Southern Rap Classic

Most southern cities, do not consider Baltimore to be part of the South… Silly I know but whatever, it is. I spent the better part of my childhood growing up on the East and West sides of the city. Tonight, while shuffling Spotify, I came across the playlist, “Southern Rap Classics”, and baby (!!!!!) I was back in high school jamming on all the songs I used to blast out of my window on Comet Str. From Three 6 Mafia, to T.I, and everything in between Houston to Atlanta. From No Limit to Cash Money, I was rapping, and dancing for two hours! Like All good things, there were a few artists and songs that were missing, that personally I need included in my OWN Southern Rap Classic Playlist so you know what’s next? Time for me to create a playlist dedicated to my childhood.

Do you have ANY Southern Rap Classics, that you’d definitely include in your playlist?

Tristan.

According To Wale…

“Love is overrated and underrated because it seem like a placebo when it be done.”

Overrated adj. have a higher opinion of (something or someone) than deserved.

Underrated v. To rate or evaluate too low.

Placebo n. A measure designed merely to calm or please someone.

Maybe Wale is on to something, maybe Love is overrated and underrated. How many times have a love that you thought would be forever ended and your left feeling … depleted? To be in Love means what? To be in a haze of feelings? To give your all? To what? Is it something you do? Feel? Are we not giving Love its due? Do we not place it in such a high regard? Are we too lax about it? Should we make more of a bigger deal when it felt? When it’s said? When it’s realized and shown?

Is love really as underrated and overrated as we make it?

Tristan Jonez.

Song Lyrics from Set You Free ft. Kelly Price

According to Wale…

“I don’t really know a damn thing about this love thing but I’m tryna try.”

In the past, telling me you are willing to try this ‘love thing’ may have excited me. Wow! Here we have a man, he’s willing to try but nah, I need specifics. The goal is to organically fall in love, I’m definitely for that, but how you do plan to accomplish this goal? Have you gone to therapy to not only acknowledge your past traumas but to work on finding root causes. How do you show love, how do you want love shown to you? What does being vulnerable look like to you? How comfortable are you with expressing yourself? Your emotions? How can you positively express your disappointments? Your grievances?

I’ve been short changing myself by only accepting the bare minimum from a man as I wouldn’t want to push him too much. I want him to open up when he’s ready, all in due time, create a safe space where he can feel comfortable enough to want to express himself. However isn’t that where we go wrong? Not having those conversations early on so we know what to expect. OMG! The dreaded expectation word! As much as we want to steer from creating expectations we HAVE to. You and your partner need a flexible guide to follow so miscommunications are kept to a minimum.

Elle Varner Pour Me (thinking bout u) ft Wale

Tristan Jonez

Back Home (Issa Review)

I keep telling myself I am not a Rap fan, that I am strictly an R&B girl but I find myself tuning into Rap Music far more than R&B nowadays. Well with that said, let the review begin.

A catchy hook will always draw me in but Im always praying that the song, whether its the beat or the lyrics will keep me there. For artist, Pretty Boy Lou, he along with his production team, has managed to create music thats a elegant blend of rap and hip hop. On song Seven Figures, his voice comes across raw, as if he is a hungry ass artist, looking for his shine and this is his last chance. The song features Dru Gunnz whose own voice, is deeper but lighter, which affectionately reminds me of a unique Nas/MethodMan blend.

On Back Home, Pretty Boy Lou features his mom, which is a sweet gesture, that anyone can appreciate. And although I do appreciate the gesture, I do believe that this could’ve been his opportunity to possibly collaborate with a bevy of unknown artists that may have rounded out the album better. The album is a refreshing sound, with not only amazing vocals, provided by Pretty Boy Lou, but the music itself is a breath of fresh air. I am excited to see where Pretty Boy Lou will take his music, however I do see longevity.

Be Sure to Pick up his music, as its available Everywhere.

My Top Three Songs, Only One, Sunshine, Seven Figures with an honorable mention, Through the Pain.

Tristan Jonez

Gucci Gucci

So I am NOT a Gucci Mane fan, I’m not sure If I’ve ever really purposely listened to any of his music. However I had been hearing so many good things about his newest album, Mr.Davis that I just had to take a listen. The album has a good flow to it, although I didn’t listen to the track listing in order, it still flows very well. I appreciate that Gucci Mane is not yelling, over EVERY SINGLE TRACK. I do believe he came before the mumble rappers, but he does rap non traditionally slow, giving me the vibe of Mase back in his heyday.

I didn’t really have any expectations for Mr. Davis, but I must admit, I have been jamming to it since I downloaded it this morning. I do believe this album has something for everyone to jam to. I’m most certain that his hardcore fan base, can celebrate this album, and a newbie such as myself, can rock it.

SideNote I: Does the song Back On sample Crime Mob’s Knuck If you Buck?

Of Course, I have to give my favorite songs, Tone it Down, Ride and Members Only. Although I feel as if I shouldn’t like this song, I rock out to Enormous. OD!

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote II: Hearing Chris Brown on Tone It Down, has me super excited for the new Chris Brown project that is schedule to be release soon.

Watch The Fade to Blk

I’ve come to have more of an appreciation of Jay-Z as I’ve gotten older.

Big up to my homie Deja, because of said friend, I am able to listen to the FULL collection of work by Jay, on Tidal. I wanted to hear his interview which was exclusively, on Tidal, but then I started to miss being able to hear his music whenever. Yesterday, I was going thru some of the music, and really thinking about his songs/albums and which one or ones relates to my life. Watch the Throne is my absolute Favorite body of work.

SideNote: I’ll be happy when Kanye and Jay, finally sit down and hash out whatever the issue is between them. Listening to Watch the Throne, has me all in my feelings as they make AMAZING music, it’s such a special body of work. As men, I know it sometimes take a bit longer to reach out when lines have been crossed, but as family, we all gotta swallow our pride and make the move.

SideNote II: Although I haven’t really had a chance to listen to 4:44, Watch the Throne will forever be Number one for me. Every time I listen to the album I feel as though I am fucking royalty, and I am coming into my own as a blk princess. I love the contrast between Jay-Z’s voice and Kanye’s. Even the flow of the album sits well with me, honestly one of both their best work.

Tristan Jonez.

WALE!

Even though I am a Baltimore Chick through and through, I Love Wale!! I know I know, he’s from DC and this is a forbidden love, but I can’t help it. There’s something about him musically that I can not get enough of. It’s like he knows everything about me so he writes songs that speaks directly to me. There hasn’t been an album released by my boo Wale that I didn’t love and rock until I couldn’t listen anymore.

I’m currently obsessing over his latest release, SHINE. I believe this is his best work to date. However I always feel like he continuously pushes himself, with each album release. I love that he has incorporated more of the sounds from his country, although he does have more features this time around. I honestly couldn’t pick my top three but I forced myself to do so.

Top Three: My Love, Fashion Week and My PYT … honorable mention CC White.

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: Wale’s Summer on Sunset (Mixtape) is Fire. It’s unfortunate that I haven’t been able to put the album on my phone and Spotify is not up on game. If you get the chance to listen to the album, Please listen to Day by the pool, its ridiculously sick!