How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Innocence, Coolio, Gabrielle, Beverley Knight, Will Smith, Diana Ross, Monie Love, Kris Kross, Omar, Blockster, Red Dragon, R. Kelly
They are the performers of twelve vintage hip-hop, soul, etc. tracks that were ranked in various charts, this week (30/52) BUT … in the Nineties 90s.
1. What genre combination characterizes “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd?
- A Rock, Punk, Disco
- B Synth-pop, Electropop, New Wave, Synthwave
- C Jazz, Blues, Classical
2. Which famous producer co-wrote “Blinding Lights” along with The Weeknd?
- A Quincy Jones
- B Dr. Dre
- C Max Martin
3. When was “Blinding Lights” released as a single?
- A September 15, 2019
- B November 29, 2019
- C January 10, 2020
4. How did “Blinding Lights” perform on the Billboard Hot 100?
- A Top 50
- B Top 10
- C Number one
5. Which music video director reinforced the nocturnal theme of “Blinding Lights” in 2020?
- A Anton Tammi
- B David Fincher
- C Spike Jonze
6. What certification did “Blinding Lights” achieve from the RIAA?
- A Gold
- B Platinum
- C Diamond
7. What main theme is explored in the lyrics of “Blinding Lights”?
- A Longing for a partner
- B Partying lifestyle
- C Political change
8. Who were the primary producers of “Blinding Lights”?
- A The Weeknd, DaHeala
- B Martin Garrix, Diplo
- C Max Martin, Oscar Holter, The Weeknd
9. Which styles influence the sound of “Blinding Lights”?
- A 1970s funk
- B 1980s pop
- C 1990s grunge
10. How many countries did “Blinding Lights” reach number one in?
- A Over 40
- B In about 10
- C Fewer than 5
11. What historical recognition did “Blinding Lights” receive from Billboard?
- A Most streamed song in 2020
- B Best-performing song of all time
- C Longest charting debut single
12. Which label released “Blinding Lights”?
- A Motown Records
- B Republic Records
- C Interscope Records
1. What is a key lyrical theme in Innocence’s “Silent Voice”?
- A Isolation and longing
- B Miscommunication and the quest for truth
- C Celebration and joy
2. Which classical piece does Coolio’s “C U When U Get There” interpolate?
- A Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5”
- B Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik”
- C Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major”
3. Gabrielle’s “Dreams” became notable for achieving which chart position upon its UK release?
- A Number one
- B Number five
- C Number three
4. Beverley Knight’s “Greatest Day” includes a sample from which artist’s song?
- A Marvin Gaye
- B Fat Larry’s Band
- C Curtis Mayfield
5. What primary type of relationship does Will Smith’s “Just The Two Of Us” focus on?
- A Romantic love
- B Friendship
- C Father and son relationship
6. Which year saw the release of Diana Ross’s “One Shining Moment”?
- A 1991
- B 1989
- C 1994
7. Monie Love’s “Full Term Love” appeared in the soundtrack for which film?
- A House Party
- B Class Act
- C Sister Act
8. What role did Jermaine Dupri play in Kris Kross’s “Warm It Up”?
- A Featured rapper
- B Producer and writer
- C Music video director
9. Omar’s “Outside” was released under which record label?
- A RCA
- B Motown
- C Arista
10. Which original artist wrote the song covered by Blockster as “Grooveline”?
- A Barry White
- B Rod Temperton
- C Smokey Robinson
11. What style of music is Red Dragon’s “Compliments On Your Kiss” classified as?
- A Jazz-reggae
- B Hip hop
- C Ska
12. R. Kelly’s “Did You Ever Think” includes a sample from which Curtis Mayfield song?
- A “Move On Up”
- B “Right on for the Darkness”
- C “Freddie’s Dead”
For TWELVE more Hip-Hop & Soul – Vintage 90s Music Videos – week 30/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Innocence – Silent VoiceFeatured on the 1990 album “Belief”.
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2 . Coolio – C U When U Get There (w/ 40 Thevz)Featured on the 1997 album “My Soul”.
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3 . Gabrielle – DreamsFeatured on the 1993 album “Find Your Way”.
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4 . Beverley Knight – Greatest DayFeatured on the 1998 album “Prodigal Sista”.
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5 . Will Smith – Just The Two Of UsFeatured on the 1997 album “Big Willie Style”.
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6 . Diana Ross – One Shining MomentFeatured on the 1995 album “The Force Behind the Power”.
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7 . Monie Love – Full Term LoveFeatured on the 1990 album “In a Word or 2”.
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8 . Kris Kross – Warm It UpFeatured on the 1992 album “Totally Krossed Out”.
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9 . Omar – OutsideFeatured on the 1994 album “For Pleasure”.
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10 . Blockster – Grooveline
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11 . Red Dragon – Compliments On Your Kiss (w/ Brian & Tony Gold)Featured on the 1994 album “Compliments on Your Kiss”. |
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12 . R. Kelly – Did You Ever ThinkFeatured on the 1998 album “R.“.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Silent Voice” by Innocence highlights themes of miscommunication and the search for understanding and truth. The lyrics emphasize the need to voice one’s feelings rather than remain silent. This reflects the band’s distinct sound and lyrical themes.
2. Coolio’s “C U When U Get There” uses an interpolation of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major.” This classical piece provides a poignant backdrop to the song’s reflections on life’s choices and their outcomes.
3. Gabrielle’s “Dreams” initially entered the UK Singles Chart at number two, later reaching the top position. It was a record-breaking entry for a debut single, highlighting Gabrielle’s impact on the British music scene.
4. “Greatest Day” by Beverley Knight samples “Act Like You Know” by Fat Larry’s Band. This element contributed to its appeal and marked Knight’s highest UK chart position at that time.
5. “Just The Two Of Us” by Will Smith shifts focus to the relationship between a father and son. The song portrays various aspects of parenting, a theme echoed visually in the accompanying music video.
6. Diana Ross released “One Shining Moment” in 1991. The song’s lyrics reflect themes of renewal and emotion, achieving commercial success in the UK with its top ten chart placement.
7. Monie Love’s “Full Term Love” was featured on the “Class Act” soundtrack. This marked its presence in the early 1990s hip hop scene, supported by its chart performance in both the UK and US.
8. Jermaine Dupri served as the producer and writer for Kris Kross’s “Warm It Up.” The track contributed to the duo’s early success, hitting number one on the US Rap charts.
9. Omar’s single “Outside” was released under the RCA label. Known for neo-soul influences, Omar crafted this piece with an emphasis on collaboration and mature musical arrangements.
10. The song “Grooveline,” covered by Blockster, was originally written by Rod Temperton for Heatwave. This 1999 cover achieved significant chart positions in the UK.
11. “Compliments On Your Kiss” by Red Dragon is categorized as jazz-reggae. The track enjoyed significant commercial success, underscoring the appeal of its relaxed Caribbean style.
12. “Did You Ever Think” by R. Kelly samples Curtis Mayfield’s “Right on for the Darkness.” This song, part of the *R.* album, is notable for its collaborations with other prominent producers.
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. The Weeknd’s song “Blinding Lights” is a blend of synth-pop, electropop, new wave, and synthwave genres. The track draws influence from 1980s pop.
2. Max Martin, known for his work with numerous pop artists, co-wrote “Blinding Lights” with The Weeknd and several other collaborators.
3. “Blinding Lights” was released as the second single from “After Hours” on November 29, 2019. It became a defining single of the era.
4. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking another successful entry for The Weeknd in the competitive US market.
5. Anton Tammi took the director’s chair for the “Blinding Lights” music video, which features noir-ish aesthetics and nighttime cityscapes.
6. The song “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd earned the diamond certification from the RIAA, indicating massive sales.
7. In “Blinding Lights,” The Weeknd lyrically explores a longing for his partner, against the evocative nighttime urban setting.
8. Production duties for “Blinding Lights” were managed by The Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter, who crafted its distinctive sound.
9. The sound of “Blinding Lights” is heavily influenced by 1980s pop, using synthesizers and other period instruments.
10. “Blinding Lights” has topped charts in over 40 countries globally, solidifying its status as a worldwide hit.
11. Billboard recognized “Blinding Lights” as the best-performing song of all time in November 2021, based on sustained chart performance.
12. “Blinding Lights” was released under Republic Records, a label known for several high-profile artists and successful releases.
For THE FULL HIP-HOP & SOUL COLLECTION click here
