Torii MacAdams has multiple Darius Miles tattoos.
Oddisee – “CounterClockwise”
I walk around my own home with the hood of my sweatshirt on, so Oddisee’s sense of optimism doesn’t resonate like it probably should. More affecting is his production work; “CounterClockwise,” and recent singles “That’s Love” and “Celebrity Reduction Prayer,” are bright, polished takes on soul jazz. “CounterClockwise” is xylophone-in-the-sunshine type shit for iPhone-in-the-dark type dudes.
A$AP Rocky – “M’s”
A$AP Rocky is rapping about money! Shocking! If Rocky was going to show a modicum of personality beneath his 17 layers of leather Rick Owens attire, I assume it would’ve happened by now. Rocky’s a solid enough practitioner (I guess), but this is a thoroughly joyless exercise.
Freddie Gibbs – “My Dope House”
Gibbs’ transformation into the sixth member of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony continues unabated. I mean that in the best way possible.
Raekwon ft. Snoop Dogg – “1,2 1,2”
https://soundcloud.com/iceh2orecords/12-12-feat-snoop-dogg
RZA is parading around a Cilvaringz compilation disguised as a piece of art, which has Method Man scowling in interviews. Ghostface is making albums that double as sleep aids. GZA is hanging out with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Raekwon is showing rappers how to age. Rae’s more or less rapping about the same luxury goods and weed smoking methods he was 20 years ago, which is perfectly fine, since, unlike the aforementioned A$AP Rocky, he actually seems happy to get up on the mic and talk some shit.
Snoop’s lyrics were clearly ghostwritten. Probably by Raekwon.
Chuck Inglish – “Damage”
I completely, thoroughly endorse this song, but I can’t fully endorse the video for “Damage” because Chuck Inglish is eating at Tommy’s on Beverly & Rampart. Inglish gets credit for eating at the original location of the hamburger chain, but the Tommy’s “specialty,” a chili cheeseburger, looks like an alcoholic bum took a shit on his own lunch. Thank your prefered godhead that whomever directed the “Damage” video had the mercy to not show the food from Tommy’s.
Ludacris – “Beast Mode”
Ludacris threatens his opponents with a verse so dope it’ll make fans unfriend them on Facebook. In 2015. He might as well have bragged about his ringtone sales on T-Mobile Sidekicks or made a pun about weapons of mass destruction.
Nocando – “Renaissance Nigga”
This is “Niggas in Paris” made by an introspective, sharp-tongued anime fanatic, although a perhaps regrettable lesbian pun would fit right in with Kanye’s oeuvre.
Towkio ft. Lido, Chance The Rapper, Eryn Allen Kane – “Heaven Only Knows”
Young Chicago rappers are clearly making a concerted effort to move past the negativity and violence of drill, which is understandable. But “Heaven Only Knows” is a cloying, messy pastiche. How many people are singing on this song? 3? 4? Heaven only knows.
Mic Terror – “N Dis”
“N Dis” is almost the complete opposite of “Heaven Only Knows.” This isn’t thoroughly minimalistic, but producer Teklife Phil’s footwork pads and chopped, pitched up sample and Mic Terror’s restraint make “N Dis” a recognizable vision of the Windy City.
When browsing Mic Terror’s SoundCloud, I found out that he has a mixtape titled Can I Borrow A Feeling, with a track that samples Kirk Van Houten’s classic love ballad. I’ll happily root for any rapper who samples “Can I Borrow A Feeling?”
