Drake & Future - What A Time To Be Alive
Drake and Future have made the coolest cash grab of all time. Made in only one week, the collaborative tape finds the two artists really exploring their compatibility on wax. The result is admittedly hit or miss. I’d like to compare it Chance The Rapper & Lil B’s mixtape to say that it is a crazy experience; however, this tape’s concept is defferent and provokes more skepticism. While I emjoy most of the project, it does’t feel complete. Without a proper intro or outro, the two never seem to properly come together( other than “Plastic Bag”) on the album. Perhaps it is DJ Esco’s mixing and ordering of the project that hinders it from being great because there are some unforgettable and extremely exciting moments on the project. The mixtape is huge though as an event, and that’s probably even clouding my judgement. Structure and cohesiveness strain and weaken the project. A historic even: the 2 hottest rappers in the game drop some of their weakest material of their respective careers, and they still managed to move 375,000 units in 5 days (2 days short of a full first-week cycle). What a time to be alive.
Favorite Records: Diamonds Dancing, Scholarships, Plastic Bag, Change Locations
Mac Miller - GO:OD AM
Mac Miller is back. Serving as his third album and first major label album, GO:OD AM feels good. Intended to be an easy and fun listen as opposed to his recent sad and deeply introspective style, the album impressively hits the mark. You know that feeling you get when you listen to Kanye West’s Graduation? This album is very similar to that in the sense of being a feel-good and inspirational record. The album’s lyrics are catchy, clever, and at times extremely moving without making the project heavy. The album’s not perfect however; like his previous releases, there are a few unnecessary filler tracks. For example, “100 Grandkids” is an amazing single with awesome word wordplay, “Break the Law,” “Put it in a Bag,” and “Clubhouse” are single-like but incredibly empty- content wise and emotionally. My biggest pet peeve is the incredibly weak conclusion on the project; which left me awkwardly wanting more in an unsatisfying sense. The album’s first half is damn-near perfect, leading me to believe that Mac Miller would have done better to model his album after Graduation and cut it short. 12 tracks would have been a lovely and welcomed project, with its lucrative features from the likes of Chief Keef, Miguel, Ab-Soul, Lil B, and Little Dragon. Standout track “Perfect Circle/God Speed” should have been extended in the latter half and made to be the album closer because that song alone perfectly and expertly encompasses the album, production-wise and lyrically. Good job Mac. You’re back to where you started; it’s time to make a classic.
Favorite Records: Rush Hour, Cut The Check, Weekend, & When In Rome
Travi$ Scott- Rodeo
After a wait that seemed like forever, Travi$ Scott finally delivers his debut album “to the kids.” Described by Scott as “the sound of the youth,” Rodeo does indeed pave the way towards a new cavernous and disconnected sound, reminiscent of Yeezus. Decorated with an overly articulated narrative from TI, the album also shows signs of Travi$’s main inspiration Kid Cudi and his debut album, “Man On The Moon.” With production from notable producers of many generations and features from emerging young talents and cemented rap greats, Rodeo immerses you into a new and refreshing experience. Debatably better than Days Before Rodeo, its preceding mixtape, Rodeo grows fonder and fonder to the ear with every listen, unlike Yeezus (arguable, because Yeezus is an undeclared classic) which many have been one of its prime inspirations. In fact, the track where Kanye West is featured is perhaps the weakest record on the album. Rodeo is an impressive and immersive experience, symbolic of coming of age, and is already a cult classic. So welcome Travi$ Scott to Hip-Hop; he is a young man from Houston who’s changing the game.
Favorite Records: Apple Pie, Oh My Dis Side, Maria I’m Drunk, I Can Tell, Night Crawler, 90210, OK Alright, Never Catch Me, & Antidote
Music Reviews
from Roshua Jobinson