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Xquisite    
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


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
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
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.
Xquisite    
Overview
Gucci Mane is a rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. He is an icon among trap artists. Although a lot of his music is a bit empty in lyrical stye and message, this album lives up to his post-prison hype. Gucci's back. Gucci is so deep into his trapping lifestyle that he's comically out of touch with reality. That doesn't sound like a compliment but that's what's so magnetic about his music, he has an up-beat very off-beat statement about everything.
Defining Track
There's a collab with Drake called "Back on Road." The song is very polished and not surprisingly, Drake adds a quality hook. What the song is about is a little unclear but it's refreshing to hear Drake step outside of correct grammer.
Final Thoughts
Gucci Mane has never had so much star power. The current simplicity seeking trend and his recent prison release has just sent his career into over-drive. Everybody Looking is a lot better then his previous albums and couldn't have been released at a better time.
Overview
School Boy Q is a rapper from South Central Los Angeles. His style has a nice flow pace and interesting delivery, but it's not the most dynamic presentation. What he does right is associate with the right clique of artists and target the right audiences stylistically. Somehow he's able to do that while staying standard hip hop.
Defining Track
That Part is the single off of the drop and it's fairly simple. The production is very spacy but well put together. The collaboration with Kanye adds a lot of excitement to what could have been a mediocre song.
Final Thoughts
School Boy Q has a lot of personality. If he wasn't so rhythmically spot on, or so varied delivery wise, the songs would be very bland.

Rap Independent
School Boy Q - Blank Face
7.8/10
Overview
Riff Raff is a rapper from Houston, Texas. Although he presents himself in a humor focused way, his music is 100% trap music from the instrumentals to most of the lyrics. Peach Panther is a nice sentiment. Riff Raff has respect for standard hip hop culture and he shamelessly adds his music to it. The Peach Panther title probably won't leave a lasting impact, and there are several heavier trap artists you could listen to, but the novelty of Riff Raff's humility is good for the genre overall.
Defining Track
4 Million is a good representation of Riff Raff's style. The beat is good and his lyrics are humor focused. However, it's only funny enough to be mildly entertaining. It's not handled well enough to stand on it's own as a serious song.
Final Thoughts
Trap music is usually a lot more sinister, however his presentation is so comedic, it's a little difficult to figure out who this album was written for; ...Suburban trappers? Hood rappers that want a laugh while they trap? Upstanding citizens that are trying to avoid supporting trap music completely? This album is decent, the presentation just makes very little sense.

Rap Independent
Riff Raff - Peach Panther
6.6/10
Overview
Cat Pop is a rapper from Out The Cage LLC. His voice is like Childish Gambino but his delivery is like an early Hodgy Beats. Cat Popular is simple but it stands out. His style is in this small area between conscious rap and standard hood rap. The problem is his presentation is a lot more polished than his skills as a rapper.
Defining Track
"Have a Heart" is the intro track and it's arguably one of the best on the mixtape. It has an interesting angle about being driven and cold. However, it expresses it like it's a serious issue.
Final Thoughts
Cat Pop is a decent rapper but his topic choices are his selling point. Cat Popular is a fun concept, but it could have been done a lot better.

Rap Independent
Cat Pop - Cat Popular
6/10
Xquisite    
Overview
Kodak Black is a rapper from Pompano Beach, Florida. Although his style is simple, he has a lot of personality. His presentation has a little more finesse than his competition. The album isn't full of empty trap music. He talks about struggling in the hood in a non boastful way. It isn't really christianity focused but God is brought up in a respectful way. Kodak Black is doing old fashioned hip hop with the energy and vibrance of the young more abstract rappers.
Defining Track
There's a song called "Young Prodigy" He begins slightly off beat, but for some reason it works. He has a very conscious approach to his hood descriptive music and it's a nice mix.
Final Thoughts
Kodak Black is a good rapper but has more persona depth than his competition. His longevity will probably be decided by how impressive his sophomore release is but this is a good start.

Rap Independent
Kodak Black - Lil B.I.G. Pac
7.6/10
Overview
Joey Purp is a conscious rapper from Chicago. He's part of Chance the Rapper's "Savemoney"camp. His voice sounds a little like French Montana, his flow is like Joey Badass, and his content is like Casey Veggies. The instrumentals are nice and filled with live instruments. The pacing of the album is a little slow but his presentation makes up for it. It's very current, it's just a little irrelevant compared to some of the other cross-cultural albums. However, there are a lot of good features on it.
Defining Track
"When I'm Gone" is a good song. The hook is soulful, the beat is montage ready, and the lyrics are charged. The issue is, the topic is somewhat basic.
Final Thoughts
Joey Purp has some good songs and it's nice to see an artist slip through the cracks created by politics. If he finds some less bland subject matters, or exaggerates his style a little more, he could be very successful by his next release.

Rap Independent
Joey Purp - iiiDrops
7.5/10
Overview
Dipla Beta is a rapper from "Goonville." Ninth Life is his third mixtape. Although his lines are solid, there's a lack of comfort that comes across a little novice. That's not to take anything away from the mixtape's overall quality.
Defining Track
"Paint" is a song that showcases the high points of his style. There's some pitch-lowering and a feature on it but it is extremely straight forward.
Final Thoughts
The mixtape is very simplistic and casual.

Rap Independent
Dipla Beta- Ninth Life
6.6/10
Overview Childish Gambino or Donald Glover, is a pretty consistent rapper. His transition from comedy makes humorous punchlines his comfort zone. Although the "Because the internet" album has good production, none of the instrumentals really stand out from other hip hop releases. His lyrics are political but trail off after nuance. The album is good but it isn't as melodic or complex as his earlier releases.
Defining Track II. WORLDSTAR is a fairly out of character track for Gambino. The production is minimalistic and there is a jazz bridge at the end. The song is just a scattered mass of ideas. Final Thoughts The vibe of the album is very upbeat. Childish Gambino has a very odd outlook that complements his extremely odd persona in hip hop. The album is interesting, but there's no clear messages.

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