On July 20, 2018, The Internet released their fourth studio album titled, Hive Mind. The album comes three years since the release of the group's last album, Ego Death. Hive Mind consists of thirteen tracks and provides listeners with an artful collection of songs on love. With soulful instrumentals, graced over by the voice of lead vocalist, Syd, the album makes for a nice laid-back project to vibe to. As a cohesive unit, the group delivers a soothing yet energizing flavor with their style of R&B. I imagine that the project would make the perfect soundtrack for a movie about a millennial relationship. The album flows together really well and I almost couldn't tell when a song transitioned into the next. Be sure to check out Hive Mind and more work from The Internet. My favorite tracks on the album are "La Di Da" and "It Gets Better (With Time)". Thanks for reading!
On April 20, 2018, J. Cole released his fifth studio album titled, KOD. The album came rather unexpectedly, with Cole only giving fans about a week to prepare for the project. Through his Twitter account, Cole announced the album with a tweet that read:
Around the same time, Cole announced surprise meet and greets for fans in New York and London. Each event turned out to be a listening session for the album. Wide speculation erupted regarding the meaning of the album's title, KOD. J. Cole responded to this confusion with a tweet that read:
KOD. 3 meanings.
Kids on Drugs
King Overdosed
Kill Our Demons
The rest of the album I leave to your interpretation.
Upon release of the tracklist, fans were shocked to see two tracks listed with features credited to an artist named kiLL edward. This came as a surprise to people who knew J. Cole for going platinum with no features on his two previous albums, 2014 Forest Hills Drive and 4 Your Eyez Only. After thorough investigation, fans found little evidence of anyone named kiLL edward. However, a single track titled "Tidal Wave (just a little reference)" appeared on streaming services, which fans soon found out to be J. Cole's alter ego.
With everything surrounding the album, its release was highly anticipated through its few days of promotion. I for one, had no idea of what to expect from this project. We've seen Cole go in a variety of artistic directions through the years, so it was interesting to see what messages he wanted to send with KOD. Tuning in on the midnight of its release, I was ready for the thought-provoking introspective tracks that J. Cole's music often provides. The album consists of twelve tracks that deal with various themes. Some of the subjects Cole talks about include dealing with pain, drug culture, taxes, temptation, and much more. I was impressed by Cole's production throughout the album. He includes more fast-paced tracks like "KOD" and "ATM", which distinguishes this project from the laid-back vibes of his two previous albums. Lyrically, the album paints a powerful picture. Cole possesses a unique gift for storytelling and speaking for underrepresented groups. I've listened to the album several times since its initial release. Each time I find something else to digest. I feel Hip-Hop needed this cultural criticism coming from a respected figure like J. Cole. On the track "1985- Intro to "The Fall Off"", Cole rips through an unidentified young rapper whose apparently been playing around his name. Fans have their theories of who the song may be towards, but it's all speculation at this point. As the album has only been out a day, it will be exciting to see what visuals and more come from its release. The video for "ATM" was released on the day of the album, which is definitely interesting to watch.
KOD is a great listen in my opinion. Through the album, you're taken inside of Cole's experiences and given his perspective of the world. Definitely give it a listen. I'll be vibing out to this one for awhile. My favorite tracks are "Kevin's Heart" and "FRIENDS". Thanks for reading!
On April 19, 1994, Nas released his masterful debut album, Illmatic. The timeless ten-track project is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all-time. With hits like "N.Y. State of Mind" to "One Love", Illmatic certainly stakes its claim as a monumental project within the Hip-Hop community. Even outside of music, Illmatic has been praised in academia. The album was selected in Harvard's library as part of the institution's Hip-Hop archive. Likewise, Harvard has named a fellowship in honor of Nas. This rich body of work has shown how we can begin to view Hip-Hop intellectually. With vivid storytelling and poetic delivery, Nas invites listeners into his life as a youth in Queensbridge. Each time I listen to Illmatic, I can close my eyes and picture myself riding through New York. The album's complex subject matter and diction speaks to the wisdom and maturity that Nas possessed at this early stage of his career. Considering the album was released when he was twenty, Nas established himself as a truly unique artist with this debut project. Features include Az, Olu Dara, and Q-Tip. The production of the album gives you that early '90s east-coast vibe. Production credits include DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and Nas himself. Illmatic in my view, stands as more than music. It's an experience that pulls you in, gives you knowledge, and allows you to appreciate the complexity of true Hip-Hop. I often listen to the album while writing papers, because Nas will spit out sophisticated words that I can use in my next sentence. If you call yourself a fan of Hip-Hop without having listened to this album, I have to say you've played yourself. On this day, tune in and listen to Nas as he graces the mic with "mechanical movement" on the masterpiece of an album that is, Illmatic. My favorite tracks are "The World Is Yours" and "Halftime". Thanks for reading!
On April 6th, Famous Dex released his debut album titled, Dex Meets Dexter. The album consists of fourteen tracks, with features from Drax Project, Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, and Diplo. Throughout the project, Dex offers his distinct rhythmic flow over a variety of dynamic beats. His lyrics seem to take a carefree approach and provide a rock star aesthetic. He showcases his range on this album, going from laid-back tracks like "PROVE IT" to more hype songs like "CHUMP". The project is filled with energy and makes for good music to turn up to. Famous Dex definitely represents the younger generation of rap. As seen throughout this project, his music is focused on living for the moment and enjoying the material wealth that comes with stacking money. Reading the track list, I was familiar with two songs, "JAPAN" and "PICK IT UP" featuring A$AP Rocky. It's a fun project to listen to and you'll find it hard not to dance along with its rich production. My favorite tracks on the album are "LIGHT" and "TAKE HER". Thanks for reading!
On April 6th, Cardi B released her debut studio album titled, Invasion of Privacy. The album consists of thirteen tracks with features from 21 Savage, Bad Bunny, Chance the Rapper, J Balvin, Kehlani, Migos, SZA, and YG. The album has performed well commercially, with the milestone of being certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on the first day of its release. Cardi B's lyrics are powerful in how they vividly express her personality. She approaches music with honesty, which makes her art both entertaining and relatable. Throughout the project, you'll hear her frequently reference life before the fame in tracks like "Money Bag". When you listen to some of her songs, you almost feel as if you've gotten to know her. Her lyrics are a window that give you a clear perspective of her life. For instance, in the song "Be Careful", she expresses her struggle dealing with infidelity in her relationship by painting an honest conversation between her and her partner. The album is also packed with club bangers, including tracks like "She Bad" and the hit singles, "Bartier Cardi" and "Bodak Yellow". The production of the album is artfully composed with several tracks that you can dance or nod your head to. It's one of the most talked about projects of the year, so definitely check it out. I enjoyed listening to this project and I look forward to seeing where Cardi goes from here. My favorite track on the album is "Best Life". Thanks for reading!
Seven years ago, Kanye West released his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The album consists of thirteen tracks, with features from Bon Iver, CyHi the Prynce, Jay-Z, John Legend, Justin Vernon, Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, Pusha T, RZA, Raekwon, Rick Ross, and Swizz Beats. It stands as an important piece of Kanye's discography. During this period, Kanye was under much scrutiny for a controversial interruption during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. This among other pressures, led him to undergo a self-imposed exile in Hawaii. In some cases, artists make great work during times of turmoil. It's similar to finding a diamond in the rough. I certainly consider this project to be one of those cases. It was reported that West never slept a full night at the house he rented in Hawaii. Instead, he chose to take power naps in the studio, and had rented three rooms so that songs could be crafted simultaneously. He flew in a variety of premier artists and producers to collaborate with. One of the most interesting stories I found surrounding the development of this album, was that Kanye hired two private chefs, one for hot food, and one for cold food. The album is regarded as one of the most expensive albums to make, with an estimate listed at $3 million. He really invested his all into this project. Listening to the album, it's evident that plenty of time, thought, and energy was put into the composition of this album. It's truly a work of art. Through expressing himself, Kanye allowed us to experience his mindset during this time. You can feel the emotion he puts into crafting tracks like "Blame Game" and "Lost In The World." There's a theme of dealing with pressures of the celebrity lifestyle, relationship/personal issues, as well as internal struggles. This theme resembles the pressures Kanye faced in real life during this period. Throughout his career, Kanye's work has always reflected the essence of his current lifestyle. His work is a realist perspective of his life. For this reason, it's unfair to divide his career as "old" or "new" Kanye. He's the same artist in a different space. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was a "dark" space that yielded "beautiful" music. My favorite tracks off the album are "Gorgeous" and "Runaway." Thanks for reading.
On November 17th, Jaden Smith released his debut studio album,Syre. The album consists of seventeen tracks, with features from A$AP Rocky and Raury. The title of the album refers to his name, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith. If you're familiar with Jaden Smith, you know he operates on a higher frequency than most. His elevated thinking is clearly on display within this album. With this one, Smith gives us a tour of his mind. It's expressive, it's deep, and it's artful. I feel this album will really resonate with the youth. The transition between tracks is so smooth that it was hard for me to notice when the song changed. Pay attention to his lyricism too, he drops some gems. I'm deeply impressed with this project. He exhibits flow, emotion, and that Jaden Smith philosophy. When listening, you'll experience the free range of his mind. He knows no boundaries. My favorite tracks are "Falcon" and "Breakfast." Definitely give this one a listen. Thanks for reading.
On November 17th, I attended Jay-Z's 4:44 tour in Charlotte, NC. It has been going on since October 27th, and will last through December 21st. The tour is in support of Jay-Z's thirteenth studio album, 4:44, which released in the summer of 2017. Vic Mensa serves as the opening act. I won't spoil the set list for you, but it covers a wide range of Hov's career. He has so many hits that the show could've went on for hours longer. I had a great time. The stage design consisted of an octagon in the center of the arena. I thought this was cool, because it allowed each section of the audience to have an equal perspective of the performer. The screens at the concert also moved around, which was a nice visual aspect of the show. My last time seeing Jay perform was in 2011 during the Watch the Throne tour. He's laid-back, but his music has the power to set an arena on fire. You have to respect his longevity in the game. Not too many artists have a catalog of hits from the 90's till 2017. As a fan, I wish I could hear all of his work performed. If he somehow did a total catalog show where he performed everything, you would definitely catch me in the crowd. Those in attendance received a six-month free trial of Tidal. The tour is ongoing, so if possible, I highly recommend checking it out. You have to take advantage of the opportunity to witness a living legend. Thanks for reading!
Fourteen years ago on November 14th, Jay-Z released his eight studio album, The Black Album. This album was considered to be a sign off project for the rapper. He was suggesting retirement, and even held a farewell concert at Madison Square Garden. In retrospect, we know this retirement was short-lived, but this theme of "fading to black" was a major concept regarding this album. One of Hip-Hop's greatest was gearing to leave the game. In the book The 48 Laws Of Power by Robert Greene, law 16 is "use absence to increase respect and honor." Hov very well may have been using this tactic to his advantage. He's a clever individual, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was his intentions. Nonetheless, he gave us a classic album to go along with all of this. The album consists of fourteen tracks that include some of his greatest hits like "99 Problems", "Dirt Off Your Shoulder", and "Encore." We also hear the work of some legendary producers on this album. Production credits include Just Blaze, Kanye West, Timbaland, 9th Wonder, The Neptunes, Rick Rubin, and more. I consider it my second favorite Jay-Z album behind Reasonable Doubt. My favorite tracks on this album are "What More Can I Say" and "Public Service Announcement (Interlude)." You definitely have to check this album out if you haven't already. It's a certified classic. Thanks for reading!
Two years ago on November 13th, Logic released his second studio album The Incredible True Story. I hope his day one fans don't scold me for this, but this is the project that really turned me onto his music. It takes you on a journey with an intriguing story line that takes place within some truly extraordinary tracks. Features include Big Lenbo, Dria, Jesse Boykins III, and Lucy Rose. I did some research on the album, and found that the underlying plot of the project is actually part of a pretty mind-blowing story inspired by filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. What stands out to me is the vibrant production in tracks like "City of Stars." It gives off that sci-fi vibe, that I feel really speaks to Logic's experimental nature in his art. The lyricism showcased on this album is also "incredible." I enjoy the skits, my favorite being the one at the end of "Fade Away." When I heard it was the anniversary of this album, I had to write about it. It's definitely one of my go-to projects. It's so hard for me to pick favorite tracks off of this album, but I'll go with "Young Jesus" and "Innermission." If you haven't already, check this one out. Thanks for reading!
On November 10th, artist, Jidenna released an EP titled Boomerang. The project includes six tracks, with features from Quavo, Wale, Tiwa Savage, Maleek Berry, Sarkodie, Burna Boy, and Dot Cromwell. It is his first project since his debut studio album The Chief. The EP includes rhythmic songs, like title track "Boomerang" and "Spy Candy." He also includes the remixes of his hits "Bambi" and "Little Bit More", with tracks titled "Bambi Too" and "Little Bit More (Remix)." I've always appreciated the versatility of his art. He has the ability to rhyme smoothly over tracks, and the ability to create vibrant party records. He approaches music with a unique style of sophistication. Not too many artists are rapping about rocking suits. I'd characterize him as a smooth criminal. Calm and collected on the surface, but he's still a savage under the radar. You'll notice this too, if you take a look at his lyrics. My favorite on this project is the opening track "Decibels", the production and cultured lyrics makes for a nice song to vibe too. Overall, it's a fun project to listen (and dance) to. Check it out. Thanks for reading, and remember to enjoy life!
On October 27th, Mississippi artist, Big K.R.I.T. released his third studio album 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. The project is lengthy, as a double album with 22 tracks. Features include T.I., Lloyd, UGK, CeeLo Green, Sleepy Brown, Joi, Jill Scott, Keyon Harrold, Bilal, Robert Glasper, Kenneth Whalum, and Burniss Earl Travis II. The project comes much anticipated, after almost three years since the release of the artist's second studio album, Cadillactica. The production and flow of the project clearly stays true to K.R.I.T's southern roots. I appreciate the originality, lyricism, and overall southern vibe of the album. I was watching K.R.I.T's The Breakfast Club interview the other day, and he stated that he doesn't listen to outside music during the creative process. This just demonstrates the devotion he gives into making his art stand out. The lyrical content illustrates the self-reflection and spiritual growth that K.R.I.T. underwent while crafting this project. I won't spoil it for you, but he mentions the many exterior, as well as interior struggles, he faces as an artist. I highly recommend this album, although I must admit I have some bias being a southerner myself. I would consider it to be among my top albums of 2017. My two favorite tracks have to be "Get Away" and "Bury Me In Gold." I'll definitely be vibing to this album for the foreseeable future. Thanks for reading, and remember to enjoy life!
