Ratchet hip hop music has become as normal as a bully rant attempt to control your life from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Now days even R&B singers have added some edginess to their ballads. This week was living proof. Did you peep the new Rihanna Pour It Up Rmx? Its a starting 5 whose who All Star line up of Southern D Boys turned MC’s. First up it’s Young Jeezy, followed by Rick Ross. Then you have Juicy J and T.I. to round it off. In between these MC’s ‘dope’ lines is the sexy sultry voice of Ri Ri layered in over the chorus.
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This past Sunday, Beyonce unleashed the biggest record of the week “Bow Down/ I Been On.” It’s more of the R&B music infused with that ratched hip hop feel except Bey didn’t need any rappers to provide verses.On first listen, Beyonce’s mainstream fans will be in shock. Michelle Obama probably won’t let Sasha and Maliah blast this too loudly in The White House. Ms. Carter has some things to set straight with her naysayers that voiced their minimal opinions on her, while she was busy having kids, getting married; you know living life. The coolest aspect of this Hit Boy soon to be classic is the ‘screwed up’ shout out’s she gives to her hometown Houston and it’s legends.
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I’m not going to front. I’m not sold on the whole Snoop ‘Lion’ transformation yet. I’m not mad though at artist re-inventing themselves, especially when you’ve had the longevity that Snoop’s had. “No Gun’s Allowed” is Snoop Lion’s latest offering and could be a sleeper hit. There’s no heavy G Funk rattling bass on this, just Snoop singing about No Guns. Luckily its just some repetitive melodies that are easy on the ear. There’s also a Drake 16 bar rap hidden in the middle of the track, if you can make it that far.
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Everybody’s favorite chipped tooth hipster with a perm, Danny Brown is back to work. Whether he is loved for his weird look or his even weirder outlook on life, Brown is one of the most lyrical MC’s in this new school era of hip hop. This new “Kush Coma” record was one of the highlights of Brown’s SXSW showcase last week in Austin. Its a different sound then some of Danny’s more popular works but for fans of the underground, this is dope shit!
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I’ve been a fan of Kidz In Hall since my days with the Cornerstone 1200 Squad. This Chi Town duo were one of the first groups that I saw doing something dope and different long before Chief Keef or Lil Reese. Over time and a few record deals later Naladge and Double O are still cranking out great tunes. This new joint of theirs “No Doz” is great for the car if you riding around. But it works easily well in Dre Beats if your on the train or still with the old school Bus Pass, like me. Until we read again….No sleep till Brooklyn!
Brandon ‘TNT’ West
Music Exec / Industry Insider/ The Andy Rooney of Hip Hop Culture
Holla at him @tnt718
