I remember a time when the lines in musical sound were very clear. Rock/soft rock/heavy metal were all easily defined with heavy guitar and drums with a, typically, white lead vocalist and rap was a eclectic mix of old funk, jazz, some R&B over a heavy bass beat with, typically, a black lead emcee(s) on the mic. As the years progressed and digital advancement made it easier to experiment with different beats and rhythms, the boundaries for sound in a certain genre began to blend and change as new artists tried to reach a new audience/appeal, i.e. Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Beasie Boys, Run DMC, etc. With this new change in music, new groups such as the Philly duo Chiddy Bang reflect a new generation of artists who recognize the power of diversity in sound and benefit of using different genres to create a dope LP. An effort of change that can be heard with their debut release album titled Breakfast, after their EP release in the same month.
Far from a industry gimmick of one white rapper and one black rapper forming a group like Rin n Tin "The Hip-Hop dalmations", Chiddy Bang is comprised of one Nigerian-American rapper (Chiddy) and one white composer/producer (Xaphoon) from Philly who you could easily say are the voice of the new, "up and coming" generation of artists with influenced sound from the early days of rap combined with the modern sound of today's music.
Ironically, the first voices that the listener hears are those of childrenn who offer a innocent but serious undertone that a more mature theme awaits. A concept that blends well with the next album title track "Breakfast". Chiddy offers a grown flow over Xaphoon's light piano rip accompanied by a heavy horn beat, establishing the obvious contrast between the two but the ability for the two to mesh two distinct sounds and create something great. As the album progresses, the sound continues to evolve with a variety of beats from rock coupled with heavy bass on "Handclaps and Guitars" to a more pop influenced track titled "Mind Your Manners." By the time you get to "Whatever We Want", it's clear that the theme of "grown but still kid's at heart" is apparent (a motto I live by) over a mix of different sounds and beats that somewhat keep the listener mesmerized but the randomness.
However, this is where the album seems to lose a little momentum. With a slight miss in the techno/dance beat and Chiddy's raps, I think the duo were trying to go for a club track but missed the "hit" mark and failed to have a beat that complimented the vocals and vice versa. A problem that is also heard in "Talking to Myself" and "4th Quarter".
Although there are some catchy songs ("Run it Back") and definitely some solid production, I think the problem that Chiddy Bang falls into is the trap of eager- and willingness to drop a debut and feeling the pressure from industry and fans to drop something before the interest fades. This problem seems to be a current issue in the music industry's of today. I remember a time when artists use to wait, at least, a year or two to work on one solid album that their fans would be willing to drop that $10-$15 on. I feel like this concept needs to be making its way back into the mentality of artists, especially during times like now when an album is as free and easy to get as typing "download ______" into Google before we have more confusing pop-rap like LASERS or Nicki Minaj. What sets Chiddy Bang apart from similar raps duos, such as the Cool Kids, is their willingness to experiment with different sounds, tight lyrics that are grown/serious while still retaining the fun, light aspect of being a kid. Breakfast is a good effort from the Philly duo to set themselves apart from other groups or artists but just misses that classic stamp of approval. If not a buy, it is definately worth a listen.
Stopped sippin' that Coconut Juice...
Before I even get into this latest album, I ask that you watch this...
With a lackluster flow and a gimmick, childish appeal, to me Tyga was nothing more than Travie McCoy's cousin who got lucky on a deal and rented chains and cars. Fast forward to to 2010, after several mixtape releases, Tyga teamed with Chris Brown and Cali producer Kevin McCall to drop the critically acclaimed and smash mixtape "Fan of a Fan". Being signed to YMCMB and already having a number one, Grammy nominated double platinum hit single "Deuces", Tyga was becoming an emcee to be taking seriously in the rap game. This is becoming more apparent with his verses on We Are Young Money's hottest tracks and his recent release Careless World: The Rise of the Last King.
With this sophomore release, Tyga brings together a wide arrangement of rap's greats and heavy hit makers including Nas, Wale, Nicki Minaj, Wayne, Pharell, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Marsha Ambrosius, and Robin Thicke. Tyga even goes as far to open the album with a MLK speech to show his musical and serious mind towards his craft. A theme that is heard throughout the album, especially on the deep "Black Crowns" and "Let it Show" (ft J.cole) that focuses more on an autobiographical approach to his story-telling flow. On "King and Queens", he shows off his lyrical growth while keeping up with Wale's rhymes. Of course, Nas still is the best on the track but Tyga's flow is impressive considering that it has only been 4 years since "Coconut Juice".
Although the young rapper has greatly improved, Tyga is still only 22 years old and trying to sell some records. On many of the already hit tracks like "Rack City", "MuthaF*cka Up" (ft Nicki Minaj), "For the Fame" (ft Chris Brown and Wynter Gordon), and "Faded" (ft Lil Wayne) are all very shallow yet fun tracks that anyone not looking to be in deep thought can turn up and enjoy.
Careless World is a solid effort from the young rapper but it is similar to other efforts like Take Care and Pink Friday in the sense that, at times, it can be very deep and mature but for the most part it is very pop and "hit" focused. I feel like he should have taken the title from Usher's Raymond vs Raymond LP because at times Tyga is a deep, philosophical rapper ("Careless") and other times he is just a flossin', stripper loving, swagged out youngin' from young money. Tyga is definitely an emcee to look out for and pay attention to in the coming years, but has yet to establish a distinct and individualistic voice that sets him apart from other rappers in the game.
"rack City"
"Faded"
"Mutha F*cka Up" ft Nicki Minaj
"Black Crowns"
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