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Jaheim: Ghetto Classics
“Singing Ain’t Dead”
An Album Review by Nfared

R&B is by all means not what it used to be. While more emphasis is being
placed on marketability than on singing ability, the essence of what music once
was-- soul stirring, heartfelt and thoughtful—is now being lost in the shuffle
to gain profit from one amazing hit. There is though, the occasional artist that
brings back the feeling of music’s past. With his third album “Ghetto
Classics”, Jaheim, as unmusical as his appearance may appear at times is
putting his stake in the ground for, well… singers. In the words of Faith
Evans, “I know it’s not too ghetto.”

“The Chosen One” fits Jaheim’s raspy, old school sounding tenor like a
glove. The ambient trumpets and “Ahhhhh’s” are reminiscent of music not
heard in years. Jaheim is completely in sync with the track as he admits, “all
the places I can be/and/people I could see/you’re/the only one for me/the
decision was easy to make/I choose you over everything.” Thug love? Perhaps.
Bringing storytelling back to music, “Masterpiece” is extremely vivid from
the beginning, “When she walked past the corner store I said hello/what’s
your name she said Tracy Donatello…” Jaheim flows more like he is enthralled
in a conversation with an old friend as he starts the second verse, “I know I
saw that ass before/bouncing up my block…” This track nicely combines a
lyrical edginess with surprising sincerity. Still earnest about feelings of the
heart, “I Ain’t Never” uncovers his past “I done stood out on the block
twelve o’clock still bitching/I done
broke up bricks with baking soda in the kitchen/I done lost my religion/and
spent nights wishing I could fill up the hole in my soul/there’s something
missing…/I done lost so much my heart is boxed up.” The honesty in the
lyrics, particularly from a male singer is startling. Jaheim sings about the
love of his life with a strong conviction as he confesses he will “never ever
let her go”. The smooth, “Come Over” has a slow sound eliciting intimacy.
Lyrically though, this would not be one of the stronger efforts with Jaheim
going all over the place from taking the woman home and “wife” but then
being a “friend til the end”. Add to this the fact that someone has to
“keep that paper coming”. The point of this song just plain gets lost.

Needle Meter Jaheim is on his third album, meaning he still has some kind of
relevance to the industry and his fan base. While all of his albums play on the
term ghetto, there is still the sense that it may be slightly more of an act to
appeal to female fans. Whatever the case, the distinction of Jaheim’s vocals
cannot be denied and while the writing on this album does veer off into an
occasional tangent, there is still much to be said about the creative effort.
Chivalry is not dead, and neither is singing. Ghetto never sounded so good.
Four Needles















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