Old musicMusicOld music: Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance
It began life as a Stock, Aitken & Waterman B-side, but Buffalo Stance set a template for generations of street smart womenNeneh Cherry is due a lot of credit. She's influenced many female rappers and singer-songwriters in recent years, whether they know it or not. The prime example might be MIA, but you can also see her influence in Azealia Banks, Jessie J and Nicki Minaj. This can be seen in the video of the 1988 worldwide smash, Buffalo Stance. Bold colours, a confrontational attitude, extravagant fashion sense and street nous all attest to this.
The song is about a gigolo who thinks he can swagger his way into a woman's heart. But Neneh's having none of it: "No money man can win my love/ It's sweetness that I'm thinking of." A buffalo stance, however, is a pose with both arms wrapped around oneself while looking over to the side. Run DMC used to do this a fair bit.
An early version of the song – complete with "What is he liiiike?" – appeared as the B-side on the 1986 Stock Aitken & Waterman-produced single Looking Good Diving by duo Morgan-McVey, which was made up of Jamie Morgan and Cherry's future husband, the music producer and songwriter Cameron McVey.
A little known fact: Buffalo Stance was released on 3in CD. As if regular-sized CDs weren't easily misplaced to begin with.
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