Eminem’s Comeback: Kamikaze
October 9, 2018
Today’s rap is no doubt the era of “mumble rap”, where almost every rapper is barely understandable. Many people gravitate toward this new-era rap music, not because of lyrics, but because of it’s beat and party-like sound. Many have expressed their dislike of mumble rap, but most have fallen...
J. Cole’s Newest Venture: Another Success
May 22, 2018
On April 19, 2018, J. Cole released KOD, his eighth studio album. KOD’s 12 tracks explore typical J. Cole themes: drugs, life in poverty, ascent to stardom, copious cash, and the complexity of love, all topics Cole has discussed in past albums, such as 2014 Forest Hills Drive 4 Your Eyez Only. Ho...
Saba Enters the Spotlight
May 8, 2018
On April 5, 2018, Chicago rapper Saba released his second studio-produced album “Care for Me,” an original and artistic expression of his own overwhelming mental health struggles. The emotional depths and skillfully crafted beats that “Care for Me” pours forth make it impossible not to wonde...
Do it for the Culture
March 23, 2018
2018 has treated hip hop group Migos well so far; following the release of their newest album, “Culture II,” the group was featured on the cover of “Rolling Stone” and reached the Billboard’s top 200. As of February 7, the album was sitting in the number three slot, with a billion streams in...
Without Warning Review
December 3, 2017
To say artists Offset and 21 Savage’s new project Without Warning dropped without...well...a warning...would be a bit of an understatement. Produced by Metro Boomin, Without Warning was released the night before Halloween and was only hinted at by Offset with an Instagram post 10 hours prior to re...
XXXTentacion Fails to Impress on Debut
October 17, 2017
“I do not value your money, I value your acceptance and loyalty,” claims XXXTentacion in the intro to his debut album 17. After listening to the album in completion, it becomes clear that the Miami-based songwriter is owed neither. XXXTentacion, stage name of 19 year-old Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, wa...
Still A Rockstar?
By Cal Mitchell
September 23, 2017
Since the release of his third studio album in July 2016, Philadelphia based rapper nd self proclaimed “rockstar” Lil Uzi Vert has consistently topped the charts. He co-produced the singles “Bad and Boujee,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and “XO Tour Life,” which won a V...
Sweet/Sexy/Savage
By Kavi Dolasia
March 10, 2017
Since the release of her Grammy-nominated mixtape “You Should Be Here” almost two years ago, Kehlani’s sophomore album has been a highly anticipated release. Hailing from the Bay Area, the R&B singer is known for balancing her soulful, intimate tracks with exuberant, catchy pop anthems. Her latest ...
Kevin Gates’ “Islah”
By James Finn
May 4, 2016
The term “vulnerable” is rarely used to describe gangsta rappers.The likes of Mac Dre, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent, all of whom pioneered the genre, hardly provided a template that encouraged their successors to wear their emotions on their sleeves. But on his major-label debut, “Islah,” ...
Kanye’s “The Life of Pablo”
By James Finn
March 3, 2016
In late January, several weeks before Kanye West released his long-awaited "The Life of Pablo," West tweeted that his latest release “is actually a gospel album.” "The Life of Pablo’s" lyrics and their musical accompaniment support his statement, with extended allusions to religion and the divine,...
“If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late”
By Kevin Lee
April 2, 2015
Drake’s catchy new album, “If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late” captures the essence of trap with flowing lines and hard beats. Anyone can bump to his music and it’s hard not to feel the vibe. Drake’s unannounced album also brings the Beyoncé to the beat as he didn’t need to hype the...
Put Your Money Where Your Playlist Is
February 24, 2015
In the morning, as I shuffle out of my house in a desperate attempt to get a spot in the back parking lot, I jam my phone into my car’s speaker and press shuffle on a playlist containing the works of about six or seven different rappers. Usually I’m much too frantic or exhausted to even understand th...
