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Showing posts with label rap. Show all posts

AZEALIA BANKS - "BROKE WITH EXPENSIVE TASTE"

Labelling her debut album as "the best album ever", Azealia Banks set herself a high bar. Following the 1991 EP and Fantasea mixtape, the long-anticipated Broke With Expensive Taste has finally dropped in a surprise "Beyonce"-style fashion. The question is: was it worth the wait?

With a tracklist of 16 (6 of which have been previously released) Ms Banks shows versatility and growth since we last heard Fantasea. With solid production on every track, and a mixture of singing and rapping that doesn't feel forced, Azealia was right to say the album was something special. The tracks flow cohesively, featuring Azealia's usual 'alternative' take on the current music scene, with Garage influenced beats on Desperado, house on Soda and more heavy hitting Hip Hop on Ice Princess.

Critical success was bound to happen, as long as Azealia kept doing whatever made 212 and Van Vogue so instantly memorable, here's to hoping she also scores the commercial success!

Highlights: Wallace, Soda, Desparado and JFK.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC VIDEO: Nicki Minaj - 'Anaconda'

Nicki Minaj unleashes one of the hottest videos ever! The infectiously catchy tune's visual shows Nicki shaking her assets all over the place. Sure to boost interest in the song, the video sees the rapper return to the pink theme we've come to associate with brand Nicki. Peep the super solid effort bellow.

I love how Nicki really goes for it in this clip, nothing is held back. Kudos for the Drake cameo (wonder how SB feels haha).

Personal Highlight: the fashion shoots featuring Balmain and Alexander McQueen, and the amazing chair scenes (shows how much I love a great foreground on a simple white background).

*Waits for the VMAs*

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IGGY: A question of authenticity.

There's no doubting Australian bombshell Iggy Azalea's impact on the current pop landscape; with the colossal success of 'Fancy' and a feature on the smash 'Problem', Iggy has been everywhere this summer. However, like many of her contemporaries Iggy's success does not come without backlash or criticism but, unlike many others it is not an issue of talent or musicality, its one of authenticity.

Since Iggy began posting self edited videos of her rapping over beats onto YouTube, her thick southern accent has been highlighted, whereas in interviews her accent is still very Australian. Many have compared her to British artist M.I.A who raps in the same way that she speaks. As a white girl from a non-US country this was obviously going to be a problem. It is more than likely that she is putting the voice on and playing a character, but what she is doing is entertaining so I don't see the problem. The main issue in Iggy's game plan lies elsewhere.

Artist often reference other artist and different forms of media to create what they want to show the world. This may be where the issue of authenticity arises with Ms Azalea. Everyone of her music videos is a reference to a classic film or TV programme, her mixtape art was based on a boxing poster / art featuring Basquiat and Warhol, her whole persona when rapping could be compared to other southern rappers, so the whole question becomes who is Iggy Azalea and where does all the 'bad bitch' attitude come from? And this does nothing to prevent claims that she doesn't write her own material.

The criticisms of Iggy will stop when the person we get from her music meets the person we see in interviews. Hopefully we will see a median between the two polar opposites, or they become one, like Sasha Fierce and Beyonce. Artist cannot rely on mere fantasy or creation, even Lady Gaga lets the world she who she is beyond her performance persona.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC: Nicki Minaj - "No Flex Zone Remix"

Nicki Minaj has dropped her remix to "No Flex Zone", showcasing her versatility, flow and word play once again. Sure to cause people to question who she's directing certain bars towards (it really doesn't matter, it can't detract from the fact Nicki is one of the best rappers out there). This is great for a surprise release but Nicki needs to bring something totally different for her third album. "Pills N Potions" was a move in the right direction, but something more impactful and memorable needs to be delivered.

"Ass still fat its on Rick Ross".

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC VIDEO: Nicki Minaj - Pills N Potions

Nicki Minaj has finally dropped the video for her potential sleeper hit "Pills N Potions". Showing a more vulnerable and natural look Nicki poses alongside co-star The Game. With some smart visual effects, and some that are just random, Pills looks like a behind the scenes video of a photo-shoot. It's refreshing to she a less vibrant Nicki. It looks great and works well with the song, however, upon first watch it appears to be a bit lacklustre.
The music video for a performers first single is often loud and in your face and catches your attention from the get go, but maybe this is Nicki's master plan; tone it all done, make you want to see more, rather than throwing it in your face. Overall, both the song and the video are growers, which is a wise decision from the often bold rapstress.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC: NICKI MINAJ - "PILLS N POTIONS"

It's here, Nicki Minaj's first single from The Pinkprint. "Pills N Potions" is an unexpected turn from what we've heard from Nicki so far this year. However, it shows a more vulnerable side of Nicki which has been missing from her recent efforts. The beat and chorus are summer ready and the verses focus less on wit or metaphors but story-telling, to an extent. Another verse or two would of made this a more solid effort.

On initial hearing it sounds like a grower, still not sure if this is what Nicki needs to score a number one on the Billboard Hot 100, but time shall tell.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC: LIL WAYNE - "D'USSE"

Every time Lil Wayne gives us a glimpse of the same greatness he demonstrated on 'A Milli' everyone gets excited. His new track "D'Usse" shows a large fraction of that greatness. With the release of this track faith has been restored in Tha Carter V. Every line is a punchline, and its packed with metaphors and a great flow. Lil Wayne returns to the form of previous incarnations, proving he never 'fell off'.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

PROSPECT: Nicki Minaj: The PinkPrint

Toned down looks, fiery verses, a film that topped the box office. Are we looking at a quiet storm or the build up of a massive media frenzy?
Nicki Minaj has been gaining an insane amount of hype for her third album, The PinkPrint, among fans and critics alike. But she's been downplaying the whole thing: no release date and, few words about features and producers. How much do we know about this album?
Nicki says she's back to where she was when recording her first album, where she was "killing everything", and there's been a lot of talk of her returning to her Hip Hop roots (i.e. Playtime is Over mixtape Nicki).
However, is Nicki still a commercial force to be reckoned with without the crazy outfits and Barbie persona. Personally, I think she is. What we've seen on her releases and guest verses is the same intriguing, animated flow that renders every line memorable. To me, Nicki is the female Busta Rhymes (when he was in his prime), comical, smart and packed full of cartoonish fun. A return to the form of her mixtape beginnings would result in meaner, grittier songs similar to some of her recent work, such as her verse on "Senile" or on Meek Mills tracks. But it also means a crazier, hyper Nicki we see on tracks such as Wale's "Clappers". Yet, the Nicki that will be paramount to the albums success will be the softer, more vulnerable Nicki we see on some of her efforts on Pink Friday (i.e. "Here I am", "Catch me" and "Save me").

Nicki Minaj is such a talented rapper, with a bevy of 'persona's' at hand, each with a specific target audience. If The PinkPrint can strike the balance Roman Reloaded narrowly missed, we may see an album that cements Nicki's place in the Hip Hop hierarchy. Although, 'sassy' pop songs like "Va Va Voom" will be missed.

Mixtape must listens: "I Get Crazy", "Autobiography", "Higher than a Kite", "Keys Under Palm Trees", "Go Hard" and "Itty Bitty Piggy".
Peace and Blessings,
Andre

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