Nvdeem - Dearborn

Overview
Nvdeem is a rapper from Dearborn, Michigan. Dearborn is very current straight forward hip hop. It's not revolutionary but it's solid skill-wise. Nvdeem has nice flows, interesting perspectives, and a few jokes. Dearborn is about his lifestyle. As a result, it's very raw. On the other hand, the imagery in the songs is so colorful, you almost feel like you're living the lifestyle with him. The instrumentals are good. The weakest part of this album is Nvdeem as a persona. He's very bland. In 2019, most rappers that make it are more interesting than the average rapper by image as well as sound.
Defining Track
"Dead Promises" features Bandgang Lonnie Bands. That's impressive because Lonnie is on the come up right now. It's a song that equates heart rate from partying to a heart health emotionally. It's creative and well-handled. It's also performance tempo.
Final Thoughts
Nvdeem is a good artist, but he needs a more interesting angle than "rapper from Dearborn". This is a solid introduction with a lot of promise, my only hope is that he lives up to it with his rap career.

Rap Independent
Nvdeem - Dearborn
6.9/10

Tyler, the Creator - Igor (R.I. Review)

Overview Tyler Okonma is from Ladera Heights, California. Igor feels like the continuation of 'SFFB". It has very little rap. In fact, it's so barely hip hop culture influenced, I can't see any of the hood even listening to it seriously. The issue is, I doubt Tyler, the Creator would even classify himself as a "singer". The best part of the music is the incredible production which is light years ahead of other rap albums in sophistication; however, it's so prominent and interesting, it outshines all the vocals and lyrics. It assimilates with indie bands that have no intention on making it and is the hip hop equivalent of that culture clamoring for high class instrumentation and abstraction. Kanye, Playboi, and Pharell have very muted verses. There aren't many collabs. The few raps are by far the high points of this album so it's disappointing how Kanye "Life of Pablo" he went on most of this album. Defining Track 'What's Good" is a song of venting; surprise, surprise; but it's good. The bass hits, the synths play, the weakest aspect is the message. This entire album seems kinda vague in the lyrics.
Final Thoughts
This album is not really hip hop, but it's not rnb. It's got a very mature, adult sound. He definitely seems to be appealing to intellectuals and sophisticated audiences that are underwhelmed with hip hop culture and sound. It would be nice to hear more rap and less altered, strained head-voice refrains. These are some of the best instrumentals he has ever created, but he really should consider making a collab album with Frank Ocean or Kali Uchis if he really wants to write melodic songs. The other aspects of his presentation like his performances, packaging, and connections will bring this album to life in the next Camp Flog Gnaw, but as an album you will be disappointed unless you listen to Tyler's music for the instrumentation.

Scarlxrd - 0000.Infinity

Overview
Scarlxrd is a rapper/screamer from Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. XXXTentacion pioneered hip hop with screamed breakdowns. Scarlxrd pushes it to the next level in every song on this album. His screamed vocals are slightly open-voiced like Oliver Sykes and are very reminiscent. He's not really the best rapper and it's not handled in a way that feels like hip hop culture. He has a couple nice flow patterns but without the breakdowns, it would be very mediocre. His presentation is fantastic. This release will definitely be remembered.
Defining Track
STFU is about being overwhelmed by critical opinions. It's upbeat; almost too upbeat. It feels like a party even though he's supposed to be angry. It's good, but it has a very narrow audience because they would need to be open-minded to rock and die-hard loyal to rap to get into it.
Final Thoughts
Scarlxrd is a very good artist. This album needs a little more variety and maybe a couple features but he's going to be very successful with his sound, look, and timing. Nice work, Scarlxrd.

Rap Independent
Scarlxrd - 0000.Infinity
9/10

Juice WRLD - Death Race For Love

Overview

JuiceWRLD is a singer/hip hop artist from Chicago Illinois. His name is a little strange, but his music doesn't connect to it at all. He sings over hip hop instrumentals in a style similar to Post Malone, but he's the opposite in his style and message. His delivery is extremely WHITE. That's politically incorrect but it's the only way to do his presentation justice. The blond dreads, the subject matter, the music video affiliates; he's going really far. Time will tell if his style is reciprocated with the fan loyalty of Tyler, or even Wiz Khalifa, but he's all in.
Defining Track
Robbery is about an unrequited romance. The song is good, but the girl in it doesn't sound like she's into him as much as he's into her; but again that's a slight emo tortured-soul motif that gives his punk style more authenticity.
Final Thoughts
His delivery is definitely his selling feature. If he were to sing like Post Malone, he would have made it nowhere with his music. That's not to say it isn't good though, he just needs a little more flair. He's almost believable as a mac, he's almost successfully crossing over with his audience, he's almost impressive on every song. Definitely going to be on the lookout for his sophomore drop. Congratulations Juice.

Rap Independent
JuiceWRLD - Death Race For Love
7.8/10

Sabrina Carpenter - Singular Act 1

Overview
Sabrina Carpenter is a singer/songwriter from Lehigh Pennsylvania. She has a really classy up-scale presentation, and a soulful hip hop influenced sound. None of her album covers prepare you for the music. That kind of paradox is in the music too. It's like when someone really innocent tries really hard to be alluring and mysterious. Her voice is nice but it isn't breathtaking except in a couple falsetto moments. If you listen closely, it doesn't really seem to be about indiscretion or an actual relationship. It's just a lot of feelings about things but it's more endearing than songs about fast lifestyles or being happily taken.
Defining Track
The strongest song is Almost Love. It's poetic, the production is very urban, and it's energetic. If she threw some high notes in the end or had any sort of breakdown or rap feature to keep it from being a little repetitive, it would be great instead of very good.
Final Thoughts
Sabrina isn't singing for most women, or most men. It's like really clean seduction. It's slightly hood bop-friendly music. What sells it is her delivery. She's very likable because of the sincerity. This album was not written to make money and I think it's a bit underrated because of that.

Rap Independent
Sabrina Carpenter - Singular Act 1
8.2/10

YNW Melly - We All Shine

Overview
YNW Melly is a rapper-singer from Gifford, Florida. He isn't really a rapper or singer, but what's interesting is this album straddles that fence 50-50. "We All Shine" is his debut and it's a decent effort. His vocals are consistent but not impressively so. However, his melodies are memorable and work well. All his songs seem polished enough for radio, but they would blend in aside from his hype as an artist.
Defining Track
Mixed personalities is a collaboration with the hip hop heavy-weight, Kanye West. It's very good, but he doesn't out-sing ye. Kanye is definitely the force behind it. The song is about his on and off relationship with an inconsistent girl.
Final Thoughts
YNW Melly stands out from music at it's simplicity. It isn't overly nerdy or abstract. It's just the hood experience given in a colorful way.

Rap Independent
YNW Melly. - We All Shine
7/10

J.I.D. - DiCaprio 2

Overview

J.I.D. is a rapper from Atlanta Georgia. It's hard to describe his rap style. His voice/delivery is like Kendrick Lamar but he uses more flow-switches and he bounces around his tracks. He isn't a conscious rapper but he has the technical prowess of one. It's impressive how he presents himself as a standard rapper but yet stands out with no gimmick. This is lyricism and rhythmic choices done so well he comes off more talented than a lot of seasoned rappers purely off of lyrics.
Defining Track
Off Deez is a collaboration with J Cole. It's impressive but even though J Cole claims no one is close to his skill level, J.I.D. nearly outshined him while very early into his career.
Final Thoughts
J.I.D.'s cool but his music isn't attracting serious hip hop aficionados or hipsters. He's got versatility but he hasn't resonating with a specific market. It may be because he's early in his career so he wants to find out who gravitates to him organically.

Rap Independent
J.I.D. - DiCaprio 2
8.5/10

Earl Sweatshirt - Some Rap Songs

Overview
Earl Sweatshirt is a rapper from Ladera Heights, California. He achieved fame from Odd Future's free Earl campaign. Pioneering tongue twisters while using assonance and alliteration like early Eminem; he's abandoned trying to impress his audience with his intelligence. This album is more about originality and laid back vibes. It takes a bit of an adjustment, but it's good in it's own way.
Defining Track
Nowhere2go is written like a piece of performance art. Like most of this album, it's more of a classy experience than a musical endeavor.
Final Thoughts
Earl is good, but this is not a reflection of how talented he is. He seems to be coasting on his name and trying to silence his criticizers from the last album. It's more simplistic and laid back, his delivery is harder, and the production is abstract and varied. Some Rap Songs feels as effortless as the title. He's still cool, but really technically proficient artists like Earl and Eminem tend to prioritize showing off lyricism rather than making songs that sound good.

Rap Independent
Earl Sweatshirt - Some Rap Songs
7.8/10

Sheck Wes - MUDBOY

 

Overview

Sheck Wes is a rapper from Harlem, New York. Similar to Playboi Carti, he makes really hood music and then performs it like rock music. He's very intelligent but it's a raw, crude kind of street smarts that blends in. His instrumentals are mildly inventive and a lot of his songs are hit or miss but his attitude and confidence are what make this album relevant. Like the title "Mudboy" implies, he has a very solid sense of self. He talks about his explicit diction chosen to express his emotions and interestingly enough, his music is actually very cathartic. Crowds have a lot of fun with his writing style. 

Defining Track

Mo Bamba is the premier track and it's great. He makes it clear that he isn't going to accept any unequal treatment. It performs well because it's written like one long hardcore breakdown. 

Final Thoughts

Sheck Wes is a very strong person. His message is really just to overpower the world when it treats you poorly. He demands respect and from observing his performances or music videos, people usually give it to him. MUDBOY isn't perfect, but it's a good album.

Danger Incorporated - Danger Reality

Overview

Danger Incorporated is a duo from Atlanta, Georgia. Danger Reality is a little less hip hop based than their other music but the writing is still very inspired by the culture. There's a lot of layered duo vocals and spacey production. This album would be great for driving a long distance or being sedated on some sort of substance. It's not breathtakingly original, but it's well put together. One side note is they're affiliated with Father's label which is funny because they have such a polarity in the target audience.

Defining Track

Superstars is about having a superstar attitude before the success. It's written like a hip hop song. The singing and rapping is fused and the song is pretty good.
Final Thoughts
Danger Incorporated is a nice change of pace. They could be really successful but they're a little hard to fit into hip hop or band culture at the moment. Danger Reality isn't even their best collection of songs now, and it seems like the hip hop aspect has been downplayed to catch more traction. Regardless, they are a refreshing team.

Rap Independent
Danger Incorporated - Danger Reality
7/10

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter V

Overview

Lil Wayne is a rapper from Hollygrove, New Orleans. Tha Carter 3 was by far his most successful album and sent him into the stratosphere of mainstream hip hop. Lil Wayne pioneered using comedy and metaphors. Tha Carter 3 wasn't very polished and some felt it was making a mockery of hood culture. However Tha Carter 4 was less interesting because he was more serious and polished. Tha Carter 5 is somewhere in between serious talent and fun word play. Some of the biggest brands in music like Lil Wayne are getting rebranded in the changing internet landscape. This album was produced very well culturally. It features collabs with all of the highest profile indie rappers in the game.
Defining Track
Don't Cry is the starting track and features XXXTentacion. It's extremely good. It's so good that the rest of the album is a little underwhelming compared to it, but it just set the bar really high.
Final Thoughts
Lil Wayne has a stream of consciousness style that hides his punchlines a bit. Taking a break to laugh at some of his own jokes like he did in Tha Carter 3 would have been nice on occasion. This album has very little comedy and that's his strongest niche. All of his most memorable moments are comedic. The production on the Cater 3 was epic and motion picture sounding. These instrumentals are better than 4 but not better than 3. Lil Wayne is going to expose a new generation to real hip hop, and RapIndie is just glad to help him do it.

Rap Independent
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter V
9/10

XXXTentacion - 17

Overview
XXXTentacion is a rapper/singer from Plantation, Florida. He came basically out of nowhere and dominated the indie rap scene with "Look At Me". It was a fiery anthem that was the closes rap had ever came to a metal breakdown. As good as it was, it didn't show a lot of talent range. However, if you followed the rest of his music, you would see that he has a lot of versatility. 17 is by far some of the most emo and raw hip hop/rock available. His swag is a lot like his hair, he's very thug and skater at an almost 50% equilibrium.
Defining Track
Everybody Dies In Their Dreams is really catchy. His music sounds like death, but in a very soothing optimistic kind of way. He finds sincerity and meaning within the midst of tragedy.
Final Thoughts
XXX's young death is a tragedy for the indie rap legacy because he was so impressive in his debut releases that we'll never know what his experienced music would have sounded like. 17 isn't for everybody but it's emotional which is something that is always a nice change of pace in hip hop or indie rock even for that matter. R.I.P.

Rap Independent
XXXTentacion - 17
9/10