
Meet the Browns OST, 2008
About TIME somebody started remaking the REAL classics by the REAL masters, like Milwaukee’s own Arrested Development!

Estelle
Wait A Minute (Just a Touch)
Shine, 2008
The first single, kind of made up of crazy shit mashed together that works really well. That “OH.” gets me every time. Borrows liberally from:

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
I Put A Spell On You
45, 1969
Yikes! This song scares me, no lie. Put this on and I will run out the room.

and:

Slave
Just A Touch Of Love
Just A Touch Of Love, 1979
Disco classic with a nasty bassline.

Estelle
In The Rain
Shine, 2008
Oh god, this is so girly. It’s all summer storms and movie soundtrack. Sounds suspiciously like:

Love Unlimited
Walkin’ In The Rain With The One I Love
Love Unlimited, 1974
Written, produced, and arranged by the late Barry White after a conversation (and frenching) with the lead singer.