The first official album to be released from Odd Future leader Tyler, The Creator hit stores earlier this month. The release caused an exceptional amount of anticipation and excitement from hip-hop blogs, but also seemed to capture the imagination of more rock/pop publications such as NME and Billboard who ran cover stories on the rapper. With the album finally available reviews sprouted up everywhere from social networks to online magazines, most displaying mixed feelings about the album.
If you’re a fan of ‘Bastard’ and the other 200+ free songs Tyler and his gang have released since 2007, then ‘Goblin’ will be music to your deathcore-grunge-punk-rap ears. However, if you were expecting an album with tracks as good as ‘Yonkers’ – the lead single from the album and the track that represents the tipping point for Odd Future – then you could be left disappointed.
The album carries a theme throughout with Tyler pitching his voice down and playing the part of his own conscience. Each track is as crunchy and crisp as the last with heavy use of reverb and strong distorted basslines. Simplistic and effective with course lyricism the album is forceful, robust and, simply, typical Tyler. For new fans ‘Goblin’ might be a bit of a shock. But for die-hards and those that get the attitude and mindset of Odd Future’s music, then it’s an entertaining experience throughout. The jury still remains out on whether Odd Future are overhyped, it seems we may have to wait for the next album for Tyler and his team to really fulfil their much talked about potential.
Odd Future member Frank Ocean released his free 12 track mixtape, ‘Nostalgia, Ultra’, back in February of this year. 3 months later, Ocean’s tracks are getting regular air play in both the States and UK. The most favourable track for Shazamers has been the slow tempo ‘Swim Good’, which has been gaining plenty of spins on college radio and the influential UK urban digital station BBC 1 Xtra. Quite the achievement considering the track is taken from a free mixtape that’s had no help from a PR company. ‘Nostalgia, Ultra’ simply spun a web of downloads through word of mouth and the help of Odd Future leader, Tyler The Creator. The mixtape has since been plugged on numerous blogs gathering attention from musicians including Pharrell Williams and Beyoncé who have both been working with Frank in the studio on new music.
Lyrically adept and with a sensual tone, Frank’s voice simmers over the southern style beat. The track consists of a recurring organ riff that creates the backdrop for repetitive tambourines and distant claps phased to each ear. Frank’s lyrics are heartfelt and gripping with the singer talking about his journey to the ocean where he will deposit his broken hearts filled up in his Lincoln Town Car trunk. Dressed for a funeral, Ocean continues with his story until the listener is left with the reflective sound of seagulls and the tides of an ocean. You can download the mixtape here and expect to see some collaborations with major artists now Frank Ocean has hit the big leagues.
Curren$y, or Shante Scott Franklin to his mother, is dominating blog posts this week with his latest free mixtape, ‘Covert Coup’. Teaming up with legendary producer Alchemist, Curren$y released a 10 track mixtape with provocative artwork to accompany. The vertically challenged rapper continues his consistent flow of soulful and live induced music in this mixtape: dueting his rhymes with his smooth, laidback and seamless vocals. One of Wiz Khalifa’s close friends, Curren$y signed an album deal with Warner records earlier this year much to the excitement of his fans. With previous releases on Birdman’s Cash Money Records and BluRoc Recordings, Curren$y’s next full length will be his 6th album and will make for a definite contender for best Hip-Hop release of the year when it surfaces.
In the past, Curren$y has released a huge amount of mixtapes to his fans through his own website and via Hip-Hop blogs. With a love for classic muscle cars, Curren$y’s single released back in November 2010 was called ‘Michael Knight’ and included samples from the iconic Knight Rider television series. The latest mixtape ‘Covert Coup’ is available to download for free here – it provides a great appetiser for Curren$y’s forthcoming work.
50 Cent has been grabbing the attention of the media since the beginning of March, with a string of freestyles posted on his blog. Forget marketing strategies, Fiddy is one of those artists who can create trends on Twitter within minutes, dramatically increasing stock shares at the drop of a penny and bestowing hype on anyone he wishes.
50 Cent – real name Curtis Jackson – released his first freestyle at the start of the year, simply titled ‘Happy New Year’. A few months went by and a handful more tracks were unleashed for free. On March 1st 2011 Jackson started his bid on internet coverage in the return of new freestyles for his fans. The tracks were accompanied by vain, bold images of Curtis sitting next to his new flamboyant cars and relaxing in his mansion. The rapper also uses the pictures to advertise his forthcoming range of wireless headphones: ‘Sleek By 50 Cent’.
The tracks are classic 50; repetitive samples sewn together with hammering drum patterns and offensive lyrics. There is a mixture of soulful beats, jazz fuelled melodies and raw hip-hop. One of the freestyles ‘Ghetto As A MotherF****r’ just features a distorted guitar sample and kick drum. 50 decided to let his valued followers and fans finish the song and upload it, creating a buzz for the outcome and even more PR for the man himself. This string of releases put all eyes on 50 and is something other artist’s in the rap game crave.
Big Sean is one of the latest rapper’s to be climbing the ladder of stardom following two of our tips for 2011; CyHi Da Prynce and Wiz Khalifa. Unlike Khalifa, Big Sean was picked up by the one and only KanYe West back in 2007, signing him to his G.O.O.D. Music label. However this wasn’t the first time Yeezy had encountered the rapper. Back in 2005, Big Sean was spotted outside WHTD 102.7FM, while KanYe was on-air. Sean approached West while he was leaving the station and dropped a spontaneous freestyle, allowing KanYe to grasp the talent and also his mixtape. Two years later, Big Sean released another mixtape called ‘Finally Famous Vol 1’. This received critical acclaim from The Source magazine and Mr. West eventually snapped him up.
Big Sean, real name Sean Anderson, has worked with a numerous amount of Hip-Hop stars from Bun B, Curren$y, Tyga, Drake and even Mike Posner in his past mixtapes. Now Sean is working on his debut with help from his peers including; KanYe, Pharrell, Eminem and Kid CuDi just to name a few. The album is tipped for release in August this year, but in the meantime Sean has hooked up with Chris Brown to release his debut single ‘My Last’ which was made available on iTunes 1st March. The Hip-Hop track has a smooth ballad feel, rolling pianos and classic big kick drums and crunchy snares. Chris Brown adds the hook and delivers a well polished touch to the song.
2011 looks to be a successful year for style icon Big Sean, a character that will no doubt pop up in further collaborations and future hits. Check out the video for ‘My Last’ here.
Emerging synth outfit Diagram Of The Heart, are set to release their next single ‘If I Were You’ on the 13th March through Sony Music. The London based two piece have already won plaudits from the likes of Q Magazine, Pop Justice and BBC Radio 1, and are slowly amassing a steady army of supporters.
‘If I Were You’ is a hook laden slice of electronic pop, that recalls the likes of Calvin Harris and Example. While you can currently pre-order the track on iTunes, those looking for an instant fix should head to the bands Facebook page. In exchange for a ‘Like’ you can claim a free download of ‘Heavy Heart’.
Tyler The Creator, a rapper and producer from California has accumulated a staggering 500,000 hits on YouTube in five days of posting his disturbing video – ‘Yonkers’, with just under 20,000 follower’s on his Twitter and little commercial status previous to this, the self titled ‘horrorcore’ rapper is taking the internet by storm.
OFWGKTA is the abbreviation given to the crew Tyler is a part of (an abbreavation for Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All). Giving Wu Tang a run for their money with a lineup of over ten members, the gang has released three mixtapes and seven albums since 2008; mostly for free. Odd Future have been unleashing free albums in order to acquire a much needed following and fan base; a concept some artist’s are still unwilling to participate in. However this has proved triumphant for the Wolf Gang. Extensive coverage from blogs and magazine’s from the USA to the UK has catapulted Tyler and his team mates to the forefront of modern Hip-Hop.
The dark and twisted video that accompanies the track is somewhat expected from the lyricist, who’s lines include “stab Bruno Mars in his god damn esophagus”. Not an artist to bite his tongue, but one whose creativity is proudly striding forward in the hip-hop movement. Tyler recently tweeted he is looking forward to selling out and that he doesn’t want his music to be underground, can you imagine any other artist wanting to sell out and announce clearly they want to make money? Well, XL Recordings took note of this extravagance and have signed Tyler to a one album deal. The, hugely anticipated, album is set for release in April.
To view the video to ‘Yonkers’ click here, be warned: viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Three years since their eponymous debut full of – as they liked to describe them- baroque harmonic pop jams, turned Fleet Foxes into a critics’ darling; the Seattle act is readying the follow-up, ‘Helplessness Blues’, to be released on 3rd May.
The title track is now available as a free download from Sub Pop’s website. It confirms the shift towards a less pop, more groove-based sound the Foxes have been hinting at in recent interviews; quoting Roy Harper and Van Morrison as influences. Their lineup has also added a new member, Morgan Henderson, formerly of Blood Brothers and Past Lives.
To promote the record, Fleet Foxes are hitting again the North American roads on April the 30th. Read on for the full tour schedule.
The latest video from the South Korean duo GD & TOP only hit the web on January 3rd this year and has already piled up more than half a million views. The excessively trendy duo perform in a streak of outlandish outfits and equip their backdrop with Kaws figurines, models and a military tank. The slick beat sounds inspired by pre 00’s Timbaland productions but was inventively written by G-Dragon, T.O.P and Diplo. Released from GD & Top’s self titled album, the track looks like it could blow up to be a success in the charts if it follows its viral route, Shazamers’ will keep you posted.
2010’s been an amazing year for Boston DJ duo Soul Clap. Not too long ago the pair were scrabbling for gigs in their hometown, mixing stints playing records at corporate gigs with their own local parties: now they enjoy a hectic globetrotting schedule comparable to any of the world’s top electronic acts.
This seemingly overnight success has been catalysed by a slew of highly rated releases on labels like Wolf + Lamb and Crosstown Rebels. Showcasing a character filled style of house that draws on everything from 80’s pop to trashy R&B; the Soul Clap sound is super slow and hugely original. With a tendency to play stacks of lost classics with a healthy dose of humour, their DJ sets have already won them a huge thumbs up from Mixmag and Resident Advisor – whose readers recently voted them the 16th most popular DJ’s in the world.
Soul Clap will be heading to London next week for their ‘Yo Yo Yo ‘90’s Jam Party’. A night that seems to have a rabid nostalgia for all things rave, the party will showcase early ‘90’s dance legends Robert Owens and Danny Rampling in a dingy warehouse – just like in the glory days of acid house. Expect to see plenty of ironic ‘Saved By The Bell’ style clothing and tacky Hip-hop jewellery.
To celebrate the night Soul Clap have put together an exclusive mix of their favourite old school house classics from the likes of Armand Van Helden, DJ Sneak and Coolio. Get ready to grab your glow sticks, reach for the lasers and party like it’s 1992.
