Rap Gems Uncut

  This year has been one of the most horse shit years ever.  That being said, this year may also have been one of the greatest years for hip-hop period. We got a new Cudi album, Mac Miller album AND everyone is realizing how garbage Lil Pump and Tekashi69 are (still shocked he has defenders). Since every media outlet released their best of lists at the beginning of December, I decided I'd hold off on mine until the actual last week of the year just in case there were any late entries (there was one). Over all, it was a hell of a year for both boom-bap and trap rap. While I'm absolutely inlove with the former, the latter has taken me some time to get used to - which is why there are few trap albums on this list.  (Don't get it twisted, Vert, DaBaby, Gunna etc. etc. are fire rappers.) So, with that in mind here are my top ten favorite albums of the year: Burden of Proof - Benny The Butcher Griselda Records had probably the best year out of any collective of artists. Ca...

  New Years Eve is going to look hella different this year. Normally, it's right about now I would be panic rushing to find plans and realizing I'm the absolute worst at keeping in touch with friends. Now because of the pandemic, I plan to sit on the couch and vibe out into the new year. Cleveland's Lavelle Lewis will help those plans come to life. It's hard to describe Lewis, whose been grinding since I was in high school (and also a rapper). He's a chameleon, one album he gives you clear poppy-radio hits and in the next he'll give you a hazy underground trap album. No matter what he give you though, he rarely misses a step and often times you'll find yourself humming along or nodding your head to his words or tight production. Lyrically, Lewis likes to use word play and flow changes to keep you engaged. Sometimes when you listen to a rapper, you can get used to their style of delivery (DaBaby, Playboi Carti etc.) here, that's not the case. Lewis is ade...

Photo by the KoolShooters Since Christmas is literally two days away - this will be my last post (until next Monday). Because of that, I wanted to leave y'all with something dope to listen to while you spend your time counting down the days 2020 is finally over. The Weekend Playlist will be a weekly post featuring a curated playlist of the hottest talent in and around Cleveland by contributor Domingo Kite (who was recently featured on the blog cause he's dope rapper also). This week features new music from Teflon Sega, Manic Phase and Diamond Kites. It also features tracks from soap., Nadi and London Thompson. Check it out and let me know what you think, Lux

If you see me in a neck brace over the weekend, don't worry I didn't get into a bad accident.  I did, however hurt it because I was bobbing my head ignorantly to Rico Blu and his new song "What a Feeling." Between Blu's rhyme scheme and the production, I really couldn't help it. The Cleveland native's rap style is like trying to carry every grocery bag from the car to your house. You may not get everything he says on the first go but that doesn't stop you from trying. Either way, once it's all over you're satisfied as fuck.  This is not an insult in the slightest, Blu's flow and ability to jam pack every line with a bar makes everything he says more potent. Blu is not for fans of mumble rap, this is gritty, chip off the block rapping. It honestly brings me back to the early 2000's when Eminem and The Wu-Tang Clan dominated the rap landscape.  The dreamer in me says that this is what Cleveland sound should be. Produced by Elyria native W...

  Complex continues to have the best hip-hop video content on the internet. Today, they released a new Sneaker Shopping episode with Bryson Tiller. During the nine minute episode, the artist talks about his preference for futuristic shoes, what he did when Kobe Bryant died and what his top ten sneakers of all time are. Also, in what I think is the first: Tiller actually gifts La Puma a pair of his own sneakers before dropping bands on three pairs of insanely expensive shoes. Seriously, I also think he spent the most money I've ever seen spent on this show. It's dumb as hell, but I did not know Tiller was rolling like that. Check it out and let me know what you think, Lux

Most of the time when people ask me what I'm up to, I normally just say "I'm grinding." I feel like that's true for almost 90% of the people trying to make something of themselves in and around Cleveland.  Domingo Kite is what I imagine those hustlers listen to when they're out grinding.   The Cleveland artist skillfully blends a mix of trap, psychedelics and lyricism into his music that makes a compelling listen through every time it's played.  Sonically, Kite uses darker, bass heavy beats that are laced with pianos and other synths that put you into a boss/hustler mentality. I think my favorite part of this style is that while his music bumps, it's not in your face or overbearing. Kite takes his time with his lyrics, allowing you to visualize everything he's talking about. He doesn't hit you over the head with a steel chair (which can be good sometimes), he makes sure to show you where he's at as concisely as possible. The end result soun...

  There are few moments that make me absolutely proud to be a Clevelander. That sweet sweet moment when Baker Mayfield clutches a game in the first half, how our shitty river formed the EPA and whenever Kid Cudi drops an album. Today, I am really proud to be a Clevelander.  Cudi released an 18 track album featuring Pheobe Bridgers, Popsmoke, Trippie Redd and Skepta. I'm suddenly back in my angsty teen phase when blogging was cool and no one understood what was going on with my body.   This album is a continuation of a series Cudi said was dead almost 10 years ago while it brings me a shit ton of nostalgia many will debate this - is this album a classic? First I have to point out that in my opinion Cudi has been extremely inconsistent with music after MOTM2. Aside from Kids See Ghosts, the only other album I genuinely enjoyed was Indicud and even that comes with a caveat because there's a crappy 10 minute song on it and he left GOOD Music while making it. That being said, ...

When I first heard Peso, I nearly had an aneurysm because I had the toughest time trying to categorize his music.  Now, months later he has an album out and I still have a tough time describing it other than it's elevated Psych-Rap. Today, Peso has released his newest project "Don't Look Down," a 10 track project that talks about love loss and mental health. Produced by Xoe, Blu Majic , 36 samurai and Zach Vargo, the album offers guest verses from Draya Jade, Cam Stephens and Seth Hasan. Drawing inspiration from Jim Morrison, Kid Cudi and Ridley Scott, the album offers insight into the artist's personal life. Below is my conversation with upcoming artist on his process, inspiration and how he discovered his rap style. 1) Your album is called Don't Look Down - why did you name it that? In movies when the characters are scaling a ledge or on the edge of cliffs, and buildings, walking across bridges, they always say “don’t look down whatever you do don’t look dow...

I'm from Cleveland so this is gonna sound biased - I LOVE Ohio. One week, I'll be blogging about the Clevelanta movement the next I'll be blogging about R&B singers working with legends like Charles Hamilton. While most of my content has focused on Cleveland so far, AyelookitsBRADY is making a compelling case for Columbus' inclusion. BRADY has a cool demeanor when he's dropping scientific reference and food reference laced bars. It sounds simple but what you get is an absolutely sharp rhyme scheme that flows over beats without effort. What you end up with are countless quotes that make you pause, rewind and tweet them out - pretending like you thought of it on your own (which I didn't do...yet.) I also love his sound. Blending a mix of jazzy, lo-fi beats with an almost DIY sounding rhythm to his lyrics - his music is not only interesting, it doesn't get old after a few playthroughs. Check out his work below and if you like what you're hearing cop his...

  Tis' the season motherfuckers. Despite the fact that countless rap artists have made songs about the holidays, it still feels like rap and Xmas don't mix well. In some cases that would be right: take DMX singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer which sounds like an SNL skit. Sometimes though, it's like milk and cookies and I don't know why more rappers haven't made a xmas song - I would love a Tech N9ne/Hopsin remix of Little Drummer Boy So with that in mind, here are some of the best rap songs about the happiest season: Holiday - Lil Nas X If you're surprised that this song is at the top of the list - get your head out of those rosy cheeks. This song is a certified bop and I will not feel bad for making this the number one song of the season. Get over yourself and enjoy the season lol. Big Bag - Tyler the Creator I will be honest, I haven't watched the movie nor will I ever watch the movie. After the the live action one with Jim Carrey, The Grinch was not a...

  I'll be the first to say that SNL has been a mixed bag this year. Coming from someone who once fantasized about being a writer or actor on the show (still do) that means a lot. However, one of the bright spots of this season has been Pete Davidson and the few times that the show has used him. Last Saturday we got another solid reason why Davidson is under utilized with "Stu," a spoof on Eminem's "Stan." The skit centers around Stu, a 20 something year old man sending his list to Santa Claus.  What makes this bit so good is not only does it spoof the song, it also spoof the controversy around Eminem and being a homophobe. The best part about this bit is that Davidson actually raps pretty well in this song.   The low point of the bit comes at the end, it fizzles out with a dumb camo at the end. It makes sense given the content but other than that it was meh. You'll see what I mean. Let me know what you think, Lux

  There have been few white rappers in the media spotlight recently. Jack Harlow  and Lil Dicky's show on FX (which is hilarious btw) have been shaping the conversation about white boys and the industry. But two rappers out of an industry where everyone wants to be a rapper is like trying to find Waldo or a NF song I actually like. Jack B. is going to be another rapper shaping the conversation on white people's role in rap today.  Hailing from Los Angeles, this artist can drop bars and does regularly. Mixing West Coast sounds with a Midwest flow Jack B. is probably one of the more refreshing rhyme spitters out today. His music just screams pre-game/post-game hype (this goes double for parties whenever the hell we're allowed to have them again). He's also adept at making smoker's music though and can crank the hype down when it's necessary to give listeners a chance to rest their ears before moving on.  Jack B. is still rough around the edges, at times it feels l...

  Most of the time, I try to avoid obvious Cleveland artists to spotlight on this blog. I want to showcase artists that have potential to become stars, not those that are already stars. That being said, there are times where I need to ignore that trend and write about good fucking music when I hear it. Cassidy King is one of those shooting-star artists that deserves more recognition than she's getting from other platforms. The Chardon-based singer has been performing for most of her life, singing in local contests but never considered it as a career option. That is until her friend convinced her to release a video of her singing in 2017 while she attended school at Kent State University (KSU represent!). I have to say, it's a damn good thing she listened to her friend. King's music, a bubbly mix of pop and alternative that makes you want to dance while listening to it. Most of all however, it's genuine and imperfect and really opens you up to the world she's living ...

  Jaden Smith has been an artist that took a SHIT ton of time for me to get into. I just didn't understand what he was going for. However, recently his music is all me and Zoe seem to play on long drives or when we're not doing anything. On Monday, Complex released a Sneaker Shopping episode with him and it was cool to learn more about who he is outside of the music. The 10 minute episode at Sole Stage covers a lot of things including his new balance balenciaga sneakers, his dad's legacy in sneakers and his effort helping homeless people on skid row get shoes. Check it out and let me know what you think, Lux

  Most of the time, the music on this blog are artists I've stumbled on by chance or found while going down the rabbit hole on Youtube or Soundcloud. Today, I'm proud to say we have one of the very first artist submissions on the blog. London's Lil Heartbreak first reached out to me back in October when I first started advertising my artist submission email (which has been hella dry, save for one other artist who will be on the blog soon). Instead of giving up because I had my head up my ass, Heartbreak kept at it. I'm glad he did too because Heartbreak has talent and can leverage it into something bigger down the line. Sonically, the best way I could describe his music is fun and deceptively upbeat. Heartbreak's songs unsurprisingly center around well...heartbreak.  That being said, what shines here is the blend of music that provides the backbone to his music. Borrowing from west coast vibes, classic r&b and grunge rock, each song Lil Heartbreak does is unique...

  This one is a special one for me. Since the original version of this blog began there was only one artist that was there every step of the way and that was Nuke Franklin. Now, almost two years later Franklin has released a brand new cut with three new songs. Titled "What a Mess," sonically this project is dark, vivid and sharp. Franklin is an artist scorned by what's been going on in America and he has something to say. A lot of EP's come and go within days of release, I think Franklin's project will linger weeks after its been said and done.  Below is a conversation with Franklin about his project which is now available on streaming platforms. The EP is called What a Mess, why did you name it that? I named the project "What A Mess" because I was having a conversation with a friend about life & just the world in general and the phrase kept being brought up and I guess it just stuck with me. I feel like it's the perfect way to describe the world...