Title Error on Kids See Ghosts
Without pushing back the date, Kid Cudi and Kanye West released Kids See Ghosts today. The 7 song project contains features from Pusha T, Ty Dolla Sign, and others. The outro also contains a Kurt Cobain guitar sample.
The incorrect titles seen on streaming services might be an error when uploading the album. No report has dropped yet explaining why this is.
Overall, the project felt well prepared, even with the rushed debut date. The production on tracks such as "4th Dimension" and "Reborn" stand out with their lo-fi distorted percussion. This sound reminisces on the iconic Kayne West sound first brought forth on 808's and Heartbreak.
On "Cudi Montage" the second verse describes the corruption of a person due to their niece being shot. This leads to them creating their own justice, which results in their arrest, only causing more pain that family. This might be one of the best verses where Kanye is telling a non personal story.
Curren$y And Action Bronson Team Up For "Scarab 38"
Curren$y's latest release The Marina EP, which came out last week, is an 8 track, star-studded EP filled with features from artists like French Montana, Action Bronson and Wiz Khalifa going toe to toe with the New Orleans MC. Curren$y linked up with producer Harry Fraud on the album and all of the beats are crafted to match the vintage Miami aesthetic that's found throughout the EP.
One track in particular stands out, "Scarab 38" is a summertime bop. The beat sounds like the soundtrack to a James Bond style speedboat getaway, complete with coast guard radio chat scattered throughout the track. Action Bronson kicks things off with his trademark braggadocios style followed by Curren$y humblebragging in a way that only a truly successful rapper can, not aspirational but casually observational.
https://open.spotify.com/track/43OL0dGJqivn6EPGP3BnoI?si=A86FgHOjRTemYXJzZ66uEg
Akonixx Steps Up With Torn
South Side rapper Akonixx just released his newest EP, Torn, and with it he shows his maturation as an artist by stepping more into his own lane and defining his sound. At 21 years old, Akonixx (the "xx" is silent), has started to establish himself within the Chicago scene, but true to his age his real impact can be found online, with his fan base growing around the world. The EP is his second release and it is a sonic leap from last year's AKSZN with heavily autotuned hooks and darker beats than his debut. The overarching theme of Torn is love, with tracks like "The L Word" and "Love Yourself" addressing the insecurities that come along with love in the internet era. Even the album art shows Akonixx at a crossroads, with his hands folded resting on his knees and his bowed face covered in shadow. The project is a great representation of what it's like to be 21 years old and pretty sure of where you're going, but still trying to figure out how to get there. Check it out below.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2ObkknvDlXSOLpW8IE3pmg?si=nPBZd2z2RJuLJlBcOGCG9A
A$AP Rocky & Skepta Release New Visuals
A$AP Rocky & Skepta team up on the split screen visual representing New York City & London for their song "Praise The Lord (Da Shine)." Following a similar vintage hazy feel of the previous video, "A$AP Forever." The combination of the quick transitions, A$AP's outfits, Tyler the Creator cameo, and the cool color tone creates another epic music video.
[youtube id="Kbj2Zss-5GY"]
Dally Auston Shares New Single "Nike Effect"
West Side rapper Dally Auston just released a new track called "Nike Effect" via soundcloud. This is the latest release from Dally, who uses his laid back flow to talk about his approach to life before dropping a series of pop culture references in rapid sequence on top of the spaced out, David Miller produced, beat. The track clocks in at 2 minutes long, urging the listener to follow along with the quickfire lyrics which is typical of Dally Auston, especially in his more recent releases. Listen to it below.
https://soundcloud.com/dallyauston/nike-effect-prod-david-miller
Jorja Smith Covers Rihanna
Ahead of her debut album Lost & Found - which comes out tomorrow - English R&B singer Jorja Smith appeared on BBC Radio 1 to do a live cover of Rihanna's "Man Down".
[iframe id="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dzgPxvZJ2lo"]
Jorja took the world by storm last year when she went on to tour with Bruno Mars after she was featured on Drake's "Get It Together". Check back tomorrow for our review of Lost & Found.
Säge, The 64th Wonder - A Better Tomorrow
Säge, The 64th Wonder makes his debut on our pages with his new EP, A Better Tomorrow. The Chicago MC and producer, hailing from the south suburbs, is a member of the SLUMPGANG777 collective. If you have been to any underground Chicago rap shows in the past few years, you have probably seen Säge, or someone in their collective.
serpentwithfeet Shares "Seedless"
New York based singer serpentwithfeet is sharing his new single, “seedless,” ahead of the release of his debut album, soil this Friday, June 8th. Co-produced with Clams Casino, “seedless” pokes fun at serpentwithfeet’s overbearing presence in the lives of partners. serpentwithfeet plays with the extremes of his ideals to show the ways in which past partners have felt oppressed by his need. The hyper-vibrato of his voice floats uneasily above a dark, industrial beat that pulses with mechanical precision throughout the track.
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Look for soil streaming everywhere this Friday.