Weekly Fix #21

So I told you all last week I went to go see the Wu-Tang in Denver, and that I might be late on scheduled content this week. Well, the drives weren’t the problem in the end: being sick as FUCK right now is a problem, and it’s not effecting the schedule luckily… but I did forget something. I definitely have been listening to Gang Starr’s One of the Best Yet, but I forgot it on both the Playlists and this Weekly Fix. Next week I’ll highlight it correctly.

The Wu-Tang Clan put on a hell of a show (no Method Man but all of the other members showed up), but I’ll warn you all now do not see a show at Red Rocks in the winter. Your feet will thank you. Shoutout to Dillon Cooper, Immortal Technique, and Jedi Mind Tricks for killing their opening spots, and a VERY special shoutout to Esoteric for showing up as Vinnie Paz’s hype man and performing some Czarface material.

Here’s a link to the Week #21 Playlists for y’all

-----PROJECTS-----

Westside Gunn – Hitler Wears Hermes 7
Better than Flygod is an Awesome God in every way; this is the project that his previous studio album deserved to be. Gunn is rapping well enough here in his trademark whine. These beats tho? THIS is why we come to the Flygod, to get these high-class, immaculate samples, and Hitler 7 does not disappoint. I dare to even say that this reaches Supreme Blientele levels, but I need more time with it.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Earl Sweatshirt – FEET OF CLAY
I’m having a tough time with this one. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Some Rap Songs when it first came out, but it grew on me slightly over time. I like FEET OF CLAY more on first impression, but I don’t think I’ll return to it like it did SRS. Earl is still rapping in that submerged, formless flow with cryptic lyrics, so if you liked where Earl’s head was on SRS, you can appreciate this.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Apollo Brown – Sincerely, Detroit
This album is essential for one reason: recognizing Detroit as a deep, vital part of Hip-Hop culture. Eminem gets credit for putting the city of the map, but this album presents over FIFTY emcees that are still holding the city down to this day. That Apollo Brown, who is still a legendary sampler and beatmaker, could get all of these cats together is simply incredible, and results in a solid compilation of stellar artists.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music/Bandcamp

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Krept & Konan – Revenge is Sweet
A varied and surprisingly personal album from the two UK stars. You get dance tracks, borderland trap vibes, some singing, storytelling, and quality collaborations. I feel like the two punch under their weights lyrically, but their presence is unmistakable. If you like somewhat mainstream (for British standards) hip-hop, this is for you.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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RJ Payne – LEATHERFACE 2
It has moments, but it never reaches the levels of Square Root of a Kilo, and not even close to the original Leather Face. The original project felt more… genuine in it’s aggression and horrorcore, while this sequel feels campy and draws too hard on a Halloween influence. Also the project is surprisingly low fidelity, which might have to do with the fact I bought it directly from his website, but it’s very distracting how shitty the mixes can sound at some points.

YouTube/IAMRJPAYNE.com

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Sheek Louch – Gorillaween, Vol. 2
Corny, but I can throw this on and enjoy myself. Has that old LOX mixtape feel, but with a “Gorillaween” theme to it. All of the features are surprisingly good, even the no-names I’d never heard of. The beats are somewhere between early 2000’s New York and modern trap music.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Elcamino & Bozack Morris – Saint Muerte
Not at all in the same lane as Where’s My Pyrex, but it’s ok in the end. Bozack doesn’t have the same chemistry with Elcamino that Oh Jay had, but he comes through with the darker, synthier, 80’s-ier product. It feels short, and with the skits and the terrible autotune track it feels light on actual content, but it’s worth a listen, especially for Rome Streetz on Black Gestapo.

YouTube/Bandcamp

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Lupe Fiasco – Chill’s Spotlight
I don’t like Lupe Fiasco. But he raps well enough here, and his accompaniment, Wildstyle, is ok too. Some of these beats are fire too. I don’t really have much to say other than if you like wordy rap this is for you.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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

Smokepurpp – Stevie
Quality single with quality slaps. The beat has punch, and it’s flute and subdued horn melodies give it a fun vibe. Lil Purpp makes a good catchy hook too, but his lyrics are really nothing to write home about. I know he’s capable of better flows, so we’ll wait for Deadstar 2 to see where he can go.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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The Game (Feat. Anderson .Paak) – Stainless
I loooooove the recreation of the classic Pac beat for this track; the low-key feel of it gives more room for reflection. Game’s bars are poignant with it’s recalling of those who have left us. I don’t think Anderson fits as well as he should on the track, but he and empty instrumental space dominate the track, giving The Game two short verses.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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21 Savage – Immortal
A lot like something that would have been on his ISSA album; kind of bland and one note, but serviceable murder tune from Savage. It seems like this is just a loosie released for Halloween’s sake, so I’m not expecting that he’s returned to this sound after his i am > i was project.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Ski Mask the Slump God – Carbonated Water
Good flows, but it seems like Ski Mask is loosing that trademark humor that made him so enjoyable to listen to. Also this beat is so Ski Mask by the numbers I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a type-beat. But it’s not that long so you can throw it on and listen just fine.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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dvsn (Feat. Future) – No Cryin
I love Future’s contribution on this track; he sounds washed out and personal in his vocal quality, and you can tell the lyrics actually mean something to him. The beat is sexual and ethereal, perfect for Future waxing like some sort of loveless ghost. dvsn doesn’t contribute much to their own track funnily enough, but this is fine because Future fits so much better.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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DJ Kay Slay (Feat. A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Blueface, & Moneybagg Yo) – Hocus Pocus
Very odd choices for featured artists on a Kay Slay track; seems like he’s grabbing for more of a mainstream audience here. A Boogie is just ok on the track, but his layered vocals are gaudy and distracting. Blueface and Moneybagg on the other hand are mixed lower in the track, making it kind of difficult to listen to. Blueface’s verse is hilarious though, listen to it for that.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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AJ Tracey & Skepta – Kiss and Tell
This is a speedy club tune from two of the biggest names in the UK rap scene. The flows on this are aggressive as hell, especially Skepta who murders his verse. This is the kind of music I was expecting from AJ Tracey’s self-titled from earlier this year, and it gives me hope that he still has some of that rapping spirit in him.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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SKYXXX (Feat. NLE Choppa) – Hotboy
The original was just ok, given I think SKYXXX is so average of a rapper, but the beat has always been a slapper. Do me a favor: throw this on with some good car speakers and listen to that sub bass. NLE adds to the track in a good way, breaking up the monotony of the main artists flow.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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Bizarre (Feat. King Gordy, Lazarus, & Hopsin) – Leather Face
….. do I like Hopsin? Am I going crazy. WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN MASON? Sorry, I’m still grappling with the third Hopsin/Hopsin featured track that I’ve liked and or loved. Bizarre is not good, and I had to cut out a majority of this god-awful hook, but Hopsin reeeeallly makes an impression on me. Hmmmmmmmm.

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music

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PlayThaBoiZay (Feat. Denzel Curry &Anonymuz) – Poison Klan
Heavy-ass beat with deep sub; sounds like some older Denzel from his soundcloud days. I’m not sure who the other two on the track are, but they do well also. The beat is the star here tho, love the sample on the hook. It’s a banger.

Spotify/YouTube/ Apple Music

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