I used to be a huge hip hop head in my teens. I used to crate dig in the early 2000's, debate wether Nas, Jay-Z or Big were the best writers ever, before discovering the underground music that would either blow up or be forgotten as time passed. I wrote and rapped myself, and once even recorded in a studio of sorts.
Then time passed, I widened my horizons, rediscovered rock and indie music and especially started spending time with new people who didn't really share my love for hip hop. I got into punk music, started a band, and slowly but surely stopped discovering new hip hop. This was about the time mumble rap and autotune got big. I missed Kayne West's first album, Common's Be. I never paid Lil Wayne or Drake any mind. The same goes for Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and finally I didn't care about and sometimes even detested all the Soundcloud rappers that got big with a few songs under their belt at the middle of the 2010's.
The past ten years I've dipped my feet into hip hop every now and then. I still listen nostalgically to my favorite albums from the 90's and 00's, but have been trying to find new music as well. I discovered Run the Jewels, Russ, Black Milk and a few other acts this way, but honestly not much more. There is too much mumble rap these days in my opinion. I can't relate to the drug themes, and the lyrics are too generic, overall. I prefer so-called boom bap rap, especially when it features soul samples and melodies.
I do know of some modern releases I need to check out, and I'll list them here. I'll make sure to return and edit in some reviews at a later date.
- J. Cole - Might Delete Later
- J. Cole - The Off-Season
Me, from the future:
— This record is listenable, and funnily enough I felt it's at the exact border between boom bap rap and autotune mumble rap to the point where I can actually appreciate the flow, while being bothered by the vocal effects and the pacing.
It starts off cool enough with a few nice songs, such as 95.south which samples Jay-Z's U Don't Know, and my.life. The album is sprinkled with trap hi hats, autotune and straight up mumble rap that I plainly dislike. The album has a few good songs but unfortunately the lyrics never impressed me at all. I doubt I'll be listening to this album much going forward.
Honest verdict: 4/10
- J. Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Me, from the future:
— Hard to put my finger on it, but sonically, this record opens exactly on my level and inherits so much from the best of what hip hop had to offer in the early 2000's. The beats, the rap, the samples, and something else. I wish all rap music would sound like this. At least initially, it makes me think of Talib Kweli's Quality, Common's Be again, and maybe Stillmatic. All respect to what came before the 2000's, but to me, this sound is the golden era of hip hop.
This is a melancholic but hopeful album from the sound of it. My biggest takeaway is the way it affects my mood and bumps it into a more positive place. I hope I will remember this album and put it on regularly. Come to think of it, that's about the best review fairly new music can get from me these days. Finally!
Honest verdict: 8/10
- Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
- Joyner Lucas - Not Now I'm Busy
- Ransom - Director's Cut (all 4 albums)
- Nas - King's Disease
Me, from the future:
— It's been a while since I listened to Nas. Usually I just return to Illmatic, which is the world renowned album, and Stillmatic, which was released when I was in the middle of embracing rap music, which is why it still stands out to me. I see Nas as an extremely stable and talented emcee and while he often don't stand out too much, he's never boring neither. His voice is excellent as well.
King's Disease is a solid album. I don't have too many comments but I do believe I'll return to this, for the production if nothing else. My final review for now will be that I enjoyed listening to this, and will revisit the album in the future.
Honest verdict: 6/10
- Tyler, The Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost
- Pusha T - It's Almost Dry
- Conway the Machine & The Alchemist - LULU
- Denzel Curry - Melt My Eyez See Your Future
- Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - Alfredo
- Post Malone - Stoney
- Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city
- Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
This is all probably more than I can handle, but now I've got a goal to aim for when exploring. Hope I find some new favorites.
Me, from the future:
— When rapping, J. Cole has a nice voice, good flow and a delivery that I like. The production is alright and some songs sound great. My favorite songs so far from this album are Ready '24, Pi, and a few others that are very straight forward and musically friendly to the ears.
I've read that this album is less deep and less reflective than his previous works. I should obviously listen to the earlier albums then. I did look up a few of his hit songs and honestly weren't too impressed. For example, Work Out sounds like a generic pop chart rap hit from the mid 2000's. MIDDLE CHILD and The London with Travis Scott are too modern for my taste. Hard to tell how these songs fit together with albums filled with more substantial lyrics. His song with TLC was nice however.
According to my Spotify playlists, apparently I listened to a few of his songs back in 2018. I had a quick listen of those songs after listening through Might Delete Later. They do sound a bit more classic or underground. Of those, False Prophets, High For Hours and everybody dies stands out to me. Miss America is a banger.
Honest verdict: 6/10