Hip-Hop, Mixtapes | Maxxx Flair — S.E.I.S. [Chapter 1]

Posted by on February 23, 2014

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I’m all for self-expression, but the extent to which under-and-post-grads have begun chasing down full-time careers in hip-hop is concerning. It seems to signify the misconception that attaining a lucrative presence in the genre comes with ease; you don’t need to know music theory, don’t need to be able to play an instrument, and don’t really even need a good singing voice, though it certainly helps your versatility and is more appealing in this post-So Far Gone era of hip-hop. Thus, for those who like to write and like the idea of stardom and like the idea of feeding their egos, hip-hop seems like a relatively simple and satisfying career aspiration. It helps, too, that this is 2014 and gangsta rap is no longer the forefront of the genre. We’ve reached a time when there is no defined rapper aesthetic, when Sammy Adams is as equally recognizable as an emcee as Bun B. This is all to say that every day bloggers around the country have their inboxes stocked with thoroughly uninspired rap. Rap that at least attempts to replicate the sounds and flows of what already exists on the radio, as if recycling Big Sean’s flow from “All Me” guarantees radio placement.

This is why it’s so exciting to receive a record like S.E.I.S. It’s surprisingly easy when you listen to an album to tell if the artist enjoyed making it, and whether its sound is genuine and authentic. When that is the case, it’s that much more fun to digest, and it doesn’t make you question the artist’s goals. If the passion is there, they’re not only more likely to do the work necessary to become a success to the extent of a Macklemore or Logic or Hoodie Allen — which is really hard — but also that probably doesn’t even matter to them. It’s art, it’s their passion, and the unlikelihood of acceptance shouldn’t hold them back — the same way that the low acceptance rate at top law schools doesn’t keep hopefuls from applying in bulk. Maxxx Flair, an NYC native, was first featured on FNT in 2012 with “Forever Dope”, and while he was already a budding emcee at the time, his progression as a lyricist and technical rapper is immediately made clear from the first few bars of the intro. Fueled by a solid selection of lively, hard-hitting beats, Maxxx shines over this set of seven tracks, showcasing his finesse with cadence, wide range of flows, and strong attention-to-detail as a writer. Accompanying the mixtape is the video for the first single, “F@#K !t”, produced by 52 Kings, which you can find below. If you take a chance on one new rapper this week, let it be him.

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Hip-Hop, Videos | Thoughts On Drake, “Started From The Bottom” [Video]

Posted by on February 10, 2013

Drake’s awareness of the divide between the substantive hip-hop of the underground scene he came up in and that of the mainstream (which he’s currently immersed in) has always fascinated me, and his success is largely due to how he’s been able to perform so well in both realms. But his ideals are changing fast. I fear that we may never get another record as honest, introspective, and meditative as So Far Gone. His first two LP’s highlighted his complexity as an artist as he produced ultimately thoughtful records, inter-spiced with pop jams that didn’t fit the rest of the album’s tone — a trend that is replicated in the majority of major releases in the present day. But with the release of “Started From the Bottom,” Drake has finally given us a single that harshly abandons his beloved idiosyncrasies and fortes—a record where his delivery is so determined to be gruff that it is unceasingly stagnant and unimaginative.

When he was starting out, he knew that in order to gain credibility he had to provide something different, so he presented himself as a beacon of honesty, and as a genuine storyteller—which, for the most part—he lived up to originally. But while he wanted to unite a passionate fan-base around this self-image, he also wanted to attract consumers of pop radio and commercial hip-hop, and it’s no secret that gangsta hip-hop has dominated the mainstream for the past two decades. Drake’s concerns have become less about his originality, and in reality, have turned to the opposite—fitting the portfolio of a hip-hop artist that has led to respect and stardom for much of the current genre-toppers. With his third album, we may finally receive the Drake that told Kate Couric that Lil Wayne was the “voice of our generation,” and whom seems more interested in what the hip-hop community thinks of his childhood than making music he can be proud of.

Drake’s new album is slated to come out this year, and I’ll be waiting to see what kind of a move he makes on his new single, but from where I stand, “Started From the Bottom” is a bold step in the wrong direction. The direction I’ve feared he’s been heading in for quite some time.

 

Hip-Hop | Friendzone & Main Attrakionz

Posted by on December 3, 2011

Main Attrakionz mixed in with the production of Friendzone has really made for something special yet again. This duo has had the same affect on me as did Drake & 40’s So Far Gone the way each project is packaged so purely unique and timeless. Sure they may not relate but times change as do the fresh sounds we embrace, define as new, and evolve from.

Friendzone’s melodies are so incredible that the vocals tend to come partially after your ears are consumed by the lush atmosphere of his instrumentals. Its as if the beats take on a life of there own and feature the artists, truly a fascinating thing. In a lot of ways reminding me of indie how the vocals come across in a very dream-like kind of way, as if you have the option to make sense of them or not.

I’ve decided to keep this post strictly Hip Hop so I’ve excluded the tape from download simply because there is only a few tracks with vocals, and these three below are indeed the best of the best compressed out of it. If for whatever reason you require the tape drop me a line in the cbox section to the right of the page and its yours.

Download: Main Attrakionz ft. Shady Blaze – Change (Prod. by Friendzone)

Download: Main Attrakionz ft. Shady Blaze – Near (Prod. by Friendzone)

Download: Main Attrakionz ft. Shady Blaze – Stratus (Prod. by Uyama Hiroto)

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Hip-Hop | Lil Wayne ft. Jadakiss & Drake – It’s Good (Jay-Z Diss)

Posted by on August 24, 2011

The above video gives insight into what supposedly instigated this whole diss track. I think anybody who has the slightest bit of business acumen will chuckle when they watch this video of Birdman claiming that he’ll be a billionaire one day. If Jay-Z hasn’t done it yet, Birdman most definitely won’t. Period. Even so, this is besides the point. This diss track is yet another leak off Wayne’s The Carter IV, which will be out for digital download right after the MTV VMA’s this Sunday. If there is one thing that confuses me about this track it’s the Drake feature. Diehard Drake fans will surely remember Drizzy’s line in Fear, which was on So Far Gone.

“I never cried when Pac died, but I probably will when Hov does, and if my tears hold value, then I will drop one for everything he showed us.”

Drake isn’t the type to appear on a diss track, especially one directed towards Jay-Z, who at one point publicly admitted that he wished he had signed Drake. Additionally Hova praised Drake in his song Star Is Born. If there’s one surefire bet about this track its that if there isn’t already a Roc Nation – Young Money rivalry, then there is now… What do you think about this? Sound off in the comments section…

DOWNLOAD: Lil Wayne ft. Drake & Jadakiss – It’s Good

Albums, Mixtapes | Drake- Thank Me Later

Posted by on June 15, 2010


It’s here. In order to appreciate the future, we must also appreciate the past. It’s only right that we celebrate “So Far Gone”, the work of art that catapulted him into the position he’s in today. In honor of his release, I would like to share with you all the tracks from So Far Gone. I purposely didn’t put them in a zip file because I wanted you to experience and appreciate each song individually. So Far Gone, in my opinion, is the best mixtape of all time. I hope it reaches you as it did me.

Music is often both a celebration and experience. People make music to mark the most important events and turning points in their lives. In Drake’s case, “Thank Me Later” marks his meteoric rise. Music, however, is also a vital part of our ethical lives because it often serves as the uniting factor across a wide range of ethnicities and social classes. Music has this unexplainable open-ended sociability that puts us in touch with what is common to human beings across societies. Music reminds us of our common human make up we share with others, and acts as a universally unifying function. In my experience, I’ve made countless friendships from simply communicating with all of you through Fresh New Tracks on the daily. For those friendships and the countless hours of fun, we can’t thank you enough.

It’s my hope that, at least for today, we can all join together at the table of life and celebrate this work of art together. I hope that you pick up the CD. I know I will. I proudly present to you… So Far Gone. I’m not going to label this as a corny “Must DL” because it’s so far beyond that.

1. Drake- Lust For Life
2. Drake- Houstatlantavegas
3. Drake ft. Trey Songz and Lil Wayne- Successful
4. Drake ft. Peter Bjorn and John- Let’s Call It Off
5. Drake- November 18th
6. Drake ft. Lil Wayne- Ignant Shit
7. Drake ft. Lloyd- A Night Off
8. Drake- Say What’s Real
9. Drake ft. Lykke Li- Little Bit
10. Drake- Best I Ever Had
11. Drake ft. Lil Wayne- Unstoppable
12. Drake ft. Lil Wayne and Bun- Uptown
13. Drake- Sooner Than Later
14. Drake ft. Omarion- Bria’s Interlude
15. Drake- The Calm
16. Drake- Outro
17. Drake- Brand New

Albums | June 30th, 2009

Posted by on June 30, 2009

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Congrats to Drake for signing to Young Money
If you haven’t heard his mixtape, So Far Gone, your missing out on a classic
I added a few bonus Drake songs on this download

Download: Drake – So Far Gone Must Have

Jamie Foxx ft. Ne-Yo – I’ll Be There (MJ Tribute BET Awards 09)
Sean Kingston – Why You Wanna Go Hot RnB
Big Tree – U Dont Work, U Dont Eat (Feat. Rick Ross)
Bobby Valentino – Hands On Me (Remix)(Feat. Montana Da Mac)

Techno:
Connect-R – Burning Love (Quentin Remix) Fire
Lloyd – How We Do It (Wideboys Remix Club Mix) Fire
Ian Carey & Steve Edwards – S.O.S. (Original Mix)