The Menu: Top 10 Chucky Thompson Songs
A journey through the ten records that define the genius of Chucky Thompson, from his work with Bad Boy and Mary J. Blige to the wider musical influences behind his production - using his catalogue to understand the sound of ’90s R&B and pop.
SAINT goes through his ten favourite Chucky Thompson songs, from Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans to New Edition and TLC.
How Chucky Thompson’s influence can be traced all the way to Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love”.
“Tears Away” by Faith Evans (1998)
Apart of a underrated and stellar 90s movie soundtrack, this is absolutely Faith Evans and Chucky Thompson at their individual and collective best. Whilst Faith is best known for moody classic, “Soon As I Get Home” (#10), the radical optimism she adopts in the wake of her life post-Biggie is where she reaches her artistic stride. Interlude track “Tears Away (Interlude)” serves its purpose brilliantly on her 1998 album Keep the Faith - but pales in comparison to the full song; that dances the line between pop and gospel whilst remaining forward-thinking R&B.
Episodes
#8 | “Mary’s Joint” by Mary J. Blige
How Chucky Thompson brought a hip-hop sensibility to R&B, using boom-bap rhythms to drive the sound of My Life.
#5 | “You Don’t Have to Worry” by New Edition
New Edition’s comeback record, and the Missy Elliott remix that gave it a completely different life.
#7 | “If I Was Your Girlfriend” by TLC
TLC take on Prince - and make a rare case for improving on an artist who famously wasn’t fond of other people covering his music.
#10 | “Soon as I Get Home” Remix by Faith Evans feat. Aaron Hall
How Chucky Thompson brought a hip-hop sensibility to R&B, using boom-bap rhythms to drive the sound of My Life.
#3 | “Ain’t Nobody” by Faith Evans
Why “Ain’t Nobody” is more than an R&B record: it’s a perfect ’90s pop song.