Woman Power Pt.1

Yours Truly...

Ariana Grande is a force to be reckoned with right now. Her television show Sam and Kat has a strong Nickelodeon fan base and her debut album was recently released. Her appearances on radio shows, late-night shows, and concerts have propelled her to the limelight in a tasteful way. She is the correct amount of sassiness and innocence. Her marketability is through the roof but more notably her talent is undeniable; this shows in her album Yours Truly.

Debut Album-Not A Rookie

Ariana is by no definition a rookie when it comes to singing. Her role

on the television show Victorious is when most of us fell in love with

her personality and voice. Quite honestly, I always thought she was

the strongest vocalist on the show with "Andre" as her only rival. On 

her debut album she has 12 songs with some cool collabs with Big Sean,

Mac Miller, and Nathan Skyes. Her samples are on point as well. She 

has plenty of Biggie and SWV. Her album overall has a throwback feel;

the 90s vibe plays off of her Mariah sounding melodies very well.

Her single The Way brought her into the pop-sphere as a strong force

however that song does her range no justice how Right There or

Almost Is Never Enough. All her songs have soul and heart and the 

album is diverse in production.

New Pop Princess?

Sorry Miley. Sorry Demi. Biggest Apologies Selena, Bridgit,

 Zendaya, and Victoria. Ariana is at the top of her game

right now and in most respects has a better team, face,

and voice than her counterparts. While her competition

may not see her as such because she is so "down-to-Earth"

and sweet- she is a threat. Her range is ridiculous and she 

could out-sing veterans to me. In a "The Voice" battle... she 

would destroy Ke$ha, she would murder Katy Perry, and she

would keep up with JHud. This album is a solid 6/5.

All in All...

Ariana can only get better and grow from here. Her acting and

singing skills are superb. Since she is still young her career

has room to ebb and flow to accommodate her growth though.

Interestingly enough, her career is in that transition stage where

she has to gracefully leave being a child star and become a serious

adult performer. This is usually where child-stars fall off, go nuts,

or leave the limelight. Ariana has not run into such a problem.

Cop the album and watch her show on Nickelodeon. She's amazing :) 

Album Info                             Ariana Grande                   Catch Her On TV

P.S- My favorite song is Piano <3<3<3

Big.Bigger.Biggest

Hall Of Fame; Makes The Hall Of Fame?

Hall Of Fame

Again, can I stress that 2013 has been a great year for music! The end of the 

Summer does not signal the end of this awesome vibe in the industry. 

Aug 27th (or 26th) Big Sean's sophomore album was released and man 

it was a good one. The work he has put into this album has spanned a

couple of years. I do believe he mentioned that production for this album began

in 2011. Through the date for release being pushed back, questionable photos

leaking (Remember Naked Big Sean?), and album leaks- we finally get to

see his new creative vision. Sure we got a taste through his mix-tape Detroit, 

but it's about time we saw the D-Town native drop his own major project.

Well What's New

This year we know that production has played a major role in music. The days

of people screaming "No-Music" is over. Its arguably all about beats. A good

beat is a banger and thats law. Hall Of Fame is no exception with industry

heavy-hitters like NO ID, Travi$ Scott, and my personal favorite Xaphoon Jones <3.

The album has some long awaited collabs as well like Sean/Nas. Together,

with Kid Cudi, they give us a throwback feel on First Chain. Big Sean definitely

did his hip-hop homework and thought out his album. The entire project is 

very cohesive and tells his story of his growing prominence in the game.

Best Album Of The Year?

Absolutely not. I liked the album, don't get me wrong, however there are some

bones I have to pick with Big Sean considering this isn't his first rodeo...

FIRST...

While the album is cohesive and strung together well, its not diverse enough

in sound for me. You know how artist will say "I have something for the fellas

and the ladies on this one," Well Big Sean can't say that here. His work is mostly

comprised of some deeper bars and more melancholy beats. Club Bangers?

Well there is Guap and possibly MILF (if you're intoxicated) but this album isn't

the party CD of the year, or even the street album of the year. His flow won't

inspire any drive-bys or get any athletes hype. This album will make you miss

your ex (Sorry Drake).

SECOND...

Xaphoon should've had more work on this album. I'm biased (extremely) but

it's my blog and I'm a little pissed that NO ID was like on almost every track

but the only underdog producer here was Xaph and he was on ONE track.

Big Sean knows the come-up struggle. Would've expected more new faces.

LAST...

Big Sean relied heavily on Instagram to promote his album. I don't believe that

was the best tool because only his fans would follow him. A sophomore album

is a chance to nab people that maybe didn't hear you the first time.

It appears that Sean was utilizing the project to tell his story and bring his

initial fans closer which isn't a bad idea at all. (More creative license and power

to you). However I feel like it's almost cult-like. Many of my friends weren't privy

to his album releasing unless they were die-hard fans. *shrugs*

All In All...

Big Sean released a solid sophomore album and that is to be commended. I hope to see him tour with this album. I'll buy a ticket :). 3.5/5 for this album. Big Sean is a real ninja and if you love him then you'll love the whole thing. If you didn't listen too much before then check out Beware, the single Guap, and All Figured Out. Anything else will most likely not hold your interest during a car ride... (My best friend fell asleep, sorry Sean)

Hall Of Fame                                              Big Sean<3                                                  Instagram

Found.Something.New

Found Something New Ninjas

What's good everyone?! Some interesting things have transpired behind the scenes. Haven't written that consistently because: THE KID HAS ARRIVED IN COLLEGE. Yeah I'm class of 2017 and all of that. All of the comments/suggestions on twitter are cool as anything (@iGetSalty), keep reading- its all appreciated.

Aer?

Are you at all familiar with this group? I was not- this grassroots group isn't even "Wikipedia Official" but they are worth a listen. This reggae/rap group hails from Massachusetts. Dave and Carter, two cool dudes who pump out music for the sheer satisfaction it gives others. 

             The Vibes?

This music is party music, no doubt about it. The bass is heavy and they sample songs that make you go "OHHH THAT WAS MY SH*T". Aer isn't keen on content but I feel as though their vibes and mantra of "Live For Today" have a bigger theme than most realize. They love music and having a good time: with everything that's going on in today's world, a little happy music is alllllll gooooood.

                                  The Brightside

This album they dropped in 2012 is slept on, most def. Its not for everyone, but while the weather is still warm and the days still long this album can bring you back to the middle of July. Roll your windows down, turn your music up, and have a good time people.

No WIKI!!                           Fresh Aer Movement                   More Info Brah

P.S.- Fav Song is Shot Clock (Avivii-Levels Remix)

"Did.You.Catch.That.Last.Night?"

The Video Music Awards

The VMAs For Short

For those of you who don't own a television or live under a rock... MTV host this annual award show around this time of year. This year was crazy. Very chaotic indeed. What follows is simply how one ninja viewed the entire ordeal.

The Opening

Lady Gaga opened the show right- the outfits, the wigs, the choreo- all on point.

There is no one that could have done it better. She has been MIA for awhile

but thats okay, because we weren't ready for what she had to throw out.

The 80s punk/pop rock vibe we get from Gaga, has our inner nostalgia go nuts.

The Awards

The awards given were the debatable. Best Summer Song definitely

shouldn't have been Best Song by One Direction. Not only was the

song later dropped in the summer than its counterparts, it was

redundant of the rest of the music dropped by the group. 

I am also a firm believer in Started From The Bottom winning an award.

I couldn't believe that didn't pick up any hype at the video music awards.

I also don't see how The Weeknd still constitutes as an artist "to-watch".

Miley Cyrus

While watching Miley's performance, I thought to myself , "There are

no words," but you know what? I found some. Miley Cyrus is a young woman

who, despite many pleas to calm down I'm sure, does her own thing.

There isn't much praise for her lack-luster performance. She appeared out of

breath and extremely raunchy for no real reason. Her new outlook,

while an interesting deviant from her previous squeaky clean look,

is severely damaged and her PR team needs to hire new heads.

Mike Will Madeit is not the producer for her and Paula Patton is going

to go ham and murk Miley before her life even begins.

The Justin Timberlake Concert

Justin Timberlake is attractive in all aspects. You either think he

is hot or want to get on his level. There isn;t much to hate on, 

the dude was even humble in letting it know that half of his

award was not him but his NSYNC bros. He is an amazing performer

and artist and his strong but authentic work ethic shows through his

established discography. 

The Camera Men Tonight

So it is safe to say that MTV thrives off of hype. The camera angles tonight were

so crusty. The Taylor Swift "call-out" cam was dumb ridiculous. All of 

One Direction were looking in different directions. It was nuts. The camera

that showed the distaste of some artists (including Rihanna) during Miley's

performance... PRICELESS. The camera man that was trained to Will Smith's

odd family caught them on the constant slip. The camera that caught Drake

when he lost t Macklemore... These camera shots were staged or simply grody.

Even when Drake was performing... the camera trained its eye on a disinterested

Rihanna. The camera work tonight was hilarious at best, but tough at worst.

To Conclude

The Video Music Awards were cool. The performers were amazing: Kendrick, Robin Thicke, Bruno Mars, Katy Pery, and so on. Some things were awkward: for example when A$AP Rocky referred to his announcing buddy as a homosexual and pointed But it's the VMAs right?

TICO OUT

Summer.Time.Still.HOT (Part Two)

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.

It's My Party by Jessie J

Jessie J has an album coming out in September and quite frankly... I'm salivating for it. I didn't necessarily pay her any mind when she first rose to prominence and that is due in part to the over-saturation of the game! With Katy Perry here and Adele there... Lady Gaga screaming down your throat... 2012 wasn't Jessie's year. She certainly put her foot in the door however with her fun outfits and sultry yet powerful voice.

Now that the chick has an Amber Rose styled-cut, even LESS fun clothing and more stories to tell, her sophomore album (which is being produced in part by Dr.Luke and Claude Kelly) will probably be a fall smash. Young people are returning to school, award shows are gearing up for the "end-of-the-year" accolades, and parties are still going on; Jessie J's soul like voice will be heard everywhere and you heard that here FIRST.

To ClOsE...

The song is a pop-ballad. Her voice is loud, spunky, and fun. If you're a girl or gay it can be your "Self-Made Bad B*tch" anthem. If you appreciate pop-like dance tracks: the production on this one is pretty cool to. Doesn't really stand out from other songs, and is the hook is reminiscent of Miley Cyrus' We Can't Stop. To get a feel for the album listen to other single Wild which features Big Sean and Dizzie Rascal :).

Peep The Article                               Get Hip To Jessie                                       Mo' Info

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. :)