Ruby Hornet – Page 2

Why shouldn't Chrisette Michele perform at Inauguration 2017?

The mild news hitting the wire this past week is that of Chrisette Michele performing at President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration, on January 20, 2017.

Although the "woke" thing to do right now is to mount up for a "witch hunt" and point out the "cooning and buffoning" within the black delegation; I would like everyone to back away slowly, and respect Chrisette Michele's decision to perform at Trump's Inauguration.

The funny, yet sad thing about this announcement is that Chrisette didn't have enough "die hard fans" to spark consistent viral outrage for 48 hours. People want to criticize, but they don't want to support. They also don't necessarily have a better alternative for her and her career. This reason alone is exactly why she should do the inauguration. Sure, she is popular, has had success, and she does tour and make great music. Still, for one reason or another it's not reaching the masses at the rate I'm willing to bet her label nor her team desire.

For the last decade, Chrisette has been on Def Jam. A staple that has done nothing but support and shed light on some of the greatest artist ever in the world of hip-hop and R&B. She's put out 5 albums in that span of time and, I know for sure, some know her solely as "the woman on Aston Martin Music". That's not a good thing. She was also on Jay-Z's "Lost One".

A very serious reality is that we are in what is deemed the "microwave popcorn era" of music where hit songs become "old news" within 3 weeks. The only thing that has stuck in the last calendar year is the love or hate for Donald Trump. With that said, why wouldn't a talented artist on a historic label, with no gold or platinum albums or solo number 1 singles in 10 years perform at one of the biggest moments of 2017?

This may be the moment that truly exposes Chrisette Michele's music to an audience that never heard of her. A paying audience just might say "that woman is really good". She'll certainly get more shows at a better rate to provide for her artistry and family. I remember when Chrisette was one of the first faces of "neo soul". You know, that genre that black folks left behind once Erykah Badu took a break and Chris Brown and Trey Songz became horny young men.

I see no bad in this move for her, and I don't hate people for supporting Donald Trump. I am not hurt when people of color want to talk to him. Now I will add, I am not going to be upset at an under-appreciated artist seizing a moment. This particular moment in time will be historic whether people like the move or not. It's easy to say "it shouldn't be about the money" or "all business isn't good business". That is, of course, when you're not a professional recording artist. Relax. It's a performance. Not an endorsement or an advocation of anything Trump does or says. Did we do Michael Jackson this way when he met with Reagan?

To Chrisette Michele. Although you don't need my validation to make a business decision; I respect your decision as both a human being and an artist. I want you to do great and hope the upcoming moment leads you to a prosperous 2017.

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by @ImCamQuotes

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.

by @ImCamQuotes

[Review] Saba "Bucket List Project"

If you are still catching up on 2016 music, like I am, you definitely need to check out the latest project from Chicago emcee, Saba. The Bucket List Project is a great combination of skill, ambition and the definition of the new Chicago emcee. Saba has a flow all of his own, but utilizes a lot of the new wave flows to keep the project bouncy and energetic from start to finish.

Album Highlights

"GPS" has a real smooth groove, and the melody on the hook will make you want to ride through the Chi as soon as the weather breaks. It's always nice when the OGs show love to the new cats. Twista lends a very nice complimentary verse on this joint.

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"Church/Liquor Store" is some ill emcee ish. The beat sounds like something Ali Shaheed Muhammad or Dilla had in the vault. Saba takes this and goes nuts on it! A young lady by the name of Noname had some heat for this too. Hip-Hop heads rejoice for this one!

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"Bucket List" is of course one of the best songs on the album. This may be a cult anthem right here. It's a nice "Turn-Up-on-Life" inspirational joint. If this don't want you to get towards your goal, your way, listen again.

"California" is dope. Any song that ends with somebody getting baked on it, is hilarious and worth a listen.

"World In My Hands" is a strong close to the album, lending a climactic finish to the journey of Saba, and his mission to be one of the best in the rap game. You can tell he's done a lot, but it's nowhere near over.

"Symmetry", "Photosynthesis", "Most" and "Westside Bound 3" are also very nice joints that compliment the Bucket List Project as well as the addition of some of your favorites [Chance The Rapper, Lupe Fiasco to name a couple], telling something off their bucket list throughout the album.

The Bucket List Project is a very good look for Saba and Chicago Music. He further proves that there are a lot of great layers to the city and the youth in it. That needs to be highlighted for so many reasons as we embark on 2017.

What's on my Bucket List?

Smoke and Cypher with Snoop Dogg and Redman

Write R&B Songs with Ne-Yo

Be the Co-Founder of the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame

Salute to Saba. Keep going for it all, bro. Respect.

by @ImCamQuotes

WGCI Big Jam brings Chris Brown, Young Thug, and more

WGCI’s Big Jam returned this year to the United Center featuring performances by some of the biggest names in business. Big Jam was the best place in Chicago to celebrate the end of 2016.

Stellar showings from Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Young Thug and many more made for an unforgettable night.Local Chicago talent represented their city strongly with G-Herbo, Lil Bibby, and Dreezy rocking the Big Jam stage. Opening to a strong early crowd these local favorites represented Chicago well.

G-Herbo | Lil Bibby | Dreezy

Sharing the stage G-Herbo and Lil Bibby joined forces and started off Big Jam strong. The only female artist on the lineup was Chicago’s own Dreezy. Dreezy a force to reckon with held her own and showed the Big Jam crowd why she’s one of the most talked about new artists.

Lil Yatchy | Desiigner

Fan favorite Lil Yatchy played to the crowd performing hits like “Night”, “Minnesota”, and “Broccoli”. One of the most talked about sets came from Desiigner. His outside-the-box performance took him all over the stage. Having the crowd in complete awe, Desiigner put on a show those in attendance won't soon forget.

Trey Songs

Owning every inch of the Big Jam stage, Trey Songz had the crowd in a complete frenzy. Songz, a crowd pleaser, matched his signature vocals with his just as impressive dance moves. The roaring was matched with Songz’ charismatic performance. There was some speculation as to whether or not Songz was going to perform due to an onstage breakdown of stage equipment last week. Songz didn’t disappoint the United Center with his stellar performance.

Chris Brown

Co-heading Big Jam was R&B juggernaut Chris Brown. Brown a true showman used every inch of the platform to dance every single of his signature hits. Brown led the United Center in the ultimate dance party. Without skipping a beat Brown didn’t stop giving one second of a showstopper performance.

Youg Thug

Young Thug ended the night with some of his crowd favorites. Young Thug’s performance was unfortunately cut short due to his allotted set time. The strict set time definitely created some confusion with the Big Jam crowd. Without proper good byes and final songs, the transitions were a bit off. Regardless of the time mix up, the sold out United Center crowd didn’t let the biggest house in Chicago slow down. WGCI DJ’s kept the crowd in a roar with classic Chicago juke jams. The atmosphere from the sold out crowd seemed homely. The dance friendly crowd made WGCI’s Big Jam the biggest house party in Chicago. There wasn’t a better way to close off 2016 then seeing some of the best in hip-hop and R&B.

by Jesus J. Montero

[Review] Post Malone "Stoney"

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"

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."

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."

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