Look at Them Now

Justin Bieber and Chris Brown have released another collaboration. This time as rappers. This isn't new. Bieber released a freestyle under the alias Shawty Mane last year and Brown had a major hit earlier this year rhyming alongside Lil' Wayne and Busta Rhymes. This new collaboration is called "Ladies Love Me". It mainly is Brown and Bieber trading brags about the kind of girls they wear, the clothes they wear, and the cars they like. Nothing special. However, if you're Team Breezy or a Belieber it probably makes you love them more. It only goes to prove that being a pop star these days includes many skills.
 If I were listening just to judge on skills, they both are impressive. I'm not saying that they're going to make Jay-Z or Eminem shake in their boots but it is interesting. Even ten years ago, you wouldn't expect someone who made their name singing to start rapping all of a sudden. Now of course there are those rare artists who can do all very successfully. The only two of the past that come to mind are Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliot, but it was a facet of their uniqueness at the time. Now artists who really want to make an impact have to do more than just one thing.
 Talented people now can evolve in ways that aren't expected. Like who knew Gwyneth Paltrow could carry a tune? Or what about those Glee kids? It's almost like the days of Sinatra and the Rat Pack where they did some of everything. Now acting, singing and dancing is impressive, but rapping is totally driven by thinking beyond words and rhymes, but concepts.
 I wrote poetry when I was younger but I can't rhyme to save my life. Rapping is something that is a gift. Now there are cases where I wish people wouldn't sing and rap. For instance, Kanye West singing is not that great. Drake, however, can do it and not irritate as much. But the worst has to be Justin Timberlake on Diddy-Dirty Money's "Shades". I didn't know rather to laugh or cry laughing because I couldn't believe it. You can't always get A for effort.