Nah finals really smoked me bruh. I couldn’t even get a post out smh I swear we back though. Believe the hype.
Welcome back to another weekly edition of “Songs of the Week”. I was completely blindsided by finals this past week, had a sociology exam and then had to write a final article for my journalism class. But aye look, we made it. Summer’s here now. It’s time.
Raq baby – Toy Story
Chicago born, Atlanta raised Raq baby is one of hip-hop’s underrated voices right now. Drowning his voice in autotune and modulated effects, he uses melodic cadences that blend the raw storytelling of Lil Durk with flows inspired by Young Thug and Chief Keef. On “Toy Story”, he’s leading the charge against those who may pose a threat to him but aren’t really about it. If there’s a problem, he’ll solve it. Backed behind sizzing open hi-hats and snapping snare rolls, he bounces in between numerous flows.
Bobby TooTact – “AZONTO”
New York drill is painfully oversaturated nowadays. Between the Slizzy bounces of Cash Cobain’s drum programming to UK drill type beats met with one dimensional flows and bars, rappers come and go, arrive with a ball full of potential and never seem to capitalize because of the personal troubles that continue to follow them after they rise to stardom. We’ve seen this cycle over and over since it’s mainstream arrival in 2017 with artists like 22Gz, Pop Smoke and Kay Flock, and it’s likely not going to stop for a while. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t do their big one once in a while. Here’s Bobby TooTact, the Harlem native who’s been making waves within the New York scene with his modern spin on classic African songs. Rapping over a bouncy flip of Fuse ODG’s classic “Azonto”, he catches a wavy flow and interprets the song’s lines in between rapping about life in the streets. He’s proof that drill won’t ever die.
DC2Trill – Rockabye Baby
Texas rapper DC2Trill is one of the coolest rappers in the game right now. The Concrete Boys signee has been hitting major strides since being featured on Lil Yachty’s BIRTHDAY MIX 6, where he showcased displays of lyrical excellence. Since then he’s gone onto release projects like Family Matters and DRANKBABIES4LIFE, where he’s beaming with confidence, rapping about expensive habits and creating stories about the playboy life. On “Rockabye Baby”—from his In The Booth EP which features songs recorded during a PlaqueBoyMax stream—all eyes are on him as he raps his way over a sample of “Rehab (Winter in Paris)” by Brent Faiyaz. His southern charm beams through, inviting the listener to take part in the fun.
RealYungPhil & evilgiane – Next Move 2
Underrated in his own right but revered amongst collaborators and peers alike, hip-hop’s most favorite producer right evilgiane teams up with Connecticut’s RealYungPhil to deliver a vibrant spin of Usher’s “Can U Help Me”. It’s a gleaming loop of Usher’s heavenly vocals backed by the drill groove of 808s that springboard their way through the ears, creating an infectious bounce that is impossible to turn off. RealYungPhil’s strength is in his hunger, which must be the driving force for him to rap his ass off here. He raps like at he’s at the best at his game, with hints of desire for more. He captures a strong sense of hope for the future with the line, “We goin up, I got a lil’ feeling”. It hits different. This song carried me through this last week, it’s like it was catered for me. I played this right before my sociology final—which I bombed—but hey, you win some, you lose some.
Pierre Bourne – Guillotine
A summertime classic by arguably one of the greatest producers in hip-hop history. This song brings so many memories back to me from my early teenage years. On “Guillotine”, Pierre is skating through the topics of getting money and messing with hoes. It’s incredible the type of feelings Pierre’s music is able to evoke out of you. Almost every song of his sounds like you’ve been transported into a video game that’s been sitting at an old arcade store. I mean shit dude, listen to those sound effects! Between the lion roars, Nextel chirps and Jamie Foxx tags, it’s clear Pierre is an old soul who’s studied the great companies and their consoles of the past (ex: Atari, PlayStation, Nintendo). I love this song and this beat wholeheartedly. Even if he is nonsensically rapping for 3 minutes. Who gives a fuck?