August 8th, 2021
Summary: Pure Nas with a fire verse from Ms. Hill
About Artist: Nas and Lauryn Hill are two of the greatest to ever do it.
About Song: Nas’s 14th album Kings Disease II dropped last week and this song “Nobody” is just one of many smooth classics on the album. Lauryn Hill has a great verse and it’s got those illmatic vibes.
Favorite Part:
“My awareness like Keanu in The Matrix
I’m savin’ souls and y’all complainin’ ’bout my lateness
Now it’s illegal for someone to walk in greatness” (3:15)
“I’m in the secret place, I keep a sacred space
They keep showin’ their hands, but keep hidin’ their face
If I’m a messenger, you block me then you block the message
So aggressive, the world you made is what you’re left with
Pride and ego over love and truth is fucking reckless
Y’all … got a death wish, the stupid leaves me breathless” (3:50)
Other:
King’s Disease II (Wikipedia)
Nobody Lyrics
April 12th, 2021
Summary: Português x Español x English
About Artist: There are ton of artists on this song including Tropkillaz (São Paulo Brazil), J Balvin (Colombia), Anitta (Rio de Janeiro Brazil) and MC Zaac (Diadema Brazil).
About Song: This song came out in spring 2019 and was one of my summer anthems for that summer. It is followup to the smash hit Vai Malandra.
Favorite Part: I love the funk carioca vibe. Tenho saudades do Brasil.
Other: Bola Rebola Wikipedia, J Balvin Wikipedia, Anitta Wikipedia, MC Zaac Wikipedia
March 21st, 2021
Summary: Watch me dance around them puddles.
About Artist: Daniela Andrade is a Honduran Canadian who has gained a following online by posting her covers of popular songs on Soundcloud and YouTube.
About Song: This song is a track off of Daniela’s 2020 EP “Nothing Much Has Changed, I Don’t Feel The Same”
Favorite Part: This song had me at the drop (0:23)
Other: Daniela Andrade Wikipedia
March 16th, 2021
Summary: Haunting, so haunting.
About Artist: Jensen McRae is a young folk singer songwriter from a biracial black and jewish background. Her career is still young with her first single having dropped in 2019. Her songs all have deep personal messages.
About Song: I like Jensen’s other work but this song is just so haunting. After I first hear it, her voice followed me in my head for days. This genre normally isn’t really my thing but wow, this song is something specials.
Favorite Part: I love how the verses flow into the chorus (1:00). Obviously her voice is a major part of what makes this song work.
Other Links: Jensen McRae
March 12th, 2021
Summary: Chika’s new EP drops today!
About Artist: Chika is part of the XXL 2020 freshman class and looks to have a very promosing future. Her new EP “Once Upon a Time” drops today and I can’t wait to listen.
About Song: This song is off of her 2020 EP “Industry Games”
Favorite Part: I love the vocal harmonies on chorus and synth soul vibe of the song. As far as the bars, the third verse is the best.
Other: Chika Wikipedia
March 10th, 2021
Summary: Usha Usha
About Artist: Usher has been an R&B pop sensation for several decades while Ella Mai hit the scene big with her self-titled debut album in 2018.
About Song: This song came out in 2019 but is actually a single from Usher’s upcoming album “Confessions 2” (not to be confused with his song that I cried to in high school “Confession Part II”).
Favorite Part: I have a hard time not liking Usher, and Ella Mai just makes this duet too good to resist. I really like Ella Mai’s verse at 1:20.
Other: Ella Mai Wikipedia, Usher Wikipedia
March 9th, 2021
Summary: Go watch Judas and the Black Messiah
About Artist: Masego is best known for his 2017 collab “Tadow“. JID is up and coming signed with Dreamville, and Rapsody is a long established independent veteran.
About Song: This song was put together for a companion album to the movie “Judas and the Black Messiah” which tells a story of Fred Hampton and the Black Panthers. Go watch it.
Favorite Part: Masego’s vocals really bring the vibe and this verse from JID…
“‘Cause we can never murder hate but can murder a hater
What’s a more American way to try to give ’em a taste of they own medicine?
Prevalent ethnic rebel, the revolution of melanin
Bust a move to the ghetto, we must improve the development
Brought some food for the fellowship, got a noose on my brethren
Call the goons and the government, come correct the corruption
Break the racial construction buildin’ up
In the spirit of liberation, give me life or I’ma take it
That’s my human right, universally, you and I, we could be unified
But when you speakin’ truth beyond your youth, they want you euthanized
Creepin’ through the night, hear something movin’, right?
Intruders, intruders” (0:56)
Other: JID Wikipedia, Rapsody Wikipedia, Masego Wikipedia, Judas and the Black Messiah Wikipedia
