At midnight last night Logic dropped another song, this time featuring EDM producer Marshmello, presumably on the boards.
The song, titled "Everyday", comes only a few short days after the release of another Logic song, titled "44 More", which is a follow up to a song Logic featured on his mixtape Bobby Tarantino, aptly titled "44 Bars". There is no rumor as to if the newly released songs will be featured on any new projects from Logic, but I will keep you posted if any news pops up. You can check out the Logic and Marshmello collaboration "Everyday" below.
Another year blows by, and more "best of" lists are bound to happen. 2016 brought the people a lot of laughs, a lot of tears, and a lot of good music (but mostly a lot of tears, see Prince fans). A lot of top tier rappers proved why they are top tier rappers (unless you're a Drake fan), and a lot of not-so-top-tier rappers made their case as to why they should be considered top tier. Now if you're coming to the site thinking the list is going to include the Lil Yachty's, the D.R.A.M's and the Young Thug's, then you've come to the wrong place. For those that know me, I'm about more than just the hot-for-the-minute artists who do it without any certain goal or message to get across. I'm all about a good time and some hot beats (it seems I haven't had any time to acknowledge that Rae Sremmurd were practically knighted by Sir Paul McCartney himself with his Mannequin Challenge earlier this year) but this list is more than that. Now before I get slammed for any of the songs included in my list, I'm going to start by saying this is MY list, and nobody's views but my own. With that being said, here are my picks for the best single songs of 2016.
Big Gigantic - All Of Me (ft. Logic & Rozes)
If there is one song that I had simply played nonstop since it's release about 4 months ago, it has to be electronic production group Big Gigantic's "All Of Me" featuring Maryland spitter Logic and Philadelphia bred singer Rozes (who has collaborated with the Chainsmokers and also had an EP come out in February of 2016 by the name of Burn Wild), and appeared on Gigantic's Brighter Future album which released in late August of 2016. The beat sounds like something you would play to get that much needed musical pump up boost right before your game (or like most kids my age, right before that final exam you need to knock out of the park). The drums thump and pound so hard that if you had anything less than subs or some beats headphones, you wouldn't be doing this song justice. In fact, if you listened to this in your Wal-Mart ass Sony knock off headphones, then shame on you. I expect better from musical connoisseurs such as yourselves. Only kidding of course to the fans out there (I only do it because I love you).
Royce Da 5'9 - Tabernacle
Another emcee that really pushed the agenda this year lyrically, visually, and of course musically was one half of Bad Meets Evil, Royce Da 5'9. His entire Layers album (which was released in April of 2016) has made a case to be the best roll out and promo run of the year, and for good reason; it was a great album with no drama surrounding the music, or the man making it. "Tabernacle" proved to be one of the most unique and entertaining songs of the year, especially if you're a lyrical head and like the picture to be painted, such as myself. "Tabernacle" details the most important day in Royce's life, which includes his grandmother dying, his son being born, and also meeting Eminem for the first time, in vivid detail. Truly written like a writer, and rapped like an emcee, and who better to detail such a story than Royce Da 5'9.
Bas - Methylone
Though it came out in February, Bas' Too High To Riot still holds a strong case to be the best album of the year (I posted about J. Cole's protégé shortly after the album came out here). Lots of drug talk does not drown out the substance (HA) of the album, and a Cole feature on "Night Job" and an Ab-Soul-featured remix of "Housewives" kept this album buzzing for awhile, but "Methylone" is the song that makes Too High To Riot appealing to practically every type of hip hop fan. The bouncy drums and catchy hook draw you in, and even if you wouldn't know the verses, you'd damn sure be reciting the hook as soon as you learned it. "Methylone" gets my vote for most underrated party cut.
Kenneth Whalum ft. Big K.R.I.T - Might Not Be Ok
In what is undoubtedly the most powerful song of 2016, Big K.R.I.T poured his heart and soul out in a verse on Kenneth Whalum's soulful message, "Might Not Be Okay". Shining light on police brutality and wrongful deaths that have occurred over the last couple of years, K.R.I.T turns a truly remorseful verse start into a fiery, angry protest to the point of view of a police officer. "Mommas' been cryin' and they gone keep cryin', black folk been dyin' and they gone keep dyin', police been firin' and they gone keep firin', the government been lyin and they gone keep lyin'" isonly the start to this incredibly powerful realization. This song isn't necessarily a favorite song of the year for me simply due to the circumstances of which it had been released (K.R.I.T discussed with Genius that he and Whalum had a discussion after the death of Alton Sterling), but the power of the song still holds weight and holds true, and I could never deny music with a message, or an attempt at peace.
Joe Budden - Idols
Now if you've heard the song then you know why "Idols" appears here on my list, if you get stuck on the fact that Joe Budden appears on the list, however, then you probably can't get past his Twitter antics enough to give his music a chance. Budden put out one of the more solid projects of 2016 in Rage & The Machine with his producer counterpart (who would be The Machine) AraabMuzik, and it shows a nice maturation process of Budden (which if you know Budden then you know maturing isn't exactly number one on his to-do list). Though it's hard to see Budden maturing, Rage & The Machine more so depicts Budden being his immature, yet reflective self as usual, and finally coming to terms with it. Now for the song itself; "Idols" sees Budden following the "Let Nas Down" narrative that J. Cole creates on his song in the beginning with paying homage to the many emcees that have brought Budden up (he even gives props to Jay-Z for TIDAL's launch and accomplishments), but in the second half of the song, he flips that on it's ear; Budden goes from being a student of the game to the teacher. Over spiritual "I've-found-Jesus" types of production and phenomenal sampling by AraabMuzik, Budden explains why he could never be an idol; or could he? If Budden ever had one, this would be his swan song; something to ride out in the sunset to while people finally realize what he really meant; in his lyrics, and what he's meant to hip hop.
Now there's a butt-ton of songs that I clearly could have featured and might have forgotten, but as I said earlier, this is MY personal list and strictly my picks. With that being said, I'd love to hear what the people think! Comment below, on my Google+ page, my Twitter, or on my Facebook page what songs you think I left out that could have made the best of the year list (I only included 5 to keep it short). A small point to this article was to stray away from the every day droll you hear in hip hop. The difference is... the different. Sometimes that may be trying something completely new, it could be staying with something that works, or it could be going all the way back to square 1 and starting from scratch. As a self proclaimed hip hop enthusiast, at this point I almost would rather hear something that sounded a little nostalgic as opposed to what's being put out now. Not because I don't like what's out now, but because sometimes taking a risk is okay. Here's to hoping 2017 brings out the big guns, and by guns I mean good, competitive rappers trying to make the best possible music.
I know this dude has been on the come up for a second, I know this guy has been featured on other blogs during his current come up, but I never knew this guy had a sound that was so addicting. As far as Michael Christmas goes, this is the first song of his I have heard, but if his newest album What A Weird Day is going to sound anything like this song, then you better believe I'm tuning in for it.
If you don't know about Michael Christmas, he has another album out by the name of Is This Art? that released in 2014 with no huge named features, so it seems he is looking to earn his own come up, a strategy that would earn my respect any day. His newest album What A Weird Day is set for release on October 23rd, and will feature some big names like Mac Miller, D.R.A.M., Logic, and more. His latest single I'm currently raving about (Shadows, produced by Logic's own producer 6ix) is available on iTunes via free download if you pre order the album. You can listen to "Shadows" below.
The stereotype of some people's opinions of hip hop is getting old. To say it all "promotes violence and drugs", and "glorifies disrespecting women", and that all rappers talk about is "money, clothes and hoes" is just too played out. Where's the love? In hip hop it seems hard to find (at least at first), but a lot of people who judge rap on it's negative topics and stereotypes don't search deep enough to find the artists that do promote love and positivity. I would love more than anything to be a part of that promotion, so here is a list of rap's most positive, and love promoting artists. It's time for hip hop to stop getting all the bad (w)rap!
J. Cole
Cole is one of the 2 prime examples of rappers who promote love, positivity, and happiness in not only his music, but his way of living. He doesn't just talk about making the world a better place, he sets the example on being a good person overall. In case you didn't hear about his campaign for his last album 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Cole used his old house (at 2014 Forest Hills Drive) to rent out to families in need for one whole year, so the man literally has been putting roof's over peoples heads. Not only this, but one of Cole's friends from North Carolina also told a story about J. Cole paying for a FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP for a girl (named Cierra Bosarge) to attend college (although no word on what school she's attending). Word is that Bosarge wrote a letter to Cole talking about the struggles of school and how Cole's music inspired her, so Cole promised to attend her graduation if she got into a 4 year university. Cole not only attended Bosarge's graduation, but is paying for all of her books and her tuition for all 4 years. If that's not a heartwarming story, I don't know what is.
Kendrick Lamar is the other prime example of positivity and love in hip hop. In the link above, Kendrick talks about his thoughts on the real reason people are put here on Earth, and his answer is very Tupac-esque; nothing short of compassion and understanding. Funny how a kid from Compton is more for peace and love than say, the government (*Cue Kermit the frog and coffee cup emoji's*). Kendrick Lamar sits back and lets his music tell a socially conscious message, attacking the flaws of mankind and pushing for better, while remaining cool, calm, and collected in interviews (sort of the opposite of Kanye West... Kanye does drop some knowledge every now and then, but because he's so out of control about it, people pass it off as him being crazy).
Jhene Aiko
(*Jhene begins to discuss her message at the 5:18 mark*)
Jhene's ENTIRE LIFE MESSAGE is love. No, seriously. In the interview above Jhene talks about what she feels her goals in life are and the message she feels she needs to spread to the world. How can you hate someone who preaches love all of the time (plus she's just so damn cute, but that's another conversation for another day)? Jhene is known to be very into horoscopes and spiritual readings of that nature, so for her to preach love and positivity is no surprise (especially when you see what she posts on her Twitter and Tumblr pages). I know Jhene isn't exactly what you call hip hop, but she is always associated with hip hop acts, plus her message is too strong not to include.
Logic
(*I do not own these videos, or the rights to them*)
Logic has been a fantastic example of positivity, and (dare I say it) is one of the few artists that represents rap in a truly respectable, and mature fashion. The interview above was given by DJ Booth (an incredibly dope website, shout out to their great writers Brendan Varan, Yoh, and Nathan Slavik, who gave this interview), and Logic discusses his lifestyle, his adjusting to rap stardom, and how many people he has in his close circle, and basically sums it all up in one perfect sentence; "I don't fuck with nobody." That message may not be so positive, but Logic is not only expressing his views on how stardom has changed how people see him, in a way he's also giving an important life lesson that many other people need to know; people change.
Hip hop has evolved, and if you don't think so, you probably haven't listened recently. Most people who believe it hasn't evolved simply haven't given it the chance it deserves. I preach a lot about hip hop and what's best for it I know, but this time I'm not talking about the actual music; I'm talking about the way it's "constituents" make it look as a genre. Listen to Jhene Aiko sing a soulful hook on a hip hop song (or listen to her love anthem "In Love We Trust"), listen to the way Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole talks about society today, or hell, even listen to the way Logic talks about the perception of life. It's all about perception, and these amazing artists not only show us why it is so important, but they set an example for how people should live their lives; filled with nothing but love and positivity.
"Check your Snapchat" is a phrase I hear more often than I'd like to admit. I was just like any other middle aged old man (though only 21 years old now) when I first heard of snap chat taking over popular culture in 2013, even though it seems much longer ago than a mere 2 years (less than that, probably). "Another day, another stupid fad that will disappear in a year, so what, I'll pass", I thought.
Won't last long anyways. Now today hits, 2015, and Snapchat video has given people a look at their favorite celebrities and things in a way never seen before. Is it too much to say that I feel more cultured than ever before because of the live updates Snapchat gives people from countries all over the world? The NBA playoffs, the World Cup, and right now if you tune into the latest updates you can see people celebrating Kings Day in the Netherlands, and even updates from Cape Town in South Africa. So what relation does this have to rap? Check out my thoughts.
I follow B.o.B on Snapchat and watch pretty much every one of his updates that he gives. Is it unhealthy hero worship? Maybe so. Will I stop doing it? Hell no. You never know what you're going to see, could it be B.o.B smoking a blunt laughing with a couple of hot biznitches? Or could it be Bob working in the studio on some new material that we might be getting a sneak preview of? It could also even be a sweet view of South Beach looking like Harvey Dent up in the clouds (if you follow labelnogenre on Snapchat and you've seen the latest update you understand). You're practically right there in front of B.o.B as he gives you updates on what he's doing, where he's going, or if he has some funny stories to tell (or funny rants like the BAE Niykee Heaton, will you marry me? You don't have to answer now babe). Logic is also known to have a Snapchat that you can follow and watch what he's been up to, he used to give clips of his shows while he was on tour, but the tour must have ended since it's been awhile since he's posted any.
The fact that these artists and celebrities (I don't know any more besides B.o.B or Niykee Heaton that have given their name out, though there are probably many more) are cool enough to give their Snapchat names out shows how much they appreciate their fans, and want to keep them in the loop with what they're doing. How long has is been since the last B.o.B project dropped? Had to be 2013, maybe the beginning of 2014? You might be itching for that new music but at least you know he's working when you watch that newest Snapchat update. I don't want to defend these artists more than I should, but honestly how cool is it to see them in a normal, everyday type of setting that other people have to go through (by the way, watching B.o.B wait for his bags at United Airlines is one of the funniest and most relatable things you could see a rapper do.)?
So if you're like me, and thought Snapchat was stupid the second you heard of it, a part of you is right. The part of me that hates how much I use technology today is the part that hates it, but the thought of getting news and events that you wouldn't normally see anywhere else from your favorite artists is the cool part. Like... seriously. Where else would you be able to see B.o.B listening to beats and smoking blunts in the studio? Breaking out a video camera is too time consuming nowadays. Now all you have to do it unlock, click, hold, upload. Snapchat is breaking new grounds in the "behind the scenes" portion of not just rap, but eventually all music. Now can Dr. Dre put out a Snapchat name so we can see what the hell he's been up to?! If only.
Sometimes when you listen to your favorite hip hop jams, you get stuck wondering if this is all there is to it (that is if you get bored with your music rather quickly). Sometimes it may seem a little one dimensional, or it may seem as if your hearing the same messages and types of songs over and over again. Luckily rap has branched out over the past 20 years, and in the mean time it has produced some great singers, whether they be R&B singers, or just multi dimensional song writers. So I got to thinking about who some of the best singing rappers of today could be, maybe you'll agree, or maybe you won't (if not, let me know your choices on Google+ or Twitter @SuperNovaRover). Anyways, here is a short list of some underrated golden voiced rappers.
Logic
I've posted a lot about Logic in the recent months, but his recent rise in the rap game is undeniable (like his mix tape, get it?). Anyways, Logic is known more for his top notch produced tracks and his lyrical miracle type of raps he never has trouble displaying, but every now and then he shows signs of a good singing voice, especially in his song "Buried Alive" off of his recent Def Jam debut album Under Pressure.
Drake
Obviously Drake is probably one of the first couple of choices you'd think of when it comes to rappers who can sing, and his track record shows, although some may argue that Drake has always sung out of key and never displays skills like a real singer would. I'm not one to argue this at all, and his most recent album Nothing Was The Same definitely shows some of his versatility and singing skills, especially on the song "Own It."
Kirko Bangz
I've never been one to count auto-tuned out rappers as ones who can sing, but it's hard to argue that he doesn't let the pipes ring on one of his biggest hits "Drank In My Cup". Even though I really don't give much credit to the guys who make a career out of putting effects on their voices to make themselves sound good (*cough *cough T-Pain).
Eminem
Okay so maybe I post a lot about "Slim Shady" (call me a Stan, sure, I don't care), but Eminem can definitely sing if he takes the chance to. He's never been one to really give it the old college try and actually attempt to sing great on any songs, he might do it jokingly here and there, but he shows a decent voice on the sappy 'Stronger Than I Was" ballad off of the Marshall Mathers LP 2.
So those are just a couple of rappers who can sing (with or without auto tune usage, although I find it to be more raw talent when it's without it, obviously). I was going to include Chris Brown or maybe Trey Songz, but I find them to be more of R&B personalities anyways, seeing as neither of them rap as much as they do sing. Make sure you hit me back with your best choices of rappers who can sing on Google+ or Twitter (@SuperNovaRover) like I said in the first paragraph.
I'm going to try to be as short and as to the point as possible with this one, but I felt some things needed addressing. Maybe I feel like the appreciation for hip hop isn't as high as I'd like it to be (though it never really is), maybe I feel like people still think hip hop can't invoke positivity, or maybe I'm just tired of people saying hip hop is "ignorant garbage that has no message". Though it is certainly a mix of all three of the aforementioned details above, I can honestly tell you I see at least one thing every day that reminds me why hip hop is so different and special, and here's what reminded me today.
(*I do not own this video or the rights to it*)
That's right, Kendrick Lamar freestyled over Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" beat. I'm not entirely sure of what to think of this particular freestyle, or event, or whatever you choose to call it. No, that was actually a lie, I certainly know what to think of it, I believe its FUCKING BONKERS AND I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT. This freestyle comes with an interview from K104 Hip Hop & RnB with Dee Dee In The Morning, and while the freestyle is as dope as Kendrick Lamar gets, it's the interview I was more focused on. At about the 3:50 mark he explains the meaning behind his lead single "i", and it is impossible not to respect it.
Which leads me to my next question: are there still people out there that are stuck in the caveman age? Are there really still people that think hip hop can't be positive and bring people together? I certainly hope not, but it would be pretty funny to have these people be proved wrong by a song that Kendrick specifically says "represents a whole community of people that feel like they have nothing to live for, for the people inside the walls of the penitentiary, and for the people on the outside that come to my shows, these kids that feel like they have no self worth." If you can't listen to Kendrick's "i", and be moved, or even just listen and respect the message, then "i" have nothing to say to you. Your opinion can't be changed and you shall be ignorant forever.
Kendrick's "i" isn't the only thing I wanted to touch on in this post though. His freestyle over a Taylor Swift song opened my eyes a little more wide than normal, and I couldn't help but think to myself "damn, this is hip hop." To say I had a small epiphany would be accurate (though some wouldn't call it that, have it your way though). In case you don't know how hip hop has originated, well... THIS IS IT. Flipping something into your own and making it that much more dope IS HIP HOP. That's pretty much like, the DEFINITION of hip hop. Didn't anyone see the Art Of Rap?! This is how rap originated! And I bring up this point because this isn't the only thing I've heard as of late that flipped the script on how people hear music.
Wu Tang's own, the legendary Raekwon just put out a mix tape titled We Wanna Thank You, and it is just as dope as you could have possibly wished. Why do I bring this up now? Well, I'll tell you. In case you haven't given it a listen yet, Raekwon doesn't go over any original beats or production from his own camp, but rather he takes old songs and puts verses on them. I have never heard anything like this. If you listen to hip hop, you hear samples taken from past music in songs every day, but The Chef takes these old songs and just raps over them, instrumental and all! He even includes vocals from the actual songs and includes them in his versions. Some of the remixes on the tape include "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" by the Spinners, "The Girl Is Mine" from Michael Jackson, "You Used To Love Me" by Faith Evans, and he even goes over another hip hop classic, Ice Cube's "Today Was A Good Day" briefly. This is definitely a worthy mix tape to check out if you're a fan of Raekwon, or even if you just want a good listen from something a little different.
So I have one point to make here, one request that might sound like a demand, and it certainly is a demand to those who don't give it the chance it deserves: stop sleeping on hip hop. If you don't approve, it is not what you think it is, and it's because you haven't given it the chance it deserves. That's precisely why! It's not rocket science. You don't start to like new music by listening to the same stuff you always listen to. If you don't listen to it because you have given it a chance and simply don't like it, that's certainly more respectable than "I've heard it on the radio and don't like any of it." You couldn't get it any more twisted by setting the bar at radio rap. If you say rap doesn't invoke thought and positivity, I'd stop you right there and show you Kendrick's "i", hell, I might even show you a Logic interview. The thought process of hip hop is changing, and it's for the better. If you say you don't listen because rappers are ignorant and don't pay homage to the oldies and the greats, I'd show you Raekwon's newest mix tape. Stop making excuses. But, people will do what they choose, and people will listen to what they choose, which is entirely okay with me, and if you're a hip hop fan, it should be okay with you too, and I'll tell you why. It's because this is how it started originally: do you think hip hop was always approved of? Go back and do some history research, hip hop practically lived (and STLL does) going against the grain. You can be okay with people hating for no reason, and it's because this is hip hop, and we're okay with you not approving, that's nothing new.
In an era where many believe the album is dead and the market for music crumbling, the expectations for music sales are certainly not as high as they once were, but the expectations for music quality are as high as ever (though many would argue that it's nowhere near what it "used to be"). Funny how things work isn't it? Mix tapes are starting to sound more and more like albums while albums aren't living up to expectations, this is a vicious cycle that artists can only hope gets broken. However, some artists have the ability to build such a following that no matter the music they put out, they get non stop support from their fans (we call this the "Stan effect"). The latest, and certainly one of the most interesting cases of this is Logic.
The Maryland rapper Logic has had many comparisons brought up musically (one of the most intriguing being Drake), but his story is unlike many. He certainly documents it in his music, discussing things like growing up in the hood, witnessing violence, hard drug use in his family (including his dad smoking crack), and ultimately chasing the dream of becoming a rapper. He's built an incredible fan base through 4 fantastic mix tapes, with his Sinatra series being critically acclaimed and the main reason behind the peaked interest in him, and his fans are behind him 1000% no matter what he does it seems.
This is a fascinating way for an artist to come up. In Logic's push for his debut album Under Pressure, Twitter was a big help in getting the word out (as it usually is for news nowadays), but up to this point Logic has shown appreciation to his fans unlike anything I have ever seen. Meet and greets, signed posters and even phone calls to his fans are just a few of the things that highlight the Under Pressure campaign. Who else has done anything else remotely like this? Can you even imagine getting a phone call from your favorite rapper or musician? How about getting an exclusive signed poster just for pre-ordering 2 copies of the album? The appreciation Logic has shown for his fans is unreal and is certainly a huge reason why he will be a top rapper within the next few years.
And this is what brings me back to the "Stan effect". No matter what happens, people will love their music and have their choices, and listen to their favorite music and buy their favorite musicians' albums (whether you want to believe it or not, people still buy albums. I certainly do, I don't believe the album is dead, but it is certainly a dying breed). A great way for these musicians to enhance the fans' experience is to simply give back. This is why what Logic is doing is genius. If you're a great musician who puts out great music, your music will be heard and bought. Downloading sites are waaaay too unreliable to know what you're getting (most of the time). Get your music the right way. Who knows, if you come across a musician as humbled as Logic, you may get some music free of charge anyways. Logic certainly is in the beginning stages of what will be a very long and successful career if he keeps finding ways to innovate the fan experience.
(*Note: I'm writing this knowing very well that Logic's album is out, yet I have not listened to one song off of it because I want to wait to buy. It's not so crazy seeing what Logic is doing now, is it?)
It seems like whenever a girl is on the come up in rap, they're never taken seriously at first, if ever. Few chicks in rap today get the attention they deserve (at least because of their music). For whatever reason that may be, this particular femcee (yeah, that's a twist on the phrase "female emcee", do you like it? I read it somewhere and I'm using it from now on) could be the one to change that. Her name is Snow Tha Product, and if you don't know who she is, you're about to. I had been introduced to her briefly (one feature verse) before, but the Latina femcee definitely earned my attention.
So obviously if you tuned into the BET Awards, and you're like me, the only reason you really watched was because of the cyphers. Of course it's depressing knowing no cypher will measure up to the 2011 edition featuring the monstrous Shady 2.0 cypher, I watch every year just to see if anyone worthy of watching is participating. This year was certainly another disappointment, but there's always that 1 or couple of verses that you hear and you're left wondering: just how in the hell have I not heard of this artist before? Well, now knowing Logic is as underrated as it gets, the other verse that caught my attention was Snow's. This chick got on spitting ridiculous, keeping up with the best of the best, even had a point where she got off some Spanish bars! After I saw this I knew she was the real deal and like a drug, I needed to have more.
And I certainly wasn't disappointed in what I'd found. A datpiff.com search came up with 3 mix tapes, and like the thorough researcher I think I am, I checked out all 3. Her first effort, Run Up Or Shut Up, was the typical first mix tape you'd hear from an artist on the come up. Iffy production, an over saturation of party tracks, and talks of haters and "shwag" (another new word, but one I like to think I've created, it's pretty much the parody of "swag" and the realization of how dumb the word "swag" really is). Her second mix tape, Good Nights & Bad Mornings, was exactly the potential I believed Snow could reach put into musical form. She comes with a more aggressive style, better production, a better quality in music including more topics and subject matter, and her competitive and confident attitude takes full swing. It's safe to say Snow found her voice on this project. Her third mix tape, Good Nights & Bad Mornings 2: The Hangover, is certainly a continuation of the great music she made on the first edition of the series, the only difference being the addition of some big name features including Ty Dolla $ign, Dizzy Wright, Trae The Truth, Cyhi The Prynce and Riff Raff.
So looking into her music, I was certainly impressed (and I'll be downloading some key tracks from those mix tapes, I'll admit). I cant say I had expectations going in, but if I did Snow has far exceeded them. She definitely made an impression on me with her mix tapes, but an impression being made on me in terms of lyricism, flow, and proving that you're a good rapper is a completely different story. You can make good music without being the "kill you on your own track" type of rapper. To me, this sort of thing shows true ability and the aspect of competitiveness that takes a rapper farther than their abilities alone, and if there was one track I needed to hear to have Snow prove her abilities to me, this would be it.
Ummm... alright. Ms. Tha Product, is it? You have my full attention. Normally any one rapper (man or woman) being featured on a Crook song doesn't get my attention because, well, I know what Crooked I can do. He's Crooked I. What else need be said? No other verse I've ever heard on the same song as Crooked I having a verse has come even close lyrically, but if I had to pick one, this one certainly takes the cake.
So who is Snow Tha Product? If you asked me, I'd simply reply "the best female rapper you haven't heard of yet." The rest of the game has it's Nicki Minaj's, you have your Iggy Azalea's (and people will claim Iggy isn't hip-hop, though it's hard to argue at this point), you even have the proven greats like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Lil Kim, etc., but Snow is unlike anything you or I have heard before. To say it isn't hard for a female to come up in the music industry (especially rap) would be a straight up lie, but obviously for the ones that have made it, you give props to them because whether you like their music or not, they've earned that come up. Snow isn't quite there yet, the main reason being she has no studio album out yet, but I believe Snow is the next Nicki Minaj. No, scratch that. I believe Snow has potential to represent every woman in America with strength, dignity, and an unrivaled ability to spit with the best of them all, period. If you haven't seen it yet, check out Snow's cypher verse, spitting alongside Vic Mensa, Treach (Naughty By Nature), King Los and David Banner in the 2014 BET Awards below.
(*I do not own any of these videos, or the rights to them*)
Logic has to be my newest favorite rapper in the game. When you talk about young rappers coming up who like to carry on the tradition of hard hitting hippity hoppity rhymes with a good blend of new sounds mixed in with it, Logic HAS to be the first one that comes to mind, other than maybe Joey Bada$$ (at least that I currently know of). I was introduced to Logic at the beginning of this year and have to say I was impressed immediately. I mean, how can you NOT like Logic?
Logic will be releasing his debut album Under Pressure this October 21st under Def Jam and his Visionary Music Group label. He has already given fans a nice amount of free songs this year, some of those include "Driving Ms. Daisy" featuring Childish Gambino, "Everything I Am" ft. Hit-Boy & Audio Push, "Alright" ft. Big Sean, "Finding Forever freestyle", "While You Wait", and "Now" just to name a few. A couple of these songs were rumored to be on an EP titled "While You Wait" that he planned to release before the album, but he reportedly scrapped the project to get the album promotion started. If you can say anything up to this point about Logic, it's that he's a hard worker who enjoys making music not only for himself, but for his fans as well. The album's leading single "Under Pressure" is the first song that he has ever put on iTunes to this day, and that includes 4 other entire mix tapes.
So how can you not love someone who appreciates what he does as much as this guy? If you love his music it's almost as if you'd never get bored of it. A lot of hating listeners (who I'm not sure why you'd listen anyways) like to say that all of his music sounds the same and he "recycles" lyrics, but as Shakespeare said, "let thy haters hate". Not to mention the fact that the production for his debut will be quite stand out as well. These producers include Hit-Boy, 6ix, C-Sick, and the producer I put in the "5 producers you should know" article last week, No I.D., who will be executive producing the debut.
Yesterday the VMG rapper put out the first single for the album of the same name "Under Pressure" and if I could use one word to describe it, it'd probably just be, oh, I don't know... LISTEN. The song is supposedly self-produced and will actually be over 9 minutes long once the album drops, but it is an incredibly dope song even not being able to hear the finished product. That's all I can say. I have a feeling this album will be a game changer. This kid is the truth and if you aren't going to jump on the Logic bandwagon right now, then it's going to be a long road to the top. Not for Logic, he's practically there once the album drops, but if you aren't there for the ride then all I can say is sorry. Check out "Under Pressure" below.
Producers really do not get the props they deserve and I can show you right now; think of your favorite hip hop song; whoever raps it, if there is anyone featured on it, or even if they put out a music video for this song. Now can you tell me who produced that song? If you can, then that's pretty damn cool, I salute you. You are one step closer to being a rap nerd like all the rest of us (whether you like it or not). But if you can't, haven't you ever wondered about a song you love enough to figure out who made that beat, who his/her mother is, his/her favorite cereal, and where he/she resides? Okay, maybe those last 3 details aren't something you absolutely HAVE to know, but producers affect your favorite artists and how their music sounds more than you know. Luckily I'm enough of a rap nerd for all of us to know a few pretty good producers that you definitely need to know, if you don't already.
Scoop Deville
This first guy caught my attention awhile back during Kendrick's Good Kid Maad City campaign, having produced an extra for that album; "The Recipe" featuring Dr. Dre. Without seeing the production credits, my first thought was "damn that's a Dre beat." All the familiar drum kicks, and a nice melody to compliment the beat. But of course this guy gained even more attention when the above monster dropped earlier this year.
No I.D.
Okay, if there's any song that can rightfully be called a "monster," this is the one to claim the title. When "Control" dropped nothing was the same (props to Kendrick for that line, you clever dog), truly. It created hype for almost EVERYBODY involved; all rappers mentioned by Kendrick, rappers not mentioned by Kendrick, etc. etc. But someone who didn't really get the shine they deserved (after all he did MAKE the beat) was No I.D. This guy is insane, he produced Nas' 2012 hit "Locomotive" (this song is as hip hop as it gets) off of his Life Is Good album, he will be on Jhene Aiko's upcoming Souled Out album, and most notably he will be executive producing Logic's upcoming debut album. His name is Dion (No I.D. backwards), which is also cool.
Boi-1da
If you don't know who Boi-1da is, then shame on you. This guys' beats KNOCK. Just about every single one of them you'll bob your head too, and he has quite the decorated resume. This list includes Eminem's "Not Afraid", Drake's "Headlines", "Best I Ever Had", "Miss Me" and "Over", and Nicki Minaj's "High School." His list of hits is a small one, but a pretty damn good one in the quality of those hits, although you don't see him producing for many others outside of Drake's camp due to the fact that he is signed to his "OVO Sound" label. What bigger song of his to include than "Forever" remix though?
SounWave
This song... this song needs no explanation. Personally my favorite hip hop song of all time at the moment. This song will remain my favorite song of all time indefinitely. Is it biased to put this song as the example to display SounWave's work? Maybe. But I can't listen to this song and be mad, sad, or any type of other emotion that isn't happy. My life's soundtrack aside, SounWave has quite a resume already, having produced not only this beautifully composed masterpiece, but also having done Kendrick's "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe," "Maad City," and Schoolboy Q's "There He Go." SounWave is part of a team of super producers called Digi+Phonics that also includes producers Tae Beast, Dave Free, and Willie B. The more you know, right?
Cardiak
This guy might be a bit lesser known, but is just as great as anybody else if not better. Cardiak stole my attention by producing for Joe Budden on his A Loose Quarter mix tape back in 2012 on bangers like "Cut From A Different Cloth" and "All In My Head." Since then he has cemented his status as a big name in the producing game and has produced for Slaughterhouse many times, and he is also probably going to have a hand in Slaughterhouse's upcoming album (no release date yet given). And if that isn't enough, check out his "making of" video for Eminem's "Groundhog Day" beat off of Marshall Mathers LP 2.
That's only 5 of some of the best producers in the rap game right now. I could go all day if that's what you really want, I mean I am a hip hop nerd. If none of those satisfy your interests, try looking into Hit-Boy, Jahlil Beats, Canei Finch, Illmind, Araab Muzik, Harry Fraud, I.D. Labs, Big Jerm, Alex Da Kid, 40, KeY Wane, the list could go on. While you're looking up these beat beasts remember that they are responsible for just about half of any rap song you've enjoyed. If there isn't a beat, rap just comes down to A cappella free styling. Not to mention the fact that they really do make us bob our heads. A beat without a rap is still a beat, and a rap without a beat is still a rap, but when you break it down and start to see how the 2 come together, you appreciate great music that much more.
