Listen: Living Single - @ChancetheRapper feat. @BigSean, @Jeremih, & @SminoBrown {Written by: @Natural_Nation & @RamseySaidWHAT}

Chance The Rapper takes it on a trip up Michigan Avenue for this Chicago-Detroit Connection. and links up with Big Sean, Jeremih, Smino on their new track, Living Single.

Hearing a song that isn't ready to be released gives me mixed feelings. On one hand I am excited to hear new music from artists that I love but on the other hand it leaves a lingering question in my mind. What could have been? Did they mean to keep that hook like that? Did they notice that part was off key? Instead of being able to truly enjoy a song it turns into a session of analysis and critique. Conceptually I think the track was an overall great idea. It carries the 'Living Single' theme throughout the track to the contrast between each artist's voice. The hook even uses the melody from the classic 90's television show of the same name. The gents break down relationships past. Big Sean's ability to consistently deliver on everything he puts out still amazes me, even if I think the song could have been packaged better. Listen for yourself after the break.

Review: HEAVN - Jamila Woods (@duhmilo); A Niles P. Joint

It’s inevitable that while writing album reviews, you’ll come across more than a few albums to which you don’t relate. Not everything is going to be from or marketed to someone in your exact same demographic. Your job as a writer, however, is to see past that and appreciate the music for its artistry while still recognizing its message. This was the case when Chicago soulstress Jamila Woods released her debut album Heavn. The free project is a de facto musical tribute to Black Girl Magic and while there are certainly some esoteric elements that come with that, it is one of the most complete R&B/Soul albums you’ll here this year, if not this generation. It’s essential listening for 2016, especially in the current climate.  

Listening to Heavn for a few days straight, I didn’t catch this on my first few spins. It’s actually a loose concept album that follows the journey of a Black girl from childhood on. Bubbles is the first track and introduces Woods’ sweet (but not artificially so) voice that seems to float through the song. It continues with VERY BLK which takes a playful cadence heard in blacktop chants and uses it to talk about police brutality. The enigmatic & rechristened fan favorite NoName contributes a verse. It’s an upbeat song that’s like a Black Lives Matter primer that also introduces the periodic in-song interludes that explain the next track. Lonely Lonely is a slower and more somber duet with Lornie Chia that shows a strength in self reflection even the worst days. Things pick up with the title track as Woods yearns for the simpler elements of love.

While In My Name clocks in under two minutes, it’s still one of the most passionate on the album. It covers both getting someone’s complicated name right (an issue among POC) and not calling one out their name in any arena. Blk Girl Soldier exemplifies he plight and simultaneously celebrates the strength and resiliency of Black women, offering tribute to those in history that “taught us how to fight.” A song titled LSD featuring Chance The Rapper isn’t about acid but instead a tribute to and defense of Chicago (LSD is Lake Shore Drive in this case).  Emerald St. is a more localized companion piece, this time featuring Saba. Both are excellent in encapsulating the essence of Chi Town and all the good things when the rest of the world seems intent on making them the example of a bad city to prove a misguided point. Woods and friends certainly make their case.

Having two songs in a row with connecting themes continues. Lately is a song about loss that has one of the most powerful lines I’ve heard in “You are the library burned/ But they can’t take the lessons I learned.” It’s melancholy but much needed as it’s a fact of life we all deal with. Donnie Trumpet of The Social Experiment lends his self explanatory talents to Breadcrumbs. This one is about dealing with a grandparent that’s suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. It’s more specific and heart wrenching than the previous track but they work together in a moving & sentimental way.  

You’ll hear the most crisp guitars of all time on Stellar, which interpolates the incubus song of the same name. It’s another short song, but it hints to something much more grand. Although Holy has some religious undertones, it’s enjoyable regardless of your faith as it illustrates the value of self-love in the face of adversity. It has the potential to brighten your day every single time you listen to it. The culmination of the entire album is Way Up. Woods seems to describe herself and Black women as a whole as not transcendent, but outer worldly.  When you consider the full essence of both, as displayed on this album specifically, she’s right.

As much as I try to stray away from hyperbole, Heavn just may be the best album of the year across all of the genres. Jamila Woods has crafted a masterpiece of a concept album that has several sub concepts within and still has insane replay value in each song. She also manages to tap some of Chicago’s hip hop bohemians (NoName, Chano, Saba, & Trumpet) for her cause, ensuring that this album will be historically remembered as one of the city’s best. In a time where it’s very much needed, she gives hope and inspiration to Black girls everywhere through her music while also making something accessible to everyone due to the album’s aural mastery. This is one of those things that I’m going to send to EVERYBODY, my sisters, friends, classmates, co-writers, etc. because in all honesty, everyone needs to hear it.

Rating; 5 out of 5.

Review: In My Mind - @BJTHECHICAGOKID {Written by @Natural_Nation}

This past weekend South Chicago soul artist BJ The Chicago Kid released his first studio album with Motown Records. For anyone who is hearing about him for the first time In My Mind is the perfect introduction to this passionate artist's work.

My first introduction to BJ The Chicago Kid was through TDE (Top Dog Entertainment). He did a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on His Pain II along with some tracks by ScHoolBoy Q. A bit later I followed up by listening to BJ's Pineapple Now & Laters mixtape. I'm happy to say this Chicago kid did not disappoint with his first major album. Excellence is the word that stands out to me after listening to In My Mind. There really is no better way to describe it. Excellent vocals, content, and production that all come together to form a cohesive sound. I know we're early in the year but it would honestly surprise me if this album was not a Grammy consideration. The fact that a renowned record label like Motown is backing Bj The Chicago Kid speaks volumes in itself. Quality recognizes quality. So, now that I think about it, the superior musical level of this album does not come as a surprise.

The album begins with many of the singles BJ has already released. Man Down featuring Buddy and Constantine is the first track after the introduction and is a great way to pull in the audience and get the album off to a good start. I say that because the sound of this particular song is similar to much of the music we're used to hearing on the radio today. At least when it comes to rap and r&b. I would say the sound is parallel to Bryson Tiller's concept and sound of trap-soul. Church featuring Chance The Rapper and Buddy, is another pre-released song following right after Man Down. As a lover of everything Chance I was super excited to see that he was featured on this album. The song revolves around the subject of being a person of God when surrounded by temptation and sin. Chance comes in on the third verse giving us the same type of melodic raps we heard on Surf. Chance the Rapper is a subtly perfect addition. The Resume ft. Big K.R.I.T. is the last pre-released track to start off In My Mind and can be best described as a song for the bedroom. BJ delivers a Zapp & Roger-esque bump and grind type track filled with suggestive lyrics and double meanings. If there are any freaks out there, get your flags ready.

Wait Til The Morning featuring Isa is one of my favorites. With in the first 30 seconds it actually had me wondering why it was not released as a single. Or, who knows, maybe it's in the works but this track is definitely strong enough to stand on its own. With a catchy beat and lyrics and possibly a hint to Kehlani, I'm predicting this will be a fan favorite. Which leads me to Heart Crush. This is one of those songs where you may hear something different every time you listen to it. There's something about this song that has me intrigued enough to press the repeat button. Maybe it's the clearly heart felt lyrics or the gentle build of the song but its ending up to be one of my favorites. Jeremiah/World Needs More Love featuring Eric Ingram is a tale of love lost. BJ sings about going through life unable to escape the fact that things aren't quite right with out the woman that he loves. She is with somebody else and although he knows there are things to be thankful for it still hurts knowing that he is not the one with her.

The New Cupid featuring Kendrick Lamar is another one of my favorite tracks based off overall production alone. There was thought put in to this track and the result is a beautiful produced song. BJ samples Raphael Saadiq's Oh Girl and seems to be using 70's style influences from Jean Knight and Issac Hayes. The way he incorporates all three sounds together is perfect. Taking on the responsibility himself BJ accepts the role of inspiring people to fall in love now that Cupid seems too busy to be bothered. Kendrick adds the perspective of a man with out love, navigating through an unattached world with too many options for women. At this point it seems like these two artists can't fail when they work together and this track is no different. Some artists blend well together with out much effort and BJ and Kendrick seem to be a magical combination.

"Cupids too busy in the club. At the bar. Rolling up. And if you see him let him know, love is gone. I know, I'm sure" 

-Bj The Chicago Kid, The New Cupid

Home, track number 13, is exactly what it sounds like. Bj pays homage to his home and expresses his desire to return to Chicago despite the craziness. No matter what we go through home is home. There is a reason why we recognize it as such and not just another place that we've lived. There is a sense of center there, things that help us get back to homeostasis. That is important, especially when dealing with a journey that takes us far away from where we've been. This song is a great reminder to remember where you came from if you ever feel a bit lost.

I have to talk about Falling On My Face because there is something about it's lovely melody that reminds me of a gospel song that I know but can't seem to put my finger on. This ballad is as bit melancholy. It's about being in a place where you can't seem escape. Bad things seem to keep happening one after the other and you manage to catch a break. The gospel themes and influences come through very clearly to me in his music. This song reminds me of the moment people have before their break through. The recognition of their flaws, the realization that they are not perfect, and more importantly the acceptance that they are not always in control. At this moment they often "let go and let God."

The album trails out with Turnin Me Up. In a tweet related to this song BJ mentions Marvin Gaye, a large influence in his music and in particular this song. For readers familiar with D'angelo this would be a track for you. The song is filled with a funky/ jazzy sound accompanied by horns, the piano, drums, shakers and what sounds like the flute. On top of several other instruments I probably missed. The song almost feels like walking in on a jam session. It's an elegant way to end the album and only serves as another example of what great music sounds like. The beautiful thing about albums like this is that they will never be dated or restricted to one type of audience. My bar has officially been set for BJ The Chicago Kid. With a first album that sounds like this I can only imagine what he will come up with next. In My Mind is available for download on iTunes. You can also stream it in it's entirety below.
Rating 4.75 out of 5.

@Natural_Nation's favorites:
7. Wait Til The Morning Feat. Isa

10. The New Cupid Ft. Kendrick Lamar
13.Home

15. Turnin Me Up

Editorial Review: The Life of Pablo - @KanyeWest (written by @RamseySaidWHAT)

Whoa it's Valentine's Day/Single's awareness day and we finally have a tangible version of the new Kanye West project. Reviewing music is always a real process for me. This time I consulted Niles P on his opinions before listening for myself. I got out of church, poured a glass of Tres Picos Garnacha and put on my new Sony headphones to ensure the listening experience reaches it's peak. I pressed play for track one and was not expecting to head back to the sanctuary.

This album is actually a Gospel album

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) January 27, 2016

Ultralight Beam begins with some kids playing church then harmonies from Kirk Franklin and God's Property. The-Dream and Kelly Price lays down nice vocals accompanying the choir well. Chance the Rapper compliments the end of the song with some melodies backed by the gospel group. Donnie Trumpet also plays his horn on this track too. This is Chance's only feature but he's credited throughout the album on later cuts as well. Swizz Beats and Rick Rubin are also credited on the initial track. Kanye puts his best foot forward with this one. This feels like it could be a deleted track from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Unfortunately it doesn't retain this wave.

Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 follow up. The album sounds like a few songs and the remixes to each song. I've always respected Kanye because he's never been afraid to take chances away from his signature sound. Sometimes it hits, other times you get Yeezus, but I enjoyed the outcome this time. This is the first time Yeezy really tackled Drill Music which surprises me with his Chicago roots. Pt. 2 features Desiigner. When I first heard the man responsible for Panda I actually thought it was Future Hendrix but it was not. I hate to put him in a box but that's really as honest as it gets. Dude makes a serious impact on the entire album though.

Famous heads back to a more braggadocios and misogynistic Kanye. Rihanna appears personifying Fame and this is Kanye's rude response. While Swizz Beatz talks his stuff, Kanye brags about how he made Taylor Swift famous. Perhaps rude but it's definite possibly argumentative. Mr. West proves yet again he's the sample king this time using the ever popular Sister Nancy's Bam-Bam and what's turning into his favorite Do What You Gotta Do via Nina Simone. TLOP had an interesting set of features including Young Thug, El Debarge, The Weeknd and more. My favorites came courtesy of Chris Brown and Kid Cudi on Waves. I also enjoyed 30 Hours which features the talents of Andre 3000. Unfortunately, we only got background vocals and not a verse from the legendary ATLien.

Listening to the new Kanye makes me feel like a kid in the choir again back when we used to get in trouble for singing secular music during rehearsal. I only said "wtf is wrong with him" once. I think that's impressive in its own right. The Life of Pablo is really just a collection of songs but not an entire project. He had more help on this album than he ever had in any of his previous work probably why he couldn't figure out a name to this album. There's pros and cons to this. The con to that is that you can really tell what songs were really Kanye influenced and what weren't. Some of these were cohesive and worked well while some really had nothing to do with others. The preceding singles, No More Parties in LA featuring Kendrick Lamar, Facts, and Real Friends featuring Ty Dolla $ign were nice and they weren't released too soon to the point where we would hate them by the time they came out. They still retain the replay value and don't have what I call the Cruel Summer Effect (i.e Mercy, Clique, New God Flow etc). The Life of Pablo is a nice collection of music but I wouldn't call it a project. Lots of the songs were a remix to each other so it became a little redundant. I was also surprised that All Day (you'll see more of that next week) and Only One with Paul McCartney didn't make the cut. TLOP gets 3.7 on Ramsey's Rating Scale.

#ICYMI Monday - Broad Shoulders @_TaylorBennett

Chicago. It's not all drill and trap. Chance the Rapper could attest for that. 

You might not know rap is in the family tree as his 19 year-old brother, Taylor Bennet is more than adept at it. It's safe to say the two of them are unique but share similar non hip-hop influences as their music styles are similar. The cadence of their flows and verses almost mirror each other sometimes. If you can get past the distraction of similarity you'll really love him. Lets get to the music, Broad Shoulders.

Happy Place featuring Brill

Happy Place kicks off the project as just that, happy. Brill lays down a bright bouncy hook and everything starts on a good note.

Wasting Time featuring Simone Bisous

Throughout the song it retains mono audio throughout the song. I like to call that the BBD - Poison effect where the sound goes back and forth between each headphone.

Smile fearing Logan Parks

It's here where we first hear Taylor spit. Thusfar in the music it has been a lot of vocals and singing. Taylor shows off his tongue twisting flows over a song you can dance too. Logan Parks sings her two cents in the background.

Fall Back Fools featuring MAX & Quechera Jowers

This is Donnie Trumpet's first production credit on the project. No trumpet solo but you see how well he plays the keys among other instruments. More on him later. MAX and Quechera Jowers set the mood on the hook and bridge for Tay to sing and spit about past love.

Favorite Drink featuring King Louie & Joey Purp

A gunshot to the head can't stop King Louie as he drops bars on this song. Every time he's on a Bennett brother's song

I swear they rap about one thing. The only thing that really matters, b*tches. Taylor appears in verse two and drops his best verse on the project. His flow and rap cadence change over and over before the hook, super versatile but if he's anything like his brother this is no surprise. Joey Purp comes and actually steals the show from both rappers.

Cake featuring Talia Steward

The aforementioned BBD effect begins the production of this track as well. The keys follow and Taylor and Talia Steward do what they do best. This kinda begins a new blues mood on the album.

H.Y.B.L.

This is actually the only song on the project that didn't have a feature. This is definitely a blues song. It's very melancholy. I mean the acronym is short for the question he pleads throughout the hook, "How you been lately?, I'm great." Who says 19 year-old's don't love too?

You featuring Jordan Bratton

Jordan Bratton has a very short part on this song but it made an impact to me. I really enjoy the uniqueness of his voice. New York meets Chicago on this song which begins a happier note. They trade bars and create verses together. I don't necessarily see this too often in vocal singing and it's dope.

Dancing in the Rain featuring Donnie Trumpet, Shay Lewis & Brandon Fox

The best song on here isn't even hip-hop. "Once you free your mind about a concept of harmony and music being correct, you can do whatever you want" Giorgio Moroder. The point is instead of trying to fit into a genre and focus on just making music your craft comes out the best way possible. I love the vocals by all parties involved. I love the trumpet solo by Donnie. He doesn't upstage the song, it's almost heard in the background but it's impactful.

Broad Shoulders featuring Chance the Rapper

This is the brother's duet everyone expected the second you heard Chance had a brother that rapped. The self titled track gets blessed by big bro. Both of these guys voices are so unique and different from anyone I've ever heard before. Different from each other too. Their styles are similar but you can still differenciate one from the other which is super important. That's the problem with artists now, they follow trends instead of trying to be themselves. Sounds familiar? That's kind the gem Chancellor is trying to explain to his brother on the song. Great way to wrap things up.

Taylor brings an quirky awkwardness about him that reminds you of the part of yourself that only comes out when you're dancing in your mirror. I think it says a lot about him to be able to express that outwardly. Hip-hop is really just story telling. Some by poets that get deep and intense and others not so much. I think with the emergence of the new sub-genres there's new outlets for every artist to shine especially multifaceted artists like Tay Bennett. Throughout this tape the mood goes back and forth with the music. Taylor really steps out and makes a statement as an artist. Instead of living in his brother's shadow we really see who he's going to be as a man himself. I really wouldn't want to put Taylor Bennett in a box as a rapper because he raps. Dude is flat out an artist because that's what every verse in every song is, Art. Bennett's debut gets 3.9 of 5 stars on the Ramsey Rating scale. Listen to Broad Shoulders below after the break.

WTM Presents The 5th Annual Hip-Hop Album of the Year 2015 Edition

I could talk about how amazing 2015 was for hip-hop all day. For the most part the staff picks summed that up on it's own.

Spoiler Alert: Fetty Wap didn't Make @WatsTheMovement #AOTY2015 List. I count him as R&B since he sings waaaay better than he raps.

— JC (@RamseySaidWHAT) January 8, 2016

Lots of debuts of new artists. Lots of genre bending music. If you're wondering why your favorite artist isn't on this list remember we rate this list on lyrics, production, flow, popularity, sales and uniqueness. Your favorite didn't do all of those (or it was a mixtape) as well as these did. There's no denying everyone on this list encompasses all aspects of the criteria. . All in all these lists are opinionated at the end of the day. I still did my best to remove self from the equation. I preach all the time there is a difference between the best and your favorite. Either way it's subjective. I hope this sparks conversation (not controversy) but I present to you, What's The Movement's 5th Annual, Hip-Hop Album of the Year: The 2015 Edition.

Number Five: The Incredible True Story - Logic

Picking a number five is probably the hardest thing ever. To deny so many great albums like The Documentary 2 from The Game, Summertime '06 from Vince Staples, Dark Sky Paradise from Big Sean, and more from this list pains me. It really does. However my pick last year got a nomination and rounds out our top five. Logic's sequel to Under Pressure is the album to really open ears everywhere. His first got everyone's attention and now everyone is listening. Chronologically the album paints a great tale of Tom, Kai, and their AI, Thalia (from the last album) and their journey to Paradise. The skits are funny but have their deep moments. Although his debut got a higher rank, musically this album was much better. That really says a lot about how much better 2015 was than 2014. The singles Like Whoa and Young Jesus featuring Big Lenbo are still in rotation. I also really like City of Stars. He combats being a kid that looks white but is really mulatto and how that effects him, the people around him, and the industry itself. I guess we could call it a response to J. Cole's Fire Squad verse. "I didn't talk about my race on the whole first album. But black vs white bullsh*t was the still the outcome." Deep stuff, deep album. Read my original review here.

Number Four: B4DA$$ - Joey Bada$$

The official debut album of Joey Bada$$ makes our list at number four. Lots and lots of growth since we first heard from the 20 year-old from Brooklyn. I enjoyed this album a lot. Probably the best way to kick off a new year. To still make it on this list from January to December is no small feat. This is the oldest album on the list so to remain relevant this long is impressive. I enjoyed Paper Trail$ which is a rework of his collab with DJ Premier, Unorthodox. Like Me is my favorite song on the album. Everything was perfect. It was produced by the legendary J. Dilla, and features the talents of BJ the Chicago Kid on the hook. I also enjoyed Teach Me featuring Kiesza. It takes a spin from the normal sound we are used to hearing from Joey. I still listen to Christ Conscious in the gym too. Song is too gritty and the beat and delivery is fire. Read the original review here.

Number Three: The Album About Nothing - Wale

I could go on and on about this album. This was probably my favorite album to listen to this year. It was refreshing having the old Wale back and for good. The continuation of the About Nothing series brought joy to the heart of his core fans. I'm sure it was a lot of pressure eased after he released it. Lots of people could say he fell off (including myself) post-MMG. I'd say I was wrong. All and all I enjoy the direction he is headed. TAAN served as a new debut to what Wale could (and probably should/want to) be. Lyrically he showed how clever he was, and the use of Jerry Seinfeld on the skits was golden. The singles were great especially The Matrimony featuring the talents of Usher on the hook. Beautiful song I think our generation may even dance to at our weddings. Other songs that stood out were The Need to Know featuring SZA and The Bloom featuring Stokley Williams. You can check out what I had to say in my original review earlier this year.

Number Two: Surf - Chance the Rapper, Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment

In May I knew this was definitely going to be in the conversation of Album of The Year. It was dropped as a surprise. No singles and Free99 on iTunes. Surf was like a feel good version of The Roots as Queen and I say. Chance serves as the Black Thought to Donnie T and the Sox. I said my words on it in July and they stand true today. Replay value is still important and I can still listen to every song on here. Every song is a surprise, you never know who could feature on here next. J. Cole, Erykah Badu, Jeremih, Busta Rhymes, Quavo, Big Sean and many many more make appearances. Some people played Chocolate Factory at their cookouts this summer, I played Surf. Read the original review here.

Number One: To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar

Since Good Kid m.A.A.d city dropped the world has been saying one name as far as hip-hop goes, Kendrick Lamar. In my opinion the general public handed him the game on a silver platter as if the way was paved for him. Frankly that train of thought was wrong. Countless features on hit songs, dropping an instant classic in GKMC, and the verse heard round the world in Control has garnered the public's respect. Overrated? Possibly, but it wasn't a question if TPAB was the best album of the year. The question was finding an album that was better. When all was said and done there wasn't.

To Pimp a Butterfly was our unanimous pick this year. It was so complex Issah AND Niles both wrote reviews. It contained elements of Jazz and Funk to compliment his music. We saw that in his work with George Clinton and frequent collaborators Thundercat, Bilal, and Anna Wise. Kendrick also kept true to his west side roots and made G-Funk songs like Institutionalized that include the talents of Snoop Dogg while still preaching the good fight. I was surprised no one from the TDE stable made an appearance on this album. The singles were cool. His lead single I was dope because he changed it to sound like a live performance on the album version. He always has a twist to his radio edit and his album version like he did on Swimming Pools from the previous project. He also dropped videos for King Kunta, These Walls, and more. u was super super deep to my heart. I understood what it was like to self evaluate and climb from a state of depression so that hit home for me. Climbing out of the funk was important and Alright was just the song to do it. Song order was perfect here. It's no question in my mind that Alright was the best song this year, don't argue with me. "If I got you and if you got me and if God got us then we gone be alllllriiight!" You can't help but be excited listening to that at any venue whether it's your dorm, the club, shoot even at church. Kendrick wrapped up the album in the most amazing way with a posthumous interview with his predecessor, Tupac Shakur. The song was titled Mortal Man and featured James Fauntleroy.

I didn't think this was going to be a sequel to GKMC. Beforehand I figured the album was going to touch on where he's grown as a man. Kendrick has an amazing ability to spark the minds of his listeners to think. Not necessarily relate and agree but to formulate thoughts of our own. Like Cole before him he performed a song in tribute to those lost from Police Brutality before the album on Colbert Report. You can see that in our preview. I think the album was very timely. Really important in the stage we are and where this country is headed. I used to wonder how he could talk about money, cars, clothes, hoes, God, and history in the same sentence. It makes sense now. . TPAB gets 4.77 of 5 stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale. With that being said King Kendrick has successfully won repeat AOTY's on What's The Movement. What's to come this 2016? It doesn't matter as long as the music continues to get better. Keep listening my friends.

Staff Picks AOTY 2015 - @AQueens_Crown

2015 has been a crazy one for me, and I wouldn’t have gotten thru some it without music. So here is my top 5 of the best of the best in music this year.

Number five: Drake - If You're Reading This Its Too Late

Yes it’s a album!

As the kids would say, Drake’s IYRTITL went HARD! Drake was much more aggressive on this album compared to the others. Maybe he was tired of the jokes, who knows, but the Drake we have seen since this album dropped has been a beast. “Is that your world tour, or your girls tour” I don’t even have to say anything else, and I already know you’re picturing your favorite meme.You heard the aggressive tone on tracks 6PM In New York and 6 God. He spit raw bars into some of these tracks. He didn’t sing on this album that I know many expected. One of lines where Drake is letting you know how they feel comes fom Engery "I got rap niggas that I gotta act like I like. But my actin’ days are over, fuck them niggas for life." 

Number four: Ty Dolla $ign- FreeTC

I was honestly surprised with how much I liked this album. Granted Ty Dolla $ign leans more on the R&B side of things. He often crosses into the rap genre so I was expecting more rap. However, you get a nice medley of his voice and feels of old school R&B. Horses in the Stable is one of my favorites. Mirale/Wherever ft TC & d-Loc was another song that was nice to listen too. Even though you can tell the features were done behind prison walls, it doesn’t take away from TC’s amazing voice.

Number three: Chance the Rapper, Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment - Surf

Overall, this was a fun album. Filled with great features such as Big Sean, KYLE, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, and many more. I know many look as this project as the work of Chance the Rapper, but its not. This comes from the great minds of Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment. Think of them as similar to The Roots if you need a reference point. It's hard to find a track that I didn’t like on this album. The whole thing is filled with smart lines, beautiful instrumentals, and uplifting messages like on Wanna Be Cool, about being yourself, or Sunday Candy, an ode to Grandmas everywhere.

Number two: Wale - The Album About Nothing

This is the album I have always wanted from Wale.  Going with the same theme as his most popular mixtapes  The Mixtape About Nothing and The More About Nothing. Wale enlists the help of stand up comedian  Jerry Seinfeld  to narrate the album.  They talk about love, drugs, and just life in general. I wish Wale was appreciated more as an artist. His viewpoint on all things life have always been expressed in his work, but with this album I felt like it was really delivered properly. The Girls on Drugs was a great song about, as the title suggests, girls on drugs. It describes a cautionary tale of a woman's battle with pills. I hope Wale continues to deliver and be received by old and new fans to come.

Number one: Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly

Everyone is lying if they say Kendrick didn’t have one of the best albums of the year. To Pimp a Butterfly is a milestone in the history of hip hop. I cant descried the album anything less than beautiful. The theme of black empowerment, which ran throughout the whole album, heard clearly in Complexion. I cherished the poetry in These Walls, Kendrick speaking on different types of “walls” and what they mean for the person.  I know when the first single i was released, people didn’t really like it, but it set he tone of Kendrick’s mindset when making this album. In u he faces his own demons as a black man, that is suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Feeling like everyone is changing, causing him to question his faith. A place I am sure people can relate to. If you haven’t already or even if you already listened go give the album a listen, make sure you listen carefully.

Staff Picks AOTY 2015 - @Best_ofda_Worst

2015 was a great year personally for me, it was a year I found my stride and decided what kind of man I wanted to be. I made a lot of memories in 2015 each with the intention of making sure that I am doing whats best for me professionally and doing what makes me happy. In addition to myself having a great year, there were so many gems that dropped in 2015 as well to my regret many of which i was not able to listen to, unless I felt as though I just had to hear that album thus bearing my top 5 albums of 2015.

Number Five Future: Dirty Sprite 2

In 2015 i was on a different wave where i spent most of the year listening to old school hip-hop and occasionally whenever I turned on the radio or went out this guy Future was playing and honestly speaking he might be tied with only one person in terms of who dominated air waves this year.  With so many future singles out I had to give this a listen. Trap N*ggas, Blow a Bag, Freak Hoes, etc this album had nothing but hits. Club banger after club banger and for the kind of artist Future is he did a great job with this one. Although I wouldn’t count Future as a lyricist he knows exactly what his fans want and he did not disappoint when it came to DS2

Number Four Fetty Wap - Self Title

Again not the greatest lyricist of 2015, but he dominated every radio station with only 4 songs (679, Again, My Way, Trap Queen) in addition to his airwave takeover this man opened up the door wide for all Jersey Artist to follow and thankfully so Garden State MCs are bum rushing forward on to finally be able to put Jersey on the map and solidify its place in hip-hop next to NYC, Cali, ATL, Houston, and Chicago. It's been long over due since an artist from Jersey the whole state is proud to claim and with his distinctive vocals and trade mark “yeah baby” Fetty was able to break records and be He became the first male rapper with three songs occupying the top 20 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since Eminem did so in 2013. To be honest, I just really like the album.

Number Three Chance the Rapper, Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment: Surf

My whole summer probably sounded like this album, just feel good vibes song after song.  This album just makes you happy when you hear it. I mean really, listen to songs like Slip Slide, Wanna Be Cool, and Familiar; just jam out with your peoples and stop acting tough for a minute. That enjoy your life and spread good vibes kind of album.  I enjoyed this album very much as it always boost my mood when I hear it.

Number Two The Game: The Documentary 2

I remember the 1st time I ever heard Game rap. I was sitting there playing Def Jam Fight For New York in my boy’s house and I just heard the bass kicking from the radio, at 1st i thought Joe Budden had a new song out, like who else was that nice at that time? Then my boy told me naw, this is Game, he’s 50’s new artist.  The song was Higher which would later be on the album The Documentary. Ten years later, Game releases the Documentary 2 and 2.5. Hearing this you would hope that this isn’t some sort of marketing ploy because Game might be losing some of his edge and then you hear the album and all fears are put away. This album brought back that feeling I first had when i heard Game for the 1st time. Listening to this album, in the car, in the gym, walking down the street; it gives you that aggressive rhyme style that Game is famous for while backing up his style with bars. This was my 2nd favorite album that I heard this year a true gem from 2015.

Number One Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp a Butterfly

I've always liked Kendrick Lamar because he makes music I feel like I can directly relate to, almost as if he is telling a story I was there to witness as well so when I heard To Pimp a Butterfly, I was amazed at how much it correlated to my life at the time.  Listening to TPAB I really thought that maybe Kendrick was stalking me all of 2013 and 2014 because how else could he have known to make a song like u, or Alright? How could he have known I needed a song like I? I connected to this album on a emotional level because when I first heard it it was at a time where my life was finally on a come up. I was on my way to graduating college, I was finally comfortable, with my religion, and most of all I learned the true value of loving myself and then this funky album drops and its like Kendrick was going through the same thing too. I’m happy a rapper like Kendrick is in the game, someone I can relate to who makes music for people like me who don’t have that ability to rap at his level, so I thank him for making such a great album, its nice to know that a point in my life has a soundtrack and I can always use this album as a bookmark to where I was at a point in time

All of the albums I chose as a top 5 of the year vary greatly from each other from trap music to pure lyricism but I feel as though in essence this is hip hop, and dynamic collaborations of different lifestyles and emotions to describe the human experience through the environments that one may have been placed in.  Hip Hop is a phenomenal genre of music that is has the ability to reach so many demographics of people. 2015 was a great year in hip hop as it showcased that, Hopefully 2016 will take note on all the positives of '15 and replicate and enhance the good that Hip-hop has done.

Listen: Angels - @ChancetheRapper featuring @sabaPIVOT

10 minutes til it starts! Let's get #ChanceOnColbert trending for the release of #Angels

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) October 27, 2015

Fresh off a Colbert Report performance Chance the Rapper wastes little time crafting this masterpiece. Already with an AOTY nomination with his next Surf, this new single is titled Angels for his upcoming project. Frequent collaborator Saba makes an appearance on this fun but super musical track. Listen to Angels after the break.

Listen: Caretaker (extended version) - @ONLY1DRAM featuring @SZA

It's safe to say it's been an eventful week for VA native, D.R.A.M.

Yeah, I feel I got jacked for my record...But I’m GOOD.

— D.R.A.M. not DRAM (@ONLY1DRAM) October 20, 2015

To keep it a buck, I agree with D.R.A.M. The first time I heard Drake's record, Hotline Bling on the radio I thought it was just a cover of the former's hit song Cha Cha. Instead of really debating the issue he got back to work in studio to make an extended version of Caretaker. We first heard it on the Chance the Rapper/Donnie Trumpet & Social Experiment collaboration project Surf which I reviewed awhile back. This time he enlists the talent of Jersey native, SZA. She blesses the remix of this lovely in a response to D.R.A.M. He then adds some new riffs and runs vocally that is similar to the live performance. This is the first single off his upcoming mixtape Gahdamn! which is slated to drop next week. Listen to the extended mix of Caretaker below.

D.R.A.M. at Trillectro '15

In My Ears: Editor's Picks Week of 10-4-15

In My Ears: Week of October 4th, 2015

It's been a long time since I've really broke down what's filled the space between my ears. I've always enjoyed writing this segment so here goes.

Album of the Week:

Ego Death - The Internet

I really struggled here because I spent a lot of time listening to Jay Rock's project 90059 in the gym working out or for writing the review I wrote earlier this week. I've really only listened to one other complete project. This week's album of the week is Ego Death by Odd Future's own, The Internet. Jams like Gabby featuring Janelle Monae, For the World with James Fauntleroy and the Kaytranada produced lead single Girl can attest to why this should also be in your speakers too. Stream Ego Death on Spotify below.



Songs on Repeat:

That One - Teedra Moses featuring Anthony Hamilton & Israel - Chance the Rapper featuring Noname Gypsy

Teedra Moses, you might know her name from Be Your Girl. Kaytranada made an incredible house synth remix to that original track but Teedra Moses is more than  just that. That One features an assist from Anthony Hamilton. Their two soulful but unique voices make beautiful music together. Listen to That One below.

Chance & Noname at Trillectro '15

I was a month late getting to this one. I know it happens, it's possible for me to miss out on something dope so bear with me. I figure if I missed out on this someone else did too for lack of promo or any other reason. Anyways, it's always great hearing Chance and Noname on a track together. They trade bars over a simplistic boom bap beat. At times it seems like they are just rambling, they're not. Listen for yourself below.


Throwback Jawn:

Rebirth of a Slick (Cool Like Dat) - Digible Planets

This week's throwback is thanks to Michael Gribbroek. You're wondering who on Earth is that (doesn't matter if it's not in bold), but he is my music professor. He assigned a project talking about jazz influence in other contemporary music. Perhaps this Digible Planets classic isn't exactly contemporary but the live bass, drums, brass section, and saxophone make for an amazing sound. To this day, "They be to Rap what Key be to Lock." Watch the video below.



Indie Track:

The Dungeon - Loaf Muzik

Loaf Muzik at Black Bear Bar BK

I always sing praises of this New York based collective if you're around. Together the hip-hop quartet consisting of Kidaf, Shadow the Great, Oso Dope, and Shine Sinatra lay waste to tracks with impeccable flow, lyrics, and sheer energy. Seeing them live is also a great show experience. They just dropped a project titled Live From the Dungeon earlier this week. It's safe to say an editorial is coming soon. In the meantime listen to track one, The Dungeon below.

Watch: Church - @BJTHECHICAGOKID feat @chancetherapper & Buddy

BJ the Chicago Kid enlists the help of Chance the Rapper and Buddy in his latest video for Church.

Back on my all black, R&B sex symbol shit 💪 pic.twitter.com/OaOojCTHsz

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 16, 2015

"She said she wanna drink, do drugs and have sex tonight. But I got church in the morning." BJ the Chicago Kid tells the story a lot of us could relate to. In the words of my father "If you can be in the club Saturday night, you can b
e in church Sunday morning." BJ the Chi-town kid has been slept on for too long so let's wake up and get ready for church like we supposed to below after the break.

 

Feature: Who is this Kehlani girl? by @simONE_ofmykind

If I could describe Kehlani in one word it would be fresh. Her image, style, her music, her attitude, everything about her is just fresh. Her image has completely separated her from any of her considerable competition like Tinashe, Jhene Aiko, Sza, and Zendaya. Her straight rebel and bad-ass image makes her seem like she is not the chick you want to cross but her soulful music and angelic voice will go straight to your heart. Billboard named her mixtape You Should Be Here this year’s first great R&B album, and I totally agree but funny story it wasn’t even an album. The 14 track mixtape is a primarily R&B project but with an edge also with a mix of some blues, pop, and hip hop.

Singer, songwriter, and dancer Kehlani is another gold star the Bay area has on their chart, she was born and raised in Oakland, California. “I’ve seen things, and I’ve felt more pain than some will in their entire lives, all before the age of being able to buy a fucking drink at a bar”- states Kehlani during the intro of You Should Be Here.  At 20 years old she has had more trials and tribulations than many of her peers but somehow still manages to keep a big smile on her face as she continues to spread good vibes. Growing up Kehlani didn’t have her biological parents her father died when she was an infant, and her absent mother was a drug addict. Which left Kehlani to be raised by extended family members, including her aunt who put her life on a pause to step in and act as a motherly figure for Kehlani.

One Nick Cannon and America’s Got Talent without them the world may not have been introduced to Kehlani so soon. Her and her band at the time, POPLYFE, made it to the top four finalist on season six of AGT. After compliments from a couple of judges about her talents she eventually took in what they said and decided to pursue in a career as a solo artist. Before there was You Should Be Here, there was her mixtape Cloud 19, before that mixtape was her debut song “ANTISUMMERLOVE” which she put out summer 2013.

Kehlani's first mixtape Cloud 19 came out last year and received many good reviews. Complex magazine referred to Cloud 19 as one of the best albums of 2014.  You Should Be Here was a lot more well received than Cloud 19 but I would say Cloud 19 was just has good as YSBH. Her music stays pretty consistent as far as the sound and content. Jahaan Sweet produced most of Kehlani’s track for Cloud 19 and YSBH. In her music Kehlani talks a lot about relationships (family, friends, and romantic), forgiveness for those that have been responsible for the pain in her life, acceptance, empowerment, and confidence or finding the light inside of yourself. She keeps it real, she opens up in her music and she is raw, making herself not only relatable for listeners but also inspirational.

My top five tracks off of YSBH are The Way ft Chance The Rapper, Bright, Unconditional, N****s, and You Should Be Here (my #1). Even some of today’s biggest artist are on the Kehlani Tsunami Wave. Trey Songz recently hopped on the remix of “The Way”. PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake, Chance The Rapper ,and Selena Gomez..just to name a few, have expressed that they are fans and cannot wait to see what’s next for her. Even Rick Rubin… RICK RUBIN, has said that Kehlani’s music will “change the world”. Are you impressed yet?

She makes the music that plenty of young people especially girls need to hear. She has everything that appeals to this generation. Her fanbase continues to grow and really took off after the success of “YSBH”. She currently has 105k SoundCloud followers, 732k Instagram followers, and millions of listeners between Youtube and SoundCloud. Kehlani is well on her way to be considered one of the best new artist of 2014/2015, if she continues to make the music she has been and doesn’t change her unique image I can definitely see her being a new face of today’s R&B. For anybody who isn’t familiar with her I suggest you do your ears a favor and familiarize yourself. Hop on the Lani Tsunami wave, I wouldn’t steer you wrong. After the break you can see the videos for The Way featuring Chance the Rapper and You Should Be Here.