Raw. If a faceted, progressive, and layered project like Chasing Cool can be summed up in one word, then that word would be raw. From start to finish, there is an unprocessed skill, knowledge and passion behind this project. Allow me to introduce, J.Nolan. This young man’s laid back flow will lull you into a calm so that you never expect it when he launches into a poetic spectacle that reminds of a young Q-tip. After listening to just the first few songs of the project, even the casual listener will recognize how well the music acts as the perfect backdrop for the soulful voice and cadence of the oldest-young man in the game. Read more…
With so much talk about ex-managers getting caught up in $10 million drug rings, iconic West Coast rappers (allegedly) throwing $22 million punches at fans, ex-superstar producers admitting riding the white pony into bankruptcy and the only rapper I know to star in a film with Steven Seagal being arrested for reckless driving,unlicensed driving, drug possession and identity falsification among other things in the same year – I felt the need to give everyone a breather with some comic relief courtesy of the guys over at The Real.
Dream on. That is the name of the label that Kid Cudi is being allowed to form under Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. music imprint, which falls under the Motown/Universal umbrella. And if the latest Kid Cudi mixtape is any indication, Dream On is a response to the naysayers who told him that a skinny kid from Cleveland could never make it rapping about the most juvenile things that he could think of. (Cudi -1, reality – 0) Read more…
We sat down with Michigan’s own AKA, for a few questions on his motivation to rap, who he looks up to and where the game is going.
What brought you into rap?
I’ve been into poetry and music my whole life. I started with freestyling and became real good at that; writing was always easy. Hip-hop made me who I am.
What’s it take to be an emcee from your town?
Same thing it takes everywhere: swag, skill, voice and content. Around here you also gotta be a beast on stage and have soul. Connects and support help too. Read more…
The first CD that I ever purchased by a “southern” rapper was The Last of a Dying Breed by Scarface. The album had some pretty good qualities, although it was not extremely well-received commercially or among critics. I would like to believe that the lack-luster showing at SoundScan had something to do with the failure of the album to address, beyond the weak title track, its claim to the sole proprietorship of a nearly extinct style. In reality, that album was a return to the style to which fans had become accustomed since he seemingly attempted to conform to some industry standards for success with the album previous.
The latest offering by Jadakiss, who founded D-block and thrust the LOX into fame, has some striking similarities to the Scarface LP that is nearly 9 years its senior, but it also has a few remarkable distinctions. The Last Kiss, which is set to be released on Tuesday, March 10th, is the 3rd solo album by Jadakiss and the first to be released under the Roc-a-fella records banner. Much like Last of a Dying Breed, The Last Kiss will disappoint those who believe that the title in some way indicates finality or that the disc is one of a kind. Also, much like the Scarface album, the disappointments after that point are few and far between. Read more…
It is evident to me that you have some rhyming skills. Being heralded as ‘Zac Efron meets Eminem’ can’t be easily done and we here at ReviewSTACKS respect that. But I have one burning question – what the hell are you talking about? Although your debut album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle (School Boy Music/SRC/Universal) is clever and funny, there are times when I found myself with my ‘WTF’ face on. Granted, you are a kid from the suburbs who can flow, but your ho-hum diction and lack of completed thoughts almost lulled me to sleep in my local Vons while shopping for sandwich ingredients. Read more…
Raw. If a faceted, progressive, and layered project like Chasing Cool can be summed up in one word, then that word would be raw. From start to finish, there is an unprocessed skill, knowledge and passion behind this project. Allow me to introduce, J.Nolan. This young man’s laid back flow will lull you into a calm so that you never expect it when he launches into a poetic spectacle that reminds of a young Q-tip. After listening to just the first few songs of the project, even the casual listener will recognize how well the music acts as the perfect backdrop for the soulful voice and cadence of the oldest-young man in the game. Read more…
Dream on. That is the name of the label that Kid Cudi is being allowed to form under Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. music imprint, which falls under the Motown/Universal umbrella. And if the latest Kid Cudi mixtape is any indication, Dream On is a response to the naysayers who told him that a skinny kid from Cleveland could never make it rapping about the most juvenile things that he could think of. (Cudi -1, reality – 0) 
The latest offering by Jadakiss, who founded D-block and thrust the LOX into fame, has some striking similarities to the Scarface LP that is nearly 9 years its senior, but it also has a few remarkable distinctions. The Last Kiss, which is set to be released on Tuesday, March 10th, is the 3rd solo album by Jadakiss and the first to be released under the Roc-a-fella records banner. Much like Last of a Dying Breed, The Last Kiss will disappoint those who believe that the title in some way indicates finality or that the disc is one of a kind. Also, much like the Scarface album, the disappointments after that point are few and far between. 
People Are Talking