Was a 6pc Enough?: “6pc Hot EP” Review

By Courtney Fields

R&B’s favorite crooner is finally back. Fresh off of a 2-year hiatus (as far as projects are concerned), 6lack has delivered his new “6pc Hot EP” fresh at our doorsteps. The Atlanta native has returned with his smooth, reverb-ridden vocals, with a side of bars. A set of songs that’s perfect for those late, summer night drives, with the windows down… I know you know exactly what I mean. 

“ATL Freestyle” was the EP’s only single, it sort of got lost in the whirlwind of events that were happening on, and prior to the songs release date: May 28th, 2020. Along with the song, 6lack gave us yet another reason to stan, providing fans with a message that clearly stated his stance on what his people, Black people face day in and day out.

6lack wrote: “A few words… With the amount of pain & anger, I feel in my heart, releasing a new song at this very moment doesn’t feel like a great priority.Nothing ever prepares you for how to feel when you’re constantly faced with the last dying breaths of Black people, my people, on your television or phone screens every day.”

See the rest of 6lack’s message to the people here. “ATL Freestyle” is one of my favorite songs of the year, it’s a mirror of exactly what I think perfect music is; slow, a mixture of singing and rapping, sad and brash lyrics. It is a “B-side” track, like most of 6lack’s music. The song could fit on Tha Carter II, an album full of B-sides… it’s also one of the few perfect albums if you weren’t aware. 

“Long Nights” is the EP’s second track, and it’s a perfect description for all those sneaky link ups you freaks were doing during quarantine. At its core, “Long Nights” is about a relationship that could last one night, or many. Ari Lennox’s background vocals take the track to a whole new level.

Track 3, “Float” may just be one of the best songs that sum up 2020 so far. Generally, everyone is trying to “stay afloat” but 2020 has been one of the more ruthless years in the 21st century. 6lack speaks on all of the adversity he’s faced in his life up to now. “I gotta put my shit back on track / Been down bad too many times / Know that it’s bad, but it’ll be fine”. He even mentions the racial tensions in America, “It's a big war goin' on outside / Grab your lover, time to slide”. In the midst of COVID-19, civil unrest, and his own personal struggles; all 6lack asks of his presumed partner on this song is for her to love him through it all “Make sure you love me ‘fore the world go out in flames”.

“Know My Rights” ft. Lil Baby is one of those songs that makes you recall the days when 6lack was a battle rapper. The two Atlanta natives rap about the extraordinary amount of fame, and riches they’ve managed to get. They make sure to remind us that they’re self-made men as well, so they tend to shy away from the opinions of others. It’s not often you hear 6lack flex on his songs, so this type of track fit perfect with a Lil Baby feature. 

In “Elephant In The Room”, 6lack is having an argument with a significant other who’s questioning his motives within their relationship, and they’re not sure the rapper’s priorities are in check. Rather than get nowhere with small talk, 6lack lays it all on the line, “You ask me if I'm choosin' my dreams over you, I said, ‘Hell, yeah’ / “I got so much love I can show, but I got so much shit left to do” / “Say what's on my mind don't make me choose, I might piss you off”. The “Elephant” is the issue the two of them have clearly been avoiding for some time now, and it seems to be 6lack’s music career, something he’d never give up on since he’s been chasing it all his life. 

I never thought there would be a way to make the end of quarantine (COVID-19) sound romantic, but sure enough here 6lack is with a post-virus ballad. 6lacks sings about going outside to play again in almost every other bar on track 6, ”Outside”. He reminisces the days where he was able to be with his lover physically, with no fear of getting each other sick. 

So, was a 6pc enough? I’d say so, the project is short but the quality of the tracks makes up for the lack of tracks. 6pc Hot EP may be the only project out right now that sums up almost everyone’s lives at the moment. Quarantine has many of us fairly lonely, not seeing our friends and significant other as much as we want (“Outside”), the civil unrest in America has kept anyone with a single shred of compassion spending days thinking about how fucked up this country is, and in turn trying to find a way to find some peace within all of the chaos (“Float”), and by spending most of our days at home, coupled with everything going on with the world there have been ample opportunities for the door to be opened to some tough conversations (“Elephant In The Room”).

Favorite tracks

Float

Long Nights

Know My Rights (Feat. Lil Baby)

Rating: 8

Listen to 6pc Hot EP here:

Listen to 6pc Hot EP on Spotify. 6LACK · Single · 2020 · 6 songs.

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A Flawless 3-Peat: 'Almost There' Mixtape Review

By Courtney Fields

On the heels of Lucki’s last two flawless projects, Freewave 3 and Days B4 III--his latest drop proves that the Prince only gets better with time. Almost There is the one Lucki tape that fully embodies the fast-paced life that he swears by. 

Immediately, we see why Lucki donned himself as “FBG Tune”. On track 1, “Tarantino”, Lucki is basking in all of the insecurities he displayed in his songs on Freewave 3. Just like Future, the FBG President, Lucki is unafraid to profess his love for drugs. ”She jealous that promethazine was my first love, I can't help, uh / Codeine never get the best of me and I swim in it like Phelps”. It actually seems like Lucki has found a healthy balance with his drug use. Since he doesn’t necessarily have the same vocal ability as Future, a lot of Lucki’s claims come off less dramatic, and more sincere.

“Unlimited” (as soon as Lucki says “We get high, we get fat” I rewind the song) and “Runnin With'' are one in the same for me, two tracks that make me proud to be a day one Lucki fan.

“I really delete hoes, my love in a past tense”- “Unlimited” / “She really wants me wrapped up that’s some sucka shit”- “Runnin With”, I felt that.

Track eight is titled “Prada Tune''. For anyone who’s ever heard the Lil Uzi “Proud of You'' snippet and was as disappointed as me when it didn’t end up on EA, you need to play this song back a good 10 times so you can stop feeling resentment towards Uzi for never dropping it. 

“Prada Tune'' has enough lines to give me captions for my next ten posts. Lucki’s now chalking up his losses and moving on, which is something the rest of the “I want the old Lucki back” folks need to do. It’d be selfish of us to want Lucki to be sad just for the sake of a few songs. Lucki sounds reinvented, he’s brimming to the rim with confidence, and his raps just feel different on his beats. It’s great to hear someone who actually cares about rap, getting better with every release. Every Lucki song feels like a sermon, a sermon for the ill-fated person who still manages to feel alright despite their losses, “No reward for the real, we don’t get plaques” / “Who gon play the fake role, who gon have my back when I need it”. He’s making being alone sound cool, I’m not sure how he’s doing it but it’s exactly what I needed. “Pure Love - Hate” is top 3 on the mixtape.

“Nigo”, I’ll be the one to say this is Lucki’s best song if no one else will. From a fan’s perspective, there’s one line in this song that points to what makes Lucki, Lucki. 

There’s a line for his love for cars, toying with twelve by taking them on high speeds; along with how he never has to worry about anything when he’s with people closest to him; his love for codeine, how he’d rather be himself than try to look cool, and he even gives props to his elders for making it easy to be real. 

“Almost There” isn’t even an album, but it’s easily one of the best drops this year. It’s the first time we’ve seen the King of the Underground in a content state in a while. Hopefully, fans that claim they’ve been there from the jump can let go of the sad Lucki, and embrace him...As he is nearly flawless now.

Favorite Tracks

Unlimited

Runnin With

Nigo

Rating: 10

Listen to Almost There here:

Almost There, an album by LUCKI on Spotify

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Polo G, Chicago’s Youngest MVP: 'THE GOAT' Album Review

By Courtney Fields

Since its birth in the early 2010s, Drill music has been used to fuel negative stereotypes on Black men. 

Artists such as Lil Durk and Chief Keef are believed to be glorifying a life of violence and criminality. The connotation that Drill music has had, is honestly unfair; the violent lyrics and music videos are purely forms of artistic expression. It’s a genre dominated by the Black community’s disadvantaged youth, who strive to tell their stories the best way they can. This way of life was not a choice for these young men, the root of why Drill music exists in the first place is a whole new article in itself.     

However, the conversation at hand is about Polo G, an artist who shows that Chicago Drill may be the most socially aware genre in rap. 

In track 1 “Don’t Believe The Hype”, Polo raps about drug addiction, lost loved ones, and the lack of support he’s dealt with in his life. We hear Polo admit it’s hard for him to find the line between his old life and a new life (“He want all them niggas dead, it's sad to say, but I feel him / If I ain't had so much to lose, I'd be riskin' it with him”). Mostly though we hear Polo brag about his fame, and how he persevered to get there (“They weren't with me through my struggles, all this shit I sacrificed / I climbed out the darkness, now my Patek shinin' bright”).

Track 2 is the certified gold single “Heartless” featuring Dj Mustard. The first half of this song describes Polo in his essence: a ladies man, a proud Chicago native, and an aspiring businessman (see Polo break down the meaning of the hit single for Genius). 

Track 6, “21” is one of the best on the album. It’s Polo’s 21st birthday, and what may have him reminiscing on this track so much is how many people he’s known who haven’t made it to 21. He mentions the passing of another Chicago G.O.A.T Juice Wrld, whose untimely death reminds him to not fall back into the habit of abusing drugs. “Can't relapse off these drugs, man, R.I.P. to Juice / We was tweakin' off them Percs, I popped my last one with you.” Polo’s raps are often all over the place, but it’s delivered in the best possible way. Almost every line in the second verse refers to a different point in Polo’s life, and the lives of those he loves. Polo raps about being successful ever since he started rapping and never being satisfied with his achievements, to then commenting on how Chicago’s streets resemble battlefields at times. Every bar Polo delivers paints a picture into the listener’s head on this track. My favorite line by far is “Took losses in these streets, shit got me singin' gang blues”. “Gang Blues” might be the best description of Drill music I’ve ever heard. 

Track 8 is “I Know”, an extremely emotional song. In the chorus Polo raps about losing the life of a dear friend, it seems as if he lost the friend while he was famous. He shared drugs, good times, and bad times with this friend; but still they lost their life. “How the fuck I wake up from a dream to a nightmare?” Is this line an indication that Polo may feel some guilt for being able to escape his past lifestyle? If the line is what I think it is, this may be why Polo struggles to see the advantages of fame since all of his friends can’t live like him. The track also features how hard it was to grow up in Chicago, and how it’s hard to find a girl who wants him for a reason other than his fame. 

Track 15 “Trials & Tribulations”, leaked on Soundcloud the day the album was set to release and I’ve got to admit… I probably replayed this song for an hour straight. “Trials and Tribulations” starts off with another great chorus from Polo, he might have the best hooks in the game right now. Almost all of Polo G’s songs revolve around life in Chicago, which is pretty funny considering people from other places say Chicagoans never stop talking about Chicago. The streets of Chicago are what made Polo the man he is today, and he learned early on that no one could save him but himself. People who aren’t accustomed to life in the streets often make it seem like you always have a choice, or that getting help is an easy task, but Polo knows this isn’t true. “Them streets'll turn a good kid into a cold lil' savage / No point in church 'cause the preacher can't keep them poles from clappin' / It seem like evil and my soul attractin'”. As soon we wiped our eyes from hearing that chorus, midway into the first verse we hear Polo say “Hood on my back, was bustin' two-fours like Kobe Bryant / Sometimes I think like what's the likelihood of Kobe dyin'?”. I don’t think I’ll EVER get used to Kobe’s death. This song is one of Polo’s “tell-alls”, he’s always honest with fans, and he could care less about haters cause he knows his message will reach those who need to hear it.

Finally, we’re at the last track, “Wishing For A Hero” featuring BJ The Chicago Kid. The song samples 2Pac’s song “Changes” and at first, it gave me mixed feelings. There’s always something off about hearing artists sample 2Pc tracks to me, but now it’s my favorite from the whole album. The song proves that Polo is the most socially aware rapper from Chicago since Kanye (don’t @ me). He raps about how his Blackness puts him in a constant emotional, and physical battle with himself and others. He raps about Black on Black crime being a direct result of racism. He even hints at self-hate and drug addiction. Hearing a man who was conditioned to hate himself, rap like this puts a smile on my face.

The originators of Drill Music are Chicagoans, so it makes sense that now in 2020, Polo G and other Chicago artists are taking the genre to new heights. In my opinion, Drill is a genre that describes daily life in the streets; all of the violent and dark details are embedded in the music. Now that many of our favorite Drill artists are no longer in the streets (Chief Keef, G Herbo, Lil Durk, and Polo G), much of their music describes past ordeals and the struggles of putting the street life behind them. Is this an evolution of what Drill once was, or are the artists mentioned no longer a part of the Drill scene? 

favorite songs:

21

Trials & Tribulations

Wishing For A Hero (Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)

Rating: 9

Listen to THE GOAT here:

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The Voice of the Streets: 'Just Cause Y’all Waited 2' Review

By Courtney Fields

Lil Durk, Durkio, Smurkio, No Auto Durk… I’m sure you can tell by all of his different monikers that he’s a man who often seeks change. I mean, there are enough nicknames to match all of his different hairstyles over the years. For an artists who is always switching up his look and musical styles, one thing has always remained the same: Durk’s love for the people. 

“The Voice” is by far my favorite nickname of Durk’s, and if you listened to his music and interviews you’d know why. He’s always true to himself, his friends, family, and his fans. Although Just Cause Y’all Waited 2 is just a project to hold us over until the release of Durk and Metro Boomin’s No Auto, Durk shows glimpses of being The Voice. 

Now, before we even dive into a few of the songs, one thing should be made clear: this was released to hold fans over, read the title! I didn’t particularly appreciate the harsh critiques of this project simply because I know that this wasn’t released with the intention of changing the world. So with that being said, let’s get into it. 

Without songs like “Trifling Hoes”,  “Gucci Gucci” featuring Gunna, “Chiraq Demons” with G Herbo, and “3 Headed Goat” featuring Lil Baby and Polo G, we’re left with a 12 track project filled with violence, confusion, and valiant efforts to save one’s self and their community. 

Track 2, “Street Affection” shows Durk the lack of love that the streets of Chicago have for gang members and civilians alike. Durk speaks on police brutality with the line, “They ain’t doing they job, they ain’t serve and protectin’”, as well as the lack of guidance many young men in the streets have with the line, “Big homies not big homies, they ain’t tryna give direction.” This makes for one of the most emotional Durk songs ever, it describes a young man who came from nothing, who now has all he ever dreamed of, yet he still can’t escape the setbacks he faced in Chicago.

“Viral Moment” and “248” are two more highlights of the project. What makes these songs so special is that Durk borrows from the experience of not only himself but also some of the people around him. Durk is such a great rapper because he’s able to relate to everyone. In an interview with Genius, Durk said, “I try to hit certain points when relating to people, even if it’s pain, talking shit, gambling, as long as you can relate to it, I wanna produce it to you.” Durk is a very personable rapper, he always connects with his fans, the streets, and really anyone.

As a whole, this project is full of pain, and honesty. Durk talks about relationship issues, battling addiction, missing lost loved ones, even simple disputes among friends. There is surely a song for every rap fan on this project. One of Chicago’s “Young OG”s” sound is still consistent with the catchy, dark, violent pretenses Drill music first showed us in the early 2010s. But, more than any other rapper Drill from Chicago, I’d say Durk is the “gatekeeper” so to say for the genre. Not to say he created it, or what have you, but out Chicago’s Drill scene, no one has been as consistent as Durkio.

Durk my favorite artist from my hometown’s “Drill Era”. He’s always honest, and I mean always. Like many Chicagoans, emotions aren’t something that Durk often shows on the outside, or even on social media but if there’s ever any doubt about whats going on in his life, you’ll find it in his songs. Although this project isn’t my favorite release of Durk’s, it has me more excited than ever for No Auto.

Favorite Songs

Street Affection

Viral Moment

248

Rating: 7

Listen to Just Cause Y’all Waited 2 here:

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400 Million Dollars Worth of Game: ‘Pray for Paris’ Album Review

By Courtney Fields

Westside Gunn. Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

The Harlem Renaissance was a black intellectual, social, and artistic explosion in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, spanning through the 1920s. After four long years of hard work led by Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway, it has become evident to the rap world that Griselda has started their own Renaissance.

On April 17th, 2020 Pray for Paris was released independently through Griselda Records. The Album Art is a story in itself being that it is based on the painting David with the Head of Goliath by Italian painter Caravaggio, who is considered to be “The Second Michelangelo.” Like Caravaggio, Westside Gunn is a product of some of the greats like Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. Said influences are exactly what makes Pray For Paris a gritty, graceful, imaginative, and ambitious album.

The album begins with an intro titled “400 Million Plus Tax'' which is an excerpt from an auction; which is a testament to the confidence of Westside Gunn.

The album then shifts to “No Vacancy”, a track that embodies the true grit and grace that the album’s artwork achieves on its own. The track is an anecdote of Gunn’s drug, crime, designer clothing, luxury car filled life; played over some of the most beautiful keys you’ll ever hear. Nothing is more heartwarming to a rap fan than hearing menacing lyrics over such heavenly production.

Griselda’s big three, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway take us to “George Bondo”, A track where we see the three men not even try to “acclimate” to their new surroundings. If anything, this track is an explanation for Gunn’s entire career, a man that can say something like “Just shot a nigga on the anklet”, but then go hang out with Virgil Abloh at a fashion show. We even get to hear Benny The Butcher say, “I get you whacked at The Venetian for blasphemous speakin’ ”. Basically, on “George Bondo” we get a glimpse at the intersection point between the streets of Buffalo, NY and the three rappers’ newfound elitist status in the world of music - two worlds that are equally as crooked as they are beautiful.

On “327” Gunn, Joey Bada$$ (it feels good to be able to say we’ve gotten a new Joey verse), and Tyler, The Creator brag about the lifestyles their fame has allowed. I’m sure we can all agree that hearing Gunn brag about keeping a gun in the armrest of his Benz, Joey hanging with Diddy and Jay-Z, and Tyler bragging about his glittery fingernails is pretty worthwhile.

Tracks 8 and on is where we get to see the true grit of Gunn and his friends.

“$500 Ounces'' is a standout track of 2020, let alone the album. In just one verse, Freddie Gibbs sums up what makes him Freddie! He details friends looking out for him, selling drugs, and having trust issues; to then just chalk it up to the way God set his life out to be. Freddie even sneaks in the bar, “Kobe died, I swear a nigga might cry when I watch the Lakers, damn”. I’m not sure if anyone was ready to hear that line. Roc Marciano absolutely destroys the track with his melanin bar, “The MAC-11 hit your melon and crack it” A double entendre that had me pause the track if I’m being honest. Roc’s MAC-11 bullets are cracking skulls (hit your melon and crack it), but the words “melon and” also serve as the word “melanin” insinuating that black don’t crack.

 This review can’t end without mentioning track 10, “Claiborne Kick” which features Boldy James. Boldy sets a scene like no other, hearing him rap about his past is almost like watching a slideshow of his life. Boldy’s lyrics are cold and harsh, you don’t just hear what he’s saying, you feel it. His lyrics literally pop off of your phone as you’re reading the lyrics on Genius.

In its essence, Pray For Paris is, in my opinion, art at its purest form. This album is the truth, really. It perfectly embodies what it’s like to be black in America. We take our past with us everywhere we go, most of the time we try to escape it; but Gunn and the rest of Griselda want us to embrace all avenues of our blackness wherever we are. I mean, he had Virgil Abloh put diamond chains on a painting of David and Goliath. Gunn takes his true self wherever he is, whether it’s at Paris Fashion Week with Virgil Abloh, whacking guys at The Venetian with Benny The Butcher, or listening to Tyler, The Creator choose the next color of glitter for his fingernails.

Favorite Tracks

327 (Feat. Joey Bada$$ & Tyler, The Creator)

$500 Ounces (Feat. Freddie Gibbs & Roc Marciano)

Claiborne Kick (Feat. Boldy James)

Rating: 8.5

Listen to Pray for Paris here:

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The 42 Dugg Interview: The Quarantine, Detroit Rap Legends, and Being an XXL Freshman Nominee

“I feel like everything I do is from the heart, I don’t do no clout chasin’,  none of that fake shit. You gon’ get the real with me every time, you know what I’m sayin’?”

By Courtney Fields

Dion Hayes, popularly known as 42 Dugg was essentially “born in conflict.” Being from the Eastside of Detroit, one of the city’s roughest areas, Dugg landed himself into some legal trouble. 

At age 15 he was arrested for carjacking and felony firearms possession, this arrest earned Dugg 4 years in prison but he ended up doing 6 after his sentence was extended for a physical altercation with another inmate.

The rapper was placed into solitary confinement after the altercation, which ended up being the start of his rap career. Writing raps while in solitary confinement is what honed Dugg’s rap skills. In the one hour per day allotted for Dugg to leave confinement, he rapped to his fellow inmates and seemingly gained his first fans. 

Although in Dugg’s eyes, the raps weren’t very good. In an interview on the Stewe Show, Dugg admitted that initially when he “had got to writing music, but it was a bunch of bullshit.” In 2018, Dugg began to acknowledge rap as more of a serious career path. In 2018 at the studio with fellow Detroit rapper 42 Twin, 42 Dugg wrote his first breakout single, “Mama I’m Sorry”. 

The song is an ode to his mother, who was disappointed to find out his jail sentence had been extended for 2 more years. The rapper went on to release more popular singles like: “The Streets” featuring Babyface Ray and “Stfu” featuring Peezy, EWM Kdoe, Bagboy Mel, Cash Kidd, and EWM Buck. 

 “11241 Wayburn” and “11241 Wayburn Pt. 2” were two projects that led to Dugg becoming a roster member of both Yo Gotti’s CMG record label, as well as Lil Baby’s 4PF record company in 2019. The signing then prepared Dugg’s Young And Turnt mixtape release.

 The rapper earned a feature on “Grace” , the fourth track on Lil Baby’s album My Turn. The track was arguably the best track on the album and this feature caused a great buzz for Dugg’s budding name in the industry. 

Despite the fact that 42 Dugg has been rapping for some time now, Young And Turnt seems like a proper introduction to the rapper’s career. I recently got a chance to catch up with Detroit's next star to discuss how he's been handling the quarantine, his hometown of Detroit, and why fans should vote for him as an XXL Freshman. Our conversation, lightly edited for clarity, follows below:

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Courtney Fields, StereoVision (CF): What are you up to during quarantine? You still going out or staying in?

42 Dugg: Shit, chillin’ for real. I just moved out just trying to get everything straight with my new house. 

CF: I feel like right now Detroit having a sort of resurgence in the rap world. You all have a lot of good artists coming up right now... if you had to make a starting five of some Detroit rappers, who would that include? 

42 Dugg: Let’s see… Me, Peezy, Baby Face Ray, Cash Kidd, Big Sean, Dej Loaf, 42 Twin. Haha, I can’t just do five though, Eminem you know? I can’t just do five.

CF: You mention Big Sean, I hear him talk a lot about making sure he reaches out to other Detroit artists, do him or any other artists reach out?

42 Dugg: Big Sean reaches out, I fuck with him. Peezy, Dej Loaf, Cash Kidd too.

CF: You and Yo Gotti are very close, I know he’s a great businessman, do you see yourself following that blueprint maybe in a few years? Or are you already working towards being bigger than just rap?

42 Dugg: Man hell yeah! I’m really trying to follow his model right now. I want to do some different things outside of rap, anything really. I’m really just trying to stay focused with rap right now though, just staying in the studio.

CF: Detroit Rap has a very distinctive sound, all the rappers are very lyrical and don’t really follow any trends that are hot among most rappers. I see that in your music as well, do you think that’s a result of being from Detroit, or are you just a guy who’s always gonna be himself despite the circumstances?

42 Dugg: Shit, both… you know I’m from Detroit but it’s like, I’m still gonna be me regardless at the end of the day.

CF: Any guilty pleasures? Any specific brand or item you can’t stop buying?

42 Dugg: Ha, Amiri’s and white Air Force Ones lows, yeah, I’m obsessed with those two. Moncler, Off-White, I’m obsessed with all that, I gotta have all that. 

CF: Who are some rappers you wish to work with?

42 Dugg: I’ll work with anybody, anybody who fuck with me. I’m not really just trying to be picky you know, anyone who rock with my music. 

CF: When you signed with both Yo Gotti and Lil Baby, was it more a shocking feeling, or were you ready to get to work?

42 Dugg: Both, it doesn’t really shock me now cause they’re my guys now. It’s just like being around all the guys. 

CF: Lastly, I know you’re currently in the running to be an XXL Freshman… congrats by the way. Why should fans vote for you?

42 Dugg: Appreciate you... I think fans should vote for me cause I'm turnt... you know what I’m sayin’, I make good music. I feel like everything I do is from the heart, I don’t do no clout chasin’,  none of that fake shit. You gon’ get the real with me every time you know what I’m sayin’?

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42 Dugg Shows Why He’s Detroit’s Next Big Thing on 'Young & Turnt Vol. 2'

By Courtney Fields

Known to the world as 42 Dugg, Dion Hayes was born on the Eastside of Detroit. He attended multiple high schools as a teenager and was known around town as an avid partygoer. At the age of 15 Dugg got arrested and was sentenced to 4 years in prison but ended up doing 6. Around his fifth year, he was put into solitary confinement for 3 months as punishment for getting into a brawl with another inmate. Since there wasn’t much to do in solitary “I had got to writing music, but it was a bunch of bullshit,” Dugg said on The Stewe Show in 2018. 

Once released, Dugg started to take rap more seriously. He did so by attending a studio session with fellow Detroit rapper, 42 Twin and wrote what would be his first breakout single “Mama I’m Sorry”.

“Mama I’m Sorry” is an apology to his mother, who was disappointed when he got his jail sentence extended for 2 more years for fighting. Dugg went on to release many more popular singles, such as “The Streets” featuring Babyface Ray and “Stfu” featuring Peezy, EWM Kdoe, Bagboy Mel, Cash Kidd, and EWM Buck. 

“11241 Wayburn” and “11241 Wayburn Pt. 2” gained Dugg enough traction to sign a joint deal with Yo Gotti’s CMG record label, as well as Lil Baby’s 4PF record company in 2019 in preparation for his Young And Turnt mixtape release. 

In 2020, the rapper was featured on “Grace” the fourth track on Lil Baby’s My Turn. Arguably the best track on the album, Dugg outshines his label’s head honcho. 42 Dugg manages to deliver emotionally charged bars while still maintaining a menacing cadence and flow that surprised a lot of listeners. 

Within a week of the release of Lil Baby’s My Turn, Dugg continued to ride the momentum the feature created and began rolling out his new mixtape Young & Turnt, Vol. 2 with the video for “Palm Angeles in the Sky.”

Young & Turnt, Vol. 2 was released through 4PF and CMG on March 26th, 2020. The mixtape is nearly 30 minutes long and consists of 14 tracks featuring both of his label heads (Yo Gotti & Lil Baby) as well as frequent collaborator and fellow Detroit rapper Babyface Ray.

On Young & Turnt 2 Dugg sounds like he’s ready to thrust into stardom. The project has an unorthodox, mellow, lyrical sound that has become a standard in Detroit. 

What makes Dugg’s sound on this project distinguishable from his other projects is simply his vocal ability. Dugg sounds like a much more confident and polished rapper. He shows his capability to apply unique vocal inflections that you don't see as often throughout his other projects. 

Many times, Trap artists like Dugg don’t get the respect they should as musicians. Their often misogynistic, violent, crude lyrics get deemed as “inappropriate” by critics and are written off. These rappers are even referred to as a detriment to young listeners by some parents. “Young & Turnt 2” is yet again proof that while Dugg lived in conflict for many of his young years, he and many other young Black men like him possess a unique ability as wordsmiths. 

Dugg mourns the loss and imprisonment of many of his childhood friends on tracks like “It Get Deeper” and reflects on how other of his former friends resent his success on “Hard Times.” All the while, still managing to keep listeners hype on songs like “Turnt Bitch” and “Mr. Woody.”

 This type of duality is often overlooked in the world of Trap and should be celebrated.

Favorite Tracks

Hard Times

Turnt Bitch

One Of One (Feat. Babyface Ray)

Rating: 8.5

Listen to Young & Turnt, Vol. 2 here:

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Genres and Generations Clash in The Weeknd’s New Album "After Hours"

The Weeknd’s Dark Take on Alternative R&B Fused With 80’s Synth Pop Results in One of His Most Complete Projects to Date

By Courtney Fields

The year 2019 was slowly coming to an end and fans were beginning to realize yet another year would pass without drops from some of the industry’s biggest names, but on November 25th, Abel Tesfaye, The King of The Fall himself took to Instagram to announce a “NEW BRAIN MELTING PSYCHOTIC CHAPTER” of The Weeknd’s career that would start with the release of his new single “Heartless.”

The single is a great beginning to the new chapter of The Weeknd’s career. Part of what makes The Weeknd a great artist is his ability to story tell, which is something that has become a lost art in the two genres he has mastered: Pop and R&B. 

Upon the first listen, it seems like your average boastful song, but although fame, women, money, and drugs dominate the majority of the song, “Heartless” is more of a self-awareness track than anything else. In “Heartless,” The Weeknd’s Ego and his Sacred Self are playing a game of tug and war.

 “Never need a bitch I’m what a bitch need”

 “Trying to find the one that can fix me” 

The title of the song almost serves as a front since, in a way, all men aspire to be heartless. I, as well as many other men often fall victim to social constructs that tell us to be tough, and not show our feelings.

“Machismo culture” is no conspiracy, it has been defined as overly exaggerated masculinity and it often damages the quality of our romantic relationships. The reason we fell in love with The Weeknd’s songwriting early on was his ability to relate to the plight of everyday people, despite being a superstar. In the two verses The Weeknd has on this song, they’re both filled with how many women, clothes, money, and fast cars he has. He’s not afraid to tell you how many women he's sold dreams to, how long he’s been living like a rockstar, or how many magazine covers he's been on. The verses do a great job of distracting you from the chorus, as well as the bridge at the end of the track. 

In the chorus, Abel still claims that he has no heart, but not in the way every man would like to believe that they themself are heartless. He’s heartless because after all he’s done to grow, he still finds himself falling into the hole he dug for himself when he first moved to Los Angeles. A hole that caused him to use drugs as a crutch, as well as a hole full of toxic and misogynist behavior.

 In the second half of the chorus, the song highlights one of the main themes throughout the entire album: the negative side effects of fame and money.  Abel figured since he’s moved away from LA, a place that caused him so much pain; he was escaping his old ways as well. Still, he feels as if he will never be able to change his ways.

Is The Weeknd no longer falling victim to lust, or is he still desperate to find the right woman? “Heartless” gives us no clear answer.

The Weeknd released two more singles, with one being nostalgic of the dance-pop sound of the ’80s. “Blinding Lights'' gets you moving with its upbeat, synthesized production while simultaneously proving why The Weeknd is such a polarizing artist. He can give fans a certain nostalgia for one of the best eras in music and deliver a deeply emotional track at the same time. The star still yearns for a partner who can show him how to love, one who will never leave his side and one he'll simply never let go. 

The third promotional single for After Hours was the title track. The song serves as a powerful single because it’s very reminiscent of his earlier works. Abel’s life is falling apart and despite his growth as a man, he still finds himself drifting in the pool of the aftershocks of his success. Seven years past his heavyhearted debut album Kiss Land, still risking everything for love, The Weeknd manages to relate to audiences by being the heartbroken singer we all know and love.

The Weeknd dropped After Hours on March 20th. The album contained no features.

A good beat drop excites any music fan, but in the intro song “Alone Again” the drums were almost useless. The track does a great job of building your excitement as a listener, but honestly the beat drop is very underwhelming. The powerless moment in the first track takes away from track two, “Too Late” which probably should’ve been the intro to the album. “Too Late” sets the tone for this synth-heavy album, it also introduces the first signs of pessimism and the need to move away from Los Angeles we see throughout After Hours. 

In “Too Late” Abel is still putting the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“It’s way too late to save our souls

It’s way too late, we’re on our own”

Abel also shows his selfish nature throughout “After Hours.” He knows that he’s probably ran his relationship into the ground; but rather than letting his partner go on her own path, he suggests she join him in his life of lust. He then goes on to sing, “I can’t trust where I live anymore” in reference to LA. Later in the album, this mistrust leads to him escaping to The City of Sin: Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tracks two and three are probably The Weeknd’s most mature tracks within his discography. Both “Hardest To Love” and “Scared To Live” again show The Weeknd placing the blame on himself, but this time he takes all of the responsibility while allowing his partner to find true happiness. “Scared To Live” is also one of the best vocal performances on After Hours. Track two, three and four is where the listener should begin to notice the battle of ego versus sacred self that The Weeknd is struggling with. 

“Snowchild” is the fifth song on the new LP. In this track, The Weeknd reflects on his past. In an attempt to support his need to leave LA, he begins to wonder if he had any ill will that motivated his rise to the top. 

In track six, “Escape From LA” insinuates that Los Angeles enticed him for all of the wrong reasons. This is a point in After Hours where we see the clearest nod to “Old Abel” since this is one of the most gloomy songs on the project. 

Relocating to Sin City was an interesting choice for The Weeknd, considering the fact that what he wanted to escape from in Los Angeles was its vices. After his “Escape From LA” the Weeknd backpedaled into his old habits. 

“I’ve been sober for a year now, now it's time for me

To go back to my old ways, don’t you cry for me 

Thought I’d be a better man, but I lied to me and to you”

Tracks nine through twelve show The Weeknd in his classic egotistical state. This particular stretch of songs are fun too, they show the most striking resemblances to 80’s dance music. There is a bit of a contradiction since you would most likely be up dancing to the most toxic tracks of 2020. 

During the last two tracks of the album, The Weeknd has come to the realization that he put every ounce of literal blood, sweat, and tears into basking in the glory of his fast pace lifestyle, as well as sulking in shame. 

In Track 14, “Until I Bleed Out” we see an Abel who has been relapsing since he got to Vegas. Unlike any other song on the project, Abel shows signs of wanting to pick up his sobriety and regretting what he has done to his life. Sadly, the track ends abruptly, as Abel is slowly bleeding out. It seems as if our favorite new 80’s pop star’s short-lived run has come to an end.

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After Hours was initially released with 14 tracks and no features. Two days later a deluxe version was released with five more songs, all remixes of songs already on the album. The deluxe version includes a feature from Lil Uzi Vert on the “Heartless (Vapor Wave Remix)”.           

Three days after the album’s release, a music video for “In Your Eyes” was released. The opening scene shows Abel as he attacks a young couple in the elevator. He kills the man but somehow the girl ends up getting away. Abel spends the entire video chasing this young woman just for her to chop his head off. The chase showcases how Abel has chased women, fame, and all the other vices a celebrity like him is exposed to.

In the promo for the second deluxe version of this album, he is shown sporting a black suit, rather than the red suit jacket he’s had on since November. The murder kicks off the journey for a new version of himself, or for a new character in After Hours.

Abel released three new tracks over a week after the album's initial release. The tracks “Nothing Compares”, “Missed You”, and “Final Lullaby” were added to the second installment of the deluxe version for After Hours. When you’ve been an XO fan for as long as many have, you eventually come to learn that The Weeknd would never release any songs for aimless reasons. He values his art, which is why these songs were released after his video for track 10 “In Your Eyes.” Sonically, these tracks deviate from the rest of After Hours and with the change of suit, it’s fair to say “Nothing Compares,” “Missed You,” and “Final Lullaby” are our first introduction to this new version of Abel.

This new project is refreshing for The Weeknd’s hardcore fanbase, as well as music fans everywhere. With his picked-out afro, thick mustache, red suit and black serial killer gloves, it’s simply fun to see an artist like the Weeknd completely indulge himself into a new identity. When all is said and done, After Hours will end up being his most complete project. 

Favorite tracks

Snowchild

Escape From LA

Save Your Tears

Rating: 9

Listen to After Hours here:

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The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: 'Chilombo' Album Review

How Jhené Aiko learned to put “Happiness over Everything” in her new album CHILOMBO

By Courtney Fields

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Jhené Efuru Aiko Chilombo has been in the music business for quite a long time. At age 12, Jhené signed her first record deal with Epic Records; laying down vocals on several B2K tracks in the early 2000s. 12-year-old Aiko even opened for the boy band’s tour “Scream Tour 3” in 2003. When Aiko was 15, she asked to be released from Epic Records due to conflicts of interest regarding who she was as an artist. In 2008 at the age of 20, Jhené and O’ryan Browner’s (brother of former B2K singer, Omarion) daughter Namiko Love Browner was born.

Fast forward to March 16th, 2011, after an 8-year hiatus Jhené made her return to the music business. Jhené released her debut mixtape, Sailing Soul(s) via her website jheneaiko.com, with features from artists such as Kanye West, Drake, and Miguel. In 2012 Aiko signed a deal with legendary producer No I.D. 's record label, Artium Records, (Def Jam affiliate) to prepare for the release of her debut album. November 12th, 2013, Aiko released her debut EP Sail Out. Featured on the album were popular artists Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, Childish Gambino, and Ab-soul. Aiko has since gone on to release TWENTY 88 which is a collaboration album with rapper and boyfriend Big Sean, her second studio album Trip, and now CHILOMBO.

In May of 2019, it seemed as if Jhené was back in album mode. Jhené released “Triggered (freestyle)” which was a breakup song aimed towards rapper Big Sean. The song itself triggered the release of four more singles over the next year: “Trigger Protection Mantra”, “None Of Your Concern” featuring Big Sean & Ty Dolla $ign, “P*$$Y Fairy”, and “Happiness Over Everything” featuring Miguel & Future. 

On February 21, 2020, Aiko went to Instagram to announce that CHILOMBO would release on March 6th. Later that week Aiko described her then-upcoming third studio album as a celebration of her coming into her own personal power.

CHILOMBO was released on March 6, 2020, through Def Jam. The album boasts 20 songs and has an 01:03:34 timestamp on it.  The album features some old faces we’re used to seeing on Jhené’s albums, as well as some new ones. Big Sean, H.E.R., Future, Miguel, Ab-Soul, Dr. Chill, Nas, John Legend, and Ty Dolla $ign all feature on the project.

 “Triggered (freestyle)” and “None Of Your Concern” featuring Big Sean & Ty Dolla $ign are tracks two and three on CHILOMBO. With these songs being back to back, they immediately give listeners a perspective on her and Sean’s relationship. Rather than bottling up her emotions, Jhené went to the studio to express her irritation through a freestyle. Jhené doesn’t leave any room for confusion on this track. Instead of sending subtle shots, all of her bars are direct. The singer even went on the Rap Genius website to provide verified commentary on the song. On “None Of Your Concern”, Jhené and Big Sean are dealing with the aftershock of their relationship. Although the two artists do tell each other how they felt during the downfall of their relationship; much of the song focuses on how they plan to move on: with, or without one another. 

 “Happiness Over Everything” featuring Miguel & Future, “Tryna Smoke”, and “Party For Me” featuring Ty Dolla $ign all show a side of Jhené that fans are not used to seeing. The three songs draw many comparisons to 90s West Coast Rap. The production on the three tracks are based on funk music and have very laid-back melodies; if you couple that with the fact that the lyrics are related to partying and drugs, listeners are definitely reminded of where Jhené is from. “Party For Me” stands out the most out of the three. While listening fans took to Twitter to say they felt like she channeled her “Inner Nipsey Hussle” on the track, it turns out they were right. The track interpolated Nipsey’s flow on his song “Dedication”. “Party For Me” is seen as a tribute to the late rapper. 

It wouldn’t be a true R&B project without a sensual slow bop, and Jhené delivers just that on track 6 with “P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)”. Although the song is your classic seductive R&B track, it stands out from most songs with a similar subject matter because of its storytelling. Jhené paints a vivid picture of sexual fantasizing, tension, and the actual experience. This is one of the most popular tracks on the project, with many of its lyrics flooding our timelines since its release.

As a whole, CHILOMBO is quite the experience. If Jhené’s massive dragon tattoo on her back was no indication, fans should know she’s evolved. On Jhené’s social media, you can find the singer reading books like ‘FEAR, Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm’, by Thich Nhat Hanh or ‘Becoming Supernatural’, by DR. Joe Dispenza. There’s a common theme Jhené’s new favorite reads, and her new music share: the concept of healing. In every song on CHILOMBO, the singer has the sounds of a crystal singing bowl embedded into every track. The bowls are used for healing, meditation, reducing stress, and balancing chakras. Along with singing bowls, the album is filled with uplifting and reassuring lyrics. 

On CHILOMBO the four singles on the album were some of the best songs on the project. Often, by the time an artist's full project comes out, their singles are played out. Even though Jhené beautifully steps out of her comfort zone vocally on “Speak”, “Magic Hour”, and “Lightning and Thunder” featuring John Legend; her singles still stand out.

You can hit me up on twitter @004COURT and let me know what you think.

Favorite Tracks

None Of Your Concern (Feat. Big Sean)

Tryna Smoke

Magic Hour

Rating: 9

Listen to CHILOMBO here:

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