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How many songs have started a sonic movement? That is to say, after that record hit the streets, every producer, record label, songwriter and artist alike was in a race to replicate it—for better or for worse.
Some songs in this category—like “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King or “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles—were, in a sense, the first of their kind… and we’ll never escape the consequences of their existence. For other songs in this category, they might not have necessarily pioneered a sound, genre or structure, but rather their particular take became an obvious mood board for Pop in the years following its release. Think “Kiss Me More" by Doja Cat and SZA (cuz girl…and also girl…..)
“One In A Million” by Aaliyah is somewhere in between—and it’s one of the most enduring examples of a hit that birthed a genre of its own. From “Wild Side” by Normani to “Shoulda Woulda Coulda” by Flo, Missy and Timbaland’s slinky-bouncy-thumpy-nasty bookie-wookie London flavored, electro hip-hop production infected the world and has produced endless recreations of the sound across R&B and pop.
Listen to depth/bounce and go on a journey with me in this sonic universe. I don’t claim all of these as direct descendants of “One In A Million,” but the lineage itself is an anchor of R&Bounce, one of my fave modern trends inspired by the princess herself. Lmk if you have any suggestions that I missed
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CD Radio is a platform where I muse about the music I’m listening to and tell you why I love it. In this digitally gluttonous/hyperconsumptive/painfully oversaturated music and media climate, a lot of people are struggling to keep up with music or find good music at all. CD Radio is my answer to that problem— I’m helping you cut through the noise and not just discover but properly experience great music because there’s still so much of it, and not enough space and time to revel in it. Think of me as scraping off the top for you.
- Cahleb