News

Category: News
’12 Best Albums: #1 Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city

Kendrick Lamar’s story was untold until the release of good kid, m.A.A.d city. Opening with a prayer, his tale unravels with a series of events. From getting double crossed by a local hood rat (“Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinters Daughter”) to nearly arrested (“The Art Of Peer Pressure”) Kendrick geniusly chronicles life growing up in California (“Compton”). Still the meat and potatoes of good kid, m.A.A.d city lies within the album’s sub-plots. There’s alcoholism (“Swimming Pools”), hustler ambition (“Money Trees”) and community (“good […]

’12 Worst Singles: #1 Driicky Graham “Snapbacks & Tattoos”

From time to time, young rappers think it’s cool to use a fashion trend as the main focal point in their music. And this year, the 21-year-old NC upstart decided to hop on the bandwagon and dropped off his ode to his bodily ink and those hats with the straps. If the annoying loop and the dense hook aren’t bad enough, it’s the simple raps that top it all: “I’m international/Y’all niggas vaginal/I pass through, fresh to death/You’ve now entered […]

’12 Worst Singles: #2 Nicki Minaj “Stupid Hoe”

For those brave enough to make it through Roman Reloaded all the way, Nicki took her alter-ego to hideous levels on its final stretch. Although the visual is pleasant on the eyes, make sure you turn the volume down. With a wacky bubble-popping sound and grating chorus plaguing throughout, Roman Zolanski filled this end of 2011-released diss record with lines that’ll even make Kimberly chuckle (” Hey yo, baby bop, fuck you and your EP/Who’s gassin’ this hoe? BP?” ). Uh, who gassed you, ma?

’12 Best Albums: #2 Nas Life Is Good

Prior to 2012, life wasn’t always so good for Nasir. After the lackluster work on his previous release, Nas shocked the world with his formidable tenth album. As if one is needed, Esco re-introduces himself on the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League-assisted “No Introduction”. Nas can’t pick good beats? On this go-round, the quality behind the boards took a giant leap forward. Nas’ go-to producer Salaam Remi provides the foundation behind the boards on the well-narrated tale of his borough (“Queens Story“), the […]

’12 Best Albums: #3 T.I. Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head

Despite his run-ins with the law and underwhelming No Mercy, T.I. found redemption with last year’s release, Trouble Man. Marvin Gaye ushers in “The Introduction” but “Go Get It” proves T.I. needs no helping hands. Lyrically, Tip steps his rap game up. He’s confident (“G Season”), reckless (“Trap Back Jumpin” ) and even a bit arrogant (“The Way I Ride”). But trap muzik isn’t the only thing Cliff’s serving. His R.Kelly collaboration “Can You Learn” is on the easy on the ears. He allows Andre […]