Pretty middle of the road week, mostly impressed with some singles. Let’s do this.
Here’s a link to the Week #6 Playlist for y’all
-------PROJECTS-------
Maxo Kream – Brandon Banks
There was a lot of Pitchfork hype surrounding this project, but I’m not hearing it. There’s a few good tracks, particularly the ones with features, but Maxo is way too one-note with his flow and tone. Introspective trap
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Brandon Banks:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2E5FdSQ0pyo7LHW7XxMYUi
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nTe33-EasmFQRVLVk0Lwzx25RGEHjTsts
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Iggy Azalea – In My Defense
Alright, the name is a little tarnished by now, but Iggy manages to bring some bangers here. Since her last album was scrapped indefinitely (I presume because it was dog-shit given the singles), I think she buckled down here for a more rap-focused project, and it pays off. Surprisingly good hooks, sharp lyrics (sometimes), and some dirty beats. Pop-rap/south influence.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to In My Defense:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3kQvfhjfU6Mleis6k6vpmw
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m-8PWk0bvQODPSFfGAm9kRkmRLIqDqxNA
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V Don & Da$h – Five Deadly Venoms
Short EP, some good sounds but mostly boring and background music. Track with Meech is good, and the last two joints are ok. Very spacey cloud rap.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Five Deadly Venoms:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4qce4nzS4gEJaiWCOSzULH
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUANHOD48V0Q3y3dwJzD2KI7OGiz9kJo0
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38 Spesh & Big Ghost LTD – A Bullet For Every Heathen
Fantastic project from Rochester MC Spesh and the mystery man (men?) Big Ghost. Perfect length at 23 minutes, 38 does not spit a bad verse, and Big Ghost comes correct with every sample flip. One of the best projects of the year, I just wish it was more widely available? This is that mob shit, street/sample based hip-hop. Old school.
Here’s the Bandcamp/YouTube link to listen to A Bullet For Every Heathen:
https://38speshairvinyls.bandcamp.com/album/a-bullet-for-every-heathen
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmhqMx7O5cssUPXUc-F5cYIqylLg_8MDP
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Nas – The Lost Tapes 2
I actually haven’t listened to this tape yet, but I plan on doing so soon as a collaborative effort with a good friend of mine. Stay tuned.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to The Lost Tapes 2:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4tRNl7PwUzXrxTP3YZjWgS
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keeZ9JzwZMZ4rmqGj-H3OYwsi_LbXUoSg
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Inspectah Deck – Chamber No. 9
An average album from Wu-Tang alum. INS’s flow is more laid back than his earlier days, but he still has some good one-liners, and his beat selection is definitely on point. I wish more Wu-Tang members and Wu-Tang affiliates checked in on this one, but overall a solid entry for Deck, and a refreshing change after 5 whole Czarface albums since his last solo effort.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Chamber No. 9:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7JGgI20BEwHJOlnd9WKmTH
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kjdE9FeTsRSx1PZm89a1I6MPl2wD-LxNI
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The Cool Kids & The Alchemist – Layups
Never been a big Kids fan, but Uncle Al will always get my attention. Overall not a bad collaboration. The beats are weird and minimal, with few drums and one maybe two prominent samples per track. The features are a little unnecessary given it’s only three tracks, and the second track has the best beat but is less than two minutes long. Off-kilter, left-field hip-hop with tight beat loops.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Layups:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2zk2G3OME54bGiu7aSCIz6
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lgoy73gLDeAkfPeSo9Ixycl69QfBKB6rg
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-------SINGLES-------
Conway the Machine (Feat. Eminem) – Bang
Being signed for around a year to Shady, it was only a matter of time before Em placed on a Griselda track…. I just wish it was a little better than what we got. The beat is classic Daringer, Conway on the first leg is grimy as ever, but Eminem? His verse starts off awkward as hell, and although it eventually gets better by the end of the song, it’s also a completely different beat, kind of defeating the purpose of him even being there. Disappointing, but I still believe Marshall can collaborate with the Griselda boys and make it sound good.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Bang:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5TKwujrxvl1eUFleIZyWfd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTVC1baKQ6g
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Nef The Pharaoh (Feat. Tyga) – High Voltage
For being so soft spoken, Nef has a very bold presence on a track. It’s west coast, it’s warbly, and it’s funny. Tyga’s guest verse is actually one of his better ones, especially in rhyme scheme and cadence. Understated west-coast/Bay Area
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to High Voltage:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5wb5FLNtyNYNIcWjjRSeYu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKwy8IuleIY
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Quality Control (Feat. Lil Baby & DaBaby) – Baby
QC is gearing up to release another label project, releasing two singles this past weekend. The first, and better of the two, is this cut featuring a slightly flat Lil Baby and a serviceable performance from DaBaby. If this is the best the album has to offer…..
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Baby:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0ssH9wMngti9j73Rb9kcfO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urIqRasnCCc
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Quality Control (Feat. City Girls & Saweetie) – Come On
The second single from Control the Streets, Vol. 2. It’s a ratchet anthem, pretty basic, but I was actually surprised to hear J.T. on this cut given she’s still in prison. Any other circumstance I might not have cared about the track, but it’s been a minute since I’ve heard her. Pop-rap
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Come On:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5SxAvNQjRSTJ3Y7Np180qY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7XLAu9r5NI
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Rich Brian – Kids
Second single from the upcoming LP The Sailor releasing next Friday. A much better cut than Yellow in my opinion, with a much more celebratory vibe. As much as I like it, I can’t help but feel like this is basically a Drake track with a prominent horn thrown in to make it more satisfactory.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Kids:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6hm2ALx7WLhe08ghG1fcVa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6jwuuEpZ-A
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YBN Nahmir (Feat. City Girls & Tyga) – Fuck It Up
Good single from YBN member. Catchy hook, and good verses from all three, even Tyga (two good Tyga verses in one week… the fuck). Smooth west coast slaps.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Fuck It Up:
https://open.spotify.com/album/1V4dbLC7PqSzf0cXKWIwzk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH5Vj5yXSM8
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Hopsin – I Don’t Want It
Well that got dark. Basically Hopsin’s life is a disaster and put all of his woes on wax. Besides the depressing subject matter, the track plays as a heavily Eminem inspired confessional track, with some good flows and storytelling elements. Not gonna say I listen to this dude at all, but I hope he gets his shit straight.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to I Don’t Want It:
https://open.spotify.com/album/266HUfpGFrd4rAEB6gpyJG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxqVPcDaYFQ
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Sheck Wes & Chase B (Feat. Young Thug) – MAYDAY
I do not fuck with Sheck Wes, but this track might change that. Epic beat with some great wailing from Wes that contains much more character than his previous work. And that Young Thug verse? Daaaaaamn I was amazed, easily the best Thug feature so far this year. Kind of pop/electronic hip-hop.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to MAYDAY:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3dPUHr57sBFTHiVtpeO7rv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p93xHtoxc6c
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Tory Lanez – Forever
Tory is dropping random singles, doesn’t seem to be building up to any project tho. This latest one isn’t as good as Melee, but it’s still fire. Pop-rap
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Forever:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2kznyvJ3wZGFCA1eYrjUC9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivbUykcLz0U
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