Why Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City is a masterpiece

In 2012, rapper Kendrick Lamar released Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, a concept album that shows one-day living life on the streets of Compton, California. Today I will explain to you why Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City is a Hip-Hop masterpiece. 

The album is a raw look at growing up in Compton, however, it is far from being a fetishization poverty and crime. Lamar uses his life in Compton to illuminate the social issues that plague America. Kendrick illuminates the structures of racism, poverty and drug addiction that have troubled him and his community.

The commentary alone did not make Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City. a hit record. Kendrick is more than a social commentator, he is an incredible and record-breaking musician. His ear for catchy hooks, dazzling lyrical chops, and tasteful guest features make the album endlessly re-listenable. Record sales prove it. As of this week Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City has spent 300 consecutive weeks on the billboard hot 200 chart. 

"Sherane Aka Master Splinter's Daughter" is our introduction to Kendrick. He is true to form for a 17-year-old boy. Kendrick is in pursuit of a girl he met at a party.

"Backstreet Freestyle" puts us with Kendrick's friends, driving around and wasting time. They have a pack of Black and Milds and a beat CD they can freestyle rap over. Kendrick is spitting the most braggadocious raps he can come up with.

"The Art of Peer Pressure" is my favorite song on the album. Kendrick, the self-proclaimed "Good Kid" is tempted by evil when he is around his friends. 

Smoking on the finest dope
Aye aye aye aye
Drank until I can't no mo
'Aye aye aye aye
Really I'm a sober soul
But I'm with the homies right now

Midway through the track, the friends decide to rob a house they had been scoping out for a couple months. It goes awry and they almost got caught, but they get away. Kendrick laments he might have just become a felon because of the peer pressure he felt.

The high flying tracks are brought back to earth with realistic skits. These include youth prayer sessions that are trying to cope with the violence and reality of Compton, Kendrick's mother trying to get the car back from her son so she can get groceries, and Kendrick's father trying to find his dominoes. These skits remind us that all of Kendrick's amazing verbal virtuosity still reflects real life.

There is no better song than"Swimming Pools (Drank)" to show Kendrick's dual mastery of hip-hop. Many rappers are able to make bangers, songs with hooks and beats that lend themselves to repeat plays in cars and clubs. These songs generally form the backbone for hip-hop sales because they are so commercially viable. Other rappers focus on having socially conscious themes in their songs. Typically songs like these are more focused on the rappers technically skilled lyricism and wider social issues the artist wants to bring to the light.

On "Swimming Pools (Drank)" Kendrick is able to masterfully fill both of these roles with ease. Back in 2012, It was a party anthem of the summer. Kendrick had fulls clubs of people chanting the hook to "Swimming Pools."

Pour up, drank, head shot, drank
Sit down, drank, stand up, drank
Pass out, drank, wake up, drank
Faded, drank, faded, drank

But if a person listens to the lyrics of the verse, they reveal something much more profound then a party anthem. These are the first few lines of the song.

Now I done grew up round
some people living their life in bottles
Granddaddy had the golden flask back stroke every day in Chicago
Some people like the way it feels
Some people wanna kill their sorrows
Some people wanna fit in with the popular that was my problem

In one track Kendrick was able to produce a song that not only became hugely popular. The song which seeming celebrated drinking, was actually an examination and indictment of drinking culture. Kendrick talks about the horrific destructive effects of alcohol. For example the abuse and health effects of over-consumption. He also talks about the social forces, like familial pressure and peer pressure that causes people to over-consume alcohol so regularly. The ability to both catchy and deep is what makes this album so important. 

The questions this album leaves us with are more important than any answers a single man can give. How can a man do right in a world encouraging him to do wrong? What's the right way to stay true to ourselves while rising above difficult circumstances? Can there really be a good kid in a mad city? Using a combination of lyrical skill, critical social commentary, and catchy music Kendrick Lamar created a Hip-Hop masterpiece in Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City.

Swimming Review

On Swimming, rapper Mac Miller delivers mature and deeply personal lyrics over top-notch retro-influenced beats. 

Mac Miller is one of the most artistically evolved musicians I have seen in our current era. Miller rose to prominence in the early 2010's. On mixtapes like K.I.D.S and albums like Blue Slide Park, Miller spits safe bro-y raps about picking up girls, smoking weed and partying. These themes served him well, putting him in hip-hop's limelight. However, Miller was not content to stagnate.

As Miller grew older and experienced more of the ups and downs of life, his records began to show his increased levels of maturity. Compare these lyrics from his first hit single to his lyrics from Swimming. 

"Donald Trump"- 2011
That's the way it goes when you party just like I do
Bitches on my dick that used to brush me off in high school
Take over the world when I'm on my Donald Trump shit
Look at all this money, ain't that some shit

"2009"- 2018
"Take my time to finish, mind my business
A life ain't a life 'til you live it
I was digging me a hole big enough to bury my soul
Weight of the world, I gotta carry my own
My own, with these songs I can carry you home
I'm right here when you're scared and alone"


This lyrical maturity is the album's biggest feature. The dark, emotive lyrics are undoubtedly influenced by Miller's substance abuse issues and tumultuous relationship with pop star Ariana Grande. Throughout Swimming, we see the trials and cracks in a long-term relationship that would fail shortly before this records release.

The beats on this album are funky. If you have read some of my other reviews, you know I am a sucker for funk bass so I really enjoy most of the album's production. The synthesizers that pepper the tracks sound retro, but are used in a way that makes them accentuate the track instead of sounding corny. 

"Ladders" is bouncy and light, perfectly poised to become a late-summer jam. Mac floats across this track, delivering rapid-fire lyrics that also sound effortless. Another favorite of mine is "2009". The tracks serene strings and delicate piano melody give Miller the perfect canvas to depict the struggles of moving on in life.

Conclusion: Mac Miller has always been an oddball in the rap world, but this alubum shows the beauty that can come from being strange. Listen.

WANG$AP

The King of Fashion and the King of Ambiguous sexuality just dropped a track. I'm talking about A$AP Rocky and Tyler, the Creator. The song, "Potato Salad" features the two rappers freestyling in front of Eiffel Tower. In loose, conversational verses they talk about money and their fashion endeavors. Rocky even drops a diss at mumble rappers. The two seem relaxed and deliver their verses with ease, almost like they're having fun.

However, the most notable part of the video comes at the end. The video ends with a WANG$AP logo, which is a mashup of the A$AP and GOLFWANG brands. This logo seems to be teasing an upcoming collaboration between the two rappers. 

A$AP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator are two of the most influential personalities in the rap world today. Both are known for breaking down barriers in rap, as well as their unique styles and personalities. Certainly, no one could describe them as generic. This collaboration is sure to produce interesting results. 

TA1300 Review

Denzel Curry's Album TA13OO(Taboo) provides a rebellious critique of the "Soundcloud Rap" that has grown around Curry and remains entertaining throughout its whole runtime. 

Curry hails from South Flordia. Other rappers from South Florida, like Lil' Pump and XXXTenacion, have amassed a huge following after becoming popular on music streaming platform Soundcloud. However, Curry's career predates the "Soundcloud Rappers." While Curry and "Soundcloud Rappers" share many sonic characteristics like aggressive vocals and audio distortion, Curry does not see himself as part of that genre of music. On "Percs", he lampoons the facial tattoos, drug abuse and lyrical shallowness he perceives in "Soundcloud rap." 

I should rap about some lean and my diamond cuts
Get suburban white kids to want to hang with us
It's your friendly neighborhood, I don't give a fuck
Get it straight, I innovate, you ad-libs on a 808
Don't need a tattoo on my face cause Denzel is a different race
I don't even try to hate, I'm just saying what I ain't
People sleeping on me hard and I'm the hardest in the paint
Eight years in the game and I never rode a wave

Curry is not content to simply make fun of rappers he sees as shallow. TA1BOO contains moments of mature emotional depth and political commentary interwoven with aggressive braggadocio and aggressive production. This maturity is best seen on the title track "Taboo", where Curry discusses his relationship with a victim of sexual abuse. He ponders how he can best support someone he loves that has suffered such emotional trauma. 

TA1300 is a concept album, broken into three sides. Light, Grey, and Dark. While the tracks on the respective sides do generally correspond with the intended mood, Curry could have focused on making the concept more coherent. 

One of Curry's signature lyrical techniques is the rapid-fire deployment of wide-ranging references, ranging from pop culture to philosophy. He belies his age by referencing Nicleodian cartoons like The Fairly Odd Parents, Jimmy Neutron and Prince Zuko from Avatar. I find this charming, although I may only like it because of my own fond memories of those TV shows. 

(On are a serious note, if you have never watched Avatar: The Last Airbender, please do so immediately. It is an incredible show.) 

Best character development, all time. 

The track "Percs", which was released as one of the album's singles, demonstrates the album's satirical tone, grimy production and tight delivery all in one track. If you like "Percs", you will like the whole album. Listen Below. 

Conclusion: Curry has delivered one of the best albums of 2018. He aimed to take the rap game and flip it on its head. With an album that has only one weak song, he may have done it.  I am very excited to listen to this album again and again. Do me a favor, and listen.

Listen to: Moanin'

When I first started this blog, I recommended everyone to listen to Led Zeppelin III. This album is sonically distinct among Led Zeppelin's catalog. I think it's a fresh take on a genre that can seem bloated and middle-aged.

Today I recommend Moanin' by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. While this is out of my standard Rock and Rap repertoire, I think Moanin' is essential listening for any music fan. Simply put, Moanin' is a fun album that can serve as an introduction to a massive and rewarding genre of music, Jazz.

Is it just me, or does Art look like Michael K. Williams?

Before I listened to Moanin', I thought jazz seemed pretentious, impenetrable and boring. But Moanin' is what jazz musicians call a Hard Bop album. Basically, Hard Bop musicians wanted to be the best, but they still wanted their music to reach the ears of the common man. hard bop jazz works so well because it is versatile and can be listened to in any situation. It's a stimulating listen in the car, great mood music for a party. Moanin' is a great way to trick people into thinking you are sophisticated.

The thing I find remarkable about this album is its ability to explore different facets of jazz while remaining a cohesive and entertaining whole. The title track "Moanin'" is a slinky number that shows the virtuosity of the Jazz Messengers while maintaining an easy, danceable beat. "Are You Real" is a fast-paced romp with dazzling solos and "Blues March" represents a return to the simpler roots of jazz.

"The Thunder Drum Suite" is a truly epic track. The drums start off slowly but soon are at a fast-paced, primal roll. Blakey, with all his skill, manages to make an 8-minute drum solo not only listenable but exciting. 

Give Moanin' a shot. Click the video above and listen for five minutes. Worst case scenario, you waste five minutes. Best case, you will find a new genre of music to love.  

Gorillaz and Virtual Bands

Gorillaz just released a new album The Now Now. Below is the music video for "Humility", the album's lead single. The Now Now is fun. However, it lacks the creative daring of earlier Gorillaz classics like Demon Days and Plastic Beach. I recommend giving it a listen, but I also want to talk about the band Gorillaz itself.

Gorillaz is the brainchild of Damon Albarn, the lead singer from popular Britpop band Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, a cartoonist. The two set out to create a totally unique musical in response to the formulaic pop music they felt dominated the charts. In order to retain complete creative control, they decided to make the band in a virtual world. The concept was not new. Bands like Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Archies were also fake bands that released real music. While these bands have put out successful records, Albarn and Hewitt set out to push the limits of what a "virtual band" could be.

Albarn and Hewlett created a complex backstory for the band, which consists of the fictional Russell, 2-D, Murdoc, and Noodle. This story is woven into the records and media the band produces and will continue into the foreseeable future. It features madcap twists and turns, involving exorcisms, Japanese supersoldiers, and islands made of garbage.

In the video above we can see the characteristic elements of a Gorillaz production. Most noticeable are the four animated members of Gorillaz. Apparently, they got Jack Black interested, because he provides a cameo. By using the medium of animation, the characters are able to be totally unreal, yet interact with the real world at the same time.

Gorillaz is a fantastic blend of everything. Their music bends genre and their visual aspect bends reality. If your ever in the mood for a totally unique musical experience, I suggest going through the Gorillaz catalog.

Loner Review

On her album Loner, Caroline Rose gives her listeners a thoughtful examination of female sexuality, punctuated by sick synth riffs. Each track blazes with originality and energy. Caroline's satirical lyrics find humor in serious issues like mental illness and misogyny.  

However, I think Caroline's thoughts on sexuality are the most compelling part of this album.

"Soul No.5" is Caroline's confident assertion of her own sexuality. She yells, "I like to keep a loser freak in the sheets." This declaration shows her casual, glib attitude toward a topic many people still find taboo.  

On "Smile", Caroline uses a cacophony of distorted voices to explore how annoying it is for women to be told to smile constantly.  "Bikini" deals with the commodification of the female body. 

"Getting To Me" and "Animal" both explore romantic relationships. "Getting To Me" expresses a desperate longing for romance.  "Animal" exudes physicality. Caroline explores the lust she feels for an ex. Anger toward her ex's new partner consumer her thoughts until she loses reason and becomes "like an Animal."  

The cover art is fantastic and belies the humor present on this album. Caroline creates a visually striking red and white color scheme, reminiscent of the sharp and focused color schemes of early White Stripes albums. This draws the eye to the album and holds the viewer's attention. The font choice and framing of the shot remind me of a Wes Anderson film. Caroline's casual attire, the red sweatsuit, gives the album a casual visual aspect, which matches with the frank tone Caroline addresses serious issues with. Of course, the most striking feature of the cover is Caroline's mouth filled with a pack of cigarettes. It's comical, but it also hints at the dark, mordant humor of the lyrics. 

Conclusion: It rocks and it has something to say. Listen.  

Kids See Ghosts Review

Kid Cudi and Kayne West released a new album.

If you went to high school anytime from 2008 through 2014, these words are enough to send tingles down your spine.

Kid Cudi was able to connect to a generation of moody teenagers with classic albums like Man on the Moon and Man on the Moon II. These albums featured songs that bared Cudi’s raw emotions and darkest insecurities plain for the world to see. Cudi’s openness packaged with the slick production and guidance of Kayne West ensured the staying power of their music. Unfortunately, after a period of mental illness, Cudi’s music descended into mediocrity and with culminated with the 2015 atrocity Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven.

Now I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Kids See Ghosts proves the duos were and remain a force for making emotionally driven art and music.

Here are my three favorite things about the album.

1. Brevity. At only seven tracks and 23 minutes long it is easily digestible in one sitting. Like an effectively edited essay, Kids See Ghosts trims the excess away and delivers its message in a lean and punchy format. Themes of alienation, loneliness, despair, and triumph shine through the music. The typical generic rap trappings of wealth, sex, and meaningless violence are not present to water down the album's focused vision.

2. Emotional Immediacy. The duo is open about their struggles in life and they leave no trauma unrevealed. Lines like, “And nothing hurts anymore / I feel kind of free” remind me of "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd.

3. Raw Sound. This album is dissonant, which works well with the subject matter. Kid Cudi’s trademark off-key singing emphasizes the aforementioned emotions. The rough edges are intentional. Kayne is a notorious perfectionist, so for better or worse, every sound on this album is meticulously placed.

However, this album has weaknesses.

Some songs are aimless. Songs like “Free” and “Feel the Love” lack clear structure and direction. While this is may not be a negative for some people, I found myself lost amongst verse and chorus, wondering when the song was going to end. Without defined rising action and climax these songs became disorienting.

The album falls into the common trap of romanticizing mental illness. Cudi and Kayne are open about struggling with depression and Bipolar Disorder, respectively. However, instead of portraying these illnesses as the debilitating disorders they actually are, the duo seems to use them to feed into the “tortured artist” trope. 

Conclusion: This album is as flawed as the two men who made it. Give it a listen anyway.

Wide Awake Review

Damn, I like this album.

The band first caught my ear with their 2016 album Human Performance. The singles "Berlin Got Blurry" and "Dust" were constantly on my Spotify rotation last summer. "Dust’s" fat, droning guitar sounds and chanted vocals provide a hypnotic listen. The spaghetti western guitar licks and witty lyricism of "Berlin Got Blurry" make it one of the most unique rock songs of the decade. I consider it an instant classic.

Parquet Courts occupy a unique lyrical space on this Wide Awake, dangling between seriousness and silliness, walking the tightrope between those emotional extremes.

The album tackles pertinent topics such as income disparity, violence and our polarized political climate without devolving into preachy sloganeering. The perfect example of the silly/serious duality comes off Total Football, which contains the political commentary, “Collectivism and autonomy are not mutually exclusive”. They also say “Fuck Tom Brady” on the same track. While the first lyric may be perceived as shallow, the second example shows that this band is truly at the height of their intellectual prowess.

The band’s punk roots shine as strong as ever in Wide Awake’s sound. "Almost Had to Start a Fight/ In And Out of Patience" starts out as an amateurish sounding punk song, but halfway though kicks into gear, developing a groove strong enough to spawn a mosh pit.  

"Mardi Gras Beads" reminds me of Mac DeMarco. I hope you forgive the overused comparison. The hazy vocals and reverb-drenched insurgents are reminiscent of the popular indie rocker. The style works well in this song. What really stands out to me on this track is the solo. While not technically dazzling, the phrasing is magnificent and the interplay between the rhythm instruments and the lead guitar effectively sum up the emotions of the song without the need for words.

The band reaches out from their punk and indie roots on this album. They have been listening to funk, and it especially shows on cuts like Wide Awake. The track is so groovy it blurs the lines between dance music and rock. I would be hard-pressed to even call it rock music. Like funk and disco music, the song lays primarily on the multilayered percussion section and the baseline. The baseline is funky enough to make Bootsy Collins blush.

Further drawing comparisons to classic Funk music a la James Brown is the simple and repetitive lyricism. The vocals act as another instrument in the mix, adding vocal timbre instead of telling a story or expressing complex emotional statements. This, of course, is not a criticism, the lyrics are masterfully executed and more complex lyrics might serve to ruin the songs spotless groove.

Conclusion: Damn, I really like this album.