Hot But Not Too Flamboyant

Twista featuring Jeremih “Next to You”

A lot of hip-hop love songs spoil the mood with random crude lyrics, but “Next to You” never falls into that trap, which is usually just a way to avoid seeming too vulnerable and soft on the track. This song is as sincere as it gets, with both Jeremih and Twista coming across as guys trying very hard to be courteous gentlemen. It’s sweet and generous without getting corny or undermining its sexuality. The key thing here is respect – Twista’s densely packed lines are assertive but not aggressive, and deeply respectful of this woman’s body and mind, as well as her personal boundaries. It’s all genuinely romantic, and that’s before you even factor in the chords and melodies lifted from Rose Royce’s 1976 hit “I Wanna Get Next to You,” which makes everything sound warm and gentle as well as smooth and seductive.

Buy it from Amazon.