Livelii

Once upon a time not so long-ago freestyles could make or break a rapper’s career. It was an unspoken requirement to freestyle during every radio show or interview, at the beginning of performance, and even as a new release. Upcoming artist could build their careers off great freestyles, without being a hit or mainstream artist, for example; Pusha T, Joe Budden, Jada Kiss etc… Today’s generation know of these artists, because of the controversy surrounding their careers, but for years these artists dominated the underground using the authentic rap style, in battle rap and cyphers. The technical structure behind the art of freestyling helped separate hip-hop from mainstream media, this component made the culture unique. Demanding every artist to develop some form of a creative technique, which eliminated the idea that anyone could be a "rapper." Freestyling added value to the culture and those who dominated were respected by all musicians, because not everyone could easily...

For over the past 7 years, Drake have remained superior over all of the rappers. His catchy hooks and songs became number one hits instantly, and there's always a club/radio banger that everyone has stuck in their heads. I've been a Drake era advocate since I heard the song "Brand New" back in 2009, from that point on I knew singing had officially fused with mainstream hip hop. Although R&B and Hip Hop has always gone hand to hand, Drake created this strange unique but indifferent sound, that arguably carried from Lil Wayne . Basically, I'm not saying Drake started the trend of rapping and singing simultaneously, but he definitely reinvented the popularity of the sound.  So, what makes me question the end of the Drake era? Summer 2017 raised questions about  where was Drake. This was the first year in close to a decade that Drake did not dominate the summer or even the year. All eyes were on artist like Cardi B, Lil Uzi, and even Drake's leadi...

In recent interviews rapper Post Malone was quoted saying " Hip Hop isn't the music you go to for emotion or important things," immediately after this statement hip hop fans expressed their outrage. For over a decade now hip hop heads have pondered the direction of the genre. The release of the 2006 Nas album 'Hip Hop is Dead' forced the question of whether the genre is going, and 11 years later we hear the answer. Many like Post Malone believe that the essence and messages in hip hop are lost, but here are 10 modern hip hop songs that stir up several emotions, while maintaining their messages. The statement is disrespectful because Hip Hop grew based off of the messages it provided, and still to this day is used as a political voice. Rapper Logic song "1-800-273-8255" is the number for a suicide prevention hotline, the hip hop single 3x certified platinum. Drake - Jungle (2015) J. Cole - 03 Adolescences (2014) Xxxtentacion - Jocely...

1. Free Smoke & Grammy Although these songs have completely different arrangements on each album, they both share similar content and sounds. Free Smoke begins with the choir like sound that have become more popular in hip hop and leads into the natural base upbeat sound. Grammy just instantly goes into the upbeat tempo Drake flow on both songs are almost synonymous, but Free Smoke just isn't as catchy as Grammy. 2. No long talk & Energy  Besides the fact that the songs share the same sound bite. The beat and flow Drake uses screams Energy, if not the entire sound of If you're reading this . I appreciate the fact that Drake always features unknown artist, giving them a chance to "prove" themselves, but in this case I'm not sure Giggs fit the beat of the song. 3. Madiba Riddim & Controlla I guess on this album Drake was really feeling the Caribbeans, because majority of the album sounds island influenced. This comes as no surprise, because to ...

Since the revolution of music, artist have collaborated in order to exchange fan bases and create new sounds. Collaborations ultimately benefits both parties, most of the time one star isn't as popular in the media and the other needs to remain relevant in the media hence the collab. Recently major artist like Drake, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West etc... have been criticized by audiences addressed as vultures for hopping on popular songs and instead of helping the artist, stealing their artist identity while the artist rapidly declines in status. For example Kanye remixed Chief Keef's " Don't Like " Keef remained popular the entire year and now he's unknown, Drake hopped on Fetty Wap's " My Way " and completely took the Migos flow after " Versace ." Although they all were great songs, the business of music definitely left a bad taste with hip hop fans. We're seeing more seasonal artist versus long term hip hop develop in the industry. Ba...

In a series of unexpected tweets last night, rapper Kid Cudi decided to yet again express his heart and thoughts to his fans on social media. This time the target was the two most popular artist in today's hip hop; former mentor Kanye West and Drake. Claiming that Ye has been disloyal to him and of course reinstating the accusations of Drizzy having multiple song writers. This reoccurring allegation towards Drake comes as no surprise and neither is Drake response; on his Summer Sixteen tour he made a very indirect and uninformative comment that may be directed towards Cudi...idk frankly I'm over beefs with Drake, because they're all quite repetitive. Everyone thinks they're soooo great. Talkin top 5 and be having 30 people write songs for them — The Chosen One (@KidCudi) September 14, 2016 However Kanye instantly responded to Cudi's words on his Saint Pablo tour in Tampa. Generally Ye is more of a smart ass with his responses, but he seems more hurt t...

Lil Wayne is the most underrated influence of this generation. Ok, yes Weezy hasn't been the same since his incarceration, Wayne's music has been average and currently he's not a topic in most music conversations unless you're referring to "old Wayne." However Weezy's sound and untouchable work ethic is the origin of this can't actually sing but use auto tune in order to create a harmony on the song sound. Wayne just like Kanye, Tupac, and so many others has created a style that has influenced an entire generation whether they're aware of it or not. Remember the T-Wayne era?  T-Wayne is similar to the modern day boy band "ships" but instead involves combining two people that should or do collaborate on music often. T-Wayne refers to the collection of hit songs that rapper T- Pain and Lil Wayne collaborated on. T- Pain branded him self as a singer that only used the auto tune effect and Lil Wayne began to use the same effect o...

Now available on iTunes! Drake's fourth studio album Views From the 6. The review is coming soon, but for now just click the image to listen. Listen to Views by Drake on @AppleMusic. https://itun.es/us/RYFfcb (Update) Review  After thoroughly listening to Views over and over again, I've decided that this is a good solid album. I appreciate Drake because he's actually rapping in this album, mixing the classic Drake sound with his new trap like sound. Views from the 6 is like a mix of Takecare and If you're reading this, which is not bad at all to me. He's giving us hip hop listeners the best of both worlds without lacking or upsetting the other side. Views is well balanced giving you enough to keep your ears listening to the entire album. I enjoy the second half of the album more than the first half, and the only thing that throws me off in the album is the placement of Hotline Bling. I completely don't see why that song is at the end of the album whe...

As April 29, the release date for rapper Drake's fourth album, Views From the 6 slowly creeps up on us. Drake decides to surprise us with 2 singles titled "Pop Style" and "One Dance." I'm not sure what to expect from Drake's Views from the 6 , but my instinct is telling me he'll deliver another timeless album. Singles like One Dance features upcoming artist Wizkid & Kyla and instantly gives you pop Drake. However Pop Style which features The Throne (Kanye West & Jay Z) does the complete opposite. This is turn up fun Drake, who is kinda taunting with the pop culture, exposing the irony of why he released both songs together. HOV gives his fans a few bars to tease us and Kanye just dominates the song. I guess this is The Throne's way of inducting Drake into their realm lol, well that's how I took the collaboration. I enjoyed the song it's catchy and delievers on each beat. Of course As a HOV fan I would've love his part to be l...

Some years in music are always better than others. It's almost like the artist or corporations sit down together and say "ok this year will be the good music year." The year 2011 was definitely one of those years for hip hop. So I asked myself, if I could only buy 1 of these albums which would it be? After carefully deliberating for a few days, going back and forth from album to album, I chose Section 80. Here's why: Section 80 was the debut album for Kendrick Lamar, and if that album would've been any other Kendrick album I would not care for him too much. As a first album Section 80 instantly grabbed my attention and forced me to place Kendrick in an above standard category. Section 80 was different from the music we we're currently listening to, and was flawless in my eyes. After choosing Section 80 would be Take Care, then WTT, and finally Ambition.  Watch The Throne (WTT) is easily the best collaborative album of the generation. People who weren...

  Superstars reunite on a track with sleek production and exhilarating chemistry. “Work” has a love-at-first-listen hook fueled by Auto-Tune magic and futuristic dancehall ambience. The first 30 seconds will hook you to the song instantly. This nice dance island style song will be in every club coming soon is what anyone can predict. Work is the first single to release off of Rihanna's highly anticipated album   Anti . The song is  definitely  pop influence, and quite repetitive, but catchy. Drake's verse isn't needed in the song, but I guess he's just there to stir up the drama. I wish drake would have rapped more like on "What's my name" oppose to this, being more like "Take Care" both are previous collaborations from the two. I can see how Ri Ri's fans would love the songs, but I personally can only listen to it once. Download the song using the link below! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/work-feat.-drake-single/id1078765732   ...

Well Drake decided to not take a break and drop some new music last night. The song is titled "Summer Sixteen" of course referring to this upcoming summer.  Drake premiered a new single tonight on his Beats 1 show  OVO Sound Radio , and he announced that the long-awaited  Views From The 6  will be out in April. Do  I like the song? Yes, the song sounds like the 2015 "What a time" Drake but once again it's catchy. The beat is nice and fitting for that hard bass, while the simple hook makes it easy for you to catch a feel for the song. Inside of the verses Drake references his prolonged beef with Meek Mill and within the first bar takes what sounds like shots at President Obama, "Tell Obama that my verses are like the whips that he in, they bulletproof." Now yes, that statement could be dissected into so many implications, for instance; does Drake have a problem with President Obama preference of music referring to Kendrick Lamar? Or was that a simple ...

This list was derived based on album sales, relevancy, Billboard charts, art, quality, and overall organized sound of the album. There is no particular order or rank for the list, just 10 of the year’s best albums from my perspective. These are not album reviews meaning I am not critiquing the albums. For my thoughts and criticism on the albums, go to my music reviews. Big Sean - Dark Sky Paradise   Although you haven't heard much from Sean in the latest months of the year, he's definitely have had a great year. Sean released his third studio album Dark Sky Paradise on February 24, 2015 and well, he's been waaaay up, blessed since having over 300,000 in sales. The lead single "I Don't F*** With You" shot straight up the charts going platinum 3x making fans anticipate the album. The follow up singles; Paradise, Blessings, Play No Games, and One Man Can Change the World all topped the music charts at their release time. Dark Sky Paradise is certi...

Badu is back to remind you, But You Caint Use My Phone as she titles her new mixtape the classic 1997 "Call Tyrone" phrase. The mixtape features Andre 3000 and Drake who compliments the tape nicely. Badu's remake of The Isley Brothers "Hello" that features Former lover Andre 3000 is almost perfect. They keep the essence of the song, but still deliver a unique touch to the song. Their voices match up perfectly for the remake. I enjoyed the entire mixtape from start to finish, well except for "U Don't Have to Call" which samples the hook of Usher's 2001 hit single. I just didn't think her vocals fit the beat and the song kind of annoyed me. Other than that I love the mixtape and can play it all day. But You Caint Use My Phone is an updated Erykah Badu as you can clearly hear the difference in comparison to her past material, but she still has her unique sound to represent who she is. Overall I enjoyed the mixtape and rate it an 8 out of 10....

I'm First in foremost you cannot be considered the greatest of anything if you're not recognized. No that doesn't mean the more titles you have determined your greatness, but a substantial amount of people should agree before calling you the greatest. Why? "Great" people influence more people and greater people. Great people skills ultimately are recognized before their name. For example; Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest, and during his time I'm sure there was a person that could've beaten him, but that doesn't mean that they have more skills than Jordan. If greatness was determined by one time frame, one game, one accolade, and one album, than a lot of "Greats" wouldn't or would be “Great.” Time ultimately shows your talent, work ethics, being able to withstand even under pressure. You could be the best basketball player in the world but if no one sees it, you're only great to yourself, and if you don't compete h...