Listen: The Boy Illinois x Ben One - "Number 1"
If you haven't noticed. The Boy Illinois is out here working! He's got another joint for y'all to rock to. This time around, he recruited the vocals of fellow Chicago artist, Ben One to create a track called "Number 1". It has production from Xcel, who has notable production credits with legend and Trill O.G Bun B and one of Chicago's best emcee's ever, Shawna.
"Number 1" is all about where Illi and Ben One are on their way to. The message is simple to digest. Make it to the top and you'll be number 1. Hence, the title of the song. With that said, you still a little time to hop on that Illi bandwagon. My suggestion is before it takes off at lightning speed.
Get your ears around this joint. And If you like it. You know how to show your support and the results that come with that.
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Lastly, light up the notifications one time if you want to be down with the guys who want to be number 1.
Why shouldn't Chrisette Michele perform at Inauguration 2017?
The mild news hitting the wire this past week is that of Chrisette Michele performing at President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration, on January 20, 2017.
Although the "woke" thing to do right now is to mount up for a "witch hunt" and point out the "cooning and buffoning" within the black delegation; I would like everyone to back away slowly, and respect Chrisette Michele's decision to perform at Trump's Inauguration.
The funny, yet sad thing about this announcement is that Chrisette didn't have enough "die hard fans" to spark consistent viral outrage for 48 hours. People want to criticize, but they don't want to support. They also don't necessarily have a better alternative for her and her career. This reason alone is exactly why she should do the inauguration. Sure, she is popular, has had success, and she does tour and make great music. Still, for one reason or another it's not reaching the masses at the rate I'm willing to bet her label nor her team desire.
For the last decade, Chrisette has been on Def Jam. A staple that has done nothing but support and shed light on some of the greatest artist ever in the world of hip-hop and R&B. She's put out 5 albums in that span of time and, I know for sure, some know her solely as "the woman on Aston Martin Music". That's not a good thing. She was also on Jay-Z's "Lost One".
A very serious reality is that we are in what is deemed the "microwave popcorn era" of music where hit songs become "old news" within 3 weeks. The only thing that has stuck in the last calendar year is the love or hate for Donald Trump. With that said, why wouldn't a talented artist on a historic label, with no gold or platinum albums or solo number 1 singles in 10 years perform at one of the biggest moments of 2017?
This may be the moment that truly exposes Chrisette Michele's music to an audience that never heard of her. A paying audience just might say "that woman is really good". She'll certainly get more shows at a better rate to provide for her artistry and family. I remember when Chrisette was one of the first faces of "neo soul". You know, that genre that black folks left behind once Erykah Badu took a break and Chris Brown and Trey Songz became horny young men.
I see no bad in this move for her, and I don't hate people for supporting Donald Trump. I am not hurt when people of color want to talk to him. Now I will add, I am not going to be upset at an under-appreciated artist seizing a moment. This particular moment in time will be historic whether people like the move or not. It's easy to say "it shouldn't be about the money" or "all business isn't good business". That is, of course, when you're not a professional recording artist. Relax. It's a performance. Not an endorsement or an advocation of anything Trump does or says. Did we do Michael Jackson this way when he met with Reagan?
To Chrisette Michele. Although you don't need my validation to make a business decision; I respect your decision as both a human being and an artist. I want you to do great and hope the upcoming moment leads you to a prosperous 2017.
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Femdot "to(u)"
A very dope EP is out right now and you need to get your ears around it. It's from an artist named Femdot and his EP is titled to(u). This is a follow up EP, from his last two projects titled fo(u)r. and thr(we). that dropped in 2016 under the brand "Pigeons and Planes". The Chicago native lets you into his outlook on relationships, and shows a bountiful mix of confidence, self reflection, and nostalgia. This is jammed packed into four songs, each written with a special person in mind.
This project is laced with a lot of classic R&B samples and real life relationship situations. It's infectious and the lyrics stay solid from start to finish. Femdot is a "new to me" artist, so I'm definitely going to get up to speed after listening to to(u). I absolutely think you should do the same.
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Follow the artist @femdotdotcom
Follow the producers of to(u):
D.Phelps (@dphelps94), Shaan Mehta (@NewZealandShaan), & Mike Wavvs (@mikewavvs)
Follow the creator of the Cover art: Shiv Narandas - @ssalltt_
More features here.
Listen: The Boy Illinois - "Yer Yer" [Herlude]
We've been having a string of warm days this fall and winter that no one is truly mad at. Since it's still technically cuffing season and the temp can drop with seemingly no warning, you are definitely still going to want a cuddle buddy and you may need that new The Boy Illinois for your theme music.
The Boy Illinois' got a "Herlude" and it's called "Yer Yer". It's an ode to cuffing season and something the ladies and fellas can rock to.
Get your DM game together to this one! You've still got plenty of time to close the deal for this winter/cuffing season. Respect to Illi for keeping his bars intact no matter the subject.
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Listen to more Boy Illinois here.
[Review] Saba "Bucket List Project"
If you are still catching up on 2016 music, like I am, you definitely need to check out the latest project from Chicago emcee, Saba. The Bucket List Project is a great combination of skill, ambition and the definition of the new Chicago emcee. Saba has a flow all of his own, but utilizes a lot of the new wave flows to keep the project bouncy and energetic from start to finish.
Album Highlights
"GPS" has a real smooth groove, and the melody on the hook will make you want to ride through the Chi as soon as the weather breaks. It's always nice when the OGs show love to the new cats. Twista lends a very nice complimentary verse on this joint.
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"Church/Liquor Store" is some ill emcee ish. The beat sounds like something Ali Shaheed Muhammad or Dilla had in the vault. Saba takes this and goes nuts on it! A young lady by the name of Noname had some heat for this too. Hip-Hop heads rejoice for this one!
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"Bucket List" is of course one of the best songs on the album. This may be a cult anthem right here. It's a nice "Turn-Up-on-Life" inspirational joint. If this don't want you to get towards your goal, your way, listen again.
"California" is dope. Any song that ends with somebody getting baked on it, is hilarious and worth a listen.
"World In My Hands" is a strong close to the album, lending a climactic finish to the journey of Saba, and his mission to be one of the best in the rap game. You can tell he's done a lot, but it's nowhere near over.
"Symmetry", "Photosynthesis", "Most" and "Westside Bound 3" are also very nice joints that compliment the Bucket List Project as well as the addition of some of your favorites [Chance The Rapper, Lupe Fiasco to name a couple], telling something off their bucket list throughout the album.
The Bucket List Project is a very good look for Saba and Chicago Music. He further proves that there are a lot of great layers to the city and the youth in it. That needs to be highlighted for so many reasons as we embark on 2017.
What's on my Bucket List?
Smoke and Cypher with Snoop Dogg and Redman
Write R&B Songs with Ne-Yo
Be the Co-Founder of the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame
Salute to Saba. Keep going for it all, bro. Respect.
[Review] Run The Jewels 3
Christmas 2016 was a pretty great day for hip-hop. Why? Run The Jewels dropped a project to rock out to, with the release of Run The Jewels 3. Killer Mike and EL-P have yet to disappoint when they come together and not-so-randomly put out their 4th quarter gems.
The third "RTJ" installment is no different as they cover all the real issues in life, and the people it affects most with their release of Run The Jewels 3. Unlike the previous installments, RTJ3 has a smoother groove to it. It's not as hard and in-your-face as the others, but it still gives you that feeling. This feels more musical with an added revolutionary edge.
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Album Highlights:
"Down" kicks off the album and gives you a smooth groove and a song that is going to shut it down at every upcoming festival in 2017
"Call Ticketron" - A very dope RTJ song. El and Mike get busy on this one.
"Hey Kids" - I always love hearing Danny Brown on a track. This is a great mesh of styles on a beat that fits everyone perfectly.
"Oh Mama" - A clever and catchy ode to the worried mothers whose sons venture out into this world to become men and f**k up in the process.
"2100" - It's a lot of our true feelings about war, the election, and what we need to do next. BOOTS is on the hook. You're going to repeat this one.
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"A Report to Shareholders/Kill Your Masters" - My favorite part of the whole project is when the beat switches up. "Kill Your Masters" is super dope and Zack De La Rocha gets busy with the bars on this one!
On the surface you may think that Trina doesn't belong anywhere near an RTJ project. But, let's never forget that Killer Mike and Trina can create dope music moments. "Panther Like A Panther" is one of those moments.
Does RTJ put out great records? Yes! This is hip-hop at it's core. Dope beats, dope rhymes, nice flows, and songs you can't wait to see performed live. Definitely a great album to close out the year that was 2016. The generation that has inherited the United States of "AmeriKKKa" now has a soundtrack. Run The Jewels is just that.
And now, it's time for the RTJ Cult to tell you this is hands down album of the year; Have a safe and Happy New Year! See y'all 2017!
[Review] The LOX "Filthy America...It's Beautiful"
If you were a fan of hip-hop and where in high school/college in 2000, you've been waiting for the 3rd official LOX album for about half your life. Yeah, we got a good handful of solo albums, a ton of mixtapes and even the Trinity series over the last decade plus, but Filthy America...It's Beautiful proves we still didn't get that follow up to We Are The Streets until now
The LOX aren't "trapped In The 90's ni**as" and they prove that with tracks like "Omen", "Secure The Bag" ft. Gucci Mane and Infa-Red, and "The Agreement" ft. Fetty Wap and Dyce Payne. You hear them testing out the new flows and sounds that the young kids abuse today while still giving you some real lyrics to vibe to.
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"What Else You Want To Know" provides all the answers to the stories and situations that the new era is googling to catch up. This is a great history lesson on who The Lox are and why it's never been a game to them.
"Family" is the track that confirms that all of our favorite rap groups just aren't who they say they are, except The LOX. The LOX are one of the only rap groups thats more than a rap group. The game, the money, chicks, nor the or jail time didn't change that. It's great to know that all of their raps were applicable to real life. That, and they took their principles more seriously than their fans and comrades.
"Move Forward" is The LOX with DJ Premier. I mean, what else do you want? I actually like this one more than "Recognize". It just has a refreshing feel and sound right now, even though every element is a "throwback".
"Don't You Cry" and "Filthy America" are vintage LOX music. You've got to love it, man. Songs like these are why you mess with the LOX in the first place.
16 years later and this album somehow feels right on time. This is their reflective "been there, done that, and got successful" LOX album, and it sounds really good. They don't go overboard on the street ish. Rather, they embrace elements of today, and all three of them are still rhyming at an above average level. That's very rare, and much needed. I don't want to be in my 50s for the next Lox album though. Whether you are 18, 28 or any of the ages in between, don't let the ball drop without hearing this album.
Check more album reviews here.
[Review] Childish Gambino "Awaken, My Love!"
Awaken, My Love! is proof that Donald Glover can do absolutely anything in entertainment, and truthfully you'd be the odd man out if you didn't like it. He can rap, stand up comedy, sing, act, write TV shows...seriously anything, and it's all above average. Awaken, My Love! is no different. This album is throwback soul and it's probably going to lose a lot of his younger fans. But who cares man, it's dope!
This album reminds me of the documentaries I've seen about the '60's movements and the free love, and the sounds of that era. I listen to this and visualize women burning bra's, the Panthers marching [or "rioting"] and soul singers overdosing on heroine ["Boogieman" and "Zombies"]. It's soul power for the new millennium and it's a great message in song on this album ["Have Some Love" and "Stand Tall"]. Your uncle is going to want to burn his reefer slow to this, and your parents are going to get up and slow-dance after hollering, "HEEEEYYYYYYY! This real music right here!"
You might be able to leave it in when "Terrified" comes on. Just a thought.
Awaken, My Love! is the love child of Prince, Hendrix, Pharrell, Sly, The Family Stone and Lenny Kravitz. I couldn't really pick a "must-listen-to song" for this project. You really just have to let it play, and if you got an ounce of soul in you; You're going to like it. In a time where a lot of R&B sounds like melodic rap on a trap beat and the running theme is "f**k these h*es, if I can't f**k these h*es", Childish Gambino gave us a timeless album that is going to resonate with you on a day when you're in a "I don't want to hear that bulls**t" mood.
Not many artists can capture a sound from an era they weren't born in yet, make it sound current. But, somehow Childish Gambino managed to do that phenomenally with this album. This is a far cry from Camp, Because The Internet and STN MTN/Kauai, but the instrumentation, production and vocals front to back on this album are amazing!
With all the respect in the world, this album is dope and many will give this critical acclaim. Many people will probably tell you that you need to listen to this album. I wholeheartedly agree, but I'd still much rather hear 'Bino rap. Here's to hoping a great project with BARS is on the way in 2017.
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Just wanted to share that because it's one of the greatest covers ever in life. Donald Glover can really do anything, dog. It's unfair. It's just unfair.