Why XXL Freshman List Has Lost Support
XXL used to be something that hip-hop fans looked forward to every year. Over the past few years, the freshman list has fell off due to a few different factors. Allowing sponsorships and investors to have an opinion on the lineup has effected the quality of the list.
Artists left off the list in 2018: 6ix9ine, Rich the Kid, Lil Skies, Famous Dex, Lil Xan, Joyner Lucas, Tee Grizzley, Nav, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Baby, CDot, and many others.
Lil Skies & Rich the Kid declined to be a part of XXL. Skies went on social media and said that he could not be part of a rigged list. Rich the Kid declined after being given Skies spot.
Famous Dex was not on the list because of the assault video that came out in 2016. A similar reason was given for 6ix9ine, but later DJ Akademiks confirmed the true reason was a sponsorship issue.
With this all being said, the artists that made the list are dope. They have all worked very hard for their spot, yet the lineup doesn't have the same authority as in the past, especially when 5 or 6 of the artists who were left off the list, have made a much larger impact on the culture.
Phonte Shows Off His Crib in New Video
Phonte takes us on a tour of his enormous home in the video for his song, "So Help Me God". The one-take, "MTV Cribs" style visual captures Phonte walking around his home in a bathrobe.
The Marco Polo produced track hits hard with bars such as, "That will shit to happen like he Tio Salamanca. Bogart ya whole shit like we in Casablanca." Phonte name drops on the Mexican drug kingpin from the show Breaking Bad.
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Watch Childish Gambino Perform At Open Mike
Once a month Chance the Rapper's charity, SocialWorks, puts on an "Open Mike" (named in honor of Brother Mike Hawkins) in collaboration with Chicago Public Library. There have been 27 Open Mikes so far, with over 6,000 attendees and star studded lineups, having featured appearances from Vic Mensa, Kanye West and yesterday Childish Gambino was added to that list. Gambino came out and performed his hit "This Is America" with full choreography.
https://twitter.com/MalcolmLondon/status/1006330602717614080
RH Weekly Playlist Volume 6
Continuing on with the RH Weekly Playlists, here are a few tracks that have been on repeat.
1. Smokepurpp - Deadstar lifestyle :/
Freestyle previewing DeadStar 2.
2. 03 Greedo - High Off Me (feat. Yung Bans)
Melodic banger with two of the most popping names currently. Plus look at that cover art, shits crazy.
3. Kill.Zero - pissed off
Another short emotional banger meant for the replay button.
4. Lil Skies - I Know You (feat. Yung Pinch)
Another hot duo effortlessly flowing on a hit.
5. Lil Peep - 4 Gold Chains
A catchy track produced by the legendary Clams Casino. RIP Peep.
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.
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