Weekly Fix #21 ('20)

Welcome to the Weekly Fix, where I go over everything that I’ve listened to that has come out within the past week. I’ll give a little blurb about the project/single with my feelings on it thrown in there, throw some descriptors and other artists names to give you an idea what the project/single is like, and link to all applicable streaming services/online stores where you can find the music. Click here to see a list of previous Fixes.

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Do you know why I love hip-hop so much? Because it is so far-reaching and varied that anyone under the sun can find something to love. It’s really inspiring to see people like Gunna and Ka in the same sentence, despite being completely different vibes and thought processes, bring described as hip-hop music. I believe that no other genre can boast such a diverse cast of characters, and to people like me who walk through every sub-genre and find something to love, it’s Christmas morning literally every week.

This week was a very productive week for all realms of the genre, popular and underground, with solid and filling projects and singles to eat up coming from all directions. Gunna won by a landslide in the mainstream project category, with what might be his most complete and satisfying release to date. But the Migos and iann dior brought the heat with some singles that get me more and more excited that 2020 is going to heat up for these pop-rappers in the back half. Underground collaborations abounded this week, with great projects from Nems & Ill Bill, and al.divino & Estee Nack being a couple among many different pairings to sink your teeth into this week.

This upcoming Friday we have some great projects planned for release. Lil Yachty is putting out the third in his Lil Boat trilogy, hopefully making up for some flops in his recent past.  ½ of Slaughterhouse, Joel Ortiz & KXNG Crooked, are teaming up for this H.A.R.D. LP, which I’m assuming is going to bring that lyrical PAIN. The illusive Preservation is dropping an LP, with a guest list that includes Mach-Hommy, Ka, Your Old Droog, and Roc Marciano among others, a fucking insane stacking of brilliant emcees. Finally, we have Flee Lord with his fourth drop of 2020, Hand Me My Flowers, being entirely produced by the mythic Buckwild. Use my Upcoming Heat calendar to keep tabs on what’s coming, both next week and beyond into June and July.

Big thanks to everyone who reads my shit, uses my calendar, and anyone out there who has found some new shit to listen to by visiting me here on Tha Soup Dude’s Kitchen. Y’all are appreciated for real. PEACE.

Here’s a link to the Week #21 Playlist (’20) for y’all

-----PROJECTS-----

Gunna – WUNNA

The more projects I’m around to watch Gunna drop, the more I think that people aren’t giving this guy a fair shake. Look, you aren’t coming into a project like this and expecting top tier bars, deep song topics, or really even much… effort I guess you could say. It takes a certain detachment and a sense of vibe to really tap into a project like this, because pretty much everything you can gain from this project can be heard on the surface. Usually surface level is a negative criticism of a project, but WUNNA is so spectacularly beautiful on the outside that I can forgive any shortcomings that come lyrically. The flow from Gunna is pretty much on point across the entire project (a rare project where I’m OK with 18 tracks), and while there aren’t really clever turns of phrase an wordplay jumping out at you, I do appreciate how dedicated he is to the drug/sex/fashion bars. The true appeal here that I think more people would appreciate if they gave it a chance are the instrumentals here. Wheezy, a little bit of Turbo, and this new guy named Taurus have created a spread of KILLER trap beats full of creative and evocative melodies with clean and minimal drum and sub. I don’t think it’s as dissonant as Drip or Drown 2 from last year was, but you can still expect the spaced-out vibes continued here. I think people who write off Gunna need to give this a chance; I know it’s said a lot, but just turn off your brain and enjoy this shit. If you’ve ever found yourself liking a Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, or Young Thug track, then give this a shot. I can’t get enough of it.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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al.divino & Estee Nack – IMMORTALKOMBAT

It hasn’t been that long since their last collaboration, The Door at the top of 2020, but the Massachusetts boys come together again to deliver another dose of aggressive and sample-heavy experimental hip-hop. You’ll pretty much get the standard fare here: very odd and disjointed loops and samples, woven together in ways that most people wouldn’t even attempt to rap over. Despite it being so chaotic, there is a pocket, and Nack and divino are the kings of inserting themselves into any beat with this run-on-sentence flow that they bring. There is no one in the game right now flowing like these two do, and if you’re looking for something totally unique then I highly suggest this project. Something different from this usual collaborations, however, is the use of many more featured guests on here; not a spread of guests, but one specific guest called ???. He was on Estee Nack’s last MiniMansionDust mixtape, and I’m still not sure if his name is actually ??? or this is some sort of inside joke? When asked on twitter he called him #HIDDENCHARACTER, seemingly in reference to the Mortal Kombat title. Anyways, this guy in on like 5 tracks here, and he kills every appearance, giving even more character and unchecked aggression into this project. If you like the weirder side of the underground, Mach-Hommy and Westside Gunn come to mind (but even stranger), this this will be for you. Check out my Write-Up for my favorite album from the duo, ABRAKADABRA, ALAKAZAM, here on TSDK while you’re at it.

Bandcamp

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Gorilla Twins (Nems & Ill Bill) – GORILLA TWINS

Brooklyn stand the FUCK up, we got some gorillas in the house. Nems and Ill Bill are two of the most explosive and animated emcees to come out of New York right now, and they’ve finally linked up to give us a full-length project that shows how deep their chemistry runs. Nems is a goddamn monster, both throughout his career and on this album, and will yell the most disgusting and disrespectful shit at you that is both hilarious and harder than most emcees you’ve listened to. Despite being so aggressive, Bill is definitely the good cop on this LP, showing a smoothness and cold-bloodedness that brings you back down after a Nems verse. Together, the energy is always there, and there is never a dull moment lyrically across the entire project, especially when you bring in guests like Vinnie Paz and Immortal Technique to deliver killer verses. I like how crazy the instrumentals can get as well, with energetic looped samples being the bread and butter to the success here. The irreverence in the lyrics reminds me of guys like Sean Price or Action Bronson, so if you like those guys you’ll be satisfied. If you like underground hip-hop, being verbally assaulted, and a palpable chemistry between two emcees, you can’t go wrong with this LP. CONEY ISLAND.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Lord Juco & Vago – HHSS

The last project I listened to from Juco was Shadows 2, and, while I loved that project, I still haven’t checked out the two collaboration albums between him and Cousin Feo yet; I’m sure I’ll get to it soon. Vago on the other hand is a beatmaker that I’m excited to dive into again, coming off of his amazing project he dropped a few months ago with Juco’s fellow Torontonian Asun Eastwood. The link up between Vago and Juco right here is dope as hell, with Juco really tapping into that mobster/mafia persona over these beats that seem cleaner and more elegant (at least for Vago’s standards). I love the loops that Vago comes out with on this one, with some tried-and-true samples choices that work perfectly for Juco’s delivery. Even better, we get a great spread of guests from people in this same lane, with Toronto representing heavy in Daniel Son and Che Uno, and throwing in Estee Nack because he will go well with literally anything. I think this is a great piece of Canadian hip-hop, and another great collaboration with Vago. Go check out Sewer Science if you haven’t (and my Write-Up for it), one of my favorite albums from this year. You should also go listen to Big Turks, a group Juco dropped an album with last year (my #2 AOTY in 2019).

Bandcamp

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Kota the Friend – Everything

I listened to his Lyrics to Go project that came out a while ago, and while I liked the general idea, I felt like the man needed features, along with some more memorable beats. I think everything came together well for this project, which not only features more personal and emotional lyrics from Kota, but also a great spread of features from people like Kyle and Joey Bada$$. Kota is very soft-spoken with his delivery, but his flow is always on point, and lyrically the dude is strong as hell. Great song topics and musings across this album, from his fame to his family and mental state. I would call this feel-good hip-hop, cute, with really no edge or bite to it (not in a bad way); just something to throw on during a rainy day and just think about life kind of shit. Kota gives me a *heavy* Amine vibe in his vocal quality and his rapping style, so if you liked his brand of self-reflection rap then you will definitely fuck with this.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Napoleon Da Legend – Chikara

I’ve heard a few Napoleon features every now and again, but this is the first time digging into a full project from the Brooklyn emcee. I’ve liked how much of an enunciator he is, rapping clearly and concisely that sounds a lot different from the guttery and rough deliveries from many of his contemporaries. This album surprised the hell out of me to be honest with you: I didn’t know a single featured artist on here besides Supreme Cerebral, I had never heard of the main producer Onion Cuore, and I just hadn’t envisioned what Napoleon would be as a solo artist. This guy seems like he bleeds hip-hop, with a great focus and determination in his rhymes, and rather than a gangster he comes across as happy and content with his life, much more focused on showing you how music has changed his life for the better (and showing off a bit in his wordplay). In a lot of ways Napoleon reminds me of the emcee Blu, for the tone of his voice on down to the intricacies of his lyrics. Even the production on this thing I could see from a Madlib or an Exile, and could be seen amongst people like MF DOOM and MED. It’s a great sound for people looking for no-strings-attached hip-hop, harmless and positive; a great change of pace from the usual drug dealer rap.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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All Hail Y.T. & Luca Moustaches – Stay Home

Very short collaboration between Italian producer Luca Moustaches and Deleware-by-way-of-Texas emcee All Hail Y.T. I’ve never heard of Luca before this point, But Y.T. has been on my radar for a minute now, first for his features on fellow Delawareans’ projects, and then for his fantastic collaborative album with Tone Beatz: The Spoils of Babylon (check out the Write-Up I did for that project earlier this year). I really loved how deep Y.T. can get as a rapper on his last project, with a great spread of hard-nosed (but still smooth) drug-dealer/playboy rap mixed with more topical and wise tracks about the world. I think that pairing also finds a home here on Stay Home, where, despite there only being three tracks (and the final track mostly being an extended monologue), there is space for both commentary on the crazy shit going on in the world today and amazing storytelling. Special shoutout to the second track, A Perfect Murder, which is this huge story of betrayal and scandal that is written exquisitely and concludes with the same emotional potency as any movie or TV episode. While I would have liked this to have been longer (the production suits Y.T. perfectly, and I’d love to hear a full-length from these two), I appreciate the hell out of the effort put into the few tracks here.

YouTube/Bandcamp

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Henny L.O. & Ohbliv – Sages

I think Richmond is one of the stranger scenes in hip-hop right now: the emcees like Henny, Kahuna, and Anakin are fairly straightforward in their rhyme styles, and if you like people like Mos Def and Wu-Tang you’ll feel right at home amongst them. But their beatmakers are a different breed, and serve as some of the most unique talents out in the game today. Ohbliv is a crazy talented man, and his beats across this new collaborative project wth Henny L.O. can be both soulful and experimental, with the sharp loops and obscure samples having similarities with those of people like Madlib or a mutant 9th Wonder, but really exist in their own low-fi reality. There’s a dreaminess and murkiness to this project, something that Henny taps into to make this project his own on a few occasions with his traditional rapping style: you get the braggadocio, you get the flexing bars, stories of growing up in poverty, and pretty much anything else that makes an underground rapper compelling. Like many other Richmond emcees he’s a lighter, grimier, and easily understood rapper, and fits over these beats as well as Fly Anakin or Big Kahuna could. Another great thing about the project are the features, with Anakin, AHNKLEJOHN, and a stunning appearance from Nickleus F rounding out a cast of common collaborators. If you like your hip-hop full of heart, but the beats weird and kooky, then look no farther, and check out some other Richmond names like Graymatter and Fly Anakin while you’re at it.

Bandcamp

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KSI – Dissimulation

An album from a YouTuber is pretty much destined to be dead on arrival, but KSI is a little different than someone like Jake Paul (I’m sorry to have to bring that name up again, Jesus Christ) in that he actually has a decent amount of experience trying his hand at being a musician. It’s mostly varying shades of British pop rap ala Dave and Stormzy, but he seems to have progressed into more forms of universal pop music and American trap. KSI as a rapper is nothing to write home about, I’ll say that now, but his voice is unique and rough enough that it can catch your ear. This is helped across the album by a long list of features, both from the pop/R&B worlds just like Stormzy is won’t to do, and from the hip-hop world, enlisting famous Americans like Rick Ross and Lil Baby to sell his album. I won’t say much more, because I did delete a few tracks off of here, but this album is not trash and deserves a fair shake among the more legitimate releases out there. If you like popular music, compilation albums with a lot of different sounds, and a great spread of guests to keep you entertained (a lot like a YouTube video; who knew!), then I think you can find something to love on this project.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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-------SINGLES-------

iann dior (Feat. Lil Baby) – Prospect

Best iann dior track I’ve ever heard, but a large part of this is the enormous helping hand he gets from Wheezy and Lil Baby. I’ve always thought there was something cool about iann, but that he needed a more standout character and beat selection (and maybe cut down on the singing a bit), two things I think he nailed on this track. Instead of whiny he sounds confident, and instead of dime-a-dozen soundcloud beats he’s rapping over a GODLY Wheezy instrumental, complete with the Far East guitars/mandolin melody and the huuuge punches in the sub. He even gets a veteran featured artist, Lil Baby, who rarely ever drops a whack feature, checks in to give validity and credibility to an artist who has struggled to make a name for himself outside of his devoted fanbase. I think this track (and hopefully this upcoming album of his) will be the push he needs to really turn some heads. If you fuck with Lil Skies, JuiceWRLD, and other super clean and sanitized emcees, then check this out.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Migos (Feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again) – Need It

The Migos did a complete 180 REAL fucking quick, because not only was their last track Racks 2 Skinny a banger, but this new track is ALSO a fucking banger. The guys are actually rapping their asses of on this cut, really playing well off of each other, with Quavo and Takeoff doing a sick back and forth, and YoungBoy and Offset matching the energy and cooperation. The explosiveness of the track is a kind of drive that I’d never thought I’d see again from the Migos; it’s a competitive nature, pushing each other to come the hardest, that has been missing from the group for years now. YoungBoy NBA is a natural partner for the three, reminding me a lot of when Rich The Kid used to fuck with the Migos often; great energy and presence. Hell, even the production is engaging and smooth, not corny and gimmicky pop-rap; the synth melody is catchy, and the bassline (actual bassline, not cheap subs) is a groovy vibe. While I can understand people not liking Give No Fxk (I liked it a lot though…), I don’t think anyone can argue that the Migos aren’t 2 for 2 right now, and we’re almost in the “Migos are Back” territory.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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IDK & A$AP Ferg – Mazel Tov

IDK’s best material is undoubtedly the mindless bangers he creates. He’s tried for a while now to tap into this “woke” energy, but he seems so out of his element when compared to a crispy and walloping trap instrumental. I say crisp, but this new track right here is dirty as fuck, with the beat lumbering in this dark dimension. IDK and Ferg match the energy in the flows, but the lyrics are a little more than mindless trap talk, with both guys being great examples of lyricists who can mix hard bars with hilarious wordplay. The chemistry is there 100%, and I’m honestly surprised I haven’t heard them together before (I know they have some tracks together, but this is the first I’ve heard them together). I’m wondering where this track is going, whether or not this is another IDK album (which I would appreciate) or a new Ferg album (which I hope it is, cause it’s been too long since a real album from this guy). If you like charismatic and over-the-top ridiculous trap music, think Denzel Curry, then this will be for you.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Ludacris (Feat. Lil Wayne) – S.O.T.L. (Silence of the Lambs)

People these days forget that Ludacris is actually a hilariously good rapper; he comes from an era where people were shooting for Wayne’s genius with words, and Luda tries his best to hold himself up to that level here on this new single. The lyrics have some “ooooo”-inducing one-liners on the front of the track, the back-end being reserved for some more political commentary and inspiration rap. He can be both funny and poignant, something that he’s had a mastery of for a while now. One thing he has an advantage with is his flow; the man has a complete mastery of the pocket, and honestly the structure of his bars and his words are so clean and smooth that I’m surprised more people don’t put him up there among some of the GOATs (hell I think he’s better than Wayne most of the time flow-wise). Weezy on this track only lays down a hook, auto-tuned at that, but it’s still a welcome appearance from the legend. But in probably the most welcome change from his recent work is in the beat where, while his last album was full of overproduced pop-rap, the instrumental on here is a more stripped back and mysterious, bouncing on drums and cute little synth notes. If Luda is gearing up for a project (and that SexBeat track is totally ignored) then I think this single is a great start.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Aitch – Raw

Very dank and scary beat, with these eerie synths and super-clear percussion being really the only two elements (besides the ghostly adlibs in the background) to this banger that’s one part Grime and one part Drill. The atmosphere is created well instrumentally, and while I think Aitch seems a bit too… innocent?... I think that overall, the track is great. Aitch has always had a great sense of rhyme scheme and relentless delivery, but never comes across as cold-blooded like this beat is trying to bring out of him. I still like what the track is going for, and if you like a great mix of older and newer London pop-rap, then this track will be for you. If any of my fellow Americans like Brooklyn Drill, you will like this (if you can get over the accent, it seems like a lot of people have issues with it for whatever reason) if you like Pop Smoke or Sheff G.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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deadmau5 & The Neptunes – Pomegranate

I don’t listen to EDM, so I’m pretty unfamiliar with deadmau5 and his style (or how to describe what he’s doing here). What I can say is that this barely sounds like a Neptunes song, and I’m having a tough time sussing out where Chad Hugo would fit in here. If anything, it sounds like what Pharrell has done in his solo career a few times, with the collaborations with Daft Punk and Calvin Harris sticking out in my mind heavily while listening to this. There is a solid driving bass-groove on this one that evokes some Dance vibes, simplistic drum machine, with the only thing giving me foreign vibes are the little electronic wails that spurt periodically throughout the track. Seductive, wavy, but slightly off-putting would be how I would describe this cut, and if you’re a bigger fan of electronic music, specifically Daft Punk, then you will be in your comfort zone on this cut.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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