Miley earns rap smileys
From Kanye to Pharrell, hip-hop superstars praise edg y singer
NEW YORK — While Miley Cyrus has a batch of critics, there is a group rallying behind her and praising her as a vital talent: rappers.
Pharrell produced several songs on Cyrus’s new album. She has been featured on the latest albums from Snoop Lion and will.i.am. Big Sean requested her as the star of his Fire music video.
And to top it off, Kanye West invited her to appear on the remix to Black Skinhead, his anti-racism rant from his eerie and dark Yeezus album.
Cyrus’s album Bangerz, out Tuesday, features guest spots from Big Sean, Nelly, Future and French Montana. In an interview, Juicy J called the 20-year-old “a genius.” 50 Cent, who hasn’t yet worked with her, added that Cyrus “can be on anything hip-hop orientated because (she’s) rebellious.”
The idea of the former Hannah Montana star becoming a muse for rap stars seems odd to some, but Mike WiLL Made-It, who executive produced Bangerz, said the singer has struck a chord with rappers because she isn’t following in the footsteps of pop stars like Katy Perry but creating her own bold path.
“People like Kanye are fans of music, people like Pharrell are fans of all types of music. … It all boils down to her being very talented and not scared to do new things,” said the producer, whose new single, 23, features Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J.
“Her voice is incredible. It’s one of a kind … no limitations,” added Mike WiLL Made-It, who is behind hits like Juicy J’s Bandz a Make Her Dance and Rihanna’s Pour It Up.
Others aren’t sure if talent is the reason behind it.
“Business is business,” said Cori Murray, entertainment director at Essence magazine. “They’re in the music business; she’s the girl of the moment, so why not get on record with the girl of the moment?”
Cyrus, who will host and perform on NBC’s Saturday Night Live this week, has been the girl of the moment for months now. It started with her transformation from teen queen to twerk queen, rising with her edgy We Can’t Stop party-style music video. Of course, she hit new heights (or to some, new depths) with her eyepopping, sexually charged MTV Video Music Awards performance in August. It featured the scantily dressed singer twerking, gyrating on Robin Thicke and what’s become her signature move — sticking out her tongue.
The wild-child antics — from being nude in the music video for her first No. 1 hit, Wrecking Ball, to he rembrace of drug culture in a recent Rolling Stone interview — have made headlines.
But while the star is a product of hip-hop culture, Bangerz is far from a hip-hop album. The 13-track set has moments that are downbeat, others are uptempo dance numbers and electronic. It also features Britney Spears and production and songwriting work from pop master Dr. Luke.
“Once they get over all the twerking … the music is actually great,” said Mike WiLL Made-It.