Reviews – Page 6 – Ruby Hornet

WGCI Big Jam brings Chris Brown, Young Thug, and more

WGCI’s Big Jam returned this year to the United Center featuring performances by some of the biggest names in business. Big Jam was the best place in Chicago to celebrate the end of 2016.

Stellar showings from Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Young Thug and many more made for an unforgettable night.Local Chicago talent represented their city strongly with G-Herbo, Lil Bibby, and Dreezy rocking the Big Jam stage. Opening to a strong early crowd these local favorites represented Chicago well.

G-Herbo | Lil Bibby | Dreezy

Sharing the stage G-Herbo and Lil Bibby joined forces and started off Big Jam strong. The only female artist on the lineup was Chicago’s own Dreezy. Dreezy a force to reckon with held her own and showed the Big Jam crowd why she’s one of the most talked about new artists.

Lil Yatchy | Desiigner

Fan favorite Lil Yatchy played to the crowd performing hits like “Night”, “Minnesota”, and “Broccoli”. One of the most talked about sets came from Desiigner. His outside-the-box performance took him all over the stage. Having the crowd in complete awe, Desiigner put on a show those in attendance won't soon forget.

Trey Songs

Owning every inch of the Big Jam stage, Trey Songz had the crowd in a complete frenzy. Songz, a crowd pleaser, matched his signature vocals with his just as impressive dance moves. The roaring was matched with Songz’ charismatic performance. There was some speculation as to whether or not Songz was going to perform due to an onstage breakdown of stage equipment last week. Songz didn’t disappoint the United Center with his stellar performance.

Chris Brown

Co-heading Big Jam was R&B juggernaut Chris Brown. Brown a true showman used every inch of the platform to dance every single of his signature hits. Brown led the United Center in the ultimate dance party. Without skipping a beat Brown didn’t stop giving one second of a showstopper performance.

Youg Thug

Young Thug ended the night with some of his crowd favorites. Young Thug’s performance was unfortunately cut short due to his allotted set time. The strict set time definitely created some confusion with the Big Jam crowd. Without proper good byes and final songs, the transitions were a bit off. Regardless of the time mix up, the sold out United Center crowd didn’t let the biggest house in Chicago slow down. WGCI DJ’s kept the crowd in a roar with classic Chicago juke jams. The atmosphere from the sold out crowd seemed homely. The dance friendly crowd made WGCI’s Big Jam the biggest house party in Chicago. There wasn’t a better way to close off 2016 then seeing some of the best in hip-hop and R&B.

by Jesus J. Montero

[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!

by @ImCamQuotes

[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.

"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.

by @ImCamQuotes

[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.

by @ImCamQuotes

[Review] Post Malone "Stoney"

The greatest part about music of this era is that you can't put it in a box and say "this is that and that's all it can be." The average artist of today will try to rap, sing, produce, play instruments and write for Kanye West. One of the best examples of at least 4 out of the aforementioned 5 is Post Malone and his official debut album Stoney.

"White Iverson" was quite a while ago, especially the way music moves today, but that definitely wasn't all this young man had. Depending on what you like, White Iverson may be the best or worst song on this album.

"Deja Vu" feat Justin Bieber for me is the hottest track on the project. On the low, Bieber is top 5 in traditional R&B and a lot of y'all need to step your game up if that statement hurts your soul. Also really like the "Up There" joint.

"Feel" featuring Kehlani is a pretty dope track that one day you are just going to put it on repeat, then either drive or sit with it playing at a moderate level. "Too Young" is a groovy joint with some reckless bars from Post. I'm not mad at it though. "Congratulations" with Quavo is just another reason why I have already reserved my seat on the Quavo Bandwagon. This one could be big if Post and his team put a push on it. Another very nice joint is "Yours Truly, Austin Post".

Stoney is a little contemporary country and a little bit rock n' roll. It's also got a little soul, and of course hip-hop influences. You can ride to it, smoke to it, throw a chill little gathering with turn up spurts, and it's definitely something that is lady-friendly, especially if they are casual listeners to all genres of music. There are no "bad songs" on this album, but there are a few "it's just not for me" songs. Listening to this project front to back, Post Malone could be the next Kid Rock without the "Merica-edge" if he wanted to be. I think to maximize his potential, he should definitely stay away from the fickle and forgetful hip-hop audience. Stoney is a good album. If you like music in general you will definitely appreciate it.

Check out another Ruby Hornet review here.

by @ImCamQuotes

[Review] The Game "1992"

Last year, The Game dropped enough songs on The Documentary 2 and 2.5 to take about 2 years off. With the release of 1992, he proves that he's doing anything but relaxing.

1992 was one of the most pivotal years in Black America, especially if you lived in California. This is the year of Snoop Doggy Dog's debut, the introduction of The Chronic album, Ice Cube's Predator dropped, and Too Short put out Shorty The Pimp. Then you have the historic yet tragic L.A Riots, spawning largely from the Rodney King verdict. Add all of that to the California earthquake and The Lindhurst High School shooting and you can already see, there's a lot to talk about.

The Game takes himself in and out of 1992 as a young and impressionable. This Game is not really sure what kind of man he should be. That is, until tragedy and survival mode kicks in. He also speaks as a man who's come to terms with his involvement in a lot of f****d up ish. "True Colors/It's On" "Young Ni**as" and "Bompton" are prime examples of this as well as "Savage Lifestyle".

Game is still on that West Coast gangsta s**t but it doesn't feel glorified. Instead, it feels more reflective. At times he sounds like he's just happy to be alive, with a little survivors remorse attached to that happiness. It's also time to realize that hit singles and coaching from the greats aside, The Game really raps and raps a lot. I still don't think he can go bar for bar with Jadakiss, but you can't rap for 11 years at the level he's rapping and not gain respect, as well as benefit of the doubt that you truly are doing the bulk of your pen work.

You can't talk 1992 and west coast rap in the early 90's without some reference to Ice-T ["True Colors"] and DOC ["Bompton"]. Homage is paid to both, as well as crate digging for samples from Soul 2 Soul, ["However Do You Want It"] Marvin Gaye ["Savage Lifestyle"] and Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five ["F**k Orange Juice"].

This album really does feel like the 90's. "I Grew Up On Wu-Tang" is a great track that any Wu, hip-hop or Game fan should love. To show some of my age listening to this album made me remember a lot of the old West Coast rap videos and movies I saw growing up. I never made it to Cali in the 90's but you can get a real feel for the lifestyle there at that time through this album.

Of course, we can't forget "92 Bars" which kicked the buzz off for the release of this project. The somewhat odd parallel of "street ish" becoming "rap ish" inspired bonus bars at the end of this track for Meek Mill. The same Mill who, mainstream wise, can't seem to catch a break for what is closing in on 2 years now.

Does Beef sell records? No. I don't really think it ever has. Great music has, though. The Game may have dropped another album that belongs in the top 5 of his discography. Unfortunately, it dropped in a time where the current generation of artists and listeners only want to hear something specific. They want to see and feel product relatable to themselves. They don't feel the need to know much about what came before them. 1992 is a dope album from a cemented artist who really has nothing to prove. The Game may be the only "big homie" that is actually trying to make great music right now. Other big homie's need to follow suit.

by @ImCamQuotes

[Review] D.R.A.M. "Big Baby D.R.A.M."

D.R.A.M. is an artist with great positive energy and a very unique career introduction. He cranked out 2 hits back to back, the 2nd hit was bigger than the first and yet the anticipation was a little skeptical or "underwhelming". That's unfortunate, because D.R.A.M. dropped a real groovy and soulful gem that, unfortunately, too many people are sleeping on. To be very cliche, but honest, D.R.A.M. made a very musical and sonically solid album. Drake might have chomped on and overshadowed "Cha Cha" with Hotline Bling, and you may not like Broccoli as a food or a song, but if you haven't listened to Big Baby D.R.A.M. then you have deprived yourself of listening to an artist truly making real a** music that the closed minded delegation is telling you doesn't exist

Album Highlights

In A Minute

Monticello Ave

WiFi feat Erykah Badu

Outta Sight

Change My #

100%

Cash Machine sounds like Phonte as Percy Miracles, but it's dope! With no google, I really believe they sampled the Good Times theme. Broccoli with Lil Yachty was one of the Top 5 biggest songs of 2016, no need to sell you on that track.

If you were expecting a "Mumble Rap Album" you played yourself. If you don't want to listen to D.R.A.M. because he collaborated with Lil Yachty and made a hit, you super played yourself. D.R.A.M. is one of the few active artists today who is actually good at both singing and rapping. He's got some skating, cookout, and family reunion music on this album. You probably need to play the clean versions, but they're on here.

VA over time has given us Teddy Riley, The Neptunes, Missy, Timbaland, Magoo, Devante Swing, Mr. Dalvin, The Clipse, Chris Brown and Trey Songz. At the end of the day, we shouldn't have doubted D.R.A.M. would put out a dope album. That's just what artists from Virginia do, especially for their debut. There is so much more to D.R.A.M. than "Cha Cha" and "Broccoli". This album confirms that. Rick Rubin jumped on the Big Baby train for a reason and I totally understand why.

Check out another Ruby Hornet review here.

by @ImCamQuotes

[Review] Ab-Soul "Do What Thou Wilt."

I'll admit it, after These Days I really had no interest in another Ab-Soul album. I was more willing to hear him on a battle rap than a rap track, but boy did he come back and shut me up.

The best bar-for-bar emcee from TDE dropped an album to close out 2016, and it's pretty much everything you "woke" folks and hip-hop heads have been asking for. Do What Thou Wilt is a very infectious, intellectual, and layered album that could appease virtually every type of fan in rap music right now.

"Braile" feat Bas is a track where he uses a Young Thug style flow, but still gives you BARS. The same can be said for "D.R.U.G.S" and "God's A Woman", which have beats full of bounce along with my favorite bridge/hook of 2016

"Come Have Sex With Jesus...Come Have Sex With Jesus..."

You always searching for "beef" "disses" and subs? Ab-Soul helps you out and eliminates the speculation on a song titled RAW [Backwards] as he name drops Troy Ave and Jay Electronica.

You looking for that "Woke Rap Ish?" This album is full of it! Get your ears and mind right to joints like "Huey KNEW Then", "Evil Genius", "INvocation" and "Threatening Nature" where he raps

"Way back when I was in grade school, I learned about history
But what about her story—did anybody ask?
Hm, with all disrespect
I think the American flag was designed by fags"

The album is even "Her friendly" with songs like "Womanogomy", "Wifey vs Wifi/P.M.S" "The Law" and "Her World"

Schoolboy Q is on "Beat The Case" and I want to hear any song with Q on it.

This 16 track project is full of game, insight and appreciation, and respects the real men and women that shape and create this earth. It even digs into God actually being a woman, which you may argue is the real running theme of the entire album. Soul connects with his spirit, beliefs and emotions and delivers it very well on this album

We went from the overall so-so These Days, to much better days with Do What Thou Wilt. Soul is still the best lyricist in TDE to me and now the music is coming together. TDE keeps getting stronger and that's going to be a real problem, real soon. Check more work from the boy here.

by @ImCamQuotes