What makes a hit? Is it the lyrics, the artiste, the hype at the time? Is it “something special” about the voice or rhythm?

The TEENage Hitlist pinpoints the hits and the misses as soon as we hear both local and international releases.

· Local Hit Of The Week – Nine Life by Mavado

The bipolar make-up of the dancehall industry continues in 2010 between Mavado and Vybz Kartel.

Mavado’s Starlight, Gyal A Mad Ova, Come into My Room have been the singjay’s biggest singles of the year thus far and Vybz Kartel’s Clarkes and its sequel are the current tenants of Jamaican airwaves, all of which points to the continuation of last year’s two-headed race for popularity.

Nine Life, Mavado’s latest single, speaks to life’s importance over everything and that fear shouldn’t be present in persons because we are protected by God.

Such sentiments were probably expressed because of Mavado’s recent survival in a motorbike accident. Events of that nature always serve as a reminder of life’s fragility and can have a profound effect on one’s artistry, such as Mavado’s in this song.

Mavado’s knack for melodic vocals is present, as usual, and the background vocals complement well. The production by Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor must be commended for not being overdone as the song’s message was not drowned in sound.

TEENage Hitlist can guarantee that Nine Life by Mavado is another hit under his impressive repertoire.

International Hit Of the Week – Not Myself Tonight by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera has never gotten the respect she truly has deserved over the years despite her iconic vocals, four Grammy awards and millions of records sold. This is partly due to her moderate, low-key nature in comparison to more controversial musicians in the pop genre such as Britney Spears, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

Not Myself Tonight is the response to this by shedding her virtuous image in exchange for gutsier and risk-taking one which is present in the song’s lyrics.

Christina Aguilera’s unmistakable vocals are present in the song but at times they feel overburdened by Polow Da Don’s synthetic-heavy electro-pop production.

Not Myself Tonight is the re-entrance of one of pop’s staple acts in a time when electro-pop is the mainstay of the charts worldwide.