★☆☆☆☆ = Bad
Thoughts
Bad mumblecore
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Rich-Brian-Amen-/release/11507642
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Tag Archives: Hip Hop
DJ Dodger Stadium – Big Wave More Fire
★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Energetic electro with vocals
Moods
2017 with a kick
Thoughts
Fan of these dudes, underrated producers who produced great mixes as LOL boys as well as for Kanye. I thought their debut was great (note: I should revisit that one) but a bit on the experimental side at times.
I like this release albeit a bit repetitive as an entire album. Production relies on vocoder and a break beat style that gives instant energy. The usage of vocoder reminds me of Justin Vernon at times and I can’t picture this aging gracefully. Still, a lot to like on this highly accessible album.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/DJDS-Big-Wave-More-Fire/release/12390752
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Nas – Nasir
★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
What’s it sound like?
Nas rapping over beats kanye crafted just for him.
Thoughts
Nas just doesn’t deliver here which is unfortunate as it feels like Kanye was stretching outside his usual to produce this just for Nas.
A weak spot in the summer of Kanye.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Nas-Nasir/release/12141940
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MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday
★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening
What’s it sound like?
MF Doom’s distinct style over production that samples a variety of soul and jazz; kinda like a choppy J Dilla. Allmusic has more:
Doom was at his rawest and, lyrically, most dexterous. The out-of-left-field edge of Doom’s production — which features ’80s soul and smooth jazz mixed with classic drum breaks — is indeed abstract at times, but his off-kilter rhymes are palatable and absent any pretentiousness. In fact, the album arguably contains some of the freshest rhymes one might have heard around the time of its release.
Thoughts
Doom’s style certainly isn’t for everyone but the more I see rap evolve the more I realize just how remarkable his distinct style is.
Not much to add to the allmusic review. This album is raw – both lyrically and production wise. His raps are dense, he’s clearly an intelligent guy, switching topics quickly; a tactic which rewards repeat listens. Something about his delivery reminds me of Wutang, a rare quality. The production works well and I’m not mad at the super-hero interludes.
A true classic.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/MF-Doom-Operation-Doomsday/release/213193
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Princess Nokia – A Girl Cried Red
★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening
What’s it sound like?
Rapper meets bedroom singer songwriter
Thoughts
This feels like the voice of the ‘youtube’ generation we’ve been waiting for. She’s pulling from a lot of familiar styles but the album carries the emotional honesty of a fragile teenager matched with a tasteful worldly hip hop backdrop.
Another one of these recent culture vultures who has taken in her surroundings and turned them into something new.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Princess-Nokia-A-Girl-Cried-Red/release/12154864
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Pusha T – Daytona
★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Some of the best modern rap
Thoughts
A+ kanye production, like he’s somehow worked in all his best attributes (soul samples, modern industrial electro) and gave him to pusha t.
Pusha keeps getting better. Still talking a lot about drugs but it’s more approachable. Fewer choruses and more focus on the raps, great verses all around for him.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Pusha-T-Daytona/release/12284285
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Playboi Carti – Die Lit
★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Repetitive mumble raps ( I guess this is trap) over youthful production. It’s got that emo teen vibe uzi has – I really like the sound.
Thoughts
This is great. I don’t see the album having any lasting replayability but in 2018 it works. Feels like it’s a continued progression of the ‘not really saying anything’ lyricism but proves that content isn’t needed if it’s catchy. With that in mind this is a true reflection of the times and communication: the message doesn’t matter as long as it looks or sounds a certain way. He’s also got some impressive guest spots who adapt to his style and flow. I find this telling about his relevance as he’s pulling big names into his orbit.
I think the mistake someone could make is approaching this as a traditional rap album. His style is so drastically different than say illmatic that we need to see it as a purely aesthetic piece and consider it differently. In that way it succeeds massively. Creating something original that’s just throwing constant rhythmic hooks at you. It’s almost as if you’re listening to a warm-up session where they’re just feeling out the beat trying to flow, not working on the perfect verse. I see a lot of followers from this. He’s actually at his worse in the middle of the album when he’s speaking clearly.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Playboi-Carti-Die-Lit/release/12102645
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Valee,Chase The Money – VTM
★☆☆☆☆ = Bad
What’s it sound like?
Disinterested generic rapping over amateur boomy beats.
Thoughts
If you’re not paying attention this sounds OK, I like the ‘removed’ vibe, but if you listen too close it falls apart.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Valee-CHASETHEMONEY-VTM/release/10661808
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D∆WN – Infrared
⭐⭐
D∆WN – Infrared
Post-Blackheart I have high expectations for any Dawn Richard release but they aren’t met here; especially surprising given this is produced by Kingdom whose production is too bloated for her style. Gone is Dawn’s clever lyricism from Blackheart which was at times abstract, metaphorical and personal. Infrared is thematically promising but never really goes anywhere.
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Future, Young Thug – Super Slimey
★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Future’s Atlanta stutter trap rap featuring young thug.
Thoughts
A solid outing, futures flow can get repetitive so it works well when he’s sharing a track with someone else. Young thug is going for it here, at times I feel he’s putting out too much material and wearing himself thin, preferring quantity to quality, but he clearly worked on these and the result pays off. I say it’s a future album cause the production is from futures usual stable.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Future-4-Young-Thug-Super-Slimey/release/11030623
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