Legacy Track of the Week: Leon Bridges - Bad Bad News
“They tell me I was born to lose, but I made a good good thing out of bad bad news” Leon Bridges is back with his first new solo material since 2015, and these two new records he just released are nothing but flames 🔥🔥🔥 i’m about to go back and listen to his debut before his sophomore comes out next month, like Hip Hop real Soul music is alive and well…
Leon Bridges - Bet Ain’t Worth The Hand
“I think you're special, it makes me sad, don't wanna wonder what we could've had” More 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 the new album Good Thing set to be released May 4th.
Logic - Grandpa’s Space Ship
“Morty, calm down, of course, I love Logic. Who doesn't like Logic? You gotta be a fucking idiot if you don't like Logic. But the question is, what ‘Logic’ are we talkin about here?” Sure enough, we’re talking mixtape Logic but, honestly, that’s irrelevant, Logic is Logic and you either enjoy his music or you don’t, yet even still he’s got legitimate range and this concept for the intro plus promo video is creative and it works - where off the strength I’m about to check out this Rick & Morty show right now...
Logic - Overnight
“All these bad bitches say they love me, I already know, check the, check the bling that's on my finger cause I'm married, ho” Well this didn’t age well, and neither did the album cover but we move right along… ultimately this is a cool single for the mixtape that exemplifies Logic’s appeal pretty well, as more often than not it’s the energy and tempo of his records that captivates his audience the most, all within a lyrical delivery that I’ve likened before to be his superhero strength. This one is somewhat mid but it’s still quality all the same.
Logic - Yuck
“More achievements for yourself and less talk, cats beef with Logic yeah they prayin I respond, if I ever did I dead you in this game with no respawn, peace, love, and positivity, that's all I want with you, but you push the issue cause I give you more press than your publicist could ever get you” It’s true in fact Logic’s stature in this game is well above most of his contemporaries, and truth be told I’d venture to say that his talent level exceeds them all as well. In terms of this actual record I find it to be a legitimate response to all his opposition yet honestly I hope Joyner pushes the issue further, considering competition has always been good for the sport and always will be.
Logic ft Wiz Khalifa - Indica Badu
“This that RattPack and that Taylor Gang, they know the face and they know the name, I'm a married man with a bad wife, never fuck around unless it's Mary Jane, come play the game…” Life is crazy so we won’t hold him to that, and ultimately Logic recruits a decent verse from Wiz over an instrumental reminiscent of the Kush & OJ days… this one doesn’t disappoint at all.
Logic - Midnight
“Everybody know I be—In the club VIP, sike, not me” That’s another pretty clear representation of Logic, and though I admit he blends his sense of honesty with corniness to a point of reckless abandon, his skill level gives him the license to do so and that part must never be forgotten. This is another fun uptempo record produced by Frank Dukes along with 6ix, the latter who continues to be one of the most important ingredients to Logic’s success, where if nothing else the production on these projects is always top shelf bar none.
Logic ft Big Sean - Wussup
“Hold it down I levitate, I like a woman that's all-natural I give her good energy and let it reciprocate, a young ***** that's tryna innovate, I been that way since Em and Jay did Renegade” I like the chemistry between Logic and Sean and I’m hoping for more collaborations in the future, as their talents definitely complement one another without question.
Logic & Marshmello - Everyday
“I work hard every motherfuckin day-ay-ay-ayy” I wasn’t aware but Marshmello is a producer with a hidden identity who appropriately hides behind a marshmello outfit, and furthermore has been a major player on the EDM scene and I respect his movement. This one right here will be sure to do it’s numbers across all markets 💰💰💰
Royce Da 5’9’’ - Streets At Night
“Everybody comin with they chick record, big record, this gon play in the clubs, radio, hit record, either that or they come with a diss record, I come from where you don't disrespect none of your successors” <<< PREACH!!!! That last bar is the gospel and one of the many quotables off Royce & Premier’s latest offering PRhyme 2.
Royce Da 5’9’’ - Rock It
“First the Fat Boys break up, then Bow Wow retires, and now y'all disrespecting the King” the singular best record off PRhyme 2 is this particular record that is the sheer definition of dope beats and dope rhymes in their purest form. In terms of lyricism Royce Da 5’9’’ is truly in his own category.
Royce Da 5’9’’ ft Big K.R.I.T. & Denaun Porter - Made Man
“I ain’t no hypebeast though, I’m a mic beast bro, I don’t recite these flows, I homicide these hoes, I got the leg of your baby mama and fiance trembling, show up kill it then disappear like Andre Benjamin” Although it’s true that the follow up isn’t quite as memorable as the original, there’s still plenty of good moments on this tape including this record right here, complete with a solid 16 from K.R.I.T. and a catchy hook from fellow Detroit native Denaun Porter who’s best known from his work with D12 <<< a group that quite honestly is as underrated as it gets.
Royce Da 5’9’’ - Do Ya Thang
“You don't wanna end up on my bad side, why don't you let me project some of this good on you?” More quality Hip Hop to hold us over until Book of Ryan is released sometime in May 👀.
XXXTENTACION - SAD!
“Who am I? Someone that's afraid to let go, uh, you decide if you're ever gonna let me know (yeah), suicide if you ever try to let go, uh, I'm sad, I know, yeah, I'm sad, I know, yeah” Aside from his awful social media persona in addition to his absurd 2pac analysis (which honestly is not easy to push aside) the enigma known as Triple X actually has some legitimate talent in his name, evident in his blend of cryptic imagery and smooth melodies that has proven to be a winning formula in spite of all his negative energy. Nonetheless, this song has an undeniable ring to it perhaps aided by writer/producer John Cunningham, who seemingly just composed XXXTentacion’s best record to date. Critics however will continue to call out XXX as a “suicide hustler,” and though I will entertain that argument this is a good record all the same. Expect this record to be played on Sirius/XM radio until the end of summer.
XXXTENTACION - NUMB
“And every single year I'm drowning in my tears, I'm drowning in my tears again, I can't seem to forget the pain you seem to give, the pain you seem to give, my friend” The lyricism and penmanship is definitely there and quite honestly this is an artist that is as versatile as they come, as not only does he blend through different genres but he does all these styles really well, and for many this will be a classic case of enjoying the music while remaining skeptical of the artist. It should also be noted that producer John Cunningham once again has writing and production credits (along with Robert Soukiasyan & Oren Yoel), likely providing a major source of the albums creativity and musicianship.
XXXTENTACION ft Joey Bada$$ - infinity (888)
“I'm as real as they come, they feel it, get numb, you think you got a little buzz, so now you can't get stung? I keep a razor blade tucked on me, under my tongue, don't let me have to tell these ****** about the city I'm from” Joey Bada$$ definitely does his numbers on his second collaboration with XXXTentacion, and over P. Soul production both artists deliver with sharp lyricism and delivery that once again shows a wide range in his artistry. Personally, I’m still perplexed over the 2pac comments as the quality of this record has left me even more befuddled.
XXXTENTACION ft Judah, Carlos Andrez, & Rio Santana - i don’t even speak spanish lol
“Sway you like a lullaby-y-y-y-y, dance with me through the ni-i-i-i-ight, back to mi casa, baby, sli-i-i-i-ide, let me make you feel alri-i-i-i-ight” Ok let’s relax XXX isn’t that versatile… and the fact that these other Florida artists weren’t credited until after the album’s release contributed to the idea that this was all XXX… and that’s disappointing to say the least. Meanwhile, it’s actually the three spanish singing pop singers that carry this record with the main credited artist only on the bridge, and to be honest it would be disingenuous to give XXXTentacion too much credit for this one. However if he deserves any props it’s for at least having a good ear for music, as by itself this is actually a great record that I believe compliments the album nicely. [On a separate note if you’re one of his stans that thought he was the only vocalist on here… you need to pull yourself together.]
Stone Temple Pilots - Middle of Nowhere
“Don't fall in love with the midnight train, cause it'll leave you in the middle of nowhere…” One of the most notable bands from the 90’s The Stone Temple Pilots just released their seventh studio album and their first project in eight years, a self titled album that follows up their previous self titled album and honestly it’s hitting on all cylinders. This album is the first to feature Jeff Gutt as lead singer who obviously has big shoes to fill, following the death of Scott Weiland who held one of the most iconic voices of an entire generation, and as far as I’m concerned this former X Factor contestant came through with a phenomenal performance.
Stone Temple Pilots - Thought She’d Be Mine
“I swim in oceans of blue sky, autumn hazy, they tell me it's only you, anticipating the one thing that could save me, but something's not right with the moon” I wasn’t expecting to write this in 2018 but the Stone Temple Pilots produced some classic material for this tape and they deserve some acknowledgment. Someone tell Kurt Loder we need an interview ASAP.