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 misses as soon as we hear both local and international releases.

Local Hit of the Week

My Heart by Wayne Marshall

Storytelling has always been one of Wayne Marshall’s several fortes. His latest single My Heart is another storytelling addition to his repertoire and is produced by Baby G for Yard Vybz Entertainment.

My Heart is a chronological account of a relationship between the character Wayne Marshall is playing and his respective partner. Wayne Marshall’s character is a man that has been placing an immense amount of effort into a relationship with a person who hasn’t been doing the same. He eventually becomes knowledgeable that she has been unfaithful, and after confronting, he ends their relationship.

Wayne Marshall’s My Heart makes use of the auto-tune effect, but not enough to cheapen the vocals to come across as being generic as other songs that utilise the audio processor. Baby G must be commended for the degree of peculiarity of its instrumentation.

My Heart is a standout on the airwaves because of the raw emotions, exuded by Wayne Marshall, clarity of lyrics and the song’s overall catchiness. TEENage Hitlist believes that My Heart will be the break-up song persons will be singing along to for months to come.

International Hit of the Week

Not Afraid by Eminem

Eminem is one of the most controversial musicians of the 2000s. He has written about social taboos that have struck the nerves of millions, but at the same time he writes about his own personal trials and tribulations that are heartfelt and relatable to his many fans.

Not Afraid is another such song by Eminem, and is the first single from his upcoming album Recovery.

Not Afraid is about Eminem allaying his own fears and promising to overcome his recent shortcomings in both his music and personal life.

Jamaican born Boi-1da deserves commendation for providing a solemn production that perfectly reflects the song’s mood and the emotions put into Eminem’s lyrics.

TEENage Hitlist believes that Not Afraid is a song that mirrors the full potential of Eminem’s lyrical wizardry and should be deemed as an accomplishment from his fans and sceptics alike.