Chris Brown And Trey Songz Pay Homage To R. Kelly On “Songs On 12 Play”: Listen

Christina Lee | September 13, 2014 9:02 am

Chris Brown teamed up with Trey Songz for “Songs On 12 Play,” a new song from Brown’s upcoming sixth album X (out September 16).

The match-up isn’t just arousing mood music, as to be expected from two young R&B stars. Instead, Brown and Songz weave in references to R. Kelly‘s singles off 1993 debut 12 Play (“Sex Me,” “Bump ‘N Grind,” “Your Body’s Callin’”), plus later hits like “Fiesta” and “Ignition,” in efforts to sound more explicitly adult.

If anything, “Songs On 12 Play” brings to mind how much Brown and Songz (who recently released his own sixth album, Trigga) owe to the still-controversial R. Kelly. Following a brief, almost forgettable stint with new jack swing, the raunchy R&B singer still manages to find new ways to surprise with his dreamy songs of explicit bedroom instructions, from sung-rapped vocals to truly outlandish metaphors.

Neither Brown nor Songz sound as impassioned in their tribute as R. Kelly would on his own, though “Songz On 12 Play” still sounds like an earnest effort. Hear the X song below.

[via Rap Radar]

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.