Ghetto fabulous

Classic rhythm and blues melodies meet the ghetto life in Jaheim's third album "Ghetto Classics."

Debuting at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and the Top R&B Albums list, "Ghetto Classics" unites easy listening music with straight-out ghetto lyrics.

"Have you ever been in love?" Jaheim sings. "But who's shorty with tonight?"

The story is melodious but malicious in "Everytime I Think About Her" featuring Jadakiss. Jaheim's harsh words and Jada's rapping throughout the song is a constant reminder that this is not the classic R&B of Marvin Gaye or Al Green, this is a new sort of classic.

"Who did the daddy thing, when her father wasn't there?" Jaheim croons on "Daddy Thing."

The song is almost sweet, but the lyrics are so blunt and straight to the point that the sugary sweetness is immediately diluted. The point is simple. He is not the baby's father.

"Now normally I would just hit and run, but can't you see I'm about you and your little one?" Jaheim sings. "I got my income tax and said f*** it and traded in your rucket, because the coupe wasn't big enough."

Jaheim started on the "Ghetto" trilogy in 2001 with "Ghetto Love," following it with his sophomore album, "Still Ghetto" the next year (2002). "Ghetto Classics" was four years in the making and continues on Jaheim's new take on R&B.

He really hits on something here, using his life and his world to update the often-sappy, always-tender genre of rhythm and blues. He sings about making love, but calls himself a fiend, not addicted to nicotine. He pushes the point that it's more about sex than love, always keeping himself first. There is a hint of something that might be described as "ghetto romance," as he sings about using callused language that is generally used only in private.

This update is not for every fan of R&B. The lyrics are not easily ignored or pushed to the side, however beautiful the melody. At the same time, hardened words within tender music really give perspective to the culture that allows for this combination.