Summertime.Still.HOT (Part One)

It's Still Hot Outchea... Music Is Still Hot Folks

So here we are about three quarters through the summer and music is still heating up. The rap game, the production world, singing : R&B pop or otherwise is heating up.

Something Else

Kansas City, MO native Tech N9ne has been making music for years. He prides himself on his self-made image and being the dark-horse of the rap game... however in recent years, what with the hipster/underground wave crashing exponentially in America, Tech has not been so much of a slept on artist.

His 13th studio album Something Else dropped July 30th and man did it drop. Again (as previously mentioned in this blog) this summer has been good to hip-hop and rap alike. The album tells a story of destruction and healing; the story couldn't have come at a better time. The satire, punchlines, and pure FIRE lyricism we get from Tech is arguably at its prime (STILL?!). While some will argue that the features from mainstream hitters like Wiz, T-Pain, and B.o.B take away from his grit... it can also be said that lyrical brothers like Kendrick, Danny Brown, and Wrekonize help explain where Tech N9ne is coming from.

There almost isn't much to be said to a seasoned vet like Tech; with 20+ years in the industry he has it where what he wants to be said is said. Basically: You listen to some Tech N9ne, you'll feel/learn something.

Tracklist

(FIRE)

“Straight Out The Gate” (featuring Serj Tankian, Krizz Kaliko)

“B.I.T.C.H.” (featuring T-Pain)

“With The BS” (featuring Red Café, Trae Tha Truth & Big Scoob)

“Love 2 Dislike Me” (featuring Tyler Lyon of Evalyn Awake & Liz Suwandi)

“Fortune Force Field”

“I’m Not A Saint”

“Fragile” (featuring Kendrick Lamar, ¡Mayday!, & Kendall Morgan)

“Priorities” (featuring The Game & Angel Davanport)

“News With Mark Alford 2″ (skit)

(WATER)

“Dwamn”

“So Dope” (They Wanna) (featuring Wrekonize, Snow Tha Product & Twisted Insane)

“See Me” (featuring Wiz Khalifa & B.o.B)

(EARTH)

“My Haiku-Burn the World” (featuring Krizz Kaliko)

“That’s My Kid” (featuring Cee Lo Green, Big K.R.I.T., Kutt Calhoun)

“Meant to Happen” (featuring Scoop Deville)

“News With Mark Alford 3″ (skit)

“Believe”

“R.I.P. Ray” (skit)

“Strange 2013″ (featuring The Doors)

“SMB”

(BOUNS)

“Colorado” (featuring B.o.B, Krizz Kaliko, Rittz, ¡Mayday!, Stevie Stone, Ces Cru)

“Drowning” (featuring Liz Suwandi)

“Thizzles” (featuring Danny Brown)

To close..

Tech N9ne is a solid artist who puts out songs that everyone can relate/vibe to. However there are some criticisms to his latest work

1) Long Album.. I like longer albums (more bang for your buck I think) but some think 15 is that magic number

2) Repetitive Flow... Again, not to my dislike. I like continuity. Some parties believe Tech's work here though is... all the same.

3) Lousy Feautures... Wow, me and people are not on the same page! I liked the features, sites like billboard and XXL Mag feel that the features stripped Tech of his rawness.. *SHRUG*

My favorite songs would have to be Straight Out The Gate and Thizzles. Happy Listening.

Tico.Out

Mo' Info                                              Tech N9ne                                             XXL Mag

High.Expectations

Magna.Carta.Holy.Grail

Jay-Z's 12th Studio Album

American-bred, New York- based, rapper, turned entrepreneur, turned hip-hop/music mogul, has released his highly anticipated work-of-art and man.... It's an earful to say the least.

Magna Carta Holy Grail Tracklist:

Holy Grail

Picasso Baby

Tom Ford

F*ck With Me You Know I Got It

Oceans

F.U.T.W

Somewhere In America

Crown

Heaven

Versus

Part II (On The Run)

Beach Is Better

BBC

Jay Z Blue

La Familia

Nickels and Dimes

These 16 songs make up the album which comes in at just under an hour in music. I listened to the album in  one straight sitting twice and some select songs three times. For how MCHG was promoted, (through commercials detailing its creation on TV, Youtube, interviews on radios), there was not much surprise. I feel as though Jay's fans and music aficionados everywhere knew just about what we were getting. 

No Surprise, Doesn't Mean Disappointment

There is something to be said about an artist who can deliver consistently. Jay is Jay on here, no curve-balls, no tricks, no new sounds or what-not. Recently in music, we have gotten work from artists and it seems to be "outside the box". I wouldn't say MCHG was out of character for Jay-Z but that adds to its novelty. 12 studio albums later, and this man still can slay the masses with his flow. #Respect

To Wrap This Up

The production on MCHG is crazy good. (Crown was co-produced by a 17 old girl!) We have Swizz, Pharell, Mike Will Made It, Hit-Boy,Travis Scott, Dean, Timbaland, and many more. For aspiring producers and musical engineers- this album is your textbook! The beats will solidify this album as possibly the best album of 2013 (I SAID IT). Not to downplay Jay's bars at all- these are honest, gritty, and witty as always. This will go down as one of the best album in the 2010's man. 

The collaborations match well; everyone who is featured on Jay's project has earned there spot and delivered on their part as well: Justin T, Rick Ross, Nas, etc. Without a doubt, this album will hopefully elevate how the public views hip hop especially of the New York-bred variety and I easily give this album 5/5. 

I was always a Jay-Z fan and I respect the dude for making a solid album that had a legit story: "I've made it, this is my mindset." 

          Read On It                                         Where It Started                      All Things Hip Hop    

* Favorite Song Is: F*ck With Me You Know I Got It

Be careful playing these songs in delicate neighborhoods and/or in cars with weak sound systems. This is bass-heavy album.  Try and see if you can catch all the artist, songs, and media that Jay-Z samples and alludes to throughout the album, you might be surprised at what you hear. :)

AustinMoon.Vs.RossLynch

This Is So Dumb

So you know that show on Disney Channel, Ally & Austin? That show stars young actor and music artist Ross Lynch as Austin Moon. He makes music that is produced by Disney Channel under both names and honestly for a cookie cutter dude he does alright. 

Who Is Better Though

While this debate isn't as riveting as others and you've probably stopped reading by now... (Sorry Non-Disney Fans) it is interesting to see how Disney manages/produces artist under dual names. Hannah Montana has done it, Selena Gomez, and even new faces such as Debbie Ryan and Chyna Anne McClain (Parks), and Bridget Mendler! 

I personally find Ross Lynch to be more appealing because he seems more mature and edgier. His Disney persona, Austion Moon seems very poppy and its almost annoying. Lynch sings about having a good time, being with your friends, and breaking molds- Moon sings about summer, volleyball, and helping friends. There is a difference and I think while its smart to tap into two sounds, aka two audiences, Ross himself is more like-able. Hopefully moving forward in his music career he will grow in his own sound and music.

P.S.- Writing on Disney artists is completely relevant to the social scene, being that this corporation owns a great portion of everything media related- anything they own is fair game on my blog. Plus I still watch Disney Channel. Your loss if you don't ha.

Movie.Time

Went to see This is The End and Monsters University. Two different movies- two different feels. I personally enjoyed the latter more than the former-

This Is The End

This movie has laughs, sure- however the raunchiness and controversial scenes outweigh anything that would make a person smile. It would depend on who you are as a person but I'll say it means something if you can't see why this movie was questionable. Apparently this movie was highly thought of for a comedy and movie, period. People like what people like- and I won't argue with that. 2/5 stars man. 2 out of 5

Monsters University

I'm extremely biased and would love this movie even if it was sorry. Good thing it wasn't; even though the plot called for a more mature setting than the intended audience may understand, the movie stayed lighthearted and fun. There was that good Disney moral/message, it was funny, and it played well on continuity which is always cool if you've seen other movies in a series. 5/5 because Tico loved it!

Listen.To.Yeezus

Yeezus

From The P.O.V of A Progressive Ninja

Thoughts Before Listening

First and foremost- the unofficial cover art and name (the fake crucifix or Y-thing) pissed me off. I'm like "Kanye- ninja CHILL,".Then Yeezus was leaked- I stayed away from vultures picking it apart before it was officially dropped. I feel like since I don't buy music like that the least I can do for artist is not contribute to their bootleged music BEFORE it drops. That is like sneaking in a gallery before its opened. Just no- haha.

It Dropped

So it dropped on June 18th, 2013. I heard it was critically acclaimed. Upon further inspection it was. Metacritic, USA Today, and Spin (along with others- see wikipedia) all loved this album. The twitter-verse however and the street (my friends and hip hop blogs) felt like this album was sh*t. So I walked in mixed.

Thoughts While Listening

On Sight- "Kanye what the freak man, NOOOO. Nicki made this same mistake. You sound like you had Scrillex produce this sh*t. NOOO. You can make your own beats! I WASN'T READY."
Black Skinhead- "I'm confused. I can't even hear the lyrics. My only actual constructive comment would be production could've found a better way to have his voice match the beat. DID HE JUST SAY C**N???"
I Am A God- "The samples finally sound cool. IS THAT BEENIE MAN?? OH SH*T TURN UP. Wait what? You are not a god. Your massage? Ninja whats Kim for? You brought rap back? You on Michael's level? YOUR CROISSANTS?? So Kanye has no chill- okay, WAIT YOU TALKED TO JESUS?? AND ALL YOU HAD TO SAY WAS YOU 'STACKIN MILLIONS'???"
New Slaves- "First beat I can find solace in- thank Yeezus... lol; There are leaders and followers- this will be the new twitter/instagram-anthem. Kanye is on his 22-offs flow right here, HE MOVED HIS FAMILY WHAT?? He just called out the government- and the upper one percent. This song has converted me to Yeezus. Ehhhh what is this? THIS SAMPLE AT THE END?? Nah- I'll stick with regular Jesus..."
Hold My Liquor- "His vocals are scary ha. Mmmm its vibey enough. Oh ha- I thought he would go the whole song drunk like haha. I've noticed that Kanye has made more 'ho-references' or sexual references in this album than as of late. I mean all artists do it he is directly saying it like 'these b*tches and ho's' This song is sad, its as close to Drake as anyone can ever say Kanye came lmao. Kanye on his 'no-more-hos' status or something. Damn that beat just resonated in my head"
I'm In It- "Kanye, Kanye, Kanye.... EWWWWWW HE SAID HE WHAT? Ahhh I see. Okay the I like the rasta-voice influences. Okay I'm done. This song is extremely graphic. Is this supposed to be his version of the ratchet anthem? You can't twerk to this, he should've had Juicy J on the beat- ha. I kid. The beat is legit. I feel like I shouldn't say that though. ITS OVER??"
Blood On The Leaves- "Oh he's singing.... or Yeezus-ing. I feel like he is being extremely real on his album and I feel bad that I'm sitting here like blah blah blah. I like this song- everyone can relate to that person changing or not being in your life like they were. Is this about Phifer? Rose? Nah not about Rose... GOOD SONG"
Gulit Trip- "Another vibe beat. I see. *Listens with no comments* I fell asleep with my eyes open. Not necessarily a bad thing (shout out to drug users)
Send It Up- "He said play it in the club- this is the only place this belongs I think. It won't vibe anywhere else, unless you are in your house getting READY for the club. LMAO Kanye with the random samples again...."
Bound 2- "This beat/sample is sick. This is innovative. This is Kanye. This is the staple song. I hope to Yeezus the radio don't kill it. AND BY YEEZUS THE SAMPLES ALL FIT TOGETHER. That 'when a real n*gga hold you down' line was tough. Lyrics on here are straight. DANG THIS IS FIRE. He said "Jesus wept!!!" John 11:35!!!!"

Thoughts After Listening (Conclusion)

Kanye West does what he wants. So we can all rest assured that this was not him being squeezed and scrutinized by music execs- he is Yeezus after all. So I applaud him for takig the reigns and doing whatever it is he did. For some of you- I know you will not mess with this album at all. Some of you will try really hard to like it because you like Ye; others will lie and say they love it- knowing nothing about how or who he is even sampling. (I got one wrong, Beenie is not on the track I thought, he's on Send It Up as a sample). And then there are people who will appreciate Ye for his talents and what be has brought together. This is not a trap album, this is not a alternative album, its def not Late Registration, The College Dropout, 808s, etc.... This is Kanye West doing what he does best- doing the most. If you appreciate when he does that this album is 5/5 if you don't then its barely worth a listen-through. I personally dig the album as a whole for reasons I don't fully understand yet (BOTL got to me) and I think Kanye did his thing. *High fives Yeezus*

Yeezus Info                                 Kanye's Site                                  Bound 2

"One good girl is worth a thousand b*tches,"- Kanye West

Cantina.Bowl

The Cantina Bowl from Taco Bell is disgusting. You want some tex-mex cuisine go to Chipotle, go to Qdoba, go to Guapos. Go to On The Borders.... Please man don't go to Taco Bell. The ingredients aren't fresh- the staff is usually not friendly, and the prices are disproportionate! The cantina bowl meal compared to the chalupa supremes had a $2 difference at my local Taco Bell. And nothing is ever baseline at these establishments because almost all of them are franchised! 

To be fair- I actually had a cantina bowl 3 days ago and it was my first one. Chipotle was closed and I was hungry so I stopped at TB- my order was ready after like 10 minutes and I was ready to eat it. I take a bite and the guacamole is okay. The lettuce was too plentiful but the chicken was okay. It was the rice. It ruined the whole meal. It wasn't undercooked- that would be an UNDERstatement.... It wasn't cooked at ALL!!! Taco Bell gets 1/5 stars and I won't go back unless I'm getting an apple empanada!

Tico.Out 

New.Music

Disney Channel Has Done It Again

Do you watch Good Luck Charlie? Or perhaps you've seen Lemonade Mouth? Seriously people, Disney Channel is still producing entertainment powerhouses and Bridgit Mendler is no exception. 

While we know her as Teddy from her family sitcom GLC, she seems to have some vocal ability-

Her debut album, Hello My Name Is, is available for purchase and download; go get it. This album features ballads for those girls who are in a Taylor Swift mood, you know, the usual "my boyfriend is a meanie insensitive jerk-face". She also has deep life questioning songs- sort of a Demi route there. And the all important fun pop songs that seem to inspired by vocalist like Jessie J, Katy Perry, Ciara, and Kelly Rowland.

Bridgit Mendler demonstrates excellent vocal ability and the production on her album is superb. Her songs are diverse and her voice versatile. It is nice to see Disney back another true artist. I personally haven't seen so much talent since Raven Symone! 

This album gets 5/5. Hey it's good.

Tico.Out