Category Archives: Reviews

Square One’s Thoughts on the “Chief Keef Dislike”

gabemendoza

Words from Gabriel Mendoza

I know its not a weekend edition, but lets just say that we are giving something from the wrap-up of 2012 and heading into 2013 with a commentary from the homey Square One Gabe-Mendoza thoughts of why many of us may or may not dislike Chief Keef.

Don’t Like Chief Keef? Maybe You Can’t Relate

I was on Twitter recently talking about the recent Chief Keef album. I didn’t think too highly of the album and someone told me, “Maybe you can’t relate to the music.” It wasn’t the first time I’ve heard that argument used to defend music I didn’t particularly agree with or enjoy, but it stung me this time because I’m from Chicago. How dare somebody question what I can or can’t relate to in that context. Instead of trying to convince this person I met only 5 minutes earlier, I decided to go quiet and digest what “you can’t relate” means.

I’m a product of Chicago’s Back of the Yards, South Side area, which is neither good nor bad, but its had its moments. But that’s not relevant to relating to any album, as I enjoyed Straight Outta Compton and never once stepped on the soil of the CPT. The idea you have to have experienced what is happening in the music in order to understand it is quite possibly the laziest argument you can come up with.

As stated above, this twitter exchange revolved around Chief Keef’s debut album, Finally Rich, and my verdict that album wasn’t good. Keef hails from Chicago’s notorious Englewood neighborhood, know both for its violence and Chicago Bulls Super Star Derrick Rose. Keef made major waves earlier this year with “I Don’t Like,” which interestingly enough is one of the only songs on the album that I do like.

Finally Rich is weighed down by extremely limited subject matter (smoking dope, piping down chicks, trolling the internet and flossing hard). It would be accurate for me to say “Yup, I can’t relate, except for the trolling the internet part. It’s true Chief Keef and I don’t have much in common, but is that why I don’t like his album? Of course not. The album is pretty basic, even for an artist of Keef’s caliber.

If Keef expounded on his tough upbringing, I could have appreciated his plight but he didn’t.  His choice not mine. It is not my responsibility as a listener to find avenues for which the artist and I should connect; that’s the artist job. It’s their story to tell, share and convey their pain or joy. If you can’t do that, then what’s really the point?

Maybe Chief Keef isn’t as talented as NWA, which would be an easy assumption to make, but lets give Keef some time to prove himself. Maybe relating to people like me isn’t all that important to him. But regardless of whether I can associate myself with something, sometimes the music is just bad, and to quote another Southside of Chicago artist, Common, “If I don’t like it, I don’t like it, it don’t mean that I’m hating.” Maybe the music is plainly bad and no further explanation is needed. Twitter probably couldn’t wrap their minds around or relate to something so simple. That’s that shit I don’t like.

-Gabriel Mendoza (@WeekendGabe)

New Music “3 Kings” Rick Ross ft Dr. Dre & Jay-Z

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Highly Anticipate Single from MayBach Music Group’s Rick Ross “3 Kings” featuring Dr. Dre and Jay Z from the forth coming album ‘God Forgive I Don’t’ dropped today and lets just say this, if this is an indication of the album, this one may definitely be one worth copping.

Ian’s Jams: Crosses EP

Crosses is the side project of Deftones singer Chino Moreno, Far guitarist Shaun Lopez and Scott Chuck, based in Los Angeles, California, and formed in 2011. Chino Moreno began recording with long time friend and neighbor Shaun Lopez, also of the band Far, as well as Scott Chuck. They began recording for over four hours a day, completing nearly 16 songs with plans to self-release a series of EPs.

The album has a definite dark and beautiful feeling all at once. Drifting towards Depeche Mode and Stabbing Westward territory that will catch your attention right away. On the song “Prurient” it has a heart-felt and emotional sense that might bring a tear to your eye with a smile. If only Thom Yorke from Radiohead could collaborate on this album that would be a job well done. This is definitely an album to listen to by yourself and relax to after a long days work. All you deftones fans out there should pick this up right away without a question. I know i will.

Songs to check out: “Bermuda Locket” and “Prurient”

Young X’s “Fistful of Dollars”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming from the friendly confines of the Quad Cities, Young X has just released his new album “Fistful of Dollars.” On every song the beats are extremely solid that will blow your speakers but lyrically it’s not that impressive. We understand that you like getting payed for putting out music and all but how does that relate to people in general or the real world for that matter? Don’t get me wrong the album is dirty and raunchy as it gets in a good way but each chorus line is pretty repetitive about cash flow. A bunch of special guests are on the album such as Devvon Terrel, Derty Harry, LX, Bryan Rucker, and more. As long as we can dance to some great beats this is your album other than that don’t listen lyrically for anything too touching or relating to in that manner. Just make sure your dancing shoes will be ready at the clubs on tap. Literally.

Check out the songs “Brand New” and “Black Roses.”

Review: Chance the Rapper’s New Album “#10 Day”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chance the Rapper, The Chicago Native has released his new album “#10 Day” which was named after his suspension in high school during senior year. Formed by DJ Suchnsuch and Prince Talent which put together live mixes and mash-ups of their originals on one NS7 DJ board, while Chance serenades his audience with intense and genuine lyrics at all times. Chance creates a soulful, hip hop vibe that will make you want to dance a long side your girl while sipping on a cocktail under the disco ball. The hit “Brain Cells” has gained international radio play from Chicago to New York. The band gathered their fan base while opening for close friends Kids These Days at Reggie’s Rock Club in Chicago.

Starting on track number two “Missing You” opens with Dead Prez’s lyric ” in the real world we just people with ideas” from the song “Hip Hop” will really grab your attention while Chance whispers his rhymes. At times on “#10 Day” he gets a little too talkative about how he dislikes high school and homework yet behind his lyrics the beat will keep you in motion. It’s alright that his raps are a little immature at times but we can all understand the difficulties we had in high school right? This album will definitely keep your head bopping with a Jurassic 5 twist. Every rapper has to have his number one “Gangster” song which will have to be “F*ck You Tahm Bout” which comes out of know where on the album but it’s on the catchy side. This album will hopefully be played at any party if your minds are open enough. I’m definitely down with the Chance so give it a listen or I will have to say, ” Give it a chance.”

Tracks to check out:

- ” Missing You”

- ” F*ck You Tahm Bout”

- “Brain Cells”

- “Prom Night”

Leak Preview: Young Jeezy “TM103-Hustlerz Ambition

The Wait Is Over!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well the wait is finally over. After wait seems like an eternity of setbacks TM103 (Thug Motivation) will finally be on iTunes and in stores December 20. now some of us have been waiting way too long so here is the “Leak Preview” of one of the most aniticpated albums of 2011.

The album kicks off with the perfectly titled “Waiting.” Jeezy lets the naysayers know he has been listening to everything they’ve the saying but he ain’t going nowhere anytime soon. One of the albums standout tracks is “OJ” featuring Fabolous & Jadakiss. Yes the title is one of your usual Hip-Hop metaphors about cocaine but Jeezy, Fab and Jada all go full in on the smooth instrumental.

Another must have on repeat track is the album’s current single “I Do” featuring Andre 3000 & Jay-Z. The 3 spit their vows over the the soulful beat but 3 Stacks steals the show with words like “

Her proud like her mother and ooohh momma’s sweet/So you just know that Juicy fruit ain’t gon’ fall too far from tree/So if we ever woop the woop/I want all that bleepty bleep/On this nasty carpet Bixby fresh on one knee?

Standout features from 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg & Freddie Gibbs highlight the album. Even Jill Scott came through and spit a couple of hot bars for the thugs. The only joint I can’t rock with (and I know I’ll make a couple of people mad of it) is the Ne-Yo assisted “Leave You Alone”  and Trick Daddy’s verse on “This One’s For You” but the majority of the album is just like we expected.

Welcome back Jeezy.

Verdict: Buy the album! It’s worth every penny.

New Music: The 2 of Diamonds “Heat”

The 2 Of Diamonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2 of Diamonds promised us 30 tracks of 30 days and so far they haven’t disappointed. On day 13 Myke Boogie & Dee Rush gives us “Heat.”

Yea… Keep this on Repeat!

 

Download This: Trell Love: Rap Or Go To School

Trell Love: Rap or Go To School

Over 2,000 downloads and counting, the homie Trell Love is putting out quality work with the mixtape “Rap or Go To School.” The tape features the joint “Hold You Down” featuring Mike Golden & “Caught In This Life.” Don’t be late on the download!

You can get it right here.

Also check out the visual for “Hold You Down” after the break!

Continue reading →

New Music: Common Produced By No I.D. “Raw (How You Like It)”

If it wasn’t official before then it is now. Common just may have a classic in store for us when his new album “The Dreamer/The Believer” hits stores next tuesday (December 20th).

Check out the newest joint to leak produced by No I.D. “Raw (How You Like It).”

Sidenote: ESPN First Take’s Skip Bayless believes Lonnie should win a grammy for is performance as Elam Ferguson, a recently freed slave on the AMC television show “Hells On Wheels.”

When is enough just ENOUGH

I recently have found myself watching the new batch like Gremlins of new Daytime Talk Shows.  All of which I really believe are just trying to see who can one up the other with THEE MOST outrageous, outlandish, loud, trashy, oversexed, overweight, over drugged-almost overdosed people to come on national tv and act a NATIONAL ASS.

I was recently watching one of the new ones THE BILL CUNNINGHAM SHOW hosted of course by Bill Cunningham who looks an awful lot like a middle-aged BEAVIS from MTV’s BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD. Dont believe me look for your self.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But lemme get to when i was just like WOOOOOOOOOORRRDDDDDDD Really.  This show featured BBW’s in he Porn Industry.  For those not familiar BBW is a Big Beautiful Women and I have much love for them hell my mama was one and dammit she knew how to cook.  But these women were on here talking bout how they got it so they are gonna flaunt it. First off thats a lot of damn flaunting, thats you need a zoning permit worth of flaunting, thats mentally prepare yourself to be flaunted with.

One woman came on who called herself the “SUPREME DIVA” and why the hell is it now EVERY OVER CONFIDENT (not the ones who just know their cute and can get a man) the ones who swear up and down they can have any and EVERY MAN THEY WANT when they want is now a DIVA. Ummmmmm last I checked DIVAS were like the model-type chicks from the 70s and En Vogue. but oh yeah back to what i was talking about this woman was EASILY 300+lbs again nothing WRONG WITH THAT BUTTTTTTTT…….did she have to wear the white spotted print my opinion she looked like a diabetic snow leopard.  And then the wig with HD cameras anybody can tell what you grew and what you bough and what she bought was basically refurbished.  This all was for what $200 and a flight to New York.  Look I would sold some blood to get you $200 to STAY HOME.

I dont understand everybody’s rush to run on a tv show and think that “OOH IMMA BE THE NEXT ANTOINE DODSON” Hell right right now I dont think Antoine Dodson wants to be Antoine Dodson.  Im just saying have some damn respect for yourself and my processor on my computer for when i put this pic up.

Again its all outta fun and love but DAMMMMMMNNNNN can we think before we try to get famous quick.