[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] Fredo - Money Can't Buy Happiness - HipHop | HipHop Channel

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[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] Fredo - Money Can't Buy Happiness - HipHop

[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] Fredo - Money Can't Buy Happiness - HipHop

[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] Fredo - Money Can't Buy Happiness

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 04:25 PM PST

Complex:

Away from his larger projects, West London-born rapper Fredo has spent much of the last few years in and out of the charts with tracks such as "Ay Carumba" with Young T & Bugsey, "Funky Friday" with Dave, and "So High" with Mist. It was a formula that seemed to be working well for him: draw them in with the pop hits and then get them hooked on the album. However, that seems to be behind him now and he was the first to admit that the most recent of those pop offerings, "Hickory Dickory Dock", was a step too far.

That frustration, that desire to get back to the real Fredo, is where we pick up our tale today. If there's an overarching theme on Money Can't Buy Happiness, his second studio album, it's that the Fredo who stands before us in 2021 has done a lot of growing up, and with that comes a level of self-awareness that can only be reached after years of life experience and, crucially, missteps. But make no mistake: Fredo is far from wounded. Quite the opposite: he sounds energised and invigorated. If his problem before now was being surrounded by the wrong people, calling on Dave to act as executive producer was a sage decision.

Both Dave's friendship and his understanding of production have given Fredo a) the benefit of honest opinions, and b) a cohesive album with a consistent vision and tone. With that in place, the four features—Summer Walker, Pop Smoke, Young Adz and Dave—became supplementary rather than the main attraction. Fredo's projects have always been light on guest features so opting to get such A-listers on the LP might have been a risk, but it's one that has paid off.

Our first impressions review of Money Can't Buy Happiness is after the jump.

We asked for the old Fredo, and that's exactly what we got it

Fredo's May 2020 drop, "Hickory Dickory Dock", never should have happened and he knows it. "I don't even know why I did that," he said on Instagram Live. "I must have just been too high and tried to do something different." We stan an artist who can admit to their wrongs because that's exactly what this song was: wrong in more ways than one, starting with the nursery-style rhyme scheme. The single was removed from streaming platforms a month after it was released. In that same IG Live, Fredo explained that he was done with the "pop stuff"—also referring to his collabs with Young T & Bugsey and Mist—and that he'll prove it to fans with the next album. Like a true hood gent, he has stuck to his word: there's none of that "Hickory Dickory" rubbish here—the old Fredo's back in full effect with the hand of exec-producer Dave helping to sharpen his improved artistry that we saw glimpses of when his much-praised Daily Duppy freestyle dropped back in August. —Joseph 'JP' Patterson

The flow game has tightened up

If there was one knock on Fredo's lyrical prowess up to this point, it was probably his reliance, almost to a fault, on the flows and delivery he's become known for. This has undoubtedly been part of what's made him one of UK rap's premier acts, so you can't knock it too tough. But with cruise control, complacency can creep in, and 2019 project Third Avenue ran the risk of his raps becoming repetitive as he left certain aspects of his artistry unexplored. He must have heard the keyboard warriors murmuring because he sounds rejuvenated on this new album. One thing that immediately sticks out on Money Can't Buy Happiness is Fredo's newfound hunger: with tighter and more determined flows, he is punchier in his delivery, condensing his wordplay closer to the pocket of the beat. The pre-released "Back To Basics" stands as one of the project's very best; Fredo tap-dances over Dave's absorbing instrumental, especially in the mid-section flow switch up, with what feels like a new level of confidence. Maybe working closely with Santan has rubbed off on him for the better, strengthening his delivery to drive home his messages. Elsewhere, on the more emotion-driven content packing the project ("Biggest Mistake", "I Miss", "Aunty's Place"), Fredo is able to emphasise his hardships, his come-up and the obstacles he has had to face with more potency. —Yemi Abiade

Alongside the standard drip talk is some real, from-the-heart songwriting

Fredo's storytelling ability was on full display in his Daily Duppy freestyle, and he taps into this further throughout Money Can't Buy Happiness, elevating the project in the process. Not wasting a bar, it goes without saying that we were going to get flashy nods to his drip and the wealth he's attained, plus customary street life musings, but he also lets us into his psyche as both a man and an artist as he navigates through life as one of the UK's top rappers. He peels back the layers with every song, revealing how the sins of his past life currently affect him, leaving him struggling to trust people, but also how it's affected those around him—whether they be dead or in prison. He gives us an insight into his upbringing, how he was connected to Dave before he even met him, and the reality of becoming a father for the first time. We get a more personal and introspective Fredo than we ever have before, and the album is all the better for it. By the end of it, we know more about Marvin Bailey and not just through his eyes, as well-placed skits give us more of an understanding from a different point of a view. His best outing yet, Fredo has levelled up on multiple accounts. —Aaron Bishop

Dave's touch on this album is evident

After connecting in 2018 for their No. 1 smash "Funky Friday", Fredo and Dave have reunited, putting the Streatham rapper in the executive producer chair—a position he's more than earned given the execution of Psychodrama. Don't expect much in the way of light-hearted chart fodder, because we are so very far from that territory. Fredo's playful boasts still creep in every now and again, but you're unlikely to find any pre-party jams here. Instead, as opener "Biggest Mistake" makes clear, the tone is far more confessional. Dave also produced the bulk of the actual beats—with contributions also coming from Da Beatfreakz, Kyle Evans, Arkzbeatz, Mojam, MJ, Dukus, RicoRunDat, Yoz Beatz and Kirk Beats—and it's given the album a dark, brooding rap sound that has more than a hint of drill's influence in its sliding bass and bleak atmospherics. As we saw with Psychodrama, Dave's biggest strength is his ability to cut through facades (including his own) to get to the core of what defines a person. It was literally the entire set-up for his own album and he's done well to bring that same approach to Money Can't Buy Happiness. Fredo's been hinting at this side of him ever since breakout hit "Changes", but it's always been Trojan Horsed in upbeat packages, disguised as the usual street bravado. But with Dave at the helm, all of that falls away and the use of choir motifs—which reach their apex with the use of the same elements that the Fugees' "Ready Or Not" lifted from The Delfonics' "Ready Or Not" and Enya's "Boadicea"—makes for a downright haunting listen. Even "Burner On Deck" with Young Adz and the late Pop Smoke—which will work well in clubs, there's no denying that—has a thick veil of darkness about it. —James Keith

Fredo is comfortable with being an artist now

Fredo's debut mixtape, 2017's Get Rich Or Get Recalled, had plenty of heat for the streets and carved out his credentials as a rapper who could really spit, yet for the most part its formula was straightforward. 2019 debut album Third Avenue was solid, but its powerful conclusion hinted at the heights his music could reach, and this is what makes Money Can't Buy Happiness such an impressive listen. Fredo's authenticity has never been in doubt, and on this project he's coupled it with genuine artistry. It's too simplistic to put that solely down to Santan Dave's influence on the buttons; it feels like Zart's finest has put more distance between himself and the roads, giving him space to grow artistically. Fredo's second studio album is perfectly balanced between flexing and introspection. MCBH opener "Biggest Mistake" is a carefully crafted piece of street storytelling; the luxurious vibe of lead single "Back To Basics" is elevated by melodic flourishes in his delivery; he cruises smoothly into Auto-Tuned trap-wave territory on "Do You Right" and "Burner On Deck"; explores survivors' guilt with maturity over the mournful keys of "Blood In My Eyes", and goes on to poetically grieve for his fallen soldiers on "What Can I Say". Nothing feels forced or out of place. Living the life that Fredo's lived means a tension between music and street life will always exist, but MCBH is the work of a young man comfortable in his role as an artist. —Robert Kazandjian

Overall thoughts

It's clear that Fredo took time out to perfect his craft for this album. Where his previous projects presented a street hustler who could rap—now, he wants to be taken seriously as a lyricist (much like his good friend, Dave) and Money Can't Buy Happiness does well to open the conversation for this to become a reality. —Joseph 'JP' Patterson

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Rapper Silento charged with murdering cousin in DeKalb

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 04:54 PM PST

10 Years Ago Today, DeadEndHipHop Was Formed

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 08:57 AM PST

Thought it was just an interesting thing to note.

They all knew each other before, but according the Modest Media they didn't start producing videos until Feb 1 2011. https://twitter.com/IamModestMedia/status/1356268049154899984?s=20

DEHH put me on to or reintroduced me to a lot of artists like KRIT, XV, YG, El-P, Killer Mike, Denzel Curry, Chance the Rapper, and a lot of TDE artists.

They've been a big part in me diving deeper into hip hop when at the time I was still holding onto that 90s-2010 hip hop that I grew up with.

First video I ever watched was their Pusha T vs Wayne vid. Someone in the comments of JumpOffTV named dropped DEHH and I found them from there.

Don't agree with them all the time but they're crucial imo. I know they get posted here a lot of I wanted to give them a shoutout

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R.I.P. Ricky Powell

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 03:58 PM PST

Legendary hiphop photographer Ricky Powell has passed away. Beastie boys, house of pain, cypress hill by Ricky powell

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Daily Discussion Thread 02/01/2021

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 05:18 PM 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

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

Weekly/Monthly Threads

Other ways to interact

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

New to /r/hiphopheads or hip-hop in general?

Check these out:

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Freeway’s “What We Do” was played during a Sixers game while he was in attendance a few years ago. Love the energy from the ones that know what’s up

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 05:09 PM PST

City Girls packed out the club last night

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Bone Thugs N Harmony - 1st of tha Month

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Buy The World - Future, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar (prod. Mike Will)

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[DISCUSSION] Madlib - Madlib Medicine Show No. 11: Low Budget High Fi Music (10 Years Later)

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 01:59 PM PST

BandCamp:

A 28-track hip-hop album of exclusive Madlib collabos w/ A.G., Guilty Simpson, MED, Oh No, Strong Arm Steady and others. Karriem Riggins pops in for a Supreme Team session, Madlib & Oh No debut The Professionals, and we hear a Jaylib-era track from their never-realized second album. Low Budget High Fi also contains several Loop Digga instrumentals and of course interludes, outerludes and probably quaaludes.

  1. The Loop Digga - Sounds Of The Studio - Prelude
  2. The Professionals - Hold Up
  3. The Loop Digga - Handmade Hustle - Instrumental
  4. The Professionals feat. Roc C - Start Sumthin' - 93033
  5. Guilty Simpson - Thoughts Of An Old Flame
  6. The Loop Digga - Minze - Come Closer
  7. Louder - Blast Your Radio Theme
  8. The Loop Digga - The Ride - Nightcoastin' Instrumental
  9. A.G. - O.G. Pt. 1 - Whirlwind Mix
  10. Oh No - O.G. Pt. 2 - Underwater Mix
  11. Frank Nitt - Stageridin' - First Demo Double Image Mix
  12. The Loop Digga - Love/Hate - Instrumental
  13. Strong Arm Steady - Loose Girl - Electronic Drunk Demon Version
  14. The Loop Digga - Smoke Break - Whodat
  15. Supreme Team - Madlib & Karriem Riggins: Interview #4080
  16. The Loop Digga - Embryo Thought Instrumental
  17. The Loop Digga - The Adventures Of Soul Bra And Docta Dick'Em Pt. 1 & 2
  18. MED & Poke - Cheaters - Episode #3
  19. Interliberation Interlude
  20. The Loop Digga - Mic Check - Smoke Break II
  21. LMD - Real Talk
  22. The Loop Digga - The Sound Of Champions - Instrumental
  23. Strong Arm Steady - Charlie Hustle
  24. The Loop Digga - Girls - Prelude
  25. The Loop Digga - Same
  26. MED - Snakes 101
  27. J Rocc - Girls
  28. J Rocc - Uh - Outro

RYM Review:

One of the year's first releases is of course Madlib. Since he drops about 10 albums a year he must start pretty soon don't you think? This time Madlib continues with the Medicine Show series, and this is strictly hip-hop this time. I haven't yet checked out the African music tapes or anything, because I wanted to start with a hip-hop tape. Now Madlib is probably my favourite hip-hop producer ever, and definitely one of my favourite artists in the game. His versatility is unmatchable and well he's just a hell of a sampler! Low Budget Hi-Fi Music is a good madlib album, but he's done better albums and I know he can do better than this. #11 is good from beginning to end, but it's missing jaw-dropping beats that Madlib usually crafts without any effort. I don't know what's the problem here, but I've noticed that I prefer the experimental Madlib over this basic gritty one. Don't get me wrong, this album has good beats all over it, but it was a bit of a disappointment for me. A good album by all means. He still remains as the best in the game, and I'm still very excited about his releases I haven't checked out!

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[FRESH VIDEO] Matt OX - Turn Up A Notch

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 12:06 PM PST

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0U1cGvnGJc

Kind of been fucking with Matt Ox unironically. Any thoughts on his progress?

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[Fresh] ASAP Rocky - G-unit Rice

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Mac Miller - Planet God Damn (feat. Njomza) (Audio)

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[DISCUSSION] Lil Wayne - Funeral (One Year Later)

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 08:30 AM PST

Funeral is the thirteenth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on January 31, 2020, by Young Money Entertainment and Republic Records. It features guest appearances by Big Sean, Lil Baby, Jay Rock, Adam Levine, 2 Chainz, Takeoff, The-Dream, Lil Twist, the late XXXTentacion and O.T. Genasis. On May 29, the deluxe edition of the album was released with guests appearances from Doja Cat, Tory Lanez, Lil Uzi Vert, Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and Jessie Reyez.

"I Do It" featuring Big Sean and Lil Baby was released as a single the same day as the album. "Shimmy" featuring Doja Cat was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on July 28, 2020, as the album's second single.

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, while charting moderately in other territories. It was relatively overlooked by professional review outlets, although several critics were somewhat positive in appraising the album.

Recording and production

In 2016, while Lil Wayne was in the midst of the legal battle with Cash Money Records over contractual disputes, it was announced that his next album would be titled Funeral.The album was completed in 2019, as Wayne started promoting the album again. In an interview with Vibe, Lil Wayne spoke on how his recording process changed throughout his career, saying:

I love the difficulty of trying to fit in with what's going on today, making sure I sound likeable to the ears today and having to remind myself that it's not about what it was back then. […] I can't wait to get in the studio now every night, just to see what I can come up with. [Before] it was just me going to the studio and saying, let me kill ten more songs and then I'm going to go home or do whatever I was doing. Now, it's let me see what I come up with. Self-discovery, rebirth – call it whatever you want to call it but it feels awesome, I swear to God.

The track "Bing James" concludes with 24 seconds of silence, paying tribute to the death of Kobe Bryant. The album also contains 24 tracks on the standard edition and 8 tracks on the deluxe edition, honoring Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Top RYM Review

utter pile of nothing

funeral accomplishes absolutely nothing musically, this album is a pile of garbage. i'm serious when i say this i would rather have my ears cut off rather than listening to this record again. the only thing this album accomplished is for me to hate wayne even more.

there's literally nothing good abt this album, could've gave it a 0 but takeoff had a good verse so it stays as a 1.

wayne proves himself to be the most washes rapper that has ever touched the mic.

never listen to this album, i'm serious

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The Best Hip-Hop on Bandcamp: January 2021 – featuring B L A C K I E, The Dead Can Rap, Eyedea, Kev Brown & J Scienide, Moor Mother & billy woods, Navy Blue, Observe since ’98, R.A.P. Ferreira & Stan Ipcus

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Ka - That Cold and Lonely

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[Fresh Video] Westside Gunn - Frank Murphy feat. Stove God Cooks, Flee Lord, Estee Nack, Elcamino, & Smoke DZA

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RZA vs. MF Doon feat. Aesop Rock & Del The Funky Homosapien - Preservation

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Ramirez - Out da Way (feat. Rocci)

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[DISCUSSION] Key Glock - Yellow Tape (One Year Later)

Posted: 01 Feb 2021 08:32 AM PST

Yellow Tape is a mixtape by American rapper Key Glock from Memphis, Tennessee. It was released on January 31, 2020, through Paper Route EMPIRE. Production was handled by Bandplay, LDG Beats and Sledgren among others. The album peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.

A music video for "Look At They Face" was directed by Jordan Spencer and released on January 13, 2020. Videos for "Mr. Glock" and "I'm Just Sayin" were released on January 18, 2020, and January 29, 2020, respectively, also directed by Jordan Spencer.

Top RYM Review

I'm giving you a chance because you're from Memphis...

This is my first listen to Key Glock. He seems to be a young rapper with a few releases under his belt, so, he's actually a veteran of the rap game. I like Memphis area rap, I grew up listening to it, so I'm giving the young rapper a chance. I love Memphis influenced beats, so, let's hope for the best. FYI, I am reviewing the Spotify version of the mixtape, and there appears to be an extra song included on the Spotify version, "1997", and it is the first song...... This is my review of Key Glock's, Yellow Tape.

"1997" is the first track up on the Spotify version of the mixtape. It's a song about Key Glock's memory and view of the year 1997. I personally don't like the beat, but it's actually not bad. I just don't fwi.

"Dough" is the 2nd track on the mixtape. He doesn't use the same lyrics as the songs, but he rhymes in the same style of Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre from "Nuthin' But A G Thang" for the hook. I actually dig it. Not bad.

"Word On The Streets" is next and right away I enjoyed the beat. It sounds really really good. Key Glock lays down a solid hook, and his verses are pretty good. I like it a lot. You will too.

"Ooh" is the 4th song on Yellow Tape. The beat isn't necessarily bad, but it's hard to get into. You're definitely not going to dance to this one. You may not even be able to head bang to it. It's the drum timing. And his hook is just, "Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh" Not that cool man.

"What Goes Around Comes Around" is a filler track. Nothing special about it at all. I'm not saying it's bad, but it just ain't that good that the average person ain't gonna stop from skipping past it....

"Crash" is number 6 up on the mixtape. It sounds interesting. Nothing amazing or anything, but worth listening to. He lightly distorts his vocals. His verses are good.

"Look At They Face" starts off pretty good. "I ain't worried bout no beef cause I'm a cash cow" I wonder if that makes sense really.... He uses one of my favorite slang terms, "mad" which means a lot. Like he says "I got mad cash". It comes from the NY area, but apparently made its way to Memphis.

"I'm Just Sayin'" is up next. The beat catches you from the beginning... Nothing special, but a solid beat. His verses are laid down nicely. The song goes hard.

"Biig Boyy!" is number 9. It doesn't really pull you in or anything but it's okay to listen to. His verses are actually pretty good. He reminds me a lot of Juicy J on this track. The track actually grows on you.

"Flyest Highest Coolest Smoothest" has a prettyslow tempo. I don't really like it all that much. Definitely a skip candidate here.

The 11th track on Yellow Tape is called, "Loaded". There is something very attractive about this beat man. It just sounds so cool. And the verses are smooth, with cool lyrics. I like this song. But not everybody will. See if it's right for you.

"Fuck All Dat" is the closest thing to a banger that I've heard on the whole mixtape so far. "I need my cake like a fat bitch!" A five star song.

"Mr Glock" is about how hard Key Glock is, nuff said. Sounds like 3 stars.

"Amen" starts off terrificly interesting and keeps you on the hook. One of the better songs on the mixtape. At least you know that Key Glock actually prays and isn't a completely heartless Memphis thug.....

"Stop Playin'" doesn't start off good, and never really seems to be worth your time really.... Skip it...

"1 of 1" is the 16th and final song on the Yellow Tape mixtape from Memphis rapper Key Glock.. It's actually pretty good. Starts off well and manages to keep the listener paying attention. He has good verses.

Overall, Key Glock's mixtape, Yellow Tape, really isn't anything special. Now, it's not bad or anything like that, but it's just not the project by him that drives an individual to become a Key Glock fan. It's definitely something you can put on and listen to, but in reality, you're only going to be listening to this mixtape once. That's all sadly enough.

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Madlib / Lootpack - Hityawitdat

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[FRESH VIDEO] The Koreatown Oddity- Breastmilk

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Big L & Jay-Z- Stretch and Bobbito Show Freestyle '95

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at