As the follow up to his 2016 critically acclaimed release, THIS TIME AROUND—NEVER FOLD continues the journey while boldly exploring new soundscapes and styles. Heralded by chart-topping singles like “Gotta Live” featuring Jordan Feliz and lead single, “God Flex” featuring Trip Lee—the 17-track project evokes the Texas-bred rapper’s renewed creative vision and commitment to persevere. The album also features appearances by LeCrae, Crowder, 1K Phew, Jarry Manna, Parris Chariz, Sara Reeves and Kam Parker.
Inspired by the pointed declaration of Luke 9:62, which states, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and turns back is fit for the kingdom of God,” NEVER FOLD gives us the Tedashii we know and love: fully transparent and self-aware. He’s a man who’s been tested time and time and again. And while he may have the battle scars to prove he’s been in the trenches, his infectious joy and strength remain intact. “I want to invite others to join me on this journey,” says Tedashii. “Not just to see what God has done, but what He’s doing now. Never Fold is a reminder to never back down.” Read More Here
Never Fold starts with a soft/slow intro track ("There’s a Heaven"), followed by "God Flex," a straight-up banging track that is a perfect start to this album. The track carries some amazing production and fire spitting by both T-Dot and Trip Lee in a song focusing on how big God is. The Texas native says it best, "It's about a time in my life when it felt like I wanted to give up. But the sun came out and it made everything new. God flexed in my moment and he can flex in your moment." The theme of never giving up, finding joy, and being strong at all times is ever present both in this song and throughout the entire album. "Get Out Of My Way" comes next and features another Reach labelmate, Lecrae, and the two combine for their best joint effort since "Dum Dum." The features don't stop there on Never Fold. As the album continues, you will hear the likes of Crowder, 1K Phew, and Jerry Manna - among many others - making for a complete hip hop album. In "Son Of Sam," (drawn from the recent Andy Mineo song) the rapper hits on the back and fourth struggle of trusting God at times, particularly when he remembers losing his son. The track is open, raw, and heartfelt. The follow-up to his lament is "Home," as the rapper cries out to God and just wants to be home again.
Other standout tracks are "Splash 2," a sequel to the equally awesome track from last year with 1K Phew, "Hold Me Down" that carries flaming beats and good spitting, "Full Effect" which is guaranteed to be played at your next house party, and "All in Love" which has me reminiscing about some wonderful 90's R&B. Each track, while unique, is great and worthy to be added to your playlist for this year.
Taelor Gray - The Mocker and The Monarch
The album begins with a spoken word intro before heading into the single "Famous," which carries some seriously hot beats while Taelor flows nicely. The combination of stellar production and head-nodding lyrical flow are a staple throughout the entire release and can be enjoyed on other tracks, such as "In.Secure" and "Cold," just to name a couple. "Gorgeous" comes along and delivers one of the best listens on the entire album. The combination of thunderous beats, Taelor's talents teaming up with Tragic Hero and B. Reith, and lyrics that hit home on inner beauty is simply awesome. Later on, you'll catch more themes, with "Vogue" focusing on vanity while Taelor honestly sings "just me being honest" and "Mike Lowry X Marcus Graham," which deals bluntly with male chauvinism. Each songs begs the listener to search themselves deeply and to realize that we are messy people and our bad choices aren't worthy in the end.
"Powdered Toast Man" offers an old school hip hop vibe which fits perfectly in the middle of this listen, while "Scapegoats" hits home on many levels about the failures of this world with Taelor spitting "All I wanted was an ear, but you gave me a Pharisee," which speaks to a people that we as Christians must refuse to be. Ending this freshman release is "Hallow Man," featuring Taelor's brother Christon Gray, and the two work together to make an epic worshipful track. Taelor cries out, "I don't need the world's ears, I just need Yours" and then about halfway through, the beat drops and Christon destroys it on the track making for a perfect ending to a great album.
- Hollow Man (1:55)
- Famous (3:03)
- Gorgeous (feat. B.Reith & Tragic Hero) (3:17)
- In.Secure (3:47)
- Vogue (3:52)
- Cold (3:40)
- Enemies (3:49)
- Powdered Toast Man (feat. Beleaf, Jurny Big & DJ Efechto) (5:49)
- Mike Lowry X Marcus Graham (feat. Armond Wakeup) (4:40)
- Scapegoats (4:09)
- Hallow Man (feat. Christon Gray) (7:10)
- Read More Here
Syntax Records Fashion Expo - Round 1: TruHipHop
The title of the first cut on this double CD could describe the project in one word, "Unique." Recording veterans, Sackcloth Fashion put together the basic beats for the whole record and then recruited the best in today's hip hop talent to come into the studio and rap over the rough tracks. The acts picked from the assorted music tracks already laid down by Sackcloth Fashion, then wrote and performed their own rhymes. The pair of brothers that is Sackcloth Fashion took those studio tapes and made the final songs, including
the breaks and changes. As far as we know, this is a project like no other.
The impressive roster of emcee's and DJ's is one of the stories here. The roll includes Dirt, Future Shock, KJ52, Peace 586 of Freedom of Soul, Grits, Sup the Chemist, and Braille, RedCloud, MarsIll and Sev Statikk, Diz Organ, and OmniPoetics. This double record is all new material so the album is more correctly referred to as a project then a compilation. But the big story is the masterminds behind Fashion Expo. To take so many elements and combine them so well is a testament to the production genius of Sackcloth Fashion. The flow and cohesiveness of the project is amazing, given the many aspects to the final outcome.
The styles are diverse, the beats are myriad, the sampling is manifold, but the result is unified. One of the comments on the promotional material explains that there was a "No Chaff" policy in force while the production team was weeding through the fuel for the record. And honestly I can't find an obvious weed in the bunch. This is a solid two hours of head boppin', finger tappin' fun. Some tunes are more muscular than others, but none are throwaways. Disc one is strong with RedCloud, Absolute, Braille, and Mr. Tru
collaborating on "Angels" followed by one by Coleon, and then a tight "Dues for Cashews" featuring Playdough at the four spot. Dirt contributes some of his best work on "Matthew," track seven. The disc continues with phat cuts from E-Roc, Future Shock, Lojique, Fros'T, et al. Disc two, while not quite
as hefty as disc one is no way a light weight. Healthy tunes from Prophetics, Braille, Grits, Trey-Quel and Ajax of Future Shock then KJ52 keep the rhythm and the rhymes full on as disc two begins.
Music fans interested at all in hip hop, whether just testing the waters or already full on baptized in the genre, should be seeking out this record. It's the best of what's happening now. Read More Here
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