Battle of the Beats
Mary J. and Janet in the James Brown Sample Slam!
It's Battle of the Beats time and today we're bringing you another Sample Slam! James Brown samples ruled Hip-Hop in the '80s and '90s, so it was only a matter of time before R&B got in on it. Mary J. Blige and Janet Jackson, two of the few mainstream fixtures here on SoulBounce, sampled "Papa Don't Take No Mess" for "You Don't Have to Worry" and "That's the Way Love Goes" with only a year between the two. The approach was right up Mary's alley, as she was fresh off of What's the 411? But this was more of a departure for Janet at the time. The mid-tempo, laid-back groove was an unusual choice for a first single, but the crossover appeal was enormous.
If forced to make that painful decision, whose classic would you choose?
Mary J. Blige: "You Don't Have to Worry"
Janet Jackson: "That's the Way Love Goes"
Tags: audio, james brown, janet jackson, mary j. blige
Comments
Big fan of mary, but I have to say Janet on this one.
janet007 | February 22, 2008 1:18 AM | PermalinkI melt everytime I hear thats the way love goes....that song was better then marys...hell its better than james brown.
Derrick | February 21, 2008 9:11 PM | PermalinkI'd say Janet. Can't beat "That's The Way Love Goes"
Hmmm | February 21, 2008 7:15 PM | PermalinkJanet Jackson all day!
Time | February 21, 2008 6:07 PM | PermalinkJanet all day errr day.. sorry.. thats the way loves goes is a legendary song... its still betta then half of these luv songs today.. aint thts a shame!
anthony | February 21, 2008 5:58 PM | PermalinkLove me some MJB, but That's the Way Love goes is TIMELESS. People have never given her the credit she deserves since day 1. But there is a reason she is still in the game after all these years- she is TALENTED and makes INCREDIBLE music.
Go Janet, we love you girl!
NATION | February 21, 2008 5:39 PM | Permalink@ S. Flemming:
I need to go and dig in their archives. They have multiple bloggers over at SOHH and they don't all agree on the same things. It's likely that it was another cat that was feeling JJ, but it honestly wouldn't surprise me in the least if that particular one turned on her just to provoke angry comments.
I mean, honestly, it's one thing to point out that the album leaked (unavoidable these days), but I really don't get why that blogger seems to revel in the prospect of Janet's album doing badly, especially since that is not a personal blog and is under the umbrella of arguably one of the largest, most popular online hip-hop destinations.
I just. Don't. Get it.
I could go on and on AND ON about the current state of hip-hop blogging and urban entertainment blogs in general but we'd be here all day and it would end in hurt feelings, burned bridges and circular, childish reasoning. But feel free to hit me on IM.
nOvaMatic@ Nova
I'm not sure where that blog is coming from with all that hate, since they were the main one praising 'Feedback' when it came out. Now all of a sudden they are throwing shade big time. There have been rumors that they tried to get an interview, her and her peeps declined, and they've been on the rampage ever since. It's stupid and childish. Janet will be fine I'm sure. I really don't get people sometimes. Thank God you keep the bar high over here.
S. Flemming | February 20, 2008 5:18 PM | PermalinkI hate to pile on, especially since nOva's already invoked the skunk rule, but y'all know when you put on that Janet somebody gon' get pregnant.
DJStylus | February 20, 2008 4:13 PM | PermalinkOk, I guess Damita is the victor. lol. Nice to see she's getting some love because people elsewhere are praying for her downfall.
nOvaMaticJanet!
Sheree | February 20, 2008 2:06 PM | PermalinkJanet, Janet, Janet
D Will | February 20, 2008 11:29 AM | PermalinkDamn, this sucks...I'll pick MJB though if I have to choose
Law Diva 1908 | February 20, 2008 10:39 AM | PermalinkThat Janet beat was hot then and still hot!
todd kelley | February 20, 2008 10:34 AM | PermalinkI love both, but I must say Janet.
Nate | February 20, 2008 7:15 AM | PermalinkYeah, I'm going with Janet hands down. Her's still sounds classic and timeless and Mary's is starting to sound dated. Also like someone said above Janet's use of the sample is so subtle if you didn't know the original inside and out you can't tell.
Gmoney | February 19, 2008 11:29 PM | PermalinkWhy you do this to me?? You make the decision harder and harder everytime. I'm going with Janet on this one. Please don't tell Mary I said that.
Ms. Kiti | February 19, 2008 10:41 PM | PermalinkI have to go with janet. This is one of my all time faves.
s.moore | February 19, 2008 8:56 PM | PermalinkDamn man. I like both ... but Janet gets it just by a hair. Her's is a bit more timeless and not quite as dated. Both songs remind me of a happy time in my life. And thinking about rough and rugged Mary always brings a smile to my face, ha ha. Good times.
S. Flemming | February 19, 2008 8:52 PM | PermalinkI could slap ya'll for this.
I got to go with MJB though. That was my joint back in the day! Still is! Sassy, in your face lyrics just like I like them.
It also takes me back to one of my favorite eras in music...the '90s and New Jack Swing baby!
Vivrant Thang | February 19, 2008 7:21 PM | PermalinkJanet. It has held up very nicely and doesn't sound dated.
sfsinger | February 19, 2008 7:05 PM | PermalinkWow, I didn't even know that Penny sampled JB for this track. I'm gonna have to go with Janet on this one because that was a very subtle sample and the better of the two tracks IMO. Good match up!
Butta | February 19, 2008 6:55 PM | PermalinkMan!!!! This is like choosing your favorite child. I guess it all depends on what mood you're in. If sexy--Janet. If hip hop--Mary.
Mr. Lowe | February 19, 2008 6:50 PM | PermalinkI have to go with Janet on this one. Mary got a classic gems on her first album but Janet's song was like an introdution to another side of Janet that no one had really seen before.
And once you add the video, Janet wins hands down
BC Planning | February 19, 2008 6:37 PM | Permalink