rap
Rhythm and Poetry; rap music is a genre centered around speaking truth to power with style.
Nick Nittoli Knows How to Make a Good Song
Nick Nittoli is a kid from Garfield, New Jersey living his dream. He actually won for losing... On the short-lived Bravo show Platinum Hit, Nick made it to the semi final round of cuts before being eliminated. He ultimately came in fourth place, but it wasn't time for the former telemarketer to wake up yet. He parlayed his appearance on the show into a publishing deal and has been producing and writing as many songs as he could dream up ever since. His writing actually inspired me to write again. My last article was written at a time when the hip hop community was mourning the loss of the legendary figure Nipsey Hussle. To be frank, writing lost its appeal to me. It wasn't a fun time even though I tried hard to make it be. Transcribing Nick's lyrics put a smile on my face. Ah, to be young.
By Brooklyn Damien6 years ago in Beat
Worst to Best Freshmen 'XXL' List 2019
XXL is a very popular and influential hip hop magazine established in 1997. Starting in 2008 the magazine began to release its annual freshmen list, that contains 10 upcoming rappers. Some rappers who have appeared on the list are Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Schoolboy Q, Chance the Rapper, and many more. Each year, prior to the release of the freshmen list, rappers are seen on YouTube pitching themselves and giving the fans a reason to choose them as a XXL freshmen. While many rappers have tried to join the list others have declined it such as Lil Skies, Nicki Minaj, and ASAP Rocky. I’ve seen a lot of videos of people eating each artist on the cover so I thought I’d weigh in on the 10 artist that were chosen, and rank them worst to best.
By Dakota Thomas6 years ago in Beat
Reason First: Is Cardi B the Greatest Rapper of the 2010's?
The rap arena is flooded with figures. In this age of “I want it now!” female rappers, especially, must contend with their fellow female rappers as well as male MCs quicker and with more verve. They often find themselves referring to their genitalia in songs. MC Cardi B summarized how difficult it is to traverse the hip hop landscape without promoting sexually explicit lyrics. “When I did ‘Be Careful,’ the rapper explained, “people [were] talking mad s––.” This observation has its roots in the thousands of years of artistry across many cultures. Is it “selling out” to appeal to the tastes of the masses? Have rappers already sold out a long time ago?
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Beat
10 Rap Songs to Add to Your Workout Playlist
Sweat drips from your forehead onto the ground, as you hold your body in a plank. The timer that your eyes have been glued to for the past minutes seems to be going at its slowest, which is torturing you physically and mentally. Suddenly the one motivational song you’ve been playing over and over agin stops and you remember have a cup of ice cream waiting for you in your fridge. The sweating, the pain, and frustration all comes to an end and instead you devour a whole carton of ice cream. What if you kept working out? What if you had more motivational songs that helped you through a whole workout?
By Dakota Thomas7 years ago in Beat
Reason First: Did Megan Thee Stallion Shut Down Tim Westwood?
Tim Westwood, celebrated radio presenter, was knocked down a peg by Megan Thee Stallion on his own show. When asked whether her hair was a wig or weave, the Houston rapper replied, “not your business.” This barb comes on the heels of the United States government wanting to involve itself in private institutions concerning hairstyles. Megan Thee Stallion makes it clear to Westwood that he (and his audience) will not know the true definition of her magnificent mane.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Beat
Love and Hip Hop
Hip hop, the musical heartbeat of a generation. Built from the work of trendsetters and visionaries. Over the years countless DJs, performers, and lyricists built a foundation of words. From those words a generation grew up listening to the rhythm and beats of the message.
By John Ames Birch7 years ago in Beat
Reason First: Is Rapper Russ Right?
Russ is white. He’s also a rapper. He is also a one man band phenomenon who sells out shows, and knows his way around a mixing board, engineering equipment, and production studio. So, why is he concerned with the black rap community? Russ says that the business of music is designed to cull young, financially illiterate blacks to make old white men wealthy. Also, he says that such youths “perpetuate negative black stereotypes.” So, why would he voice these ideas? Is it merely white guilt rearing its ugly head again? What Russ is speaking is somewhat true although severely misguided.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Beat
Reason First: Do Cardi B's Accusers Hate Her Because She's Beautiful?
Before roving mobs start chanting “lock her up!” Cardi B should be given her chance at due process like any other rights holding American citizen. A Grammy, a husband, a baby, three number one singles, and an ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award, and a number one album all set up Cardi B to be amongst the wheat while other female rappers have become the chaff. The indictment regarding her allegedly attempting to “assault two women with intent to cause serious physical injury and other charges like misdemeanor reckless endangerment, assault, criminal solicitation, conspiracy,” and harassment all amount to hate. It is the hatred of the successful for being successful. If Cardi B would have been a dancer still sliding down poles with a few thousand dollars attached to her name, would she be in this conundrum?
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Beat
Reason First: Should Lil' Durk Start Snitching?
Rather than shooting videos, Durk has allegedly been seen shooting in a video with a firearm. Among the other charges including criminal intent to commit murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Lil’ Durk may see football numbers if tried and convicted of these alleged crimes. Lil’ Durk maintains his innocence throughout this whole ordeal. The Chicago rapper understands that the judge has discovered probable cause in Lil’ Durk’s case and has denied bond. There is that video floating around that illustrates Durk allegedly firing the weapon in question.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Beat
Joyner Lucas: 'ADHD'
Joyner Lucas has been creating some buzz for his upcoming ADHD album, which doesn’t have a release date just yet. He announced the upcoming album in late 2018, since then we’ve seen the release of three singles “I Love,” “Devil’s Work” and “Isis.” Right off the bat, I wanna say that 9/10 I don’t really research albums before they drop. This is because I’m usually not interested in what the artist is trying to do with an album. I like to listen to it first and then look at what they say they were trying to do to see if they were successful. It's this idea of the realized intention. I only mention it because if Joyner did any interviews about any of the things I’m going to discuss, I wouldn’t have seen them. But anyway.
By Azaria Brown7 years ago in Beat
