by Debra Au
Daily Lobo
The ghetto is perhaps one of the most defining things in America's urban culture.
It is here that many artists develop muses in one of the many genres of art, whether it is in poetry, theater, painting, or in the case of New Brunswick, N.J., native Jaheim, in music.
On his third album, Ghetto Classics, Jaheim uses his experiences of listening to classic R&B music while growing up in the ghetto to add a soulful sound that permeates the beating heart of R&B music.
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On "The Chosen One," Jaheim sets the tone for the rest of the 11 tracks: a little sampling of classic rhythm and blues songs with an updated beat and smooth vocals. And just when his style of singing about love and loss becomes a little monotonous, Jaheim adds edginess with hooks by rappers.
The gritty lyrics of Jadakiss are a welcome complement on the track "Every Time I Think About Her," where Jaheim croons about, as the title suggests, the hurt he feels about a past relationship. Styles P offers his rapping talent to "Fiend," adding a rawness.
While most contemporary singers are formulized to appeal to a younger, prepubescent MTV audience, Jaheim is a breath of fresh air for those wanting an album relating to more adult relationships that are past the puppy love of high school. He doesn't sing of quick hook ups or one night stands, as most of his colleagues do. Ghetto Classics is a mature formulation of wanting to bring a relationship with that special someone to the next level.
What really makes Ghetto Classics stand out is that Jaheim seems to sing from his heart. He puts his experiences into his songs and each track bleeds with the emotions he has had to work through.
Just like literature, it is one thing to write a cheesy romance with torrid affairs and Fabio on the cover, and quite another to write a great, stand-alone romantic novel which speaks to the hearts of many. The album's personality and truth is what separates Jaheim from the crowd.
Jaheim is a modern-day Marvin Gaye or Sam Cooke. He's grown-up in his musicality, as have his listeners. While he may be closing himself off from a youthful market, he actually has broadened his audience by bringing back those who stopped listening years ago.
