#i respect these kids and their dedication to music and this ep really showed how each of their unique family backgrounds shape who they are | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

rqs902 · 4 years ago

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for a split second i actually thought tencent had bought them gifts but LOL oh its their parents that makes more sense

ofc zzn would be with ljt’s groupppp hahahha aw im glad nana got to work with a group she had previously said she’d wanted to collab with.

lol why do i feel like langlang is bringing all his friends and family onto this show LOL

i cant tell if i like xiao li without bangs better, but a change isnt bad, gives him a new look

oof the way xiao li says “im someone who doesn’t have a father” being raised by his mom and aunt and just remembers broken plates from his childhood, and left at 13?? its been 6 years?? wild

and hyt commiserating talking about how admirably strong he thinks his mom is too but then im like wait a minute... they’re probably the two that contributed the most to making this song (well mostly xiao li) but theyre the ones whose parents didnt come, that’s sad :(

i respect xiao li rocking this bright colored hoodie in a sea of black LOL

wow i think he’s saying that music should have a personal touch to it, tell a story, and even tho growing up sometimes there are moments that aren’t happy, when you look back it may still be a treasured moment. is he talking about the broken plates? wow this just got real deep real fast and im just so intrigued by his artistic mind wow im just grateful that his group mates are really letting him drive their musical direction. i mean thats part of why hyt chose him, for his composition abilities, so im not surprised but its really so cool that his group is helping him tell such a personal story through their music

pushu complimenting xiao li’s guitar composition in the demo and xiao li’s like im the one playing it :’) xiao li is really so talented wow

wait why did they do the elims in the middle of them making their own compositions tho? that just makes it sad that the groups that didnt make it didnt get to show their music and the reshuffled groups are at a huge disadvantage they only have 3 days left?? the timing seems bad

so basically xiao li did everything except hyt made his own drum part and they all supposedly wrote the lyrics together

wow this song is.... oof. im still trying to process

on a side note, i was kinda worried how mz would fit in this group but its great that he can be their bass player! and tbh im still kinda questioning xiao xiong’s singing, like it still sounded kinda pitchy to me but maybe its at least improving like gem said lol

but back to the song, when asked why a song about family isnt more warm, the way xiao li said life can be cruel but he still sees it as beautiful when he looks back and he still loves his family. i think thats why this song creates such conflicting emotions in me. its sad and even spiteful but also touching. you can feel how lonely and lost he’s been in life, but he recognizes he’s still loved. theres a lot of complicated emotions presented in the space of a few minutes (which shows how real and personal this song is) and i think i need to listen a few more times to help me digest his story. i feel like the messy, discordant chords in his piano solo represent his inner feelings and im grateful and amazed that he was willing to share his vulnerabilities so openly.

Oof I read xiao li's weibo post about this song and it's so poetic I had to use the dictionary but oof it just made me think of hyt saying it seems like xiao li has been through a lot. I'm grateful he says he isnt lonely with the family members he loves (again sad they couldnt come support him...) I'm wondering what the meaning behind his words is when he says he still has candy and can forever be a child. At least he says he'll be happy.

OOF continuing with another sad story, man maybe its why that group of kids are so close, xu yang also talking about being raised by his mom (and zk too) from meager beginnings. kinda sad he cant perform the song himself but at least his friends can publicize it for him? i do feel like it wouldve been even more emotional for xu yang to have been in the perf himself :\ they did make it together but writing the lyrics shapes the whole message of the song. glad to see zk and jym are on good terms still and xu yang supported them to perform the song.

well im glad to see that the adults are able to whip the kids in qiang ge’s group into shape so muji and wjy can work together lol seems like qiang ge’s learning from them and gaining confidence. oof qiang ge’s father being responsible for a family with 5 kids and always getting sick

happy to see mty so happy on stage and qiang ge so happy to see his parents and muji being so gentle with his little brother

im tearing up at wjy talking about his grandma’s noodles and then qiang ge being all “arent my noodles good too?” I CRACKED UP HAHHAHAHAHHAHA

me watching xiao zhi’s group: wow xiao zhi is such a great older bro

AW muji’s little bro sitting at muji’s desk with the rest of the kids backstage !!! and then high fiving the kids going on stage !!!

zhang yang’s always seemed a bit like an awkward turtle but you can tell he really loves his group mates, its sweet

oh ljt’s comment about parents gradually becoming like kids and the kids have to learn to 包容 them.... thats so real

did nannan just walk in with a SUP DUDE.... HAHAHHAHAHAHA

nice to see jym has found peace within their group haha and not surprised ljt’s dad likes ljt’s music but zzn’s dad thinks zzn’s music is too loud L O L

lol they said liu yang wrote the music and szb and ljt wrote the lyrics, then how come the credits have only ljt for the music and lyrics??

lol ljt’s dad’s singingggg hahahhah

i teared up at szb’s mom’s words bc it must be hard for her to blame herself for everything

LOL JYM’S DAD !!! they seem to have a fun relationship. and i love how ljt saw jym sit down and immediately went to check to make sure he was okay.

oof rip wu xing’s dad being like uh so we cared more about your older brother when you were growing up oops

but wu xing’s song may be my favorite from this ep. theyre not my favorite group, but i like this song.

LOL zjy’s dad seems fun, why do i suddenly get the feeling thats how i imagine ljt would be like as a dad L O L

oof hyt saying hes not surprised his dad didnt show up but he felt like something was wrong when he mom said she was sick. then asking whether parents should hide something like hospitalization from their kids... thats rough

aw muji’s mom feeling so sad for hyt and crying when saying muji would also feel like something was wrong if she hadnt shown up.. aw

honestly i cant tell if i like muji in particular, bc there are times where i feel like his personality seems a bit unique in a way im not sure if he’d be easy to get along with, but i respect that hes repping his culture and staying strong and seems very close with his family.

xiao xiong’s cantonese tongue twisters with the badminton LOL that made me laugh, he just seems so pure

man im sad that xiao zhi’s group is least popular, so they’ll likely be broken up. MAN if xiao zhi gets eliminated ill be sad......... hopefully he’ll get saved and jus reshuffled bc it may be cool to see him in a different context. itll be weird to imagine him as a side addition rather than the main pillar of a group tho.

yall at this rate hyt’s group is gonna win this competition and idk how i feel about that even tho i like them.

#rants #wow im still just so shook by xiao li's song... his composition really just hit me like a ton of bricks with so many conflicting emotions #its so complex and deep and there are so many layers to the feelings he has for his family it feels so personal and raw #im honestly not sure if i like the songs on this show but ive gotten more attached to the kids than i expected #im not allowing myself to get super attached bc i havent taken the time to watch their abundance of side shows and extra content but #i respect these kids and their dedication to music and this ep really showed how each of their unique family backgrounds shape who they are

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tlanwen · 4 years ago

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Every time wenzhou should have (or could have) kissed in the entirety of Word of Honor (2021)

a few disclaimers- 1; MEGA spoilers for the whole entire show. yes, all the way up to episode 36. 2; we have gotten so so many sweet moments in this drama and there is no doubt in my mind that the production crew did their absolute damnedest to give us a genuine love story with all the constraints that were set on them. they did a fucking incredible job and the lengths they went to to embody wenzhou’s love and bond on screen is commendable to say the least. and i owe them my life. However i just think said sweet scenes just scream ok now kiss at very specific moments, and i need to get it out of my system. Long ass fucking post under cut!

are you strapped in. ok let’s go

The rooftop scene (Episode 9)

earlier in this ep we get the legendary “the world isn’t important, what’s important is finding your soulmate” monologue, perfect setup leading up to their rooftop drinking date. the “why won’t you ask me why i’m happy?”// “i know you’ll tell me, in your own time” exchange??? a killer. a kiss would fit in perfectly, ideally right after zzs shushes wkx (and wkx shuts his mouth. for once). quite literally this moment is Made for a first kiss.

“You look like a worried mother“ // drinking by the road (Episode 12)

man, this episode. I can’t decide which moment is more suitable (and both happen in busy streets so that rains a little on our emotional parade), but at this point we’ve got acknowledgement on both sides that they’re willing to accept each other as the people they truly are, and they’ve rescued their surrogate son from impending doom twice. but i am leaning towards the latter scene, esp bc of the way zzs leans into wkx while they’re talking. he hasn’t done that much up until now. kiss kiss.

Talking about disguises & mustaches (and getting on one’s knees?¿) (Episode 13)

this scene is so fucking sugary and light, they’re just teasing back and forth (zzs! teasing wkx! that’s new!). we also get the severely cute “wait, did you just admit that my face is outstanding?” line. just kiss already.

Rain divorce (Episode 14)

angst? did someone say, pain? if this were a regular boring romance flick, this is were the tragedy-ridden kiss would go. wkx is watching the future he planned for both of them crumble right in front of him, trying to come to terms with the fact that zzs is dying (and that he did it to himself, on purpose.), and zzs is just kind of going thru it. the rain really would add to the drama of it all, like Right after the “fortunately, fortunately...” line. punctuate it with a kiss. would also add to the irony of wkx saying he hasn’t fallen yet, and yet here he is, a mess, bc of this information he wasn’t ready to receive (thanks ye baiyi).

3rd child rescue and cave chats (Episode 16)

we’ve had the angst, we have the begrudging /i’m mad at you and i love you but i dont like you right now/ moments, and in comes more rain and wkx monologuing. zzs saying that wkx isn’t evil and that he has a kind heart is exactly what he needed to hear. and i just think he should’ve finished it with a kiss <3

Drunk mess wkx (Episode 17)

why is this man allowed to drink. this is all so much take your fucking pick. after the “my lips are the perfect size, right A-xu?” comment, the ”does it hurt?” coupled with wkx’s hand reaching out to zzs’ chest. the “i’m just scared. could you not die on me?”?? zzs tucking in a very drunk and sad man and saying “one day you’ll open up your heart to me, until i achieve it even god can’t tear me away from you” just............. pick a line any line.

Tumbling out of the cave under Longyuan Cabinet (Episode 18)

specifically in that birds-eye shot where it slowly pans over to their disheveled faces after the romcom-esque tumbling out of the tunnel (that was framed oh so romantically in the episode trailer. complete with romantic music). like are you Kidding me.

((i’m skipping ep 19-21. i think some people would say at any point during the cave scenes/the shidi/shixiong reveal would also be fair game, but in my opinion it’s far too much of an emotionally volatile situation so i can’t see any kiss potential. the hand holding and comforting was much appreciated tho))

Wkx sneaking up on his deep-in-thoughts husband (Episode 22)

secluded lake? check. all alone? check. gentle smiles in a tense moment? we got a bingo. at this point zzs knows who wkx actually is And respects his decision to go by his own chosen name as a separate entity from the healer sect he came from (for his own personal, maybe misguided reasons). and i just think that *screams*

Waking up from the stress induced sleep (thru the power of hand holding?) (Episode 23)

this whole thing was so much, and the way the scene is framed to look like it was zzs’ touch that literally woke up wkx, And the way he looks at him after he wakes up. yea. kiss methinks.

Literally the entirety of the night time venting/healing/spilling ur guts out scene (Episode 24)

Ok i’m about to contradict myself here, i said im not going over ep 19-21 because Volatile Emotions, and this scene is also very viscerally emotional and intense but oh my God the intimacy! the openness! i had to look away multiple times during this scene bc it really seems like a private moment we shouldn’t be privy to. i cannot in good conscience say that, had wkx not kind of stormed out at the very end, a kiss would be guaranteed. whether to soothe zzs after so much crying or whatever other reason.

Painting restoration (also episode 24)

wkx’s second love language is acts of service and this episode is all the evidence i need to make that statement. we do get a very cute heartfelt family hug in here and wow cute but im sorry i cannot let go of the fact that there should have been a kiss here. i really hate inserting photos in textposts but i have to bc i need everyone to understand how much zzs looks like he wants to devour wkx whole after he realizes what he’s doing

look at it. he’s down bad.

More drinking! yay! (Episode 25)

just soulmates drinking and talking in the hush of night after their kid has been put to bed. always a great way to start an episode. they’ve settled into 4 seasons manor at this point and it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere, they just look so comfortable in these shots. if u dropped a quick peck on the cheek in there i wouldn’t blink twice.

Narrow escape from dying with (and for) each other, courtesy of ye baiyi (Episode 27)

at this point most secrets are out of the bag, they see each other fully and were about to be killed 4 seconds ago. we’ve got the perfect setup, zzs already grabbed wkx by the face, the only thing between them and a kiss was the looming threat of sepsis.

speaking of episode 27, The spice grinding scene (have i mentioned i fucking love episode 27)

just two soulmates grinding spices at night. this scene is so lighthearted and cute, after a whole episode of emotional turmoil and cementing how emotionally vulnerable they're willing to be/how dedicated they are to respecting each others’ boundaries while still supporting each other, a kiss would fit in for sure.

Literally any point in the new years celebration (Episode 28)

waaAAAAA family decorating, bickering, and dinners. if i was writing it in i would put it right after chengling runs off to watch the fireworks, leaving wenzhou alone with each other. but anything goes really, they’re in their element all episode.

Knight in shining (red) armor rescue (Episode 30)

first of all- fuck prince jin, second of all, THIS SCENE ARE YOU KIDDING ME. literally the damsel in distress getting rescued. complete with a horseback ride! and wkx kneeling in front of zzs and acknowledging him as his master (and therefore himself as part of the sect again!!!!). so many emotions. i dont even care if they’re in front of all their new disciples. a romantic kiss is necessary. it would be so easy for zzs to take the hand he’s patting wkx with and use it to drag him up into a kiss.

Hairpin scene (Episode 30)

i’m not even gonna say anything. these bitches engaged on screen. good for them

“Save it, you“ (Episode 32)

god. just god. zzs gently floating down to wkx, thinking he’s gonna throw his life away in anger Again and getting so very in his face. and saying That. with That smile. what else is an option. there is no other option. just kiss.

“Senior, please let me handle this“ (Episode 33)

i am willingly ignoring how fucking painful this scene is if you think about it for longer than 3 seconds. wkx isn’t dead! and the asshole forgot to tell his beloved to not do anything stupid while he was away! oopsie! zzs is a)very mad, b)very relieved, c)is about to experience a lifetime’s worth of regret in about 3 minutes. but first thing’s first, the love of his life isn’t dead. that deserves a kiss.

Drunk wkx 2: painful boogaloo (Episode 34)

these episodes are so painful to re-watch lol. wkx clinging to zzs’ waist and talking about how easy it is to be a good happy person when he’s around him. they probably couldn’t manage a proper kiss between the alcohol in wkx and the Pain in zzs, but a gentle forehead kiss would fit in well while zzs is softly petting wkx’s head (still resting on his chest. that’s an important detail).

Wedding aftermath (Episode 35)

i’m so distraught. anyways. you can’t tell me zzs was going to sulk away to die alone like some sort of tragic housecat while wkx is recuperating after the battle (and after losing the second most important person in his life) without a kiss. not without giving him the gentlest of forehead kisses.

Literally at any point in episode 36

i’m watching this tomorrow but i don’t need to. i don’t care. we know what happens. we know how it ends. if you’re about to give up your life to keep your soulmate alive you best preface it with the kiss of a lifetime.

#shan he ling #word of honor #shl #wenzhou #woh #meta??? this isn't meta its just a faux-systematic review of most significant moments in the show by a very very unstable person #enjoy <3 #im NOT FUCKING READY FOR TOMORROW. IM NOT #I WANT OUT THIS WAS A MISTAKE.#is this the stupidest most unnecessary thing i've ever written? yes

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bringhimbackandhidehimthere · 4 years ago

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The Untamed: Episode 3

1. so did mianmian have a crush on jin or was she just that dedicated to her boss? i respect her either way i just always wanted to know how he felt about her in return too

2. yanli’s face at the mention of her promised one!!! she’s so soft.

3. i forgot that wwx took it upon himself to get them a room from mianmian and that it almost worked wow. and then HE MAKES A SEX JOKE ABOUT HIM AND MIANMIAN THAT WENT SO FAR OVER MY HEAD LAST TIME. he’s so adorable when he’s trying to manipulate people

4. when he leans in to listen to their private conversation. crying. keep your nose in your lane sir

5. lmao when yanli suggests they fight each other and jiang cheng is like... lmao maybe. he looks so tempted im tearing up

6. no offense but why does jin zixuan actually need his whole entourage and shit. you need everyone to watch you drink tea or what?

7. yanli and jz first meeting is!! cute but wwx still looks like an imp the whole time.

8. is he wrong when he says that jin clan is ostentatious. i think no. but also from the beginning wwx has been all like i stand by my actions but dont blame my clan and i think thats very heartbreaking of him

9. why did i have to wait forty episodes for yanli to be happy with this jx idiot when i COULD HAVE HAD IT BACK THEN IF EVERYONE WERENT SO STUPID

10. the fact that wwx has literally no chill when it comes to yanli is so on brand

11. the only more on brand thing is that he actually left the invitation back in the hotel.

12. i love when siblings agree to hate other people because they’re messing with the siblings. that’s amor

13. why is wwx the guy who would get you kicked out from the club right when you finally got in

14. THIS IS THE SCENE WWX REMEMBERS LATER!! THEIR FIRST MEETING!! im the guy staring literally open mouthed as lwj walks past

15. i know this is me being dumb but. is lwj older than wwx?

16. i would die for lwj. he’s so BABEY

17. name a more iconic meet cute than: you’re at my uncle’s house for a lecture and i don’t let you in because you don’t have an invitation and then i cast a silencing spell on you as i walk away because you’re THAT annoying

18. WAIT. what was that look. was that... amusement. is our second young master... vindictive?

19. the scene where jiang cheng is reassuring yanli about wwx. he says wwx is probably out having some fun with a mianmian or yuandao. wwx said his name was yuandao to mianmian earlier. is it a boy’s name? is wwx implied to be rowdy here? am i reading to much into this?

20. the fact that no one stays behind to let wwx know that lwj let them in! im hollering is anyone going to actually blame him for breaking in

21. okay except he definitely comes in carrying zero (0) invitations and two (2) bottles of emperor’s smile

22. how long was lwj standing there. did he know wwx was coming. once again this kid aims for peak drama and executes it effortlessly. how is wwx considered the most dramatic person in this show in any way compared to this fucker. he literally silences people he doesn’t want to listen to. name something more petty and powerful.

23. what about lwj made it seem like he could be bribed with alcohol. like wwx. you moron.

24. isn’t there something sexy about wwx sheathing lwj’s sword for him. just me? cool

25. the romantic music is what makes this scene s2g. like i know im supposed to take away that they’re well matched and equals but all i can think is that they’re stupid in the exact opposite ways and that’s the only reason they survive as long as they do.

26. the horror in wwx’s face when he notices the 3000 principles. “lets count how many violations you broke tonight” kind of sounds like something lwj would actually do as foreplay so. you know whatever

27. just to summarize, because my head is spinning, wwx offends lwj’s clan, lwj’s clan’s principles, lwj himself and then takes a sip of his liquor

28. so lwj was actually offended by wwx thinking he’s undesirable... casual

29. the silencing charm strikes again. thats twice in this episode. wwx is 0 for 2. who’s going to try and tell me that lwj didn’t take those insults personally and that’s why he used the silencing charm instead of just saying “my uncle and your siblings are waiting for you”

30. ZEWU JUNNNNNNN. i missed my baby.

31. wwx is so fucking. annoying. like, you idiot. hotheaded fool. the first thing he says to lwj’s brother is “your brother is a fool.” the lack of respect when he approaches lan qiren. stunning display of impudence. i also love that wangji is just kind of like “now you see what im dealing with”

32. i literally forgot that lwj is the reason wwx has to copy the principles 300 times. like thats so funny.

33. im wwx justifying to the clan leadership why i purchase two bottles of alc when i was on a rescue mission

34. the fact that wangji doesn’t want wei ying to know that he helped his sibs get in. and how touched wei ying is when he finds out. so cute

35. i forget sometimes that like. wwx really was a prodigy. kid was smart. kid was talented.

36. WEN QING MAKES MY HEART SKIP A BEAT EVERY TIME

37. i know the reason we never see wen qing use that hot ass sword she bows with in this ep is cuz she’s a doctor and she’s proud of it but. i think i would kill for some footage of her swinging that onto to someone’s neck. maybe wen chao’s or something

38. wei wuxian makes me want to launch myself into a chasm of some kind. he’s so smart and dumb all at once. how can someone so good at cultivation also stick his foot in his mouth 24/7

39. compare the lan siblings to our disaster trio for a second. “i trust you to look into it but be safe use your judgement” “don’t worry ill listen to you” “am i putting too much on your shoulders?” “i want to help you” VS “please find him” “be assured. ill find him and break his legs”

40. i like that zewu jun immediately likes wwx for lwj. it’s just so big bro of him. also him describing wwx as “even though he does some excessive things” is like. big brain. biggest brain.

41. lwj being pessimistic about making friends makes me :(

42. ZEWU JUN YOU ICON “you were tied weren’t you? doesn’t he have skill?” like drag your brother

43. oh. i forgot that xue yang is here. frustrating as per usual.

tl;dr

sometimes you meet your soulmate when you insult his entire being and he casts a silencing spell on you after dumping your liquor stash

#suz liveblogs the untamed

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randomingoftherandomness · 6 years ago

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History3 ep 13 - 14

Episode 13

SHAO FEI YOUR REACTION. TANG YI THE WAY YOU LOOK AT HIM. GAHHHHH. And then Shao Fei smiling to himself in the bathroom. You two idiots. You deserve each other.

Tang Yi and Jack; Husbands who cook and feed their Husbands. We stan. We also stan protective Husbands trying to protect their idiots.

Okokokokokokokokokokokok backstory of doom. I have theories but my main thing rn is holy shit buster you laid hands on your kid you useless sack of shit I hope you died and went straight to hell

Hong Ye has always been Hong Ye and dang girl I stan the man you chose coz him with that unbuttoned top button is hella hot though girl you had good eyes (keeping the rest under a read more coz this shit got fucking long yo)

Ahhhhhhh Tang sir is so kiiiiindddd and sweet and 😭😭😭 I can see why Tang Yi loves him so much and is so dedicated to his memory and Lao Tang and Xiao Tang is just 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Tang Yi, you dolt, I love you to absolute bits but you don't have to do this alone you do realise that don't you?

Zhao Zi is fucking Big Mood™️ me. Uncle Google will tell you what you need to know. The answers themselves are absolute hilarity though I can't even 😂 😂 😂

Asking Shao Fei: I don't know 😂 😂 😂 way to go. Everyone doesn't know.

UGH. THE HETEROSEXUAL ANGST.

OK first up. Has Tang Yi always been wearing earrings? Also, Tang Yi is right and he should say it. If you're not gonna reciprocate her feelings, let her go. Dao Yi ge it ain't fair on her and in the long run it will just make her hate you dude

Also, fuck De ge the Judas scum.

This show. THIS MOTHERFUCKING SHOW FUCKING ME UP WITH EMOTIONS I CAN'T. TANG YI YOU SWEETEST BABU.

Also can we talk about the note about Vaseline at the end there? I'm watching AdamUni's subs and I appreciate these educational moments.

Episode 14

CAN WE JUST. TALK ABOUT THE WAY TANG YI TURNS AWAY AT THE SIGHT OF SHAO FEI WALKING IN WITH A CAKE. CAN WE JUST. MY HEART.

I've been chasing you for four years so I know it's your birthday. BOYYYYY. Tang Yi, the darling, crying because of emotions. I really think Chris Wu is doing a fantastic job especially in these last few episodes. I love them if I hadn't said it enough.

They have matching music boxes? IT'S A CONSPIRACY. I have theories, but the fact of it is that Tang Yi had a dick for an adopted father. Shao Fei asked for his birthday wish and the dude just... Gave it. Like that. And his wish was to spend all his birthdays with him. OK. BRB. I'm just gonna go. Cry in the woods or something.

Since the day I met you I knew that medicine couldn't save me. OK. What the fuck even is this show I'm - - - - - Maybe coz I'm watching on my phone but are they just... Rubbing their faces against each other?

Hello? 911? I want to report a murder. OF MY HEART. Seriously I can just watch them being all fluffy and domestic and romantic as shit for forever. I want them to be happy in this unhappy world 😭

Also, fuck De ge the Judas scum fuck him so very much

Hong Ye I love you girl I do. I love you for taking a stand for yourself and respecting yourself enough to walk away, I do.

Also, coz I don't think I can say this enough, FUCK DE GE THE JUDAS SCUM. Omg fuck this dude. Also, fuck this subplot. I have to step away for a second because it’s triggering and while I appreciate that they are letting Shao Fei be the one to calm Tang Yi down, I.... Need to take a walk for a bit.

I really love Tang Yi and Hong Ye's dynamic. You can tell that they really love and care for each other. They've been through so much together. Tang Yi's face when he caught Hong Ye's side eye tho. It just screams you two are a Messy Messy Mess. I mean, I agree. These two really need to sort their shit out tho. Especially Gu Dao Yi. Bruh. You need to let her go man.

OOOOOO.... A hug! I suppose this is a... Progress? I can get where he is coming from, but like, dude, you gotta FUCKING MAKE UP YOUR MIND MAN. You’re only hurting her!!! You got baggage bruh. Okkokokokokokokokokok HE COnFESSED. Ok this is kinda cute. I can get with this. Yes kiss your girl bruh kiss her. Hold her tight and keep making her smile dude!

OH CONSPIRACIESSS ABOUND! Honestly, I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but I’m ok with no proper progress on the Jack and Zhao Zi front because I get that they need to flesh out some of the things. And they’re letting the Tangfei relationship breath and grow a little. I’m pretty sure they will allow Jack and Zhao Zi to do the same. I read on AdamUni’s page that Ep.14 was trending with a lot of negativity? That’s frustrating and a completely unjust reasoning (read that the taiwanese fans didn’t like it because the De ge scene contradicted the lovely dovey birthday scene). While I personally had to skip through it, I do appreciate the fact that they showed how sexual assault can happen whether you’re a man or a woman, and it can be committed by people you trust. What do you guys think though?

#history3圈套 #history3 trapped #History3 #history 3 #history 3: 圈套 #meng shao fei #tang yi #tangfei #shaotang #shao fei x tang yi #tang yi x shao fei #gab watches stuff #tw: long post #long post

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august-is-angry · 5 years ago

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The Wonders of the Lacy Family

The phenomenon of the Lacy family has had my unwavered attention since May 14th, 2017. 3 months previous to this, there had been buzz around this kid that had just released a solo EP. The EP was “Steve Lacy’s Demo” by Steve Lacy. Gaining traction quickly because of Lacy’s work in R&B band The Internet, it immediately became one of the most important releases of 2017. With just 6 songs, those 14 minutes are some of the most iconic sounds of early 2017 to anybody that listened to it. As people listened more, they got excited, it was a new face in the music industry for many that hadn’t indulged in The Internet. Soon people realized this was a kid, at only 18 he was making tasteful licks and layered vocal harmonies. On April 14th, 2017, San Francisco-based magazine Wired released a video onto their YouTube channel titled “How The Internet's Steve Lacy Makes Hits With His Phone”. The video showed an 18 year old Lacy using the app GarageBand to make a song on his iPhone. In a way, this pioneered the normalization of the making of music on an iPhone, or at least it got rid of a lot of stigmas around it. To me, to be 14 and seeing a kid only 4 years my elder, wearing the same clothes I wear on the cover of his EP, making music on his iPhone, and being actually somewhat respected and even praised for it was incredible. Although, I did not yet have a guitar or bass, I had an iPhone, which was 1/3 of the supplies I needed to make an album in my eyes. Looking back, my Steve Lacy infatuation may have been a slight obsession, but I think it’s what I needed most at that age, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

If you too listened to and loved “Steve Lacy’s Demo” or even his new album “Apollo XXI”, you may or may not know he has a little sister, Asia Lacy, professionally known in recent years as Asiatica. On the date I mentioned previously, May 14th, 2017, Steve Lacy went live on Instagram and jammed with Asia from their family’s home in Compton, CA. Steve on guitar Asia on bass. The synergy impressed everyone that witnessed it. Both of them are so incredibly talented at both playing instruments and singing. I followed Asia on Instagram right after the live ended, ensuring I didn’t miss something like that ever again. That fall, Asia started her college education at Humboldt University in northern California. She began to go live on Instagram frequently as she was far away from home and didn’t have many friends yet except for her dorm mates. I’m pretty sure I watched all of these livestreams, sitting in my room making some sort of art as Asia skateboarded around campus alone exploring the place or sat in her dorm playing Charles Manson and Paramore songs on guitar, with some original stuff as well. Asia has an insanely good music taste, from Dirty Projectors to Thundercat, she could talk for hours about music she loved. When Asia played original songs of hers on live, I would screen record it so I could listen to her songs again as she didn’t have them recorded or put on streaming services. She seemed reluctant to become a musician, I don’t think it was doubt of her talent, it’s clear to everyone that hears her music that she’s got the talent for it. I think she saw all that was happening to her brother and just found it overwhelming, and who could blame her?

One of the original songs that stood out in her livestreams was “Workin On It”, of course named because she was still workin’ on it. I still have a voice recording I made after that live ended, it’s a melody inspired by what I heard of the song so far (the voice recording was dated August 16th, 2017 if you were curious). On November 25th, 2017, “Workin’ On It” was released, well, it had a new name; “Hide In Me”. I listened to it RELIGIOUSLY. I was so excited, and it did not disappoint. “Hide In Me” is a beautiful yet simple 1 minute 42 second song with harmonic layered vocals and a guitar riff that rips me back to August of 2017, except this time the riff was electrified.

To end off 2017, Tyler the Creator threw a mini festival at the Observatory in my hometown of Santa Ana. The lineup featured Steve Lacy so of course I was dedicated to getting tickets for this. But alas, this is a festival thrown by Tyler the motherfucking Creator, months after “Flowerboy” was released, with maybe like 500 tickets tops, maybe even less. So unfortunately I did not get those tickets. Dedicated to hear my God’s set, I stood in my backyard for about 30 minutes for Steve Lacy’s whole set, in the middle of winter, and 4 days into having stomach flu. And dammit, I live so close, that I actually heard it. It was faint but I could still hear it, and I loved it, I was so proud.

Fast forward to March 2019, I was gearing up for this new Vampire Weekend album, and I see on my Instagram feed, Asia Lacy was going to release an EP. I think I shed a tear or two. Asia had left Humboldt to go back home and spend time with family and friends after feeling estranged from the rest of Humboldt’s student body. She spent the past few months looking after her nephew and making music with her boyfriend, musician and producer Carter Ace (who by the way is a great artist as well). On March 13th, 2019 “Aprilia Ave” by Asiatica was released. It’s an EP with 5 songs that in total runs for 16 minutes. I remember exactly where I was when I listened to this for the first time, I was in a field being showered by sun, the first sun after a cold winter. It was pure joy, the truest form of happiness. The last track “Alright” left me crying tears of joy. All 5 songs are so special and all of them are so good I can’t stress this enough. If you haven’t listened to it yet, I highly suggest you do, it’s streamable on Spotify and Apple Music.

Last Friday, Steve Lacy released his first full length album titled “Apollo XXI”. I added it to my library right when it came out because I knew it was going to be good, and holy shit yeah it is. There’s no skips on this album, every song is great. I even dance to the parts where it’s just blank noise between 2 different parts of a song. I sat out on my front lawn Friday morning listening to the album in full with sun glaring into my baby sunglasses that pinch my nose. I had listened to it in full right when it came out the night before but I wanted to experience it how I experienced “Aprilia Ave”. In a field on a sunny day that was surrounded by overcast days. I felt alive, I felt present, like I was in my body for the first time in years. Legs folded up and ankles crossed as I hugged my knees, my cat pawing at the door in hopes of joining me. “I wonder I wonder, I really wonder” repeating so frequently that I started to sing along. It was like my experience with “Aprilia Ave” except it was pure curiosity and the truest form of wonder. With a future so uncertain, what would this world hold for me this year, I wonder. All I could be certain of in that moment was that whatever happens this year I’ll be listening to “Aprilia Ave” and “Apollo XXI”, so fuck it. I lay my head back in the grass, held my head in my cupped hands, and closed my eyes, and listened to “Playground” on repeat.

#steve lacy #asia lacy #apollo xxi #aprilia ave #music #writing

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affirmationshrines · 5 years ago

Photo

Photo 1:

The first Viewpoint magazine I read called ‘RISE UP’ actually speaks about this magazine as its ‘sister’ and recommends reading it as the topics link. As soon as I saw ‘Spirituality’ on the front cover I got excited and opened it to a random page, the page being something I’m really interested in and got even more excited to explore the book.

Page 3 of the book: IN GOOD SPIRITS

‘’Messages of self-awareness, respect for others and self-love are noticeably consistent’

‘Design’s roll in the new spirituality is enabling one supporting customers in their quest for a satisfying internal life. Key concepts include empowerment, enlightenment, vision, awe, wonder, calm and tranquility. Products, services and concepts that embed an extra layer of genuine meaning will find favour with adherents of the new spirituality. And beauty and joy also have their places - along with a deep appreciation of originality and creativity.’

‘Design in itself can be a spiritual practice. The process of making, and the absorption and engaged flow it involves, leads to a deep connection between maker and craft.’

Photo 2:

This image reminds me of my little spiritual space at home, using objects like candles and incense to aesthetically make a room peaceful and aid in wellbeing. Later in the magazine there is a page dedicated to the creator of this work, Yield Design, Florida. It’s all about ‘playing with our emotional connection to scent, the series draws on elemental notes in these majestic spaces and distills feelings of wander and awe.’ This links with my want to connect to people emotionally through work, I’m thinking about how scent can be a part of the project..

Photo 3:

This image is visually pleasing, i’ll be looking deeper into this exhibition. The exhibition is called Wisdom of the Earth teamLab: A forest where Gods Live - Earth music&ecology, Kyushu, Japan.

Page 13 from this book:

The term ‘Wellness Design’ sticks out to me, I’ll be researching further into this..

Photo 4:

Time over Time by Dawn Bendick. Bendick also has a section in the first Viewpoint magazine, ‘RISE UP’, where her piece expresses her feelings towards climate change. In this book she describes this piece as ‘a way of tapping into our peripheral senses and heightening awareness of changes in seasons, atmospheric light and weather’. She uses found objects, stones, crystals and glass to create her pieces. This reminds me of wanting to use my own stones and crystals in this project, but how?

Photo 5:

Ritual Empowerment. This page describes my own spiritual practice and how intention and ritual are one of the ‘most powerful manifestations of the 20th-century’. This page reminds me of WHY I’m so focussed on self discovery, self love, connection to the planet, Earth connection, human connection and so on.. I have been very disconnected in the past, I wasn’t aware or conscious of anything at all, navigating through life based upon what the media and my family told me.

I want people to make the transformation I made, to become better, happier humans. To be in tune with their passions and desires. If we evolve individually we will evolve together, it is a collective conscious effort.

Page 19 from book:

The caption - ‘ELEMENTAL HEALING - A global shift towards urban living is driving a feeling of psychoterratic disconnect.’ this section ‘explores a restored value in nature and the race to preserve it for future generations.’

What’s interested me about this section of the magazine is ‘The Tonic of Trees, The Healing Magic of Forest Bathing’ by Julia Plevin. Plevin says that her ‘psychological malaise’, which means psychological discomfort, is an effect of her concrete-jungle urban surroundings. I feel exactly the same.. I notice that the more time I spend in nature the happier I am, my positive mindset is consistent with my nature explorations, especially in the forest.

I spend a lot of time in nature when i’m home in Cardiff, I live within walking distance from natural woodlands, a river and a bus ride away from a mountain. This article is making me think of bringing nature into the home..? How can we connect to nature living in the concrete jungle?

Page 33 from the book:

‘Philosophers and psychologists are now suggesting we should acknowledge spiritual intelligence’

Photo 6:

This is the page that I immediately got excited about, this photo basically describes me at home, just kidding.. or am I?

I’m drawn to the colours, immediately thinking about the Crown Chakra and what the colour purple means to me spiritually, how it’s the highest vibrational colour, the colour of ‘magick’.. the name of the installation is ‘You Are Magic’ by The Hoodwitch which is basically what I want people to understand when looking at all of my art work, even when listening to my music, because it’s true. We are impossible beings with infinite creative power, why are so many so sad, stuck, lost? Why is the planet so sad, stuck, lost, with such powerful creatures living on it?

Of course the crystals in the background caught my eye too, there are lit up Selenite towers on the floor which i make and sell as well as a Quartz crystal grid in the background.

Photo 7, Page 41:

‘Studio Swines Ware Practice Duplex in collaboration with A/D/O focusses on the relationship between nature and technology, with many of the pieces incorporating plasma to capture bursts of light similar to those observed in the sun, stars, and comets.’ There isn’t much written about the installation in the book so i’ve found it on Dezeen. This reminds me of using my nature, crystals and stones, and linking them with technology.. digitally designing?

On this page there is a section called ‘The Spirit of Connection’ which talks about how ‘21st-century spiritualism is all about connection: to ourselves, to others and the wider environment.’ which is basically what my work is all about. It says that ‘Viewpoint has frequently touched on the role of creatives and brands as enablers, and on the importance of supporting positive movements within the global community’ - this makes me really happy, to know that the artistic work of us spiritual young people is being recognised by such large, important art magazines! I honestly didn’t realise that my concepts and ideas have been explored creatively already. I feel like i’ve found my place in the design world by reading this magazine.

Page 73:

‘People are increasingly seeking to experience heightened states of mental wellbeing’ - I hope to cause these experiences with my work..

Viewpoint describes the spiritual youth of today as ‘putting their faith int eh power of the metaphysical, where science and mysticism combine to create therapeutic sensorial experiences using immersive colour, light and sound’. Exactly what i’d like to do!

Photo 8:

The images on this page remind me of Lepidolite Mica, an iridescent shiny light, flaky stone often used to make glitter. It’s bringing me towards using stones and crystals as materials, or using their beauty as inspiration for colour, texture, form, light..

Page 89:

‘Tom Sewell explores the relationship between humans and nature at a time when GPS, modern medicine and supermarket deliveries are accessible at the touch of a button. He investigates the interplay of the elements and the spiritual world through delicate drawings and totemic sculptures.

Sewell reflects on his ventures into nature, from the firths of Scotland to London’s Epping Forest, in order to create assemblages of organic matter, climbing rope and naturally died fabric. His ritualistic installations show respect for the natural world as well as hinting at a new mystical practice for the modern day that celebrates the rotting, uncanny beauty of the woods and the wilds.’

I’m intrigued by the concept behind Sewells work rather than the work itself which is why i’ve not shown images. He’s doing exactly what i’d like to do.

Page 104:

‘PRACTICE BEING IN YOUR NATURE’ “We are in a pint in the world where we’ve become very disconnected. Things are super-fast - we are very top heavy, we think so much. And we lead life from a strange sense that we are in control or can control everything, so we become detached from our energetic systems and our nervous systems” - this makes me think about how we no longer rely on our natural compass, our intuition or ‘gut instinct’.. aiding towards more disconnection.

Page 107 - 117:

A few pages about artists that, bellow are the ones that stand out.

I relate to Rachel Wingfield on very deep levels. ‘I feel very passionate about certain topics such as climate change and mass extinction’ - Rachel Wingfield

Shama Rahman speaks about flow, the work her and her crew does ‘addresses our ability to be in flow, harnessing the ability of our own consciousness’.

Ben Lindsay speaks about church and says that ‘apart from down the pub, it’s rare that you see such a mix of people’ and how the church accepts a mixture of people, it accepts everyone.’ This reminds me of the art space, the art gallery, exhibition, the creative project.. how art and design bring people together, not leaving anyone out. Everyone can relate to it, everyone can connect.

Photos 9, 10, 11:

I practice modern witchcraft and haven’t found a better explanation than what’s said by The Hoodwitch in this article. I’m now drawn to expressing/demonstrating my own personal spiritual practice as it’s a clear example of what i’m trying to portray through my work, I am proof that my methods and ideas work towards connecting to ourselves, connecting to the planet and consciously evolving positively.

#inspiration #spiritualconnection #research #book review #research analysis

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hopeymchope · 6 years ago

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Random thoughts about bad/dumb/good things that happen in the back nine episodes of ‘Darling in the Franxx’

This post is long, and it’s mostly me griping about how Darling in the Franxx failed to stick its landing. I’ve got a lot of bullet points about what annoyed me, as well as some points about what I still liked in the back half, and eventually I’m just like “yeah, fuck this.”

That’s the short version: You had a lot going for you but ultimately blew it really bad for me, so like... fuck this.

Damn right Mitsu-WAIT, I forgot when Mitsuru had this much emotion! WHO DIS?!

The long version is more complicated, though, and I feel like rambling/ranting on, so here it goes.

There is no way to stress enough that Zero-Two literally transforms into a giant part-human part-mech creature that Hiro literally rides inside of. She becomes a skyscraper-sized girl that you can climb inside the skull of, and EVERYBODY IS OKAY WITH THIS AND DELIGHTED BY IT. There is NOT a moment where Zorome cries “WHAT THE ACTUAL FUUUUUUUUCK?!?” when she appears, flying in space, at a mass so large she could easily swallow the whole team in one gulp. Nothing like that.

This is not adequately set up, but it IS understandable with some thought: I mean, we are told in a previous ep that the franxx are essentially just recreated, retrofitted klaxosaurs. We also have seen how klaxosaurs are part-organic, part-mechanical beings, and we are told by the Klaxo Princess they are, in fact, the new version of the organic klaxosapiens, now retrofitted for war. In addition, we know that Zero-Two is part Klaxosaur - a clone of the last klaxosapien. So you see how the idea that Zero-Two could somehow “retrofit” or “transition” into a giant cybernetic war mode similar to how the klaxosapiens somehow did the same thing... you could justify that! Once I thought it all through, it kinda worked. But none of this is laid out for you, and it comes off as laugh-out-loud ridiculous in the moment that it happens. Only later, when my brain was piecing the evidence together, did I get somewhere that made sense out of it.

The Nines remained bitterly loyal to Papa when we last see them in Episode 20, snapping at Squad 13 for not showing due respect. When they return in Episode 23, Nine Alpha is suddenly on the side of Squad 13. Because Papa turned out to be an alien, you see. But like... you’ve been fighting klaxosaurs and feeling extreme loyalty to Papa your entire lives up until like, yesterday, so seeing you suddenly join the pro-klaxo side of the war is perhaps too hard a turn. Granted, a lot of time passes off-screen during this period, but still it’s sort of “Hey it’s me, Alpha. Remember how I was never anything but a total asshole to you guys? Remember how I hated emotions and shit? Yeah I wanna help Hiro reunite with Zero Two now.” Um. Okay?

Mitsuru’s speech to Kokoro about how “I want to be with you not because I love you, but because I believe that I did love you once, and I don’t remember that feeling anymore, but I still believe it existed, and I want to respect it!” is literally the worst, least-romantic declaration of non-love I’ve ever heard in my life. The music swells romantically and Kokoro seemingly weeps out of joy over it. I prefer to think she’s crying because it’s so fucking awful. It is actively offensive to real emotions and logic

Remember when Mitsuru talked about he always wished he and Hiro could co-pilot a franxx together? Remember his debilitating rage at Hiro for forgetting their promise to become soldiers together? It really feels like we had a gay or bi character here, and that maybe we were setting something up for his character. but the entire fixation on Hiro is utterly ignored once he gets reduced to “Kokoro’s sperm donor.” I mean, jeez, “my homosexual fixation on Hiro has filled me with an incoherent rage” just gave me flashbacks to Juzo from Danganronpa 3, and that’s not good, but at least it was more personality than he ultimately got.

WHY are we left with the strong sense that Ikuno is dying of the accelerated aging (she is the only one who loses ALL color in her hair and the only one we last see in a hospital bed on an IV drip, so it’s pretty blatant) even though literally no one else in the squad is suffering from it anymore, supposedly thanks to HER research?!... I assume because she’s gay. After all, the extremely gay Nines were all killed off by a mysterious ailment due to a lack of “maintenance” so we might as well kill off Ikuno too, right?! BURY YOUR GAYS. And FUCK YOU.

Goro somehow gets together with Ichigo. We do not get to see how/whether he won he over. Given that the final episode includes multiple scenes of her really missing Hiro along with a scene of her not caring much that Goro is going to travel the world without her (repeatedly), it comes off as though Itchy settled for Goro because he was the best available penis. I AM NOT ENDEARED.

We are also told that Goro has “really changed’ since the beginning of the series. There is no evidence to back this statement up. In fact, he is acting exactly the same in this scene as he always has. Granted, he had a moment in the previous episode where he got pissed and punched Hiro, and that was a big change... but he apologized and it’s not discussed again, so um. Huh. The thing that seems to be a sign of his “change” is his desire to go out alone into the world in an act of self-sacrifice for the good of everyone. Which is LITERALLY THE GORO WE’VE ALWAYS KNOWN. File his change under “informed attributes.”

By the end of the series, Hiro is full-on turning more into a Klaxosapien than a human because... honestly, I’m not sure. It’s possible it’s because he’s been “plugged into” Zero-Two, but it seems like the process is mostly done by then, because he’s immediately able to live without food or water or sleep once he plugs in, and he already had his horns glow with rage in the ep previous to this. So I think he transformed due to the fact that one time, as a kid, he licked Zero-Two’s blood, and as a teen, he’s kissed her a bunch of times. Which is... pretty goddamn extreme. I mean, I know fluid transfer can be a powerful experience — just ask Sandra Bullock — but this is some real next-level shit.

We waited all series for shit to “get real” and someone in Squad 13 to die. It takes until the very last episode for it to happen, and — in a desperate bid to make us care about what’s happening — it’s the two characters who got the most development and who most people care about. The two leads. Which comes off as too little, too late for me to even feel it, seeing as how they’re only vaguely human or relatable by this point. But I AM weirdly bitter that they kept alive everyone else, even the many people we didn’t give much of a shit about (Zorome? Miku?), so that none of the battles in the series EVER had to have real consequences for our heroes. I hate to sound bloodthirsty, and yet....

Hey, speaking of Zorome, remember how him being exposed to the “adult” in the first half of the show made her get sick? Remember how she was also immediately fascinated by and kind to him and it made you wonder how that would affect the other adults? None of this goes anywhere, because the adults all get spirited away as souls to be part of the VIRM hive-mind, so whatever, they’re gone now.

Why are these people all standing around a statue and screaming at the sky and praying? Most of them don’t even know who this girl was. This doesn’t come off as “moving” so much as a terrifying parable about religious fanaticism in cult groups. You see a group of people screaming and praying at idols you don’t understand, and gradually, more and more people just copy the behavior without understanding it. *shiver*

Was there EVER a hint that the adults watching over the squad were friggin’ IMMORTAL?! Because I don’t think there was. I’d need to go way back into earlier episodes to be sure, though.

It’s not that the ENTIRE back half of the show is awful, really. There are some legitimately excellent moments.

Good Stuff

Right when we first come back after episode 15′s big midway point in the story, the subtle way that Zero-Two discovering the gray hair on Miku’s head was handled - during a warm, lighthearted scene to boot - really made it hit home.

The overt anger and defiance of Hiro in the face of “Papa” and APE really made me like him even more. He had some great moments there, including possibly the greatest episode-ending dialogue when he declared just how fucking DONE they all are with their so-called “Papa.”

Zorome’s inability to fully embrace the idea that “Papa” could be so wrong and bad was another good touch.

The big “backstory” episode served to make me really care for Dr. Franxx in a surprise late-game twist. He goes from being a shadowy sinister presence to becoming one of the more sympathetic characters... right before getting killed shortly thereafter.

The big promise scene between Zero-Two and Hiro, where they swear to always come for each other... that one really pulled at my heart.

Also, Hiro’s dedication to caring for the ailing, zombie-like Zero-Two was both devastating and touching. It’s one of the final bits that actually hits any kind of emotion for me in the series.

I actually didn’t mind the alien twist with the VIRM very much like so damn many people did. APE was long portrayed as this unknowable higher power that was clearly hiding something while simultaneously enforcing a 1984-esque obedience and loyalty... and there’s only so many places to go with such a setup, honestly. Much more shocking, to me, is how little is done to build up to/justify the true origin of the klaxosaurs.

But, well, yeah. Like most, I wound up feeling like DitF had a couple of really excellent characters in the lead, and then proceeded to go nowhere worthwhile once it got them to finally be together. Ultimately, they didn’t even get to grow up or have real sex or face the new world. They just get shuffled off into weirdness and death so we can have a bigger cycle of disappointment.

This one has a lot of themes that feel unexplored, and maybe further analysis would make it all gel together more comprehensibly. There is definitely a lot of effort put into thematic hints and worldbuilding in the first half, some of it done in a subtle background way that recalls my favorite aspects of The Future Diary — a favorite anime of mine that ALSO admittedly fails to adequately explain some parts of the world it builds, but it keeps most of its logic intact and is so emotionally engaging that I ultimately went along for the ride and was willing to explore the background justifications and themes later in order to fully grasp that world.

In comparison, I don’t really want to put in the effort to glean the underlying details of DitF. It didn’t leave me feeling like the writers put in the work to keep me invested, so why would I?

#ditf spoilers #darling in the franxx #darling in the franxx spoilers #ditf #griping

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therappundit · 7 years ago

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Welcome to Rap Music, First Quarter 2018...

Q1 2018 is a (w)rap, folks.

Since late 2014, I have been saying that the quality of rap music is trending upwards. Yes, of course there are dips here and there, but what happened in the fourth quarter of 2014 was a shift back towards a skill-set which speaks more to the components of what had traditionally been the key ingredients of good rap music for much of the 1990′s: lyricism, soul, creativity, and message.

Even though the first quarter of 2014 had kicked off with Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s critically acclaimed Pinata, that release felt more like a bottle of water in a desert oasis, a project intended to keep an increasingly niche underground audience alive rather than an album that was indicative of where hip-hop was going at that point. That year went on to be dominated by catchy but vapid fare like Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” or Young Thug and Birdman’s “Lifestyle”, until there seemed to be a palpable swing of the pendulum when Run The Jewels 2, DJ Premier & Royce Da 5′9′s PRhyme and J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive all dropped at the tail end of 2014. What we were witnessing at that point was another Big Bang in hip-hop, the shattering of the genre into a series of sub-genres, meaning that for better or worse, rap music was never going to be the same.

I continue to believe that this trend is a good thing, and the best case scenario for a genre that has gone from being the sound of the boroughs of New York City, to an incredibly lucrative global phenomenon. The diversity of rap styles, the constant shifting of the wall between underground and mainstream (and what those terms really even mean anymore?) continued through 2015, 2016, 2017 and now through early 2018. While we can only speculate on where rap music will be by this time next year, I can tell you some of the storylines that make rap music so special right now:

- Kendrick Lamar has ascended to the Mt. Rushmore of rap legends

- After being on life support for years, classic underground hip-hop is en vogue

- And after losing track of the initial message, trap music seems to have plenty to say

In some capacity, the above threads all played a role in making the first quarter of 2018 one of the strongest that rap music has ever seen. It was far from easy to narrow down my favorite songs of January through March, but here are my picks for the top ten rap records of 2018 so far...

1. “Respected” - Roc Marciano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LirimXNqnxA

(You won’t find a better rap intro than this one. Very short, but tightly written, this verse defines Roc Marciano as an artist, and overall this track could be used as a template for how to define the mood of an album in less than 30 seconds. From Roc’s opening bars of “fox furs on my evening coat...I gave these heathens hope”, you know exactly what you can expect with Rosebudd’s Revenge 2. And boy does he deliver.)

2. “King’s Dead” - Jay Rock feat. Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwAnsAUYnw4

(The Black Panther Soundtrack is a legitimate album of the year contender. The impact of the film has been tremendous, but the force of the music inspired by it is of equal quality. Don’t overthink this rambunctious single...just kick back and enjoy it - because that’s clearly what Jay, K Dot and Future did!)

3. “Tent City” - Roc Marciano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go7n9-JefoQ

(”Walkin’ in the clooooouds”…Roc’s bars simply knock this one out the park: “...can’t hit reverse and pay for things that I ain’t earned / I heard the herb was dipped in sherm, bitches’ vision blurred / the German engines purr like leopards / couldn’t get a gig at Eckerd, they said my past was checkered / my ghetto pass is good, I never had to check it…”)

4. “Sell Me This Pen” - Evidence feat. Alchemist & Mach-Hommy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EWrReYix08

(This is just a perfect Alchemist cut, am I right? Ev, Al and Mach work a sinister sample oh so well.)

5. “Roaches” - Maxo Kream

https://soundcloud.com/maxo-kream/roaches-prod-wlderness?in=maxo-kream/sets/punken

(If you slept on Maxo’s Punken tape, let this track be a reminder that you made a mistake.)

6. “Expensive Genes” - Phonte

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_nvRMuOaUs

(Phonte is so strong on No News Is Good News, but his writing on “Expensive Genes” feels better than great. “Expensive Genes” may be a career defining song in the catalogue of an already hall of fame bound lyricist.)

7. “Era” - PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce Da 5′9 feat. Dave East)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8ONsRbOuos

(I don’t care if you weren’t feeling it, it’s just unfortunate that you slept on a great rap record. DJ Premier, Antman Wonder, Dave East and Royce Da 5′9″ tried to unite eras with their first single off PRhyme 2, and in spite of conflicting opinions I would say they were successful. They tried something different here, and I enjoyed the final result.)

8. “Paramedic!” - SOB x RBE feat. Kendrick Lamar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2_A89qTgwM

(This one just kept growing on me. SOB x RBE is a crew to watch, and if they are capable of cranking out more energetic west coast bangers like this one, their future is looking bright.)

9. “Proud” - 2 Chainz feat. YG & Offset

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nUW3nIOOOg

(2 Chainz is poised to have a huge 2018. And if his EP is indicative of how good his next album is going to be, we’re all in for a treat.)

10. “Dedication” - Nipsey Hussle feat. Kendrick Lamar

https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-joins-nipsey-hussle-on-new-song-dedication-listen/

(Victory Lap is not the classic many dubbed it to be when it dropped, but it is a very, very good album. On the surface level this song is not a remarkable one, but once you absorb the words, and the vibes from these talented young men who both survived harrowing situations during their childhood to become older, wiser and more successful for it, it really takes the music to another level. “Dedication” is a strong record.)

So to Roc Marciano, 2 Chainz, TDE, Black Milk, Skyzoo, Evidence, Royce Da 5′9″, Conway, 38 Spesh & Benny, Cozz, Willie The Kid, Rome Streetz, Rigz, Nipsey Hussle, Maxo Kream, Phonte, SOB x RBE, Jamal Gasol, Earth Gang, Elzhi & Khrysis, Chuck Strangers, Murs, CZARFACE & DOOM, Jean Grae & Quelle Chris, Valee and plenty of other talented artists, too numerous to mention...thank you for making the early months of 2018 so special. Salute!

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toogoodmusic · 4 years ago

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THE TOO GOOD TEN with Drew William

The Canadian Football Player and up and coming singer-songwriter Drew William follows up the early 2021 debut EP Room with the latest Message In A Bottle EP.

While playing music in coffee shops and restaurants for the past few years the athlete took advantage of the canceled football season last year to really dive into his musical passion. Now with six songs released, William has proven his ability to pull at your heartstrings with raw and honest songs that while personal to him can be healing and relatable to anyone who listens. A genuine level of intimacy blossoms in every song that gives way for his music to be both enjoyable alone or with close friends and family.

The latest EP release continues that level of intimacy that his fans have come to expect.The two song project features a brand new original release, “California Coastline” that gives ode to William’s home state while also paying respect to a song close to the singer’s heart with a cover of Post Malone’s “A Thousand Bad Times.” Find out more about Drew William and the latest EP by checking out his Too Good Ten below:

1. Starting from the beginning, when did music start for you? How did you realize you wanted to make a career out of it?

DREW WILLIAM: The beginning is in a one bedroom apartment on Morley Ave. Some discreet little red building in a town most of the world has never heard of; Winnipeg, MB. I picked up the acoustic guitar three years ago in that apartment and have played it every single day since. I came into music naturally. Playing for friends, playing open mics, playing restaurants, pubs, and now going for it in the real music world. Have my first full-set show at Burt Cummings Theatre on April 20th. I feel this is my first big stepping stone.

DREW WILLIAM LIVE STREAM ON RED TIE LIVE’S FACEBOOK ON APRIL 20TH @ 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST. CLICK HERE TO WATCH.

2. You were born in California, went to college in Minnesota and now live in Canada. How have those three experiences make their influence into your music? Any of the (3) stick out as being most influential?

DW: I like the surfer rock style a lot, that nostalgic almost drunk atmosphere that it places you inside. And when I moved to the Midwest it was a lot more folk and ballads. I guess I kind of have two sides to myself: this very twenty-six year old feeling his way through life and this old soul that feels like it’s already made the mistakes and is trying to come out and wisen me up. It’s an interesting mix of the two.

3. Congrats on the release of the debut EP, Room. What was the biggest learning from putting together and releasing a debut EP?

DW: To trust in my gut, and to not be so critical on myself. I knew that mixing and producing my own music was a risk, because It was a lonely venture into a world I was just learning about. I knew that I might not have the skills of a veteran who has been doing it for years. But at the same time, I wanted to enter music absolutely as myself. From the get go I wanted to share myself; no matter how rusty or beginner that sounded. I look at all this as a growth of music and a growth of self. I’m having to learn to let go of a lot of insecurities and fears, and for that I have to thank my own music.

4. And now fans have an additional taste of your music with the release of the Message In A Bottle EP. What’s the EP title mean to you?

DW: “Message in a Bottle” came to me from a line in the lyrics: It says, “On that California Coastline / We’re fire and rain at the same time / I found a bottle on the sea / With a message on the inside / Is a tale about a lost love / From a boy who held these memories.” It’s this goodbye to a past version of myself, to the old loves and it’s this intimate goodbye because it’s more than just memory it’s a part of soul, too, that no longer serves.

So the throwing of the bottle is this closure; a letter written and sealed by the same person. An opening up and a goodbye. This seems to be what growth feels like now. Maybe that will change in appearance, or feel differently, I’ll find out. But for now, this feels like a goodbye to an old self, with a mindset of growing up whilst not losing that child inside that makes all of this fun and freeing.

5. You’re not only a musician but also a wide receiver for the Canadian Football League team Winnipeg Blue Bombers. How do you balance being both an artist and an athlete? What’s the biggest challenge of pursing both careers?

DW: This past season was cancelled so it became a focus point to work on my music. This year as we anticipate a season, I have to tread carefully because it’s something I have never done, two things simultaneously. I used to believe these two worlds had to be separate, music and football. But it has proven to be quite the contrary. It has opened the doors for my music to be heard, and I will continue to see them as supporting roles in my life.

6. As an athlete is it tough for you to show a more vulnerable side through your music?

DW: It is. I’ll be straight up honest. There is a lot of insecurity on a football team. Egos, hyper masculinity, these things exist everywhere. But there are guys who are so much more than this sport. I hope to be an example to kids who are afraid to show their emotions, show them that you can be so many different things in life and still maintain your truest essence. I just live passionately, whether that’s on the field or on stage, I’m putting it all on the line.

7. Do you have any funny/fun/weird fan interaction stories you can share?

DW: I was supposed to play this little curb-side concert, this family won it in a little raffle I held and when I showed up it was just one couple. The wife was wasted and the husband was 30 years older than her. Their son came in and out of the room where I half heartedly played for them (he was schizophrenic but was the most normal person in the house). And then there daughter came up from the basement wearing all leather like she was about to hit the corner. She was probably thirty-five, filming me on her phone.. I was very weirded out. The wife had made bacon pirogi's for me. I told her I was a vegetarian. She didn’t understand why someone would do that…. And she kissed me on the cheek when I left. I was very disturbed ha-ha.

8. If you could headline a music festival – which one would be the dream festival? And who would be your choice for the other (2) acts that would headline the other two nights of the festival?

DW: I really think me, The Lumineers and Ziggy Alberts could all put on a nice little folk fest. I wanna play the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in CO. Just an unbelievable venue. Not sure if there is a festival there though! I’ll go to anywhere that will take me at this point!

9. If you could only listen to (5) artists for the rest of your life who would they be?

DW: So basically my life anyway? Ha, I kid I kid. Truthfully: Mt. Joy, The National, Angus & Julia Stone, Cat Stevens & Zella Day

10. What’s the rest of 2021 look like for Drew William?

DW: A whole lot of learning, relationship building, collaboration, and diving deep inside and bringing out The best and truest art. I can feel my life changing before me, it’s frightening but exhilarating. Ready for this ride!

We’re ready for that ride as well! Shout-out to Drew William for hanging for this Too Good Ten. Keep updated with Drew by following along with the links below and be sure to tune TOMORROW, April 20th @ 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST right HERE.

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The Too Good Ten interview series is dedicated to giving you a quick glimpse at some of the freshest voices in music. Ten Questions. One Artist. Too Good. Let’s go.

While The Too Good Ten is dedicated to just highlighting ten questions from an artist, Too Good Music was lucky enough to score an additional two questions from Drew...check them out below:

BONUS QUESTION #1: Congrats on the new releases of “California Coastline” and the cover of Post Malone’s “A Thousand Bad Times.” What surprised you/or what might people not know about the process of covering and releasing your own version of another artist’s song?

DW: The part I was focused on was really making it my own version. Something people know but don’t know, so it feels like an entirely different ride. I wanted also to pay my respects to the song. It meant a lot to me. I’m sure it helped a lot of people. It’s also a message I needed to hear, especially now. We all need this reminder. We’re all feeling something right now, no need to hide that. This is a very hard time. But we are resilient people and it’s been a gift to witness and a gift to make music that continues to carry this message of resiliency and strength.

BONUS QUESTION #2: Your Quarantine Campfire series on IG live – where you perform, do Q&A’s and bring along friend’s and guests – is awesome. How’d you come up with that concept and would be a dream guest on the series?

DW: This was an extension of the in-person curb-side-concerts I was doing throughout the summer. Creating an intimate and safe place to share music, highlight some local artists and just have fun with the community. Man… My dream guest. Probably Zella Day cuz I got a lot respect for her music and I once saw her sing “Man on the Moon” on YouTube, all acoustic, and I was blown away. It would hit perfectly on my quarantine campfire.

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aion-rsa · 4 years ago

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The Best TV Comedies of 2020

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Have we ever been in more need of a laugh than in 2020? Amidst a historic global pandemic, a tumultuous American political election, civil unrest, wildfires, MURDER HORNE… alright, you get the picture. 2020 has been the pits, man. Thankfully, this year from hell featured some bright spots on television, even if rays of sunshine were sorely lacking in reality.

If the shows on our list weren’t making us laugh, we would have been ugly-crying since March. While we were all locked in our homes, we got reacclimated with the Warner Brothers (and sister), said goodbye to BoJack Horseman, and met regular human bartender Jackie Daytona, making quarantine a bit more bearable, if only in 30 minute increments. From brand new series like How To with John Wilson, to swan songs for Den of Geek favorites like Schitt’s Creek, TV comedies in 2020 kept us cackling through the chaos.

To determine the best TV comedy of 2020 in a particularly stacked, diverse year, we polled 12 Den of Geek staffers and contributors. Below, you’ll find our honorable mentions and our list of the series most likely to raise your mood in the darkest year of our adventures.

Honorable Mentions

The following shows received votes but just missed out on the top 20:

Ramy, Never Have I Ever, Feel Good, The Great, Avenue 5, The Duchess, Staged, Famalam, Inside No. 9, Ghosts, The Shivering Truth, Bob’s Burgers, Katy Keene

DEN OF GEEK TOP 20 COMEDIES OF 2020

20 – Big Mouth (Netflix)

How long can a show about puberty, a very specific time in the life cycle, remain viable? Well based on the fourth season of Netflix’s animated comedy Big Mouth, just about as long as it wants to. Big Mouth season 4 succeeds by finding new avenues to delve into the psyches of its young characters going through chaaaaanges. In the process it also finds ways to expand its storytelling capabilities, delving into issues of trans youth, code switching, and anxiety. Through it all it remains as hilarious, and disturbingly vivid, as ever. – Alec Bojalad

19 – The Eric Andre Show (Adult Swim)

It’s not like Eric Andre reinvented the wheel or anything with the fifth season of his anarchic, absurdist talk show. If you were never a fan of anti-comedy that centers heavily around duping random people on the street, gross-out gags, and the torture of unsuspecting guests, then you’re not going to start liking it now.

However, for those of us already onboard The Eric Andre Show train, it’s no small feat that, five seasons in, this is still one of the funniest shows on TV. You’d think by now Eric would’ve run out of guests who have no idea what they’re in for, but, no, there’s an all-new batch of naive celebrities whose lives are effortlessly worsened by Eric, his crew, and his new house band. You’d assume he couldn’t prank people on the streets of New York City and Newark, New Jersey anymore because he’d be recognized by now, but, no, he pisses off a lot of people and breaks a lot of other people’s brains with ever-inventive, bizarre, obnoxious pranks.

Finally, you might think the series would suffer irrevocably from the departure of co-host Hannibal Buress only two episodes into the season, but Eric demonstrates he’s more than capable of spreading chaos all on his own (though he’s sometimes assisted, alternatingly, by a Hannibal clone named Blannibal, comedian Felipe Esparza, and Screen Actors Guild Awards nominee Lakeith Stanfield). Season five is the same The Eric Andre Show as it ever was, but that still makes me laugh harder than anything else on television right now. I’d be happy for Eric to keep making this show forever. – Joe Matar

18 – Saved by the Bell (Peacock)

A Saved by the Bell reboot shouldn’t have worked. But as Peacock’s recent series showcased, with the right creative team and angle, you really can successfully reimagine an outdated but beloved ’90s teen comedy for 2020. Working as both a soft reboot and sequel, this is meta-comedy at its best. Saved by the Bell is fully aware of what made the original special and why they don’t still make shows like it now. Juxtaposing those two competing views through the lens of the privileged and perfect Bayside kids and the new normal students makes this an accessible and seriously funny series with a biting humor rarely seen in teen comedy. – Rosie Knight

17 – Everything’s Gonna Be Okay (Freeform)

Australian comedian Josh Thomas brings his off-kilter sensibility to a loving and sharply funny portrait of a modern family in Everything’s Gonna Be Okay. In the pilot, Thomas’s character Nicholas, a gay twentysomething from Australia, visits his father in the US and learns that his physically and emotionally distant dad is dying. Things really pick up as Nicholas steps up to care for his two teenage half-sisters, Matilda (Kayla Cromer) and Genevieve (Maeva Press), while also trying to date, and manage his melodramatic mother from the other side of the planet.

Matilda especially comes into her own as she hopes to go to college away from home next year— something others doubt since she’s autistic. Her autism is a reality that becomes part of the fabric of the show, a setup rather than a punchline. Few shows would include a teenage threesome that manages to be funny, heartfelt, and matter-of-fact, but in Matilda’s world, sex (and exploring her sexuality) are often all three. Everything’s Gonna Be Okay is a family show that acknowledges the realities of family: death, disabilities, teenage girls with sex drives, and laughter at funerals. – Delia Harrington

16 – Star Trek: Lower Decks (CBS All Access)

Created by one of the writer/producers of Rick and Morty, it’s no surprise that the first episode of Lower Decks involved some pretty broad humor and wildly out of control situations. The producers of the 1970s Star Trek: The Animated Series understood the creative potential of animation when they replaced Ensign Chekov with a giant cat, and Lower Decks follows suit, the pilot giving us blood, guts, gore, zombies and a giant spider, all in Rick and Morty’s madcap tone.

As the show has developed over its first ten episodes, though, it’s become something more than that. The knowing humor is a delight—the focus on things like “second contact” (the less glamorous setting up of diplomatic relations after first contact), ascensions to a higher plane of existence gone wrong, and re-visiting half-forgotten alien races like the Pakleds shows the same sort of gently teasing love of the franchise that Galaxy Quest did. But the characters have also developed into real, complex people to the point that a character death is genuinely moving, and the audience are really able to care about what happens to these essential cogs in Starfleet’s machine next. – Juliette Harrison

15 – Solar Opposites (Hulu)

A big part of what makes Rick and Morty so great is that, in addition to all the sci-fi hijinks, there’s meaningful development of the show’s characters and world. Unfortunately, as the series has progressed, this is also what’s dragged it down. As Rick’s nihilism has increasingly alienated the people around him, a lot of the fun has been lost. The show still puts out the occasional brilliant episode (for example, the season four finale), but it almost feels like all the characters on Rick and Morty straight-up hate each other and watching it can be kind of a drag sometimes.

It’s such a treat then, to see all that fun sci-fi silliness rebirthed in the form of Solar Opposites, co-created by Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan (Rick and Morty co-creator and writer/producer, respectively). Making good use of all the storytelling lessons they learned from their other sci-fi cartoon show, the two have released a confident and consistently funny debut season. Though it feels awfully similar to Rick and Morty at first blush, it has more in common with classic sitcoms, with its focus on goofy, self-contained plots about the alien family at the show’s center. However, the series shakes the sitcom formula up a lot with a surprising dedication to callbacks and continuity, most notably exemplified by the continuing, dramatic tribulations of a community of people who have been shrunken down and forced to live in the aliens’ multilevel terrarium. The combination of madcap sci-fi alien plots contrasted with the trials of the melodramatic dystopian shrunken-people world makes Solar Opposites one of the most inventive comedies of the season, and I’m excited to find out where it’s going next. – Joe Matar

14 – Dave (FX)

There are countless hip-hop artists whose backstories would make for compelling television. So why did FX choose to spotlight a goofball white rapper from the suburbs with a mediocre penis joke for a stage name? It takes only one episode to realize any preconceived notions about Dave, based on the life and rap career of Dave Burd, aka Lil Dickey, should be spit from your silly mouth faster than Lil Dickey spits bars on a freestyle.

A telling sign that Dave was going to be a sleeper hit was the involvement of co-creator Jeff Schaffer, a longtime EP and writer on Curb Your Enthusiasm and the creator of FX’s The League. Together Schaffer and Burd mapped out a first season that sees Dave navigate the early stages of his music career with a level of narcissism he believes is needed to be taken seriously in the rap game. But the series also shows another side of Dave, self-deprecating in a surprisingly endearing way, rarely swayed by what others think, and frustratingly true to himself and the path he sees for his life. This is FX’s star vehicle for Burd, but the show manages to make him the center of the universe while still developing key players in his life as the season progresses, giving each character an affecting spotlight episode. The standouts include episodes about Dave’s real-life friend and hype man GaTa and his struggles with bipolar disorder, the evolving managerial relationship with his roommate (Andrew Santino), and how sudden fame begins to erode a once promising relationship with his girlfriend, Ali (Taylor Misiak).

Already renewed for season 2 and a ratings hit with FX/Hulu reporting high streaming numbers, Dave is no longer an underdog and will carry a new set of expectations as the titular character’s career ascends. If you’re still a skeptic, you need to adhere to television’s golden rule when it comes to Dave: Don’t judge it until you binge it. – Chris Longo

13 – Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)

At only 13 episodes, Season 7 was the shortest season yet of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but it packed a lot into those 13 half-hours. With Melissa Fumero pregnant in real life, the writers used this to cover six months in series by following Jake and Amy’s attempts to conceive a baby, helping those limited episodes to feel like they were filling out more time. The show has also struggled to work in its annual Halloween Heist episodes since moving to NBC and being put into a winter start slot, but in 2020 Rosa managed to triple her victory by engineering Heists on not just Halloween, but Valentine’s Day and Easter as well.

Season 7 aired too early to deal with the Black Lives Matter protests that dominated the summer of 2020, but the writers have already pulled all their planned scripts for Season 8 and re-written them in light of those events, so that is yet to come. 2020 had a little bit of everything that makes B99 great—a dose of Pimento, Jake and his daddy issues, Holt’s adorable corgi Cheddar, and one final appearance from his nemesis Madeline Wuntch. For once, the season didn’t end with Holt somehow being removed from his job as Captain of the 99, but there’s still plenty to look forward to in Season 8—maybe 2021 will be the year that Charles Boyle finally wins the Halloween/Valentine’s Day/Easter/Cinco de Mayo Heist? – Juliette Harrison

12 – Animaniacs (Hulu)

Rampant remakes and sequel reboots have turned into the norm, but streaming services have especially embraced this idea as a way to anchor a library of programming. These endeavors are extremely hit or miss, but Hulu’s revival of Animaniacs is one of the few exceptions that feel justified for a return. Animaniacs always functioned as a radical cocktail of perversions of pop culture and classic comedy and 2020’s Animaniacs actively thrives with decades’ worth of new material to lampoon. The series has stripped itself back to its basics and temporarily removed most of the old supporting players, except for Pinky and the Brain, but this allows Animaniacs to build itself back up and establish new recurring characters and segments.

There’s such clear joy present in Animaniacs, whether it’s from the voice actors, the creative staff, or the animation team. Segments like an unauthorized Russian version of the Animaniacs or catchy songs about Shakespeare and the different First Ladies of America prove that the classic series’ sense of humor has successfully been maintained. If anything, the cartoon is even more fearless. It’s the perfect burst of ‘90s Saturday Morning nostalgia that’s also exceptionally funny and thought provoking. – Daniel Kurland

11 – Rick and Morty (Adult Swim)

Rick and Morty is a colossal behemoth of storytelling that’s developed a fascinating and often antagonistic relationship with its audience. 2020’s Rick and Morty content only includes five episodes from the second half of the show’s fourth season, but they’re some of the series’ wildest installments when it comes to storytelling, perpetual jokes, and the show’s ability to deconstruct itself and its fandom. The series Emmy-winning “Vat of Acid Episode” explores the emotional highs and lows of “save states” while “Never Ricking Morty,” the show’s “Story Train” episode, is perhaps the most structure-obsessed piece of television that’s ever been written.

Rick and Morty continues to expand its universe in exciting ways and allow its characters to realistically mature. These episodes provide fascinating insight on both Rick’s relationship with Morty as well as his bond with Beth. Even Jerry and Summer get their moments to shine and Rick and Morty feels more like an ensemble than ever before as it prepares to shake things up even more in season five. – Daniel Kurland

10 – Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun (Netflix)

In 2019, Netflix gave us I Think You Should Leave, the sketch comedy series from Tim Robinson that birthed memes that somehow only get more relevant (and funnier) as time goes on. In 2020, Netflix, likely mindful they needed to hold us over until Robinson finishes filming season 2, gave us a gift from down under called Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun. If you liked Robinson’s sketch series, imagine that on crack, dialed up to 100, and featuring the three silliest Australian dudes to ever walk on that continent. The series stars Mark Bonanno, Broden Kelly, and Zachary Ruane, a group of friends who formed a comedy group called Aunty Donna and gained a large following on YouTube with their absurdist humor that features simple premises that often descend into frenetic madness. See: them explaining how a board game works or doing roll call at school.

In Big Ol’ House of Fun, the series opens with a musical number that will have you wondering whether everything’s a drum. Episode 2 will change the way you think about your morning coffee. Friendly faces like Scott Aukerman and Ed Helms (or is it “Egg” Helms?) even stop by just to play ball. Through its infectious and (mostly) good-natured absurdist energy, the series lives up to its name with endlessly quotable and memable sketches. And much like I Think You Should Leave, Aunty Donna material only gets better when you rewatch it. Here’s to hoping Netflix will let us come back and visit this Big Ol’ House again for season 2. – Chris Longo

9 – Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet (Apple TV+)

Created by Rob McElhenney, David Hornsby, and Megan Ganz of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame, Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet is a new Apple TV+ comedy that easily justifies a subscription to the streaming service. Set within a video game studio for a popular MMORPG, Mythic Quest leans into certain workplace comedy tropes, but never feels derivative of the genre or that it’s just Always Sunny with a fresh coat of paint. The comedy effectively explores and skewers gaming culture, but a knowledge of the industry is not at all necessary to enjoy the program.

Smart and creative scripts are punctuated by the show’s phenomenal cast, which features the likes of McElhenney, Hornsby, and Danny Pudi. However, Charlotte Nicdao’s work as Poppy Li, the studio’s neurotic perfectionist lead engineer, is a revelation. Mythic Quest works so well because of how it grounds its quick comedy in powerful character dynamics. The series’ “standalone” flashback episode, “A Dark Quiet Death,” received a ton of acclaim, but there are few episodes of television from 2020 that contain more heart and honesty than the series’ quarantine-centric installment. – Daniel Kurland

8- Search Party (HBO Max)

HBO Max’s first bingeable, bonafide hit was outsourced from TBS. After languishing on basic cable with critical praise but low viewership, Search Party made the move to the new Warner streaming service for Season 3 and proved that the series was the perfect “watch it all in one afternoon” comedy. What began as a comedic mystery series about a group of prototypical Brooklyn millenials on a quest to find their missing former classmate shifted in its third season to become a satire on celebrity trials and how tabloid spotlight can turn unassuming people into sociopathic narcissists.

Search Party’s strength is in its ensemble. Alia Shawkat brings an interesting vulnerability to disaffected Dory, but her other “searchers” are the real bright spots. John Reynolds is perfectly cast as the de facto worthless millennial “beta male,” and John Early and Meredith Hagner are consistently laugh out loud funny as self-obsessed, attention seeking airheads. Search Party has a twisty, interesting plot, but it’s also a scathing indictment on an entire generation obsessed with celebrity, self-analyzation, and searching for “meaning.” If you have not yet watched one of the year’s funniest shows, get caught up before Season 4 debuts in January 2021. – Nick Harley

7- How To with John Wilson (HBO)

Life is strange. If you take a moment to actually watch and analyze many of the seemingly ordinary, day-to-day things you witness while walking down the street in a major U.S. city, you’ll be shocked at how alien it can all appear. In New York City in particular, every imaginable human behavior is on display somewhere, and documentarian John Wilson is out there capturing it all on camera. How To With John Wilson may seem like a series designed to teach you useful everyday skills like how to split a check or how to improve your memory, but in reality, it’s a love letter to New York, in all of its beautiful, ugly, life-affirming, and soul-crushing splendor.

It’s also insanely hilarious. Wilson’s deadpan, stammering narration on top of quick cut, slice of life footage is an endlessly watchable setup-punchline joke machine. Wilson also is wise to go down the rabbit hole and follow weird digressions wherever they lead him, like a Mandela Effect conference or the home of an anti-circumcision activist. Further, the series finale is the first piece of television to fully capture the reality of post-pandemic city life, putting to shame all of those half-assed Zoom created depictions of life in 2020. Few shows can effortlessly glide between cringe comedy and poignant moments like this. How To with John Wilson is unlike any other show on television, an absurdist masterpiece that makes the mundane feel surreal and vice versa. – Nick Harley

6- High Fidelity (Hulu)

In a time full of reboots and remakes, High Fidelity earned its existence and then some. To its many admirers, it warranted a second season for more eclectic music choices, guest stars, and beautiful lingering shots over the credits. Sadly, that is not meant to be. Hulu’s High Fidelity is so much more than just a gender-swapped adaptation, though Zoe Kravitz leads the endeavor in the lead role of Rob, the idiosyncratic record store owner counting off Top 5s, especially her Top 5 heartbreaks.

Rob’s rich world is full of characters we’d love to spend more time with, like snarky Cherise, she of the eclectic taste who keeps putting off her musical dreams for “someday.” Or Simon, Rob’s ex and current best friend, who narrates an episode that completely changes how the audience views Rob. Zoe Kravitz carries this beautiful mood piece, sharing chemistry with just about everyone. While it seems relaxed and fun on arrival, High Fidelity eventually reveals itself to have plenty to say about being accountable for our actions and allowing oneself to be happy, before wrapping Rob in a warm summer night and sending her on her way. – Delia Harrington

5- Pen15 (Hulu)

The debut season of Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle’s brilliant series in which they, two adult women, play middle-schoolers surrounded by actual kid actors playing their classmates, was, in my opinion, the funniest show last year, but, as I didn’t actually get around to watching it until this year, I didn’t know that at the time. Rectifying my past mistake, this year—despite the fact it’s only aired half a season so far due to production being halted by COVID—it’s not just my favorite comedy, it’s my favorite show, period.

Though it still has its fair share of laugh-out-loud moments, the comedy in the second season has, admittedly, been scaled back a bit, but it makes perfect sense for where Pen15 is right now. From the start, what the series has done painfully well is zero in on the utter nightmare of living through our stressful and confusing pubescent years. As the series deepens its exploration of these characters’ experiences with friendship, romance, sexuality, the internet, and the impact of divorce, the stress and confusion should and absolutely do ratchet up. This season is also doing a great job of further developing the show’s side characters, with a standout arc for Dylan Gage as Gabe, who is grappling with the discovery that he may be gay. Though it’s still a hilarious series in places, Pen15 most wins me over most for how uncomfortable and tragic it can be with its stunningly well-observed depiction of surviving junior high. The secondhand shame and embarrassment you’ll feel makes it one of the toughest, but most worthwhile, watches of the year. – Joe Matar

4 – Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

Jason Sudeikis’s Ted Lasso first originated as a character back in 2013, when NBC Sports commissioned a commercial for its upcoming coverage of the English Premier League. “An American Coach in London” introduced the concept of an American football coach deciding to try his hand coaching “the other football” with top flight club Tottenham Hotspur. It was a hilarious five minute clip that seemingly exploited the “fish out of water” concept to its natural conclusion.

The character seemed destined to be a one-off goof. But then Sudeikis and producer Bill Lawrence decided to try their hand at the overmatched coach one more time with a series for Apple TV+. The end result was one of the most essential new comedies of the 2020 TV season. Ted Lasso works because its’ funny, first and foremost. The show proves that this fish still had plenty of more time to spend out of water after all. More important, however, is how aggressively wholesome and optimistic it is. In a year that saw ugly Americans all over over TV screens, Ted Lasso represented the stars and bars the only way he knew how: by believing in the best of people from aging football star Roy Kent, to selfish young buck Jamie Tart, to even the woman who got him this job in the first place as an elaborate revenge plot. – Alec Bojalad

3 – Schitt’s Creek (Pop)

If Schitt’s Creek were a fairy tale (and in all the best ways, it is), it’d be about a group of puppets brought to life by a magic spell. When the Roses lose their fortune, they’re forced to swap wealth and glamour for unfashionable small-town living. They start out wooden, obnoxious and alone. Then, over six seasons, we watch them transform into a flesh and blood family who figure out how to love each other in a community that’s as weird as they are, and that ends up loving them back.

If that sounds schmaltzy, then I’m saying it wrong. Schitt’s Creek doesn’t do schmaltz. It does smart and absurd and naughty. It does jokes and brightness and kindness. Or it did, because now it’s gone. 2020 waved Johnny, Moira, David and Alexis off with a final season packed with treats: Patrick’s spray tan, David’s bed-wetting, the world premiere of “The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening”, Moira officiating a wedding dressed in a Rapunzel wig and pearlised bishop’s mitre…

However painful it was to say goodbye, the alternative – another six seasons with diminishing returns – would have been much worse. Dan and Eugene Levy’s sitcom went out on a high, with a finale that left fans in joyful tears. Not least for moments like the one in which a usually armoured-by-sarcasm David tells his sister, “For what it’s worth, I am continuously impressed by you.” The feeling’s mutual, Roses. – Louisa Mellor

2- BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

Though BoJack Horseman premiered only the back half of its final season in 2020, those eight episodes were some of the best dramatic and comedic storytelling on television this year. This final season operated as almost a microcosm of the series’ entire run. Just like the show’s beginning, season 6B begins with BoJack in a place of relative stability. He has just finished rehab and is prepared to embark on a career as an acting professor at Wesleyan. Of course, something from his past has to pop up to shatter his fragile equilibrium, just like it always does. In this case, it’s a pair of journalists working on a story of what really happened the night Sarah Lynn died back in season 3. What follows is as sadly predictable as it is tragic… also there are jokes!

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BoJack Horseman has been a frequently occurring item on many of our year-end best-of lists since the show first premiered in 2014. And each time, it’s hard not to continually expound upon what a bizarre, touching, and incisive drama Rapahel Bob-Waksberg’s animated creation is. That temptation remains for this final season, which is as devastating as they come. But this year, for the show’s final appearance on any of our best-of lists, let’s not lose sight of how funny this all is.

Yes, this is an exploration of the human condition and how the only way to repair our damage is to acknowledge it and then put in the work to get better. It’s also the show where Mr. Peanutbutter, his fiancée Pickles Aplenty, and international pop superstar Joey Pogo open up a Lazy Susan/small plate restaurant called “Elifino.” The animation remains just as bright in this final season, the dialogue just as witty and convoluted, and the background jokes just as rewarding. BoJack Horseman season 6 shoulders a grand narrative burden of closing out the story of the world’s most miserable Horseman. That it is able to do so is remarkable. That it’s able to do so while maintaining its sharp sense of humor is even better. – Alec Bojalad

1- What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Adapting a beloved indie comedy film to the small screen seems a near impossible task. But when Taika Waititi convinced Jemaine Clement they should do exactly that, it was a stroke of genius. With Waititi busy on his Marvel movies, Clement was left to write and produce the FX series alongside Stefani Robinson and Paul Simms. What We Do in the Shadows began with a solidly silly first season but came into its own during a stellar second season which leaned into the absurdity innate to the idea of ancient vampire roommates. The series has also given us a new action hero for the ages in Harvey Guillén’s Guillermo de la Cruz.

What makes season two so excellent is the writing and performances that play on the fish out of water setup the show has so much fun with. In “The Curse,” Nandor checks his email and discovers a chain email from Bloody Mary. Most of the hilarious runtime focuses on the crew trying to uncurse themselves. It sounds simple but it is honestly one of the funniest episodes of TV you’ll watch all year. “The Curse” is only topped by “On the Run,” which allows Matt Berry to go full Matt Berry as Laszlo leaves the nest and becomes a bartender, Jackie Daytona, who loves girls volleyball in smalltown America. It’s a pitch perfect riff on feel good sports movies while also being hysterically funny. It’s still a complete crime that Robinson didn’t win the Emmy for this one.

But the real power of What We Do in the Shadows is its heart. Even within the broad comedy, genre parodies, and often gross out humor, this is a show about love, family, and friendship. Guillermo’s arc feels radical and boundary-pushing. It’s so well built in from the very first season that it’s also incredibly satisfying. This is the kind of comedy we need more of: inclusive, intelligent, and most importantly just really, really, f**king funny. – Rosie Knight

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hiptolazed · 7 years ago

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So you’re new to the Hippo Campus fandom...welcome!! Chances are you’re here because you heard the latest singles “Western Kids” or “Way It Goes”. Maybe you heard “Monsoon” playing in Starbucks or just wanna know who those guys people are posting pictures of are! Either way, you’re here, you like HC, and you wanna know more about them. Here’s way too much information who Hippo Campus is.

(disclaimer: I’m sure this isn’t everything but it’s damn near close and a good start. If you have time, watch all the interviews & Hippo related videos on YouTube and read whatever interviews are just floating around on google!)

Hippo Campus (@/thehalocline / hippocampusband.com) is an alternative/indie/pop/rock band hailing from the Twin Cities in Minnesota comprised of four members...

who all attended the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts. Hippo has been around since about summer 2013, after the majority of its members (everyone but Zach) graduated high school. Zach & Jake both went on to study at the University of Minnesota for a short period before leaving to tour full-time with the band. The four piece currently (as of fall 2017) has released three EPs and one debut album, with new music already in the works. Here’s more about all of that.

THE MEMBERS:

Whistler Allen aka Beans (Drums, vocals)

Birthday - March 13, 1995 (Pisces)

Height: like 5′7-5′8

Known for his love of donuts which many fans brought to him at a show. Currently is not looking for more donuts, but it doesn’t hurt to tweet him & see!!

Best at replying to fans on twitter.

Can be shy & timid in person, but a total sweetie and easy to talk with.

Really good painter (channeling his namesake?). Check out his stuff on his instagram!!

@/whistler_isaiah on twitter; @/whistlerisaiah on instagram & snapchat.

Jake Luppen aka Turntan (lead vocals, guitar)

Birthday - May 20, 1995 (Taurus)

Height: over 6′0

Lanky sweetheart.

Has a wonderful girlfriend, Katya...

with whom he has two pet rabbits

was classically trained in opera (so yes, there kinda is a reason his voice is that outlandishly good)

@/theturntan on twitter; instagram was deleted in March 2017

Nathan Stocker aka Stitches (Guitar, vocals)

Birthday - July 4, 1994 (Cancer)

Height: like 5′6-5′7

Makes solo music under the name brotherkenzie. Not public as of July 2017.

If you’re lookin’ for someone to talk to about life and all that jazz, catch Nathan after a show.

Behind most of the social media posts on the band accounts

used to be very present on socials, doesn’t like it as much now (actually is quite against it)

@/brotherkenzie on twitter, but very, very, very silent (occasionally likes some tweets about the shows!!)

Zach Sutton aka Espo (Bass, vocals)

Birthday - February 19, 1996 (Pisces)

Height: over 6′0

Can be very sarcastic and sassy, or very sweet and caring. Sometimes both.

Active on twitter: always likes, rarely replies.

Pretty cheeky. Rarely ever answers seriously if you catch him when he’s sarcastic so, like, don’t ask about when new music will be released.

@/espocampus on twitter & instagram.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting & talking to all four of the guys and I touch on that more in depth here!!

Wait. Did you say Beans, Turntan, Stitches, and Espo?

Back in the day the guys went purely by those nicknames. They’ve sort of faded by now, with only Jake & Zach’s still existing in social media handles; as well as Zach being the last one to sign with his nickname.

This interview explains the nicknames!!

Okay, okay the members are all super awesome guys but what about the amazing music they create and, ya know, the reason we like the band?

...

Chronologically:

Tarzan Reject EP (2013)

St. Paul Roofs

I (Oh I)

Sula

South (2013 Version)

Little Grace (2013 Version)

ALL SONGS HERE!!

Tarzan Reject is the first unreleased EP by Hippo Campus, dug up by people on the internet. That’s really all that’s known about it that’s, like, official.

The fandom collectively loves Sula. Hippo rarely plays Sula. But when they do, it goes hard.

Bashful Creatures EP (2014)

(see: this weird, iconic video announcing/promoting it)

Sophie So

Little Grace

Souls

Suicide Saturday

Opportunistic

Bashful Creatures

ALL SONGS HERE!! (& Spotify, iTunes, etc)

Official Music Videos from Bashful:

Little Grace. Simple, yet odd video. First music video, filmed for a friend in a local project. The video which created the fruit motifs, as seen on the Fruit Tee, and again briefly in Souls.

Souls. Second video, where the band really got to explore their own idea and have fun with it.

Suicide Saturday. Just the band running around in paint? I wouldn’t put it past them. They’re fun kids. Suicide is one of the songs that really boosted HC. They performed it on Conan (video no longer available, sadly) after being approached at their first SXSW.

South EP (2015)

Close To Gold

Dollar Bill

South

Violet

The Halocline

ALL SONGS HERE!! (& Spotify, iTunes, etc)

Official Music Videos from South:

South. Interesting, aesthetically pleasing video. Nathan has a solo during “go down south...”!!

Violet. This video is what a lot of people first know of the band. Simple, yet iconic. Violet is generally what they play for an encore. Also goes hard. Whistler has a solo toward the end (”oh violet”)!!

(sidenote: you may notice that the outro of Dollar Bill sounds eerily similar to that of Sula. I don’t know why they did that but I love it.)

Pause. What even is a “halocline” anyway?

Jake explains the meaning of that here!! @/thehalocline is their handle on socials, “The Halocline EPs” is the collective title of both Bashful & South, overall huge symbol for the band, their ideals, their music. A concept that the fans hold dear, as well.

landmark (2017)

(Making of landmark)

(performed in its entirety for Minnesota radio station The Current)

(full acoustic performance for YouTube Space NY; livestream)

Cover is based off their writing space (Zach’s basement) with each song corresponding to an object on it!!

sun veins (the paint can/paint on the wall)

way it goes (doc martens/pavement record)

vines (grapes)

epitaph (record player)

simple season (window & moon seen from it)

tuesday (box of wine)

western kids (phone)

poems (collared shirt & the armchair it’s on)

monsoon (calendar)

vacation (plant)

boyish (apricot tree)

interlude (clock)

buttercup (boxing gloves)

ALL SONGS HERE!! (& Spotify, iTunes, etc)

Official Music Videos from landmark:

way it goes. Features the band and some of their friends just havin’ a good time.

simple season. Official live video!!

western kids. Yeah...even I can’t explain this one. (Kidding. Mainly symbolic for the meaning behind the song, how people get sucked into social media/the internet/technology.)

monsoon. Lyric video. Yes, Nathan wrote it about the passing of his sister, read what he said about that here.

boyish. Boyish is about divorce & family difficulties, so I interpret this video as what seems to be a picture family actually fighting a lot. as simple as that gets.

warm glow EP (2017)

baseball

traveler

warm glow

ALL SONGS HERE!! (& Spotify, iTunes, etc)

warm glow has three songs that were written around the same time as/originally written for landmark. “baseball” has been played live for a while, and a fan favorite. “traveler” was debuted at the August Lolla aftershow in Chicago. a few seconds of “warm glow” can be heard in the aforementioned “making of landmark” video, and debuted at the first MN State Fair show in September.

And there’s a bunch of unreleased songs they’ve played live!!!

check out their Genius page for all the lyrics & more info about the songs!! Exciting and interesting to take some time and dive into.

also watch the ENTIRE concert in Boston on the Landmark Tour!!

What’s a concert like?

The most fun you will ever have (I might be biased). Highly energetic, the lighting design design is gorgeous, the band sounds even better live than in studio (I know it doesn’t seem possible but it really is!!)

They have VIP upgrades for many shows, of which perks will include a lot for their 2017 fall tour. As for their past Landmark Tour, at least a couple of the boys came out to meet fans and talk afterwards. They are the easiest people to talk with. Getting a bit “fangirly” is completely understandable!! Just know that they’re relatively young guys and deserve as much respect and calmness as anyone. As they gain more popularity, sure things will change in that area, but no matter how famous someone is, try your best to not freak out and most importantly: not freak the band out!! They love you so much and love talking to you. Also bringing them little gifts & letters is greatly appreciated!

(see if they’re coming to a city near you!!)

Okay, I get the band now, but who’s x person that I saw post a picture of them?

People associated with Hippo Campus that you will more than likely come across:

DeCarlo Jackson - plays trumpet with HC at some shows!! Friend from high school. Super cool, crazily talented guy. Featured in the way it goes mv.

Julia Kindall - Best friends with the band. Friend from high school. Amazing writer. Wrote a biography to preface a limited edition of the landmark vinyl. Occasionally accompanies the band on tour and helps run merch and the meet & greets. Sweet, sweet soul. Has a podcast with friend, Hanna, called The Pussys, which Whistler & Zach have been featured as guests on! Featured in the way it goes mv.

Katya Vorokhobova - Jake’s girlfriend. Just so ya know who she is.

Madeline Stocker - Nathan’s sister. Total sweetheart. Great singer, too!

Holly Ann Latcham aka Boots - Hippo’s tour manager. Dedicated to her job and making the shows run smoothly. Definitely underappreciated; if you see her after the show chat with her if you can and thank her for all the hard work she does!! She & the band are featured in a documentary on “real life roadies”, it’s a really good piece that gives great insight on this part of the industry (as well as some nice moments of the band).

Evan J Myers - Hippo’s merch manager. Cool, nice dude. Chat with him when you buy some merch!! Fun & easy to talk with, and super helpful at shows (and on social media most of the time!!)

David Kramer - graphic designer who is responsible for the beauties that are Hippo’s cover art. Occasionally travels with the band to photograph/film them.

Connor Siedow - Photographer that frequently hangs with the band and sometimes shoots their shows

Bands associated with Hippo Campus:

Remo Drive - played a few shows w/ HC; opening on the 2017 fall tour. check out “Crash Test Rating”!

The Happy Children - played some shows w/ HC; all went to high school together. check out “Honest Boy” (you might see some...familiar faces)! (Caleb runs Normal Parents, clothing company/movement that Hippo wears a lot!!) (Mitchell is Whistler’s roomate, jsyk)

Early Eyes - played a few shows with HC; cool kids who make groovy music that is somewhat influenced by HC. check out “Take You”!

MISCELLANEOUS

Old Bands:

Blatant Youth - Jake & Zach. Also Sam from Remo.

Whistle Kid - Jake & Zach.

Northern aka Danger Will Robinson - Whistler & Nathan. Also DeCarlo.

Still need more info?

Hippo Updating @hippoupdating does a fantastic job at keeping everyone updated with the latest on the band!!

Here is a new fan tag full of FAQs about the band!!

Okay, but HOW do I really get into this fandom?

Join us on tumblr, talk to me and everyone else on here, make dumb posts about the band like we do!!

Go to twitter!! There’s a lot of Hippo fans over there, follow some, retweet some, tweet the band... Twitter is pretty easy to get into, I think.

Start a fan account on instagram!! Zach likes posts pretty frequently, sometimes the band account does too.

You might come across some drama, sadly, because it exists and is inevitable. It can be pretty easy to avoid. Keep your head right, stay nice & respectful, and everything will go swimmingly!! This fandom is still relatively small, but as it grows, stuff like drama will just grow as well. Again, that’s inevitable. But do whatever you can as a new fan to stay out of it and keep things sane. This community of people who all like Hippo Campus should stay a good place for every fan involved, as much as we can.

Welcome to the fanbase.♥

#hippo campus #whistler allen #jake luppen #nathan stocker #zach sutton #m #i apologize if i messed anything up or missed anything i made this from midnight-4 am #please message me if you catch anything wrong or want me to add something!!

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jaketheaudiophile · 5 years ago

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Best Albums of 2019

Well hello there! Long time, no see.

In keeping up with my lazy past tactics, I really only use this blog for end-of-the-year recaps anymore, which I’m completely fine with. I still listen to music as much as I always have, but have lost the desire to constantly write about it. I guess this is adulthood, or having a “real job” or something.

Either way, here are my top 15 albums of 2019. What were yours?

HONORABLE MENTION

DELTA SLEEP: “Younger Years” EP

released September 27 via Big Scary Monsters

Delta Sleep completely surprised everyone this year by releasing this EP without any prior announcement or notice. No teaser tracks, no hints at studio time, just completely out of the blue. Props to these British math-rock legends for their secrecy; it was certainly a fun thing to wake up and see all over social media on a random Saturday in September. These guys definitely have a formula or format they stick to on their releases, so this is more of the same for longtime fans, and that’s largely a good thing. I still think they tend to rely on filler tracks or noise too frequently, but the good definitely outweighs the bad. This was easily my favorite EP of 2019 and is definitely worth mentioning for this list.

#15

UNWED SAILOR: “Heavy Age”

released May 3 via Current Taste / Johnathan Ford

Man, was I really looking forward to this one. My favorite band releasing their first full-length album in 11 years? And their first new music in 6 years in general? What could go wrong? Not much, to be honest, but I felt overall underwhelmed with “Heavy Age”. Most of the songs run together or could use editing instead of just repeating passes ad naseum. Also, the 13-minute-plus album closer “When You Want Me There” is largely meandering and pointless. Still, I love Johnathan Ford and his merry band of musicians for a reason, and there are definitely quality songs and moments on this record. I worry that I might be including them here out of obligation, but it still was better than other records I left off my list this year. The band has also already announced another new record in 2020, and I’ll go into that with the same reckless abandon of excitement as I did this album.

#14

SOMOS: “Prison On A Hill”

released August 30 via Tiny Engines

I really, really, really wanted to love this record. Boston’s Somos had been teasing this album’s progress for over a year, and their previous releases have been some of my favorite pop and punk from the decade. I’m not always the biggest proponent of politically charged art, but Somos always did it in a way that was sensible and understated. Unfortunately, this album’s release came prematurely due to tragic passing of guitarist Phil Haggerty. The band was able to put out the album earlier than anticipated with all funding going to Haggerty’s funeral expenses and family, which was a wonderful move by record label Tiny Engines. The album doesn’t feel rushed or unfinished, but is a bit too muddled and all-over-the-place for my liking. Longtime drummer Evan Deges left the band prior to the recording of “Prison”, and Somos decided to go the route of programmed drums instead of a session musician or new band member. The result is sadly a bit soulless, although it does compliment some of the more electronic leans in the band’s sound as well. The truly sad thing is that this will most likely be the last release by this band per their social media and interviews post-release, and I wish that tragedy would not have struck them during a time of a seemingly musical lack of focus.

#13

COUNTERPARTS: “Nothing Left to Love”

released November 1 via Pure Noise Records

I’ve been a huge fan of these Canadian melodic hardcore mainstays for ages, but I wasn’t crazy about their last release, 2017′s “You’re Not You Anymore”. Two of my favorite members (drummer Kelly Bilal and guitarist Jesse Doreen) quit the band right before it came out, and the resulting record felt unpolished and rushed. Thankfully, a bit more seasoning for the new members on the road and in the studio seems to have worked wonders, as “Nothing Left to Love” is back on the quality path for these bruisers. I’ve always adored vocalist Brendan Murphy’s delivery, and it’s legit stunning that he still has a throat after years of brutal barking, let alone how good it sounds on this release. Additionally, the band has a clever skill of interweaving cool triplets or other rhythms and complex structures underneath otherwise traditional breakdowns or song structures, which puts them in rarified air in a traditionally by-the-numbers genre. All this said, the title track / album closer sort of ruins the album for me. It’s essentially an unnecessary clean, polished filler track and feels tacked on to extend the length of the record, and I almost always skip it. Still, it was excellent to hear these guys back on their game, and I’m excited to see where they go from here.

#12

STATE FAULTS: “Clairvoyant”

released June 21 via No Sleep Records

I can’t say that this is the most original record I’ve ever heard. Anyone who is a fan of Deafheaven or any similar noisy / thrashy metal outfits will certainly find this sound familiar. However, it’s done with an unabashed energy and brutality alongside a sincerity that is truly refreshing. There’s a fascinating rawness to both Johnny Andrew’s shrieking vocals and the utter cacophony his bandmates whip up throughout their songs. The dedication to melody throughout everything also makes the songs memorable. This album caught me completely out of nowhere via an Anthony Fantano shoutout and resonated in all its ugly glory.

#11

KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD: “Fishing For Fishies”

released April 26 via Flightless Records / ATO Records

Speaking of the Internet’s Busiest Music Nerd, I first heard of these Australian weirdos thru the Needle Drop’s channel, but didn’t really fully deep dive into their prolific catalogue until this year. The fact that they released 2 full-length albums in 2019 is impressive enough (let alone releasing FIVE in 2017), but it’s jaw-dropping that the two most recent efforts are on complete opposite ends in terms of sound and genre. I personally prefer the blues-rock goodness of “Fishies” to the thrash-metal leanings of “Infest The Rat’s Nest”, but unending respect to these dudes for managing to pull both off convincingly. . The album closer “Cyboogie” is a bit too overlong and bizarre for me, but it works as a nice transition to the concepts the band bring out for “Infest The Rat’s Nest”, so I get where they are coming from. This album has some of the most infectious grooves and blues guitar riffs I’ve heard while passing along a necessary message on environmental concerns and conservationalism. The serious bits aren’t require, though, and it’s certainly plenty of fun to kick out the jams and enjoy the ride.

#10

INFANT ANNIHILATOR: “The Battle of Yaldabaoth”

Self-released by the band on September 11

Ok, ok...I get it. Most people will dismiss these grindcore hooligans as an internet joke band. That’s really what I went into this record expecting: Absurd lyrics, hilarious-yet-impressive vocals, blistering blastbeats, etc. I was instead greeted by one of the impressive and intricate technical death metal albums I’ve experienced. Vocalist Dickie Allen truly outdoes himself with his quite frankly ridiculous vocal range, but Eddie Pickard truly deserves credit for the album’s newfound ventures. His guitar and bass work is over-the-top but mesmerizing, and the riffs and structures he crafts here are all sorts of brilliant. As funny as it feels to type out, this band really needs to be taken seriously, or at the very least should be commended for leaning into the joke and delivering something complex, disgusting and awe-inspiring.

JIMMY EAT WORLD: “Surviving”

released October 18 via Exotic Location and RCA Records

Speaking of things I didn’t see coming this year...I adore Jimmy Eat World. “Clarity” is one of my favorite albums of all time, but I’ve largely fallen off keeping up with the band’s recent releases. Some good friends (+realfriends) talked up their latest and 10th release, “Surviving”, so I picked it up out of curiosity and was stunned at how competent and compelling it is. I even love the song with no obvious guitars or drums that I would have probably normally panned as a grab at radio airplay (”555��), and generally find the album to be completely badass. Kudos to JEW for proving they still belong in the upper echelon of emo and rock.

THE GET UP KIDS: “Problems”

released May 10 via Polyvinyl Record Co.

...speaking of comeback records...well, maybe that’s not quite accurate, but this was another surprise from a band I grew up loving that had largely lapses in my regular rotation. I guess 2019 had a theme of revisiting bands of my youth due to them reforming, doing anniversary tours, or releasing new music for the first time in ages. The Get Up Kids fly back to the heights of old with a manic punk barrage of joy. It’s probably my fault for not keeping tabs on these guys, but this record is gutsy and charming and lovely. It’s not really reinventing the wheel, but GUK basically constructed the wheel to begin with, so we really owe them more credit all around.

BARS OF GOLD: “Shelters”

released April 12 via Equal Vision Records

Bars of Gold have been an enigma of sorts throughout their existence. Largely well-known due to rising from the ashes of indie / screamo miasma BEARVSSHARK, the band is content to rest on their laurels and release music and play shows whenever they feel like it, largely due to family and other commitments. This leaves fans like me tripping over their own feet whenever something does come out. The Michiganders truly feel like a group of dads finding the one day a month when they all have a free evening to plug in their guitars and whip up some chaos, and it’s always fun to see the results. Marc Paffi has also always been one of my favorite vocalists, so the opportunity to hear his wacky lyrics and throat is always cherished. Here’s hoping we don’t need to wait 5 or so years for another album, but patience has been rewarded with these guys.

ORIGAMI ANGEL: “Somewhere City”

released November 15th via Chatterbot Records

Props to my buddy Steve Lee for turning me on to this band (as well as 2 others in my top 5). Origami Angel are one of those bands that defies logic: “How can two dudes make so much noise?”, “How can he play guitar like that while singing?”, “How did these guys put out one of the best indie rock records of the year seemingly out of nowhere?”, etc. Regardless of any questions, I was floored by this album and it was definitely the band I listened to the most for the last part of the year. It’s catchy, diverse, well-rounded and doesn’t overstay its welcome by being just under 30 minutes long with all the fat trimmed off. What more could you want?

PEDRO THE LION: “Phoenix”

released January 18 via Polyvinyl Record Co.

I had a strange moment at some point this year where I found a YouTube video of David Bazan performing a song from Pedro The Lion’s first release (2001′s It’s Hard To Find a Friend”). I was struck by how different his voice sounded nearly 2 decades later thanks to touring and life in general. It certainly was not a bad change, but just one that struck me as a sign of the passage of time. That sort of nostalgia and reflection is all over “Phoenix”, which is largely Bazan dusting off his childhood diary and describing memories of his hometown, tales of school, church, regret, family, plans and tragedies. It’s a celebration of memories, lessons learned and where one comes from, and Bazan’s direct delivery and brilliant-yet-understated lyrics paint perfect pictures. Hopefully it doesn’t take us over a decade for another Pedro release, but Bazan and company cement their status as songwriters and storytellers with this release.

PUP: “Morbid Stuff”

released April 5 via Rise Records and Little Dipper

PUP was a new phenomenon for me this year. These Canadian rockers are full of piss and vinegar, supercharging a sound that is simultaneously infectious and off-putting in the best possible way. They take a genre that can be same-y and repetitive and inject a lesser band’s whole back-catalogues’ worth of creativity and energy, leaving the listener enthralled and endlessly guessing what will happen next. Vocalist Stefan Babcock takes some getting used to, but his permanent-sneer delivery and slam poetry has a charm that compliments his playful and honest lyrics. However, it’s the moments where he busts out of his speak-singing or general hollering to delivery a super catchy hook or chorus that truly put him at another level and proves PUP to be one of the most exciting things to happen in the punk and rock genre.

MASKED INTRUDER: “III”

released March 1 via Pure Noise Records

With the exception of Unwed Sailor, this was my most anticipated record of 2019. Masked Intruder is one of those bands I listen to constantly. I usually default to putting my iTunes or Spotify on shuffle, and find it always makes me happier. For “III” the band hotwired their usual fun, tongue-in-cheek poperpop and craft a pretty perfect record in the process. Previous MI albums had a skippable track here and there, but this one is all killer, no filler. I’ve always adored the underlying Motown or doo-wop foundations in their songwriting and vocal harmonies, which add a timeless throwback quality to their song structures. The heart-on-sleeve lonely lyrics and constant references to petty crimes and best-laid plans are the icing on the top of this sugary musical sundae. It might be irreverent and occasionally basic, but sometimes that is all I wanted in music, and these guys delivered it in spades with this record.

FREE THROW: “What’s Past is Prologue”

released March 29 via Triple Crown Records

From the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, Nashville’s Free Throw released a quality emo record that doesn’t focus on pining for lost loves or revisiting relationship heartbreak and instead dives into one’s personal mental health and well-being. Props to vocalist Cory Castro and the rest of the band for completely baring all and channeling their honesty into this powerhouse album. However, there’s also plenty of diversity in the band’s sound and delivery. No song really sounds like the next, largely thanks to the band employing 3 guitar players who rarely play the same thing as each other. Some emo staples are here, though, such as frenetic drumming, clever tapping riffs, and stripped down moments with just a guitar and Castro’s vocals. All in all, this record makes you feel better about yourself and truly feels like the band came to the same conclusion while making it, which is gargantuan. When Castro belts out “TODAY I FINALLY LEARNED TO SAY I LOVE MYSELF” towards the end of the album-closing title track, you can’t help but root for him in his own journey towards mental health, but to not feel inspiring to do the same for yourself. It will encourage and inspire you, and feels deeply personal and universal all at the same time.

SNOOZE: “Familiaris”

Self-released by the band on May 3

There were so many times during this past year where I’d be driving, doing chores, at the gym or doing some sort of menial task where I’d decide to put on music and stop myself short of putting on this record again. I’d say “OK, you have to listen to something else besides the Snooze album. You’re doing to get sick of it if you keep listening to it this much. We don’t want that to happen.” Despite these odd concerns, I can say that this truly never happened. This album is effortlessly relistenable to me and has become my anti-depressant. I can’t help but feel charged up on happiness and charm while this is playing. It’s so chock full of killer vocal harmonies, clever yet crazy guitar riffs, well-restrained double-bass fills and brilliant song arrangements. It’s also a cyclical record, meaning one song runs right into the next and the end of the album theoretically plays right into the start, which makes turning it off quite difficult indeed. Add to all this the fact that it’s a concept album about how amazing dogs are, and you’re left with a spellbinding listening experience. This is one of the best records I’ve heard this decade, let alone this year, and essentially locked its place as my album of the year during my first playthru. Well done, Snooze. Who’s a good boy?

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thisaintascenereviews · 7 years ago

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Album Review by Bradley Christensen Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory Record Label: Def Jam Release Date: June 23 2017

Vince Staples is a rapper that I’m kind of mixed on, honestly. I really enjoyed the first EP from him that I listened to, 2014’s Hell Can Wait, and it was a great EP that showed a lot of promise from Staples. He was an MC that had a killer flow, as a lot of interesting content and production behind him. He was very honest and blunt about his experiences, especially as a young kid living in a rather dangerous city. I loved how he didn’t glamorize the gangster lifestyle, and instead, he just talked about it. I didn’t care for his debut LP too much, 2015’s Summertime ’06, because it was too long, exhausting, and repetitive. When Staples went in, it was a good record, but a lot of the songs had the same sound, as well as the same ideas. The album being a double album that clocked in at around an hour, well, that didn’t help. I wasn’t too interested in checking out his new, surprise album, Big Fish Theory. He did release an EP last year, but I never checked it out. I might check it out, though, just for kicks, but I wasn’t too interested in this album, because he has been going more into an experimental, artsy, and inaccessible route, so I was hoping that this album wouldn’t be too weird for the sake of being weird. I got curious, though, because I was looking for some new hip-hop albums to get into, and I’ve been toying with the idea of checking it out. I didn’t see much of anything else that I was curious, although I did find a copy of ScHoolboy Q’s latest album, Blank Face LP, but I haven’t spent the proper amount of time with that just yet, since it came out last year. I have spent a lot of time with Big Fish Theory, though, especially since it’s a very short record. I was surprised at how the album’s only 36 minutes, and that’s definitely a strength in the album’s favor.

When it comes to how I feel about the whole album, I’m not sure, actually. I don’t love this album, but I have grown to enjoy it a bit. This LP is a good example of a “grower,” because when I listened to it, I didn’t like it much at all. Big Fish Theory has a weird, experimental, and strange sound that’s a mix between electronic and hip-hop. There’s a lot of very atmospheric electronic stuff going on, and I don’t like that much at all, even though nothing drags on it. It’s just very odd, because there’s no rhyme or reason for it, but when Staples does come in for a verse, or a whole track, he goes hard. His bars are great, and I enjoy the content that he brings to the table, but at the same time, I don’t like a lot of his production. I mean, it’s not horrible, and it’s not outright unlistenable, but it’s not energetic, catchy, or fun. Not that all music needs to be like that, but this sound isn’t what I like when it comes to hip-hop. It’s just not accessible or familiar enough for me to really latch onto. Like I said, though, when it gets more accessible, it’s a very good record, and I enjoy it a lot more, but it’s about half and half. I’m not sure I’d recommend this, especially to fans of more accessible and straightforward hip-hop, because it’s not going to do much for certain people. The experimental electronic stuff won’t sit well with everything, and yeah, I’m not sure I like it much. I mean, I’m happy I listened to this, because it’s a good album, but this album isn’t great. It’s very uneven, weird, and off-putting, but not in a way that I want to come back to it. That is a problem, because Staples sounds great on this album, but a lot of it is dedicated to weird electronic instrumental tracks, and I don’t care about that.

Staples is a talented rapper, though, and this album is good. It’s totally fine for what it is, and the album being short is a plus, like I said earlier. It’s good that this album is very short, because if it went any longer, I don’t know if I would have been able to listen to it for as much as I did. The album’s alright, though, and I’d recommend it to fans of Staples, or fans of more experimental hip-hop. If you’re not a fan of this type of hip-hop, along the weirder lines of the genre, you won’t like this. You might like the stuff that’s more accessible, but that’s about half the album, which can be a problem. Like I said, though, I’m happy that I listened to this, because I would have missed out on a few things. Staples’ bars are good, and the sound can work pretty well, but electronic music has never been my thing, even when it’s a bit weirder, but the two styles here just don’t mix that well for me, so I’m not looking to come back to this album that much. It’s a good album to listen to, though, if I need something quick to listen to, but even then, it’s not an album that I’m dying to come back to every day. There are certain albums that I keep coming back to all the time, and I’m excited to listen to every day, but this isn’t one of them. This album is important in one aspect, though – hip-hop is doing pretty well in 2017. I hate it when people say that hip-hop is dying, or something stupid like that, because it’s not. We got albums from The Empty House, Kendrick Lamar, Jarren Benton, Joey Bada$$, Oddisee, Big Boi, David Banner, and tons more MCs that are really good, or absolutely fantastic, and Vince Staples is doing something different, so at the very least, I can respect that, because it’s good to hear some different things.

#vince staples #big fish theory #the big fish theory #summertime '06 #hell can wait #hip-hop #rap #west coast hip-hop

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jeffreyshowlive · 8 years ago

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“Swanita Tour Review”

St. Louis very own Smino stopped by Atlanta on his “Swanita Tour” to deliver an electrifying show at the Center Stage – Vinyl venue on 5/10/17. The event sold out eventually with the venue managing to hold about 300 people max at standing capacity for the upcoming rapper that can also sang. If you plan to attend the Smino concert this spring, keep in mind that most venues are general admission so if you want a good spot you have to come when doors open no reserve seating. The show actually starts at 8:00 p.m., Smino is a part of the group Zero Fatigue where they individually make music but also collaborate sometimes. Bari was the first man to come out as I walked into the venue and from my good friend Ashley she stated that his rapping was off key from the beat, I don’t know if it was supposed to be like that but it didn’t sound right according to my friend. Luckily if it wasn’t supposed to be like that we have opening acts to take the sacrifice so that production can correct it and have it ready before it’s time for the main act. I wasn’t fully into Bari but it wasn’t because of him it was because my charger cord stopped working on the way to the venue and I only had 2% and I was freaking out how I would get footage from the show and take notes. So I literally asked everyone in the venue for a charging cord until I found one and I have to remember that you can bring in flash canon cameras to the Center Stage- Vinyl venue for all that’s wondering. Jay2 was the next opening act to come out and perform around 8:30 p.m. for his opening set and now that my phone is charging an hour before Smino is scheduled to hit the stage, I can enjoy his performance set. Jay2 was my favorite opening act of the 3 because his songs were actually mad catchy, I didn’t catch the name of them unfortunately but the hooks of his songs will lead me now to check into him further. Jay2 also had more of a stage presence out of the 3 where he really got the crowd to participate of course they weren’t so welcoming at first but eventually it was easy for them to sing along and just let lose maybe it was the drinks. The third and final opening act was Jean Deaux who is rumored to be dating Smino but that’s not the main focus. I like Jean aggressively knowing what she wants in terms of letting the band know when to turn volumes up and went to slow things down it displayed a strong sense of confidence. Jean performance was cool at times and felt like she had a few songs that you can move to but it’s to note that she was off-key more than once without coming off nervous. Deux has a unique voice and a scat that can be effective if utilized correctly. Unfortunately, Deux went on right before Smino at 9:00 p.m. so the crowd at this point was getting impatient and wanting her to get off the stage so they can view the main act.

SMINO LIVE!

Smino hits the stage at 9:40 p.m. about ten minutes after Jean set finished and he had a full band on stage joining him that consisted of drums, bass guitar, another guitar, keyboard, and a DJ. Smino is one of the few people that I’ve seen on concert that had two visible background singers joining him on stage as well which was different for me and I liked it. Smino stage looked cluttered as fuck with the large number of people that joined him on stage but luckily it was all for the music so one they started performing in unison it didn’t matter who all was on stage because they sounded so good. Smino came out with an introduction like we didn’t know who he was but I think that his opening acts from Zero Fatigue should take a page from his book when it comes to introductions because when the acts came out they immediately started performing without saying who they were which wasn’t cool. Smino has his signature comb in his hair while on stage and interestingly enough there’s always a market in something, he was selling combs at the merchandise table along with hats and shirts. The show kicked off with Smino performing “blkswn” of his debut album on crutches and all and the entire crowd was shocked that he kicked the show off with this song but excited to sing along with him. Smino is a very theatrical performer using his hands and ad-libbing to keep the crowd attention and he let it known that even though on crutches he can put on a damn show. The American rapper had this demeanor to him like one of the cocky cool kids from high school that looked untouchable but he would talk to anyone and just wanted everyone to feel good and be a part of something. Smino numerous times had the crowd singing along to his verses, clapping their hands, waving their hands from side to side, and lighting up the venue even. You could definitely see during this show that Smino wasn’t a selfish man and don’t want to be on the top by himself but he would rather help all his closest friends get on as well because he understands that it’s a group effort and that it takes a lot for all this success to come together a team. Throughout the entire show although Smino played with the infamous “ATLHOE” chant he spent even more time hyping the crowd with “Zero Fatigue” chants which really signature his dedication and love for his team. One of my favorite performances of the night was “Spitshine” because Smino had no playback during the show and he was just jamming with the band directing them on the song arrangement as he performed not only thing song but majority of his songs in its entirety as we danced and sang along. The crowd was very excited to hear some of their favorite songs from his EP and album brought to life being sincere fans and hearing Smino storytelling about some of the tracks was a true treat to the fans. Smino took time to explain his injury in Michigan that led to him being on crutches and the one time he didn’t have a condom but still smashed which is mad relatable, it just really showed how interactive and vulnerable he was with the crowd. I have to say this Smino made eye contact with me at the very beginning of the show to say what’s up with eyes during his first performance and once again mid show when he asked me to put my hands in the air aggressively.

Smino displayed on this night in Atlanta how incredibly humble he is buy paying homage to St. Louis and performing some of Nelly popular tracks that the crowd sang along to. However arguably the best moment of the night was when Smino not only a rapper but vocalist in his own right as well decided to cover “Chopped & Screwed” and eventually stopped to bring out the icon known as T-Pain. T-Pain is a true innovator in this industry and deserves all the respect and praise he get when he received a loud pop within the venue. T-Pain claimed this was his first time performing with auto-tune at this show but I don’t believe that but BY GOD –T-Pain has some AMAZING VOCALS. As T-Pain was getting ready to leave and gave credit to Smino we managed to get one more song from him when he not only SANG “Can’t Believe It” but he performed it while playing the piano with an impromptu band, THE POWER OF MUSIC! The fact that I got to see T-Pain live for about $15 makes this AN AMAZING SHOW ON TOP OF WHAT SMINO GAVE US, THANK YOU! Song of the night was “Netflix & Dusse” the crowd went absolutely nuts and Smino did an excellent job of performing it. All in all if Smino is coming to your city, please go and experience this man because if he can put on a great show in Atlanta on crutches he will do wonders for you with his GOOD MUSIC!

#smino #zero fatigue #rap #rnb #music #concert #liveconcert #atlanta #atlantanightlife #t-pain #centerstage #blog #vlog #vlogger #blogger #hip hop

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richmegavideo · 6 years ago

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Nas & Travis Scott Discuss The Power Of Hip-Hop & Why Its Messages Cannot Be Stopped

Erick Sermon sometimes gets more credit for his production than his rhymes. However, for more than 30 years, the double-threat has penned some lyrics that are forever tattooed on the Hip-Hop consciousness. That has been true with EPMD, Def Squad, and alone. The MC who once proclaimed “I wish music would adopt me” has more than proven his dedication.

Now, only two months removed from a freestyle single that saw him pair with DJ Gumba on “CHILL” (embedded below) the Long Island, NY spitter is at it again. Appropriately, “Give It To Em,” a signature Erick Sermon-produced track, bleeds the funk and flair we’ve grown accustomed.

Erick Sermon & Big K.R.I.T. Join Forces To Celebrate Southern Women (Audio)

After warming up his vocals and shouting out his return to form alongside Gumba for the second time in as many months, the legendary talent takes time to address emcees who have lost their way. “Ya time’s up/ you were hot a couple of summers / Yes, the kids used to look up to you / What happened? (that’s not the way to do it) ya singin’ now, you ain’t rappin’,” spits the Green-Eyed Bandit.

Immediately after that, he admits to being a workaholic – a trait that has seen him continue to push the envelope in various musical environments (Fresh, Priority, Dreamworks, Universal, etc.), and collaborations, including his most renowned days with EPMD. More than 30 years removed from his first musical endeavor, work ethic is something The Green-Eyed Bandit’s still respects:

“I love my job, yes, I go to work all the time / I puts in hours with the rhyme / So when I relay it, no need to okay it / They play it when I say it / Any place they’ll pay it / The Rick Rubin of the new school… but who cares, new cars are driven / They ask for more, and more is what I give em.”

Erick Sermon Details EPMD’s Terrible 1st Contract & How They Got The Big Payback

Having been away from the game since his 2015 release, E.S.P. (Erick Sermon’s Perception), E Double provides a fitting reminder of his consistency as he cruises through the second and final verse:

“I stepped away from the game / I wanted back the fame / I wanted back the name / Holla back, I’m the same with a stack / I’m the same in person when I rap / The same muthaf*cka in the trap / I got money, but no need to waste it / I did buy my girl a new bracelet / But not from Jacob, somebody else laced it.”

Diamond D’s New Album Features Erick Sermon, Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli & More

“Give It To Em” and “CHILL” are fitting appetizers to the main course that will be his eighth solo album, Vernia, an ode to his grandmother who died two years ago. The record, which he began recording around the same time period, boasts features among the likes of Styles P, AZ, Shaquille O’Neal, David Banner Too Short, Devin The Dude and more. Last month, E-Double released the Big K.R.I.T.-assisted “That Girl.”

If Gumba and Erick Sermon’s working rapport feels just right, expect more. The Long Island-bred DJ is set to combine the aforementioned tracks with other Def Squad efforts to produce an official mixtape featuring the entire crew.

DJ Premier Discusses The Making Of Gang Starr’s Hard To Earn 25 Years Later

#BonusBeat: DJ Gumba and Erick Sermon’s “CHILL”:

Erick Sermon & Big K.R.I.T. Join Forces To Celebrate Southern Women (Audio)

Erick Sermon Details EPMD’s Terrible 1st Contract & How They Got The Big Payback

Having been away from the game since his 2015 release, E.S.P. (Erick Sermon’s Perception), E Double provides a fitting reminder of his consistency as he cruises through the second and final verse:

Diamond D’s New Album Features Erick Sermon, Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli & More

DJ Premier Discusses The Making Of Gang Starr’s Hard To Earn 25 Years Later

#BonusBeat: DJ Gumba and Erick Sermon’s “CHILL”:

In 2017, Nas and Travis Scott worked together alongside DJ Khaled for video single “It’s Secured” (embedded below). On paper, these artists may seem to represent different corners of Rap music, even while both have close collaborative ties to Kanye West.

Nas burst on the scene in the early 1990s. His debut album, Illmatic, appeased many purists, from The Source magazine to the readers of Ambrosia For Heads (who crowned it the Greatest Rap Album Of All-Time back in 2016). Nas’ most beloved music fits in the canon of East Coast boom-bap. The 45-year-old MC paints vivid pictures with words. Although he tends to shun the spotlight at times, his art often presents introspective lyrics deal with a bygone era of New York City, street crime, and overcoming a grim existence to becoming a mogul.

Nas Sounds Truly Inspired On A Beautiful New Song With Amy Winehouse

Meanwhile, Travis Scott is from Houston, Texas. His music often defies genre. This 26-year-old sings, raps, and sometimes breaks into an all-out Rock Star display in his elaborate stage shows. Scott has a child as well as an ongoing relationship with Kylie Jenner, making him part of the globe’s most prominent celebrity family. Last year’s Astroworld topped the charts with a concoction of music that blends Rap, R&B, Psychedelic Rock, EDM, Screw music, and more. AFH selected it among last year’s best.

However, Nas and Travis Scott have plenty in common, as a conversation moderated by Playboy‘ Marcus Reeves shows. These two artists sit together in the back of a Bentley with L’s burning. Their discussion is about Hip-Hop, and how it continues to evolve and move with the same principles and purpose.

Cormega Breaks Down His Evocative New EP & Why The Fans Matter The Most

Scott praises Nas’ era. “I’m guessing Hip-Hop used to be about bars and just a unique flow over beats. It was like straight soul, and man, you’re telling your story; it was just bar to bar, killing it, and not really about anything being catchy. It was just really raw,” he says. “The past generation knocked down so many doors where, you know, they were spitting a lot of pain, man. They was dealing with a lot of police stuff. We’re still dealing with that now, but it wasn’t so free. Now we got more of a voice at the label. We can kind of put out our own music whenever. You and I could do a song during this interview and upload it right now if we wanted to.”

Nas reacts, “That’s right. Being an MC or a rapper, you got to change with the times. I can stay me, sure, but the challenge is to stay with what’s going on. If you look at the great ones from back then, a lot of them have four albums; they had short careers. That’s changed now.” He also comments, “You said it was once about writing down the pain and all of that. Nowadays the pain has changed. We’re after different things. We broke past the barriers. We understand what we need to do and we’re in control of what we’re doing, and no one can stop it now. No one can tell us what to do, what we can’t do. Rap music can’t be stopped now.”

Nas Demands A Second Look At His Album With A Stunning Short Film (Video)

Mentioning Scott’s action figure, Nas tells Travis he wishes he could execute things like that during the ’90s. He also explains how he admires the artist’s attitude towards the spotlight. “You [have been] doing something I wish I did when I was in my twenties, which was not giving the camera much. If you go back to one of the interviews I did on Video Music Box, I don’t look at the camera that much. Through the years, I would do award shows or whatever, and then I would skip the red carpet. The record label would be mad at me, that I’m up here and I’m selling all these units, and I won’t even walk the carpet. When you cover your face, so you don’t look down, I think, Damn, I wish…I live vicariously through you when you do that, bro, because I feel you on that. You [are] here to do the music and leave your stain on this world. Whether you be in front of them cameras or not, you don’t even care.” Scott agrees, despite his defacto celebrity status. “I don’t care. That’s my whole sh*t, bro. It’s about the music. I just express what a kid my age is going through in a time.”

Scott goes on to describe his expressive nature. Whereas Nas has made songs like “Sly Fox” and “What Goes Around,” Scott admits that he is careful to be about activism in his bars. “I wouldn’t say I don’t feel compelled to speak on political issues; sometimes you just don’t want to speak too much on stuff you don’t know much about. It’s not like I’m not thinking about what’s going on in the world. I’m an expressive artist, but with media and sh*t, it gets misconstrued. As I’m sitting with you right now, I’m still figuring this out, you know?”

Travis Scott’s Sick New Visual Shows How Great Music Videos Can Still Be (Video)

Nas responds, “Politics definitely affects the way I think, but the way I write is my day-to-day life. I did a song talking about daughters, because I have a daughter. ‘Daughters’ was nominated for a Grammy. I feel it—that’s why I wrote it—but I had no idea it would be acknowledged like that when it came out. So I write about day-to-day stuff, and I don’t plan to write anything political, because then it’s forced. It ain’t a natural expression.” Moments later, he adds, “Ray Charles and Billie Holiday and all of those great acts were entertaining and going through worse times than now. They were inspiring us. When Michael Jackson did Thriller, that was during Reaganomics. He gave us something to look at other than the politics, the propaganda, the lies. He gave us inspiration.” He praises efforts like Astroworld in a challenging political climate. “The politicians want our full attention. They’re hustling. I’m not getting caught up in that. I make music about life, and life comes before politics.”

The conversation closes with the two men talking about the sport of Rap. “This sh*t is a blood sport,” says Nas. “This sh*t ain’t easy. This is one of the hardest games ever. I love it right now because it’s testing you. What are you made of? Can you survive? What do you have to offer in 2019?” The MC who famously called sleep “the cousin of death” has not shifted his stance. “Because the moment you sleep, the moment you blink your eyes too long, your spot is taken. And that’s the excitement of it.”

Dave Chappelle Teaches Will Smith How To Do Standup Comedy (Video)

Travis reacts, “There’s no barrier. There’s just so much of a flow of things that we’re trying to—we’re gettin’ it out, and we’re expressing it in a different way: what’s happening during our time in life, what’s happening in the streets.”

Heads who want to see vintage footage from Video Music Box can experience and support it at AFH TV. We are currently offering free 30-day trials.

Andrew Yang Is The Rakim Of Politics (Video)

#BonusBeat: DJ Khaled, Nas, and Travis Scott’s “It’s Secured”:

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Nas Sounds Truly Inspired On A Beautiful New Song With Amy Winehouse

Cormega Breaks Down His Evocative New EP & Why The Fans Matter The Most

Nas Demands A Second Look At His Album With A Stunning Short Film (Video)

Travis Scott’s Sick New Visual Shows How Great Music Videos Can Still Be (Video)

Dave Chappelle Teaches Will Smith How To Do Standup Comedy (Video)

Heads who want to see vintage footage from Video Music Box can experience and support it at AFH TV. We are currently offering free 30-day trials.

Andrew Yang Is The Rakim Of Politics (Video)

#BonusBeat: DJ Khaled, Nas, and Travis Scott’s “It’s Secured”:

youtube

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