MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE: Addison Rae's new music is inspired by Madonna's Bedtime Stories

If you know anything about Madonna’s music in the 90s you’ll remember a blend of trip-hop and R&B with some electronica sprinkled in there. It was experimental, it was risky and rich in musical references. Her sound in that time may not have been as appreciated then, but all these decades later we are starting to see artists like FKA twigs and Addison Rae channel that era of Madge’s career in their new releases.

This week, it’s Addison who releases what essentially sounds like a song directly from Madonna’s 1994 Bedtime Stories album (but more on that in a little bit). In a world where so many young female artists take serious inspiration from Taylor Swift, the latest string of releases from Addison Rae and others is a breath of fresh air as she takes very clear inspiration from 90s Madonna.

When trip-hop first emerged in the early 90s, it was mostly helmed by artists like Massive Attack, Portishead and Björk. The sultry tempos and rich textures made for a cinematic, introspective and alternative sound. It wasn’t until Madonna introduced her “trip-pop” version of the genre to a mainstream audience that it really started to gain popularity. Working with producers like Nellee Hooper who had ties to the scene (he famously worked with Björk on majority of her albums in the ‘90s), Madge embraced the sound to help redirect the conversation after the infamous 1992 Sex book did a number on how she was being perceived by the general public. The whispered vocals and dreamy production on Bedtime Stories made the eventual transition into motherhood and Evita a lot more seamless, and it is that very blend of vulnerability and sleek futuristic sound that seeped into the makeup of future artists like FKA twigs, with her ghostly falsetto and abstract beats. Meanwhile, a pop act like Addison Rae flirts with those aesthetics as well, taking a bit less from the actual core of trip-hop but more from Madonna’s version of the genre through a pop lens. Obviously, I’m not saying that Addison Rae and Massive Attack should ever be compared or put in the same sentence, but it is important to note that while Addison’s new music may not sound like Massive Attack, it does follow a timeline that led to that point. Without the boom of trip-hop in the 90s, we would’ve never gotten some of Madonna’s greatest records like Bedtime Stories and Erotica; and it is those albums that birthed the Addison Rae we are hearing today.

Next week, as we are still coming up from the hangover of Coachella weekend two, headliner Megan Thee Stallion is set to release her new single “Whenever” after posting the cover art on her socials. This week, aside from Addison we’ve got sultry collaborations with Davido/Victoria Monét, Kenia OS/Anitta and Leon Thomas/Halle. Plus, the comeback of Keri Hilson after a 15-year absence, and a viral pick from the lady whose fanbase online believe to be the reason she (Keri) stayed away in the first place.

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Headphones On” by Addison Rae

Addison Rae has been re-inventing herself as a pop singer for a few years now, and she has come a long way from her 2021 debut single “Obsessed” which was panned by critics. After taking a step back for a few years to find her sound, she’s finally hit it. The dreamy, trip-pop, moody inspired tracks she’s been releasing over the last year have earned her a level of respect from pop music fans that nobody could have predicted. The new single “Headphones On” only further reinforces the idea that not only has Addison put in the work and studied the greats, but she is improving with each release. The new single screams 90s Madonna, so much so that upon first listen of the track, my urge to listen to Madge’s Bedtime Stories album was so strong I was up until 3 am doing just that. If you don’t believe me, take a listen to “Headphones On” followed by Madonna’s “Don’t Stop” and “Survival” and then tell me that you do not hear the resemblance. Both of those songs come from Madonna’s most vibey and R&B-infused album, but it is also the record on which she worked with Björk. I don’t think the fact that the “Headphones” music video being filmed in Iceland is a coincidence either, because if Addison’s last few videos show us anything it’s that every aesthetic and sound being used is done with intention. The video which was directed by Mitch Ryan shows her daydreaming in a grocery store before being transported to a field in the Icelandic countryside, or as some may put it, the perfect place for a mushroom trip. Addison’s upcoming debut album is set to be released on June 6th after she wore the date on her underwear through her flowing white sheer outfit during her performance at Coachella with Arca. I need this album in my veins; now.

“Offa Me” by Davido, Victoria Monét

Davido has returned with his fifth official studio album (appropriately titled 5IVE). The album is filled with strong features, but it’s this new track with Victoria Monét that has been blaring from my headphones the last few days. The track was produced by Haitian DJ Michael Brun, so there is certainly a Caribbean flair in the tune. Mixed with the African elements, it’s a celebration of great energy and even better music. The song stays true to the afrobeats mix that Davido has become famous for but is intertwined beautifully with Victoria’s sultry R&B sound. Victoria sings lyrics like “I’ve been thinking, I want you to come take this off of me”, before a sexy back-and-forth between both artists in the verses. Plot twist: based on lyrics, he does in fact take it off her, lol. It’s sexy but it still has that upbeat dance vibe so you can tear up both the dance floor and the bedroom. Talk about a bedtime story. Victoria has been all over my feed lately, she even makes an appearance in the viral trend of the week simply because she just so f*king stunning. The fact that she’s insanely talented, too, truly is just the cherry on top of a perfect package. Many people who are not as familiar with the afrobeats genre may mistake its sound for traditional R&B but listening to this song where the two genres are blended, you can clearly hear the differences; but it is those differences that make it such a perfect combination. Davido’s album also includes features from Becky G and Omah Lay among others - perfect for summer.

“RATHER BE ALONE” by Leon Thomas, Halle

Leon Thomas is my favourite artist out right now. He’s been putting in the work over the last few years, and now he is finally getting his due. His latest album MUTT is earning millions of streams daily and now he’s getting ready to release the deluxe offering of the record. This latest single with Halle (forever my Ariel) is the first new addition. The song is a gorgeous mix of modern R&B with an adult contemporary twist, making it the perfect song for listeners across generations. It has that edge that will appeal to younger listeners while still staying true to traditional R&B vocal arrangements. The lyrics follow a heartbreaking yet romantic back-and-forth between a couple, with Leon explaining he’d “rather be alone” than “in a broken home”, while Halle begs for him to stay and work through the pain. Halle is known for her angelic vocals; the laid-back instrumentals compliment her ethereal voice beautifully. Layered with Leon’s Frank Ocean-esque tone, the two sound like a match made in heaven. Leon has truly come such a long way from his days on Victorious, as his single “MUTT” currently sits at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 (higher than the latest single “twilight zone” by Victorious co-star Ariana Grande). His ascension to the top of the charts is proof that when you stay consistent and the talent is there, it’s only a matter of time before your flowers are given to you.

“En 4” by Kenia OS, Anitta

The new collaboration between Kenia OS and Anitta is the fire that your speakers need this summer. Kenia has been making a name for herself by taking over the pop charts in Mexico over the last few years, and now she’s teaming up with Anitta for this reggaeton track, effortlessly blending her pop-urban style with the Brazilian funk that Anitta has helped bring to the mainstream market in the last two years. The accompanying music video is steamy, which should come as no surprise for fans of both of these ladies. They’re hot, and they show it off, rightfully so (even if it’s pixelated, you do still have to leave a little something to the imagination right?). If Madonna and Addison Rae are using trip-hop to tell their bedtime stories, then consider this track the reggaeton equivalent because it has enough sensuality to get anyone in the mood. Kenia OS has been taking over the headlines in reggaeton for the last few months as she recently confirmed her romance with superstar Peso Pluma just last January. The two were even spotted at Coachella two weeks ago before the release of this song. Anitta was actually scheduled to perform at the festival this year, but had to drop out due to “unexpected personal reasons”. It’s safe to assume that given this song was released at the beginning of weekend two of the festival, that a performance between the two was planned. We’ll never know now, but if the song becomes as big of a hit as I think it will, a joint performance is inevitable.

“Scream” by Keri Hilson

It’s been 15 years since Keri Hilson last released music, which in the industry is an eternity. She’s been out here still doing spot dates and performing at the occasional festival, but overall she retreated from the spotlight for majority of that time. If you’ve been following the headlines over the last few weeks, you’ll know about the Beyoncé of it all and the lasting effects it had on her music career. Now that she’s spoken her truth, Keri is back with a new album that is full of R&B bangers, reminding listeners like myself why we fell in love with her back in the late-2000s. Not to be mistaken for her 2007 duet with Timbaland and Nicole Scherzinger, “Scream” was actually leaked online years ago back when reports that Hilson was in the studio first spread in 2015. That’s a whole decade now, so this body of work has been in the making with Keri for a very long time. It may have first leaked 10 years ago, but it still sounds fresh and frankly had I not already known the leaked version of the song, I’d never know this wasn’t recorded in the last year. “Scream” is an alternative R&B song that still follows the traditional format of an R&B love jam, complete with magical wind chimes and a roaring electric guitar, it is a standout in a collection of songs that are all sure to activate the nostalgia portions of our brain. Keri’s new album We Need To Talk: Love is the first of a three-part installment of albums marking her comeback in a big way. Now, is it a fun coincidence that Beyoncé also is in the midst of a trilogy of albums? Sure… but let me not be messy today, Keri’s been through enough when it comes to all things B. Buzzzzzz.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

Beyoncé “Check On It – Live”

Any excuse to feature any music from Beyoncé will always be taken, but luckily this week I don’t have to reach too far as the live version of “Check On It” from her 2009 “I AM… World Tour” has gone mega viral, reaching the Top 10 of Tik Tok’s viral 50. This version of the song is slowed down versus the studio version, with B using those signature vocals and adding in runs and riffs, before going into the traditional upbeat version that we’ve all come to know and love over the years. “Check On It” was a #1 hit when it was released back in the early months of 2006 as the theme song to The Pink Panther which saw Beyoncé starring opposite Steve Martin. It’s always been a song that she played around with, doing different vocal variations for the first half before going into those unmistakable strings, wind instruments and heavy bassline that make the song so bouncy and fun.

The original trend attached to the song is “Women in Their 30s” where ladies of the age range use the sound as a soundtrack while they simply look gorgeous. It could be them walking into a room, showing off a look or simply existing confidently. The tone is playful, sexy, and very “you know I look good and I do too”. Work bitch. It’s not just the ladies in their 30s joining in on the fun, as the likes of Gabrielle Union have taken the trend and flipped it for women in their 50s. The trend just keeps growing as the days go by, with the original sound sitting at 117.1k videos, while different variations of the sound exist on the app and are pulling in big numbers as well. Plus, it’s always great when a live recording gets the viral treatment. After all, not everyone has the mic on honey.

@floracoquerel_
Team 1994 ♈️
♬ Check On It (Live) - Beyoncé

@victoriamonet
Best days of my life 🤎 #fyp #coachella #weekendtrip
♬ Check On It (Live) - Beyoncé

@izaszyszko
32 this year baby and never felt or looked better 💋 #womenintheir30s #motivation #abs #snatchedwaist #snatched #gym #pilates
♬ Check On It (Live) - Beyoncé