NE-YO DOES IT! (Beautiful Monster)

[Wildstyle K]

Some months to a year ago, I mentioned that Ne-yo himself talked about his trip to Europe and how he loved the "new sounds" he heard so much to the point he decided to change up his style a bit to represent the sounds that he liked. In other words, that meant he was talking about using electronic sounds in his productions/music and doing some dance hits. Flash forward to now and it all actually begins to materialize in 2010! This is actually straight up electronica, and even more advanced in electronic production than Usher's "OMG" and many of the other uptempo... rhythmic dance hits... out there!

NE-YO - BEAUTIFUL MONSTER

-the FIRST song you hear upon entering - http://www.7000express.multiply.com |
(I would do a YouTube link, but I can always guarantee that this link will not be removed or blocked for any reasons!)

KPWR and KZZP so far I know are on it, based on hearing it actually play live on those stations.

I wonder how many other stations are picking this up as well, whether it be Internet or Terrestrial?
What are the main formats of those stations? And has anyone even received any promos for this record?

 

[butlerguy03]

We (91.7 WEEM) have it in light spins right now...seeing where it goes locally. I love it!

 

[theedger]

This thread belongs in CHR. CHR's tempo is borrowing from dance, but don't confuse that borrowed tempo with dance.

 

[Wildstyle K]

This thread belongs in CHR.  CHR's tempo is borrowing from dance, but don't confuse that borrowed tempo with dance. 

Would it still be CHR if Ne-yo wasn't the singer, or if Jenna Drey or someone else sang over the instrumental? Dance music will never get anywhere as long as this sound / popular artist vs unpopular artist discrimination continues, or as long as the genre is being defined by the singer. Actually, I should say American dance music. This, for the most part, doesn’t happen in Europe. I’ve heard established dance artists use electronic instrumentals that were even less “complex” than this Ne-yo production. I don’t see how this is any less dance today than Sonique’s “It feels so good” was back in the day. This is almost like saying if Lenny Kravitz did r&b or pop before doing  “American Woman” and then people saying it belongs in CHR and should not be in alternative because people know him (or the producer behind the track) as r&b / pop. I could see if it were Rihanna “disturbia” or something, but this Ne-yo track is clearly more electronic than some of Kylie Minogue or even (some of) Lady Gaga’s stuff that people are openly accepting as dance. I think that just because it's a CHR artist or that it may become popular to the mainstream, this doesn't mean it cannot also be dance. After all, David Guetta has crossed over to both sides.

 

[theedger]

If you don't know the difference, then I'm not sure I can explain it to you.

You can dance to tempo. Rock, Country, Pop all have that tempo. But a 'core' dance song is more than just a beat with tempo. Lady Gaga is pop's version of dance. Ne-Yo's "Monster" and "Closer" as well.

It doesn't take away the value of the songs, you just need to know that calling it a dance song doesn't mean it's a 'core' "dance format" song.

 

[Wildstyle K]

I don't care about the tempo. No where did I even mention tempo, what people are capable of dancing to, or music speed. I'm going based on the elements used within the entire instrumental production of the track, and based on that instrumental alone, you cannot deny that this is a dance track. Maybe it's not as hard or pure as the typical same ol' same ol' beat pattern stuff most people are used to in the dance scene, and it also isn't exactly the way things are "supposed" to be based on past productions, but it is still a form of (modern) dance music, and is just as appropriate here in the dance section as it is in CHR Pop. The same with Usher's OMG on a lesser level. They are both a form of dance and should be acknowledged on a dance format, which is what this section of the boards are about.

Besides, why would I introduce it in the CHR section when they have nothing really to gain from it? CHR folks don't really care that Ne-yo made an electronic track. However, for the dance side, it's another thing to be proud of to see what's going on these days with the use of electronica after the drought we had. I always notice differences... well, most of the time I do. This time, I do not see a difference big enough to shun it from being talked about in a dance section or board. I found a track that was good for both Dance and CHR, and I choose to mention it on the dance side.

 

[Zorn21]

Speculate, say all you want, break down the details,...

REALITY: THIS IS A DANCE HIT! Great to hear Ne-Yo taking on the sound of dance. There's a lot more out there too. Dance-hop, dance-pop, electro-hop are all on the increase. This song is just simply dance! Rhythmic radio is getting good again. I don't care how we get dance on the radio...this will work! Hey, our local station 107.9 Jamz (Champaign,IL) is regularly pumpin' David Guetta. Never thought I'd hear that in Illinois! This is a great sign for the future. Thanks for sharing the song.

Z

 

[theedger]

Besides, why would I introduce it in the CHR section when they have nothing really to gain from it? CHR folks don't really care that Ne-yo made an electronic track.

Are you for real? Ne-Yo is a core artist for CHR. THAT'S WHY!!

 

[theedger]

Speculate, say all you want, break down the details,...

REALITY: THIS IS A DANCE HIT! Great to hear Ne-Yo taking on the sound of dance. There's a lot more out there too. Dance-hop, dance-pop, electro-hop are all on the increase. This song is just simply dance! Rhythmic radio is getting good again. I don't care how we get dance on the radio...this will work! Hey, our local station 107.9 Jamz (Champaign,IL) is regularly pumpin' David Guetta. Never thought I'd hear that in Illinois! This is a great sign for the future. Thanks for sharing the song.

Z

You must be educated about music from an American perspective.
There's nothing wrong with the song, but it's not a 'dance' song, it's a pop song. You all are so cute on this board.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Besides, why would I introduce it in the CHR section when they have nothing really to gain from it? CHR folks don't really care that Ne-yo made an electronic track.

Are you for real?  Ne-Yo is a core artist for CHR.  THAT'S WHY!!

Then I might as well just post about every single song that comes out by a CHR artist on the CHR board. I mean, if we're just posting things just because instead of for a real certain purpose, then why should I just pick Ne-yo out of all people to put on a CHR board? It wouldn't really make any difference what I put on the CHR section because unlike the dance scene, they really don't care whether or not this Ne-yo sound in particular or anything similar is successful.

What's funny is this mass confusion where one person says something is this, another says it's that, itunes and other music stores have a totally different label, different radio station jocks all have their own opinions too - as well as the producers who create the instrumentals, then next thing you know you see a compilation calling it what the first person said it wasn't to begin with. It's enough to make you wonder what's going on (in America) when it comes to what dance music is. Ever since hip hop dominated and seemingly took over everything during the mid 00's, it seems as if people have been lost to other sounds and what to call them. It's very unfortunate that hip hop kind of blocked out many things in the mainstream and put a gap between the old school and the new school in certain genres because if we could've just had a steady transition in the evolution of sound from the 90's to now (with dance in the mainstream), then I bet there would be more accurate definition and less confusion today. Anyway, this Ne-yo track is only as pop as Sonique's "It feels so good" was back in 1999-2000, and I believe Sonique was not strictly pop and pushed off to chr ONLY. I bet nowadays, Eiffil 65 and Outhere Brothers would be considered the same thing as Drake and Katy Perry today as well. The Ne-yo song deserves to be here just as much as any of the dance remixes of non dance pop songs that get open acceptance. At least this Ne-yo song is fine as is in its original form. I'd say it's even deeper than Cascada's "Evacuate the dancefloor" when it comes to being electronic. The Usher song..... maybe could pass in dance as well. Pop dance, dance pop, electro-pop dance... hip hop, r&b, techno, whatever you call it, "beautiful monster" is still a form of dance. It's not like we're talking about the original version of La Roux "Bullet Proof". Now THAT I can understand why it would be questionable or shunned from the dance community, even though realistically, dance is supposed to include electro-pop and synth, or even down tempo electro hits - at least when it comes to dance radio.

 

[JohnParker]

It's a Pop record in Dance clothing. If dance sounds weren't hot at CHR radio right now, then they'd disguise it as what ever was hot.

As for the generic labelling of music, for the record, Hip Hop is different than rap. Not all rap is hip hop just like not all dance sub genres are "Techno". These same fights happen in all genres of popular music. It's not exclusive to dance.

Was amused late last week when Z100 Music director, Jagger posted that he and Hollywood Hamilton have a bet over whether or not this is a Top 10 record. Jagger says yes. Hollywood says no way and adds (and I'm paraphrasing here), "Leave House Music to the Pros". I'm with Hollywood on this one.

jp

 

[theedger]

As a side note... It was added to our CHR-P this week.

 

[Zorn21]

You guys are so clouded by the "industry" that you seemingly can't think straight for yourselves. No bad intent here just observation. If Ne-Yo was not the artist and it was some unknown new guy, this discussion wouldn't be taking place. It would be considered by all on this board a DANCE HIT! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! But, since a mainstream CHR artist put it out, it all of a sudden is NOT a dance hit? Doesn't make sense to do that but that's "the industry" talking not reality. Reality is when I listen and many others listen to this song, dance hit comes to mind. Can it play on CHR? Heck yeah and rightly so and I'm glad a dance hit is playing on pop stations. It is just insane to ignore what it really is. I don't hear anyone doing the same to Madonna's latest hits. She's a popular pop artist like Ne-Yo who is putting out dance hits. No one argues that her music is not dance. Ne-Yo is doing the same thing -- putting out dance music that just so happens to be playing on CHRs because he is a popular artist. Thank God for that! Let's live in reality instead of "industry" reality for a minute. As you can tell, I am not in any way shape or form part of the "industry". I listen to the radio as a fan and a dance music fan and Ne-Yo's latest is a dance hit period! That's reality.

Z

 

[Morpheux]

It's a dance song by a pop artist.

 

[JohnParker]

You guys are so clouded by the "industry" that you seemingly can't think straight for yourselves. No bad intent here just observation. If Ne-Yo was not the artist and it was some unknown new guy, this discussion wouldn't be taking place. It would be considered by all on this board a DANCE HIT! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! But, since a mainstream CHR artist put it out, it all of a sudden is NOT a dance hit? Doesn't make sense to do that but that's "the industry" talking not reality. Reality is when I listen and many others listen to this song, dance hit comes to mind. Can it play on CHR? Heck yeah and rightly so and I'm glad a dance hit is playing on pop stations. It is just insane to ignore what it really is. I don't hear anyone doing the same to Madonna's latest hits. She's a popular pop artist like Ne-Yo who is putting out dance hits. No one argues that her music is not dance. Ne-Yo is doing the same thing -- putting out dance music that just so happens to be playing on CHRs because he is a popular artist. Thank God for that! Let's live in reality instead of "industry" reality for a minute. As you can tell, I am not in any way shape or form part of the "industry". I listen to the radio as a fan and a dance music fan and Ne-Yo's latest is a dance hit period! That's reality.

Z

It all goes back to what is dance music. To you it's something, to the next guy it's something else. There is no winning arguement here. There can't be. It is what it is. That is the reality of it.

My opinion of this song is that if someone that wasn't a pop star did this record, nobody would even hear it.

It's also a bit early to call it a "dance hit" as it hasn't charted on the dance charts. And it's not a pop hit as it's not on the Hot 100, but I'm sure it will be and that will be before it charts on any dance chart. In fact, only 2 out of the 17 reporting FMQB dance stations are even playing it. And one of those is a rhythmic reporter who is playing it because it's Ne-Yo, the pop star.

You like the record, cool. I think it's a pop artists attempt at bringing in edgy elements to a pop record to remain relevant. Whatever works. Either way, the world keeps turning.

jp

 

[Wildstyle K]

Zorn - this is PRECISELY the case here! But in REALITY you cannot genuinely get upset about it because this is just the way humans have been mentally programmed to think and operate. For example; Look at all the stores that sell the SAME EXACT PRODUCTS, yet Wal-Mart has lower prices, therefore people are ashamed to admit they are a Wal-Mart shopper and even poke fun at it because it is known as a discount store. Even my family members do this. If the price is lower or the store is discount, they want to rip off the tags or hide the grocery bags so no one will know they got it from a discount store. Somehow, they truly believe that when they are buying the SAME EXACT PRODUCTS at a high priced and frugal store, the type of store or price setting magically transforms the quality that has been put in to the creation and production of whatever product they were buying. It's the same psychological principle going on here. Yes, this song does have pop elements thrown in, but it is not "watered down" enough to be shunned from the dance scene. As a matter of fact, they were kind of blatant with the fact that it was intended to be electronica.

As far as the Jaggar vs. Hollywood Hamilton thing, I will not even dare make a prediction on how far this record will go because when Ne-yo dropped "closer", I assumed nobody would accept it because "the beat sounds techno". Boy was I wrong. The same when I thought "Calle Ocho" and even "poker face" were too outrageous. So these days, I guess you never know.

When it comes to the hip hop vs rap thing, I used to hear those "arguments" (they weren't really arguments in my experiences, just someone who was a hardcore rap fan correcting everyone else in a conversation). I did learn the difference, but quickly lost interest and forgot most of the rules behind that.

JP got the underlaying preciseness of the entire situation down, but I don't really think in Ne-yo's case that it's an attempt to remain relevant. Ne-yo himself said he was GENUINELY INTERESTED in the sound, and I kind of feel like he actually risked things a bit by doing this. Even pop stars can't go "too far" all the time. There have been many cases where a pop star tried something different and achieved some success because they were established stars, but then it fizzled quickly, no matter how hard they tried to preach it as "cool". With that being said, 50 Cent announced he was interested in making a dance album.... My ears are open. At least, like I've said before on this board, 50 Cent's style of melodic rapping / singing and being able to do both and match his voice with rhythmic tones and melodies will help him achieve this without coming across as comedic as you may be thinking when learning about this possibility in writing. Hopefully he does COLLABORATE....

 

[theedger]

Y'all need to make your posts shorter. And KDM - if you you the word 'Techno' in any post outside of quotes you should have to put a dollar in the cup. People who use that word display their ignorance and lose all cred.

A dance hit is any song Energy 98 plays! - And yes we do play a Ne-yo song. :-*

 

[Zorn21]

I'm not upset. Just trying to call it as it is. I'm sure everyone thinks I call as I see it (subjectively) - sure - ok but dance is dance. Dress it up, dress it down, call it a Wal-mart brand or whatever. I think Parker is fine and it makes sense to him. I just try to be as objective as I can (never full proof of course) and that song is a dance song more than anything else (if anything else at all) no matter who's behind the mic singing it.

Here's another test: Would the VIBE in Vegas play it? Sure. Will they? I don't know. But if they do, would it be a stretch on that station? No. Would it fit right in to that format? Yes. Will it sound like a pop song remixed to fit the format? No. The original is dance and it would sound normal on the VIBE. Catch that, it would sound NORMAL on a dance hits radio station. Might be a dance hit?!

Will a pop station play it? Yes. Does it sound out of place? No. Because pop stations could and should play all types of music. Would KIIS or Z100 or many CHRs play that song if Ne-Yo was NOT the artist? Probably NOT because like other dance songs, it would be too dancy for them to play. Since Ne-Yo does sing it, pop stations will play it because of him. Doesn't make it a regular pop song, just a dance song stations are willing to play because of the artist. You won't hear Ameerah, Morgan Page, etc...in rotation at the pop stations and this song would fit right into that genre (aka a VIBE song). Therefore, imho, it is a dance hit. We could argue all day but it's always fun to dialogue cordially and learn from it.

 

[theedger]

I wouldn't use Vibe as a benchmark for dance. They are all over the road format wise, but it that works for them - great!
If Pete Tong plays original version on his show I'd poop my pants.

 

[Zorn21]

Isn't great that this much "dance" product is exposed on CHRs these days? It's been quite a while! Like early 90s days.

Z