Rap

3 For Three

Artist: 
Gucci Mane
Label: 
Atlantic Recording Corporation

I was curious to see what Gucci Mane did upon getting out of prison. Would it be a somber, reflective project about dealing with the trappings of fame while maintaining your initial identity and ethos, or the utter bangers that we all wanted to hear? Thankfully, it was the latter. Gucci has been expanding his brand lately, producing the chart-topping hit Black Beatles, but he is still able to make great rap songs. This was a small EP release of three songs, but all of them are awesome. He boasts and is incredibly cocky on these songs, but deservedly so.

Sounds Like: 
Travis Scott
Sounds Like: 
Migos
Name: 
Will Fotter
Date Reviewed: 
02/08/2017

When I'm Not Around

Artist: 
Dutch Boy
Label: 
Dutch Boy

If Chris Brown and Travis Scott had a mysterious love child, this is it fam. Where has Dutch Boy been?!?! His voice needs to be spread!

Sounds Like: 
Travis Scott
Sounds Like: 
Chris Brown
Sounds Like: 
The Weeknd
Name: 
Alex Paris
Date Reviewed: 
02/07/2017

The Return of East Atlanta Santa

Artist: 
Gucci Mane
Label: 
Atlantic Recording Corporation

       This album is Gucci Mane's December 2016 release, following the first two studio releases  "Everybody Looking" and "Woptober."  There isn't an overflow of features on the album which is great. Gucci only included the essentials, Drake, Bryson Tiller, and Travis Scott. When rappers start out earlier in their career they tend to depend on features for a spectrum of reasons. For example, Gucci had six features on his first album "Trap House" released in 2005.

Sounds Like: 
Yo Gotti
Sounds Like: 
Wake Flocka Flame
Name: 
Brieana Sealy
Date Reviewed: 
02/01/2017

The Wake Up 2

Artist: 
Trinidad James
Label: 
Gold Gang Records

Trinidad James is a Trinidad-born American rapper best known for "All Gold Everything" and most recently for his collaboration with Lil Dicky on "Just a Lil' Thick". Despite only having a few standout tracks, James has had considerable success over the past few years. While I do love his unique delivery, and overall just enjoy his bigger hits, his new album, "The Wake Up 2" was a pretty big let down for me. One thing I will give this album is that it's an interesting little compilation of music. James brings us many different sounds in just 9 songs.

Sounds Like: 
A$AP Ferg (but way worse)
Sounds Like: 
Migos (but way worse)
Name: 
Zack Estes
Date Reviewed: 
01/30/2017

Stoney

Artist: 
Post Malone
Label: 
Republic Records

     Post Malone's debut album "Stoney" is a prime example of how an album should work. Everyone has that one artist that had a string of great singles that made you super excited for the album, then the album came out and it was liquid ass. You won't be disappointed with this album. I'm not saying the music is best, but If you liked his singles, than you will like the majority of this album. Post played it safe with this album; almost every song on this album sounds similar to his singles. Here, I'll make it easy for you...

Sounds Like: 
Travis Scott
Sounds Like: 
D.R.A.M.
Sounds Like: 
Young Thug
Name: 
Brieana Sealy
Date Reviewed: 
01/28/2017

4 Your Eyez Only

Artist: 
J. Cole
Label: 
Dreamville

Forest Hills Drive was a tough record to follow up. While 4 Your Eyez Only does not provide as many bangers or sing-alongs, the record reflects a more mature J. Cole as a whole. He battles with his demons throughout the record and comes out at the end with more unanswered questions. This record bares J. Cole's soul, as ahe reflects on the trappings of fame, and the juxtaposition of his success with his roots. He retains his signature contemplative attitude on the majority of the record, but songs like Immortal show his efforts to cope with his newfound fame.

Sounds Like: 
Kendrick Lamar
Sounds Like: 
Chance the Rapper
Name: 
Will Fotter
Date Reviewed: 
01/24/2017

Blue

Artist: 
pausemc
Label: 
Permanent Vacation Records

This CD has literally been in the bin for a year. I thought I should give it a shot, and I wasn't dissapointed. Pausemc is a basic rapper with some catchy songs and lyrics. I really like the song "Roller Coaster" (track 4) just for the beat. "Nowhere to Hide" (track 2) has such an errie feel and it's kind of awesome. The last song on the album "Escape" has a pretty cool music drop. That song has a more of a edm feel, it would be super sick if someone remixed the song.

Sounds Like: 
Digable Planets
Sounds Like: 
Kid Koala
Sounds Like: 
Shinobi Ninja
Name: 
T Statman
Date Reviewed: 
12/01/2016

Coke N Butter

Artist: 
O.T. Genasis
Label: 
Atlantic Records

The one hit wonder is back and this time with his debut album. O.T. Genasis is most famous for his song "CoCo". The whole album is 100% trap. I loved the song "CoCo" so I thought I would give his album a chance. Overall I'd say that this album wasn't bad if you're a fan of trap. None of the songs on the album were "Coco" caliber but nonetheless still pretty good. The songs on the album basically consist of coming up with catchy phrases that are usually illegal then repeated over and over again with a trap beat. 

Sounds Like: 
Young Thug
Sounds Like: 
Bobby Shmurda
Name: 
Jonathan Merza
Date Reviewed: 
11/30/2016

Ostrich - Single

Artist: 
Dear Derrick
Label: 
PBS Inc/Only popcorn/New East Coat

          Dear Derrick released Ostrich as a single off his new album "More Reality Less Art." The song is old school hip-hop type of song; no melody, angelic female vocals or samples are in the song. It's just Dear Derrick rapping over an 808. The song is two minutes and thirteen seconds which is pretty short for a single, but Derrick gets straight to the point with this song. There is no bridge, intro, or outro. The song is rather stripped, so I don't feel like I need this song to be longer than two minutes.

Sounds Like: 
Tyler the Creator
Sounds Like: 
Hopsin
Name: 
Brieana Sealy
Date Reviewed: 
11/20/2016

The Labyrinth

Artist: 
Zion I
Label: 
Mind Over Matter

     Zion I, aka Baba Zumbi's new album called The Labyrinth is a conscious rap album with personal, sociopolitical, and inspirational lyrics. The intro "Pre-Destine" and the outro "Departure" are recordings of Zumbi's two-year-oldson Kenji. Kenji had some kind words for his fathers listeners: "Hey people, don't hate. God will protect you. Focus on the good parts." The first two songs after the intro are Bangers! "What we Gone Do" is definitely a more trap oriented song.

Sounds Like: 
Aesop Rock
Sounds Like: 
Talib Kweli
Name: 
Brieana Sealy
Date Reviewed: 
11/16/2016