"Oxymoron" Review

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

De La Soul Spreads the Love on Valentine's Day by Setting ALL Their Music Free

With an unprecedented act of generosity that makes Radiohead's infamous "pay what you can" plan look criminal by comparison, De La Soul, one of the greatest, most influential hip-hop groups of all time, are making their entire discography free to anyone with access to the internet. The offer is available for the next 24 hours. Simply visit their website, check the different boxes that correspond to the different albums you want (you might as well just click them all), and give them your first name and email address. That's it, no bullshit. Don't believe me? I got mine already, and I got it ALL (I even re-downloaded some of it that I already have for better sound quality, cause WHY NOT).

Today marks the 25th anniversary of their debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, famous for being the first true concept album in rap history, and for simply being an utterly incredible listen. Note that the email above also mentions their plans to release a new album in the near future entitled, You're Welcome. Fitting title. Thank you, De La Soul. Listen to "Eye Know," arguably the greatest love song in hip-hop history, below.

Isaiah Rashad's Cilvia Demo Plants Seeds for TDE World Domination

     

With what might one day be referred to as his own personal Section.80 (get used to the Kendrick Lamar comparisons, buddy), Isaiah Rashad has released Cilvia Demo, a collection of songs that displays the wide range this young lyricist has to offer. Hailing from Tennessee, the addition of Rashad to the Top Dawg Entertainment team is a clear attempt to develop talent outside of the label's four original Los Angeles rappers (Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul). However, this is no mere marketing ploy. Cilvia Demo, while lacking a consistent style or message, is the closest we have to a fully realized Isaiah Rashad project, and at the very least shows us TDE has made a fantastic investment by signing this introspective country boy.

Cilvia's sound is a world away from something like good kid, mA.A.d city, light years from Hollywood and Dr. Dre studio sessions. As the old cliché goes, "You can take the boy out of Chattanooga, but you can't take Chattanooga out of the boy." This is homegrown, organic hip-hop with a twist. The dirty South seen through a kaleidoscope. Songs like "Brad Jordan" are clear, committed tributes to old school rappers like Scarface, but others like "Webbie Flow (U Know)" and "West Savannah" have more experimental production that wanders into dream pop.  Much of Cilvia is spent in a haze, delivered from a boy who spent one too many days "hotboxin' the sauna." A sense of disconnect and skepticism permeates throughout most of the fourteen tracks, especially on "Tranquility"  and "Modest." A complicated relationship with his father is evident, but much of the rest of Rashad's personal life remains mysterious, with more to be unveiled with future releases.  But where are the catchy hooks, you might ask? You'll be chanting right along with Rashad on "R.I.P. Kevin Miller" and "Shot You Down," or your money back guaranteed. With Cilvia Demo, Isaiah Rashad will not bring the music universe to a grinding halt like some of his mentors have already done, but it does stand out as an exciting glimpse into the future of the expanding rap empire that is TDE.

Loose Track Round-Up

No, the first month and a half of the calendar year usually does not contain much new, jaw-dropping music for one to sink their teeth into. We are still a long way from the giant chart-toppers that will neatly coincide with summer, and even farther away from fall, where brooding artists stamp their souls onto wax. But rest assured, something is always brewing in the wide world of music! Here is a list of the choicest bits and pieces from the past month:

Cam'ron & A-Trak: "Humphrey"- Cam'ron yelling, "A-Trak, let's take 'em to church!" is one of those phrases you need to rewind in order for you to truly trust your ears. Good thing that this song is endlessly playable, as the Dipset rapper finds unlikely producers in A-Trak, founder of Fool's Gold records (signees include Danny Brown, Kid Cudi, and Run The Jewels), and Party Supplies. While many a lyricist would probably sprinkle fairy dust on a squeaky sample like this, Cam'ron shines like he did in his prime (see "Hey Ma"). He even drops a Street Fighter reference! It's official: "Cam got the shit to pop."

Speedy Ortiz: "American Horror"- Speedy Ortiz might just be the best act to come out of Massachusetts in years (remember JoJo? Anyone?). They follow up their angst ridden debut, Major Arcana, with the four song EP Real Hair, an awesome bonus if the first ten weren't enough to keep you satisfied. "American Horror" lights the fuse, an anthem about being "strap-down crazy."

Major Lazer featuring Pharrell: "Aerosol Can"- Not even that giant hat can stop Pharrell with all the momentum he built up in 2013. "Aerosol Can, bom bom bom bom/ Monkey outside, bom bom bom bom," goes the hook. Any meaning to be found? Probably not. It doesn't matter though, because Major Lazer know how to get butts moving.

Schoolboy Q: "Break The Bank"- The latest single in preparation for the much anticipated Oxymoron LP has all of the terror and panic of an armed robbery. Faint wailing, echo effects, and a chilling piano part fill this track out. While the rest of Schoolboy's recent output has been mainly comprised of club hits, "Break The Bank" finds Q taking a chainsaw to his past, angry about his upbringing and ready to move on with his life. It's the first song he has put out in a while that really rattles you, and makes you realize that if he does somehow end up drowning in Kendrick Lamar's immense shadow, he won't let it happen without kicking and screaming first.

Thundercat: "Vulnerable People"- Another thick groove from Flying Lotus's favorite bassist. This one sounds like it could play over the end credits of a late 80s flick. Bump this one from that pink Cadillac you probably don't have.

Karen O featuring Ezra Koenig: "Moon Song"- As if Her was not unbelievably heartfelt and perfect enough, this recording has just surfaced of Karen O, the original co-writer (along with director Spike Jonze) of the Oscar nominated "Moon Song," singing a lovely duet with Vampire Weekend's lead singer, Ezra Koenig. Koenig does a great job not taking over or distracting here, pitching in just the right amount. Whether or not you prefer Scarlett Johansen's version from the movie itself, we certainly welcome the star-studded harmonies here.

Disclosure featuring Mary J Blige: "F For You"- Disclosure has followed up their breakout success with a series of collaborations, starring Joey Bada$$, Bishop Nehru, and an upcoming performance with Lorde at this year's BRIT Awards. These all pale in comparison, however, to the vocal stylings of Mary J. Blige that have been added onto the already excellent "F For You." When you set the bar this high, the only question left is who they plan to give their signature face trace to next.