Legacy Track of the Week: Meek Mill ft Miguel - Stay Woke
“When I talked to Em and Hov they said ‘I'm proud of you, you stood tall back when everyone doubted you,’ my reply is ‘I did what I gotta do’... and I need that verse fore you retire too" Some of the best lyricism on the Legends of the Summer EP is found right here on this track that was actually premiered by way of this monumental performance at the BET Awards last month, and I say monumental on behalf of the amazing stage design and visual effects above anything. Over the years I’ve noticed the quality of live performances dramatically rise especially through the camera lens that now captures the imagery like never before, and thus reminiscent of recent performances by Kendrick Lamar this was another powerful moment that’s as cinematic as a major motion picture or Broadway show <<< the production value right here is the future of live performances.
Meek Mill ft Swizz Beatz - Millidelphia
“They wanna see me in the cage, I'd rather see me in a Wraith, I'm motivation on the gram, I'm going live on these bitches on stage goddamn” The opening track off the latest Meek Mill EP is the essence of Swizz Beatz in every way, and therefore this adrenaline fueled record has no trouble providing the energy at all. For that matter, Meek and Swizz definitely complement one another well and I’m somewhat surprised they haven’t collaborated more often.
Meek Mill ft Jeremih & PnB Rock - Dangerous
“When it's nights like this, I really wanna be right here, I really wanna take you there” Jeremih & Philly native PnB Rock harmonize on this R&B infused love record that provides a nice balance to the 4 track EP, that overall is a perfect taster to set up what’s hopefully a career defining album from Meek Mill considering his circumstances.
Future - Hate The Real Me
“My mama stressing out she say these drugs got me, and I ain't been the same since that ***** shot me” Produced by Zaytoven this may - or may not be - the only decent record off Future’s latest album BeastMode 2, that overall is one of the more forgettable projects in recent memory and I still can’t believe Complex and Rap Radar once tried to brand him as the “hottest rapper in the game,” smh that’s why we can’t trust those clout chasers at all.
Denzel Curry - CLOUT COBAIN l CLOUT CO13A1N
“Suicidal doors, call it Kurt Cobain, Suwu leather seats like a bloody stain, I need hella base, I need hella pain, you gon wanna cry I'ma make it rain” Florida artist Denzel Curry has released his third studio album TA13OO and this single sets the tone for the album and then some, compete with these visual aesthetics that immediately separates his artistry from most of his peers in the sunshine state. Apparently, his clothes in the video are similar to what Kurt Cobain was wearing when he died, and if that’s true I have to appreciate that attention to detail as well.
Jay Rock - ES Tales
“All that back and forth gets me hot sometimes, wanna see somebody get knocked out, just box one-time, catch a fade, catch a fade, it ain't nothin, get your head up at the gym, bring your knuckles” The ES stands for EastSide Los Angeles and although this isn’t one of my favorite cuts off Jay Rock’s latest release Redemption (profiled right here), this one recently got some visual treatment and I dig the concept entirely.
G-Eazy ft Yo Gotti ft YBN Nahmir - 1942
“I don't follow rules and they don't like that, hit the club with wifey brought a dime back” Another record “produced” by Hitmaka - or more accurately produced by Smash David & SkipOnDaBeat - this one is off the Uncle Drew soundtrack and showcases G Eazy & Yo Gotti doing what they do best.
Iggy Azalea ft Tyga - Kream
“Ass rules everything around me, a shark in the water how you found me” Believe it or not but this ‘comeback’ record for Iggy Azalea is exactly what it should be, where Tyga finds himself in his vintage Fan of a Fan bag and I can’t be mad at this.
King Combs ft Chris Brown - Love You Better
“You could've had Christian and Christian Dior (yeah), now you just miss and I'm missing you more (woah)” So apparently Diddy must have cloned himself and his writing team from the early 2000’s, and thus we have King Combs who is poised to follow the same blueprint (in identical fashion) for many years to come.