We’ve always liked Amerie – a quality R&B singer. But she’s never been able to reach the levels of success of say, Beyonce, Mary J, or even Keyshia Cole, for that matter. The Rich “Crazy In Love” Harrison helmed single “1 Thing” was a chart topper, but also known as “How To Kill A Dancefloor” among deejays. Despite this, we always shoved it down the throats of club-goers anyway.

This time around she’s sampled a classic hip-hop song (Ultramagnetic MC’s “Ego Trippin’”), for her lead single “Why R U “, which Flex has played for 15 minutes straight on Hot ’97, before going to the Def Jam offices to pick up his check. This 90′s Bad Boy-esque approach to R&B will probably work for her, because  they use a simple back and forth, same old rhythm that a baby can pick up and join right with them, so to speak.

If you didn’t get that last line, you can read a watered down version of this story here.

The Buchanan’s produced single / Ray Kay directed video “Why R U” will be included on the August Def Jam release, In Love & War, which is her debut album for the label. Other producers on the album include Teddy Riley (“Tell Me You Love Me”), Sean Garrett & Eric Hudson (“Heard ’Em All”), and Jim Johnson & Rico Love (“Swagback”), Brian Michael Cox (“Red Eye”).

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/ameriemimarie or thepiratebay.org. – DJ Pizzo

– DJ Pizzo