Review: How Bright Is Future's "Future"?
Future has done so much in and out of the music industry that people are still catching up on his Summer 16 lawsuit with Rocko, which has officially settled. We can't forget about the ongoing saga with Ciara, which has also settled. Then, you have Future albums and mixtapes dropping quarterly. Future's self titled album is here. The Future album was lightweight presented as an album to reveal more, show more emotion and possibly be inflammatory to get the internet going nuts.
What we really get is a lot of the same old Future, with spurts of lyrical clues and a slight switch up in the production as the album plays.
In traditional Future fashion. The first song is hard! I like "Rent Money" and it's an expected standard from Future. "POA" is obviously Future recognizing the jam he is in financially and his plans to go down swinging. "Scrape" is going to get played for all the aspiring dope boys that want VIP in the club. The most "revealing" track on the album is "Might As Well". Future mentions how Child Support is hitting him hard and how he was selling crack when Snoop dropped Gin and Juice. The "When I Was Broke" hook is going to be on thousands of IG captions this year. Just wait on it.
The big plus on the Future album is the switch up in production. It's not the standard turn all the up, head bussing bass every track. Future's got some tracks on here that you could honestly ride to just the instrumentals. The subject matter doesn't broaden, but the sound will be easier to digest. Especially for those who are not Future fans.
At the end of the day everybody loves Future, and Drake helped his national appeal. I wasn't expecting something lyrically savvy and ground breaking. I expected Future to solidify the wave he created, again. He did that. We're at the point where either you like Future or you don't. You're opinion won't change with the Future album. Sex, Money, Drugs and Draco's. Where you really expecting something else?
Check out another review here.
Review: Big Sean's "I Decided" Album Solidifies His Spot
Off Top, I'm a Big Sean fan. I've been waiting for a new project from the guy I call "The 1A Emcee of this era". The "I Decided" album is here and I'm glad Sean took his time with this one.
I Decided is not the always working and bragging on his girl, Sean. This is the deep thought and caring evolution of Sean Anderson. With the expansion of the subject matter he doesn't slack on the bars. All the above makes this album a must listen.
Even though I didn't know what to expect. I been waiting for a Big Sean and Eminem track. We finally get that with No Favors. Eminem is in a class of his own lyrically. Sean did right by just letting him do whatever and you already know you have to play this a few times to catch every bar crafted. Spoiler Alert. Ann Coulter gets Marshall Mathers LP level venom on this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggvTb2HITn0
Light is a great way to kick off the album. Moves is my favorite joint on the album and Sean's flow on Voices In My Head/Stick To The Plan is crazy!
Inspire Me is an ode to Big Sean's mother. It's refreshing content to hear at a time where the Black Woman is tired of being the most disrespected being on the planet. Especially, in the majority of rap songs.
To my Surprise, Sacrifices with the Migos was very underwhelming. I really expected much more from this combination, but maybe it will grow on me.
I Decided is Big Sean at his artistic best. He hasn't lost a step since we first heard him. He's grown as an artist and as a man and he doesn't mind sharing his journey with the world. With I Decided, Big Sean has solidified why his name should be in "who runs rap" conversations.
In Close, I'm not really sure why Big Sean has to fight for so much "rap respect" in this era. Every 2 years he delivers something worth our ears. He's literally one of the few transparent, talented consistencies in the game. Hit Singles, Street Anthems, Self Crafted Bars that stand up with the greats and the rising stars. That's what y'all ask for right?
I decided Big Sean is one of the best doing it. Salute to Sean Don for dropping another dope album. Listen to the album here.
Listen: KD Young Cocky - "Take A Hit"
The Str8Drop Entertainment team closed out the 4th quarter with a little something to heat up your winter. He's a Chicago artist that goes by the name KD Young Cocky. He has a new project titled Take A Hit ready for your ears on Soundcloud right now!
Take A Hit has features from Chicago's rising star and 2016 Freshman Lister, G Herbo on "Nervous". KD also has Atlanta's YFN Lucci on "Lifestyle". YFN had one of the more notable songs of 2016, "Key To The Streets" featuring Migos and later got a remix featuring 2 Chainz.
KD Young Cocky has also gotten the attention of tastemaker, Karen Civil. You can check him out on the Civil Scope on her website.
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Take A Hit is full of 808, bounce and KD's reflections of his road to riches. The project is full of lyrics with "Got to make something shake" emotions and affirmations. "Hustler In Me", "Make It" "Goals" and "Lifestyle" are great examples of that.
I really dig the combination of KD and XODB of Hyrdox. This tandem has some of the brightest spots on the project. "Goals" is my hands down favorite.
Chicago music keeps moving forward and KD Young Cocky is part of that movement. Get your ears around this and show him you're down with the movement.
Peep another review here.
Femdot "to(u)"
A very dope EP is out right now and you need to get your ears around it. It's from an artist named Femdot and his EP is titled to(u). This is a follow up EP, from his last two projects titled fo(u)r. and thr(we). that dropped in 2016 under the brand "Pigeons and Planes". The Chicago native lets you into his outlook on relationships, and shows a bountiful mix of confidence, self reflection, and nostalgia. This is jammed packed into four songs, each written with a special person in mind.
This project is laced with a lot of classic R&B samples and real life relationship situations. It's infectious and the lyrics stay solid from start to finish. Femdot is a "new to me" artist, so I'm definitely going to get up to speed after listening to to(u). I absolutely think you should do the same.
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Follow the artist @femdotdotcom
Follow the producers of to(u):
D.Phelps (@dphelps94), Shaan Mehta (@NewZealandShaan), & Mike Wavvs (@mikewavvs)
Follow the creator of the Cover art: Shiv Narandas - @ssalltt_
More features here.