Watch: Touchin'. Remix - @itshoneybxby feat. @BustaRhymes

New on the WTM Radar is Asbury Park native and KMack artist, Honey Bxby. 

She recently released her remix to Touchin, her hit single from her 3 Words, 8 Letters EP that she dropped last year. It's only right that Touchin' got a verse from Busta Rhymes, especially considering it samples his classic, Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See. The remix also got a visual treatment which you can see after the break. Feel this.

Editorial Review: 90059 - @JayRock

First and foremost I must say I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed that Top Dawg didn't release Jay Rock's sophomore album, 90059, much sooner.

WE RAN 2013 WITH OUT DROPPING 1 ALBUM. I WONDER WUTS GONE HAPPEN IN 2014 WHEN I DROP 6.. THEY NOT READY 4 THIS #TDE #HiiiPoWeR TAKE OVER

— dangeroo kipawaa TDE (@dangerookipawaa) December 22, 2013

I remember when they first announced the tweet above. Unfortunately it never came through as we had to wait til this year to get Kendrick and Rock's projects. Fortunately for the fans, the wait was well worth it. 90059 begins with Necessary. Super west coast sounding introduction to the album that takes the first 40 seconds before Rock commences by the dropping of bars. The project as a whole is basically the story of Rock and where he's from if you didn't get that from the title. I think his story telling abilities is above average and the first track is a great example.

Easy Bake is next up. It leaked in late August. The song has a A side/B side feel. Side A Rock trades bars with Kendrick Lamar on the same verse after they each did one solo. I like how Jay Rock changes his the tone of his voice depending on the mood of the song throughout the album. Part two is interluded with Rock the radio personality as DJ Turn-Up on WTOP Radio. You can tell that was influenced by the WBallz Interlude from the classic Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg (or Lion whatever he calls himself these days). The beat drops and SZA joins the gents caressing the music with her lovely voice. Rock returns to the song with slick wordplay and witty punchlines.

"Show you why they hate more niggas than Uncle Ruckus. Rollin' up that boondock, some call it moon rock..."

Track three is Gumbo and my favorite on the entire album. The production was laid down nicely and Rock is articulate. Gumbo was the second single the released before the album dropped. I especially liked verse two and how he shows us where he's is coming from. It ends on a less serious note where one of the homies was singing the catchy hook in the whip. That leads into a funny conversation about Mrs. Johnson and her gumbo (not sure if that was an innuendo). Wanna Ride features Isaiah Rashad. Isaiah does well singing a catchy hook. It just hurts my soul he didn't bless us with a verse himself. Jay Rock does more than enough to hold the song together perfectly. Rock plays Captain Save-A-Hoe in The Ways. This features Sir, the first of three assists from non-TDE artists (we'll get into that later). He raps about a young woman hanging around her peers who engage in the activities a harlot would (I laughed so hard typing that), and how it's rubbed off on her. Now that's the Art of Peer Pressure huh? No matter, Sir and Rock still gonna have fun when shawty and her friends roll through. Telegram (Going Krazy) follows up. This is probably the most boring track here. Not a skip entirely because the hook sang by Lance Skiiiwalker was catchy. Lance Skiiiwalker in this project serves opposite Jay Rock like an alter ego. The brother is multifaceted and talented. This precedes the self titled 90059. That was the third single released about a month before the album. Lance Skiiiwalker makes another appearance. This time belligerent and drunk. Sound familiar? 

Painted by John Wallace

Vice City is the Black Hippy posse cut we've been waiting for since pressing play. They focus their verses on their vices as these guys like to talk about. The growing wealth, fame, and women have an effect on how their life is now. Kenny's hook between verses from ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul is tough. This is easily another fan favorite and I'm surprised it's not on the radio. Ab-Soul hangs around singing the Intro to the next song, Fly on the Wall. The mood changes again and Jay Rock is joined by Rap Legend Busta Rhymes. If Kendrick is the caterpillar turned butterfly, Jay Rock's analogy is the fly on the wall. I could explain but this is a really introspective song you should hear for yourself. Busta really sheds light on the simile and mentors Rock. Where throughout the album Rock spilled his guts on multiple trials of his life, his mentor provides a different perspective on morality. I was really impressed with the delivery. He even talks about how they met and found a way to make it rhyme. He even adds another jab on the ongoing discussion about rappers writing their own lyrics.

The second to last song is Money Trees Deuce. This was the first single and I was so excited to hear it when it first released as the original was my favorite song on GKMC where Jay Rock stole the show. If I could compare it with the original I'd conclude that like all things the sequel is never as good as the original. Let me explain. As far as content and verses from Rock, this one far surpassed the first. The hook sang by Anna Wise and Kendrick on the original was catchier and the beat by DJ Dahi was waaaay better than the sequel. That's not to take away from Flippa and JProof's production, because this wasn't supposed to be super produced where you'd lose focus of the lyrics unless you were really paying attention. The song fades out with Rock giving words of encouragement we all could use. The flow and story are very similar and Money Trees Deuce still impressed and retains that ever important replay value. Winding down, the album ends with The Message. This definitely wasn't Grandmaster Flash or Melly Mel. He could have ended the album with Money Trees Deuce and the way it faded out would have been perfect. The Message isn't horrible but wouldn't be missed if left off. It raps up everything he said in the last ten tracks like the conclusion of a fourth grader's public speaking assignment. Vic Smitty sings the hook where I'm also unimpressed. It sounds more harsh than it is; however it's still not good or bad, just wouldn't be otherwise missed.

Although a bit annoying as a fan the promotion was great for the TDE vet. For the most part I think he's the most slept on act out of their stable. The pre-order and release of his album was the most interesting I've ever seen. There literally wasn't a projected date. Just after a certain number of fans ordered, they'd release it in it's entirety. He didn't have too many singles out which is important when you are trying to bless the public with new material. The album was 11 tracks. Fairly short in time but he doesn't waste it. Aside from the outro everything he said  needed to be heard. I was duly surprised to see Parental Advisory and Pay For It featuring K. Dot and Chantal didn't make the final cut. Who knows, maybe that will be on a deluxe version. All in all 90059 is the zip. It's the story of where he's from. I'd to call it the middle ground of Kendrick's Good Kid Maad City and YG's My Krazy Life. I guess that's what it is to be Jay Rock, the blood from Watts, Los Angeles. The question used to be where is Jay Rock? Now it's where's he going? 90059 gets 4.4 of 5 stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale. You can listen to 90059 in it's entirety below after the break.

Editorial Review: #Surf - @DonnieTrumpet & @ChancetheRapper (by @RamseySaidWHAT)

It took a lot out of me to write this, I know how much Queen loves Chance but I had to review this one. Maybe next time honey.

Alright how do I even begin? Surf as of right this moment is number one in my AOTY rankings. We're a little more than halfway through the year. I know it might indeed be too soon but it's just something about this one. Through and through the mesh of Donnie Trumpet, Social Experiment, and Chance the Rapper bless our ears with sheer greatness. It's like a combination of live band like The Roots and Chance's quirky uniqueness. I would make a different comparison but his voice, spoken word, and flow style is so unique. Although the project is feature heavy it is near perfection. No artist upstaged another. Besides features aren't always too bad, word to Niles and Statik Seletktah They spoke their two cents and got too it. Speaking of two cents, they released it for free on iTunes. Let's get to it.

Track one, Miracle. Choral vocals fade in from the back to the foreground. I can't think of a different word than eerie to describe the melody sang by Raury. Don't get used to it because the beat stops and Chance enters with spoken word. The beat follows soon and turns it to a rap. We can expect more surprise as the album takes off. All in all, nice introduction.

Slip Slide follows up next. The song begins with noise as we band nerds call it. The trumpet takes over the melody. Busta Rhymes surprises everyone thanking Chance for giving him the opportunity to spit and stand up (or try to, I had to make a pun). No diss at all because Busta delivers and reminds us why he's a legend and far from past his prime. There is no plateau for this man. B.O.B also makes an appearance. They spit about trying not to slip and slide and fall into the tendencies of the rest of the industry. I was ultimately surprised it wasn't Akon on the hook but Macea of the O'My's serenading us all. Slip Slide ends really smooth and transitions nicely into Warm Enough. Noname Gypsy and Chance the Rapper trade back and forth with bars about love. "Who are you to love me and not call me by my name." Gypsy blesses us with vocals on the hook and then it happened.

"Is that J. Cole?!" yell me and my cousin during our first listen on an Atlantic City road trip. He follows suit with the love rant and if I had to crown a winner it'd have to be the lady. Maybe they just love better than we. Debatable but back to the topic. Nothing Came to Me serves as an interlude of sorts. Donnie Trumpet keeps it simple. I guess no title for the track came to name and he reminded us that this is indeed a jazz album first, then hip-hop. Beautiful trumpet solo.

Nothing Came To Me. A new Silent Film from Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment https://t.co/DnnTMuUuJE

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) January 29, 2015

Surf returns to a joyful mood with the next track, Wanna Be Cool. Chancellor is joined by Jeremih singing. "I don't wanna be cool. I just wanna be me." The next surprise is Big Sean and Super Duper Kyle rapping about staying true to themselves. Fun but importantly preached by the singer/rapper quartet. The album feel takes another turn when Windows begins. Chance the Rapper is joined by BJ the Chicago Kid and Raury. They croon not to look up to them. I still swear I hear Mali Music and his singing habits in this song. I could be wrong but I swear it's him even if he's not listed in the credits. Nonetheless, it's easily my favorite song that is still on repeat as I type. Caretaker has another interlude feeling. Not too lengthy as D.R.A.M sings about taking good care of his lover, even if she is a groupie. The song samples Find My Way Back, the old Jaheim jam. I even hear hints of Can You Handle it by Usher. At least that's what it suggests. Gents you can put this in your "Get the drawers" mix, thank me later.

Just Wait begins with Donnie and Social Experiment just going ham for no reason at all. Eff it that's why. After their jam session ends, Chance the "singer" returns preaching patience. Familiar provides the biggest surprise feature on the album. Musically the song is so funky and Chance paves the way with a really dope flow and hook. Fellow Chicago native King Louie makes an appearance but what baffled the hell out of me was Quavo from Migos laying a verse down. It doesn't matter if you don't like jazz this album is really for everyone. Trust me, I hit the Whip, Cook, and Nay-Nay, a lot to this jam. Crossover music at it's finest. Following Familiar is SMTHNTHTIWNT which features Saba. This project has shown Chicago a lot of love indeed. The production is really distorted where the chi-town emcee spits a nice little verse. Not exactly whack but in comparison with the rest of the project this song can be overlooked. Go which features Jesse Boykins III, Mike Golden, and Joey Purp. The mood drastically changes back upbeat. Jesse Boykins III joins singers from Social Experiment to sing a fun hook. Mike Golden lays down vocals with the first verse. Joey Purp follows up with some bars of his own. Hook, verse, hook, bridge, verse hook, outro. The format to this song is perfect, point blank. Questions featuring Jamila Woods is next. I originally thought this was actually Dej Loaf. I love the percussion and jam session. The song is short but sweet. Not much else to say.

Something Came to Me seems like a response to the earlier song, Nothing Came to Me. Donnie lends his horn with another trumpet solo. It leads into Rememory with finesse. Chance the Rapper takes the role of the man in a bad divorce. He tells his regret and worry for the children. Ady Suleiman assists with a falsetto of sorts on the hook. Really dramatic groaning voice fits the mood of the song perfect, when out of nowhere Sara Bellum appears. Yes that's right the queen, Erykah Badu herself lends her jazzy motherly vocals to console the hurting Chancellor. Jamila Woods makes another appearance on the next song, Sunday Candy. She really gets her chance to show her own talent this time around. So many gospel characteristics blend well with the live band sound. The hook is reminiscent to Genesis chapter six if you have a bible handy. Chance's verse added hip-hop to the crossover. Fuego. The projects wraps up with Pass the Vibes. Eric Butler sings over a catchy instrumental. It's very touristy. Maybe I created that word but it's like you could hear that tune on a Caribbean vacation commercial if you catch my drift (get it? Drift? Surf? It's my last chance at a pun).

All jokes aside Surf is a great project. As of now this might be my favorite thus far this year. As Niles said in his Statik Selektah review, this year is quite the competition for album of the year. We've seen strong showings from hip-hop and the year is only half over. This year I think the staff will have a much more diverse showing than the previous year. It's albums like Surf that make this possible. Perhaps it was really feature heavy but the surprises made the album that much sweeter. Chance the Rapper served as Social Experiment's Black Thought. Assists from heavy hitters, legends, and up-and-comers made this sweeter than your high school sweetheart's cute bestie. Donnie Trumpet, Social Experiment, and Chance the Rapper's Surf gets 4.7 of 5 stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale. You can stream the project below via DatPiff. Enjoy the vibes. I need yall to feel this.

 

YMCM or Bust

For awhile I was thinking rappers on the tail end of their careers were just headed to the money.

Nothing wrong with that, especially when you've contributed to the art the way Busta Rhymes has. Yesterday, he announced we would be parting ways with YMCMB after one album, Year of the Dragon. To be perfectly honest I couldn't tell you two songs off that album being that I did not listen to it. Don't mistake me saying that for it was a bad album, I just wouldn't know.

People didn't like the move to YMCMB from jump. I'm not saying that is a sell-out label but I know a few bloggers who'd say it is. Busta Rhymes had come off success with Look at Me Now with Chris Brown and signed a huge contract with them and Google play. The money was probably right and it's hard to say no to that. He described it as "A Milestone in his career thus far." It's funny the most paid man in YMCMB (and 4th in hip-hop according to Forbes) has the least to do with the music (Not taking away from how hard he works as a businessman but I'm just a music fan). Oh well I guess...

It hurts to say it but many label Bussa Buss as the greatest emcee without a GREAT album. Many singles come to mind but no great project when you think about it. YMCMB wasn't really gonna do it anyway were they? The lead single King Tut did fairly well being that the album was a free download, thank you Google. Thank You featuring Q-Tip and recently Calm Down with Eminem might be the best thing to happen to Busta Rhymes since signing his contract anyway. Oh well, all in all both parties agree and there are no hard feelings. Busta Rhymes went on Sway in the Morning and described the issue to be "Creative Differences." You can catch the interview here (via youtube).