Childish Gambino/Kendrick Lamar/Danny Brown Coachella Performance [video]
Childish Gambino brings out Kendrick Lamar for “Look at for Detox” along with Danny Brown
March Madness: Best NEW Rapper Alive Tournament
Before I start, yes I know it’s not march.
In my opinion, Hip-Hop is on its 3rd Generation. 1st Generation greats include: Rakim, Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane. 2nd Generation Greats: Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac, Nas, Eminem. Now who will be this generation’s best rapper?
Top 4 Seeds:
1. Lupe Fiasco (let’s forget about Lasers ok?)
3. Drake
4. J. Cole
Those trying to get in the tournament:
5. Blu
6. Skyzoo
7. Big K.R.I.T.
8. Curren$y
9. Schoolboy Q
10. Wale
11. Killa Kyleon
12. Alley Boy
13. Danny Brown
15. King Mez
17. Tiron
18. Iggy Azalea
19. Azealia Banks
20. Smoke DZA
21. Dom Kennedy
22. Nipsey Hu$$le
23. Chuuwee
24. Stalley
25. Fashawn
26. The Kid Daytona
27. Gilbere Forte
28. Vic Mensa
30. Casey Veggies
31. Logic
32. Earl Sweatshirt
33. Childish Gambino
34. Cyhi the Prince
35. Spaceghostpurrp
36. A$AP Rocky
37. Action Bronson
38. Yelawolf
Out of these 38, will come 32. Feel free to comment or add any names you feel that should be included (trust me, most of these names are suggestions, I don’t agree but added them for the sake of debate). Final bracket is coming in the last week of the month.
Top Albums of 2011: 2. Danny Brown-XXX
This album is brilliant. I will admit though, it’s a challenging listen. However, listening to only the first half is cheating yourself. Danny uses the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde approach and wraps it all up in the end. I won’t give the them away but hint: The first track name is “30″ and last is “XXX”
Danny Brown-Blunt After Blunt [video]
ASAP Rocky actually is the director of this video. If you haven’t listened to XXX yet, I would advise you to do so now. Also, expect to see his album on my Best of 2011 List (very high on the list by the way).
Danny Brown-XXX Review
I’m pretty sure no one knows who Danny Brown is so I’ll catch you up to speed. He’s a Detroit mc who…um…actually there is no way to describe Danny Brown, one adjective isn’t enough. Well this is his follow up to his underground classic, The Hybrid, and I assure you it’s unlike anything you’ve ever heard.
1 XXX
On this title track he exhibits his unorthodox flow. Most who don’t get it may want to press the stop button here, but I assure you it gets better. Keep listening.
2. Die Like a Rockstar
This track reminds me of an old school Def Jux track with El-P production. This song is a prime example of his witty wordplay “I got a Kurt Cobain mindframe…”.
3. Pac Blood
This track is produced by the very underrated BrandUn Deshay and will intstantly become a standout track on the album. The hook of this song is definitely the highlight of the album.
4.Radio Song
Probably my least favorite track on the album but still clever enough to hold your attention. The instrumental is just one snare and the beat comes in at the hook.
5.Lie4
Just when you think you’ve typecasted Danny Brown’s style here comes Lie4 where he makes a reference to “Make It Rain” and the Euro-genre grime all in one song. Dizzee Rascal influence is evident on this song
6. I Will
This is possibly the most vulgar song you’ve heard in awhile but it represents a very important element of Danny’s style and content. I’m sure you’ve heard a dozen “sex songs” but Danny raps about it cleverly in a semi-serious matter.
7. Bruiser Brigade
This track is also heavily euro-rap influenced but incorporates the american crunk sub-genre. Expect lots of yelling…and maybe the strong urge to fight.
8. Detroit 187
If you’ve been up on Danny Brown this is probably the type of song you’re accustomed to. He spits one of my favorite lines “other rappers got lines, dog I got encroachments”
9. Monopoly
Danny kicks off this song with possibly his best verse on the entire album. There’s no hook on this song, just a display of his lyrical prowess.
10. Blunt after Blunt
Use your context clues to figure out what this one is about. With Danny Brown you have to expect a drug ballad, and this one serve its purpose.
11. Outerspace
Another standout track on the album. He goes absolutely crazy on this track.
12. Adderall Admiral
This is one of my favorite tracks on the album because of the absurd punchlines. Danny showcases his wittiness before the album takes its shift.
13. DNA
This is the first serious song of the album. If you listen his voice isn’t altered on this song and he sounds more like the Hot Soup Danny Brown.
14. Nosebleeds
Danny proves he’s a well-rounded MC with his storytelling skills on this song. It tells the story of a troubled young lady.
15. Party All the Time
Going off the title alone, I was expecting something totally different with this song. Again, his voice isn’t altered and this song is similar to “Nosebleeds” content-wise. Another standout track.
16. EWNESW
Just in case you were wondering, the song’s title means eastside-westside-northend-southwest. This song tells the tale of his Detroit upbringing.
17. Fields
This is another song that chronicles his experiences in Detroit. The sample may sound familiar if you’re a fan of classic animé.
18. Scrap or Die
Initially you may think scrap = fight but that’s not true. The hook may sound familiar also. Think Thug Motivation 101.
19. 30
If I had to make a list and rank Danny Brown songs this would make top 3. This is the song that needs to be played when someone asks “who is Danny Brown?”. He passionate raps about his struggles to get where he is today. This song serves as the perfect closing for the album.
After listening to XXX I literally asked myself “what the hell did I just listen to?”. This album breaks all the rules of hip hop today and is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. He cleverly meshes every aspect of this style without making the album sound like it’s jumping all over the place. Last time I felt like this after listening to an album was Hell Hath No Fury by the Clipse.
Final Grade: 4.5/5
Yes…that is correct.
Also, this album is a free download. So check it out here and let me know what you think.
Danny Brown-XXX
New album from my favorite rapper who i’m sure no one has heard of. This album is filled with tales of drugs, sex, and everything in between
Get Familiar (Artists you should know about)
I get asked 1000x a day “what new are you listening to?’. As an advocate of spreading good music, it’s my duty to point people in the direction of good music. Just in case you haven’t noticed, I really don’t listen to commercial hip hop, so I’ll show you some new artist flying under the radar worth checking out.
