Two weeks on the West Coast had the summer jams flowin’, old and new.
On the 12th of the month, GoldLink released his second album Diaspora. The projects weaves its way through rap, house, Afrobeats, reggae, and pop, fusing them into a collective whole that really delivers. The beat instantly transforms you to a Caribbean beach bar. Drinks flowing, sweet plantains on deck, people dancing on each other; the perfect summer night.
A big reason this track is my favorite off the project is the featured artists. With Tyler (I mean, obviously) and Jay Prince, each finds their own pocket in the song and makes it their own. GoldLink’s unique voice and signature, staccato flow was made for the house music vibe. Jay Prince’s chorus breaks up the rap verses, bringing listeners back to a familiar center before GoldLink hands the track to Tyler. I know I’m usually (always) biased when it comes to Tyler, but this really is one of my favorite features from him in a minute. While GoldLink’s voice complements the production, Tyler’s lyrical play really shines. His signature deep, raspy voice contrasts GoldLink’s flow, but creates a beautiful balance that sounds like a summer anthem for all.
2. “Feels Like Summer” by Vince Staples
The summer vibes keep coming with Vince Staples’ “Feels Like Summer”, from his third studio album FM!. For a project released in the middle of November (2018), this brief album harnessed some serious summer sounds. This track truly exhibits that pure, no-nonsense, West Coast sound. As always, Staples’ flow is so strong. He has an ability to find a pocket in any beat. This song is no exception. Absolutely a summer classic.
While I was never a diehard YG stan, his latest album 4REAL 4REAL has two tracks I ran the whole month of June; “Stop Snitchin” and “I Was On The Block”. “Stop Snitchin” is a straightforward, no nonsense track that gets to the point. The title alone tells you all you need to know. In this case, a simple piano-backed beat and repetitive bars really created an anthem. The original music video, and the second featuring the track’s remix with DaBaby, both are well thought out and fun to watch. Lastly, I just cannot help but love that it’s targeted at the biggest clown of all, 6ix9ine. Well done YG.
Where have I been? No really, how did it take me so long to appreciate GZA’s solo work? Whatever my excuse, I’m glad I came around. This entire summer I have been captured by the Wu-Tang member’s 1995 Liquid Swords. Since I’ve become enlightened I feel like I hear it referenced in every rapper/producer interview I watch. This thing really defined an era.
GZA’s second solo release proves he truly deserved the title “Genius”, especially when it came to his lyricism. The project also boasts incredible production from RZA, fellow Wu-Tang member (and real life cousin). The album’s first track, also named “Liquid Swords” absolutely captivated me and drew me in, as any great intro should. In an interview with Wax Poetics GZA shared, “The hook was actually a routine from around ‘84 that me, RZA, and Ol’ Dirty would do.” It still amazes me that such mind blowing references and wordplay came so naturally to him. This paved the way. It is the foundation that today’s New York sound is built upon. I could read these lyrics all day, and with each listen I seem to find at least three more easter eggs.
Moving on to the new guys still trying to find their path to rap royalty, I got “Walk” from 2019 XXL Freshman Comethazine. Repping St. Louis, Comethazine gained popularity from breakout track, which now has almost 100,000,000 listens on Spotify. While I think his one dimensional writing and artistic vision are eons away from anything Wu-Tang related, it’s another 21 year old Soundcloud rapper with a big hit. Also, with a Lyrical Lemonade music video, a track usually gains an additional amount of attention, which this video certainly drew in. At the end of the day, it’s catchy and I honestly like the brevity of it. Is it anything mind blowing? Not at all. However, you know this is a safe bet on the aux. Solid summer party hit for sure.
Since the April release of her latest single “Cellophane”, I have been exploring FKA twigs’ discography nonstop. I had always known her debut album LP1, released in 2014, was well-acclaimed. However, until this resurgence of respect for twigs’ work, I was truly missing out. “Lights On” from this project is intoxicating. It is so sultry and intimate, while also being incredibly ghostly and strained. As the song progresses, it intensifies, swelling into a more chaotic conclusion. It is a beautiful journey from beginning to end, telling a tale of trust and insecurity.
7. “What Do You Mean? (feat. J Hus)” by Skepta
I have always had a difficult relationship with British rap and grime. After years, if there is anyone to change my mind it is the legendary Skepta. A vital force in bringing U.K. underground grime to the mainstream charts, Skepta’s fifth studio album Ignorance Is Bliss blurs the line between nostalgia and new ideas. The project’s breakout hit “What Do You Mean?” features London rapper J Hus on the chorus. I was pleasantly surprised by the quick, yet seamless transitions between chorus and verse, especially with the stark contrast between Skepta and J Hus’ styles. Although both rappers have been in the game for a while, the song is hella fresh and hella crisp.
8. “won’t let it go” by Lalah Hathaway
While in LA, I heard this track at a dance choreography showcase and could not get it out of my head. After some research, I drew some similarities between this track and “Liquid Glitter Wild” by B.Slade, a track I wrote about in my February post. Both artists had a long career in R&B, well known in the ’90s and early ’00s, before releasing quite different content in recent years. This track, “won’t let it go” just has one of those melodies you can’t forget, with percussion that shakes the ground. The song is empowering, one of those “I won’t deal with your s***” type messages. We all know someone that needs to hear it, and Lalah is here to help get the message across.
Looks like 2019 is turning into the year of DaBaby. Between making the XXL Freshman Class and reaching #7 on the Billboard charts, the Charlotte native has made some serious waves. His debut album, Baby On Baby, features voices like Offset and Rich The Kid. For me, the fourth track “Pony” perfectly summarizes why DaBaby’s flow and style has caught on so quickly with so many. He is assertive, combative, and forceful. With the majority of the album’s tracks, he lets less than eight seconds pass before starting to rap. He just sounds hungry. On “Pony”, the heavy bass and infectious hook grab listener attention within moments. While DaBaby is quite generic lyrically, his approach, charisma, and stage presence make him impossible to ignore.
10. “My Chick Bad (feat. Nicki Minaj)” by Ludacris
This is what comes to mind every time when I think of a summer hit. A summer classic! 2010’s unforgettable collaboration between Ludacris and Nicki Minaj. In my opinion, this track features one of Nicki’s most iconic verses of all time. The song is just so much fun, impossible to play in the car or at the function without everyone’s nostalgia kicking in. All my friends are probably sick of how constantly I’ve been running this track, but I just never get sick of it. I will forever have a soft spot for it. It’s just so 2010 in the greatest way.
ALX 