Kanye West Is Making Songs With A Fucking Beatle

I once read a twitter user say "Kanye is so amazing because I've listened to every Kanye album from College Dropout to Yeezus, and I still don't know what a Kanye song sounds like."  Which now that I think about it, couldn't be more true. I haven't always favored Kanye's music (or anything Kanye for that matter, his attitude on things is always entertaining though), but I have had phases in my life where I just "can't get this damn Kanye song out of my head."  In 2007 when "Stronger" came out I was 13 going on 14 years old (I say this because if there is any Kanye song that resonates with me so much it's "Stronger", or "Heartless" for that matter, both stick out to me and I have memories of). These songs stick out to me obviously because I grew up with them and I was sensitive to what I heard around me, I may not have actually liked them, but I heard them a lot and got used to them. I never thought of Kanye West as a rap giant, and never really thought he would turn into what he has today, so I brushed these songs off. Kanye West may not be making the music that everybody wishes he would make, and he may have lost a few fans along the way, but there is no doubt that Kanye is doing something that no rapper has ever done before.

Admittedly, when I heard about this Kanye West and Paul McCartney collaboration I certainly scratched my head. I thought I was reading another one of those web sites that just made headlines for hits on their site, a "TMZ" if you will, one of those sites that isn't even about giving people the truth, more so some exciting bullshit that probably has a very little amount of truth to it and just wants to make you click. When the song came out I kind of ignored it at first (not only because I thought you had to buy to listen, just seemed like more of a publicity stunt than music), but then one day I decided "what the hell, it's Kanye West and Paul McCartney, let's see what the buzz is about."

 Can you honestly say you got what you expected?  I have mixed feelings about this one. It might be better to not put this song in context to all of Kanye's other music because it sounds completely different, but if you're a Kanye fan who has listened to every album you might expect this to sound a tad different (or not, going back to the "I still don't know what a Kanye song sounds like" argument). It's not a terrible song and it has a decent message, but my question is what is Paul McCartney's incentive to do this?

In case you haven't heard a quarter of the Beatles (Paul McCartney) is executive producing Kanye's entire next album, which leaves many scratching their heads. The old heads wonder why Paul is doing this seeing as he's a fucking Beatle, he has literally done it all and could die right now as one of the top 10 most influential figures in music history. Kanye could gain a ton of respect from other fans and have a completely different type of audience opened up to his music, but what is it (if anything) that Paul gains from doing this?  Is Paul looking for a way back into the limelight?  Does Paul want to cross the genres in a way that no one has ever done before?  Or is Paul just broke and looking for money?  The questions become more and more bleak with every detail being revealed about Kanye's next album (set to drop later this year, though no release date has been given).

It's too hard to tell so early what these 2 are planning to accomplish, but apparently they want to change the way people see music, or at least that's what you hope for with these latest releases. There's not much to say about Paul McCartney that isn't already common knowledge at this point, if you don't know anything about the Beatles or what they've done I'd say that you are too sheltered to understand the magnitude of what Kanye is attempting to do. The funny thing about it is that Kanye and Paul not only have this "Only One" song out, but they also have another collaboration that includes Rihanna that was released not too long after "Only One" came out, and you can check that one out below. Be sure to let me know your thoughts on Kanye's plans with Paul fucking McCartney below or on Google+.

                                  (*I do not own these videos, songs, or the rights to any of them*)

Artist To Look Out For: Cyhi The Prynce

So how many people have heard of the gawd (don't judge me, I'm on this saying now, I feel hip saying it) Cyhi The Prynce?  Nobody?  A lot of people?  Well he is just so awesome sauce that you almost want to dip beats in him and let him flow like water. He's all natural baby. I know all of these food references are pretty corny but you get the picture. Anyways, if you haven't heard of Cyhi you're about to get a nice introduction. Cyhi The Prynce is the best emcee you've never given the light of day. Being signed to Kanye's GOOD Music label, it's pretty easy to get outshined by names like Kanye, Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, and others to name, but if you're Cyhi the Prynce, you're going in the right direction for sure, and let me tell you why.

Cyhi The Prynce, born Cydel Young in Stone Mountain, Georgia, is a conscious rapping, thought provoking sleeper pick for one of the hottest up and comers in rap right now. If you haven't heard about him, he's certainly done good things with tracks on his mix tapes, such good things in fact that Kanye felt the need to sign him to his GOOD Music label, and he has featured on a multitude of GOOD Music artists' projects, such as Kanye's highly acclaimed My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album and even made some appearances on GOOD Music's compilation album Cruel Summer. I didn't know this until I did some research, but a funny story about Cyhi is that Beyoncé herself actually recommended Cyhi to Kanye to sign him to his label. That's quite a cosign and certainly puts pressure on Cyhi to be great, but if anyone can handle pressure (besides Logic, get it? Never mind) it's Cyhi.

Cyhi's solo projects have been practically albums, and his Ivy League mix tape series has proven to be some of his best work as an up and comer. Ivy League Club and Ivy League Kick Back are arguably Cyhi's best projects as a whole, with some exciting features like Big K.R.I.T, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Schoolboy Q, Yelawolf and more. His flow and lyricism is one of a kind, his clever bars are matched by very few in the game today, but his ability to make great songs of all kinds is what gets the people's attention the most. Check out his song "Bachelor" below.

Cyhi is certainly dope and he makes great music, but the most interesting thing about him is that he hasn't yet put out a debut album, and being under Kanye's GOOD Music label you'd expect him to get some creative control. Cyhi has a lot of fans that are dying for his next project, whether it be another mix tape or an album, though an album is what fans have been waiting for from him for quite some time. It's hard to think that people will get bored with him before he starts to really build a buzz (that is if he already hasn't), but his lack of putting out music as of late isn't helping the case. Check out Cyhi and his mix tapes if you get a chance, and you can find his latest release "Credit 'i' Deserve" below.

                                    (*I do not own any of these songs, or the rights to them*)





        

Ranking J. Cole's Albums Worst To Best

Cole World!  If you're a rap fan you've heard a Cole song, and if you're a Cole fan you've DEFINITELY heard at least a whole Cole project before, whether it be one of his fantastic albums or one of his critically acclaimed mix tapes. I find it funny that people honestly compare the two and say that his albums are better than his mix tapes, or his mix tapes are better than his albums (which is the more common argument) when in reality you're almost getting 2 completely different Coles entirely. The creative energy, hype, and hunger as an artist changes entirely when you compare your debut mix tape to your debut album, although unfortunately if your a Cole mix tape fan, you'd be disappointed when I say that we are not here to discuss his mix tapes. This post is strictly for albums: Cole has had 3 major label efforts, each one sounding more different and experimental than the next. Now if you could rank them from worst to best, how would that order go exactly?  That's what we're here to find out. Below, ranked worst to best, along with (arguably) the best song from each album, are J. Cole's 3 albums, ranked.

Cole World:  The Sideline Story

Cole World: The Sideline Story is J. Cole's confusing, yet promising burst onto the music scene. Mix tape Cole fans fell in love with an honest, lyrical, story-telling poet that showed more promise than any emcee that anyone had heard in quite awhile, yet The Sideline Story left a lot to be desired for die hard Cole fans. The Sideline Story is an album that shows every side of Cole that you love to see; the shit talking, the gritty talk of the hood and growing up and becoming a man, along with love and handling pregnancy at a young age. Cole is clearly still hyped at this time because of the recent Roc Nation signing and the bragging rights that come along with saying he's got a Jay-Z cosign, yet the industry's contribution to this album is clear with singles like the Kanye-sampled "Work Out", (which ended up disappointed Nas as Cole talks about later, but we'll get to that in time hip hop nerds).

Born Sinner

Cole's second effort Born Sinner showed a much hungrier, yet experimental Cole than anybody was used to seeing. Cole's rhymes are at the absolute top of his game with his lyrical, compacted flows and clever punch lines, though the song making ability wasn't quite there yet. You can tell that Cole is destined for greatness with this effort, if The Sideline Story didn't do it for you than Born Sinner certainly gives you a good Cole fix in terms of bars, and his respect for the greats is shown on an entire song dedicated to Nas titled "Let Nas Down". Nas even jumped on a remix to the song later to show how much respect he had for Cole and what he was doing for the game. If that's not being given the green light, than what is?  No seriously, I'll wait. Regardless of legendary features, Cole's sophomore effort was good, but you could certainly tell there was something missing, and that there was a part of Cole that fans weren't getting.

2014 Forest Hills Drive

                               (*I do not own any of these songs, videos, or the rights to them*)

Here it goes:  prepare yourselves for this one. 2014 Forest Hills Drive is the best Cole album to date. If I personally could dream up a Cole album myself with all creative control in terms of production, lyricism, flow, writing skills, song topics, etc., this would be the album I'd choose for Cole to make. This is Cole's Illmatic. I can't even believe I just said that. Now many hip hop heads will get uptight about mentioning any Cole projects with Illmatic, or any projects at all for that matter, but in all seriousness, Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive is the best rap album to hit since Good Kid Maad City. It is at least the most complete rap album since then. 2014 Forest Hills Drive has everything a rap fan wants, everything a Cole fan wants, and even more. The emotion emitted in tracks mixed with the controversy and thought it provokes is an absolute perfect blend and it embodies everything you envision a perfect story to be, and the music itself hasn't gotten nearly the recognition it deserves, the only reason being Cole has put out no singles for it. Cole has already been certified Gold by the RIAA, but the recognition is not in the numbers, it shows up in the appreciation for his fans and his conscience voice towards violence in America. Cole has showed up to random fans' houses to sign memorabilia and hang out with them, tweeted people about surprise concerts (and obviously showed up to venues to perform), and he even used his supposed "promo" for the album on Letterman to perform his song dedicated to the victims of Ferguson, Missouri, "Be Free."  Is Cole the new Tupac?  Actions speak louder than words, and Cole's words speak volumes, yet somehow his actions remain greater. Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive not only is the best rap album since Good Kid Maad City, not only was it the absolute best of 2014, but it embodies everything Cole represents as not only an artist, but as a person. 2014 Forest Hills Drive allowed me to appreciate music properly again.

Being a J. Cole fan obviously you get a mixed bag between projects (the difference being albums and mix tapes, though I don't truly believe this, I am going off of what the masses believe), but in terms of Cole's albums you truly can't ask for better progression. If the process of growing and becoming a better artist is evident in any rapper, it's J. Cole. The creative process has never been one to give Cole problems, because when you're a real person with real problems and show it through your music, you grow even more. The emotional connection Cole has gained with his fans grew times a thousand with the release of 2014 Forest Hills Drive, and that's after they already had a strong enough bond to love  everything he does. It'd be criminal to ask what Cole has planned next after a momentous release like 2014 Forest Hills Drive, but if you're a fan you can't help yourself. It's always exciting to see what Cole has in store for his fans, and if there is a peak moment in Cole's career, it is now. The fans appreciate everything he does because he gives to them, and they give back to him by showing loyalty. Once Cole gives, it is your opportunity and privilege to appreciate what he gives to you. Truly Yours.                



   











   



   

Who's On Your Rap Label? (A Point System Game)

I have a dream... well, I constantly have daydreams of what my perfect rap label would be like (if you were expecting some inspirational MLK shit there, sorry if I disappointed). There are literally so many rappers with so many different types of skills that it's insane to think about what they could all do together (or with different collaborators, you remember my "who are your dream collaborations" article awhile back? this is almost of the same vein). Too many times have I thought about how limited some of my favorite rappers are because of their label, or because of whose in their circle, or even because of who they frequently collaborate with. You never know what could have happened with some artists if their career paths may have went differently, or if they do in the near future (butterfly effects aside). This post is for those like me that think (probably waaay too much) about how things could be if they were different. All I want to know is this:  who's on your rap label?

Now before we start the game I have to lay down some guidelines:  first up is the point system. I tried to make it as simple as possible in terms of what rankings each rapper got, the best rappers get a 5 point ranking while the worst get a 1, and so on. A 5 point ranked rapper is what you would want to lead your label:  in terms of selling records and being the fan favorite, this is your go to artist. A 1 point artist isn't necessarily just a label filler, they could be whatever you want them to be, it is YOUR label after all, although to make it challenging I have given each label a 12 point limit per label, though there is no limit to how many rappers/artists are on your label.

Next up are the label tags (or in NFL terms, the "franchise" tags). These tags basically define what each rapper is and how the public sees them (or at least how I see them, you may see them differently, all I ask is that you follow the guidelines). Some rappers/artists will get tags that others won't because it is all based on how unique that rapper/artist is musically, but these tags include; Chart Topper (CT), Lyrical Miracle (LM), Fan Favorite (FF), New Artist (NA), Party Music (PM), Thought Provoking (TP), Story Teller (ST) and Original Gangsta (OG). The only guidelines I have for the tags is that every label have at least 1 Chart Topper (CT), 1 New Artist (NA), and one Original Gangsta (OG). Every other artist is up to you, there is no limit to how many of each.

The last rule is that there are to be no label heads involved on your label, obviously because you would be taking their place. So this means Eminem, Jay Z, Nas, Diddy, Lil Wayne, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, T.I., Rick Ross and Birdman will not make the list. The rest of the rappers, however, are all fair game. I only define label heads as the MAJOR labels (Shady Records, Young Money, Cash Money, GOOD Music, Roc Nation, Mass Appeal, Grand Hustle, Bad Boy, Maybach Music Group), so labels like Drake's OVO and B.o.B's No Genre would not make this list. Whatever you believe the guidelines should be, they have been set and to play the game you must follow them (it's supposed to be a fun challenge as well, I hope to readers follow the guidelines and play the game fairly). Anyways, below is a list of most every rapper that qualifies to make the list, along with their tags and point totals next to them.

5 Points                                                                                                     4 Points
Kendrick Lamar (ST)(CT)(LM)(TP)                                          Logic (ST)(FF)(TP)(LM)(NA)
J. Cole (ST)(CT)(LM)(TP)                                                         Lupe Fiasco (TP)(LM)(FF)
Mac Miller (FF)(TP)(PM)(LM)                                                  Big Sean (PM)(LM)
Tyler The Creator (LM)(PM)(FF)                                              Meek Mill (PM)(LM)
Drake (ST)(PM)(FF)(CT)                                                           Young Jeezy (OG)(ST)(CT)(PM)
Nicki Minaj (LM)(FF)(CT)                                                         Fabolous (OG)(FF)(PM)(TP)
Big K.R.I.T (FF)(PM)(TP)                                                         A$AP Rocky (FF)(PM)
Slaughterhouse (LM)(FF)                                                           Schoolboy Q (PM)(FF)
                                                                                                     Ab-Soul (FF)(TP)(LM)
                                                                                                     Common (OG)(ST)(TP)
                                                                                                     50 Cent (OG)(PM)(FF)(CT)
                                                                                                     Pusha T (LM)(PM)(TP)

3 Points                                                                                                   2 Points                        
Andre 3000 (OG)(ST)(LM)(FF)(TP)                                          Joe Budden (ST)(FF)(LM)(TP) 
Big Boi (OG)(PM)(FF)                                                               Crooked I (LM)(TP)(FF)            
Bun B (OG)(PM)(LM)                                                                Royce Da 5'9 (LM)(TP)(FF)
Dizzy Wright (NA)(PM)                                                             Joell Ortiz (LM)(TP)(FF)
Yelawolf (ST)(LM)(TP)(PM)                                                     Nipsey Hussle (PM)
Tech N9ne (LM)(FF)                                                                  2 Chainz (PM)(FF)
Ludacris (OG)(PM)(FF)                                                              Rittz (ST)(TP)(LM)(PM)(FF)
Earl Sweatshirt (LM)(PM)(FF)                                                   Cyhi The Prynce (TP)(LM)(NA)
Wiz Khalifa (PM)                                                                        Mick Jenkins (NA)(PM)(TP)
B.o.B (LM)(PM)(TP)                                                                  MGK (PM)(LM)
Juicy J (OG)(PM)(FF)                                                                 Ty Dolla $ign (PM)
Game (OG)(ST)(PM)(TP)                                                           Young Thug (PM)
Curren$y (PM)(FF)(TP)                                                              Rich Homie Quan (PM)
Nelly (OG)(PM)(FF)                                                                   DMX (OG)(PM)(FF)
Wale (PM)(TP)                                                                            Trinidad James (PM)(NA)
A$AP Ferg (PM)                                                                          Lil John (OG)(PM)(FF)
Asher Roth (LM)(PM)(TP)                                                          Kirko Bangz (HS)(PM)
Jay Rock (NA)(ST)(PM)(TP)                                                      Usher (HS)(FF)(PM)
French Montana (PM)                                                                  Omarion (HS)(PM)
Kid Cudi (TP)(FF)(PM)                                                               Tyga (PM)
Joey Bada$$ (ST)(NA)(TP)(LM)(PM)                                     Snow Tha Product (NA)(LM)(PM)(TP)Childish Gambino (PM)(TP)(FF)                                                 Rihanna (HS)(CT)(PM)
Jay Electronica (NA)(ST)(LM)(TP)                                             King Chip (PM)(TP)
Chance The Rapper (PM)(TP)(NA)                                             Skyler Grey (HS)
Freddie Gibbs (FF)(PM)                                                               Jeremih (HS)
Action Bronson (PM)(TP)(LM)                                                   T-Pain (HS)
Twista (OG)(FF)(LM)                                                                  Trey Songz (CT)(HS)
Talib Kweli (OG)(ST)(TP)(LM)(FF)                                           Chris Brown (HS)(CT)                       
Mos Def (OG)(ST)(TP)(LM)(FF)                                                 Riff Raff (PM)(HS)                           
YG (PM)                                                                                        Mick Jenkins (PM)(TP)                     
Future (HS)(PM)                                                                           Lil Flip (PM)                                      
Project Pat (OG)(FF)(PM)                                                            Chingy (PM)                                       
Anthony Hamilton (HS)                                                                Akon (HS)                                          
Kevin Gates (PM)(TP)(NA)(IDGT)(SMH)                                  Kurupt (OG)(LM)(PM)                      
Iggy Azalea (CT)(HS)(PM)(FF)                                                   Bow Wow (PM)(FF)                          
Jhene Aiko (HS)(ST)(TP)(PM)                                                     Paul Wall (PM)(FF)                           
Lil Kim (OG)(LM)(PM)                                                                Chevy Woods (LM)(PM)
Busta Rhymes (OG)(LM)(PM)                                                      Obie Trice (OG)(LM)(TP)
Jadakiss (OG)(LM)(TP)                                                                 Tuki Carter (PM)(NA)                    
Trae The Truth (PM)(LM)

Now with the absolutely humongoid, gigantic, mammoth, Andre The Giant-esque list I just gave you (with the exception of a few, let me know if I left any names off or if there are any others that you would include in your label), you should definitely have fun putting together your label. Now I want to see what the people come up with!  Honestly I can't even tell you who I'd put on my label with the point limit at the moment, it may even take me a couple days before I can come up with my list. But just remember the guidelines/rules, and just have fun with it, it's all about the discussion!  We can talk over who you put on your label and why on Twitter (@SuperNovaRover) or Google+ when you make your decisions, you important label heads you. Now go and do big things with your artists.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  








 

























     

Jay Z Talks Of The Race Relations In Hip Hop

Too often in hip hop it seems that race is brought into the picture, even today. Has hip hop not advanced past a point where the love of it can be shared with people of all colors, sizes and shapes?  It's deeper than color and the people that don't realize it right now will never realize it (I feel like I've said a lot of this before, but it's a big enough point to be reiterated). The great thing about hip hop is that it starts a conversation that many people are afraid to touch, because rappers just do that stuff. Like, every day. Whether it be through song lyrics, documentaries, or just plain old interviews, nobody can really stir the pot or create a conversation like a rapper can. Which is fucking awesome because who else would have the balls?  Jay Z probably has the most credibility out of anyone to say what he chooses or how he feels about what hip hop has done, because come on now, look what it has done for him (and what he has done for it). It's like listening to Bill Gates tell you how to be a billionaire, you can't say you wouldn't at least listen to what he has to say.

Recently, multi millionaire Shawn Carter had a sit down conversation with Oprah's OWN network and discussed the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and he had quite the opinion on what hip hop and it's spokespeople have done for many different cultures of people since it's inception. Check out what he says below.

If I were to ride a unicorn over a rainbow leading to a sea of gold one day, then today would be the day I belly flopped in some gold water. I never thought I'd ever agree with Jay Z on anything at all, seeing as we have nothing in common about pretty much anything, but his views on hip hop definitely have to bring up an interest you saw in him when you first heard him (if you're an old head who loves classic Jay Z). His comparing rap and it's "creating a common bond in people of all colors" type of talk is something a hip hop head just loves to listen to, especially from someone of Jay Z's stature because he normally doesn't bring that type of attitude into interviews anymore. Can you honestly say that you think great music and hip hop culture when you think of Jay Z anymore?  He's way too focused on the Brooklyn Nets, phone company deals, and conquering the world to even give this the light of day, which is why it makes this interview ten times more awesome to listen to. You can't forget where you came from, and Jay Z definitely hasn't (at least not yet). Let me know what you think of Jay's comments on Google+ or Twitter (@SuperNovaRover).