Avg Rating: 
3.0 ( 22 total votes )
CJ Hilton - It Ain't Easy
Producer: CJ Hilton
Album: Untitled (TBD)
Label: RCA
Whether you’re a single mother trying to raise a son or daughter while working two jobs and attending college, or a rich rapper who has to pay massive child support bills, It Ain’t Easy to get by in today’s economic climate (OK, somewhat moreso in the former case than the latter, but I digress). Booth newcomer CJ Hilton can relate. For his debut single, the J Records singer/producer goes the “recession music” route, serving up a head-noddable, piano-driven instrumental as he offers encouragement to anyone struggling to make a dime. The Baltimore native’s vocal appeal is undeniable, and his message is even harder to argue with: “Hold your head high, let ‘em see your crown / Do your own thing, don’t let nothing hold you down.” Digging this motivational jam? Keep it locked – CJ Hilton’s currently-untitled freshman full-length has yet to receive a release date from the label brass, but we’ll keep you supplied with all the latest news and tunes.
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 8792 |
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Nice introductory record by Hilton. I had not heard of him before Friday, but it sounds like J Records has some talent on their hands.
Vocally Hilton does his thing (he knows it too with some of those elongated notes), but if he wants to win at radio (and make those label execs happy they signed him) I am not sure the minimalistic production angle will work. Good start, though, as I see his plane boarding. 
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| Posted on May 09, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 936 |
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CJ did his thing on this track. He has a very nice and smooth voice, but I feel as though he sounds very similar to a lot of artists that are currently out there. Feel like I have heard his voice a dozen times before.
Regardless of the voice comparisons, CJ won me over on this song. This is something I could listen to on a daily basis. Everything comes together nicely, from the production to Hilton's vocals. This guy has a future if he continues to release songs like this. 3.5 |
| Posted on May 09, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 97 |
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I really liked CJ Hilton's voice, my only problem is that the beat didn't really kick in until about 50 sec in, and even then it seemed like it needed a little more substance to match Hilton's voice.
That being said, he piqued my interest on this one |
| Posted on May 09, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 133 |
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Not sure if it was intentional but this was quite the selection for a Mother's day release.
Agreeing with Ohms the beat dropped way too late but I think overall the production just bombed and it hindered Hilton's full potential. I enjoyed listening to CJ sing and took well to the theme of the song. Life isn't easy and sometimes music reminds you that you're not alone. Overall I think song is not close to radio ready but I enjoyed the listen. Nice message with a nice voice. |
| Posted on May 09, 2010 |
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Resident DJ |
Rating:
He had me at full attention from the very beginning with his smooth and catchy vocals.
However, the production could be better but in a way the simple piano beat allows his voice to shine. CJ Hilton definitely knows how to make a uplifting song just based off of this. Solid song for a debut artist on DJBooth. |
| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 4224 |
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Gotta agree with @RyanSx, his voice gives you that "heard before" vibe but I definitely enjoyed his singing from start to end. The writing is also admirable, overall, a fine introduction to another self-sufficient artist. Rotation fa sho!
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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nice...this guy's voice is sumwhere between ryan leslie and john legend (more ryan leslie)...it's new skool rnb...listened to his mixtape (the package) pretty versatile kid here and of course his joint wit saadiq and stevie wonder, this guy is making all the right moves
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2480 |
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Seems like it's pretty unanimous. Hilton's voice is damn good - he's got that old school, 70's soul vibe. I'm digging it. However, maybe it's just because I got raised on the aforementioned r&b/soul, but it seems like I was feeling this production more than the rest of the Booth. Imagine this live? With that slapping bass line? It's a wrap. Definitely digging it.
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 225 |
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its cool enough said
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 8792 |
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People are J Records are using the "new school Marvin Gaye" tag on Hilton. I am not sure I'd go there just yet, but the consensus thus far is that the kid has some nice pipes (pause).
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 488 |
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Just not really my type of R&B track. A lot going on with the production, and stacked vocals, it just sounds way to cluttered for me. He has a nice voice, but it doesn't really kick with the beat except for 1:45-2:00.
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 365 |
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The beat is too lacking. The piano is nice, but you can barely hear it at times. CJ's vocals are nice, but its not my type of song.
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 394 |
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I thought the beginning of the song was great. It's a good song and has a lil bit of that drums in there that I enjoy. Song coulda had more to it I thought. No Marvin Gaye but has a good start. Really good track, just needs to go that extra mile for me.
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 151 |
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Love the dudes vocals. Not really feeling the flow of this track though.
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 306 |
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its cool idk why people dont like this more its real solid track and all.
its a jive type track and should be succesful atleast it sounds that way |
| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 860 |
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He sounded a little bit like Marvin Gaye in the beginning. Real smooth track, Im surprised this wasn't rated higher.
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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The guy has a good voice, but the production is really simple like many have already said.
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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Hilton kinda reminds me of an uptempo Tank. I like Tank. Catchy tune.
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| Posted on May 11, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 2065 |
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Production took way too long to develop and he needs to find his own vocal identity on future features to avoid those unavoidable comparisons to other singers. Nice introduction to this singer indeed, but a Marvin Gaye he is not, lets not get it twisted.
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| Posted on May 11, 2010 |
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Resident DJ |
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people arent happy with the lack of a beat for a while but in my opinion the purpose of that is to let us get our first impression of cj hilton from his vocals and not from the production. my first impression is one where i am very excited about his future work after he has developed that stable fan base which eh can build his style onto. praying for more here
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| Posted on May 12, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 452 |
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Digging it but its not fast enough for the massses.
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| Posted on May 16, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 1237 |
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Love this guy's voice.
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| Posted on Jul 15, 2011 |
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