SHIRT drops "Flight Home" + Announces New LP with Third Man Records!
"I'm stronger than I thought I was... shit dawning on me."
Shouts to SHIRT, man. I've been saying for years how dope this dude is at rap music. You may recall I put the money where my mouth is in 2015 when Closed Sessions partnered with SHIRT to release the stellar EP, Rap Money. SHIRT also delivered stand out poetry on Rude One's ONEderful, via the song "1,000 Dutches".
Over the holiday break, Kris Ex relayed the news that Jack White's Third Man Records signed their first rapper. I, like, several other people guessed that the rapper was Black Milk - Black is a fellow Detroit native, and has worked with Third Man in the past. Kris coyly said that he knew for a fact that the mystery spitter was not Black Milk, and gave the hint - "it's how we met, dude."
Mind blown.
I met Kris through SHIRT while working on PR for Rap Money. Kris wrote a great piece on SHIRT in Feb 2015, I reached out to Kris about Rap Money... And now we're here.
Today, Third Man formally revealed SHIRT to be the first rapper to join their label, and partnered the announcement with SHIRT's new song/video, "Flight Home".
The song carries SHIRT's signature bravado. SHIRT has an unmistakeable voice and way of spacing his words that is truly unique and raw. Every bar has a tinge of something like "I don't give a fuck. I did contemplate it in earnest, but I don't give a fuck." Like he's thoughtful with the dismisses.
"Flight Home" is filled with raps about immaculately embroidered Gucci belts, museum visits in doo-rags, and the imagery of Sheek Louch copping Picasso's, while the video sees him ride around NYC atop a truck painted with his Nike Adidas design, "Nike cease & desist, but they still ain't stop me," he raps in the first verse. Apparently, this is something SHIRT has done many times before it was captured for this video.
That aside, it's not all boasting and bragging on "Flight Home", as SHIRT sends his praise and respect to Colin Kaepernick, points out the whiteness of domestic terrorism, and touches on the job market effects of uber and AirBnb expansions. He begins the third verse by illustrating the huge bummer that is daily news, well, on the daily.
In the chorus, SHIRT raps that he's traded his desire for copping shoes to airplane tickets, "used to want kicks, now it's flights home." For SHIRT, and billions around the world, Home is indeed a place that might not be perfect, but it's still home. For everybody.
Shouts to SHIRT for finding a new home at Third Man Records. His debut LP, Pure Beauty, is dropping digitally February 9th, with limited edition physical copies on February 23rd.
Raekwon returns with two records for your eardrums. Hear "The Biz" & "The Sky"
With Black Thought leading the charge in recent weeks, the 90's era of Hip Hop has bounced back into the public consciousness with a vengeance. The early and mid-90's is called the Golden Era for a reason and a handful of the time period's best emcees are still active and asserting their relevance. Raekwon belongs in that category, as the Chef has aged more than gracefully over the years. He released The Wild in 2017 to strong reviews, continued to tour and enters 2018 with two brand new freestyles in "The Biz" and "The Sky".
Rae kicks off "The Biz" with "Watch the God get ridiculous," and that is what he proceeds to do over a sample taken from "Nobody Beats The Biz". Rae has not been shy about rocking over older instrumentals going back to a couple years ago when was rapping over old soul tracks. Where "The Biz" is high energy, "The Sky" provides a little contrast and is more reflective and mellow in nature, appearing like a diary entry from The Chef.
Peep both below.
New Year, New Name, Same Kills. Watch Navarro's New Video For "Sin Sangre En Las Vinas"
"Son of a mother and a father who done did themselves, them dollars calling cause them pesos never added up well."
"Sin Sangre En Las Venas" is the newest single from longtime friend of the program, Navarro - who many rubyhornet readers will know very well as Scheme. For good measure, peep our video from 2010 of Scheme cooking up "Lose Your Soul" with Mikkey Halsted.
While the name has changed, the skills have not diminished in the slightest. Perhaps you could say the lyrical sword is as sharp as ever on "Sin Sangre En Las Venas", which translates to "No Blood In The Veins". As the title can suggest, this is not necessarily a happy track you dance to. It is a pointed narration of an immigrant's experience, and starts fitting with a news report about life in the barrio and songs of the street. Navarro picks up where the newscaster left off, giving the listener a visitor's pass.
The song begins in Spanish, with mentions of Cadillacs and Cervezas, before Navarro switches seamlessly to English for a proper introduction - "manifesting ghetto glory, tell'em this that boy, Scheme," he raps.
The single is the first from Modern Mexican Art: Radio Sonido, his first proper LP since he started the Beats and Bars program, where he mentors CPS students through the creation of new music and videos.
Frequent collaborator, Nascent is supplies the production and Gerardo Duran provides the visuals for "Sin Sangre En Las Vinas". There is something both triumph and haunting about the song and the story that Navarro tells. There is plenty of hope amongst the despair and struggle, and there plenty of quotables to keep the rewind button busy. Navarro saves one of his most potent bars for last, as he ends with "It's all power, I'm just trying to make it further, But Rahm could try to hide my murder."
Enjoy.
10 Best Beat Tapes Of 2017
The modern BeatTape has evolved quite a bit since its earliest ancestors. Legendary underground works like Kanyes early BeatTape were meant to attract the ears of rappers, not to be stand alone projects. J. Dilla's "Donuts" album came around and crushed that expectation, with an instrumental album so ahead of its time it liberated the modern Hip-Hop producer, allowing the beat maker to become the star of the show.
Instrumental albums have long been a part of music history but not until the last decade or so with the popularization of Soundcloud, Bandcamp, & Youtube have instrumental Hip-Hop albums begun to gain traction and popularity. While producers still have a long way to go before fans and artists alike start giving them their due, the snowball has been set into motion. Innovators like Chillhop Music and SteezyAsFuck and Ambition have given beat tapes a platform for fans to find quality instrumental content. As part of our own contribution to the culture we wanted to highlight our 10 favorite BeatTapes and producers that came out this year. So without further adieu I present to you the RH Top 10 BeatTapes of 2017:
10. Tomppabeats - Arcade
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Tomppabeats is arguably the king of Lofi Hip-Hop at the moment. Amassing a cult following the Helsinki based producer turns everything he touches into gold. "Arcade" is filled with soulful flips, choppy drums, and clever effects that showcase the brilliance of the Finnish producer. His Bandcamp is filled with gold and his catalogue can stand up to damn near anyone.
9. Bassti - Girl
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I first heard of German producer Bassti through his collaborative "Moonlight" EP with singer Melanie Rose. When I came across his "Girl" BeatTape I was amazed. The project embodies the euphoric depth of emotions one feels when they are in love (or at least thinks they are). Serene and calm this project is the definition of Chillhop. The keys on "Vinyl Drop" take the listener to cloud 9, the calm drums pace gently, head nodding music at its finest.
8. Keem The Cipher - Exploration
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Keem The Cipher was seemingly everywhere this year. I heard his beats jacked by wack and talented rappers alike, nor can I blame them, as the funk and groove in his drums is undeniable. "Exploration" is a journey into the wide sonic palette of the Chattanooga producer. The melodies vary, never settling on one sound, from the experimental soundscape of "Like You Mean It." right into the boom bap-esque keys and organ on "Thinkin' Bout//Franks Theme" to the rumbling bass line and hard hitting drums on "Dizzy!". The project ebbs and flows into a sonic gumbo.
7. Knight Ali - I Think It's Raining
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An aptly titled project "I Think It's Raining" is my favorite thing to put on repeat during a chill day spent indoors. The Aussie producer Knight Ali reps the rising Foreknowledge crew and wields an understanding of flipping samples that is second to none. The smooth guitar on "Fireworks" evokes a certain nostalgia not felt enough in modern music. His Soundcloud is filled with gems and is updated on a such a consistent basis one has to wonder where Knight finds the time to make all these high quality tracks.
6. Jinsang - Confessions
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Right from the opening strings you know you're in for a treat with "Confessions". While a little lengthier than the average BeatTape; the project is perfect for putting on your headphones and focusing on homework or other monotonous tasks. The sound selection in Jinsang's melodies embody the beauty of life and give the listener a renewed sense of meaning. Other essential listening from Jinsang should include his phenomenal "Solitude" tape.
5. Idealism - Hiraeth
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The minimalist aesthetic of Idealism production is perfect for a walk on a cloudy evening or a train ride through the countryside. The Finland based producer embodies the Chillhop/Lofi aesthetic with simple but profound drums, more being done with less, sitting with your own thoughts can be hard with a wall of sound in your ears. "Hiraeth" gives you the opportunity to step back and view the world from a simpler perspective.
4. Odyssee - Mezzanine
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A master of the craft Odyssee keeps things moving beautifully on "Mezzanine". The opening piano on the tape evolves in a complex progression not often heard in Hip-Hop. Not lacking in simplicity though the next track "Those Things" leads with a smooth Jazz guitar that would make George Benson proud. No track sounds alike, the monotony of a loop based genre not felt in "Mezzanine", an ever colorful kaleidoscope of sound.
3. Mt. Marcy - Sorry
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The detuned glory of the intro to "Sorry" shows Mt. Marcy means business. The sparse simplicity of the loops flows one into another like the river to the ocean. The New York producer never sticks on one topic for too long, brushing seemingly insignificant strokes across the canvas, until you step back and see the masterpiece.
2. Mujo - Reincarnation
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An absolutely hypnotic Lofi experience Mujo makes hazy early morning/late night music meant for drowsy eyed dreamers. The hi-hats pace the beats giving the mind something to focus on while the kicks pump in to give you that bit of life needed to get through the day. The Hungarian producer knows how to balance the classic Hip-Hop ethos with scratches and chopping while maintaining a contemporary sound.
1. Chillhop Music - Raw Cuts 2
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As mentioned before Chillhop Music and their roster of artists is moving producer culture forward one song at a time. The fantastic and eclectic "Raw Cuts 2" is a collection of beats pieced together with the singular theme of head knocking. Some cuts are choppy and experimental, others straightforward and classical, combined you see the vast array of talent united on one project.
Kendrick Lamar Drops Another Great Video For "Love"
Kendrick Lamar ends 2017 properly with his new video for "LOVE". The clip is directed by Dave Myers and contains both the straight-forward and metaphorically brilliant imagery. Anyone who is married or in a serious relationship can relate to all those dinner scenes. Props to Kung-Fu Kenny on this one.
Anyone Else Notice The Odd Sense of Joy Around Trashing Eminem's New Album?
In 2008, Frank Thomas hit .240 with 8 home runs split between the Oakland A's and Toronto Bluejays. During his final season in 2001-2002, Mitch Richmond averaged 4.1 points per game for the LA Lakers. Cal Ripken's last year as a baseball player saw him hit just .239, while Shaq (the almighty Aristotle) logged 37 games in his last season in the NBA while averaging 9.2 points per game for the Boston Celtics.
So, what is my point? My point is that farewell campaigns don't often feature a massive demonstration of excellence. Very few athletes go out like Peyton Manning or Michael Jordan (the second time he retired after leading the Bulls to their second 3-peat). The same can be said for many professions.
During my lifetime, I've been in the final class for a handful of teachers. While I am the son of a CPS teacher, taught in CPS for a few years, and currently teach at Columbia College, I must say that it was apparent in every case that it was time for that teacher to retire. I can only assume that the same can go for plumbers and there's not a plumber somewhere on the edge of retirement who would view his or her last toilet installation as their best work... No diss to teachers or plumbers. My point being that the last of something always is the last of something for a reason.
So still, where am I going with this? Over the last month or so, Eminem has been campaigning around the release of his 8th studio album, Revival. If you've seen anything about it, you've undoubtedly seen the poor reviews and reactions on social media more often than not slamming the project. I'm not here to defend Eminem's music or new album (which I know is not for sure his last). To keep it fully open, I made the mistake of thinking Eminem would be a one-hit-wonder style rapper after his first album dropped when I was a junior in high school. I was very fucking wrong.
About his new album, I streamed it on the day of its release and haven't revisited it since, nor had the burning desire to put it on. When I listened, I felt next to nothing. I thought some songs had promise, others were not very good. For every good bar or concept, there was another one that missed the mark or was just silly. That's Eminem right now. I think his recent interview with Complex was great because he was fully open about where he's at in his career. He's about rhyming. The skill of putting words together is his main skill and this is a guy who has gotten so good at it, he can't even figure out how to stop rhyming words together. He said in the interview,
"I think that there's still a lot of people that don't understand compound syllable rhyming and being able to take entire sentences and make them rhyme and stuff like that. They might not hear that, so they're not gonna be able to appreciate that, because they hear what they hear and then, "Ah, man. That shit is wack." Okay, but maybe you don't understand what I'm doing.
I feel like one of the things that's happened to me over the years is rapping getting harder, but rhyming gets easier, if that makes any sense. One of my drawbacks I feel like that I did on the last album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, was long verses, because I couldn't get the rhyme to end. In other words, when I think of a couple phrases or whatever it is, I think of so much shit that rhymes with it and connecting the syllables and doing all that, but by the time it's all said and done, is this different than anything I've done before? I've done a song like this, so now I don't like it because it may not be talking about anything. It may be just connecting words together and just to get a reaction, but it's not really that good. I don't know."
The interview was really open, and it made me think a bit more about all the criticism I'm reading online, about Em and his new album. What kind of struck, and drove me to write this article about something that in all honesty is not very important, is that a lot of the reviews seem to take pleasure in Eminem's new album not being very good. It is as if critics were hoping the album was bad so that they had something to write about. Before the album even dropped, I'd say the general pulse was that it was not going to be good, Eminem is no longer good, and now, there is the narrative that Eminem was never even that good.
As I said before, I'm not a big Eminem fan. I don't own the majority of his albums, and I'm sure you can find posts on this very site that I've written slamming some of his music. But this album really isn't that bad, and this album's performance shouldn't go back and change the impact he's had on music and how for a moment in time, the dude was fucking killing it. Em is also one of the few white artists actively going after Donald Trump and pushing his fans to recognize the institutional racism that Trump represents, benefits from, spreads, and is currently trying to make stronger. Does that earn him a cookie, no, cause that's what he should be doing, but in the reviews I've read, the actual subject matter of his music is an afterthought.
No one mentions Frank Thomas' final season or how bad Mitch Richmond was before he retired. Shit, the Beastie Boys' last album was their worst (that's even hard for me to type). In all those cases the work was reviewed but there was no joy in extreme pointing out the mistakes. The album's not that good, fantastic. But how much more attention should be paid to how bad it is, rather than finding and celebrating the next artist? Why make Em the butt of recurring jokes, where there is so much more to write about?
Even as I write this article, I am laughing at myself for spending time on something so trivial.
NDPNDNT - "Rock With You"
About a month ago, my students at Columbia College hosted their annual AEMMPSGiving event. NDPNDNT, himself a student at Columbia College, was one of the featured performers and delivered an impassioned set. The emcee has a lot on his mind, and I the few times I've seen him live or encountered him through my AEMMP class, I get the sense of a young man that is a deep thinker and optimist. Someone with many goals bursting at the seams to get things done.
On the night of AEMMPSGiving his performed this song, "Rock With You". And though the crowd was light, he performed as the room was full, getting everyone involved in a call and response of the song's chorus. The song is now available for the world to hear. Give it a listen and get to know an aspiring new emcee from the windy city.
Malcolm London's "Smokescreens & Magic" is a request that won't be granted
"How much of your soul gonna cost you a mansion?"
The unexamined life is not worth living, and the examined life is pain - that was the first thing that ran through my mind after listening to Malcolm London's newest song, "Smokescreens and Magic". Set to piano and handclaps produced by BAD CXMPANY, Malcolm examines present day with an eye towards how he got here.
Sleepless nights is a theme running through both verses - in terms of Malcolm losing sleep, as well as having nightmares that trouble him by blending Freddy Krueger and Fred Hampton. Those names don't just make for good poetry, but draw a very specific parallel between fictitious nightmares of Freddy Krueger, to the very real-world horrifics experienced by Hampton who was murdered by Chicago police while he slept.
London also mentions Malcolm X in both verses, also in different ways as he fluctuates between his own internal issues (drug addiction, finding a solid team, moving away) and the external circumstances that have taken their toll and perhaps led to the internal.
At the end, London has no real solutions here, and doesn't seem to be searching for those in this song. There is a plea to go back to a simpler time, when we are young, before life has been "examined" and we realize how bullshit everything truly is. London delivers this plea knowing full-well it is an impossible ask.
The song is from his forthcoming #RightAwaySeries, which is releasing on 1/19/18. I personally can't wait.