Derek Minor - The Trap
The Trap sees Minor at his most vulnerable and honest as he critiques the unchecked systems of power and abuse that have disproportionately affected minorities, specifically African-Americans, and perhaps most tragically, the church's own failure to address these issues. Though he raps on the titular opening track "This record might be the end of me," he nonetheless remains rooted in his convictions and says, "This what the Lord been giving me / Someone to re-envision our history." Thus, Minor seeks to do more than just craft music based in the trenches of reality and critique solely out of anger, but keeps one eye to the sky, wishing and working for a better future.
But before Minor can dream about a better tomorrow, he must acknowledge the issues of today and the authenticity with which he describes the issues here is unapologetic yet judicious. Deep and pithy cuts like "It Is What It Is" and "God Bless The Trap" talk about how, in impoverished neighborhoods, for many the prospect of using education to find better opportunity for oneself seems implausible and difficult, largely in part due to the systematic racism and oppression. As a result, many communities "create their own economies with dope money as their salary", which further perpetuates stereotypes and promotes a destructive cycle of survival. "Robin" shows the consequences of such a culture and is a sobering look at how, in the trap, "there are no heroes" because many fathers have been given life sentences for petty crimes. This results in many young men having the responsibility of taking care of their families and how their choice to resort to violence, robbery, and drug selling to make an income stems both from a deep love they have for their families and a willingness to do whatever it takes to provide for them. Throughout all these experiences, Minor articulates how the trap is more than just a physical place but a mindset as well, and that those who "escape" either find themselves still resorting to habits despite being a "regular" member of society, or they simply forget about the neighborhoods from which they came. Yet, the emcee never tackles these issues head-on and is egalitarian in sharing his minutes with fellow featured artists. Thi'sl, Greg James, and Propaganda spit the most convicting bars on their respective tracks.
Derek Minor : The Trap [FULL ALBUM]
In addition to having a diverse consortium of guests, the album deviates sonically by not consisting solely of typical trap beats. "I Have a Dream" listens more like a spoken word piece and over heavy drums, where the emcee prophetically envisions a world where "The #MeToo Movement was not needed and all of our women like queens we were treated." Of course, Minor is also a veteran at weaving bangers and club hits in between his more socially conscious raps, and with labelmate Byron Juane, he celebrates his successes of making it "out of the bottom" while reminding listeners that "It's never been about the money for me / it's always been about the Kingdom, dummy." "Don't Cry" is an album highlight and with electric guitars, The Wright Way's chorales, and Aaron Cole's silky vocals, it transforms the album into pure lucid harmony. Likewise, while a less-seasoned emcee may have resorted to simply venting and complaining about issues, Minor employs a whole array of storytelling tools best exemplified on "Decisions," which, over a haunting instrumental, he raps about a boy who gets brutally shot and killed by a police officer, sadly stating how even the best intentions can still shape bad perceptions. Read More Here
All Minds Clear - Taelor Gray & Jonathan Baker
Propaganda & Derek Minor - Nothing But A Word
Propaganda and Derek dropped a collab EP called ‘Nothing But A Word’. Peep It here and let me know what you think
Tracklist:
- Dope (ft. John Givez)
- Comments
- Contradiction (ft. Aaron Cole)
- Impose
- Overjoyed
- Change (ft. Daniella Mason)
- Fallen (ft. Tobe Nwigwe & Liz Vice)
Kanye West - Jesus Is King
After a longer-than-expected delay, Kanye West’s new album Jesus Is King is finally out now. Listen below. Check out the credits here.
West’s follow-up to 2018’s ye was initially teased back in August, when Kim Kardashian West hinted at its release by tweeting a photo of a handwritten tracklist and the date September 27. On the night of the 27th, Kim announced that the album would arrive two days later. It did not materialize.
At several points on the album, Kanye references the 13th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, which established the abolition of slavery. The text of the 13th Amendment reads: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” On the song “On God,” Kanye raps, “13th Amendment, gotta end it, that’s on me.”
Read More Here
Thi’sl - Small Thing To A Giant (STTAG)
Thi’sl dropped his long-awaited album Small Thing to a Giant (STTAG). This just might be his best Album. What are your thoughts.
1. 9.24
2. Talk To Me
3. This Is Not the End ft. V. Rose
4. Sugar ft. Courtney Orlando
5. Let’s Get To It
6. War Torn ft. Fiend
7. Pinnacle ft. Jarrel Lomax
8. Activated ft. Courtney Orlando
Selah The Corner - ‘Hoodie Season 3
Selah the Corner dropped ‘Hoodie Season’ 3 on October 11 from God Over Money.
Tracklist:
- Trigger Dedication
- Gone Fishing (feat. DJ Mykael)
- Yams to the Repass
- Cocoon Funeral (feat. Bumps Inf & A.I. The Anomaly)
- B.C.A.D. (feat. Hurt)
- Welcome to the Trap (feat. Stefanotto & Datin)
- Skyline (feat. Lavoisier & Rigz)
- T.I.N.Y.C.h.h. (feat. Rigz & Jewelz)
- S.C.L.3.
- Sede Vacante (Bonus Track)
Eshon Burgundy - 'For the Love of Money'
“..FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL...”
...but it is also Eshon Burgundy's latest and arguably, best album to date. Arriving more than three years after his last full length project, in 'For the Love of Money' longtime fans will find an Eshon filled with conviction and passion in an experience reminiscent of what they found in their favorites from the Philadelphia, PA emcee. Newcomers will find a master craftsman who weaves in and out of each song with skill, conviction and creativity. With sonic landscapes from NFTRY Members Rising Son and J. Rhodan, as well as DaBoomSquad, Carnegie and Tommy Black, 'For the Love of Money' presents the freshness of Blood Rushing to My Head, the grit of For God's Sake, the polish of The Fear of God and the creative courage found on The Passover; vintage, and yet it feels like the beginning of something new for Eshon Burgundy and the NFTRY.
Listen to 'For the Love of Money' Here
// ALBUM COVER (DESIGNED X ESHON BURGUNDY, ZARA ROYALTY, DR. ARSHLEY EMILE & BRIAN THE BLOVED
Krum And Theory Hazit - Here’s Mud In Your Eye
Back in July, hip hop veterans Krum and Theory Hazit announced that they would be joining forces on an album. They began to campaign and promote this album with a series called “Muddy Mondays,” and on every Monday either songs from the project, unreleased tracks, or announcements would be dropped on their Instagram accounts. They have already given the fans some treats with a 9 track mini project made up of songs that didn’t make the album titled ‘SPAT.‘ This project was released as a cassette tape only project with some exclusive merch attached. Krum took to Twitter last weekend to tell the fans or “Road Dogs” to save up their money as they had a big announcement to make on Monday(September 2).
Stream The Album Here!
They announced the name of the album ‘Here’s Mud In Your Eye’ and released the first single titled “Pop The Cork.”The format of this album has Krum on the lyrics and Theory Hazit on the beats. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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