Raheem DeVaughn returns with his 2018 album Decade of a Love King. The project consists of 13 tracks that would make anyone believe in love and passion, even the most jaded of hearts would fall in love with this album.
More new sounds:
Nicki Minaj returns to the music scene four years after her last album with the August 10 release of Queen. Frankly, this album was better than I expected. Nicki had gone on a media run that made her out to be a whiny brat who was pointing fingers at everyone but herself as to why she’d been somewhat forgotten. I was for sure that she wouldn’t deliver a decent album, especially since the release of her singles “Rich Sex” feat. Lil Wayne, “Chun-Li” and “Bed” received mixed reviews.
Now, I could be nitpicking, but, there’s no solid theme for this Nicki album. On the cover for Queen, Nicki looks like an African princess. Songs, like Chun-Li, in which she performed at many award shows had a Chinese vibe.
The album itself can be played from front to back. I don’t agree with the placement of the first song “Ganja Burns” because it just doesn’t feel like a track that would introduce an album. But everything else flows well. She has songs that will make you dance, songs you want to just sing along to and of course a couple tracks you can play if you’re going through relationship issues.
Her song “Barbie Dreams”, where she raps over a Biggie sample, was pumped up as a diss track, but it was definitely overhyped. I was entertained. I chuckled. But it was the furtherest thing from a diss track. My favs are “Run & Hide” and “Good Form”. And if you couldn’t get enough of the original release, on Tuesday (Aug. 14), Nicki added the track featuring Tekashi69 called “FEFE”. I’ve only heard it a few times but I think it’s safe to say it was an unnecessary addition.
Nicki Minaj and Future will be doing their NICKIHNDRXX tour starting late September. Stream her album to kick off the show at home or wherever you like to listen to music.
As the summer is coming to an end we are getting some new music releases and they are lit!
H.E.R delivered something amazing with her EP I Used to Know Her: The Prelude. She reels the listener in with the first song being a sample of Lauryn Hill’s “Lost Ones” . Using anything remotely close to Lauryn Hill’s work is risky but there was no disrespect with H.E.R.’s “Lost Souls”. It literally made me eager for the next track. The EP in total is 6 songs, 20 minutes in duration. There’s no disappointments with this project. It’s definitely worth the listen.
Can you say on repeat? This new album from Travis Scott is everything. From the cover art to the track list Travis Scott gave us something worth the wait since his last album Birds in the Trap Sing Brian McKnight . He didn’t overdo it with the features and the features he did have was a good fit for this album. It clearly lived up to the name of the album which was reportedly in tribute to an, now closed, amusement park in his hometown. The album takes you through many twists and turns with a whimsical undertone. Admittedly, if you aren’t a Travis Scott fan already you may not like everything but I believe there’s a song for everyone on this album.
The Internet released Hive Mind on July 20. With most of the group members coming off of a solo run you’d think that they wouldn’t have anything left to offer but that is the furthest thing from the truth. I enjoyed the group’s latest release and it seems that the solo projects only strengthened their sound.
They draw you in with up-tempo instrumentals and Syd’s melodic voice for an overall experience of what I can only describe as “grown up” music. If you aren’t familiar with the group I would recommend, not only listening to this project but also to their 2014 album Ego Death. You won’t be disappointed.
43-year-old New Orleans rapper Silkk the Shocker released his album It Will Make Sense Later on July 17. This album comes 13 years after his last release. It’s hard to say how this album will be received. It’s a good chance that it would be a nostalgic 1 hour and 1 minute for listeners who are familiar with Silkk’s earlier work. The younger generation may give it a chance off the strength of it being a new release and because there are a few tracks that fits the mold of today’s music.
There are features from Master P, Lil Romeo and more. Overall, I will say it’s not a bad album but I don’t believe it’s one that would be on repeat. My two favorite songs from the album is “Finest Girl” and “Outta Here” featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again. I would suggest giving the project a listen.
The group Shai is probably best known for their 1992 released single “If I Ever Fall in Love Again” from the album of the same title (I know it’s still one of my favorite songs to date). On June 29 the group (with two new members in place of two originals) released Musically Yours.
I am going to go out on the limb by saying that maybe my expectations was too high for this project but I was very disappointed and bored. Listen to this album at your own risk. The group just don’t sound as good as before. And maybe it’s just old age or the lack of having all of the original members but it just wasn’t doing it for me. There were some songs that could have been good but then they started trying to do too much. They weren’t harmonizing well and the execution just came off as noise.
Seemingly, Drake is on a roll with his music this summer. On July 15 he stopped by another UK-based show and spit a freestyle for Fire in the Booth. I suppose he is warming everyone up for his upcoming tour Aubrey and The Three Amigos.
Check out the Canadian rapper in this latest clip
Saturday, July 7 in Detroit at the Baltimore Art Gallery: a crowd of about 50 showed up to support local artist 2State in celebration of his new album PIPED.
The event was scheduled to take place from 8pm – 12am at the venue located just beyond Woodward Ave on E. Baltimore St. Upon arrival there was a small crowd gathered outside for a video shoot and with that it was only a small glimpse of the night to come.
Before the show began you were welcomed into the building with the smell of freshly made food and a choice of drink. There was merchandising available for purchase and the dj was warming the crowd up with popular radio songs.
Just before 10pm the show began.
There was much energy in the room from both the audience and the performers. It was made clear from the opening song down to the last that there is a solid fan base and family support of the artists there. In any spot of the venue, whether you stepped out to the bathroom or was right there by the stage, you could hear some people screaming the lyrics as though they wrote the songs themselves and others screaming words of encouragement ending with “yasss nephew! you go!”
Only two breaks occurred in the show. Once when rapper 2State wanted to speak and give acknowledgment to those who support him and a moment of silence for his uncle and then again when an iPhone turned up missing (but was quickly found).
To say the least the night was filled with pure entertainment from pure talent. The night was 2Live.
More about the artist:
2State has performed at many events including Imported from the D and the Friday Night Cypher hosted by 107.5s DJBJ. His album PIPED is available on all streaming platforms. I listened on iTunes, here’s the link
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/piped/1404395435
Also! Follow his personal page on Instagram @2statemeech and his fan page @2statefanpage for updates on new music and events.
The venue was small but the talent was big.
Father’s Day was not the only celebration going down on Sunday, June 17. If you were lucky you caught the release and performance of the EP BARS by the Hip-Hop artist Alexyn Wundrland. The concert took place on Wayne State’s campus and it was nothing short of entertaining.
Admittedly, prior to the concert I had only heard snippets of Wu’s work and I can honestly say I had been cheating myself of some good music. Alexyn has a great stage presence and kept the audience engaged throughout her entire set. It became obvious that she is not just making music in search of fame but to share her passion of words. With smooth clear lyrics the message being presented was translated into a well crafted body of work.
Throughout the show there were a few guests. One being her brother King Kvll, whom she collaborated with on a few songs. There was also a live band, Modern Element, who played the instrumentals for a few of the songs performed and they also graced us with their own set. And there was also an appearance from, who she introduced as a good friend, Zellia Fossett. Fossett offered up a few vocals for unreleased tracks that she and Alexyn is working on.
If you missed the show, Alexyn Wundrland’s Bars can be found on all streaming platforms. I copped a physical album but I did add it on Apple Music. Here’s a link https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bars-ep/1400235243.
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