So I love Pop music.
I love Indian classical and Spiritual Jazz and all that clever shit but I also love Pop music.

Danja is pretty much my favourite producer at the moment. His trademark sound may only be a hair’s-breadth away from his mentor Timbaland’s but he seems to by going about making music with more joy and flair than the big mumbler has recently. After co-producing half the hit records of 2006 he broke out and did the Britney album without Timbaland and seems to be cranking out big drums and synths quite happily on his own now.

The Clutch are Georgia based songwriters Balewa Muhammad, Ezekiel Lewis, Patrick “J. Que” Smith, Candice Nelson and Keri Hilson. Hilson has been about-to-be-massive for guite a few years now, but perhaps too busy writing hits for other people to do her own album.

The Clutch work with a lot of different producers but it’s when Danja is on the beats that they really work. They are a perfect Black Pop production team, rhythm and harmony and energy. Music for teenagers, like it should be.

I shall include some of their produce, in the teenage medium of Youtube videos:

Nikki Flores – Beautiful Boy

Yes, make 60s throwback music but acknowledge that fact that we’ve gone forward. Mix it up. The internet is out, it’s all non-linear now anyway. If I want to listen to Martha Reeves I’ll pull out a Martha Reeves record. I like this song so much it’s not funny. Sherbetty.

Danity Kane – Pretty Boy

One of my songs of the year and unrepentantly Pop. Thanks to AtotheL for hipping me.

Fantasia – Bore Me (Yawn)

More futuristic throwback music from the American Idol winner.

Katharine McPhee – Open Toes

DRUMS from an American Idol loser. If you rock this in a playlist with “Umbrella” and “Lipgloss” you almost have a whole outfit. You could throw on a “Raspberry Beret” but it wouldn’t blend. These are almost R. Kelly level lyrics!

Ciara – Echo

This song is jawsome but not out until December or something so we have to make do with this “For clearance use only, only, only” version. The Clutch wrote Ciara’s hit “Like A Boy” too you know?

Half these tracks are unavailable in the UK so we’re kind of deprived but then the kids get their music from Youtube, right, so the music should be getting into the right hands. Ears.

Do a party.

Bonus beats: Cassie can’t sing for toffee but she has other charms and this video has Lil’ Dwayne in it looking a right old state. All the above are young women but don’t think Danja and The Clutch won’t work with boys, check the boy band Menudo! Actually maybe they should stick with the girls.