Wassup y'all!
I happened to be in Chicago for a couple days, such a great city when it comes to music in general and rap in particular. Above is a picture I took of a dope (and pretty iconic) mural by local artist Jeff Zimmerman. It's located in Oak Street Beach. Just wanted to share it with you.
Anyway, I'ma keep it short, for obvious reasons. Won't be able to send the newsletter next week, as I'll be on vacay mode somewhere in Central America. Follow me on Instagram if you wanna know what I'll be up to, but I won't blame you if you don't care at all, lol.
In the meantime, here's the music I've been listening to this week.
Hope you'll enjoy it!
|
|
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Grand National - El Camino Theory
|
|
|
Grand National's 3rd album was released a month ago, but for whatever reason it slipped under my radar until now, even though I'm a huge fan of the Oklahoma City emcee. I suck, right? Maybe it's because he hasn't put out any new promo visual since "Muse" last November, I don't know... El Camino Way does live up to its predecessors Grand Prix and Eastside Delicacy which both claimed a good spot in my 2015 and 2017 year-end lists, respectively. Here, their pleasing '90s nostalgic vibe, half country rap tunes, half soulful boom bap, has evolved into an even more sophisticated and evanescent formula that will make you purr if a mix of Currensy, Le$ and Polyester The Saint sounds like a sweet and fleecy comfort zone to you. Have you ever been content and at peace with yourself right after watching a beautiful sunset over the ocean or some palm trees? Then this is the exact kind of inspiring laidback rap music you need to extend the floating feeling.
FAVORITE TRACKS:
"Tobacco Free", "Stayin Down", "Day Ones", "Innamission Ona Balcony", "All Money In (To Be Inspired)", "Switchin Lanes"
|
|
|
MORE DOPE NEW ALBUMS YOU BETTA NOT SLEEP ON:
|
|
|
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Baby Brother x Cuddie Cam x FOE Kobewitak x FOE 1hunniddre x Tre Durk x NBN Tudda x Bandlife Birdy - Onna Gang
|
|
|
Fountain of youth or juvenile spout, call it what you want, there's definitely something refreshing in the Napa River's (Forty) water. The slapper is not even 3-minute long, but it feels like these Vallejo kids could go on rapping effortlessly without ever giving a fuck about the sands of time (unless it's an S.O.S Band sample). What's up with that dude taking a shit at the 1:02 mark tho?
Here's another prime example of why the perky spirit of the Bay up to Sacramento will never run dry.
|
|
|
Click the YouTube Playlist button below for other new visuals by Grand National, Dounia, Yung LB x Dollas Up Nero, Snow Tha Product, Slim Tha Foreignor, Chi Virgo, Tray Haggerty, Kofi, MC Magic x Cuco x Lil Rob, Bozo x G Perico, Quick Badazz, Peezy, Stacey Lois x 8Ball & MJG, Young Iggz, Yawil, Trevor Jackson, E-40 and Grinch-O.
|
|
|
INTERVIEW
E-40 Teaches Stephen Curry New Bay Area Slang
|
|
|
STOP EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING AND WATCH THIS VIDEO!!!! One of my favorite ballers EVER choppin' it up with one of my favorite rappers EVER, couldn't have asked for a better duo! Mutual respect is in the air and you'll learn a thing or two about Yay Area lingo. Also E-40 is probably the only rapper in all history who knows how to cook escargots, lol. While you at it, do yourself a favor and watch the episodes with Nipsey Hussle and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf from Season 1 of Steph Curry's video series 5 Minutes From Home. |
|
|
|
I updated the R&B Diamondz playlist that I'm curating for the BackPackerz website and that you should already be familiar with by now. 20 new gems including Reece, Talea, RUSSELL!, Mitchell Yard x Ayelle x Cezaire, Darnell Roy x K-Major, Joy Crookes, Planet Giza, unperfect, ELHAE, Kari Faux, Trevor Jackson, IMSOS44, Mereba x 6LACK, Always Never, Jasmïn, Ilham, Tray Haggerty, Roman Kouder x Ana Zimmer, Chi Virgo and Quincy Mumford.
|
|
THROWBACK
D.A. Smart - Walk Wit Me (1997)
|
|
|
Forget about Common's "Chi City" or Kanye West's "Homecoming", the true real Chicago anthem was made back when the Bulls were in the middle of their second three-peat. Over a pared-down yet infectious beat by The Legendary Traxster aka the yang to No I.D.'s yin when it comes to iconic local producers, one-hood-hit wonder D.A. Smart literally walks you through the infamous neighborhoods of Windy City, offering a comprehensive tour of where the Folk and People Nations dwell. The most timeless piece of street gang culture since "Bangin On Wax". |
|
It's all for now!
On my way from Chicago to Costa Rica be like:
|
|
Don't forget to tell your friends to subscribe!
See you in 2 weeks ;)
|
|
|
|
|
