[Feature] MCP Top 10 Of 2010…So Far

There have definitely been some heavy hitting songs to drop this year and we’re only halfway through it. R&B has made a triumphant return to the forefront and most artists that the public had counted out have released some of their biggest hits. The staff of MCP got together and discussed some of 2010′s hottest releases and compiled our list of the top 10 songs of 2010…so far!

Jaheim

Finding My Way Back
Hot 100: #95
Hot R&B: #12
Urban AC: #2
Fact: “Finding My Way Back” became Jaheim’s 8th top-15 R&B hit.

“My absolute favorite record off the new album and I knew Jaheim couldn’t
lose with this one! Classic vocals!” (RoJay)

“Lyrically, this is one of the BEST songs of any genre to drop this
year. The songwriters did a great job of taking the concept and
weaving it throughout the whole song. Jaheim’s really grown and come
into his own as an artist and is on the right path to becoming an icon
of his generation.” (Shooter)

“Love this record. Much like Luther, Jaheim always shines on his ballads.” (Terrell)

Toni Braxton

Hands Tied
Hot 100: N/A
Hot R&B: #29
Urban AC: #7
Fact: “Hands Tied” marked Toni’s 14th entry inside the Hot R&B top-40.

“I LOVE this song because it’s so simple yet so sexy and smooth. Toni
can deliver some real heat when she wants to and I also love how this
record showcases her voice still being intact after all these years.”
(Shooter)

“This should have been her first single! Hot joint.” (Terrell)

“Toni’s album was not really too great to me, but I will say that this
song was one of the few highlights from the project.” (RoJay)

Alicia Keys

Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)
Hot 100: #21
Hot R&B: #1
Adult R&B: #1
Fact: With 11 weeks in the #1 position on Hot R&B, “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)” has become the most successful R&B single of her career.

“Alicia just knows how to make a good song that sticks with you.” (Nfared)

“The first time I heard her album I knew this was the ONLY hit from it.
Looks like I was right.” (RoJay)

“This joint speaks for itself.” (Terrell)

“Another example of pure talent speaking for itself. This record will
easily become one of Alicia’s classics and I like how she put her
emotions, not her piano, in the forefront for a change.” (Shooter)

Trey Songz

Say Aah
Hot 100: #9
Hot R&B: #3
Fact: “Say Aah” went on to be Trey’s first top-10 hit on Hot 100 and  only his second top-40 hit. It also became his first single to be certified Platinum.

“It may not be the best record on his album but this is the one that
established his presence on pop radio and proved his versatility as an
artist. It took him and his album to the next level.” (Shooter)

“This song helped make Trey a staple at the club although it may be one of
my least favorite singles from him this year.” (RoJay)

“Not really crazy about this one since it got played everywhere all the time, but glad to see it opened doors to pop radio for Trey.” (Terrell)

Monica

Everything to Me
Hot 100: #41
Hot R&B: #1
Urban AC: #1
Fact: “Everything to Me” became Monica’s longest-running solo #1 record to date and made her the first female artist to have a #1  record in the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s.

“It’s a great record that used a classic and used it well. Monica came
back and showed she wasn’t playin’.” (Ced)

“You know you done came across a classic when you NEVER get tired of the
song. Monica brought heat with this record and every time the song begins
I MUST make sure I play it all the way through.” (RoJay)

“Monica proved that gimmicks and catering to current trends aren’t always
necessary; when set up properly, pure talent speaks for itself.” (Shooter)

Maxwell

Fistful of Tears
Hot 100: #94
Hot R&B: #11
Urban AC: #1
Fact: “Fistful of Tears” marked the 3rd consecutive record from BLACKsummers’night to peak at #1 on Adult R&B, his 5th #1 on that  chart overall.

“While it’s not as brilliant as “Pretty Wings” to me, once again, PURE
talent speaks for itself. I love how Maxwell went away for almost a
damn DECADE and came back on his own terms, played by his own rules,
and was successful. More artists need to follow his lead.” (Shooter)

“Love this joint…but I’m a Maxwell fan so that’s a given….he always delivers.” (Terrell)

“I loved this one way more than “Pretty Wings”…I guess because I knew
what he was singing about. Great lyrics! Great vocals!” (RoJay)

The Black Eyed Peas

Imma Be
Hot 100: #1
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop: #12
Fact: “Imma Be” made Black Eyed Peas the first group to place three Hot 100 #1′s from the same album in 20 years. It also became the highest charting R&B/Hip-Hop single of their career to date.

“This one is HOT for so many reasons; the lyrics are catchy, the hook
is memorable, the beat is sick, and every member got a chance to
shine. Plus it satisfied all the hip-hop/urban fans that were mad they
‘sold out’.” (Shooter)

“Hot song…. until the beat changes.” (RoJay)

Usher

OMG
Hot 100: #1
Hot R&B: #3
Fact: “OMG” became Usher’s 9th #1 hit on the Hot 100 and made him the first male artist to have #1 hits in the 90s, 00s, and 10s.

“I hated this song at first, but now I find myself singing it all the
time.” (Terrell)

“Something different for Usher, but it works.” (Nfared)

“I honestly didn’t want to like this song, but it’s a catchy song and
it almost made forget that last album.” (Ced)

“I don’t think anyone ever expects Usher to top the massiveness of his
“Confessions” era but, hate it or love it, this song definitely proved
that he and his music can evolve with the times and still resonate
with a large group of people.” (Shooter)

Erykah Badu

Window Seat
Hot 100: #95
Hot R&B: #16
Adult R&B: #1
Fact: Peaking at #16, “Window Seat” was not only Erykah’s first top-20  R&B single in 8 years, it’s been her only top-20 single to date. The  other 5 singles that have outpeaked it have all made it inside the  top-5.

“Erykah kinda lost a lot of us with that last album but she brought it
back around with this one. The ‘Baduizm’ vibe on this one is strong
and that’s the Erykah I love most; the one that speaks straight from
her heart and soul.” (Shooter)

“This song reminded me of the Erykah I loved. Such simple words with deep
meanings.” (RoJay)

Drake

Over
Hot 100: #14
Hot R&B: #2
Hot Rap: #1
Fact: Although it was the first single from his first album, “Over” went on to become Drake’s third #1 on Hot Rap Songs behind “Best I  Ever Had” and “Forever”.

“Personally, the tougher/harder/rougher (whatever you wanna call it)
Drake tries to sound on a record, the less believable he comes off to
me and the less enjoyable the song is. I really don’t care for either
of his singles but I do think his album has some much better material
that hopefully people will get to hear.” (Shooter)

“I actually enjoyed this song a lot. I almost didn’t take a real listen
because of all of the hype, but he did deliver on this track.” (RoJay)

“Took a minute, but I really like this song now. He kills it live.” (Terrell)

What are your thoughts on the Top 10 Picks of 2010 … so far?