RH Review: The Lollapalooza Experience (2018)
After a long four-day weekend of countless live acts, underground after parties, and spending over a hundred dollars in Uber’s; it feels great to be in the AC recapping the Lollapalooza experience.
Arriving early on Thursday to see Valee was the perfect way to start off the festival. The energy during “Two 16’s” was insane. One person, who looked about 17, was screaming every lyric directly in my ear. If I wasn’t sure about the lyrics, I certainly am now. Also the photo below is legendary.
After helping tear down the temporary studio set up hosted by Closed Sessions at SoHo House, I found my way to the front of the Bud Light stage to see Travis Scott. With his new album Astroworld dropping an hour after his performance, the crowd was ridiculous. I had a difficult time recording any of the show due to the mosh pits.
Tyler The Creator and Post Malone were two notable acts on Friday. Post Malone receives a lot of hate in the hip-hop community, but his set was much better than expected. His voice sounded strong and it felt like the entire audience knew every word during his performance. I added a clip from Tyler The Creator’s set below to give an idea of the audience.
[iframe id="https://player.vimeo.com/video/283980497"]
Saturday was the least exciting day for me. I missed Femdot from sleeping in too long. Other than LL Cool J, the other acts I saw were disappointing. Lil Pump found a way to be worse than my already low expectations. GoldLink sounded as if he didn’t have enough material for an entire hour. The energy of the festival was redeemed during Hippie Sabotage’s performance at their after party. The two brothers from Sacramento killed it.
The final day ended strong. Knox Fortune had the most intimate show of the weekend. Their crowd was also the most mature I saw all weekend, with the median age above 18 for the first time. Lil Uzi Vert is a rock star. To think about seeing him at the Metro just two years ago, to playing at the main stage at Lolla is crazy. The crowd loved him.
[iframe id="https://player.vimeo.com/video/283980635"]
All in all, the weekend was a success. It’s almost hard to believe Lolla is over.
BBU's UNKL EPIC Launches New Project with "Fight Back" (prod by Alo)
"mind on vegan, pockets on White Castle, embrace my contradictions cause my truth is who I battle."
For those of you under 25, the name BBU might not ring any bells, but for those that have been following rubyhornet and/or the Chicago Hip Hop scene since 2010, BBU holds a special place. The trio made revolutionary music that you could dance to, combining elements of Hip Hop, Chicago House Music, and social justice to create a couple underground anthems - most famously "Chi Don't Dance".
The band officially announced their break up in 2012 (read Leor Galil's chillingly-prophetic post on election day 2012). While they have hinted at a return here and there, nothing has come to fruition. The summer of 2018 might not feature a full-swing BBU reunion, but we will get some of their flavor as one third of the group, UNKL EPIC has announced a new album, Pot Liquor with veteran producer/DJ, Alo.
The first cut from the LP takes elements from BBU's legacy and usher them fully into the now. EPIC brings a social justice chant on top of a neck-breaking beat from Alo. Listen below. Can't wait to hear this full project.
https://youtu.be/zUTch34DEbs
Vic Mensa Shares Revealing "10K" Problems
#10kProblems just how I’m feelinghttps://t.co/R89kVeWcms RT
— vino valentino (@VicMensa) June 29, 2018
Just days after his LA Leakers freestyle, Vic Mensa has released a new song, "10K Problems". The track, which appeared shortly ago on soundcloud, is a bare-your-soul style record, and ends very dark with Vic imagining sitting in first class with a plane going down. Vic has worn his heart on his sleeve throughout his music career, and also carries the weight of deep concern for social issues and social justice on his soul.
On "10K Problems", Vic shares his struggle with staying sober, pressures from the music industry, friends double-crossing him, relationships, and his father's health. This one gets deep. I hope that putting it all out in the music has served as some kind of comfort for Vic.
https://soundcloud.com/vicsavemoney/10k-problems-vic-mensa
[Review] Best of Mamby 2018
Mamby on the Beach felt like three different festivals going on at once this weekend. The rap/R&B beach stage, EDM tent, and jam band park side stage had three distinct types of festival goers at each. Below we listed our favorites from Chicago and memorable artists we heard for the first time.
The best from the hometown:
Joseph Chilliams performing his new project, The Plastics, and bringing out all of Pivot.
Towkio bringing out fellow Save Money artist Joey Purp.
The entire Common performance was the story of his life. He went from playing "Retrospect for Life" to telling the crowd if he wants to change the world, he will do it through his daughter, who was also present.
Jamila Woods sharing the stage with her sisters for her whole performance.
The silent tent with Stitch Gawd on Saturday, and Evan Brown on Sunday.
Best set from an artist I haven't heard of:
Jack Harlow killed it.
I only caught the end of Bugus, but he was defiantly going in.
Mamby on the Beach has the potential to be the best summer music festival in Chicago. It has everything going for it: A good location that is easy to get to on the train or even by bike, three stages that aren't too far apart, picturesque views every direction, good vendors, and oh yeah the beach.
Vic Mensa (once again) sets fire to LA Leakers Microphones
The whole making mixtapes from radio freestyles is a dead trend, but if Vic Mensa were to bring it back, I would line up post haste at whatever cornerstore, streetwear shop, or internet site was slanging the mixtapes. Vic must really feel at home with the LA Leakers, as he never fails to deliver the heat when sitting with DJs Sour Milk and Justin Credible. From the Southside to South of France, Vic shines once again. Jeez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdSxc5hVR0g
Watch The New Video For The DJ Muggs x MF DOOM Collab - "Death Wish" f/Freddie Gibbs
"All is fair in love, and lust, and lyrics."
Last week I had the chance to interview DJ Muggs and Meyhem Lauren about their recent EP, Frozen Angels. During the call, Muggs let me know about his 2-song drop with MF DOOM, as well as the forthcoming LP, Soul Assassination, a compilation in the vein of Soul Assassins Vol 1 and 2.
The brooding track is given a fitting video, entirely illustrated and featuring Muggs, Doom, and Gibbs as racist hunting vigilantes. It is exactly as good as it sounds. Peep it below. And look for the next song from the Muggs and Doom project (which features Kool G Rap) to drop later this week.
https://youtu.be/gK3Aw7a_EyA
Cut Chemist launches new Apple Music video series with "Moonlightin' with Biz" featuring Biz Markie
Biz Markie is perhaps the greatest emcee when it comes to spellchecks, and he shines in a way that only Biz can shine on Cut Chemist's "Moonlightin' With Biz". The video is fun and psychedelic, even containing a clip of former NBA-player Rony Seikaly to match Biz's obscure reference - "guaranteed to rock, do the right thing like Spike Lee, but you want to hear me like Rony Seikaly." I don't even fully understand that, but I love it. What I do know is that the song is off Cut Chemist's 2018 LP, Die Cut, and the video is part of a 4-video series that Chemist is releasing with Apple Music.
You catch a preview of the video below, and check the whole thing on with an Apple Music subscription.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5jGGDj47uU
[Review] Kendrick Lamar: The Championship Tour
Top Dawg Entertainment: The Championship Tour was an epic experience this weekend. I found out last minute that we had tickets available for us. After picking up tickets at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Tinley Park, we made our way to our seats right in time for Kendrick Lamar's performance.
The huge dual illuminated screen, combined with the light show, and fire show displayed how well put together the tour was. I shouldn't be surprised by this, since the members of the tour are some of the largest in hip-hop currently. The stage setup was really something else, compared to the dozens of underground shows with little to no budget I have lately been attending.
A highlight of the performance was when Kendrick brought out Jay Rock for "Money Trees". Another highlight occurred when KDot started playing the intro to "Humble". The crowd rapped the entire song acapella with minor assistance from the MC. This was impressive to say the least. Around 20,000 people, young and old, shouting the words to this hit. Ironic is an understatement, with the crowd shouting, "Sit down be humble" with Kendrick listening to them.
Overall its crazy to see Kendrick, and all of TDE, progress the way they have. The last time I saw Kendrick was in 2012 and he opened up for Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa. If you haven't checked out the new Jay Rock album, you should, it's the next great project in their collection.