Estelle feat. Kanye West – American Boy

I really don’t need to write about American Boy by Estelle, featuring Kanye West; it’s number 1 in the UK, the album will probably be in the same place next weekend and, if there was any justice in the world, this would have been the first US number 1 by a British female artist for the first time in 20 years, instead of the soulless dirge that is Leona Lewis.

Anyway, that aside, it’s just too bloody amazing not to write about. Seriously, let’s count the reasons.

  1. Estelle – she rocks. 1980 was an amazing tune and it’s a disgrace that she had to go to the US to retsart her career. Her voice, lyrics and rhymes are awesome here.
  2. Kanye West – he too rocks. Here Kanye once again shows that he’s one of the few rappers of his stature to have a healthy sense of humour. Rapping about Ribena, WAGs or being a ‘bloke’. This guy’s too bloody cool for school.
  3. The tune – apparently Kanye & Estelle were just messing about, trying to get John Legend to understand house/techno. Do I really need to say more? Really? Just listen to the beat, the bleeps & the disco flourishes.

Ok, if you haven’t bought American Boy by Estelle yet, go & do it now. If we keep it up American Boy could be number 1 for long enough to keep the next Leona Lewis single off the top and might even convince our American cousins to go out & buy it too. Then they could get a taste of real British soul.

Sing it sister!

Estelle photo from the lovely Estelle’s official website (please don’t sue me – this is free marketing you see!)

2 comments

  1. Just seen this post. Am really pleased to see someone writing with as much enthusiasm as you do about music, nice one. However did you know that American Boy started out as “Impatient” on Will.I.Am’s album “Songs About Girls”. Add some vocals from Estelle and Kanye and there you go, American Boy. I’m not taking anything away from them, it’s still a good track.

    BTW you should definitely check out Will’s album.

  2. Thanks Kieron – glad you like it. I’ve been doing the music blog for a couple of years now, but recently moved it over here.

    I did see something about it being ‘inspired’ by another track. I have reservations about Will – some of his stuff I really like; other stuff just strikes me as lazy, sexist (c)rap. I might have a browse through the album and try to pick out the best stuff.

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