Looking for the '08 version of J. Holiday's oh-so-dreamy "Bed"? Look no further than Raheem DeVaughn's "Customer", a gently lilting R&B number that features the widely appreciated crooner (please pick up his late '07 album, Love Behind The Melody) inviting women to his own personal sex diner. "Take your time 'fore I fill your order/ I can appetize ya or main course ya/ Caution, caution/ 'Cause the plate is hot," he offers to lonely, starved vaginas everywhere.

While DeVaughn is a solid artist in his own right, it's hard not to be submerged in "Customer"'s twinkling salaciousness without noting it's obvious similarities to about 85% of R. Kelly's material (though you admittedly feel less sleazy after listening to Raheem). The Pied Piper himself must have sensed this as well, and unwilling to be one-upped in the food/ sex metaphor department, he's made "Customer" the latest stop on his pre-12 Play: Fourth Quarter remixing tour.

This remix (R. calls it the "Have It Your Way" Version) finds Kells re-opening the Chocolate Factory, urging ladies to taste-test his "buffet" and "good, good lemonade" alongside plans to put a "roast in your oven/ Until you can't get enough". His contribution quickly veers the original's tender, soft-core pinings into full-on XXX-rated territory, a move that makes Raheem's version a bit more enticing to the ears and makes Kelly appear slightly threatened (don't worry, R., will never forget you). Still, we got to thanks Kelly's competitive spirit for only further heightening the public's awareness of DeVaughn and one of the hottest R&B records of the year. Can't wait to hear what Rob does to Weezy's "Lollipop" cause you just know that's where he's headed next.



DL: "Customer (Remix)" (YFH)

Peep the video from the original: