radio love #2

Since the first radio love, where I expounded upon my love for "Break Up," I've gained an even greater appreciation for Guccie Mane. The 'So Icy Boy' stuff I can do without, and with a few rare exceptions rapping about substances usually = no substance. But there's something about Gucci Mane that's worth repeated listens. The "Gucci!'s," "BrRrRrR's" and the "'sgucci!'s," that he litters throughout his songs are no small part of the charm.

Ever since Young Jeezy and his "yeeeaaahhhs" and creepy laughing I think it's sort of a prerequisite for Southern rappers to figure out some way to punctuate their rhymes with a memorable catchphrase. Gucci manages to squeeze at least a dozen examples during the version of Mariah Carey's "Obsessed," where he's prominently featured.

It makes sense too, Mariah is one of the biggest solo artists out there, and even at this stage in her career, she has star-making capabilities. She's always had esoteric tastes in supporting men (remember the "Fantasy" remix with ODB?) and Gucci doesn't squander the oppurtunity presented. His low growl is all over the song, even when he's not rapping. Not un-coincidentally, radio stations have been playing this more than the original.

My feelings about the actual song? It's more fun with Gucci, and not as petty, but still a bit limp. If you don't know the background of the tune, learn something, but as an diss track, it's not as pointedly effective as Eminem's response. With the added humor, it comes closer, but Mariah has never been nearly as adept at self-deprecation as Shady. No matter how you want to analyze it's intentions, one listen to the anthemic chorus was enough to know it'd be a monster hit, and that it was. This song was a rocket, Gucci was the after-booster. For me, it was also a bit of a grower - sort of like Mariah herself (go back and watch some of her videos: they may all be the same song, but they're kind of good and she's kind of sexy). Besides, hearing Mariah Carey call someone else "crazy" is the perfect sort of reminder about how seriously you should be taking this stuff.

Mariah Carey feat. Gucci Mane - Obsessed (remix)