What's The 411 ? Mary's Classic Debut

 I have recently been listening to R&B both old and new this week, I stumbled upon Mary J. Blige debut album. While I heard it a long time ago, I forgot how amazing the album is. It is soulful, emotional, and  very enjoyable. I always understood why she was regarded as a great singer but this CD has now become heavy in my rotation this week.  It is only 12 tracks , without any filler. My favorite track had to be " My Love", because the hook was very catchy and simple, but conveyed many emotions.   Mary's music focuses on her own problems or situations that anyone can face in a relationship, while some are upbeat . often her lyrics or sound are filled with sadness similar to Billie Holiday.  While I haven't heard any new material  from her recently ,  with a catalogue like hers.  What else is there for her to do. In my opinion she easily one of the best singers of all time. Other tracks that stood out were "Slow Down", "Real Love", and " I Don't Want To Do Anything". While the intro was a little annoying just for having many popular rappers of that era giving her a shout-out on the song, it doesn't take anything away from this masterpiece!  I think every singer or r&b singer can gain something out of listening to her . Til the next time!

MY TOP TEN MUSIC PRODUCERS IN HIP-HOP/RAP

MY LIST OF TOP TEN MUSIC PRODUCERS(In Any Order)

1 .9th Wonder
2. DJ Premier
3. Dr. Dre
4. J. Dilla
5. Kanye West
6.TimbaLand
7.Scott Storch
8.The Neptunes
9. Pete Rock
10.RZA

J. COLE .... TRULY YOURS

I am a big J. Cole fan, I admire how he is a great producer/rapper and stays true to himself. He incorporates his own life into his music and what he views in his day-to-day life. I got a chance to listen to both The Truly Yours EPs and I really enjoyed both.  I appreciate him being introspective , while also being honest and adding  humour. While  this is nothing new because he style or the topics he raps about are very unique, the EP's makes me excited to actually buy the album.  I have been a fan since he did The first Come Up mix-tape, so I will definitely show support.  Why he decided to come out the same day as Kany?, but I will still buy both albums. I think the EPs is the perfect appetizer until the album finally drops. I enjoyed his debut album and I think he will eventually be recognized as one of the greats.  He is a great example of how not every rapper can be tough, molly-popping, in the trap, he is actually a regular dude who happened to even go to college. I think he is a great artist  and I am looking forward to the album.

WHO IS AB-SOUL

Ab-Soul has become one of my favorite artist to listen to. I got a chance to hear his Long-Term series and got to hear  Control system. His music focuses on several types of themes and is a great lyricist, and He is not afraid to be himself. Whether he is rapping about being broke, fighting illness, or loss of love. he seems like a genuine person and his music has a message. He is not afraid to be himself and also has a unique approach to   rapping over a beat. His videos are often odd or even trippy at times. My personal favorite tracks are Empathy, rebellion,  book of soul, still regular, track two, a day in the life, and  pineal gland. I ave enjoyed listening to Kendrick Lamar and the whole TDE/Black Hippy team but like everyone in the group Soul is cool and different.  I definitely look forward to hearing more music from him, and I am excited to learn he is doing a project with JMSN. He stated he is not rushing to throw a project out soon but after discovering his  sound, I  am eager to hear more.

My Review of Nas' Illmatic & It Was Written

In my opinion , It Was Written is a classic album. I enjoyed the album straight through.  People  often compare it Illmatic but in my opinion you can never replicate another album like that.  My favorite tracks, Take It In Blood, Live Nigga Rap, Black Girl Lost, If I Ruled The World, and Watch Dem Niggas.  Instead of the diverse sound of Illmatics' beats, this album feature a more polished up-beat sound which was great. The lyricism was even better,  he began telling narratives that were very good, he also used metaphors and similes that were also very creative. For example, "Life's A bitch but God Forbid if the divorce me" or "You will be aite like blood money in a pimp's cum".

While Illmatic is probably the greatest rap album ever created, I still prefer the latter , mainly because lyricism improves. While every track is Gold on Illmatic,  I did not not like he only had 10 in total. My favorite tracks were Life's A Bitch and  One Love.   I also thought New York State of Mind was an incredible track, which I found out he did in one take.

I will Probably get a flack for saying I like his second album more but personally both albums are great.  I think he definitely matured as a artist and decided to create very good  and well though narratives. It is funny because after putting out two great albums he went through a slump until he returned with Stillmatic. recently he put out the Life is Good album which is also another classic in my opinion.  I wish more often he put out album like his first two albums out, because he would be held in a higher regard. Nas does not give you an album every year or often.  It usually takes a few years for him to drop an album.  So, i usually get excited when I hear he is working on a new project. But hopefully his next project will be as good as his last. Even though he is a legend now, I think his second album really is what showed the world , that when he is focused his lyricism is second to none. His first album established him as a powerful force, the second I think cemented the fact that he was a great musician.

My Review Lap Of Lux 1& 1.5

This past summer I got a chance to listen to Sir Michael Rocks. Of Course I heard of  The Cool Kids and listened to their music, but I didn't really tune  in deeply to their music. In the summer I heard Lap of Lux and after hearing the tape, I decided I was a fan of his music. Because of the project I was also introduced to Casey Veggies, who I am also a fan of now. I think Sir Michael is good mc  and I am waiting for him to  drop his Banco EP.  The Lap of Lux  series I think is great, I also like premier politics.  I wonder if he will ever maintain mainstream success or brought into a  much wider audience. I also hope one day the Cool Kids do decide to get back together , I am saying because I do not hear much about Chuck Inlgish now. Anyway I think he is a great artist and look forward to hearing his music.

Is Pusha -T New Song Worthy

I got chance to hear Pusha-T's new single, Numbers on The Boards.  I was not that impressed with the  single, I am a huge fan of The Clipse and I enjoyed his last few mixtapes he put out. While the song was not horrible , it wasn't great either. I did appreciate the Jay-Z sample he through in the song. I am still looking towards hearing his album. I would also hope the Neptunes, and Kanye West contribute significant production on his album.  I also want him and his brother to put out another album. It would be interesting to hear another Clipse album too.