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Wassup y'all!
January isn't even over yet and we already have a winner for album cover of the year! Just kidding... Don't be dicks like POTUS FDT people, eat healthy food!
More seriously, I got pretty emotional this week.
Tony Parker played for the first time in San Antonio... as a visitor! It felt as if almost half of my life had just vanished away and I had no choice but accept it and move on.
Also I received massive positive feedbacks on Kick's Groove 1st issue. Be assured I don't take it for granted, it's REALLY appreciated! The best motivation I could've asked for.
This 2nd issue should give you a more accurate idea of what to expect every week in your inbox:
- LISTEN TO THIS SHIT: new (or not so new) albums, songs, playlists, mixes, podcasts.
- WATCH THIS SHIT: music videos, documentaries, video interviews, movies, series.
- READ THIS SHIT: articles, interviews, books.
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C-Bo - Animal
Bow down before Sacramento's Mob Father! No features needed, he can do this frowning grown man gangsta rap shit like no other!
Favorite tracks: "Get Money", "Cat N Mouse", "All Over Some Pussy"
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8Ball & MJG - Classic Pimpin (Live)
On January 1st, The Orange Mound OG's kicked off the new year with their first release together since Ten Toes Down in 2010, which is actually their first live album ever. Classic Pimpin is the ultimate proof that live rap albums can be fuckin awesome, contrary to popular belief. I mean, for over a quarter century their music has been in essence an organic blend of funk, blues, soul and southern rock melted into their signature pimpish gangsta rap. So ain't no surprise this selection of 11 classics is so easily taking on a whole new dimension when revisited with the help of a live band and backing vocalists (including Dungeon Family singer Joi). Ain't no surprise neither the duo got inducted into the Memphis Music Hall Of Fame last November (joining the likes of Elvis Presley, Al Green, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Otis Redding, ZZ Top and Justin Timberlake, just to name a few). To quote their 2004 Bad Boy Records album's title: they're living legends after all.
Favorite tracks: "Space Age Pimpin", "Comin Out Hard", "Paid Dues"
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Big K.R.I.T. - TDT
K.R.I.T. packaged his 3 late 2018 EP's together and it feels good to see him still carrying Pimp C's torch onto 2019. Way better than seeing him trying to sound like some country fried Kanye West or Talib Kweli.
Favorite tracks: "Learned From Texas", "Energy", "Pick Yourself Up"
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Bonkerz - Who Is Bonkerz Vol. 2
Nothing new under the Compton sun, but this is some solid post My Krazy Life era gangsta rap.
Favorite tracks: "Cali Soil", "Red Bricks", "El Dinero", "Lifestyle"
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Mann - Live From The 3
You may remember Mann from his club friendly hit "Buzzin' (Remix)" with 50 Cent almost a decade ago. Despite his early success, his career never took off tho. Reconnecting with his Westcoast roots, he dropped 2 dope projects last year that slipped under my radar until now. South Of Pico, a collab album with his fellow West L.A. natives Yelohill and Hit-Town, that includes the highlight "True To The Game". And this EP that is even more sure to rub G-funk fans the right way. 6 tracks (+ 1 intro and 1 interlude) working as the perfect soundtrack to picture yourself cruising down Pico Blvd or Fairfax Ave in a old school Chevy.
Favorite tracks: "Wicked Side", "Moonwalk", "West L.A. King"
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va$htie - ONE16GOAT Mix
Isn't it pretty symbolic that the 2 most influential female singers to the current generation of soul/R&B artists share the same birthday? No disrespect to FKA twigs and Kate Moss, but I don't even see the point of featuring them on the cover of this nice mix by New York DJette va$htie, even though they were born on January 16 too. C'mon, we're all here for Sade and Aaliyah! Goddess Adu turned 60 on Wednesday, while Princess Haughton would have blown out her 40 candles. The former looks timeless as ever (this pic from 2 years ago is my witness. Damn you, Drake!). The latter will forever stay Baby Girl in our hearts. Age ain't nothing but a number. For real.
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"Take A Picture" is the bonus (and all new) track on 8Ball & MJG's Classic Pimpin live album. But "Take A Night Ride In Our Early 70's Oldsmobile Cutlass Drop Top" would have been a more accurate name. 8 and J's chemistry is as tangible in 2019 as it was back in 1993. The last great rap duo standing. Also the song is produced by Houston veteran Cory Mo, so you know it's country rap tunes at its finest!
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That shit brazy!
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I guess this track is a leftover off aforementioned albums South Of Pico or Live From The 3. Yelohill looks like a skinny Colin Kaepernick trying to emulate Nipsey Hussle when Nipsey Hussle was trying to emulate Snoop Dogg. But don't let his slight lack of personality deny yourself a guaranteed G-funk summertime anthem when you hear one. Trust me, "Party On Pico" will be on heavy rotation when the sunny days are back. I just wish they sold those color changing flip flops on Amazon or eBay...
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Definition of a classic posse cut. And classic Mark Morrison sample btw. Don't know why it took Trae Tha Truth a year and a half to shot this epic video for the final track of his 2017 Tha Truth Pt. 3 album, but hey, who's gonna complain? He even brought Chamillionaire out of retirement and he did well: the Mixtape Messiah arguably spits the best verse of all.
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Detroit stoner rapper Willy J Peso had one of my favorite slept on tracks of 2018. Little did I know he also dropped a music video for it a while back. This shit don't even have 4k views, wtf?! With such title as "Funky Hippie Shit" and a guest feature from Devin The Dude (high as a drone as always), you know you just can't go wrong, tho.
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Five fingers slap if you don't mean mug when that beat bumpin'! Rapper Ice Meez is from Fairfield, producer Dennis Blaze from San Diego. Perfect NorCal x SoCal combination.
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Stalin The Innercity Rebel may have one of the most corny rap names ever, but I gotta admit his music nails it when it comes to keeping retro Eastcoast boom bap nostalgia alive, with the proper amount of warm saxophone, melancholic piano loops and old vinyl record hiss-and-pop noises. The Queens emcee released not less than 5 albums last year, "Burn Slow" being off the third one, Born Hopeless.
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Saweetie may be the current buzzing queen in the Bay, but don't sleep on them Oakland female rappers! Girlz N The Hood, the name can't be more self-explanatory. They just did a remix of their hit "So Wassup" with SOB x RBE. For "F.W.U.", Shi, 1/4 of the group, links up with Young Jas, who sounds just like she could very well be the 5th member. +1 for the throwback Baron Davis' Warriors jersey. RIP Nia Wilson.
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If you don't bust down and take it off in a frenzy on this slapper by Seattle newcomer RocDrippy, honestly I don't know what you need!
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Chippass' Mob Principals was one of my favorite albums of last year. "Help Me" is a good example why. The Mekanix on the beat, can't get more Oakland mobb shit than that! (On a side note: cemeteries always make great location for music videos, don't they?)
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If, like most people, you didn't see the "Cash Me Outside" Girl as nothing more than a teenage brat turned annoying meme, it's not too late to finally face the truth. Her 15 debut album was actually good and she keeps getting better at it. I could care less about Tory Lanez' feature verse, but gah damn how savage Bhad Bhabie's flow is right here!
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Shay's back with a vengeance! The bold and jolie Belgian rapper kinda went AWOL for the last couple years, but it looks like money's about to grow like cabbages for her in 2019. Catchy beat, infectious hook and that pretty damn hilarious music video: if you don't think "Cocorico" has all it takes to become a certified banger, then whatcha talkin bout?!
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I won't lie, Ella Mai is my biggest R&B crush lately (when I'm not having a crush on Sabrina Claudio, Lolo Zouai or Kiana Ledé). Her self-titled album was definitely one of my favorite releases of last year. She got the voice, the look and the attitude. She's also a lot into that throwback 90's vibe and I mean it in a good way, as you can see in her new "Shot Clock" music video (those braids!). Btw, her sold out show in Paris on Monday was top notch, to say the least, thanks to her stage presence and her talented back singers and musicians.
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Why is this making me feel like Emmanuel Franco is channeling some kind of young lost-in-the-woods Chris Isaak who ended up drunk and mad because of all the wicked games he played? "Remember" is so fucking addictive, can't believe it barely has 2k views!
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Don't stay home and listen to the blues *Sade's voice*
Go outside instead and spend some quality time with your friends this weekend.
And while you're at it, tell 'em to subscribe!
See you next week ;)
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