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Music’s biggest night is swiftly approaching and with the announcement of Grammy nominees comes vigorous debate around which albums or songs are most deserving of recognition. 2019 was loaded with unforgettable songs and albums that transported us from our cars, treadmills and living rooms into the studio. These songs were the soundtrack of our lives for the past year. New artists burst onto the scene and grabbed our attention while wily veterans proved again why they remain on music’s pedestal. With that said, we’ll take a stab at foreseeing winners in the Hip-Hop and R&B categories.

Let us know what your predictions are in the comments. 

Best Rap Performance

For Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.

• DOWN BAD
  Dreamville Featuring J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy
   
• RACKS IN THE MIDDLE
  Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy
   
• CLOUT
  Offset Featuring Cardi B

• SUGE
  DaBaby

Who should win: Suge – DaBaby

“Suge” was the breakthrough single that propelled DaBaby into music’s mainstream. The song appears on his well-received debut album Baby on Baby. The title obviously references infamous music executive Suge Knight – a proclamation of the artist’s intention to forcefully overtake hip-hop, something Knight became legendary for. DaBaby’s exuberant personality and brazen confidence shine through on this record. To pair with his compelling voice, DaBaby also presents some cunning penmanship with creative ad-libs putting the icing on the proverbial cake. The record was blasted everywhere to the tune of a number one spot atop Billboard’s Hip-Hop AirPlay charts.

Who will win: Middle Child – J Cole

Equally deserving in its own right Middle Child is J Cole executing on the fundamentals which built his rap persona. Cole uses a number of effective analogies to explore his place in the music industry as an ambassador for this era whose greatness transcends that of many “peers.”

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Best Rap/Sung Performance

For a solo or collaborative performance containing both elements of R&B melodies and Rap.

• BALLIN
  Mustard Featuring Roddy Ricch

• HIGHER
  DJ Khaled Featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend

• DRIP TOO HARD
  Lil Baby & Gunna

• PANINI
  Lil Nas X
   
• THE LONDON
  Young Thug Featuring J. Cole & Travis Scott

Who should win: Ballin – Mustard featuring Roddy Ricch

“I put the new forgis on the Jeep!” We found ourselves uncontrollably singing the hook to feel-good anthem “Ballin” all year. The infectious DJ Mustard-produced track rang out through radios, arena speakers and car systems everywhere. You couldn’t escape its brilliance in 2019. The song diaries the rags to riches story of featured artist, Roddy Ricch and his ascent to success. The come up, one of hip-hop’s core motifs. It was released as a single from Mustard’s third studio album Perfect Ten. Mustard provides the ideal instrumental for Roddy to narrate his trouble to triumph fable. The marriage of Roddy’s unique voice and Mustard’s body-rocking beat is pure alchemy. 

Who will win: Higher – DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend. 

Hard to imagine a scenario where the fallen legendary figure Nipsey Hussle leaves without a triumphant moment. The creme of Khaled’s “Father of Asad,” Higher ignites your soul and your mind combining the Nispey’s message with John Legend’s refined and flowing vocals. This is sure to be a heavy, reflective and tear-jerking moment at the awards.

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Best Rap Song

A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

• BAD IDEA
  Chancelor Bennett, Cordae Dunston, Uforo Ebong & Daniel Hackett, songwriters (YBN Cordae Featuring Chance The Rapper)

• GOLD ROSES
  Noel Cadastre, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Khristopher Riddick-Tynes, William Leonard Roberts II, Joshua Quinton Scruggs, Leon Thomas III & Ozan Yildirim, songwriters (Rick Ross Featuring Drake)
   
• RACKS IN THE MIDDLE
  Ermias Asghedom, Dustin James Corbett, Greg Allen Davis, Chauncey Hollis, Jr. & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy)

• SUGE
  DaBaby, Jetsonmade & Pooh Beatz, songwriters (DaBaby)

• A LOT
  Jermaine Cole, Dacoury Natche, 21 Savage & Anthony White, songwriters (21 Savage Featuring J. Cole)

Who should win: A lot – 21 Savage featuring J Cole

Who will win: A lot – 21 Savage featuring J Cole

This is maybe the biggest no brainer of the evening. The rhythmic masterpiece of a beat featuring an incredible sample from “I Love You” by East of Underground which also samples “I Love You for All Seasons,” performed by The Fuzz is a thing of sheer dexterity. On the track J. Cole delivers critical bars addressing dubiousness of music industry inauthenticity and affirms his place in hip-hop, while 21 Savage chronicles his trials on the way to the top. The juxtaposition of rap’s adjacent regimes melts perfectly into a song that makes you want to party as much as you want to think.  

 Moses Robinson/Getty Images

Best Rap Album

For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rap recordings.

• REVENGE OF THE DREAMERS III
  Dreamville
   
• CHAMPIONSHIPS
  Meek Mill

• I AM > I WAS
  21 Savage

• IGOR
  Tyler, The Creator

• THE LOST BOY
  YBN Cordae

Who should win: IGOR – Tyler the Creator

Many, including myself were livid when nominations came out and IGOR was not included in the Album of the Year category. It was hands down the most complete body of work I have heard this year. Yet, in the confines of this designation when standing toe to toe against the likes of Championship it pains me to say Tyler will lose out of what could be his second Rap album of the year award. Flower Boy was also incredible. But Tyler is due for a Grammy so look for the academy to perhaps reward him next year.

Who will win: Championships – Meek Mill

While Championships does not have the consistency of I am > I was, the sonic delivery of IGOR or the deeply introspective approach of Lost Boys,  for a rap album it’s highs are unbelievably high and subject matter all parts profound, frivolous and entertaining. Meek’s lyrics on tracks like “Oodles and Noodles” or “Respect the Game” reach into your soul, gripping your heart with the story of his tribulations wrapped in the context of socio-economic complexities in urban America. It is a dissertation of continuous resurrection through the eyes of a dreamer. In the end, the combination of musical range, lyrical content, and hard-hitting storytelling sets Championships apart as a rap album. Although IGOR is perhaps the most comprehensive and impressive body of work from the list of nominees, it is also miscast and should be considered for the album of the year. In my opinion, considering the rap designation, Championships takes the crown this year by a slim margin.   

Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

Best R&B Performance

For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.

• LOVE AGAIN
  Daniel Caesar & Brandy
   
• COULD’VE BEEN
  H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller
   
• EXACTLY HOW I FEEL
  Lizzo Featuring Gucci Mane
   
• ROLL SOME MO
  Lucky Daye
   
• COME HOME
  Anderson .Paak Featuring André 3000

Who should win: Love Again – Daniel Caesar featuring Brandy

Who will win: Love Again – Daniel Caesar featuring Brandy 

Undeniably deserving albeit by a thin margin – Love Again is the right choice. “Love Again” is a duet featured on Case Study 01, Daniel Caesar’s second studio album. The track conjoins Brandy’s signature breathy vocals with Caesar’s stirring and powerful soulfulness. The abutment of the singers’ variant styles works to give the song a pleasant musical affliction. The impressive performance by Brandy and Caesar yokes the raw youth of Caesar with the experience and polish of Brady. Although Caesar headlines here, the piece is a great reminder of Brandy’s incredible R&B legacy.    

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images 

Best Traditional R&B Performance

For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings.

• TIME TODAY
  BJ The Chicago Kid
   
• STEADY LOVE
  India.Arie
   
• JEROME
  Lizzo
   
• REAL GAMES
  Lucky Daye
   
• BUILT FOR LOVE
  PJ Morton Featuring Jazmine Sullivan
  

Who should win: Time Today – BJ The Chicago Kid

Somehow BJ is STILL underrated, undeterred by this, the vocalist continues to producer outstanding songs like “Time Today.” Labeled as the “deacon of R&B” by some, BJ delivers his spellbinding belts on the song filled with a ton of powerful canticles from a love maker. The deacon is single-handedly restoring our faith in R&B with his mastership of soul. Not to go unmentioned is the near flawless production which provides a smooth surface for BJ’s voice to skate on. Still, is it wishful thinking for him to win? Will it inevitably go to Lizzo, or does BJ stand a real chance?

Who will win: Jerome – Lizzo

Lizzo is taking home multiple Grammys come hell or high water. The academy will reward the “entertainer of the year,” more factors at play here than simply her music (while this song is fantastic and deserving).

 Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Best R&B Song

A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

• COULD’VE BEEN
  Dernst Emile II, David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris, H.E.R. & Hue “Soundzfire” Strother, songwriters (H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller)
   
• LOOK AT ME NOW
  Emily King & Jeremy Most, songwriters (Emily King)
   
• NO GUIDANCE
  Chris Brown, Tyler James Bryant, Nija Charles, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Michee Patrick Lebrun, Joshua Huizar, Noah Shebib & Teddy Walton, songwriters (Chris Brown Featuring Drake)
   
• ROLL SOME MO
  David Brown, Dernst Emile II & Peter Lee Johnson, songwriters (Lucky Daye)
   
• SAY SO
  PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring JoJo)

Who should win: Roll Some Mo – Lucky Daye

Who will win: No Guidance – Chris Brown featuring Drake

The best song on the best R&B is what I would go with but Chris Brown and Drake won’t be denied here. Once reportedly at each other’s necks over Rihanna, Chris Brown and Drake have since mended any quarrels and joined to give us the year’s best R&B song. The collaboration is truly mesmerizing and enthralls all who come under its waves. While not quite the vocalist Chris Brown is, Drake nevertheless ministers a tremendous tight-rope performance somewhere between rapper and singer. Both artists combine, with producers J-Louis,Vinylz, Teddy Walton, and 40, to give an addicting composition. 

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Best Urban Contemporary Album

For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded contemporary vocal tracks derivative of R&B.

• APOLLO XXI
  Steve Lacy
   
• CUZ I LOVE YOU (DELUXE)
  Lizzo
   
• OVERLOAD
  Georgia Anne Muldrow
   
• SATURN
  NAO 

• BEING HUMAN IN PUBLIC
  Jessie Reyez

Who should win: Cuz I Love You – Lizzo

Who will win: Cuz I Love You – Lizzo

It’s Lizzo’s year. Plain and simple. Overruling the deeply competitive nature of this category and legitimate questioning of her placement, here are the vocal acrobatics Lizzo delivers on Cuz I Love You. Her colossal, sometimes theatrical voice grabs and twists your ear from the outset – running your head across each piano stroke and lyric to drive home the song’s theme of lost love. The score sounds like the predicament of a heartbroken animated film’s villain plotting her revenge in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. Grand runs and notes grab you by your shoulders, swinging you from side to side with the beat. Range and versatility keep Lizzo’s star rising. 

Best R&B Album

For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings.

• 1123
  BJ The Chicago Kid
   
• PAINTED
  Lucky Daye
   
• ELLA MAI
  Ella Mai
   
• PAUL
  PJ Morton
   
• VENTURA
  Anderson .Paak

Who should win: Painted – Lucky Daye

Maybe the toughest choice of all. Best R&B album. Back and forth I went before championing a victor. You could very well settle on Ella Mai and her commercial smash, self titled album. Or BJ the Chicago Kid with his soulful and touching numbers set to marvelous instrumentals in 1123. Even the density of Anderson. Paak’s VENTURE. When the dust fades the winner should and will be Painted. The debut album by Lucky Daye, led by the single “Roll Some Mo” is the most exemplary comprehensive body which also provides moments of brilliance.  

Who will win: Ventura – Anderson. Paak

Anderson has paid his dues, being passed up for other nominations and awards he probably deserved. It’s his time.

Bennett Raglin/Getty Images 

With a field this stacked the night is sure to produce loads of drama as names are called and dreams are shattered or realized. To go along with the suspense we are due for some great performances from the likes of Tyler the Creator, Lizzo and Roddy Rich to name a few. 

Ceremony date: January 26, 2020, 8:00 PM EST

Coco Gauff has repeated history as she returned to the Australia  Open and issued out a win against Venus Williams just half a year after defeating the older Williams at Wimbledon.

"That was really difficult. She played really well," Gauff said post-match. "[...] I definitely was more confident this time. I think I was used to playing on big courts, so the crowd - I guess the size of the crowd didn't startle me as much as last time. Definitely, a bit more positive coming into this match.''

With her win, Gauff now becomes only the 4th woman in the past 30 years to win 6 or more major matches before turning 16.

Elsewhere in the tournament the favorites of Roger Federer, Noami Osaka, and Serena Williams all come out on top in their respective matches as Osaka took down the Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova while Williams defeated Russia's Anastasia Potapova. Federer claimed his victory by beating out Steve Johnson of the USA.

Patience is a virtue. Especially so, in the case of Donald Cerrone vs Conor McGregor. Their mounting animosity has been left to simmer for over five years. Although they’ve both spent the past few years flitting between the 155 & 170-pound divisions, the two have ostensibly been ships passing in the night, travelling on completely different paths that seemed like they may never intersect. While Conor was brokering a lucrative boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, before coming up short in the culmination of his feud with Khabib Nurmagomedov, “Cowboy” has been competing at an expeditious rate.

Conor McGregor at UFC 229 – Harry How/Getty Images

For clarity, Cerrone has stepped into the Octagon seven times between 2018-2019, with his McGregor bout serving as his 51^st professional fight. Within that same sample, the Notorious two-time UFC champion has fought once and had his athletic accomplishments overshadowed by his antics outside of the cage. Peculiar as the matchmaking may seem to the uninitiated, a square-off between McGregor and the Cowboy hasn’t been hastily thrown together. In fact, it’s the culmination of years of near-misses and confrontational run-ins.

However, it wasn’t always this way. And during their initial encounters, the two fighters from blue-collar backgrounds were actually cordial to one another. When they appeared on the same card at 2015’s UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston, backstage footage revealed that the two exchanged pleasantries before the veteran told the fast-rising Irish newcomer to give Dennis Siver “hell” for good measure. But as Conor’s star rose and he morphed into the sport’s biggest crossover star, so too did the irrepressible need to make an enemy out of every unsuspecting fighter within a mile radius. At the UFC’s star-studded “Go Big” conference, Conor shifted his focus from his upcoming contest with featherweight titan Jose Aldo to take aim at then-lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos and his opponent, Donald Cerrone. 

“I see stiffness when I look in that 155-pound division,” McGregor remarked. “I feel like they’re stuck in the mud almost. The featherweights, they hit like flyweights. So, it’s nice down there just destroying them and killing that whole division. But I have my eye on that 155 division.”

Never one to suffer perceived fools gladly, Cowboy didn’t hesitate to ridicule the prospect of McGregor moving to a heavier division: “Conor has no right coming up to ’55. There’s no way; he’s not gonna stand a chance. We’re too big for him, too strong, so you can take your little English ass and get on.”

UFC 205 – Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Yet as the years rolled on, Cerrone would have to eat those words when Conor snatched the 155 strap from one of his former foes Eddie Alvarez, with undeniable finesse at UFC 205. On the other hand, an opportunity to fan the flames of he and Cerrone’s brewing beef fell into his lap in 2016 when he decried Cowboy’s performance in a losing effort to Rafael Dos Anjos. Contested for the Lightweight title, The Notorious One chalked up Cerrone’s 66-second TKO defeat in the biggest fight of his career to simple cowardice. “Cerrone pussied out on that big time,” McGregor proclaimed. “He’s fighting again this week or sometime soon. Ask [Jose] Aldo if he can fight this weekend. He cannot fight. When you win by KO, by stoppage, by a true stoppage, you put your opponent out of action for 10 months to a year. He quit in there inside that Octagon. That’s why he can go now next weekend and say ‘Oh, I fight every week’ and this and that — you can fight every week if you go in and quit. If you were willing to die in there, you wouldn’t have those turnarounds.”

During a February 2016 fan Q&A that preceded his bout against MMA’s other “Cowboy,” Alex Olivera, Cerrone trashed McGregor’s remarks in succinct fashion, stating, “Conor called me a quitter but I didn’t even get started in that fight.” With McGregor heading into the stratosphere, 2016 onward saw the trail go cold as Conor became too much of a transcendent star to be within the reliable Albuquerque-based scrapper’s grasp.

As Crumlin’s most famous son began to reconcile with his own uncertain future, Donald’s resounding victory over Alexander Hernandez within two rounds encouraged McGregor to re-open the door Twitter: “For a fight like that Donald, I’ll fight you. Congratulations.” Fourth months later, Cerrone would lobby for the fight after rendering Al Laquinta unconscious, declaring, “I want the title, whatever that means. Unless, Conor McGregor you want to fight me in July. I’m ready.” Now, almost one year to the day since McGregor’s call-to-arms on social media, the two will finally meet in the middle of the octagon tomorrow, Saturday, January 18.

Both record-breakers in their own right, it’s a fight that, if kept on the feet, is combustible in the best way imaginable. Similarly adept in the striking realm, the disparity comes in the ground game and it’s an area of the sport that Cerrone unquestionably has the edge in. A black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu that harbours considerable wrestling skills to boot, a recent interview with Brett Okamato would suggest that Conor’s Instagram side-swipe of “the first one to shoot’s a cowbitch” has compelled Cerrone to keep things standing: “You know, I probably should,” Cowboy said of taking him down, “but I don’t think I will. I like to fight too; I like to get in there and throw down. Everyone says his stand-up is amazing, so why not go and test it?” Regardless of what game plan Cerrone implements, Conor and his team seem to be treating victory as a foregone conclusion.

Alongside McGregor claiming that he’d still beat Cerrone while afflicted “by the flu,” his longstanding coach John Kavanagh told Ariel Helwani that he sees his prized fighter besting his adversary with little to no exertion. “Whether it’s something that happens in the first minute or if it goes the distance, if it goes 25 minutes, I don’t see it being a war. I see it being very one-sided.” 

UFC 202 – Steve Marcus/Getty Images

However, there’s no shortage of esteemed figures that believe the fight won’t be as cut and dry as Conor and his SBG comrades believe. “I see a lot of people writing Cowboy off,” protested UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman, “like he’s just a wash because he’s won some and lost some, but Cowboy’s a very dangerous fight for Conor. I know he’s a professional and he’s going to come prepared but I think… Conor has underestimated an opponent before [Nate Diaz] and he paid for it. And when you light a fire under Cowboy, he’s going to get going.”

Amid all the speculation that surrounds UFC 246’s main event, one thing that’s certainly changed is that the two are now operating within a headspace of mutual respect. Exhibited in numerous interviews, it’s perhaps expressed through a newly-humble Conor’s chat with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani: “Me and Donald have a history. Not a long history, but we’ve had a history. It’s an exciting bout. It’s a fan-friendly bout. It’s a fight that excites me. I appreciate Donald, I have to say,” McGregor revealed. “He’s fought a lot of times since the last time I saw him, at the Aldo press conference many, many years ago (in September 2016).”

A bout which could realistically go either way, we as fans should approach this action-packed contest without getting bogged down about what it means for the rankings or where either man goes afterwards. Ever the picture of contentment, this was epitomized by Cerrone’s typically blasé response to Brett Okamoto when asked what it truly represents. “This is like a fan’s dream fight and I’ve got the best seat in the house. So, I think I’m going to be super pumped. And at 170? Thank you. All the way around, a good time.”

Who have you got in McGregor Vs Cerrone? Sound off in the comments below.  

Wild ‘N Out guest stars know that at some point they’re going to be made fun of on the show, and over the years there have been some monumental moments. While it’s all on good fun, there are times when segments can turn awkward, including Blac Chyna’s recent visit.

John Sciulli / Stringer / Getty Images

The reality star appeared on MTV’s long-running series lead by Nick Cannon and during their freestyle session, cast member Justina Valentine took a few potshots at Chyna. “Ay yo Chyna you ain’t beat for this battlin’ / You went and bagged the least famous Kardashian / With all that plastic whose gon’ smash / Your body recyclable but your career is trash.” The audience gave an audible “ooooh” but the cast wasn’t impressed. Chyna quickly hopped on the mic and responded, “But you ain’t got no ass” which was a well-received clap-back by viewers.

Even after a scathing roast, Nick declared Chyna’s team the winner, handing over the championship belt to Chyna while calling her a “queen.” It was evident by the look on Chyna’s face that she didn’t appreciate the jokes and jabs, but she took it all in stride in the end. Some fans have stated that Justina Valentine wasn’t as harsh as she could have been against the Zeus Network star, especially considering her ex Rob Kardashian has made accusations that Chyna is a drug and alcohol abuser who neglects their daughter, Dream. She’s denied the allegations. Check out the Wild ‘N Out clip below.

The LSU Tigers will look to complete their undefeated season tonight in Atlanta, as they take on the unbeaten Clemson Tigers in the National Championship game. Ahead of the highly anticipated showdown, LSU Football dropped off one final hype video, narrated by the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Sure, The Rock reps for The U, but the video clip shown below will have LSU players and fans ready to run through a brick wall.

Aaliyah, a pioneer of the Hip-Hop Soul sound that defined urban music in the 1990s and early 2000s, released one of her most chill records 20 years ago today (January 11). Baby Girl’s street-but-sweet single “I Don’t Wanna” has for years been a favorite amongst hip-hop heads — just ask Weezy or Tory Lanez — and yet it still gets overlooked when people reflect back on the late singer’s classic music catalogue. Hell, it’s one of the only songs you can even stream at the moment (legally) since all of her post-R. Kelly albums and singles are currently locked away in a vault by her former label Blackground Records. It’s for this reason that we wanted to reflect back on an artist that we lost way too soon and a record that’s continued to serenade Hip-Hop and R&B fans over the past two decades and counting.

Simply put, everyone has a favorite Aaliyah song. Megan Thee Stallion and 21 Savage share an appreciation for “At Your Best (You Are Love).” DVSN effortlessly put a “Purple Rain” spin on “One In A Million” a few years back. Cuban Doll went as far as jacking her entire swag (and government) for her breakout Aaliyah Keef mixtape in 2017. Even pop tart Miley Cyrus got down to “Rock The Boat” last summer, and we can’t even blame her; Aaliyah has hits for days. With all that saidthough, “I Don’t Wanna” fits into the Queen of Urban Pop’s catalogue in a weird way; it’s probably one of the most slept-on hits of her short-yet-impactful career. Let us break down the facts so you can better understand what we mean.

Aaliyah as Trish in “Romeo Must Die” – Kharen Hill 2000 Warner Bros./Getty Images

Produced & written by the Noontime crew consisting of Donnie Scantz, Kevin Hicks, Johnta Austin and Jazze Pha, “I Don’t Wanna” was originally included on the soundtrack to Next Friday, released on December 7, 1999. At the same time, Aaliyah had just finished filming her debut acting role in the Jet Li-starring action flick Romeo Must Die while also executive producing the film’s soundtrack alongside Timbaland. While the latter LP didn’t drop until March 29, 2000, “I Don’t Wanna” was silently released as an airplay-only single in the United States to help promote both movies in January 2000. With no official music video to amplify the song’s success and no live performances aside from a non-televised rendition on TRL and a Romeo Must Die Kickoff Special, both aired on MTV, the song should’ve flopped if we’re being honest. However, it did far from that and people rocked with it simply for its melodic beat and Aaliyah’s rap-like flow on the first and second verses. No wonder Lil Wayne sampled the entire first verse on his feature for Pleasure P‘s 2009 mixtape song “Rock Bottom” and Tory Lanez borrowed her bars for his Chixtape 4 cut titled, not surprisingly, “Aaliyah.”

The song did fairly well given the absence of the aforementioned tools that artists typically use to help a single rise up the charts. “I Don’t Wanna” peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #35 in March 2000, ending that year as the 96th most popular song of 2000. It faired even better on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart, peaking at #4 in April 2000 and finishing off the year as the 25th biggest record in Hip-Hop and R&B of 2000, 15th based off airplay alone. It was also the seventh most successful soundtrack song of that year as well, proving that great music truly speaks for itself without all the extra tidbits. With that said, what the hell was Aaliyah thinking by not giving us a proper music video for this banger?

The most recent resurrection of “I Don’t Wanna” notoriously happened late last year when Kanye West and his cult — errr, we mean choir! — re-recorded it as one of their “holy remakes” (seen above) that had everyone using the world “secular” all of a sudden. Whether or not Yeezy’s intentions were pure or for profit, nobody can knock him for loving one of Aaliyah’s biggest-yet-quietest hits of her career. Carry on, Ye.

Let us leave you with this short and blurry clip of Aaliyah performing “I Don’t Wanna” live at MTV TRL in San Francisco on April 26, 2000. We’ll always miss you, Baby Girl.