AOTY 2013 Revisited - Magna Carta Holy Grail - Jay-Z

It's July 4th 2013. Jay-Z's brand new album is platinum via a distribution deal with Samsung. Magna Carta Holy Grail did not release until the 8th. How's that for some numbers?

Almost three years later it's safe to say this was a little bit of a flop. 2013 might not have been the best year for rap but picking the best album of the year is often difficult given our (ENTIRE) criteria. It's safe to say this was a very pop, radio heavy album. If Jay is your favorite rapper you'll understand. Jay-Z is at a level it doesn't matter what he releases it WILL go platinum. He's just at that stage of his career. When you're that good you only compare your music to your music. This is near the bottom of the Jay-Z discography stack which says a lot about how good his is. I'm not saying this was complete and utter garbage because otherwise it could not have trumped Nothing Was the Same, Long Live A$AP, Born Sinner and more that released in 2013. It also helps when you have super producers like Timberland, Pharell, No ID and Swizz Beats in your back pocket. Funny enough it was the production of WondaGurl & Travis Scott that produced my favorite jam on there Crowns.

As I said earlier the singles were surperb and good enough to get the nod. After much debate in the studio with Queen, Niles, Issah, and others there was no denying this was the album of 2013. Features from Frank Ocean, Rick Ross, Justin Timberlake, and Mrs. Carter herself put this one out of reach that year. Great album at the time, but really lacking in replay value. Perhaps this is opinionated but really think to yourself, when was the last time you listened to F*ckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt on your own time? Read the original review here.

Listen: Places - @Olawumiii

#thefeels installment continues today with Places by the SoulTrap queen, Olawumi. 

dropping this love jam today to properly introduce the cold cuffing weather.

— ola-gloomy. (@OLAWUMIII) December 1, 2015

Well like she said it's that time of the year were just want to sit inside with a glass of wine, memory foam, and bae. So what I need you to do is dim the lights, blast the heat, and fade in your speakers with this new Olawumi playing. Soul is always a good listen especially when it's cold and wet like today. Places follows up Understand as far as the EP goes. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your lover's arms. Olawumi's Places after the break. We look forward to the rest of #thefeels and CROWNS.

Watch: Queen Shit - @Olawumiii

A few weeks back Olawumi blessed us with the visual to Queen Shit.

Queen Shit is the first single for her upcoming EP CROWNS. We can expect to hear that later on in the spring. Something nice to anticipate along with the weather. In the video we see a different side of Olawumi we aren't used to seeing. Don't mistake the confidence as cocky. It's nice to hear something upbeat showing versatility in the crooner. You can really see her growth as an artist since listening to Noir. I need yall to feel this, watch Queen Shit below.

 

Editorial Feature: @Olawumiii - Short Stories, A Stroll, and Preview of #CROWNS

"Hey, I'm outside."
"Where the hell are you, I'm outside too?"
"Oh man, my bad I see you down the street wrong number same street."
"Aight"

I remember Olawumi when she was just Hillary. Circa Fall 2011 first day of classes I step foot into my media writing course. Michael Salfino was the professor, a writer for Yahoo Sports and the New York Times. Anyone that knows me knows if I actually do go to class I go early and usually in a tie where everyone else rolled out of bed in sweatpants. 30 minutes goes by and Mr. Salfino is talking about his experience in the industry. In walks Hillary. Dark skin tone, Military Jacket, Janet Jackson high waisted jean shorts, flannel, and purposely ripped stockings. Stylish, like anyone I've seen on my tumblr dashboard. I was a little dazed because I generally pick what girl I'm gonna flirt with the entire semester in the first class.


"Does anyone know what a lead is?" Asks Salfino. Everyone just looks around, I was staring at Hillary like a creep. She raises her hand.

"Isn't that like the beginning of the article." 

"Correct, kinda."

After an assignment or two, a few conversations about previous writing experience with blogs and magazines, and one occasion where I saved a classmate from Olawumi's fury we clicked. In fact, I remember our professor holding us after class telling us we were the only good writers that has a shot at doing this for a living (to be specific, "You guys are the only ones that are good, everyone else sucks").

That was four years ago. I don't mean to put her in a box but I was into hipster chicks who liked going to thrift shops and finding new music like me. She curved me a week later because I put her in a box and called her a hipster. That's a different story but I know we'd work on a professional tip after that. It's now 2015 and we are countless releases and a couple EPs later waiting for a new one and I got the privilege of a short conversation and a car ride to campus. Check that out below:

What's the Movement: What can we expect for your next project? You got a drop date yet?

Olawumi: I can't spill too much but I'm aiming for spring as far as time frame goes. It's called CROWNS. But I'm on my Queen Shit man, like Queen Shit. Like seriously. And not on no Beyoncè stuff, like bow down though.

WTM: Queen Shit and Crowns. I get it. In comparison with Noir and MANGO what kind of sound will it have?

Olawumi: Same producers, you know my Boi-1da and 40 with Cloud Atrium and RecklessG4B. There's a few new sounds and a couple new producers on there but it's not as dark. I feel like it's my coming out. You can listen to the story in Noir and tell that I was in a dark place. CROWNS is different and I can't wait for you all to hear it.


WTM: Any Videos? Are you continuing your trend of visual EPs. If so who shot them, Kalani did an amazing job on the 5 video.

Olawumi: Yeah there's gonna be multiple videos on this project. I would show you like I did last time but only thing I got on my phone is the music. You know what I'm gonna let you hear it. Well the beats and Ima sing it to you cuz it's just instrumentals. I'm sick tho so let me not.


WTM: Nah let's hear it. It's fine I know you can sing plus studio mixing and mastering I don't wanna wait. You know we always do a listener early.

Olawumi: (smiles) Aight word, lets do it.

For the rest of the snowy and traffic filled car ride. Olawumi serenaded me personally. I can tell you straight up from the live (and sick) version you need to keep an eye out for the EP. Point Blank Period. Word on the street is her visual for Queen Shit drops this week as well. Anyways, we have a lot to look forward to in the near future. I hope this satisfied your hunger, til then Stay Tuned.

#WTM's Ten Acts to Watch in 2015

We're two months into the new year already and I thought it would be nice to compile a list of artists to look out for in 2015. Just a few Unsigned acts from Jersey that you need to pay attention to in no particular order. This write up was inspired by GSHH's list on the matter last year. Check it out.

Zewdy - Originally made popular from her youtube channel singing covers, she's broken out as a solo artist. The Jersey songstress now resides in Atlanta furthering her career. She released a crazy dancehall meets R&B single Drumma Boy which she later removed to release at a later date, bummer for music fans. She has all the intangibles to be the next big thing. Keep an eye out. Peep Into the Night from her soundcloud below.



Despite.Our.Parents.Expectations - I write about these cats a lot I get it. It's for good reason. Per their snapchats and twitters
we all know they've been in studio cookin up crack and performing at shows round the way. Last fall we expected to hear their next project Foreclosure but it got pushed back for various reasons. What we did get to hear was their first single Flatline which killed in the summer. Re listen to that below.



Trav Kennedy - Alright, many people know he can handle the rock but not many know how good he is with the microphone. The Neptune emcee is a fresh face on the music scene but I expect nothing but good things from him. No word or a project coming soon but he has been heard on his collective's mixtape from his camp 1010. Stream We Aint Taking Breaks 2.5 below. As well as his feature on Ja Money's Murder She Wrote.

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Dougie F - As I said earlier today Dougie F had a gigantic 2014 and we could expect the same for him in 2015. Back Up On It produced by DJ Fire made a ridiculous amount of noise on a national level. He hasn't been content with that success as we know he's been in studio working on more. What intrigues me most is his ability to incorporate club, house, and party music into hip-hop much like A$ap Rocky did on the Skrillex produced Wild For The Night. Like I said before, hip-hop is changing. It's nice to hear it while at the same time he stays true to his Jersey (club) roots. If we're lucky we might be able to see a project this year. One could only hope. Listen to Back Up on It after the break.

Fetty Wap - While we are talking about national success you have to mention Fetty Wap. The Paterson rapper made famous from his radio murdering Trap Queen. You can't help but put this track on repeat. He's recently been seen on interviews and shows everywhere. He even performed with Kanye at the Roc City Classic during All Star weekend. Fetty recently signed to 300 Entertainment alongside Young Thug and Migos. You can hate him all you want but reaching number 35 on Billboard's top 100 is no easy feat for anyone. Listen to Trap Queen below.



Rav. P - A feature with Black Thought, A feature from Smoke Dza. That's aside from the project we could possibly expect to follow up Immaculate. Passport Rav has been to work for himself and as a producer. Not much more needs to be said that hasn't already been said either by me or any other blog. Listen to Achievements below.



185 - The songstress duo formerly known as Tymes II is a group you really need to look out for. Yoqueri and Diamond can flat out blow. Their vocals are crazy on any track whether it's on something with Lefty, the rest of their camp, or on their own. From what I hear they are to be featured on a song with D.O.P.E. I'm curious to see what else they put out as solo artists this year. Stream their self titled EP. Feel this.




Olawumi - Within the group Olawumi is probably the most consistent as far as releases go. Personally, I know how hard she grinds to just get in studio let alone have it mixed, mastered, and so on. Her team and manager really know what they are doing as far as promotion goes as she's been seen in Solange's St. Heron and just about every other big name blog around. The lady crooner has an EP expected to be in headphones everywhere soon titled CROWNS. Expect to hear Olawumi's name for a long time but until then listen to her newest single Queen Shit below.

SOULFULL - The New Jeru Native just released his first ever project titled HOMEMADE. I wish I got to write this up sooner so I could explain why you need to keep an eye out on the filmaker turned rapper. How bout this? You listen and form your own opinion below, HOMEMADE.

Feli Fame - I met this guy awhile back passing out flyers with his team. We chopped it up really quick and he said he was having a show powered by Power 105.1 FM and DJ Envy was hosting. I shrugged it off because lot of artists talk the talk. He then hands me tickets to the event. The guy was no joke. I do my ritual. Google my own research at home and eventually turn on the TV. I turn to MTV Jams to find Feli Fame's The Bleachers on my 52 inch, go figure. Haven't spoke much of the emcee but definitely kept an eye on him, I suggest you do the same. Listen to The Bleachers below.

Listen: Queen Shit - @Olawumiii

Bow down, no Beyoncè.

Olawumi released a new track recently titled Queen Shit. Perhaps this is what's to come on her next EP. With titles like Queen Shit and CROWNS it would only make sense. I'm not gonna spill too much. You're just gonna have to find out the rest later. I got to sit down with Olawumi for a preview which you can check out soon. Stay tuned. Til then stream Queen Shit produced by NOVA below.

Listen: OVER - @Olawumiii @xtraordinaryann

I normally have more to say about Olawumi when I do a writeup on her. You're just gonna have to wait for the long read I have planned.

I hope a new track will do. OVER featuring Maryann is one of the first of many new Olawumi releases we can expect in the new year. Not sure if it'll be on the next EP titled CROWNS but in time we all will find out. OVER is produced by her "40 and Boi-1da," Cloud Atrium and RecklessG4B respectively. Press play.