Ruby Hornet – Page 35 – Popular Local Music Site

Gallagher Family Together End of Season 7

Shameless Season 7 Wrap-Up

December 23, 2016Carl,Frank,Shameless,Gallaghers,Monica,Fiona,Lip,Ian,Debbie,Liam,Season 7 Finale,Wrap Up,Futures for the GallaghersTV,Reviews,Editorials

This past Sunday, on December 18th, Shameless wrapped their season 7 finale. Throughout the season, we, the audience, see each character’s highs and lows, both individually as well as collectively as a family.

Frank:

In season 7, Frank’s world is shaken again by the return of Monica, his wife that has abandoned him and his children over and over again. However, this time, Monica explains to Frank that she is dying. At the end of season 7 episode 11 and into episode 12, Monica passes away in Frank’s arms. From the announcement of Monica’s death at the hospital to Monica’s funeral, each scene shows Frank love and devotion to Monica. As many times as Monica screwed Frank over, he still welcomed her back every time because he truly loved her. Frank’s speech at Monica's funeral puts things into perspective for the Gallagher children. “I know you didn’t think much of her, but she loved you. You wouldn’t be who you are and I wouldn’t be who I am if she didn’t come into our lives. So, hate her if you want. But she’s in you. And that’s a good thing,” Frank says. Frank’s speech shows Fiona, Lip, Ian, Debbie and Carl that in her own messed up way, Monica really did love her children.

Monica Dies

Fiona:

In season 7, Fiona is establishing herself as a business woman and aspiring to become a property owner, to own something that is hers. Throughout the season, we see Fiona make some tough decisions in putting her foot down. She refuses to continue to take care of her family members problems before her own anymore. Fiona gives up the first property that she owned, the laundry-mat, for the money. As a result, she starts to make business decisions first rather than considering the choices that affect her friends and family. One example of this is Etta, a local who used to own the laundry-mat in town. Fiona promised to buy the laundry-mat and to let Etta live in the apartment upstairs. However, Fiona takes the $160,000 offered to her and turns her back on Etta, putting her into assisted living.
However, Fiona’s denial to sell the $10,000 worth of drugs left to her by her mother shows her moral line when it comes to making money. She is no longer scraping to get by, she has a plan for herself and for her future that will allow her to prosper. Fiona isn’t simply buying properties out of money or greed. She wants to be successful, and she is willing to make some difficult decisions in order to get there.
Near the end of the episode, Fiona also reveals her feelings about her mother after Monica's death. “She didn’t love any of us. She didn’t give a shit about anyone but herself,” Fiona said. “I’m glad she’s dead, at least she can’t fuck us over any more.” This scene, along with the scene where Fiona is left alone with her deceased mother, reveals how Fiona felt about Monica at the end of their relationship. Fiona hits Monica dead body in the pit of her stomach, the same pain Fiona felt for so many years being abandoned by her parents time and time again and having to take care of each of her siblings as if they were her own children.
Fiona and each of the Gallagher children that she raised into the strong, ambitious characters that they are will no longer be undermined or disturbed by Monica’s words or actions.

Lip:

In season 7, we see Lip’s struggle with alcoholism and addiction. Towards the end of the season 7 finale, Lip says, “I think I really fucked it all up.” Lip believes that it may be too hard to start over. But with encouragement, he realizes that he is surrounded by people who love him and believe in him. From friends and family, to someone he hasn’t known for more than a few weeks, they all encourage him. They support Lip, telling him that he can stay sober, that he can go back to school, that he can still have the future that he deserves.

Ian:

In season 7, Ian attempts to get his life together. He searches for a stable, healthy relationship, and works hard to establish a career path that he loves. Ian finds that in helping people, working as an EMT. However, towards the end of season 7, Mickey comes back into Ian’s life. Ian initially choose Mickey and the passion that they have together over a stable life. However, he soon realizes that this life style that him and Mickey shared together, running away from their problems and living in the moment rather than planning for the future, that this isn’t Ian’s life anymore. Ian knows that he needs stability. Despite Ian's love for Mickey, Ian makes the decision to leave him for the sake of his own life. In one of the final scenes, Ian goes to the boarder patrol location to watch Mickey, making sure that he passes through safely. Although Ian tells Mickey he loves him before he leaves him, his actions of making sure Mickey is safe shows the extent of how much Ian really loves Mickey. Similar to Fiona’s situation, Ian has to make challenging decisions, even if it means letting something or someone you love go.

Ian Says Goodbye

Debbie:

In season 7, the audience sees the aftermath of Debbie’s highs and lows and her struggles as a single mother. Debbie has figured out a plan for herself, marrying Neil, finding a home, plans of attending welding school. She plans to establish a career for herself; rather than just marrying someone who has money or getting by with a part-time job. Debbie is doing what she has to do for the sake of her child. It shows her progression as a character and as someone responsible for another life.

Carl:

In season 7, Carl chooses to leave the South Side and attend military school. Carl has always been there for his family, even though he has made terrible decisions. But the affect of military school has seemingly taught Carl to have respect for his family and those around him. An example of this is when Carl picks up groceries for his family on his way home from military school. This simple act displays his thought and consideration for his family in a new light. But the reason's behind his choice to attend military school are greater. Carl’s decision allows him to create a future for himself that is better than the environment he was forced into. Growing up, Carl served as Frank's right hand man, helping Frank in whatever scheme he has plotted. At the end, Carl helps his father one last time, giving tribute to his mother with an old activity (tagging). Carl is the youngest of the Gallagher siblings, with the exception of Liam, who is able to comprehend what is going on. He is able to make his own decisions. Yet, Carl's sense of devotion and loyalty in supporting his family members, towards even his addiction driven parents who abandoned him over and over, is still strongly in tact.

Carl Makes a Change

At the end of season 7, the closing scenes highlight each of the Gallagher children who are no longer children. They are, or are becoming, adults. Each of them are planning for their futures and how they are going to do better and be better than their parents, despite the obstacles put in front of them.

Debbie is attending welding school classes.
Ian returns to his job as an EMT
Lip continues to go to AA meetings for his alcoholism
Fiona takes the apartment complex building and starts her career as an owner of a property
Carl is devoted to military school

In past season finales, there have been small moments. Moment of closure or defeat or conquer for certain characters, or a dramatic cliff hanger that left the audience waiting. But in the season 7 finale, everyone had their own moment of closure after Monica’s death. Monica’s death shows how each Gallagher faces the loss of someone who was never really there for them; but it also provides them each with something greater. The season finale's ending shows each of the Gallagher’s creating and planning for their futures, something Frank and Monica could never grasp.

by Lauren Peterson

[Review] Childish Gambino "Awaken, My Love!"

December 17, 2016Album Review,Album,Childish Gambino,Donald Glover,R&B,Soul,writer,CamQuotes,Awaken My Love,Awake,My Love,Stone Mountain Georgia,Atlanta TV show starMusic,Reviews

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"

December 17, 2016Album Review,new music,Ruby Hornet,Album,dallas,Texas,debut album,Post Malone,StoneyMusic,Reviews

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"

December 15, 2016compton,West Coast Rap,Bloods,Crips,1992 California,Bompton,The Game,1992,CamQuotes,Album Review,Rap,New Album,California,Ruby Hornet,new music,hip hopReviews,Music

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."

December 13, 2016Reviews,hip hop,new music,Ruby Hornet,Rap,CamQuotes,D.R.A.M,Big Baby D.R.A.M,Broccoli,Cha Cha,VA,Virginia artist,new albumsMusic,Reviews

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."

December 12, 2016hip hop,new music,Ruby Hornet,Ab-Soul,Rap,Review,Music Review,TDE,CamQuotes,Do As Thou Wilt,God is a woman,do what thou wiltMusic,Reviews

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

So What's The Best J. Cole Album So Far?

December 9, 2016Born Sinner,J. Cole,Sideline Story,Cole,CamQuotes,Jermaine Cole,2014 Forest Hills Drive,Cole World,4 your eyez onlyEditorials,Music

The J. Cole hype couldn't be greater right now after the 4th major album release from J. Cole, For Your Eyez Only. Many are expecting it to be album of the year with only 2 songs released. They are also expecting it to be "another classic" [See Social Media] and it made us think. What is the best J. Cole album so far?

3 - Cole World: Sideline Story. Sideline Story is the hands down laziest album for me. When I heard Cole say he added songs from his mixtape to this album because he felt enough people didn't hear them, I immediately lost my interest in buying it. Emcee's shouldn't do that. Sorry. I toss this one to the bottom of Cole releases because I heard a lot of it before the wave got real.

It's interesting going back and listening to this album now. It's difficult to replicate the hunger you hear in the very young J. Cole's voice in nearly each song. This is often the case with many rappers when juxtaposing their early catalog over their more recent works. The effect this has is ultimately subjective, but for us it's clear young Simba was not yet the king.

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2 - 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The Platinum with no features album. The album that inspired a bunch of jaded, misguided and misspelled memes for the last 2 years. It's not that this album is whack necessarily, it just doesn't move me. The middle of this album made me dose off. I'm not a fan of the singing efforts. Tracks like "St. Tropez" and "Hello" come of as somewhat forced and, as a result, slightly in-genuine.

What's more, tracks that were clearly intended to be in more of a pure hip hop vein, like "Fire Squad" turned out to be little more than filler. To be clear, Cole had hits on this project. "Wet Dreamz" and "Tale of 2 Citiez" are both catchy and have a well-rounded appeal. "January 28th" and "No Role Modelz" are anthems in their own right as well. To us, they were just too few and far between to justify ranking this album higher up. To the Cole Stans, we're sorry, but 2014 a little boring. We credit cole for giving us a bunch of new music though.

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1 - Born Sinner: This album was a hype beast dream. New Rappers, good features, Hit singles and was deemed a classic because everyone hated Yeezus and didn't pay attention to The Gifted by Wale. This album is the best of the 3 to me because it's the best representation of what Cole can do. Songs like "Land of the Snakes" serve as a verbal exhibition for Cole, with a concise, driven flow over an equally driven instrumental.

"Trouble" was a favorite off of the album, featuring a menacing instrumental with Cole's cocky humor at play on top of it. Born Sinner made it clear that he can make hits if he wants. He can really rap. He has the potential to be a great producer. The subject matter isn't that great or diverse, but I honestly feel the release of 2014 FHD builds the appreciation of Born Sinner. It's number 1 for me, but not cause it is "so much better" than the other releases around it.

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Check out more on Cole here.

by RH Staff

Foxy Brown "Ill Na Na" Album Anniversary

December 5, 2016hip hop,Jay-Z,Lil' Kim,Nas,Rap,new york music,foxy brown,ill na naMusic,Editorials

One of the most heated, vicious and real rivalries in hip-hop was set to begin with winter just around the corner. The date is November 19, 1996, and Foxy Brown was about to drop her debut album, Ill Na Na.

So, why does the rivalry start here?

Because this album releases 7 days after Lil Kim’s debut album, Hardcore.The Kim vs. Foxy rivalry is layered. Here we have two women from Brooklyn, both with sex driven, gangsta lyrics who are trying to be number one in the rap game, much like the men they created their music with, Biggie, Jay Z and Nas. There is even some debate over “Who did you hear first?” We’ll dig into that all at a different time. Right now it’s time to focus on the Big Bad Mamma and her NaNa

What we can’t do is gloss over the fact that in 1996 Foxy Brown helped birth what I like to call “the feature run” before her debut album had even came out. Spring/Summer 96 Foxy had 2 hit singles out. One with Case ["Touch Me, Tease Me"]and one with Jay Z ["Ain’t No"] and she was seen as the star on those tracks. Then she had a strong close out verse on the Nas posse cut, “Affirmative Action”. People may talk about how the math is wrong now, but in 1996 until about 99, I was actually hearing people refer to that verse as being iconic.

I remember it first clicking that “Ill Na Na” was slang for “good p*ssy” and I nearly blew a gasket! My exact words were: If a woman is calling her album “Good Pu$$y, then I've got to listen!” And listen I did. Did it have the same affect on me as Kim’s Hardcore? No. Foxy’s album was more gangsta than raunchy. She struck me as a girl that might sell dope or rob a dude and come home to her man and make him eat her "ill na na". It was intriguing but not really that sexy to me.

When this album first comes on, it’s virtually a Def Jam promo commercial. They promote CRU “The Dirty 30” and Cormega “The Executive”. Totally confusing to me. Moreover, based on what I was expecting, the actual intro “Chicken Coop” wasn’t really an exciting build up.

Then Foxy gets right to the bars. No surprise that it felt as if Nas' little sister was rapping on “Letter To The Firm”. As the album goes on she continues to rap her a** off. How could she not pay homage to LL Cool J and working and writing with Havoc of Mobb Deep and with a guy by the name of Shawn Carter aka Jay Z? In Fact, Jay helps write the bulk of this album. Does Foxy do some of her own writing? Yes. Does she sound like the female Nas when she’s not sounding like the female Jay Z? Yes. However, it works a lot better than many would think.

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Fact: Ill Na Na did better than Reasonable Doubt and they were both written in the same year. Foxy Brown was in higher demand than Jay and from a mainstream perspective, Jay gave Foxy the Lob for his first single and it worked better for her, in the short term.

More Facts: Since this album, Jay hasn’t quite captured the same level of success with another female rapper.

Foxy had two hits with “Get Me Home” and “I’ll Be” on this album. The title track with Method Man should have gotten a bigger push and the tracks around the the singles are displays of great rhyming that many couldn’t rival verse for verse.

I won’t throw this album in the realm of “classic”, but you can’t deny that the Na Na was indeed pretty Ill. Foxy Brown had one of the best breakout years for any artist in rap period. 1996 alone is why her name is still noteworthy till this day.

Salute to Foxy Brown and her notable debut album.

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Check out another Ruby Hornet/Cam Quotes Album Anniversary here.

by @ImCamQuotes