Meesh

I am originally from Berkeley, California, but have lived in Los Scandalous for 8 years. I am into rap, clothes, whiskey, & cigarettes. I will be contributing to the blog, talking about that shit I like, and that shit I don’t like (whatup Chief Keef). Brace yourself for some music reviews, and some of the worst iPhone photos you have ever seen. Stay tuned, players

Reviews 5/29/13

JUICY J ft. THE WEEKND “ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS”

 

Juicy J enlists the help of The Weenknd on “One of Those Nights”, The latest single from Juicy’s forthcoming “Stay Trippy” album. Being a fan of both artists, I have had this track on heavy rotation. This song has an important message: “You say no to ratchet p####, Juicy J can’t”(I can’t either). Juicy J and The Weeknd connect like Voltron and make some good Trap&B (not to be confused with R&B). Long-time Weeknd collaborator Illanglo (XO Crew) handles production on the track. The Weeknd serenades the fairer sex with such romantic lines as “She can’t feel her throat, she can’t feel her knees”. Then Juicy J rolls in the second verse with sophisticated lyrics such as: “Rollin blunt s in my flying saucer” & “Keep snow bunnies that like popping pills”. Juicy J came out in 1991 with Three 6 Mafia, and continues to be relevant. “One of Those Nights” gives us some trap shit that creeps into the mainstream, while maintaining Juicy J’s OG status.

CHIEF KEEF “NOW IT’S OVER”

 

I’m going to begin by stating the obvious; Chief Keef is hella tight. Chief Keef had made it very clear “That’s that shit I don’t Like”, and apparently the Chicago police department “dint like” that sentiment. The 17 year old rapper was taken back to jail for probation violation back in January. March 13th, Chief Keef is fresh out of Cook Country Jail, and drops one of my favorite tracks on the year; “Now It’s Over”. The beat sounds suspiciously like “I Don’t Like” producer Young Chop, but was credited to Izze the Producer. The sound has a melodic but gangster vibe that reminds me of the Bay Area Mob Music that I grew up on. Chief Keef comes in hot with rhymes like: “I don’t hold no hoe for ransom, and if we see him out we blam him”. Chief Keef may not be what many consider to be a traditional lyricist, but he has an uncanny ability to harmonize and stay in pocket over a track but make it sound super gutter. This why these b###### Love Sosa. Whether you know Chief Keef for his pants sagging techniques, or for shooting at the police, you should know him for his music.

SCHOOLBOY Q “YAY YAY”

 

Along with being a bucket hat player’s club member, Schoolboy Q is one of the best rappers to come out of the West Coast in years. As Rome’s says; “He’s goanna be big”. After already releasing two solid albums independently, (Setbacks, and Habits & Contradictions), Schoolboy Q gears up for his major label debut: Oxy Moron (TDE/Interscope). “Yay Yay” is the first promo single on the project, described by Q as “A coming of Age drug tale”. Produced by Boi-1da (Octobers Very Own), the track has West Coast Gangster undertones that compliment the universal hip-hop sound of the record. This song is on some hard shit, the perfect soundtrack for sipping on a double cup, or getting a drink thrown in your face at the Cha-Cha Lounge. Q starts off the second verse by giving props to the OG’s, and (at the same damn time) flexing with his distinct flow pattern: “I’m a drug dealing #####, roll my cyc’ on Hoover street, Just a year after Pac died we all bump Sugar Free”. Schoolboy Q is very good at what he does (“dope” in hip-hop terms), but also brings back an authentic street element missing in today’s music.

JAY-Z “OPEN LETTER”

1996 was the year Jay-Z dropped his classic debut album Reasonable Doubt. I was at Reform School at the time, getting into fights in the cafeteria and smoking cigarettes in the woods, but I made sure to include listening to Reasonable Doubt in my busy schedule. I have not been a huge fan of some of Jay’s more recent work, but “Open Letter” pulled me back in. The song is produced by Timbaland & Swizz Beats; together their music produces a sonically superior sound. The record was done during Jay’s recent (and controversial) trip to Cuba: “ I done turned Havana to Atlanta, Guayabera shirts and bandannas” (I might have to turn Los Feliz to Atlanta). Jay-Z’s lyrics and delivery are on point, and the overall vibe of the record is a good blend of 1996 Jay with 2013 Jay.

-Meesh