Smart & Angry

I was invited to review the group  Zipsquad’s Lifestyle EP. Since I never review anything really from unsigned artists,  I thought I would give a go and review this.

I’ll begin with this, if you have a project with 10 tracks or less, don’t have skits. I saw an interlude on the tracklisting and was like what??? I also almost gave up on the album from the get go, cause there was some talking going on the first track for like 40 seconds over the first track!!! Which would of been cool for like 20 seconds, but this is an EP, and I don’t know who you are, and you want to talk for forty-plus seconds of what is suppose to be a rap album? “Bad form Peter(That’s Hook reference for you young’ns)”. The artist themselves aren’t bad though, as far as constructed rhyme patterns and technique go, they definitely have skills. The problem is that  that most of the time they are wasted on cliche’ topics of gettin money and bitches unfortunately. Which wouldn’t be a problem if it was done in a somewhat interesting way.

As far as the  production goes,  most is forgettable except for the track Long Nights, Cold Champaigne & Weed Smoke which flips a sample quite nicely. Think the guys need to gravitate a little more towards this type of sound next go around, it goes with their styles a lot better than the Celly Cel/90’s Bay Era synths that tend to litter this EP instead.  While the dudes are cool on the mic, there is nothing that warrants any further listens of this. There definitely is potential for the guys though, the guys have technique just need some better ideas as well as production to go along with and I think we might have something to talk more about next time. 

-Justa

It’s coming around that time for me to start putting together my 2011 year end list of music. Yet before I even get around to doing that, I would like to first get a few more projects from last year. Which somehow I completely neglected for reasons being :

a) I just wasn't up on them
b) slipped my mind while I was organizing the lists last year.
c) I was overwhelmed at the task of writing about 102 songs 20 albums, and other matters.
d) all of the above

Either way, I come to bring justice back to these overlooked projects which this year have still captivated my ears a plenty.  So without further delay, here are a few jawns that missed my list year.

Danny!-And I Love H.E.R/Where is Danny?
Bobojojo introduced me last year to South Carolina artist Danny!(Govement name  Danny Swain) in a major way . Sending me dudes whole current catalog, and giving me all the background information I needed on him(including info on Mr Oct Very Own Aubery Drake leaving him off of Thank Me Now[Drakes fakeness is a post for another day]). My verdict on his music: Though I can’t get down with a lot of his earlier works, his last 5 years have been quite impressive.  And I Love H.E.R(2008) and 2009(leaked)/2011(officially released)Where is Danny? are bangers. He is definitely in his own lane, and his quirkiness is a much needed attribute in today's hip-hop world.

Earl Sweatshirt-Couch
Nothing this year that has required as many playbacks as missing the OFWGKTA members 2010 release Couch. Yeah it’s offensive as hell, but who in high school didn’t have a clever friend that was able to shock you a bit here in there in clever ways(most likely wasn’t the Homecoming King either). When you move past the shock value though, one thing is apparent for sure: the kid has got  some major skills on the mic. Though a short in running time, it  works as a complete work. This would of easily been in my top five last year for sure if I would of been on the up & up. And no, I am not saying ___ Earl !. 

Das Racist- Sit Down, Man(download here)
This is one of those groups you either love or hate. They do have a lot of hipster sensibilities  in their music, but dudes can rhyme. This project  is a good display of all what they bring to the table. Which includes a lot of satire, cynicism, and  jokes(check the Lil Wayne like song below). Pretty sure your friend with the fixed gear bike has played this for you already,  which is a great alternative to Beruit and Animal Collective if you ask me.

Terrece Martin- Here my Dear(download here)
It’s Terrace not Terrance  by the way! One of my favorite up & coming producers/artist produced this gem for the grown folks last year. Inspired by Marvin Gaye’s album of the same title, the project explores relationships and love(groundbreaking right?) while boasting solid features from artist such as Snoop Dogg, Murs, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick  Lamar, Thurz & YO{formally of U-N-I}), Charlie Wilson, Kurupt and others this is definitely something that should be  on your iPod. Especially when you’re trying to getting your romance on.

Jazmine Sullivan-Love Me, Back
Don’t know how I left this off the list last year. This songwriter/vocalist impressed me so much with her first album, that it often had me standing up like I was up in Sunday worship service while listening. The second album only improves on what we were given a small glimpse on the first. Great vocal performances by her, and solid soul without sounding dated as well.  In a world where R&B has been invaded by rap and electronica, it’s good to hear someone sticking to the blueprint.

Strong Arm Steady- In Search of Stoney Jackson

My homey (shout-out to KP!) always swears by Strong Arm Steady. I personally have never been that huge of a fan of the (now)trio. Phil Da Agnoy has always been interesting to me before he joined,   Mitchy Slick is cool, Krondon has moments, but as a collective... nothing to write home about. That is until this Madlib produced album surfaced towards the end of last year. Madlib in my opinon is one of the top 5 beat-makers alive today. Yet, because of the release this year,  I was confused on to what album was which. Madlib is a beast, and if you know anything about his quirky, dusty productions, you know that there is no way you can come with your usual flow to his backdrops. Which pushes the usually calculated SAS crew,  above their usual west coast braggado.

-Justa

“There’s songs on there that’s making you go crazy.” - Swizz Beats regarding "Watch the Throne"

"Good Grief" - Me regarding Swizz Beats, Hype Machine

Who isn’t looking forward to “Watch the Throne” (the upcoming collaborative album from Jay-Z and Kanye West that everyone is talking about)? The answer is nobody: we’re all looking forward to it! From sea to shining sea, from elementary schools to nursing homes everybody is thinking of “H.A.M.” (the song) when they are reminded of ham (the food). Children everywhere are being named "Otis" and throne sales have hit an all time high. It’s just a great time for our country and the world. Even better, Jay and Kanye have started calling themselves “The Throne”! Ye-Z (air horn)! The Throne (echo and double air horn)!!

No offense to the filthiest rich rap millionaires ever but I’m not all that excited about the album. “WHY!?!” everyone asks. Because my slate is crammed full of great hip hop and I don’t even know what a slate is (but I do know mine is full). Honestly, I have so much good music spinning that this Throne business hasn’t really cracked my radar. In fact, I didn’t even check for “Otis” until the Game dropped “Uncle Otis” (nice job there the Game, you're like a rap first responder). But don’t get me wrong, I love Jay-Z and Kanye West. I really do, Jay is an extremely talented MC and Kanye is a great producer. They drop good tracks all the time. But let’s be serious for a minute: Jay-Z does a lot of collaboration albums (remember R. Kelly and Linkin Park?) and he ALWAYS WORKS WITH KANYE WEST, so nothing new there. Also, let’s take a look at the pair’s past releases and see if we can guess where this new joint will end up:

So, what’s the point of this post? I don’t even know! It has something to do with everyone (especially non hip hop fans) expecting a masterpiece and declaring perfection from these two when so far they’ve delivered the same mediocre coal from the mediocre mountains for years. I mean, how are so many people so amped about cool-sounding but insubstantial music from millionaires? Especially when the music is about being millionaires? I mean, did you see that making of documentary? Nobody lives like that. I can see how other millionaires might like that, but not me! I’m broke! I’m a zeronaire. “Ah, so you’re hating about money”. Nope, I’m hating about trash music that a couple of big time rappers are selling based on their image and status. Even the first singles have been “good” but not “good”…you know what I mean? I mean, they might be okay in a mix but I’m not pushing play on them more than a few times. Ya dig?

But wait! Let’s see what the media and public are saying about “Watch the Throne”, then maybe we can get some perspective. Well, I see a lot of reasonable people predicting this album to be average. Good for them. But then there's this from Entertainment Weekly:


“Simply put: Throne proves to be a masterpiece. No exaggeration.”

Really? Do you think it’s too soon to say that? Is ‘before the album has been finalized’ too soon? There's more...Actually, hold on, let me back up a bit and start again by checking out the content of our friend Jay’s verse in the song “No Church”, courtesy of Rolling Stone:

“Jay-Z unspools brainy couplets about great thinkers like Socrates, Plato, Jesus, Kanye and himself; Kanye raps about drugs and sex, among other topics.”

Really? Five names that just go together: Socrates, Plato, Jesus, Kanye West, and Jay-Z. It’s a higher level of couplets! They all talked about how rich they are and “drugs and sex, among other topics”. Teach us wise ones. Rolling Stone continues (this time about the single “Otis”):

“Their rhymes are tricky, showoffy stuff, with the two old friends trading lines like a 21st-century Run-DMC.”

Nope. But that’s Rolling Stone for you (a hip hop authority right?).  Anyone else have anything to say?

“it's…two dudes talking s--- in an aggressive manner” – NY MAG

That’s more like it. Wait! the WEB SITE Rap Buzz certainly has high expectations for a song they've never heard:

"A song that has got us hyped up here at The Rap Buzz is 'Living so Italian' - as we're originally Italian, this song title is very interesting and we hope Hov and 'Ye rep it right and it sounds as monumental as the Coliseum!"

 I think that's the worst song title. But, you know, different strokes for different blogs or something like that.  Okay, enough of that. Let's hear from the fans:

“J can't do no wrong in my eyes, perfect life, wife, track and collaborations, keep doing your ting J giving it to us raw so!!"

And

"Jay nor West can do no wrong in my eyes!!!”

That’s just a good way to look at art! And then this:

“this is hot and "watch the throne" will go platinum in a week :D! I got deluxe version of it already pre-ordered..I just hope jay&jeezy spend my dough wisely..like on a yacht in south of France :D..can't wait for it to drop!”

HOLY CRAP! Really? These fans are nuts.

"Ham was under rated if you ask mee...the song was for everybody on they grind tryna make it happen ..the beat the lyrics from both and subject matter was ridiculous and the craft was unique but i guess not ready for our current audience stuck in lazy land.. why would a hater like a song implementing going hard as a mother (you a hater) lol you dont do ish”

Hating on the haters! I guess I’m stuck in “lazy land” implementing hating! Any other fans?

"Love You Both. Kanye, I’m falling in love with you,,, you’re the voice for everyone fighting to be/stay/are themselves!!!”

What!? These guys are doing more damage to people being themselves than anyone else.

In the end I don’t want Jay or Kanye to change their style at all, I like them. What I do want is for “Watch the Throne” to go on regular spin because it’s so good. I want all these people and predictions to be right. I really want to love this album. I want it to say something, but I doubt it will, and I doubt anyone else will care about it much after about a year. Why? Because I expect the album will be going for mass appeal (and that never wins). So where does that leave us? We the people pay for some rich guys to get richer and to crow about it to our faces! It’s a good investment for the regular folks, it’s inspirational, and thanks for the opportunity to give you money the Throne.

-DagDiligent of the Tortoise General Blog