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(09/29/18 1:01am)
I didn’t know Mac Miller personally, but I truly felt like I did.
I’ll never forget the first time I listened to your music. A friend suggested I listen to “Kool-Aid and Frozen Pizza,” and from that point on I was hooked. There are many unique artists, but Mac, you were truly something special.
Miller was coined as a musician that made stoner music and pop genre rap, but his talent ranged further than that. As my love for music grew, Mac Miller was right there every step of the way, growing in his craft. I watched his growth and witnessed his increased versatility. Miller pushed boundaries.
He has an enormous discography and each project revealed a new talent or somewhere he had grown. His flow got better with each song. His style grew further and further away from mainstream music. He blossomed in areas that I didn’t know he could get better in.
It’s absolutely insane to think the first piece I wrote in the Cluster this year was a review of his most recent album, “Swimming.” I never thought that would be the last album he’d release. It was beautiful, from top to bottom. Comprehensive of all of the talents he possessed.
Combining jazz-styled beats with a raspy voice and rap lyrics, he created his own sound. On the radio today, it’s normal to listen to multiple artists that sound the exact same. It was truly refreshing to hear music from an individual that maintained their own individuality.
He was in a lane of his own. He had a love for music over everything and gave respect to all those trying to find fame and those already there. He opened his home to budding and established artists to record at his in-home studio.
Mac Miller was an icon, a representation of positivity and happiness. The love he walked around with was so evident and it still shows. The outpouring of love from fans continues days after his passing.
Every day I get on Twitter and see some post referencing Miller’s greatness or the impact he had on someone. Many admitted to their own personal struggles and spoke to Miller as a means of support and an outlet to their reality.
Celebrities and fans alike, agreed that he was more than a musician to them. He was respected by rap greats and loved by the world. Miller didn’t do it for the fame, he was being himself and doing what he did best, make great music.
You were my next concert Mac, and it hurts even worse I never got to see you perform live. Anyone close to me knows how much of a fan I was. I can listen to your music at any event, any time of the day, in any mood.
Mac, you asked a question in one of your songs. On “One-threw-8,” off your mixtape “Macadelic” you asked, “Dear people on earth after I die, what’s the weather like?” Mac, it’s nice out, but it’s always gloomier without you here. Rest in Peace young king, fly high and “Thumbs Up.”
(09/06/18 12:00am)
I love music. I’ve been an avid follower since I got my iPod Touch in ninth grade. Every week, a new artist pops up out of, what seems like, nowhere. But there are a handful of artists that I look forward to hearing from each and every year.
These are the artists that I follow on Twitter and wait for any signs of new music. These are the artists I take a day to listen to their entire albums. These are the artists I regard as some of the best in their genre.
Mac Miller has to be one of my favorite artists of all time. I’ve been following him since 2011 when I first heard one of his most famous songs, “Kool-Aid and Frozen Pizza,” off his fourth mixtape, “K.I.D.S”.
Miller has been rapping for a while, and it shows. I think what’s most exciting about an artist like Miller is that you get to hear the progression of their craft while also learning more about them.
The first projects I heard from him were full of fun songs, but younger topics. His most recent album is his most mature and one of the most holistic projects he’s ever completed. He sounds healthy and focused.
His sound is so unique and it sounds like he’s figured out how to flawlessly leverage all of his talents and combine them perfectly. Miller has a raspy voice but somehow makes his attempts at singing work well, while pairing his experienced rap style to make for some of his best music.
“Swimming,” Miller’s fifth studio album, is some of his best work. It’s the perfect combination of the emotional Miller and the Miller music that can shatter speakers. This album reminisces on tougher times for Miller and the period after he pulled through.
The first song on the album introduces us to the mental space that Miller was in and now finds himself in.
Miller says, “And I was drownin’, but now I’m swimmin. Through stressful water, to relief.” Miller paints a picture of the depression he struggled with but now how he has progressed through it.
Songs like “Self Care,” speak to how Miller has overcome different issues through taking some time to really focus on himself saying, “Self care, Im’ treatin’ me right, yeah.”
On the album, my top five songs are “Come Back to Earth,” “Hurt Feelings,” “Self Care,” “What’s the Use?” and “2009,” in no particular order.
Miller’s discography speaks to true growth. He shows a different piece of himself with each album and this is his most mature and personal project yet.
“Swimming” is one of the best albums I’ve heard this year and it reasserts that Miller produces highly detailed and high quality music. It seems like he hand picked each droplet of water to add to his pool of an album. I hope you’re ready to take a dive.
(04/20/18 7:48pm)
I first heard of these two girls when I was roaming Youtube and I stumbled upon the “Drop” video. For the first video I had seen from these girls, I was a bit weirded out, but I could tell there was something special about them.
Chloe x Halle is a duo made up of sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey. These two are versatile, not only in their music but also in their talents. They are starring in the new show lead by Yara Shahidi, “Grown-ish.”
Once again, Atlanta has managed to produce unique and versatile artists. Everything about them screams style, individuality and pure talent. Their choice of fashion, TV appearances and music all combine to create what makes them so amazing.
I was scrolling down my Twitter feed, and I saw the video for “Happy Without Me,” which is my favorite song from their debut album “The Kids Are Alright.” With 18 songs, this album is impressive, especially for a debut album.
What’s so impressive about this album is the genuine talent that both of these girls possess. Aside from the overall production and topic choice for the album, their voices sound amazing. Many singers rely on studio mastering and auto-tune, but this album and their live performances show off their skillset.
“The Kids Are Alright” is extremely entertaining. Most productions that have a lot of songs usually rely on the amount of songs to offset the lack of quality, but I’ve played through this album multiple times and have enjoyed it all the way through.
Some of my favorite songs off the album are “The Kids Are Alright,” “Everywhere,” “Fake” and “Happy Without Me.” These are my favorites, but I genuinely like just about every song on the album.
I think they took their time with these songs and made sure they would really make a splash with their debut album. I love how they incorporated a variety of concepts as well.
They discussed love, feelings, growth and just having fun. Chloe and Halle also perfectly placed a few artists on some of their songs. Artists like GoldLink and Joey Bada$$ added a rugged style to the smooth tone of Chloe and Halle.
These young ladies have something that can last and that I hope to see in the future. They have cemented themselves in my library of music, and I can’t wait to add more of them to it. You can also check out Grown-ish if you want to see more of them.
(04/08/18 10:02am)
Atlanta is an epicenter of culture. It is literally a hub for exchange, locally and internationally.
The culture that has arisen from that is truly something special. Something that has been cultivated in Atlanta is the art of making a great musician. Music groups like Outkast, TLC and Kris Kross and individual artist like T.I., Usher and John Mayer are all Atlanta natives.
Kanye West was raised in Chicago, but what many people don’t know is he was born in Atlanta, so technically his roots lie there. It must be in the water, because Atlanta breeds amazing artists and they continue to do so.
The rap group, Earth Gang, hails from Atlanta and encompasses the individuality and pure talent expected from Atliens. Johnny Venus and Doctor Dot make up this duo and have made a name for themselves in the rap game.
This is not music that we’re used to hearing on the radio, this is a different style. It reminds me of neo-soul rap. “Royalty,” is Earth Gangs most recent and third album. They are signed to Dreamville Records founded by J. Cole.
I didn’t know what to expect from the album, but what I do know is I was impressed. I stumbled upon the album right before I traveled to Japan and I knew I had to have it on my playlist for my 14 hour flight.
If I wasn’t so busy watching all of the various movies available on my flight I would have had this album on repeat. This short album packs a lot of punch. With only 5 actual songs, this album totals out at 24 minutes, including the 3 skits included on the album.
Aside from the songs, the skits were very entertaining. It showed the goofy personality of the duo, contrasting with the more serious topics Earth Gang shed light on in majority of their songs.
The central topics they rapped about had to do about their experience growing up in Atlanta and how that’s influenced their style and personalities. Also they spoke to how being successful has led to a change in their status and what that means for them.
My favorite song on the album is “Lolsmh.” Two acronyms makeup this song but I’m left speechless. It’s perfect. The way they approached the song was immaculate and I really enjoyed the instrumental selection. This song put the album over the top for me.
Altogether this was a great album. It was entertaining from start to end, even if there wasn’t that much time in between. I’m all for albums that are shorter, but offer better quality music. I’m going to go back and listen to some of their earlier music, and I’m looking forward to what is to come.
(03/20/18 8:24pm)
I like to think of myself as someone who listens to a variety of artists. Some are signed and make songs for mainstream listeners, and some are independent and are extremely unique. Sometimes, some really great artists slip through the cracks.
Nipsey Hussle is one of those artists. When I was exploring and looking for new artists, I saw mention of his name but never explored his music. It wasn’t until I was riding in the car with my friend Deshun Gilchrist that I even heard his music.
I was sold! His flow was so Los Angeles, his music was so real and his beats were so crisp. I was really excited to get home and listen to the rest of the album under some headphones, so I could truly hear the music.
Nipsey’s album title, “Victory Lap,” is just that. It’s him running past many of his fellow rappers showing off his skills in a variety of ways. Lyricism, flow and topic selection are all top tier in this album.
Nipsey gives us 16 songs that all paint a picture of his life and his interpretation of the world around us. In many of his songs, he speaks to the dangers of the area he grew up in, ways he wishes to uplift that community and the current climate of our nation.
“Dedication” is one of my favorite songs on the album. Kendrick Lamar adds some fire to the track with one of the realest verses I’ve heard.
Lyrics from Nipsey like, “I swam against them waves with. Ended up on shore, to they amazement,” and “For generations we been dealt bad hands, with bad plans, prove your dedication,” speaks to the issue that African Americans have to work so much harder to reach a moderate level of success.
On "Real Big," he talks about some of the hardships of growing up in Los Angeles like what it took to get to where he is now which adds variety to his music style.
“Left my record label, just got more rich. I switched it up, that’s me singing on the chorus,” he said.
In 2010, Nipsey was released from Epic Records and founded his own label, All Money In, under parent company Atlantic Records. Since he started his record label, he has progressively gotten more attention as an artist.
Nipsey Hussle has truly impressed me. What I love so much is the replayability of the album. I can play it in the car, shower or to sleep. It’s a great album. It’s well produced, well written and powerful. This is the music I look forward to hearing more of. I can’t wait to hear what he has to come.
(03/05/18 6:15pm)
There is no rap group currently that can captivate an entire market better than Migos can. What I find so interesting about them is that they have tapped into their own niche of rap music. The Migos’ career is at an all-time high.
All of the members have contributed to their continued media coverage. Quavo is independently featured on numerous songs, Offset is engaged to the wildly relevant Cardi B and Takeoff has us all wondering whether or not he was really left off of “Bad and Boujee.”
The influence Migos have had on the growing culture of popular hip-hop is undeniable, but their one setback has been their completed projects. Their most recent album, “Culture II,” was better than “Culture” but didn’t meet the expectations I’ve had.
Migos have had great success because of their extremely popular singles and songs they’re featured in. Songs like “Stir Fry,” “Walk It Talk It” and “MotorSport” all helped with the overall quality of the album.
These songs have risen in popularity and ultimately increased the expectations for the entire album. It’s normal for artists to release some of the best songs off their albums as singles, but I think this has an adverse effect on the success of Migos’ albums.
When listeners like me hear really exciting and dance-inducing songs, we’re intrigued by an album because it’s assumed that the album would be full of this caliber of music. This ultimately leads to me being disappointed.
Out of 24 songs, I can probably count about eight songs I really like. By no means am I saying this album is terrible, but I sincerely think Migos could take more time in cultivating the songs they do create.
I expect theme, style and relevant subject matter from an album and this seems to be just a combination of songs that they threw together. Most of these songs have similar subjects and don’t differ much in style.
While the beats they rap over are high quality and hold some of the songs together, this only goes so far when they are at the caliber they are.
If I ever had the opportunity, I would definitely see Migos live. I know a large amount of their songs and they are genuinely entertaining, but a little more emphasis on the quality of the albums they release can take them from five-star talent to legendary status.
(02/14/18 4:15pm)
I am always excited to hear about new artists. Not only to hear their music but to foresee a career. It’s one thing to see an artist release their first studio album, and it’s another to see it coming from such an exclusive label, Roc Nation, a label founded by Jay-Z.
Reigning from Brooklyn, New York, Justine Skye has been singing for quite some time and her cover of Drake’s “Headlines” garnered her acclaim and over 2 million views on Youtube. Unfortunately, it was not until she released her latest album, “ULTRAVIOLET,” on Apple Music that I explored her talent.
“ULTRAVIOLET” is Skye’s debut album, released on Jan. 19.
Skye has some true talent and a style that’s full of confidence, which adds to her overall ability to produce entertaining music. From the first song on her album, “Wasteland” she showcases her range and versatility.
What I like most about Skye is that although she is an R&B singer, she manages to differentiate her style without stepping outside of her lane. Her music doesn’t sound the same which can be a downfall for many predominantly R&B artists.
Skye is only 22, so what’s most exciting is hearing her rendition of what heartbreak she’s had while still trying to figure out what she wants exactly. Many of the songs on this album explore relationships, love and vulnerability.
I enjoyed the confidence and independence exuded from Skye in songs like “Lil’ Boy” where she says, “No more breathe to waste on you, I had so much faith in you.” I think what this speaks to more than anything is that she’s not willing to settle.
Obviously anything you want will probably take work, but she realizes that the expectation you have for someone doesn’t dictate what you know you deserve.
My favorite songs on the album are “U Don’t Know,” “WasteLand,” “Back For More” and “Don’t Think About It.” I think these songs best showcase Skye’s talent while maintaining a sound that is audibly pleasing.
Jeremih assists Skye on “Back For More,” and they really compliment each other’s style. I think with the combination of song topic and production, this is my favorite song on the album. I can’t think of a better fit for a featuring artist on this style of song.
I think Skye has the potential to really take off. With the help of her label, I feel like her sound can be refined in a way that will increase her appeal. I’m interested in the future projects from Skye and how she will grow.
(01/30/18 12:48pm)
After years of debating whether or not I would like to live in a predominately cold climate, it’s official; I want nothing to do with the cold. For the past few years, Georgia has barely experienced what could be classified as cold weather, so I started to forget what it even feels like to be cold.
Although I hadn’t felt the bitter cold in years, I could never forget how much I enjoyed dressing in cooler temperatures. I sincerely do not enjoy walking outside when it’s below about 40 degrees, but stylistically, I had to make an appearance.
Dressing for colder temperatures in Macon could probably be studied as a science. It is so unpredictable and often forces you to choose whether or not you want to be cold in the morning or hot in the afternoon.
Think warmer, not colder.
When it comes to making attire decisions in the winter, I think it’s always better to layer up rather than regret not putting on enough clothing. For me, it’s best to be able to remove my top layer than freeze while in any of my classes.
To ensure you’ll still be warm without your top layer it’s imperative you put on some type of undershirt. It could be just about any brand of thermal wear or a regular t-shirt. After this, it’s really important to invest in a good warm jacket.
Don’t get caught in the rain.
Something I had to learn the hard way this season is do not invest in only one type of jacket. I’ve had a warm peacoat for about three years now, and it has served its purpose. When it got really cold, I could pair it with a scarf and maintain style and warmth.
But, this winter was brutal. Macon got hit with a cold front prompting meteorologists to forecast snow across Georgia. Instead Macon got really, really cold rain. I found myself hopelessly unprepared.
My rain soaked jacket did nothing against the combination of a battering wind chill and ice cold rain droplets. That weekend I decided to go out and find a water and windproof winter jacket. It serves as a more casual option but manages to keep me just as warm as my peacoat.
Shopping doesn’t have to be difficult.
Shopping for winter clothes in prime season can be pretty difficult and potentially expensive. But looking out for mid-season sales is the way to go. Most of the time stores offer sales on jackets and sweaters at the peak of winter season.
Places like Macy’s, H&M, and smaller retailers like Marshalls and Ross often have some great prices on winter attire. Whether or not you’re looking for Alaska ready parkas or a light yet warm windbreaker, you should be able to find it for a great price at any of these stores.
Accessories are make or break.
The final aspect of a successful winter outfit is the accessories. Hats and scarfs make all the difference in securing the heat your body produces. It adds a trendy touch to most outfits and adds another layer of warmth.
One hat and scarf pair are cheap and extremely beneficial to your winter attire. So, dressing in the winter is pretty simple. Find multiple jackets that keep you warm even through the weather changes and make sure to look out for great sales at the stores you shop at regularly.
(01/21/18 5:13pm)
After a great break out year from many new artists like Cardi B, SZA, Khalid, Julia Michaels, Alessia Care and many others, I’m excited for what the new year has to bring for music. Many artists I listen to now are right on the cusp of becoming mainstream.
Some of these artists have made their way to my headphones because of some of the songs they have been featured on, really interesting music videos or true talent that I just couldn’t ignore. Here are my top five artists I’m looking forward to hearing more from in 2018, and you should too.
Sabrina Claudio
For a number of these artists, their music career is very new, or young. Sabrina Claudio, hailing from Miami, Florida, is only 21 years old.
As of now, her discography is slim with majority of it being soundcloud singles, but she has recently added one more mixtape to her official project list, totalling her projects to two. Her voice is strong and her style is soulful. She has the potential to be a very captivating artist.
J.robb
J.robb, a hip hop producer and rapper from Baltimore has received most of his fame from Soundcloud. J.robb is signed to the small record label, Soulection, notorious for giving artists a platform to express their true styles.
He released his first mixtape under his label on November 2, 2017. This mixtape received hundreds of thousands of plays on each song. He is currently working on his debut album which does not have a planned release date, but is anticipated for sometime in 2018.
Ella Mai
She is by far one of my favorite artists. The first song I heard from her was “She Don’t” featuring Ty Dolla $ign on her first EP “Time.” Mai has an unbelievably beautiful voice. She has released three EP mixtapes since 2016.
Some of her most recent work was assisting Chris Brown on his song “This X-Mas.” Among his 57 songs on his most recent album, this song was one of the best on the album. She has the capacity to entertain a crowd as well as make genuinely great music.
Although she released a project in late 2017, I anticipate that she will acclaim attention from her tours and potential collaborations. Mai has signed with Interscope records and I foresee this enabling her to increase her following and projects released.
Dvsn
Contrary to popular belief, Dvsn is not just one artist. It is a duo consisting of Daniel Daley and Paul Jefferies aka Nineteen85. Dvsn has captivated the ears of many avid R&B listeners but has not became “mainstream.”
With a recent album release Dvsn has acclaimed much more attention than before.
They are going on tour this year and I foresee them building their following. Dvsn is signed to OVO Sounds and Warner Bros.
Joyner Lucas
Joyner Lucas has been in the headlines for the past couple of months for his “I’m Not Racist” video that addressed the current racial climate of the nation from the perspective of a white and black man.
Lucas is notorious for addressing controversial topics and remixing popular songs. Most recently he remixed Lil Pump’s “Gucci Gang.” Since signing to Atlantic Records in 2016, he has released one album.
As of late, he has collaborated with Chris Brown on multiple songs. He is continuing to ride out his fame and with continued promotion from his record label, he has the ability to make 2018 his break out year.
(12/15/17 8:04pm)
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 300 mass shootings in America in 2017 alone. A mass shooting is classified as a shooting where four or more people are killed or injured. These aren’t instances of happenstance, they are intentional and damaging.
There is obviously an issue here. It is a topic that is continuously discussed but often never sees real change. The objective is to curb the amount of mass shootings, but how we go about doing that is the hard part.
Many have argued that it is a mental health issue rather than a gun issue. On the other hand, many people directly correlate the easy access to guns to the increased amount of mass shootings.
Gun control has been a hot topic for some years now. After two of the most deadly mass shootings recorded in modern American history occurred a little over a month apart, I felt it was imperative to explore a potential solution.
The issue is, there are so many means of gun control. I want to explore a few of them and hopefully further a discussion on what can be or should be done.
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I’ve heard the idea of the government banning guns across America. Systematically speaking, it would be more than difficult to locate and collect all firearms across America. Though if accomplished, it would make sense that gun violence would decrease.
Australia voted to adopt a sweeping gun law that banned semi-automatic rifles and shotguns after the 1996 Port Arthur mass shooting. According to BBC News, since the adoption of the laws there have been no mass shootings and the rate of homicide has also decreased.
Maybe this is our solution.
On the contrary, we once tried to ban alcohol and it backfired. Prohibition turned into illegal production of alcohol riddled with gang violence. Who’s to say the same thing won't occur if guns are banned.
Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but remains among the highest in reported shootings. Due to human ingenuity, it seems that if we want something, then we are determined to get it.
Australia also implemented a stricter code for the purchase of any type of gun. Diminishing the access to any firearms doesn’t take away anyone’s right to bear arms, but it offers a solution to the excess of firearms found across America.
Some gun supporters feel as if this directly violates the Second Amendment. But originally, the amendment applied to guns that weren’t as lethal as most modern handguns. Seeing that gun advancements have occurred, it is fitting that stricter laws would be necessary.
Lastly, maybe it’s not about banning all guns or having stricter gun laws, but restricting the access to semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines, weapons and accessories such as bump stocks. According to ABC News, most of the guns used in mass shootings were obtained legally.
Many people misconceive the idea that automatic weapons are used in high-profile mass shootings. Automatic weapons are extremely regulated and expensive to purchase. Semi-automatic weapons are more normally seen in these mass shootings.
According to ABC Action News, the Virginia Tech shooter used two semi-automatic handguns and killed 32 people. Weapons are purchased for many reasons, but popular explanations for having guns are protection and hunting.
Should we allow high-powered weaponry just for recreational use such as protection and hunting? Should military-style weapons be available to the general public? I think it is a problem that cannot be ignored any longer.
The rate of gun violence only continues to increase and it is unsettling that the most deadly shootings in American history only occur years apart. There is a clear gun violence issue, but the solution is not simple.
I think with the amount of horrible tragedies happening as of late, it is imperative we put our heads together and find a solution. In the words of Malcolm X, “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” Let’s take a stand and make a change.
(12/13/17 11:16am)
Macklemore, the tag popping, fur wearing, Goodwill hunting “Thrift Shop” artist has successfully surpassed my expectations. I’ve always enjoyed Macklemore and his commitment to being original.
Benjamin Hammond Macklemore, also known as Macklemore, expressed a swagger and a persona that was organic. He not only produced music that was fun to listen to but also songs that took a contrasting stand for gay rights.
Throughout Macklemore’s second album, he describes characteristics of himself that define him on a regular basis, making the album title “Gemini” fitting. Gemini is a zodiac sign that correlates to a horoscope that tries to predict or apply attributes to those whose birthdays fall within the zodiac sign’s period. Gemini ranges from May 20 to June 20.
Macklemore slipped in with his birthday being June 19. He relishes in his success in songs like “Willy Wonka” but reminisces on a life before the fame in songs like “Good Old Days.” It’s a perfect combination of topics that chronicle his rise to success and life thereafter.
The most recognizable and commendable aspect of this album was Macklemore’s versatility. He didn’t just make exciting songs or slow and meaningful pieces but a combination of the two and the various styles added to the quality of the album.
Style is what sets Macklemore aside from many artists. The combination of jazz, pop and hip hop styles all come together well with his confident flow. With his variety of topics, he also exemplifies the many qualities of himself.
He also increases the variety of the album by featuring many different artists. Only one song off the album doesn’t have a featuring artist. His ability to collaborate with various singers and rappers shows his true versatility of style.
The featuring artists range from Lil Yatchy all the way to Kesha. A modern rap star and re-emerging pop star are an unusual combination on an album but was well done by Macklemore and his producers.
Macklemore also does not stray away from his positive style that garnished a lot of attention for him. With his release of “Same Love” in 2013, it was obvious that he was not just here to make music but to use his platform to make a change.
Songs like “Glorious” speak to pursuing dreams and laying it all on the table while setting a course for your plans and making sure you leave a “Glorious” legacy.
Lyrics like “I was born for this, born for this. It’s who I am, how could I forget?” speak to the idea that we must pursue the things we know we have a passion for and never forget who we are and why we are here.
Macklemore does not get enough credit for the quality of music he produces. It’s passionate, it’s fun and it sounds great. He has the style, voice and skill for this industry. He is a legend in the making. I am already anticipating his new music to come.
(11/12/17 7:18pm)
There are a few artists that I vividly remember the first time I formally recognized their music. Freshman year, in my Sherwood Hall dorm, I was introduced to the artistry of Ty Dolla $ign.
The first song my friend introduced me to was “Solid” off his debut album “Free TC.” What drew me in was his style, flow and his ability to combine a variety of topics with quality soundtracks.
“Free TC” has become one of my favorite albums of all time. It’s an album that I could play all the way through and enjoy every single song.
Rightfully so, the anticipation behind his second studio album was very high. His continued involvement in popular songs such as, “”Blase”, “Or Nah” and “Campaign,” kept his name in the public eye, but I was interested in his personal projects.
Ty Dolla $ign, Tyrone William Griffin Jr., is more than a singer, R&B artist or rapper. He is a musician that manages to not only produce but perform songs that show true musical understanding and superior talent.
Although “Free TC” is still my favorite album from Griffin, “Beach House 3” did not disappoint. After he released singles like “Ex,” “Love U Better” and “Message in a Bottle,” it was apparent this album would have a more melancholic tone.
Since I’ve been following Griffin, his popularity has grown and he has become a regular face in pop culture. It is fitting that the first song on his album is “Famous.” He discusses how it is a dream of everyone’s to be famous but many aspiring celebrities will stray away from their true selves for stardom.
Lyrics like: “Everybody wants to be famous, Anyway, anyhow. They ain’t worried ‘bout who they’re stepping on though,” explains the sentiment Griffin is trying to convey. He has maintained the same image throughout his career growth, which has earned my respect for him as a person.
Griffins album is circled around his experience in his growing fame. He mixes between songs that showcase his ability to sing as well as songs that focus on his rapping skills. Giffin also included a wide variety of artists who assisted him on some of his songs.
YG, another rising rap star, helped Griffin on “Ex.” This has to be one of my favorite songs on the album. YG has collaborated on songs before such as “Only Right” and “Put in Overtime,” which adds to the obvious comfortability heard throughout the song.
Among some of my other favorites are “Droptop in the Rain,” “Dawsins Breek” and “Stare.” “Droptop in the Rain” connects with me because it has the same mood that made me fall in love with the style of Griffin. It includes a smooth soundtrack and is coupled with his and Tory Lanez’ vocals.
“Dawsins Breek” speaks to the side of Griffin rarely expressed in his music. With fame comes money, girls and cars. Lyrics like “I got a brand new coupe, uh, I got a brand new ‘Rari, yeah, I got a brand new boo,” literally cover all the bases. Nonetheless, the song is fun to listen to lyrically and the beat is one of the best on the album.
“Stare” is great alone because Griffin managed to acquire Pharrell Williams’ help on this song. Wiz Khalifa is also featured on this song. Griffin has the ability to apply the same excitement of a rap song to a R&B beat.
Overall, Griffin continues to impress me. His discography continues to grow and as it does, he will as well. His musicality and true talent foretells a long and lucrative story. I’m already excited for the new projects to come.
(10/19/17 4:13pm)
Among all genres of music, I feel that Rhythm and Blues (R&B) has the ability to be the most timeless. Hip Hop and Pop genres are a revolving door of styles and flows that consistently change the climate of the respective genre.
R&B doesn’t go through much drastic change, but it allows each artist to put their own spin on an everlasting genre. Sabrina Claudio fell onto my timeline and my love for R&B was invigorated.
Claudio is an emerging artist with only two official projects under her belt. Not only is her discography small, but both projects were released in 2017. Her most recent album “About Time” was released Oct. 7.
Although she is a fairly new artist, she managed to gain a following on SoundCloud. She is touring with 6lack on his North American tour.
Claudio is originally from Miami, Florida and resides in Los Angeles, California now. She moved to California to pursue her musical career and has since then been signed to SC Entertainment, a partner group of Atlantic Records.
Two of her songs off of “About Time” debuted on the Billboard Twitter Emerging Artist. “Unravel Me” debuted at No. 22 and “Belong to You” debuted at No. 2.
The first song I heard from Claudio was “Stand Still.” A music video accompanied the single, but her voice was the most beautiful aesthetic. An emphasis on the melancholic instrumentals combined with smooth, yet occasionally reverberated vocals was immediately intriguing.
I was excited to learn that her album contained a number of other songs that were praiseworthy. She sounds like an experienced artist who is comfortable in her vocal range and maintains her own originality.
Claudio explores love and relationships in most of the songs on her album. She also manages to not just discuss the pleasantries but also the negative aspects of falling in love.
In the song “Natural,” Claudio explains that while falling in love is scary and almost unavoidable, if it’s “natural” she’s willing to see it through. Only being 21, Claudio makes relatable music to most college students exploring themselves and relationships.
Lyrics like “I haven’t felt these butterflies since I don’t even know,” epitomize the infatuation associated with many blossoming college relationships.
Some of my favorite songs from the album are “Stand Still,” “Belong to You” and “Frozen.”
“Stand Still” was the first song I heard from Claudio, but “Belong to You” made me keep listening. In this song, she really showcases her talent. Vocally, in my opinion, she is among some of the best in the industry.
Also for an amateur artist, her musicality is impeccable. “Frozen” contains a guitar solo that fits perfectly in between her unblemished voice. The use of live instruments has diminished as synthesized music has become a norm.
Anytime I get the chance to experience live instruments, it excites me. Claudio’s album did an amazing job at using them to her advantage.
As an emerging artist, Claudio really impressed me. I’m excited to hear more from her and see her grow as an artist. It’s just “About Time” she gained some real industry traction.
(10/13/17 12:47am)
With a large amount of artists producing music consistently it’s hard for an artist to stay relevant without consistently being in the public eye. It’s normal for newer artist to keep releasing music regularly in order to ride their wave until it dies.
Though some artists have a persona and an aura that is undeniably delighting, Jhene Aiko has been captivating audiences with not only her voice but a mystique that makes her so mysterious and intriguing.
The “The Worst” singer has managed to attract me to her music since 2013. Her collaboration with Drake’s “From Time” introduced me to what was one of the most unique voices I had heard in awhile.
Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, also known as Jhene Aiko, titled her album “Trip” to allude to the psychedelic phenomenon that occurs in reaction to taking a hallucinogen drug. I believe it references that event to correlate how the journey of life can provide euphoria as well as bad experiences.
Her musical selection is diverse yet it blends well into an album. Throughout her album, Aiko discusses relationships, love, and drugs.
In the song “Jukai”, Aiko mentions the importance of love in this world. She says, “Hell is other people, or the lack thereof and their lack of love.” Peace, love and compassion are motifs that persist throughout the entire album.
“Trip” features a multitude of artists such as Big Sean, Swae Lee and Brandy, but my favorite featuring artist on the album is only 9 years old and unsigned. It’s her daughter, Namiko Aiko.
One of the most beautiful things to see done is the inclusion of an artist’s child in their music. There is a pureness and innocence only attainable by a child. Aiko’s daughter, Namiko, is featured on one of my favorite songs on the album, “Sing to Me.”
This is not the first time Aiko has included her daughter on one of her songs. Namiko Aiko was featured on the song “Promises” off the 2014 album “Souled Out.” Namiko Aiko helps her mom out on the hook of the song.
Namiko Aiko sings “Mommy sing to me,” repetitively, and Aiko responds with “I love you,” in a harmonic fashion outlining the beautiful relationship between Aiko and her daughter. Jhene Aiko combined her love for the people in her life with her love for music.
Big Sean assists Aiko on my favorite song of the album, “Moments.” On a song that references love as the only remedy for the calamities of the world, it would make sense that Big Sean, her boyfriend, would help her on this song.
Lyrics such as "Cause, baby, in a world full of cancer, Where everyone needs a ransom, My mama said 'love is the answer'" give Aiko an outlet to express true emotion.
Aiko is one of my favorite Soul/R&B artists. She has an ability to make you feel exactly how she intends. It never fails. Each and everyone of her beautiful songs manages to take me on a passionate and melodic “Trip.”
(10/05/17 1:58pm)
Time and time again, we see exciting artists that reach stardom through a famous counterpart or a song that is remixed with famous artists and then flop. It is rare that these songs catapult artists and keep them there. It takes true talent for any artist to remain relevant.
A$AP Ferg, Darold D. Ferguson, blew up when songs like his “Work Remix” showed the rap game his true talent.
Songs like “Shabba” on his debut album “Trap Lord” (2013) and “New Level” off “Always Strive and Prosper” (2015) added to his repertoire of exciting and industry captivating songs. It was expected that his new project would complement his previous success.
My interest for Ferguson was peaked after listening to his last album. “New Level” set me off to his project, but it was the collaboration and song production that lead me to believe that Ferguson had some true talent.
Ferguson’s most recent project “Still Striving” did not fail to add to his many bangers. Ferguson’s style revolves around bass crushing beats with exciting lyrics that could fit almost any event.
What Ferguson does best is fluctuate between flows on each of his songs. It is fun to listen to his projects because his songs do not run together. Each song has it’s own topic and sound.
Ferguson embraces the life as a superstar as well as reminiscing on a life before the fame and the gold. He references influential people in his life such as the wild antics of his Uncle Psycho again, as he did on his previous album, and talked about his late father.
The feeling of this project is a lot less serious for a majority of songs but does revert back to the storytelling style that makes Ferguson so unique. He successfully incorporates many artists that are new but hot on the scene.
Being signed to RCA records allows Ferguson to collaborate with an endless amount of artists. Rappers like A$AP Rocky, Dave East, Migos and Lil Yachty all make appearances on the album and bring a completely different vibe to each song.
Expectedly so, Ferguson managed to replicate the success of the “Work Remix” with his new remix “East Coast Remix.” Rap juggernauts like Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg all offered their talents to this remix.
This song is by far the most fun and exciting song on the album. Busta Rhymes initiates the banger with a fast yet lyrically inclined versed, and the song ends with a West Coast representative, Snoop Dogg, to show love to that style of rap as well.
Songs that deserve honorable mention are “Plain Jane,” “Olympian” and “Trap And A Dream.” They encompass an attitude from Ferguson that adds to his “Hot Boy” image but maintains his story of struggle to the top.
“Tango” is the slowest song on the album, but it really speaks to an obviously touchy subject to Ferguson. After listening to Ferguson for a while, his father had a large influence for his longing to succeed.
He discussed the pain he had to deal with when he found out the cause of his father’s death. Lyrics like “Just found out my daddy died for the wrong reasons. Wasn’t the kidney that took him, it was the bad treatment,” outlined exactly what happened and how traumatic it was.
He expresses that he uses pen therapy to cope with his trials, which makes him such a real artist. Ferguson says, “I can't accept my thoughts so it's gettin' worse. I gotta let it out or my brain'll burst.”
Ferguson is exciting, lyrical and real. It is worth all of your time to at least listen to a couple songs off his albums. It will then be clear why A$AP deserves all his acclaim.
(09/16/17 10:00am)
In his debut album, Daniel Caesar provided music that was highly impressive. His single “Get Out” received acclaim and created stir around this well overdue album. It was refreshing to see an independent star get signed and rise to stardom.
Caesar is a Canadian artist who acquired fame through releasing independent EPs or Extended Playlist. His album incompasses his ability to make music as a lone star as well as the capability to combine sounds with various artists to make amazing music.
His smooth and soulful style resonates throughout his entire album as he discusses love, life and lust. His lyricism connects further than just a surface level understanding, but examines relatable topics as well.
Love is the general theme throughout the entire album, and each song somehow finds it’s way back to it. Artists with similar styles found their way onto this album and enhanced it beyond anything I could’ve anticipated.
Caesar connected with rising star H.E.R on the second song of the album “Best Part.” Together, they create a sound that is so soulful, so beautiful and so expressive. This collaboration was the union we didn’t know we needed.
Lyrics such as “You’re the coffee that I need in the morning, you’re my sunshine in the rain when it’s pouring” help to express why a significant other could be the “Best Part” of any situation.
Love bares more than just a definition, but an undeniable and unforgettable forging of persons that throw people through a rollercoaster of almost inescapable emotions that seem to superseded by love.
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Caesar converses about his individuality in “Transform.” He mentions that he is incapable of being anything but true to himself. Despite industry standards and societal norms, Caesar maintains himself.
The line “if a leopard never changes its spots, how can I change what I’ve got,” exemplifies how Caesar recognizes that he can’t change himself. He decides to embrace what he is and this is exactly what makes him so unique.
Any solid soulful album has to contain at least one song pertaining to lust. Caesar manages to combine love and lust into “Take Me Away.” Syd adds her flawless vocals over a very melancholic beat to create a song that fits perfectly into any cliche intimate movie scene.
Caesar brought all he could offer to this album with him.
His great choices in featuring artists as well as his untouchable vocals have excited me as a fan for his future products. If this level of music persists, Caesar has a long future in music ahead of him.
(09/08/17 1:39pm)
Since the release of the first film within this trilogy, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, I’ve been interested in how this series would progress. This resurrected film series had a lot of high expectations to meet.
The final film in this trilogy did not fail to impress. The use of modern animation, motion sensing and facial recognition made this film a viewer’s dream. The film maintained the same action-packed scenes coupled with documented progression of the main characters.
I anticipated this movie to be a finale of some sort. I knew that it would summate the inevitable clash between humans and intelligent apes. I also knew that this movie would explain how Earth became a “Planet of the Apes.”
The film lived up to every expectation, and it filled every hole left from the last movie. Although, what took the places of the holes were completely unexpected.
Caesar, the leader of the ape colony, found himself at the forefront of this war. The war was for the control over a world depleted of humans. The resilient humans found themselves at odds with sickness. They were also competing with apes for dominion over the earth.
Caesar’s main objective was to protect his followers while limiting contact and avoiding a war with the humans. His efforts were attacked, but he remained steadfast.
As the second movie, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”, revealed, the coup of Koba against the Caesar regime was the beginning of the “War for the Planet of the Apes.” Caesar took action against Koba’s hate-filled plan to kill all humans.
After Koba was killed, Caesar was left to fight a war that he did not start. The trailers portrayed the film as an all out war between the apes and humans but the majority of the movie was a war of internal conflict.
Revenge and survival were general motifs on both sides of the fight. Apes and humans were met with the decision to ensure their survival or fight for what they thought to be right. Even Caesar seemed to be moderately consumed with revenge, but he successfully turned his rage for revenge into drive to do right by his ape cohort.
Koba sympathizers were fighting alongside the humans out of fear. They thought that trying to return to the ape colony would be result in punishment and the humans promised them life in exchange for their safety. Their decision stemmed from them strictly wanting to survive.
Even Caesar seemed to be moderately consumed with revenge, but he successfully turned his rage for revenge into drive to do right by his ape colony.
A secondary motif of the movie seemed to be mercy. It was expressed or not expressed in situations in which a decision of strength needed to be made with love and care.
Humans were merciless towards the same animals that showed them mercy. During battles many humans were left behind but were allowed to survive, but the captured apes were either killed or held in captivity.
Humans went further than just being merciless in war. More than just killing apes, they even justified killing some of their own. They had become consumed with the idea of survival by any means necessary.
The storyline of this film was impeccable. Recurring characters progressed and new characters added multiple layers to the final movie in this trilogy. It was truly refreshing to see the resurrected film done so eloquently.
(08/30/17 11:57pm)
Tyler the Creator is easily one of the most interesting rappers in the hip hop arena. His most recent release, “Flower Boy”, added another layer to his persona. Tyler Gregory Okonma, also known as Tyler the Creator, poured himself into this album.
In reference to the title of his album, Okonma strayed away from his typical dark style while maintaining his quality and individuality. While I haven’t been a major fan of his up until this point, he has always had an undeniable flow and style.
Flower Boy reached number two on the Billboard 200 charts making this Okonma’s highest charting album of his career. The album is something new, something different and something that has the potential to boost Tyler the Creator’s saturation in the industry.
The majority of the album revolves around self reflection, relationships and maturity. Okonma discusses his growth and the journey to recognize where he wants to stand as an artist and as a person. He metaphorically looks at himself as a flower within a garden that he is cultivating into what he knows it has the potential to be.
With growth comes changes and inconsistencies, similar to the many styles and topics included on this album. Some songs are hardcore rap with references to women and drugs, while others exclusively discuss more serious topics such as fame, sexuality and self-awareness.
The second song on the album, “Where This Flower Blooms,” reflects on a life before the fame and how it compares to where he is now. Lyrics like “Rent-A-Center calling everyday, Nobody home,” to “Now I skrrt, skrrt, skrrt in toys I only dreamed that I could afford,” show the literal progression of Tyler into a recognized and successful artist.
Speculations of Okonma’s sexuality also stemmed from some of the lyrics on this albums. “Garden Shed” was just one of the songs on the album that contained lyrics that led people to believe he was discussing his sexuality.
Lines like “Truth is, since a youth kid, thought it was a phase,” and “polka dot know, how it goes, had to keep it on the subwoofer,” allude to Okonma exploring his sexuality even as a youth but feeling like he had to keep his true feelings hidden.
Okonma had tweeted that he had tried to come out a while ago but these tweets were overshadowed by Okonma’s big personality so it wasn’t taken seriously. There has no official response from Okonma on what these lyrics mean, but as a fan it is great to learn more about him as an individual through this album.
Songs like “Who Dat Boy” and “I Ain’t Got Time” show that he has not lost touch with his exciting and blunt tone that he received a lot of his initial recognition from. ASAP Rocky assists Okonma on “Who Dat Boy,” which in my opinion is one of the hypest songs on the album.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, songs like “Boredom,” “See you again” and “Lonely” delve into a side of Okonma that is rarely seen. All three songs revolve around a longing to find your niche and a group of friends that accept every aspect of your existence.
This sentiment is extremely relatable, especially within our age group. More times than none, you have certain groups of friends for specific events. You may have friends for a party, studying, or just to listen to your music.
But what about when you cannot find that friend or that group? I think the conclusion that we can come to is we need to be comfortable being by ourselves. It’s often healthy to separate from everyone and everything happening around you.
Tyler the Creator shifts and morphs throughout the entirety of this album. It’s majestic and melancholic but at the same time, it provides songs for any event. It has to be one of the most comprehensive albums of the summer, if not the year.
(08/23/17 10:00am)
Logic is an artist that came on the scene with his untouchable ability to freestyle. Logic isn’t just a viral, freestyling and record label backed artist. Logic is a rapper and his latest album, “Everybody,” has gained my respect and my support
On May 5, Sir Robert Bryson Hall, also known as Logic, released his third studio album, and it quickly rose to the number one album on the Billboard 200 chart.
This is his first number one album release. Logic successfully encompasses his past and present life into a great album.
Each aspect of his album is respectful, explanatory and are put into a form that could be understood by everyone. Music has always been looked at as a universal language, but Logic took that definition and ran with it.
This album is dedicated to the betterment of “Everybody.” Logic advocates for the support for those who are oppressed and a offers a call to action for those who have the power to incite change.
The album discusses themes such as social identity within the United States, the search for truth beyond our understanding [and] the support for equality movements across the United States.
Logic centralizes his album title around Andy Weir’s famed story “The Egg.” In this story a man is killed in a car accident and inevitably meets with a God like being. Through this meeting he learns that he is reincarnated every time he dies until he has lived as “Everybody.”
The point of the reincarnation is to gain wisdom, knowledge and empathy for every person in order to become like the God being the man is conversing with.
Among other important aspects of this story, what I found most compelling was the explanation of how every action you commit has some type of consequence that can affect one adversely or disparately. Everybody is connected in one way or another, hence the title.
In the song “Waiting Room” the God character said to the man, “You see Atom, every act of hatred and violence you committed against another, you were committing against yourself and every act of love and hand of kindness, you also extended unto yourself.”
From this, I received that every malicious act or thought ultimately affects you to some extent and the positive things you do have some effect as well.
Logic seeks to promote, as he mentioned in the album, “peace, love and positivity,” because through that stems unity and equality.
Logic is a biracial man who decided to defend his African American brothers against oppression. He discusses the reality of discrimination across the United States in songs such as “Take it Back” and “America.”
In “Take it Back,” Logic addresses the life threatening stereotypes that have been applied to the African American male. He sings: “Take it way way back to the first black man, long ago before the white man, could paint the black man with a gun in his hand.”
More social topics are addressed in “America.”Logic discusses the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, “Ain’t like Flint ain’t got clean water, Dirty politics never come clean.”
Through these songs Logic looks to hope to provide a solution to some recurring social issues.
Not all solutions are straightforward. Social issues are multifaceted and sometimes more than we can understand, but what we should continue to do is grow spiritually, mentally and physically.
Logic takes us on a journey through his life explaining hardship as well as how he overcame them. He wants to provide a face to a unified people.
We as a people should seek to learn, seek to understand, seek to help, seek help, listen. We are one people, in the words of Logic, we are “Everybody,” regardless of race, religion, creed or sexual orientation.
(08/15/17 11:00am)
I spent the summer working, hanging out with friends and catching up with family members. What I can remember is that there was some new music coming out every week and there was always something new to listen to.
During the summer, some of the best songs of the year are released. These are usually the same tunes that carry us through the rest of the year.
This summer in particular, there were a lot of great albums released that gave us some amazing singles. I’ve compiled my top 15 songs of the summer for your listening convenience.
This was a summer of hip-hop. DJ Khaled continued his formidable run by producing two songs on the top 15 list. “I’m the One” and “Wild Thoughts” both received a considerable amount of radio time and were always a go-to hit at any function.
What made this summer so interesting was the endless amount of songs that deviated from normal characteristics of these artists. Tyler the Creator released an entire album that was like nothing we had heard from him before.
Songs like “Boredom” showed a softer side of Tyler that is often overshadowed by his wild antics and dark artistry. But this style of music did not fail to impress. Production and lyricism always stand the test of times.
Another impressive artist of the summer is one of the newest faces to grace the XXL Freshman Class cover. Amine released his debut album this summer with his hit song “Caroline” on it. One of his standout songs was “Hero.”
With this song, I knew Amine had a shot at being more than just a one hit wonder. “Hero”maintained his pop style while showing some of his versatility.
The pop genre always has a place in the summer, but Demi Lovato popped out and never looked back. With her single “Sorry not Sorry,” she provided an anthem for women to remember they deserve the best in any circumstance.
One of the most impactful and impressive summer debuts came from SZA. Her album “Ctrl” managed to produce multiple hits landing her in one of the top spots for the summer. Songs like “Love Galore” reached further than just popular media.
Music legend Sean Combs was seen on Snapchat listening to “Love Galore” as well as a multitude of other songs from her album. “Love Galore” empowers women to never settle and to know their worth.
The summer was fun. It was full of rest, work and events. Through all the clutter of life and responsibilities, it always helped me to know that I could drive home and listen to some of my favorite songs. So as you start the school year, check this playlist out and reminisce on all of the summer fun you had. Maybe you can bring some of that same fun into your fall semester.