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Album of the Year 2016 #2: Swet Shop Boys - Cashmere - HipHop

Album of the Year 2016 #2: Swet Shop Boys - Cashmere - HipHop

Album of the Year 2016 #2: Swet Shop Boys - Cashmere

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 09:15 AM PST

Good afternoon folks, and welcome to today's installment of the Album of the Year series, where the users of /r/hiphopheads discuss the best 2016 had to offer. Today, /u/TheRoyalGodfrey brings us his thoughts on Swet Shop Boys' debut album Cashmere.

Artist: Swet Shop Boys

Album: Cashmere

Listen:

Spotify

Apple Music

Google Play

Background by /u/TheRoyalGodfrey

Riz Ahmed, a London native of Pakistani heritage, is a critically acclaimed actor whose has starred in movies such as Rogue One, Four Lions and Nightcrawler as well as HBO's mini series The Night Of. Riz Ahmed's film career started with a 2006 docudrama entitled The Road to Guantánamo which documented the capture and imprisonment in Guantanamo Bay of three British citizens in 2001 after 9/11. In the same year, Ahmed also began his rapping career as Riz MC. Similar to his film career, his music career's beginnings are largely political. In 2006, he released banned-from-the-radio track "Post 9/11 Blues", which presented political satire of the post-9/11 world for brown people featuring lyrics such as "Bush and Blair in a tree, K-I-L-L-I-N-G."

In 2007, while taking a shit backstage after his Glastonbury set, Riz noticed a mention from Queens native and Hindu-Punjabi rapper, Himanshu Suri on Twitter, praising "Post 9/11 Blues", describing it as having a "laughing-to-keep-from-crying vibe." This sparked the relationship between the two.

A year later, Heems joined forces with his former college RA, Afro-Cuban rapper Kool AD, as well as former high school classmate Dapwell, who would act as their hype man. Das Racist released their debut single "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell", generating significant buzz with commentary-laced parody of the extents to which American capitalism would go. Their 2010 mixtapes, Shut Up, Dude and Sit Down Man, are laden with hip-hop, literary and pop culture references ranging from Henry David Thoreau to Scooby Snacks to Big Pun and they are one of rap's first groups whose success can largely be attributed to the internet along with guys like Lil B, Charles Hamilton and Odd Future. In 2011, Das Racist and Riz released their respective debut albums to mixed reception.

2012 was the year that Riz and Heems paths crossed again. Heems was coming off of his 2012 mixtape Nehru Jackets, Das Racist's breakup was imminent and Riz was doing research for his The Night Of role, in which he plays a man from Queens. Naturally, he contacted Heems in order to study for the part and they became good friends but it wasn't until 2014 that Swet Shop Boys came to fruition.

Heems' solo material consists of 2 mixtapes, Nehru Jackets, as well as his lone album Eat Pray Thug. In his solo material, Heems outwardly flaunts his Indian heritage. He raps about police brutality, the mistreatment of brown people, Obama's use of drones, as well as more eclectic topics like on "Jason Bourne" and "Computers". His second tape in particular features a number of wavy stream of consciousness tracks that showcase his wide range but ultimately leave an unfocused final product.

In 2014, Riz invited Heems to the NY premiere of his film The Reluctant Fundamentalist, where he pitched the idea of combing forces as "Swet Shop Boys". Heems was at first apprehensive, as he was prepared to retire from rap, but the idea of an Indian-Pakistani/American-British rap group was too exciting for him to turn down.

In August 2014, Heems and Riz Ahmed released their debut EP together. Lacking cover art and only available on Heems' Soundcloud, Swet Shop EP largely acted as a demo for the concept that was Swet Shop Boys: An American rapper of Indian heritage and a British rapper of Pakistani heritage trading bars over cleverly flipped South East Asian samples. Maintaining a balance of political raps and clever punch lines, the release foreshadowed what would end of being their debut album Cashmere.

In 2015, Heems' lone album Eat Pray Thug, which was released in 2015, features some of the highly political rhetoric we see on this release, as well as these seemingly stream of consciousness raps. The highlight of Eat Pray Thug is the spoken word closer to the album in which Heems describes the discrimination his family and other brown families faced following 9/11. This foreshadowed the political focus that would be seen on Cashmere.

Later on in the year, Riz and Heems got back together to record more material. This time, they solely employed produced Redhino, who Riz was friendly with, to produce the whole thing. Redhino crafted the beats adhering more strictly to song structure than the freestyle oriented EP that preceded the EP. He also sampled a wide range of South Asian music, such as Qawwali, Bhangra, and Bollywood music.

Review by /u/TheRoyalGodfrey

Since 9/11, it hasn't been particularly easy being brown and based on the events of 2016, things are only going to get worse. In Riz's home of England, the UK Independence Party convinced the Brits to vote to seceded from the EU largely based on anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric. In Heems' home of America, our presidential election was won by a man who campaigned on the idea that Islam was incompatible with the west. Now, more than ever, we need brown voices speaking out, and who better than Indian-American rapper Heems and Pakistani-British rapper Riz MC.

As someone of Muslim heritage who has spent some time living in the Middle East, this record really connected with me. The samples evoke morning prayer calls and traditional Arabic and South Asian music. Hip hop is the protest music, thus the perfect medium to convey the daily injustices faced by those with brown skin, as well as serve as a platform for two very interesting and clever MCs to humanize South Asians.

Riz and Heems doesn't shy away from being political. Every one who fits the incredibly vague TSA profile of "terrorist" can tell you about their nightmare airport security story, Riz has been stopped every time he flights through Heathrow despite [being in the the inflight magazine and entertainment]. "T5" details the casual racism faced by brown people going through airport security. For the chorus, Heems interpolated a song from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie:

Oh No, we're in trouble
TSA always tryna burst my bubble
Always get a random check when I rock the stubble

"Phone Tap" details the surveillance and harassment by law enforcement faced by those of Muslim heritage, which Riz likens to entrapment. Coming from a Grime background, Riz's raps always sound notably sharp. "Phone Tap" is no different, he raps:

Rizzy like the brown Eddie Snowden
Shit is getting scary if you got a teddy: Hold him
Rizzy speaks like Wikileaks investigations
Spit paan like it's Panama papers

On "Shottin", Riz and Heems tell the story of a former drug dealer who goes to jail and finds Islam and sees the same, if not more, harassment by law enforcement ultimately leading to him being shot simply for his religion. Heems as unabashedly anti-police as every, closing his verse with:

I'm from cop-killer Queens, kill a cop and it's fine I read pigs are haram in the book that's divine

This type of anti-police sentiment is not uncharted territory for Heems. On "Suicide By Cop" and "NYC Cops", Heems doesn't hesitate to detail his negative experience with cops.

The album was recorded in primarily in 5 days in Redinho's home studio. The instrumentals feel authentically South Asian. As Heems put it, he didn't simply "take a sitar and throw some drums under it." The samples comes a wide variety of subsets, namely Qawwali, Bhangra, and Bollywood music. While their EP had a more starstudded line up with guys like Ryan Hemsworth and Lushlife, Redinho managed to craft a more structured and cohesive project that perfectly compliments the rapping and subject matter. The percussive elements I find are where this record shines the most, especially on tracks like "Phone Tap" and "Zayn Malik". "Zayn Malik" has very percussive beat that allows Riz to really go off with a verse that you could take nearly any line out and it would be the best on your average album. My personal favorite is:

Look Zayn Malik's got more than eighty virgins on him

There's more than one direction to get to paradise

In an interview, Riz with NPR, Riz said:

" I think from the outside, this record might feel like a kind of ethnomusicology project or some kind of polemic or political record, but it's really just very, very personal. We almost had no discussion about what the themes of the album would be."

The off-the-cuff personality of this record has its own sort of charm that makes the LP's replayability nearly infinite. A song that at first stands out in the tracklist is "Aaja". It's a love song with a beautiful hook delivered by Ali Sethi that can be translated from Hindi to:

Come, oh come my love
Oh, come my lover/beloved
Oh, my heart is thirsty

"Aaja" is one example of Heems and Riz's chemistry. On Riz's second verse, Heems acts as his hype man and on "Phone Tap" they go back and forth delivering some of the best lines on the album. While they sound great together, the solo tracks on Cashmere are nearly as impressive. "Half Mogal/Half Mowgli" features Riz displaying the contrast between his London upbringing and his Pakistani heritage, the highlight being the third verse, where he delivers some of the compliments and complaints that have been waged towards him. He speaks from the perspective of people who thinks he's a good role model for the work he's done in film and music to someone who thinks he's a "Paki terrorist little piece of shit" finally to someone who thinks that he's going to hell for disobeying Islam for his swearing and promiscuous behavior. Heems' track "Swish Swish" features Heems incredibly loose style. On the song, he switches between hyping himself up and delivering some of the most powerful lyrics on the album. For example:

And Long Island, we wildin', we stylin'
They still racial profilin'

and

I'm feelin' myself, oh no, I'm feelin' myself, oh no
It wasn't long ago, I thought about killin' myself

The album closes with a very introspective track. Riz appears to be speaking from his death bed thankful for his life, Allah, and those who've helped him. Heems' delivers Riz's favorite verse on the album, where he talks about the commodification and gentrification of South Asian cultures. The verse closes succinctly with:

Used to hate the clothes, they ask where'd I get the stitchin'
Used to call me curry, now they cook it in the kitchen

Together, with the stark contrast between Heems's wavy, almost effortless flow and Riz MC's aggressive, grime-flavored flow, Swet Shops Boys are able to create music that outmatches either of their solo work. Riz and Heems have a seemingly endless capacity for clever lines and quotables and speak from a perspective that uniqueness leaves an endless array of things to talk about regarding the record. Riz and Heems are doing a great service to the world offering solidarity for those who can relate as well as offering a look into what it's like to be brown in the west to those who's exposure may be limited to the news or television.

Favourite Lyrics by /u/TheRoyalGodfrey

Oy, even hipsters ain't safe
You gotta be careful what part of your face's shaved

They comin' for the culture man, like they was on a mission
Ask me about Kama Sutra, different sex positions
Used to hate the clothes, they ask where'd I get the stitchin'
Used to call me curry, now they cook it in the kitchen

Should have been an engineer
Should have been a pharmacist
Trying to make some culture
So I'm good when the karma hits
If I was a pharmacist
I'd probably steal some Klonapin
Came a long way
From withdrawals and the vomiting

Stopping refugees is just silly blud
Well you know about Aeneas in the Iliad
Fled Turkey and he just founded Rome
What if he had drowned in a boat?
Yanks eat turkey cause your peeps had found a home

No new friends in case they're undercover snakes
Stares on the plane, guess it's just another day

Inshallah, mashallah
Hopefully no martial law

Talking Points by /u/TheRoyalGodfrey

  • Will we see more protest music from groups that aren't very well represented in hip hop such as LGBT people?

  • Is hip hop successfully sparking empathy for minorities, or are listeners using it more as culture tourism and ignoring the plight of the artists they're listening to?

  • What do you think about the artwork for the record?

Thanks again to /u/TheRoyalGodfrey for the great writeup! You can check the schedule in the comments below to read past installments and see what's coming up over the rest of the month. Thanks for reading!

submitted by /u/waffel113
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[Shots Fired] Yachty does the #souljaboychallenge

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 02:27 PM PST

Chance the Rapper on Instagram - "Hawaii then LA, back to work #roscoeswetsuit" with Childish Gambino

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 06:15 PM PST

[FRESH] Migos - Call Casting

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 11:25 AM PST

Anthony Fantano reviews Chixtape 4 and New Toronto 2

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 02:39 PM PST

Childish Gambino - Life: The Biggest Troll (Andrew Auernheimer)

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 05:46 PM PST

Drake Retires The Meek Mill Diss Back To Back

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 02:17 PM PST

Future deletes all Instagram photos/followers except DJ Esco, rants on Twitter

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 08:16 PM PST

"Me & esco against the world...ion trust none of these people! They all greedy"

"2017 nobody safe"

https://twitter.com/1future/status/816006221165723653

https://twitter.com/1future/status/816006794120220676

Edit: Instagram

submitted by /u/MONEYMANFLACKO
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Young Thug - Wyclef Jean

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 09:15 PM PST

[DISCUSSION] Run The Jewels - RTJ3 [ONE WEEK LATER]

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 11:52 AM PST

Hey K- Hey Kids,

One week after Mike and El P's Christmas gift, are you guys still hearing new punchlines?

Edit: an extra word

submitted by /u/tommy2712
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XXXTENTACION Announces "I Need Jesus" Mixtape, Produced & Hosted by DJ Carnage

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 06:29 PM PST

Pitchfork gives "Run the Jewels 3" 8.6 BNM

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 10:00 PM PST

How Childish Gambino Made Things Easier For Kids Like Me - By Kevin Abstract

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 07:08 PM PST

Eminem Proves There Are Plenty Of Words That Rhyme With 'Orange'

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 03:26 PM PST

Jazz Cartier debuting first single "Tempted" from his new album Fleurever tomorrow on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 Radio

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 01:14 PM PST

Isaiah Rashad - Heavenly Father

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 11:22 PM PST

Hip Hop Class

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 08:06 PM PST

I'm a teacher who has just had a Hip Hop history class approved. I've got a pretty solid idea of what I want to do with it, but are there any topics that I absolutely MUST cover in the course? What about albums? Also, any cool project or lecture topics would be greatly appreciated.

submitted by /u/bingesquinger
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Bones announces release date for upcoming project "Disgrace" 1/11/2017

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 07:59 PM PST

Migos - Handsome & Wealthy

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 01:17 PM PST

Daily Discussion Thread 01/02/2017

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 07:58 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:

submitted by /u/AutoModerator
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[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] Tory Lanez - The New Toronto 2 & Chixtape 4

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 12:24 PM PST

Big fan of both. I normally like Torys bangers over his RnB songs but i think I like Chixtape 4 more. But Drive You Crazy and What's Luv are awesome tracks

submitted by /u/ThirstyPotato
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[FRESH ALBUM] Camp Lo - On the Way Uptown (pre-Uptown Saturday Night songs + demos)

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 01:07 PM PST

Robb Bank$ now signed to Cash Money (plus new snippet)

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 10:26 PM PST

Price Error - RTJ 3 Vinyl pre order is currently $12 on Best Buy's website

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 07:29 PM PST

Westside Gunn - Mr. T

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 12:51 PM PST

PARTYNEXTDOOR - No Feelings (feat. Travis Scott) (CDQ)

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 03:57 AM PST
at

Album of the Year 2016 #01: Ka - Honor Killed the Samurai - HipHop

Album of the Year 2016 #01: Ka - Honor Killed the Samurai - HipHop

Album of the Year 2016 #01: Ka - Honor Killed the Samurai

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 09:01 AM PST

Artist: Ka

Album: Honor Killed the Samurai

Listen:

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Music

Background

Kaseem Ryan, or Ka, hails from the Brownsville neighbourhood of Brooklyn. Through much of the 90s, Ka existed on the peripheries of the hip hop world, his search for recognition proving mostly futile. Ka was briefly part of the Natural Elements Crew, his most notable appearance coming on "I Mean This". After Natural Elements failed to obtain a record deal, Ka left the group, feeling personal guilt regarding this failure.

The next step in Ka's journey came in the form of Nightbreed, a duo he formed with fellow rapper and close friend Kev in 1998. Once again, Ka progressed no further than an unheralded demo tape, featuring the semi-cult-classic "2 Roads Out The Ghetto".

Ka was one of many victims of a musical climate governed by record labels, and after failing to gain even a semblance of success, he turned his back on hip hop. For 10 years Ka existed in a state of forced complacency regarding his musical ambitions, committing to civilian life. Notably, he rose to the position of Captain in the Fire Department of New York, a position he occupies to this day.

In 2007, Ka self released his debut album, Iron Works. This was not a renewed bid at the fame he had long since abandoned, Iron Works served merely as a passion project by Ka, something he intended to gift to his friends and family. Inadvertently, Iron Works made its way to the GZA. An elite lyricist himself, GZA found himself thoroughly impressed by Ka's intricate and unique rhyming style. Ka was invited to record with GZA, his contributions eventually taking the form of the Roc Marciano-produced "Firehouse", a solo Ka song appearing on GZA's 2008 album Pro Tools.

Although this was the principal factor buoying the resumption of his hip hop dreams, it was only four years later in 2012 that Ka proved himself a concrete force within the genre. Grief Pedigree, completely self-produced and self-released, served as Ka's introduction to those who paid attention, and through this album and its follow-up The Night's Gambit, Ka built up a steady following and some well-deserved critical attention.

Early in 2016, Ka released the promotional singles "30 Keys" and "Grapes of Wrath". These songs, not tied to any project, served as a means of portraying Ka's current musical and emotional frame of mind.

Honor Killed the Samurai, released on Ka's own Iron Works record label on the 13 August 2016, is Ka's 4th solo album, and his 6th major project. As is tradition for Ka, he used the release date to sell copies hand to hand, interacting with his fans.

After taking a hiatus from production duties, with Preservation producing 2014's 1200 BC and 2015's Days With Dr. Yen Lo, Honor Killed the Samurai sees Ka returning to his traditional style of controlling every facet of his music.

On this album, Ka draws from a variety of Japanese samples, exploring the parallels between the titular Samurai culture and the grim world of crime and poverty Ka has chronicled throughout his career.

No stranger to minimalism within his music, Honor sees Ka taking the bold measure of excluding drums from his productions, this done in a bid to accentuate the weight of Ka's words.

Accompanying the release of the album was an animated video for the song "Just", with this visual serving as an excellent means of portraying the ideas explored within Ka's music.

In the aftermath of the album's release, Ka made a rare public appearance, giving an insightful lecture for the Red Bull Music Academy.

While still far removed from the mainstream, Honor adds to Ka's gradual rise in esteem amongst those who value lyricism and ingenuity within hip hop, receiving high praise from multiple respected publications.

Review

One of the most difficult feats for any musician to accomplish is the creation of an album that offers the listener appropriate insight into the mind of the artist, while avoiding a potentially obnoxious isolation from the broader world. It is just as easy to fall into the trap of self-aggrandisement as it is to create a work that feels shallow and impersonal. On Honor Killed the Samurai, Ka paints the portrait of a world that is all too real, and closely examines his own place within this world.

Ka describes the process behind his albums as one of catharsis, a way for him to release the turmoil inside him before it builds up to the point of danger. Naturally, this process reflects in the nature of Ka's lyrics. Pain is an unavoidable constant in life, and it is at the centre of Ka's work. Extending past his lyrics, Ka's delivery echoes his state of mind. His flow is slow and deliberate, he never raises his voice or begs for your attention. At points on the album, there are audible cracks in his voice.

Honor Killed the Samurai is the rare album that exemplifies the ethos of a musical era gone-by without ever feeling like cheap revivalism. It sounds New York, it sounds "hip hop", but it simultaneously builds on its influences to create a work that can not be so simply classified. The production here exists far outside the realm of boom bap one might expect an artist such as Ka to inhabit, and occupies unmatched sonic territory. A significant portion of this album is devoid of the drums that so often serve as a staple within hip hop production. Ka allows his voice to serve as the chief means of percussion. Ka's art is in his words, and he does his utmost to ensure that these words carry the weight they merit. It is in this unity between all facets of the music that Honor Killed the Samurai shines. The lyrics, vocals, production and vocal samples all enhance each other, and in doing so contribute to Ka's vivid creation.

The opening track, "Conflicted", serves as an effective introduction to Ka's philosophy. Duality is at the heart of this album. Ka proclaims himself to have "always been conflicted." While these tales are grim and wrought with pain, they also form the foundation of Ka's upbringing, and these experiences define his identity as a man. There is no glorification to be found on Honor, but neither is Ka consumed by condemnation. The result is an intimate portrait that refuses to pigeon-hole its subject matter. At no point does Ka shy away from the darkness surrounding the people and places he chronicles, yet at no point does the album lose the 'human element' at its core. The lines that best exemplify this are not found on Honor Killed the Samurai, coming from "To Hull and Back" off of Ka's 1200 BC.

You named them hustlers, killers, fiends, ex-cons

I called them cousins, aunts, pops, moms

To you? Hoodlums, crackheads, gunmens

To me? Just neighbors, classmates, young friends

Frequently, praise is doled out to artists who are "relatable." I think that the most accurate measure of an artist's ability is not simply creating work that might directly resonate with its listeners by force of sheer coincidence, but rather comes in the creation of work that is able to foster a sense of empathy and understanding even in the presence of foreign subject matter. This is where Ka's talents come to the forefront. One might not have any personal experience with the stories he is telling, but that doesn't hinder the resonance he is able to transmit by melding universal themes with acute social commentary.

The idea of necessity is one that surrounds Honor Killed the Samurai. On "Just", Ka proclaims "To get what we need, we did what we must." This is a theme that echoes throughout the album. Ka details the hardship he has endured, and laments the choices he was forced to make, but the story of Ka, for better or for worse, is that of survival. Ka has emerged from his predatory environment, and through this has been irrevocably changed. He may not have taken pleasure in his actions, but he persisted for the sheer sake of his having to persist. It is in this experience where Ka's unique perspective manifests. He is not the enthusiastic mafioso, and nor is he the powerless victim of circumstance. Ka represents the unacknowledged majority, he speaks for the humans behind the constant barriers between different facets of society.

This necessity is present not only within the world Ka constructs, but can also be found within the structure of the album itself. At 10 tracks and 36 minutes, Honor Killed the Samurai does not overstay its welcome. This is not an all-purpose album, Ka himself asks the listener to give the album their undivided attention, it is a short burst of unadulterated hip hop.

On a more microscopic level, Ka's chief strength as an MC is his unmatched gift for concision. The curse of the lyrical rapper is frequently a lack of focus and the sometimes problematic "rapping for the sake of rapping." Ka's work is the antithesis of this. Every line on this album links to the next, every word Ka utters can be directly linked to the message of the song as well as to the broader thematic concepts behind the album. Ka knows his message and he knows how he wants to convey it, and every detail in Honor Killed the Samurai is geared towards serving a specific purpose.

Seeing as this is a hip hop album, it is important to take note of the technical qualities that make Ka an exceptional rapper. Each of these songs is packed with dexterous multi-syllabic rhymes, as Ka employs poetic techniques as a means of enhancing his message. His use of assonance and alliteration allow him to change the tempo of his delivery at a moment. His individual lines are written with the intention of being picked apart, and close analysis makes Honor Killed the Samurai an even more rewarding experience. Ka is equal parts poet and technician, the power of his words is matched by the force provoking their delivery.

Honor Killed the Samurai is not an album that can be enjoyed by anyone at any time. It is dark and dense, challenging, and perhaps even off-putting to the first time listener. In the short term, these factors may work against it, but I believe that in time this album will cultivate the legacy its quality merits. Ka is a writer at his pinnacle, and his unique ability to document his world deserves universal respect, if not universal adoration.

Favourite Lyrics by /u/mikeest

Crooked in the town with a crew of raw people

That'll put you in the ground for the root of all evil

Kill in the building, the proof is in the bricks

We revel in the present like the future don't exist

Trying to find a reason I'm still alive breathin'

I wanna heal my inner child, it's been a while grievin'

Ones dropped from cocked semis and clapped with the fours

Can't remember none of my members gone from natural cause

Guess I was destined, my progression is evident

Want the best, so it test 'til I rest in the sediment

Was steady pride, try to show you every side

I give it life, but write like I already died

No petty fray, every day I hail the truth

Let it spray, never say Ka failed the youth

  • "That Cold and Lonely"

So I stood on mine, during the hoodest time

Was a nightmare, felt like life here was as good as dying

We was born in the thorns, few arose

Once a town's noose, now in soundproofs pursuing golds

What you minin' for? If unaware share with blind and poor

You tellin' stories that's celebratory in times of war

With bars of greed, I plead, how many cars you need?

When fathers bleed to fill ribs of kids that hardly read

Fuck your little rhymes, and the new finds you purchased

If you ain't buyin' no soup for them soup lines and churches

  • "$"

Hard to take high road when down in the gutter

Stop the flow, I pop and go with the pound and the cutter

Rule the streets faceless, dodgin' police bracelets

Draw weapons before jettin', the shells don't leave traces

The routes I scored I doubt the Lord ever condone

Steps was reckless, reppin' for precious metals and stone

But now knowledge power, this assemblance evidence shown

Walk with ghosts of close family and friends, I'm never alone

Virtually so thirsty my eyes watered

Served on curbs where they bought it, no gods lorded

I wrote flesh, sold death is morbid

Was on the scene you only seen what press reported

Truly there's beauty in this ugly

Scared to put seeds in the uterus that love me

Growing, knowing my roots indeed rotten

Producing bad fruits, all my family tree's dropping

Motion picture scripture, every song scored

They want grief, unsheath the long sword

It's hindsight of the fights I've endured

In my twilight, getting right with the lord

Get down for the crown, even if it got thorns

Fights are final when might is primal we lock horns

Won't dupe the block you shoot to stop no shots warned

Never slack cause attack first time we spot yawns

Discussion Questions

1) What is the place of lyricism in present-day hip hop? Will writers such as Ka always hold a place of admiration?

2) Do rappers have a responsibility to paint a more balanced picture of their socio-economic surroundings? Is "glorification" wrong?

3) What makes an album enjoyable to you? Can you find enjoyment in pieces of work that are intentionally desolate?

4) Are misguided attempts at revivalism the reason that New York hip hop has lost relevance?

5) Is hip hop too cluttered by excess, both musically and in terms of content?

submitted by /u/mikeest
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Kendrick Lamar and Young Thug performed together last night for NYE

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 10:59 AM PST

[FRESH] Tory Lanez - The New Toronto 2 AND Chixtape 4

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 02:00 PM PST

[FRESH MIXTAPE] Chief Keef - Two Zero One Seven

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 08:59 AM PST

BIGQUINT Run the Jewels 3 First Raction

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 06:41 PM PST

Young Thug is supporting Drake on his European tour this year.

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 04:45 PM PST

New Gucci x Metro Track Coming Out Midnight ET

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 04:17 PM PST

NEW YEARS DAY 2017 GENERAL DISCUSSION THREAD

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 10:06 AM PST

2017 is lit 🔥

NSFW: r/HipHopGoneWild

submitted by /u/TheHHHRobot
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Logic - Fade Away

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 11:26 AM PST

Snoop's GGN show is back on YouTube with A$AP Rocky as special guest

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 04:58 PM PST

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony - 1st of tha Month

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 10:44 AM PST

BJ The Chicago Kid - His Pain (feat. Kendrick Lamar). Originally this was supposed to be on Section.80 as an intro to “Kush & Corinthians”

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 12:05 PM PST

I Dropped A Song W/ Saba For My 20th Birthday That's Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 09:19 PM PST

Best Verse: Special Edition, Week 93 - Best Verse of 2016

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 01:43 PM PST

Its a best verse special edition!

Special Edition Background: In this thread we will vote for the best verse of 2016. Submit and upvote your favorite verse of the year, please no downvoting!

Past 20 Week Results:

.....
Week 72 - Big Pun - "Twinz(Deep Cover '98)" - verse 1
Week 73 - 2 Chainz - "Mercy" - verse 4
Week 74 - Young Jeezy - "Seen It All" - verse 1
Week 75 - Denzel Curry - "Ultimate" - verse 2
Week 76 - Cam'Ron - "Down and Out" - verse 3
Week 77 - Isaiah Rashad - "Heavenly Father" - verse 3
Week 78 - Fabolous - "Wolves in Sheep Clothing" - verse 1
Week 79 - YG - "Twist My Fingaz" - verse 1
Week 80 - Gucci Mane - "Steady Mobbin" - verse 2
Week 81 - Mick Jenkins - "P's & Q's" - verse 1
Week 82 - Curren$y - "Airborne Aquarium" - verse 1
Week 83 - Meek Mill - "Dreams and Nightmares Intro" - verse 1
Week 84 - Killer Mike - "A Christmas Fucking Miracle" - verse 2
Week 85 - Future - "Codeine Crazy" - verse 2
Week 86 - El-P - "The Last Huzzah REMIX" - verse 5
Week 87 - Kodak Black - "No Flockin" - verse 1
Week 88 - De La Soul - "Stakes is High" - verse 3
Week 89 - Kevin Gates - "Angels" - verse 1
Week 90 - Q-Tip - "Excursions" - verse 1
Week 91 - Migos - "Bad and Boujee" - verse 1
Week 92 - Del The Funky Homosapien - "3030" verse 3

Please provide links with your votes!

Post your favorite verses here!

remember just because a verse may be iconic that does necessarily mean it's their best verse.

And as usual taking suggestions for next week

Spotify playlist for /r/HHH's Best Verse of 2015

Spotify playlist for top 5 best verses for every week!

submitted by /u/KHDTX13
[link] [comments]

Maxo Kream announces new music releasing in 2017

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 10:27 PM PST

Yasiin Bey: December 99th Pitchfork Review

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 10:11 PM PST

Tory Lanez - The New Toronto [NO DJ]

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 11:00 AM PST

Capital Cities - Farrah Fawcett Hair ft. André 3000

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 02:59 PM PST

Snoop Dogg & The Doors - Riders On The Storm (NFS Underground 2 Soundtrack)

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 03:10 PM PST

XXXTENTACION - I don't wanna do this anymore

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 01:24 PM PST

Best Beats: Special Edition, Week 23 - Best Beats of 2016

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 01:47 PM PST

It's a best beast special edition!

Special Edition background: Submit your favorite beats of 2016 here.

IMPORTANT TIPS BEFORE VOTING:

  1. All Votes must provide a one-two sentence justification for it to be counted.

  2. Remember to provide links!

  3. One vote per comment as well.

Past 20 Week Results:

Week 2 - J Dilla - "J Dilla - Time: The Donut of Heart"
Week 3 - Metro Boomin - "Travis Scott - Sky Fall"
Week 4 - Madlib - "Freddie Gibbs - Thuggin'"
Week 5 - Just Blaze - "Jay Electronica - Exhibit C"
Week 5 - Dr. Dre - "Dr. Dre - Still Dre"
Week 6 - RZA - "GZA - 4th Chamber"
Week 7 - Noah "40" Shebib - "Drake - Tuscan Leather"
Week 8 - Pharrell Williams/The Neptunes - "Clipse - Grindin"
Week 9 - DJ Premier - "Royce da 5'9 - Boom"
Week 10 - Zaytoven - "Future - Oooooh"
Week 11 - The Alchemist - "Mac Miller - Red Dot Music"
Week 12 - Mike Will Made It - "Future - Move That Dope"
Week 13 - DJ Dahi - "Kendrick Lamar - Money Trees"
Week 14 - Knxwledge - "Kendrick Lamar - Momma"
Week 15 - Timbaland - "JAY Z - Big Pimpin'"
Week 16 - Swizz Beatz - "DMX - Ruff Ryders Anthem"
Week 17 - Flying Lotus - "Flying Lotus - Never Catch Me"
Week 18 - Hit-Boy - "JAY Z & Kanye West - Niggas in Paris"
Week 19 - Pete Rock - "Pete Rock & CL Smoth - T.R.O.Y."
Week 20 - 9th Wonder - "Anderson .Paak - The Season/Carry Me"
Week 21 - El-P - "Cannibal Ox - Iron Galaxy"
Week 22 - Boi-1da - "Drake - Pound Cake"

Post your favorite beats of 2016 (with links) here!

remember just because a beat may be iconic that does necessarily mean it's their best beat.

taking suggestions for next week

submitted by /u/KHDTX13
[link] [comments]

Smooth Sunday. Post your smooth tracks here.

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 01:46 PM PST

Let's start the year off right. Give us that smooth shit to vibe to today. One Love.

submitted by /u/downtothegwound
[link] [comments]

Documentary about the making of Fugees - The Score

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST

Ab-Soul - The Law ft. Mac Miller & Rapsody

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 04:54 PM PST

Hip-Hop First Week Sales Numbers - Final Chart

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 11:19 AM PST

Rank Artist Album Pure Sales Sales + Streaming
1 Drake Views 829K 1.075M
2 Beyonce Lemonade 501K 664K
3 J. Cole 4 Your Eyez Only 378K 511K
4 Frank Ocean Blonde 232K 278K
5 The Weeknd Starboy 228K 366K
6 Bruno Mars 24K Magic 190K 226K
7 Various Artists The Hamilton Mixtape 171K 190K
8 Kendrick Lamar untitled unmastered 144K 182K
9 Rihanna Anti 125K 172K
10 A Tribe Called Quest We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service 111K 136K
11 Future Evol 108K 139K
12 Kevin Gates Islah 90K 112K
13 Childish Gambino Awaken, My Love 76K 107K
14 Jeezy Trap Or Die 3 71K 87K
15 DJ Khaled Major Key 59K 96K
16 ScHoolboy Q Blankface LP 52K 77K
17 Wiz Khalifa Khalifa 50K 71K
18 Solange A Seat At The Table 46K 72K
19 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis This Unruly Mess I've Made 46K 56K
20 Alicia Keys Here 46K 55K
21 Yo Gotti The Art Of The Hustle 45K 59K
22 Travis Scott Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight 44K 89K
23 Meek Mill DC4 44K 83K
24 Gucci Mane Everybody Looking 44K 70K
25 Big Sean & Jhene Aiko TWENTY88 40K 48K
26 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne Collegrove 35K 51K
27 Mac Miller The Divine Feminine 34K 49K
28 Tech N9ne The Storm 32K 37K
29 Tory Lanez I Told You 31K 53K
30 PARTYNEXTDOOR PARTYNEXTDOOR 3 29K 50K
31 YG Still Brazy 28K 39K
32 Kid Cudi Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' 25K 48K
33 The Game 1992 24K 31K
34 A$AP Ferg Always Strive And Prosper 23K 37K
35 Young Thug Slime Season 3 22K 36k
36 Post Malone Stoney 20K 59K
37 Flatbush Zombies 3001 A Laced Odyssey 19K 24K
38 Young Thug Jeffery 17K 41K
39 Yo Gotti White Friday (CM9) 17K 28K
40 Run The Jewels Run The Jewels 3 17K 18K
41 Young Thug I'm Up 16K 23K
42 Gucci Mane The Return Of East Atlanta Santa 15K 33K
43 Rae Sremmurd Sremmlife 2 15K 30K
44 De La Soul And The Anonymous Nobody 15K N/A
45 Common Black America Again 13K 16K
46 Aesop Rock The Impossible Kid 13K 15K
47 Isaiah Rashad The Sun's Tirade 12K 21K
48 Atmosphere Fishing Blues 12K 13K
49 Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa & TM88 The Rude Awakening 11K 17K
50 The Game Streets Of Compton 10K 13K
51 Joe Budden Rage & The Machine 10K 12K

FAQ:

Q: Source?

A: http://hitsdailydouble.com/building_album_chart

Q: How is this list sorted?

A: It's sorted by pure sales

Q: Where is X album?

A: Only albums with 10K in pure sales are listed

Q: What about "The Life Of Pablo"?

A: It didn't have any sales first week as it was a Tidal exclusive. It had 90K in sales+streaming

Q: Where can I find last year's list?

A: Right here

Discussion Points

  • Who sold more/less than you thought?
  • Does x artist sell more or less with their next album?
  • How much would TLOP have sold?
  • Is it easier or more difficult to do numbers with streaming?
submitted by /u/Chriscftb97
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[FRESH] Playboi Carti- Another Day ft. Lamb$

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 09:09 PM PST
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