Do the jits know who Amerie is at this point?

I think every Black kid who was a teenager when Amerie was popping had a crush on her. I would still strongly consider buying her a house. Anywho, 2Rare and Hitmaka called on the R&B icon for their collaboration, “Buss Down (1 Thing).”

The track flips the recognizable production from Amerie’s “1 Thing,” softening its frantic energy while weaving in elements of Busta Rhymes’ “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.” On paper, combining those two classics with 2Rare’s playful style sounds like a lot. Somehow, everything works out.

2Rare approaches the beat with a soft melodic rap style that sounds infectious, even when his lyrics lean toward the demonic side. Amerie’s vocals appear throughout the record before she delivers the iconic hook in full, giving fans the nostalgic moment they came to hear.

I understand why some listeners might question the chemistry between their different styles. However, I think it works. Of course, “Buss Down (1 Thing)” is not better than the original—and wisely never attempts to be—but it is catchy, fresh, and enjoyable enough to keep the party moving.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.