Tag: rap

[NEW Future Trap / Future House:] Cash Fargo – Undo Your Love // [Future Chillwave / Progressive House:] Class X – Away (Original Mix)


We’ve got two new Future classics for you today from EDM artists, DJs and producer Cash Fargo along with Class-X.
Our first is Los Angeles producer, Fargo’s “Undo Your Love“, a transfixing smooth blend of house-y male vocals, much akin to Disclosure or Tchami, but with that indie, fresh, hipster feel (and I mean that in the best way possible). If songs like this are indicative of Cash Fargo’s work and overall sound, it’s safe to say we can expect him to be a rising name in the alternative EDM scene, slated to appear at alternative EDM venues and festivals (if he is not already).

If you’re looking for something a bit trappier Fargo’s remix of Future’s “Covered ‘N Money” is great as well (see below:)

Next up (link below) is the chillwave progressive-house mélange of sounds in Netherlands DJ, Class-X’s “Away“. With simply beautiful, relaxing piano arpeggios and a back-beat with elements grounded in house, but flirting between the lines of sounds more characteristic of Trance. Give the song a listen below and download it for free on Class-X’s Soundcloud.

[Throwback] [Classic Wiz] Wiz Khalifa – Hopes and Dreams


https://youtu.be/HtnuTUNWv3Q

Clearing out favorite bookmarks is about a tedious task as trying to clean up your e-mail (especially when your inbox basically permanently says 1000+ new messages), but sometimes you stumble across gems you forgot you favorited 2 years ago.

Re-stumbling across a review of one of my long-time favorite rappers (at least when we was underground) Wiz Khalifa‘s third studio album, first major-label EP Rolling Papers, which released to mixed reviews in 2011. While technically more than competent, the content and lyrics of the album were a departure from Wiz’s original style he expressed in his earlier mixtapes, like Kush & OJ, the legendary P.O.T.C. tapes or even B.A.R. (Burn After Rolling).

My initial reaction to the Spin review of the album was that the author was over-hyping this musical “fail” and stuck on the ability of a big budget to make a rapper’s album sound polished and “professional.” However, when he had brought up longtime favorites that really weren’t too bad, in fact Wiz had some sleeper hits on there as well, a few I agree with the author such as with “Rooftops” featuring Curren$y, “The Race,” one of the top tracks of the album, or Roll Up (the most mainstream but catchiest single by far. There were a few other songs I give 5 stars in my iTunes here: “Top Floor” with an addictive very-experimental beat, “Hopes and Dreams,” my personal favorite of the album, and “wake Up” all do more than enough justice to Wiz’s earlier works.

The remaining tracks, while not necessarily terrible, were not anything great either. I completely disagree with the SPIN article’s author opinion of “Fly Solo,” that song. was. just. terrible. Which is why today’s highlight will highlight “Hopes and Dreams” from Pittsburgh’s own. “Star of the Show” with fellow Taylor Gang label-mate Chevy Woods is also a standout, with that “chill” vibe Wiz is known for.

Two members of the MIGOS arrested for drug possession in Georgia


Thanks to TMZ and RapUp for breaking this story:

Two members of popular ATL rap group the MIGOS were arrested last night for drug possession after performing at a concert in Statesboro, Georgia. The trio held a concert last night (Saturday Apr. 18) at Georgia Southern University when the concert was cut short by police. When the MIGOS were taken in for questioning, members Quavo and Offset had been found to be in felony possession of cocaine, OxyContin and codeine, possession of a firearm on school property and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

MIGOS, the hit group behind “Versace” is preparing to release their debut album YRN: The Album June 16.

[NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All information provided and concerning this case is alleged all persons charged with crimes in the United States of America are innocent until proven guilty.]

[2005: Trap Origins] [ATL Legacy Rap] Suga Suga (K-Rab) – Do It With No Hands & [ATL ’96] Outkast – JazzyBelle (Remix)


https://youtu.be/ZMkl6zwUxOQ

For this honorary first “Hip-Hop Origins” we highlight “Do It With No Hands.” My Atlanta folk may remember this well-known local trap banger, born out of the “snap music” crazed era of the mid 2000s in Georgia. This song, and many others like it [See Maceo: Nextel Chirp, remember Crime Mob?] released around 2002 through 2008 were the forefathers of the Trap EDM genre. The trap-style beats and the lyrics that usually talk about…well, trapping and the hood highlighted a time when ATL and Southern Hip-Hop were on fire and highly sought after to produce the next hit.  Don’t get me wrong, Atlanta is still the premiere ground for hip-hop, rap music and breakout music artists (and now actors as well), however the magic that surrounded the city and rap’s mentality here has changed since those days.

Our second is a rare remix of Outkast’s “Jazzybelle” originally released in 2006. Outkast is well-known as one of the groups that put Atlanta on the map in terms of music as a whole. As such they are widely acknowledged and celebrated by Atlantans and worldwide. Fans of the group were overjoyed when Outkast returned to the stage and began touring in 2014.

Other artists and groups born of the mid-2000 era of Atlanta hip-hop:

D4L
Crime Mob
Lil’ Jon & The Eastside Boys
Young Jeezy
T.I. (was on the scene prior to then)
Outkast
Usher
Rasheedah

[Hip-Hop Throwbacks]: [Rap w/Trance Sample] Jeezy & T.I. – F.A.M.E. // Gucci Mane – Dope Show


Our two throwbacks today are from the hip-hop genre, as we revisit two standout tracks from ATL’s Young Jeezy, T.I. and Gucci Mane. The first is “F.A.M.E.” from Young Jeezy’s Thug Motivation 103: Hustlaz’s Ambition, the sequel to TM 101 and 102. Comprised of some very unique, even calming beats, the track samples major trance artist, Above & Beyond’s “Air For Life,” a collaboration with fellow trance artist Andy Moor. This results in quite a moving track with none other than The Rubberband Man himself, T.I. delivering some great verses as well.

The next track is an old-favorite off of Gucci’s mixtape Lean, which he released in 2013 alongside two other mixtape projects, Gas and Molly. The three mixtapes are praised as being some of Gucci’s better works and his workmanship and resolve to putting out constant quality music as all three mixtapes were released at the same time. This business model is nothing new, artists the likes of Soulja Boy, Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ B “The Based God” and many more also rode the hype of releasing constant streams of music and mixtapes, helping to keep them in the media spotlight and of relevance to hip-hop as a whole.

[Street Rap / 1738] Fetty Wap – Make It


Featured on Up Next “Make It,” the rapper behind the world famous “Trap Queen” drops arguably, the best track on the whole tape. The unique rhythm and futuristic-sounding beat make for a very catchy track. This song, Fetty Wap goes out to his boys who he came up with, where he turns his promise to “come up” with them into an anthem.

Notable lyrics:

I promised all my n*ggas we gon’ make it
4th and inches, we ain’t scared — we gon’ take it!
Watch the look on all these n*ggas faces
Comin’ thru in the foreign like we racin’

[Throwback REAL Hip-Hop:] Curren$y & Alchemist – Smoke Break // [Throwback REAL Hip-Hop:] The Roots – Criminal (feat. Saigon & Truck North)

Throwback REAL hip-hop tunes to keep ya head bobbin’. Don’t sleep!


Smoke Break – Curren$y & Alchemist

You can never go wrong with Curren$y, arguably one of the best indie/underground rappers out there. I was first introduced to the Hot $pitta, formally through Wiz Khalifa in their smash-hit, critically acclaimed mixtape How Fly. However I first heard of Curren$y in the mid 2000s when he rapped alongside Remy Ma and Young Money frontrunner Lil’ Wayne on the popular single, “Where Da Cash At.”

“Smoke Break” comes from another highly praised Curren$y mixtape, Covert Coup, which was produced by famed hip-hop producer The Alchemist.

Notable lyrics:
The style done got switched up
Cause the last one got bit up,
Yeah lil homie y’all can get down,
but I bet y’all can’t keep up!

Life Under the Scope – Curren$y

“Life Under the Scope” was also one of Curren$y’s early hit songs back when he was very much still Unsigned Hype. Many think Young Spitta has stayed true to his roots, while fellow rapper he came up with, Wiz Khalifa, has largely abandoned them (Blacc Hollywood does capture some of Wiz’s early spirit, but not enough). I, like many others, are still holding out for a How Fly 2.

Criminal – The Roots, Truck North & Saigon [REAL HIP-HOP]

Our next throwback is another real hip-hop jam, this one a collab between The Roots, Truck North & Saigon. “Criminal” has a very interesting beat, lyrics and feeling to it that makes me reminisce to the beginning of Fall or cold, wintry days.

Notable lyrics:
Monday, they predict the storm,
Tuesday, they predict the bang
Wednesday they cover the crash,
And I can see it’s all about cash

They got the nerve to hunt down my ass,
and treat me like a criminal…