People often expect highly anticipated albums to disappoint, but Kendrick leaves no room for disappointment. Lamar made this album as an ode to his fellow ’80s babies, products of the Reagan era. In fact, one of the songs is called “Ronald Reagan Era.” On this RZA-assisted composition and other tracks, Lamar mentions problems that have […]
Hip Hop/Rap
Posted inMusic
Tech N9ne — All 6’s and 7’s
He may get criticism for his at-times controversial subject matter, but as far as lyricism and flow goes, Tech is on-point from start to finish. Sure, “All 6’s And 7’s” may speak of violence and sexual deviancy, but that’s hip-hop, right? Well, not necessarily, but it’s certainly not out of the ordinary … especially with Odd […]
Posted inMusic
GDP — Useless Eaters
Example rap: “What kind of person could I possibly become when my personality is dependent on a drug / And usually more than one, ’cause too much of anything is never enough.” In short, GDP hates modern rap. That’s enough to make me recommend it to you. But before you think this is an “ABC […]
Posted inMusic
Rocky Business — A Rebel’s Roar
If you’re really good or really lucky (coughKanyeWestcough), you can get both at once. Rocky Business’ seven-song EP, “A Rebel’s Roar,” skews toward the art, with a few pit stops in the nonsense. I mention it because the rap/pop duo is really good at club-thumpin’ nonsense when it wants to be. Non-EP single “Kim Kardashian” […]
Posted inMusic
Jabee – Lucky Me
Jabee’s “Lucky Me” mixtape is remarkably fun to listen to, as the easy flow of his lyrics meshes with the melodic beats that float the rhymes. Those pieces result in a great set of tunes that will kill 34 of your minutes before you realize what happened. Although the album is a pretty chill affair, […]
Posted inMusic
T.I. – T.I. vs. T.I.P.
Atlanta rapper’ and self-touted King of the South’ T.I.‘s new album “T.I. vs T.I.P.” doesn’t steal the throne from his Grammy-nominated 2006 album “King,” though it manages to rule over most other commercial hip-hop on the charts right now. The record is billed as the two personalities of T.I.’ one representing a laid-back businessman and […]
Posted inMusic
Zone – I’m in Da Building
No. 1,” delivers a blend of styles on his upcoming mixtape, “I’m in Da Building.” On album opener “Wanna Ride,” Zone lays down his lyrics atop a smooth, crisp beat about girls at the club. It’s reminiscent of Jamie Foxx’s “Can I Take U Home,” and cruises at an R&B-like speed. Zone doesn’t croon words […]
Posted inMusic
Dewey Binns — Spare Tires Vol. 1
Stepping up front to steer a more personal project, 8Bit Cynics emcee Dewey Binns recently dropped “Spare Tires Vol. 1,” a rangy disc that dips between dark, confessional hip-hop and light, snappier anthems issued with witty observation. The album was mixed and produced alongside Norman’s DJ Chips, who helped the metro rapper assemble a framework […]
Posted inMusic
Hi-PoP! – The Duct Tapes
When a cheery, young and fresh-faced white kid approaches with a new rap album, it’s a bit unnerving. Even amid understandable trepidation at the listening party debut for Spencer Livingston Gainey and Zach Miller’s Norman rap outfit, Hi-PoP!, the 80-plus people in attendance and Gainey’s amiable spirit didn’t devolve the night into a bad rap […]
Posted inMusic
The Wake Up Call – Big Slack
POS Productions Big Slack is officially on the line with “The Wake Up Call,” but this phone call isn’t for everyone. The Oklahoma City rapper’s full-length album boasts impressive production and consistent beat making. But clocking in 17 tracks long, the biggest hang up of “The Wake Up Call” is its lack of lyrical diversity. […]