Post Malone – “Too Young”
https://soundcloud.com/post-malone/too-young
Post Malone is the Manchurian Candidate of R&B singers, a music industry plant so obvious he should have “300 Entertainment” tattooed across his forehead. This, like every single other word that’s emanated from his gob, is a lilting rip-off of nouvelle vague Atlanta. Post Malone was born after Color Me Badd, but he shares more in common with their skin-deep, pre-packaged aesthetic than any of the artists he’s attempting to duplicate. I’m post-Post Malone, and you should be, too.
Da Mafia 6ix ft. La Chat – “No Good Deed”
The guy who La Chat is flirting with looks like Keegan-Michael Key, of Key & Peele.
De La Soul ft. Nas – “God It”
Much ado has been made about De La Soul’s Kickstarter campaign and the debatable morality of famous musicians asking fans for money. I can’t really begrudge De La Soul this moral and financial victory; I don’t think I’ve ever paid for one of their songs, which I suspect is true for many of their fans, so who am I to say that they can’t fundraise? It’s highly likely that the funds raised from Kickstarter far outstrip any advance the group would’ve received for their new album And The Anonymous Nobody. Hopefully Plugs One, Two, and Three put it to good use.
“God It” isn’t the apex of the De La canon, but it’s encouraging, and they sound much more like themselves than recent struggling legends Ghostface and MF Doom. This is apparently a non-album loosie, which makes me suspect the album itself will have another Nas verse.
OG Maco – “No Y”
Alphabetical raps by someone who’s never heard of Papoose. Zaytoven’s sample-free instrumentals and instantly recognizable key fingering make him feel like this generation’s Mannie Fresh, an experienced, singular talent that defines the sound of a city.
Jonwayne – “Minerals & Gems”
America’s foremost sandal-wearer and rapping former football player returns to put the “offensive” in “offensive lineman,” aided by Haley Joel Osment (not to be confused with POW columnist Haley “No Chill” Potiker).
Lil Durk ft. Jeremih – “Like Me”
The first frame of the video for “Like Me” is the skyline of Chicago with overlaying text that reads “Def Jam Records Presents.” Which is funny, since it’s difficult to tell what Def Jam’s done for Durk’s career. Since Chief Keef’s nearly overnight success, major labels have rushed to sign every Chicago teenager they could get their grubby dickbeaters on. Def Jam signed both Durk and Lil Reese, Sicko Mobb signed with Polo Grounds/RCA, and Keef signed with Interscope. Keef got dropped in 2014, and neither Durk, nor Reese, nor the Hot Cheeto-dreaded duo Sicko Mobb have released a record on their respective labels. It’s clear that Durk has his own city’s support, but very unclear if he has Def Jam’s.
OT Genasis – “Ricky”
OT Genasis is completely incapable of originality, and his only talent is his ability to semi-competently impersonate other rappers’ style like a coke rap mimic octopus. “Ricky” is a blatant drill rip-off, and a depressing reminder that white chicks in sorority sweatshirts know OT Genasis lyrics, but the aforementioned Lil Durk is languishing in record label purgatory. — Torii MacAdams
