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therappundit · 7 years ago

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November 2017 - *PlayLi$t of the Month*

Real talk: 2017 has been a rough year.

Speaking both globally and personally, the news events of the last twelve months have really made it challenging to be an optimist in today’s world. Picture what the year-end TV montage is going to look like this year before the ball drops? It’s going to be a straight-up horror show jumping from clip to clip of some of the most depressing highlights imaginable.

That all being said, musically speaking there is a lot to be thankful for this year. Take this playlist for example, reflecting a nice mix of hip-hop talent from all across the country. From household names to names that I’m not even too familiar with, the last month has treated us to a cornucopia of rap diversity worth celebrating. So have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you enjoy my November PlayLi$t of the Month…

1. “Bulletproof Gucci Windshield” - Fly Anakin, Koncept Jack$on & Tuamie

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/panama-plus/1295998624

(While I have been checking for new stuff from the VA collective, I had not been eagerly awaiting a new album from the Mutant Academy folks. With their Soundcloud loosies still in my rotation from over the last few months, I did not think that Fly, Koncept and Tuamie would bless us with such a well-constructed, but still very raw underground hip-hop album, yet here they are to snag the #1 spot on this month’s list. Let it be known that Tuamie is a force to be reckoned with behind the boards, as he conjures up ways to put fresh spins on old boom-bap that bring to mind some of the vibes that DJ Spinna and Jay Dilla were able to infuse into their work. And the MC’s sound potent throughout, spitting bars at a clip that sound fierce, but without losing the vibe that these guys love to rap. Picture D.I.T.C. with some dashes of Gang Starr, Lootpack and even C-N-N, and you have a handle on why this album is easy to rock from start to finish. Keep your eyes glued on the Virginia underground rap scene for the foreseeable future, you won’t be disappointed.)

2. “Free” - CyHi The Prynce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtTgM1OUR-8

(Having long past the point where G.O.O.D Music fans were asking “hey when’s CyHi dropping?”, I would never have expected CyHi to bless us all with what sounds like it may be one of the best hip-hop albums of 2017. More than any other rap artist this Fall, CyHi perfectly timed his release to come after the wave of highly anticipated big label releases, but before the big holiday push. CyHi shows us sooooo much on this album, it is ridiculous! From his storytelling skills, to quote-worthy bars, to crafting actually songs with a point, to spiritual themes, production choices and features, the dude manages to do everything right on No Dope On Sundays. I waffled between several song choices for this slot, but ultimately went with “Free” because it’s one of the sparsest instrumentals on the album, which provides welcome room for CyHi to flex his pen game, which is his most impressive instrument of all...and perhaps G.O.O.D’s secret weapon.)

3. “R.N.H.” - Jayy Grams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzy02h-SoJM

(I know very, very little about Jayy Grams except that he is coming out of the criminally slept-on - but recently thriving - Baltimore rap scene. I heard this song on Hot97′s Real Late with Peter Rosenberg a few weeks ago, and then immediately took to the internet to find out more. The instrumental on “Real N***a Hours” sounds more like the type of soulful backdrop that would have appeared on Nas’ Lost Tapes, a classic late night head-nodder that you can only be used for two things: zoning out after a tough day, or deep, nostalgic reflection. Whatever you choose to do with this one, just make sure you follow Jayy Grams and play this one at night...I happen to be nursing a gin and tonic and listening to it right now!)

4. “Traveling Light” - Talib Kweli feat. Anderson.Paak & Kaytranda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kfxkZoSzPk

(The new joint featuring Jay Electronica off of Talib’s new Radio Silence album will get more love since Jay Elec only comes out of his cave once or twice a year nowadays, but this song right here holds up to the best of Kweli’s kwatalog. Perhaps his best adrenaline-laced track since “Move Something”, it’s so great to hear Talib drop energized music like this again - in fact I highly recommend the whole album from start to finish.)

5. “Our Streets” - DJ Premier feat. A$AP Ferg

https://soundcloud.com/dj_premier/dj-premier-feat-aap-ferg-our-streets-produced-by-dj-premier

(Did you see this coming? I sure didn’t envision the concept of DJ Premier joining forces with the most unpredictable member of the A$AP Mob. Ferg represents both the old and new school so well on this one, spitting bars with substance without checking his madcap charisma at the bar. Not one of my favorite Primo beats ever, but certainly dope enough to please fans of both classic boom-bap and the new school turn-up crowd.)

6. “Rap Saved Me” - 21 Savage, Offset & Metro Boomin feat. Quavo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK9rgGmrH7I

(One of a few unexpected treats to drop this past Halloween. 21 Savage and the Migos gang already have a strong catalog of catchy joints with Metro Boomin behind the boards, and this is certainly one of the strongest cuts off of Savage, Offset & Boomin’s aptly titled Without Warning tape. Nothing groundbreaking on this project...just a steady line-up of bass heavy trap tunes that sound decent enough through headphones, but street-shaking through car speakers. Something about 21′s chilly flow works for me more often than not, and this one definitely works as one of the more polished efforts from the four talents.)

7. “Down State” - WESTSIDE GUNN feat. Benny & Styles P

https://soundcloud.com/westsidegunn/06-down-state-ft-styles-p-and-benny-prod-by-daringer?in=westsidegunn/sets/hitler-wears-hermes-5

(Another month, another display of Griselda Records flexing their muscle. Westside Gunn closed October by dropping the 5th installment of his now classic Hitler Wears Hermes series, and this joint is an obvious standout. SP and Benny are an especially potent combo, considering that for my money Benny is the best street music poet since artists like the Lox and Beanie Sigel were sitting at the top of the food chain.)

8. “Walk” - Young M.A

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

(I never gave up on Young M.A, and I never thought for a minute that all she had to offer was “Ooouuu”. What makes M.A’s music sound so convincing is the same skill-set that enabled Cardi B. to become a superstar: the ability to sound casual and believable on tracks, like every verse is an effortless freestyle that arrived following a shot of Henny and bottled-up feelings that simply must be released. “Walk” doesn’t have a catchy hook like “Ooouuu”, but it does pack a steady head-nodder of a beat for M.A to cruise over, and cruise she does. Brooklyn can be proud of this one.)

9. “Once Upon A Time” - The Diplomats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h9wRBzaqwc

(For any east coast rap fans over the age of 25, turn your nostalgia dials up to eleven for this one. Cam’ron, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones have done a handful of tracks since they split up, but not many have successfully rekindled the classic Dipset vibe quite like this one. Equipped with a trademark soulful, high-pitched Heatmakerz instrumental, the Diplomats sound as fresh as ever on this one. Check out Killa Cam’s latest tape too while you’re at it - The Program: http://www.datpiff.com/Camron-The-Program-mixtape.870785.html .)

10. “The Light” - Big K.R.I.T. feat. Bilal, Robert Glasper Jr , Kenneth Whalum & Burniss Earl Travis II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=047nimeOEAw

(Welcome back, King. Big K.R.I.T. took on the challenge that few MC’s have succeeded at, and that was dropping a really good double-album. Dripping with Southern-fried soul and ready to spill his guts on each and every song, K.R.I.T. packs so much heart into this album that it may be a long time before we can all fully digest it. That being said, I didn’t have to sit through “The Light” for too long before I declared it one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have heard on a rap album in recent years. Combining the meandering brilliance of jazz with the depth of live instrumentation and the Mississippi rapper’s deliberate voice, this is easily one of my favorite songs off of 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time.)

*Honorable Mention - Bonus Cut*

“Horn Play” - ChanHays feat. Roc Marciano, Ghettosocks & Meyhem Lauren

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-vik0eU1wE

(A month ago I had not heard of the Canadian producer, but I promise to stay tuned to ChanHays’ future work after listening to his Here album. The project is stacked with top-notch stars of the underground hip-hop realm, and this dope little gem features two of the best torchbearers of the classic NYC rap sound in Roc Marciano & Meyhem Lauren. Definitely cop this whole project, it’s a no-brainer.)

“War Drums” - Meyhem Lauren & DJ Muggs feat. Hologram & Benny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCT8zIwZGws

(Speaking of Meyhem, his project with legendary Cypress Hill producer DJ Muggs is not to be slept on. Even with strong features from Roc Marci, Action Bronson, and the late great Sean Price, it’s this hard joint with Benny and Meyhem’s brother Hologram that make for my favorite cut off of Gems From The Equinox.)

“Mandatory Drug Test” - Moneybagg Yo & NBA Youngboy feat. Young Thug

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5M8QdU2KAQ

(When some of the biggest names from Louisiana, Atlanta and Memphis’ modern rap scenes get together, it’s usually safe to say that you’re in for a bouncy trap-anthem. Moneybagg & Youngboy dropped a surprise project this month that really seemed to bring out the best in one another. The hungry young talents flashed enough flow, personality and hunger to put over some tracks which would be indistinguishable in lesser hands. Thugga jumps in for some fun on this one, and the result is a strong little thumper that pulls ahead of some of the more repetitive fair on their solid Fed’s Baby tape.)

“2809” - Yo Gotti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReAWz0kZJ0A

(Before Moneybagg, Yo Gotti was buzzing in the Memphis underground and slowly building a catalog of mixtapes stuffed with catchy tunes. Gotti has finally garnered household-name status in recent years, and in spite of a fairly low ceiling he has managed to deliver a steady flow of strong singles for years now. “2809″ is one of my favorite tracks from his recent I Still Am album, and like much of his music it showcases a deep appreciation for surviving a perilous lifestyle without losing an ounce of pride for where he comes from.)

Still In Heavy Rotation (can’t stop, won’t stop, eh-eh):

4:44 by JAY-Z

http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-z-4-44-upcoming-album-new-mixtape.117283.html

Rosebudd’s Revenge by Roc Marciano

http://onsmash.com/music/roc-marciano-rosebudds-revenge-album-stream/

[ICYMI: Last month’s list below]

https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/166616081671/october-2017-playli-t-of-the-month

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morttodea · 2 years ago

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I haven’t made a headcanon here in a while so here this! okay it’s not really headcanon but like an update on birbor- I never really understood what birbor had to bring to the table other than ‘Bor 86 on the insect factor’ because bor’s technically a bird in their bug boss form. So I was thinking making that fella a whole knoxling on their own, named Onna’ril! they got a air/oneiric(dreams n nightmares!)/sand elements!~ I gotta work more on them, but I already made a playlist for them with some themes I got a hold of and plus some tidbits!

-They journey vibes, so they got a cloak n stuff! -they’re a new air knoxonk(a term which I gotta get into!), -they work as a messenger of sorts (or a delivery lad like Hermes and the like) -Onna’ril don’t poof around like Bor does, they make portals that open up to the dream world they can walk into and walk back out!~ Looks like a door, but can’t be entered by people who they don’t rlly trust much! -their element(mostly oneiric) is expressed with a chance of their face being either blank or shifting! Those who’s more experienced on lucid dreaming can see onna’s face properly, those who don’t or don’t dream at all their face may have a face blind moment with them! -Keeping that potoo/roc gryph still there! though their cat half is og species, Nerifen-leur(basically like a dire Cheshire cat)! -always seen with their eyes ‘closed’, much like uwu, but when they open their eyes it’s.. pretty jarring as potoos goes-

#like I know I have a multi blog- but what if- what if-??#what if multi of knoxonks(lings)#inactive roachie #if they give Shara Ishvalda vibes you're correct! I see it too now OTL #GOD THEY EVEN GOT THE FINGER WINGS;#roachiecanons

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leloest · 3 years ago

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2021 Best Rap Albums/Mixtapes

1. Tyler, The Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST 2. Kanye West – Donda 3. Genesis Owusu - Smiling with No Teeth 4. Armand Hammer x The Alchemist – Haram 5. Kota the Friend x Statik Selektah - To Kill A Sunrise 6. Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert 7. Conway the Machine - La Maquina 8. Lloyd Banks - The Course of the Inevitable 9. Nas - Magic 10. Nas - King's Disease II 11. Ransom – Se7en 12. Russ – Chomp 2 13. J. Cole - The Off-Season 14. Th1rt3en x Pharoahe Monch - A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism 15. Mick Jenkins – Elephant In The Room 16. Wale - Folarin II 17. Westside Gunn - Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf 18. Blu – The Color Blu(e) 19. Blxckie – B4now 20. Big K.R.I.T. - A Style Not Quite Free 21. Baby Keem - The Melodic Blue 22. IDK - USEE4YOURSELF 23. JPEGMAFIA – LP! 24. Isaiah Rashad - The House Is Burning 25. Flee Lord & Roc Marciano – Delgado 26. HRSMN - The Last Ride 27. Lil Baby & Lil Durk - The Voice of the Heroes 28. Hus Kingpin – Portishus 29. Benny The Butcher - Pyrex Picasso 30. BROCKHAMPTON - ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE 31. Bronze Nazareth x Recognize Ali - Brother Minutester, Vol. 1 32. Injury Reserve - By the Time I Get to Phoenix 33. DMX – Exodus 34. Ka - A Martyr's Reward 35. Lute - Gold Mouf 36. Mach-Hommy - Pray For Haiti 37. Vince Staples - Vince Staples 38. Vakill - God's Gun 39. Benny the Butcher & Harry Fraud - The Plugs I Met 2 40. Boldy James & The Alchemist - Bo Jackson 41. Slowthai – TYRON 42. Phora - Heartbreak Hotel 43. Mickey Factz x blu x Nottz - The Narrative 44. Common - A Beautiful Revolution, Pt. 2 45. Lou From Paradise x Statik Selektah - Not Dead Yet! 46. Megan Thee Stallion - Something for Thee Hotties 47. Page Kennedy – Page 48. Styles P & Havoc - Wreckage Manner 49. Gucci Mane - Ice Daddy 50. Drake – CLB

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wyattvsmusic · 5 years ago

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Westside Gunn - Pray For Paris ALBUM REVIEW

For the past 4 years, it seems like every year has been a Griselda takeover. Westside Gunn, Conway and Benny The Butcher put out at least 5 projects a year between the 3 of them and they really are one of the prime examples of consistency in Hip Hop. You know what you’re gonna get from these guys: bars on bars on bars over dirty boom bap beats. While these guys stay true to the Buffalo sound that they created, they do have projects that sound different. I can definitely understand some of the criticism about a lot of their songs sounding the same as my biggest complaint about Flygod Is An Awesome God was that it sounded too similar to other songs in Westside Gunn’s extensive catalog. You know what you’re gonna get every time with Griselda and that’s not a bad thing at all. It would be kind of weird if Westside decided to do an Awaken, My Love! or a Rebirth. They know what their fans want and they are guaranteed to deliver. The debut Griselda album on Shady Records, WWCD, consisted of no sampling on the production which is bold for a group that uses samples almost exclusively for their beats. Westside Gunn prides himself in how quickly he can make great music and the inspiration behind his latest album, Pray For Paris happened to him not too long ago. A few months ago, Westside Gunn finally was approved to travel outside the country because he’s a convicted felon and one of his first stops was Paris for Paris Fashion Week. He was so inspired by the his trip to Paris, he started recording what was set to be an EP but turned out to be an album. I’ve been to Paris and I can see how some of the songs could have been inspired by Paris. I’ve noticed this on WWCD and Hitler Wears Hermes 7 but I didn’t fully think about it until I heard Pray For Paris that the beats are a lot more polished and sound mastered differently from the earlier Griselda classics. I’ve heard Westside rap over piano beats like George Bondo and French Toast before on songs like Lookin Like The Greatest, 94 Ghost Shit, and Eric B but these two beats have something two them that sounds a lot more expensive. The song Allah Sent Me reminded me a bit of Dinner Plate from Hall & Nash. Some beats on this album sound like classic Griselda but I don’t think I have ever heard Westside Gunn rap over a beat like Euro Step before. That song was fucking sick. There wasn’t much to that beat but it was super dope. Westside has some pretty historic collabs on this album as well. 327 has features from both Joey Bada$$ and Tyler, The Creator. In my CJ Fly review, I expressed wanting to have more Pro Era & Griselda collabs so this was a dream come true. Also, Odd Future were on MTV once many years back and FaceTimed Joey Bada$$ when he was still in High School so it’s cool to see it come full circle on this song. The beat is super laidback and before any of them started rapping, I could picture all 3 of them spitting on it. Joey Bada$$ killed it and Tyler hasn’t rapped like this probably since Cherry Bomb. I was glad to see Wale on this album because Wale can actually rap. Maybe we’ll see a wrestling-themed collab with Westside, Wale and Smoke DZA one day. One of the songs I was hyped for when I saw the tracklist was $500 Ounces with Freddie Gibbs and Roc Marciano and it did not disappoint at all. Much like what I said about 327, this song has one of those beats that is perfect for all 3 rappers. I’m surprised this is the first time we’re hearing Gibbs and Westside and Gibbs and Roc. Versace has a beat so soulful, it would have made a perfect Amherst Station 4. I was excited to hear the drop from Raw Is Flygod on Claiborne Kick as that is one of the most underrated WSG songs. For those who don’t know, Raw Is Flygod is a 14-minute track that Westside dropped a while back. I don’t think Westside Gunn has deepened his voice like that since Suede Mutumbos from HWH1 but I think it was to give Boldy James his shine. Westside Gunn and Boldy James first linked up last year on It’s Possible from HWH7. The first time I heard Boldy James was in 2013 and he has the perfect voice for rapping. I’ve kept tabs on his music since then but this year, he really reached his full potential this year with his second Alchemist collab album, The Price Of Tea In China. It is rumored that Boldy has signed to Griselda, making him the only artist not from Buffalo on the label but that is great news if it is true because it seems like Boldy is only now unlocking his potential even though he’s been at it for a while. Not too long ago, Griselda also signed Buffalo rapper Armani Caesar but I was wondering why she isn’t on the song. Keisha Plum of course is on Pray For Paris to deliver one of her fantastic poems. In addition to his feature on 327, Tyler, The Creator also produced Party Wit Pop Smoke has such a dope beat. I could picture Tyler spitting on this and I could picture Westside sounding good on various beats that Tyler has made like Rusty, Pigs, A Boy Is A Gun, Smuckers, Buffalo and Bimmer. Alchemist, Daringer and Camouflage Monk produced on the album like usual and DJ Premier produced Shawn vs. Flair which features some of the best rapping from WSG on the entire album. I was thinking about that as I listened to the whole album and I know Westside raps great on every project he’s put out but on some projects you can tell he’s putting in more effort to rhyme and have dope punchlines and this is one of those projects. Pray For Paris is probably Westside Gunn’s best release since Supreme Blientele and also the first time anyone has had tap dancing on a Hip Hop album before. What’s so crazy is that this album is so great but it’s only Westside’s first offering scheduled for the year. He is going to be putting out his Shady Records debut in June or July, dropping Hall & Nash 2 with Conway on September 11, dropping Hitler Wears Hermes 8 on Halloween like usual, and dropping his Madlib collab Gunnlib in December. That’s not even mentioning what Conway and Benny have stored for us this year. I hope Westside Gunn gets to travel more so he can make more dope music like this inspired by his travels because the music is that fucking great.

Fav Tracks: George Bondo, 327, Euro Step, $500 Ounces, Party Wit Pop Smoke

#Westside Gunn #Pray For Paris #Griselda #GxFR #Conway #Benny The Butcher #Joey Bada$$#Tyler The Creator #Wale #Freddie Gibbs #Roc Marciano #Boldy James #Keisha Plum #Alchemist #Daringer #DJ Premier

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fuckyeahabocado · 5 years ago

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2020年おすすめ新譜アルバムVol. 24：Westside Gunn「Pray for Paris」

新譜アルバム紹介Vol. 24です。

今回紹介するのは、NYのラッパーのWestside Gunnがリリースした「Pray for Paris」です。ジャケットをクリックすると購入先へ飛びます。

Westside GunnはNY出身のラッパーで、コレクティヴ兼レーベルのGriseldaに所属しています。

05年に初のミックステープ「Flyest Nigga in Charge Vol. 1」を発表。以降は12年の「Hitler Wears Hermes」などミックステープを数枚発表し、16年には1stアルバム「FLYGOD」をリリースします。その後もConway the MachineやMF DOOMらとのタッグ作など、多くの作品を発表。17年にはShady Recordsと契約し、18年には2ndアルバム「Supreme Blientele」をリリースします。19年には3rdアルバム「Flygod Is An Awesome God」もリリースし、Roc Nationとも契約。また、その他にも多くのミックステープを発表しており、Griseldaでも19年のアルバム「WWCD」のリリースなど精力的に活動を行っています。

AZあたりを思わせる、華のある高音が魅力のラッパーです。武骨でタイトなフロウやゆるめのフロウを使い、「ブブブブブブブ」や「エイヨー」などのアドリブも多用して賑やかに聴かせます、サウンド的にはブーンバップ系のものが中心です。

今作はハードボイルドな「WWCD」とは雰囲気の違う、ソウルフルなものやメロウな路線が目立つ作品です。多彩な客演を迎えつつも、自身の濃厚なラップの魅力を活かした快作に仕上がっています。静岡のプロデューサー、Bohemia Lynchの参加もポイント。

3. George Bondo Feat. Conway the Machine & BENNY the BUTCHER

Beat Butchaプロデュース。

サンプリング感強めなピアノのループに、太いドラムを合わせたブーンバップです。フックなしのシンプルな構成で、三人のラップが堪能できます。

4. 327 Feat. Joey Bada$$, Tyler, The Creator & Billie Essco

Camoflauge Monk制作のクールなメロウ。

落ち着いたウワモノと控えめなドラムが心地良い好曲です。Billie Esscoのゆるい歌フックを挟みつつ、濃いマイクリレーが楽しめます。

5. French Toast Feat. Wale & Joyce Wrice

シンプルで美しいピアノループのブーンバップ。

Westside Gunnの必殺技の名前を言うみたいなラップがインパクト大ですが、Waleも軽快で楽しそうなラップを聴かせてくれます。Joyce Wriceの美声も絶妙。

7. Allah Sent Me Feat. BENNY the BUTCHER & Conway the Machine

Daringerプロデュース。

Mobb Deepを遅くしたような、ハードボイルドなGriseldaマナーの曲です。Westside Gunnの技名叫びラップも炸裂。Conway the Machineのチンピラ感強めなラップもお気に入りです。

8. $500 Ounces Feat. Freddie Gibbs & Roc Marciano

The Alchemist制作のソウルフル路線。

Roc Maricianoに合わせたのか、ドラムがかなり控えめなシンプルなビートです。燻し銀のマイクリレーが堪能できます。

10. Claiborne Kick Feat. Boldy James

再びThe Alchemist制作曲。

ソウルフルな歌をループしたドラムレスのチルめな曲です。Boldy Jamesの低音��ラップもばっちり。Westside Gunnの声はアドリブ以外はずっと低速加工されています。

11. Shawn vs. Flair

DJ Premierプロデュース。

骨太なドラムにミニマルなループ、スクラッチが効いたいかにもな曲です。主役もタイトなラップで聴かせます。

13. LE Djoliba Feat. Cartier William

静岡のプロデューサー、Bohemia Lynch制作のユニークな曲。

歌声とベースのループが目立つドラムレスのビートです。客演のCartier Williamはタップダンサーで、Westside Gunnのヴァース後にタップダンスを披露。ビートにパーカッシヴな効果を加えています。

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flyrtreynolds · 5 years ago

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WESTSIDE GUNN ALBUM REVIEW (7.3/10)

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently boasted that the Buffalo Bills are the only true-blue NY football team, as they’re the only one that actually plays in-state. (Both the Giants and Jets play in a stadium in New Jersey). Buffalo rapper Westside Gunn has been trumpeting a similar claim in the realm of rap, dubbing himself the “New King of New York” despite being from a city upstate that’s more known for its snowfall than hip-hop. But while MCs from the NYC boroughs have tried to shake the dust off their sound with trap hi-hats, Gunn and his Griselda Records cohorts have proudly embraced the loops and drum breaks of the city’s “Golden Age” and revamped them. So much so that the richest rapper to ever make it out of Brooklyn recently gave them a management deal.

On Hitler Wears Hermes 7, the formula doesn’t change, with Gunn rapping ruthlessly about life on the streets of Buffalo over glistening barely touched samples. With each edition of the series, the bars seem to get a little harder, the beats a little prettier, and Gunn’s persona comes further into focus. The project opens with DJ Drama, whose Gangsta Grillz mixtapes once served as proclamations of stardom for artists like Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy, decreeing that the “Buffalo kids done did it.” It’s a sentiment Gunn circles back to often on Hermes 7 with crass lines like, “First nigga in my city with a Rolls/Fuck two bad bitches at the Lowe’s,” injecting a conventional rap boast with some of his hometown’s blue-collar attitude.

Gunn’s voice is a nasally high-pitched yap, somewhere between Brooklyn rappers AZ and Troy Ave, and is perfectly tuned for talking shit. “At the Roc Nation brunch with my tool on, don’t disrespect us,” he cooly warns on “GONDEK.” Elsewhere, on “Connie’s Son,” he crows that he’s “made half at least half a mil’ ridin’ Mega buses,” a clever reference to the cheap bus service that’s been exposed more than once as a tool used by traffickers to run drugs across state lines. Griselda crew members Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher show up to deliver equally gritty verses, as well as a surprisingly in-form Fat Joe, who harkens back to his DITC days on “Kelly’s Korner” by lamenting how he once got his hand put in a meat grinder for stealing a mafia Don’s car.

The production, handled by a who’s who of boom-bap aficionados like Alchemist, Statik Selektah and Griselda in-house producer Daringer, is as lovely as the lyrics are ugly. The swirling keys on “Broadway Jones” sound more like something jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi laid down for A Charlie Brown Christmas than a backdrop to an ode to cooking crack. The soaring vocal sample on the frontend of “Undertaker vs. Goldberg,” meanwhile, throws Gunn’s violent “doot, doot, doot, doot” adlibs into a warm swirl. The only moments the beats come up short are when their simplicity veers into redundancy, like a few minutes into “Undertaker,” which could have been bolstered by some drums.

This could be said for other aspects of Hermes 7 as well, a project that’s endearingly straightforward but has a firm ceiling as a result. By its midpoint, you pretty much know how each song will unfold, a one-note dish that’s tasty on first bite but starts to lose its flavor by the end. Make no mistake, this is who Westside Gunn is: He makes one kind of song and does it well. Putting out a niche product has ironically led him, along with the rest of Griselda Records, to a larger audience. But even recipes for success can be improved upon.

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/westside-gunn-hitler-wears-hermes-7/

#westside gunn #pitchfork #griselda #hitler wears Hermes

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drewschermickblindone · 2 years ago

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blindone- b2

BALAM ACAB- Just Stay

Braille- The Find

Short Fuze & NASA- Sun Crusher

Gel Roc & DJ JahBluez- Puzzle Fits feat. Quaesar

Steel Tipped Dove; elucid- Warner Wolf

Akrobatik- Rekless Abandon Ft. Reks & Chilla Jones

Themselves- Darkskydemo (Remixed By Fog)

Atmosphere feat. cuts by DJ Plain Ol' Bill- The Old Style

tachichi and fatt matt- the kid dont play ft. cee

caspian mumblz and grafhic- sound the horn

illogic- Violent Verbiage

Willie Green- The Mental Wizard feat. PremRock & Milo

darc mind- hope to dare

L'Orange & Namir Blade- Gassed Up feat. Fly Anakin

busdriver- sun shower

brainorchestra- Pink Panther (Prod. By Brainorchestra.)

Kunga 219, Azrealian, Josh Martinez- ol' lady love songs

Wavy Da Ghawd- Finish Ya Plate feat. Passport Rav

DJ Silence feat.Thorts & Heirmax- Tardigrade

Kitz Willman- Email from the Old Country

Alias- Three Phase Irony

Elucid- Bunny Chow

C MONEY BURNS- ACTIVE SHOPPER ACTIVE SHOOTER

Celph Titled- Phantasmagoria (feat. Araknophobix, DutchMassive, Maleko & Raj)

Beans- Deathsweater (producer_ Nobody)

Joshua Virtue- Guud Joke (Post Faith Dialogues)

Sleep Sinatra- Hermes feat. Maze Overlay

ambition jay bizzy ghettosocks thesis sahib and ginzuintriplicate- the mackay bridge is over(feat. aquakultre seanone&tachichi)

Randal Bravery, Joshuea Virtue- Elegy for Scratch

Bigmcenroe & Yy- Triangle

Ialive- The Onion Flesh (feat. Unsung)

Basik MC-Chalkboard Strategy (feat. The Imaginitive Eye & Perfecto)

Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice- Hollow Akira

Boards Of Canada- Alpha Rainbow

0 notes

the-noneblog · 6 years ago

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Top Hip Hop Albums of 2018

My annual list of my favorite albums of this past year (links included). ENJOY!

Skyzoo - "In Celebration Of..." Evidence - "Weather Or Not" Black Milk - "FEVER" Khyrsis & Elzhi - "Jericho Jackson" Exile - "Baker's Dozen" Phonte - "No News Is Good News" Apathy - "The Widow's Son" Roc Marci - "Rosebud's Revenge 2: The Bitter Dope" Common, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins - "August Greene" Calvin Valentine - "Plush Seats" Bishop Nehru - "Elevators: Act I & II" Blu & Shafiq Husayn - "The Blueprint" Kooley High - "Never Come Down" Bumpy Knuckles & Nottz - "Pop Duke Vol. 1" Nick Grant - "Dreaming Out Loud" Pawz One & Robin Da Landlord - "Sell Me A Dream: Flowstalgia" Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge - "The Midnight Hour" L'Orange & Solemn Brigham - "Marlowe" Kool G Rap & 38 Spesh - "Son of G Rap" Westside Gunn - "Supreme Blientele" Noveliss - "Cerebral Apex" Ghostface Killah - "The Lost Tapes" Sadat X & El Da Sensei - "XL" Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz - "Mona Lisa" Masta Ace & Marco Polo - "A Breukelen Story" Roc Marciano - "Behold A Dark Horse" Reckonize Real & Guilty Simpson - "Carved From Stone" Black Thought - "Streams of Thought Vol. 2" Benny The Butcher - "Tana Talk 3" Conway - Everybody Is F.O.O.D. 2 - "Eat What U Kill" Westside Gunn - "Hitler Wears Hermes 6"

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chanharleyart · 3 years ago

Photo

Cover Artwork for remix EP “ Greetings from Buenos Aires. Sincerly Adolf Hitler” for Buffalo rapper/CEO Westside Gunn, said to accompany his latest LP “Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerly Adolf” from Griselda/Roc Nation.

0 notes

ruvelli · 2 years ago

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Castle Swimmer x Final Fantasy VIII AU Update

Update to the list (almost have a full character roster now)

Some minor plot stuff to share.

Ships are:

SuscaShoal

KappaSiren

GalooMono

Not Yet Used Castle Swimmer Characters:

Seko and other sharks not listed might just be random SeeD.

Herm

Castle Swimmer FFVIII: (? = May not even use this person)

Headmaster Cid - Susca

Edea - Shoal

Squall - Siren

Zell - Pagoon

Xu - Pim

Quistis - Neth (Does NOT have a crush on Siren, does NOT lose teaching position)

Raine/Ellone - Galoo (Has Ellone purpose but also a grown woman who helps the Octos out in the flashbacks, as well as temporarily acted as an orphanage aid while in hiding for a while?)

Rinoa - Kappa

Angelo - Worm/Arp

Dr. Kadowaki - Nee and Krilli (Mostly Nee)

Combo Irvine/Selphie - Silver

Seifer - Fizz (NOT Kappa’s ex)

Laguna - Mucku

Kiros - Neth

Ward - Mono

Ultimecia - Jengu

Adel - Labbu

Fujin and Raijin - Fean and Finley

Biggs and Wedge - Reesha and Roc

General Caraway - (NOT Kappa’s dad)

Deling - Tunny

NORG - Ogo

Dr. Odine - Whisker

Nida - Skiff

PLOT:

There is still a Destined Children prophecy like in the game. Galoo during her time in the orphanage foresees it, as well as what will happen if it’s ignored/not met. Susca wanted to prevent her child having to head a wholeass war, but it was also her husband’s “last wish” to fulfill the prophecy. She continued with the plans they made and hoped to arm Siren as best she could for the coming hardships.

Everyone knows not to mess with Pagoon and Pim.

Pim is also a teacher at the Garden. Gets along with Neth/they’re practically Work Wives (tho Pim is straight and Neth is still asexual, so platonic wifeys).

Siren finds out with the rest what his parents are up to and who the sorcerer is.

One scene during the break out fighting in the garden, Siren bites another person on the shoulder (always gotta have him have them sharky teeth~) and as blood is dribbling down gestures to the next person as if they’re being invited in. Person runs, horrified. Gross, but most “peaceful” method to end things immediately. Siren then has to wash his mouth out because the guy tasted like he hadn’t bathed in a week.

#castle swimmer #final fantasy viii #final fantasy 8

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therappundit · 5 years ago

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***The Best Rap Songs of 2019 - A Pundit PlayLi$t***

THE YEAR IS 2019.

The rap music genre has splintered multiple times into sub-sub genres, and the line between what is considered “real” hip-hop and what is considered 🗑️ begins to grow sharper and sharper. Hate grows on both sides, as heads - both old and new - collide over which rap songs should be considered worthy of praise, and which ones may be merely capitalizing on the social media trends of the day...

Enter THE Rap Pundit, a purist that is open to all lanes of rap music - provided those lanes are well represented with quality. That Pundit is me.

This year was harder than most because it was a mix of so many different impressive styles...with the exception of mainstream rap music. No Drake, no Kendrick, no Hov or Nas on the list this year, but what you will find are a ton of talented young artists inspired by them, and many other first ballot rap hall of famers. So while the mainstream waned, the underground absolutely feasted in 2019.

Here is the criteria I tried to use for this year’s rankings:

the song had to be in my regular rotation by 12/20/2019 (otherwise, I simply could not have had the time to truly experience it)

I aimed my rankings with the following prioritization in mind: 75% of my decision based on personal favoritism, 20% based on overall quality within the sub-genre regardless of whether or not I listen to it regularly (is it a vapid strip club joint? Then be the best strip club joint you can be!), and 5% based on overall impact (YES, how often a song comes up in conversation with my fellow peers does make a difference - welcome to the culture)

believe it or not, there was an honest attempt at making the most diverse list possible (because in reality if this list was just personal favorites, then the whole list would consist of Griselda, Roc, Mach, Mutant Academy & other underground all-stars from all over the east coast...but seriously, the underground straight massacred the mainstream biz this year)

Again, I have 200+ additional songs I love that I could easily have added on top of this one, but I think this list is plenty long enough as it is, am I right?

Enjoy...because I know I certainly have enjoyed listening to this unparalleled lengthy scroll of dope rap songs that dropped in 2019. 🙏

1. “Palmolive” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Pusha T & Killer Mike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSn_r2w-idg

(A terrific verse from Freddie, a great hook from Killer Mike, and a verse of the year calibre contribution from Pusha T, all over a soulful Madlib back-drop?? Yikes. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib made all rap fans very proud in 2019.)

2. “Ricky” - Denzel Curry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WHm6tfvKlk

(As soon as you press play, you can feel the humidity coming off of this song as if we were in the crowd with Curry down in Florida. Denzel delivered a wonderful homage to his father, and to the Carol City of which he hails.)

3. “Crown For Kings” - Benny feat. Black Thought

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtTu_TC3f6A

(Black Thought and Griselda?? Bars on top of bars on top of bars…two verse of the year contenders, easily.)

4. “Glorious” - Skyzoo & Pete Rock

https://soundcloud.com/skyzoomusic/glorious?in=skyzoomusic/sets/retropolitan-1

(Want to hear an impressive way to kick off a great album? Look no further than Sky’s scathingly hot verse on “Glorious”, a track that lives up to its’ name.)

5. “I.G.W.T.” - Roc Marciano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz5W9LztqZs

(The instrumental alone makes for a quintessential Roc Marci soundtrack, an early standout off of Marcielago. That first beat is magical.)

6. “Crime Pays” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/crime-pays?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(So quintessential to Bandana’s vibe this thing feels like it has a pulse. I was listening to this on my walk home the other day and it put me in such a breezy headspace...I can’t even describe it any other way than simply saying it’s another classic Madlib production.)

7. “5 to 50” - Benny feat. India

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

(Captivating. Benny and The Alchemist join forces to concoct a song so real it makes 90% of drug dealer talk in rap music sound phony.)

8. “Thank God” - Tree

https://soundcloud.com/mctreeg/thank-god?in=mctreeg/sets/wegrownnow

(Tree’s We Grown Now is such a great album. This song perfectly captures the gifts of the legendary Chicago MC, who I consider one of the genre’s unsung special talents. It’s worth a New Year’s Resolution to get familiar with Tree’s catalogue.)

9. “Funeral March (The Dirge)” - Your Old Droog feat. Mach-Hommy

https://soundcloud.com/your-old-droog/funeral-march-the-dirge-feat?in=your-old-droog/sets/it-wasnt-even-close-1

(One of the hardest sounding songs in recent memory. I can hear these two do this all day, a great example of the tremendous work both artists put into 2019.)

10. “Freestyle Shit” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/freestyle-s-t?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(Pffffew, that Gibbs delivery….right from the get-go with the album’s first song, it’s so clear that Bandana is a special project.)

11. “Ephesians” - Roc Marciano feat. Ka

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pWWHYd_SBI

(METAL CLERGY RAP.....if I need to say anymore about this joint, than you and I simply don’t roll in the same rap circles.)

12. “It’s All Good” - Skyzoo & Pete Rock

https://soundcloud.com/skyzoomusic/its-all-good?in=skyzoomusic/sets/retropolitan-1

(The gorgeous first single off Retropolitan feels like liquid nostalgia and summers in NYC, without sounding the least bit dated.)

13. “Situations” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/situations?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(One of Bandana’s more minimalistic instrumentals, and it takes off thanks to the jet pack provided by Gibbs and his sensational performance on this one.)

14. “There U R” - Tree

https://soundcloud.com/mctreeg/there-u-r?in=mctreeg/sets/wegrownnow

(Give this man his flowers now. There are a lot of talented artists in rap music, but none tackle a song like an old Blues man…none except Tree, that is.)

15. “Pete’s Sake” - Conway & Benny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njNKcQx7NSA

(Quite simply one of the most raw beats I have heard in some time. And my favorite Conway verse of 2019.)

16. “Massage Seats” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/massage-seats?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(Smooth as Helllll. “This ain’t for soccer mamas this is for the underground” is right.)

17. “Flights” - Tree

https://soundcloud.com/mctreeg/flights?in=mctreeg/sets/wegrownnow

(Tree kills it with the autobiographical joints, and this soulful walk down memory lane is as enthralling as an audio diary.)

18. “Dr. Bird’s” - Westside Gunn, Conway & Benny (Griselda)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sc3WbLz2IY

(It’s no secret that Griselda Records had a sensational 2019, and no posse cut personifies that better than “Bird’s”.)

19. “Cokewhite” - Goldlink feat. Pusha T

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zCGiHhTxMM

(Another spotlight stealing verse from Pusha Ton, who in limited work, managed to appear everywhere this year in music.)

20. “Funeral” - Tree & Parallel Thought

https://parallelthought1.bandcamp.com/track/funeral

(I hope with all of my heart that songs like this aren’t part of Tree’s process of letting go of the music biz, but even if it is, what a beautiful way to go out.)

21. “Bandana” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Assassin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWCciqqzno4

(While it may not have made the final cut of the Bandana album that shares its’ name, this reggae-tinged, Madlib blessed riot starter has been one of my favorite songs of the year since it dropped and it keeps feeling better to me.)

22. “Homegrown” - Skyzoo & Pete Rock

https://soundcloud.com/skyzoomusic/homegrown?in=skyzoomusic/sets/retropolitan-1

(Another incredibly soulful standout from Retropolitan. When Skyzoo & Pete Rock are performing at the top of their game, both are as potent as it gets within their respective lanes.)

23. “El Toro Combo Meal” - Earl Sweatshirt feat. Mavi

https://soundcloud.com/earlxsweatshirtmusic/el-toro-combo-meal-feat-mavi-prod-by-ovrkast?in=earlxsweatshirtmusic/sets/feet-of-clay

(Two MCs vying for the lo-fi crown are Earl Sweatshirt and Mavi. It is beginning to get confusing to figure out who is the student and who is the teacher here, but regardless, both talented artists flashed a ton of skill in 2019.)

24. “To Whom It May Concern” - Jim Jones feat. Cam'ron, Guordan Banks, Benny The Butcher and Conway

https://soundcloud.com/jim-jones-capo/to-whom-it-may-concern-feat-camron-guordon-banks-benny-the-butcher-conway-the-machine?in=jim-jones-capo/sets/el-capo

(A Dipset and Griselda collaboration is enough to make someone like me get emotional…anyone have a tissue, this Benny-Cam’ron-Conway back to back series is too much to handle!?)

25. “Under The Sun” - J. Cole, Lute & DaBaby (and Kendrick Lamar?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUUuI--jAlM

(The best song off of Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers 3 is the first track. It’s just a straightforward soul loop, but Cole and Lute really shine...but then DaBaby comes through to shine hard enough to blind the first two verses.)

26. “Sunday School” - Benny feat. 38 Spesh & Jadakiss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ero1Xexyhs

(Spesh really killed this great cut off of Benny’s The Plugs I Met, but all three really did their thing.)

27. “Dominate” - DJ Muggs & Eto

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

(Straight menace music. Muggs & Eto would have made Mobb Deep proud with “Dominate”…especially Muggs, this beat is brutal!)

28. “Lucha Bros.” - Westside Gunn feat. Curren$y & Benny

https://soundcloud.com/westsidegunn/lucha-bros-feat-curreny-benny?in=westsidegunn/sets/hitler-wears-hermes-7

(Another crazy banger from Griselda, off of Westside’s fantastic Hitler Wears Hermes 7. Don’t let the smooth vibe force you to overlook the bar-fest on this one.)

29. “Obamacare” - Quelle Chris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-F19d5PcJY

(Another year, another thought provoking Quelle Chris project. He seems to be getting better with age, is that possible?)

30. “Big Uzi Vert” - Fly Anakin & Big Kahuna OG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CxWj6g0DnU

(As with 2018, some of the best rap songs of the year are collaborations from the mighty Mutant Academy. Virginia’s Fly Anakin and Big Kahuna OG both clocked in ready to work in 2019, and they have stacks of great joints to prove it. Anakin’s “I’m from the projects, I don’t skateboard” helped this one push to the front of the Mutant pack.)

31. “Daylight Savings” - Mavi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZTI9YkK_1w

(Mavi really captured the attention of fans and critics alike with Let The Sun Talk. His flow on “Daylight” proves that Mavi is so much more than the copycats you may stumble across on Soundcloud these days.)

32. “Chasing Ghosts” - Your Old Droog feat. Roc Marciano

https://soundcloud.com/your-old-droog/chasing-ghosts-feat-roc?in=your-old-droog/sets/it-wasnt-even-close-1

(What a great example of why these two are so good at what they do. Eerie underground hip-hop at its’ finest - and Roc’s best guest verse of the year.)

33. “Cubicle” - Buddy feat. 03 Greedo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9Yw7i_Fo8

(What a slept-on smash from Buddy and 03 Greedo. Both artists do the West Coast proud with one of my favorite cuts off of the deluxe edition of Harlan & Alondra.)

34. “Education” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Yasiin Bey & Black Thought

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/education-feat-yasiin-bey?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(As if that line-up isn’t enough to make any hip-hop head salivate, it’s even more impressive that the final product manages to meet expectations.)

35. “Wild Minks” - Quelle Chris feat. Mach-Hommy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dQmPX1C0Vk

(Quelle and Mach make beautiful music together, and they don’t come much more beautiful than this one.)

36. “IMG” - Nolan The Ninja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vNvRLIQHVs

(Nolan has blessed us with a number of great songs in 2019, but I think this one epitomizes just how much he has progressed as a rap artist.)

37. “Splinters” - Fly Anakin & Tuamie feat. ANKHLEJOHN & Al.Divino

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

(Just a chilling collaboration from some of the best artists that underground hip-hop has to offer, that’s all.)

38. “Spider Hole” - Billy Woods & Kenny Segal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1WBEi5LlkI

(Beautifully bleak music from Billy Woods and Kenny Segal, who demonstrate brilliant chemistry throughout Hiding Places.)

39. “Deadass” - Kemba

https://soundcloud.com/kembaland/deadass-2

(Unfortunately, in any other era this could have been a hit rap song. But fortunately, in this era it can be praised as one of the best underground smashes of the year from a very good album. Keep an eye on Kemba...)

40. “Dynasties” - Tedy Andreas

https://soundcloud.com/tedyandreas/dynasties-prod-graphwize

(Dope beat, dope MC and a killer hook. I can’t be the only longterm fan that Tedy earned with this one.)

41. “OD” - Earl Sweatshirt

https://soundcloud.com/earlxsweatshirtmusic/od-1

(Say what you want about the length of Earl’s songs, but he can accomplish more with a minute and a half on a record than most rappers can with an hour.)

42. “Still” - Maxo Kream

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Tza0cGrQk

(Maxo may have just dropped the best project of his career, and this woozy thumper is one of his hardest tracks yet.)

43. “18 Wheeler” - Benny feat. Pusha T

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdZC8uBwJ4Q&list=PLVipAi3U-JouPCQvz3KoH2B1VAKAZc7m4&index=6

(At this point, what else needs to be said about the potency of these two rap-writers? Calling it “coke rap” wouldn’t even begin to explain how good these two are when it comes to the art of rapping.)

44. “ZUU” - Denzel Curry

https://soundcloud.com/denzelcurryph/zuu?in=denzelcurryph/sets/zuu-3

(A rousing intro to what I would consider the best “mainstream” rap album of 2019.)

45. “Flat Tummy Tea” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/flat-tummy-tea

(I liked it when it first dropped, love it even more now. Freddie straight MURDERS this one...)

46. “Broke Bitch Dreams” - ShooterGang Kony

https://soundcloud.com/shootergangkony/broke-bitch-dreams

(I knew nothing about ShooterGang Kony at the start of 2019, and I don’t know much more now. But I know that this song has smash written all over it, one of the best ‘cruising with the top down’ joints that I have heard in recent memory. The hook is an ear worm to the point of concern.)

47. “Tito’s Back” - Conway feat. Benny & Westside Gunn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGqViFucmJ8

(Griselda’s top two lyrical assassins doing what they do best, but going back and forth in a manner that not even Styles & Jada could touch.)

48. “Attics” - DJ Muggs & Eto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UmYxcv4YTs

(Sure Muggs & Eto dropped a banger of an album with Hell’s Roof, but “Attics” has the strength to be a career defining track for Eto. This is dark poetry from one of the hungriest parts of upstate NY.)

49. “Under The Train (Transporting)” - Your Old Droog

https://soundcloud.com/your-old-droog/under-the-train-transporting-1

(Droog’s Transportation album may be the perfect traveling companion for moving through the streets of NYC, and this song may be the projects’ crown jewel. This has the feel of a classic New York anthem and I am crazy for it.)

50. “Know The Type” - Lansky Jones feat. CJ Fly & Mr. Muthafuckin’ Exquire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riRJk2QiROI

(What happens when a collection of some of NYC’s most talented, but least heralded MC’s join forces to deliver what sounds like a classic mid-90′s throwback joint? They create one of the smoothest rap songs of 2019.)

51. “NINA” - Rapsody

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54yOD994ors

(Eve raised Rapsody’s discography to a whole other level. A brilliant, pro-woman battle cry that somehow manages to ether the industry while still radiating positivity, Rap pulled together a beautiful collection of songs with this album - and verse of the year contenders, beginning right here with her opening track, the impressive “NINA”.)

52. “Spongebob” - billy woods + kenny segal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83F4JpVu61k

(Segal’s production is perfect background for woods to go to work. If Hiding Places isn’t in your collection, that must change immediately.)

53. “Cash War” - Gunna

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

(Gunna has had a fantastic year, and this song shows why he is a natural hitmaker. Drip or Drown 2 is one of mainstream rap’s finest records of 2019.)

54. “May Store” - Westside Gunn, Conway & Benny feat. Keisha Plum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6kMBwNCAyw

(More dazzling lyrical chemistry from Griselda. Damn Benny, why do you have to murk beats like this? Not even fair to other MC’s at this point.)

55. “HolOnHolOn” - Fly Anakin & Tuamie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCbgGn2BXUc&list=PLAfLqY9BQJkyjUuDAEn7cehQ3DZWAZogX&index=4

(Another fantastic track from Mutant Academy. Is it me or does Tuamie channel some Jay Dee-esque vibes with this one?)

56. “Bad Boys” - Pivot Gang (Joseph Chilliams, Saba, MFnMelo) feat. Smino

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCaBVqi4Rag

(This one didn’t blow up - at least not yet - but I have no idea why!? This track, like so much of Pivot Gang’s You Can’t Sit With Us album, is such a fantastic showcase for Chi-town’s deep hip-hop scene.)

57. “Pop Out” - Polo G feat. Lil TJay

https://soundcloud.com/polo-g/polo-g-feat-lil-tjay-pop-out

(HUGE hit, and rightfully so. So much more than a typical baller anthem, the hook - and more specifically, the performance of Polo G - makes “Pop Out” easily one of the best rap songs on mainstream radio in 2019.)

58. “Field Negro” - Royce Da 5′9″

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK7N63lsoRE

(An unorthodox production anchored by one of the best writers in the history of the genre, that’s all. Royce murders this thing with so many quotables…yet you’re still somehow sleeping on Royce???)

59. “Nobody’s Favorite” - Rick Ross feat. Gunplay

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

(At the top of 2019, would I have predicted that Ross and Gunplay would have dropped one of the best rap songs of the year? No. Is “Nobody’s Favorite” a seriously dope rap song? Without question.)

60. “WYRM” - Quelle Chris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DNS1pXDec0

(Another gorgeous track from a man that low-key has one of the strongest discographies in rap music, Detroit’s Quelle Chris.)

61. “Memorial” - MIKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0czotN8EXQ

(If the lo-fi movement in rap music was a sports team, MIKE deserves to be the team captain. Tears of Joy is an intensely personal album, but amongst the tears there is much to feel joyful about after listening to MIKE’s latest collection of gems.)

62. “4 Clove Club” - Wiki

https://pitchfork.com/levels/wiki-4-clove-club-new-song-listen/

(Few MC’s as unique as Wiki manage to actually create music that is enjoyable to listen to while they are attempting to color outside of conventional lines. Somehow, Wiki seems to get better at this rare skill with every project. An autobiographical album that feels like a disjointed, but musically cohesive diary, what Wiki manages to accomplish with Oofie is wildly impressive.)

63. “PTSD” - Omen, Mereba, Deante' Hitchcock & St. Beauty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWbjiP50Nbg

(One of the most beautiful songs off of ROTD3, but it’s Omen’s verse that tugged most on my heart strings, and snagged a spot on this year’s Best Of list.)

64. “Giannis” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Anderson .Paak

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/giannis-feat-anderson-paak?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(One of the funkier standouts from Bandana, and album full of standouts. Paak and Gibbs tap dance all over this one.)

65. “Baby” - Lil Baby & DaBaby [Quality Control]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GbwYFqN1iE

(A collaboration that at one point, most would have joked about off of name alone, the joke is now on the doubters because both of these Babies can really RAP.)

66. “The Old Groove” - Westside Gunn, Conway & Benny feat. Novel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo-E6Nl-aoE

(Somber - even by Griselda standards - this collaboration off WWCD feels like a victory lap from the best group of gritty MCs since Mobb Deep, Boot Camp, and the Wu Tang Clan.)

67. “The Norm” - Von Pea

https://soundcloud.com/vonpea/08-thenorm

(Von Pea’s City For Sale deserves to be mentioned as another great release in the growing sub-genre that is “rappers warning the rest of the world of the dangers of gentrification”, this record right here captures the message so well and he knocks the production way out the park.)

68. “The Routine” - Wiki

https://soundcloud.com/wikset/10-the-routine

(A bouncy standout from Oofie that has really climbed my own rankings in recent weeks. I love what Wiki was going for with the production aesthetic on this one.)

69. “Playground Bench” - Raz Fresco feat. AZ & BriskInTheHouse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-4wzn2KRVQ

(Bonus points to anyone that caught this joint! A way under the radar AZ feature that warrants more shine. But don’t sleep, Raz Fresco dropped *multiple* dope projects in 2019.)

70. “Smallsteps” - Medhane

https://medhane.bandcamp.com/track/smallsteps

(Another rising star from the depths of the lo-fi underground, Medhane’s Own Pace project is an easy but by no means basic listen from start to finish on the strength of his solid production choices and candor.)

71. “No Love” - Maxo feat. lojii

https://soundcloud.com/rundatbacc/no-love-feat-lojji?in=rundatbacc/sets/lil-big-man-1

(Maxo’s Lil Big Man has made 2019′s ‘Best of’ lists on more than a few sites, and thanks to smooth joints like “No Live” it’s certainly not hard to understand why.)

72. “CLONES” - Tierra Whack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-8qrzg-vgQ

(Walking the fine line between truth and song parody, Tierra may have been imitating her peers with this one, but nevertheless the final result is catchy as hell.)

73. “2/5” - Jay Bel

https://soundcloud.com/groovyxjay/6-2-5-flip-gawd-dre?in=groovyxjay/sets/4wurd-an-anti-gentrification-project

(A lot of folks might not be familiar with Brooklyn’s Jay Bel yet, but that’s going to have to change soon because this kid is too talented to stay under the radar too much longer. 4wurd made for a fantastic introduction.)

74. “Meet Again” - Maxo Kream

https://soundcloud.com/maxo-kream/meet-again

(Another dope Maxo Kream song, another great example of this superb story telling skills.)

75. “Everything” - Little Brother

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krnOMqDjB0k

(A dope Little Brother album in 2019 was not something that anyone had on their itinerary heading into the year. Pooh and Phonte haven’t lost a step, and there are plenty of cuts on May The Lord Watch that feel like classic LB.)

76. “Proceed On” - Fly Anakin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO2mRZTX8XM

(A slick loosie from one of Mutant Academy’s finest.)

77. “Suge” - DaBaby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpmGHn6gB8

(What DaBaby lacks in depth of content, he makes up for with his recognizable flow and sheer charisma.)

78. “Monica” - Flatbush Zombies feat. Tech N9ne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0db9NJhVEA

(One of the more recent additions to this list, it has slowly creeped up the charts on my end - and reminded me of how contagious a Flatbush Zombies joint can be.)

79. “NYC” - Jim Jones feat. Fat Joe

https://soundcloud.com/jim-jones-capo/nyc-feat-fat-joe?in=jim-jones-capo/sets/el-capo

(Just one of a cornucopia of classic-sounding Heatmakerz firecrackers off of Jim Jones’ surprisingly potent El Capo.)

80. “Murray’s” - Fly Anakin & Tuamie feat. Skyzoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYyGTepAhM0&list=PLAfLqY9BQJkyjUuDAEn7cehQ3DZWAZogX&index=8

(Good things happen whenever Skyzoo connects with rising underground stars. Ask Griselda, and now you can ask Mutant Academy, too. This joint might sound basic to the uneducated listener, but for me, Tuamie provided Anakin and Sky with an ideal minimalist back drop to wax poetic over.)

81. “$ream - Rigz (Da Cloth)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piGwjW27ZRQ

(Not just one of Rochester’s finest, Rigz is quite simply one of hip-hop’s finest MC’s. Major props to Da Cloth’s Rigz and Mooch for dropping some tremendous work in 2019.)

82. “Voodoo” - Rome Streetz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g4tfLwlODo

(I don’t know if I have enjoyed any full Rome Streetz project as much as last year’s Street Farmacy, but he has incredible rap music scattered all across 2019. I’m currently enjoying his latest work, Joyeria, but his collaboration with Sadhugold remains my favorite Rome joint of the year...but he absolutely owned anything he spit on. A future NYC MVP right here.)

83. “Scotties” - Westside Gunn, Conway & Benny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn3S89vi_L0

(An off-kilt head nodder off WWCD showcases the unparalleled chemistry of real life brothers Gunn and Conway, and finishes strong with an impeccable verse from cousin Benny.)

84. “Tom Chambers” - Roc Marciano feat. Knowledge The Pirate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB6No8zPsU0

(Roc and Knowledge pass the mic back and forth and completely bar-out on this Marcielago banger...one of several slick tracks off the album that switch-up the beat halfway through the song.)

85. “Big Tipper” - Young Thug feat. Lil Keed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYO28vD5N2A

(Thugga’s So Much Fun was the first Young Thug project that I truly enjoyed. I think it all came together for Thugga on this album, and it’s chockfull of singles. Most folks would tout “Hot” as the early standout, but “Big Tipper” was the one that stood out to me as having the greatest smash potential.)

86. “100,000” - NYM Lo feat. Smoke DZA & 183rd

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

(I would describe this sound as “underground bop”. NYM Lo and DZA show some great track chemistry here, the hook is a dope homage, and 183rd brought his sharpest production tools to the table with this one.)

87. “Lupos” - CRIMEAPPLE

https://crimeapple.bandcamp.com/track/lupos

(Not many MC’s can claim they had a stronger year than New Jersey’s CRIMEAPPLE. Multiple dope projects, some fantastic feature work, and a stack of quotables to his credit, “Lupos” is my top pick from his recent catalogue off the strength of bars like “I hear biting was the best form of flattery, now I’m glad to see some teeth marks in my strategy.”)

88. “Oaks” - BULLIES (Denmark Vessey, DrxQuinnx and Azarias)

https://fxckrxp.bandcamp.com/track/oaks

(A criminally underrated project that stands amongst this year’s finest, Denmark, Quinn & Azarias have fantastic musical chemistry that can be found all across the Bullies album. In another time and another place, Bullies would fit in well alongside Def Jux’s starting line-up.)

89. “Intro” - DaBaby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpR0gTQG8FI

(What a year for DaBaby. Entering the year with mainstream potential, and leaving 2019 as a flat-out star, all he really needed to do to extend his career trajectory at this point was prove that he also had substance as an artist. Well, say hello to the Intro to his KIRK album and consider all questions answered.)

90. “Protons Electrons Always Cause Explosions” - Al.Divino & Estee Nack

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

(One of the more interesting contributions by two of underground hip-hop’s most prolific and exciting MCs’. The duo of Divino and Nack don’t need to back down from any other duo because they are gifted at what they do: hitting fans over the heads with their consistently dope brand of raw rap.)

91. “Skimmin’” - Apollo Brown feat. Nolan The Ninja & Dopehead

https://apollobrown360.bandcamp.com/track/skimmin-feat-nolan-the-ninja-dopehead

(With Sincerely, Detroit, Apollo Brown pulled together one of the strongest compilations of his career. I could have saluted a handful of joints off of this album, but “Skimmin” was my personal favorite, thanks to a great subdued performance by Nolan The Ninja.)

BONUS TRACK: “Mister” - Young Nudy & Pi’erre Bourne feat. 21 Savage

https://soundcloud.com/youngnudy/mister-feat-21-savage?in=youngnudy/sets/slimerre-2

(Just a fun, bouncy collaboration from two of the game’s most unpredictable trap flows. Nudy is Pi’erre’s greatest collaborator - if you were thinking Playboi Carti, there’s no way you read down this far - and there is really something to be said for any rap artist that makes it hard for the listener to guess what they’ll say next. What Savage & Nudy may lack in clever wordplay they make up for in flow, charisma, and catchy hooks.)

***HIGH HONORS [songs that definitely belong in the top 91...so while they might not be the first item packed, consider these joints worthy of smuggling on board the plane for any trip]***:

https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/189803686616/honorable-mention-the-best-rap-songs-of-2019

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ambassademag · 4 years ago

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Benjamin Epps - Fantôme avec Chauffeur : Un échec annoncé? (Chronique Musique)

Cover du EP Fantôme avec Chauffeur de Benjamin Epps x Le Chroniqueur sale

Pour celleux qui ne le connaîtrait pas, Benjamin Epps est un jeune rappeur français dont la popularité n’a fait que grimper ces derniers mois dans le milieu du rap français « underground » (quoi que ce terme veuille dire) mais aussi dans le milieu médiatique.

L’artiste a, en effet, reçu la reconnaissance de certains de ses pairs, de gros journalistes du milieu ainsi que d’une frange croissante du public au fil de ses dernières sorties.

Aujourd’hui a un stade clé de sa carrière, celui de la confirmation, il sort son projet Fantôme avec chauffeur avec le Chroniqueur sale. Ce dernier assure l’intégralité de la partie production du EP (octroyant, de fait, au projet un statut de EP collaboratif) mais cette chronique se concentrera tout de même d’avantage autour de Benjamin Epps.

Car si Benjamin Epps a été attendu au tournant avec ce nouveau projet, une ombre semble planer sur le EP. Cette ombre, c’est celle d’un échec annoncé. Une conclusion prématurée et violente ? C’est ce à quoi nous tenterons de répondre ici.

Critique:

Côté production d’abord, le Chroniqueur Sale livre un travail propre, collant parfaitement a l’esthétique « boom-bap old school » de Benjamin. Les productions sont classiques pour le genre : composées de samples de jazz et d’un bpm plutôt lent, parfois agrémentées de scratchs. Bien que les boucles des samples soient très efficaces, elles sont assez peu mémorables après écoute. De bonnes productions dans l’instant ou le EP tourne dans nos oreilles mais qui ne marquent pas outre-mesure. Or, ce style de production peut s’avérer très marquant, grâce à un travail autour des samples unique comme en témoigne, par exemple, le travail d’Alchemist aux Etats-Unis.

Ces productions efficaces sont donc au service du rappeur, ici Benjamin Epps. Ce dernier démontre un certain style d’écriture toujours d’inspiration « boom-bap old school » mais plus porté vers ce qui s’est fait ces dernières années aux Etats-Unis, chez des rappeurs comme Roc putain de Marciano ou l’écurie Griselda, que dans la France des années Chirac. Des phases courtes, s’enchaînant sans réels thèmes autres que la volonté de réussite, l’argent ou la rue. Néanmoins, au sein des 7 titres qui composent le projet on note des variations notamment sur le morceau Dieu bénisse les enfants. Comme son nom le suggère, ce morceau parle des enfants, de la nécessité de les protéger des dangers dans la rue etc. La forme reste la même mais la thématique varie. De ce fait, bien qu’apportant un vent de fraicheur au sein du disque, la rupture ne paraît pas aussi évidente que, par exemple, sur Olive et Tom de Alpha Wann sur UMLA, qui adoptait une structure de story-telling inédite au sein de l’album. Alors certes, reprocher à Epps de ne pas avoir fait Olive et Tom est non-sensique mais on aurait peut-être apprécié une variation dans le style de rap ET la thématique. Le morceau apporte de la variété mais semble presque être une case d’un cahier des charges comme «faire un morceau différent qui parle des gosses/des meufs/ de recettes de tourte au fromage (cochez votre préférence) »

Imbibé jusqu’à la moelle de ce style old-school ainsi que de ses thématiques égo-trips, le style d’écriture de Epps se doit d’être à la hauteur de ses ambitions. Or, de ce côté, le contrat n’est pas toujours rempli. Bien que le EP soit traversé de certaines fulgurances de formules, de tournures surprenantes on garde surtout en tête des phases faibles se voulant fortes (celle sur Booba, première du premier morceau semble caricaturale d’ego-trip) voire certaines presque affligeantes (celle sur Marine et Diams, se voulant peut-être une attaque envers la fille de collabo mais plus ridicule qu’autre chose et même insultante pour Diams et sa foi, ce qui ne semble pas être le but de base). Epps n’est toutefois pas un tacheron et respecte les attentes du genre. Ses rimes sont majoritairement multi-syllabiques sur quasi toutes les mesures, les références fusent et font souvent mouches. Toutefois, peu de couplets marquent réellement à l’écoute et ces derniers semble bien tous interchangeables. Bien sûr, ceci s’explique par le style de rap, nécessairement répétitif, et par la jeunesse du rappeur, qui a encore tout un avenir de rimes a gratter. Parfois, ces éléments s’entrechoquent dans des moments pas forcément parmi les plus heureux du disque. Le début du deuxième couplet de Groom en est symptomatique de cela. Couplé à une accélération de flow, ces multis-syllabiques tombent dans le piège de « la rime pour la rime », rendant le texte incompréhensible mais au moins ça amusera celleux qui écoutent le rap avec des stabilos.

Le EP n’est donc pas dénué de défauts. Parfois brouillon, il est en grande partie explicable par la jeunesse de l’artiste qui rap certes depuis 2016, mais dont le style s’affirme réellement depuis quelques mois. Le projet n’est pas pour autant désagraéble. On plonge avec plaisir et sans forcer dans ce court projet à l’univers clair et qui tient très souvent ses promesses de EP de rap boom-bap égotrip. Un projet pas parfait, nécessairement, mais loin de la catastrophe qui présage surtout du bon pour l’avenir de Benjamin Epps dans le rap. A mesure que son style s’affinera, les erreurs présentes dans ce projet se feront de moins en moins présente et on pourra donc attendre un très bon disque de l’artiste dans les années à venir.

Mais alors, pourquoi avoir parler « d’échec annoncé » plus haut ? Une conclusion qui semble bien trop sévère et prématurée. Oui… Mais non.

Le sujet qui fâche :

J’ai sciemment évité le sujet jusqu’ici mais lorsque l’on parle de Benjamin Epps vient toujours un autre nom, celui de Westside Gunn.

Cover de la mixtape Hitler Wears Hermes II de Westside Gunn

Bien que le rap étatsunien soit le sujet principal de ce zine, je me permets néanmoins d’introduire qui est Westside Gunn à celleux lisant ce papier sans le connaître.

Westside Gunn est un rappeur originaire de Buffalo dans l’état de New-York aux Etats-Unis. Avec son frère Conway the Machine et leur cousin Benny the Butcher, ils sont les fondateurs et têtes d’affiches du label Griselda Records (cependant aussi fondé par le cousin des trois comparses, Chine Gun, décédé depuis R.I.P). Le label compte aussi des artistes (des génies) tel que Boldy James ou en a compté comme Tha God Fahim ou (le génie) Mach-Hommy.

Figure de proue et même « star » du label (en cela qu’ils ne vendent pas des millions d’albums mais s’est clairement fait un nom dans le rap américain), Westside Gunn est un artiste atypique. Sa proposition musicale en a dérouté (et en déroute toujours) plus d’un. Il officie dans un revival boom-bap new-yorkais, très influencé par les années 90 du rap de la Grosse Pomme. Mais ce n’est pas ce choix de style aux antipodes des standards mainstream des années 2010 qui ont sucité la discorde, mais bien sa voix. En effet, Westside Gunn rappe avec une voix très aiguë, déstabilisante à la première écoute. Certains admettent ce fait et prennent cette caractéristique comme part entière de l’artiste mais, pour d’autres, cette voix n’est juste pas supportable.

Bon, le but de cette chronique n’est pas de s’attarder sur Westside Gunn, sa musique ou Griselda Records (bien que vous nous enjoignons à le faire, pour ceci checkez les liens en fin d’article) mais bien de parler du problème majeur de la musique de Epps, sa « ressemblance » plus que grande avec celle de son homologue américain.

En soit, rien de mal à cela en théorie. En effet, depuis les débuts du rap, les artistes français piochent allégrement outre-Atlantique pour façonner leur musique. Les exemples ne manquent pas (nous y avons même déjà consacré quelques lignes ici même) et c’est un processus tout à fait naturel et sain qu’en tant qu’artiste on s’inspire de ce qui se fat ailleurs et donc aux Etats-Unis. C’est tout de même le pays de naissance de cette musique, un pays très vaste donc regorgeant d’un nombres énormes d’artistes et, par conséquent, de potentielles inspirations. Mais, il semble y avoir une limite entre inspiration et bête copier-coller.

Or, pour beaucoup, notre cher Benjamin a franchi cette ligne. Alors, certes, on pourrait relever les différences entre Le Flingue du Côté Ouest et Benjamin Epps. Cet très bon article de Amélien pour Cul7ure l’a fait. En effet, chez Epps, pas de références au deal de drogue, aux fusillades et aux sapes de luxe caractéristiques de Westside Gunn. Le français remplace cela par de l’égotrip et des tacles à la concurrence. Néanmoins, les similitudes de forme sont trop grosses pour ne pas paraître évidente. Les déjà évoqués beats boom-bap mais aussi la voix, l’esthétique visuelle et même jusqu’au ad-libs. Encore une fois, c’est normal et non dommageable de s’inspirer en tant qu’artiste . Sinon en 2015 les deux tiers du rap français auraient du rendre le flow de Migos et on se serait fait chier. Mais là… C’est trop gros. Et alors il est totalement compréhensible que certain.e.s auditeurices ne veuillent juste pas écouter sa musique. Pourquoi écouter une contrefaçon et pas l’original pourrait on se demander.

Benjamin Epps dans le clip Plié en 5

Mais se faire attaquer par une partie du public pour un potentiel plagiat n’est pas le coeur névralgique du problème aujourd’hui. Car si je parlais « d’échec annoncé » c’était car avec de telles ressemblances, le projet de Benjamin Epps ne pouvait pas convaincre. En effet, avec une telle proximité, la comparaison est plus qu’inévitable, elle est nécessaire. Or, là le bas blesse. Westside Gunn (et toute les autres inspirations de Benjamin Epps) semble définitivement à des années-lumières devant lui. Il n’a pas la technique de Roc Marciano, l’humour de Westside Gunn, la poésie d’un Mach-Hommy ou la violence froide et inquiétante d’un Conway the Machine alors que toutes ces figures planent au dessus de cet EP.

Encore une fois, que des artistes s’inspirent d’autres n’a rien de mal. C’est naturel et cela permet aux artistes de forger LEUR esthétique. Or chez Epps, cette esthétique est encore beaucoup trop proche de ses influences pour ne pas nécessairement souffrir la comparaison. Par conséquent là est l’échec annoncé. Les fans du style Griselda (pour résumer grossièrement) ne retrouveront en Epps qu’une copie de leurs artistes favoris, et celleux qui ne connaîtraient pas seront face à un projet intéressant mais pas parfaitement abouti d’un artiste en construction (alors que ces inspirations livrent un produit bien mieux fini et unique).

Ironiquement, le projet est donc produit par Le Chroniqueur Sale. Or ce dernier, en plus de son travail de beatmaker est un youtubeur rap, qui produit des critiques d’artistes ou d’albums. Et, en mars 2017, à propos du rappeur Django et de son morceau Fichu, il déclarait : « C’est quoi cette parodie de Nekfeu ? […] Ce morceau là (Fichu) c’est même flow, même dégaine, même type d’instru, même voix ; enfin ça c’est pas d’sa faute mais il force, il force dans les graves, c’est l’même ton. Tu peux être influencé mais pas faire du copier-coller, c’est trop. »

Bon, vous l’aurez compris, remplacez « Nekfeu » par Westside Gunn et « voix grave » par voix aigue et vous saisissez l’ironie. Or, dans cette vidéo, Le Chroniqueur sale attaquait, à raison, ce plagiat de Django pour les raisons de volonté de buzz de ce dernier. Django voulant capitaliser sur un public fan de ce style de rap. Mais le soucis est le même chez Epps. Certes, Django plagiait (et plagie toujours hein, S/O le Flem c’est ça?) des artistes ayant un gros public en France afin de capitaliser sur une potentielle large fanbase déjà acquise à son style. Chez Epps, c’est les amateurs « d’underground old-school », et autre auditeurs portés vers l’outre-Atlantique qui sont visés. Le choix se porte ici sur un public plus restreint mais aux codes communs, afin sûrement de s’assurer un statut « OG « , «true hip-hop head » et autres « mmhregardezmoijeconnaisBandcampc’estpasvotrezumbaça ».

Ainsi, cette démarche peut être sources de critiques envers Epps. C’est faux. Elle est déjà source de critiques. En voulant miser sur ce public très spécifique, Epps s’est surtout attiré les foudres d’une partie d’entre eux, pas aveugles sur la tromperie. Or, ce public va presque, de facto, avoir du rejet pour le projet qui prend alors tout l’allure d’une bonne grosse douille. Un genre de film où on aurait mis tout ce que vous aimez sur l’affiche : la saga culte, les acteurs parfaits et le réal idéal mais qui s’avère au final être une grosse merde sous son emballage classe. (Je ne me suis pas remis de Prometheus, c’est acté.)

Et ce rejet, se comprend voire se partage notamment lorsque l’on voit, d’une part, la mauvaise foi d’une partie du public de Epps qui minimise l’influence de Westside Gunn et, d’autre part, la belle autruche que fait Epps en ne le citant jamais nul part, faisant presque mine de ne pas le connaître. Cela à de quoi agaccer.

Mais alors que retenir ? Benjamin Epps est-il condamné à n’être que la pâle copie de Westside Gunn, condamné alors ne jamais dépasser ni même égaler son inspiration première ? Ou alors doit-il évoluer ?

La dessus, nous rejoignons en fait Amélien qui conclue ainsi son papier pour Cul7ure. Benjamin Epps doit évoluer, mieux digérer ses influences pour espérer évoluer.

Or, en ne reconnaissant pas lesdites influences, et en faisant comme si il était le créateur en France de ce style de rap, le jeune rappeur se coupe définitivement d’une partie de son public déjà de niche et se condamne à passer comme à la fois un sale plagieur et une pâle copie.

Il n’est pas de notre volonté de se la jouer Nostradamus ou de tacler gratuitement mais en continuant à agir ainsi, Epps va surtout finir à se faire sucer par le petit monde médiatique du rap (en témoigne ses émissions lives) mais être à détesté par ceux dont il voulait l’approbation première.

Et ça, on peut l’appeler « échec ».

Sources :

- L’article d’Amélien pour Cul7ure que j’évoque dans l’article :

https://cul7ure.fr/parentheses/epps/

- Pour celleux que ça intéresse et qui sont non-anglophones, le très bon site internet Gather.fr a accordé a Westside Gunn et à Griselda en général pour d’articles ou de thread. Voici quelques uns d’entre eux, particulièrement éclairant dans notre cas :

https://twitter.com/i/events/1250837888578793473(leur thread sur Westsude Gunn, sa vie, son œuvre.)

https://twitter.com/i/events/1246944078643765248(leur thread sur le label Griselda en général)

https://2gather.fr/2020/06/07/dossier-westside-gunn-la-saga-hitler-wears-hermes/(un dossier consacré à la saga Hitler Wears Hermes de Westside Gunn. Ils ont fait pleins d’autres critiques d’albums sortis chez Griselda sur leur site.

- Un post reddit se plaignant du plagiat de Epps :

https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/lhqcps/benjamin_epps_kennedy_en_2005_french_rapper/

- Une interview de Benny the Butcher :

https://www.okayplayer.com/music/benny-the-butcher-interview-tana-talk-3-griselda-records.html

(il y parle surtout de ses projets mais aussi du label Griselda en général)

#griselda #westside gunn #conway #benjamin epps #benny the butcher #rapmusic #french

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