Album of the Year 2016 #23: Domo Genesis - Genesis - HipHop | HipHop Channel

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Album of the Year 2016 #23: Domo Genesis - Genesis - HipHop

Album of the Year 2016 #23: Domo Genesis - Genesis - HipHop

Album of the Year 2016 #23: Domo Genesis - Genesis

Posted: 03 Feb 2017 09:17 PM PST

Artist:Domo Genesis

Album:Genesis

Listen:

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Music

Background

Domo Genesis is one of the members of Odd Future, a collective most known for their reign of the early 2010's. Domo has always been one of the grittiest members. Prior to this album, he was mostly known for his project with Alchemist titled No Idols. Outside of No Idols, he has 3 other mixtapes. Rolling Papers, Under The Influence, and Under The Influence 2. With all of these previous releases, it appears as though Domo has nothing more to offer than gritty sounding pothead music. However this wasn't so.

The first single (and a highlight track of) Genesis was "Dapper (ft. Anderson Paak)". With it's very danceable groovy instrumental and uplifting Paak feature, it was clear that Domo was about to experiment with new sounds. Although the lyrical portion wasn't as unorthodox for Domo, hearing him flow so effortlessly over such a danceable track was beyond promising. With interest peaking, he released the 2nd single for the album.

On March 18th, "Go (ft. Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, and Tyler The Creator)". Sounding like something off of Tyler's Wolf, "Go (Gas)" was completely different than "Dapper". If "Dapper" was what you played at the beach for some lighthearted good time, "Go" was made for sitting at home alone in your room at night. With these 2 singles, 2 very different and diverse sounds were being hinted at. No one would be able to fully assume which direction Genesis would take, but one thing was for certain. Domo was pushing himself in a way completely new to him, and it was paying off.

Review

"Awkward Groove" kicks off the album, and right away we hear a drifty psychedelic-esque instrumental. The beat carries on in a wavering, relaxing tone. And very smoothly does the bassline come in with a taste of Domo's vocals. It isn't very long before we hear the opening lines to the album:

I mean really what am I to do?
Okay, these words to my momma, I promised to not to lose
A born sinner, still playing like I forgot the moves
Dancing to this drum in my heart, this is such an awkward groove

In these opening lines, Domo opens up about who he is. He's proclaiming that he's different, unique, and proud to be so. The intro to the album has just one verse, and in that verse Domo talks about his success and the bright side to his success. He spreads positivity and hope to others, as he has been able to succeed despite being different. Despite being abnormal from others. Many who feel different feel excluded by extension, and due to this suffer from anxiety. However, Domo looks at life from a 'glass half full' perspective, and says that people should look up to him. He's promoting people to be proud of their 'awkward groove', so to speak. This message is one that's extremely relevant, as depression and mental health issues are incredibly common now. According to the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, 44 193 people commit suicide yearly. This is in the U.S. alone. A message of hope and to be proud of being different is incredibly important to our society. With "Awkward Groove", Domo aims to do just that. Furthermore, the deeply grooved beat and soulful vocals of Samantha Nelson & Carmel Echols help to further strengthen this message. The sheer hopefulness of the intro alone is enough to keep one looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.

"One Below" begins with a very relaxing keyboard and acoustic backing to another very positive message. This time, the message is being delivered by Domo's mother. She's letting both us and him know she supports him. According to her, it was only a matter of time until Domo grew into the mature and successful person he is today. As previously established, Domo wasn't ever one to fit in. But his mother never saw him in a negative light. Perhaps by extension, this Intro is suggesting that we try and see ourselves in the same way. Additionally, it could be suggesting we support those around us openly as they might need it. Domo begins his verse speaking about his Uncle's death, that he's taken losses, gets stressed out, and that his 'lack of inspiration had him chasing broken ideas'. Above all, he's depressed:

I be comfortable dying

He says all he's knows was the blues. He talks about his marijuana helping him get relief from stress. But despite all these hard times, he keeps hopeful:

Took some losses, see where I faltered
And learned some lessons from it

The hook then comes in, it's neo-soul style sounds perfect with the relaxed beat. The drums, flute, and bass all seem to hold each other together. The hook speaks about feeling lost, being alone. And Domo's second verse speaks about grief. However, that grief is all part of the journey and is not something to be ashamed of. Despite all the death and poverty that has been all too familiar with Domo, he's consistent in pursuing in life and even talking directly about those struggles. He's proud of them. This sentiment is summed up by the final line in his verse:

If this what comes from being lost, then I'm proud of it

Cam O'bi provides a jazzy instrumental for the 3rd song, "Wanderer". The song opens up with Domo contemplating the good and bad perspectives to his life. On one hand he feels his past's 'madness' inspires what he rights. He gets a positive release from the the harsher experiesnces he's endured. Nonetheless, he can't help but be realistic. 'This world full of lies' is an accurate reflection of how hopeless one can feel when living in an unhealthy environment. He admits that his pot use is most likely a contributing factor to why he contemplates these ideas. The very smooth hook focuses on how uncertainty can take over our self-esteem. Among our everyday, it's very easy to struggle with how we view ourselves. The Bridge and Outro then go onto discuss how weed is an effective espace at times. How it can make you feel good about yourself:

I can do anything

But it's not a longterm fix:

Maybe I'm stupid

The smooth jazz instrumental is most fitting with the conflicting emotions affiliated with self-worth. This song is relatable to many, thus allowing them to know they're not alone and that others feel the same way.

"Questions" begins as you might expect, with questions. Domo opens about how he interprets reality. It was he's pursuing God-sent or sacrilegious? He's questioning his dignity and moral aspects of his daily life. Pondering on the moral ambiguity of your actions can be hard. In the beat, there's a heartbeat layered in. It's not to intruding, but fits very well with the concept of the song. Kendra Foster delivers a hook that continues this theme of uncertainty. Da$h opens his verse with one of the most nihilistic lines I've heard in quite some time:

Just another dead man breathing

With this, he establishes a very sombering tone. In the following bars he discusses his various drug use and his anxieties associated with them. He talks about how showbiz and music has enhanced his apprehension. Among his uncertainty, he has knowledge of his fate. He ends his verse saying that he'll likely go to Hell, where he'll ask Satan questions. Da$h's dreary voice and slow-but-intense flow make his feature all the more powerful. Domo deliveries one last verse on this track. He begins the barrage of ideological questions. If fake smiles are worse than the lack of smiles entirely, how he feels about his life and how he lives. If he'll live up to his potential. And how he feels about being insecure. All these feelings are very honest and give us a realistic look into the mindset of Domo (and Da$h as well). A sense of insecurity is very well conveyed.

"My Own" is the perfect song to follow up "Questions". After diving nose first into insecurities, we return to surface with hope and success. "My Own" has Domo speaking on knowing his purpose, embracing the tough days, and coming out on top. Although he went through countless trials and tribulations, he's now "calling shots, star in this league, like Moses parting the seas." He's turned a negative situation into a positive. One line in particular shows this:

Learned how to swim when I was drowning, no help, y'know

If "Questions" was drowning, "My Own" is swimming. This concept of success requiring failure is especially strengthening to those facing failure now. The beat is especially laid back during this first verse, but picks up significantly during JMSN's heavenly feature (this guy's voice is like icing sugar mixed with angel dust, I'm telling you). It's very fitting towards the neo-soul influences of the album. It continues the hopeful tone. Domo's second verse continues with a strong self-assurance:

My confidence powers itself

Domo has come to feel good about himself, through his failures he's attained newfound success.

"Go (Gas)" opens up with a Wiz verse, and yes, it's exactly what you'd expect from him. Raps about success and luxuries are coated in his verse. Similarly, Domo describes his triumphs and affluences. Juicy J describes his riches as well. And Tyler comes through with the beat as well as a hook about enjoying the finer things in life. Throughout the song, each artist brags about their success (whether that means having a bunch of money or getting high). Many argue this song feels out of place. Although I agree both the beat and hook are really different from the rest of the album, contextually it makes a lot of sense. Up till this point Domo has been struggling with himself and insecurities, whilst remaining hopeful. Then we see him come to grips with himself and become comfortable, even achieve some success. Here we see him situated among others who have been down similar paths and now can fully enjoy themselves, so it only makes sense the content would be illustrating that wealth.

And just like that we return to the soulful sound previously established. On "Coming Back", Domo spends his first verse reflecting on the past and how he's now in a better place:

I knew that in my heart that boy was part of a bigger plan
I know my momma not coming up short of rent again
Mac comes in with a feel good hook that sums up the feelings Domo is experiencing:
Twenty in your pocket, million on your mind...
Ain't sorry for a single time I made hoes cry

Essentially, dream big, and have persistence over the obstacles/mistakes that have been in your way. Accept the wrongs in your life, as they influenced how you grew and even how you made the best of yourself. He reflects on his old views, allowing him to observe how he's grown:

Way at the bottom, got me questioning if God love me

He was depressed and felt as though he may be worthless. He mentions how life feels like a gift and a curse. Meaning that one is necessary for the other. They're not mutually exclusive, as so we need to accept these downfalls in life and learn from them. Domo has now seen failure, as well as success. He uses this to give wisdom to those who need it. If you're in a hard situation, you can get through it in someway.

"Faded in the Moment" is another blissfully uplifting beat delivered by Cam O'bi. Faded In The Moment acts as a love song of sorts. Throughout his first verse, we see Domo optimistic about his future and love in general. With his success, he's been celebrating in the ways most young males would. Alcohol, drugs, you know, the good stuff. But with this new form of love, of passion, he's growing as a human even more:

Got a hard nigga contemplating 'bout benevolence

He's considering growing and maturing even more throughout the span of the album. What's really interesting, is that one could interpret his love as his music. In this album we see Domo mature with each song, and he now continues to do so here. Additionally, he often uses music references to describe his love:

I pray for feelings this good, forever-ever Forever-ever-ever...
Killing me softly while I'm speaking it's all evidence…
I hoping you get these messages, cause I'm already got me feeling R. Kelly…
Word to Omarion, I had an icebox where my heart at

Domo continually shows he's best at displaying his emotions through music, and thus we can assume he's insinuating his love is directed towards music itself. He also mentions how he wants to give 'his love' his best, and that it's too hard to leave alone. Much like his passion for his music.

Hold (hold) that (that) light (come on now)
(Hold out!)
Smoke (smoke) that (that) fire (come on don't stop 'till you)
Hold (feel it) that light (baby you got to, hold on).
Smoke (smoke) that (that) fire!

"Dapper" is the (if you excuse my use of a corny surfer word) grooviest song on the album. Domo is on a high from the music, his love, and probably a good dose of weed. As far I'm concerned, this is one of the most danceable, rhythmic songs in quite awhile. The beat is lush, Anderson .Paak oozes life, and the background vocals make your foot tap all the more. Domo raps celebratory verses about enjoying life with his love, and about dancing (rightfully so). His in the pocket flow is perfect for building up to the chorus. As I sit here and write about this song, I'm on about my 4th replay of it. You can bet my shoulders have been getting their cardio during it. In fact, if you're listening to this song and not moving like you should be, I would recommend contacting your doctor just incase. At the very worst you'd be giving them their new favourite song. And the feel good riff at the end is the cherry on the cake. "Dapper" is the highlight track for me.

The drums are hard and the synths are soothing. "Brother" gives Domo the opportunity to keep it real with us again. He's in the hood, he's in Inglewood, and there's still lots of corruption in the world. Yes, he's succeeding. He gets to keep his promise:

Promised God I'd never work at a 9 to 5
But that doesn't change the big picture for everyone else. Regardless, he does what he can for those who support him:
Ain't no love for the other side
And fuck them other niggas cause you know I'm down for mine

He doesn't stress those who don't support him, but he does value those who do. He supports the future of others. The overall message is to support your 'brothers', to help your fellow man. Despite the obstacles along the way, success is achievable:

Just trust your dreams I never doubted mine

Support one another and have unity. If you need to vent or cope (Domo uses marijuana for celebrations like in "Dapper" or "Go" but also to cope such as here), that's natural. What's important is to lend a hand and continue to do the best you can.

"All Night" has Domo reflecting on his past, as well as his hope to continue growing. He continues to stress his message to not give up on aspirations:

Surviving on my grounds is dangerous, and despite all the doubt I still take the risk

Stress and doubts are understandable feelings that everyone go through, and you're not alone in them. Despite fears, in order to achieve success you must conquer the dangers that lay before you. He speaks heavily about how it feels to be in a bad situation. He describes his youth, which consisted of gun violence, a fatherless home, and a future of crime. Many are in the same situation now and give in. Many die from the violence, many face depression, and as we mentioned earlier, suicide is all too common. However, it doesn't have to be this way. Domo is living proof of that and this album along with it.

Still, I was never lead astray, I know I'll see a better day…
Shit, I don't complain about nothing, dog, I just take my pain and write mad shit

He supports the idea of remaining tight to your dreams and using a harsh situation to achieve them. Being in such a dark place in his youth has allowed himself to write firsthand about what the youth go through in Inglewood, among other locations. The beat is heavier and darker, which is fitting to the content of the verses, and makes the song more moving in total.

On the closing track "Lost And Found", Domo spends one verse describing how he felt making this album and the process of chasing his dreams. He mentions his struggles along the way:

Feelin' like a victim like you
Sometimes I pop a pain killer, maybe like two
And I, uh, yeah
Rest in peace to my aunt, it's her funeral today
But I'm too busy tryna finish up this album

Along with the bright side:

Stayin' focused with the cannabis lit
I handle my shit
Runnin' so high recently I'm makin' the devil resent

He was 'lost', now he's 'found'. He spends his final verse reassuring us that life will have downsides and upsides, but that throughout all of it we need to remain levelheaded and persistent. The final verse sums up the album. Similarly, the beat has the lively, knocking drums, and vibrant instruments that the rest of the album tends to have as well.

Favorite Lyrics

Rest in peace to my aunt, it's her funeral today
But I'm too busy tryna finish up this album

Lost And Found

Maybe I'm dying for this life
All this madness in hindsight is inspiring what I write
Maybe I'm just a fly, getting blinded by this light

Wanderer

I mean really what am I to do?
Okay, these words to my momma, I promised to not to lose
A born sinner, still playing like I forgot the moves
Dancing to this drum in my heart, this is such an awkward groove

Awkward Groove

Just another dead man breathing Burnt out heathen sipping syrup every week Doing powder every evening, popping pills to keep me even Since a nigga left school seems it's death that I'm cheating

You ain't ashamed to public answer to that drum in your heart Are you afraid to bring to light, what you've done in the dark Are you embracing what's becoming your part Are you complacent, can you face personal pain just for the love of the art

Questions

Talking Points

  • How do you feel about the various features on the album in comparison to Domo? Do they fall short? Are they fitting?

  • Do you agree with the messages Domo tries to get across? Is there always hope? Or do you interpret the messages entirely differently?

  • How do the beats sound in comparison to other new school artists? Do they sound refreshing or dated? Were they a good direction for Domo to take?

  • Odd Future was arguably bigger in the early 2010's. How do you think would have went differently for Domo if this album had been released in 2010, for example (or would nothing be different)?

  • Do you find the order of the songs to be well structured? Do you think any should have been dropped from the album?

  • Is this album relevant to today? Why or why not?

  • How does Genesis place against his previous releases, and where would you like to see him go next?

  • Do you think Faded In The Moment is about music or am I misinterpreting?

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Been out exactly 24 hours now. What'd you guys think?

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sup fam, I made it easier to find upcoming hip-hop shows

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[SHOTS FIRED] TM88 of 808 Mafia Accuses Smash David, Yung Berg, and Big Sean's "Bounce Back" Producers of Stealing A Beat He Made For Juicy J

Posted: 03 Feb 2017 11:10 AM PST

TM88 recently took to twitter to express his frustration after he claims that "Bounce Back" by Big Sean, which is off his just released album, "I Decided.", is nearly identical to Juicy J's "Act", produced by TM88 (and also Smash David, who was a producer here?), off Juicy's mixtape "Lit In Ceylon".

Here is the link to the Juicy J video for his song "Act" (produced by TM88 (& Smash David?)):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RY6ODemdGI

Here is the link to the Big Sean video for his song "Bounce Back", which TM88 claims is copied:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phr1pOFK1V8

I don't know if it's just me, but I can't read past the first page of tweets on TM's twitter, it just stays loading, so I can't link the tweets. Is anyone else having this problem? I can see everyone else's tweets past the first page. However the photos of them are in the XXL article linked at the bottom. What he said is:

I don't care abt a album that doesn't give me credit I have to support it bcuz my 808 Mob is on it so go get it... 808 mafia

Oyea fuck every producer who produced on "bounce back" except for Metro that's my brudda

In other words I'm wit all the smoke 😂

Imma get off twitter before I say too much lol ✌️️

I don't want nothing from these niggas not doing no interviews or will speak abt it after this tweet... JUST KNOW ITS FUCK YOU IM COMING! 88

People credited for producing "Bounce Back" are:

  • Yung Berg (Hitmaka)

  • Smash David

  • Metro Boomin

  • Amaire Johnson

  • Jaycen Joshua (Mixing)

  • Dave Nakaji (Mixing)

  • Maddox Chimm (Mixing)

TM88 was not credited on this track, despite what Wikipedia has written

(Source 1, Source 2)

He did leave exception to Metro Boomin, who also produced "Bounce Back", who TM88 says is his brother

Hitmaka/Yung Berg has ignored it, deciding not to comment

Smash David also ignored it and hasn't commented on it

Metro hasn't been on twitter/hasn't done anything yet

The possible conclusions I am coming to is that Smash David ran off with the sample and made "Bounce Back", without crediting TM88, but its more to it than that: seems like Metro or Yung Berg also played a hand in taking other parts of "Act" and putting them into "Bounce Back". You can read about the differences in the beats at the very bottom of this post. The other conclusion is that this man "Amaire Johnson" has something to do with getting both Act and Winning 3 onto the album with some minor edits, as he is an additional producer, and not an engineer/mixer. However he could have been just helping with the whole album, so who knows.

All Of This Reported On By XXL Here: http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/02/tm88-big-sean-producers-i-decided/

People from HHH also spotted this 3 months ago when Bounce Back dropped, but it didn't get much attention: https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/5afc0k/fresh_big_sean_bounce_back/d9ibcns/

Completely different story:

Big Sean's "Moves" used the same beat as Southside's "Winning 3"

Fuse and TrePounds, both members of 808 Mafia, produced Young Sizzle (Producer Southside's Rapper Alter-Ego) "Winning 3", and have been credited on "Moves", too, but additional production in both Big Sean's "Bounce Back" and "Moves" was done by Amaire Johnson.

Here is Southside/Young Sizzle's Winning 3 (produced by Fuse & TrePounds):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td-CrM92los

Here is Moves (produced by Fuse & TrePounds with additional credits):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIkC7s3d2o

People credited for producing "Bounce Back" are:

  • Fuse

  • TrePounds

  • Amaire Johnson

  • Jaycen Joshua (Mixing)

  • Dave Nakaji (Mixing)

  • Maddox Chimm (Mixing)

As said, the "Amaire Johnson" guy is also on here, which might be a little strange. Or maybe he worked on the album with Sean, idk. But its so weird that both Moves and Bounce Back jacked two songs and were released as the singles for the album.

This is all coming from an amateur producer, but:

Notable Differences Between "Bounce Back" & "Act":

Every basic part of the general beat section (kick, hi hat, snare, bass) on "Act" is identical to "Bounce Back". The difference is, while the last drum hit in the drum loop of "Act" is a higher pitched snare, in "Bounce Back" it is the snapping sound used widely in trap music, like much of the components used in the track, The timings and tempo were exactly the same, too. Bass is pretty much the same, just in "Act" it sounds like it used some distortion, or its just more raw with no effects and is unmixed (it kind of sounds like it came nearly straight from a plugin), whereas in "Bounce Back" it sounds like it's been EQ'd, with less like something from a bass guitar, and something more like a clean trap bass. Also, something very important to note, the main sample/melody that is being jacked, that choir clip, is pitched to the right on "Act" and made to sound farther away, whereas on "Bounce Back" it is focused in the center and also seems EQ'd to sound up close and 'lesser' (don't know how to describe).

Notable Differences Between "Moves" & "Winning 3":

"Moves" has something added to it from the beginning that sounds like something is going on in the background: mouse clicking, or a car driving, or a dryer/washing machine. I can't tell. After that, the beats are nearly identical with no changes, but the bell is panned far to the left in "Moves", whereas I can't tell if its been panned at all on "Winning 3". The trap snare on "Winning 3" also sounds like it came straight from a pack, without any changes. That properties of the same snare seemed to be edited on "Moves" so that it wasn't as loud and bothering, and so that it didn't trail off, it ended abruptly. The timings and tempo were exactly the same, too. However, "Moves" generally seems to be mixed much better.

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Check his twitter right now @MJRunShit the dude is just.... I'm done with this dude purrp he is now homeless smh wtf happened to him he destroyed his future and his life I wanna feel sorrry for him but I guess he had it coming to him all the disrespectful shit he said and did to people smh

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Daily Discussion Thread 02/03/2017

Posted: 03 Feb 2017 11:52 AM PST

Welcome to the /r/hiphopheads daily discussion thread!

This thread is for:

  • objective questions with right/wrong answers (e.g. "Does anyone know what is happening with MIXTAPE?", "What is the sample in SONG?")
  • general hip-hop discussion
  • meta posts...e.g. ideas for the sub

Thread Guidelines

  • Do not create a separate self post for these types of discussions outside of this thread - if you do, your post will be removed.

  • Please be helpful and friendly.

  • If a question has been asked many times before, provide a link to a thread that contains the answer.

Other ways to interact

There are a number of other ways to interact with other members of HHH:

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at