Artist starts gaining traction for having a different sound
Artist signs to MMG
Artist sounds like Rick Ross had a hand in every track, sounds weaker
Artist (presumably) asks Ross to back off and give more freedom
Artist goes back to original sound
Rockie Fresh is an artist who followed this track to a tea. He had a truly different sound — spacey, trippy, and suspenseful. After breaking out of “underground” status with 2012’s outstanding Driving 88 and a solid follow-up with Electric Highway, Rockie clearly started feeling some of that MMG curse.
He really broke that curse with “Official” — a Hit-Boy produced banger — in July, and just this week dropped another. “Hesitate” is a short, sweet, soul-filled song that really throws it back to Rockie’s classic sound we first heard in full force on Otherside.
It seems Rick Ross has seen Rockie’s potential (and his own devastating effects on artists) and has handed the young artist his reins back. I can’t wait to see what he puts out this winter.
It’s been over three years since his debut album Timez Are Weird These Daysdropped, but Theophilus London is preparing to drop his sophomore project, Vibes.
Theo has spent the last few years travelling, doing shows, and has no doubt grown as a person, and from what we’ve heard — as an artist as well. So far, he’s dropped two singles from Vibes: “Neu Law” — a dark, dreary song reminiscent of Timez hit “Last Name London;” and “Tribe” — a fast, Jesse Boykins-assisted track reminiscent of his older work that’s sure to get your feet moving.
On top of Theo’s own talent, the entire album was executive produced over the course of a year by none other than Kanye West. He also recruited his new friend, and legendary designer, Karl Lagerfeld to ‘art direct’ the album.
Theo has made it clear from the start that Vibes will be 100% original, no samples… so he also brought in some help from Leon Ware, a long-time collaborator with Marvin Gaye.
I have been looking forward to this album for years now, and I have high expectations. It’s set to drop on October 27th, and is available now for pre-order. Purchasing now gives you access to the first two singles immediately.
Theophilus London is one of my favourite artists and someone who cannot be defined by a genre. For the sake of argument, I’ve always described the Trinidad-bred, Brooklyn-trained artist’s sound to friends as indie-electro-hop. His beats are often laced with synths and smooth, deep bass. His flow is smooth and constantly changing project-to-project, and he always tells it like it is, saying whatever’s on his mind.
After a bit of a hiatus – from producing new music at least – TL is back with a preview of his new track “Do Girls,” which will be featured on his upcoming Lovers Holiday II EP. Be sure not to sleep on his sophomore album Vibes, dropping later this year. TL is doing big things, and after the success of his first album, and his growing status as a style icon (even Forbes sees it), the man is set for world domination. Don’t miss it.
After a much needed – and unproductive – holiday break, I’m back in the blogosphere.
I am always looking for new music and trying to discover new artists; there is nothing like the feeling of finding an up-and-coming artist and sharing their work with your friends. You hear one great song and immediately go find everything you can by that guy, and you’re hooked. With that said, I decided to start off the new year with some new finds who you may not have heard yet, but should.
Good Gatsby
Twenty-one year old Boston artist Jeremy Jamal Gooden – better know as Good Gatsby (@Good_Gatsby) – is doing something that many people have tried, but few succeed with. Gooden effortlessly croons soul and R&B choruses and stories, while adding in expertly delivered hip-hop verses. Talking about faith, relationships, and everyday struggles, Good Gatsby can instantly bring you in and have you hooked. I just discovered his nearly year-old debut mixtape, Man of the House, after hearing “Soul Food” – a track he just dropped that is as good as anything you can hear these days. Standout songs from Man of the House include “Our Song (Just the Two of Us Rendition),” “Bad Motherfucker,” and “Don’t Look Back.”
Good Gatsby – “Soul Food”
Good Gatsby – “Bad Motherfucker” (Man of the House)
KR
I don’t know if I have ever heard anyone that’s only 18 years old with flow like this kid. KR (Kalaan Walker) hails from Los Angeles, California and last year was named to The Source’s Unsigned Hype list. His voice already sounds much more mature than his age would suggest, and has a clear west coast vibe. KR sounds like a young J. Cole mixed with a bit of Mac Miller. His most recent mixtape, I$0lyf3 2 (pronounced isolife two), is nothing short of stellar – be sure to check out “Like ME,” “Dreams,” and “Poetic Death II.” Just last weekend KR dropped a smooth new track, “Off The Record.” This kid is destined to make an impact, and already has a huge following on twitter to prove it (@WhoKR).
KR – “Like ME” (I$0lyf3 2)
KR – “The Cypher Effect” (first verse)
Maffew Ragazino
Maffew Ragazino (@MaffewRagazino) has been around for a while, but been fairly quiet recently until he dropped a free mixtape this week – Brownsville’sJesus. In some songs it is clear that this guy hails from Brooklyn, but he reminds me a lot of Wale, in the best of ways. From what I have heard, his lyricism has drastically improved with time, and the production on Brownsville’s Jesus excellently keeps up.
He will definitely be one to watch, and with a feature from Action Bronson, and production from Bink!, it looks like people have already started to take notice. Make sure to check out “Avatar,” “Jackson Pollock,” “Box Office Smash,” and “BK Accent.”
Lupe released a new track today called “Old School Love” featuring UK crooner Ed Sheeran. The track is the first single off Lupe’s upcoming album Testuo & Youth, to be released early 2014.
Judging by this song, and recent releases by Lupe… his old school sound that we heard coming back on Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 should be deeply imbedded into this new album. Hip-hop fans rejoice.
KG
Lupe Fiasco – “Old School Love ft. Ed Sheeran”
"If 'Pac cried it woulda sound like this. I don't know nobody holdin' down they town like this." — CyHi The Prynce
lupe taught me — @kgoldstine 