Hodgy Beats - Dukkha

Overview

Hodgy Beats is a rapper from Pasedena California. After an explosive music career in Odd Future, he has retained his exceptional fame status and created a new album. Dukkha is very humbly presented but it's a decent album. The issue is lyrical complexity is a thoroughly blazed trail. There are other intelligent rappers. Several.
Defining Track
Hunger for More is a good song. The instrumental is mainly piano. His lines are consistent but not memorable. He uses autotune for some psuedo-singing.
Final Thoughts
Odd Future was an amazing project but Dukkha is a nostalgic afterthought. One collab with Tyler or Earl would have made this release awesome but Hodgy doesn't have enough star power to sell his own collectiveless music.

Rap Independent
Hodgy Beats - Dukkha
6.5/10

Frank Ocean - Blond

    

Overview
Frank Ocean is an indie rnb singer from Long Beach California. Although he had ghost written for several mainstream artists, he was in the background until the advent of Odd Future's success. His music was original enough to associate with their clan but it was very formal and classy in contrast to their rebellion angle. Nevertheless, he established himself with a skater filled audience. The biggest change from his first release, "Channel Orange" is he's a lot more confident. You can tell that he's had a lot of experiences and has spent a lot of time with some very cool people. The title blond, fits as the evolution of his previous title and the songs do the name justice. The album is very elegant. There's lots of professional instrumentation, the lyrics are interesting and meaningful, and the vocals are soulful. One surprise is that the falsetto of his biggest song, "Thinking Bout You" isn't pushed in any of the songs. Although the album is very good, none of the songs seem meant to stand alone.
Defining Track
The first song, Nikes is about not being in love for the right reasons. There's pitch altering and the beat is very slow and spacial. He makes a few jokes and tells a bit of a story. It's not all that cohesive, but it's entertaining. There's a few drug references and like most of the other songs, it's very easy to imagine listening to it under the influence (not a suggestion though).
Final Thoughts
The album is a little somber like "Channel Orange." It's probably the first fully sung rnb album to have so little to do with relationships. Frank Ocean has a nice voice but he isn't really pushing it in any of these songs. As a whole the album is wonderful but individually, none of the songs compare to "Thinkin Bout You" or even "Pyramids." With all that said, Frank's back!

Rap Independent
Frank Ocean - Blond
9/10

(R.I. Revisit) Lil Wayne - Carter 3

Overview
Lil Wayne is a rapper from New Orleans and unlike most artists that make weed-pop, he nearly built his entire image around the use of green herbs. From breaking away from the Hot Boyz, to experimenting with skating, Lil Wayne has covered a lot of ground. Tha Carter 3 is an album that has the production of a movie soundtrack. On top of that, it was the proving ground for rap analogies, metaphors, and comedy.
Defining Track
Lollipop was the first single from the album and his personality was the focal point of the entire song. The crude and outlandish presentation camouflaged the fact that he was partially singing while at the same time representing thug culture.
Final Thoughts
Lil Wayne has always coasted on personality more so than technical skill. Tha Carter 3 put comedic word play on the map and there are a lot artist who imitate that to this day.

Rap Independent
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter 3
9/10

G-Eazy - These Things Happen

Overview

G-Eazy is a rapper from Oakland California. These things happen is his third studio album. His punchlines are delivered similar to a lot of high-profile hip hop songs but his internet subject matters and overall presentation is very independent.

Defining Track

I mean it feat. Remo is one of the singles and features an artist that sings almost identical to Future. The song is good and feels like an anthem for conviction and arrogance. However, the lyrics are memorable.
Final Thoughts
G-Eazy is a very consistent artist. Not all of the tracks are exciting, but the least of them are still fairly decent. G portrays himself as a laid back ladies man with street smarts. It's not revolutionary, but it works for him.

Rap Independent
G-Eazy - These Things Happen
7/10

Lokye - Goon Life (R.I. Review)

Overview
Lokye is a trill-wave rapper from New York City. Goon life has sung lyrics, pitch lowered areas, gang vocals; it's varied. The instrumentals are not complicated but they're well put together and stand out. Lokye's verses are party themed but unlike the music in the background his lyrics are extremely straight forward.
Defining Track
Rah is a song about confidence. There's a couple Lil B style lines, and the music feels like a laid back ASAP mob beat, but it's catchy.
Final Thoughts
Goon Life is very professional to be recorded pre-label. However Lokye needs an angle. Trill-wave music is cool, but there's a lot of competition in that lane.