#dude my life changed in the space of an hour wtf is happening. NO MORE BASEMENT!

[mummer]

went to a showing of a place and really liked it and then an hour later the guy called me and was like Ok i spoke to your current landlord and it’s all set to go you’re moving next month” Oh what Okay

[narcosmx]

narcos mexico headcannon list: enemies to lover edition (pt.1)

a/n: cleaned out my classroom yesterday which means my summer break has offically starteD so lets cross our fingers that my motivtion matches the free time i now have

anyways here’s this little shindig for the following request... i just did two on this post because i wanted to put something out quickly 

Hi may i request a“enemies to lover“ for boys.love your works ❤️😘

amado:

amado would be so fun to fuck with, you can’t tell me otherwise because no matter how much he claims to be done with you, he lives for the fucking chase

so that’s how i kind of imagine the enemy stuff starting not so much as enemies like you hate each other but goD YOU ANNOY THE SHIT OUT OF EACH OTHER 

no matter where or what, you are there ready to roast amado’s ass 

your daily goal is to have him groaning and running his hands down his face in frusturation and looking up at him with your big old giddy smile 

so i was thinking, who would annoy amado the fucking most and fucking get this

being related to pablo fucking acosta because that is the same vibe he’d have with you 

it’s the vibe of like getting on amado’s last fucking nerve and not giving a shit because you know he’ll be chasing after you the next day anyways 

whether it be that you’re his daughter or his niece you can defintely tell you’re related to acosta

having that fiercly fucking independent streak, wild at heart with a truly i do what i fucking want attitude

which is even more fucking fun when amado needs your help finding your dad, fucking wrangling your dad in or when he’s put to task to make sure nothing happens to you 

like acosta is going over to texas and you catch wind that he told amado to keep an eye on you your temper truly shines through 

“estas en serio???? tienes el pinshi tontin como niñero?? ni madrES” and storming off 

and acosta’s fucking amused like “chin.... pues suerte tontin” he says patting amado’s chest with a laugh knowing how firey you can get and leaving before you can come back to give him some more

you never make anything easy on amado not for a fucking second 

intentionally doing the literal opposite of what he is asking you to do 

like he’s like acosta left me in charge of you so please just fucking listen 

laughing it up because you’re like are??? you fucking ??? joking??

nearly fucking begging you to just chill, take it easy at home where he knows you’re safe and what do you do :))) nothing amado says and going out to do whatever the hell you want  

i laugh at the idea of amado rolling up to pablo’s ranch to check on you and he ask one of the guys where you are and they’re like oh she left like an hour ago

amado is out here looking into dead space as if he’s looking for a camera from the fucking office 

massaging his temple and looking at the guy like are you stupid???? and the dudes like fuck you i’m not getting my balls blown off

amado’s out here ready to tug out his hair as he’s out looking for you and finding you at some bar or whatever 

you’re dancing or taking down some shots and spot amado 

groaning seeing him, storming up to him already yelling at him that he’s not going to take you home and you can do whatever you want

but honestly amado is just standing there with his hands up already surrending 

 “you win, sta bueno? i can’t control you so just let me stick around and keep an eye on you”

you have your mouth open already ready to yell a response but hearing him you like smile and kinda cock your head at him and are still a bit suspicious but like “hm okay”

and that’s kind of when your relationship starts to change; he got to you because he’s not trying to bend you into his expectations, he just realized it’s easier to let you have your fun and be there to supervise as opposed to making you go harder because it’s not allowed

realizing that amado is actually pretty cool and relatable; he’s sarcastic, teasing, chill and up to anything 

ending up drinking and hanging out with amado for part if not most of the night 

and that’s when teasing changes from wanting to make his life hard to like ?? wanting him to beg 

that’s when the teasing of like “i know where my dad is :))))” starts and amado is like perfect, tell me where and you’re like :))))))) n ope :))))

because you love amado groaning and being like “por favor, no seas asi, hermosa” 

you want him to butter you up, coo at you, grab at your hand and give you a little pout 

this becomes a regular thing, amado knows he can come to you for favors he needs and it just grows from there to teasing about it to being like 

:)))) and what’s in it for me :))))

and amado being like :))) lo que quiere la reina, tu nomas me digas :)))

and it started with him saying that with a small chuckle and moves to him saying it with a smirk to saying it in his like lust filled tone, hovering over you and backing you into a wall

it’s not like you can pinpoint exactly where each stage started and ended, it was something that kind of just evolved

wow and just going to making amado’s life a living hell to bringing him to his knees for you 

benjamin

okay i don’t know why i am fucking digging these involved relationships where you are connected to them through someone you know but fuck it we keeping it up 

get this being dina’s best fucking friend, being her main bitch; you’re over here hyping her shit up, encouraging her to make her moves and to go after these ideas she has 

you are the opposite of benjamin when he’s like wtf stop trying to get into the business you are like ‘NO MI REINA TU VAS A SEGUIR Y YO TE AYUDO’

being constantly ready to fight benjamin, playfully putting your fists up to make dina laugh and being like ‘i’ll fight him right now, bring him on’

but you’re benjamin’s worst fucking nightmare because you’ll defend dina to the death when you go into protective best friend mode but benjamin feels he can’t say shit to you 

benjamin wants to keep face; like present himself as like respectful and wouldn’t talk to you the same way he talks to dina 

it’s not always yelling and popping off on benjamin, truly it probably rarely that really 

it’s a lot of under your breath snarky comments that make dina and pancho snicker and benjamin like having to take this whole ass shaky breath to calm himself down and snapping at pacho and mon being like ‘wtf are you laughing at’

but what is always most effective with benjamin is like outsmarting him ??

like calling him out when he’s contradicting himself, when he’s not making sense, like out reasoning him

just calling out benjamin and he turns to give you this little glare and you just give him a smile and tilt your head letting him know you’re not going to 

and benjamin being out here front as if he doesn’t low key get turned on seeing you get worked up but also seeing you show off your intelligence and the little smirk you get when you can see it on his face that he knows you have a poiint 

idk i lowkey feel like he’d feed off having someone that can like push him a little intellectually and in his conservative ass beliefs

and i just benjamin developing his little fucking crush is something that makes me so fucking soft 

ha ve this little thought of like benjamin asking about you but like trying to mask it in annoyance 

like when he sees dina without you he’s like “that’s a fucking miracle, where is she? did she finally get tired of fighting me on everything”

but when you’re around he’s not as like vocal, goes back into his reserved state and kinda just rolls his eyes at you when you walk through the doors like you’re already part of the family 

the way you know that benjamin is softening up on you and is showing these little hints of liking you is when he slowly starts to get out of his like stuffy, reserved mode

teasing you and at first you honestly just think he’s being an asshole but then you see him give you the softest ghost of a smile and you’re like oh shit he’s actually kidding 

like you walking into the house and him rolling his eyes and being like “don’t you have your own place, i’m sure it misses you” and then gives you his faint little smile and chuckle before quickly looking away from you wow

shy boy benjamin has be feeling some sort of way 

benjamin is out here beliving that he is hiding this shit so fucking well but dina notices immediately; she notices the small shifts in benjmain AND HER CROSSING HER EYES AND RAISING HER EYEBROW AT HIM LIKE HM INTERESTING 

but like the little things, benjamin hanging around when you’re there as opposed to leaving right away like he did before, not responding when you have a point he just huffs and takes the loss

when he starts giving in to your comments when you’re calling him out that’s when all his other siblings are like THIS BITCH IS HEART EYES RN 

THE NEV ER EVER EVER ENDING TEASING FROM ALL OF HIS SIBLINGS ESPECIALLY DINA 

she’s like “oh la que no te gustaba” and the smirks she gets when all benjamin can do is tell them to shut the fuck up 

and dina is out here like fuck yeah someone to put min in his place so she’s all for it and the fact that dina knows you better than you know yourself so she notices the little changes in you to 

like the way you clap back at benjamin goes from like angry popping off to ending with a smirk and a shrug, or playfully getting all up in his face and poking his chest 

I SCREAM DINA AND MON DEF SET YOU GUYS 

like dina tricking you into going to dinner with her and mon getting min to go to set you guys up on your little dinner date where you both act annoyed as fuck but end up nearly leaning across the table to be as close to each other as you can 

wow i love that idea so much, setting them up on a date where you’re both huffy with arms crossed until you are like FINE I GUESS NOW THAT WE”RE HERE to the two of you melting and holding hands across the table bYE 

[singingunderthecurtain]

God, Is That You? | 20190320

Author: @julietsoddeye​ Genre: Angst | Fluff | Fantasy AU Pairing: Xiumin x Female Reader (ft. Taeyong) Warning: Language | Mention of ONS

Plot: Dear Diary, hopefully this is just a dream because this is not how he said it should be!

A/N: This one is pretty long lol D:

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~A table, a very long one, ahead of you.

A grand flower centerpiece in the middle of it.

Layers of plates right to your front and millions of cutleries at the sides of said plates.

A lot of yummy-looking Chinese food is served, yet not a single strand of noodle is on your plate.

You noticed you are seated on one side of the “power seats”, in the middle. You look to your right and your department bosses are there with your immediate manager nearest you and on your left side sat your colleagues and, of course, Taeyong the closest.

Everyone seems to be in fun conversations, eating and drinking alcohol. But they do not make a sound. You can hear none of their cackles or the silverwares scratching the surface of the plates.

You tried picking on your ear and nothing happened. You called out to them and no one seems to hear you, yet you’re screaming bloody murder.

You tried standing up, but your butt is literally glued to the seat. You touched your behind and–holy shit!–you’re actually one with the gaddamn chair… —WAIT, no, your actual lower half IS the chair!!!

“WHAT IS HAPPENING, AAAAAAAAAAA!?!?!” you scream once again. 

Are you deaf all of a sudden, but you can hear yourself… Or do you just hear yourself in your mind? AAAAAAAAA

“Dang, you don’t have to yell— Can you please pass the chili oil?”

You suddenly hear something other than yourself.

“What?!” you called out again.

“I said… Pass me the gad-dang chili oil!”

You crank your attention to the direction of the voice, on the other side of the table across from you. It looks like he is miles away but you can see him crisp and clear. 

This… delicately ethereal-looking being has soft rosy hair, he’s wearing a creamy pink and white bomber jacket and a pair of cream pants. His–pinkiness–compliments his snowy skin.

Gosh, you haven’t seen such gracefulness in your life.

Wait, no, that’s a lie. Taeyong is handsome too. But /he/ is different...

“I can’t move, I’m a chair,” you said with a small voice.

“Haha, sorry about that!” he stood from his position and up in the chair he previously occupied. 

The aura suddenly changed and beams of luminescence suddenly shone behind him as he ascended slowly into the air.

“HOLY FU—” you stopped yourself from cursing, noticing that no one is paying attention to what was happening to him but you.

“God, is that you?”

“Silly, I’m not God. I’m just…” he started with a laugh as he forwards closer to where you are, still floating in the air like a divine being, “Well, you can say I’m a guardian. Your guardian.” he continues when his bare feet touch the ground in front of you.

Looking behind him, everything and everyone is gone. Not Taeyong, not a single one in sight. You’re now in a field of pink rose petals, several butterflies of different shapes, colors, and sizes flying around the both of you.

You see you have your feet back, barefoot just like he is. You wiggle your toes and giggle when the flower petals tickle your pads. You’re wearing a sabrina-neckline amaranth lace ball gown, the hem just a few inches above your knees.

You look up from below and he is just a few feet away from you, smiling serenely, watching your every action. Gosh, his beautiful monolid eyes are much, much more appealing up close. He’s not reacting any more than him smiling, probably waiting for you to talk again first.

“So… You’re an angel???” you carefully ask, your eyes narrow at him, brows raised waiting for a response.

“Ah, you’re so adorable,” his cheeks bunched very cutely when he grinned and expressed his adoration.

“Uhh…”

“But to answer your question, no, I am not an Angel.” he grins once again.

You can totally see his gums, but it's so cute and his teeth are so cute and he's so cute. UWU

“BUT!!!” before you can even react he exclaims, “I will give you a gift.” He continued.

“A gi—”

He suddenly plunks his right pointer finger on your lips, stopping you from talking any further.

“Shh, shh, shh. Stop talking, you just listen, okay?” he widens his eyes at you and you have no other choice but to widen your eyes as well and bob your head as a reply.

“When you wake up, you will be in a much better time… Or at least the beginning of a better life for you. A life you always wanted.”

His hands are holding your shoulders tightly. Not tight to a point that it causes discomfort for you, but just tight enough for you to have a hint, a little taste, a tinge of his excitement. You smiled when his smile widened.

“But be careful of men… Some men.”

And just that, his elation dips. You dare not reply.

“Okay?” he asks and you just nod again.

“Okay.” and his smile is back.

“I am going to wake you up now, okay?” he slowly pushes you back and when he stops, his hands leave your shoulders and you can already feel the dreariness of his absence.

The cute, pink-haired angel, God, celestial being, guy—inhaled and then exhaled—before suddenly giving you a quick peck on the lips.~

As you opened your eyes, you thought, ‘holy crap!’

“When you wake up, you will be in a much better time… Or at least the beginning of a better life for you. A life you always wanted.”

Those words flutter in your mind. You can still hear a trace of his voice ringing in your ears.

And he kissed you, he said he will wake you up and then kissed you… And then you wake up, and…

“Damn,” you rub your eyes to wake yourself up and then grab your phone to check the date.

Of course, it’s still the twentieth. It was just a weird dream. Did you honestly believe that?

Although, last night, talking with that guy from that dating app definitely took your boredom away.

You messaged each other nonstop for three hours straight, no joke. If you haven’t fallen asleep, you probably have texted longer.

He sent you pictures of his cat and you sent him pictures of your plants. He said he wanted to start taking care of plants too, but he’s suddenly become busy with the family business. 

Something about his dad wanting to suddenly retire and wanting XiuMin to take over as soon as they possibly can handover everything. You forgot to ask what business it was, but it’s probably a restaurant or a cafe of sorts ‘cause he said he and his dad bond over food a lot.

In that span of three hours, each of you has shared a lot about the other and connected so well. You feel like you already know him just by those tiny details he shared. 

Like that time he told you he was at the park drinking his afternoon coffee and some pigeon decided to invade his space, wanting to steal his pastry. He said he hates birds, but by the sound of his story in your mind, he’s probably afraid of them. Cute.

The thing though is, you don’t know what he looked like yet.

You never asked him what he looks like so he never bothered to ask you for selfies either. You do have pictures on your profile, but all of it has animals or cutie, kinda kiddie, filters that alter your face.

Well, that doesn’t matter, for now, you’re just bored. You’ll probably stop talking with this guy after you come back to work.

But when you woke up the next morning, you had about twenty messages from him. Two of which he realized you probably fell asleep as it was pretty late, but the rest are random things he asked your opinions about.

Of course, you replied. One apology for the non-reply from last night and then one answer for each thing he asked about. Gosh, you finally found it! The thing, or in this case a person, that will occupy you for the rest of your unwanted break from your routine.

BUZZ!

Wow, your shuttle food delivery is early. That’s kinda suspicious, but eh. You’re hungry now, just in time. You thoughtlessly open your door without peeking at your security monitor first and Taeyong’s face pops out.

“What are you…” you started.

“Doing here?” he chimed. 

You finish each other's sandwiches, apparently.

Taeyong pushes in, carrying three bags of food. Wow, more food. 

“You weren’t answering my texts and calls, I thought you died, dude.”

You told him you were embarrassed by what happened. By your temporary termination. He said it’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s ‘part of growing up’, like what he usually says to you about, well, almost everything. Which kind of makes sense a lot, weirdly.

Not like you have control over what the management decides on, he said. And you agree. You don’t even know why you previously felt that way, especially with Taeyong? The Taeyong who has heard you burp like a man but still chooses to be your friend? 

But he said it’s cool and he forgives you, he said that very smugly when you didn’t even ask for forgiveness. You roll your eyes at him and playfully hit his shoulder.

You both spent the rest of the night eating and playing your favorite game on your console.

And right after your head hits your pillow, you realize you completely ghosted XiuMin for hours!!!

You quickly type a small sorry and explanation as to why you were M.I.A all day, which you know is not necessary, but you wanna do it cuz you enjoy talking with him and don’t want to make him feel like you’re finally done with him, or whatever.

Not bothering to wait for a reply, you instantly fell asleep.

﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎﹎

WEDNESDAY | 20190320 — 3 things happened: 1.  Had a super weird dream. 2.  Met this XiuMin guy on Thunder last night and we connected??? 3. Taeyong visited me.

WTF OwO

[meteora-writes]

Ok Since I noticed there wasn’t any, & since the show in s1 did kinda started out there, Request for High School Trick AU, it’s so intriguing, maybe with Troy being the new troubled transfer student w/ a shady past & being just removed from the ranch? Thanks :-D - Sarah <3

Sorry this took me so long, but here’s part one of the series <3

Out of The Dark

If there is one thing Nick Clark knows, it’s ‘at-risk youths’. He is one, after all. And one that has a way of sniffing out others and figuring out what makes them tick what motivates them and what they want out of life. Some he befriends, others he abandons quickly. Some brands of crazy just don’t mix, after all. And the last thing you want is a volatile mix. He’s been burned enough times now to know better.

So when a new kid appears in the halls of Paul R. Williams High School with hunched shoulders and one hell of a shiner surrounding his right eye with all the hidden charm of a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Well, Nick can’t help but be curious. His instincts telling him to check this guy out.

Nick doesn’t approach him right off the bat. Just kind of hang back in the halls between classes and observes him. They have Biology together, so he at least knows the guys’ name now. And that he’s apparently been “homeschooled” for most of his life and has an interest in science.

When they have to pair up for a project a week into Troy being there, Nick takes the opportunity and slides into the seat beside the taller boy, offering a charming smile to the blank look he gets in return. “Hi, I’m Nick,” he says as he offers a copy of their assignment worksheet.

“Troy,” he says carefully, taking the paper with one hand while the other tightly grips a pencil like a lifeline. His posture is hunched again, even though he usually seems to relax during class. Nick attributes it to having to interact with new people. Homeschooled kids never get enough social interaction.

“You really don’t want to be here, huh?” Nick can’t help but ask as he looks away. He doesn’t mean to make the kid uncomfortable, and he’ll play nice and be his normal chill self around him until given a reason to act otherwise.

“Got no choice,” Troy shrugs, trying for indifference but he’s still so tense that the motion fails horribly and is jerky and awkward. Nick tries not to find it oddly endearing, he really does.

“Sure you do, you could ditch. Or drop out,” Nick offers in return, lowering his voice when the others in the room start to quiet and work on their assignment.

“No, I can’t. Now shut up and work on the assignment,” Troy bites out harshly, surprising Nick. There’s a kind of quiet anger radiating from the other boy all of the sudden, and Nick makes a mental note to not push his luck.

“Yeah, sure, whatever you want man.” Nick concedes, raising his hands in a placating manner before starting to move the items they need for the project around on the table. They barely talk for the rest of the class and Nick figures that’s that.

~~~~~

Or it was until the next day when Troy actually sits at Nick’s table at lunch. Nick usually sits with only a few people. Gloria and Calvin and one or two other kids to the whole picnic style metal table that can seat a dozen easily. Glo and Cal give Nick a questioning look, to which he just shrugs and goes back to eating his spaghetti. He isn’t going to pry. If the guy wants to sit with them who’s he to question it.. He isn’t sure what Troy is aiming to gain here, but he can wait and see.

“Hey,” Cal says despite the look Nick gives him that clearly reads ‘wtf dude, leave him alone?’.

Troy glances up from his meal to stare warily at their group. “Hey,” he greets back with a small wave of his fork before rather violently stabbing a meatball on his tray.

“You’re the new guy, Troy, right? What brings you here, Troy? Parent’s drag you here from another town?” Cal asks, all cheery and personable. He’s one of the better actors Nick knows. But from the looks of it, Troy isn’t buying the act.

“Moved in with my brother. Had to go to a school and this was the closest one to where we live.” Is the only answer they get before Troy drops his fork onto his tray and gets up to leave.

Once he’s gone the group trades looks of interest and confusion.

“Maybe something happened to his parents?” Glo guesses with a shrug before tucking a long strand of blonde hair behind her ear and looking in the direction the gangly brunet left.

“Maybe,” Cal agrees. “Or maybe he got in trouble with the cops and his parents kicked him out so he had to come to live with his brother. You saw the bruise on his eye when he got here, he has them all over. Saw hem all over his back when he was changing for gym the other day. Dude looks like he belongs in Fight Club.”

That gets a worried look from both Gloria and Nick. Both have been smacked around by their parents, and they know the kind of shit that can push you to do. Neither says anything though. Cal doesn’t get it. His family is great. A little poor. Which is why he started dealing. When things are bad he keeps Nick and Glo well supplied. But he doesn’t get their addiction or what it’s like to have a parent be so enraged that they just start hitting you.

To a degree, Gloria doesn’t entirely get it either. Her stepmother slapped her a few times over the years. Nothing like the beatings Nick’s taken when Madison is drunk or just plain furious for whatever reason.

The bell rings, bringing Nick back to reality and the clamor of trays and grumbling of kids who don’t want to go back to class. They don’t have any classes together that day, but Nick finds his mind wandering back to Troy Otto and what kind of secrets he must be keeping.

~~~~~

The next day Troy isn’t in their biology class, and the teacher doesn’t call his name at attendance, which means he either called out or switched classes. A quick glance at the class roster on the teachers’ desk when he goes up to, write on the board reveals that Troy called out for the rest of the week.

That strikes Nick as odd. Usually, if a student is sick they just do a mark meaning until further notice. The note beside his name clearly said out for x number of days. That detail nags at him the rest of the day. In fact, it nags at him to the point where he waits around after school to ‘catch a ride home with his mom’.

Which means he has an hour to sneak into the file room and find out what he can about Troy. Something doesn’t seem quite right here. The guy’s too quiet. And knowing what he does about the bruises and the flash of a temper he saw he wants to at least find out the other boys address so he can maybe walk by and maybe take a peak. See how he’s doing, maybe offer to go over what he missed in class if he gets caught in the neighborhood.

Picking the lock to the room he needs access to is ridiculously easy. The school is old and the locks are cheap. They may have gone all high tech with the metal detectors that are being installed, but they still lack security cameras in key areas, and they sure as hell haven’t upgraded the locks.

Slipping into the room, Nick lets the door close behind him with a soft clock. He doesn’t bother with the lights. Just uses his phone to see what he’s doing. The cabinets are alphabetized, so he just has to find O for Otto, Troy, and take a quick peek.

The quick peek turns into a full half hour sitting on the floor with his back to the cabinet as he reads and re-reads the few short pages in the folder. His school records go as far as third grade when he was referred to counseling for his issues interacting with other children. His father pulled him out to ‘home school’ him after that.

The next paper in the folder is a letter from a court in San Diego explaining that Troy comes from an abusive home and was never homeschooled as his father said he would be. He was raised in a hostile setting and was removed from the home when a raid was done by the FBI on their ranch to search for a stockpile of illegally gained guns and military equipment.

Troy was found in the basement with several bruises and was quickly taken to the hospital where they found evidence of past trauma and improperly healed broken bones. Residents of the ranch claimed not to know anything about the abuse, but his mother confessed to everything.

Troy’s legal guardian is his older brother, Jake, who is 8 years older and a lawyer. He has a house only a few blocks away from Nicks own.

A text causes Nick’s phone to buzz in his hand, shocking him out of the stupor he’s fallen into. He had to read the pages before him three times for it to make sense.

The text is from his mom, asking if he’s ready to leave. He shoots back a quick text of yes and he’ll meet her at the car.

It’s clear that he’s shaken when he gets into the car with Madison, and she turns to face him rather than starting the engine and leaving the parking space. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”

Blinking, Nick considers lying and saying it’s nothing, but he just doesn’t have it in him at the moment. “I’m just worried about a friend. Well, he’s not really a friend, he’s the new kid, Troy? He wasn’t in school today.”

A look of surprise flashes across Madison’s face before she turns back to face the wheel and start the car. “You don’t need to worry, he had somewhere to be today, but he’ll be back in a few days. I spoke to his brother this morning.”

His mom’s word don’t exactly do anything to ease his worries, and Nick sinks down into his seat and hugs his backpack to his chest as he looks out the window. He took a picture of Troy’s address with his phone, he could just go for a walk and take a look. See for himself that Troy is indeed fine.

“Don’t worry so much, Nick. Everything with Troy is going to be fine. You have my word,” Madison assures, her tone more counselor like than motherly. He hates when she talks like that.

“Yeah, right…” he agrees a beat later with a sigh. Her words just make him want to go even more.

Unfortunately, Alicia has other plans and demands that he helps her with her science project when he gets home. That eats up a good three hours, then dinner takes another, and by the time he’s able to slip away, it’s getting close to dark.

Lucky for him that just means Madison is out on a date with Travis until late and Alicia is busy with her homework, so he can easily slip out undetected.

The walk to Troy’s street doesn’t take long, maybe ten minutes, and what he sees when the house is finally in view is surprising. Troy is out in the driveway in a rumpled black suit, back to a silver pickup and looking very uncomfortable while a man who Nick assumes is Troy’s brother yells at someone over the phone from inside of their house. His figure clear through the large bay window.

For a moment Nick thinks he should turn tail and run, but then Troy spots him and it’s too late. The brunet looks confused a moment before stuffing his hands in his pockets and starting to walk down the block towards Nick.

He looks good, despite the yellow shadow of a still-healing bruise around his eye and across his cheekbone. “What are you doing here, Nicky?”

The question is a mix of curiosity and threat, though Nick isn’t really sure how it is, just that he feels vaguely threatened by it. “Needed to get out of the house for a while and walk around,” Nick says with a shrug. “What’s with the suit? Someone die?”

Troy actually flinches at the question, and Nick instantly regrets it.

“Shit, man, I was joking. Did someone actually die?”

Troy shakes his head before bringing a hand up to rub at his face tiredly, a gesture that makes him look much older than 17. “Not any time soon,” he grumbles before meeting Nick’s gaze, intense blue eyes meeting warm brown. “Look, I need to get outa here for a while. You know a place? Preferably without other people?”

The question has Nick taken aback for a moment and he only nods before pointing behind himself with his thumb and gesturing for Troy to follow. He does, and they walk in silence for a good three blocks before Troy speaks up.

“Your buddy Calvin is a real piece of work,” he notes, tone sounding much more chipper than Nick would expect from the air of tension hanging around the guy.

“What’d he do this time?” Nick asks cautiously. Cal can be a dumbass at times. And just as much of a gossip as Gloria.

That gets a snort out of Troy, who shakes his head like he can’t decide if he wants to elaborate or not. After a beat, he sighs and gives in. “He had the gall to follow me home the other day and ask why I’m so banged up and on edge all the time. Like my life is any of his damn business.”

Thinking about it, Nick isn’t surprised Cal did that. The guy likes to poke at people’s weaknesses. Find the cracks in them. If he can’t get you to trust him he does shit to make you think he’s just a curious idiot that didn’t mean anything by it. Nick doesn’t think Troy would buy that play for even a second.

“Cal’s an idiot. Just ignore him,” Nick says dismissively with a wave of his hand before stuffing it into his pocket. “Him and Glo like to know everybody’s business.”

“But not you?” Troy asks with a chuckle.

Nick rolls his eyes at that before pointing to an old blue house with peeling paint that’s surrounded by a fence and multiple signs saying it’s condemned. “Nah, man. If people wanna tell me what’s going on with them that’s cool, but I won’t push for info on something that’s none of my business.” It’s not a total lie. He’s curious as all hell, but he can feel the tension radiating from Troy, he’s a powder keg and Nick is a lit match. He knows better than to risk saying the wrong thing and set the other boy off.

His words seem to strike a chord with Troy, and he actually relaxes a little. “So what is this place?” he asks as they reach the fence and start to slink around towards the backyard, where there are a few loose boards hidden by a large bush that they have to crouch to get behind.

“It was some old couples house. They died about a year ago and their family found out the house had been falling apart of years when they flew out to try and sell it. They decided to have it torn down instead, but I guess it’s tied up in court or something and they can’t do anything until that’s all settled. So, for now, it’s where I go to get away from my family,” Nick explains as he holds the broken boards aside for Troy to slip into the yard first.

Troy gives him an odd look before climbing through the opening. A moment later Nick’s in behind him and quickly leading the way to the back door, which has a broken lock thanks to a crowbar Nick snagged from Travis’ truck one night.

Once they’re inside it’s a bit hard to see, most of the windows have been boarded up or painted over. Without thinking Nick reaches back and grabs hold of Troy’s wrist, causing the other boy to freeze on the spot. Nick let’s go a second later and turns to look at him. “Dude, sorry. Just try and relax, there are some weak boards in the floor and I was just going to help you avoid them.”

Nick can practically see the gears turning in Troy’s head for a long moment before he holds out his hand for Nick to take. Which he does, and he’s honestly surprised when Troy closes his fingers around Nick’s hand and holds on a bit tighter than necessary. His hands are rough, but warm, and Nick wonders if that’s something that will change now that he isn’t living on a ranch.

The back door opens into an old mud room and connects to the kitchen from there. Once they’re inside the actual house it’s easy to see why it’s going to be torn down. There are boards missing from the floor, panels gone from the ceiling, and something that looks like vines is growing up a wall from a crack at the bottom.

Troy holds onto Nick’s hand all the way into the living room, which has several pieces of plywood strewn about the floor to make it safe to walk on. The old owners’ furniture is still there, and there are two large overstuffed couches and an armchair to match. Nick leads Troy to the first couch and actually has to wiggle his fingers to remind the other boy they’re holding hands still and get him to let go.

To his credit, Troy looks embarrassed and ducks his head sheepishly before taking a seat on the end of the couch in front of him. “So, what do you usually do while you’re hiding away here?”

“Smoke weed and listen to music,” Nick admits with a smirk as he flops down onto the opposite end of the couch to stare at Troy, who looks a bit surprised.

“Got a bit of a drug problem, Nicky?” Troy asks, tone teasing.

That makes Nick snort a laugh before he stretches out on the couch with his feet just shy of touching Troy’s leg. “Depends who you talk to, but basically, yeah. I’m an addict. Been to rehab twice for heroin. The pot is nothing, it’s just what I do when I’m trying to stay clean.”

The wide-eyed look Troy is giving makes Nick want to laugh and maybe ask if he’s alright. “I get the feeling you’ve never met anyone like me before, have you, Troy?”

Clearing his throat, Troy shakes his head and shifts in his seat to better face Nick, one leg pulled up onto the couch and an arm over the backrest. “What got you started?” It’s a simple question, but a loaded one. Too many ways to answer and too many ways things could be taken wrong.

“Well, if you ask my therapist it’s because I was born this way and was basically doomed to start using thanks to genetics and stupidity.” It’s true, that’s basically what he’s been told. Though when he says what he knows triggered his first decision to use, nobody has really believed him yet. His home life is too perfect despite his father dying in a car accident.

“Sounds like bullshit,” Troy chuckles. “Tell me what made you start using, not the reasons some crackpot therapist came up with. Don’t give me the psychoanalyzed version of the truth.”

That has Nick taken aback for a second. Nobody’s ever wanted him to really explain. Not even Glo or Cal. They just think his home life sucks and his mom smacks him once in a while. “Real deal? My mom’s abusive and I kind of think she’s the reason my dad died. But everyone thinks she’s this saint of a woman that lost a husband and has a problematic junkie son. Now can we talk about something else? This shit is too heavy.”

Troy actually laughs at Nick’s bluntness and leans back so he’s resting against the arm of the couch. He eyes Nick in a way that Nick can’t decipher for a brief moment before his gaze slips around the dimly lit room. “Can we get some more light in here?’

Chuckling, Nick gets up and wanders over to where a box is sitting beside the armchair. Inside are all the things he keeps there for his alone time. A dozen candle filled mason jars that are painted different colors to make the place feel more comfortable, his spare junky old brick of an iPod, and a few things of canned soda and various snacks.

He takes a few jars out and brings them over to the coffee table before fishing a book of matches out of his pants pocket and striking one. When he looks up Troy’s watching with one eyebrow raised as he carefully lights the candles in each jar and gets them arranged on the table to create a glowing rainbow of sorts. “Gotta have the right mood when you’re getting high. Nothing sucks more than the vibe of a place bringing you down.”

Troy gives a slight nod at that. “I’ll take your word for it…” he drawls, a hint of an accent that Nick had noted before growing stronger.

“Dude, I gotta ask, where are you from? You mostly sound like you’re from somewhere in Cali, but then there are times when you have like a hint of a southern accent thrown in.” It’s been bugging Nick since the day he first heard Troy speak in the halls.

“Two hours east of San Diego,” Troy grumbles as he shifts on the couch so he can kick off his shoes and loosen his tie. “Grew up on a ranch. Picked the accent up from the workers and my dad.”

Nodding, Nick looks around the room to see if he’s missed anything. “Are you hungry? I’ve got some chips ‘n stuff kicking around. I might even have some cookies left.”

Troy snorts at the offer. “I’m good. Think I just need to lay back and pretend the world doesn’t exist for a while,” he admits with a tired sigh. In that moment he once again looks much older than 17, and Nick really wants to do something to help. Nobody their age should look like they have the world on their shoulders.

“You like music?” Nick finds himself asking as he wanders back over to his box of goodies and snatches up his iPod, along with a few cans of ginger ale and the big bag of Doritos he stashed there a few days ago.

“You like breathing?” Troy counters with a small scoff as he stretches out on the couch, his long frame taking up most of it. He’s tall, at least two or three inches taller than Nick, and Nick is almost six feet and supposedly still growing.

Nick rolls his eyes but says nothing as he tosses the bag of Doritos on the floor right where two couches meet at the armrests and sets the sodas on the corner of the coffee table that’s easily within reach. Kicking off his own shoes and flops down onto the other couch so his head is on end closest to Troy’s. “Here,” he says, holding out one earbud for the other boy to take.

After a moment’s hesitation Troy takes it and examines it briefly before popping it into his left ear. Nick does the same with his right and after a moment’s scrolling through his options, he puts on a playlist of the heavier songs he has. He figures Troy can appreciate them, seeing as the guy has a Rise Against bumper sticker on the truck that he’s fairly certain is his and not his lawyer brothers.

The first song to come on is Attack by Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Troy makes a little surprised sound at it but doesn’t comment on the music otherwise.

They spend a good hour laying like that, Troy occasionally asking what song is playing while they munch on Doritos and drink room temperature soda.

Eventually Troy gets a text from his brother asking where he is and if he’s okay. He reluctantly texts that he’s fine and is just out walking with a classmate and he’ll be home soon. “I need to get headed,” he grumbles as he removes the bud from his ear and holds it out for Nick to take.

“Yeah? You want me to walk you back?” Nick asks, already clocking off the old iPod and winding the cord of the earbuds around the bulk of it as he sits up.

Troy looks conflicted, glancing between Nick and is phone a few times before nodding. “Sure,” is all he says as he stands and slips his shoes back on.

Nick says nothing as Troy grabs his hand on the way out, he did say he’d guide the other boy through the house earlier, and it is dark. If Nick lets himself enjoy it a little that’s nobody’s business but his own, and he finds himself missing the warmth just a little when they’re outside and Troy hesitantly let’s go as they walk through the tall grass of the back yard.

Soon they’re walking down the sidewalk in the direction of Troy’s house, bodies close enough that they bump shoulders now and then. There’s still a tension to how Troy carries himself, but he’s more relaxed than Nick has seen him in the week the other boy has been attending the same school as him. It feels like some kind of victory that he’s the reason why.

When they reach Troy’s block he pauses, and Nick turns back to look at him in the glow of the street light. “Listen, I really appreciate you taking me to your secret hangout for a few hours. I needed that.”

Nodding, Nick stuffs his hands in his pockets and gives a small smile. “No problem, man. You’re welcome to go back and hang if you need to get away for a while. You’ll have to bring your own tunes though, I need to charge my iPod.”

That gets a chuckle out of Troy, who nods and steps forward to place a hand on Nick’s shoulder before he passes. “I think we can be friends now,” he says in a warm tone that gets Nick laughing.

“Yeah, man, we’re friends. Which means if Calvin is a dick again let me know and I’ll deck him for you,” Nick offers as he turns to watch Troy as he walks away.

“I’d pay to see that,” Troy calls out without looking back. “Good night, Nicky. Be seein’ you.”

“Night, Troy,” Nick calls after as he turns and starts to walk in the direction of his own home.

He goes back to the abandoned house the next night, not surprised when Troy showed up not even half an hour later with what appears to be a shiny new iPod full of music and a bag of snacks that he drops into Nick’s supply bo,x without a word.

They take up the same positions as the night before, Troy sprawled on one couch while Nick is sprawled on another. Troy occasionally asking if Nick has heard of this band or this song that his brother loaded onto his iPod for him.

It becomes an almost nightly occurrence. Nick sneaking out to chill for a few hours and Troy showing up not long after. Eventually, they end up on the same couch, both still laying down but with their feet up by the others sides as Nick smokes a joint and tells Troy about what he’s missed at school the last few days.

He doesn’t pry about what Troy is going through, and Troy doesn’t share any details. Just says one night he’s been getting dragged to court with his brother for family stuff. Nick tosses him a bag of mini snickers and asks if he wants to lie to his brother and Nick’s mom and just crash there for the night. It’s Saturday. No court or school the next day. So no reason to go home if they don’t’ want to.

It only takes a few moments for Troy to give a slight nod and pull out his phone, calling Jake and asking if he can crash at his buddy Nick’s house for the night and explaining they only live a few blocks away so it’s not like he’s far if Jake needs him.

His brother agrees readily and actually encourages Troy to ask to do so more often.

Nick isn’t honestly expecting Madison to agree, in which case he’ll go home for an hour before sneaking out his window. When he gets a text back saying to have fun and call if he needs anything he lets out a manic sounding laugh that gets Troy looking at him like he’s grown a second head.

“What’s so funny, Nicky?” Troy asks as he pokes Nick in the ribs with his toes.

“My mom actually agreed. The only place she’s ever okay with me staying is Calvin’s house. And that’s because we’ve been friends since we were 7 years old.” Nick admits with another chuckle.

“She probably figures you won’t try and pull anything since my brother is a lawyer,” Troy wagers with a grin. “So, do you have blankets stashed somewhere around here?”

Rolling his eyes, Nick drags himself up to sitting and takes another hit from his neglected joint before standing and wandering over to the stairs that go up to the second floor. He hops over the few broken ones, minding the loose nails here and there and the broken bit of banister before reaching the top. There are several boxes in each room, and it’s easy to find the boxed up blankets that were left behind.

He returns downstairs a moment later with the roach of his nearly gone joint between his lips and an arm full of puffy blankets. “You want a pillow too or are you good?” Nick asks, words a little muffled from the way he speaks without opening half his mouth to keep from dropping the last of his weed on the blankets in his arms.

“I’m good, but I’ll settle for a lullaby since you don’t seem like the type to read me a story,” Troy jokes as he reaches out and takes one of the blankets from Nicks grasp. It isn’t really cold in here at night, but it’s easier to sleep with a blanket and Nick gets that.

“Sorry, fresh out of lullabies. Lucky you, you brought that nice new iPod to listen to,”  Nick says in mock sweetness as he stubs out the end of his roach and moves to get situated on the other couch with his own blanket.

Snorting a laugh, Troy doesn’t argue as he shakes out the blanket he’s been given and covers his legs with it. Things between them fall silent again and both men lay in the near dark as the candles Nick lit early slowly burn out in the multi-colored jars.

Nick thought for sure that Troy was already asleep as he starts to doze, but soft words draw him back to consciousness.

“Hey, Nick…” he pauses and waits for Nick to hum in acknowledgment before continuing.”y’know before, when you said your mom’s abusive? So’s mine. And my dad. S’why I’ve been goin’ to court ‘n why I was beat to crap when I first got here. They took me away and brought me to live with Jake after keeping me in a hospital for a week to make sure I wasn’t majorly fucked up after ten years of being a punching bag.”

Nick stays silent for a long moment, unsure of what to say at first. “I’m glad you got out, man. I like having you around.”

“… Yeah, I like havin’ you around too…” troy agrees, tone showing how close he is to sleep. There’s a sound of shifting fabric, probably Troy rolling over or something. And that’s the last thing heard before they both nod off.

~~~~~

Nick isn’t sure what wakes him, he just knows it’s still dark and he’s not anywhere near ready to be awake. He’s about to roll over and go back to sleep when he hears the unmistakable sound of a whimper.

“Troy?” He asks blearily as he rolls onto his back and forces himself to sit up despite the heaviness in his sleep addled body. When there’s no response he reaches out and grabs his phone off the coffee table. Hitting the power button casts the room in a faint glow and it’s just enough for him to see that Troy is tangled in his blanket and looking miserable. Most likely from a nightmare.

“Hey, Troy, wake up,” he says it louder this time, and the other boy jumps awake with a start, clearly not recognizing his surroundings in the low light. “Dude, you’re alright, it was just a dream,” Nick offers softly, not wanting to startle him further.

“Yeah… Right…” Troy says, sounding a little out of breath and shaky.” Right… Yeah… I’m good. Sorry.”

Considering his options, Nick decides to go with his big-brother instinct here and kicks off his own blanket before standing and stretching with a jawn. “Move over,”

That gets Troy’s head snapping around to look over at Nick in the dim light still being cast by his phone screen. “You’re kidding.”

“I don’t kid about things like this. You had a nightmare and I know from experience going back to sleep after one is either a major bitch and takes forever, or you nod right off and go right back into it. So the best thing to do is not sleep alone. Now move over, dumbass. Or I’ll shove you over,” Nick reasons as he moves so he’s standing by the middle of Troy’s couch.

It’s hard to make out his expression in the dim light, but Troy’s studying Nick with an unreadable one for a good long moment before he sighs and shifts on the couch so his lithe frame is pressed to the back cushions. He rolls so his back is to Nick, which makes the shorter boy snort before he carefully climbs onto the couch behind him and gets situated under the blanket.

It’s a little awkward and takes them a bit to figure out how to lay, but eventually, they end up with both of them using Nick’s bent arm as a pillow, as Nick wraps the other around Troy’s waist and lets his hand sort of loosely hold Troy’s shirt.

“This good?” Nick asks, still tired but also nervous. He’s curled up like this with Cal before. But doing so with Troy is sending his heart racing in his chest like it’s looking for an exit.

“… Yeah… This is good… Thanks, Nicky,” Troy mutters softly,

Nick doesn’t respond, doesn’t trust himself not to say something stupid or give away how he’s feeling all of a sudden with the other boy in his arms.

Sleep comes again for Troy quickly, but Nick finds himself lying away for a while longer just listening to him breathe softly. At one point Troy snuffles in his sleep and nuzzles into Nick’s arm as he leans back into him a bit.

It’s warm and comfortable, and eventually, the pounding of Nick’s heart slows and he joins Troy in sleep. Neither of them says anything about Troy’s nightmare in the morning, but Troy does give Nick this smile that’s honest to god the most breathtaking look Nick has ever been on the receiving end of and it’s all he can do not to kiss Troy then and there.

He wants to. But he’s not ready for that. And he knows Troy sure as hell isn’t either, assuming he even swings that way.

But then again, Troy grabs his hand once more as they make to leave in the morning, and he doesn’t let go until they’re at the fence. They part ways on the other side, Nick promising to come by and help Troy with his homework that afternoon and Troy promising to not fall asleep on him when they get to the boring shit.

Things go on like this for a few more weeks. Meeting up at the old house to get away for a while and just be in each others company. They crash there at least one night each weekend, Now with Nick and Troy curling up on the same couch like it’s the most natural thing in the world to go to sleep in each other’s arms.

It’s more than friendship, but not something they talk about or try to define. It works for them. And it makes the hell of Troy’s family drama and the hassles of being a junior in high school bearable. Nick doesn’t even want to do drugs when Troy is around, except for a joint here and there.

Nick thinks their time together is having a positive impact on Troy as well. He starts to be more relaxed at school. Actually talking to people and coming out of his shell more. He still has that little flame of rage hiding inside him that comes out when someone crosses him, but he’s also charming, and quick-witted. Nick’s initial thought of the other boy being a wolf in sheep’s clothing was right. And god help him if he doesn’t love it.

Troy Otto coming to Paul R Williams High School might just be the best thing to happen in either of their lives. And their time there together is far from over.

[wereg0blin]

for the ask meme? all of them u thot

For ur and Cris' demand1. Think of the last person who said I love you, do you think they meant it?Yes!!!!! 2. Would you date an 18-year-old at the age you are now?UhHHHHHH it is 3 years older than me but hhhhhhh probably not3. When’s the last time you were aggravated and happy at the same time?Bicth ten mins ago4. Would you ever smile at a stranger?ALWAYS5. Is there someone mad because you’re dating/talking to the person you are?If there are they can go fuck themselves right in the butthole6. Have you heard a song that reminds you of someone today?CHOKE-I dont know how but they found me - mr seen aka my eX hHHhH7. What exactly are you wearing right now?a cute ass blouse thingy some tights and christmas deer antlers on top of a Santa hat8. How often do you listen to music?every chance i get9. Do you wear jeans or sweats more?jeans i guess10. Do you think your life will change dramatically before 2013?i dont even remember 201311. Are you a social or an antisocial person?both damn12. Have you ever kissed someone whose name begins with the letter ‘A’?On the cheek yes13. What about ‘R’?platonically yes14. Can you drive a stick shift?i can climb sticks???? does that count??? 15. Do you care if people talk badly about you?they 100% do and i dont really care bc everyone talks shit about everyone 16. Are you going out of town soon?i dont know how to reply to this because i live in two towns17. When was the last time you cried?Wednesday i think,, i wish i could cry more often 18. Have you ever told someone you loved them?i try to say it as much as i can bc i have a lot of love in my heart19. If you could change your eye color, would you?maybe a lighter blue bc gray blue isn't that pretty20. Is there a boy who you would do absolutely everything for?not counting evan,,, uhh Boys ARE A BLESSING TO THIS WORLD FUXK YEAH21. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having.am planning to tell mh parents abt my depression but hHHHHH22. Is it cute when guys kiss you on your forehead?if it has boy in it iT CUTE23. Are you dating the last person you talked to?NopE cris is like,,,, my best friend wtf24. What are you sitting on right now?b e d i t s o f t25. Does anyone regularly (other than family) tell you they love you?FRIENS. LOVE THEM. 26. Have you ever wanted someone you couldn’t have?ALL THW TIME B I TCH27. Who was the last person you talked to before you went to bed last night?my roommates 28. Do you get a lot of colds?nop, but when i do its fuxked up29. Where is the shirt you are wearing from?Switzerland 30. Does anyone hate you?yepity depity do and i hope they burn in hell fucking pieces of shits31. Do you have any empty alcohol bottles hidden somewhere in your room?it will be a cold day in hell when i drink my dudes32. Do you like watching scary movies?BITCH I L OV E MAKING FUN OF MOVIESSO SEEING SHITTY SCARY MOVIES IS A FUCKING BLESSING 33. Do you want your tongue pierced?Nah how tf am i gonna eat spicy shit then???? ¿¿¿¿34. If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be?2015????or 2016??? i think that was the worst my depression ever was35. Did you have a dream last night?i think????? 36. When was the last time you told someone you loved them?right now37. Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years?hope not???? but then again???? kinda hope i do????? probably not doe38. Do you think someone has feelings for you?yes i know at least 2 boys and i feel so sorry for them39. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?probs40. Did you have a good day yesterday?mmmeh41. Think back 2 months ago; were you in a relationship?oh shit i have no Fucking idea 42. In the next 48 hours, will you hang out with a girl?y e s43. Has anyone told you they don’t want to ever lose you?i think???? cris must've told me at least one time and evan too so Uhhhh i guess???? ¿¿¿¿44. What’s the best part about school?i get to have unnecessary crushes45. Do you have any pictures on your Facebook?ppppplenty46. Do you ever pass notes to your friends in school?yeah but he called me a slut and a whore 47. Do you replay things that have happened in your head?god fucking hell all the time 48. Were you single over the last summer?yep49. Is your life anything like it was two years ago?nope thank the whatever the fuck is out there 50. What are you supposed to be doing right now?sleeping i guess51. Do you hate the last guy you had a conversation with?evan is a precious cinnamon roll fuck off 52. Are you nice to everyone?YES YES YES YES ALWAYS as i saidk i l l t h e m w i t h k i n d n e s s53. Have you ever liked someone you didn’t expect to?h hh hhh fuCking tAke a wIld Gue Ss m854. Do you think you can last in a relationship for 6 months and not cheat?bitch when i cheat will be the day i cut my throat 55. Are you good at hiding your feelings?bad feelings? yescrushes? n0Pe56. Do you think you like someone?i think but i hope not57. Have you kissed someone whose name starts with a ‘J’?nop i do not Think so my dude 58. Do you prefer to be friends with girls or boys?why THE FUCK would that matter59. Has anyone of your friends ever seen you cry?current ones?? i dont think so??? 60. Do you hate anyone?nah i just,,,, strongly dislike themexcept the fucking bitches i called friends i hopr they die in a fire 61. How’s your heart?idk i guess ok??? im always okay62. Is there something that happened in your past that you hate talking about?not really pffft63. Have you ever cried over a guy?yes all the time,, boys r beautiful 64. Who is probably talking a load of crap about you right now?hmmmmmmmmm idk i can think of a few people but i hope not 65. Are your toenails painted pink?I W I S H66. Will your next kiss be a mistake?bih i wish i could have my first kiss67. Girls love it when boyfriends cry; correct?if boyfriend cries i cry thats bad 68. Have your pants ever fallen down in public?poor poor souls that actually had this happen to them69. Who was the last person you were on the phone with?my sister!!! 70. How do you look right now?bored Even doe im honestly just relaxed 71. Do you have someone you can be your complete self around?i do that with everyone bc if u don't like me u don't have tk be around me 72. Can you commit to one person?yes ofc!!!??? 73. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell everything to?even bby ilu74. Have you ever felt replaced?i think?? yes probs75. Did you wake up cranky?nop76. Are you a jealous person?hhhhHA YOU DONT EVEN K N O W77. Are relationships ever worth it?Theyre fun but the end of them makes me wanna die78. Anyone you’re giving up on?crushes and teachers 79. Currently wanting to see anyone?3 more years bih u better wait for meand u too eben b safe u dork80. Name something you have to do tomorrow?sssstudy h81. Last person you cried in front of?mom82. Is there someone you will never forget?yyyES83. Do you think the person you have feelings for is protective of you?nope he doesn't really care about me anymore (although i dont think he ever did) 84. If the person you wish to be with were with you, what would you be doing right now?BICTH ID BE KISSING THAY THOT ALL OVER HER FACE AND WATCHING SAW AND VORING PIZZAEVEN DUDE HHHHELTS WATCH SAW 3 AND LAUGH AT THAT DUDE BREAKING HIS LEG AND THWN I CAN HUG YOU TILL I DIE FROM DEHYDRATION 85. Are you over your past?i ggggUess??? 86. Have you ever liked one of your best friends of the opposite sex?i have no idea 87. Is there anyone you can tell EVERYTHING to? @lady-misfortune @space-ace-sneevee @thelilshadowchild88. If your first true love knocked on your door with apology and presents, would you accept?what has been has been but i guess idk yet bc ive had like 1 bf for now 89. So, the last person you kissed just happens to arrive at your door at 3AM; do you let them in?never kissed 90. Have you ever liked someone who your friends hated?i guess???????? 91. Will you be in a relationship in 2 months?i sure as hell have no idea92. Is there anyone you know with the name Michael?Michael Jackson and I are best buddies bItch93. Have you ever kissed a Matthew?noPe94. Were you in a relationship in January? How was it going?i was in a relationship with my laptop and i didnt leave him from 7pm to 6am 95. Were you happy with the person you liked in March?he a dicky 96. Don’t tell me lies, is the last person you texted attractive?bicth fucjing prettiest people youll find97. Who do you have texts from?crissy gorl that im too lazy to reply to98. If the person you like says they like someone else, what would you say?happened to me and i said "glad u told me earlier i dont want u being with me if u r uncomfy" it did hurt like a fucking bitch doe99. Have you ever kissed someone older than you?bitch never kissed 100. Who’s in your profile picture with you?me, myself and i101. Ever kissed under fireworks?NEVER KISSED FFS102. Has anybody ever given you butterflies?IN a jar nicely packed and handed to me? no but stomach butterflies so bad i wanted to throw up? yes

[shooting-the-walls]

The Empty Hearse: my inner monologue because I like writing these

I would just like to point out before we get going that I was rather a latecomer to this fandom. I got into it just as Season 4 was released, so early 2017. When this episode was released in 2014 I was only 10 years old!!! Still probably my favourite fandom though, the one I always find myself returning to.

Anyways, on with my crazy monologue!!

• We stan a quick rundown of the Depression of the Century

• #creepymaskmuch

• Molly be like "oh damn"

• Uno reverse bitches!!!

• Molly be like "YAAAAS"

• I'm sorry can we just acknowledge how hot the window jump is

• Bet John wished he could be Molly in that sitch XD

• DERREN BROWN MOTHERFUCKERS

• Still feel so sorry for John :(

• "BOLLOCKS"

• Greg is so fucking done with Anderson's theories XD

• "You're a guilty lil bitch Anderson, stfu": Lestrade 2k14

• "I BelIEVe iN sHErloCK HOLmeS"

• Eyyyyyyy Sherlock is not guilty!!!! (Obvs)

• When depression hits, get a (terrible) moustache bitches

• WE DON'T TRUST YOU MARY, DON'T ACT ALL NICEY NICE

• Ooooo helicopters and running, Mission Impossible style

• When you just..... give the fuck up

• When you can't stand that screaming so you just turn your music up

• I mean torture is pretty harsh man

• Of course Sherlock would deduce his way out XD

• When Mycroft just doesn't give a Single Shit

• WE STAN THE THEME TUNNNEEEEE

• John be like "nah imma just stare at this wall"

• Mycroft's got a fancy fucking office guys

• John stop tryna be Sherlock with your terrible imitation coat and scarf

• Mrs Hudson always cares for her adoptive sons, but she does with high sarcasm and sass

• Mycroft, why does your office look like a torture chamber??

• Benedict is HOT Jesus

• "Definitely. Enjoying it.": You! Don't! Appreciate! Your! Brother!

• 2 HOURS TO LEARN A BLOODY LANGUAGE!?!?! JESUS FUCK I DID 7 YEARS OF FRENCH AND I CAN BARELY HOLD A CONVERSATION

• Anthea prefers Sherlock to Mycroft, they have bitch sessions about him pass it on lol

• Mrs Hudson is so sassy and honest XD

• John you fucking liar you're not sorry

• Mycroft is so Done with his little brother XD

• Sherlock, stop personifying London dude

• "Yes, we meet up every Friday for fish and chips": Mycroft, the sarcasm is not needed

• MYCROFT TELL YOUR BROTHER WHAT HE FUCKING DID TO JOHN

• Mrs Hudson is such a fucking Queen

• "What's his name?"

• "Sherlock was not my boyfriend": YES HE FUCKING WAS SHUT UP

• "I AM NOT GAY": wow, denial is high there John

• Mrs Hudson ships Johnlock more than the rest of the fandom combined XD

• Mycroft: "oh yeah but the other wine is like so much better. Anyways, your bff hates you now byeeeee"

• I LOVE THE MUSIC IN THE RESTAURANT SCENE GEEEEZ

• Sherlock is such a fucking little twat when he wants to be lol

• "Would I suggest you look at this menus, it's... completely identical"

• THE ACCENT. THE FUCKING ACCENT. I'M WHEEZING

• The way he's just tryna be like "look at meeeeeeee" and John gives not a single fuck

• "Surprise me" "certainly endeavouring to, sir"

• Awwwwwww hey Mary

• John is such an awkward lil hedgehog

• Mary: I agree I'm the best thing that could have happened to you

John: bitch you're not Sherlock

• SHERLOCK FUCK OFF

• Oh damn. OH DAMN.

• John just having a mini mental breakdown here

• "Short version. Not dead."

• John looks like he's about to kill someone (preferably Sherlock)

• "Oh God" "Not quite"

• SHERLOCK STOP MAKING BAD JOKES ABOUT THE MOUSTACHE SITCH

• The look in Sherlock's eyes when he realises that John isn't happy to see him

• #deflectiontechniques

• HE LOOKS IN SO MUCH PAIN ON THE FLOOR BABBBBYYYYYY

• In the cafe, Sherlock just looks like a kid that's like 2 hours late home

• "You know for a genius you can be remarkably thick"

• "That's a little more difficult to explain" "I've got all night bitch"

• "Just your brother, Molly and a hundred tramps"

• I love that they end up in a chip shop XD

• John, your moustache is terrible. Accept it lol

• "One word to let me know that you were alive"

• Mary just laughing her head off in the corner XD

• Sherlock: BITCH STFU IT'S A SECRET (whilst entire chip shop is listening in)

• *headbutt*

• "I said sorry, isn't that what you're supposed to do?"

• Mary knows what's up BUT SHE A LIAR

• SHERLOCK LOOKS LIKE HE'S ABOUT TO CRY WHAT A SWEETIE

• Honestly don't know why Mollie looks so shocked, like she knew he was alive

• Greg is just like a proud Papa

• "Oo you bastard!"

• Sherlock being vaguely confused/irritated by a hug XD

• BBC, can we talk about the random shot of the back of Una Stubbs' throat?

• THEY EVEN GOT ONE IN FOR THE SHERIARTY SHIPPERS, HAVE THEY JUST COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT JOHNLOCK :(:(:(

• Anderson just doesn't ship Sheriarty XD

• Think the Chip Shop Argument got spilled lol

• Mary is having the time of her life reading the blog XD

• Mary really ships the boys right from the start lol

• "I don't shave for Sherlock Holmes" "You should put that on a t-shirt"

• "SHERLOCK HOLMES GET DOWN FROM THAT SOFA OR SO HELP ME GOD--": Mrs Holmes 1983-present

• The terror alert is on critical and these bitches are just playing chess

• Ngl, missed the burgundy dressing gown

• "Oh bugger!"

• WE STAN THE BROTHERS PLAYING OPERATION

• SHERLOCK'S IMITATION THO

• Mycroft be so defensive

• "Both of us thought you were an idiot, Sherlock. We had nothing else to go on until we met other children" "Oh yes, that was a mistake" "ghastly. What were they thinking of?" "Probably something about making friends": I feel SO sorry for the Holmes parents XD

• Mycroft, I think your brother is trying to set you up with a lil someone (

• "Change the subject. Now"

• Mrs Hudson: :)

• "He's pleased to see you underneath all that--" "Which of us??" "Both of you"

• PLAY DEDUCTIONS WITH YOUR BROTHER MYC

• Sherlock straight in there with the gender equality

• Sherlock: Icelandic sheep wool bitch

Mrs Hudson: ah yes, because the world need a blog on that -_-

• THE CURLS ARE AT A PEAK GUYS

• "I'm not lonely": yes you are stfu

• I love the wink to Mrs Hudson :)

• Mrs Hudson really wants her boys back lol

• Loving the use of transitions to show how much of a dick John is being to Sherlock lol

• "Have dinner?" "Solve crimes?"

• Molly knows she's replacing John really

• "Weight loss, hair dye, botox, affair, lawyer. Next!"

• Sherlock is so gentle with the poor woman :)

• I LOVE THE OLD GUY SO MUCH LOL

• John is so fucking convinced he's right, but it's kinda sad that he doesn't think Sherlock will respect his personal space (because he never has before): JOHN SUBCONSCIOUSLY WANTS SHERLOCK THERE

• Can we just agree that Sherlock is such a sweetie and that it is heartbreaking that John is now his awful internal monologue because he's convinced he hates him after how he reacted once he returned?

• Lestrade just being a concerned dad in the background

• Molly and Lestrade are both just so spooked out

• *dramatically blows dust off book*

• HE WANTS JOHN BACK SO BAD awwwwwwwwwwwwww

• Quick aside, but I have a friend who is a train fanatic (he's coming to prom on a steam thingy) and the train dude reminds me of him lol

• WE LOVE A LIL BIT OF MIND PALACE WORK

• "Excuse you": JOHN YOU SASSY QUEEN

• John: Makin' my way downtown, walkin' fast, getting kidnapped and I fall down

• "Did you get him off a murder charge" "Nope helped him put up some shelves"

• "Do you fancy chips?": HANG ON A MOMENT. In S4E2 Sherlock states that "You're suicidal you're allowed chips. Trust me I should know". Does that mean..... oh Jesus, Sherlock, you little sweetie, you need to talk to someone

• ON PRINCIPLE I HATE SHERLOLLY BUT IT'S ALSO SO SWEEEEEEEEEEET

• *when you wake up after a night out and you don't know where the fuck you are*

• Sherlock is just immediately alert like: wtf is wrong with my John

• The chips just... don't matter, okay

• When you steal a motorbike to help your bff

• I'M SORRY BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE LIKE A 16 YEAR OLD SHERLOCK ROARING AROUND SUSSEX ON HIS LITTLE MOPED AND HIS MOTHER YELLING AT HIM FROM DOWN THE ROAD TELLING HIM SHE'S GOING TO KILL HIM IF HE DOESN'T GET HOME RIGHT NOW XD

• Ngl having the little kid right at the front is real creepy

• But like can you imagine Sherlock and John going to bonfire nights with Rosie when she's a bit older and both of them being dead tense as they watch the bonfire being lit?

• LISTEN TO YOUR DAUGHTER BITCH

• The fact Sherlock figures it out JUST as the bonfire lights up: PERFECT

• Sherlock, with a complete disregard for his own safety: *jumps into a fire and drags John out before tearfully begging him to be okay*

Hetero shippers: ah yes, what a good male friendship

• I LOVE THE HOLMES PARENTS SO MUCH

• I love Sherlock's face lol: he is SO done

• Sherlock totally resembles his mother in terms of personality

• I think the fact this is Benedict's parents makes that scene a million times better: do you think that's how he wants to act during the small talk sometimes XD

• Mr Holmes just looks so Done, and Mrs Holmes is just like "fuck it I'm used to this"

• "She worries!": well of course she bloody does, one son is the British Government, the other is a recovering drug addict who solves crimes as an alternative to getting high and her daughter is locked up in a secret facility

• "Promise?" "...promise": HE LOVES HIS MUM AND DAD REALLY

• Tbf John, you couldn't expect the poor guy to lead his parents on like that, really

• John stop making bad puns

• "Is it to get to you through me?": JOHN KNOWS WHAT'S UP

• Awwwwww he's got his John back and he's just so happy

• Aw c'mon, you've gotta admit that a bit of Sherlock's massive concern is for his brother being in parliament that night

• I'M SORRY BUT I CAN'T HELP THINKING OF THE PARENTLOCK EDIT OF THE FACETIME BIT

• "Illegal!" "A bit": yeah, like this is anything new tho John XD

• "I don't understand" "well that's a first": JOHN LIVES ARE AT STAKE STOP BEING A SASSY BITCH

• *sudden flashback to the great game and the painting*

• I actually love the scene in the train carriage so much, because even though it ends up with Sherlock being a little bastard to get John to admit his feelings, I like how it demonstrates that everyone expects Sherlock to know everything all the time, and that's a very unrealistic expectation: despite the fact he hates it, he is only human, and I think this scene nicely acknowledges that

• Two bros, chilling in a tube train, trying not to freak out cos they might die!

• Sherlock: ooooopppsss, John, might have just set off this fucking bomb :/

• "Mind palace!"

• "You think I've just got how to diffuse a bomb tucked away in there!?" "YES!" "...maybe"

• Sherlock may be a little bitch but you have to admit he's a bloody good actor

• John, the whole way through the tube scene: wtf wtf wtf wtf

• "I wanted you not to be dead!" "Well, be careful what you wish for": Sherlock, sweetie, it almost sounds like you wish you were dead.....

• AWWW HE FORGIVES HIM GUYS

• I wanna know what that information Mycroft gave Moriarty was

• "His death wish": yeah, let's be honest Moriarty was just like "I crave heckety heck death"

• How difficult do you thunk Sherlock found it up on that roof, having to tell John all of that??

• You've gotta admit that it was a pretty good plan

• You can bet that all the conspiracy theories were on Anderson's wall XD

• THE GIGGLING JESUS

• "You COCK"

• "You said such nice things, I never knew you cared :)"

• "I will kill you if you EVER-" "scouts honour" "BREATHE A WORD OF THIS ANYONE"

• "Terrorists can get into a lot of trouble if they don't have an off switch"

• "Oh please, killing me. That was so 2 years ago": WE STAN

• Mycroft is just so desperate to get out of Les Mis: "but the pain. The HORROR"

• Lestrade just seems a little disappointed

• John tryna act surprised at Tom XD

• SHERLOCK'S FACE (the memeeeessss lol)

• WE STAN OUR TWO FAVE BOYS TALKING ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS

• Sherlock is just so determined

• Sherlock: oh yeah heard your graveside speech btw, super sweet

• YES THE HAT BITCHES: OUR FAVOURITE DETECTIVE IS BACK

• OOOO CREEPY MAGNUSSEN NUGGET AT THE END THERE

[startuplifedenver]

THE END OF STAFFING, THE BEGINNING OF THE REAL DEAL

A series of events have happened in the last few weeks, that ameritan que sean escritos para la posteridad, como una forma de figuring out what is it that is happening, and how I am creating a life right in front of my eyes.

The feeling of being in total descontrol of life, yet following a very well marked and specific path forward, has become more clear and delineado a medida que pasan los días y analizo las diferentes situaciones de la vida.

This is what has been happening:

Arrived in Denver in early January and found myself with plenty of ideas and plans, and no job and no income. Nothing. Not a single penny coming my way. At the same, I got a flat tire, which lead to Walmart fucking up my already broken steering wheel pump. Upon returning to see if they could tie up what they forgot to, the check engine light started showing and the shortly after that, the rear break pad fell off and the break was touching the disk of the breaks directly and making a fucking horrible metal-against-metal noise from hell that even made me think twice before stopping at red lights. The noise was just horrifying. 

During this time I had no job, no income, and not doing jack shit with my life. Just getting back to the old Mr. International Sales Director in Denver: Sitting at the co-working space, looking at the computer, stressing over 1,000 things in my mind to do and get off the ground, and in the meantime not doing anything to secure an income.

Things got so fucked up for me (this is the reality of carrying a mental illness around such as high peaks of anxiety and depression), that I was just sitting at home, feeling bad about myself and not having a job or anything in my life.

And somehow the crude reality of just getting the resume out and looking for a job, any job, whatever fucking job is available, is the one and only alternative in life. But that didn’t quite registered in my mind, the reasoning at that time about what to do and how to secure an income, has not been understood and at the end of the day, I really don’t remember what the fuck was it that I was thinking back in those early days of 2019. Because the fact is that I have learned a fucking huge lesson, and what I knew before, matters not because that paradigm has been altered fundamentally up to the point that the Mr. ISD from January 2019 is light years behind where Mr. ISD is today in mid-April.

Holy shit if this year has been of growing pains and growing pleasures.

When I ran out of money in March. Because I did ran out of all the money I had. The bank account reached ZERO and I had no income (WTF). But I had spoken with my parents few months back about starting my own business, and that I needed US $10,000. They both looked at me like that is a lot of money, but you have been working at it so it may be interesting.

Well, that is typical of the country they live in in Latin America: People cannot say NO to others, they just say “hmm interesting, let’s talk later” and no one ever comes and says “that idea is stupid, take a shower and get a job instead”. And the same happened with my parents, but you see they are good people and when I ran out of money, I kind of ask them about the first part of the money we have “talked about... you remember”.

Long story short I got $2K from my family, split between five weeks, and that barely got me to pay the minimum shit.

One day, I went to the supermarket and bought just the bare minimum food for a week which was like $40 total. The next day the car insurance payment hit my bank account and the balance ended up being $0.99. Had I bought just one cookie, I’d have been in the red.

That was the first sign. The next day, my dad wired me the first $1,000 and a frantic search for a job, any job, started.

I had a change in mind of 180 degrees. From filling sorry about myself, to applying to job after job, and having at least 4 interviews. Which leads us close the present time, when things are happening with a sinchronicity that is very pleasant, and that I know it’s happening because that is how the story was written and it’s been written. 

You don’t need to learn anything new in this life, just need to remember it all, one day at a time. Each day, you are not going anything new, but remembering the story you created for your self in this particular incarnation, time, universe, color, remembering that in a cosmic era that is all, this same story was written and it’s a fantastic story. All of them are.

Early morning today, I am in my office at the staffing company, already bored and not knowing what to do, who to call, where to go, what to do. No goals, no plan, no priorities, just showing up at the office on time. Very hard to wake up this morning, took me an additional two hours to get out of bed.

The CEO of a company in the cannabis space I applied for calls me at 9:21am. Busy and the document will be sent. They have a call at 11am with a potential client in South America, not sure what the country was, or what was this about. But needed me to translate. Monday and Tuesday he’s busy, but wants to take me in the company, train me, learn all about the company and the products, take the time. Jose is to read everything in the website, about the products, the content, the company, the articles, the philosophy, and memorize shit too, right.

After the call, I mentioned that he’s busy on Monday and Tuesday, and that how about if I go on Wednesday and we start working that day. Good idea, let’s do that and start studying everything about the company, and hemp, and CBD, etc.

During the call we talked with a guy who is a middle man with a lab, and that has done work in the pharmaceutical industry. Not sure about him or his credentials. He was asking for a product for a lab, but he doesn’t work for the lab, he apparently knows them. Doesn’t have a distributor or anything. Just a hustler who wants to get into CBD, it’s my reading. 

Talked about different companies he knows, and different investment opportunities, and got all excited out of the sudden, calling me again, that he already sent me info, and that check it out. I was like dude, I am in the middle of something, will look at it, and will let you know.

From my business point of view, first you talk about one thing, then another thing. If there is too many things on the table, it seems to me this is a fishing expedition more than a a solid business. Pitch one turd at a time, not a full bowl of shit because that really, no matter what, it’s going to stink from here to Heaven.

The same Friday that I talked to the CEO, the HR lady from the company told me that I was too relax in the job, and didn’t show the hustle necessary to do this shit. They need someone on fire talking to people, going out, looking for deals, talking to people, following up. Being engaged in the company and the mission, share information. And she was nice enough to let me think about it during the weekend and see if this is what I really want, or just do something else. Because “the pressure was going to be increase a lot” for results.

Business development, sales, connections, deals, that I am very attracted to in the cannabis industry, not really in construction or staffing.

Exactly what I want to do with the CBD company, but not with staffing in construction. The key for the staffing job was to make appointments, day after day, calling to make appointments and going to appointments. Even the controller of the company got excited when all three of us said we were going out on appointments.

In a nutshell: Just as it was written, our hero Mr. IDS, took a job for two weeks to wake him up to the realities of the hustle in sales, and his chill attitude, and turn it around starting next Wednesday at the new company. What I could’ve done better in the staffing sales job, let’s do it x 10

But first, procrastination...

[tenpercentsugar]

1-92

1. Would you have sex with the last person you text messaged?i think it was daniella and yeah totally but she won’t put out

2. You talked to an ex today, correct?never that

3. Have you taken someones virginity?i still have mine so probably not

4. Is trust a big issue for you?uhhh ion know cuz i’ll tell pretty much anybody anything abt me but i don’t trust ppl to drive me anywhere lmao

5. Did you hang out with the person you like recently?i don’t have time to actively like anybody rn. plus i’m hit so i’m not trying to waste brain space

6. What are you excited for?warped tour bihhh

7. What happened tonight?i saw cars 3 and got high but that’s abt it

8. Do you think it’s disgusting when girls get really wasted?not disgusting but usually annoying. when anybody gets drunk, actually. gender has nothing to do w it

9. Is confidence cute?for sure

10. What is the last beverage you had?blue powerade from my local bp

11. How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust?prolly like….2 at the most rn

12. Do you own a pair of skinny jeans?the only jeans i own

13. What are you gonna do Saturday night?get high and sit down for hours at a time

14. What are you going to spend money on next?gas or cigs

15. Are you going out with the last person you kissed?nope

16. Do you think you’ll change in the next 3 months?i change all the time i’ll definitely change within the next 3 months

17. Who do you feel most comfortable talking to about anything?dani, ash, or taylor

18. The last time you felt broken?i couldn’t tell you. like im sad rn but not broken

19. Have you had sex today?only w my right hand tahaaaa

20. Are you starting to realize anything?yeah but that’s probably j my brain cuz i’ve been pretty dumb abt taking my meds lately

21. Are you in a good mood?not particularly but ive still got more weed to smoke so give me a lil bit

22. Would you ever want to swim with sharks?fuck that!!! i used to have nightmares as a kid abt sharks i am soooo coo on that

23. Are your eyes the same color as your dad’s?yeah actually

24. What do you want right this second?someone to drive me around and i get to pick the music

25. What would you say if the person you love/like kissed another girl/boy?i would probably say “that’s nutty. anyway” cuz i don’t care

26. Is your current hair color your natural hair color?most of it is lmaooo

27. Would you be able to date someone who doesn’t make you laugh?that’s a no-go. that makes no sense.

28. What was the last thing that made you laugh?it was probably something taylor said

29. Do you really, truly miss someone right now?not anybody on earth

30. Does everyone deserve a second chance?no but i usually give it to em anyway cuz i love being a big fuckin idiot

31. Honestly, do you hate the last boy you were talking to?couldn’t hate ash if i tried. couldn’t even think of a single reason why i would even potentially hate ash. love that piece of shit

32. Does the person you have feelings for right now, know you do?i don’t have feelings for anyone bro im not on pills anymore

33. Are you one of those people who never drinks soda?yeah actually wtf fuck soda

34. Listening to?the sound of my ceiling fan. i wanna be listening to yung lean

35. Do you ever write in pencil anymore?pens 4L

36. Do you know where the last person you kissed is?no do you?

37. Do you believe in love at first sight?not in my life but i can’t decide if that shit’s real or not for others i suppose

38. Who did you last call?i don’t make calls

39. Who was the last person you danced with?i think i wanna say it was either ky cam or tori

40. Why did you kiss the last person you kissed?cuz it was appropriate for the situation

41. When was the last time you ate a cupcake?i know i’ve eaten them recently at grad parties

42. Did you hug/kiss one of your parents today?nope

43. Ever embarrass yourself in front of a crush?yeah i’m a human i get nervous

44. Do you tan in the nude?not that i can remember

45. If you could, would you take back your last kiss?no i don’t care cuz 2016 damn near didn’t even happen

46. Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night?no ugh which really sucks cuz i love falling asleep in the middle of the conversation so i have something to wake up to

47. Who was the last person to call you?ash and i couldn’t answer cuz i was looking at lightning mcqueen

48. Do you sing in the shower?nope

49. Do you dance in the car?go thru my me tag and find that vid of me driving bro. yes i dance in the car every time i get in a car

50. Ever used a bow and arrow?damn near in like 4th grade on a field trip

51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?my senior pics so three years ago

52. Do you think musicals are cheesy?no bitch i love hairspray

53. Is Christmas stressful?yeah fuck a christmas i cant buy anybody i love anything and i hate snow more than anything on this earth

54. Ever eat a pierogi?nope but taylor and ash know how to make them if i ever want to

55. Favorite type of fruit pie?i don’t fuck w pie

56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?stay at home mom, teacher, marine biologist

57. Do you believe in ghosts?yeah dude definitely

58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?everytime i get super baked and listen to specific playlists and dissociate like a motherfucker

59. Take a vitamin daily?just vitamin thc tahaaaa

60. Wear slippers?shit’s weak

61. Wear a bath robe?even weaker than the slippers

62. What do you wear to bed?basketball shorts n a t shirt

63. First concert?fucking skillet bro hahahaha i went w a church i didnt belong to to go see christian rock in real life

64. Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?target all day everyday forever

65. Nike or Adidas?adidas

66. Cheetos Or Fritos?depends on the day lmao mostly cheetos tho

67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?miss me

68. Favorite Taylor Swift song?i think you have the wrong number?

69. Ever take dance lessons?i never paid for them but sometimes i went w my friend to her lessons cuz why not

70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?not a profession specifically, but i do see them making good money

71. Can you curl your tongue?yeah i have good genes

72. Ever won a spelling bee?third grade bitch!!!!

73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?i don’t even cry when i’m sad/i’m not cayla

74. What is your favorite book?baby help by marilyn reynolds. it’s a nostalgia thing

75. Do you study better with or without music?with but it can’t have words

76. Regularly burn incense?not anymore :-( sometimes i miss 2014 me

77. Ever been in love?only with perth x bon iver and klonopin

78. Who would you like to see in concert?bryson tiller, the weeknd, zayn, frank ocean, partynextdoor, vince staples, denzel curry, tame impala, father john misty, neck deep, motionless in white (for the 8th time), damn near yung lean as long as nobody brings a gun this time

79. What was the last concert you saw?future, migos, and tory lanez in noblesville w jarrett and dylan

80. Hot tea or cold tea?hot tea when my throat hurts, cold tea forever always

81. Tea or coffee?tea

82. Favorite type of cookie?soft ass snickerdoodles

83. Can you swim well?i can swim but like don’t ask me to race

84. Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?everyone should know how to do this?? isn’t this a normal thing to know

85. Are you patient?i’m getting more patient i think

86. DJ or band, at a wedding?dj for sure

87. Ever won a contest?one time i got a free case of snapple from one of the bottle caps but i think that’s it

88. Ever have plastic surgery?not interested

89. Which are better black or green olives?no olives

90. Opinions on sex before marriage?i don’t care if you wanna test drive the car before you buy it. i’m not a car salesman

91. Best room for a fireplace?the den

92. Do you want to get married?yeah definitely bro i’ve been hella fixated on having a family lately

thanks homie youve always got my back

[sadrien]

wanna chat? pt. 17

on ao3 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

i said a bunch of things in the note on ao3 but its like. sooo long so yeah just check that out please and thanks ilysm 

(son of a gunn = adrien, the worst = alya, lol death = nino, its red = mari)

what is happening in this anymore

5:37

son of a gunn: NASA!!! PLANETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHH!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH

son of a gun has changed their name to trappist

 6:42

the worst: as adorable as it is to see u nerd out like the loser u are sleep boi

trappist: WHO CAN SLEEP AT A TIME LIKE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

lol death: hello my dudes why are we yelling

trappist: NASA!!!!!!!!!

lol death: nice the one good thing the americans gave us

the worst: what about youtube

lol death: shit youre right what about nasa bro

trappist: SEVEN NEW PLANETS!!! Oh my god oh my god Ok so it’s actually probably best if you just read stuff on it??? Because I don’t know if I’m going to explain it well I mean I definitely won’t btu NASA found seven planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1!!! And three are in the habitable zone of the star which is !!!!!!!!!!

the worst: this is rlly cute but im also lost

lol death: yo my man if youre free at all today you can ramble/show me as many videos/articles as youd like

trappist: REally???

lol death: of course! i love hearing you talk about stuff like this man the day the confirmed gravitational waves was awesome

trappist: WASN’T IT??????!?!?!?!!! Anyway!! They’re nicknamed Goldilocks planets Al!!

the worst: o shit i know what that means!!!

trappist: The three in the habitable zone are the best candidates for supporting life!!!!!!!!

the worst: does this mean

lol death: holy shit

the worst: alIENS  

trappist: ALIENS!!!!!!

lol death: a l i e n s

 7:13

its red: I love you all but why do you not sleep

lol death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAAlDoAtV7Y

the worst: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWXXA1p618c

trappist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQoRXhS7vlU Wow

the worst: awww i love u 2 <3 <3

its red: ………….. Im going back to bed

trappist: MarI WAIT BUT ALIEN S

its red: Im not watching any conspiracy videos

trappist: IT’S NOT A CONSPIRACY THERE’S JUST ALMOST NO WAY THAT WE CAN BE THE ONLY LIFEFORMS IN THE UNIVERSE

its red: Get moRE SLEEP

the worst: WHY ARE WE YELLING

lol death: ILLUMINATI

the worst: *X FILES THEME SONG*

its red: YOU LITERALLY DID THAT 5 MINUTES AGO

trappist: MARI LET ME YELL ABOUT SPACE

its red: SPACE IS SCARY

trappist: YOU’RE SCARY

lol death: DUDE ILL MEET YOU AT SCHOOL I HOPE YOURE READY TO YELL

trappist: I ALWAYS AM

its red: CAN WE STOP USING CAPS NOW

the worst: N E V E R

its red: FUC K

 16:05

the worst: should pluto be a planet again discuss (spoiler: it should)

trappist: I don’t know…

the worst: u donT BELIEVE IN PLUTO

trappist: I mean If Pluto is a planet so is Ceres and a bunch of other celestial bodies past Neptune? If I’m remembering right, I haven’t read up on this in a while

the worst: firsT OF ALL VIVA LA PLUTO FUCK U

the worst has renamed this conversation to “viva la pluto fuck u”.

the worst has changed their name to pluto is better than u

trappist: Wow I mean… Hell, Al Next you’re going to say there’s only 86 elements on the periodic table Data changes!!! That’s how science works!

pluto is better than u: SECOND OF ALL TELL THAT TO NASA SCIENTISTS PLUTO IS A PLANETTTTT

trappist: Why am I telling this to NASA

pluto is better than u: PLUTO MIGHT BE A PLANET AGAIN FUCK U

trappist: Wait what??? Since when????

pluto is better than u: i thought u were the resident nerd shouldnt u b up 2 date on all this???

trappist: No???

pluto is better than u: google is ur friend

trappist: … Alya this was literally DAYS AGO How would I know this????? Also, the official NASA site hasn’t changed I trust the scientists and NASA. If/when they make an official announcement, I’ll get back to you on Pluto’s planetary status

pluto is better than u: nerd

trappist: <3

 16:25

lol death: @adrien on my way dude hope youre ready to scream about space

trappist: !!!!! <3 <3 <3

 19:16

its red: I keep missing space talk Sigh

pluto is better than u: is pluto a planet mari

its red: Pluto is whatever it wants to be

pluto is better than u: cop out

 20:02

lol death has changed their name to space bro

space bro: first of all seeing adrien nerd out about space is probably the cutest thing ever second of all thiS IS SO RAD LIKE DUDES!!!! MAYBE BLACK PLANTS???? 20 DAY YEAR SEEING THE SURFACE OF A PLANET FROM ANOTHER PLANET!!!!!!! TH EFUCK

trappist: I KNOW!!!!!!!!

its red: Hmmm I need a space name

its red has changed their name to galaxy print

galaxy print: Perfect

space bro: adrien is literally like vibrating hes so excited this is adorable?

trappist: Space is so cool!!! I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little for a while! My mom taught me so many stars I HAV E TO TELL CHLOE

galaxy print: ???

pluto is better than u: i didnt know chloe liked space

trappist: She knew more about stars than I did growin gup  Ok brb

space bro: have fun dude!!

PM between galaxy print and pluto is better than u

galaxy print: Alyaaaaaaaaaaaaa

pluto is better than u: i kno babe ohhh i kno

galaxy print: Hes so cute and Im dying

pluto is better than u: same?? u can get through this

galaxy print: AaaaahhHHHHHHHH

21:24 in viva la pluto fuck u

trappist: I love space

pluto is better than u: go 2 bed nerd

trappist: It’s not that late! Besides, I don’t think anyone else is asleep Role call

galaxy print: Shhhh Im trying to work on a dress The pattern is lowkey killing me

pluto is better than u: aww rip

trappist: I’m sure it’s beautiful

galaxy print: <3

space bro: im just working on some tracks ill bring them to school tomorrow cause i need a second opinion

pluto is better than u: !!!!! im ready

trappist: Told you everyone was awake Al

pluto is better than u: fite me man everyone is doing creative stuff i feel lame r u doing creative stuff marshmallow

trappist: Nah I’m reading more science articles

pluto is better than u: ok not surprising does this mean i have to entertain myself?? youtube here i come

 22:06

pluto is better than u: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvrhoQdz7GQ&feature=youtu.be

 22:17

galaxy print: Alya wtf

pluto is better than u: this is why u dont leave me alone

 22:21

trappist: That vampire looks traumatized

space bro: why is a pumpkin hitting on a vampire

pluto is better than u: The Straights r at it again

galaxy print: Alya I hate you

pluto is better than u: <3

 22:28

pluto is better than u: 2 make up for that here u go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A50UmcbZoE i swear its cool

trappist: Oh my god this must’ve taken forever????

pluto is better than u: r u gonna nerd out now?

trappist: ………...no The physics of the bottles to get them to hit the right note— Ok yes

pluto is better than u: wanna call? i kno its late but im so very very bored

trappist: Bored enough to listen to me talk about the physics of sound?

pluto is better than u: hmmm yes u can yell about planets too

trappist: Nice Ok give me two seconds

PM between pluto is better than u and trappist

22:34: Call started

PM between pluto is better than u and space bro

pluto is better than u: how is he like this

space bro: adrien??

pluto is better than u: yup hes so excited>?? what is this

space bro: get used to it man he literally never stops

pluto is better than u: i kno i call him sunshine byt om g

space bro: same tbh

PM between pluto is better than u and galaxy print

pluto is better than u: ur bf is too cute for me im dyin g

galaxy print: Oh myg od we arent dating al

pluto is better than u: get on that girl oh my god

galaxy print: Hes really cute though isnt he omg I hat ehim

pluto is better than u: uh huh

PM between pluto is better than u and trappist

23:52: Call ended: 1 hour 18 minutes 22 seconds

pluto is better than u: @skype why r u like this

trappist: Hey it worked for a lot longer than usual!! This is probably a sign that I should sleep You too

pluto is better than u: :/// k fine night adrien!! <3 <3 <3

trappist: Night Al<3

[astrolavas]

Voltron season 2 predictions/theories/hopes??

Tomorrow’s the Big Day™ we’ve all been waiting for so here I am, writing some of my most significant VLD s2 predictions, theories, hopes, questions etc. so that after I bingewatch the whole season in a few hours while lying in my bed and eating snacks I’ll feel proud cuz some of those happened and/or embarassed cuz those didn’t happen

Anyway, here I go:

Shiro won’t die, that’s for sure (at least not in season 2)

Galra!Keith happens? Maybe?? Or there are more hints for it, I’m callin it

If galra!Keith really happens, I doubt Keith's appearance will change tho (unless there’s like a really good reason for it but it’s unlikely)

it’d be cool tho cuz there’d be drama

eventually part-galran/part-altean Keith happens

but I know Lotor is going to be part-galran/part-altean so I’m not sure they’d do the same plot twist twice

it’d be the best explanation of all the not-fully-human!Keith hints in season 1 tho

paladins’ backstories

Where do Keith and Shiro know each other from?

Why’s Keith an orphan??? how did his life even look like before? was he in the foster care? did he know his parent(s)?

Also, what’s the deal with his dagger? did Keith get it from his parent? Is it galran??

Also, are both of his parents actually dead? or are they just like, somewhere in space?

more retrospections from the garrison and from Shiro’s times as a gladiator/in a prison

something about Lance’s family

sth about Hunk?? we know pretty much nothing about Hunk’s backstory wtf mate

beach episode?? (ya know Keith and Lance are swimming, Hunk’s cooking sth, full chill on the beach)

Klance moments pls

(I’d like to write “Klance is canon” but that’s probably asking for too much) (would be nice though)

them being good friends and space ranger partners that they are and cooperating together

What does the quintessence actually do and what is it?

does it heal and speed up regeneration?

does it somehow expand the general capacity of the body?

what’s “altean magic”? How does it work, what does it look like? what is it

Someone is captured (at first I thought it’ll be Shiro but after the s2 trailer I’m really concerned about the blue boy)

pls no

who’s actually Thace??? like what’s his deal

he’s probably in some kinda resistance tho, and tries to sabotage the galra empire

we find out sth about Matt and Sam Holt’s whereabouts

Klance moments

former paladins’ backstories

Was Alfor the yellow paladin?

What did Zarkon use to be like? was he like, fully good??

If so, why did he change? what are his motives now?

The new galran ally was probably some kinda galra soldier but ran off

What’s going on on the Earth?

How’s is Mrs. Holt holding? I mean dude, she’s pretty much lost her entire family (assuming that she already knows about Pidge’s disappearance)

What’s going on at the garrison rn?

Zarkon keeps finding Voltron because of Shiro’s galran arm

[...] Keith’s galran heritage/biology

[...] his connection to Black Lion

[...] because the new galran ally is actually a spy (I doubt it tho but who knows?)

did I mention Klance moments?

we meet Lotor, maybe? if it’s not too early for this

ponytail Keith?? (damn what a selfishness we’ve already gotten ponytail Coran and we still crave more)

some LGBT representation?

and many, many more minor things (there are just.... so many good things that could happen wow)

So yup, that’s it and I’m really hyped! feel free to add something if you wanna

[tauxolouves]

Tagged by: @fadeslikewhispers

1) Are you really ready for 93 questions? it’s 2am and i got nothing better to do, so bring it on

2) Was your last real relationship a mistake? ha haha

yes

3) Who did you last say “I love you" to? my mom

4) Do you regret it? nope

5) Have you ever been depressed? not really. i’ve had my sad moments, but i wouldn’t say i got ‘depressed’

6) Are you a boy or girl? girl

7) Who is your best friend? @imbasicallytrash and @chibimintcandy

8) How do you want to die? sleeping would be a good way. i’ve heard people don’t suffer that way, they just die.

9) What did you last eat? two small bags of chips

10) Played any sports? i used to swim, skate, and do artistic gymnastics. Now I’m having flamenco classes 11) Do you bite your nails? no. i used to, when i was younger, but i’ve stopped 12) When was your last physical fight? can’t remember when, but i’m pretty sure it was with my brother. 13) Do you have an attitude? i guess? (i’m not really know what that means, i’m not a native speaker and i don’t really know if that’s a bad thing or not-) 14) Do you like someone? a dude i met during the christmas concert 2 months ago okay? 15) What is your real name? Giovanna 16) Are you gonna get high later? why in the shit would i? 17) Do you hate anyone at the moment? ‘hate’ is a strong word, so i’d rather use the expression. ‘crush them to smithereens’. in that case yes, and that ‘anyone’ is the dorito in charge of america 18) Do you miss someone? my grandma. but i’ll be seeing her on thursday, so... 19) Twirl or cut your spaghetti? tWIRL 20) Do you tan a lot? i’m already tanned bby ;) 21) Have any pets? a dog and a cat 22) How exactly are you feeling? hungry 23) Ever eaten food in a car while someone or yourself is driving? everytime i go out for rides with my grandma 24) Ever made out in the bathroom? no 25) Would you take any of your exes back? i hope they burn in the fiery pits of hell and never come back to haunt me again :) 26) Are you scared of spiders? kill it with fire 27) Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? tempting, but i don’t know 28) Do you regret anything from your past? *flashbacks entire life* noo... 29) What are your plans for this weekend? road trip with my family to celebrate my birthday! 30) Do you want to have kids? ye 31) Did you ever kiss someone whose name starts with an M? my godmother 32) Do you type fast? reasonably, yeah. i type faster when i’m on my phone 33) Do you have piercings? How many? earrings 34) Want any more? aha no 35) Can you spell well? yes, surprisingly 36) Do you miss anyone from your past? a coupe of friends, yes 37) What are you craving right now? food 38) Ever been to a bonfire party? that sounds so american. but no, i’ve never been to one 39) Have you ever been on a horse? yeah 40) Kissed someone in a pick up truck? no...? 41) Have you ever broken someone’s heart? maybe. considering i was the one to walk away from my last relationships (both romantic and platonic), people got really upset, and one of them texted me on monday. so i guess yes, i did 42) Have you ever been cheated on? i don’t want to talk about it 43) Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry? no, but they have 44)Would you live with someone without marrying them? hello @imbasicallytrash, m8, fren, do u has moar space in ur house? 45) What should you be doing? sleeping 46) What’s irritating you right now? the fact school’s back on my birthday and neck pain 47) Have you ever liked someone so much that it hurts? yes, can we stop with this relationship shit? 48) Does somebody love you? wHATS UP WITH THIS RELATIONSHIP STUFF gOd dAMN I T i don’t know, probably not 49) What is your favourite colour? that shade between pink and purple, where you can’t tell which one is it 50) Have you ever changed clothes in a vehicle? yes, many times 51) Do you have trust issues? hMMM 52) Do you have a good relationship with your parents? it’s been worse, tbh, so yes 53) Do you believe your most recent ex thinks about you? i’m done with this bullshit questionnaire. no, i don’t give a fuck about what he thinks about me 54) Who was the last person you cried to? my grandma and my therapist 55) Do you give out second chances too easily? sadly, yes, i do 56) Is it easier to forgive or forget? it’s easier to forgive, but i never forget 57) Is this year the best year of your life? i have a feeling it will be. then again, i thought the same thing about 2016 and it backfired badly- 58) What was your childhood nickname? Gigi, Gigia, Gio 59) Have you ever walked outside completely naked? what kind of question is that- 60) Do you believe everything happens for a reason? in a way, yes 61) What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night? i can’t remember wtf happened last night, i was tired as fuck 62) Do you socialize often? does Tumblr count? even if it does, i don’t do a good job on socializing i’M SORRY- 63) What is bothering you? didn’t we already have this question? 64) Have you ever been out of your state? yes, many times 65) Do you play the Wii? used to, we gave it away to my aunt last month, for my baby cousins to wreck it while trying to play it 66) Are you listening to music right now? no, but i am listening to the wonderful sounds of my typing, the pc engine thing and screaming from my drunk neighbors 67) Do you like Chinese food? ya 68) Do you know your fathers b- day? surprisingly, considering i’m terrible with dates 69) Are you afraid of the dark? :’> maybe 70) Is cheating ever okay? i will make sure to burn alive whoever has cheated/is cheating/has considered cheating and spread their remainings on a ditch full of shit, because that’s where they belong 71) Are you mean? not really, but it depends on my mood and whoever’s talking to me 72) Can you keep white shoes clean? i don’t have white shoes and even if i did, i wouldn’t wear them 73) Do you believe in true love? meh, i don’t think about it too often tbh 74) Do you like the outside? yes, but i don’t have time to go there 75) Are you currently bored? take a fucking guess, babes 76) Do you wanna get married? yes 77) Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby? hahaHAHAHA NO ONNE CALLS ME BABY   78) Are you hungry? i said that twice, were you even listening? 79) Have you ever made out for more than a half hour straight? DUDE I’VE NEVER KISSED, OKAY??!?1!!1 80) What makes you happy? food, animals, my computer, my grandma, books, fall, vacation, the mountains, the sea, lots of things, actually. 81) Would you change your name? i like my name tbh, i think it fits me. but i think if given the chance, i would fuck around with names i like 82) Ever been to Alaska? no, but i really wanna go there! i’ve heard it’s a beautiful place, and it’s cold, which is even better! 83) Do you watch the news? *no shits given* 84) What’s your zodiac sign? pisces (my bday is on feb 22nd :) ) 85) Do you like Subway? i guess. there’s nothing wrong there, and it’s been a while since i’ve eaten there 86) Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed? no, considering it was my mom 87) Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? i’m too dense to even realize that, if that ever happened. hell, it DID happen once and my friend (that he proceeded to cheat on me with two weeks later) had to tell me :^) 88) Do you talk like your friends? depends with who i’m talking to. i’ll either sound like a retarded seal, or i’ll be the most polite little shit you’ll ever meet 89) Have you ever seen someone you knew & purposely avoided them? probably. i can’t remember of any time now, but i’m pretty sure that happened 90) Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around? partially, not completely 91) Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to? dad 92) Does it matter if your boyfriend smokes? (i’m not even 16 yet, but let’s say i’m older in that case) it does, actually. i don’t like when people smoke 93) Can you count to one million? yes, because i’m a smart bean Tagging: @imbasicallytrash and @chibimintcandy, do it if you want to ^^

[thankguard]

RECAP: OUR TOP 50 AUSTRALIAN HIP-HOP/R&B TRACKS OF 2016

2016 was the year that this scene was finally accepted by mainstream media outlets, played regularly on Triple J and given the opportunity to throw mad rap events at some of the countries’ best live music venues. The number of local rap: artists, releases, managers, parties, radio shows, even blogs exploded too. MANU CROOKS was put on BEATS1 rotation & posted on The FADER. SAMPA THE GREAT racked up over half a million streams on “BLUE BOSS”. BARO blurred cultural/sonic boundaries. TKAY MAIDZA dropped a huge album + landed that KILLER MIKE collab. MIDAS.GOLD, CULT SHOTTA, BIG SKEEZ, I AM D, NICO GHOST & SAVOUR THE RATIONS all dominated live-stages across the country. The GREMLNS, PLAYBACK 808, 1 HUNNID RECORDS & TREXON WAVE showed us the future. These squads are all barely out of high-school, have a strong African heritage and are blowing up against the odds. Almost all of the above was soundtracked by producers: DOPAMINE, MIRACLE, JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS, MITCH GRUANKE & HARVEY who don’t get enough credit. JUNOR launched his AUD$ radio show on SYN which is legit. The PROPHECY BOYZ launched SAUCE - a new brand that will probs do huge things in 2K17. RARE FLOW TV, provided an essential piece-to-the-puzzle, bringing this all to life in quality music videos. Australian rap music is at an all time high. But tbh, it’s going to take another miracle to push it any further. Now that there’s money to be made here, cashed-up copy-cat rappers/labels/magazines/venues with no imagination will find a way to suck the life out of your music for a quick profit. Historically, this has happened many times over, preventing Australians from truly impacting music culture on a global scale. WTF is the diff between us and: Canada, England or America? Terrible artists will succeed if you let them. Donald Trump was elected president. We’re always a stones-throw away from making the next generation of AUS rap fans (and the rest of the world) cringe at us. Question everyone. Even THANK GUARD. Oh, btw. This blog still doesn’t make money. Here’s 50 songs that inspired us to keep hustling in 2016 in between dem long-ass shifts. 50. “VIEWS UP” - NYUON (MELB)

NYUON - an essential character in the MELB rap scene - stretches out the parameters of his sound a little more with each release. “VIEWS UP” saw him lean back towards centre after the experimentally hazy, lilting vibe of his ’15 BYMYSELF tape. With the help of producer ROOKIEPRO he pooled that self-effacing, conscious rap-swagger into his most polished track do-date. 49. “SORROWS” - BLESSED (SYD)

Taking cues from CUDI, UK alternative-pop and their own minds, BLESSED managed to instantly stand out from the rest of the trap-heavy SYD scene last year. Their output in ‘16 was super consistent, and “SORROWS” (our fav) has already amassed over 127K plays on Soundcloud. Early days, but their potential for global appeal is already proven. 48. “I.D.C.A” - 18K (BRIS)

“I.D.C.A” gives you a real wow moment the second those bars come in. 18K’s on that: modern-day BONE,THUGZ & HARMONY/vaguely MIGOS ATL, super-quick flow. His beats are perfect too. Hard hitting, modern trap sounds AND a hint of like CLAMS CASINO cloud-rap as well. 47. “30 DAYS” - DENNIS (MELB)

Mysterious producer/singer DENNIS dropped this one to no reception whatsoever. The mastering isn’t professional, but the song itself and the man’s vocals are world class. You gotta pump the volume ride it to the peak for full-effect fam. Like some new BON IVER shit without the cringe, pretty sure this came out first too. 46. “PRESSURE (ft. JACE XL)” - BILLY DAVIS (MELB)

BILLY DAVIS & JACE XL (RYTHYM SECTION) are both heavily associated with THE OPERATIVES (who monopolised vibes in MELB the last decade). JACE shows off his life-changing soul crooning over some classic BILLY DAVIS instrumentation. This would be a lot higher if it were more relevant to our needs. 45. “NO MORE” - DEEVILLA (SYD)

With this track alone, SYDNEY-based DEEVILLA proved he can write the type of song this scene needs. His flow, lyrics and overall mood on “NO MORE” summed up 2016 perfectly in terms of music & vibe. FLIP TRILL’s production on this one did all the above and more. 44. “RUN UP (ft. FLYBOII & L.U.I)” - LIL SPACELY (SYD)

Got the vibe that BLACK DANNA head honcho SPACELY had a tough 2016. But, being an essential SYDNEY rap-character that he is, the dude still managed to drop some of the livest AUS rap tracks of 2016. On “RUN UP”, he took the chunky, horn-filled instrumental from FAT JOE and REMY MA’s “ALL THE WAY UP”, puffed out his chest, and along with a couple talented homies delivered a growling, arrogant battle track that signalled his readiness to take his music national. He’s already dropped several tracks in ’17. Stay woke. 43. “FIRE” - SQUIDGENINI (MELB)

SQUIDGENINI a.k.a Bella, is one of Melbourne’s better-kept secrets right now. She’s been honing her craft for some time: playing in bands, producing solo tracks and supporting huge artists. “FIRE”, one of her only releases in 2016, instantly put her on our radar. This highly ambitious track features no-bullshit lyrisicm, eccentric production and some straight up vocal-fire. 42. “NAH BRUH, THIS IS WAGE GANG!” - VEENO (SYD)

When BABY VEENO dropped this insane freestyle in October it was criminally over-looked by many (including us). Choosing YOUNG THUG’S timeless “SEE YOU” beat from that G.O.A.T RICH GANG tape proved to us that the man has taste. The ensuing bars instilled visions of VEENO becoming SYDNEY’s trap-SKEPTA in ’17. 41. “CLAP BACK” - SAVOUR THE RATIONS (SYD)

SAVOUR THE RATIONS were one of the most influential, pro-active and entertaining AUSTRALIAN rap crews of 2016 (especially towards the end). KWAME, DOMBA, JAYJAY ASSASSIN, GYBRYLLAH SHYNE & RAJ MAHAL made their biggest moves via videos/live performances. “CLAP BACK” which was dropped on Jan 2nd, 2016 showed the boys doing their ting for their own entertainment. This year they’ll be doing it for thousands no doubt. 40. “BEST FRIEND (YOUNG THUG REMIX)” - BIG SKEEZ (SYD)

This was probably the local track we played most last year. BIG SKEEZ really stood out in ‘16 for his song-writing hustle & originality (highlighted on his S.A.T.T mixtape). Remixing such a familiar, iconic song allowed SKEEZ to let loose in the booth more than ever before, resulting in 3:14 of explosive, feverish trap-fury filled with icy-cold local references/flips. 39. “ALIVE REMIX (ft. BARO & CAZEAUX O.S.L.O)” - ESESE (MELB)

Couldn’t think of a more suitable 2016 MELBOURNE summer-rap anthem than this BARO remix if I tried. It feature local pillars: CAEZEUX O.S.L.O, SKOMES and the ESESE crew - and oozes those heavenly FITZROY day-party vibes. Hearing HENOQ and O.S.L.O both spit new-gen AUS boom-bap masterpieces in rapid succession would’ve brought a tear to the eye of every true BURN-CITY rap-fan this year. 38. “NO MORALS (ft. $KINNY DOM)” - BLACK NAPOLEON (WA)

On “NO MORALS”, BLACK NAPOLEON brought equal parts: slow, deliberate and estatic D double E style booth raps - the kind you’d hear on some UK Pirate radio set to the table. LUCHII, another PERTH-based genius jumped into the mix sounding more like a 6K Gucci, nailing the perfect guest verse. The CAMERON PARK directed-visuals for this one featured no guns, knives or punches thrown, but it still stands as one of the most violent local vids of ’16. #HOMEBAKED. 37. “FUCK THE JUDGE (ft. REMI)” - BARO (MELB)

When BARO dropped the second taste of his soon-TBR JPYNTK tape about 6 months ago, the world was torn in half by the racial violence sweeping the US. It was literally with you everywhere you went, no matter ur skin colour. “FUCK THE JUDGE”, which was released at the very hight of this chaos featured inspired verses from REMI + BARO and was accompanied by the statement: “They're killing my people. They're killing PEOPLE.” The song itself also made another (less important statement) about BARO’s unflinching confidence as a dude/rapper. It was his first absolute crystal clear “fuck u” to industry/fan expectations - a sign that he might be giving the typical AUS rap-sound a much needed kick up-the-butt in 2017. 36. “POTENTIAL (I SEE)” - LORD LEVI (MELB)

When it comes to MELB underground anthems in 2016, LORD LEVI’s “POTENTIAL (I SEE)” is practically unrivalled. The hook, flow and production on this one truly encapsulates the rise of the BURN-CITY outer-suburb high-school trap scene in 2016. LEVI and the GREMLN squad built a dedicated following last year on the back of songs like this. Trek thru any BURN-CITY suburb and “I SEE POTENTIAL” follows u through the streets. 35. “FLEX MODE” - ERIK SANDERS (BRIS)

Brisbane’s ERIK SANDERS blew up out of nowhere last year on the back of several highly-polished, US-influence nu-trap singles. “FLEX MODE” bursts out of the gate with a series of auto-tune inflected bars that twist-and-turn, merging multitudes of impressive melodies in quick succession. This one gets real wild at the end too. 34. “RIDE (ft. REZT)” - LUCHII (WA)

LUCHII has always struck us as an interesting character, but we still slept on the man in ’16. When he dropped “RIDE” like a month ago, we swore to stay woke on the PERTH creative forevermore. This one rides an island trap wave that reminded us of CHILDISH GAMBINO’s “CALIFORNIA” and MAC MILLERS new stuff, but it also hits on something completely new. The vocals reference ATL rhythms/tones AND something else, which MUST have been born in a cloud of green smoke on one of those pristine PERTH beaches. 33. “PULL UP (ft. CIDI, LORD BRAVO, DUT BOL & RANDOLPH)” - BONKI CHOL (ADEL)

In 2016, the TREXON WAVE squad was our guilty pleasure. We legit found ourselves rinsing their proficiently rugged trap cuts more than CHANCE or FRANK. “PULL UP” is the song that started the whole affair. I remember being high af on a Tuesday at like 2PM about 8 months ago just blasting this enchanting MIGOS-style cut on my speakers for an hour straight. Jut listen to BONKI CHOI and homies: CIDI, LORD BRAVO, DUT BOL, RANDOLPH bring the sauce one time. They all flaunt separate styles, personalities and lyrical tendencies on this one, but their skills/delivery are at 100 throughout. 32. “HOW U FEEL” - NICO GHOST (MELB)

Close your eyes and “HOW U FEEL” will take you to a dark, nondescript club setting. Smoke settles in over those eerie trap bells - the calm before the storm. That amazing harpsichord removes any sense of time/location. Your mind is finally empty. Nico spits that FB generation mantra: “I couldn’t really give a fuck how you feel”, lulling you into a false sense of security before ruining your life with intensity. NICO’s 2016 was pretty-much dominated by his wild live-show. But in between sets he found the time to gift us with this the premiere for this one. Was a huge step forward for us. The man’s legit. 31. “MONSTER TRUCK” - ALLDAY (MELB)

ALLDAY is huge - has been for years now. In 2016, he went through a bit of a sonic evolution and we fucked with it heavy. “MONSTER TRUCK” is a song that pushed Australian rap to places in the world it rarely reaches. This one features earnest lyrics, euphoric melodies and a skin-tight flow - years of work/experience all coming together. ALLDAY made some serious global waves last year as unique voice in the world of post-OVO rap music. 30. “LIONA” - NASTY MARS (MELB)

On “LIONA”, future-star NASTY MARS took warm, wavy, lo-fi production ripped straight from a SOULECTION cassette and crafted his own rap/soul-experiment around the peaks and flows of the beat. Although, hardly representative of this guy’s unreleased material, live show and overall position in the AUSTRALIAN rap/soul scene - “LIONA” still managed to take on a life of it’s own… just suss the comments. 29. “BLOOD THICKER THAN WATER” - LUTHER (BRIS)

One of BRISBANE’s most charismatic up-and-comers, LUTHER teamed up with AUS production royalty JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS early last year for a YOUNG THUG/LIL WAYNE style cut that blew us away. The production bangs. LUTHER’s wild, warbling trap-jitterings are fierce, crunchy and at times hilarious. Everything you want in a track like this. The dude is associated with the WORLDWIDE BOYS who will blow up this year. 28. “THIRSTY” - ANFA ROSE (SYD)

“THIRSTY” came last year amidst a never-ending avalanche of consistently jaw-dropping ANFA ROSE & DOPAMINE joint-efforts. Everything on this one from the samples, to ROSE’s perfectly structured verses - to those 808 snares cutting thru your entire being - to the lyrics enforced our theory that these dudes aren’t human. They are computer programs or clones or holograms or something. 27. “MARIA MARIA” - GEEK, CHARLES X & SELASIE WUSSAH (SYD)

This one - easily top 3 most iconic “THANK GUARD” anthems in our entire history. Seeing it live at one of our BONEY parties inspired some of the most emotional dabs ever dabbed. When it dropped back in Jan, it brought out some of our best writing ever too… so I’m just gonna quote myself here.

“On the most polished THANK GUARD Premiere to-date, a dynamic trio of epileptic acid-rappers exchange contrasting melodic flows - in a bid to win a Spanish bae’s heart.” If you don’t know GEEK, CHARLES X (of CULT SHOTTA) or SELASIE WUSSAH by now we don’t trust u. 26. “1 3 1 6” - E L K (ADL)

Adelaide teen E L K bursted onto the scene with last year with “TUTEN KARMEN”, which would have easily made the top 10 if he didn’t remove it from SC. “1 3 1 6”, a different (but equally impressive) joint also blew us away. This one brings guys like MF DOOM & JAY ELECTRONICA to mind instantly, but channeled thru the purity of a fresh, young mind with the voice of a rap-god. In 2016 alone, E L K and his PLAYBACK 808 crew went from bedroom rappers, to the creators of a legit AUS rap movement that looks poised to climb mountains in 2017. 25. “FEELING GOOD FEELING GREAT” - TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI (WA)

2 months ago, FourAM head-honcho TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI teamed up with producer SNOWEE for a sun-drenched 6K anthem. Some rare RAE SCHREMMURD vibes (if they were slightly more sober). Truly peaks at the end. TOYOTOMI is another young dude whose influence on the culture went beyond rapping last year. From short films, events to supporting those around him - this kid did it all in 2016. 24. “DOPER THAN DOPE (MACHINEDRUM REMIX)” - SK SIMEON (MELB)

One of AUSTRALIA’s best rhythmic-vocalists had a huge 2016. SK SIMEON has been a worldwide reggae force for a minute now. Born in Uganda, recorded his first song at a studio in Dandenong… But last year “DOPE THAN DOPE” - one of his best tracks to-date was remixed by MACHINEDRUM. This version (which sounds good anywhere) took SK’s insane rapid-fire singing and infectious tongue-in-cheek delivery to dance-floors around the world. 23. “NULIFE” - MAIA (BRIS)

BRISBANE neo-neo-soul singer/producer MAÏA returned to form in 2016 with her nostalgic, intimate “LOFI” Mixtape. “NULIFE” - a definite standout will swallow you up whole in a blanket of warm, jazzy melodies and pulsating rimshots. Coming very early in the year, this track really pre-empted a lot of trends that are dominating American music culture as we speak. We predict huge things for MAIA in 2017. 22. “$AUCE” - GREMLNS (MELB)

2016 was the year of the GREMLN in the suburbs of MELB. No other underground AUS rap squad made more of an impact than these guys in the last 12 months. This “SAUCE” video came about after months of anticipation and was defs worth the wait. It showed the GREMSQUAD more polished-than-ever, a bunch of real young talents standing at the crossroads between street-fame and industry acceptance. The video itself is like a cross between an old-school Tarantino movie and a London GRIME vid, but set in some unmistakably murky Burn-city graffiti spots. 21. “BERETTA” - MATT BLACK (SYD)

SYDNEY-based vocalist MATT BLACK exploded out of the blocks last year with a series of MIRACLE/DOPAMINE produced R&B/SOUL singles - the type big labels dream about every night. “BERETTA” is the whole package. A high-concept, slow-burning, futuristic love-song which cleverly compares a lover to a pistol. Two things that (depending on the circumstances) can save you or destroy you, make u feel like a man or a mouse. 20. “EVERYDAY” - DREAM$TEAM (ADEL)

So much love for duo’s with vastly different voices. When you listen to a DREAM$TEAM you got no time for boredom. You’ve got CHARLTON on the first verse who always goes in with this SHAKE070-style flow and A-grade emotionally-charged lyricism, then the other G comes in riding world-class auto-tune vibes that sit somewhere between YACHTY & TRAVI$ SCOTT. The production, which features ZAYTOVEN-style piano, is the opposite of corny… bounces hard & leaves plenty of room for vocals. These guys are insanely talented for their age-bracket. Anythings possible for them in 2017 19. “TENNIES” - TKAY MAIDZA (ADEL)

TKAY MAIDZA, easily one of the most successful artists on this list had a huge 2016. She was spun on SKRILLEX’s OWSLA radio show, played a tonne of festivals in AUS & FRANCE, but most importantly dropped a huge studio album, TKAY, which featured guest verse from KILLER MIKE (Run The Jewels). “TENNIES” was our favourite track from the album, because it combined her signature worldly sugar-rap with some hella uplifting footwork vibes. How often is boundary-pushing music this much fun? 18. “LAPUTA (TAYLOR MCFERRIN REMIX ft. ANDERSON PAAK)” - HIATUS KAIYOTE (MELB)

The one and only MELB-based GRAMMY-nominated future-soul quartet that we probs should have posted by now had to have a presence on this list, at least to show you all what’s possible. Their second album “CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON” is a must listen, but was released waybach in 2015. Last year, TAYLOR MCFERRIN recruited ANDERSON PAAK to rework standout single “LAPUTA” for a remix EP. The results speak for themselves. 17. “PEACEWALKER” - GALLU$, RAIDER KING (BRIS)

GALLU$ was real cult-force down in BRISBANE last year. His influence on the scene transcended his recordings - a huge statement considering the quality of songs like “PEACEWALKER”. This one features some heavy statements screamed with a natural Aussie accent over “GLASSSS” by PYRMDPLAZA. 

“THIS INDUSTRY’S FAKE & THE PEOPLE TALK BULLSHIT // THAT SOUNDS PRETTY OBVIOUS // SO WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING? // QUESTIONING MY OWN MUSIC LIKE // EVERY LINE THAT I WRITE // CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL STUPID.” - nuff said. 16. “ALL OF MI LIFE (MACHINEDRUM REMIX)” - YAW FASO (MELB)

2016 was a year where artists like POPCAAN & J HUS were getting love on THE FADER + DRAKE/BIEBER/SKRILLEX were jacking sounds from the Caribbean and breaking billboard records. When our own YAW FASO shared this MACHINEDRUM remix of his sun-drenched single “ALL OF MI LIFE” the timing was perfect, but as the hook declares, he wasn’t riding any trends. Reggae is one of the few genres that makes you smile, dance and forget about all your issues. This song, bursting with: FASO’s highly motivational reggae mantras, sugary buildups and super-refreshing production does all the above. 15. “IDK” - GILL BATES (BRIS)

With his LESS STRESS, MORE SUCCESS EP, GILL BATES showed a whole new side of himself to the world in 2016. Standout cut “IDK” took the catchier side of AUS rap into unknown territory: substance & self-awareness. Above all tho, it’s just a great song. That larger-than-life JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS production grabs you from 0:01… GILL’s opening line “BEEN DROWNING MY SORROWS // BOTTLE AFTER BOTTLE” takes you into his psyche… Then GILL & JAMES drag you deeper and deeper into darkness before flipping things with a bittersweet xylophone-driven hook. A world-class highlight from one of the best local releases in 2016. 14. “NEVER BEEN” - TYRØNE (SYD)

In the last 12 months, few local artists worked harder than TYRØNE. The SYDNEY rapper/producer legit dropped a full EP Trilogy, brimming with GOAT Australian rap lyricism. Song, after song the guy managed to craft a unique aesthetic for himself and his music – darkness that isn’t fake. “NEVER BEEN”, a real standout encapsulates this dedication to his craft more than any other. That skin-tight baritone flow just doesn’t stop on this one. “I SAY LIFE IS EVERYTHING YOU MAKE IT // ONE THING DAMN RIGHT I AIN’T NEVER BEEN FAKE BITCH” 13. “HIT EM” - I AM D (BRIS)

BRISBANE one-man-movement I AM D flew way under our radar until we heard this one. “HIT EM” showcased D’s near iconic nu-AUSSIE rap tone, through a stream of SKEPTA-like vocal punches that explained every move he would make in the local scene. Little did we know at the time, but he actually went on to achieve everything he rapped on this track. In a matter of months after its release: he got signed to a major label, dropped a hugely successful EP, landed a national tour and stamped his influence on the local culture. 12. “NO FATIGUE (ft. GEEK & SELASIE WUSSAH)” - CULT SHØTTA (SYD)

The video for “NO FATIGUE” really set the tone for CULT SHØTTA season in 2016. They were always a truly unique presence in the Australian rap game, but on this track, they toned things down, unleashing line-after-line of vibrant acid-raps over a relatively sparse bass-driven trap beat. As per usual, CHARLES X, GEEK & SELASIE WUSSAH each brought their A-game, showing off vastly different styles/personas, each challenging different “AUSTRALIAN RAP” taboos in the process. It also marked the beginning of director RUFFY’s much-needed string of ambitious video-work that helped elevate many-a local rapper last year. 11. “FOR GOOD (ft. SAMPA THE GREAT)” - REMI (MELB)

Couldn’t think of a better ’16 feel-good Aus-rap summer anthem than REMI and SAMPA’s “FOR GOOD” if I tried. When your air-con breaks on a 35 degree day, this song could actually save ur life. The production, hook and overall vibe really feels like a classic Triple J anthem, the type that soundtracked our lives. But, obviously everything has been re-worked for the next-generation, creating a crisper, more sonically diverse hit than we’re used to. 10. “EXISTENTIALITY” - OJIKAE (MELB)

“EXISTENTIALITY” is a lovesick vision that’s refreshingly different from the over-saturated BILLBOARD TOP 100-style R&B that the likes of TORY LANEZ and BRYSON TILLER put out. It was also the very first track released by 17 y.o VCE student Matt Cicero, which blew us away immediately last JULY. The guy wrote something original, produced the track himself and whipped out a spine-tingling vocal performance that singlehandedly dragged his ass all the way to the top 10 of this list. 9. “ASSUMPTIONS” - MANU CROOKS (SYD)

“ASSUMPTIONS” was premiered on ZANE LOWE’s BEATS1RADIO show… got our mag a global shoutout AND tore stages apart across the country in 2016. We heard more sides of Sydney game-changer MANU CROOKS than ever before on this one. With help from production masterminds DOPAMINE & MIRACLE, CROOKS departed from them brooding Toronto vibes to show Australia & the world that he can can TURN UP like the best of them. 8. “CALL ME” - DEVARN (MELB)

This song is what THANK GUARD is all about. Sonically, it’s right up our alley… but more importantly it came from a creative young dude who: thinks for himself and punches well-above his weight considering the resources/money some people on this list have at their disposal. It also tells a story we have witnessed for years now…

“ALL OF MY N*GGAS THEY WORK IN THE SUN // WAITING FOR LABELS TO HIT UP THEY PHONE // I WANT SOME MONEY TO GET ME A PHONE” Few rappers can get you on their side like Melbourne’s DEVARN. His vocals are earnest, intimate - when he raps, it feels like he’s letting you into his world. He doesn’t slur his words, or smother them in auto-tune either - you can hear every word the man is saying. Also, huge props for referencing some of our fav underground anthems >> SAUCE (GREMLNS) >> MOOSHAMAD // I HAD A DREAM WE GON’ MAKE IT. Damn. 7. “000000” - MIDAS.GOLD (BRIS)

Last year, Brisbane’s MIDAS.GOLD elevated himself to the Mount Rushmore of this new-wave. Of all the wild trap releases & intimate soul-searching cuts on his huge FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH EP, “000000” had the biggest impact on the scene. It dropped all the way back in JANUARY when local rappers were all bumping FUTURE & YOUNG THUG 24/7, but still didn’t truly believe that an Aussie could incorporate these sounds into their music so convincingly. MIDAS truly made this quality JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS/MO LIASON beat his bitch from 0:01, before abruptly taking the track down a notch in its last third, flipping the beat and creating a Schoolboy Q-esque bleary-eyed, kushed-out vibe that eased the track out from its original energy. 6. “WHIP IT” - BIG SKEEZ

We’ve been huge supporters of BIG SKEEZ for a long time. Every track he dropped in 2016 wreaked of originality in both vision and character. SKEEZ, a dude climbing his way up a ladder of: elegant email signatures, cut-throat managers and concrete industry rules, often collaborated with us thru a simple fb message - or just bumping into him in the city. This made us question the likelihood of his success to some extent, but when this video for “WHIP IT” dropped, it turned all our dreams into a reality. The WAVY BADMON, along with his SYDNEY crew absolutely owned the big screen, turning up like a pro to one of the standout tracks from his under-rated debut mixtape. Seeing this whole evolution transpire before our very eyes gave this CERNE STUDIOS production a real sentimental value for the whole THANK GUARD team. 5. “ABSURD” - ANFA ROSE (SYD)

ANFA ROSE and DOPAMINE’S magnum opus will make you cry like a Canadian watching Drake sing the national anthem. The silky smooth, “Absurd” is a beautifully executed blend of 808s, pianos and harmonies. When it comes to polish, no local track released in 2016 comes close to this one. DOPAMINE stripped back that instrumental, focusing on an ethereal and ominous beat with a chordal pattern that slides effortlessly from note to note. ROSE’s delicate melodies fuse perfectly with the instrumental and his lyrics, which are reminiscent of DRAKE’s odes to RIHANNA, or THE WEEKND’s odes to drugs. 4. “RUN IT (ft. LEVI, PHANTOM & KMALITH)” - MIKE WANG (MELB)

When low-key GREMLN MICHAEL WANG dropped this fire squad track all borders between Australia & America went up in flames. The MELBOURNE underground literally outshone the AUSTRALIAN i-Tunes charts. Nothing would make sense ever again. In terms of flow, lyricism and local impact… this was without a doubt one of the best Australian rap tracks released in 2016. WANG, LEVI, PHANTOM & KMALITH came out, guns blazing with their own jaw-dropping take on that MIGOS-style flow (and this was all before “BAD & BOUJEE” blew up). That little OVO-style hook/breakdown “I GOT BANDS…” really added a whole other dimension to the song too. Don’t even get me started on the message behind these lyrics and their relevancy to our scene, the city of MELBOURNE and the racial/cultural tensions often overlooked by most Australians. 3. “BLOWIN’ UP (ft. MIRACLE)” - MANU CROOKS (SYD)

“BLOWIN UP” was MANU CROOKS flipping the switch and making a statement: his rise to success is about much more than bangerz. Being able to rap and record full-time is any local rapper’s dream and seeing the SYDNEY rapper get premiered on The FADER must have motivated thousands of Australian teenagers to keep hustling in 2016. Honestly, didn’t think someone from this new AUS rap-scene would make the pages of a mag like The FADER for at least another year. That stamp of approval means a lot. Manu’s tuned-up, magnetically charismatic vocals definitely stole the show on this one…Dude just seems to know exactly what to rap and when. But, none of this would have been possible without his equally talented bros: DOPAMINE & MIRACLE who both shined, bright as ever on this one. 
DOPAMINE always knows just the right amount of syrupy autotune to sprinkle over his mates vocals & this beat speaks for itself. MIRACLE’S production and vocals contributions always help bring a track to the next-level. All 3 of these guys will no-doubt make even more Australian-rap history in 2017. 2. “WDUBI (ft. NASTY MARS & MARCUS)” - BARO (MELB)

When the mind of a black sheep is re-configured to entertain the mindless masses, an artist has reached their final frontier. BARO (NASTY MARS & MARCUS) did this last year with “WDUBI” - the first taste from his eagerly-awaited JPYNTK tape. On first encounter, it plays as the perfect Australian new-gen rap jam. But on further inspection, everything about it: the production, vocal stylings and somber sonic undertones expose it for the beautiful alien it really is. All three verses loosely acknowledge US 2K16 rap (CHANCE, GAMBINO etc), but overall this track really does’t follow the rules set by the American market at all - which is why we love it so much. That NIC MARTIN production plays a huge roll in this also. Something about those double-timed snares/claps and the tempo made this one feel so damn refreshing. We really played the fuck out of this one last year. THANK GUARD. Oh btw “AND IF WE HAVE A SON I THINK WE’LL NAME HIM STEVEN” - line O.T.Y 1. “BLUE BOSS” - SAMPA THE GREAT (SYD)

LMAO. In 2016, a lot of local bro’s hyped their shit like crazy. Walking around like the TUPAC reincarnate, talking smack online & sharing videos on FB 10 times a day… and SAMPA THE GREAT quietly drops a song that makes them all look foolish, raising her to instant-legend status. SAMPA is emotionally mature, intellectually elegant, socially conscious. Her words can fight wars or comfort a child. She is the type of person you’d want running for president, let alone running the local rap scene. “BLUE BOSS” is like a world-class 2K16 surprise rap-hit, but also feels timeless. Unlike kindred spirits NONAME & KAMAIYAH, SAMPA keeps her production and overall-vibe as earthy as possible, creating her own unique place in the rap-world. Considering the desperate need for more female rappers in this country, the quality of SAMPA’s vocals and her all-too-rare modest demeanour, we had to give “BLUE BOSS” the #1 spot. Posted by PAULINE HANSON

[rushsblog]

Shes drunk....again.

You're asking me about my patients and saying I worked with her abd my provider is Becca abd screaming and mad

The following morning I addressed how she made me feel how she made me feel scared abd afraid of the conversation or what could happen next . She got angry and disassociative she turned over and got so mad she became short and hostile with me. After arguing back and fourth I get up and let the dogs out and she screams. "I can do the 🐕" but doesn't get it up . I do the dogs and feed them even when at this time our very relationship hangs in the balance . So I do the dogs I come back in the room and she's up and I say are you ready to get in the shower for work? She  starts going off dismissing my feelings because she didn't hit me. Not realizing that making me feel that way or that that could happen makes me feel the excact same way. She says "why do you even love me if I do all these things to you" I say no im not doing this you're manipulating the conversation to fit your narrative . You don't wanan address all the issues I've brought up and how you were wrong for coming at me aggressively and making me feel scared while drunk. That is your fault. So we're bickering back and fourth shes screaming saying shes gotta get to work and im saying wtf are you retarded if you have to go to work stop arguing with me abd your emotions and get in the shower l. She flips out abd says i called her retarded. So i leave the room abd xover mt ears because shes picking up on anything i say or do and manipulating it to make her narrative.  I say ok im leaving the room. She gets up finally abd starts chasing me room to room saying "WHY CANT YOU SAY WHY YOU DONT LOVE ME" YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT YOU TO STOP GROWING WEED HERE!!! see her things to control me is the house and thats it. I try to get away from her by covering my ears and leaving the room she keeps chasing me screaming me . Finally I call her insane . For chasing me around knowing she has work mental illness and hasn't taken her medicine. She then harps on the insane thing. When I really was saying her mental illness was taking over I don't think normal she would attack me abd chase me room to room but she did. So basically I call her insane. She grabs a knife (dejavu) goes in the bathroom abd locks the door. Basically trying to emotionally abd mentally abuse me showing me that if I ever have something bad to say about how she treats me and she doesn't have an answer (aka something that I did that she can throw in my facd) she will try to cut and harm herself. In my situation thats scary. She's told me her ex has recorded her to make fun of her . I think it was to protect himself. She is out of control. I told her how she made me feel and she spinned out of control. She ruined her own morning by not being receptive and listening with her heart .

I lost my id shes upset and and is being nasty and angry she said to me im petty . Then called her a bitch . Then she called me a dick then I called her a cunt. She thinks that calling someone a dick is not the same as calling someone a cunt. It is. She tells me to leave the room i say I'm not leaving the room so unless she's calling the cops im not leaving and she threatened to call the cops. I am done with this saggy titted bitch she's an absolute cunt to me as I am having a bad day . I've lost my id my package never came and my bottles of nutrients that I spent money on broke  she doesn't know how to help her helping her trying to fight with me or saying shit that doesn't help me when In actuallyilty I only lost my id buying her fat disgusting ass alcohol .now she's basically threatened me abd forced me to retrack my feelings otherwise she threatens to break up with me or kick me out and she says why are youstill here if you feel all of that. Meaning she's ready to throw the towel in and so am I . She lives like a fucking slob she leaves a mess everywhere gets drunk gets nasty gets angry gets vindictive gets hurtful starts threatening and I can only sit here abd take it . She told me to leave the room as soon as I do she starts messaging me. Trying to start another fight. I have to not give that to her I need to keep my calm and shut up bide my time stack your money and go. Things don't have to be bad .it just takes one nasty ass drunk white bitch to ruin your fucking life. She knows if she called the cops on me because I'm black they would hurt me and do things to me. She knew all of my past with my ex and all the bad things that happened to me all the hurt abd ptsd and still said those words to me. If we make it past this mark im going to win I promise everyday going forward is strictly about that .

Id need pictures

She and I were both drunk she asked me to go to  the bathroom with her  I did as I walked in I saw her knock down the vinegar trap for fruit flies. She started getting mad and drunk and blaming me even tho I was 5 feet away at the doorl when I saw it when u was in the shower she said " I just wanna break up with you already " after I get out of the shower the common sense of her saying that to me is ridiculous. She knocked it down as it was behind the toilet me walking in after her like she asked me is not my fault

She's being nasty to me and fighting with me and saying I can't write it down  trying to manipulate me from being myself but I'm writing it down because she said my opinions don't matter when they have to do with her life but when I said that I don't wanna fight wit her over small things she blew up at me and said im annoying then said that she's gonna go back in her notes and read all the things she wrote to try to hurt me. I don't care. She doesn't like being held to the same standards she holds me to. Because she has all the powering her relationship she just yells at me abd becomes disrespecting abd hurtful .u mean we still aren't together from when she broke up with me last Wednesday. She leaves to go to liquor store and said that why am I looking at her. .everytime she drinks her true feelings come out shes nastier than I could of ever expected judt hurtful small minded abd wanting to attack abd hurt abd destroy everything m when I say small minded I mean one track minded with the sense of just srostrying everything. She doesn't care what happens to me she just uses me while I'm here for sex or comfort and when she's mad she disrespects me and tries to hurt me ahd makes me feel like anything could happen to me. Since I've explained my position she had gotten worse. More drinking. More attacks. More fear. Who knows maybe she'll get drunk and manipulate a fight so she can call the cops or she can attack me or she can do whatever she wants . She's a master manipulator who is a terrible drunk with no control constantly emotional and hurtful . She left in the middle of arguing go get a bottle so now im scared. Shes too wild

She brought up the fact I said "well if we're done I basically hope you die so 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️" not mentioning that I said that when we first met that" when someone breaks up with me or we break up im done im not in contact with any of my exes because once we're done it's like you're dead to me . She comes home after getting a bottle and doesn't day a word just bsngs on the door until I answer even tho she has a key and she is drunk still from earlier drove around and has yet to say a word to me but shes now on her phone going through charges to try to fight with me about when I used her card little does she know she I already gave her cash so she can't be rude or nasty to me m but we'll see whats the first thing she says since her 500th drunken attack episode

Had a bad dream about us fighting and her coming home with another guy and fuxking him and making eye contact and her saying were not together anyways remember I broke up with you a few weeks ago plus where you gonna go. Woke up in a sweat upset .putting things into perspective.

She woke up got drunk tried to think of ideas to call out of work I really didn't say much then she said tell her no. So I do. And I keep telling her no. And she stands up super aggressive and goes "you wouldn't understand" and storms out of the room insinuating I don't get it because I don't have a job

She's rude nasty and disrespectful after all of that she's at the door and she says I'm done you wanted to know if I would resent you... well I do. I say "dude you're being a bitch like wtf just go to work" she gets Angier and says you're telling me to leave my house that I pay for??? Getting more abd more Angier judt s are tbh. Shes out of control she drinks in the morning and drinks at night so much so her hands shake. Shes out of control her emotional swings are out of control .shes too emotionally unstable to have a job.

She wants to have sex with me and I absolutely do not want to have sex with someone who's mean as fuck to me all the time edoei slly when she's drinking shed out of control she's extra aggressive and makes me feel uncomfortable I repeat. I never want to have sex with anyone who can't be nice to me for more than a few hours especially if she says. Shut up and",just break up already " .she told me to stay home she needs space . My thoughts is she never stops i nthe middle of being nasty and says sorry I was out of line she doesn't have that in her. She's nasty as fuck. When I first met her I told her I don't ever ever wanan have sex with someone who's mean as fuck to me and treats me like shit .

I think k with the growing sexyal need for whoel dildos inside of her is gonns grow a want for something I can't give I can't give you 10 inches of dicj whenever you say or else. I told you how I work how if you're mean to me it makes me not ever wanan have sex. I need consistency. Shes not doing it. Her emotions change on a dime shes unstable. So because I don't wanan have sex we should break up? bitch you're a fucking bitch sttaight up a terrible person in the moment so stop being a bitch abd realize we need to get on the same page and have sex when we're good not when youre nasty to me. I don't wanna have sex with a mean nasty horrible person.

I tell her im in a bad mood and I dont wanna go to grocery store ill just drink apple juice. She retorts back and says I don't care what you drink . Then we start bickering back and fourth it gets to a point where she says just shut the fuck up I do not care about you shut the fuck up. While earlier in the day she had said "just break up with me already" well i say ok ill shut the fuck up . Then she keeps going she calls me an asshole . Says he didn't do anything wrong.(I never said she did) I just finished calling the eye lash place advocating for her so she could get her money back. But ok. Shes sitting right next to me calling me an asshole and a piece of shit and I finally get fed up . And say fuck you kill yourself I know I shouldn't of said that but I said it when I was upset and she genuinely makes a big deal when I call her a bitxh even if she's absolutely being one .so in the moment of having limited vocabulary and a ton of emotions I just said fuck you kill yourself. Then she went barreling in the other room trying to kill herself. My problem is asshole is a trigger for me . Psychotic self harming girls are a trigger for me. If this relationships ends one thing ive learned is they always show they're true colors. Once we get bickering their is no calming her down. We speak to each other not on even ground but. She has ultimate powerm so when she's drunk which is always she gets nasty and short. Within the week of her not drinking we had zero fights abd if there was something close to a fight it was easily resolved now that she's drinking again we've been fighting more and having more issues. I tried to stop her from killing herself by not giving her a knife or scissors but she comes barreling around saying"I KNOW YOU USED MY SCIZZORS FOR YOU FUCKING WEED" and keeps berating me until. I find them for her. I try to open the door its locked i tell her I don't waban be breaking doors down to stop you from killing yourself and I don't wanan be saying sorry when you were being terrible and don't hold yourself responsible. How is any single human being supposed to react when every fight we get into that is mostly alcohol filled on your side we sweep under the rug. How about the time you broke up with me and then next day said we don't talk about it we just sweep it under the rug. So why can't this be that? Where does the line end? I don't understand your trigger words have been crazy which I don't use or insane which I don't use. You know mine is asshole but still choose to say it and not only that when confronted on your fault you rely on your emotions and feelings to get you out of your responsibility the fact is you also say and do things absolutely fucked up . But you don't deal with the same consequences because I don't kill myself this is your house your white im black im a man your a woman . This is your Town. Our playing fields are not even so when you say my triggers or disrespect me  I can do nothing but I say triggering things to you and everything comes crashing down. When you drink you're a terrible person you a nasty manipitive and make me feel unsafe.

She says earlier today its ok if I don't want to have sex then treats me like shit when i don't wanna have sex fuck no i would never evr have srx with you again as you continue to be rude and nasty to me. Calls me a douche  bag then tells me to go in the room and leave her room and now she's yelling at me and telling me im far behind telling me to go in the other room theb telling me I don't leave the house so why can't I go in the other room then is screaming at me telling me to go in the other room telling me to go in the other room and calling me stupid and annoying saying its not fair I never leave the house why can't I go in the other roon.( the room with no ac and is now taking a bunch of pills. I refused to talk to her while she's drunk nasty and pathetic I will never have sex with a person who's disgusting barely showers and fights with me over any and everything shes literally insane and has mental illness and then ripped the blanket off of me and saidxwhere the fucj are my keys  and is screaming at me .now she's threatening to kill herself tooka knife to the car came back more threatening of my lease and attacks then went back to her room

On our anniversary she got mad at me because I said I didn't smoke this morning and she was claiming I did. I said its our anniversary whatever you say I did I did I don't wanna fight which made her Angier. I asked do you need me to leave the room she said yes absolutely. I left the room afterc20 minutes she screams you can come in now I come in and I tell herm hey. Its not cool how you just het so angry and nasty there's no stopping you and the only way to stop you is to leave the room. She says I never asked you to you leave. I said you never asked me to leave because I've done this dance with you before and it won't stop. She says well why are you saying I asked you to leave. I said. Because yo unknown thats the only way to calm you down. Then after bickering back and fourth she cries cuts herself goes in ghe other room while I'm just chilling here. Shes been cutting herself everyday for like a week. She is so unstable.

She bow is looking to renew her drivers license. Can't find her birth certificate..says to me. you fucking lost it didn't you! . I said no.. iwouldnt touch itmm she says you're always here you just of touched it . I said ik not doing this with you your manic grabbed my joint and went in the other room. She called me a mean name and said yeah ok you fucking pothead  .....

[foursprout-blog]

25 Gamers On The Most Gruesome Story That Stuck With Them Long After They Finished Playing

New Post has been published on http://foursprout.com/happiness/25-gamers-on-the-most-gruesome-story-that-stuck-with-them-long-after-they-finished-playing/

25 Gamers On The Most Gruesome Story That Stuck With Them Long After They Finished Playing

Unsplash / Nicolas Gras

1. S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl

“In S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl, there were several underground research labs full of all kind of spooky and paranormal badness and other sorts of anomalies. It was like exploring a haunted house except the ghosts were real and there’s a psychic force slowly driving you insane. Also it’s pitch black and you can get lost really easily.” — Innalibra

2. Outlast 

“Outlast and Alien Isolation gave me so much anxiety I had to stop playing them.

I managed to complete Outlast and Outlast 2, but I haven’t touched Alien in years. There’s no way I’m going through 20 hours of that shit.” — HearTheEkko

3. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem

“That game fucked with your head so much using the sanity meter. For those that haven’t played it here are some of things that would happen:

When entering a room, the character may turn into a Zombie, and ‘die’ a moment later or after going through some doors.

Attempting to cast Recover may cause the character’s torso to explode, resulting in a (fake) death of the character.

When entering a room, the character’s limbs may explode in a systematic order, going for the head, the arms and then the torso, resulting in a (fake) death of the character.

When entering a room, the character may shrink or grow while moving. This is most commonly seen in the strange curved corridors of the Forbidden City.

When entering a room and when holding a gun, the character can shoot at nothing at random times or turn around and shoot at the camera leaving a fake bullet hole in the screen. (Similiar to the Prologue of the James Bond movies, and in Resident Evil 2.)

When attempting to reload a gun, it may go off in the character’s stomach, resulting in a (fake) death of the character. This is most prominent in Max’s chapter, for he is the only one without a bigger gun than his flintlock pistols. Revolvers in other chapters have been known to cause this phenomenon to occur as well.

When entering a room, the character’s head falls off (but can be picked up), and levitates on screen reciting ‘HAMLET’.

The screen goes black, as if the TV went off.

Bugs may appear to be crawling on the TV screen.

The game will lower the gameplay volume while displaying a green volume bar, similar to real on-screen TV settings.

The screen goes black and changes to video mode, and you will hear your character getting eaten until they ‘die’. (Even without a ‘Break Free’ control stick, the unseen Zombie can still be pushed away)

A false sneak-preview of a sequel to the game, called ‘Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Redemption’ (the original planned sequel to ‘Sanity’s Requiem’) will appear.

Upon saving your game, a message will say, ‘Are you sure you want to delete all of your Saved Games?’ If you say yes or no, the saved files will be ‘deleted’.

A ‘Blue Screen of Death’ will appear.

You will see the image you see when you start up or reset the game, quoting Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ in Edward Roivas’ voice.

When the controller is left idle long enough, a still ‘screensaver’ shot of Pious will appear on the screen until a button is pressed.

When you open your inventory screen, all your inventory spaces appear empty.

When entering a room, the character may be unable to move or attack, and the player will get a fake system message telling that a controller isn’t plugged in, while the many zombies attack them.

A fake screen message will appear, congratulating the player for finishing the demo of the game.

The camera begins leaning as the Sanity Meter lowers.” — -eDgAR-

4. Doki Doki

“My old roommate was playing this game and I thought it was some dating sim game. So, I left and went to play some game and I hear him yell ‘JESUS FUCKING CHRIST NO!!!’ and was like ‘yo, wtf dude you alright?’

I kid you not he was white as a fucking sheet and literally shut his computer (gaming laptop) and proceeded to go outside. I’ve known the dude for two years and worked with him for one. He hates going outside… But, not after Doki Doki. That shit made him contemplate life.

I’m scared to even buy the game if it did that to an anti-social recluse.” — xItz_Anthonyx34

5. Bloodborne

“Everything about Bloodborne is disturbing and eerie, the atmosphere, the monsters the unpredictability of the world itself, by far the most tense I felt playing a video game.” — Novasex 

6. Until Dawn

“Until Dawn was pretty fucking well done. At times it was like they were trying to hard, but over all one of the best horror anything I’ve played/watched/read.” — murderousbudgie

7. Amnesia

“I got a cracked version of Amnesia from a friend.

Loaded it, stepped into the main hall, heard scary noises. Have never played again.” — iKILLcarrots

8. Condemned: Criminal Origins

“There is no game that has filled me with a worse sense of dread than Condemned: Criminal Origins.

Yes, the graphics aren’t great and there are a few things that aren’t great, such as the story or a couple levels, but still. I have yet to play a game that has such a good sense of suspense, dread, and fear of the unknown.

It has such good enemy reveals, such as the mannequins in the department store. Or the starving corrupted beings in the sewer.

It uses audio and visuals perfectly, and has very good foreshadowing, such as how you can sometimes look behind you and catch a glimpse of the late game enemies, or how it purposefully misleads you for things such as the locker jumpscare, or how SKX isn’t The Match Maker.

Overall, C:CO is a phenomenal game and I highly suggest everyone to play it if they want a great psychological horror game.” — PhReAkOuTz 

9. Subnautica

“I’ve played a ton of horror games – my roommate and I went on a kick where we’d stream ourselves playing every horror game we could find, from big names like Outlast/Outlast 2 and RE7 to lesser known indie games.

Subnautica has honestly scared me way more than pretty much every one of those. It’s just that feeling that there’s something out there, especially when you’re diving into new areas. I’ve literally jumpscared myself by accidentally driving the Seamoth into a tiny fish without noticing – there’s just way more chances to run into something unexpected that won’t be given away by the soundtrack or something else (most horror games really give away their jump scares).

Love that game.” — blay12

10. The 11th Hour

“I always remember the 7th Guest & 11th Hour creeping me out. The way the games gradually descended into the eerie parts made it more disturbing than games that start right out with the horror and jump scares.” — wj333

11. Silent Hill 

“They might not hold up as well now but I remember being scared shitless playing the first Fatal Frame and Silent Hill games as a kid sitting in the dark down in my basement.” — TheLastSpoonBender

12. Dying Light

“Playing Dying Light at like 1 in the morning. Especially when you got to the point when the running zombies were introduced.” — PM_ME_UR_BOOBSICLES

13. Gone Home

“Gone Home. I was so sure my dead sister’s corpse was going to suddenly tap me on the shoulder. Especially down in that stupid basement. I sprinted to all those lamps immediately.” — olive1112

14. Doom 3

“Probably Doom 3, especially in that dark corridor where the babies were crying.” — DejectedHead

15. Riven

“I remember playing this game as a kid and being absolutely terrified when the wahrk swims up to the window. I could never figure out why everything about the game made me feel so creeped out and uncomfortable but I think [the] emptiness and isolation was what did it.” — JosefGordonLightfoot

16. Dead Space

“The Dead Space series, especially the first game. That game made me jump so many damn times. I loved it!” — nope_noperstein

17. Parasite EVE 

“Parasite EVE for PS1.

Playing it as a kid probably has something to do with why it was so scary to me, but seeing people infected with a sentient parasite and grotesquely mutating was pretty intense.” — Serukaizen

18. Manhunt

“Manhunt, that shit was pretty intense when it first came out… Using things like piano wire to not only choke people to death, but to actually saw the guys head off…

Also came with classic lines such as ‘I can smell the shit in your pants’ whilst being hunted.” — Jee187

19. Penumbra: Overture

“Penumbra: Overture is scary shit, and has a terrific story as well. The entire series is great, although Requiem is more like added content than anything.

The SCP games were super low fi but actually pretty terrifying, too.” — ZeusAmmon

20. SCP Containment Breach

“SCP Containment Breach. I am not trying to sound like a manly badass but there are few horror games that can scare me in the same way as SCP Containment Breach. I always quit the game early because I get scared of the sculpture and don’t feel like playing after that.” — Edgyfaggot6969666

21. Half Life

“I couldn’t play Half Life. Never even saw the first enemy. The sounds and suspense stressed me out too much. Dead Space got me too. I’ve played plenty of horror games but couldn’t do those. I’m sure there were a couple others between those two I’m forgetting. Just some of em strike me the right (wrong?) way.” — rectalstresses

22. First Encounter Assault Recon

“I enjoyed the creepy darkness and sounds/jumpscares in the F.E.A.R Series.” — Uppgrade

23. SOMA

“Have y’all played SOMA? It was good but everything freaked me out even days after I finished it.” — Shiruet

24. Resident Evil 

“Resident Evil 7 is so disturbing and graphic. I had to look away so many times.” — ccr3ds

25. Spooky’s House Of Jump Scares

“Spooky’s House Of Jump Scares.

It starts off cartoony with the cardboard cutouts.

But it goes downhill fast.

And they keep doing the cardboard cutouts to keep you on your toes.” — Pasta-hobo 

[foursprouthappiness-blog]

25 Things You Absolutely Need To Learn Before 25

New Post has been published on http://foursprout.com/happiness/25-things-you-absolutely-need-to-learn-before-25-2/

25 Things You Absolutely Need To Learn Before 25

Ryan Christodoulou

Before we begin: the original article on things you need to learn before you are 25 was published in 2005 and it is still relevant today as it was eighteen years ago. But in that time a lot more people have come of age, so I thought an homage wouldn’t hurt. (And yes, I write for myself as much as I do for you.)

1. Doing chores without complaining

Chores are a non-optional part of having your own space, like electric bills and not making renovations without checking in with the landlord first. Yes, ironing is work. Now you know how your parents feel.

2. “There’s no roaches” is not an acceptable standard of cleanliness

It’s unlikely that somebody will show up, cook a ten course meal, and then demand to eat it straight from your floor. You still want to be able to see the floor, have clean dishes, and a worktop that doesn’t have a six-month patina of dry pasta sauce and oil stains.

3. Putting things off that can be done in three minutes is unacceptable

The more you put something off, the guiltier you feel when you are reminded of it, the less you want to do it, the more guilt piles on. It’s a vicious circle. Just scrub the toilet and scan in the document to verify your medical insurance.

4. Respect people working in the service industry

I’m a former customer service rep, and now I teach alongside my PhD. Most of my friends have either worked or are currently doing some sort of customer-facing job. I can verify we are as human as anybody else. We are being paid to do work, not to take abuse. Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and hold the curse words. It’s not that difficult.

5. Learn how to feed yourself

No, I’m not saying you should be a master chef or even versed in the fine art of reading nutrition labels. I’m saying, figure out what food you like, what it feels like to be hungry or full, then go about procuring said food so that you are fed at reasonable hours. Mooching off your roommates, or taking their stuff without replacing it, is not cool, and an invitation for someone to put laxatives in the milk.

6. Understand the value of a psychologist

I can write a whole piece on this. If you never have to visit a shrink in your life, that’s great. Shitting on people who do – not so much. A mental health professional is like any doctor. You wouldn’t ask any stranger off the street to do your root canal for free.

7. Your significant other/friends/family are not free emotional labor

Do people in relationships provide each other with support? Yes. Do they do that 24/7, nonstop, and unconditionally? No. Human beings experience compassion fatigue. The difference between your girlfriend and a counselor is that the counselor is trained to listen, and gets a pension out of it.

8. It’s okay not to respond to provocation

Chances are, the person egging you on is in more pain than you are. Pick your battles. Live to fight another day.

9. Knowing the battles you absolutely HAVE to fight for

Things like ending childhood poverty and ensuring equal workspaces for all ethnicities and genders isn’t “nice to do”, it’s something we should all be striving for because we live on the same damn planet, treating each other fairly is NOT too much to ask for.

10. Knowing your own boundaries

Conversely, you know that behavior that you hate but you put up with from your boyfriend? The demanding of emotional labor, the backhanded compliments or the outright abuse? What would happen if you told him to stop doing that? Or you asked your girlfriend to not talk down at you in front of your friends? Would they apologize and stop? Would they leave? Would leaving be such a bad thing?

11. Respecting divergent tastes, including your own

You like to read romance novels while your friends are into high-brow, cerebral murder mysteries? You don’t have to paint a coat of irony on top in order to justify it. And don’t go looking down your nose at people who love classic noir – you can think of Hitchcock as an overhyped misogynist bully without saying that Every. Time. Someone. Brings up. The birds.

12. Having the guts to ask for the things you want

A promotion? A date? Some peace so that you can study for your legal exams? Other people are not mind-readers, they can’t know what you’re thinking unless you tell them. Maybe your boss will say no, or that beautiful human you admire is in a relationship, but maybe they are not, and most non-arseholes will respect your need for quiet during a stressful period. You cannot expect others to guess your needs and desires. At some point, you have to stand up for what you want.

13. Learning to take ‘no’ for an answer

You don’t need a million life partners, friends, awards, or jobs (in fact, having a million jobs at once is highly discouraged.) What you need are people who are right for you and an occupation that you don’t utterly despise. Throwing a tantrum when you hear ‘no’ is what toddlers do. And even they get over it eventually.

14. Taking your safety seriously

Abuse is not sexy and if someone threatens you, take it seriously. Sock away money, hide, call the police, SAVE YOURSELF.

15. Acting with integrity whenever you can

Aside from putting yourself in harm’s way (see point 14) being an adult means acting with integrity regardless of whether you find the task pleasurable or not. You want to break up? Don’t cheat as a way out of a relationship. You hate your boss? Look for another job, but don’t go undermining them or poisoning the water for everyone who continues to work there.

16. Holding off on unsolicited advice

Unless someone asks you for advice (or you think they are at risk of immediate physical harm) don’t give your opinions on other people’s lives. You don’t approve of your friend’s diet? Keep it to yourself. You think your brother is dating a loser? It’s not your relationship. Judging other people doesn’t inspire them to change their behavior, it makes them reluctant to come to you for support.

17. Recognizing when something is above your paygrade

Your friend wants to make health changes? Help them make an appointment with a doctor and take them there, but don’t give them advice you’re not qualified to give. Yes, even if you are a doctor yourself. Aside from the fact that this would mean readjusting your relationship, do you honestly want to clock out of work and then go hang out at the pub and do EVEN MORE WORK?

18. Respecting other people’s wishes

Your friend shares something with you under strict secrecy. You think other people need to know. How do you proceed? The sad state of affairs is, there are very few cases when making a unilateral decision to break secrecy are justified. Knowing your boundaries might help you field off any situations where you feel like your personal ethics might stop you from respecting other people’s wishes, but don’t assume you know what is best for another adult.

19. Relationships are WORK

It’s not uncommon to fall out of contact with university mates, childhood besties, and beloved mentors. Life is an egg juggling act where you are constantly subtracting or adding items. Sooner or later you will drop some eggs. Try not to beat yourself up if you lose touch – if you want to reach out again when the juggling eases up, you absolutely can.

20. Trust that others will put in the effort for you, too

Here’s the thing: some relationships ARE lopsided for reasons that we have no control over. Bodies get sick, emergencies hit, and the weather does not give advanced warning to anybody. There are times when we are the ones doing the heavy lifting to maintain a relationship. The problem is when you are ALWAYS the one sacrificing “because it’s what friends do”. What if you stepped back and let the other person put in the effort, too? Is that a scary question? Why?

21. Calling bullshit on what it is

You want a relationship and some dude tries to negotiate down to FWB? Call bullshit. Your friend makes plans with you and expects you to foot the bill? Call bullshit. Your boss is calling you 24/7 on your sick days as if you are working from home? Politely tell them that you would not want to risk your team’s performance when you are not at 100%, and if they persist with that behavior, start exploring (covertly) your options. Don’t be a doormat (yes, I am talking to my 24-year-old self. WTF were you thinking?!)

22. You can absolutely survive without narcissists

Necessity, systematic oppression, and illness are all real factors that impact our lives differently. Some people DO have to put up with a lot of shit for the sake of their survival. But there are also many (many many many many many) others who accept terrible treatment at the hands of narcissists, because they are convinced they cannot survive without them. Don’t fall for this.

23. Knowing what matters to you and working for it

Yes, yes, budgeting is important. I know that you know. I’m talking about the bigger picture – where do you want to live? How do you want to live? What sorts of things matter to you? Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 15, 20 years’ time? I realize I sound like some preppy blogger with shiny hair, telling you to Make A Plan, but guess what? Keeping your visions of the future vague and undefined makes you seem like you don’t care about anything. In job interviews? That’s deadly.

24. Progress is not always linear

Sometimes you will take a step back. That’s okay, that allows you to heal and reevaluate. You wouldn’t expect someone to keep running a marathon if they twist their ankle on the second mile. You would get them some ice and a cupcake and tell them they will annihilate their PB next year.

25. It’s all just a number

Sometimes age matters, such as when you are evaluating your retirement options or when you work with a lot of children and teenagers. It also matters when you try to figure out why a man would only date girls who are half his age (answer: because no woman his age would put up with that bullshit). Other than that? Age doesn’t have to Be A Thing. Don’t make it one, and don’t let others take issue with it either.

We’re just getting started here. And we can make it awesome. 

[bartarb]

RECAP: OUR TOP 50 AUSTRALIAN HIP-HOP/R&B TRACKS OF 2016

2016 was the year that this scene was finally accepted by mainstream media outlets, played regularly on Triple J and given the opportunity to throw mad rap events at some of the countries’ best live music venues. The number of local rap: artists, releases, managers, parties, radio shows, even blogs exploded too. MANU CROOKS was put on BEATS1 rotation & posted on The FADER. SAMPA THE GREAT racked up over half a million streams on “BLUE BOSS”. BARO blurred cultural/sonic boundaries. TKAY MAIDZA dropped a huge album + landed that KILLER MIKE collab. MIDAS.GOLD, CULT SHOTTA, BIG SKEEZ, I AM D, NICO GHOST & SAVOUR THE RATIONS all dominated live-stages across the country. The GREMLNS, PLAYBACK 808, 1 HUNNID RECORDS & TREXON WAVE showed us the future. These squads are all barely out of high-school, have a strong African heritage and are blowing up against the odds. Almost all of the above was soundtracked by producers: DOPAMINE, MIRACLE, JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS, MITCH GRUANKE & HARVEY who don’t get enough credit. JUNOR launched his AUD$ radio show on SYN which is legit. The PROPHECY BOYZ launched SAUCE - a new brand that will probs do huge things in 2K17. RARE FLOW TV, provided an essential piece-to-the-puzzle, bringing this all to life in quality music videos. Australian rap music is at an all time high. But tbh, it’s going to take another miracle to push it any further. Now that there’s money to be made here, cashed-up copy-cat rappers/labels/magazines/venues with no imagination will find a way to suck the life out of your music for a quick profit. Historically, this has happened many times over, preventing Australians from truly impacting music culture on a global scale. WTF is the diff between us and: Canada, England or America? Terrible artists will succeed if you let them. Donald Trump was elected president. We’re always a stones-throw away from making the next generation of AUS rap fans (and the rest of the world) cringe at us. Question everyone. Even THANK GUARD. Oh, btw. This blog still doesn’t make money. Here’s 50 songs that inspired us to keep hustling in 2016 in between dem long-ass shifts. 50. “VIEWS UP” - NYUON (MELB)

NYUON - an essential character in the MELB rap scene - stretches out the parameters of his sound a little more with each release. “VIEWS UP” saw him lean back towards centre after the experimentally hazy, lilting vibe of his ’15 BYMYSELF tape. With the help of producer ROOKIEPRO he pooled that self-effacing, conscious rap-swagger into his most polished track do-date. 49. “SORROWS” - BLESSED (SYD)

Taking cues from CUDI, UK alternative-pop and their own minds, BLESSED managed to instantly stand out from the rest of the trap-heavy SYD scene last year. Their output in ‘16 was super consistent, and “SORROWS” (our fav) has already amassed over 127K plays on Soundcloud. Early days, but their potential for global appeal is already proven. 48. “I.D.C.A” - 18K (BRIS)

“I.D.C.A” gives you a real wow moment the second those bars come in. 18K’s on that: modern-day BONE,THUGZ & HARMONY/vaguely MIGOS ATL, super-quick flow. His beats are perfect too. Hard hitting, modern trap sounds AND a hint of like CLAMS CASINO cloud-rap as well. 47. “30 DAYS” - DENNIS (MELB)

Mysterious producer/singer DENNIS dropped this one to no reception whatsoever. The mastering isn’t professional, but the song itself and the man’s vocals are world class. You gotta pump the volume ride it to the peak for full-effect fam. Like some new BON IVER shit without the cringe, pretty sure this came out first too. 46. “PRESSURE (ft. JACE XL)” - BILLY DAVIS (MELB)

BILLY DAVIS & JACE XL (RYTHYM SECTION) are both heavily associated with THE OPERATIVES (who monopolised vibes in MELB the last decade). JACE shows off his life-changing soul crooning over some classic BILLY DAVIS instrumentation. This would be a lot higher if it were more relevant to our needs. 45. “NO MORE” - DEEVILLA (SYD)

With this track alone, SYDNEY-based DEEVILLA proved he can write the type of song this scene needs. His flow, lyrics and overall mood on “NO MORE” summed up 2016 perfectly in terms of music & vibe. FLIP TRILL’s production on this one did all the above and more. 44. “RUN UP (ft. FLYBOII & L.U.I)” - LIL SPACELY (SYD)

Got the vibe that BLACK DANNA head honcho SPACELY had a tough 2016. But, being an essential SYDNEY rap-character that he is, the dude still managed to drop some of the livest AUS rap tracks of 2016. On “RUN UP”, he took the chunky, horn-filled instrumental from FAT JOE and REMY MA’s “ALL THE WAY UP”, puffed out his chest, and along with a couple talented homies delivered a growling, arrogant battle track that signalled his readiness to take his music national. He’s already dropped several tracks in ’17. Stay woke. 43. “FIRE” - SQUIDGENINI (MELB)

SQUIDGENINI a.k.a Bella, is one of Melbourne’s better-kept secrets right now. She’s been honing her craft for some time: playing in bands, producing solo tracks and supporting huge artists. “FIRE”, one of her only releases in 2016, instantly put her on our radar. This highly ambitious track features no-bullshit lyrisicm, eccentric production and some straight up vocal-fire. 42. “NAH BRUH, THIS IS WAGE GANG!” - VEENO (SYD)

When BABY VEENO dropped this insane freestyle in October it was criminally over-looked by many (including us). Choosing YOUNG THUG’S timeless “SEE YOU” beat from that G.O.A.T RICH GANG tape proved to us that the man has taste. The ensuing bars instilled visions of VEENO becoming SYDNEY’s trap-SKEPTA in ’17. 41. “CLAP BACK” - SAVOUR THE RATIONS (SYD)

SAVOUR THE RATIONS were one of the most influential, pro-active and entertaining AUSTRALIAN rap crews of 2016 (especially towards the end). KWAME, DOMBA, JAYJAY ASSASSIN, GYBRYLLAH SHYNE & RAJ MAHAL made their biggest moves via videos/live performances. “CLAP BACK” which was dropped on Jan 2nd, 2016 showed the boys doing their ting for their own entertainment. This year they’ll be doing it for thousands no doubt. 40. “BEST FRIEND (YOUNG THUG REMIX)” - BIG SKEEZ (SYD)

This was probably the local track we played most last year. BIG SKEEZ really stood out in ‘16 for his song-writing hustle & originality (highlighted on his S.A.T.T mixtape). Remixing such a familiar, iconic song allowed SKEEZ to let loose in the booth more than ever before, resulting in 3:14 of explosive, feverish trap-fury filled with icy-cold local references/flips. 39. “ALIVE REMIX (ft. BARO & CAZEAUX O.S.L.O)” - ESESE (MELB)

Couldn’t think of a more suitable 2016 MELBOURNE summer-rap anthem than this BARO remix if I tried. It feature local pillars: CAEZEUX O.S.L.O, SKOMES and the ESESE crew - and oozes those heavenly FITZROY day-party vibes. Hearing HENOQ and O.S.L.O both spit new-gen AUS boom-bap masterpieces in rapid succession would’ve brought a tear to the eye of every true BURN-CITY rap-fan this year. 38. “NO MORALS (ft. $KINNY DOM)” - BLACK NAPOLEON (WA)

On “NO MORALS”, BLACK NAPOLEON brought equal parts: slow, deliberate and estatic D double E style booth raps - the kind you’d hear on some UK Pirate radio set to the table. LUCHII, another PERTH-based genius jumped into the mix sounding more like a 6K Gucci, nailing the perfect guest verse. The CAMERON PARK directed-visuals for this one featured no guns, knives or punches thrown, but it still stands as one of the most violent local vids of ’16. #HOMEBAKED. 37. “FUCK THE JUDGE (ft. REMI)” - BARO (MELB)

When BARO dropped the second taste of his soon-TBR JPYNTK tape about 6 months ago, the world was torn in half by the racial violence sweeping the US. It was literally with you everywhere you went, no matter ur skin colour. “FUCK THE JUDGE”, which was released at the very hight of this chaos featured inspired verses from REMI + BARO and was accompanied by the statement: “They're killing my people. They're killing PEOPLE.” The song itself also made another (less important statement) about BARO’s unflinching confidence as a dude/rapper. It was his first absolute crystal clear “fuck u” to industry/fan expectations - a sign that he might be giving the typical AUS rap-sound a much needed kick up-the-butt in 2017. 36. “POTENTIAL (I SEE)” - LORD LEVI (MELB)

When it comes to MELB underground anthems in 2016, LORD LEVI’s “POTENTIAL (I SEE)” is practically unrivalled. The hook, flow and production on this one truly encapsulates the rise of the BURN-CITY outer-suburb high-school trap scene in 2016. LEVI and the GREMLN squad built a dedicated following last year on the back of songs like this. Trek thru any BURN-CITY suburb and “I SEE POTENTIAL” follows u through the streets. 35. “FLEX MODE” - ERIK SANDERS (BRIS)

Brisbane’s ERIK SANDERS blew up out of nowhere last year on the back of several highly-polished, US-influence nu-trap singles. “FLEX MODE” bursts out of the gate with a series of auto-tune inflected bars that twist-and-turn, merging multitudes of impressive melodies in quick succession. This one gets real wild at the end too. 34. “RIDE (ft. REZT)” - LUCHII (WA)

LUCHII has always struck us as an interesting character, but we still slept on the man in ’16. When he dropped “RIDE” like a month ago, we swore to stay woke on the PERTH creative forevermore. This one rides an island trap wave that reminded us of CHILDISH GAMBINO’s “CALIFORNIA” and MAC MILLERS new stuff, but it also hits on something completely new. The vocals reference ATL rhythms/tones AND something else, which MUST have been born in a cloud of green smoke on one of those pristine PERTH beaches. 33. “PULL UP (ft. CIDI, LORD BRAVO, DUT BOL & RANDOLPH)” - BONKI CHOL (ADEL)

In 2016, the TREXON WAVE squad was our guilty pleasure. We legit found ourselves rinsing their proficiently rugged trap cuts more than CHANCE or FRANK. “PULL UP” is the song that started the whole affair. I remember being high af on a Tuesday at like 2PM about 8 months ago just blasting this enchanting MIGOS-style cut on my speakers for an hour straight. Jut listen to BONKI CHOI and homies: CIDI, LORD BRAVO, DUT BOL, RANDOLPH bring the sauce one time. They all flaunt separate styles, personalities and lyrical tendencies on this one, but their skills/delivery are at 100 throughout. 32. “HOW U FEEL” - NICO GHOST (MELB)

Close your eyes and “HOW U FEEL” will take you to a dark, nondescript club setting. Smoke settles in over those eerie trap bells - the calm before the storm. That amazing harpsichord removes any sense of time/location. Your mind is finally empty. Nico spits that FB generation mantra: “I couldn’t really give a fuck how you feel”, lulling you into a false sense of security before ruining your life with intensity. NICO’s 2016 was pretty-much dominated by his wild live-show. But in between sets he found the time to gift us with this the premiere for this one. Was a huge step forward for us. The man’s legit. 31. “MONSTER TRUCK” - ALLDAY (MELB)

ALLDAY is huge - has been for years now. In 2016, he went through a bit of a sonic evolution and we fucked with it heavy. “MONSTER TRUCK” is a song that pushed Australian rap to places in the world it rarely reaches. This one features earnest lyrics, euphoric melodies and a skin-tight flow - years of work/experience all coming together. ALLDAY made some serious global waves last year as unique voice in the world of post-OVO rap music. 30. “LIONA” - NASTY MARS (MELB)

On “LIONA”, future-star NASTY MARS took warm, wavy, lo-fi production ripped straight from a SOULECTION cassette and crafted his own rap/soul-experiment around the peaks and flows of the beat. Although, hardly representative of this guy’s unreleased material, live show and overall position in the AUSTRALIAN rap/soul scene - “LIONA” still managed to take on a life of it’s own… just suss the comments. 29. “BLOOD THICKER THAN WATER” - LUTHER (BRIS)

One of BRISBANE’s most charismatic up-and-comers, LUTHER teamed up with AUS production royalty JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS early last year for a YOUNG THUG/LIL WAYNE style cut that blew us away. The production bangs. LUTHER’s wild, warbling trap-jitterings are fierce, crunchy and at times hilarious. Everything you want in a track like this. The dude is associated with the WORLDWIDE BOYS who will blow up this year. 28. “THIRSTY” - ANFA ROSE (SYD)

“THIRSTY” came last year amidst a never-ending avalanche of consistently jaw-dropping ANFA ROSE & DOPAMINE joint-efforts. Everything on this one from the samples, to ROSE’s perfectly structured verses - to those 808 snares cutting thru your entire being - to the lyrics enforced our theory that these dudes aren’t human. They are computer programs or clones or holograms or something. 27. “MARIA MARIA” - GEEK, CHARLES X & SELASIE WUSSAH (SYD)

This one - easily top 3 most iconic “THANK GUARD” anthems in our entire history. Seeing it live at one of our BONEY parties inspired some of the most emotional dabs ever dabbed. When it dropped back in Jan, it brought out some of our best writing ever too… so I’m just gonna quote myself here.

“On the most polished THANK GUARD Premiere to-date, a dynamic trio of epileptic acid-rappers exchange contrasting melodic flows - in a bid to win a Spanish bae’s heart.” If you don’t know GEEK, CHARLES X (of CULT SHOTTA) or SELASIE WUSSAH by now we don’t trust u. 26. “1 3 1 6” - E L K (ADL)

Adelaide teen E L K bursted onto the scene with last year with “TUTEN KARMEN”, which would have easily made the top 10 if he didn’t remove it from SC. “1 3 1 6”, a different (but equally impressive) joint also blew us away. This one brings guys like MF DOOM & JAY ELECTRONICA to mind instantly, but channeled thru the purity of a fresh, young mind with the voice of a rap-god. In 2016 alone, E L K and his PLAYBACK 808 crew went from bedroom rappers, to the creators of a legit AUS rap movement that looks poised to climb mountains in 2017. 25. “FEELING GOOD FEELING GREAT” - TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI (WA)

2 months ago, FourAM head-honcho TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI teamed up with producer SNOWEE for a sun-drenched 6K anthem. Some rare RAE SCHREMMURD vibes (if they were slightly more sober). Truly peaks at the end. TOYOTOMI is another young dude whose influence on the culture went beyond rapping last year. From short films, events to supporting those around him - this kid did it all in 2016. 24. “DOPER THAN DOPE (MACHINEDRUM REMIX)” - SK SIMEON (MELB)

One of AUSTRALIA’s best rhythmic-vocalists had a huge 2016. SK SIMEON has been a worldwide reggae force for a minute now. Born in Uganda, recorded his first song at a studio in Dandenong… But last year “DOPE THAN DOPE” - one of his best tracks to-date was remixed by MACHINEDRUM. This version (which sounds good anywhere) took SK’s insane rapid-fire singing and infectious tongue-in-cheek delivery to dance-floors around the world. 23. “NULIFE” - MAIA (BRIS)

BRISBANE neo-neo-soul singer/producer MAÏA returned to form in 2016 with her nostalgic, intimate “LOFI” Mixtape. “NULIFE” - a definite standout will swallow you up whole in a blanket of warm, jazzy melodies and pulsating rimshots. Coming very early in the year, this track really pre-empted a lot of trends that are dominating American music culture as we speak. We predict huge things for MAIA in 2017. 22. “$AUCE” - GREMLNS (MELB)

2016 was the year of the GREMLN in the suburbs of MELB. No other underground AUS rap squad made more of an impact than these guys in the last 12 months. This “SAUCE” video came about after months of anticipation and was defs worth the wait. It showed the GREMSQUAD more polished-than-ever, a bunch of real young talents standing at the crossroads between street-fame and industry acceptance. The video itself is like a cross between an old-school Tarantino movie and a London GRIME vid, but set in some unmistakably murky Burn-city graffiti spots. 21. “BERETTA” - MATT BLACK (SYD)

SYDNEY-based vocalist MATT BLACK exploded out of the blocks last year with a series of MIRACLE/DOPAMINE produced R&B/SOUL singles - the type big labels dream about every night. “BERETTA” is the whole package. A high-concept, slow-burning, futuristic love-song which cleverly compares a lover to a pistol. Two things that (depending on the circumstances) can save you or destroy you, make u feel like a man or a mouse. 20. “EVERYDAY” - DREAM$TEAM (ADEL)

So much love for duo’s with vastly different voices. When you listen to a DREAM$TEAM you got no time for boredom. You’ve got CHARLTON on the first verse who always goes in with this SHAKE070-style flow and A-grade emotionally-charged lyricism, then the other G comes in riding world-class auto-tune vibes that sit somewhere between YACHTY & TRAVI$ SCOTT. The production, which features ZAYTOVEN-style piano, is the opposite of corny… bounces hard & leaves plenty of room for vocals. These guys are insanely talented for their age-bracket. Anythings possible for them in 2017 19. “TENNIES” - TKAY MAIDZA (ADEL)

TKAY MAIDZA, easily one of the most successful artists on this list had a huge 2016. She was spun on SKRILLEX’s OWSLA radio show, played a tonne of festivals in AUS & FRANCE, but most importantly dropped a huge studio album, TKAY, which featured guest verse from KILLER MIKE (Run The Jewels). “TENNIES” was our favourite track from the album, because it combined her signature worldly sugar-rap with some hella uplifting footwork vibes. How often is boundary-pushing music this much fun? 18. “LAPUTA (TAYLOR MCFERRIN REMIX ft. ANDERSON PAAK)” - HIATUS KAIYOTE (MELB)

The one and only MELB-based GRAMMY-nominated future-soul quartet that we probs should have posted by now had to have a presence on this list, at least to show you all what’s possible. Their second album “CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON” is a must listen, but was released waybach in 2015. Last year, TAYLOR MCFERRIN recruited ANDERSON PAAK to rework standout single “LAPUTA” for a remix EP. The results speak for themselves. 17. “PEACEWALKER” - GALLU$, RAIDER KING (BRIS)

GALLU$ was real cult-force down in BRISBANE last year. His influence on the scene transcended his recordings - a huge statement considering the quality of songs like “PEACEWALKER”. This one features some heavy statements screamed with a natural Aussie accent over “GLASSSS” by PYRMDPLAZA. 

“THIS INDUSTRY’S FAKE & THE PEOPLE TALK BULLSHIT // THAT SOUNDS PRETTY OBVIOUS // SO WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING? // QUESTIONING MY OWN MUSIC LIKE // EVERY LINE THAT I WRITE // CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL STUPID.” - nuff said. 16. “ALL OF MI LIFE (MACHINEDRUM REMIX)” - YAW FASO (MELB)

2016 was a year where artists like POPCAAN & J HUS were getting love on THE FADER + DRAKE/BIEBER/SKRILLEX were jacking sounds from the Caribbean and breaking billboard records. When our own YAW FASO shared this MACHINEDRUM remix of his sun-drenched single “ALL OF MI LIFE” the timing was perfect, but as the hook declares, he wasn’t riding any trends. Reggae is one of the few genres that makes you smile, dance and forget about all your issues. This song, bursting with: FASO’s highly motivational reggae mantras, sugary buildups and super-refreshing production does all the above. 15. “IDK” - GILL BATES (BRIS)

With his LESS STRESS, MORE SUCCESS EP, GILL BATES showed a whole new side of himself to the world in 2016. Standout cut “IDK” took the catchier side of AUS rap into unknown territory: substance & self-awareness. Above all tho, it’s just a great song. That larger-than-life JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS production grabs you from 0:01… GILL’s opening line “BEEN DROWNING MY SORROWS // BOTTLE AFTER BOTTLE” takes you into his psyche… Then GILL & JAMES drag you deeper and deeper into darkness before flipping things with a bittersweet xylophone-driven hook. A world-class highlight from one of the best local releases in 2016. 14. “NEVER BEEN” - TYRØNE (SYD)

In the last 12 months, few local artists worked harder than TYRØNE. The SYDNEY rapper/producer legit dropped a full EP Trilogy, brimming with GOAT Australian rap lyricism. Song, after song the guy managed to craft a unique aesthetic for himself and his music – darkness that isn’t fake. “NEVER BEEN”, a real standout encapsulates this dedication to his craft more than any other. That skin-tight baritone flow just doesn’t stop on this one. “I SAY LIFE IS EVERYTHING YOU MAKE IT // ONE THING DAMN RIGHT I AIN’T NEVER BEEN FAKE BITCH” 13. “HIT EM” - I AM D (BRIS)

BRISBANE one-man-movement I AM D flew way under our radar until we heard this one. “HIT EM” showcased D’s near iconic nu-AUSSIE rap tone, through a stream of SKEPTA-like vocal punches that explained every move he would make in the local scene. Little did we know at the time, but he actually went on to achieve everything he rapped on this track. In a matter of months after its release: he got signed to a major label, dropped a hugely successful EP, landed a national tour and stamped his influence on the local culture. 12. “NO FATIGUE (ft. GEEK & SELASIE WUSSAH)” - CULT SHØTTA (SYD)

The video for “NO FATIGUE” really set the tone for CULT SHØTTA season in 2016. They were always a truly unique presence in the Australian rap game, but on this track, they toned things down, unleashing line-after-line of vibrant acid-raps over a relatively sparse bass-driven trap beat. As per usual, CHARLES X, GEEK & SELASIE WUSSAH each brought their A-game, showing off vastly different styles/personas, each challenging different “AUSTRALIAN RAP” taboos in the process. It also marked the beginning of director RUFFY’s much-needed string of ambitious video-work that helped elevate many-a local rapper last year. 11. “FOR GOOD (ft. SAMPA THE GREAT)” - REMI (MELB)

Couldn’t think of a better ’16 feel-good Aus-rap summer anthem than REMI and SAMPA’s “FOR GOOD” if I tried. When your air-con breaks on a 35 degree day, this song could actually save ur life. The production, hook and overall vibe really feels like a classic Triple J anthem, the type that soundtracked our lives. But, obviously everything has been re-worked for the next-generation, creating a crisper, more sonically diverse hit than we’re used to. 10. “EXISTENTIALITY” - OJIKAE (MELB)

“EXISTENTIALITY” is a lovesick vision that’s refreshingly different from the over-saturated BILLBOARD TOP 100-style R&B that the likes of TORY LANEZ and BRYSON TILLER put out. It was also the very first track released by 17 y.o VCE student Matt Cicero, which blew us away immediately last JULY. The guy wrote something original, produced the track himself and whipped out a spine-tingling vocal performance that singlehandedly dragged his ass all the way to the top 10 of this list. 9. “ASSUMPTIONS” - MANU CROOKS (SYD)

“ASSUMPTIONS” was premiered on ZANE LOWE’s BEATS1RADIO show… got our mag a global shoutout AND tore stages apart across the country in 2016. We heard more sides of Sydney game-changer MANU CROOKS than ever before on this one. With help from production masterminds DOPAMINE & MIRACLE, CROOKS departed from them brooding Toronto vibes to show Australia & the world that he can can TURN UP like the best of them. 8. “CALL ME” - DEVARN (MELB)

This song is what THANK GUARD is all about. Sonically, it’s right up our alley… but more importantly it came from a creative young dude who: thinks for himself and punches well-above his weight considering the resources/money some people on this list have at their disposal. It also tells a story we have witnessed for years now…

“ALL OF MY N*GGAS THEY WORK IN THE SUN // WAITING FOR LABELS TO HIT UP THEY PHONE // I WANT SOME MONEY TO GET ME A PHONE” Few rappers can get you on their side like Melbourne’s DEVARN. His vocals are earnest, intimate - when he raps, it feels like he’s letting you into his world. He doesn’t slur his words, or smother them in auto-tune either - you can hear every word the man is saying. Also, huge props for referencing some of our fav underground anthems >> SAUCE (GREMLNS) >> MOOSHAMAD // I HAD A DREAM WE GON’ MAKE IT. Damn. 7. “000000” - MIDAS.GOLD (BRIS)

Last year, Brisbane’s MIDAS.GOLD elevated himself to the Mount Rushmore of this new-wave. Of all the wild trap releases & intimate soul-searching cuts on his huge FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH EP, “000000” had the biggest impact on the scene. It dropped all the way back in JANUARY when local rappers were all bumping FUTURE & YOUNG THUG 24/7, but still didn’t truly believe that an Aussie could incorporate these sounds into their music so convincingly. MIDAS truly made this quality JAMES DAMIAN ANGUS/MO LIASON beat his bitch from 0:01, before abruptly taking the track down a notch in its last third, flipping the beat and creating a Schoolboy Q-esque bleary-eyed, kushed-out vibe that eased the track out from its original energy. 6. “WHIP IT” - BIG SKEEZ

We’ve been huge supporters of BIG SKEEZ for a long time. Every track he dropped in 2016 wreaked of originality in both vision and character. SKEEZ, a dude climbing his way up a ladder of: elegant email signatures, cut-throat managers and concrete industry rules, often collaborated with us thru a simple fb message - or just bumping into him in the city. This made us question the likelihood of his success to some extent, but when this video for “WHIP IT” dropped, it turned all our dreams into a reality. The WAVY BADMON, along with his SYDNEY crew absolutely owned the big screen, turning up like a pro to one of the standout tracks from his under-rated debut mixtape. Seeing this whole evolution transpire before our very eyes gave this CERNE STUDIOS production a real sentimental value for the whole THANK GUARD team. 5. “ABSURD” - ANFA ROSE (SYD)

ANFA ROSE and DOPAMINE’S magnum opus will make you cry like a Canadian watching Drake sing the national anthem. The silky smooth, “Absurd” is a beautifully executed blend of 808s, pianos and harmonies. When it comes to polish, no local track released in 2016 comes close to this one. DOPAMINE stripped back that instrumental, focusing on an ethereal and ominous beat with a chordal pattern that slides effortlessly from note to note. ROSE’s delicate melodies fuse perfectly with the instrumental and his lyrics, which are reminiscent of DRAKE’s odes to RIHANNA, or THE WEEKND’s odes to drugs. 4. “RUN IT (ft. LEVI, PHANTOM & KMALITH)” - MIKE WANG (MELB)

When low-key GREMLN MICHAEL WANG dropped this fire squad track all borders between Australia & America went up in flames. The MELBOURNE underground literally outshone the AUSTRALIAN i-Tunes charts. Nothing would make sense ever again. In terms of flow, lyricism and local impact… this was without a doubt one of the best Australian rap tracks released in 2016. WANG, LEVI, PHANTOM & KMALITH came out, guns blazing with their own jaw-dropping take on that MIGOS-style flow (and this was all before “BAD & BOUJEE” blew up). That little OVO-style hook/breakdown “I GOT BANDS…” really added a whole other dimension to the song too. Don’t even get me started on the message behind these lyrics and their relevancy to our scene, the city of MELBOURNE and the racial/cultural tensions often overlooked by most Australians. 3. “BLOWIN’ UP (ft. MIRACLE)” - MANU CROOKS (SYD)

“BLOWIN UP” was MANU CROOKS flipping the switch and making a statement: his rise to success is about much more than bangerz. Being able to rap and record full-time is any local rapper’s dream and seeing the SYDNEY rapper get premiered on The FADER must have motivated thousands of Australian teenagers to keep hustling in 2016. Honestly, didn’t think someone from this new AUS rap-scene would make the pages of a mag like The FADER for at least another year. That stamp of approval means a lot. Manu’s tuned-up, magnetically charismatic vocals definitely stole the show on this one…Dude just seems to know exactly what to rap and when. But, none of this would have been possible without his equally talented bros: DOPAMINE & MIRACLE who both shined, bright as ever on this one. 
DOPAMINE always knows just the right amount of syrupy autotune to sprinkle over his mates vocals & this beat speaks for itself. MIRACLE’S production and vocals contributions always help bring a track to the next-level. All 3 of these guys will no-doubt make even more Australian-rap history in 2017. 2. “WDUBI (ft. NASTY MARS & MARCUS)” - BARO (MELB)

When the mind of a black sheep is re-configured to entertain the mindless masses, an artist has reached their final frontier. BARO (NASTY MARS & MARCUS) did this last year with “WDUBI” - the first taste from his eagerly-awaited JPYNTK tape. On first encounter, it plays as the perfect Australian new-gen rap jam. But on further inspection, everything about it: the production, vocal stylings and somber sonic undertones expose it for the beautiful alien it really is. All three verses loosely acknowledge US 2K16 rap (CHANCE, GAMBINO etc), but overall this track really does’t follow the rules set by the American market at all - which is why we love it so much. That NIC MARTIN production plays a huge roll in this also. Something about those double-timed snares/claps and the tempo made this one feel so damn refreshing. We really played the fuck out of this one last year. THANK GUARD. Oh btw “AND IF WE HAVE A SON I THINK WE’LL NAME HIM STEVEN” - line O.T.Y 1. “BLUE BOSS” - SAMPA THE GREAT (SYD)

LMAO. In 2016, a lot of local bro’s hyped their shit like crazy. Walking around like the TUPAC reincarnate, talking smack online & sharing videos on FB 10 times a day… and SAMPA THE GREAT quietly drops a song that makes them all look foolish, raising her to instant-legend status. SAMPA is emotionally mature, intellectually elegant, socially conscious. Her words can fight wars or comfort a child. She is the type of person you’d want running for president, let alone running the local rap scene. “BLUE BOSS” is like a world-class 2K16 surprise rap-hit, but also feels timeless. Unlike kindred spirits NONAME & KAMAIYAH, SAMPA keeps her production and overall-vibe as earthy as possible, creating her own unique place in the rap-world. Considering the desperate need for more female rappers in this country, the quality of SAMPA’s vocals and her all-too-rare modest demeanour, we had to give “BLUE BOSS” the #1 spot. Posted by PAULINE HANSON