Tag: rap

[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:

[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]

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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)

[Future ATL Dance] iLoveMakonnen – Tonight (Ba-kuura Remix) // [Future House/Grime] Sigala – Sweet Lovin’ (Crookers Remix)

Ba-kuura’s remix of iLoveMakonnen’s serenade to ATL girls “Tonight” is simply astonishing. Sigala drops some new Future House with UK Grime influence.


[Future ATL Dance]
iLoveMakonnen – Tonight (Ba-kuura Rmx)

[Deep House/Future Grime]
Sigala – Sweet Lovin’

The current state of EDM music never ceases to amaze as it has branched and developed into so many unique styles in these past few years. Full of hometown pride I am happy to feature Ba-kuura’s future Atlanta dance/quasi-IDM remix of iLoveMakonnen’s “Tonight“. The added drums and bass compliment well Makonnen’s warbly crooning, nothing new from the Atlanta rapper whose “singing” strikes somewhere between corny and genius.

Next up, what starts out as your typical chill, yet up-tempo House groove dissolves the familiar rhythm structure and switches up the beat with funky UK Grime-style basslines. Sigala’s “Sweet Lovin’” is right up there with most of today’s Future House but somehow, just does it a little bit better. Needless to say, the song is pure crack, and not to be missed by those who appreciate good music.

[Future Chill] Selena Gomez – Good For You (feat. A$AP Rocky) [Anevo Remix] // [UK Future House] Ad3l3 (Adele) – H3llo (Pegassi Remix)

We’ve got more chill, futu-house for your listening pleasure, including sick remixes of Adele & Selena Gomez featuring A$AP Rocky.


[Future Chill / Ambient]
Selena Gomez – GFY (Anevo Remix) [ft. A$AP Rocky]

Check out this incredibly chill, irresistibly cool remix of Selena Gomez & A$AP Rocky’s “Good For You” from Swedish EDM artist and producer Anevo.

[Future House]
Adele – Hello (Pegassi Remix)

[Ambient Chill]
Adele – Hello (Anevo Remix)

Next up, two great remixes of Adele’s “H3llo” the first a Future House take from British EDM producer Pegassi, the other a much more ambient-chill version again from producer Anevo.

 

 

[Throwback: Emotive Hip-Hop] Best of Joe Budden: Sidetracked // Other Deep, “Emo” Rappers – Cudi, Cinos, Charles Hamilton

Joe Budden’s “Sidetracked” is one of today’s throwback posts to emotive hip-hop, featuring a sick sample of Coldplay’s “Lost”


[Emotive Hip-Hop Throwback:] Joe Budden – Sidetracked // More deep-emotive hip-hop at end of this post:

[Coldplay “Lost” sample:]

Just because I’m losin’
Doesn’t mean I’m lost,
Doesn’t mean I’ll stop
Doesn’t mean I will cross…

From The Dope Chronicles (Feb 2015)

Song: Sidetracked |
Album: Halfway House |
Year: 2009

“I’ve lost so many relationships, is it, just because I don’t relate to shit?”

Source: Best of Joe Budden v.2: #28 Sidetracked

Joe battles with an inner issue in this song. Is there something deeper in this song that what’s on the surface? Maybe. To me, it seems like his old friend depression is the cause behind his lack of focus and flip-flop of things.

At times he’s pumped, he’s motivated, he’s ready to hit the studio but then there’s days where he doesn’t want to do that. He sees it as pointless. It’s a waste of time.

This throwback post recalls one of Joe Budden‘s “unreleased” tracks from his 2009 mixtape Halfway House, an EP many speculate, Budden wrote while depressed. As someone who has dealt with bouts of the ailment myself I can relate in parts of his “Sidetracked” song [Sometimes I wanna make music/sometimes I feel it’s just useless…] a deep recollection of the darker side to fame over hip-hop beats (and a sick Coldplay sample).

In general, I try to avoid depressing music but there are times when it feels right to me (especially during the colder months). Sometimes the raps can hit close to home and stir emotions, at other times (to me) these songs may be sonically great, or have a sick beat/sample but the depressing lyrics turn the would-be banger into a “pity-party” that I probably wouldn’t play around other people at least not for cranking round the city or getting ready to hit the club. I feel neutral as this music certainly has it’s place; some of Kid Cudi’s greatest tracks are fairly sad. But, Cudi balances it pretty well.

This mixtape of Budden’s, a lot of Charles Hamilton’s music, almost all of Cinos‘ songs I’ve heard (apart from Rain Zone) and even some from Lil B squarely fit this bill. How do you feel about songs that are sad?

Other Good Sad and Emotive Rap Highlights:

Kid Cudi – Going to the Ceremony


Charles Hamilton – Happy Ending
https://www.youtube.com/bP4yaxRVIjg

Cinos – Lighthouse Zone


Cinos – Rain Zone (not emotive, but just damn good)

Cage – Blood Boy