The Rap Songs That Introduced Today’s Most Popular R&B Stars
Hear jump off features by singers like Bruno Mars, SZA & Ty Dolla $ign, as a reminder superstardom doesn’t come out of nowhere
If you’re a singer or songwriter, there’s a good chance the track that puts you on the map won’t be your own. And that’s OK. In an industry built on relationships, many artists pave the way for themselves, by working on behalf of others. Whether that’s by writing hit songs for a label mate or lending vocals to a hook, many of your favorite singers earned their stripes on songs people typically don’t even associate with them at all.
Below are ten records that helped put your favorite R&B, Pop and Rap singers on the map. My, look how far they’ve come.
Bruno Mars Introduced Alongside B.o.B. on “Nothin On You”
There was a time when Bruno Mars was just a pop singer who made songs about being lazy in his pajamas, catering specifically to a casual pop audience. Now, he’s a dripping-wet, electro-funk superstar who is applauded by anyone with ears. Yet, there was a point where he was simply a hire for fire hook singer, who knocked out hooks for emerging rappers on Atlantic. Bruno’s first notable appearance was on B.o.B.’s breakout hit, “Nothin On You,” which was originally for Lupe Fiasco. Even after the song took off, Bruno’s solo success did not, requiring a few more hooks for Eminem/Royce and Travie McCoy to truly launch into his current crossover superstar status.
Ty Dolla $ign Debuts On “Toot It & Boot It” With YG
If Beach House 3 hasn’t left your rotation, you’re not alone. But, it hasn’t always been that way. Before becoming your favorite hook singer, Ty was writing hooks and producing behind the scenes for local artists in Cali, when he decided to lend a hand to a young buck making waves on the local house party scene — YG. In 2010, the duo dropped “Toot It And Boot It” and the groovy gangsta funk record became an instant fan favorite, despite not launching either of them into another stratosphere immediately. In due time.
Brent Faiyaz Heats Up On Goldlink’s “Crew” Posse Cut
There’s no question Goldlink’s biggest record to date is “Crew.” There’s also no question Shy Glizzy stole the show with his verse. However, would it be bold to say Brent Faiyaz has become the shining star of the song? Since his first national attention, the DMV singer has gone on to become one of 2017’s biggest breakout names, delivering an opus in Sonder Son that many are calling album of the year. Keep it a buck? How many of you jammed that album and didn’t realize it was Brent leading the “Crew”? *Raises hand*
Jeremih Finds His Stride On “My Time” With Fabolous
In R&B conversations, Jeremih is a somewhat divisive figure. His name has been associated with a consistent string of hits for nearly a decade, but his solo efforts and star power never seem to match the energy he brings to records. The first time this was evident was on “My Time,” a 2007 single from Fabolous that the Chicago singer helps take over the top with his powerful vocals. The stadium-ready anthem off From Nothin To Somthin should’ve taken off and been an immediate playoff anthem for the Boston Celtics. Instead, the record didn’t take off as anticipated and Jeremih stayed behind the scenes until his self-titled debut dropped two years later.
Bryson Tiller Glows Up “The Right Way” With Krispy Keem
Dreary, temperate R&B may be the genre’s sound of the moment and that’s largely because of Bryson Tiller. Back in 2015, the Louisville singer rose to prominence at a rapid speed, thanks to his T R A P S O U L debut. Since then, Tiller’s sound is no longer his own. Before numerous singers adopting his broken down crooning, Bry guy was still fighting for his come up like the rest of us, doing hooks for local acts and inching toward a hit. One of those was “The Right Way” from Miami rapper Krispy Keem, who seemed to let Tiller handle the heavy lifting on his late-blooming, 2013 single.
SZA Sets The Tone On “Tomorrow” With Kris Kasanova
In 2017, SZA’s style of tattered, chillwave R&B is so relatable, she’s become a dormroom name for the next generation of grown folk. But, less than five years ago, the CTRL singer was still an aspiring singer/songwriter, vying for credits any way she could find them. After dropping surface level mixtapes by herself, the New Jersey singer had a chance meeting with Top Dawg and earned an unofficial partnership with the label. From there, she earned her chops writing singles for other artists (Nikki Minaj, Travis Scott) and doing guest hooks for emerging acts like Kris Kasanova, who gave the Islamic singer her first guest feature exposure on his 2013 single, “Tomorrow.”
John Legend Joins The Team On White Boy’s “U Know”
Since coming out of Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music camp at the turn of the new millennium, John Legend has performed for the president numerous times, recorded with nearly every notable artist on the planet, become one half of a Hollywood it-couple, and dropped various crossover hits that connect with every demographic possible. Before becoming a generational icon though, Mr. Legend was knocking out hooks for local Chicago rappers like White Boy, who turned a vintage Kanye guest appearance and hook from John Legend into a regional hit that actually made a few waves in the Midwest.
The Weeknd Trades Drake “Crew Love” For A Co-Sign
People love to debate two things about Take Care, Drake’s critically-acclaimed album from 2011. 1) Is the album Drizzy’s sole classic? 2) How much did The Weeknd really contribute to the project? While we may never get firm answers from either party, there is one fact we can put a finger on about the 6 God’s sophomore effort. The album, and more specifically “Crew Love,” put such a spotlight on Able’s moody R&B pop sound, he was eventually given the platform to become the chart topper we all know and love today.
Anderson .Paak Pops Off On “Feels Good” From Wax
Wax is an indy MC, who’s been making waves on the Left Coast for years now. He’s extremely gifted and clearly has an eye for talent, as he recruited a young(er) Anderson .Paak for his 2013 single, “Feels Good.” Soulfully robust and properly named, the cut is casually cool and feels like an appropriate precursor to the Paak tunes the planet would collectively end up falling in love with over the next few years.
Frank Ocean Goes Nationwide On “No Church In The Wild” For WTT
Frank Ocean has developed such cache, he doesn’t even need to release music to remain towards the top of the totem pole. He’s the Andre 3000 of singers. But, it wasn’t always that way. After making a name for himself rather organically with his debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra in 2011, the avant-garde Los Angeles singer/songwriter was thrust into the national spotlight later that year by being featured as the lead vocalist on Kanye West and Jay Z’s stirring “No Church In The Wild” single from Watch The Throne. The track was used in numerous movie trailers and promos over the next year and change, with Frankie’s next level vocals as the focal point.
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