Hard Hitter Pt. 1

Big Beats, Big Bars

What's a Hard-Hitter? YO! A song that can help you hammer out a paper

a song that can get you from point A to point B, and that song that straight

up turns you into a rap-star. (You have to sing every lyric). This series here

is dedicated to Hard Hitting songs that "get the people going".

"You Wanna See a Dead-Body?"

Pusha T and Kendrick on a track together is a godsend man. The song Nostalgia is a Hard Hitter and let me dissect why:

Big Beat: 

The beat is different. The bass comes through on the off-beat and the trill trumpet keep s your head bopping. The turned-off snare brings that boom-bap, throw-back cypher feel to the song as well. The throwback ad-libs and samples are perfect, if you've ever seen the video the whole song and experience feels as if you are just walking along side Pusha T and K.dot while they are free-styling.

Big Bars:

Lately it's been tough for people on a track with Kendrick to get their own shine but Pusha T holds his own in the first couple of verses and really digs into his hometown, his grit, and his street personality to drop some science: "20 plus years of selling Johnson and Johnson,  started out a baby faced monster... my teething ring numbed by that nonsense..." He said he was "crack in a school-zone"!! And of course Kendrick doesn't disappoint, spitting another twitter-worthy phrase: "Ya wanna see a dead body?" to start his verse off.

The Conclusion

Nostalgia is that Hard Hitter to get you from Point A to Point B. You're driving, 

walking, or biking, or on the bus.. This song will get you through the commute.

The song is easy going and the music video is authentic and straight forward.

Much respect to them both. 5/5 stars

Birthday.Post

All I Want For My Birthday... Is a Big Cupcake

Yoooo, today marks my birthday. I won't tell you how old I'm turning but it's a milestone birthday- trust me. I've never really shared what the girl behind the reviews is like; and I still won't.

Just Kidding.

Things I Like/Respect/Wonder About: Jesus, Jordans, Pizza, Miley Cyrus, Hip-Hop, EDM, Avicii, Islam, Baby GAP, Polo Ralph Lauren, Skate 3, GTA, Cupcakes, The NFL, The Cowboys, Pro-Era, Lady Gaga, The Sims, My Hatred Of Pants, Justin Bieber, Krabby Paties, Trees

Tico Chanellington, at your service. I write about things big and small, relevant and unknown. I like to write and I like to share. Blogging is a two-birds-one-stone sort of activity for me so I partake as often as I can. Music, movies, video games, places, and even food have been called out so far. I'd like to think that my reviews are my 2-cents, something I would converse over with friends.

I'll push the boundaries of my writing/blogging capabilities and talk about tv, snacks, clothing, and even sports. Why not? I like all of these things, so just as I would talk with my ninjas over something- I'll post for you ninjas.

Happy Birthday to me, (and Zac Efron <3)and thanks for reading!

@iGetSalty                                           @ticonichole           

Gotta.Catch.Em.All

Gameplay: 10-16-13

I Want To Be The Very Best...

Yooooooo, Pokemon X & Y are TOO clutch. If you've been playing Pokemon as long as I have you know how far we've come in the poke-world. There are 718 Pokemon as of this post what with the 69 new Pokemon introduced into this 6th generation. The graphics are all new, the running system, the gameplay, the 2 decade-old-plot even has some twists on it! The game is brand new with a timeless story and it leaves nothing to the imagination.

That no one ever was...

Pokemon X/Y are exclusive to the new 3DS (and now 2DS) systems. The game is not backward compatible as said back in April (thats when I found out), however the game does make use of its operating system. The poke-graphics look good on the Nintendo 3DS screen and 3D mode really does bring the pocket monsters to life! There are some Pokemon that you've got to see hop off your screen.

The game engine is completely different too; the whole game is reminiscent of Pokemon Colosseum  (Albeit a portable, better written, and sleeker look version). The game starts with you choosing your character and a professor giving you a story on Pokemon, the usual stuff right? 

To Catch Them Is My Real Test....

*****SPOILER ALERT*****: Twists on the old story- you get more than one other friend, more than two for those who played gen-4 games, you get to pick a skin tone??!!, the professor is hawt... and your name automatically puts the letters in your name in lower-case!

Other amazing things: The Mega-Evolutions... These are rather hit-miss for me, as I don't see how some of these evolutions are "mega". The artists hired to make Gen-5 pokemon are back on the mega-evolutions and.... sheesh are some stupid. Doesn't make the premise any less exciting though- Pokemon powering up in battle? HECK YEAH.

To Train Them Is My Cause...

I'll leave you all with this:

The game itself is a solid 4/5.

The new game engine, better graphics, new story elements, new pokemon, and mega-evolutions really make a veteran poke-trainer cry. I literally shed a Drake-esqe tear upon playing...

However, if you introduce a skin tone option for characters, actually give us colors to pick from. I was excited to be a black poke trainer until I realized at best I was a tan-filipino poke-trainer... Minor things with the new elements aforementioned not being as wow as I thought are the negatives in game. As a vet though, I pick up on these- a newcomer will fall in love.

GO COP THE GAME AND BATTLE ME SOMETIME, POKEMON OF CHOICE? 

I'm trying to figure out how to get my Gen-3 Swampert into my game...

Pokemon US                                    Info On Pocket Monsters                            Mega Evolutions!

EDIT: (10-18-13) Pictures posted previously were misleading, as they were fan box and poke-art.

Meet.The.Cypher

Where Have I Been....

If you read my blog, you're a real ninja. The lack of posting recently can be attributed to school. WOMP. Education first, man. However, expect more posts coming

 at you soon. I have been on top of my music during my little break; I have much to bring to attention.

Anyways, The BET Awards...

The BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards Show was this past night, right? This garbage-show was up to its usual mediocre-shadow showing, compared to its counterparts. However, the cyphers were really something. REALLY.

Before I continue, I'll let you in on what a cypher is: Anything cyclical. If your freestyling, you rap in a cypher (one after the other). Interrupting another man will break that cypher, unless he's next in line and the dude behind him is falling off (Urban Dictionary 2013)

The cyphers in general get a 5/5. I was thoroughly impressed and I fell in love with rap all over again. The delivery, the flow, the content, and the group dynamic in each group was refreshing and straight up dope. The bar continually was set higher, and each time, each group would murder the DJ's beat. 

#KendricksVerse

To be honest. I don't know if Kendrick had the best verse or if he was paraded and exalted for a good verse. Bear with me K.Dot fans, I love him as well.

Kendrick's verse had leaked on forums, Youtube, and blogs days before the award show; couple that with the buzz that he has made on Big Sean's song Control.... Kendrick is nice as anything, however, he is on a huge publicity wave right now. I honestly can't call it- whether Kendrick is overrated or just that good. I'm jaded beyond repair after his verse in the cypher.

He came for several people (Drake LOL) and murdered the beat. I can't ask.... nay....we cannot ask, for anymore.

I'll chalk up #KendricksVerse as worth the hype. He's still hungry and I hear it. 

To close and what not,

The BET Awards were terrible as usual.

The BET Cyphers were cray and we should all find them online. 

Lyricism and Passion aren't lost on rap yet.

P.S.- A$AP Twelvyy was dope, as well as Joe Budden. I mean..... SLAYED THE CYPHER. 

Woman Power Pt.2

Wrecking.Ball.Wrecked.My.Mood

Seriously? You seriously don't see the value in clothes do you, Miley Cyrus? What's not cool anymore? Wearing clothing to cover your body is not cool? I understand being more liberal and open and appreciative of our bodies as women but you are simply subjecting your body as a trophy of sorts. You parade around as if everyone was begging you to do so. Your body isn't even popular right now; for someone who likes "twerking" I would've thought you knew bug butts are interesting. Your 12 year old boy body is not catching in case you didn't know. I'm all for being yourself and loving the skin you're in... But YOU love the skin you're in... Don't force that on others.

Watch The Craziness

P.S.- I love the song and am in an anticipatory mode when it comes to Bangerz, I am also a fan of Miley and have been for awhile. But as a fan I feel disgruntled at her string of questionable videos and performances. :/

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