It’s Trashy Thursday y’all!
Just kidding, I’m totally awake. But it’s time to induct another vocal acrobat into our league of legendary queens. As you all remember, Cassie was ourfirst honoree. But now it’s time to talk about the iconic and legendary, Lumidee!
So the year is 2003. The hood was lacking a true vocal diva. Sure Beyonce had just released Crazy in Love and Ashanti was the R&B Princess. But where was the excitement? The voice of a generation?
Lumidee arrived on the scene with Uh Ooh (Never Leave You) and filled the gap in our lives.
Now this was a different time, for all of my younger readers. These stars didn’t have autotune to help correct whatever vocal deficiencies an artist may have. Not that our new queen has any of those. Also, yes the title is Uh Ooh. Not Uh Oh. Uh Ooh.
Listen to how she attacks the opening “honest-leeeeeeeeeeee!” So in tune!
Now from what I’ve heard Lumidee was meant to be a rapper, not a singer. But how could she keep those vocal gifts to herself? We are all better for having heard this. And the charts agreed, Uh Ooh went to #3 on the Billboard charts (which we all know is the combination of ALL the charts) and was the #41 hit for the entire year of 2003! To be serious for a moment, Uh Ooh uses the Diwali Riddim, which was super popular that year. Wayne Wonder’s “No Letting Go” and Sean Paul’s “Get Busy” also hit the charts with the same hand claps. I’m not complaining, but it seems like using this in your production was an easy way to notch a hit.
So what did this goddess follow up her smash hit with?? You may not remember.
Here’s she gets to show off her skills on the mic.
And they aren’t all that impressive. I mean at least compared to that angelic and powerful voice. I mean the beat is great, but this simply isn’t a hit. The single went ignored (this is actually the first time I’ve ever heard it) and it was on to the next, on on to the next one. Now in America, we thought that Lumidee’s career was dead. But what you didn’t know that she’s a SUPERSTAR in Europe.
But still, she hooked up with Fatman Scoop and brought us this delight!
Now, I will give Lumidee this. Her verses here are much better than Crashing A Party. But what does it say that they had to sample Whitney Houston for someone who sings? You may also notice that beat sounds a little…familiar?
Come on and daaaaance…
This wasn’t exactly a hit, but Lumidee was right on the cusp of her comeback!
Lumidee hooked up with Tony Sunshine (from Terror Squad) to cover the classic She’s Like The Wind by Patrick Swayze. And you know it’s not bad. Lumidee’s rapping is much better than her singing (if you can believe that!) and Tony oversings with all his heart. This hit #43 on the charts ending her status as a one-hit wonder! This song was so popular, that it was covered in by The Vibekingz (who are amazing) and went to #2 in Germany.
This video is so much YES, but we’ll save that post for another day.
Striking while the iron was hot, she hooked up with King Pitbull for “Crazy.” Time for a live performance from our queen!
The stage presence…
The dance moves…
Those vocals…
Those rose colored glasses…
So iconic.
Can’t believe that this didn’t hit #1!
Lumidee then reached out Shaggy because she feels like making love.
Yeah, this is really bad. Lumidee is singing from her nose. And is perpetually flat. And Shaggy?? In 2008? I mean I love Boombastic as much as the next trashy ho, but yikes.
Let’s end our tour of her discography on a high note!
Hey, this is a bop! Scott Storch was a giant douche bag, but the man could make a dance beat.
Her raps are as good here as they are in Dance. He also managed to put some (more) strength in her voice and it’s way more convincing that Shaggy mess.
Okay, I lied. One more live performance!
When I say Lumi!
Y’all say Dee!
But now that you’ve stopped laughing, let’s be real. Lumidee is the epitome of someone who could have only happened in the early 2000’s. Especially early 2003. We spent most of 2002 letting Ashanti be the top R&B singer in the game. And while Ashanti has hits, she does not have a great voice. But with smart production and danceable beat, chart success was attainable (looking at you J.Lo). So whomever was in charge of Lumidee’s career aped the Diwali Riddim and got her a career. Had Uh Ooh been released a few months before Beyonce released solo material, she might have had a chance to pull some hits, but the standard was raised and she just couldn’t keep up. Her later songs are mixed to okay, but there’s nothing here as catchy or fun as Uh Ooh.
That said, I still love Lumidee. Her songs are easy to listen to for the most part and part of the fun is watching her facial expression never change. I remember seeing that Dance video while I was abroad and cackling until my sides hurt. She is hilarious and I love her.
Bow down bishes to the real Queen of Music! LUMIDEE!