(Photo By Kal’L Gage)
It’s getting down to the wire for Milwaukee based crooner Kal’L Gage‘s Top 8 Favorite Mainstream Collabs. This week brings readers selections number four and three. The fourth entry is “My First Love” by fellow R&B singers Avant and Keke Wyatt.
The song was released in the year 2000. It is actually a cover of a song by the same title that was originally released in 1983 by Soul duo René & Angela. The story goes that the pair initially intended the song for the infamous Janet Jackon to use on her debut album but she turned it down. Not wanting the track to be wasted, René & Angela recorded the single themselves and placed it on their third LP, Rise. The situation turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the track turned out to be a major success for the two. It became one of their biggest singles and went on to set the bar for the rest of their career. The offering would yield the same results for Avant & Keke Wyatt upon it’s re-release in the new millennium. It was Avant’s second biggest track from his premiere LP and it launched Wyatt’s career as an R&B diva. The song dominated the R&B charts for weeks and would go on to lead the couple to do a handful of additional records together later on down the line. The video simply features the crooners jamming out in and around an older model apartment building amidst glimpses of Avant’s first relationship. The flick was just as popular as the single and performed relatively well on music video shows. **Why It Made The Countdown: “I heard this song for the first time just a few years ago and I immediately fell in love with the story. First thing I thought to myself was, that’s what I want my music to sound like.” – Kal’L Gage
Collaboration number three is “Fall For Your Type” by Jamie Foxx & Drake. This single was originally composed by Drake for his debut effort, Thank Me Later. However, it didn’t make the final cut. So Drake decided to put it to the side to use for something else. Jamie Foxx was brought into the picture and the rest is history. The single ended up on Foxx’s fourth studio album, Best Night Of My Life. It turned out to be the project’s smash single upon it’s release on November 12, 2010. A visual for the record was set forth in December 2010. It was directed by Chris Robinson. It takes on a darker tone with incredible special effects and features exotic model Jessica Burciaga as Foxx’s significant other. The concept for the piece basically chronicles the tumultuous romantic relationship between Jamie & Jessica. Drake appears in a solo shot that entails a dark bluish backdrop that is littered with shattered glass crystals from time to time. He pretty much just gives a straightforward performance, occasionally reciting his lines in the ear of his gorgeous female companion. The song & video were listed among the biggest contributions for 2010/2011 in the R&B world. **Why It Made The Countdown: “I’ve been following Jamie Foxx since his first stand up Straight From The Foxxhole. So when he teamed up with singer/songwriter/rapper Drake on this track, it skyrocketed to one of my all-time favorites.” – Kal’L Gage
**My Two Cents: “My First Love” is one of my all time favorite songs. So I was excited to find out that it made the countdown. Avant & Keke Wyatt make for an amazing duo. Any time they team up, they create a hit. And I loved the timeless nature of the video as well. Not so crazy about “Fall For Your Type” but the video was pretty neat. The effects really made it pop. I’m curious to hear how it would have turned out if Drake would have kept it for himself. Next Sunday is the grand finale for the countdown, so be sure to check back. I heard it involves a little old school Hip-Hop. So that should be pretty interesting. If readers have been enjoying the countdown as much as I have, they should hit up Kal’L on Facebook and give him a like. -MinM
