What makes a hit? Is it the lyrics, the artiste, the hype at the time? Is it “something special’ about the artiste’s voice or the rhythm? The TEENage Hitlist feature has returned to highlight the hits and the misses as soon as we hear both local and international releases.

Local hit of the Week

Fresh to Death by Chedda ft Chino, Laden, Konshens & Nicky B

Fresh to Death is the latest all-star collaboration released by UIM Records and features a cast of young, gifted and talented artistes, who are all making an impact on Jamaica’s music industry.

Nicky B provides the simple yet likeable and catchy chorus that is sure to have people singing along on the dance floor.

Chino sets the tone for the rest of the song with braggadocio lyrics about his lifestyle and partying ways. Laden is next on the track and continues the trend set by his Big Ship Records counterpart.

UIM recording artiste Chedda’s verse sticks to the song’s title with witty similes and metaphors. Konshens closes the track with a verse that utilises a hip-hop flow initially , and switches to deejaying. For this innovation he must be commended.

Fresh to Death features synthesisers, drums and slightly auto-tuned vocals that provide the perfect rhythm to make it a clubbanger .

TEENage Hitlist believes that Fresh to Death is a hit to look out for.

International hit of the week

Over by Drake

The purpose of Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham’s visit to Jamaica last month wasn’t for a vacation, but rather to put the final touches on his highly anticipated debut album Thank Me Later.

The first single, Over, which was mastered at Geejam Studios in Portland, has instantly created a buzz among music critics and fans alike.

Over begins with its chorus that has Drake singing melodically about him living life the way he wants to live it until it’s over. The vocals of the chorus are accompanied by epic sounding guitar and violin strings that sound very cinematic.

Between the ending of the chorus and begining of the verses, the song’s rhythm makes a dramatic transition with the pounding of drums over subtle violin strings, which will allow the song a place in any party setting.

The lyrical content of the verses summarises Drake’s rise to fame in the past year as he speaks of boastfulness, triumph, and a drive to continue this success.

The immaculately delivered wordplay by Drake, along with the vibrant productions courtesy of Jamaican born Boi-1da, makes Over a TEENage Hitlist-approved international hit.