When Nicki Minaj first came out, I wasn't feeling her at all. Her oversexualized records and image wasn't appealing to me. I felt like she was just one of those artists who comes and goes. But when I first heard her verse on Kanye West's “Monster” that all changed. I haven't heard a female go that hard in the last few years. I started to get hype about her debut album, Pink Friday, despite not being interested in Young Money.
I was disappointed by “Massive Attack” to the point that I wasn't trying to hear her many guest appearances.
But luckily, I was kind of interested in Drake's debut album. When I heard the Nicki-assisted “Up All Night,” I got hyped about Nicki's debut again, even more than before.
Then, the first single to the album dropped, “Your Love,” and I was sold!
I've never digged a pop record so much before. It was the perfect pop record. The video was very creative and beautiful with a great use of colors. I seriously didn't think she could follow that. But she did with “Right Thru Me.”
Those two records were nice, but I was starting to wonder about the lyrical warrior that I heard on “Monster.” Did she still exist? I was also wondering if there were going to be meaningful records on the album. Once I heard the first track on Pink Friday, I was blown away.
It was the great come up record. It defined to me what she was all about. She showed how real she was with this line: “...I'm fighting for the girls that never thought they could win. Cause before they could begin, you told them it was the end. But I am here to reverse the curse that they live in.”
The rest of the album was a great mix of her come up story, love and pop. It was the best debut I heard in a long time, if not my whole life. I loved the album so much that I brought it for my little sister. Nicki can lead young girls to the path of greatness. Sure, people would disagree, but it really depends on how her music and message is taken in.
This is where parents and mentors come in. Show the kids Nicki's E! Special! That piece alone is inspiring and empowering. I look forward to seeing what Nicki comes up with next. Until then, I'll keep playing Pink Friday and listen to various records featuring Nicki with my sister.
I’m a huge KiD CuDi fan. I loved his second album, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. But I was disappointed with his videos that came out after “Pursuit of Happiness.” I feel like I can relate to CuDi. He just might be the artist I relate to the most. I listen to “Man On The Moon (The Anthem)” and “Soundtrack 2 My Life” and see myself. When I seen the video above, I was blown away. When I first heard the song, I didn’t think much of it. But I saw myself in the video. I felt like I was watching a movie about me. Allow me to interpret the video.
First, we see CuDi trying to break into a building. He’s trying to unlock his potential. Once in the building, he looks up and sees he has a long way to go. The lock was just the beginning of a great battle. He sees that it will be a great battle, indeed. Everyone is trying to block him from reaching the top, from reaching his full potential. He is truly against the world here. He puts up a fight against the doubters, the dream killers.
He fights them off, but fails to fight his boss, Kanye West, because he is made aware of the consequences. With each blow he received after failing to battle his boss represents people telling him he can’t do this, can’t do that, can’t be this, can’t be that and why don’t you do this? Just when he thought he gained the upper hand on what he believed to be his biggest foe, he is blindsided by his girlfriend, the one person who he thought had his back. He is stunned by this to the point where he stops fighting and falls victim to his greatest enemy, himself.
You might see this as reaching, but I see it this way because this is my story. I had people doubt me, even those who I thought loved me the most. I had people diss me behind my back. I had people abandon me. Things got to the point where I was digging myself deeper and deeper by coming up with my own doubts. I was drinking on my own to escape reality, to escape my own mind.
I almost fell victim to myself, but woke up just as CuDi does at the end of the video. I woke up to the warming embrace of God. I hope CuDi keeps making videos like this. I hope he keeps making the Man on the Moon type music. This stuff helps people know that they are not alone. Even if people don’t come to know God, CuDi’s music could mean life for people who only see death.
This past Thursday, April 7th 2011, was the official release party for Fly Geenius Clothing, a newly established street wear brand founded by CEO Davon Bean. The event was held at the Samsung Experience store, at Columbus Circle, in downtown Manhattan. The release party was closed to the general public, and patrons were admitted via RSVP and guest lists.
The Samsung Experience store was transformed from a day time electronic retail store, to an after hours, grown and sexy private party for the unveiling of the Fly Geenius brand. One event goer that really liked the environment said that, “The space looked very classy. It had a very mature look to it. You could tell it was a 25 and up affair.” The event did not lose any bit of liveliness; with a DJ spinning current club records, and older familiar records, patrons were still able to get it in and have a good time while appreciating the showing of the Fly Geenius clothing line.
Bean and his team defined what it means to be “Fly” and a “Geenius” in their brand by having an artist paint a portrait from scratch at the showing. Many people were caught off guard by this, but in a good way. Another patron said that, “I was surprised and shocked to see someone actually painting there, like, where did he come from? But it fit the scene perfectly; upscale art, but with an urban feel, just like the brand. I liked it.”
The event really took off once the performers hit the stage. The first was the very sweet, yet soulful sounding singer Erin Christine. The pint sized vocalist took audience members by surprise, not by her ability to sing and play the piano, but by how strong of a voice can come from such a small person. Her sweet sounding voice fits her small stature, but it was the power in her voice that really grabbed the ears of everyone in the room. She performed four songs, but it was her single “Say” that captured the ears of everyone at the affair.
The second and final performer, Mickey Factz, took to the stage bringing the South Bronx with him. He premiered the single “Dreamland” from his debut album The New Museum, which drops this July on Battery/Jive records. The record features B.o.B on the album version.
He later performed the song “We Young,” from his mixtape I'm Better Than You. He kept the crowd entertained in his performance by dancing on stage and bringing high energy to his set. “He had me rolling when he started dancing on stage. I was impressed with his swag and confidence to even do that because most rappers these days don't even entertain the crowd anymore,” said a young woman that was at the event.
The event closed with a few words by CEO Davon Bean, where he thanked his mother for believing in him and his vision. Most of the people there were either friends of models, friends and supporters of Bean, or just there for the artist. But they all had one thing in common when they left, they all were satisfied with the event and were looking forward to seeing where the Fly Geenius brand goes next.
Today marks a great day. This blog turns three! Let me just say that I’m sorry for not being on here that much. I know that there are a lot of people out there who dig this blog. I wanted to do something special for all of you instead of not really mentioning this milestone or just giving a rundown of the best posts. Since there is a lot of talk about who’s going to be on XXL’s Freshmen 2011 issue, I figured I would write about who I’ve been digging lately and is worthy of being in the issue. I will share my thoughts on the Freshmen of 2010 as well, which I’ve been meaning to do for a while. I will also briefly talk about artists who I would love to hear more from.
XXL’s 2010 Freshmen was an interesting group. At the time, I never heard about most of those guys. I searched the web for their music to see why the magazine cosigned them. Most of them had a lot of great records, but there was only two who I thought were flawless, J. Cole and Pill. I heard about these two before the issue. J. Cole makes great thought-provoking, meaningful music.
Pill makes music for those on the everyday grind. If I had to choose one, I would go with Pill. He has more music out than J. Cole. I listen to him a lot. His music really strikes a cord with me. And I think it’s a shame that he isn’t put out there as of right now.
The first artist I’m going to talk about is G.O.O.D. Music’s “newest” recruit, CyHi Da Prynce. I heard about him a while back when his deal was announced. I didn’t think anything of him until the G.O.O.D. Friday track “So Appalled” was released. I was blown away. After that, he dropped his mixtape Royal Flush. Upon listening to the tape, I became a fan. On the tape, he shows that he can pretty much do any kind of record.
Esso is next to bat at the plate. His mixtape The Anti-Socialite is what modern New York sounds like. There are records for all kinds of people such as those who felt pain while growing up, are party animals and more. When I came across this tape, I couldn’t stop playing it. I don’t remember how I got into him. I think it was either seeing him at a show or in XXL’s Show and Prove. I hope he makes more music like this.
XXL’s RobMarkman introduced to Kendrick Lamar at the 2010 XXL Freshmen Showcase. I got to see him perform some of his music, but I didn’t think anything of it. Rob insisted I check out his first project the Kendrick Lamar EP. Once I did, I couldn’t believe that this cat could make great music. I was already hyped for his follow-up project O.verly D.edicated which is just as great as his first project, if not more. I was glad to see him in his month’s XXL’s Show and Prove. I regret just dismissing him when I first met him. He is someone I can relate to.
I know this is a group, but I really can’t take them out of the running especially since there is a group section in the issue. I heard a lot about Chiddy Bang but never checked them out until someone close to me put me on to them. This person sent me “Opposite Of Adults.” I was amazed with how hip and fresh the record was. I checked out their mixtape The Swelly Express and was even more impressed.
XV is the cat who a lot of people say was snubbed in last year’s Freshmen issue. He believes this as well. He addressed this in some of his music. I wonder if he would accept a Freshmen issue spot if offered. I got into him a few months after he dropped Everybody's Nobody. I liked how well it was put together and the emotion that came out of it. His follow-up Vizzy Zone expands on that.
Laws is another artist XXL’s Rob Markman put me on to. As soon I was made aware of his mixtape 5:01 (Overtime), I jumped on it. It is a great project. You can hear the hunger in his voice. Laws represents for those artists we rarely hear about; those who have a 9 to 5 job and use that money to support their real passion. I wonder how he will top this.
One of the gentlemen in the video above is my final pick, Big K.R.I.T. He’s one of the recent artists Rob has told me about. Rob pointed me to the mixtape K.R.I.T. Wuz Here. I had a hard time really listening to the tape because it wasn’t mixed right, maybe not at all. So, I waited until a mastered version came about, which took a while. I just happened to find it when I did a random Google search. I heard it as it was meant to be heard. I was amazed by how someone from this random state could be so lyrical and tell stories well. He produces his own stuff too and is signed to Def Jam. We just might have our next Kanye West.
That is pretty much it when it comes to who I think should be in XXL’s Freshmen 2011 issue. I know I’m missing some people such as the other guy featured in Laws’ video, Emilio Rojas. When it comes to him, I want to hear more from him. I have a hard time trying to find his stuff. If any of you can forward me his tapes, please do. Same goes for any artists you think I should check out. Some of you will mention Diggy as well. He makes great music, but I don’t think it’s time for him yet. Another artist I would love to hear from his Ice Cube’s son OMG.
I look forward to hearing what all of you have to say and who you guys put me on to. PLEASE let it be people XXL worthy. If there was some OBVIOUS people I missed, it’s most likely because I DON'T DIG THEM AT ALL. Now, let the great debate begin!
P.S. Thank you for sticking to this blog! Here's to another year!
This is a documentary called My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women & Hip-Hop. It features females MCs from the past and present, journalists, scholars, and label executives. The documentary has four main parts: the start of female MCs in the 1980s, the explosion of them in the 1990s, their downsizing in the 2000's and their future. Watch the rest of it below. Enjoy.
There aren't many underground rappers I really believe in. Why? Because quality music isn't being made by many. Some are in it for the quick buck while others are in it for the sake of making music. The Incomparable Shakespeare is apart of the latter. I've known Shake for around ten years. I met him through his longtime friend BK Cyph. I got to see him perform before I heard his music. It was at a block party in Flastbush. He performed with BK Cyph and a singer who goes by the name Sophia Lauren. They really got the crowd going and even got the kids involved. I must say that it was my first time seeing a performance; what a great time it was.
After that, I randomly met Shake again at this event. He give me his first mixtape Heavy Rotation. That mixtape was the first time I heard music from an underground artist. I was impressed with how creative and captivating it was. A few years later, he was consistently active because of the internet. He dropped afewmixtapes. Upon hearing those, I got back in touch with him and invited him to perform at a concert at my school alongside Mickey Factz, Loj and BK Cyph. He was a great addition to an awesome show.
Later that year, Shake dropped a music video for a track called "Skinny Jeans."
The satiric music video got him a great buzz which has a current view count of about 30,000. It created a great discussion on the YouTube link and various blogs because of the content. He extended his buzz with the mixtape called The British Invasion.
I was invited to a few sessions for that mixtape. One of the first joints I heard Shake record was "Hometown," which you can watch at the top of this post. My jaw dropped in amazement upon hearing the track. The visual, which dropped today, lives up to the record. The rest of the mixtape is very rich in material. There's a little bit of everything, stories, tracks to chill out to, etc. I look forward to whatever he has in store next. It's a crime that he isn't signed and getting the press he should. I believe in it. You should too.
After about 6,809 downloads and 3,856 listens of the fan blog's first mixtape, the second installment is here! It features exclusive, recent and familiar tracks from Mick. The full track to "Turn It Up" from Mick's thedarkphoenix: ALPHA is featured as well. Consider this a warm up to I'm Better Than You. Shout out to NEJI for the artwork. Shout out to Mickey and all of you for the support. If you are feeling this, check out the site for more music. Enjoy. Share it!
