New-comers review

You can't a club head, listen to the radio, or even frequent a strip club without hearing one of the infectious party tunes from ATL rap trio Travis Porter. At just the age of 20, rappers Ali, Quez, and Strap couldnt even make it into some clubs but have been dropping bangers from each of their many mixtapes.  These fellas made steady buzz in the game with their hit single "Make It Rain" and have been steady poppin' out hits since. Their debut album From Day 1, Porter sets itself apart from the everyday rappers by delivering well spoken and thought provoking rhymes like, "you wanna see some ass, I wanna see some cash...make it rain". Such lyrical content that really makes you sit back and ponder the very meaning of life and the benefits to society you can bring...sike, these guys make party music and that they do very well.

Their debut album keeps the same trend of simple beats coupled with playful vocals that are best suited for "twerkers" or stip club anthems. Other than the year old hits "Make it Rain" and "

Bring it back", there isnt much variety or stand-out singles memorable singles. The opener "Aww Yea" sets the tone for the party album. The Diplo produced "Wobble!" is a fun track with a heavy bass that is sure to get anyone dancing. The trio enlist Jeremih on the chorus to try and  romance new and old TP fans with the track "Ride Like That" and take it straight to the bedroom with their single "Pussy Real Good" ft 2 Chainz. Other noteable features are up and coming artists Mike Posner and Tyga ( 16-bar feature on "Ayy Ladies").

It is clear that Travis Porter knows how to make dance tracks and quick hit rap songs for any party playlist, but with From Day 1 they lack diversity that their mixtapes offered. At times, this album got very repetitive but it was still entertaining to say the least. What hinders this debut is the recycled, already pre-released standout singles and lack of versatility in beats and rhymes that most first albums should have This is not a classic at all, but still a good effort from the TL party boys. If you were already a fan of TP before Day 1, then you wont be disappointed.

"Wobble"

"Ayy Ladies"

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After much hype across the blogs and much anticipation from his heavy fan base, Kid Ink dropped his independent label LP Up and Away earlier this month. At first I was a little hesistant to comment on the West Coast emcee, but after he teamed up with DJ Ill Will in 2010and listening to a few of his leaks off his 3 mixtapes, I am slowly becoming a fan. Although he may come across as generic to most, his debut album has something that can appease even the most critical hip-hop fan and makes you understand why XXL recognized him as part of the up-and-coming Freshman '12 class.

"Don't worry bout me bitch, I came for the doubt" Ink adamantly lets listeners know on his synth-beat heavy intro track "No One Left". It's clear that this LA native is out to prove that he is more than just a gimmick rapper or unoriginal by taking the bold, and cheaper, step of having no features on this 12 track album. The following track"Is it You" cools the mood while leading into the more "hip-pop", radio friendly "Time of Your Life". "Act Like That" has the rapper trying to convince his gf what any other male in a long-term relationship fantasizes about doing with his girl and another female friend with a catchy beat. Ink keeps the consistency of dope beats and catchy hooks on the bass heavy beat track "Walk in the Club" and club banger "Drippin". He delves into a little bit more of a darker tone with the second single "Lost in the Sauce" and motivational "hell and Back". Other songs like "Roll Out" and "Roll Out" could have been left out and come across as just repetitive with similar sounds from previous tracks. Ink comes back and finishes strong with a track for the haters "Never Gave a Fuck" and auto-tune flow "Carry On". 

With three mixtapes behind him and a few singles making a steady buzz in the industry, Kid still has something to prove but makes a decent effort with his debut release. The majority of the album seems to follow the same subject matter of drugs, girls, and clubs, but fails to have enough diversity to really make the listener see the difference between Ink and other rappers in the game now. Although having producers like Jahlil Beats, Cardiak, Ned Cameron, and more on this LP make the beats sonically pleasing, lyrically I found many of the verses unoriginal and mindless enough to be catchy. This is definitely not his best work but he has potential to have hits with equally dope lyrics coupled with solid beats.

"time of your life"

"No one left"

"Hell and back"

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Live n in Living Color Part Tre

With another round of videos hittin the internet and tv screen, I dedicate another post to the wonderful world of the music video. However, wanted to do something a little different and jampack as much videos (old and new) that i might have missed over the brief hiatus. So without further delay, sit back, relax, grab some Cheeto's or Dorito's, and enjoy the visuals...

"Lights Down Low"-Bei Maejor

Bei Maejor has set out to prove that not only can he sing and produce but he can also rap. With his club-hit single "Lights Down Low" ft Waka Flocka, he even sets out to prove that he has just as much swag as the rappers. The video is pretty basic with everything that would appeal to the hip-hop community(jerseys, basketball, drinks, partying, and pretty girls) but with an addictively catchy track you dont need a stunning visual.

Lil Scrappy-"helicopter"

After a brief hiatus, Lil Scrappy returns with a new single "Helicopter" ft. 2 Chainz, Rolls Royce Rizzy, and Twista. The video isnt too visually stunning but matches the song by actually adding in "helicopters". The song is classic Scrappy and may not be his comeback but it is good to hear something from the southern emcee.

"Take it to the Head"-Dj Khaled

Trapped in a subway station and about to drown with the massive amounts of water flowing in? Then Party! You've got plenty of hot model chicks around you but no bottles...take it to the head! With Dj Khaled's "Take it to the Head" ft Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj visual, he draws inspiration from the infamous Universal Studios ride and show the best of creative and destroyed settings. One thing that I found a little interesting for a song about drinking, there is the absolute absence of any bottles.

ANTHM-"Manhattan"

Ethiopian-American rapper hailing from NY may be new to the scene but has the potential to be one of the newest greats to hit the music world. With his new visual for "Manhattan", he keeps it simple but classy with a rags to riches in reverse approach to living in Manhattan and struggles of making it through a slight addiction to the bottle. The video is simple but creative in its approach. For an unsign emcee, I can see why he has the heavy on-line following. I remain a fan.

Melanie Fiona-"Watch Me Work"

Melanie Fiona's sophomore album MF Life has been receiving nothing but good reviews but commercially hasn't lived up to the hype. With her latest visual for track "Watch Me Work", she focuses on empowering her audience with a collage of strong and powerful woman over the decades. Although not one of my favorite tracks and least likely to become a major hit, this feminist PSA is creatively put together but takes too much away from the song. This seems more suited for something to display in the background while on tour but it still is a dope mix of the strong and beautiful.

"U Did That (Remix)" Teairra Mari ft 2 Chainz

After listening to the first release of Teairra Mari's "comeback" track "U Did That", I had a feeling that it was yet to be mastered. With the addition of 2 Chainz, she adds that gritty, masculine perspective to contrast with her sexy, sultry voice. Although the track has potential to be a banger, the over-the-top approach from the beautiful songstress just comes across as trying to hard to appear sexual. What kills me is that she is already beautiful and sexy, the term "less is more" should have come across loud and clear during the direction of this video. Besides that, the concept and look is very basic and falls short to  make the song interesting. This video just leaves you wanting more but just from a different source.

"The Woman You Love"-Ashanti ft Busta Rhymes

Although it has been over 8 months and Ashanti's comeback single has yet to hit the charts, she has released a visual for the track "The Woman You Love". The song is actually one of her stronger efforts but the visual doesn't exactly capture the intensity or the sense of the single. Not exactly sure what she is trying to portray with this video. Is she a futuristic alien singer from space that is reflecting on her relationship on Earth or is she just an angry futuristic witch tired of being constantly played? Either way she is looking good and hope this single, at least, gets more radio play for her. Maybe a re-up on the video and better promotion might help.

"Pop A Rubberband"-Travis Porter

There comes a time in every rapper's career when they take the high road and make the coveted "stripper" video. With Travis Porter's new single "Pop a Rubberband", they took notes from rappers of the past for a BET Uncut(if still around) worthy stripper anthem video. Nothing much to discuss or review, the strippers look right and the shaking of the gluteus maximus is plenty. Damn shame that these girls think this video will put them on, God bless America. 

Kevin McCall-"Naked"

West Coast producer, rapper, and ex Chris Brown entourage member Kevin McCall drops a visual for his promo single "Naked" ft Big Sean. The video is pretty stylish and is filled with plenty of ladies with strategically placed hands and arms over their naked bodies. With a little cameo from Brown, McCall hopes to appeal to a wide audience and take over the club with this track. Although the video is well done, the single is overproduced and generic.

Nelly Furtado-"Big Hoops (Bigger the Better)"

Nelly is back with a new dance track "Big Hoops (bigger the better)". Recently releasing the visual, she displays the obvious big hoops but adds a few extra BIG elements. Walking on stilts, growing 10 stories high, and throwing in some Native American tribal dancing, Furtado mixes her imagery from "Like a Bird" to more current Hip-Hop influences. The video isn't something that I would call visually stunning but the addition of the tribal dancing and use of color is something I haven't seen before from her and I like it. 

"Amazing"-David Banner ft Chris Brown

Not exactly sure when David Banner became a more creative and diverse Southern rapper, but his latest visual for his new single "Amazing" ft Chris Brown is a mix between MJ's "Leave Me alone" and a elementary school kids class project. The imagery is filled with paper cut-outs and dolls that would make Robot Chicken creators look sideways. With a little cameo from the MJ action figure, I am going to jump out on a limb and say that this is suppose to be a homage video but it falls short. I like that Banner is doing something different but it definitely looks like he spent about $50 on this visual. 

Kanye West-"Lost in the World"

Although this Ruth Hogben directed video is a year late considering that "Lost in the World" came out in 2010, this Kanye West visual is one of his best. The visually stunning effect of the separating buildings are only amplified by the black and white tones and precise cinematography. I really liked this video and only hoped that it was released earlier, so that more people would actually care to watch and comment on it. Say what ever you want about Mr. West, but you cant deny that he has a talent for finding visually stunning and audio mesmerizing art.

"Let's Go" Calvin Harris ft. Ne-yo

Dance music has always had international appeal. From Asia to the West Coast, the electronic sounds of great DJ's like Calvin Harris can be heard throughout any club. With his latest visual for the single "Let's Go" ft Ne-Yo, director Vincent Haycock capitalizes on the concept that music is international. There isn't any lip synching to the track but more of couples from different areas of the world enjoying different hobbies and Calvin Harris' parties. Ne-Yo makes a little cameo in the video as well. Although the song is beginning to grow on me, the video is something that I have seen before.

"Wildfire"-SBTRKT

SBTRKT track "Wildfire" has become strangely addictive to me, as of late. Although their visual for the hit track was released over a year ago, I felt the need to share it with you because it is just that odd but appealing. The Sam Pilling directed video did not make much sense to me at first and just confused the hell outta me as I tried to figure out why the female star was convulsing and sweating in the bed. It wasnt until I read some of the comments from the youtube page that I realized that Pilling took inspiration from a Korean superstition that if you fall asleep with the fan on, you will die from dehydrating. Hmm. Well regardless of the superstition, the effects are pretty interesting and dope and the song is just as mesmerizing as the song. 

Whatcha Know Bout that..?!

The Boys are back and brought 2 Chainz and Jeezy for the remix. I haven't heard much from the group other than when I go to the club and the twerker mix comes out. For every conscious rapper there has to be something for the ratchet folk and the twerk stars. I'm not hating though, this group and definitely doing their thing and the song is catchy.

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