Review: "More Life" Gives More "Views"
What many feel is Drake's accelerated path to get out of his current deal continues as Drake releases his 4th project in 2 years, More Life. Every time Drake releases music, it is a topic of conversation. This is no different. Drake continues to bring out the lovers, haters and the constant critics with More Life.
Drake does not put out 100% rap albums. He's bigger than the genre of hip-hop. Get over it. I don't believe Drake has been concerned with being the best rapper for some years now. Then you have his biggest records not being rap songs and you have no choice but to understand that More Life is indeed a playlist. A playlist of music Drake likes to experiment with. In what sounds like an extension of Views and the response from it, More Life is "Drake doing Drake "with no apologies or respect for your personal opinion.
In case you were wondering. Yes. Joe Budden, Meek Mill and Jay Z all get a few shots thrown their way throughout the project. See songs "Free Smoke", "Portland", "Lose You", "Do Not Disturb", and "Can't Have Everything". You can throw "Fake Love" in that mix too. Although there is a large population that doesn't like or respect the subliminal diss and the lack of saying names while throwing slander. It must be understood that Drake didn't create that game. He just plays it well. More Life forces you to listen and pay close attention to more of Drake's life. You also get some good music to vibe to.
Whether you believe Drake took down J.Lo or not. You better believe he took a hook to one of her biggest songs and made a nice track called "Teenage Fever". The title of the song should tell you what's up though. I like "Passionfruit". That's honestly one of my favorites on the album. Makes me want to sip and sing passionately. "Blem" has that real question every man wants to know "I wanna know, how come we can never splash and stay friends?". So you will want to repeat that one cause at one point in life you've related. "Nothings To Somethings" is either the Drake you love or kind of hate, but you listen cause it's vulnerable and emotional.
Drake's mother says the realest thing on the album while being concerned for her son on "Can't Have Everything". Kanye West appears on "Glow". It's a good song, but I'm still not excited about them coming together for a project. Young Thug chose to shut every mumble rap critic up with his features on "Sacrifices" [also features 2 Chainz] and "Ice Melts".
Long review short. Drake is over you ni**as that got too much to say about a life you never lived. His "real" and your "real" are different. He doesn't care and you shouldn't either. Drake is also confused how you all question his pen game when he's literally gave you more than one for what will be 10 summers this year. More Life is focused on making hits in a genre that is not focused on solely rap or R&B. But don't get it confused. There are dope rap moments throughout More Life. More Life like every other Drake album is worth your ear and listen. Take your expectation out of his mission and enjoy!
The running theme? And more chune for your head tops. So watch how you speak on my name. You know?
Review: Rick Ross Redefines Boss With Rather You Than Me
Just when you thought it was over, Rick Ross drops Rather You Than Me and confirms he's going to be here for as long as he pleases. Many thought Rick Ross had lost a step musically. Rather You Than Me proves that not only is Ross solid, but he may have dropped a Top 5 album for his catalog.
Let's get right to what the world is talking about. "Idols Become Rivals" featuring Chris Rock. Rick Ross makes it clear he's siding with Lil Wayne the best way he can. In song as he rips Birdman for his bad business practices and fake jewelry. There wasn't anything that was shocking to hear, but it is the most courageous attack on Birdman ever. Rick Ross's love for Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled did this. Ross takes another shot at Birdman later in the album. You'll hear it. I think Rick Ross may have opened up the floodgates on the already violently bubbling issue. Who's next? We'll see when these Young Money albums drop is my guess.
With all the above said "Trap Trap Trap" with Young Thug and Wale might be the best song on the album. Musically, I think we can all agree, Thugger has quite a few good moments. "She On My D**k" featuring Gucci Mane is funny and has a "Same Hoes" vibe. When Rick Ross is slut shaming, it's entertaining. Period. "Game Based on Sympathy" is fire! It's literally the type of rap song you pray your favorite emcee makes.
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Rather You Than Me also has another dope moment with Ross and Nas on "Powers That Be". There's also a Dej Loaf sighting on "Maybach Music V". You already know what "I Think She Like Me" with Ty Dolla Sign do and the streets have already embraced "Dead Presidents" with Future, Jeezy and Gotti. Realistically those aren't the best this album has to offer. So if you liked those joints, this album might be your favorite of the year so far halfway through.
I think it's safe to say that Rick Ross is the greatest beat picker of all time. No matter what year or what turmoil. Ross makes sure his beats bang. They're hard, soulful, beautiful, cinematic and infectious. No matter where you have Rick Ross on your top rappers list, you can't deny the man knows how to put together a dope album. Rather You Than Me is exactly that. A dope album.
Check out another album review here.
Review: Future Gives Us Trap & Blues with HNDRXX
It's been a busy and buzzing week in hip-hop, but Future delivered HNDRXX as promised. HNDRXX is Future's 2nd album in a literal 7 days. In case we needed more confirmation of his label woes, I think this timeline of releases proves what's true and what's false. Future's HNDRXX album is a far cry away from the self titled album that dropped previously. HNDRXX is solidifying the sub-genre "Trap & Blues" and how only Future can open and close the door on it.
This album is definitely the one that lines up with Future's Instagram post. Two things I thought of while listening to this album. Future really wants us all to know Ciara is not as "bad" or as good as we think or see she is. And Larsa Pippen has to have some of the best box Future has ever had in his life. The HNDRXX album is literally his mind on both of these women for at least 45 minutes of this album. The joy and the pain. The willing and the sacrifice. Track for track he puts it all out there and we the listeners just hope to connect the dots correctly.
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Songs like "Use Me" "New Illuminati" and "Incredible" highlight his new love and how good he feels about it. It also confirms that Future be in Chicago on his "Russell Wilson" so he definitely needs to fall back on his slander towards the Star QB.
While songs like "Damage" "Turn On Me" "Testify" and "Fresh Air" lets you know Future isn't quite settled on his previous relationships financially or emotionally. He also implies Ciara got a lot of game from him, got turned out and fell for a Lame. I'm just telling you what I interpreted through the music. Jodeci should be contacted to do the "Never Missa Lost" remix. It's only right.
Future takes a shot at reaching the crossover world with collaborations with The Weeknd ["Coming Out Strong"] and a literally singing duet with Rihanna ["Selfish"]. These joints are for the new fans. I'll say Rihanna and Future singing together is exactly what you think it sounds like.
The history books have already listed Future as the creator of "Trap & Blues" and the HNDRXX album confirms that. It's kind of rap and it has an R&B vibe on some tracks. The subject matter isn't that deep, but that's not why Future excels in music. The musical depth on this project is unexpected and refreshing. This range of passionate emotions on soulful and somber beats will be praise by Future fans everywhere.
Review: Is Jidenna The New Chief In Hip-Hop?
It's literally been years since "Classic Man" hit the airwaves, creating buzz for a well-dressed emcee named Jidenna. He brought an alternate sound, and a few slick bars, that the ladies and the fellas could rock to. It's now 2017 and The Chief album is officially here. But, will hip-hop put Jidenna in charge?
The Chief has a good balance of rap and "Highlife". I had to look up Highlife 'cause I honestly couldn't put my finger on the sound. It was melodic, but not traditional throwback soul. I'll admit, I'm not crazy about all the highlife moments on the album ["Adaroa", "Little Bit More", "Bambi"]. What I can say is, these will be the songs that ring off in car commercials and mixed clubs in the U.S and internationally. It's what many people call "world music". It sounds good, I'm just not into it.
"Trampoline" is a song that will make the most sophisticated, classy woman want to thot for that special somebody. "Some Kind of Way" is a cheerful "f**k a hater" song that everyone will love. Both are great compliments to this album.
Jidenna has flow and bars. My favorite song on this album is "Long Live The Chief". A year later and this still goes!
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There is an official music video on his YouTube. "2 Points" & "A Bull's Tale" are great displays of rapping. "White Ni**s" shows Jidenna's socially aware lyricism. Jidenna can really rap, he's just not rapping about the typical rap things. I don't think the words "Bitch" or "Hoe" surface anywhere on the entire album. For a rap album with dope rap moments, that's rare.
Jidenna's The Chief is an album that is crafted to reach the masses. Much like Janelle Monae's music, you can't put this album in a box and promote it to a specific target audience. Anyone who is a fan of music and wants to break away from today's overbearing wave will thoroughly enjoy it.
Jidenna has the musical ability to be Drake, Flo Rida or Pitbull with a Justin Bieber affect. The choice is all his. Jidenna probably won't be recognized for being a dope emcee first, it's unlikely he won't be one of the biggest national artist if he stays focused. Definitely listen to Jidenna's album, The Chief. You, your girl and everybody y'all know will love a song, or 4, off the album.
Check out another review here.
Review: How Bright Is Future's "Future"?
Future has done so much in and out of the music industry that people are still catching up on his Summer 16 lawsuit with Rocko, which has officially settled. We can't forget about the ongoing saga with Ciara, which has also settled. Then, you have Future albums and mixtapes dropping quarterly. Future's self titled album is here. The Future album was lightweight presented as an album to reveal more, show more emotion and possibly be inflammatory to get the internet going nuts.
What we really get is a lot of the same old Future, with spurts of lyrical clues and a slight switch up in the production as the album plays.
In traditional Future fashion. The first song is hard! I like "Rent Money" and it's an expected standard from Future. "POA" is obviously Future recognizing the jam he is in financially and his plans to go down swinging. "Scrape" is going to get played for all the aspiring dope boys that want VIP in the club. The most "revealing" track on the album is "Might As Well". Future mentions how Child Support is hitting him hard and how he was selling crack when Snoop dropped Gin and Juice. The "When I Was Broke" hook is going to be on thousands of IG captions this year. Just wait on it.
The big plus on the Future album is the switch up in production. It's not the standard turn all the up, head bussing bass every track. Future's got some tracks on here that you could honestly ride to just the instrumentals. The subject matter doesn't broaden, but the sound will be easier to digest. Especially for those who are not Future fans.
At the end of the day everybody loves Future, and Drake helped his national appeal. I wasn't expecting something lyrically savvy and ground breaking. I expected Future to solidify the wave he created, again. He did that. We're at the point where either you like Future or you don't. You're opinion won't change with the Future album. Sex, Money, Drugs and Draco's. Where you really expecting something else?
Check out another review here.
Photos: House of Vans opens Chicago location
Vans, a brand that prides itself in music, and street culture, opened it’s door for it’s House of Vans Chicago.
The opening night featured performances from Future Islands, Digable Planets, and Chicago’s own rising star, Noname.
House of Vans Chicago also showcased photography exhibits from photographers Jonathan Mehring, Ryan Kobane, and Ashley Osborn.
Opening night featured an immerse theme of Vans signature skating and alternative rock photography work from past Vans events. The intimacy between guests was well received from the huge warehouse store turned indoor skating park, store, and music venue.
Chicago’s Noname opened the night with a headlining caliber performance. The perfect setting setter, Noname’s “Telefone” had the House of Vans guests uplifted. The Chicago hip-hop rapper and poet, could have performed the whole night without any objection. Nomane kicking off her Telefone Tour, already sold out every single stop across the U.S.
Alternative hip-hop trio Digable Planets, brought their bold Brooklyn flow to Chicago’s west side. The trip has been around for some time, the trio put no time to waste put on a rhythmic race of funky beats and spell bounding lyrics. True experts Digable Planets, made sure the House Of Vans Chicago got their dose of a old school hip-hop. Preforming classics like “Where I’m From” and “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) House of Vans Chicago were given a throwback of 90’s hip-hop treat.
House of Vans Chicago ended the night with Baltimore band Future Islands. A true showman, front man Samuel T. Herring had the crowd in a frenzy with his intense performance.
Future Islands previewed tracks from their new album “The Far Field”, the heavy spirt or prowling and growling of Herring made Future Islands performance not one to miss.
House of Vans Chicago has stated they will be free and open to the public.
Noname | Digable Planets | Future Island
Photos: Léon makes impressive Chicago debut
Swedish singer Léon made her Chicago debut selling out Lakeview’s Schuba’s Tavern on her 20 city stop tour.
On her first North American Tour, with special guest Jacob Banks, Léon shined in Chicago with a very impressive city debut.