Keem Ain’t Done: “Hooligan / Sons & Critics Freestyle” Single Review

By Owen Tait

Upon realizing Keem was going to be absent in the 2020 XXL Cypher performances, I was pretty disappointed. After all, Die For My Bitch stood out to me as one of the most unique, left-field trap albums of 2019, and I was anxious to hear more from Keem as a growing artist. Well, we may not have gotten a cypher verse, but the two singles we received in return were more than enough to demonstrate Keem’s staying power in the industry. Released under Sony Music Records, “hooligan” and “sons & critics freestyle” both feature everything one could want from a standout Baby Keem track. Catchy hooks, bouncy beats, memorable quotables, and a long list of amusing ad-libs can all be found in these singles, all in a matter of six minutes and change of runtime.

“Hooligan,” a sleek banger led by dramatic keys and a whistle sample that gave me stank face, sees Baby Keem boasting his status as an up-and-coming star in the industry. From a production standpoint, it’s nothing unusual for a nocturnal trap song; however, Keem’s delivery on this track unlocks a potential that I believe few other artists could unlock over a beat like this. He flows effortlessly across the verses, finding time to add charismatic ad-libs in between hilarious lines such as “dripped in all black like an emo bitch” and the already-infamous “I ain’t done / Bitch, go to your room.” To top it all off, Keem delivers a refrain so ridiculous that only he could pull it off, with the triumphant “Fa fa fa, fa fa fa” he sings in between each bar growing so infectious that you just have to sing along.

The following track, “sons & critics freestyle,” is one that I unfortunately think will be overshadowed by its predecessor. It’s a much stranger experience, but that doesn’t mean it won’t get stuck in your head just as easily. The hook on this single is truly different, as Keem combines an almost unnatural flow with a repeated ad-lib he delicately sprinkles over the beat (which is also strange as hell). The 808 pattern ramps up over and over throughout the track, ducking out in the first half of every measure to let the instrumental breathe. As one would imagine, this creates a really bouncy rhythm for Keem to weave his punchlines over, which he succeeds at yet again. And while I would argue that Keem’s lyrics here are not on par with the rest of his discography—if this really is a freestyle, you can tell—his charisma still carries him leagues ahead of his competitors. 

As I said, these singles have nearly everything a person could ask for in a Baby Keem track, and even better, the replay value on them is through the roof. I’ve likely listened to “hooligan” well over 30 times as of writing this review, and rather than growing sick of it, I’ve only found myself wanting more. If these singles are truly our first look into his next project, then Baby Keem’s sophomore studio album can’t arrive soon enough.

Listen to “Hooligan / Sons & Critics Freestyle” here:

Listen to hooligan / sons & critics on Spotify. Baby Keem · Single · 2020 · 2 songs.

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Jaden Smith, Sunset Sovereign - CTV3 Album Review

By Carter Fife

We all have guilty pleasure artists that we like to put on when nobody’s around, right? Maybe if you’re a guy, you like to throw some Ariana Grande into your workout mix so nobody at the gym can tell you’re listening to Sweetener when you’re doing crunches in a pool of your own sweat. If you’re a girl maybe you like to put on the occasional Toby Keith song driving home from work - and you know your friends would roast you if they knew but in a way, it makes the experience that much better. A little secret between you and your choice of music streaming service. For a long time I thought that for me, this was my affinity for Jaden Smith’s music (but now he just goes by Jaden). I knew he wasn’t the most innovative or original artist out there, but I couldn’t help but enjoy his laid-back flow and his ear for a good instrumental. I was first put-on to his music back when Syre came out in 2017, and I remember feeling amazed that this was the same Jaden that released the poorly-aged hip-hop remix to Foster The People’s “Pumped Up Kicks”. 

Years later Jaden has only grown as an artist, trying out new sounds with every project while honing his craft in the process. He’s been featured on tracks with Young Thug, Brockhampton, and A$AP Mob, and has explored genres like punk, pop, alternative, rock, industrial, and trap in the process. His newest record, Cool Tape Volume 3 (stylized as CTV3), is the third installment in a series that hasn’t had a new release since 2014, despite Jaden’s consistent release schedule always keeping fans well-fed. The project is much more laid-back than his 2019 release Erys, with acoustic-heavy mixes that occupy an aural register closer to an alternative or indie-rock album, despite hip-hop’s influence still being heavily present throughout. It is on CTV3 that Jaden’s expertise in melody writing proliferates to a point where almost every track, while admittedly formulaic, is incredibly catchy and inoffensive. While he may play this record a little too safe, writing new tracks that parallel some of his most memorable moments over the past few years, he is still able to deliver a solid record occupying a space that few other rappers are able to exist in. 

Like I said previously, it is easy to clown on Jaden for being occasionally derivative of his peers, or for writing bars that could only sound great on paper, as fans may recall his anti-choking pun from the opening tracks of Syre. With that being said, it is hard to deny Jaden’s talent, candor, and consistency when it comes to songwriting and delivering projects that come close to being universally enjoyable. In many ways this is one of my favorite things about Jaden’s music - that despite persisting in an industry that rewards emulating whatever is the newest trend, there are still elements in his tracks that are unapologetically him. I mean, who else would try to emulate the Beatles’ genre-defying Sgt. Pepper’s 50 years later?

CTV3 itself is full of many high-points that capitalize well on Jaden’s melancholic aesthetic of perpetual euphoria and heartbreak. The record’s leading single “Cabin Fever” is an ambient metaphor for quarantine’s romantic frustrations, with hard-hitting percussion and a infectious bass-line. It is a difficult song to describe - it’s something that you would play with a special someone driving at sunset, but you also wouldn’t mind hearing it at a house party. “Bad Connection” is similar in this respect with a more low-fi mix and less-indie rock, more-hip-hop vibe. “Deep End” features watery guitar chords that sound like they could have been taken from the Tame Impala chopping block, with Jaden’s faded vocals starting out soft before erupting “LET’S NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WEEK-END” on the chorus. If you thought I was exaggerating about the Beatles’ inspiration before, cuts like “LUCY!”, “Muted Sunrise”, and “Drops of Sun” are just a few tracks that definitely try to capture the same magic of an endless summer like the Beatles did a lifetime ago.

Fans may be disappointed over the lack of harder-hitting tracks on CTV3, as the track-list definitely hangs on the softer side of Jaden’s repertoire, but this shouldn’t be too shocking as much of his discography, especially the Cool Tapes that preceded this one, shares similar vibes to this one. Frankly, all you have to do is look at the album cover to know what this record is about. While I would have enjoyed Jaden to take a few more risks on this album, like he did with his last few projects, I’m not complaining about new music of his anytime soon. His consistent work ethic makes me feel bad that I ever felt self-conscious for liking his music. In 2018 I saw Jaden’s performance at Camp Flog Gnaw, and while my friends didn’t seem to enjoy it much, I pretended like I didn’t like it either - though I had gone to Jaden’s tour months prior. Hopefully we’ll all be able to hear these songs live sooner rather than later, but until then this is a solid project that will be sure to keep fans at bay. Here’s to then!

Favorite Tracks

Cabin Fever

Bad Connection

Deep End

Rating: 7

Listen to CTV3 here:

Listen to CTV3: Cool Tape Vol. 3 on Spotify. Jaden · Album · 2020 · 17 songs.

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Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist Serve Up a Potential Album of the Year: 'Alfredo' Album Review

By Miles Hagan

When was the last time Freddie Gibbs missed? He is the type of person that could accurately be described as your favorite rapper's favorite rapper. Bandana was arguably the best rap album of last year, and might have even had a legitimate case as best project regardless of category. Alchemist has basically taken over 2020 from a producer standpoint. From collabs with Boldy James and Conway the Machine he has proven this year that he is still at the top of his game. This is an allstar pairing that almost seems like it should have happened before. Freddie and Al both have illustrious careers and are vets in the game. They have both also managed to remain extremely relevant and relatable with the music they are creating. It almost seems like a perfect storm for these two to create something great.

What Alchemist provides Freddie with is a blank canvas. Every song has production that immediately captures you as a listener, but also allows Freddie to flow over it in so many different ways. This is what differentiates Alfredo from projects like Bandana or Piñata. The styles of production between Madlib and Alchemist are different. While both are excellent in their own right, Madlib often creates beats that are so intricate that, while they are still amazing, that we can almost get caught up trying to figure out where the beat will go next. Tracks like “1985” and “Scottie Beam” immediately grab your attention, but leave so much room for the rappers to work. Most importantly, Alchemist makes sure that all of the little details are perfect. While the beats may be simpler at times, even the most critical listener would be hard pressed to find a flaw in the production through the entire run time. Alchemist has this sound that sets the stage for what to come and then more so reinforces what Freddie is rapping about. It adds the perfect punch everytime because the beats and rhymes are working together.

From a technical standpoint Alfredo is bulletproof. Coke rap is a legitimate genre at this point, and we are watching the kingpin at the height of his powers. “Something to Rap About” is the epitome of what this project is attempting to do. Freddie sounds expressive and hungry even after all the success he has amassed. The whole concept of his verse is that God made him sell dope so he would have something to rap about. He found a way to make light of selling drugs, almost like he is seeing the comedy in it all. Not only that, but then he goes and gets one of the most colorful voices in music right now, Tyler, the Creator, to deliver yet another flawless feature this year. Throughout the album Freddie and Alchemist find new ways to tell the tale of a drug rapper in a refreshing way, and they get a host of great features to help them tell that story.

“Skinny Suge” is another very telling moment on Alfredo. The album plays like a reflection on a life in the game. It is similar to the film The Irishman. Freddie owns up to all of the things he has done and accepts all of his flaws, because that is what comes with the lifestyle. He seems almost unapologetic about everything, because look at everything he has achieved because of it. Yet on this track he takes a step back and acknowledges the pain. The life that is described seems exhausting, unsustainable, and maybe most notably of all, lonely. 

The album ends with “All Glass”, which is a complete change of pace in every way. We are right back into the action and it is very strategic how he does this. Just like in real life people who live this lifestyle take time to reflect on what it took to get here, but at the same time there is still the reality that they can spend too much time here, no matter what realization they come too. The game will continue with or without them, so the only way to stay relevant is to go right back into moving work which is what he describes on the final track.

Overall, Alfredo is an experience to listen to. This music doesn't feel like you are listening to it, but rather it engulfs you for about 35 minutes, and you only lose focus once the story ends. Very few people could come up with the line, “Bitch, I'm in this shit, like Burberry shirts at baby showers”. Freddie sounds so free on this project. His subject matter remains similar for the most part, but it is how he goes about telling his story that makes it so compelling. He also knows who to work with both from a producer and feature standpoint. Alchemist was the perfect choice and he came through on Alfredo with something serious. The OG in the game still recognizes that he has to revamp his approach, and that is why Freddie will remain successful no matter how long he chooses to rap. He is the definition of an old dog with a new trick every time he produces a project and that should not be ignored.

Favorite Tracks

Something to Rap About (Feat. Tyler, The Creator)

Skinny Suge

Scottie Beam (Feat. Rick Ross)

Rating: 10

Listen to Alfredo here:

Alfredo, an album by Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist on Spotify

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The Return of the Raf Simons Raven - Platinum Falcon Vol. 1 EP Review

By Carter Fife

Last Week Oakland’s very own Guapdad 4000 released a small collection of previously released singles into one *cohesive* package: the Platinum Falcon Vol. 1 EP. Clocking in at 18 minutes with 6 tracks (5 of which had already been released over the past few months), this short collection is the first project that Guapdad has released this year, after 2019’s long-awaited Dior Deposit, being all over Dreamville’s ROTD3, and 2017’s Scamboy Color. With his most recent singles nicely bundled together now, it seems like this is a good time to catch up on any you may have missed.

With the humor of Zack Fox / Father sense of humor and the charisma of Vince Staples / Lil B, Guapdad 4000 has quickly made a name for him himself in hip-hop. ‘Platinum Falcon’ is probably one of the best songs to listen to in order to understand what the Bay Area native is all about. Like most Guapdad songs, it is a cleverly written bop featuring an original flow and many humorous bars. While ‘Greedy’ is a bit more aggressive than most tracks on the project, it isn’t until ‘Dolce and Gabbana Dalai Lama’ that the listener is given a rare intimate view of the California M.C. The new track from the collection, ’Trade Places with Them Jeans’ is a similar emotional and slow track with a bit more of an acoustic sound. 

There is not too much to say about these tracks that already hasn’t been said seeing as 5/6 tracks have already been released, but this is truly the time to dive into Guapdad 4000’s discography if you haven’t already. Synthesizing elements of Bay Area music with contemporary trap, hip-hop, and R&B, Guapdad will definitely be a great artist to watch over the next few years. 

Favorite Tracks

Platinum Falcon

Dolce & Gabbana Dalai Lama

Embezzle (feat. Jigga Juice)

Rating: 7

Listen to Platinum Falcon Tape, Vol. 1 here:

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D Smoke Distinguishes Himself and Drops Jaws With His First Studio Album “Black Habits”

By Colson O’Connor

 Inglewood native Daniel Farris, commonly known as rapper ‘D Smoke’, had one hell of a year with his seemingly-overnight success. When looking at his background, it is not much of a surprise that he became this successful, it was only a matter of time. His family is full of talented gospel singers in the Inglewood area and his younger brother, R&B singer SiR, is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment. D Smoke has been working hard on his craft for a long time and that earned him his well-deserved spot on the popular new Netflix competition show Rhythm + Flow. He passed through all of the challenges on the show with flying colors and gave the audience absolutely stunning performances they will never forget. D Smoke went on to win the show and set the bar extremely high for all contestants to come.

D Smoke was very strategic when it came to the lead up and release to this album. Ahead of release he dropped two singles called “Fly” and “No Commas”, along with new music videos for each of them. After that, he went to social media to increase hype by revealing the release date and track list as while as posting pictures relating to the album. These tactics seemed to have paid off big time for him because Black Habits is doing numbers. 

Black Habits, D Smoke’s first official studio album, dropped on February 7th, 2020. The album runs just over an hour long, at about 62 minutes, and was published by WoodWorks Records. Although D Smoke on his own is already incredible, Ari Lennox, Snoop Dogg, and more are featured on this album and are a lot of what brought this beautiful piece together.  

Morning Prayer is the lead track for this project. It is mostly composed of a mother and her children going through a prayer before going to school, finishing with a couple of lines from D Smoke. These few lines hint at the upcoming topics he discusses later in the album, like racism and bullying. 

Smoke takes a stand in the second song called “Bullies”, where he raps hard with a killer flow. This tough hook will give you a good idea of the tone in the track:  

“So fuck y'all bullies We act like we ain't, but us all, bullies Never settlin' for subpar, bullies Don't make a nigga knock the rust off, bullies” 

This song is a statement and it’s dope to see him start the album this way because it lets you know he’s not about to take bullshit from anyone. 

The third track, “No Commas”, has got to be the hardest track on the album. D Smoke attacks bar after bar and snaps for two crazy verses. As if those verses weren’t great enough, he put the icing on the cake with the outro by bouncing back and forth between speaking English and Spanish. This skill really adds a third-dimension to the heavy-hitting cut. 

Ever since the tracklist was released and I saw Snoop Dogg, my excitement for the album shot through the roof. The two California natives pay homage over a bass-heavy beat for the song titled “Gaspar Yanga”. D Smoke raps for most of it, leading up to Snoop’s fire chorus, giving the track a major west coast feel that is bound to have you bouncing in the whip. 

On the fifth track of the album, “Top of the Morning”, D Smoke presents a great morning-time perspective and outlook on life. Smoke really takes a step back and reminds himself of how we should be attacking the day that lies ahead of us. This song will leave you two-stepping while grinding your daily hustle.  

Sitting at number ten on the tracklist is “Fallin”, a song about Smoke’s relationship with a girl. He opens up about his feelings in such a real and honest way, and he crushes the analogies, blending the feelings and bars so fluidly. There are three clever verses on this track and D bodies every single one of them.  

The east side and the west side come together to create a masterpiece in “Real Body”, the 12th track on Black Habits. D Smoke and the acclaimed Dreamville singer Ari Lennox go back to back singing sensual verses. It is a bit of a slower track, however, the arrangement of the drums add so much drive that you can’t help but rock your head and sing along. 

D Smoke linked with his brother SiR, who is also an immensely talented singer/songwriter, to collaborate  “Closer to God”. My favorite part of this song is the instrumentation. Going along with the idea of furthering their relationship with God, the two used pianos and a church organ to successfully create a very spiritual beat.

The final (and also my favorite) piece on the album is titled “Black Habits II”. The execution of this song is phenomenal. The message behind this song is super powerful, it has a flawless, jazzy beat, and the wordplay is extremely sharp. In every line throughout the intro, chorus, and first verse D Smoke uses the word black. Shining a light on his feelings toward racism, he cleverly adds this twist to make the lines hit so much harder. 

Thanks to Rhythm + Flow, bilingual rapper D Smoke has finally started to receive the clout he deserves. He has done nothing but keep us constantly entertained and his new album Black Habits is a major turning point for his career. We should expect to see even more growth from the Inglewood rapper in future projects. 

Favorite Tracks

Gasper Yanga (Ft. Snoop Dogg)

Fallin’

Black Habits II

Rating: 7.5

Listen to Black Habits here:

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