Since we are in this Corona lock down, I had time to go back to 2019 and bring forward some beat makers, producers that I didn't get time to touch. One guy I was enjoying for a few years is Mndsgn (Mind Design) a Philippine, Jersey living, Cali living producer. I got caught up with his style once I listened to his 2014 release Yawn Zen. Labeled under electronic, not really hip hop with his early releases. This latest release Snaxx has recovered beats from a hard drive that was supposed to be a full release from a 2018 mix tape. I compare his music discography from then to now.
Continuing with showing love to diverse producers, DJ’s, beat makers. The Laid back creative flow of Glenn Boothe aka - Knxwledge fell into my lap with his new 2020 release while trying to find a Corona Virus groove. My introduction to Knxwledge was his 2015 release HUD Dreams so this was a welcomed surprise. Thus finally getting to talk about this creative artist that caught my attention 2 years ago.
I didn’t do a review of Tek’s highly enjoyable “allow it” released in 2018. I wasn't feeling the earlier EP release Blood, but now with the release of Dweeb. The B’more native has been moving forward with his sound so I wanted to hear what this one would sound like. He goes a different route and flavors his multi layer tracks with more vocals, trap beats and for sure his signature synthesized sound. At the same time I ran into his group NASA 8 so I had to show some love this year.
So Alicia and I was watching social media and a lot of stuff popping up with sports figures and entertainment people. It was a surprise when we saw the Lebron James commercial then what he had in his garage. Here’s our thoughts
Sean introduces the new release by MAXO Kream. The Houston story teller gets personal but for some reason still sounds familiar like a Quality Control production. We jump on this 15 track release.
You already know we criticize Dreamville for lack of promotion and weak promotion. But mad love to a lot of their artist and the King sitting on top J.Cole. So this massive compilation release with so many surprises that I couldn't get to the end until I rewinded so many of these cuts that it too me a few days to take it all in. Any way here it is.
Sean and I wanted to review the Smith children since they both came out around the same time. First we give our take on Willow and a style that we weren't expecting to hear. Also since she is more of a veteran than her brother. We didn't know what we would get. Then we drop in Jaden. He had a few releases after his well received debut album (for the record, those other releases I was not feeling) So for 2019 we get a listen to another one of these long ass releases with long ass 4 min. average songs.
This wasn’t something we really were waiting for after the mixed reviews of NAGA last year. But this really interesting throwback production was something that came out of no where. Lets see what Sean’s opinion is.
Sean introduces the two Logic release for the year a soundtrack and the 6 studio release. a Hip hop album “Confessions of a dangerous mind”. And the Soundtrack to a novel he released called “Supermarket. we touch on both releases and we have our preference.
I’ve been a fan of James Blake for years. With his odd sound but soothing voice that went with so much but not quite with anything. He made you listen for different reasons and some how you would hear him sprinkled in with some hip hop folks. His dark brooding sound that was heard for years could have been a precursor to the young depressed sound you some times hear today. But this new release has a tone that’s unfamiliar but quite refreshing. This is the evolution of James Blake with a touch of his hip hop buddies help.
