Apr 9, 2020 Day 53: TDE Week Day 4 Control System was a once in a lifetime album that most rappers could only dream of crafting. Ab-Soul's voice cracked while he mourned the death of his girlfriend Alori Joh, trying to ease the pain by turning into into a mad scientist, extracting hallucinogens from pinneal glands. His follow up album was widely considered a disappointment but still showed signs of the evil genius that lurked within. Stigmata is far and away the best song on the album where Soul channels Nas and drops an incredibly intricate verse, then complemented by top notch features from Action Bronson and Asaad (who are missing from the music video version).
Apr 10, 2020 Day 54: TDE Week Day 5 Aesthetically, The Sun's Tirade picks up where Isaiah Rashad's debut project Cilvia Demo left off, but A lot is something a little different in the tracklisting; an instrumental that sounds like something you'd hear on a Future or Jeezy mixtape (produced by ATL wizard Mike Will Made It) where Rashad pays homage to Memphis legends Project Pat and Kingpin Skinny p---- in his laid back flow.
Apr 11, 2020 Day 55: TDE Week Day 6 SZA's lane of music isn't exactly my preferred listening but you just need little female sexual liberty in your playlist. With plenty of Forest Gump references. Pretty Little Birds is one of the highlights on SZA's acclaimed TDE debut album. I don't revisit it much but this song always stuck out to me. SZA sings her heart out over a lush instrumental, underscored by booming bass and featuring an excellent appearance from Isaiah Rashad.
Apr 11, 2020 Last TDE day tomorrow definitely gotta be a posse cut. Already posted Vice City so could be anything but that. And now this lol. Which does go hard af.
Apr 12, 2020 Day 56: TDE Week Day 7 2 in 1 to finish off TDE week. This week has been an interesting change of pace in my usual listening habits. I'm still jumping around listening to different things but TDE has been threaded in throughout. Trying to work out at home throwing furniture around while blasting Kendrick and Jay Rock. Masked, standing in grocery lines waiting listening to Q talk s---. Walking deserted, apocalyptic streets listening to Soul rap about the universe. Life is weird. But I'm glad I've taken the time to dive into TDE's discography. Its up there with some of the best label catalogues of all time. f--- it, it is one of the greatest label catalogues of all time. And in the 2010s? Who was f---ing with Top Dawg? Beside for a few stellar remixes and collaborations the long-awaited Black Hippy album never materialised though. And as more time passes - seems like it never will. Which is a pity because from the moment K. Dot, Q, Soul and Rock joined forces the game was never the same again.
Apr 13, 2020 Day 57 Guapdad 4000 (is this the best stage name ever?) was making his silky smooth scam raps before he became a Dreamville affiliate. Red Flags is one of several loosies dropped between his first and second albums where Guap checks off all the reasons his girl's giving him red flags and still finds time to revel in the pickings his scams have afforded him. James Delgado's instrumental is rich, luxurious to match Guap's flow. You're so hypnotised you don't even realise your wallets not in your pocket anymore.
Apr 14, 2020 Day 58 I'm not the biggest Keed (or Gotit) fan but with Gunna and Duke in his wings, Anybody sees Keed dipping into the well of Thugger circa 14/15 magic, with a guitar sample worthy of a 17/18 Gunna/Baby hit to produce one of those vocal stretching performances worthy of only the slimiest in the game.
Apr 15, 2020 Day 59 There is so much packed into the 4-minute opener of Biggie's monumental debut album its overwhelming. Its all juxtaposed. The instrumental sounds like angels playing the harp amongst the heavenly clouds, but there's an ominous curb-stomping theme in the back. Biggie reminisces about the good ol days then turns the page to 93 where things just aint so pretty anymore. Its either the rap game or the crack game. Either you're slingin crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot. But when it comes down to it Biggie realises maybe there hasn't been that much change after all. Its always been hard being young from the slums. Things done changed but he's still motherfuckin stressed.
Apr 16, 2020 Day 60 Roc Marciano x Alchemist is a match made in heaven. Or in this case, its polar opposite. As Roc puts it - "this s--- sounds like when the gates of h--- open", then proceeds to strut right through the gates with 2 Puerto Rican broads and a sawed-off shotgun, blasting demons in face, flexing on the devil himself. "Sometimes I pinch myself in disbelief,"he mutters after claiming that Hov gave him dap right after he stabbed Un in the abdomen. Who can blame him?
Apr 17, 2020 Day 61 Mir Fontaine comes from the school of Travis Scott, right alongside Don Toliver and Saint JhN. He can be a bit much sometimes but on most occasions he hits the nail on the head, with his natural gift for melody and somber subject matter. A prime DaBaby shows up for a guest feature on this which adds just the right amount of energy to make this a highlight of last years' Who's Watching the Kids 2.
Apr 18, 2020 Day 62 I've had this album on repeat non-stop for the last 24 hours. I usually like Westside Gunn but Jesus he knocked it out the park with this one. the legendary PREMO laces the track with what couldn't be a more apt Prodigy sample, and an ostentatious piano loop that so perfectly complements Gunn's designer-name drops. The disgust is palpable as he rattles off the the list of reasons why he's the illest ever and you just simply don't cut it. B-B-B-B-B-B-B-BOOOOM
Apr 19, 2020 Day 63 Thanks to @Lil Squeed I was introduced to RMR through his song and video for RASCAL (please watch this first if you havent already), which was so bizarre I initially wrote him off as a joke. But then RMR returned with a sequel - DEALER - which is even better, and where RMR showcases his angelic voice over a country/trap hybrid instrumental, lamenting his troubles with addiction and in the process, officially announces his arrival as hip hop's new MF DOOM meets Lil Nas X meets Future. This is a genuinely beautiful song and I am fascinated to see where he goes next.
Apr 19, 2020 Nice I didn’t know he had more music lol his voice/flow reminds me of a cross between R. Kelly and Usher
Apr 21, 2020 Day 65 Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire popped up seemingly out of nowhere after years in hibernation in 2019 with a full length self-titled album. The demented Frankenstein theme is out in full force. Brooklyn created another monster. I mean just look at this s---: Cancel Mike, b---- you got to cancel Elvis too R. Kelly can rot in h---, but his music is too good to mute Telling me no more ‘Ignition’ while I'm dancing But then I'm 'posed to stand for the f---ing national anthem? s--- a d-ck and get a clue, cause reparations are due A bunch of knuckle-draggin coons rockin’ a Gucci fabric noose f--- Prada, Burberry, f--- Louis Vuitton too They ain’t do nothing racist but that's just in case they do
