Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have My Money" Video is Bananas
I think I've hit the point where I'm officially tired of Rihanna's career trajectory. Seemingly more and more, her sound is dictated by her record company. Her evolution into this faux "trap princess" is definitely a far cry from the Rihanna that cried out for help in "SOS" all those years ago or the one that claimed she was "so hard" in "Hard." Her last album wasn't as bad - it had the slick production her latest album clearly will not have.
I guess I'll wait to pass further judgment until we see release of her eighth album in full, until then here's the crazy video for her second single "Bitch Better Have My Money." Directed by Megaforce (who also once directed Madonna's weird video for "Gimme All Your Lovin") and Rihanna herself, the video sees a criminally angry Rihanna torture her accountant, kidnap a naked woman, and show off her boobs while covered in money and blood. It's absolutely bonkers. Mads Mikkelson even makes an appearance for some reason. I'd kill to have that money gun he uses.
As for the track itself, it's fine. I prefer "American Oxygen's" sound, however. Check out the video for "Bitch Better Have My Money" below.
[youtube id="B3eAMGXFw1o" autoplay="no"]
[Video] Tree: "Like Whoa"
Chicago's own MC Tree has been busy as hell lately. The creator of the sub-genre known as "Soul Trap" teamed up with Scion last month to drop the seven song @MCTREEG EP, yesterday dropped, "More Than You Know" a gem that he'd been sitting on for a minute via Closed Sessions and today, the raspy-voiced producer/rapper returns with a fresh visual for his track, "Like Whoa" off the @MCTREEG EP. The video is shot in Tree's hometown and follows him as he crisscrosses the city in the dark days of winter as he continues a smart relationship with Scion AV. Check out the full video for "Like Whoa" below.
[youtube id="Dxuu9MSGY7A"]
[Video] Sasha Go Hard: "Own Lane"
For Chicago hip-hop artist Sasha Go Hard's video for her single "Own Lane", off of her recent release Nutty World, the rising star decided to take it back home, bringing things back for the APJ Films-directed visual. Success has found Sasha quickly as she has risen from a virtual no name two years ago, into one of the leading ladies in hip-hop today, and she ruminates over feeling some type of way about the whole ride, while taking a trip through familiar streets while pressing, "I'm in my own league, with my own lane" from behind the steering wheel. Earlier this week she also announced a European tour, on the heels of a string of successful London dates in late 2013. Sasha has most certainly carved out her own lane in the greater hip-hop scene, and this latest track may be one of the most lyrically-inviting pieces to date from the rapidly maturing MC. Check out the video for "Own Lane" below and scroll a bit for the full European tour dates.
[youtube id="2rP_sGUb0dw"]
Wiz Khalifa: "Got Me Some More" (Prod. Young Chop)
The general of Taylor Gang finally released the final version of his collaboration with Chicago "Drill" producer extraordinaire Young Chop yesterday via his twitter account. It's been fun watching Young Chop foray his unique drill sound into national recognition and Wiz gets everyone excited with the track, set to be on his next release, Blacc Hollywood, which is slated for a 2014 release. The track was officially premiered earlier today on Sway in the Morning, and features Khalifa singing more often than we've heard in the past. Blacc Hollywood should prove to be one of the more interesting releases from the Pittsburgh rapper. More on that later, though. Check out "Got Me Some More" streaming below.
[youtube id="er_c_e6FN-E" mode="normal" align="center"]
Paper Diamond Announces Tour with Trap Mix
Paper Diamond has big plans for the new year. Today, the Colorado-based DJ announced a 32-stop tour alongside the release of his 22 minute Trap mix, intended to get the party started before the tour even begins. A mainstay in the EDM world for a minute now, Paper Diamond entered the larger lexicon of listener's consciousness last year with the release of his EP, Paragon and continues to gain steam after a successful summer that saw him on several festival stages across the country including North Coast, Bonaroo and TomorrowWorld, as well as opening for Zeds Dead. PD will close out a successful 2013 campaign opening for Big Gigantic as they take their annual Chicago New Year's Eve show east to New York City. Always a party, and never repetitive, Paper Diamond puts on one hell of a party, check out the tour dates and accompanying mix here below for a slight preview.
[iframe id="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/121073065" mode="normal" align="center"]
[Video] Lil Reese: "Team"
GBE's own Lil Reese returns with a fresh video for "Team" off his latest release, Supa Savage, available now. Reese puts on for his squad in the appropriately-titled joint and backs it up with a video to match. Having steered clear of the law for awhile, Reese is starting to build steam again for himself as the year comes to a close. Check out the video below.
[youtube id="zKyKJXecVbg" mode="normal" align="center"]