About Last Night EP Review - @_TheRealKarma (words by @RamseySaidWHAT)

I have a ritual in the days leading one of my favorite artist's release. I listen to their discography from start to finish before pressing play on the new project for the first time. I think that's the best way to see the journey in its entirety. Terry Pratchett, an old fantasy novelist once said: "If you do not know where you come from, then you don't know where you are, and if you don't know where you are, then you don't know where you're going." Let's do Kärma some justice by paying attention to the whole story.

Today's tale takes us on a journey from Bandcamp, to Soundcloud, and now to modern streaming services with Life After Love, Sunny Side Up, and now About Last Night. I think that's a testament to how seasoned Kärma is. After listening it'd be a disrespect to go into this project expecting to hear something specifically. She's too complex to be characterized without listening for sonics, prose, and cadence. You just have to hear for yourself. Let's dive in.

The EP is a little over 15 minutes so it's important you don't miss anything. It begins with Easy which got blessed with a visual treatment courtesy, HoMEMADE Films. Macc McCray even makes a cameo playing the love interest at the record store. It's cute, and reassuring words coming from a lover. The music is allegro and her voice is bright. It makes for a great opener to the project.

We played Depend on Me in the last episode of A-Side B-Side Podcast. This is probably the most traditional sounding R&B she's dropped in the last two projects. I'll explain that later. If you go back and listen to our interview with the Jersey City songstress, she explains her creative process as not just a singer but engineer as well. When you record yourself it comes with it's good and bad. She knows her own voice probably better than most acts which makes the mixing process a little more difficult. I didn't even know Kärma could even reach into tenor so low. I'm impressed by the range of her lower register. She shines at the end of this track with the three part harmony. She describes them as syrup harmonies. It's very intricate and we hear the same in the next song, Promise. Where the first two tracks are optimistic songwriting this acoustic ballad is much more somber.

The project closes out with Speak Up. Sonically, I feel like it could have been a leftover song from her last EP, Sunny Side Up. It just has that feel where it's a little unorthodox and falls in line with a subgenre of R&B instead of the structured sound our ears are accustomed to. This isn't a bad thing. It just proves more and more that Kärma knows herself and her sound. Make Me Say didn't make the cut which doesn't surprise me. She isn't a fan of singles so to see it make the project would be unlike her. Besides it didn't fit the theme. About Last Night is further proof that she is making the crossover from novice to veteran in more ways than one. If I could change anything about this EP I'd make it longer because I love it. She sure knows how to make us miss her. In the meantime let's run it up while it's still fresh. Check out About Last Night after the break. The soundcloud version has the bonus tracks too. I need you to feel this.

Listen: 4 Piece - @LowCollege (prod by @QdottDavis @AAWAESTHETICS & @partyxmichael)

4 Piece? Try four point play.

Album sooner than soon too

— Joe college (@Lowcollege) November 18, 2017

I really gotta learn how to work corporate and stay up past 2AM. According to PartyMichael that's when the magic happens as he's invited me to the studio more than a few times. After our live review a couple months back he stayed in the lab with me and played me a few new beats he was working on. Then he revealed Fan wasn't the only thing he had cooked up with Joe College.

A couple days ago he dropped a four track EP in preparation for the forthcoming album, CivXSav Forever. College hasn't really been one for projects in the past as this is the first since Rugged but Smooth a few years back. I'm not going to go in depth about this EP you can listen below for yourself. College keeps it in house per usual with production from &Drew and Qdotdavis respectively. Party lends a hand in a couple of joints as well. I think we can expect the same for the full length. As for a full review, you'll have to wait for the album just like me. Something tells me their formula is complete and after this it'll cost a pretty penny to catch College. 4 Piece after the break.

Listen: Beaming [God Body II] - @NickMillsMusic

Nick Mills returns to the mic with a brand new EP Forever Live. The project dropped a little longer than a week ago on soundcloud for streaming and a free download.

Of the 35 minute project, one of the standout tracks was Beaming. It serves as a sequel to God Body from his Dream Royale project released a year ago. Aside from a few freestyles and singles this is the newest music in months. It's safe to say he didn't lose a step.

Beaming is produced by yondo. It's that perfect song right after an intro skit to set the tone of a project. IVRLV takes us on the roller coaster that is Mills's life. Prose and spoken word meets punchy percussion with synths and strings throughout. Aside from this one I really enjoy the Interlude [help me see] and Dreams Die which is produced by one of my favorites around the way, P Soul. You're missing out if you don't take the time to listen and learn. At minimum press play below and I promise you'll keep listening. No skips.

Review: A-F-R-O POLO - @AFROALLFLOWS & @marcopolobeats {Written by @Natural_Nation}

If this is your first time hearing the name A-F-R-O, I am delighted to be the one to introduce you. Last thursday, on July 14th, west coast rapper A-F-R-O released a join project with producer Marco Polo called A-F-R-O POLO. What makes this project and this particular rapper special is his talent, his style, and his age. There's a story here so sit back.

I first recall hearing about A-F-R-O (All Flows Reach Out) on facebook. I had come across a video series called Uncharted which was created by the digital media company Uproxx. Uncharted covered A-F-R-O in a previous episode but the one I happened to watch covered two "new school" artists (Afro and Nghtmre) who would be attempting to record a track directly to vinyl.

With Vinyl being something of the past and considered vintage (although making a slight comeback via Barnes & Noble,) everything is typically accessed online now. Either streamed or downloaded. Even CD's are becoming obsolete, so recording straight to vinyl is a concept that is rather foreign to new age artists, making the video an incredibly interesting process. Right away I was surprised by how much old this young man sounded. Everything from the bass in his voice to the clear old school hip-hop influence in the way that he put together his words and his flow. Going back to do my research I realized that his kid hadn't even broken the age of 18 when he was first discovered. RA the rugged man stumbled upon him a couple years prior in a music contest. A-F-R-O had the ability to freestyle about anything without the slightest hesitation and that small aspect of his abilities carried him to the eyes and ears of thousands all over YouTube. Homie is dope point blank gunshot period and this EP is the perfect display of his talent.

A-F-R-O POLO is a six track EP with the addition of two bonus tracks that you can access when you download or stream the EP from any retailer. As much influence as A-F-R-O has by various oldschool hip-hop artists it is peculiar that my mind gets pulled to the images of Method Man and Redman when I listen to this rappers music. I'm not sure if it is the instrumentals combined with his flow but something in there reminds me of those two. Overall the EP is top-notch and concise; and as a I said before a great introduction of his capabilities. A-F-R-OPOLO brings it back to the vocals. When the way you put words together was more like a poem than a battle rap. Afro brings the focus back to the lyricism and you can hear it woven through every track on this EP.

 My particular favorites are Swarm, Sunshine and Flowers and, Use the Blues. Pharoahe Monch makes a guest appearance on Swarm and Eamon is featured on the last track of the EP called Use the Blues. Sunshine and Flowers has that classic west coast hip-hop sound, reminiscent of the G-funk or Gangsta funk era commonly heard among artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop. Although they all have that old school flare each song carries a different sound. As a listener that is not always something that is easy for me to find. A-F-R-O is currently working on the release of his first album and when WTM gets more information we will be sure to let you know. Check out A-F-R-O POLO below.
Rating 4.7 out of 5

Review: There's A Lot Going On - @VicMensa {Written by @Natural_Nation}

This past Friday, Vic Mensa finally released his EP: There's A Lot Going On. The style and demeanor of this EP is very similar to an album, with the same rises and falls. Mensa kicks in the EP doors with a hard first track. The sound takes a turn about halfway through and then eventually comes to a strong ending. This creates an overall cohesive sound giving the EP a sound more similar to an album then a mixtape. The way the EP is introduced is probably one of my favorite parts. Mensa starts off with Dynasty. Track one really turns the focus towards the lyrics. It's a track that is not over shadowed by the instrumentals. Later on in the song, the beat eventually drops but still isn't overbearing to the degree that it hides Mensa's lyrical performance. The track is filled with a number of references including one about Harry Potter, which let's be honest, is enough for a five star rating by itself.

There's a little something for everyone on here: some very deliberately conscious songs, a couple of songs that let your mind rest, and a couple of songs that try out some different sounds. Yet, they all tell their own story. For example 16 Shots, Shades of Blue, and There's Alot Going On are definitely songs that will make you think. I had to rewind Shades of Blue a few times to really run back what I had just heard. Mensa touches on the Flint, Michigan water crisis, gun violence in Chicago, the murders of black youth by law enforcement, mental health, addiction, corruption, the list goes on. 16 Shots ends with the narration of a police encounter with Laquan Mcdonald. By the end Laquan is face down in the street with bullets in his back. It is strong imagery like this that is painted throughout the EP by Mensa's words and creative vision.

I want to single out Liquor Locker because it is the only song on the album with a feature. It also stands out by having a sound completely different from the rest of the EP. To me its an interesting attempt at something that hasn't entirely grown on me yet. I like the concept and it's very clear there's a strong influence by Ty Dolla $ign who is actually featured on the track. I think that some new comers may think that it is an attempt to sound mainstream but I think that it goes back to his roots in the band Kids These Days.

Really, There's Alot Going On is one of the realest titles I have seen for a project in a long time. It's simple yet it's true. There is so much going on in the world, in America, in Chicago, in Flint, in some of our own neighborhoods. This EP is really a reminder of all of the things we may have pushed to the back of our minds to cope with the every day. For that reason, it has my ear.
Rating 4.0 out of 5

Review: Munchies (EP) - @_jackfreeman

Soul singer Jack Freeman officially released his EP earlier this week. The Houston native use to play college football but gave it all up for his music career, a risky move that has proven to be worth it for the rising musician. He is not new to to the music scene (seeing that he's been making music for about five years now), but he has not gotten the spotlight yet. Following his 2014 EP Bliss, he makes Munchies. While it’s only a 3 track project, he makes every eight count, well, count.

Munchies (produced by Chris Rockaway and Jett I Masstyr)- Freeman says that he’s been “sober for a week” and he needs a certain stress reliever. “I don’t even smoke but I got munchies for your loving.” This first track serenades his listeners with a groovy keys and bass. He compares the craving for food after getting high to his craving for making love.

Come Back (produced by The PRBLM SLVRS) The song is a typical ain’t-too-proud-to-beg-song. He admits to his girl that he needs her in his life, all over an slower beat that seems earnest. Where munchies was more sexual desperation, this one is just desperation, period.

Seasons Change (produced by Jett I Masstyr)- This track has his soulful ad-libs and riffs that remind you of sixties Motown. The old school sound combined with the talk of summer time love creates a feeling of nostalgia for his listeners to grove to.

Freeman has talent and has a sound that you don’t here too much of these days. As much as I would have liked to hear more to get a good gauge of his own personal style, this three track EP gives us a little taste of what he can do. While his lyrics are what you would expect from a R&B artist, he has a solid voice that would draw any crowd in. Now he just needs a marketing boost so he can blow up.

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

Stream & download Munchies here

Review: 11 - Keys Era (@keysera_); A Niles P. Joint

  Keys Era’s evolution continues.  Hip Hop is littered with the bones of promising emcees who never fulfilled their potential for one reason or another.  But the Chester, PA product has put in enough work in her young ass career to ensure she won’t underachieve.  It all comes to fruition with the release of her long awaited debut EP, 11.  She’s got some freestyles and a loosie to her name thus far, this EP is her first cohesive project.  And while I liked her previous joints, I was curious to see how she’d progress.  And she did pretty damn well, actually.

  The EP format (under 30 minutes) is a good route to take for your first project.  Angel Intro sets everything up with a Tupac vocal sample that mentions how “more kids are being handed crack than they're being handed diplomas.”  This leads into the first actual song, Pressure.  The beat is a breezy DITC-like soundscape, aurally similar to other instrumentals Keys has used before but different enough to not be considered a retread.  Feeling pressure is something every single person alive can relate to, making this song accessible for everyone.  Full of quotables, the one that stands out best is when she calls out dudes “claiming you my brother/playing agent undercover/trying to get me under covers.” It’s an unfortunate situation that many women have to deal with, yet isn’t addressed much.  I’m glad she ties it into the topic. In the second verse, Keys speaks of “lessons learned, watch the bridge burn with no regrets/ I’m at my best/ nothing more and nothing less/ I progress and proceed” signifying growth in matters of crisis and shows her growth as an artist.  The blend of beat, lyrics, and her newfound singsong-y chorus (which uses a simple yet effective decrescendo) makes this perfect for long stress relieving drives at night.

  Speaking of crooning on choruses, Keys makes use of it for Asking Me.  With a slinky bassline over mellow percussion, she laments the questions she gets about her everyday life.  She’d rather just smoke without being asked about anything.  This includes her weed habits, which she enjoys as a stress reliever.  The song sequencing is gorgeous so far.  While I don’t smoke, I’d imagine this could be perfect on any stoner playlist.  Next up is Retros, which isn’t a sneakerhead's anthem, despite the title and use of the sample from the Jordan V commercial.  Instead, Keys examines society’s obsession with kicks, observing that “niggas sell their souls for some souls and it’s pitiful.”  While many songs have been released about overindulgence of material things, this might be the only one I can think of that is shoe-specific and timely.

  The grand finale, Ways, wasn’t even supposed to be on the EP initially.  But when a different planned track didn’t materialize in time, this one was repurposed as the closing track.  It’s crazy because I couldn't imagine 11 without it.  The violins in conjunction with the jazz trumpet is pretty clear bellwether for a love song, which is exactly what we get.  In this case, Keys specifically raps about longing for a phone call from a lover, which will have to suffice in lieu of quality time because said lover is busy.  The strife of getting notifications from everyone but that special person is hilariously discussed between verses.  The second verse takes the form of a bitter voicemail.  It sounds purely angry at first but you can hear the longing through the vitriol.  Keys makes the rookie mistake of occasionally packing one too many syllables in each line, but it doesn’t hurt a stream of consciousness song like this.

  This was the last hip hop release of the year that I was looking forward to.  And Keys Era did a stupendous ass job in playing the role of the closer.  Coming from someone who caught on to her from the beginning, I love how she’s made the transition from freestyles to single to a fluid project.  Being that this is an EP, it feels like it’s over too quickly and will have people wanting more.  But what it lacks in minutes it has in structure and quality.  There are no throwaway songs, and each one bleeds into the next while still sounding unique.  Her ability to craft hooks shines through and will be a valuable skill going forward.  And while her flow is still a work in progress at times, you can see that she’s making strides and coming into her own, experimenting with different areas of her voice with winning results.  The next step for her is a long form mixtape (and arguably a video,) which is coming in 2016.  But for now, enjoy Keys Era’s offering of 11 and keep her on your 2016 watch list.

Rating: 4.65 out of 5.

Stream 11 on Soundcloud here.

Listen: Refuse - @grumbythump

I may have had this in my editor's picks of the week awhile back.

Anyways a few months back Grumby released Refuse, a single off his Changes EP that was released in mid September. It combines smooth vocals from Hari Mint with super contemporary electro production with an emphesis on xylophone. Grumby really does an awesome job laying down the beat for this awesome track which makes for an easy listen, as a single or in an entire project. Hope you enjoy listening like I have. Refuse below after the break.

Listen: Intro - @samgellaitry

If you have ever rode shotgun with me or peeped my snapchat (@RamseySaidWHAT shameless plug) and specifically last night you may have heard new music from Sam Gellaitry blasting through my car speakers.

The Swedish Scottish producer dropped his ESCAPISM EP yesterday morning. Five tracks long and includes Long Distance, the track that helped me find this engineering genius. I say it time and time again Hip-Hop needs a new sound and the house, trance, and synths may be a new way of looking at it. I'd be really interested in seeing a few acts experiment with music like this. Sam Gallaitry is hands down my favorite Trap producer in the game with RL Grime a close second. You can cop Escapism on iTunes now. In the meantime listen to the Intro after the break.

Watch: Nxwxrk - @Nadus

Anyone who's heard of Nadus knows exactly how much he means to Jersey and the club scene.

After a fun set at AfroPunk BK Nadus goes ahead and drops the video to his track Nxwxrk from his Broke City EP. The Thread producer and DJ compiled a bunch of shots and video paying tribute to the city of the Bricks, Newark, NJ. House synths and percussion resonate throughout the track as expected. The cuts go well with the music and stills remind us of anyone who's taken a stroll through the 973. If you're not from Newark or haven't been take a trip with Nadus below after the break. A day in the life, Nxwxxrk below.

Listen: Bishy's B-day Playlist - @BishopNehru

Awhile back Bishop Nehru dropped a four track EP titled Bishy's B-day Playlist.

Although it was a short offering it's a little preview of what's to come in the next project from the Rockland county project. Not gonna waste more of your time but you may listen to the EP below after the break. When the next Bishop Nehru drops, WTM will have the scoop. Keep a look out!

Listen: @Olawumiii - Hate Me (Vol. 1)

Been awhile since we've last heard from Olawumi. In our last meeting we were talking about a new video and the CROWNS EP.

Last week Olawumi blessed us with a different offering, Hate Me (Vol. 1). Upbeat but still a somber sounding two track offering. Volume one suggests we can expect another addition to the series soon.

"I wanted to have a proper comeback.. it's been about four months since I released music, and a lot of things were changing in my life; What people fail to understand is that absolutely nothing is stopping me, not even a broken heart. I couldn't have started off the series any better than I did." says Olawumi. Hate Me Now is fully produced by frequent collaborator and now Seattle Native, RecklessG4B. That's word to Uptown Toney.

Stream the first installment of the Hate Me series after the break. We have a lot to look forward to. We can expect to hear at least a volume two and the anticipated CROWNS EP as the summer progresses, but for now Hate Me Volume 1 below.

#InCaseYouMissedIt End The World+ - @redlinegraffiti

I'm 100% certain you missed out on good music with this group. Let's take a trip back to DC last year. Trillectro '14. Crazy lineup with some surprise guests as well. Acts included Big Sean, TWRK, Dougie F, Sza, Sango, Goldlink, Migos, Rae Sremmurd, and Travis Scott. Throughout the rainy day everyone ripped the two stages but a small local DC band was one of the openers of the headlining stage. I was heavily impressed. The band's name was Redline Graffiti. After the show I followed their soundcloud and listened to their EP titled The Drill on my trip back to Jersey. Almost a year later I'm still listening and you should too.

A few months back in March they dropped their most recent project, End The World+ EP. Let's get to it. It was short but sweet 4 track offering. Redline Graffiti is a crossover genre band that branches from Jazz, to alternative, to rock, to even hip-hop. Track one, Appetite is a testament to just how versatile their music sounds. Dante Pope starts the song off with a gospel praise break sounding percussion introduction with a kick and clap (snare) breakdown. Enter really dope bassline and and acoustic guitar with soothing vocals by Drew Moten. It kinda does a two part timbo thing. What I mean by that is they take the percussion out and change the melody for a bit before returning to the original sound. "If you're scared say you're scared. If you're tired say you're tired." Beautiful but upbeat love song and a great way to start a project.

Thieving In The Place is track two. It continues the really mellow feel. Drastically slower this time around. Moten lays down vocals over chords played by Ajene Harley. Donald Martin does a beautiful time harmonizing on the hook. It leads perfectly into track three. The Donnie Most Remix of the latter song. The same lyrics repeat but the slow chords are met by computerized sounds that sound like something out of a video game. The hook is much different. The percussion is boom bap hip hop over R&B jazz sounding vocals. Verse two continues a more complex drum fill as the song progresses. It gives the song a different sound altogether. I enjoyed them both, as a ballad and jam.

They close out End The World with a self titled track. Martin takes the lead vocals this time around. I always loved electric guitar solos and Harley delivers with flare when the song begins. "It's the end of the world and I need you here, but it feels like the end of the world right now" croons Martin. You can hear raw emotion in the songwriting and vocals of this one. Moten returns on verse two and the bridge. I was really surprised from his unique voice returning back to the foreground and with falsetto. Everyone got their own shine on this song and it's definitely this fan's favorite. You can watch the visual for End the World below.



I usually end these write ups with a rating of sorts but I won't. I really just want you to listen. They were a fun act to watch live and in studio their skills speak for themselves. This is a very talented group of young brothers from the nation's capital. End The World+ can be purchased on iTunes and Bandcamp. Luckily for you we have the soundcloud stream for you below. Check them out. Ramsey signing off.

Review: Slave Name Todd - @PassportRav

A couple of months back Passport Rav dropped a short EP titled Slave Name Todd. Between the title and album art I knew this would definitely be worth the listen. From rip I figured it would touch base on social justice issues going on today. Since I was intrigued I figured I'd dive in. You should too. Let's get to it.

The Intro (childrens, children) begins with a skit about a slave and a slavemaster. At first I wasn't quite sure where the clip is from but it was awkwardly familiar.

@RamseySaidWHAT hidden colors

— Rav.P (@PassportRav) May 18, 2015

After the really deep excerpt from the documentary it transitions into Yankee Bwoi. The production is equally eerie. Although unorthodox, Rav P stays true to his true hip-hop core as it carries boom bap percussion throughout. He explains his come up in a Jamaican home as you patois speakers probably understood from the title. Ostracized was the first track we got early from the EP. He actually had a visual that was covered here. Next up is Trust Issues. If you were expecting a Drake feel boy are you wrong. The track starts with a clip from an old Tupac interview after he got shot. "Trust Nobody after God, fear is stronger than love." Deep words by the deceased. Rav makes a equally deep sentiment himself: "Even God placed Judas next to Jesus. Even Satan was an angel, so who can I trust?" Whoa.

Rav closes out his five track project with Black America. This song is the only one with a feature assisted by Big Osh.
Listening to the gems dropped in this song makes me feel like I'm watching Laurence Fishburne kick knowledge in Boyz N the Hood. I guess you're just gonna have to listen for yourself.

After a stellar 2014 and making noise at the Underground Music Awards Rav did his thing as he visited the studio again. Slave Name Todd wasn't exactly a fun listen but necessary. I think it is very timely and one of Passport Rav's best pieces of work thusfar. It is indeeed short but very sweet. Slave Name Todd gets 4.1 of 5 stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale. Stream Slave Name Todd for yourself below.





http://beflystayhungry.com/

Watch: Ostracized - @PassportRav

Rav. P lives up to the name Passport Rav.

Recently his travels take him to Dubai. While out there he shoots video for his lastest visual Ostracized. The song is part of a new EP he has titled Slave Name Todd which shall be reviewed on the site very soon. "Never had a place to call home, that's why he walks alone." Talk about ostracized. peep the video below.

Listen: Girls That Dance - @Masego24 & @Medasinmusic

Better late than never.

Let me tell a story. One day I hang out with an artist and we did an impromptu interview. Afterward we talked about favorite producers and they mentioned this guy, Masego. Synths, Trap, and a jazz alto-saxophone. I listen and it's amazing point blank. Let's fast forward to me and the man tweeting each other, and i get a call from my ex. Funny enough, she's a mutual friend of the both of us telling me to stop gassing. The internet really does make the word insanely small. Anyways, Masego has been getting a ridiculous amount of buzz from the DMV area. Next on his plate is a collab project with producer, Medasin, titled The Pink Polo EP. The duo dropped a new track, Girls That Dance. The song encompasses the before mentioned synths trap and jazz. Masego even does an incredible and creative job on vocals scatting his way through the song. This is the music of the future, the rest of the world gotta just catch on. I tell you that this can be on your parents cookout music playlist as well as your own pregame before the party. The music intertwines entire generations. Listen to Girls That Dance below, enjoy.

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.

Editorial: Rugged But Smooth - @JoeCollege010 EP Review

Let me take you back a couple of months. It's a routine stop to Wells Fargo to collect some money owed to me from a friend. Enter Joe College. "Word on the street is you got a new tape, I know you got that Rugged But Smooth on you and I want a copy." "Yeah, it's in the whip," he replied "Only gonna cost you 5 beans."

A feature of an In My Ears segment, Joe College dropped an EP for the masses. At one point you could only cop physical copies which I personally think is a lost art in the music industry where everything is easily obtained online. Rugged But Smooth is exactly what the title says. I understand that's an oxymoron but after you listen you'll understand. In the past Joe College tends to bridge the gap between old and new school hip-hop. You can tell he's been heavily influenced by Nas and other classic hip-hop acts. Let's get to it.

The tape opens up with Make Money, Take Money which just so happens to be a remake of the classic Nas NY State of Mind instrumental. When you get on tracks with esteem like that you gotta come correct. Joe College pulls through with finesse. Track one actually has a visual which dropped not too long ago which you can peep here. Next up is 100 featuring Lu Jerz. Fun track, College is reminding you fools where your place is and to always, keep it a hunna. Track three, Swing My Way, is my favorite track on the project. It's kinda the turning point of Rugged but Smooth as it changes the mood. I feel like you can play this song for shawty in ya house, apartment, dorm whatever. He tells a story of how he tries to turn out a lesbian playing games saying she's celibate. Very Punny throughout, "You had your colors on i see you f*ck with that greek sh*t. That was my que dawg I couldn't come with no weak sh*t [C(q)ues barking*]. The fourth track, Really reminds me off 100 as far as the message goes. It's just a little harder and back on the rugged side of the EP. 9:46 was actually a single released almost a year ago. As a stand alone track it was nice but transitioned fluidly with the rest of the EP. Blown Away is the next track. I said what I had to say when the video was posted awhile back. You can check that by clicking the link. Rugged but Smooth closes out with What We Do. Perhaps the best produced track on the EP and also another one released beforehand. He takes a break in the track and sings the classic Alicia Meyers' jam Thank You over the Scarecrow produced instrumental. Maybe not the best vocalist but he does it justice as it goes with the track. Something smooth you can listen to at the cookout with old heads too. At least that's what it looked like in the video which you can peep below.



I said in the beginning Rugged but Smooth was exactly what the title suggests. The seven tracks go back and forth over this theme. Some old stuff but generally new material from the Neptune emcee. If WTM could compile a list of best unsigned projects of last year this would have made the top five without question. I give the EP 4.4 of 5 stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale. Do yourself a solid and put this tape in your car and Keep Listening my friends.

Watch: Make Money Take Money - @JoeCollege010

New visuals from Joey. Not Bada$$ or Budden either.

Joe College is perhaps the next Tri-State titan ready to tear down stages and set fire to earbuds. Until all of that goes down you only get to listen and watch his new video to Make Money, Take Money off his Rugged but Smooth EP. This video is pretty dope, gritty like the song itself. Cameos from his crew, including Qwik his right hand man who drew up the new logo for What's the Movement by the way. You can peep the review of the entire Rugged But Smooth EP later on, til then catch, Make Money, Take Money after the break.

Kendrick Lamar Preview - @Best_ofda_Worst

"Lord God, I come to you a sinner and I humbly repent for my sins……"

Kendrick Lamar by "Rolling Stone"

These were the first words spoken on Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid MAAD City. With favorites such as Money Trees and MAAD City people claimed that it is with this album that has invigorated hip-hop with comparisons to great works such as Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation. Classic after classic song, all being tied together through skits in between, the album felt like more of an audiobook rather than visual story, where the listener was in attendance in that van with Kendrick and the homies. It can be said that no one expected such a great work from Kendrick at first. Regardless it was greatly loved by fans, critics, and general hip-hop heads alike. Believe it or not that was a little more than two years ago.  Present day we have not heard much from Kendrick other a few singles and a features. What has been released has caused some waves with his message of self love on I, his intoxicating feature on Flying Lotus’ Never Catch Me and of course his inflammatory verse, that shook up the whole genre of rap on Big Sean’s Control. Fans and listeners have been waiting for Kendrick’s next album with little patience and high anxiety. The question is, what can be expected?

Previously with GKMC, His EP, mixtapes and singles, they kind of alluded to the fact that Kendrick would be telling the story of his life and then we heard it on his album. With this new album we haven’t heard much from Kendrick lyrically, but from going from his interviews he has told us that this album will be more “raw” than what it has ever been before. Rumors has it that it has some elements of section .80 and Good Kid MAAD City, as well as beats produce by Dr. Dre and Pharell this album could potentially outstanding production wise.  As far as songs go you definitely will hear “I” but I fell like the single will sound better on the album than it does as a single as did Swimming Pools. Both are commercial records but Swimming Pools had a new feel to it once it was heard on the album compared to as a standalone track. Within the album it was part of the story and included a part two that wasn't heard on the single. I also feel like there might some trippy tracks on the album as well such as his performance on the Colbert Report which you can peep below.

The Colbert Report
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With a song like that I can see how I could fit on the album. All in all this album will be greatly produced with lyrics to match of course there will be those who compare it to the first and say GKMC was better but I feel like this new album will be more focused on sending a message than just be a story on Kendrick.