I wanna preface this by saying that I'm way late to the party, but this is something I've wanted to speak on since it first started, hence the words, "one final look" in the title. Second sidenote, Drake still has an ongoing court case, so I'd say I'm still well within the time window making this post. In addition to that, these guys been beefing since I was in middle school. I literally developed with this story. That being said, I don't mind if you don't. If you made it this far, clearly you don't, so don't stop now. Let's get into it. "I remember you was conflicted." - Idk, probably Kendrick before he recorded "Not Like Us" or something. There's not a whole lot about this beef I can say that hasn't already been said. Let's go ahead and get the most obvious part out of the way: Drake lost. If this were about wins and losses, Kendrick won by a LANDSLIDE. But this is about so much more than victory and defeat. This is about control (and I mean that with no puns intended). From the moment that verse dropped, Kendrick has been on a lyrical warpath, daring anyone to verbally spar with him IF they dare ( note : Jermaine Cole). Dating back more than a decade, this beef transcends more than just music and pop culture, now entering even the legal sphere. It's not an exaggeration when I say the whole world was stepping at the demise of Drake's fragile ego, but in order to understand why this was such a pivotal moment in both his career and Kendrick's, you must first understand how this all started because this is simply the END of it all (or so it seems). Kendrick and Drake both blew up at relatively similar times, but with very different starting points. Kendrick came from humble beginnings (expect to see a lot of stuff like this throughout this article. Try and catch 'em all). Born at the peak of gang relations in Compton, California, Kendrick realized from an early age he had only two options: fall into the trap that is the "streets", be it gang affiliation or drug trafficking. Or alternatively, make it out with his athletic ability. Unfortunately, Kendrick capped at 5'6, so making it to the league was going to be a bit more challenging than I'm sure he anticipated. What wasn't a question, though, was his MUSICAL talent. Growing up in Compton, he often looked toward NWA, Pac, Snoop, and anyone who was someone at that time, for inspiration. With all these different influences, its no wonder why early on in his career, he was crowned the new "King of the West Coast", including moments like, but not limited to: shoutouts from his peers, his mentors, and a now timeless passing of the torch moment with Snoop and much of the very best of the west. Drake on the other hand, grew up much more privileged. I mean no disrespect when I say "privileged", but for someone who's prided himself on starting from the bottom, Drake has done everything but. Even in his early days, long before his successful rap and budding acting career, Drake can be seen on video partying at a VERY extravagant bar mitzvah. Whether or not it was his own, I can't recall a time where I ever went to any parties like this. Even as a grown man, I still can't, and I doubt you, Kendrick, or anyone else can for that matter either. Bro hitting dat shii doe. Now, even with them both growing up starkly different in opposite parts of the world, they would both eventually cross paths due to their shared love of music and musical ability, but when you have two artists as talented as these two, there's always one question that everyone asks at some point: who's better? It happened with Biggie and Pac, NWA and the Wu, and for most of my generation, it's been Drake, Kendrick, and J. Cole. In the beginning, things were cordial. Drake actually featured Kendrick on his 2011 album, "Take Care" as well as brought him out on stage. The two artists on multiple occasions could be seen showing love to one another both publicly and privately. Drake and Kendrick Lamar in 2011. I don't know how we missed the signs. He can't stand that man. Like Jordan and Kobe or Kareem and Shaq, greatness recognizes greatness and these two were everything great about music at that time. Young, talented, and on the rise. So, with all this good faith, all this hospitality, just how the hell did we get here? I can't pinpoint the exact moment things got nuclear, but I can tell you where it all started. Kendrick's verse on control was a scathing challenge to rap's very best. I won't put the entire verse on here, nor will I name EVERY instance of these two going back and forth, but just know, it went something like this: "I love your work, I love what you do, but as long as I'm doing the same thing, you'll always be number two. Try me." What should've been taken as just friendly jabs between friends was interpreted as a direct attack on the entire industry, and I'll be honest with you: I love it. Competition feeds creativity. It makes everyone involved better. With that being said, competition also creates controversy, and boy , is there a lot of it. This is only the tip of the iceberg, though. Drake, rather than calling Kendrick privately to address this matter, would come out and say he didn't understand where the hostility came from as he always felt the two were good friends, but it wasn't quite what he said that stoked the flames, it's how he said it. Drake never spoke from a place of genuine surprise or hurt, but more dismissive. "How can you call me out and proclaim yourself 'the greatest' when our numbers show the opposite?" Drake, in many ways, tried to essentially "li'l bro" Kendrick. Kendrick, understandably, didn't take this well because, though he was talented, Drake was in a league of his own as far as sales and numbers, but this wouldn't be the case forever. The verbal barbs would go on for years, but overtime just became the norm. These two guys don't like each other and want you to know it. It was no secret. It's like Alabama and Auburn: yeah, we may share a space and you may occasionally come out on top, and for those moments (far and few depending on who you ask), I salute you. But we will NEVER be cool. EVER. For awhile, things were calm. Tense, but never reached the boiling point. That was until 2024. Things escalated DRAMATICALLY with the release of Drake's "First Person Shooter". J. Cole, flirting with the idea of a proverbial "Big Three" of rap, name dropped Kendrick in what was, looking back, just a simple shout out to one of rap's current greats from another one of its current greats. Kendrick, wasting no time, quickly shut this down and dismissed the other two entirely, citing: "Motherfuck the big three. N*gga its just big ME." Drake would then respond with a pair of disses of his own, not only declaring war on Kendrick, but BEGGING him to respond. J. Cole also dropped, but what the fuck was he thinking? Like actually lmaoooooo. Drake's confidence wasn't unwarranted, but he definitely was dealing with a far greater challenge than his previous one. Back track almost ten years prior to this. Drake absolutely obliterated Meek Mill in their verbal joust. In one of the greatest showings in rap history, Drake delivered belt to ass in a way that hadn't been seen since 2Pac's "Hit Em Up." He would go on to perform "Back to Back" all summer into the next year and the year after that and a few more times until eventually vowing never to perform it again. It was a rare showing of humbleness from Drake in what many called a public truce between the two. There's just one problem: Kendrick ain't no Meek Mill, and he for DAMN sure wasn't no Safaree. Drake was about to learn this very, very quickly. Again, Kendrick Lamar is NOT Meek Mill, but he was rapping like he was HUNGRY. After a slight delay, Kendrick would drop "Euphoria" to the delight of rap fans everywhere. It's now official: we have a battle. Kendrick did what Drake does best, utilizing hard hitting trap with superb rhyming, even mocking Drake's use of Toronto slang. It was a fun little track, shortly followed by "6:16 in LA", another little poke at Drake and his use of cities and times in his song titles. Drake would follow up with a decent response on "Family Matters", claiming that Kendrick's long time friend and manager may be the father to one of his children. Most would argue that this is the point where things became less fun and more of a smear campaign aimed towards one another. Drake at this point to MOST, was in the lead and in his heart, he believed he had already won. Kendrick's silence was more than an indication of defeat, right? Wrong. Any real man knows that the greatest response one can give is no response at all. He hadn't conceded at all. He was just getting started. On a random Friday night in 2024, Kendrick dropped his most sinister diss yet, "Meet the Grahams". Essentially warning Drake not to take it there with his 2 previous disses, Kendrick had now taken the gloves off, or rather Drake did seeing as the cover art was a LITERAL pair of gloves owned by him with a prescription bottle with HIS name on it. At the time, this level of disrespect was crazy to see. The time for friendly competition was long over. Competition was no longer the motivation. Disrespect was the fire and hate was the fuel. This was a breakdown of Drake's entire life. Everything from his poor character to his shortcomings as a father which Kendrick blamed on Drake's own father, Dennis, for not being in the picture. Kendrick even dropped the revelation that Drake has a daughter he doesn't support, but no surprise there, he already said he doesn't take care of his son, why stop at one gender? If I could describe this song, I'd have to use wrestling terms as I'm a huge fan. This was Drake's "This Is Your Life" or "Firefly Funhouse Match". A look back at all your life's greatest works, but in this scenario, it's nothing but the worst. Drake laughed this track off as nothing more than hearsay, even later citing that it was HIS side that fed Kendrick this information. If that's to be perceived as true, then that would mean that this was expected. What Drake couldn't have prepared for was Kendrick's final attempt at assassinating his character Less than 24 hours later, Kendrick would drop his 4th and final diss aimed at Drake, "Not Like Us." This was the song that the world was waiting for. Up until this point, the music recorded by these two had been everything but catchy. Nothing but pure, unadulterated, hostility over hooks. This one was different, though. It was catchy, it was something you could step to. It was fun, it was witty, it was so west coast, and so surreal at the time. It was so catchy, you almost forgot it was a diss. And it was done to death. The radio, online, family reunions, bar mitzvahs, commercials, NFL, NBA, and MLB, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing that beat or the phrase "A Minor". Drake was being publicly mocked by both fans and his peers, all the while slowly being overtaken on the charts by Kendrick in every single way. In what some would call an act of poetic justice, the man that Drake had brushed off as a threat for more than a decade was now his greatest rival. "Not Like Us" would go on to be number one on the charts and Drake would make one more sad attempt at victory with "The Heart Pt. 6" but it was universally panned by fans and critics alike (yes, HIS fans hated it too). I've tried to refrain from mentioning Drake and the whole "ghostwriting" thing because its SO played out at this point, but I do find something so satisfying about Drake getting lambasted by everyone for making such an awful song. I don't care what anyone says, he DEFINITELY wrote "The Heart Pt. 6" himself. I know he did. The beef would slowly dissipate leaving fans to listen and make their own decisions on who won and who lost, but you would have to be a nile in Egypt to convince yourself or anyone else that Drake came out on top. After making a mockery of Meek for the better part of 3 years, the universe had dealt Drake the cruelest of reverse cards in the form of his own comeuppance. Drake, after over a decade atop the rap game had finally taken a loss. And in typical Kendrick fashion, just a few months later, he would put on a show like only he can, giving us one of the greatest halftime shows in Superbowl history, only matched by the likes of Michael Jackson and Prince. He still made sure to get one final jab in, though, to really punctuate his win, looking directly at the camera when reciting the "Say Drake?" part of "Not Like Us." The REAL Boogeyman The rapping portion of the beef essentially ended with this performance. When it comes to stages, there's none bigger than the Super Bowl and even Drake can be quoted saying this on "First Person Shooter". At this point, Kendrick was on top of the world and sitting comfortably atop the rap game as well, but this was only the beginning of his legal troubles with Drake. Drake did the one thing you never do in a rap beef: he called the police. There's many unwritten rules when it comes to rap beef. You never target the dead and you for damn certain don't call the police, the latter of which, probably being the more unforgivable of the two if you ask most artists. I'll spare you the details and drama: he lost. Again. Turns out, rap lyrics can't be used in a court of law. Your case loses all validity once you get caught in 4K telling the person your suing to do the very crime you're accusing them of: "drop, drop, drop, drop." Drake could've avoided any more ridicule and embarrassment if he had simply backed out gracefully and never spoke of this beef again. By not only suing and losing his case, but filing an appeal after the dismissal of it, Drake is only adding to his own plight. At least he living his raps now. "Laugh now, cry later." Drake has made a career profiting off of black artistry while discrediting the artists that craft the very culture that gave him the most success. Drake has leeched off of any and everyone who will let him close enough to do so. Whether its Houston, Atlanta, or the Caribbean, Drake has borrowed inspiration from everyone while constantly tearing down black men and women in the name of "music". But even the legitimacy of his numbers is being brought into question. Given his knowledge of how "botting" and "ghoststreams" work, even if Kendrick had theoretically used these means in order to boost his numbers, how do YOU know that? And how can you prove it? The truth is: you can't. It's no secret that a vast majority of the industry has at some point used alternate means to promote their musical success, but I highly doubt Kendrick is one of those people. And if he is, who really cares? One loss and one song wasn't going to be the death of Drake's career, at least not this soon. This battle would've came to the same conclusion regardless of the success of any of Kendrick's songs or them making it onto the charts. Drake was simply outclassed. I don't need to see either of their Spotify numbers to know that and in all honesty, I don't really care about them and you shouldn't either. But let the record show, no matter the way he did it, Kendrick still won in this metric as well. As of a month ago, Drake's appeal is still pending as far as I know, but putting it bluntly, "Not Like Us", wasn't the death blow for Drake. His piss poor attitude in the face of defeat was. And something tells me that this thing is far from over on his end. Of course, at this point, he and his fans are basically talking to a brick wall, clinging onto what little dignity they have left, but this beef only makes Drake look worse the longer its drawn out. The only possible outcome for this beef at this point. But man, did it make for some great entertainment. What a time to be alive. This beef will go down in history as one of the greatest of all time, up there with the likes of Jay-Z and Nas. Love 'em or hate 'em, these two aren't going anywhere anytime soon, but only time will tell if this is truly the end of it all or not. If history is a guide, I'm sure we'll see plenty more barbs over the NEXT 10 years, but for now, I think it's safe to conclude this part of the saga right here. Until next time, I hope you enjoyed this recap, and as always, I thank you for taking the time to read my many, many words. I'll see you in the next entry. Signed,

This album came out of nowhere. No promotion, no ads, nothing. Just a pre-save notification from Spotify just 24 hours before release. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it, but I had an open mind given how much I’ve enjoyed Saba’s other projects. “C0FFE!” cover. This is dope. Speaking of other projects, my immediate reaction when diving into this is “I don’t think this album or ‘mixtape’ (depending on who you ask) is anything like his past releases.” The consensus among most viewers is that this is more of an “experimental” album than full body of work. That’s not to say it’s not great, but it’s definitely different and different is cool. It’s fun. It’s everything you expect from Saba on production: drum breaks, piano, and much love for the gang. What is unusual is the pacing and his vocalization. The way Saba’s pitch changes on some of these songs is almost animated. At times it feels as though he’s not taking himself too serious. Take “ ‘don’t be long’ ” for example. It’s essentially a 2 minute spoken word poem detailing his life and day down to calls he’s received from his friends (I hope he did in fact call Noname back). This track, funnily enough, was one of my favorites from the album. This beat, his delivery, and the subject matter all come together to create what is ESSENTIALLY an interlude and that’s what most of this album feels like. One big wavy intermission. I often compare Kaicrewsade to Saba given their similarities in sound and where they come from, but it almost feels like Saba went deep into his bag as if to say and show “hey, I do this shit too. I was the blueprint.” Saba’s features also offer a nice touch especially Maxx Moor on “high tides.” This song feels like a “Bucket List” throwaway that he finally decided to release. There’s a backing track on this album that I can’t for the life of me make out what it’s saying or where it’s coming from, but it almost sounds like a voicemail left on an answering machine. Anyone who’s followed Saba throughout his career knows he loves to use audio clips from the influences in his life, whether this be the voice of his late cousin Walter on “CARE FOR ME” or the various voicemails all over “Bucket List Project”, Saba isn’t one to shy away from showing love to all of the people who helped in raising him both as a budding Chicago youth and as an artist and I’ve always admired that about him. Never forget where you came from. I sure as hell haven’t and neither has he. Now, he said that this album was thrown together in just a matter of weeks and honestly, I can see that. Not because it’s not good, but simply because it’s not much happening on this album. It’s no insane wordplay, no face melting 808s or insane patterns on production. What you see, is what you get. The album is called “C0FFEE!” and that’s exactly what it feels like. A smooth, warm cup of coffee with a bit of white chocolate creamer and 2 sugars. No pumpkin spice, no Vanilla Caramel Mocha or ice. Just something to sip on and hold you over till lunch. It’s not as thought provoking as the other two albums I just mentioned, but what does it matter? It doesn’t lack quality or inspiration and these ethereal beats are bound to make you wanna lay in the grass and cloud gaze. Good luck relaxing with all that caffeine though. All in all, I really enjoyed this one. This marks two albums for Saba in the year of 2025 and we still have 2 months left, so don’t be surprised if you see him make an appearance on someone else’s stuff before year’s end. Westside Gunn DID just drop as I was typing this so expect a piece on that as well. In the meantime, put this on and form your own opinions. If you ask me, easy 7.4 or 7.5. Might not knock you out your socks, but given the time it took and what was given to us, it’s impressive. I gotta respect the hustle. Definitely worth a listen in my opinion, no doubt. Go and check it out.

Let’s go back 1 year’s time. October 28th, 2024. It’s Monday morning. You roll out of bed, put on your pants, throw on a shirt, brush your teeth, and leave for work. It’s cold and there’s a light drizzle, so you blast the heat for most of the ride. You open your Spotify and see that Tyler, the Creator has released a new album. You eagerly click it, but opt to wait until you’re at work to give it a thorough listen. Finally, you arrive. You put the key in the door, walk in, and begin opening procedures, but before you begin, you grab your headphones, pull up a chair, and press play. I don’t know what your morning routine consisted of that day, but this was mine. I remember feeling exhausted from the previous night, but immediately getting a jolt as soon as I heard the opening line of “St. Chroma”: “You are the light.” And then begins the call. It’s like a hawk swooping in for the kill. Eerie. Unsettling. And then he says it again. And again and again and again: “Chromakopia”. That one word that has become synonymous with Tyler, the Creator at this point because up until now, no one had ever heard it. Why is that? Because it’s not a word at all but rather an amalgamation of two. “ Chroma ”; the purity or intensity of color. “ Copia ”; the latin derivative of “copious” or “abundance”. These words have no real symbolism outside of the context in which he uses them, but when put together, one could aptly assume this title means “Abundance of Color.” Throughout most of the album’s press run, Tyler can be seen wearing green for a large portion of it, but even the color green can be used as a mechanism to further the plot of this album. It’s associated with growth or freshness. New beginnings. Tyler, the Creator, c. 2024 Now, you’ll probably read most of this and assume I’m reaching when there’s nothing to grab onto until you listen to the album and really dissect what it is he’s saying on it. This album deals with themes of guilt, shame, loss, anxiety, and pretty much every negative connotation that comes with them, not only from Tyler’s point-of-view, but the people closest to him. Although, Tyler is the star, his mother is a huge part of this story, and serves as a narrator and “guide” of sorts, but we’ll get more into that later on in this article. The first half of the album offers us our first conflict: “Paranoia” Tyler is essentially looking in the mirror, or rather he’s afraid to because this reminds him of how finite he really is. Once one has achieved everything they ever wanted, they have to ask themselves, “what’s next?” Tyler has reached a level of stardom that most will only ever DREAM of attaining. But with fame comes doubt, with doubt comes fear, and with fear comes paranoia. Tyler as seen in the “NOID” video. Tyler feels as if he’s being watched wherever he turns. His mom and a select few others seem to be the only ones he can trust and it seems that even when he does offer some kind of vulnerability, things always seem to turn bleak very quickly. Whether it be the crazed STAN trying to crawl into his skin on “COLOSSUS” or his lover dying of a terminal illness on “Judge Judy”, Tyler always seems to draw the burnt match in these hypothetical situations. It’s hard to remain optimistic when life seems to piss on you at every opportunity. I wanna tell you that things get better from here, but the truth is, they don’t . This leads us to our next theme : “Self Doubt” Even though the tone is triumphant and the production is upbeat, there’s still an undertone of self doubt in Tyler’s voice. It’s a perfect example of how all the money in the world can’t buy you happiness. Even though Tyler is doing everything he said he’d do, he still seems to question himself. Whether he deserves it, whether he’s done enough. It’s both humbling and sad. It’s a testament of the struggles that come with low self esteem and HUGE expectations set on one by themself and the self anguish of trying to be different in a world that wants nothing more than to make you conform. Conforming is something that Tyler has never been capable of doing. He’s made a career out of saying “fuck you” to the establishment and doing whatever he wants when he wants. Still, it doesn’t fill the void inside which leads me to my last and final point: “Acceptance” Every year around the time of release, Tyler has a new allegation or story come out about something he said or did at some point in his career. Its become something of a running joke or tradition at this point. Disregarding all those controversies, the one underlying issue in all these old songs was the internal conflict between himself and his nonexistent father. It’s a love/hate relationship. At times, it’s easy to misinterpret the “love” as simply “hate”, but one doesn’t get to this point without feeling something else at one point. Although, the actual end is on “I Hope You Find Your Way Home”, the ACTUAL ending to ME is found on “Like Him”. The first time I heard this song, I was immediately taken aback. I couldn’t listen to it again right away. I needed a moment to process it and really think about what I had just heard. Tyler’s mother has an admission of guilt. She tells Tyler his father was never a deadbeat at all, but that she essentially pushed him away. He always wanted to be there for him growing up, but simply couldn’t. She put such a strain on their relationship that Tyler had essentially hated him before he ever even got the chance to know him. Even then, Tyler still couldn’t help but wonder: “why? Why not me? What did I do wrong?” Underneath the mask (and I do mean mask quite literally) is a little boy looking for validation and acceptance from the father he never knew and in failing to do so, it made him bitter. Pessimistic. But deep down inside is a little boy seeking validation from the “ghost” he’s been chasing all along. “Do I look like him? ” I felt so bad in that moment that it genuinely made me upset. It angered me. Being that I grew up in a somewhat broken home, my father was really all I had at one point. He raised me and my brother and made sure we never needed, wanted, or went without. I can say with pride that I had the best dad growing up and I couldn’t understand or fathom the idea of a mother CHOOSING to raise her child alone and essentially ROBBING him and his father of a relationship with one another because of her own selfish ways. It didn’t and still doesn’t register in my head. Not with his family, not with my family, not with anyone’s. And honestly, she doesn’t seem to understand why she did this either, given her only real response was, “I was young”. In the same breath though, she apologizes and asks for forgiveness. It’s very apparent she carries a great deal of guilt and doesn’t blame the father in this situation and asks that Tyler doesn’t blame himself either, but this is a SMALL gesture given how much she’s taken. I cannot imagine the existential crisis that Tyler had after this revelation. His entire career, his entire outlook on life warped in seconds. I have no shame in admitting that I cried when listening to this song initially but not just in the sense of grief but also understanding. I get it. Trauma is a cycle. It doesn’t begin and end with one person, it affects everyone involved. It’s up to you whether you break that chain or continue to fall deeper and deeper into the hole. Tyler has chosen the former and it’s not only made him a better artist but a better person because of it. “I’m everything that I strived to be.” I won’t speak for him or assume he holds his mother at fault, but they seem to be quite close given how much influence she has on this project. A young Tyler and his mother She’s his voice of reason. The voice in the back of his mind whenever he has feelings of inadequacy. She’s his light and in being so, he’s finally been able to heal and bloom like the flowers he’s always mentioned throughout his career. Green isn’t just the color of an outfit for him. It’s a sign of growth and change and this album was unlike anything else he’s made before. This album blew me away on the first listen and it blows me away a year later. The production, the lyrics, the euphemisms, everything was nearly perfect. Every song didn’t resonate with me or move me the way others did, but I do like the themes of death or killing ones old self in favor of a more “typical” version. It’s just another example of Tyler’s decades long feud with his self identity. In this life, I feel we all wanna feel like we belong or like there’s more to life than what you see at face value and now that Tyler has found his purpose, he wants nothing more than for you to do the same, hence the words: “I hope you find your way home.” Everything has finally come full circle. This album is the culmination of Tyler’s entire career. From Ace and Wolf Haley to Churbum and Tyler Baudelaire, Tyler finally seems like he’s found his footing and can say this with no self doubt and that’s honestly dope to see. And the scariest part is with his ever evolving career, I don’t think he’s even close to being finished, but if he were to hang it up tomorrow, I can’t think of a better curtain call than this. “ But Ty, what about “DON’T TAP THE GLA- “ You shut your damn mouth. A year ago, I gave “CHROMAKOPIA” a 9.5. One year later, I’m giving “CHROMAKOPIA+” a 9.6. Thank you for FINALLY releasing “Mother”. And the cover is SICK. So, with all that being said, happy 1 year anniversary to an absolute masterpiece. If you made it this far, I thank you for listening to my inner voice and I hope that you’ll stick around and read some more. This blog is getting fuller by the day, but the quality will never decline (or so I tell myself). And if by some small, minuscule, very, very, very, very, VERY minute chance that Tyler happens to read this, come back and see us again. Alabama misses you.

This has been the most exciting 2 weeks of music I’ve had in nearly a year. New ROM, New Jordan Ward, AND several new albums announced. Things are so sweet, you almost forget that Brent Faiyaz announced his own album a month ago just to NOT release it. All is forgiven, though. Here’s what you may or may not have missed and some songs to fill that endless void in your soul. Mike Shabb - disco duck ii + outro Mike Shabb is quickly becoming the epitome of hip hop for Canada’s underground rap scene. It’s only a matter of time until he overtakes the mainstream as well. I welcome all the controversy that comes with that statement. Argue wit ya mammy. Putting Montreal at the forefront while simultaneously showing love to the east coast, Mike Shabb is building a discography that spans the entirety of North America, far and wide. With co-signs as well as work with Griselda’s de facto leader Westside Gunn and the self-proclaimed “Concreature” himself, Boldy James, it’s no wonder his music has such a gritty, raw, and almost unsettling feel to it. This track in PARTICULAR doesn’t , but songs like “Big Pirahnas” and “Ben Wallace” are bound to make you wanna throw on a ski mask and kick in doors (please do not do that. these are merely jokes. mAD iMOTiON©️ does not encourage nor advocate for the act of robbery or any such similar behavior that could lead to arrest, bodily harm, or in some cases, DEATH). The track I’ve decided to highlight today is a testament of what Mike Shabb can do on his own without enlisting the help of the beast coast’s best. The production is up beat and lively as well as the tone in which he chooses to approach it. It almost feels like a chant at a game. It makes you wanna stomp your feet and hit the bleachers. It’s a far cry from what I’m used to hearing out of him, but it’s a welcomed change that I can definitely get groovy with. I might also be slightly partial cause the beat and title remind me of Duck King from Fatal Fury . But that’s not a bad thing is it? Gareth Donkin - Autumnbreeze Going by the name “Master Soul Boy” on Soundcloud, Donkin has a sound and voice that would make even Macklemore say “damn, that’s a cold ass white boy.” With a voice comparable to Justin Timberlake’s, but vocal progression on par with Jon B.’s, Donkin has become one of my most played artists in 2025. There’s nothing he’s made that hasn’t left me wanting more. I had several options to choose from of his, but with November only a few days away at the time I’m writing this, I can’t think of a more fitting choice in anticipation of sweater weather and pumpkin spice pancakes (100 views and comments on this post and I’ll drop the recipe for you. Ball’s in your court now). Gareth’s voice on this track feels like the titular “Autumnbreeze” previously mentioned. From the moment his hand hits the keyboard, you’re immediately drawn in. Once he starts to vocalize, it’s almost like a snake at the sound of a flute, you can’t help but to move at the sound of his chant, and I do mean “chant” very literally. It’s both hypnotic, melodic, and I can’t get enough of it. You HAVE to check him out if you’re not familiar with him. SMOKIN POTNA - Jordan Ward ft. SAILORR Jordan, Jordan, Jordan. How do you do it? Just when I think you can do no better, you find a way to top the previous release. I ain’t gone hold you, “Juicy” was not my favorite song of Jordan Ward’s and I definitely was not looking forward to an album full of songs similar to it. By no means did I find the song “bad” per se, but to ME, it felt like something you’d hear in the trailer of a coming of age drama about some kid from a midwest town trying to rebel and get away from his overbearing, unsupportive family. Inspiring? Yes. Oddly specific? Probably so, but it just didn’t feel like that soulful guy out of St. Louis trying to make it out and put on for his city and everybody in it. It felt, dare I say, “mainstream”. Often is the case with an artist as they grow, they make music that is a far stretch from what made them successful or made you fall in love with their art in the first place. “SMOKIN POTNA” is not one of those songs though. This song is everything that made me fall in love with Jordan Ward’s music in the first place. The production is FLAWLESS. A nice li’l kick and snare over a KILLER bass line. Li’l bit of keys thrown in there just to keep you intrigued. It’s catchy, it’s soulful, it’s got a nice chorus that I can belt out at the bar after 6-7 shots pause for laughter at the use of “6 7” Add onto this the addition of SAILORR’s vocals, this track is as perfect as you’re going to get of one from ANYBODY. I’m so glad it was Jordan Ward though, I won’t even lie to you. I don’t care how biased or fanned out I sound, January 30th of the two-thousandth and twenty-sixth year of our Lord and Savior, do not hit my phone for any reason. I will be listening to the album this song was made for. Do not disturb me. D’Angelo - Another Life These are always the hardest entries to make. It feels bittersweet and almost too soon to put D’Angelo on here given his untimely passing just mere weeks ago. It’s especially odd cause I just mentioned him in the last entry so this feels all the more unanticipated and sudden, but it’s only made me want to listen to him more than I already did. I’ve been relistening to a lot of “Black Messiah” recently and this song has been heavy in my rotation. I remember finding this album back in 7th grade and at the time, I don’t think the importance of it really dawned upon me until now. At the time, this was his first release in 14 years, but I don’t think anyone expected it to be his last. Outside of a few songs or features here and there, D’Angelo had practically gone off the grid. This album was and still is a big deal today, and after living a bit more life, I can now say that I share the same sentiment as others. In other words: “I understand it now.” This song is more than just words backed by an orchestra. It’s an admission. The proclamation of a man in love with a woman who doesn’t and may never love him in the same way, but in some far off distant future, this may change. In the end, it’s only hope that keeps him going and keeps him close. It’s sad, but sincere and in many ways, relatable. It’s almost 6 minutes of bluesy crooning that made me feel a way that only GOOD music can. So, here’s to you unc. Know that you left your mark on this world and you’ll be missed dearly. Rest easy, my friend. Asha Imuno - eXCITING :) This one’s for the THOTs and the ladykillers. Tell the DJ to put this one on and watch the whole party start to jump. It’s bounce with a hint of trap and afro beat. It’s a party starter or something to play in the car when you leave it. Either way, it’s a nice little pick me up to throw in the rotation if you or someone you know needs waking up or is in a funk. Asha tends to do that though. I highly recommend you give your playlist a dose of him for a nice li’l burst of energy or even just something to clean to. If not this, “PUSHING BUTTONS.” If neither of those, “ROAD RAGE.” There’s really no right or wrong answer here. This one entry has quickly become 3. Let’s just move on to the next one. Kenyon Dixon ft. Alex Isley - & Then Some Listen to what I’m about to tell you because I’m only going to use this description once in my life: if you took a silk robe and a bubble bath and you took that feeling of euphoria you get when you dip your toes in the water and compressed it into a vinyl, this is what it would sound like. This song is the equivalent of coming home after a long day at work and kicking off your shoes and unbuttoning them tight ass pants you keep saying you gone replace. You know the ones that squeeze you and leave marks on your waist? With the hole in the pocket? Yeah. THAT pair. This song is like a tall glass of moscato. It literally makes me wanna melt into a chair and go limp. Kenyon and Alex compliment each other like rain on a windowpane with a warm blanket. I cannot heap enough praise onto them and this song. No matter the mood or occasion, you put this on at any kickback or function and you’re bound to get at least one stank face or “who put this on?” from someone in attendance. Just make sure you tell ‘em where you gotcho swag at. R OMderful and KayFarway - The ENTIRE “LIKE NOBODY IS WATCHING” Album Good things come to those who wait and I’m SO glad I could chase. I pre-saved this album and made sure I was one of the first people who listened. As of this writing, the album is only 4 days old and I haven’t seen a single review or mention of it yet, so, I HOPE I’m the first to show it some much deserved love and appreciation, but by the end of this, I won’t be the last. I can assure you of that. I’ve been a fan of ROM from my first listen. The dopamine overload I get from his production is far and few between anyone else I listen to. He’s apart of a very select few who I genuinely and I mean LITERALLY have almost every. Single. Release of his on my playlist. Whether it be Soundcloud, YouTube, or Spotify, no matter the place, I likely have it. If I can’t find it one place, I’ll find it in another one, but just know, I got it. This album to me feels like what Tyler, the Creator THINKS “DON’T TAP THE GLASS” sounds like. This is what I was expecting from him on that album and when I didn’t get it, I was highly disappointed. But this is why I love ROM. He has such a distinct sound that I can’t get from anyone else, so much so that when he’s not constantly dropping something, I HAVE to get my fix by ANY means necessary. The original is just too damn good to replicate. KayFaraway offers some very nice vocals on the choruses for this project as well as some decent rapping on the verses. Nothing that’ll probably blow you away, but like he says: “bounce is back.” Just listen and vibe. Don’t do too much or expect a whole lot. Just enjoy. This album made me feel like I was in high school all over again. It’s just so much fun. I honestly don’t have a single complaint or negative thing to say about it. “CALLING ME” wasn’t my favorite but even it was a nice transition into what I feel was the first REAL banger of this project which is “ALL OF YOU”. From there, it’s just one hit after another. I cannot stress this enough: you HAVE to listen to this album. Like yesterday, bro. Get hipped as soon as possible. And with that, we’ve survived another week. It was an eventful one and just the wake up call I needed. I GOTTA lock in and be more consistent with these entries, but your favorites gotta match the energy. No good music means no blog entries from moi. This has without a shadow of a doubt though, been the EASIEST list I’ve compiled. Lots and lots to enjoy and lots to look forward to. I hope you like these as much as I did and as always, this is a safe space. Discussion is always welcomed and encouraged. Continue to dig in the crates. I’ll see you in the next one.

This is quickly becoming my favorite thing on this blog. Being that music is both a very broad subject but also very oversaturated form of journalism, I asked myself a serious question: "How can I continue to make this fun and engaging without becoming watered down or dare I say ' boring ' ?" By going to the one place I KNOW you guys haven't looked: the underground. I've had a very healthy mix of both mainstream and fairly smaller streaming platforms while sprinkling a few songs in there from my Soundcloud, but not yet have I curated an entire list of songs from ONLY Soundcloud. So, this week, I challenged myself to do that. I'm going to try and give you some songs by some artists I love that I think you have yet to hear, but if you have, I hope that you feel seen knowing that there's someone out there who listens to as much music as you and has no problem looking for it. Before its all said and done this blog will be about nothing but music, but for now, let's continue to build our catalog. If you didn't get a chance to read the previous entry, take a moment to get familiar with this series. If you're returning though, hold my hand and try and keep up. Let's take another tour. Kaicrewsade - Lulwodie!!!! feat. Pink Siifu Cheating a bit here because I DID listen to this one on Spotify, but its also available on Soundcloud and it only dropped 8 days ago as of this posting so I doubt you beat me to it either. Like I figured and pointed out in the last entry, the singles released by Kaicrewsade were indeed for a new project, the project being "Joint4u!", his second mixtape. Following up on 2024's "Yvette", this project follows the previous formula of heavy jazz undertones with rap lyrics thrown on top of them. Although not as lauded as "Yvette" (not by me at least), he still finds a way to keep me drawn in without veering too much off course. "Lulwodie!!!!" was easily my favorite track on this project and the one I found myself coming back to the most. Both Kaicrewsade and Pink Siifu find a way to flow off one another without overshadowing the other. Kai's verse is his usual laidback, calm style that flows almost like one big chorus. By the time we get to Siifu's verse, he hops on the song so smoothly, you almost don't notice it. It's almost like he's passing a baton or in typical Kaicrewsade fashion, a blunt in a rotation. I really enjoyed this one. Late to the Party (Original Version)- Wolfacejoeyy "CUPID", January 2025 And no, not the version on Spotify, the original one that you can ONLY find on YouTube and Soundcloud anyway. The one that was I was ROBBED of. If I could describe this song in one word, it would be “ fun ”. It makes me want to get in my car and speed on the highway at night after leaving the city (true story by the way). Its everything that encapsulates Wolfacejoeyy, an artist who is frequently seen having fun. Whether it be on stage or on stream, he always seems to be enjoying himself and it makes the music that much enjoyable because you can tell the same carefree attitude went into it. Being that I got to watch him live (when he opened up for DC the Don in Atlanta), I've tried to follow his career since that moment and there's not much he's made that I haven't added to a playlist or thrown on loop. This album in particular has a ton of gems but this is my favorite one. I only hate they took down THIS version but I like to imagine it was just TOO damn good for everyone to get a hold of without putting in some sort of effort. Sounds crazy, I know, but if you heard this when it first dropped, you know what I mean. Wulf Morpheus - sosa.wav This one, I actually go to see LIVE (and if you think I'm lying, please check the home page of this website [yes THIS ONE that you're reading this on RIGHT NOW] to see the photo). WULF x R.A.D.I.C. Live @ the UPSIDEDOWN Plaza, c. 2024 It blew my mind then and it still blows my mind now. From time to time, I like to go back and listen to it again because its one of the first concerts I photographed (my second actually). I went to buy a drink and heard Chief Keef's voice and my head tilted because I didn't think it was THAT kinda show. But as soon as I heard that snare and rimshot, I was IMMEDIATELY hooked. I don't think I actually got a single photo of this song performed because I was so into the song. In that moment, I was a fan. Its only one other version of this song I like as much and that's Reon Vanger's, but this one? This one has definitely earned the "wav" in the title because its "wav-y" as hell (I apologize. Let's keep moving. You just had to be there, bro. SSS freestyle 2 (till now remix) - BliSoFly Now, THIS one is ANOTHER fun one. Everything from the beat to the flow throughout. It's upbeat, it's fast paced, it's energized, and everything else I need to get me from point A to point B. For the better part of a month, this was my soundtrack to and from work and I literally mean I listened to it at least once on the way there, the way home, and occasionally , the whole way there AND the whole way back from work. The opening verse starts with "hop up on this beat and feel invincible" which is exactly how I feel while doing 70 in a 50 on a backroad with this playing full blast, so if you ever heard me coming back from the city and I woke you, don't blame me, blame Blisofly. The previous "SSS freestyle" features a sample from another producer and artist I highly favor, Mndsgn. The song, Homewards (at least that's what it sounds like), is already flawless as is but to add an 808 pattern and rap over it is something I NEVER would've thought to do. I say that to say this: the production doesn't miss on this track either, but it does feature a CoryxKenshin sound bite like the latter and is just as hype as well. The formula is almost identical and yet I STILL haven't found the sample of the second song even after hearing it well over a thousand times. I guess I will need to listen closely for a thousand more, but that feels more like a reward than a punishment. Give it a listen. Sooner or Later - See Dee, Styles Davis, & WLLFLXX Per usual with these lists, we gotta switch it up and offer something different for those who are "different". To my neo-soul, RnB fans, and lovers of all things "Soulquarian", this one's for you. Being that my parents were 80s babies and had me before the age of 21 (mother 18, father 20), I grew up on a lot of the same things as them. 50 Cent, Destiny's Child, nothing that no other 20-something millennial wouldn't have burned on a CD or downloaded onto an MP3 player. Of all the music I was shown though, I always found myself leaning more towards the "slower" parts of the mix: D'Angelo, SWV, Avant, the usual for what felt like a long car ride for my kid mind. That's why when I stumbled upon this mix of Musiq Soulchild, it almost felt like it woke something up inside of me. Something that had long been dormant. I felt like a kid in my car seat on my way to the mall to get pushed around all day. As soon as I heard the opening key, I was immediately transported to a different place. Everything felt simpler. Carefree. And then I found myself tapping my foot and bobbing my head. The longer it played, the more into it I got. Its the type of song you just hit play and get lost in. I can't tell you how to process music or how to feel, but I know this one made me wanna lay on my bed and reminisce. I have to give credit to all involved for being able to take a song and not only make something new, but I'd go so far as to say BETTER than the original. Of course, opinions are like assh*les, everyone has one. This one just so happens to be mine and in MY honest opinion, if you like The Internet, Matt Martians, Erykah Badu, or anything the like, give this one a listen. Another note: See Dee and WLLFLXX also remade one of favorite Dilla Beats, "Track 12", and its INSANE. Highly recommend. UWM - Deadstock Dev The closest thing I will ever get to Drake's old sh*t is other people's new sh*t. Deadstock Dev has managed to produce better Drake music than Drake himself. How Aubrey manages to continuously flop so hard, I don't know, but I'm glad that from his shortcomings, I was able to come across this song in particular. The vocals are almost overshadowed by the beat if not ENTIRELY overshadowed by it. What I mean by that is, you could take this beat, you could take the Lucky Daye sample and not have any lyrics or put anyone else on it and it would still be a hit, but that he was able to make all of these elements: the sample, the beat pattern, and Drake's vocals sound as if they were an actual song produced by 40 and written by some starving artist out of Canada is nothing short of impressive. This sounds like the music you'd hear playing in a club before a fight and subsequent chase. I can see it as I'm typing this. Me on the run and this playing in my head. Of course, I would never find myself in a situation where this would happen, but wishful thinking and what not. Nervous - Gwen Bunn Your quick, weekly dose of nostalgia, I came across this song of hers my 9th grade year and have been a fan of hers ever since. I've tried to follow her career as much as possible since then, her "Safe Travels" being one of my all time favorites and featuring my favorite song of hers, but this one is still special given its the first of hers that I ever heard. That and it's just THAT good. Gwen has a way of making you feel relaxed without having to try at all. It plays like a lullaby and grips you like a trance. When put on repeat and given the spacy, echoing ending of it, its easy to feel like you're in a loop (because you technically are) but even after realizing this, you can't help but want to hear it again and again and again. This song is here for comfort as much as replay value, but both are pretty good reason to be here. I can only recommend it, I can't guarantee it'll give you the high it gave me or put you to sleep. All I can tell you is to "give it a try and see for yourself". This is the only time you'll hear that phrase and it not possibly ruin your life after the fact. Bear this blog entry in mind the next time you hear it. And that wraps up this weeks entry of "Songs You Should Be Listening To". As always, this has been fun, but this entry more than others, I enjoyed for the sole challenge of having to FIND songs even if they are curated. The sheer task of having to go thru almost 2,000 songs compiled over 10 years vs. just listening and sharing what was in my Airbuds rotation for the week made this so, so, so, so, SO much more fun and that alone I think has earned your attention. Whether I retained it for this long or not, I’ll hope and assume that you're still with me. If you are, per the usual, thank you for the engagement and I hope that you'll stick around to see what's next. Till then, continue to dig in the crates. I'll see you in the next entry.

The rent is due, everything's high, and camaraderie is low, but I hope I can gain just a bit of your good faith back with this week's list of music. It goes without saying but you know the deal, this is my opinion and your opinion sucks, etc. etc. etc. I won't waste your time with the theatrics. Let's get into it. U SPITTIN' - Your Stepdad The stepdad glaze continues (pause). I try not to show personal bias on these lists or list the same artists repeatedly to keep these lists from all looking the same, but when you have an artist as consistent as this one, its hard not to take notice. A music video and new track in a week? I gotta respect the hustle. Bro continues to deliver in all aspects. Production? Fire. Lyrics? Fire, though quite goofy at times. My only critique is the use of AI for the cover, though maybe it's not. I don't know what's real and what's not anymore. IF it is though, consult me for the cover next time. Let me contribute, but that's a whoooole nother seperate converation (my portfolio is listed on this site for reference). Stepdad has been on a streak as of late. Just about everything he's dropped in the last month has been dope, but this one in particular is the one. THE one. The beat reminds me of old Brasileiro songs, "Retrato de Saudade" specifically. I'm going to stop myself here before I proceed any longer. Just give it a listen. J. Robb - Free Mind J. Robb deserves so much more credit than he gets. Between him and Kaytranada, these two have transcended EDM and Dance as a whole and pretty much created they're own subgenre in the form of electric coded neo-soul and RnB. If you took Kerri Chandler and sprinkled in a little Matt Martians, he is essentially what you'd get, but he still keeps enough of his own individuality to stand on his own two feet. Throw in the Tems sample and you've pretty much "flipped" it on its head and made a club anthem as good as the original. His ability to create new songs from already well established songs is an art in and of itself, one that has over time grown into an addiction for me. This is my favorite choice of poison brewed by him though. If you like this song of his, give "That's Not Us", "2AM in Belgium", and "sofire", a listen. mywordkblurri - Knxwledge Knxwledge as apart of NxWorries with Anderson .Paak is sick, but his solo work will always be my personal favorite. Crazy battle rap bars over Video Game OSTs is one of my favorite genres. Please see Exhibit A: this. Knx strikes me as someone who's constantly looking for loops and samples. I imagine a literal animated lightbulb going off and popping up above his head when he heard the sample for this. No matter the creative process, he was in his BAG that day. Only a lunatic would put SMACK DVD over piano keys and I'm absolutely here for it. Check it out. Also, check out "MEH_BOP" as well because it is DEFINITELY my most played song of his to this day. TO THIS DAY. Massage - RRoxket One of the many tracks released by him over the last few weeks (I smell an album coming soon). Of the tracks, this one is the best, bar none. "Rowdy" was great as well, but this one has that little extra "kick" I felt the others were missing, one I haven't heard by him since I heard "Brandon Ingram" for the first time. RRoxket, much like Lazer Dim 700, makes what I consider to be gospel for YNs. Hard 808s and very incriminating lyrics that 16 year olds in suburbia will have a blast reciting. I'm just glad I found this one before TikTok could because I get the feeling its going to do numbers once it gets it's hands on it. Needless to say, I'm no gatekeeper, not THIS time at least (don't say I never did anything for you) so please get your fix and listen to this while you're on the run from the law. It might just be the kick in the ass you need to get away scot-free. Enjoy. *this entry gets a bonus for the Tiffany Valentine cover as well. Still a fire song nonetheless. Start Over - chromonicci Baby making music is making a comeback. Chromeo is back with another banger, this one aimed at Juliet. Say what you will, act like you don't care or don't miss him or her, there's a 90% chance you will after listening to this one. It's a tried a true formula. Whether due to neglect or simply time, eventually, all good things come to an end. And ultimately, when that day does come, you'll find yourself asking: "where did I go wrong? What could I have done differently?" The harder you try and make sense of everything, the less sense that everything makes and thus is our dilemma. "Can we just start over?" I don't know. Don't ask me. Ask the person you started crying about while reading that. Just don't tell them I sent you. And while you're on your way to that sneaky link, the one you ruined that 6 year relationship over playing in them streets you SWORE you weren't in? Listen to this on your way there. I hope you're proud of yourself. Shame . Stream chromonicci though, he's dope and this song is mesmerizing. I forgot where I was for a moment. Onto the next song. BRAVE AND THE BOLD - Q THA HERO Given the current state of rap and music as a whole, it feels more spectacle than anything. What was once considered an art has become a sad reminder of what used to be. Ironically, the one thing that rap prided itself on was variety and anti-establishment, but not only do most of the artist you hear sound the same, they are using the very system they vowed never to aid to stay afloat. I know I sound like a disgruntled old man when I say all this, but when Young Thug has more jail recordings and interviews than halfway decent music, then that's a problem (I'm still reeling from that intro track on that new album. Don't even get me started on that). And it's not just him, but dammit, HE HELPED. For every shortcoming though, there's a major contribution. And I can honestly say, if this guy is anything to go off of, rap will be fine and continue to thrive with or without the participation of those who helped influence it. I only recently came across Q THA HERO, but I don't know how given his similarities to MIKE and Mavi in both sound and production. There's not a lot going on and honestly, I'm cool with that. Every track doesn't need to be a barn burner. Sometimes, all you need is a hook, a nice beat, and some decent rapping to stake your claim. This track got my attention and quickly made me a fan and the scariest part is I don't even think we've begun to scratch the surface of what he can do, but I'm definitely excited to see what's next from him. Tap in. The Fool on the Hill - The Singers Unlimited This album blew my mind the first time I stumbled upon it and made me listen to music in a whole new way. In addition to that, it showed me the power that the human voice has and the way we can manipulate it to mimic the sound of instruments. Hell, the human voice is the instrument in this case. So many of my favorite artists have used this group and this album in particular as motivation and it doesn't surprise me in the slightest given how great it is. Whether it be J. Dilla, Birocratic, or Take 6, all of them at some point have credited or quote/unquote, "borrowed" from them. In many ways, this album was and still is ahead of its time but I also just don't believe this kind of music could or would thrive in this new world and that's ok. I'm fine with just having the Singers Unlimited for my acapella listening experience for the rest of my life and none of you ever knowing about them. Unfortunately for me, the entire point of this list is to make sure you know about what it is I'm sharing so you're welcome. On an album that features "Claire" (if you're a Slum Village fan like me, odds are you know this song very well), it's easy to miss this track but it's nothing short of beautiful. It's almost angelic and yet, there's something so unsettling about the last minute of this song. It reminds me of "The Shining" or the soundtrack for a horror trailer. It's eerie, it's triumphant, it's orchestral, it's art. I love this song in more ways than I can name and I hope that you will appreciate it the same way I do. If not, you're just not listening to it hard enough. Listen again. Then listen some more. And with that, we conclude this edition of "Songs You Should Be Listening To". To the 10-15 people who'll see this, I thank you for taking the time to hear my thoughts and I welcome you to share yours. Music, like beauty, is subjective. What I like and what you like aren't the same, but feel free to tell me why I'm wrong and you're right. As always, I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it and till next time, continue to create and thrive because you never know, you might just be in the next entry. Keep digging in the crates. I'll be seeing you soon.

It was ass. There is no replay value. Thanks for reading. Tune in next week for another FAR more exciting entry when I show you all how to make Potato and Sausage soup just in time for Autumn!

"Music saved my life" is such a played-out quote amongst fans and listeners but I don't feel many truly love and appreciate sound in the way that I do. Growing up with young parents who both grew up in the church, music was very prevalent in my life from an EARLY age. Whether it be waking up and hearing the crescendo of BET's "Lift Every Voice" on Sunday mornings or MTV2's morning music block every day before school, I've always been a lover of all things music and musical art. To say I love it is an understatement. Most days, it's the only thing that gets me thru to the next one. With all that being said, I don't think y'all love music the way I love music, nor do I think you consume as much music as I do, but that's ok. That's what I'm here for. As an avid listener and writer, listening to music is KIND OF my thing and rather than gatekeep, I've chosen to put you all on game. In all seriousness though, I'm excited to share what is playing in my headphones when I make these posts most of the time. This is what I've been wanting to do since I began this blog, so forgive me if it's long winded. But without further ado, get comfortable, grab a pair of headphones, and take note of what I'm about to tell you because this is only the beginning of a series that I will be doing here. Let's get into it. DEMNA LEFT BALENCI by Westside Gunn "HEELS HAVE EYES 2", 2025 Westside Gunn's newest album is easily one of the best to come out this year. From the production to the lyrics, its everything I expect from him at this point which is absolute heat. Like Prime Shipping, bro is going to deliver every. Single. Time. Produced by DJ Muggs of "Cypress Hill" fame, the track has an old, almost nostalgic feel. It's reminiscent of Raekwon or Ghostface Killah, but Westside Gunn raps in a way that only he can, almost as if telling a story over a sample. It's EASILY my favorite song off this project which I cannot praise enough, and I mean that LITERALLY. I have to mention "HEEL CENA" as well. Both are the epitome of hip hop and rap in general. Definitely check this one out if you haven't already. Rebirth by Adrienne Indigo and Paul Grant "Rebirth" Album Cover, 2020 Released in 2020, this song was a happy accident. I was listening to the instrumental of "Love" and decided to go and check out the rest of the project as this particular beat had been on my playlist for some time and I wanted to hear more from the producer. After some very simple digging, I found the rest of the album with the vocals and was immediately mesmerized when I came across this song. It's almost hypnotic. I have no shame in admitting I listened to this track 54 times in one day across 4-8 hours. If you had heard it, you'd understand why. The vocals remind me of the group We Are KING which is ironic given that I think both Adrienne and the group are out of Los Angeles. When coupled with Paul Grant's production, you have the perfect fusion of neo-soul and R&B that would make even Robert Glasper make the proverbial "stank face" upon pressing play. Anyone who's a fan of the artists I mentioned or music similar to that of Tom Misch or Hiatus Kaiyote, this might be just what you need to get your fix. Truth by Little League "PRESTON RUSSELL (Deluxe)" Cover, 2024 Venturing to Chicago's underground, League is an artist I've been following for a while now. This project in particular is my favorite of his and for good reason. The entire project is one massive punch to the temple. It hits you immediately and once it does, you can't help but to vibe and bounce with it. Described by him as a "hype project", this tape does that with ease. Whether working out or running late for work, I put this on and I'm ready to go the whole day. A frequent collaborator of Your Stepdad, he also makes an appearance on this tape as well and the track does not disappoint. League is an artist I feel any fan of X or hardcore trap-rap can get behind and although, I may be partially biased cause this is my favorite album and track, I don't think there's a better introductory track to get familiar with his work. Definitely give him a listen and check out the other types of music he has to offer. Weezy Face by Domo Genesis (prod. by Graymatter) "WORLD GONE MAD" Cover, 2025 Anybody who knows me knows I loved Odd Future growing up. Anyone who LISTENED to Odd Future knows that lyrically, Domo was one of the best in the group, but never really seemed to get the recognition he probably should've. I really feel he was a victim of the time, but please don't mistake this statement for pity. Domo MAKES HITS. Domo HAS BANGERS. "Genesis" was in my rotation HEAVY throughout high school and still very much is and anything he's dropped since then or featured on has been damn near flawless. Actual photo of me, junior year of high school. Make note of the shirt. This shit ain't no game. It's no mistake he's talented, so you can only imagine my surprise and excitement when on a random Friday in August, he decided to drop an EP. The opening track is the perfect way to get it started. Right out the gate, Domo Genesis is rapping his ASS OFF. It's almost as if he's saying "Ayy, I do this shit too. Remember that." Domo doesn't get talked about enough in my honest opinion. When it comes to flow, he's one of the best out and this is a prime example of what I mean. The song is called "Weezy Face" because that's the look I made when I heard it the first time. THE "Weezy Face" PLEASE go listen to this if you a real hip-hop head. Beeper!!!! by Kaicrewsade "Beeper!!!!" Cover Listen man: as a music fan, I don't think there's anything better than discovering a new artist and watching them and their fanbase grow. I've been obsessed with this dude's music since I first heard him on "Magenta Skin" with Wakai. He has consistently put out good music damn near every month for the last year. Everything he's dropped, I've been absolutely blown away by and have even used his music in the intro of one of my own videos. He is absolutely going to be an even bigger star than he already is, and I stand on this. I will PERSONALLY recommend him to any and everyone I come across. "Yvette" is one of the BEST projects to come out last year and that is not an exaggeration. It is FLAMES. How I only found it THIS year, I don't know, but I'm so glad I did. His recent releases, two singles I'm assuming will be on an upcoming album, both were a great little listen and have definitely added onto my already brewing excitement. Of the two, I enjoyed this one just a bit more but recommend both and HIGHLY recommend you give "Yvette" a listen. If I could describe it in so few words: Imagine if Erykah Badu and Robert Glasper had a child, and he smoked a ton of weed and listened to Saba. That is Kaicrewsade in a nutshell. Give him a look. Swan Song by Zahir & Nali Zahir, 2023 An oldie but goodie. One I recently rediscovered when the shuffle threw it in my rotation. A chill lil vibe, something to just sit and coast to. Zahir has a very monotone and calm flow, sort of like Mavi (who will be featured on the "HIM" Motion Picture Soundtrack. Expect to hear about that and him very soon, no pun intended). It's the perfect track to just put on and get lost in. Nali's dreamy vocals accompany his sultry tone perfectly. When coupled with the beat, it's almost like a lullaby, and don't get me started on the Tweet sample throughout. That song is a classic in and of itself. But this outro? The piano outro is the ultimate chef's kiss. Just the perfect end to an already great track. It makes me think of a simpler time. Just me and my friends, out late night on the town, walking around, laughing, drinking, its perfect. Any track that can evoke that kind of emotion gets a spot on this list and on this blog. Much thanks to the artists for the quick nostalgia trip. Still Kickin Shit by BoofPaxkMooky "Still Kickin Shit" Cover, 2025 Boof one of them artists you either really like or absolutely despise, ain't no in between. One thing is for certain though: bro gone drop and drop often. In addition to two albums last year, "Sincerely Boof" dropped in 2025 and he's had a string of singles and features strewn throughout. Just when I thought "Worst Paxk" couldn't be topped, "Still Kickin Shit" drops and like the name suggests, Boof's generational run is nowhere near finished. What comes after this, I'm not entirely sure about, but this track should get me thru till I have the answer here for you. In the meantime, enjoy this one on full blast. And give Texako a listen as well. Both are dope individually, but when on the same track, they also complement one another well. Mew by eu - IV "Mew" Cover as it appears on Soundcloud Ending this entry the way we started: in appreciation of sound. This one is a bop and I do mean bop literally in the way it'll make you bob your head without ever saying a word. This track features no lyrics or vocals outside a subtle vocal sample thrown in the mix. eu - IV finds a way to make a hit without ever saying a word and you should enjoy it the same way: in silence. No words. Just let the beat take you away. It sounds like a track you'd hear on a Super Mario Galaxy level, though I'm pretty sure it's a Pokémon sample (somebody let me know if you know). The chops in the beginning start almost off key and confusing at first, but as the track builds and the other elements are added, everything flows into each other perfectly. It's almost as if it's broken apart and then put back together before finally making something entirely new and different. Before a writer, photographer, and creator, I'm a fan at heart and a student of the game. As a beat and instrumental enthusiast, this one hit all the right notes for me. I definitely listened to it more than once and one more time before I wrote this. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. Alright, and with that, we've reached the conclusion of our first entry of "Songs You Should Be Listening To." As the title suggested, go and listen to them yourself and form your own opinion. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed penning it and I can't wait to add to this series and continue to share what I come across as I COME ACROSS it. Till then, keep digging in those crates. I'll see you in the next one.

Alfredo 2, Released on July 25th, 2025 The musical landscape as of late has felt so bland. Whether it be the lack of new music from my favorites or Drake’s half ass attempt at making a comeback, nothing as of late has made me make the proverbial "stank face" that comes with a memorable verse or a hard-hitting beat. That was until this came out. From the moment the countdown began on my Spotify, Freddie Gibb's "Alfredo 2" has been highly anticipated by me and several others. And yes, I do mean SEVERAL others because I don't give a f**k who you are, what you like or don't like, y'all ain't gone act like Frederick doesn't make hits and you for SURELY won't act like Uncle Al doesn't either, but I digress, this blog is a safe space for me to share my opinions FREE OF BIAS. Now that I've given them both their flowers, let's talk noodles. Aside from an occasional feature here and there and a heavy social media presence (one almost as entertaining as his music), this is Freddie Gibbs's first full length project since 2020, a full five years. And only his second with producer The Alchemist, the first being the previous "Alfredo" installment. "1995" was the lone single to be released, a nice little appetizer before the full course, but I'm a meat and potatoes guy. I don't do too much "coursing". If this were an Olive Garden, these would be the breadsticks and salad. Something to put on my stomach after starving myself all day, but now, I'm ready for the FETTUCINE and CARBONARA. I won't hold you, my first run thru, I skipped "1995". I had heard it enough leading up to the release. I need something new. Enter track 2: "Mar-a-Lago". Although not the first track, it's a perfect starting point and an idea of what to expect on this project. It's sensual, sleek, and smooth. With the sound of windchimes strewn all throughout, it's like something straight out of a 70s blaxploitation film. It's the musical equivalent of walking into a cigar lounge with a pair of gators and a chinchilla coat. It's the perfect start to the album and in my honest opinion, this should've been the single or the intro. It's a cool, laidback track. Just something to coast to. And with an audio bite from John Singleton's certified hood classic "Baby Boy", I really can't ask for much more. This track hit all the right notes. Now, if you're not already familiar with him or in case you forgot what he's capable of, Lemon-Pepper Steppers is the reality check you've been needing. Freddie Gibbs pulls no punches. Just straight spittin'. Nothing too fancy or over the top. Just flowing, from start to finish. The perfect track for any lyrical, spiritual individual. At some points throughout the song, you can even hear Freddie start to lose his breath. Bro is quite literally putting his life on the line to record this song, this time over a more ominous beat, very reminiscent of Sin City or a Scorsese film score. I know I haven't really mentioned it up until this point, but Alchemist's production is some of the best of all time. Now, the reason I haven't done so is because after these first 3 tracks, the album REALLY starts to take off. The production, the features, everything changes and starts to become something more MY speed. Anyone who knows me knows I love neo-soul, I love sound, and I feel that a good beat is the driving force behind any chart-topping song. It's the way most of these supposed musical artists have mislead you to believe that they can actually go a full 16 on a track, until you have someone like a Freddie Gibbs and an Alchemist on a track together and you realize that a lot of these so-called "rappers" don't really rap like that. "Ensalada" is everything you could want from a track. Wordplay, a solid beat, a great hook, and Anderson .Paak. Because why wouldn't he be there? Why wouldn't this be my favorite song up until this point? Did you forget the part where I mentioned neo-soul? This was the first track on the album to make me audibly yell "oooohhhh shit" in my car while driving. I had to hit the replay button and start it from the top. Cool, I'm locked in. But now I'm left with more questions than answers. Why is Freddie just repeating salad in Spanish over and over again? "Ensalada, ensalada, ensalada....ohhhh, it's a lotta". A play on words that would make even your mother chuckle. Simple, I know, and probably underwhelming to most, but I feel him. Ensalada people I don't care for either. YOU, the person reading, might even be one of them, but I thank you for your contribution and I'm glad we both ended up here together one way or another. Entendres and jokes aside, Freddie goes in on this track and shows once again why he's one of the best and most consistent rappers when it comes to verses. Add onto all this Anderson .Paak's contribution on the hook, it weaves the song together perfectly making this one a potential "song of the year" candidate. I know you people though. Y'all would never let that happen. The only other thing I'll say about this song is I can see why everybody collectively agrees it's the best on the album and honestly, I'm not totally opposed to this take. I could also see someone who doesn't normally listen to Freddie Gibbs liking this song as well. But is it MY favorite? Nah. It comes close, but no cigar. My favorite track is EASILY "Lavish Habits". From the moment I heard that snazzy guitar riff and Freddie talking to himself like a fiend off a rock, I was immediately hooked. Containing what sounds like it could be a sample of "Bumpy's Lament", Alchemist flips it in a way I haven't heard anyone else flip it. Not Dre, not Sister Erykah, nobody. And the reason I say it sounds like it COULD be is because the beat is so unique and so different that if it IS "Bumpy's Lament", it sounds like a totally different track now.  It almost reminds me of Steely Dan, my favorite band from that era, which may be the reason I'm so obsessed with it. Regardless of what it is or isn't, what it is is flames. It's no crazy hi hats or 808s, just a dreamy sample and a cool flow. Even though the flow is calm though, the verse is everything but that. With shots at Gunna, Akademiks, and a crazy Diddy bar that I will not quote here, this song was both unserious as hell and memorable enough for me to quote in the title of this post. Freddie clearly has a bone to pick with several people in the industry but if the beef means more music like this and more jabs at Ak, serve me up some more. I'm here for it. This track definitely deserves the same recognition as "Ensalada", but you could say the same about "Empanadas", "Feeling." and the rest of the album. Because on an album that features JID, how is it his track isn't even in the discussion? It's not a testament of how good or bad the track is (because it definitely took another listen to grow on me), I think there's just so much to take away and so many gems on this album, to walk away with just one feels almost ludicrous. Did you listen to the whole album? Are you really willing to leave this much heat on the table? I know I'm not. With all that being said, I have nothing else to say. "Alfredo 2" is the album I've been DYING for. No specific artist or sound in particular, just something MEMORABLE. Something I can play in the car, something I can write about, and in a true act of irony, something I can write to.  Although formulaic at times and similar to all his other work, I'm a firm believer in the idea that if something works and is a success, there's no reason to overcomplicate things and ruin the entire system. In other words, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So, as I type this with "I Still Love H.E.R" on repeat, I thank you Freddie Gibbs for another instant classic. Me and the 20 people listening appreciate you. A round of applause for the Alchemist as well because Freddie definitely showed out, but these beats damn near carrying the whole project on their own. Best believe I will be working to the "Alfredo 2" instrumental album the same way I did the previous one. And if you made it this far, thank YOU for reading. Final Verdict: Solid 9. "Skinny Suge II" was the only track I wasn't feeling. Weirdly enough, it sounds like Kurt Angle's TNA Wrestling theme which I just can't take my mind off of. Aside from that, this album deserves every bit of praise its getting but it's not getting the recognition it should, nor will it get any play on the radio. Why? I don't know, but I hope this post will make you reconsider. Go give it a listen. Form your own opinions. Just remember, this one's mine.

Alright. It's July 28th. Tyler, the Creator's new album is officially a week old and after listening to it 3 times now, I think I'm ready to share my opinion and take whatever backlash comes with it. But again, reread that last sentence: this is MY opinion. Even though I've made sure to emphasize this, I know there's gonna be at least one person who opts not to use their reading comprehension skills, so before proceeding past this point, this is your final warning. If you're still here, get comfortable. This is a long read. I'll start by saying that the roll out for this album was SICK. Everything both before the release and after has been flawless. The videos, little skits to accompany the songs, the broken glass effect when you double tap a photo on Instagram, it's all been amazing. Being an art enthusiast and photography and film geek, I've loved the presentation of this album, but honestly, I'd expect nothing less from him. In addition to that, to drop on a Monday with no prior promo or hype aside from the previous album is a bold move, one ironically reminiscent of his Chromakopia release. Ever the evolving artist, this album is unlike anything else he's released. Though there are callbacks to his previous albums like the never-ending internal conflict with himself and his sexuality (Tyler just can't seem to leave them men alone, but don't get it twisted, he'll still take your b****) or the drums and sounds riddled throughout Cherry Bomb, this album offers both a nostalgic callback to old southern hip hop and dancehall with something new and fresh from Tyler altogether. Another detail I liked, this album almost plays like a movie, each track weaved into the next seamlessly. The transitions on this album are done sequentially, meaning "don't hit shuffle, don't hit skip, DON'T TOUCH THE GLASS", the metaphorical glass being your phone in this case. Just hit play and enjoy, but don't just HEAR the music. LISTEN. FEEL IT. Tyler does nothing without intention and just like Chromakopia, the ending isn't the end at all. It's just the beginning. I said I listened to the album 3 times, but the second was not intentional because I had NO idea the album even ended and had started again. I couldn't help but laugh and restart the song from the beginning. Regardless of anything I say past this point, please know that these things are things I took note of and found the most interesting about this project. Now, those are the PROS. Let's get into the CONS. This album did not move me lyrically. GRANTED, and I REALLY need y'all to hear me, this was NOT a RAP ALBUM. It's being hailed as a "dance" album. Now, once I heard this, I immediately changed my whole stance and enjoyed it for what it was which was something for the girlies to pop ass to and the guys to step. It hits all the marks: upbeat, whimsical, and electric. The tone and wordplay aren't "Call Me If You Get Lost" or even "IGOR" but it shows flashes here and there, so much so that my initial thought was, "these sound like a bunch of IGOR throwaways", but the synths and sounds almost remind me of Patrice Rushen and as a huge fan of hers, that definitely gave me a slight tingle. "Don't You Worry Baby", "Sucka Free" and "Ring Ring Ring" were immediate favorites, but "I'll Take Care of You" has grown on me the more I hear it. It's like if Project Pat and Memphis Horror Core had a baby with Kerri Chandler or Lone and it came out confused looking like both parents. It's both in the midst of an identity crisis and knows exactly what it is. It's the perfect mix of both and I'm here for it. With that being said, the songs I like, I can vibe with, and the replay value is there, but the songs I didn't mention, just didn't hit that spot for me (pause for pause moment ) hence they get no mention here. Doesn't make them bad, doesn't mean I hate them, it's just not particularly MY cup of tea. If I need my daily dose of dance mix, Geode and Kaytranada are my go-tos, but Tyler, definitely made a splash with this project even if not nearly as big of one as his previous works, though, the charts will say otherwise. This album did what every Tyler album does and that's excel and crush every metric you did or didn't believe it should've and his fans, even myself as I'm typing this, will make sure you don't forget that. All in all, it was a fun project. It was entertaining, it was visual, and it's the perfect listen for any summer kickback or function. But that's just MY opinion. Give it a listen and form your own. Final Verdict: Had you asked me last week, 6 flat. But now? 6.5. Not bad, but not my favorite. Still, I digress: its good shit.

I’ve been putting this off for a minute now but I’m feeling especially homesick today so I feel it’s as best a time as any to FINALLY do this. So, here we are. If you’ve been following me for the past month, you’ve probably seen that i’ve been on the road a lot. It’s essentially where I live, and where I live is where the road (and less cliché, my JOB) takes me. As of now, I’m in Florida and will be here until the end of this month (June as I type this, but who knows where I’ll be by the time this letter finds you). But before the beaches, before the yachts, before the lambos and everything that comes with the night life, my first taste of adventure was a much more familiar destination. My job took me to the state capital, Montgomery, Alabama. Prior to this opportunity, I had a little over a thousand dollars to my name, my work was still just getting off the ground, my website (yes, the one you’re reading this from) was still a bit a ways away from completion, and I. Was. STRESSED. I was losing sleep, I was losing time, and at one point, I was losing MONEY. My options were very limited, but the only thing more focused than a man with nothing to lose is a man with EVERYTHING to gain. I packed my bags, said a prayer, and made the drive out. After a bit of a slow and might I add, CHAOTIC start, everything went from bad, to worse, to not so bad, to about the closest thing to perfect as I can get. And although the drive was NOT a short one, I found my time in the car feeling shorter and shorter the more I made that trek. Maybe it was the music, maybe it was my excitement, or maybe it was just me disassociating a bit before I went thru those doors again. But not in a bad way. Almost calming. Peaceful. Serene even. As my work days got shorter, my nights got longer. I was working in a way I had never done before. Faster, more consistent, but the biggest difference is I wasn’t struggling to create or stressing out trying to do so. I was having FUN. The type of fun I hadn’t had since I first picked up a camera. And how fitting that this all came full circle, almost 6 years to the day that I got my first camera. I’d get one last chance to photograph MY home before moving on to a new one for the time being and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I got to see art. I got to meet a GREAT crop of people, learn from some very well educated individuals, as well as eat some REALLY good food. I loved everything that the city had to offer whether it was the smell of BBQ on every block or the hospitality of the people walking them, I cannot say enough good things about the city of Montgomery and that’s saying a lot because prior to my stay there, I didn’t even THINK to go there. But after practically living there for the better part of 2 weeks, I apologize. I wasn’t familiar with y’all’s game. But all jokes aside, I thank everyone that made my trip (even if I had the chance to drive home here and there in between) a safe and enjoyable one. Whether it be the people checking me into my room, people telling me good spots to go for grub, or even just speaking and holding a door open for me, thank you for making the kid feel at home even away from home. Thank you to Montgomery Fire and Rescue for making this project a successful one. And thank YOU for taking the time to listen to me ramble. I promise the support doesn’t go unnoticed. And to YOU, the city, although I’m not from here, I’m happy I got to see you and even happier to call you another home. I’ll be seeing you again very soon. And to the nice couple I ran into, I’m a man of my word. Here’s your shout out. I hope this message finds you both well. Keep on keeping on. Before it’s all said and done, I hope our paths cross again. Until then, eat an extra piece of catfish for me. Cheers.

“Solitude” Desolate. Empty. Gray. I’ve wanted to shoot something from my room for quite some time, but have never gotten around to it. Now that I have, I can wholeheartedly say that this is the most candid shoot I’ve ever done. I regularly show you the highlights of my job, but very seldom do I show you what leads up to those moments. It’s easy to get distracted by the lights and sounds that come with my profession, but 9 times out of 10, you can find me in my room, hunched over my computer. Now this does not mean I don’t enjoy frequenting the bars, the cafes, and what have you. This simply means I would go CRAZY if that were my life day-to-day. When checking into any room or suite, my routine is the same every place I go: I kick off my shoes, toss my bags in a corner or closet, and set up my “office”. View of my Office My office consists of a Dell laptop, a mouse, and my headphones. I work when I’m at work and I come home and work some more because I feel it’s important to find time for the art that I enjoy making rather than the art that others enjoy seeing. With all that being said, this is not an admission of sorrow or a cry for help. This is a day in my life. I find comfort in these 4 walls. Though I miss my family, my friends, home cooked meals ESPECIALLY, I feel liberated. I feel empowered. Most of all, I feel free. No longer tethered to my town or the limitations that come with being from a small place. My home is wherever I go. The world is my canvas, my camera is the brush in which I create. This is my solitude. This, ALL of this you see, is a part of the process. And the process is beautiful.