#MY ART IS... SIMPLISTIC. AND JUST HAS A HAPPY LIL VIBE TO IT

[risingsunresistance]

when a fellow artist appreciates what you have to say about their art but their art is in a museum and your art is on the fridge with a little smiley face sticker on it

[soyoureviewhiphoptoo]

Soundtrack of the Week 16/07/2017

A few days later than usual due a busy late week and poor planning but it is that time. It is time for the Soundtrack of the Week, the SYRHHT blog segment where I discuss latest music releases and other projects that I listen to over the space of 7 days. So, here is the Soundtrack!

21 Savage- Issa Album Released July 7, 2017 Label: Slaughter Gang, Epic Records

With the releases of hit singles X and No Heart, being a member of the controversial XXL Freshman Class of 2016 and collaborating with the biggest rappers and producers of hip-hop today, 21 Savage has found himself in the forefront of new age hip-hop. Unlike some of his peers, 21 made a name for himself, not by mumbling on a beat or forcing an autotune enhanced melody, but by methodically spitting somewhat dark trap lyrics. While this has set him apart, my biggest issues with 21 Savage was always his use of overly simplistic lyrics and a cadence that borders the lines of dark & menacing with bored & disinterested. Those two things made it difficult for me to be invested in him (even if I have X memorised for some reason)

What sets this album apart though is the way it was promoted. He did not release any singles. He did not do a lot of press runs to talk about it. He did not even release the tracklist for the album. What 21 Savage did do was start the cartoon series “Year 2100″ and get into a relationship with Amber Rose...Now that’s a rollout. 

From what I have gathered, the series is centred around evil dictator, 21 Savage, going back to Atlanta to create more rap songs that will allow him to continue to enslave the world...it is so strange and left field that it just works Watch Episode 1-3 on the WeBuyGold Instagram page

The cartoon series caught my curiosity as I thought this album would carry over some kind of concept from the series. I can say now that this was wishful thinking. Issa trap album by 21 Savage and for the most part, it did not blow me away. While the production is up to standard with the trap beats out these days that gets your head bopping and your milly rocking, 21 does not make a big impression with the lyrics. While he does show growth, briefly expanding on personal demons (on the track Dead People for instance) and having not one but two love songs (Facetime and Special), ultimately, 21 Savage leaves himself in the lane of the trap rapper that lack emotion in his voice. While this will not go down as one of my favourite albums of 2017, it is a decent enough effort from 21 Savage and I believe further progress can be made.

RATINGS

Concept: 3/5 Production: 3.5/5 Lyrical Content: 3/5 Flow and Delivery: 3/5 Repeatability: 2.5/5 Did I enjoy this project? Not entirely, I liked what I could. Songs to Recommend? Bank Account, Bad Business, Dead People, Money Convo and Thug Life

Final Rating: 3/5

For some reason, none of the songs from Issa Album are on Youtube. Instead, here is Episode 1 of The Year 2100.

After a few listens of Issa Album, I started to think about some of his fellow XXL Freshmen and I decided to listen to a few projects from some of 21′s peers.

Lil Yachty- Teenage Emotions Released May 26, 2017 Label: Quality Control Music, Capitol Records and Motown

Before I even start on this album, I’ve got to ask something about this cover art...what are the three guys in the back row doing? That is the one thing that has been bugging me the most about this album (and there are a lot of things bugging me about this album) I will say something about this album cover though. It is one of the more interesting covers I’ve seen in hip-hop. It visually shows some of the outcasts in society being in a space of complete comfort and they are happy. This cover and the name of this album “Teenage Emotions”, makes you believe Lil Yachty is about to speak about very deep and introspective issues in his debut...This is not the case.

Uh, uh, play with that pussy like peek-a-boo, uh Play with that pussy like peek-a-boo, uh Play with that pussy like peek-a-boo, uh Play with that pussy like peek-a-boo, uh

This is the hook from the first single from this album...I want you to really think about that

Contrary to the opinion of Joe Budden, Lil Yachty is clearly happy all of the time. This album makes that very clear. From being a broke teen in university (I know that feeling too well) to a platinum recording artist that is able to afford anything he wants and get all the girls he can handle...Yachty is clearly happy. On a majority of the songs here, he exhibits a positive vibe that is down to earth that frankly made me feel good when I first heard it around the release date. 

In fact, Lil Yachty seems like such a nice guy so I feel kinda bad for what I am about to say about this album...but Teenage Emotions is not very good...it is bad...it is really bad. This is a very bad album. Let me break down why I feel this way. While there are songs on here that I am quite fond of (for example, Better and Momma), there are much more that I do not like at all. Yachty has this tendency to be highly repetitive with his hooks and melodies (please refer to the aforementioned hook to the single Peek a Boo) and the songs get annoying after a second or third listen.  I appreciate the wide scope for the instrumental sounds used in the production of Teenage Emotions. With a mixture of synths and instruments, it does not feel like a typical album from his contemporaries. My problem with the production is that there are quite a few times it just sounds cheesy to the point where it leaves you scratching your head. Seeing as this album has 21 songs on it with cheesy production, annoying melodies and questionable lyrics, it is very VERY hard to stay interested. My biggest problem with this album is that irregular mixture of song styles. The rapper Lil Yachty has two rap personas: Yachty, the soft and kind singer who supplies the melodies and Lil Boat, the brash, braggadocious rapper who does not give a sh*t about anything. This radical change in personas and styles damages the album. A majority of this album has him singing or melodically rapping/ being Yachty but then he will throw in a Lil Boat track about shooting guns or having sex with a bunch of women and it just does not make sense sonically. 

RATINGS

Concept: 1/5 Production: 2.5/5 Lyrical Content: 1.5/5 Flow and Delivery: 1/5 Repeatability: 2/5 Did I enjoy this project? No, not really Songs to Recommend? Better, Momma, Running With A Ghost, Peek A Boo and Dirty Mouth

Final Rating: 1.6/5

Lil Yachty- Dirty Mouth Aside from Better, Momma, Running With A Ghost and Peek A Boo (for Migos), I recommend this Lil Yachty song. I feel like Lil Yachty’s rapping is better than his singing (even if it was the singing that brought him attention). This is a braggadocious song with no autotune or melodies, just bars.

Frankly, this is not a strong debut for Lil Yachty and after reviewing it, I will take a couple songs and just leave it where it belongs

Sorry, Yachty...

Denzel Curry- Imperial Released March 9, 2016 Label: C9, Loma Vista Recordings

When we talk about the XXL Freshman class of 2016, the names of 21 Savage, Lil Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert and Kodak Black are often mentioned as the standouts. In theory, that makes sense as these four have had the most commercial success of any other Freshman of that year and they were featured in the most viewed cypher in XXL history. There was one other person in that particular cypher that stood out to me; Denzel Curry. Kicking off the cypher in spectacular fashion and setting himself away from the pack, Denzel proved that he was a rapper to look out for. With me thinking about this Freshman class, I finally listened to Imperial, the second studio album from the Florida M.C. and I have to say I was immediately impressed.

What this album offers are 10 tracks of rugged and hazy lyricism. From the very beginning, on the opening track ULT, Curry displays his tough exterior and the unity within his clique, C9 whereas the second track Gook, shows him embracing his nature that is seen as weird or strange within the current rap community. These two songs set the pace for the rest of the project, with an exuberant yet gritty flow and a wise mind, openly talking about issues he has encountered as a young black male.

With the ability to display strong self-confidence and more importantly, self-acceptance towards his shortcomings, Curry gives us one of the stronger projects from any of his fellow Freshman. A definite worthwhile listen.

RATINGS

Concept: 3/5 Production: 4/5 Lyrical Content: 4/5 Flow and Delivery: 4/5 Repeatability: 4.5/5 Did I enjoy this project? Yes, I did Songs to Recommend? ULT, Gook, Knotty Head, Story: No Title and Zenith

Final Rating: 3.9/5

Denzel Curry- ULT The opening track of the album and the second single. Curry bursts onto the scene with a strong showing of a toughened young man through many transgressions including police brutality yet he is able to stand tall and united with his clique.

Dave East- Kairi Chanel Released September 30, 2016 Label: Mass Appeal Records

With the conventional standouts of Uzi, Yachty, Kodack and 21 in mind, there was a lot of underrated talent in last year’s XXL Freshman class. Aside from the aforementioned Denzel Curry, G Herbo is at the pinnacle of Chicago rap, Lil Dicky is one of the most unique and hilarious lyricists in the game today, Anderson .paak is a wonderful singer who had very strong contributions to Dr Dre’s last album Compton and Desiigner...well, Desiigner is such an enthusiastic person that it excuses not being able to understand him. There is one man I did not mention, the last freshman and the rapper that has become one of my favourite modern-day rappers. That is Dave East.

The East Harlem M.C. that has become the protege of Nas (one of my favourite rappers), that already endeared himself to me without me listening to a single one of his songs. I would then be exposed to the song Keisha, a track that quickly became one of my favourite songs from last year. It is only logical for me to listen to the album the single came from. 

Kairi Chanel is a modern day interpretation of the style of hip-hop that put the likes of Jay-Z, Nas, Mobb Deep, Raekwon, etc, on the map. This project is the reimagining of mafioso rap, with East vividly depicting everyday life for a young black male in the hoods of New York, whether it is hustling, avoiding beef or living the lavish lifestyles that their grind has brought them. East’s lyricism is spectacular, giving you a clear image of everything he is speaking of, all while on top of superb production and backed by features from high-profile hip-hop talent.

What stands out even more on this album is East’s storytelling ability. East is able to tie together compelling narratives that leave you hooked from start to finish and making you wish for the story to continue even after the song finishes. It is not too often that you want a song to have a sequel but with the amazing stories told on Keisha and Don’t Shoot, East leaves you asking for more.  A remarkably solid project that would be the very first thing I would recommend if someone were to ask me what they should listen to from the 2016 XXL Freshman.

RATINGS

Concept: 3.5/5 Production: 4/5 Lyrical Content: 4.5/5 Flow and Delivery: 4/5 Repeatability: 4/5 Did I enjoy this project? Yes, I did Songs to Recommend? It Was Written, Keisha, Can’t Ignore, 30 Niggaz, Eyes on Me and Don’t Shoot

Final Rating: 4/5

Dave East- Keisha A song that initially reminded me of Common- I Used To Love H.E.R. and Nas- Black Girl Lost but this song is far from a love song and far from a depiction of a girl losing her way. This song is a depiction of what happens when flexing goes wrong and when a woman uses her charms and sex appeal to take advantage of unsuspecting men.