A disappointing end to June, which has turned out to be the slowest month so far this year. Hopefully we can ratchet things up as bit going into Fall.
Here’s a link to the Week #8 Playlist for y’all
-----PROJECTS-----
DJ Scheme – Preseason EP
Very short EP, only three tracks, but I can see promise with a full project. I expected more from Danny Towers, but Lil Yachty and Ski Mask do their thing. Soundcloud Rap
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Preseason EP:
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Sunz of Man – The Rebirth
A largely substancless album with vague references to changing the world, dark forces, and general conspiracy talk. The first half of the record is for the birds but the second half has all of the features and is much better. Toothless boom-bap, Old New York.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to The Rebirth:
Spotify / YouTube
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Drake – Care Package
People are going nuts for this one, but I’m not seeing it. There’s some good tracks here, but I feel like most tracks, especially the ones where he goes full on RnB with the simp anthems, would have been better left to the deep obscurity they enjoyed prior to this release. Old Drake, both rapping and R&B.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Care Package:
Spotify / YouTube
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Rich Forever 4 – Rich The Kid, Famous Dex, & Jay Critch
Surprisingly decent mixtape from Rich’s label. Dex and Jay hold their own, the beats are pretty good, and some of the other artists like 83 Babies have me intrigued. Trap, SoundCloud
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Rich Forever 4:
Spotify / YouTube
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-------SINGLES-------
Rapsody (Feat. D’Angelo & GZA) – Ibtihaj
A very strange track. It plays as a bizarro-world version of GZA’s Liquid Swordz, with D’Angelo playing the part of RZA, the Genius basically laying down a fantastic third verse to the classic song, and Rapsody injecting herself in a slightly awkward way. It doesn’t have much structure, but it’s worth it to hear the GZA spit a new verse on this beat. Old left field boom-bap.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Ibtihaj:
Spotify / YouTube
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BROCKHAMPTON – I BEEN BORN AGAIN
Another track prevented from being truly great due to poor structure, but shines in specific areas. Kevin’s verse is great, Joba’s verse is excellent as it draws straight from the South Texas playbook, and the beat is dark and minimal, with perfect percussion. However, I’m disappointed in Merlyn, Dom, and Matt’s parts. Straight hip-hop, Texas/Westcoast?
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to I BEEN BORN AGAIN:
Spotify / YouTube
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RJmrLA (Feat. O.T. Genasis) – Bang My Line
Much better than his last single, RJ comes out with a killer hook and a sexy beat. Heavy LA vibes here. O.T. Genasis verse is hilarious with its directness. West-Coast hip-hop
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Bang My Line:
Spotify / YouTube
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Khalid (Feat. A Boogie wit da Hoodie) – Right Back
Remix from a track off Free Spirit, I like the beat being lowkey, with Khalid matching that energy. A Boogie is good but I feel like the track was good enough on it’s own. It’s danceable, singable, and cute. Pop/R&B
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Right Back:
Spotify / YouTube
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Tyga, YG, & Blueface – Bop
Spicy beat sees Tyga and YG making the most of the instrumental, but Blueface disappoints here. A couple funny lines (“5 star fettucini, my bitch a bopolini”), but he should have gone harder. West-Coast hip-hop.
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Bop:
Spotify / YouTube
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Teyana Taylor (Feat. King Combs) – How You Want It?
Sexual and smooth track, Teyana does well across her two verses, although I feel like she should have chosen one of the two to go with. Minididdy is boring, the guest feature should have gone to just about anyone else. Nice guitar driven beat. R&B
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to How You Want It?:
Spotify / YouTube
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YK Osiris – Shakira
I’m becoming more impressed with this kid with each single. A catchy hook, good flow, serviceable melodies, and a happy trap beat. Not as weird as Freaky Dancer was deliverywise, but I’m sure this is a more mainstream approach. Pop Trap
Here’s the Spotify/YouTube link to listen to Shakira:
Spotify / YouTube
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