Jessie J has hitherto remained a largely obscure figure in mainstream music. Even with writing credits for Miley Cyrus's monster hit "Party in the USA," along with her writing contributions to songs by Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Chris Brown, Jessie J has had little name recognition. That is, until a little Pop/R&B treasure, known as "Do It Like a Dude," which has the sass, catchy production, and vocal distinction to propel the singer from relative anonymity to worldwide fame.
Exactly what Jessie J does with this song is phenomenal. Over an electronic bass and drum-heavy beat, Jess has the braggadocio and confidence to weave in and out of different vocal accentuations, from a Ester Dean-like vocal arrangement to a British/Jamaican dancehall queen. She has the vocal chops to croon over any song, but chooses to dominate this song with pure boastfulness and dare I say arrogance, but in such an irresistible fashion. Just from a purely sonic perspective, the song sounds like an electronic orchestra, with just the right volume, arrangement, and Caribbean-quality that it doesn't overtake Jessie at the microphone. But, with Jessie J, her voice is so strong and distinct, that it IS the most important instrument of the electronic orchestra.
While sonically, the song is a winner, it has the lyrical sass to further bolster its quality. Although, no it is nothing lyrically groundbreaking, Jess's strong vocal projection adds to the song's meaning. This is a classic example of not exactly what is said, but how it is said. Regardless, the song is as much a refutation of the male's perception of feminism, as she shouts, "Boom boom, pull me a beer / No pretty drinks, I'm a guy out here." She follows the male manifesto as she proves she can do it like a dude. Of course "Do It Like A Dude" may send shivers down the spines of some hard-fighting feminists, it is fundamentally a declaration to blur these gender distinctions that have long predated modern society.
A guaranteed breakout artist of 2011, Jessie J is preparing her entrance onto the international charts, and is doing so with quite the ideally engineered R&B hit.
Do It Like A Dude: 4.5/5
you do realize she actually takes the piss out of butches and feminists
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