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AHH Album Review: Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp A Butterfly"

By: G.Avant (@G_Avant) Updated Category: Reviews / Music
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It has seemed like an eternity since a young native of Compton, CA took the world by storm a maelstrom that culminated on October 22, 2012 with the release of good kid, m.A.A.d city.

And it has not stopped.

Kendrick is the proverbial paradigm shift of his generation and the 28-year-old has now released his most recent opus, To Pimp A Butterfly. Kendrick stretches his creative legs all the way out on this one, an indication that a new beginning is here.
To Pimp a Butterfly starts as an old school singer melodically croons “Every ni**a is a star,” right into “Wesley’s Theme,” a funk-filled jam that features George Clinton and Dr. Dre. The song, dedicated to Wesley Snipes, is a cautionary tale of the African American entertainer – the butterfly – and the financial pitfalls that ensnare many as they rise to the top.

On “These Walls,” Kendrick weaves a vivid story of sex, rage, and revenge, accompanied by jazzy production by Terrace Martin (a mainstay on the album), and Larrance Dopson. On a lighter note “Alright,” is a potential radio banger on the album that is sure to have people chanting the rousing contagious chorus nationwide. On this track Pharrell and TDE’s own Sounwave compose a great instrumentation that Kendrick rides effortlessly.

“How Much A Dollar Cost?” is Kendrick at his most potent and may be the best song on To Pimp A Butterfly.  Kendrick ‘s storytelling is a lyrical clinic as he spits a conversation with God, a critic of the young rapper’s lack of empathy and humility. He says:

He’s starin’ at me in disbelief
My temper is buildin’, he’s starin’ at me, I grab my key
He’s starin’ at me, I started the car, then I tried to leave
And somethin’ told me to keep it in park until I could see
The reason why he was mad at a stranger
Like I was supposed to save him
Like I’m the reason he’s homeless and askin’ me for a favor
He’s starin’ at me, his eyes followed me with no laser
He’s starin’ at me, I notice that his stare is contagious

“Complexion (A Zulu Love),” which features 9 Wonder’s protegee Rapsody, combats the archaic concept of colorism in the Black community. The legendary Pete Rock also contributes vocals on the hook on this Terrace Martin-produced track.

The bold, brash, and proud “The Blacker The Berry” is certainly the heavy hitter of To Pimp a Butterfly, which is wrought with thick themes of Black Nationism. “Blacker than the heart of an Aryan”? Kendrick said that. On this track, he takes the Black community to task. On “u” he turns the castigation inward in a most scathing way, screaming “loving you is complicated!”

One of the many distinctive, understated elements of this To Pimp a Butterfly are the interludes.  “For Sale? (Interlude)” is a odd psychedelic adventure, where as “For Free?” is an abusive, frenetic jazz session that foreshadows a pending internal struggle. The most interesting moment of this album takes place in the outro, when Kendrick casually converses about industry troubles and the ills of the world with the legendary Tupac Shakur. The dialogue is a bridge between generations.

Overall this is an excellent album.  Whether it is a classic in the truest sense of the word will be determined in the annals of time. Nevertheless, in an era of social media critics and groupthink, the album is already being lauded as a candidate for album of the year. There is no question, it takes several listens (and maybe reference materials) to properly digest To Pimp a Butterfly.

As evidenced by To Pimp a Butterfly, there are more important matters surrounding this work of art created in a time when most rap albums are in a vacuum apart from real life. Kendrick’s latest stands on the shoulders of great audio works like Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, Nas’ Illmatic, NWA’s Straight Out Of Compton and others like OutKast’s Aquemini. The question: How will To Pimp a Butterfly affect its millions and millions of listeners with their varied backgrounds in these times that feel like we are on the verge of  worldwide cataclysm?

Lyricism: 10/10


Production: 9/10


Cohesiveness: 9.5/10


Replay Value: 9/10


Overall: 9.5/10

Standout Tracks: “These Walls”, “Alright”, “How Much A Dollar Cost”, “Complexion(A Zulu Love)”, “The Blacker The Berry”

Lil Wayne’s Daughter Steps Up to Young Thug

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Headlines
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This is getting stranger and stranger. Thanks, Social Media. The Young Thug/Lil Wayne thing is getting more hectic. Wayne is sending off shots, Thug is sending shots. And now, even Wayne’s kid Reginae has a couple lil rubber bullets in the beef. Peep what she said on Twitter.

RELATED: Young Thug Takes Shots At Lil’ Wayne?

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RELATED: Lil Wayne Fires Shots At Baby And Rich Gang

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Young Thug Takes Shots At Lil' Wayne?

By: Rea Davis @IamReaDavis Updated Category: Rumors
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Lil’ Wayne and Birdman have been going at each other for a while now, and it doesn’t seem like they will come to any agreement. During the turmoil, Young Thug seems to be replacing Lil’ Wayne as Baby’s son lol! Wayne and Thug have traded subliminal shots over social media, and recently Lil’ Wayne released a diss track taking shots at both Baby and Young Thug. Young Thug jumped on Instagram today saying that he’d be releasing his latest effort Carter 6 soon… clearly biting Lil’ Wayne and coming for him all in the same breath. He also said that Wayne basically bought his way into the Bloods.


RELATED: Lil Wayne Fires Shots At Baby And Rich Gang

Flavor Flav's Ex Says Drake Was The Best!

By: yourfavenightmare Updated Category: Rumors
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In a new interview with Kandi, Deelishis says Drizzy Drake crushed her big a$$ and was the best she ever had. Need we be reminded, that’s Flavor Flav’s ex.

Kandi: So what’s the best you ever had?

Deelishis: There’s this guy…this rapper guy..he sings and raps.

Kandi’s Co-Host: He’s a rapper from Toronto

Deelishis: laughs

Kandi: So he’s actually good in bed. (Why is Kandi shocked that Drake is good in bed?)

Deelishis: He’s excellent in bed.

Kandi’s Co-Host: Deelishis, you been on your worst behavior. Deelishis started from the bottom now she here.

She ended with saying Drake can smash pretty much anytime when he wants, because they are still friends.

FRESH HEAT: TAYF3RD – "Pay Me"

By: Scooby Wilson (@mcscoobins) Updated Category: Videos
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HEY HEY HEY! “PAY ME“ the first single off TAYF3RD’s new album THE SANDBOX II displays the new energy this Long Beach artist has developed. Now signed to BIGBOY from 92.3 we can’t see whats to come next ! Look forward to his latest project dropping this summer!

Kenny Kingpin – "No Brakes"

By: Jake Crates Updated Category: Music
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West Coast rapper Kenny Kingpin releases a brand new banger dubbed “No Brakes” featuring Don Menace – the first official single from his upcoming EP “Better Than Dope Money.” The L.A. artist teamed up with super producer Chuck Heat (Ray J, Scarface) for the gritty hit guaranteed to make the streets take notice.

“What ‘No Brakes’ symbolizes is no boundaries, no limitations, spontaneity, having a festive spirit. For all of my speed demons out there the swingin’ the rides, I just wanted to capture that spirit, car culture…capture that element in a song,” Kenny Kingpin explains.

Check the behind the scenes of the filming of the project here!

Women on the Move Presents: Women Talk With Karen Civil

By: Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) Updated Category: Videos
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One of the women on the move in the Hip-Hop blogosphere has been Karen Civil. She sits down to discuss her new hat line, her book and empowerment of women in the music business.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TgQcIL0dMk

ILOVEMAKONNEN – "Drink More Water 5 (Freestyle)"

By: Scooby Wilson (@mcscoobins) Updated Category: Music
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OVO Sound artist ILOVEMAKONNEN releases “Drink More Water 5”, the title track for his new project dropping March 31st. Check out ILOVEMAKONNEN on his “Loudest Of The Loud” tour with Key! & Sonny Digital.

Bilal Talks Working With Kendrick Lamar On 'To Pimp A Butterfly'

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2) Updated Category: News
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Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly dropped a week before its scheduled Mar. 23rd release and it’s dominating hip-hop conversations across the coasts. But the Compton emcee was not the only mastermind involved in the creative process. Singer Bilal made two guest appearances ( “Institutionalzed” and “These Walls”) on the 16-track effort and was also credited on being behind the scenes for four other tracks.

XXL caught up with the Philly native to explore his involvement in K. Dot’s sophomore effort.

Bilal says Kendrick along with Thundercat, Terrace Martin and Anna Wise created “a real creative environment” and that the Black Hippy rep “works crazy hours.” As far as his work on the album, he says he did “a ton of stuff.”

“I didn’t really know where it was gonna go,” said the 35-year-old. “I was just doing stuff in the lab, you know. [Laughs] I like to work and go for it. So when I spoke to him he was like, “Man, I want y’all to be on the whole album.” I thought he was just… I didn’t know if that actually wanna gonna happen because a lot of people say stuff like that. You know, usually when you do a song you fall in love with every song you do after you finish it. [Laughs]”

He also compared Kendrick’s studio ethic with that of collaborators The Roots and Common.

“What’s similar about all of them is that there’s always an organic connection; they’re truly involved in every aspect of their music and it’s the same way when I was working with all of those people that you mentioned.” He continued, “Now, the thing that makes Kendrick different is his style and his approach. His approach is different… I think all good stuff comes from the same source and we’re all kinda trying to draw from that same source in the universe so he’s a good antenna right now. He’s got his antennas up and you can feel that when you’re in the studio with him.”

Read the full interview here.

Sicko Mobb – "Kool Aid"

By: Scooby Wilson (@mcscoobins) Updated Category: Music
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Chicago artists Sicko Mobb drop new track entitled “Kool Aid”. Produced By The Blue Ranger. As summertime nears, the rising RCA signees drop off a fresh new cut to get the summer time music sound underway. Stream Sicko Mobb’s “Kool Aid” below.

ILLA – "Concrete Jungle"

By: Scooby Wilson (@mcscoobins) Updated Category: Music
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Big Brown aka Illa is back with some new heat”Concrete Jungle” as a follow up his 1st official release “10 x 100” that has the eyebrows raised of industry taste-makers. On this “Ryan King” produced track, Illa gives us gritty barz and witty metaphors as he flexes his verbal tenacity over some tight production. With a new project on the horizon Brown is looking to give fans and hip-hop heads a like a solid project and show that not all southern rappers are making “Trap Music”. Brown is set on changing the perception of the south and show that lyricism isn’t dead in the south but alive and well. Checkout Brown’s latest offering “Concrete Jungle” and become more familiar with the Alabama emcee!

5 & Done: DJ Young Music – Hello Young World

By: Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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He goes by the name of DJ Young Music and with good reason. Since the age of 16 he’s been a regular on tour with four time Grammy Award nominee Ginuwine. He’s a fixture on Internet radio. He peeked at number three on Indie Artist music haven Media Base and was a featured guest deejay on Diddy’s REVOLT TV in 2014. That activity undoubtedly led to him inking a worldwide film, music & soundtrack deal with N.S.U.C. Entertainment Group/ Entertainment One Distribution and is naturally, the Youngest artist ever to do so.

His list of accomplishments read like the well thought out manuscript of a music savant, destined for a takeover from the seat of his budding DYMG independent label empire. Yet and still, this Washington DC area native has maintained status as an honor roll student in his final year of high school.

At the tender age of 18 years Young, his story has just begun to unfold and if his lead single “Right Here” (ft. Da-Rai and Frank Benz), is any indication of what is to come, DJ Young Music is the type of talent we won’t mind growing old with.

Since signing the deal with E-One things have been moving pretty fast for you with “Right Here” and Something For The Streets 2. 250,000 downloads later, did you expect the kind of response you’ve received and what are your immediate plans for DYMG?

DJ Young Music: Yeah, it’s been pretty overwhelming. I think people can relate to it because it’s based on a true story. It’s about everybody taking people’s chicks when they’re not being treated right and the whole song is about how it would go down if I was to take somebody’s chick, Frank was to take somebody’s chick and Da-Rai was to take somebody’s chick. When “Right Here” came together, the way it was created, it was an automatic hit. As soon as I heard it I knew it was a hit. So when we got to that point, it was a go. Before I put it on Something For The Streets, I was letting DJs hear it and everybody was saying it was a hit. Frank knew it, Da-Rai knew it and I knew it, so there was nothing else to do but to push the song.

As for my label, we got Frank Benz hit single, “Not Around” and Da-Rai’s#### single “Wait” coming soon off of the DYMG compilation album. In addition to that, everybody is working on a solo project and it’s not just Frank and Da-Rai. We have other artists that we’re working with across the country that are making hits. Dallas, Chicago, California – DYMG is not just your local label. We’re taking this thing worldwide. I’ve been looking at some kids oversees in Taiwan, and some other countries, so we don’t want to limit ourselves to the United States.

Was the buzz around “Right Here” in the DMV at all responsible for the guest deejay shifts you’ve picked up at WPGC Radio?

DJ Young Music: I wouldn’t say that song is responsible for that relationship at all, because I was already making moves and recognized in the DMV. When you look at the age category, it’s Young Music and nobody else. Therefore, it was destined to happen. As for the relationship with WPCG 95.5, I started working with DJ Flex, living legend himself, who works [at the station]. When I was 11 and 12, I was doing parties with Flex and then I became Ginuwine’s Tour DJ. So over time I was adding stuff to my catalogue. But Tony Redz was really the one who pushed to get Young Music on the radio with a mix show. He felt like it would open doors because it had never been seen or done before.

Have you experienced any jealousy or envy from your peers, or older cats in the game because of the way you’ve gone about your business? If so, how do you deal with it?

DJ Young Music: I think with a lot of people that are older, it’s just different to them. When you see someone young that’s shaking things up, maybe it puts them on their heels a little bit. But I haven’t really experienced any jealousy or backlash for what I’m doing. If anything, it’s support. I just keep pushing forward and never listen to anybody’s opinion. That’s what I’ve always done and that’s what’s gotten me to the point I’m at right now. I just always listen to myself before anyone else.

Tell me about your role on the “Should Could Dream Tour” and what it’s been like to touch so many students (390,000), given the fact you are a graduating senior.

“The Should Could Dream Tour” is a 30 city school tour and it basically goes into schools and tells the kids, “You should have done this… You could have done this…” That’s why it’s called the Should Could Dream Tour. The opportunity was presented to me by Tony Redz and Dwayne Myko and the tour is sponsored by REVOLT TV and WPGC 95.5 and when Young Music joined the tour it gave me an opportunity to talk to the kids and it also gave the kids an opportunity to know my life story, to know that anything is possible, at any age. They see me at 18 and only a few years older than the majority of them and they realize that if they focus, they can become something.

I understand you have a fetish for fashion, but heard your shoe game is absolutely SICK! Do you have any plans to share or showcase that scope of your brand with your fans?

DJ Young Music: Oh, you already know! The shoe game is crazy!! I really focused on shoes coming up because you saw people like Chris Brown, Nelly, Jermaine Dupri… that was like one of the highlights of my life, looking at Bow Wow, all your celebrities always had the new J’s or the new Versace’s, the new Gucci’s. That was one of the things I really keyed in on. Young Music will be coming out with a new clothing line and I figured why not remodel it to show the new Young Music. The old clothing line was the old Young Music. With the new line, I’m thinking apparel, shoes – I just want to take this thing to a whole new level. Why not?

Now you might see me in loafers, a suit, a whole lot of stuff that most 18-year-olds don’t wear. This is a whole new Young Music. The old Young Music was just that deejay. But this new Young Music is your Diddy, your Jay-Z. It’s a more bossed up look. It’s a more next level type of look… not just your average teen.

Connect with DJ Young Music

www.Djyoungmusic.com

www.twitter.com/djyoungmusic1

Instagram: @djyoungmusic1

www.facebook.com/djyoungmusic1

J. Cole Talks The Meaning Behind 'Love Yourz' Track (VIDEO)

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2) Updated Category: News
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During a sit down with Tavis Smiley, J. Cole spoke about the meaning of his introspective track, “Love Yourz” off of 2014 Forest Hills Drive. 

The Dreamville captain says that the song is a reflection of him realizing that material things would not bring him true happiness, which is he thought was possible in his younger years.

“[Love Yourz] sums up the entire album and just what I’ve learned from my career,” Cole told Smiley. “There was such an attempt to achieve these things and to keep going that you lose sight of the people and the blessing you have around you.”

Watch below.

Rapper Who Faced Charges Because Of His Music Has Case Dismissed

By: Tanay Hudson (@NYStateOfMind2) Updated Category: News
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The rapper who was facing conspiracy charges because of his lyrics is now a free man. NBC reports that a San Diego Superior Court judge has dismissed the charges against Brandon Duncan, who raps under the moniker Tiny Doo, because there was not enough evidence to bring him to trial.

Duncan, 33, was one of the 15 defendants who faced charges in connection to nine shootings that happened from May 2013 to February 2014. Prosecutors alleged that Duncan’s music promoted violence and criminal activity and that he benefited from the notoriety gained from his Lincoln Park, CA gang. There was no evidence connecting him to any shootings.

This case had brought a controversial law to the forefront. Duncan was being charged under California’s Penal Code 182. 5, which states that gang members can be charged with crimes committed by other members whether they were involved or not.

Defense Attorney Brian Watkins argued that this whole case violated Duncan’s First Amendment rights.

“I think the whole world was watching because when they put our First Amendment here in America on trial, to say that Brandon Duncan’s rap music encouraged these shootings,”Watkins told NBC.

The gunman in these shootings has not been charged.