Songs of the Week: Feb 10th

February 10, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

Welcome to “Songs of the Week” a weekly segment where I highlight three of the best new songs released the week prior along with one throwback song of the week. To stay up to date on all new music, follow my Spotify playlist “What I’m Feeling” which is updated weekly to always include the freshest new music. Always 30 songs, hottest always at the top. Stream it here:

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“Proud Of U” By EARTHGANG (Feat. Young Thug)

Proud Of U (feat. Young Thug), a song by EARTHGANG, Young Thug on Spotify

The best new song this week came in the form of EARTHGANG’s second single off their highly anticipated debut album Mirrorland. “Proud Of U” is a heartfelt cut where the three Atlanta MCs profess their gratitude for the women in their lives that make everything work. The song is incredibly fun and Doctur Dot’s third verse breakdown is one of my favorite moments in hip-hop this year. Go listen to this awesome song and get excited for what could be one of the best albums of the year.

“When you put them Cinderellas on your feet, yeah
When you shinin’, kinda hard to be discreet, yeah
I’m gon’ put you on vacation, get some leisure
I’m gon’ do whatever it take, baby, to please ya”

— Johnny Venus "Proud Of U"

“Wish You Were Here” By Skepta

Wish You Were Here, a song by Skepta on Spotify

The king of UK grime rap is back with his first release of 2019. This vicious diss track is aimed at fellow UK MC Wiley. Skepta vs. Wiley has a long history dating back to 2008 and it doesn’t look like it will conclude anytime soon. On “Wish You Were Here” Skepta calls Wiley out for being notoriously known as a no-show along with a slew of other things. The fast-paced instrumental was made by Skepta and keeps the song moving and is perfect for his sporadic flow. In a month where we have had a surplus of diss tracks, this is the one worth making time to listen to.

“Yeah, please don’t talk about war
Man, I got no heart, show you about war
Lookin’ in your eyes, I can see you’re not sure
How you come to the block when you know I’m on tour?”

— Skepta "Wish You Were Here"

“Cubicle” By Buddy (Feat. 03 Greedo)

Cubicle (feat. 03 Greedo), a song by Buddy, 03 Greedo on Spotify

Six months after Buddy released his excellent debut album Harlem & Alondra he is back with the deluxe version which includes four brand new cuts, the best of these being the 03 Greedo assisted “Cubicle.” 03 and Buddy switch off on the daunting hook that gets better every time you hear it. The instrumental is anchored by an eerie vocal sample and is simple enough to funnel every bit of the listeners attention to the razor-sharp west coast bars.

“I got the block like a cubicle
I keep a Glock and computer, oh
I got the block like a cubicle
We don’t just pop in the studio”

— 03 Greedo "Cubicle"

Throwback Song of the Week:

“Trouble” By J. Cole

Trouble, a song by J. Cole on Spotify

On this darker Born Sinner cut Cole breaks out his god flow and addresses many of his personal temptations and vices. Cole sounds powerful with a full choir backing him throughout the entire song giving this song a certain climactic energy throughout the four-minute duration. This song is absolutely epic and an essential element to Born Sinner’s “seven deadly sins” narrative. With new Cole on the horizon, his discography has been in rotation recently and this 2013 bop is him at his best.

“Set it off on my left, set it off on my right
Liquor all on my breath, bitches all in my sight
Real niggas tryna fuck, fuck niggas wanna fight
Gun shots into the air, but I ain’t scared for my life”

— J. Cole "Trouble"

Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updated when we post:

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Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y Celebrate "How Fly's" Ten Year Anniversary With Their Long Awaited Joint Mixtape "2009"

February 08, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

Ten years ago Wiz Khalifa teamed up New Orleans rapper Curren$y and release the classic mixtape How Fly. Both artists had major releases in 2018 with Wiz dropping his highly anticipated Rolling Papers 2 and Curren$y contributing to the critically acclaimed Fetti along side Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist. Now the dynamic stoner duo is back to do a victory lap and reflect on their careers on their newest project 2009. Their ten year reunion comes in the form of the 40-minute, 14-track mixtape that is reminiscent of How Fly but doesn’t feel like a sequel, something Spitta wanted to make sure we knew:

“That’s what G’s do, you smell that fire in the breeze, fool
Don’t you dare call this shit a part two
This a whole ‘nother animal, this that mankind mandible”

— Curren$y "Find a Way"

Wiz and Curren$y had a specific vision going into this project and it is apparent on every song. The duo sounds focused on getting back to what helped both of the OGs climb the mixtape ladder long ago: sharp bars that sound thoughtful, fun, and oh so cool. The two showcase a certain chemistry that can only be achieved through years of collaboration and it’s really enjoyable to hear the two gas each other up by frequently shouting the other out in their verse. Wiz and Curren$y are clearly more than just collaborators and their friendship shines through brightly on 2009.

The albums starts strong with the groovy, up-beat “Garage Talk.” This Dame Grease beat grabs your attention from the first four count and is a perfect intro. This cut sounds retro but Wiz and Spitta sound like polished veterans welcoming their fans to their collaboration finale. “Getting Loose” deviates from the sound the duo uses for most of the album but I believe it has the most hit-potential on the album thanks to rattling hook that sounds more like something Drakeo the Ruler would write than Problem. Wiz delivers a crisp verse where he locks in to the trendy trap beat that seals this bop as an easy standout on 2009.

All-in-all, 2009 is the most enjoyable release we’ve heard from Wiz Khalifa in years. It’s not a tape that is going to grab you by the neck and demand your attention, but not all albums need to be. 2009 provides a sophisticated vibe while never sacrificing the swagger of these two veteran MCs. Both Wiz and Curren$y sound mature on this project and provide countless insightful bars scattered between their weed raps. 2009 is ultra-cool and will be getting bumped at smoke seshes around the country for weeks to come.

Best Songs:

Garage Talk

Getting Loose (Feat. Problem)

First or Last

Rating: 7

Stream the entire project here:

2009, an album by Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y on Spotify

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Five Highly Anticipated Albums We're Excited For in 2019

February 08, 2019 by Miles Hagan in Read

By Miles Hagan

Kanye West - Yahndi

Yahdi has been talked about since November. Kanye has pushed back the release date multiple times for many reasons in typical Kanye fashion. All of that being said, the music world is still waiting on what is coming next from Yeezy. Last year he released a solo album (Ye) and joint project with Kid Cudi (Kids See Ghosts), both which were well received by the general public. He closed the year with some pretty average performances with some artists like Lil Pump (“I Love It”) and 6ix9ine (“MAMA KANGA”). Kanye has given us a lot of interesting features, singles, and albums over the years, and his opinions will always be questionable, but one thing is for sure; Kanye will always have the public’s interest.

Childish Gambino - TBA

Awaken My Love was a huge step in Gambino’s career. He had already established himself as a force to be reckoned with on Because the Internet, but fans were unsure of what the multitalented rapper would do next. He proceed to launch one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows in recent memory, Atlanta, and show his impressive skills as an actor in many major roles in films. Aside from these two things, he began to change his music style from mainly rap to a mix of R&B and Neo Soul. He released two solid singles at the end of the summer in “Feels Like Summer” and “Summertime Magic”. This was more of the sound from Awaken My Love rather than his other huge single of 2018, “This is America,” which showcased him going back to his roots of rapping. Though Childish has not directly said he's putting out a project his fairly steady output of content hints that he's still in the studio, so fans should be look forward to whatever he has planned for 2019.

Isaiah Rashad - TBA

The young TDE rapper showed a ton of promise on his last record The Sun’s Tirade. This came after the scare of being dropped due to the break he took from music after his debut album Cilvia Demo. Ever since, the rapper has seemed focused and poised for another, even bigger release for his next project. Rashad has hinted at releasing new content for some time now especially on his social media. Aside from the occasional feature he hasn't put out anything to really give fans an idea of what new sounds he's working with. That being said his potential is undeniable especially with the team backing him in his label.

Tyler the Creator & A$AP Rocky - Wang$ap

This is a project that has a lot of conflicting information regarding the release from the two main parties in A$AP Rocky and Tyler, the Creator. Rocky made it seem like project was well underway and fans should be expecting a release in the near future. Tyler almost immediately dismissed these remarks via Twitter saying that the album wasn't even full flesh out year and was still in the idea stages. The only real information that the public knows is that the two friends have been working together for a while now sporadically on music. “Potato Salad” came out in July of 2018 and had fans excited for more content from the two excellent rappers.

Dreamville - Revenge of the Dreamers III

Bonus: A Non Hip-Hop Release We’re Excited For

Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride

Vampire Weekend has been quite for a number of years now after they took a break from making music after their 2016 Modern Vampires tour. Key member Rostam Batmanglij was rumored to be leaving the band, though it has since been confirmed he is still a partial collaborator on their upcoming record. Talk of a new album was on and off till lead singer Ezra Koenig officially announced via his instagram that the group would be releasing a new album titled Father of the Bride September 6th of 2019. Leading up to the project there will be two new songs per month till its official release. The first two singles “Harmony Hall” and “2021” have received high remarks from fans and critics alike. They feature great vocals per usual from Koenig, and feature beautiful instrumentation and captivating lyrics throughout. From all that we have seen Vampire Weekend seems just as sharp as ever and prepared to make their way back into the forefront of music.

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The Top 20 Chance the Rapper Songs

February 06, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

Chance the Rapper is a special artist. In the past few years his music has frequently been overshadowed by his activism in Chicago and his open spirituality. Some love both of these qualities in Chance and believe that it gives his music deeper meaning and credibility while others are irritated by an overly-preachy Chance. This divide in his fan base combined with 6 underwhelming singles has led to the least excitement around the Chicago artist since the release of Acid Rap in 2013. While this lack of excitement is understandable, I don’t think it’s fair. Chance is only 25 and while his music has transformed drastically since his 10 day suspension he is still the same artist that released potentially the best mixtape of the decade in Acid Rap. Chance is a special talent that has done things in hip-hop no one else has and whenever there is a potential for new music from him every hip-hop fan should be excited. Still not high on Chance in 2019? Read our list below and listen to the top 20 songs of his career to remind yourself what the one of a kind rapper is capable of.

20. Israel (Sparring) (Feat. Noname Gypsy)

On “Israel (Sparring)” Chance calls upon fellow Chicago MC Noname for her classic low-key bars. The two forgo any type of song structure and bounce back and forth with a certain chemistry that only frequent collaborators can achieve. Both Chance and Noname lock into an impressive poetic flow where they allow their bars to command ever bit of the listeners attention.

Sparring is training prod. by Cam O'bi

19. All We Got (Feat. Kanye West & Chicago Children’s Choir)

The intro to 2017’s Coloring Book is an epic anthem that prepares listeners perfectly for what’s to come on the album. While Kanye West’s involvement is underwhelming, Chance’s performances is anything but that. Chance’s badass christian bars sit perfectly on top of the unique instrumental and make him sound larger than life.

ChanceRaps.com

18. Juice

The biggest hit off Acid Rap came in the form of the insanely fun and unique cut, “Juice.” This track is classic Chance and probably one of the first songs you ever heard from him. “Juice” sounds nothing like any other rap song and that is what’s so special about it. The song is insanely original and even more catchy. If Chance’s trademarked ad-libs don’t take you back to 2013 you didn’t bump this tape enough.

ChanceRaps.com

17. Family

While the Blended Babies remix of this song may have received more plays, the OG version of this cut seems to strike a deeper chord. The sampled instrumental pairs perfectly with the looping hook that you won’t be able to get out of your head.

ChanceRaps.com

16. I Ain’t Word

If anyone ever tries to tell you that Chance can’t rap just play them this pre-Acid Rap freestyle. Chance spazzes all over this thing and the lack-luster production shouldn’t distract from the three straight minutes of bars that Chance forces down the listeners throat.

Chance The Rapper - I Ain't Word http://www.mediafire.com/?mrlsvlxqqf8rg05 #AcidRap onnaway

15. Grown Ass Kid (Feat. Mick Jenkins & Alex Wiley)

The fact that this infectious cut got leaked and didn’t make Coloring Book absolutely breaks my heart. I’m convinced that with a commercial release this song would’ve been the biggest hit of Chance’s career. It’s lighthearted, unbelievably catchy, and absolutely hilarious. This unreleased bop is an essential in Chance’s catalogue.

14. Smoke Again (Feat. Ab-Soul)

No one in rap history has ever used brass instruments as well as Chance the Rapper and this song is all the evidence anyone should ever need. The only part of this song better than this hard-hitting horn-driven beat is the silky-smooth melodies that Chance’s rides throughout his two verses. His flows and voices are absolutely perfect on this cut and the Ab-Soul feature adds an extra layer to this banger.

ChanceRaps.com

13. 14,400 Minutes

The intro to Chance’s first mixtape grabs the listeners attention from the first beat and doesn’t loose it until you’ve listened to this bop ten times in a row. For anyone that doesn’t know the story, Chance’s first mixtape, 10 Day, was created during a 10 day suspension from high school that Chance received for smoking just off campus. While Chance references this frequently on his debut mixtape, no song tells the story as completely or with nearly as much attitude as “14,400 Minutes.”

ChanceRaps.com

12. No Problems (Feat. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz)

“No Problems” is defiantly the most commercially successful song of Chance’s career and it’s clear to see why. The hook is catchy. The beat is unique and groovy. 2 Chainz and Weezy both deliver with great features. What’s more important than any of these elements though is how true to himself Chance is throughout this entire song. It’s so rare for a song as self-assured as “No Problems” to come off so authentic and that speaks volumes about Chance as an artist and as a person.

ChanceRaps.com

11. Blessings (Save Money Prayer)

While this cut may be the third most popular song titled “Blessings” in Chance’s catalogue, it is the best. This song is full of some of the most witty and insightful bars Chance has spit his entire career. This song’s style falls somewhere between Acid Rap and Coloring Book and it works so damn well.

Chance The Rapper - Blessings

10. Cocoa Butter Kisses (Feat. Vic Mensa & Twista)

Potentially my favorite song Chance has ever released, “Coco Butter Kisses” is a feel-good smoker’s song. Chance’s first verse showcases some of the best wordplay of the decade where Chance’s perfectly balances numerous rhyme schemes at once. This song also encompasses my favorite Vic Mensa verse of all time and a high energy Twista verse. All in all, this song is a classic.

ChanceRaps.com

9. Sunday Candy

I find it hard to believe that any song could ever feel as good as “Sunday Candy.” This cut is a sweet ode to Chance’s grandma with one of the deepest instrumentals thanks to Chance’s group, The Social Experiment, and his irreplaceable trumpet player, Donnie Trumpets. If this song can’t get a smile out of you I pity you and your cold heart.

Produced and Performed by Donnie Trumpet, Chance The Rapper, Peter Cottontale, Nate Fox & Stix for "The Social Experiment", Franco Davis Additional Vocals from: Chance The Rapper , Jamila Woods for "M&O" , Jabari Rayford , Eryn Kane, and Macie Stewart for "Marrow" Trombone-John Paul Floyd Bass-Patrick Paige for "The Internet" Additional Live Drums-Stix for "The Social Experiment" Recorded at Truth Studios LA, CRC Chicago, Conway Studio LA Mixed by Sean Oakley Mastered by Jeff Lane Artwork by @OJ Hays

8. Prom Night

There is something so charming about the youthfulness in Chance’s storytelling throughout the entire 10 Day mixtape and “Prom Night” is the pinnacle. After listening to this five-minute feel-good cut it is so easy to picture high-school Chance doing his own thing and not giving a shit.

ChanceRaps.com

7. Good Ass Intro

Intros have always been a strength for Chance (all three of his intros made this list) and “Good Ass Intro” is easily his best of the three. This song sets the tone for the classic mixtape perfectly. On this cut we get a high-energy Chance who sounds sporadic in the best way throughout the entire songs. The production is absolutely beautiful and tastefully works in so many layers and ad-libs until this cut feels larger than life.

ChanceRaps.com

6. Summer Friends (Feat. Jeremih & Francis and The Lights)

“Summer Friends” is the soundtrack to growing up. It is a mixed bag of emotions that contains an appreciation for impactful childhood memories but also a sadness to see them go. Chance understands that the subject matter of “Summer Friends” is already layered enough so he chooses to go with simpler story bars that perfectly push the song forward without distracting the listener from reminiscing within themselves. “Summer Friends” is a masterpiece.

ChanceRaps.com

5. Chain Smoker

Who is Chance the Rapper? Simply put, he’s a chain smoking, name dropping, good looking, mother fucker. This song is Chance’s audio-biography where he tells us he isn’t that different from us than proceeds to prove himself wrong through masterful verses that no one else could craft. In my opinion “Chain Smoker” is sonically the best sounding song Chance has ever written thanks to perfect production and carefully selected flows and melodies that sit atop the booming instrumental.

ChanceRaps.com

4. Hey Ma (Feat. Lili K & Peter CottonTale)

On the classic 10 Day cut, Chance takes after his Chicago idol and mentor Kanye West by writing a meaningful ode to his mom. While this cut isn’t quite as sentimental as Ye’s, it still holds every bit of meaning. This track is driven by passion and through it we learn a lot about Chance’s motivation as he was coming up in the rap game. Not only is this song rooted in love, but it’s a banger.

ChanceRaps.com

3. Somewhere, Nowhere USA

If you are only familiar with post-Coloring Book Chance you might not believe that this song is actually him. It’s clear that “Somewhere, Nowhere USA” was written during a difficult time in Chance’s life where he struggles to find purpose and entertains the idea of ending it all. Chance perfectly articulates the dismal, bleak emotion of feeling insignificant that everyone can relate to on some level. Although I’ve listened to this song hundreds of times, every time it comes on I retain chills for the entirety of the beautiful piece. “Somewhere, Nowhere USA” is the most essential track in Chance’s discography that many fans don’t know about.

Chances old high school stuff

2. Acid Rain

Sometimes the truth don’t rhyme. “Acid Rain” is the most profound song in Chance’s catalogue. In just under four minutes Chance dives deep into every subject that was on his scattered mind in 2013 from religion, to relationships, to his career. His singing during the outro sounds like the cry of someone who is overwhelmed and deeply troubled. Every bit of emotion comes through perfectly on this track and the lyrics are Chance at his most poetic.

ChanceRaps.com

1. Pusha Man (Feat. Nate Fox & Lili K)

Pusha Man is a seven-minute masterpiece that is split into two parts. The first half shows the glamour of being a local drug dealer on the streets of Chicago and all the wild nights that come with it. It’s a sexy surface-level cut that could motivate anyone to start pushing product. The second half couldn’t be any different. The last five minutes of the song are full of paranoia due to what life on the streets is actually like in Chicago. Chance uses many allusions and examples that you couldn’t think of unless you’ve lived them. This validates his authenticity and makes him a credible journalist of what is really going on in West Chatham. This song is disturbing and sometimes even hard to listen to but is so essential to understanding poverty and race struggles in America. On “Pusha Man” Chance perfectly contrasts the illusions of street life with the reality in a way that is extremely impactful and moving.

ChanceRaps.com

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A Look Back At The Timeless Brilliance That Is "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill"

February 04, 2019 by Miles Hagan in Read

By Miles Hagan

From a very young age we are taught what love is. As babies we don't know much, but we all still cried when we were separated from our mother or father. We didn't know why they meant so much to us, yet we still knew that we wanted their care and affection more than others. As people grow, that love that originally was just reserved for our families can be put into other things whether its sports, music, or even a significant other. Love is the thing that drives people to do the things that they do and be with the people that they may end up spending their lives with. The idea of love and its many forms is the focus of Lauryn Hill's legendary The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Through a dazzling mix of tightly written raps and angelic melodies Lauryn Hill put that music world on notice that she was not only one of the most talented artists of all time, but also one of the most introspective voices in the industry.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, an album by Ms. Lauryn Hill on Spotify

Before this release, Lauryn Hill was mainly know for her work as a vocalist for the Fugees. The group consisted of her, Wyclef Jean, and Pras. They managed to reach commercial success with their 1996 release The Score, which featured hits like “Ready or Not”, “Fu-Gee-La”, and “Killing Me Softly” throughout which Lauryn was able to display her talent both as a rapper and singer. After the project there was reported drama between group members, especially after rumors that Wyclef and Lauryn had been in a relationship that eventually fell apart. She was now dating Rohan Marley and was pregnant with his child during their tour for the album. These events are what eventually pushed Lauryn to want to put out a solo album. She decided to place multiple skits throughout the album set in a classroom where the instructor is teaching young kids what love is. Lauryn proceeds to use her life experiences, feelings, and beliefs to guide the audience in a lesson of love and the many forms it can take and all of its effects and consequences.

The singles released leading up to the album were “Doo Wop (That Thing),” “Ex-factor,” “Everything Is Everything.” Each of these revealed a little bit as to what interesting mix of sounds and themes Lauryn would explore on this project. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” was Lauryn stepping out and calling out both men and women and the faults each gender has when it comes to relationships, and the importance of self love. The beat is infectious and bouncy, and that uplifting sound is able to make a song that could potentially come off as preachy into an anthem. Aside from “Ex-Factor” being sampled by Drake and becoming one of the biggest songs of 2018, back in 1998 it was a beautiful ballad about being stuck in a relationship that is deteriorating before your eyes and the struggle of trying to escape it. The song closes with a slick and powerful guitar solo that puts an exclamation point on the iconic cut. It is also rumored that the inspiration for this song was Lauryn’s failed relationship with former Fugees’ groupmate Wyclef Jean. “Everything Is Everything” was the final single to be released before the album. This song is an inspiring hit about persevering through struggles until you reach greatness. The song features incredible pianos in the background throughout and is a perfect mix of Lauryn's beautiful singing and captivating word play as a rapper.

Overall The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill has proven it is great enough to endure the test of time. Today, even 21 years after its initial release, its content and social awareness still remain spot on and relevant. Its songs are some of the most sampled throughout rap music since the turn of the century but it is very unfortunate that this is the first and only solo Lauryn Hill album to be produced. After this masterpiece she decided to step away from the industry and focus on her family life and spirituality. She reportedly has had very frequent struggles with mental health, and has gained a reputation for being unreliable when it comes to live shows. Despite this she still does tour and perform her work sporadically these days. When she does step on the stage, class is in session and Lauryn uses the magnificent content of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as her lesson.

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Songs of the Week: Feb 3rd

February 03, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“Child’s Play” By A$AP Twelvyy

Child's Play, a song by A$AP Twelvyy on Spotify

This week A$AP Twelvyy returned to streaming services with his first major release since debut album dropped in 2017. This fast-paced cut about Twelvvy’s childhood is encompassed by an eerie bell riff which gives the song a somewhat threatening nature. This song is multidimensional, full of context, and flexes some of the most complex rhyme schemes we’ve heard this year. With “Child’s Play” being the lead single it’s impossible to not be excited for whatever Twelvyy drops.

“Lie to Genesis, Resident Evil: Nemesis
Pissin’ on the premises, pissin’ off the tenements
Baby boy invented this, I used to run the syndicate
Side-to-side, Stretch Armstrong, new ventriloquist”

— A$AP Twelvyy “Child’s Play”

“Locationship” By YBN Cordae

Locationships, a song by YBN Cordae on Spotify

On YBN Cordae’s newest single “Locationships” he pays homage to Jay-Z’s legendary “Girls, Girls, Girls.” In true Hov fashion, Cordae bounces back and forth between short descriptions of all his side chicks across the country. These excerpts are hilarious and are executed precisely making this bouncy bop super entertaining. Throughout his young career, my biggest concern about Cordae has been his ability to write hooks. This issue is nonexistent on “Locationships” as Cordae serves up an addicting chorus that you won’t be able to get out of your head. Lastly, the groovy S1 instrumental ties everything together and gives the song the desired mood.

“I got this one chick from the Bay who always bump Mac Dre
I give her constant dick, her consciousness won’t go that way”

— YBN Cordae “Locationships”

“BigStuff” By TROSSTHEGIANT

BigStuff, a song by TROSSTHEGIANT on Spotify

Here at StereoVision, we know little about SoCal rapper TROSSTHEGIANT. What we do know is that his new single “BigStuff” is one of the most fun releases of the year. This energetic beach-cut seems to instantly transport me to a sunny day on the water whenever I hit play. TROSS’s earnest confidence is palpable throughout the infectious track and it feels so good. After “BigStuff” TROSSTHEGIANT certainly has my attention and he should have yours too.

“A grey check make my rep go and plummet
I break bread in Kobe’s, I’m so lovely
Hit 100k checklist, done it
Never tripped on plays, they rays kept bugging”

— TROSSTHEGIANT “BigStuff”

Throwback Song of the Week:

“Lord Knows” By Drake (Feat. Rick Ross)

Lord Knows, a song by Drake, Rick Ross on Spotify

Drake’s three-minute verse at the beginning of his classic Take Care cut “Lord Knows” is the best he’s rapped in his entire career. Drizzy snaps like crazy floating between impactful two-liners which are overtly cocky in the most enjoyable way. The only way to describe this explosion of bars is Drake on his king shit. Rick Ross pulls through to deliver an always welcomed feature and the Just Blaze instrumental is just as epic as the braggadocious bars. If you like Drake, make sure you know this classic cut.

“I know of all the things that I hear they be poking fun at
Never the flow though, they know I run that
Fuck you all, I claim that whenever
I changed rap forever, the game back together”

— Drake “Lord Knows”

Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updated when we post:

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G Herbo Shows Promise and Sticks to His Trademarked Style On His Newest Project “Still Servin”

February 02, 2019 by Miles Hagan in Read

By Miles Hagan

G Herbo has been an emerging voice in Chicago rap for several years now. He’s put out a number of projects since breaking onto the scene in 2014, and his career is trending upwards. He is now in a position where he has proved he has staying power in rap and now just has to capitalize on his potential.

Still Swervin has a killer opener in “Sacrifice.” Herbo sound focused and ruthless. He gives us a vivid image of where he came from in the street of Chicago and is able to illustrate the struggle that his come up was and all that he lost as well as what he gained. Moments like this are where G Herbo is at his best on the album. He is able to be a voice for the streets and a prime example of someone who gained fame and money and didn’t forget where he came from.

Even though his flows remain fairly stagnant for the majority of most cuts, it is his honest storytelling that leaves the audience wanting more. Unfortunately, the feeling of wanting more is exactly what this album leaves the listener with. These compelling interesting moments on the album are few and far between. Overall Herbo still stays true to who he is and the message that he has delivered his entire career, but there is no real development. At this point Hero has spoken about his come up and the struggles that came with it ever since he stepped on the rap scene. Once the story is no longer interesting the listener begins to focus on Herbo’s flows, or lack thereof. The album seems to drag on because it lacks interesting hooks or crazy beat switches to distract from what he lacks as a rapper. Songs like “Scratchy & Itchy” and “Wilt Chamberlain” are welcome deviations from the norm on this album. These songs feature some of the best beats on the album and G Herbo sounds just as lethal as ever.

Overall Still Swerving was an uneventful album for G Herbo. Looking ahead he will still be a very interesting voice in rap foreseeable future. His storytelling and authenticity will always appeal to the streets. On his next effort, it would be to his benefit to experiment a bit more with his flows and overall concept. If he makes a few subtle improvements he could be on his way to really exploding into the mainstream.

Best Song:

Sacrifice

Scratchy and Itchy

Wilt Chamberlain

Rating: 5

Stream the entire project here:

Still Swervin, an album by G Herbo on Spotify

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SAINt JHN and How His Tastefully Unique Fusion of Styles Will Propel Him to Stardom in 2019

January 28, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

SAINt JHN is a superstar, he’s just waiting for the rest of the world to notice. Carlos St. John was born in Brooklyn New York but spent an equal amount of his childhood in Guyana. JHN is the product of a hustler for a father and preacher for a mother. His childhood was split between being dirt poor in America and some kind of rich in Guyana. In 2016 JHN spoke on the music scene (or lack thereof) in Guyana. While he made sure to let it be known there was plenty of talent in Guyana, he said there was no real economy for music, limiting its accessibility. With that being said, as a kid, he was always around reggae and dancehall in Guyana and Jay-Z in Brooklyn. These influences come through strongly and his unique upbringing is almost palpable in his current music.

JHN’s music career began in 2010 when he started writing songs for local artists. In 2010 he wrote the hook to Hoodie Allen’s breakout hit “No Interruptions” and shortly after his career began to take off. Over the next four years, he wrote songs for the likes of Joey Bada$$, Chris Brown, and others. Although JHN was making money and gaining respect as a songwriter he was tired of living through the success of others. In 2016 he decided to put all bets on himself and began releasing music as SAINt JHN.

After a few hot singles and some intriguing music videos, JHN released his debut project in 2018. Collection One is smooth, sexy, and extremely tasteful. During an interview with Billboard JHN was asked how it came together:

“Collection One is a selfish project. I make music that I want to hear. If someone made the music I wanted to hear, I probably wouldn’t be doing music. If there was someone to cover the spectrum of all of the things I wanted to hear, then I would have nothing to contribute to the conversation.”

— SAINt JHN

There isn’t a bad track on the 44-minute project and the whole tape truly occupies its own lane. The production is some of the best of 2018 and JHN creates a deeply immersive and absorbing vibe. His unique fusion of influences and life experiences leads Collection One to be one of the most captivating albums of 2018. The whole project is definitely worth a listen but an easy stand out is the catchy bop, “N***a Sh*t (Swoosh).” Stream Collection One here:

Collection One, an album by SAINt JHN on Spotify

As good as Collection One was, JHN wasn’t ready to be done for 2018. He continued to model for Gucci’s Guilty campaign and was a part of an extremely passionate and modern project with his ex-lover (read about it here). While it was cool to see JHN in this context, music fans were more interested in the two, high-energy singles released at the end of the year. “McDonalds Rich” and “White Parents Are Gonna Hate This” were two head-banging cuts and with similar cover art, the chances we get a new SAINt JHN album in the very near future is high. Listen to “White Parents Are Gonna Hate This” below:

This article is for my “Artists Up Next” series and while I will admit that SAINt JHN is already “up” (1.75 million monthly listeners on Spotify) I thought it fit here because of the 2019 I expect JHN to have. I firmly believe we are months away from the explosion of SAINt JHN. He has a unique enough sound where his next release could propel him to true stardom and he is in his own lane meaning there is no ceiling on his potential. When it’s all said and done SAINt JHN could be one of the top recording artists of 2019.

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Songs of the Week: Jan 27th

January 27, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“MIDDLE CHILD” by J. Cole

MIDDLE CHILD, a song by J. Cole on Spotify

J. Cole has been on a rampage as of late and it seems like it’s just the beginning. Throughout the second half of 2018 he snapped on features left and right and now it’s his turn. Last week he released the epic track “MIDDLE CHILD,” the leading single for his newest album. Cole raps the best we’ve heard in years as he switches between numerous flows and raps about being a bridge between two generations. Cole’s flow over this grand T-Minus beat is absolutely perfect and it helps him make his point in an effective and easy to understand fashion. Get hyped, if these last couple months are any indication, this new Cole project could be excellent.

“To the OGs, I’m thankin’ you now
Was watchin’ you when you was pavin’ the ground
I copied your cadence, I mirrored your style
I studied the greats, I’m the greatest right now”

— J. cole "MIDDLE CHILD"

“Meet Again” by Maxo Kream

Meet Again, a song by Maxo Kream on Spotify

I am absolutely convinced that there is no one realer than Maxo Kream in the rap game. Nobody tells stories in a more authentic way and “Meet Again” is perfect proof. Over the five-minute song Maxo locks into the instrumental and opens up about all of his homies that are either locked up or passed away. Maxo’s stories are captivating and the Mike Dean instrumental is a perfect fit for this song. Hopefully this cut ends up leading to an album but I’m not optimistic.

“I’d rather be carried by 6 before I’m judged by 12
Fuck 12, before I tell, I’ll take a .38 shell”

— Maxo Kream "Meet Again"

“Soho” by Boogie (Feat. JID)

Soho (feat. JID), a song by Boogie, JID on Spotify

A clear standout on a very good Boogie album, “Soho” is a badass bop where the two talented young MCs sound irritated and fed up leading to some high energy bars and witty lines. JID is one of the best lyricist in the game and he flexes his crafty wordplay on an exceptional feature. It is refreshing to hear a provoked Boogie opposed to the reflective and troubled Boogie we have all come to love.

“I think I should sign to Death Row though,
I’m loco, I’m pocky from poppin’ the pistol at popo”

— JID "Soho"

Throwback Song of the Week:

“Can’t C Me” By 2Pac

Can't C Me, a song by 2Pac on Spotify

This song is the one of the greatest MCs in history at his absolute best – kicking straight up G shit. The opening line is one of the best openers in rap history and almost every bar to follow is just as quotable. No song can make me feel close to as badass as “Can’t C Me” and it’s an absolute essential in Pac’s legendary catalogue. If someone who is unfamiliar with 2Pac’s music ever asks me what they should listen to first, the answer is always “Can’t C Me.” This song is incredible and embodies exactly what gangsta rap is. R.I.P.

“Give me my money in stacks and lace my bitches with dime figures
Real niggas fingers on nickel-plated 9 triggers”

— 2Pac "Can't C Me"

Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updated when we post:

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Compton MC Boogie Flexes his Lyrical Ability on His New Introspective Album “Everythings For Sale”

January 26, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

Compton MC Boogie made some major waves last October when he received a huge Eminem cosign and an actual record deal from Shady Records. Now the young rapper is back with his Shady Records debut Everythings For Sale and it does not disappoint. Over the 40-minute run time Boogies honestly reflects on a broken relationship, new fame, and his current day to day life. Throughout the tape Boogie proves why Pitchfork called him one of the best young MCs in the country.

The tape is exceptionally cohesive, sometimes even too much so where you can get lost in the track list when there are three or four songs in a row that blend too well and can lead to a lull. With this being said, if you immerse yourself in Boogie’s world and experiences you should find yourself extremely invested and 40-minutes will feel more like 20. Boogie’s lyricism is a perfect mix of cool California dialect and witty lines that emphasize his smart and reflective themes.

Too often artists like Boogie get lost in the meaning and while they create impactful works of art they leave us without any tracks to be played as stand-alones. This is not the case with Everythings For Sale. “Silent Ride” has been in constant rotation since it’s release 2 weeks ago and it still goes crazy. JID came through and blessed Boogie with an excellent feature on the hard hitting banger “Soho.” Boogies west coast roots shine brightly on the hypnotic “Live 95” which sounds like the perfect soundtrack for a blunt ride through the city. “Rainy Days” has one of the best hooks on the album and Boogie absolutely snaps on the first verse. Unfortunately the Eminem verse just doesn’t do it for me. While lyrically the verse isn’t bad besides a couple cringe-worthy punchlines, I just feel like I’ve outgrown Eminem and at this point in his career I have very little interest in listening to his music. No disrespect to the legend though!

Lastly, the production has to be mentioned. You can tell that this album was released by a major label because this thing sounds like a million bucks. Every song is produced exactly how it should be, entertaining listeners perfectly between Boogie’s witty bars. Overall this is a very complete album and the most thought-provoking, meaningful project released so far this year.

Best Songs:

Silent Ride

Lolsmh – Interlude

Soho (Feat. JID)

Rating: 8

Stream the entire project here:

Everythings For Sale, an album by Boogie on Spotify

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Hip-Hop’s Most Exciting New Voice, YNW Melly, Hits Every Note on his Excellent New Album “We All Shine”

January 21, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

YNW Melly is ready to be a star. Two weeks after being locked up for a marijuana related arrest the Florida Rapper dropped the 16-track album We All Sine and it delivers on every front. The “Murder on my Mind” rapper and singer has an incredibly unique voice and some impressive pipes to go with it. Melly flexes his vocal range on tracks like the Kanye-aided “Mixed Personalities” and the addicting “Robbery.” He has been gaining traction for awhile now by releasing a slew of unforgettable singles but We All Shine sounds like it might be just what he needs to make YNW Melly a household name.

Cosigns are hugely important in the rap game and Melly got two of the biggest endorsements possible at once when the Cole Bennett directed visual to “Mixed Personalities” dropped a few days prior to the albums release. In the red-hot lyrical lemonade video Melly and Kanye go bar for bar in a weird futuristic grass world surrounded by robots and aliens. It’s whacky, weird, and captivating. Watch the full music video here:

YNW Melly is packed with personality and it comes through on every track. His songs are packed with emotion giving them a powerful effect on listeners. “Ingredients” is fun and infectious to the point where you can’t listen without smiling while “No More” is a passionate public service announcement where he calls out a homie on his bullshit. We All Shine is YNW Melly’s coming out party. It is impossible to deny his talent or passion after one listen. It’s polished, fun, and the best release so far this year.

Best Songs:

Ingredients (Feat. Fredo Bang)

Robbery

Mixed Personalities (Feat. Kanye West)

Rating: 8

Stream the entire project here:

We All Shine, an album by YNW Melly on Spotify

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Songs of the Week: Jan 20th

January 20, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“Ingredients” by YNW Melly (Feat. Fredo Bang)

Ingredients (feat. Fredo Bang), a song by YNW Melly, Fredo Bang on Spotify

“Ingredients” is an early standout on YNW Melly’s excellent new album We All Shine. This up-beat infectious banger is ridiculously fun and Melly’s smooth vocals are a fit so perfectly with the bouncing major piano chords in the instrumental. Three or four tracks off this project were in consideration for songs of the week but “Ingredients” edged out the win due to it’s pure hit-potential.

“Wait Up” by Thutmose

Wait Up, a song by Thutmose on Spotify

Nigerian rapper Thutmose is one of the most exciting up-coming talents in the rap game. This summer he scored big when his single “Run Wild” landed on the FIFA 18 trailer. While this was a huge break, “Wait Up” sounds like it could be the breakout song he’s been waiting for. The song is insanely catchy and his sing rap style mixed with gliding 808s is a perfect recipe for a hit. This song is super exciting to me and has me eagerly waiting Thutmose’s next release.

“Real Ties” by Lil Skies

Real Ties, a song by Lil Skies on Spotify

On his first release of 2019 Lil Skies gets back to work right where he left off with a hard hitting single with quotables galore. While the lyrics are as basic as any Lil Skies song, the back and forth ABAB rhyme scheme that he rocks for majority of both verses contrasts so well with his flow on the hook and makes the song impossible to get out of your head.

Throwback Song of the Week:

“The Glory” by Kanye West

The Glory, a song by Kanye West on Spotify

Can I talk my shit again? “The Glory” is Kanye West at his absolute best. Every piece of this song is classic Ye from the sampled beat to the braggadocios lyrics. This song feels so damn good and is defiantly a top 3 track on the hit-filled Graduation. If you don’t know this deeper cut on Ye’s third album, it’s a must listen. He did it for the glory!

Thanks for reading! Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get notified when we post:

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Future Stays True to his Classic Style Without Ever Coming Off as Stale or Boring on his Brand New 20-Song Album “The WIZRD”

January 18, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

Of all of Future’s alter-egos, The Wizard has always been an enigma to listeners. We’ve heard the prolific Atlanta trapper mention this alias for years without ever knowing who it was referring to. “The Wizard is me” Future recently told Meaghan Garvey. He then proceeded to explain how OG Double D, his late uncle, gave him the name because he always seemed to be on top of everything and had all the answers. The WIZRD truly is Future in his most authentic form. Over the course of the hour long run-time Future flexes a number of styles that he has previously mastered well always sounding fresh and exciting.

If there is one word to describe The WIZRD it’s execution. It started with a perfect rollout that included two hard hitting singles and a number of captivating interviews and video clips that portrayed Future in an excellent light and defiantly stirred up a lot of excitement. The Marketing team at Epic records absolutely deserves a raise after their work on this project. While we love a clean rollout, the true execution came via 20 well written trap cuts that vary in style. Future doesn’t show us anything we haven’t seen before on this album but it isn’t necessary. Using an abundance of different flows and styles that he’s mastered over his lengthy discography, Future delivers a familiar sound that we all have come to adore. The album opens with the low-key cut “Never Stop” where Future opens up and sounds vulnerable and exceptionally clever at the same. The project continues to escalate in energy afterwards and never slows down and you can’t point to a bad song on this album. The WIZRD is easily the most cohesive and complete release so far this year and will become an essential addition to Future’s impressive discography.

Best Songs:

Temptations

Servin Killa Kam

First Off (Feat. Travis Scott)

Rating: 7.5

Stream the entire project here:

Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD, an album by Future on Spotify

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G Herbo Shares the Spotlight and Hits Every Beat on His New Surprise EP “G Swervo”

January 16, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

Chicago’s own G Herbo is frequently memed for rapping off beat or sounding like he’s trying to catch up to the instrumental. On his newest EP “G Swervo” Herbo hits every beat and does it with a certain swagger and uniqueness that can’t be imitated. With this being said, the origins of each of these five songs are unknown which leads it to sound more like a compilation of five separate songs rather than a cohesive project. We’ve already heard “Bustdown,” the track with Playboi Carti, which was rumored to be recorded during Die Lit recording sessions but missed the album. “Big Body Whips” features Gunna and was released briefly on YouTube in mid December before being taken down. While we don’t exactly know where this project came from or what it means, it’s a damn entertaining listen and after a great 2018 G Herbo could be Chicago’s next star.

“Big Body Whips” is an easy standout on this project. Gunna delivers a very good hook and a solid first verse. Herbo spits an epic and braggadocios 2nd verse that brings the song full circle and reminds us that this is G’s project. The only thing not to like about this track is the weird clicking at the beginning and end of the recording. Although Herbo is probably at his weakest during his verse on the second song “Dripset,” L’Gado delivers a refreshing first verse with a sick layered vocal effect that pans back and forth. While it’s old, it’s a pleasure to enjoy “Bustdown” on Spotify. While the song may belong to Herbo, it’s a Playboi Carti song. Carti gets the first verse, the hook, and the Pi’erre Bourne beat is the icing on the cake. Although we may have heard most of these songs at some point or another, it’s nice to have them all in one place in the form of an entertaining 15 minute EP.

Best Songs:

Big Body Whips (Feat. Gunna)

Bustdown (Feat. Playboi Carti)

No Hope

Rating: 6

Stream the entire project here:

G Swervo, an album by G Herbo on Spotify

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Comethazine Continues to be the Best Lil Pump Impersonator on his Newest Project “Bawskee 2”

January 14, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

St. Louis rapper Comethazine’s momentum continued to grow throughout 2018 thanks to hard hitting singles like “Walk” and “Bands.” Last Friday he continued to ride his wave by dropping a new 17-minute project, Bawskee 2. The project is produced by various producers who all generally do a good job to make sure that every beat hits hard enough to distracts us from how unoriginal Comethazine is. Although he is extremely impersonal, there is growth from Bawskee to Bawskee 2 that includes catchier writing. With this being said, Comethazine seems to be at the end of his wave ride and it wouldn’t surprise me if he is quick to fall off in 2019. While the project lacks anything new or different, no one does as good of a Lil Pump impersonation as Comethazine leading to a couple hard hitting bangers on Bawskee 2.

Best Songs:

BENJAMIN COUNTER

NONSENSE

HIPPOPOTAMUS

Rating: 4

Stream the entire project here:

Bawskee 2, an album by Comethazine on Spotify

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Songs of the Week: Jan 13th

January 13, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“Bad Guyz” by Foreign Jay

Bad Guyz, a song by Foreign Jay on Spotify

Foreign Jay ended 2018 with some serious momentum and if “Bad Guyz” is an accurate representation of how he’s coming in 2019, expect a big year out of the Ohio MC. “Bad Guyz” is groovy, catchy, and sure to be an underground hit. This infectious cut beat out all commercial releases as the best song released this week.

“Silent Ride” by Boogie

Silent Ride, a song by Boogie on Spotify

The lead single off the Shady Records signee’s debut album is a slow, almost hypnotizing bop. Boogie has received some very notable co-signs from Kendrick Lamar to Eminem. On “Silent Ride” it’s easy to see where they are coming from as the Compton MC seamlessly spits bars that are clever, relatable, and extremely authentic.

“Something I Did” by KetchyTheGreat (Feat. 03 Greedo)

KetchyTheGreat, member of Drakeo The Ruler’s Stinc Team, dropped a new mixtape last Monday titled Free Sauce. On the projects best song, 03 Greedo steals the spotlight early with an excellent hook and first verse. On the second verse Ketchy grabs it right back with out front delivery that compliments 03 voice better than I had ever noticed.

Throwback Song of the Week:

“Sunday” by Earl Sweatshirt (Feat. Frank Ocean)

Sunday, a song by Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean on Spotify

“Sunday,” the 4th track off Earl Sweatshirt’s 2013 debut Dorris, is a masterpiece that has steadily been in my rotation since its release. On this track we listen as two young and talented artists rap and sing from their perspective after a crazy Saturday of partying and drugs. The moment when Frank comes in is an easy highlight of an excellent album and the instrumental is interesting enough to be its own song.

Thanks for reading! Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get notified when we post:

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Big K.R.I.T Provides us with a Southern Counter Narrative to Atlanta Trap on his Newest Album “TDT”

January 11, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

Southern rap purist Big K.R.I.T never disappoints when it comes to bars. His flows are unique and his rhymes creative and profound and while he has every bit of respect in the industry, it has been difficult for K.R.I.T to make a name for himself in the mainstream. In 2017 he released the excellent double album 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. It was critically acclaimed but a 90 minute run time seemed to deter casual listeners from tapping in. He is back at it with a new approach at the beginning of 2019. His newest album TDT was trimmed of any access and all released over a month long EP rollout concluding with the compiled 8-track album this week. While I was disappointed there was no actual new music on this tape, it is compiled in a tasteful way giving the album a new gist even if you’ve heard all these songs individually.

Like many projects in 2018, The 25-minute TDT successfully trades quantity for quality and sounds very polished and cohesive due to a shorter run time. The shorter run time was a genius idea for someone like Big K.R.I.T who might not have the freshest voice in hip-hop but is still making very listen-worthy music. The album opens hot with excellent energy (no pun intended). The captivating intro “Energy” serves as an excellent hook and “Learned From Texas” is a fun catchy follow-up and potentially the best song on the album. After “Pick Yourself Up” the project falls off a tiny bit but ends just as strong as it started with the gritty southern “4 Tha Three.” On his newest project, TDT, Big K.R.I.T didn’t take any risks, making it hard for him to achieve anything exceptional. With that being said, K.R.I.T knows what he does well and he executes it precisely. TDT is polished, clean, and packed with meaning. While it won’t be talked about as a top album of the year, Big K.R.I.T delivers again with a very solid album that should get moderate playtime through the first quarter of 2019.

Best Songs:

Energy

Learned From Texas

4 Tha Three

Rating: 7

Stream the entire project here:

TDT, an album by Big K.R.I.T. on Spotify

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Baby Keem: The Overtly Confident Vegas Rapper Oozing with Talent

January 10, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

“Fuck you mean, bitch I’m Baby Keem!” Two Phone Baby Keem has been making waves in the rap scene ever since he took a shot in the dark and sent TDE a beat pack via email. The Vegas MC and producer was than called in to work on the Black Panther soundtrack and Jay Rock’s Redemption. Keem actually produced standout cut of redemption, “Knock It Off.” Mid-2018 Keem released an EP that he says contains personality that prior music he had recorded lacked. One listen through the quick 11-minute Hearts and Darts and you will hear personality galore. The intro, titled “Baby Keem,” introduces the world to Hykeem Carter with a tastefully braggadocios hook and a booming beat. Watch the music video to Keem’s hottest track here:

If you still aren’t convinced that Keem is the future after watching this video it’s time to talk about his debut project The Sound of Bad Habit released at the end of October. While it may be twice as long as Hearts and Darts, it is still only 22 minutes long making it easily digestible and leaving the listener wanting more. Keem teams up with standout producer Cardo to boost production and it’s noticeable. Sonically, this thing sounds great from start to finish. Keem teases his hit-making potential with tracks like “Gang Activities” and “Miss Charlotte” which have both been in heavy rotation the last two months. On the intro, it’s easy to hear a heavy Kendrick influence, one that can only come from working with the legend himself. His tracks are short (more than half are under two minutes) and containa and infectious energy. Baby Keem is oozing with talent and potential, I suggest giving him a listen before everyone and their daughter knows his name. Stream The Sound of Bad Habit here:

The Sound of Bad Habit, an album by Baby Keem on Spotify

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StereoVision

The love is real in Maxo Kream’s (@MAXOKREAM) new WSHH exclusive music video for “Brothers”💎 https://t.co/vhEZkeiZaG
Apr 15, 2020, 5:59 PM
StereoVision

The Kid Laroi (@thekidlaroi) x Einer Bankz (@EinerBankz) link up over Facetime to bring us an acoustic version of “… https://t.co/c2YQZn9ibl
Apr 15, 2020, 12:07 PM
StereoVision

Guapdad 4000 (@guapdad4000) is clownin’ in Abby Jasmine’s (@abbn0rmal_) new video for her fire single “Groovy” 🔥 https://t.co/MB45Lzll7s
Apr 14, 2020, 6:51 PM
StereoVision

Seattle native Raz Simone (@RazSimone) released a new video for his cut titled “Fingeroll”. Make sure to go and wat… https://t.co/zs4fKgF2Xj
Apr 13, 2020, 6:04 PM
StereoVision

SahBabii (@SahBabii) gets the police called on him while filming his new music video for “Double Dick”. Watch until… https://t.co/Vfu4R4IIr0
Apr 13, 2020, 1:54 PM
StereoVision

KANYE WEST ALBUM TOURNEY 🔥👊🏼 Welcome to StereoVision Madness! This week we’re running a tournament to find out wha… https://t.co/if7LV0byEC
Apr 12, 2020, 6:30 PM
StereoVision

King Von (@KingVonFrmdaWic) just dropped the music video for “3 A.M.”, a standout track from his latest album “Levo… https://t.co/PzrvoL6Rod
Apr 12, 2020, 12:05 PM
StereoVision

D Smoke (@DSmoke7) just released a new live performance of “Black Habits I”, and needless to say, he did not disapp… https://t.co/1fjA2vbqx5
Apr 11, 2020, 12:14 PM

KANYE WEST ALBUM TOURNEY 🔥👊🏼
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Welcome to StereoVision Madness! This week we’re running a tournament to find out what our followers think is the best Kanye West album of all time. Everyday matchups will be posted on our Instagram story a

Coronavirus won’t stop Sway from making freestyle videos 💪🏽 G Herbo and Black Thought give us some raps on Sway’s live series “Bedroom Bars”💯
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Who had the better freestyle?
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#hiphop #rap #gherbo #juicewrld #ptsd #

Duality Takes Center Stage in Thundercat’s Fantastic New Record ‘It Is What It Is’
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Favorite Tracks:
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Lost In Space / Great Scott / 22-26
Black Qualls (Ft. Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, & Childish Gambino)
It Is What It Is (Ft.

Dr. Dre’s classic record ‘The Chronic’ will be coming to streaming services this 4/20 🔥🌴
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What’s the first song off the album your streaming?
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#drdre #thechronic #snoopdogg #deathrowrecords #deathrow #weed #420 #ma

42 Dugg Shows Why He’s Detroit’s Next Big Thing on ‘Young & Turnt Vol. 2’
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Favorite Tracks:
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Hard Times
Turnt Bitch
One of One (Ft. Babyface Ray)
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Hit the link in our bio to read the full review and stream the album!
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Welcome To A New Party - “PARTYMOBILE” by PARTYNEXTDOOR Album Review
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NOTHING LESS
ANOTHER DAY
SAVAGE ANTHEM
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Hit the link in our bio to read the full review and stream the album!
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#hiphop #rap #albumreview #drak

8 UK Rappers That Need To Be On Your Radar in 2019

January 07, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

2019 will be the year Grime and UK Hip-Hop cross over into the American mainstream and here is why. At the turn of the year we are at a historic place in Hip-Hop history. The genre has now reigned as the United States most popular genre for two years. The industry is saturated with trap beats and imitators and fans are starting to loose interest. While many talented artists are still making original and exciting music, majority of songs seem to be the same gift rewrapped over and over. Out of this climate uniqueness thrives. This year many fans will be broadening their musical horizons looking for anything that sounds different, but with many overtly different underground rap artist making music in the United States, why would we need to turn to UK rap?

UK rap is more than different, it is exceptionally good. Also frequently referred to as grime, UK rap has a totally unique sound that is a product of many genres colliding head on in London. Drill, trap, hip-hop, R&B, afrobeat, soul, and dancehall all seamlessly mix in the diverse UK rap scene. There is a higher point of emphasis on production and instrumentals in the UK, something that will translate smoothly into the American mainstream. UK rap beats are generally faster normally ranging from the 140-160 bpm range. Artists in the UK obviously have a different dialect and flow than we are use to hearing in America which makes these songs all the more exciting and fun to listen to.

Once you venture past Skepta and Giggs the UK rap scene can be tricky to figure out. My Spotify playlist “UK Grime Rap” is a great place to start. It contains all the essentials in the modern grime scene along with some less known wildcards. Stream it here:

The best from the exploding rap scene in London and the rest of the UK.

If you like to weed through artists yourself and make your own discoveries, GRM Daily is just the place for you. It acts as the UK’s version of WorldStarHipHop posting music videos daily from the hottest grime artists. Find their YouTube page here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/GRMDAILY

If you are still overwhelmed by the sheer amount of unheard UK Hip-Hop don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Here are eight London rappers that are set for a big 2019 and need to be on your radar:

Blay Vision

Blay Vision is a promising UK MC whose most lucrative attribute isn’t his rapping. Well Blay can certainly hold his own lyrically, his production truly sets him apart. Just listen to the captivating instrumental he cooks up for our featured track “Gone Mad” and you will certainly see how talented of a producer Blay is.

Gone Mad, a song by Blay Vision, Jme on Spotify

Flohio

Flohio is one of the most talented female MCs rapping now. Her automatic delivery is impossible to ignore and her serious demeanor validates everything she says. With only a slew of singles out, it looks likely that we get her debut album in 2019.

Wild Yout, a song by Flohio on Spotify

Fredo

The West London MC is already a pop star in the UK. His songs are infectious club bangers that have a deeper meaning than their initial listen lead you to believe. Fredo had the UK’s number one single in October with “Funky Friday” and with his debut project on the way it’s safe to say you’ll hear Fredo’s voice in 2019.

BMT, a song by Fredo on Spotify

Hardy Caprio

If nothing else, you can’t deny how fun Hardy Caprio’s music is. Sounding like a more playful Skepta, Caprio’s songs are light-hearted bangers with a heavy Afrobeat influence. Don’t be surprised to hear Hardy’s voice next time you are at the beach.

Super Soaker, a song by Hardy Caprio on Spotify

K-Trap

Although K-Trap chooses to conceal his identity by wearing a balaclava, London is quickly learning his name. The anonymous MC delivers gritty and honest lyrics over classic trap beats. K-Trap sounds the more like America trap music than anyone else on this list thus giving him a lane to quickly merge into in the United States.

Edgware Road (feat. LD), a song by K-Trap, LD on Spotify

Kojey Radical

In the East Londoner’s music, content reigns supreme. With a background in visual arts, Kojey is a creative force on every front from music and poetry to fashion and visual arts. Every bar in Kojey’s music sounds thoughtful and intentional. We haven’t heard new music from him since August though, hopefully a sign of a new album rather than an unproductive hiatus.

97', a song by Kojey Radical on Spotify

Octavian

Out of everyone on this list, Octavian has achieved the most success in America due to an Instagram story where Drake sings along to his popular single “Party Here.” Octavian is boundary-pushing artist that refuses to be put into a box. His mood-driven melodic rap is a result of a difficult upbringing which included periods of homelessness and a bad relationship with his mother. Octavian’s music sounds different and gives listeners the sense that he might be the leader of a new wave.

Party Here, a song by Octavian on Spotify

Unknown T

Unknown T is the least established and potentially the most promising artist on this list. With only one true single out, the sample size for Unknown T is small. If by chance this single is a credible indication of what is to come for Unknown T, than expect his voice to be unescapable in 2019. His one single “Homerton B” was one of the best rap songs released in 2018 in any country and we can only hope he has more bops up his sleeve.

Homerton B, a song by Unknown T on Spotify

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Songs of the Week: Jan 6th

January 06, 2019 by Spencer Lobdell in Read

By Spencer Lobdell

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“Crushed Up” by Future

Crushed Up, a song by Future on Spotify

Future has been boring lately. He got carried through a collab album with Juice WRLD and his recent features haven’t been sharp. “Crushed Up” isn’t boring, it’s actually the opposite. It is a classic Future track with a catchy, repetitive, chopped up hook and a heavy hitting beat cooked up by Atlanta producer Wheezy. “Crushed Up” gives us reason to be excited for his upcoming untitled release.

“a lot” by 21 Savage Featuring J. Cole

a lot, a song by 21 Savage on Spotify

On “a lot” 21 and J. Cole craft the perfect intro for Savage’s new album i am > i was. DJ Dahi tossed these two MCs a softball with this instrumental. It’s simple, groovy, and 21 always sounds great on sampled beats. J. Cole hops in on the third verse for potentially his best feature of the year where he calls out rappers for faking their streams and than shouts out Markelle Fultz.

“The Navy” by Yung Pinch

The Navy, a song by Yung Pinch on Spotify

It’s the beach boy! Yung Pinch’s newest mixtape 4EVERFRIDAY SZN TWO may have come out over 2 weeks ago but a number of these songs are still hot including “The Navy” produced by Zaytoven. This track is exactly what you expect when these two meet up- a bumping, trap, beach-bop that feels great.

Throwback Song of the Week:

“Location” by Playboi Carti

Location, a song by Playboi Carti on Spotify

The intro off Playboi Carti’s self-titled debut album was mind-blowing and awe-inspiring when it first graced our ears in early 2017 and absolutely nothing has changed. The beautiful synths that pulse between chords throughout the duration of this song truly create a memorizing vibe and make the song all that it is. If I ever go to space this will be the song I listen to as we takeoff.

Thanks for reading! Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get notified when we post:

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