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Clash of the Cover Songs: Aaliyah vs. The Gossip

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Are U That Somebody'

The Contestants: Aaliyah vs. The Gossip

In This Corner -- Aaliyah: Timbaland's protege was catapulted to superstardom with this beat-heavy hit for the 1998 film 'Dr. Dolittle.' He was also responsible for adding the baby babbles on the backtrack. Genius? Not really. Just appropriate, given the late singer was only 19 at the time of its release. And her nickname was Baby Girl.

Aaliyah, 'Are U That Somebody'


In This Corner -- The Gossip: No bells and whistles on this 'un -- just a thick bass line and Southern frontwoman Beth Ditto's soulful howl. Where Aaliyah's breathy pipes evoke a feeling of indifference to the question's answer, Ditto's chokehold and demand some fessin' straight out the gate. Squealing baby sold separately.

The Gossip, 'Are You That Somebody'

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SuzluvsSmilees

Welp, considering that Gossips' was live and recorded after a LONG concert I think its pretty damn good!The original was done in a recording studio w/all the perks so of course all the bumps and hurdles arent there.Beth Ditto has an amazong voice and vocal range and she proved it in this concert that this song was recorded in.AND, Aaliyah has Timbaland backing her and she has backup vocals.Beth did it all on her own w/only percussion and not all the electronic heebee-joes that are in a studio.Beths drummer Kathy did an amazing job at creating the beat and keeping percussion up.
Gossip has a new fan :)

April 04 2010 at 3:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lez

The Gossip's version has a good beat. But it goes entirely too slow. Aaliyah has the better version.

October 30 2009 at 3:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
How Are You

This was just laughable....If Aaliyah heard that version, she probably appreciated that the "artist" tried, but that was just awful singing and the arrangement was off or she was off key.

October 29 2009 at 12:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply