An ode to Hip Hop.

An ode to Hip Hop.

 It was sometime around the beginning of this year that I realised I had fallen in love with a genre, the art form that we call Hip Hop. 

It started off as mere infatuation, a childhood crush, but this year I really caught da feelings. 

During my infatuation period, I remember Kendrick Lamar took me on a sonic journey to Compton, Biggie brought out my inner thug and his feud with Tupac? That was my first step into the History of what was to become my future. 

  It's funny, I'd only just scratched the surface, I had a hell of a lot more to learn. Having read and understood all there was to know about the East Coast vs West Coast feud, the essence of the culture and where it really began.

I discovered that contrary to popular belief, Hip Hop did not begin with Biggie, Pac, Wu-Tang or any of the other names generically associated with the genre. It was conceived before the 90's, the 1970's to to be precise, and rap/emceeing didn't even exist at that time.

pause.

This shall be continued in my next post, of which will be the first of a series I am starting on this here blog.
An introduction to this series was the purpose of this post. I am going to take all of you onto a journey of discovery with me.

It's free, expenses will be covered and life insurance won't be needed so you have no reason to say no.

The discovery we're making is - The history of Hip Hop.
I hope to educate you as I educate myself.
I hope to share a passion of mine with you.
I hope you grasp what it is that inspires me;
what it is that made me fall in love.
I hope you see the beauty in the crud.
The sensuality in the rhymes.
The arousal in the flows.
The climax in the beat drop.
The stimulation in the lyricism.
The vulnerability of the story.
 More than anything, I hope you enjoy it.



Peww pewwww.

Side note: If you enjoyed Erykah Badu's - Love Of My Life; her ode to Hip Hop.
I seriously recommend you listen to Canadian Producer - KAYTRANADA's rendition.
Vibe with it.
When I say he is one of the masters of feel-good beats...
Anyway, that's for another post.

Mixed Reviews.

Mixed Reviews.

Everything in life is subject to critical evaluation and conflicting opinions. Some opinions educated, some subjective. So what would you expect from an EP titled 'Mixed Reviews'?
Controversy? Versatility? Eclecticism?

Indianapolis' 'Melody Reyne' has laid her foundations for the skyscraper that is the music industry, utilizing the broad body of work that is 'Mixed Reviews'. An introduction as to who Melody Reyne is and a platform for her to introspectively establish herself. Listening to this EP took me back to the R&B of the 2000's. Men grazing their baggy jeans in the presence of dramatic rainfall; a bid to get their girl back. Synchronized dance moves paired with strong vocals; performed in Spy Kids-esque music video sets and costumes.

My favourite tracks on this EP are 'Marley Love' and 'You and I'. Melody herself has answered a few questions for you all, I hope from this you can get a better understanding of who she is an individual. Enjoy!

Musical inspirations/influences?

I would say my biggest music influences are Lauryn Hill & Erykah Badu . They inspire me because they both are awesome musicians and writers and put so much real emotion into their music no matter what the subject. 

What was the overall concept behind 'Mixed Reviews'?

The EP didn't really have a concept, the project itself was just a collection of songs I wrote to try to learn more about myself as an artist and see what my sound would be like. I titled the project "mixed reviews" because I knew the project would be somewhat eclectic, so I knew different people would have a different take on how they felt about it. This was just a little something to show what I'm about and to give a sample of what's to come. It was just me owning my sound despite how it would be received.

Plans for the future? 

I plan to keep writing and building up my catalog of songs . I also plan on performing more so I can build a fan base from the ground up. Possibly a tour?

The most played song on your iTunes right now? 

I would have to say.  Jhene Aiko - Stay Ready ft.Kendrick Lamar 

Your favourite artist and why? 

Lauryn Hill would be my all time favorite artist.  She's the best to have ever incorporated the art of spoken word with a soothing voice and great message.  

What are your beliefs on originality?

I feel like originality is always the best way to go.  No one can be a better you than you.  I would rather fail while being original, than to try to succeed in being someone I'm not.  At the end of the day music is self expression for me as a writer, so I always aim to stay as true to myself as possible. 

x

Love Waves.

Love Waves is the title of London based singer, Jordan James' most recent release. His music is as smooth as his title and caresses the ears as how an alliteration would caress the tongue.

The EP embodies a sound not channeled by many in the UK. A rhythmic alternative R&B sound, inspired by Prince, Frank Ocean and Pharell to name a few.

Having been a producer for several years Mr Jordan James aimed to create a sound that is both unique to himself and diverse. I feel as though he has achieved this and established himself with quite a distinct sound.

Love Waves was influenced by a lot of R&B, including fragments of Justin Timberlake's 'Justified' album. He says "I liked the way his vocals were sung over gritty instrumentals. I wanted to bring that element into my music". It just goes to show. This EP seems to be the perfect balance between earthy and smooth. That beautiful homicide I spoke about before. It's like a soft friction between the sound waves and your ears.

My favourite track on this EP has to be 'Cruisin'. Whenever I listen to it my shoulders are inclined to sway in synchrony with the consistent bopping of my head and the feel good beat. My mind creates a visualization of several suave men in monochrome long lined suits topped off with bow tie's, two stepping to the attractive beat. Literally cruising through the dance floor.

The overall concept for Love Waves is based on the singer's history with women. From 'Cruisin' to 'Regina's Interlude' we are told a story. The initial breezy, easy going stage of love (Cruisin') to the complications that can come with unrequited love/uncertainty (Loving In Sin/Fill Me In) and lastly the journey that mutual feelings can take you on (Regina's Interlude).

You can follow Jordan James on Twitter @ImJordanJames to keep up to date with his music etc.
Tweet me your thoughts! @CharisseeC

Sunday Morning (Cover) - Shama Joseph

Music has become a serious love of mine. I remember when I was younger, I knew almost every Top 40 chart song before most people did and I thought that was it. I thought I knew there was to know about music. (Psshhhhh).

Looking back, I knew nothing. All I knew of was what was popular and what my peers deemed as good music. I didn't understand the art, the passion or the concept of diversity. I thought most of the music my parents listened to was old and had nothing over the mainstream acts of my time.

Although this is true, I was Joe, R.Kelly, TLC, Ashanti & Ja Rule and a few other's biggest fan in my younger days. I still am.

Me and my Dad often used to have debates on how music was better in his time. He would tell me about how most of the music I hear now, stems from music he grew up listening to. That it was nothing new. Me being my stubborn self, I couldn't receive it.

Nowadays I find my self sifting through old mixtapes and albums by artists I always heard my elders talk about. The music I used to groan at every time my Dad would switch off the radio to play his CD's. The likes of Barrington Levi and Oliver Mtukudzi (if you know, you know). 

My music taste has matured and it inspires me, broadens my mind and more than anything else, I enjoy listening. This is due to the wide range of genres I am now able to appreciate.

A friend of mine, Shama, recently uploaded some of her music on to Sound Cloud and she inspired me to write this post. Why? Because it is a perfect example of what music is. Art. 

Intricately simple, imperfectly perfect and impersonally personal.

I am literally in love with her cover of 'Sunday Morning'. Her tone is pure and delicate, yet passionate.
 In terms of listening experience, this cover left more of an imprint on me than the original by Maroon 5. I say this because, I felt it a lot more, the lyrics sunk in and embedded themselves within me.

Have a listen and let me know or even, let her know (@Shamshake) what you thought, based on a love for music. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

Joey Bada$$.

4:04 am. Summer (K)nights.

If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably seen me chirp a lot about Joey Bada$$, and a lot of his music. That's because he is currently my favorite rapper. He has compelling style and a distinctive tone that I struggle to get enough of.

As well as his music, I love Joey's nonchalant style and the way in which he carries himself. The bucket hats, loosely fitted attire, vintage sportswear and the uncombed Afro (with a comb in it). His walk and his persona. He IS effortlessly cool.

On to the music.

Although '1999' is my favorite body of work from him with 'Waves' and 'Snakes' (feat. T'nah). That wasn't where I began taking in the sound waves of the lyrical talent with the dope beats. 

The first I heard of Joey Bad, was his most recent release 'Summer Knights'. My favorite tracks on that being 'Death of YOLO', '95 Til Infinity' and 'Long Live Steelo'.
I enjoyed the versatility presented in 'Summer Knights' and Joey's growth lyrically and as an individual is evident in this mixtape.

If I was to dissect the components of his music and start off with the beats. Reminiscent and instinctively bop in correspondence beats. There isn't one that I cannot revel in and completely vibe to.

Secondly, the lyrics. When it comes to rap, I prefer lyricism. I'd be lying if I said I don't appreciate the songs created for the sole purpose of heightening your excitement & raising your blood pressure each and every time they get 'turnt up'.

However, I prefer lyricism and Joey Bada$$ executes that bracket perfectly. He is a definite spritz of Febreze for the current gold chains and designer things Hip Hop phase. Not to say he's the only one, Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' verse for example, served the same purpose.

"I know nigga's be trash rappin'. Worried 'bout the trending fashions rather than acending passion". - Joey Bada$$ (Waves).

I am intrigued by his world play and his outlook on life. Additionally, I am excited by the way in which his flow compliments each and every beat that he rhymes over.

I know I seem to always speak of the 90's, at times I have to remind myself that "it's not by force". Regardless, I believe Joey Bada$$ has mastered the feel/style of East Coast Hip Hop back in the  1990's, in his music. Hence I classed his beats as reminiscent. For a relatively young individual he seems to have captured the era, as though his idols reserved it in a time capsule ready for his arrival. A well-established arrival, that is.

Twitter. Instagram. Tumblr.

Kwabs - The Wilhelm Scream (James Blake Cover)

Before I begin. I know I've been slacking this week. It's quite ironic how I've been consistent with my posts up until the point where I set myself a deadline. I said every other day and now it's been 8 days. As soon as I set myself that deadline, I began rushing and writing because it was time to. I feel as though in terms of my blog, I produce better content when I write as it comes to me. I always have something to share and so a post every other day would have been practical, but once I start Sixth Form I may not have as much time on my hands. The last thing I want is for my blog to become a chore and so I've decided on putting up at least 2 posts a week, and more as and when my cerebrum is struck with new blog post topic ideas.

Swiftly moving on (no Taylor) to today's topic. Whilst on one of my regular YouTube perusing sessions, I stumbled across this cover of James Blake's 'The Wilhelm Scream' by Kwabs. If I tell you that as soon as he opened his mouth to sing I was violently hit by the soft matured tone of his voice. Beautiful Homicide is what I like to call it. When something so beautiful makes you feel like you've been a dished dirty slap on tray made of fine China.

I love what Kwabs has done with this song. I'm not even going to get technical and talk about his tone, diction, clarity & how he made the song his own. I'm not a judge. My opinion on music is generally based on how it makes me feel and/or the lyrical content. 

The way that this 3 minutes of effortless soul made me feel is what marked me with an obligation to write and to repeatedly molest the repeat button.

The USP of this cover is how stripped back it is, it has that kind of 'singing to yourself in the comfort of your own room' type feel to it. His voice makes you feel as though he singing from somewhere deep. Not as though his sole intention was to show off his vocal talent by perfectly executing every note as how James Blake would've done. He's just. Singing.

This is how I saw it anyway. 

Let me know what you guys think of these kind of posts and what you would like for me to write about, be it Music, Fashion or even Literature. What you thought about this cover and Kwabs' voice? I love hearing from you all and if you comment below, make sure you check back for a reply!

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Over here - Party Next Door x Drake

I've had this song on repeat for a couple of hours now, I'm just in love with Party Next Door's hazy voice. I'm currently a huge fan of alternative R&B, the sounds of Frank Ocean (my babes) , Jhene Aiko, The Weeknd, Miguel and James Fauntleroy have made a reoccurring appearance in my recently played playlist. If you haven't heard of Party Next Door before then definitely check out his debut self-titled mixtape. Party Next Door. 

I've noticed a lot of people saying that music nowadays isn't as good as it was in the 90's for example. This is partially true, 90's R&B and Hip Hop will always have a place in my heart. However I think it also depends on where you're looking. If you listen to the charts all the time you generally will be disappointed because most of it is commercial.

Hop onto YouTube and discover someone new, an underground artist? Download a mixtape. Let yourself be inspired by something different, something fresh and alternative. The reason why I favour underground, indie or non-mainstream artists (I'm not a 'hipster' I promise) so much is because they don't have to meet the expectations of an opinionated society. They can stay true to themselves and their art because they don't have a big time record label focusing them on sales.

Sales are great, don't get me wrong but when money becomes the sole purpose for doing something, everything else is lost along the way. That is also why I like mixtapes. They don't have to sell, they just need to be heard and when you focus on the music rather than the number of album sales then the true artist is unvieled.

Back to the artists I mentioned above, they are bringing something new to the table which we wouldn't have necessarily heard back in the 90's. So I'm not completely disheartened. Music has to evolve just like everything else and so we couldn't have stayed in the 90's forever.