Music | What I've Been Listening To

As this week comes to a glorious close I thought I'd share all the albums and mixtapes I've been listening to. This past fortnight has been great for hip-hop with Rapsody, Jean Grae, Kendrick Lamar and Lil B all dropping a lil' something for the masses. They're all records I've been anticipating for a while now and I haven't been disappointed at all, which is a nice surprise. In other news Thursday night's Hip Hop Karaoke at The Social was good as usual. For an event that's been running for six years straight, I can only see it going from strength to strength - I read a couple bum reviews about how the venue was too small and that the performances were a bit lacklustre, but it's karaoke... not a concert in Madison Square Garden. The whole point of the event is to have fun and pretend that we're all rappers for the night. Well, that's my motive anyway. Check out my performance from last week... I've concluded that I could never be a gangster since my voice is too high and I could never convincingly intimidate anyone. Darn. Anyway, peace, love and hip-hop as always guys.

Rapsody - Thank H.E.R Now

Ever since Return of The B-Girl I've been a hardcore Rapsody fan. Her rapping style reminds me of an old school Jay-Z fused with MC Lyte and her voice against those signature 9th Wonder beats is like perfect hip-hop to me. Female rappers are so far and few between these days with only one or two lady rhymeslingers ever receiving the acclaim that they rightfully deserve. Anyway, that's a post for another time. This release sees Rapsody pay homage to hip-hop, relating her past experiences over soul samples provided by fellow Jamla signee Khrysis, Nottz, Amp and of course father 9th (or 9thmatic for whenever he decides to pick up a mic and lay off the beats for a while). 20 tracks deep though, Thank H.E.R Now managed to keep me entertained with a healthy dose of features including Pittsburgh cool kid Mac Miller, Raekwon, Big K.R.I.T and fellow rapper with a vagina, Jean Grae whose lyricism is second to none. So far, XXL have failed to put a lady on their coveted Freshmen cover and if anyone is worthy of a spot, Rapdiddy definitely is. I'm sick of seeing testosterone dominate hip-hop to be honest. But again, that's a post for another time. For now, salute the number one B-Girl of Jamla.

Lampin'

Blankin' Out f/ Jean Grae

Lemme Think

Kendrick Lamar - Section.80

I've only named two mixtapes as my favourite releases of the year so far, those being Lincoln Way Nights by Stalley and Elzhi's Elmatic. However Kendrick Lamar's Section.80 gets an honourable mention as of right now. The 16 track independent album from the Compton rhymer is pure genius and that's not just a meagre exaggeration. This record proves to be conceptual and imaginative, ultimately emerging a true multi-faceted piece of work. Covering range of themes, Kendrick succeeds at being lyrical, with a flow that dances over a selection of Sounwave, THC and Willie B beats. I can't say that I wasn't expecting this record to be good, but I definitely underestimated just how unskippable it would actually prove to be. Each of the six features slot perfectly into place created an amazing album. And for only £5.99 on iTunes it's the best money you'll part with this month. Believe me. 

A.D.H.D

No Make Up (Her Vice) f/ Colin Munroe

Kush & Corinthians f/ BJ The Chicago Kid 

Ice Cube - The Predator

From one Californian rapper to another we go. Ice Cube's 1992 album The Predator still gets the plays in, no doubt. Cube, who's considered to one of the most talented storytellers hip-hop has ever come across, who in his prime was so unreservedly aggressive (No Vaseline, Nigga You Love To Hate, Black Korea) and controversial, certainly made some of the best albums and songs of the early 90's, despite his breakaway from N.W.A. Although he went from Doughboy to flim-flam roles in kiddy movies, Ice Cube will always be gangsta to me regardless. This dude deserves a hand clap for flying the flag for West Coast rap and for spitting some of the illest raps and stories ever. It's always a good day if Ice Cube's involved.

Wicked

Gangster's Fairytale 2

Say Hi To The Bad Guy