The Pop Zeal Project (Track 85): LL Cool J: “Around the Way Girl”

Ladies Love Cool James, and LL Cool J, for short, loves them right back. He offered further clarification on his 1990 hit single, “Around the Way Girl,” where the rapper describes the type of woman for whom he’s looking. In the prologue to the music video, a frustrated LL, sitting in a casting session, shares what he doesn’t want or need in a girlfriend, particularly “a homegirl that’s jumping out the limousine with the fur on and all that.” All LL wants is a “regular girl.”

Together, LL (James Smith) and Marlon Williams craft visually descriptive lyrics, in order to provide insight for the listener as to the physical traits (“extensions in her hair”; “honey-coated complexion”; “perm in your hair or even a curly weave”) and fashion trends (bamboo earrings; a Fendi bag; New Edition Bobby Brown button) likely sported by “all the cuties in the neighborhood.” With LL’s massive rap-pop crossover appeal, he essentially took what could be considered a regional phrase, an “around the way girl,” and introduced it into the larger MTV-generation lexicon.

And while the lyrics start out addressing physicality and style sense, they eventually begin speaking to the personality of this independent young woman who can read a relationship (“You always know what to say and do/Cold flip when you think your man is playing you”) and, more importantly, knows her value even before getting into one (“I tell you come here, you say meet me halfway”). Unlike a year prior on LL’s track, “Big Ole Butt,” where Tina, Brenda and Lisa were relegated to one particular physical characteristic, on “Around,” “Lisa, Angela, Pamela, Renee” are admired for more.

Holding everything together on the track is the inspired inclusion of classic R & B and funk elements. Rick James earns a writing credit as well on “Around the Way Girl,” as it contains a lyrical sample (“You got me shook up, shook down, shook out on your lovin’”) from “All Night Long,” the 1983 single by the group James formed, Mary Jane Girls. “Around” also features aspects from Keni Burke’s 1982 song, “Risin’ to the Top.” All these components, and LL’s smooth, suave delivery, help make “Around the Way Girl” a timeless rap jam, “fine as can be."

The Pop Zeal Project (Track 78): Jay-Z; Bono; The Edge; Rihanna: “Stranded”

Some of the biggest names in music contributed to the benefit album, Hope for Haiti Now, in response to a catastrophic 2010 earthquake that occurred in the country. A telethon was organized, and included several on-air musical interludes. One such featured the song, “Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour),” as performed by Jay-Z, Rihanna, and from U2, the lead singer, Bono and lead guitarist, The Edge.

The track, created especially for the album, features rap verses by Jay-Z. They’re a reflection on the devastation, and at times a prayer to heaven, as well as a call to those on earth for immediate unity and assistance, a call which also includes a brief political critique, reminding “New Orleans was flooded/So we know we just can’t rely on the government.” In the chorus, Bono and Rihanna send additional messages of commitment and protection into the ether to those in that extremely difficult circumstance.