Tag: hip-hop

[Rap & Trap Music] 21 Savage – Lord Forgive & Mind Yo Business


21 Savage’s “Slaughter King” is a steady progression of hard, dark trap beats and street lyrics that goes above and beyond its genre cliches.

[Rap & Hip-Hop] [RTS: Real Trap Sh*t]
21 Savage – Lord Forgive (prod. by Fukk 12)

21 Savage – Mind Yo Business

More from 21 Savage

If you’re not familiar with current Atlanta trap music “slaughter king,” 21 Savage shame on you…and me. I was not either until a few months ago back in early Spring. As an old head (or maybe slowly becoming an old fart), I had stopped following this generation of “trap” hip-hop after Chief Keef’s “I Don’t Like” and similar songs dominated airwaves in the past year or two. Of course, here and there I’d hear a song I liked, mostly off of the radio, but I’ve always identified more with “trap” music of the early to mid 2000s (think Gucci Mane, T.I., Lil’ Boosie, Cam’Ron and a host of long fizzled out local ATL groups, like Crime Mob or D4L.

While recently chillin’ with some young bucks in the ATL streets, they did not hesitate to introduce me to the budding rapper. Just as I was with dubstep, trap EDM and IDM music, I did not immediately embrace this new type of music shown to be by friends. Especially as it seemed so braggadocious and over-laden with swag flexing, I initially could not take it seriously. Over time however, I began to hear of Savage more and decided to give his mixtape a listen. What could it hurt, right? Turns out I was glad I did.

I may not fully identify with Slaughter Gang, Chiraq Boys, or this young people’s generation of trapping, drug-dealing, “runnin’ up in them bandos”, pulling heists or other actions that might declare one as hard, but I can identify when music is bumpin’ as fuck (excuse my language, it is necessary here).

Slaughter King: Rating (4.5 out of 5 stars)

21 Savage’s “Slaughter King” is a solid tape full of hard, trap beats and lyrics that actually go above and beyond what I would expect from another trap rapper from ATL’s hoods to come up with. Not to say these rappers or this type of music isn’t ever witty or creative, but as is the problem in many genres (my god, like dubstep) after some time you realize a LOT of it sounds the same.

Thankfully, Savage switches it up with clever lyrics, original if not downright catchy ad-libs (21, 21, 21!!) and hooks. Two of my favorites so far off his December mixtape include “Lord Forgive”: the reflective, but very deep opening trap banger with Savage reminiscing on his come up in the rap game and in urban street life in general. For whatever reason, the instrumental ( masterfully produced by Fukk 12) makes me feel very nostalgic, but also very contemplative. The song definitely immediately feels heavy and while listening to it, as one YouTube commenter put it, “[you] can feel Savage’s pain on the track,” which comes across as sincere and certifiably street.

“MInd Yo Business” is probably one of the catchiest on the tape with a repeating hook (“Mind yo bidness b*tch”) over a similarly hard beat. The track is far more active compared to “Lord Forgive” and is already a favorite among many. There are many other standouts on the mixtape, “Deserve,” “No Peace” and very few boring or even similar sounding songs, save for one or two. Even on those tracks Savage still manages to make them entertaining.

Do yourself a favor (if you’re not an original/true fan of this genre of rap): suspend your judgement and how much you identify with gangsters and hood stars, or even the killers (as Desiigner’s “Panda” would like you to do) and simply enjoy and appreciate the power and feeling behind these trap-heavy numbers. You might be glad you did! Also in similar style of rap, also from Atlanta was Bankoll Fresh who has many now classic releases, following his tragic death in a shooting in March 2016.

 

[Hip-Hop/Rap] [Trap] Dougie F – On Right Now

Check out this chill trap track from New Jersey rapper Dougie F. A definite banger for 2016!


[Hip-Hop/Rap] [Real Trap]
Dougie F – On Right Now (Produced by Dez Wright)


I’m so faded man, my feet off the ground,
I swear, I’m the man in my town
Everywhere I go they stop and stare me down,
Everywhere I go they stop and stare me down!

Sorry for being a little late posting this as I’ve been busy. New Jersey rapper Dougie F’s “On Right Now,” is a shining example of why we shouldn’t give up on today’s generation of rap. With a heavy trap beat, catchy snares and hooks, and an overall dark, heavy feel, that still comes across as party rap. Impressive.

Also featured are semi-freestyled lyrics that…*gasp actually make sense. Okay, so they might not be Nas or Tech N9ne bars, but Dougie’s realness is certainly perceivable, and far above most current radio rap. If nothing else the song sounds great and you can tell Dougie had a good time recording it; all elements that make up good music.

Check out more from Dougie F on his social media sites:

Soundcloud

Facebook

Website

[Real Hip-Hop/Rap:] Erykah Badu – Trill Friends (Kanye West Real Friends Remix)

Erykah Badu’s take on Kanye West’s “Real Friends” is a classic banger that addresses today’s notions of friendships and relationships.


[Real Hip-Hop & Rap]
Erykah Badu – Trill Friends (Kanye West Real Friends Remix)

Homeboys, and some of them we wish we never knew at all…
Homegirls, and some of them we wish we never knew at all…

R&B goddess and hip-hop‘s ephemeral, ‘realest b*tch in the game’s’ take on Kanye West’s “Real Friends” puts a sweet, touching spin on the calming head-banger. With an instrumental beat characteristic of Kanye himself, as a producer; Badu raps and sings over a prominent 4-bar loop of the song to make a point about friends. The repeating hook (and even elements of the original song) have a very J Dilla or No I.D. feel in being different and unique, but still clearly hip-hop.

According to Badu, these days we use the word “friends” far too loosely and ambiguously which results in most of us having homeboys and homegirls that we wish we never knew at all. “Real Friends” are a problem that have plagued humans since existence. Who are our real friends? How do we feel when our so-called homeboys and homegirls turn out not to be our friends? In this Internet age, it’s common for us not to have any friends, except online or through social media, or to think we have friends then catch them slighting us on social media, or not having our back online.

Who do you consider your “friends”, your “real friends”, your “homeboys/girls”? A psychologist once told me that he thought we should do away with the word “friends” altogether. He claimed the increased rates of “falling out” with friends is due to our own high expectations we set for people who are our “friends”. When they don’t live up to these expectations we feel disappointed (if a friend doesn’t like and comment on ALL your posts, or is usually in tug with you everywhere but in one instance you can’t find them/count on them).

We have to remember that friends are simply that, friends. Of course some of us have certain friends we can count on more than others, but in general when we start placing them on pedestals or expect them to always have our back we being searching for and expecting someone who goes beyond a “friend”. Think about that as you go about your day.

Kanye West’s Original Song:

[Throwback Hip-Hop & Alternative Rap] KiD CuDi – Super Boo // Nicolay – What It Used to Be (ft. Wiz Khalifa) & More…

Check out these selections in Alternative Hip-Hop and Rap featuring Kid Cudi, 9th Wonder, RATATAT & Curren$y


[Throwback Hip-Hop]: Origins of Alternative Rap

[Chill Rap w/EDM influence]
Super Boo – KiD CuDi (produced by Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi)

You can be my Super Boo, oh oh
You can be my Super Boo, I need you,
to come…and chill with me
Come on, 1…, 2… Check!

[Electronic Rock/Hip-Hop]
Alive (feat. RATATAT) – KiD CuDi

[Electronic Hip-Hop]
Glock Nines (RATATAT Remix) – Beanie Sigel feat. Jay-Z

[Smooth Hip-Hop/Rap]
On G’s – Curren$y

[Indie/Underground Conscious Rap]
My Grind – I-An-I

[Dope Rap over Dope Beats]
Step Up – Busta Rhymes [prod. by J Dilla]

Today’s throwback post would be remiss if I didn’t start it off mentioning a few of the players responsible for the massive growth of alternative hip-hop through the 2000s. For those not in the know, think “rap music that you wouldn’t hear on the radio” then think about why you don’t hear it on the radio. Sure, in some cases maybe it’s not a good song, or maybe it doesn’t have the mainstream, wide-audience appeal, and that’s what makes it great.

I had the good fortune of being exposed to many of these artists that produce real hip-hop: this genre ranges from still hard-banging (just not radio friendly) Cam’Ron, Vado, Action Bronson, BIG K.R.I.T., Jay Electronica, Curren$y, Nipsey Hussle, producers Araabmuzik and J Dilla, among many more. On the lighter side of alt. rap, you’ll find the Kid Cudis, Breezepark, Two-9, Lil B “The BasedGod”, Murs & 9th Wonder, Aesop Rock, 88-Keys and more.

Some of these artists would be considered underground. Some were alternative and moved into the limelight: Wiz, Wale, Curren$y, many of the rappers featured in XXL’s Freshman lists in the past several years apply as well.

[Alternative, Conscious Hip-Hop]
What It Used to Be (feat. Wiz Khalifa) – Nicolay [produced by 9th Wonder)

The world has changed so very much, from what it used to be…

No Future – 9th Wonder & Buckshot [from The Formula]
https://youtu.be/un1kvM0Pd1Q

Eyes on the future, what to do, do?
Must I feel they’ll be no future? What to do, do?

[Hip-Hop / Trap Music] Floss B – Ain’t Even Do It (feat. Trap)

Atlanta rapper Floss B is making waves on Streetz 94.5 and more with his new single “Ain’t Even Do It”.


[HIP-HOP/ TRAP MUSIC]

Floss B – Ain’t Even Do It (feat. Trap)
I Ain’t Even Do It [Music link provided by DJ Holiday. Stream on-site]

img_7505-640x427
from Holiday Season Live

Rapper Floss B has been making waves as his latest single “Ain’t Even Do It” continues to enjoy airplay on Atlanta radio stations such as Streetz 94.5 FM. The single evokes elements of trap and street music much along the same lines as Travis Scott, Jeezy or Young Thug. The heavy bassline rides throughout the song over trappy 808-snares, blending well with the repeated hook “I ain’t even do it.” Check out the stream of his new song above (compliments of DJ Holiday’s “Holiday Season” blog).

Alabama-born rapper Floss B, Brian Verner, has lived in Atlanta for over a decade and says he’s hoping to shake things up a bit as he becomes further involved in the music industry.

“I’m trying to bring good quality music back to the game,” said Floss. When asked what are his next plans for his music, Floss responded, “I am really just very thankful to have my song being played on Streetz 94.5 and receiving a lot of support from DJ Holiday.”

“I just want to see how this song does then I’ll go from there” he added.

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You can read the article on Floss B‘s song on DJ Holiday’s blog as well.
Floss B Facebook Fan Page

You can follow Floss B on Twitter at: @officialflossb
and DJ Holiday at: @djholiday or on his Instagram

[New Fetty Wap:] [Hip-Hop] [ Meme Crazes] Fetty Wap – Jimmy Choo (Slim Thick With Yo Cute Ass)

Fetty Wap’s “Jimmy CHoo” has sparked a new internet meme incorporating the “Slim Thick” line of the song.


[Hip-Hop/Rap] Fetty Wap – Jimmy Choo

Everything designer, it’s designer things
all this f*ckin’ money bring the finer things

Ay, slim thick wit yo cute ass
Ay, I might buy you a new bag

Fetty Wap has been a force to be reckoned with in the music circuit, and his latest single “Jimmy Choo” is no exception. With a simplistic synth/gameboy beat and heavy bassline the song makes for a perfect singing-rap blend, but a potent dance number as well.

So well the song has already inspired numerous Vine and Internet Meme videos, mainly with people dancing to the “slim thick with yo cute ass” line then proceeding to hit em wit da old folks. Check it out in some of the vines below for some laughs and good times and even teachers hitting the new “Slim Thick” dance:

[Throwback Hip-Hop Jams:] Kanye West – Slow Jamz (ft. Twista & Jamie Foxx) // KiD CuDi – Pillow Talk & Cleveland is the Reason

We explore some classic throwback rap from the mid-00s to 10s featuring Kid Cudi and Kanye West.


Throwback Jamz [Hip-Hop]
Slow Jamz – Kanye West feat. Twista & Jamie Foxx

She say she want some Marvin Gaye,
some Luther Vandross, a little Anita
will definitely set this party of right!
Say she want some Ready For the World…

[Chill Hip-Hop]
Pillow Talk – KiD CuDi

So don’t be shy, I ain’t going nowhere, I’m here for the night
So move closer, bring your body to mine, let me hold you right
Don’t be mad, I ain’t going nowhere, I’mma sleep here by your side

[Check out more similar-sounding songs from both artists at the bottom of this page]

In today’s Throwback Jams post we’ll be revisiting two classic hip-hop/rap tracks from two of the most influential names in current hip-hop music. The first is the timeless classic and one of media mogul, Kanye West‘s breakout singles “Slow Jamz” with back-up from the none-other than legendary performers Twista and Jamie Foxx.

This soulful staple of the genre samples the iconic Luther Vandross’ “A House is Not a Home”. Twista delivers sonically pleasing, rapidly spoken verses, characteristic of his masterful lyrical delivery on “Overnight Celebrity” which came out around the same time. Jamie Foxx channels R&B legends of the past with his back, and foreground singing. Slow Jamz – 5/5

Next up from none other than the “Moon Man” himself, one of his more mellow and chilled-out tracks, but nonetheless an aural masterpiece. Kid Cudi’s “Pillow Talk” exemplifies everything that was right about the “more than just different” rapper out of Shaker Heights, Ohio who came across as that “weird kid in high school who was also talented.” The song features dreamy soundscapes and vocals mixed with playful, hip lyrics (I know you think I’m shady, but….I ain’t gon’ fuckin’ bounce, fuckin’ bounce). Check it out and relax with some of the spacey music Cudi is well known for.

Ever since the first Cudi song I heard, “Heaven At Nite” through a friend of mine, I knew Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi in the real world) was going to soon be a household name. In fact, coincidentally, a girl I met at a bar here in Atlanta a few weeks back from Ohio tole me she went to Shaker Heights High School with Cudi, was in the same class year and even attended a few parties that he was at.

This source found out of pure serendipity, told me that Mescudi rolled with a big group of friends back then, and most kids at the school thought he was cool. Mescudi was labeled weird and a “stoner kid” in those days.

“Everyone knew that Scotty smoked, in fact him and his friends would always try to get me [and my girls] to come smoke with them…I knew he rapped and did music but never imagined he’d be famous” -Gina

Kid Cudi – Cleveland is the Reason

Little Brother – I See Now (feat. Kanye West)

Kid Cudi – Just What I Am (ft. King Chip)