Memorial Weekend Rap Up: A$AP Rocky, Swizz Beats, Big K.R.I.T, Dom Kennedy, Aesop Rock, Juicy J, Freddie Gibs, 2 Chainz, Mac Miller, Asher Roth + More
In the words of the legendary Timbo, “It’s been a long time. I shouldn’t have left you without a dope beat to step to.” I don’t feel like getting into the excuses for my hiatus, nor can I say it won’t happen again. But I will say this; If someone wants to pay me for the hours I spend looking for legit, quality music (especially rap, which is like trying to find classy wifey material out at the club. You can do it, but shit, listening to some of that garbage can take a toll on ya), not to mention writing something halfway intelligent about it, then by all means let me know and I’ll never take another day off the rest of my life. Any who, let’s get right into this cuz I got plenty of material for ya’ll all week long…
This dude A$AP is blowing up fast, and so far he hasn’t swayed from his original style. One can’t count on that forever, so enjoy the early material while the gettin’s good. Attention all producers: Please keep making bangers for this dude. ***Updated: This was previously featured on the Funk back in April, but this guy is wayyy behind still… and it’s that good***
A$AP Rocky – Goldie (prod. by Hit-Boy)
Joe Budden has a line in the forgettable club anthem “Fire” from his early years that goes, “I’m glad producers charge so high for they tracks. Now they do it all, you just applying the wrap rap.” In most cases, it couldn’t be more true. Now I don’t know how much “La Musica de Harry Fraud” costs, but I bet he makes a pretty penny. I can’t get enough of this hypnotizing masterpiece right here. Thankfully, Action and Rif don’t fuck up the packaging.
Action Bronson & Rif Raff – Bird on a Wire (prod. by Harry Fraud)
I just came up on this one this morning, so I haven’t listened to it long enough to determine if it has any replay value. But Gibbs and Tip rarely disappoint, and the beat is decent enough for a “ridin’ round the city” mixtape.
Freddie Gibbs ft Young Jeezy & T.I. – Pull Up
Add this one to the aforementioned “mean muggin’ in the whip” mixtape. I had this one blasting with the windows down last night, ooh wee.
Swizz Beats – Street Knock ft A$AP Rocky (prod. by araabMUZIK)
I usually rip on artists with unimaginative slow motion flows, but none of that matters if the beat is right. And this my type of banger. Seriously though Dom, “money give me a boner?” Really?
Dom Kennedy – This My Type of Party
I’m more embarrassed that I’m sharing a song with 2 Chainz rather than Justin Bieber. I just don’t understand why 2 Chainz pops up everywhere nowadays and has a stan-like following? While I may have just answered my own question, still, It’s slightly more annoying than the Gucci Mane phase. At least Gucci came out on the scene and from the start made a name for himself earning the right to bank off the stupid noises that came out of his mouth over hood beats. 2 Chainz on the other hand, literally had to make a new name for himself so no one would associate him with his worthless early years as Tity Boi. It’s just more evidence of rap being overcome by the business suit strategy. Seriously, here we have an artist simply renaming himself yet providing the same garbage, just as a company would rename themselves after a scandal or something yet producing the same shitty product. And people buy it! What the fuck people, we as consumers have the power to demand better. Fuck, I’m just getting myself upset. But seriously, this instrumental is a problem and Justin Timberlake 2.0 Bieber kills the hook.
Justin Bieber ft 2 Chainz, Mac Miller & Asher Roth – Boyfriend (remix)
Another remix featuring some artists that should not be allowed to spit more than one verse at time. One of my favorite cuts off 4Eva N A Day. Live From The Underground finally on the way!
Big K.R.I.T. ft Waka Flocka & Juicy J – Temptation (remix)
Never heard of this Bas dude, but I’m definitely feeling the flow and the way he flips Rihanna “You Da One” into what most respectable dudes would probably now say to Rihanna after years of showing us just how little respect she deserves/demands. But damn, she fine.
Hopefully you made it all the way down to the bottom cuz I had to save the best for last. I’ve been rocking this on repeat for almost a month now and until today, only the below lines really made any sense to me. Aesop Rock does not make easy-listen songs for first grade level listeners to be able to follow along. I suggest you do as I did, which is enjoy the impeccable flow over the adrenaline fueling instrumental for a while and then take a gander at Rap Genius’s line by line interpretation : http://rapgenius.com/Aesop-rock-zero-dark-thirty-lyrics#note-697016. ”
“Are we supporting the artist or enabling the addict
I mean, I guess it matters to me
I wish it mattered to you
How a thousand virtues
Kick the same bucket like Chinatown turtles”
Weekend Rap Up: B.o.B. ft Andre 3000, Ed Sheeran ft Yelawolf, Termanology, Jakk Frost, Fabolous ft Meek Mill + Tyga ft. Wale, Fab, Meek, Jeezy & T.I.
I told ya’ll I’d be back with some more jams tonight. First things first though; how bout my boy Derrick Rose today? My favorite basketball players have always been point guards. Not just because I played PG in my days, but because in most cases, the odds are stacked against them in a sport that creates a natural advantage for those blessed with size. So every time Derrick Rose takes it to the rack, slashing through defenders and adjusting his release while floating through the air so to avoid the outstretched arms of those taller than him, you have to appreciate the skill required more-so than that of Lebron James jumping over lil’ Johnny Lucas and throwing down with two hands. Although, that was pretty nasty, too. As far as the game as a whole goes, with no Deng, no CJ, I gotta say that was one of the most satisfying L’s I’ve ever witnessed. Plus I hit the over for Rose total points (22.5) and Noah total rebounds (9.5), along with 2nd half spread (Bulls +1.5). I swear I don’t have a problem….onto the music…
This one dropped a while ago while I was boycotting being productive. B.o.B. use to be confused with Andre when he first started dropping tracks 3-4 years ago, so it’s cool to hear them go back-to-back. I never really heard the connection, but regardless, I like the combo. Of course, Andre wins in this one. Which I guess means Bobby wins too. This one gets some body parts moving.
B.o.B. – Play The Guitar (ft. Andre 3000) (right-click, “save as” to dl)
This is just a great song. I really like this British (I think) dude’s voice/vibe. And Yela meshes his flow perfectly with that vibe, while his voice is the perfect compliment. Shit is smooth as hell.
Ed Sheeran & Yelawolf – You Don’t Know (For Fuck’s Sake) (right-click, “save as” to dl)
It’s extrememely difficult for me to not enjoy any song utilizing the Play N Skillz “Freaks” sample. Absolute classic. Well, actually in their song they sampled this weird “Moments in Love” song themselves, but to the hip hop community, it’s now the “Freaks” sample. Anyway, outside of the sample, I really like a lot of what I hear from Term. Dude can flow.
Termanology – Speed It Up (ft. Anjuli Stars) (right-click, “save as” to dl)
This is another one I came across a lil while back but just never threw up on the Funk. I always appreciate a verse from Fab, and Meek Mill surprises me more and more each time I hear a new verse. These aren’t your typical lazy coke rappers.
Fabolous – You Don’t Know (ft. Meek Mill) (right-click, “save as” to dl)
This one is interesting to say the least. It’s hard to take seriously because of the hook, but it’s actually some quality storytelling. I really like the quirky beat too.
Jakk Frost – Dirty Uggs (right-click, “save as” to dl)
I posted the Wale and Meek version a while ago, but this one includes some more high profile verses to complete the “official” remix. Tyga got real lucky with this beat.
Tyga ft Wale, Fabolous, Young Jeezy, Meek Mill & T.I. – Rack City (remix) (right-click, “save as” to dl)
Mashup Monday: Katy Perry//Glitch Mob, Secondhand Serenade//Young Jeezy, D.veloped + Mochi Beats
I came across a couple solid mash-ups today and had another couple I’ve been sitting on for a lil while, and I thought that since Monday and mash-up both start with the letter M I’d throw em all atcha right meow. I love this Glitch Mob beat and I believe it was solid vocal like these that actually made Katy famous before her boobies became more popular. Although, both are necessary for a lasting and profitable career (unless of course u got a booty like Nicki Minaj). Then I got some soft shit mixed with some hard shit, some old school alternative mixed with some new school hip hop, and lastly a Girltalk-like mash of all sorts of pop.
MP3:The Catalina Rhyme Mixer – Alien Thievery (Katy Perry//Glitch Mob//Wiz Khalifa)
MP3:Not Some Kid – Fall For You, Then What? (Secondhand Serenade//Young Jeezy)
White Men Can't Funk 