Back in effect. Hip Hop is as busy as ever. Chicago continues to be the boiling point for the modern MC of the moment as Rick Ross and Team MMG picked up The Windy’s own Rocky Fresh. Speaking of MMG, A North Philly reverend, outraged by Meek Mill’s lyrics to “Amen,” called for a boycott of the record and publicly revoked Meek’s hood pass. Ouch! Still, all-in-all, the culture was mostly excited about this new Nas album, Life is Good, that’s about to drop.
After the slew of negative press from the IRS to kidnappings to the nasty divorce with Kelis, Nas has been attacked with hate, negative energy and just an overall rush to judge. You have to admire the grown G in Nas, though. From “Daughters” to the latest smash “Bye Baby,” God Son has taken it to song to tackle the issues that his naysayers and the press have tried to feast on. More than anything, when you listen to “Bye Baby” you have to respect the transparency and the introspect that Nas delivers as he breaks down the events around he and Kelis’ breakup. Salaam Remi and Drake’s homie Noah ’40’ update and flip a nice Aaron Hall sample that complete a great track.
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I’m really pulling for the kid Bei Maejor to make it big in the mainstream. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not hurting, as he’s done quite well as a producer. But since Kanye, more and more producers have tried the production to the booth technique. this new track “Party At The Crib” Bei did with Diplo might be the glue that makes this new era young MC stick. It has that gothic feel that Diplo’s production is infamous for, and it could be somewhat of a club cult record. Must hear music!
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New Orleans rapper Dee-1 has become one of the most anticipated new artist on the come up. Songs like “50, Jay & Weezy,” “The One That Got Away” and “Writers Block” have provided the foundation for his newest material, “Shut Up and Grind (S.U.A.G)” to stand on. The song itself is a battle cry that anybody can apply to their everyday lifestyle. Instead of complaining and being complacent, “Shut Up and Grind (S.U.A.G.)” it out. The sky is the limit for Dee. His followers and fans respect his positive image, blue-collar work ethic and know it’s only a matter of time before it’s His Turn.
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Lil Durk will be home soon. After inking his deal at Def Jam, before he sat down, he inked another sure fiyah banger called “Tatted Up.” Shout to Young Chop on the beat as he has become the new architect and gatekeeper of a hot new sought after sound. The 300 Hunna Team is a five man Murderers Row of rappers, but Chief Keef, Lil Reese and Lil Durk are the Big three. Keef has the attention and the shine, but Durk might actually be the dopest spitter in the clique. “Tatted Up” is a perfect example of what Durk has in store for his fans when his light turns green. Welcome home, lil bruh.
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Outside of Chicago, The Bay Area is the most slept on breeding ground for hip-hop culture. From the legendary car shows to the slanguage that has been jacked by other rappers, hip-hop owes a salute to Northern Cali for always keeping it fresh and sour. E-40 is a legend who has done his part and continues to do his do diligence. The new track, “In This Thang Breh” is going to be one of the hottest records on the West coast by mid August. It’s a crazy hot vintage slap record that is Bay Area all day. Like the classic “Tell Me When To Go,” “In This Thang Breh” has club-on-smash embedded in the bassline. Shout outs to fellow Bay Area legends: Turf Talk and Mistah FAB. They even let Big Sean get a 16 off. Enjoy, until we read again….
Brandon ‘TNT’ West
Music Exec / Industry Insider/ The Andy Rooney of Hip Hop Culture
Holla at him @tnt718
