Bust a Rhyme
Exploring the men, women, and motivations behind your favorite hip-hop music.
Review: Metro Boomin & Big Sean's 'Double or Nothing'
I'll admit it, this one took me by surprise. I wasn't necessarily shocked that Metro Boomin and Bug Sean would work together, but it was more so the fact that the album seemingly dropped out of nowhere. I was excited to hear what Metro had in store for us this time. After all, just a couple of months ago, he dropped his album Without Warning with21 Savage and Offset. Unlike Metro Boomin, this is Big Sean's latest addition to his growing discography since February's I Decided which featured chart-toppers like "Moves" and "Bounce Back." Becuase of all of this, I couldn't wait to listen to what the pair had in store.
Kaya SabirPublished 6 years ago in BeatMost Dangerous Records Ever Released
Most people think about record releases in terms of albums being bought off iTunes, screaming fans, and of course, celebrity frontmen talking about their next epic concert tour. It's classic, and for the most part, that's exactly what major record releases are like.
Skunk UzekiPublished 6 years ago in Beat'Double Or Nothing': Review
After finding out last week that Big Sean and Metro Boomin were working together on a project, I did not expect it to be so soon. Today, we were blessed with Double Or Nothing, which is available on iTunes, Spotify, and other digital platforms.
Natalie MalcolmPublished 6 years ago in BeatHot SoundCloud Week 1
Here are my weekly nods of SoundCloud artists that embody the essence of what SoundCloud is about. SoundCloud is a music and social media platform used by independent and local musicians to share and post their various projects. Several well-known artists have started their careers posting their music only to be "discovered" later by major labels. It’s still challenging to make it in music industry, but there are opportunities now that have never been available before. With SoundCloud, you are able to upload your music, follow other users who are uploading theirs, and connect with other artists.
travus LerouxPublished 6 years ago in BeatCardi B
I am one of her biggest fans. Cardi B is one of my favorite female rappers because she is not afraid to tell it like it is; she gives it to you straight up. Like she always says, "I gotta make that schmoney."
Shante HernandezPublished 6 years ago in BeatRecapping 2017: Standout Debuts, Pt. III
Russ, SZA, Joyner Lucas and more—here are all the standout debuts of this year... part three that is. Check out parts one and two here.
Sadé SanchezPublished 6 years ago in BeatReaders' Review: Half-A-Mil's 'Courtesy of Half-A-Mil'
If you’ve been paying attention to the West Coast in the past decade, you’d be hip to the thriving beat scene, and if you aren’t, you can’t deny the steady flow of genre-bending, trunk-rattling, hip-hop coming from the West Coast. This is a producers’ market, and an emcee’s playground. Out of this flourishing community comes two of the best, and most prolific creators in California, Hit-Boy and Dom Kennedy. Test my words by looking through the discography of both artists. It’s safe to say Hit-Boy has the sound on lock through the early 2010s, even grabbing a Grammy for “N**gas in Paris,” while Dom Kennedy has been pumping out all kinds of records, effectively running the LA indie scene with an iron fist. Of course, an iron fist dressed in a Gucci oven mitt, because Dom makes what I affectionately call “Barbecue Music.” You know what barbecue music is, that smooth vibe that also keeps the party going at peak pace. If you aren’t catching my drift right now, I’m not sure I want to be at your next cookout.
Chuck KnightPublished 6 years ago in BeatHighly Intellectual People Hovering Over Politics
1975There I was, standing in the crowd cheering for the fact the war was over, and our troops were leaving Vietnam. Defeated, it felt as though America was going through a drought. I felt so sad that we had lost so many, but our patriotism was strong; I could tell you that much. I walked through the streets of New York City, looking to find meaning for all I have been going through. As I walked, I thought to myself how thankful I was for music. I couldn’t wait to get home and play my Captain and Tennille record, my personal favorite was “Love Will Keep Us Together”. What this world needed was a bit of love. I felt lost in a country which had strived off of unity. I, for one, had never seen our communities so divided. I thought to myself the one thing I was always able to lean on was music. I didn’t listen to much rock. My folks were big on church. I listened to a lot of gospel, and hours of blues tracks. Back then, I didn’t have much of a choice in what I was listening to. Come the late 70s, Bambaataa was the “firestarter of the hip-hop generation” (Chang 2005, 92). Hip Hop came to me at a very young age. What was Hip Hop? Something so unfamiliar to the masses, to my family. Back then, Hip Hop was a total of four elements. These elements were MCing, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art (Alim 2004, 272). This was seen everywhere before, but none of it had come together under the umbrella that is hip hop. A way to entice a young confused generation, I had never felt more connected to a genre in my life. I grew up to be an avid believer in the messages that resonated through my Walkman in the late 70s. I saw the potential of Hip Hop. The positive impact it held on me back then stayed with me until today, the day I chose to write about this growing memory of Hip Hop. Let’s be real, Hip Hop was created here, created in my city. “It's widely accepted that hip hop was born about 40 years ago at a Bronx house party on Aug. 11, 1973” (Lebeau 2013, 1). I felt it was essential to model what I had associated Rap to. Run DMC, huge in the 1970s, portrayed the ultimate look for B-boy fashion. As soon as I familiarized myself enough with what Run DMC was about, all I could rock were Adidas track pants with the sweater, bucket hats, with a whole lotta jewelry. I myself adored the Nike Cortez sneakers, which became huge after the 72 Olympics. I guess there was just something about Hip Hop that made me happy; Hip Hop made me feel hip, isn’t that ironic?
Kayla CharlesPublished 6 years ago in BeatRecapping 2017: Standout Debuts, Pt. I
Nick Grant, THEY., Sampha and more—here are the standout debuts of this year...part one that is. Release Date: January 14th
Sadé SanchezPublished 6 years ago in BeatJaden Smith 'Syre' Album Review
My mind is freaking blown away!! He completely nailed this!! Jaden Smith. Yes, the son of Will Smith! Jaden, currently signed to RocNation/MSFTS Music takes his art very seriously and tell his story only as he can. I’m not going to lie I would’ve never thought Jaden Smith would deliver a project this dope!! This isn’t the Jaden you thought you knew. He has uprooted and replanted himself in the much richer soil!
Analysis of Kendrick Lamar's "DNA"
Kendrick Lamar’s song and music video, “DNA”, is intriguing, powerful, and incredibly unique. He started his rap career under the stage name, “K-Dot” in 2004 at the ripe age of 16. He eventually gained a major following and popularity in the year 2010 when he retailed his albums “Overly Dedicated” and “Section.80”. He has had more than a couple top charts and his fame continues to grow today. His most recent and arguably most controversial album, “DAMN”, was released earlier in 2017. He has several tracks confronting the issues that the African American race faces in the world we live in today including police brutality and discrimination in general. The track, “DNA”, is one of them. Kendrick Lamar uses his following to spread the message that African Americans must stay loyal to each other in order to survive in this world we live in. Through the examination of the lyrics in the song during the interrogation and the two main characters, the interrogator and Kendrick Lamar, it will become obvious that “DNA” is not only powerful, but it is simply terrific.
Katrina CeceriPublished 6 years ago in BeatFrom Worst to Best: Rick Ross
This is a ranking of Rick Ross' albums, from worst to best. 9. 'Port of Miami' (79) Ross’s debut isn’t bad. The album was very well-produced and had a lot of guests. I wasn’t a fan of Ross at all before I heard this. Lyrically, the album is rather weak. Still though, for a 2006 rap album, it's not bad at all. Top Tracks: "Push It," "Hustlin," "White House," "Hustlin" (Remix)
Matthew SullivanPublished 6 years ago in Beat