Lollapalooza Festival 2014 - Eminem, Outkast and my dream.

Lollapalooza's announcement

Without trying to brag at the start of this post, I'm stuck in the UK, without any hope of hitting Chicago in
early August - but I'm still witnessing the great Andre 3000 & Big Boi this summer.

http://www.wirelessfestival.co.uk/line-up/poster - The 'Bruno Mars' is the day I'm looking forward to.

They're also headlining a local festival to me, in Birmingham, UK.  It's known as Wireless Festival and although it's not a completely new experience for me this year, it's a LOT closer to home.

Me and a good friend (@Ash_Forbes) hit up Hyde Park, London in summer 2012 (it was a sweet 18th birthday gift), mainly to again get an opportunity at seeing our (still to date) favourite artist - J Cole.

The trek to London, couple nights sleep in a Premier Inn were all more than worth it to see Cole owning the main stage.  A stage that also held none other than Rihanna and Drake, who headlined the weekend.

My memory is waiting and standing through a share of tedious acts, we weren't gonna miss Cole on the main stage, we were gonna get as close up as possible.



So as Tulisa (formerly of N-Dubz, w/ X-rated link) came and whined her thing, followed by X Factor 'star' Cher Lloyd and less than fire rap experience from UK duo Rizzle Kicks, it was finally the turn of Cole.

Now I'm not going to be naive and egotistical and reckon we were the only two fans in a city like LDN, but there was no one in our vicinity who even looked like they might recall a couple lyrics.

Cole in London, our experience

OK, OK, so when Work Out and Can't Get Enough - Cole's debut's mainstream hits - were blasted, it got a little livelier.  Credit Jermaine though, his set was greeted by the worst weather of the whole weekend, but it remains the best festival experience of my life.

WE GOT A LINK TO A BRAND NEW VERSE, still hanging around Cole's collection, still unreleased.

My mate Ash is sadly unavailable this year around, as we found out the Fayeteville rapper was again gracing the UK's summer scene, this time around as Wireless has enjoyed a shake up, being played across both London's Finsbury Park and Birmingham's Perry Park.

I couldn't miss out, not with the announcement of Cole's arrival, not with it being TWO damn train stops from my FRONT DOOR.

So again, in search of birthday gifts from the parents, I persuaded the Missus to hop along this time.

Let me tell you, there wasn't much persuasion needed, Bruno Mars headlines our day alongside Outkast, what some girls wouldn't do for that..and the little matter of UK songstress Ellie Goulding, the lady is fire, in every sense of the word.

Bruno Mars, Outkast, Ellie Goulding,
J COLEEEEEE

Back to Lolla, the acclaimed US hit festival, it's not exactly the home of hip-hop festivals, but it's more than that, again, it's the feel, surrounded by different genres, young and old, up and coming - most notably, the best that genre has to offer.

In the week this year's bill was announced, Eminem, the thought of seeing him do his thang over in the states is almost unbearable.

Funny - or not so - story with Shady actually.

It was a sort of, not so much dream, but goal and ambition in life to witness Em tearing up a crowd before he stops touring.  I sorta naively thought I'd never reach the dream.  Until it was announced he was showing at prestigious rock (!!) festivals Reading and Leeds in 2013.

I was online, on the phone at the ready, and then I found out on the date I was in Spain on holiday.  Blerghhhhhh.  The chance will come.

I got into J Cole sort've late 2010, early 2011.  My pal Ash had witnessed him live at Drake's first UK Tour as support, and we got to see Jermaine's first full solo tour in Birmingham, late 2011.

One vivid memory of being a fan was in the festival season of summer 2013, Cole had been invited along to Rock The Bells I peeped the setlist and sorted the time differences, the Cole fandom on Twitter were a help, set an alarm - and got up at 4am or whatever it was for Cole's set.

It was madness, to witness it then in my quiet, dark house - the rap buzz in US will always be a galaxy away, greater feel, greater atmosphere, greater appreciation, greater love.

The look of it, the sheer enjoyment of that hip-hop crowd was a sight.

Rock The Bells is a dream of mine

A year prior while we were seeing the real thing in London, Col was owning Chi-Town's very own Lollapalooza - again, there was me, up at night, jamming along in my bed.

Hopefully, within not so many years.  That'll be me, there, part of that moment.

YG - My Krazy Life, unexpected fire

When peepin upcoming releases a few weeks ago, YG's almost mythical debut never really stuck out to me, I wasn't expecting too much, platinum singles and A-grade features aside - I just thought it'd slide right past me.

Maybe I was being ignorant.

True to the title, 'My Krazy Life' really is just that, an insight into the antics of Keenon Jackson, one of West Coast's upcoming artists.

A lot is being ode to the influence of long term collaborative producer DJ Mustard, whose ratchet style beats provide the general feel for a project packed with party bangers, messages to God, to his mama, to his homegirl, sidegirl and his homies. (See platinum 'My Nigga')

YG & Mustard at the recent
BMI Hip Hop awards/

The features might stick out to you on first view, you know, label-leader Jeezy, Drake, Kendrick, ScHoolboy, Rich Homie, amongst other star names in the remix.

They do aid towards hits that reach out for YG, the Drake helped 'Who Do You Love' fits in with the YMCMB man's stereotype and has caused enough hype in Drizzy's fandem.

Similar with fellow West Coast Lamar, the blend of Lamar's rapid and firey flow works with blunt step-by-step honesty YG provides, talking of the stresses of the come up, Kendrick has been there.

'My Nigga' speaks for itself, it's a platinum selling single with viral success to boot, it smashed the internet with prospects of a massive star remix, all on a first single from first major, better is hard to reach.  It's a real homie jam, a respect to the circle you roll with and despite all success fits perfectly amongst YG's brutally honest lifestyle.

YG's Def Jam debut kicks in with BPT, a message to his home of 'Bompton' - a later title - the first message in the whole 'blood v crip' crossing that is intertwined within the LP.

Jackson takes time to put rivalry
aside and have fun

'I Just Wanna Party' continues that theme and insists on putting fun in front of rivalry on the streets, drawing peace with affiliations and such to get on with the night's fun.

'Left Right' along with Mustard follows the party anthem theme as smooth as anything, party-friendly bangers early in the project gets the foot-tapping, head bopping, move making on point and replay value levels up.

'Bring Back Being Bool' and 'Meet the Flockers' are your real kickback jams, the former a picture of Jackson kicking back on street corners in his teen days under the west sunshine, incorporated into his debut seamlessly.

Flockers and track 12 '1AM' have that story mode lyricism on point as he first spits of the 'rules' to breaking into a house, almost without a care and definitely without the view of any consequences while in the latter the action of staying up late, sneaking out with the homies and finding out who your true friends are as things suddenly start fuckin' up.

Again, a harsh, brutal reality, as while YG's first single to really come of any note with Ty Dolla $ign, Jackson was serving time inside for being caught during an intrusion.

The album splits into a three piece love strangle as Jackson attempts to work out where his lady game is at, features from TeeFlii and more commonly Tory Lanez and Drake help smooth this out and package it up with the required assets the triplet needs - don't thing that YG is getting carried along here though, his little sounds and adlibs, alongside viciously relate-able rhymes are a real success in what he's trying to hit.

Sorry Mamma almost sees the project out, an apologetic sounds to the one that gave birth is not an uncommon thing, YG's version has a delicate and honest feel, he worships the woman as some kind of superhero and the final words of 'love, thanks and appreciation' seem real amongst all the madness and absurdity inside this young life.

I enjoyed the project's production, the DJ Mustard/ratchet style beats work is a niche area that is putting artists like Jackson on the map, I saw it being related to Waka Flocka and Lex Luger's joint effort in terms of what it did for trap, there's a willing market in this new genre.  there are hits upon hits here waiting to be shelved out, the potential reach is staggering.

Standout single 'My Nigga' certi
platinum before this A-grade
style remix dropped in Feb 14.

The frankness and at times humour in his self-documented struggle/party/love is conscientious and fun to follow, it feels like you're almost watching a self-portrait - I guess kind of like a diary, only YG's skipped all the boring shit and dotted in 16 or 17 mad days where everything seems to go off.

Like I said back up the top, I weren't particularly a fan before this, maybe I was ignorant, maybe I just missed the signs.

Keenon's Krazy Life has blended into a perfect multi-genre ambitious style concept album, and it worked a treat.

Final 2014 Freshman Spot? Who will the public select for the XXL cover?

On Thursday (March 13th) chief Rap mag XXL posted a link on the Twitter account allowing viewers to vote for that tenth and final Freshman 2014 spot.

While the position isn't a ticket to 'making it', it's a huge shout-out to the grind and work that's been put in over the 12 or however many months in moving up the list of those on the breakthrough.

They spoke of 2013's class as the
best ever, can '14 live up?

http://www.xxlmag.com/10spot-artist/2014/03/gunplay/

The link is to for MMG artist Gunplay, one of the more standout names amongst this year's nominees, below him are the other few dozen candidates to take the inspired 'People's choice' as the 10th and final graduate to this year's Freshman front cover.

Question is; who's in your 10?

XXL editorial squad know their isht, they don't put up anyone who isn't worthy, a flop or no-name that hasn't fought for their right.

I remember reading (Editor-in-Chief) Vanessa Satten's words on the 2013 Freshmen, 'from the moment they all meet for the photoshoot, we can instantly tell who has the talent, the persona and the ego to make it'.

That stuck out to me, it's one of the earliest chances for one of Hip Hop's leading publications to gauge their opinions on the up-and-coming, someone whining in make-up or refusing to spit a few bars without their own demands.

Someone already too big for their boots amidst these talented younguns.

After rattling on my feels about the significance of appearing on the cover, now to stick my neck out and be decisive, there are multi-millions worth of ability on this list, rappers of all styles and backgrounds, all well and truly making their names.

Ok..so.

My List:

Gunplay - BIG name, he's got to make it, his 2013 saw the release of mixtape; 'Cops & Robbers' to follow up his 2012 effort '601 & snort'. Let's face it, Gunplay has broken the top levels acquiring a spot at MMG and he has the funds to push his efforts through now.  His verse of Cartoons & Cereal is borderline legendary & a fanbase ready to see him go far.

Chance The Rapper - Try and keep this guy OUT of the limelight, everywhere you look Chance's name pops up, every summer festival - in the States or even over the pond here in the UK.  His platinum mixtape 'Acid Rap' even saw mainstream breakthrough, not from content, from ability and class.  BET nominated, embarking on his own big solo tour.  Come on guys, he's pushing the boundaries.

Casey Veggies - The 20 year old Cali native has a popular style and is already attracting a keen following, I mean, he's not an unknown entity, even in his young years.  A founding 'Odd Future' member Casey split to do his own things, on a good note he brings the contacts of Tyler and Earl - plus since working closely with Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa and Rita Ora to name a few.  'Life Changes' and 'Fresh Veggies' were dope, expect a big debut in 2014.

Dillon Cooper - A personal favourite, not as household as some above but by no means without quality.  Cooper has everything in his package, the youth appeal, the diversity, the guy is a musician, graduating from one of New York's highest reputable colleges.  His debut work 'Cozmik' screamed of potential and his proposed 2014 EP can back it up with some hopefully original beats - he's got a long way to go.

Isaiah Rashad - Yes, predictable, I know, maybe.  Maybe you lot are sick of this youngun grabbing headlines lately?  Rashad became (along with SZA) TDE's latest signing and with it the pressure and expectation of joining rap's leading pack.  His alternative feel is a brand in itself & def something Top Dawg picked up on.  Peep the BET Cypher, making his name standing tall with K Dot, Rock, Soulo & Q, his 2014 tape Cilvia Demo is so replayable, you can't leave him out.

Troy Ave - Troy will make this year's cover - and deservedly so.  The man wants to single-handedly carry NY rap back to the top of the game, wave the flag for Brooklyn, repping his self-titled home street, Troy Avenue.  He may claim rival Kendrick Lamar is just a 'weirdo rapper' but when he debuts with the likes of Raekwon, N.O.R.E, Prodigy, Tony Yayo and Pusha T on his back, he's got some claim.  His catalogue is massive, he drops music at ease on eager, gagging supporters - he's gonna be a huge player.

Ty Dolla $ign - Ty has been bubbling under nicely for a minute now, accustomed to singing and an instrumental background, his breakthrough in 2012 revealed his signature was gathered by Taylor Gang Records. Listen, that aint an all bad backing. He's worked with Jeezy and of course Wiz on a number of projects and makes my list because it's all going on NOW.  His 2014 Beach House EP bought strong features but performed strongly, desrervedly so, even at Billboard level. Debut album to pursue this year and tour with Wiz, you know.. Freshman..

Vince Staples - Is well on track to hitting the lights, on the day of writing this he released his fourth tape Shyne Coldchain V2 while on road with ScHoolboy Q and fellow nominee Rashad on the Oxymoron World Tour.  His mixtape with Mac Miller alias Larry Fisherman drew headlines, again, he brings that alternative feel.  And it's just nice to know the new skool isn't afraid to push boundaries, try different things, push through how they see the music, how they learnt the music.  Vince is unique and has big times ahead.

Rich Homie Quan - Quan is a big deal at the minute, his music is dropping to some note, the mixtape 'Still Going in (Reloaded)' part of the humorously named quadruple of projects reached Complex's top ten tapes of the year, that's no mean feat. 'I Promise I'll Never Stop Going In' came next, media attention was hitting, buzz was growing, the name is everywhere.  It doesn't grab him a spot, but, in terms of progress, there are few better nominees in putting themselves up on the map.  Just ask Michigan State Football on 'Type of Way'.

Riff Raff - Controversial, maybe he aint everyone's cup of tea as we say in England. The times of the 2010's you can't keep media out of anything, this is the figure to epitomise such claims.  Who knows where Raff would be without that powers that be pushing through his eccentric, crazy, OTT style, one thing though that sticks out amidst all the humour and jokes - he don't know when to stop, when he's defeated.  His hunger to make it through all the knockbacks is quite unique and impressive, the respect is clearly feeling, to work with Drake and Wiz is testament to that.  Whatever feels he gives you, whether talent is where it should be, the Freshman list is about the development of rap, the new-skool - this is partly where it's at.

Isaiah Rashad

Gunplay

Troy Ave

                                                   
                                                      All dead certs to be making 2014's class for me.

There's my ten, trust me that's difficult - everyone has stakes for their own position.  To leave out a female MC was daunting, Nitty Scott, 3D or Sasha could've easily made it.  Big names left out, Stalley, Kevin Gates, Young Thug, Nast and Twelvy of the A$AP Mob - all bring their own unique aspect.

The list is just my pick, what I'm enjoying right now personally, I'm probably missing out someone right now, missing out on something I should be enjoying, but..

Hey, that's the joy of music, joy of hip hop, each to their own, provoke though, debate and rivalries - this year's XXL Freshman is wide open.


Just for yall I've created a poll to see how far you go to agree with my list, or who I should've put up, peep it and get choosing, it aint easy!

Peace.

Maybach Music mogul 'Masterminds' March's musical movements

March could be a big month in the rap season of 2014.

Not just for the solo one-man rapper either, cliques are getting ready to drop combined efforts to blow things apart.

ScHoolboy Q and Kid Cudi saw out February in a positive vibe (see Here and Here), Oxymoron and Satellite Flight both received decent numbers, positions and critiques - here's to what's on offer here and now.

As the headline suggests; Rick Ross leads the way in terms of predictions and hype (we're excluding Pharrell's G I R L and the stratospheric numbers it will reach being apart of the Billboard and the Top 40 as we know in the UK).

Even though the Maybach boss can be called 'hip-pop' or 'pop rap' or whatever you want to label it, his influence has remained all over the game and his newest effort 'Mastermind' has been plugged as much as ever.

Rozay's message to ever-
supportive fans on
Twitter.

God Forgives I Don't reached out to mixed feels following the acclaimed Teflon Don. I personally felt it a big hit from Rozay, with careful and considered features on some powerful album tracks (3 Kings & Sixteen with Dre, Hov and Andre 3k).

Diced Pineapples area he struggled to reach out to me and most of the mainstream following, it reached radio levels, but peaked at 71 on the Billboards, that's no good for a Drizzy featured lead single.

Ironically Mastermind's lead effort Devil Is A Lie (also feat Hov) flopped quite dramatically too, but while that lead single is again missing, Ross' tracklist has got to be some kind of positive substitute.

19 songs - with the deluxe version, aided by FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt, will certainly be whetting appetites with length alone, it's his longest effort since his debut LP, Port of Miami.

Whatever the outcome, it'll let us know the directions Ross and Maybach as a whole are heading.

As mentioned further up though the rap groups are very much in it together as the first quarter of 2014 comes to an end..

A$AP Mob with L.O.R.D. and Young Money with Rise Of An Empire stick out like a knee to the face.

Floppppped -
Rich Gang's 24k first
 week sales were kinda telling.

While Lord$ Never Worry has some following up to do, YMCMB will hope to bring a bit more glorification around their end after Rich Gang was shoved to one side abruptly last summer - are they gonna return to that We Are Young Money moment? I can't see it, times are a changed.

The powerhouse, non-label features don't grab you like in Rich Gang, the presence of artists like Shannell, Birdman, Lil Twist, Cory Gunz, Gudda Gudda and Jae Millz brings inescapable comparisons to the group's debut 09 smash.

Harlem's Mob sit in a different boat, trying to match their success will not be straightforward, that surprise factor has left them and now they're delivering to a grown number of expectant fans, fans that have spilled out into the radio bracket.  It could be there first real bout of pressure.

Not only Rocky and Ferg, but also the likes of Ant, Twelvyy and Nast have built a head of steam and they need that packet mixture of street, club bangers with a pinch of self-proclaimed 'late 90s NY style'.

They need to push on, the NY rappers cannot be labelled as failing to build on their first drop - I think Rocky and Ferg have enough individual experience to spearhead a flawless effort. (The vid to the right is a timely reminder of their successes with the global banger; Work.)

Aside from Tech N9ne who is about to release his 14th (!!!) studio album in Strangeulation (with a 15th hitting 2014 also to add), the under the radar but not insignificant news of Freddie Gibbs collabo drop is engrossing.

Gibbs and Madlib's collaboration is no new thing, their triple feature EPs Thuggin, Shame and Deeper did the rounds in '11, '12 and '13, leaving listeners gasping at the prospect of a full-length LP, Pinata.

Madlib, a Cali producer announced Gangsta Gibbs as one of the only in the game would would suit his unique and shifty behind the scenes work.  With the chopping and changing of speed and flows something that is well within Gibbs' repertoire.

The one-worded song titles interest and engage the mind, while the guest work from Danny Brown, Raekwon, Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Scarface, AB-Soul and Mac Miller bring everything you'd want to a project like this.  Experience, know-how, youth, unpredictability.

Pinata's potential-filled tracklist

I haven't by any means covered everything this fine spring month has to offer, I've spoke of what engrossed me as I looked forward the next 4 weeks or so - there is more than enough to keep the iTunes banging away through these supposed stickily warm hours.

..and YES, that is looking beyond Officer Ricky.



- Shout to HIPHOPDX with the full scheduled March drops..http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/release-dates/