Battle of the Beats
Who Makes You Go 'Back and Forth'? Cameo or Aaliyah?
This Battle of the Beats pits the '80s against the '90s in this "Back and Forth" showdown. Cameo versus Aaliyah. Let's get ready to rumble!
Cameo's "Back and Forth" came after they'd been in the game for over a decade and at a time when lead singer Larry Blackmon brought our collective focus to his red codpiece-clad crotch. That gimmick aside, the synth-heavy "Back and Forth" featured Cameo harmonizing about the tug of war in relationships and was one of the standout tracks on the album Word Up! alongside the hit title song and the stone-cold jam "Candy."
Aaliyah's "Back and Forth" was her debut single that introduced "the L. I. Y. A. H." to the masses. The songs' "funky mellow groove" made her a staple on radio and in the clubs, while the video showcased the teen beauty with a voice and swagger that belied her age. Maybe it was her association with hitmaker (and husband on the-not-so-down-low) R. Kelly or her fresh street but sweet style, but Aaliyah came out the gate with a hit and never slowed down.
So who's "Back and Forth" is it gonna be? The funkdafied band of brothas or our beloved babygirl?
Cameo: "Back and Forth"
Aaliyah: "Back and Forth"
Tags: aaliyah, audio, cameo, r. kelly
Comments
cameo...hands down. you took me back. I'm jammin in the office.
Rochelle | May 22, 2008 10:10 AM | PermalinkGotta go with Cameo, Aaliyah's song did nothing for me. Cameo reminds me of Saturday night at the skating rink.
hottnikz | May 16, 2008 3:29 PM | PermalinkI love cameo, but I have go w/ babygirl because this song was my high school jam. I miss songs like this... equally good in a club/get everyone moving context or making sexy-time with that special someone.
(Waiiiiit. Aaliyah had a lazy eye? The hell? That's what the shades and eye-patch were for? Almost a decade and I hear this now?)
heyhey | May 16, 2008 2:11 PM | Permalinkaaliyah.
dreamondreamer | May 16, 2008 1:06 PM | PermalinkBabygirl all day! This is not one of my fave Cameo joints.
Vivrant Thang | May 16, 2008 10:33 AM | PermalinkI'm boycotting this battle.
DJStylus | May 16, 2008 10:19 AM | PermalinkAaliyah.
Angela | May 16, 2008 9:41 AM | PermalinkThe first time I heard Cameo's Back & Forth, I was young and at a cookout, when this song came on everyone got up and started getting down. I have loved it ever since. Aaliyah's I did not like at first, it had to grow on me. So I'm going with Cameo!
TiP | May 16, 2008 8:56 AM | PermalinkImma have to go with Cameo...it makes me want to bounce.
Mr. Lowe | May 16, 2008 12:31 AM | PermalinkCAMEO all day everyday... that was back when the A had that lazy eye. No bueno.
ww4pdotcom | May 15, 2008 11:22 PM | PermalinkI love Aaliyah but Cameo wins for me.
CutenShort79 | May 15, 2008 10:30 PM | PermalinkWooooooooowwww!
Im'ma have to stan for Baby Girl...although that Cameo track had me bouncin'!
MarvalusOne | May 15, 2008 8:57 PM | PermalinkAaliyah all day. 8th grade walking in the snow, my best friend Robert putting his head phones on my frost bitten ears telling me to check out this new Single Cassete he got at the mall, of this fine chick that R-Kelly is producing. : ( I miss her
Mutada al sader the king | May 15, 2008 8:51 PM | PermalinkButta, you've got to be kidding! This is like choosing between my children! I am a Cameo stan as well as an Aaliyah stan.
I'll go with Aaliyah, but Cameo's was the joint when it was out.
ill Mami | May 15, 2008 6:10 PM | PermalinkThis is hard because I love them both. I'm going to give it to Aaliyah because I have alot of fond memories of when this song came out. I can still see the video in my mind.
Damn, y'all make it hard.
Danielle | May 15, 2008 5:19 PM | Permalink