Femdot Delivers on Delacreme 2
With the release of Femdot's project Delacreme 2, fans have the largest collection of songs from the young Chicago artist since 2017. Themes such as coming of age, the cost of achieving your goals, and finding yourself in the world are prevalent. "Learn Yourself" is literally spelled out by the track list.
The transitions are meticulously placed throughout the entire project. From the intro, "Lost" to the second track, "Exit" the abrupt change forces your attention. Fem prefers to allow the choir and beat to build up before rapping on songs such as, "Your Love". The space created by the airy vocals, in the first minute and half, creates a unique dynamic before delivering a hard hitting verse.
"Three semesters just from a new peace of paper that stated your educated and cant dedicate your time to a certain field in a craft in a certain way." This line from, "No Scholarships" depicts the DePaul graduates feeling towards music when his degree isn't related.
Check out the full project on all streaming services.
Chief Keef Drops Surprise EP Ottopsy
From his beef with Tekashi 6ix9ine to shots being fired at his hotel in New York, Chief Keef was all over the news last week. Apparently none of that was enough to phase Sosa, who released a surprise EP called Ottopsy at midnight last night. 2018 has been a busy year for Chief Keef, Ottopsy is his 5th release since March.
At only 5 songs long Ottopsy is a succinct project, but Keef shows his versatility with each track riding a different wave, from banger "Gang Gang" to the heavily autotuned "I Need More". Even though the news around Chief Keef has been filled with references to 6ix9ine the album doesn't address the beef between them. The EP only has one feature, coming from Chief Keef's cousin Tadoe on "Randomly".
Ottopsy is available on all streaming services.
Akenya Shares New Track "Decay"
For years Akenya has been the secret ingredient that has added jazz-fueled soulful vocals on some of Chicago's hottest artists songs. She went on tour with Noname last year and has recorded with Saba, Smino, Elton and more. She just released her first track as a solo artist in two years. Check it out.
Mamby On The Beach Preview
Summer in Chicago means one thing, it's festival season. Mamby On The Beach is arguably the festival that embraces the season the most, with attendees partying all day on the beach with their favorite artists. There's a good mix of local and national talent on the bill this year and here's who we're excited for.
Saturday
Common
Sunday
Mamby On The Beach, happening June 23 and 24, 2018 at Oakwood Beach.
Sebastian Kamae Links Chicago And The Netherlands With "Precious"
A few days ago Sebastian Kamae released a new track called "Precious" featuring Ajani Jones, Shao Doja and King Khamen. It's a celebration of love with melodic rap over a dusty lo-fi beat from the Dutch producer. This isn't his first time working with artists in Chicago, he produced "Bloom" off of Ajani Jones' album Cocoons and on "Precious" he brings the same light soul vibes that made "Bloom" so striking. Last year Sebastian Kamae was an intern at SoundScape Studios here in Chicago and on this track he brings together two Chicago artists with Dutch rapper King Khamen. Check it out here.
Mac Miller Surprises Fans with Three Singles
With no warning, Mac Miller surprises fans with three new singles, "Small Worlds," "Buttons," and "Programs," that dropped at midnight last night. This is the first release from the Pittsburgh rapper since The Divine Feminine in 2016. Mac has also wiped his Instagram clean with only these three singles showing. Fans have hit social media hoping this is foreshadowing a new album.
DJ Premier Remixes J. Cole's 1985
DJ Premier shares his remix to the J. Cole track 1985 this morning on Soundcloud. When 1985 dropped, many viewed the track as a diss to the new wave of Soundcloud artists, such as Lil Pump and others.
“I bought J. Cole's KOD LP as soon as it dropped with no warning to the fans; which I too am a fan. ‘1985’ resonated with me immediately, so I asked Cole if I could get the Acapella and do an underground DJ version just for fun. He sent it and I just pieced some stab samples to keep it on some boom bap shit. Here it is!”
A$AP Rocky Explores New Ground on Testing
A sample filled experimentation of sounds is described best by A$AP Rocky himself during an interview in January. "Basically, the point of this whole shit is just testing new sounds. Just new wavelengths. It’s more so the outcome of an experiment.." Testing explores new land for the Harlem rapper who decides to sing over rapping on tracks like Calldrops, which feature an incarcerated Kodak Black.
The addicting hook in F**k Sleep is made for the replay button.
"Fuck em, fuck sleep, come clean, zonin'
Can't forget that I'm golden, can't forget where I'm going
Fuck popo, police, enemies, fake homies
Can't forget that I'm a OG, better act like you know it"
Melodic and effortless, Rocky pulls off a new sound I hope to hear more of in the future.
Returning to his roots with Clams Casino on "Black Tux, White Collar", Rocky delivers his iconic pitched down voice before the final track plays. "Purity", next to "Changes", marks the most introspective side of Rocky we have seen to date. With the aid of an unforgettable Frank Ocean verse, Rocky speaks about drug addiction and his sisters death on the outro track of an album that is truly 'testing' new grounds.