A$AP Ferg – Plain Jane

“You can hear the desire crackling out of every line, the urge to be great with each passing bar within the first verse.”

A$AP Ferg’s latest mixtape, Still Striving, offers a variety of hits to keep you going into the Fall time but the one song that stands out to me is “Plain Jane.” Naming the song after a line within the song where he references his “plain jane” Tourneau presidential watch. Later going on into detail over at Genius, he mentions how putting diamonds on a watch actually lowers the value and instead of doing so, he treats his watch like an investment. I didn’t have this in mind when I first listened so it adds an extra depth to the song that wasn’t needed but is welcomed.

In “Plain Jane” Ferg comes off as grittier and darker than what I would expect from him. Swift mentions of suicide and childhood trauma blended in with bars decorated with his cocky flare leave me as a listener picturing a more complex character in A$AP Ferg within the exclusivity of the song. You can hear the desire crackling out of every line, the urge to be great with each passing bar within the first verse. Granted, the hook is obviously a tribute to Three 6 Mafia, specifically Juicy J’s “Slob on My Knob,” there’s still a cutting tone behind it due to the energy of the actual song.

Honestly, this is the most I’ve ever been invested in understanding A$AP Ferg as an artist. Don’t get me wrong, I love listening to him but this exact song makes me want to understand him on a personal level which is an effort most artists can’t get out of me right now. I don’t expect, or want, him to come out with a super personal project but I wouldn’t mind a few songs or an album that makes me want to invest my time into getting to know A$AP Ferg.

 

Link: A$AP Ferg’s Genius breakdown of “Plain Jane” from Still Striving

Hare Squead – Supernormal EP

I first discovered Hare Squead while listening to the Goldlink remix of “Herside Story” on “At What Cost?” where shortly after I decided to check out the Squead and see what they were about. Their debut EP, Supernormal, instantly caught my attention with “Got a Long Way to Go” which is reminiscent of a shining Pharrell record with a myriad of other Hip-Hop, Pop, and R&B influences. Describing themselves as “three black Irish kids making waves,” Hare Squead’s fun and energetic sound fit right in with the trend of young carefree eccentric Black acts in the Hip-Hop scene such as Chance the Rapper, Masego, Goldlink, D.R.A.M., and Aminé to name a few.

Kendrick Lamar – Humble (Video)

I don’t really get excited about rappers unless their names are Kanye West, Pusha T, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. Less than an hour ago, Kendrick’s VEVO on Youtube released a video for “Humble,” a brand new, very different song from Kendrick Lamar. In 2017, at any table you sit at, Kendrick Lamar’s name is synonymous with “introspective” and “conscious.” This song, “Humble” aims to flip those thoughts on their heads. This is definitely not Kendrick’s first braggadocio but it’s obvious that “Humble” as a title is meant to be subverted by the fact that most people would assume Kendrick to take a different approach on this song. This subversion is also reinforced in the beginning of the song, as well as the thumbnail where Kendrick Lamar is dressed in religious garb standing in light almost seeming too religious for who he is. There are much more subversions within the video and in the song itself and it’s really interesting to analyze.

Goldlink, Brent Faiyaz, and Shy Glizzy – Crew

Okay, let me tell you guys I’ve probably played this song twenty times today. I’m very much addicted to the Goldlink, Brent Faiyaz, and Shy Glizzy song called “Crew.” Brent Faiyaz offers his vocals on the hook and even though that’s his only part in the song it’s a major part of the formula. Goldlink and Shy Glizzy offer up their eccentric flow and energy to the track, going back to back with a strong contrast that meshes surprisingly well.

Goldlink is as smooth and intricate as ever while still being tender in his approach, making his verse very intimate. Shy Glizzy dominates with his aggressive but flashy vocal presence, letting you know he doesn’t just “seem like the man,” he is the man. I’m not one to really care about radio hits often but this most certainly seems like a banger.

With spring right around the corner, this song can only go up and I imagine around March everyone will be abusing the play button as much as me. Check out the Soundcloud link or the Youtube link I placed below.

 

Eearz Ft. Young Thug – Work Ya Muscle (Prod. Mike WiLL Made-It)

Eearz’s dropped a high energy Mike WiLL Made-It produced track that takes shape as “Work Ya Muscle.” It’s definitely the song of choice to turn up to at the party or literally work your muscles at the gym. After seeing D.R.A.M. post Eearz’s music on his Twitter, I had to check out his music myself.

Aye fuck wit this one time, be ready to turn TF up tho🔥 https://t.co/gGyVX1Mo7S s/o the big homie @mikewillmadeit mane🙏

— D.R.A.M. not DRAM (@ONLY1DRAM) September 3, 2015

From the very first listened I was hooked and I didn’t want to come down. Immediately I wanted to do a few push ups but I’m trying not to dirty up my favorite fit more than I already have for the day. With Thugger assisting on the hook, Eearz throws down a certified headknocker. It’s no doubt that this song has the ability to become a hit if given the chance and with the artists backing it, I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t.

D.R.A.M. ft. Donnie Trumpet – $ (Prod. by Gabe Niles)

D.R.A.M. already took over the Summer with the Super Mario World sampled, “Cha-Cha,” and is now potentially going to take over the rest of the year with the redone version of “$” with Donnie Trumpet, from Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment, offering his talents with his well placed trumpet.

A motivation song, D.R.A.M.’s “$” is certainly truth telling as he speaks on he kept working to “get off his ass and get money” even in troubling times. While “Cha-Cha” was banging and got everybody from Beyonce to my momma jamming, many listeners don’t know how truthful and motivational D.R.A.M. gets on both #1EpicSummer and #1EpicEP, however if “$” blows up, as it should, this side of the rapper with a wide smile will surely be just as popular as the energetic and upbeat side.

Check it out now before #1EpicSequel drops!

(THROWBACK) Drake – Overdose On Life (Prod. Omen)

Amidst all this Drake and Meek beef talk, I would like to bring everyone back to Drake earlier days, when he was just getting into the game. Overdose On Life is a somewhat unknown track to the majority of current Drake fans and that’s a shame really because it was one of the most stylish and flavorful tracks from Drake those seven years ago. Even to this day, it’s honestly one of my most favorite tracks with Mickey Factz and Travis McCoy complimenting Drake’s own verse to make for a timeless track. If you’re good at grasping flows, you could see that this is an entirely different Drake as well, having a freshman sound with a senior class confidence.