Heart of A City - Chicago Artists Stole 2016

2016 has undoubtedly been a great year for music. From the gospel-rap genre that's been loosely created to feel-good albums without any need of skips, there has been countless GREAT projects released back to back this year and every music lover is stuck in a constant swoon.

It has been a while since a region or city has been said to run the music scene; however, this year, Chicago artists stole the whole show. Here are my favorite projects to come out of Chicago in 2016 (in no particular order).

Noname - Telefone

It's difficult to explain why this album is so necessary, and without a doubt, some of the best hip-hop to come out this year; reason being, it speaks so beautifully for itself. It's a project that fans have been waiting for (im)patiently for so long. Noname ventured on the 3stacks route for quite a while: killing every single feature, which left listeners to grovel in anticipation for the release of her solo project. And of course on arrival, there were no disappointment in sight.

Noname tells her South Side stories with some of the best eloquence, assonance, and rhetoric that exists in rap. From tracks like the beautifully haunting "Casket Pretty," to the summertime front porch soundtrack "Diddy Bop," her unique style carves its space. There is no single song that one could honestly choose without feeling guilty of even remotely discrediting the beauty painted in them all. There is a smile, a broken yet golden heart that shines through, and a pure sense of Black girl magic that comes with picking up the Telefone.

Saba - Bucket List Project

"And I'm from the side of the city that they don't be talking about". In his signature spacey-storytelling style, Saba delivered a true West Side story. 

Bucket List gives a first hand walk-through of Saba's side of town, completed with time capsule recounts from him and his amazing feature list (including Noname, Twista, Chance, Joseph Chilliams, Jean Deaux, and WHERE did he find Matthew Santos!?).  The project is a very smooth listen despite many of the songs being about some of the more troubling times in his life. It's laced with high optimisms and heavy faith that attaches to listeners who follow the same suit. "Church/Liquor Store" is a greatly written map of hood demographics and all that occurs between them. "Westside Bound 3" (every Westside Bound has been FIRE) is a self-explanatory anthem and "Symmetry" is a short trip to space; each of them perfectly telling different sides of the same story. Most people associate bucket lists with tasks to do before the end, but Bucket List Project was just the breath of fresh air we needed.

Jamila Woods - HEAVN

Black girl magic at some of it's finest. Since her initial break into the music scene as the other half of the band Milo & Otis, Jamila Woods has been serenading Chicago for quite some time. She gained quite the widespread buzz after swooning us with her honey-over-tea like voice in "Sunday Candy," and has since been receiving the extensive attention she's long deserved. 

HEAVN is a beautifully crooned album of self-assurance, protest, and hometown glory wrapped in one. Most importantly, it's an album speaking greatly to the testaments of being a Black girl and being damn proud about it. Of course she has some help from some fellow Chicago artists but Jamila holds her own all too well. "Blk Girl Soldier" is the soundtrack of Black girl heads held as high as their fists; an anthem that is far needed. In "LSD" she sings that you must "love her like the lake", a tale of love for not only herself but also the lake that hugs the city. And thanks to this album, one surely should love her like the lake.

Vic Mensa - There's Alot Going On

Properly titled, there certainly is a lot going on between the Black youth and Chicago Police Department. Vic Mensa hails from the ever talented SaveMoney crew and holds no punches in his activism or his raps so there was no surprise when hearing "16 Shots" for the first time. The song speaks about the Chicago Police Department's seeming vendetta against Black men in Chicago, particularly on the South side. Particularly, the song talks about the case of Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times by officers killing him in the street. In light of this occurrence in addition to several others, Vic makes it no secret through bars on bars that he's no fan of police. The rest of the EP speaks on the same issues as well as a couple grunge-rap, head-bobbing, just hot as hell songs (like "New Bae") complete with the feel-good that is "Liquor Locker". The EP holds a genuine, true to style wave with the title track serving more as a personal story on wax than a rap song. These seven tracks serve enough to hold us over happily until his next from him to us release.

Dreezy - No Hard Feelings

Dreezy is as authentically Chicago as. It. Gets. Apple Music describes her debut album as "hip-hop dynamite" and there is absolutely no room for disagreement here. As my favorite Chicago compliment goes, my best description of No Hard Feelings is Go. Crazy.

My first encounter with Dreezy was her hopping on the "Chiraq Remix" and tearing it completely to shreds. She is definitely something the hip-hop scene was missing, especially for the lady MC's. This album flows pretty seamlessly between South Side drills to straight R&B bops as she shows she can not only go bar-for-bar with your fave, but also sing a tune when she's trying to really put the Chicago charm on you. Strong examples being her effortless flows on "Spazz" reminding you of who she is to the singing-in-the-rain smooth cut "Close To You" where she duos with R&b fave T-Pain--not to mention those interludes are as authentically South Side as I've ever heard on an album. It's safe to say that Dreezy didn't come to play and she's here to stay.

Such N Such - REMIXES

Who doesn't love a good remix? This summer Such N Such, another talent hailing from the SaveMoney squad, gave us a 9-track EP of some hit re-imaginations.

Pharrell's "Frontin'" is one of those songs frozen in time and mood that always gives a good feeling and Such's remix recreates the same vibes with a new-age bounce with it. It's obvious that he not only has a great ear for music but the prowess to compliment it in producing. In between these perfect-for-summer remakes, he throws in some original works of his too-- sealed with some raps that were a pleasant surprise. "3:46 A.M." comes in with sprightly chords, a vocoded "I Get So Lonely" sample, with a smooth verse to top it off. REMIXES is a great soundtrack for riding around, starting the day, or just to play for a quick dance around the room. We've know what Such was capable of since his earlier production of "14,400 Minutes" for Chance, "Est N19ga" for Saba, and "Negro League" for Mick Jenkins and future projects are ones to keep an eye emoji out for.

Joey Purp - iiiDrops

It was definitely a SaveMoney summer for 2016. Joey Purp used "Morning Sex" to open his  tape iiiDrops with honest bars to the gut with the first bars being "I done been on both sides of the burner/I done witnessed both sides of a murder".

Like other Chicago projects released this year, Purp talks about the many things the streets have shown him in his upbringing; in this particular track, he does it in a triumphant way -- dark story, bright background. This is how the house of this project is painted, beats that go just as hard as the raps being spit over them. There's also the personal favorite, "Girls @" that is undoubtedly a certified banger. Before the pure fun of the verses comes in, it's easy to be immediately charmed by the hook. By the time Joey & Chance come in, you've probably caught your shoulders bouncing for quite the while. iiiDrops is a perfect mix of being as tough as one needs to deliver bars but still wavy enough to keep the head bob smooth.

Thaddeus Tukes - Vibes

Talking all that jazz. If there is one genre that remains truly timeless, it's this one. The vibraphone, most appropriately named for the vibes it never fails to bring, is Thaddeus Tukes' weapon of choice on his EP Vibes. 

We've heard his sound before on Donnie Trumpet's "Pass The Vibes"; however, Tukes has a flair of his own. The EP is all live recordings of him and his band, and every person in the band has a pure rawness of their own causing one to make a stank face at each solo while kicking back and letting them take you away. Vibes features covers of a few jazz standards and favorites, a notable being of Chick Corea's "Spain". Tukes makes his skill and knowledge of music quite evident through the 8 tracks of this EP and it's an enjoyable vibe from top to bottom.  There's not a single lyric on Vibes and there's absolutely none needed for the instruments are a serenade in themselves. 

Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book

Many fans were certain that after his sophomore project Acid Rap, Chance would have a hard time topping it with his following release. Were we certainly and completely wrong. If anyone from the Chicago music scene has had an amazing year, it's Chance the Rapper. 

Coloring Book  was one the most amazing albums to come out of not only Chicago, but out of hip-hop this year. It was a body of work that detailed trial, triumph, tales of a city lined with metaphors and lucid language, and several biblical references all wrapped in one. We've all heard "No Problem" on several mainstream radio stations throughout the country. However, the most important and my favorite song on the album unanimously goes to "Summer Friends" with Francis and The Lights and Jeremih. Francis starts the song with chilling vocals perfected on a prismizer (similar to a vocoder, much more precise and brighter). Chance tells of his childhood growing up on 79th street -- playing with homies, staying with family, but most of all, how the violence and gang activity caused for many of his friends to not make it through the summer. It's beautifully nostalgic while doubling as being a sorrowful tale, almost a sung obituary for all the homies he's poured one for due to the block over the years. Coloring Book perfectly fills in the lines, vividly coloring lyrics of all things Chicago. It safe to say that for him and all that listened, blessings kept falling in our laps.

A Childish Christmas

2016 has proven to be a notable year in music and even at the year's end, it is not letting up. It's been 3 years since Childish Gambino's last album release Because The Internet. This album quickly became a favorite amongst many and provided Childish with a lot of well deserved attention. With this album also came a peek at his genius. The album is essentially a soundtrack for the screenplay (that I'm still [im]patiently wait ing for); the two fuse as perfectly as one could imagine.

There's only been a mixtape [STN MTN/KAUAI] between now and then. Some lucky fans in 2016 have heard other music. In June, Childish tweeted about a mysterious album listening party that only few were to attend. All phones were taken at the door and fans were able to hear his latest project pharos, that no one has heard of since. Besides those lucky few, fans have been waiting for something else to get their hands and headphones onit's almost finally here. 

Shortly after the season finale of Atlanta (an absolute gem and a great ass show), Gambino dropped the word that new music is soon to come, Awaken, My Love! Then came the release of single "Me and Your Mama". When I heard that he had FINALLY released a song, I was jumping off the walls harder than Micheal Jackson. I cued up the Apple Music, turned my speaker all the way up, and let it ride.

 When I listen to Gambino, I'm always prepared for bars on bars over a signature beat, maybe a little note (like Urn or his Tamia cover)  from time to time. To say that I was completely thrown for a loop when the song came on is a understatement. I am truly an old soul at heart and love me some funky music. So when the song fully came in and then took a hard funk turn, I was blown away in four different ways and loved them all. This was when I knew this album 1, wasn't going to be like the last one, and 2, he did. not. come. to. play. Needless to say, I listened to it about 15x in a row.

Then came "Redbone". Now, in listening to the first song, me and my brother had firmly decided that Prince came to Gambino himself in a dream and then came the genius that this album is about to be. I'm always here for songs that are straight grooves, of which had been obviously accomplished in "Me and Your Mama". The first time I listened to "Redbone" was at night walking home from work and it fit my atmosphere almost perfectly. It gave me Prince's Camille persona "If I Was Your Girlfriend" vibes & I was taken away immediately. Between the chorus' mantra of "stay woke" and the hypnotizing guitar and drums,  "Redbone" was another song I would listen to all night, no interruptions.

As I try to wait for tomorrow to roll around to fully indulge and be awakened, I've been indulging in all things Childish. Be sure to download the PHAROS app to fully experience the virtual reality he's attached to this project and pre-order the vinyl there if your funds support your decisions.  In the meantime, listen to the two singles below to hold you over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hZCsgcKa-g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp7eSUU9oy8

Issa Rae Has Me SHOOK!

It is two full days since the Insecure finale aired and I am still so very shook. 

To begin, I am still shook off the mere fact that Insecure as a show exists. I've been following Issa Rae for about 5+ years; I was a dedicated viewer of her series on YouTube Awkward Black Girl so I was ecstatic when the word came out of her FINALLY getting a television series. Issa is a bonafide hustler and her shine is long overdue.

Insecure is probably the most relatable scripted series on cable TV right now and I am HERE for all the Black girl magic it entails. The show takes you through the regular-degular life of Issa and her best friend Molly-- work, relationships, sex, and purely navigating through life. Then there is her exceptional rap skills (seen on the pilot episode). There are so many moments that seem like they could happen to you to the point that you often forget you're watching a show. 

The best parts, Issa Rae is absolutely hilarious and show's soundtrack (shoutout to Solange as the music consultant) is the bow on the gift that is the show. This show feels like its just for us. For Black women across the country who are going through life, its terrible and hilarious moments: really just trying to figure it all out.

Thank you Issa for putting on for all us awkward Black girls out there.

Bruno's New Album IS Gold

It's been two years since we've gotten an album from Bruno Mars and the drop of single "24K Magic" was a glimmer of hope for us waiting fans. I was in love at first play hearing the Zapp & Roger-like vocoder and by the time the funk-filled beat dropped, I felt all the magic in the aiiiiyerrrr. I listened to the song at least 4 more times in a row and it was immediately added to my driving and morning playlist. 

Needless to say when I heard that the album was out, it was the first and only thing I played all day. Personally, I'm always afraid with my favs that I won't like their newest works as much as I liked their previous project; this was absolutely not the case. Bruno pulled hard at the R&B lover in me and I am blown away at the true magic this album is. "24K Magic" swooned and serenaded me from top to bottom; with it being a to-the-point 9 track album it was very easy for me to listen to it about 10 times in a row seamlessly. 

In every time I listened to it, I've tried desperately to pick a favorite song. Failed. Miserably. On first listen, it was undoubtedly "Chunky". The funkadelic keyboard and two-step groove made me want to dance with a drink in my hand. "Perm" sold me James Brown grooves, "That's What I Like" and "Straight Up and Down" windows down 90s R&B, and "Versace On The Floor" Black movie love scene. The closing ballad "Too Late To Say Goodbye" is perfect slide-across-the-floor and croon male R&B. After several listens, it was the silky smooth sh*t-talk laced in beautiful harmonies that is "Callin' All My Lovelies" that earned the title. I mean, who can hate a song with Halle Berry's voicemail?

Bruno Mars knew exactly what he was doing when he made and named this gem. Listen below to the gold that is 24K Magic.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/24k-magic/id1161503945

https://open.spotify.com/album/4PgleR09JVnm3zY1fW3XBA

Oh Solange!

I have been a dear fan and true lover of Solange since 2008. Solange and the Hadley-Street Dreams was the album that fully opened up my unapologetic weirdoblkgirlmagic. The production, the honesty that has always been her lyrics, and those signature heavenly Knowles' vocals made me a fan girl at a very young age. Then in 2012, she gave us True, another signature album that I got to take with me to college as a freshman year soundtrack of what I wanted my carefree to sound like.

Needless to say, Solo comes through with the albums at the most necessary times; A Seat At The Table completely sealed this theory. When asked what fans should expect this album to sound like, she told us "a project on identity, empowerment, independence, grief, and healing" and that is exactly what this is. My routine for listening to albums is first out loud in my room, then in the car, then in headphones. As soon as I played the album, I knew it wasn't leaving my rotation at all. In fact, A Seat at the Table has been the soundtrack to my life for 10 days and it's not letting up any time soon. 

This album is not one that can simply be listened to. It was something I had to sit and be open and absorb over and over again. I have listened to the album everyday since its release and have caught something different on every listen. Each song is a different layer of different vibes and emotions; it is as raw as a fan would want their favorite artist to be with them. And as if she needed any help, the feature list was full of genius. From Raphael Saadiq to an OG-sounding Wayne, The-Dream, Mama Tina, and life narrations from Master P, I had no idea A Seat at the Table Was 21 songs until I decided to look up the album credits. The production and instrumentation is beautifully arranged, vocals sound like sunshine after cloudy days, and the lyrics are that of ripping a page from your own diary's depths to the tune of all these things: making it ultimately seamless. 

On first listen, Cranes in the Sky snatched the spot of being my favorite and it still sits as the current running soundtrack to my life. The soundtrack to anyone who feels they're in a purgatory and trying to find any way to get out. The perfect tune to what being stuck in the middle sounds like but with each listen, it lightens you. Needless to say, being gifted to have a flawless visual to go with it had me in a musically euphoric state. The video was nothing short of aesthetically appeasing. As if blessing us with an album wasn't enough, she also released the visual for the anthem Don't Touch My Hair. Full of different evolutions of black hair, black magic, Solo's signature fashion, and her awesome choreo, it was a beautiful weekend of Solange release that I was NOT mad had years between it. 

It is now 10 days later and I still have not left A Seat At The Table. And I posses no desire to any time soon. This album is everything she promised: one of identity, empowerment, independence, grief, and healing. As she said "some sh*t is for us, some sh*t you can't touch".

Listen to A Seat At The Table on Apple Music, or Spotify and watch the videos for Cranes In the Sky  and Don't Touch My Hair below.

Thank you for the seat Solo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=YTtrnDbOQAU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=S0qrinhNnOM

Thank You Mac Miller

Mac Miller has never been one to disappoint. Though he's (relatively) off the mainstream, radio rotation radar (which isn't bad), he is one of the most consistent people rapping right now; and on top of that, his production is rather great: always the formula for a great project.

Today he dropped The Divine Feminine and PLOT TWIST : IT'S ABOUT THE LADIES. Many people may debate that there are "plenty of songs" for the ladies. Though this may be true, I haven't heard a soft, not ass-shaking anthem, let alone FULL album, dedicated "to the ladies" in quite the while. The Divine Feminine beautifully gives us just that.

Before even listening, I was quite impressed by the guest list (Bilal and Anderson .Paak are in the first two songs: pure magic). The album is definitely a wave to ride that can be the soundtrack to a variance of situations.

It can be the background to the very sexy vibe the songs paint. You can cruise to it through the city with the windows down at 2am. Or, in its most simple form, you can play it in your room through your speakers and just let it play. The album is only 10 tracks but believe me, they will not pass you by.

As a music lover, I'm a listener of all aspects: production, flows, and each artists signature touch. It is safe to say that Mac Miller has his music down to a science. Welcomed to the experience by a sultry, throughout the album is instrumentation that sounds silk-lined with cotton candy vocals to match. Every element of each song sounds hand picked and signed on by Mac himself. There's a heavy jazz influence throughout the album that picks you up to float away and is the crossed-t that sold this work of art to me. And on top of this, all these songs sound like they should come with a glass of wine and dance in the dark.

The Divine Feminine is a definite win.  Check it out below on Apple Music.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-divine-feminine/id1137965822

Baby Girl: Aaliyah's Legacy

Today 15 years ago, the R&B lovers' world, both young and old, was shaken and shattered; R&B's angel Aaliyah had tragically become one.

Though the sudden loss of such a beautiful spirit was heartbreaking for all who adored her (which was most), it is without doubt, Aaliyah still lives on today.

Since her debut album Age Ain't Nothing But A Number dropped in 1994, Aaliyah paved her own way in the industry and left a mark like no other. Her silky smooth voice, "jazz personality, G mentality", and her signature style secured her spot in the game early. To this day, if you hear "Ooh, it's the L-I-Y-A-H", you know it's going to be a good time. Not only did this album prove that Aaliyah had her own groove to offer R&B, but her angelic cover of the Isley Brother's classic "At Your Best (You Are Love)" solidified it. And it was no surprise that her next album One In A Million was a certified classic. Timbaland's one-of-a-kind beats + Missy Elliot's untouchable pen combined with Baby Girl's voice was a guaranteed formula for success: and it proved to be just that. This momentum carried over into her third and last album, Aaliyah. This album was laced with an arrangement of futuristic production we had never heard before. Static Major (may he also rest in peace) and Timbaland had completely outdone themselves; the geniuses were definitely ahead of their time. 

This last album was when I, as a mid-90s baby, was really able to indulge into the Aaliyah admiration that the generation above me loved and adored. It didn't take me very long to understand the fandom at all. I remember being a very young 5 years old when my mom was playing the Dr. Doolittle soundtrack in the car. Naturally, I insisted that she play ANYTHING that I wanted to hear (at that time, it was the Pocahontas soundtrack), and naturally, she ignored my request. It was in that ride that I heard "Are You That Somebody" for the first time, and I always wanted to hear it from that point forward. This was where my love for Aaliyah began. This love carried on through watching her music videos and requesting that my mom play "the baby song" (this was what I referred to "Are You That Somebody" as) or that she let me stay in her room just to watch the video(s) whenever they came on. Even at 6 when I read that Aaliyah gained her wings, my heart broken like every other fan.

In her 7 years on the hip-hop and R&B scene, Baby Girl was without a doubt a trendsetter. Her dark shades paired with a bomb dark lip, bandanas, crop-tops with the baggy bottoms and the hottest Tommy Hilfiger on the market was a style that only she could trademark. This influence can be seen in a plethora of female artists dating from the early 2000s to now. Her style and how her legacy still lives strong is evident in artists like Justine Skye, Rihanna, Ciara, and KeKe Palmer (who last Halloween did a GREAT video cover of the "Try Again" video). Even in 2016, you can definitely catch me in a crop top and baggy jeans or a classic TH garment.

On top of her classic tomboy-chic fashion, her musical influence still reigns strong. Her music is still in the Serato of several DJs today and the drop of any song of hers will still get any party moving back and forth. Even more evident than her trend impacts is how she inspires in music still. We all know of Drake's slight (not so slight) obsession. Aaliyah can still be heard through singers like Sevyn Streeter (who has a beautiful cover to "Come Over"), Chris Brown's "Don't Think They Know" that samples one her underground hits, and the smooth windows down summer drive homage on Kendrick's "Blow My High"just to name a few.

My recent favorite that holds a heavy Baby Girl influence is fellow Chicago native, Tink. I was late to the party in hearing about her just last year but she gained a fan on the first listen; and of course, I always have to give Chicago a special type of ear. My first listen of hers was in the car on an early summer day and I read an article saying that she was sampling "One In A Million". I was quite weary when initially hearing this as a through  because I truly felt that some songs shouldn't be touched; this was one of them. But once I read that Timbaland himself produced it for Tink, I was automatically shifted to give it an unbiased listen. Needless to say, "Million" was a hit on first listen.

Though it has been 15 years since the earthly loss of Aaliyah, I decided to spend today basking in all that she left. Her classic sound is one that true R&B lovers will keep in the crates with all the favorites. Her style is one that transcends any weekend or seasonal trend. And her album poster will always be a part of my home decor and my screensaver. But more than anything, her demeanor and her spirit left a mark on hearts that lives as long as they do which shines brighter than the tragedy.

Keep resting in peace Baby Girl.

The Importance of #Blonde

FRANK OCEAN HAS DROPPED THE ALBUM. THIS IS NOT A TEST!

Since the gem that is Channel Orange dropped in the early summer of 2012, Frank's fans have been fiending for another serving of the amazing gift that is his music.

My personal attachment to Frank began in 2011 once I discovered nostalgia, ultra.  and I've been swooning ever since. As he sneakily threw himself into some of our fav's music via features (Beyoncé's "Superpower", Kanye's "Wolves"), the anticipation for an album grew stronger and stronger. Like the other 6.9 billion people in the world, I've been waiting for the release of a new album (not so patiently) and have fallen for every. single. fake release. Needless to say, when I got Endless I was ecstatic; once I got blonde, I was completely euphoric. I literally dropped what I was doing, hopped in the car, and drove home to listen to this album.

Once I got home, I unplugged, sat and did nothing but listen to the album from end to end. I truly wanted to hear every in and out, and tap into everything this album was supposed to make me feel. After about my 6th or 7th listen to fully digest (this is not an exaggeration), I'd decided I was truly in love with the album. From the pitched-up Frank in Nikes and Self Control, the angelic background vocals of Beyoncé in Pink + White, signature sounding Solo,  the amazing flow and BARS ON BARS that is 3Stacks on Solo (Reprise)  to the wrenching emotion that is stitched in every lyric of Godspeed: the album was a beautiful love story that I was grateful to have been able to delve into. It was a rip straight from his heart's diary put on tracks for us to hear. In fact, it was the only thing I listened to for about two days after its release and eventually moved to listening to his entire discography. 

To add to the brilliance that was already the album, I later discovered that Endless was the release to break him from his Def Jam contract. Blonde is all bare Frank, an independent release. Hearing this made me that much more grateful for the album. 

Now that we have two albums, a magazine, and some visuals from Frank Ocean, it's safe to assume that he'll go back into his turtle shell for a while. This is not at all an album review. It's a letter from a deep music lover and true fan; a thank you in HTML. 

And with that I say, thank you Frank.

To indulge in blonde, the link is attached to the exclusive Apple Music release below.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id1146195596?app=music