What You Expect’s The Rap Up #1

A bi-weekly wrap up of some of the hip-hop music you may have missed recently, covered region by region.

THE WEST

BlueBucksClan : Clan Virus 2

BlueBucksClan has become the best duo in west coast hip-hop, and it’s only taken them about 18 months to do so. After breaking out in 2019 with projects like Clan Way & No Rules, and then flooding with three more full length mixtapes in 2020, BlueBucksClan has made a serious statement in a short amount of time. The duo made their 2021 debut with Clan Virus 2. If you could summarize BlueBucks’ lyrical content it would be, bars referencing athletes, Christian Dior, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, and Rolls Royces. 

Going into this project DJ and Jeeezy Obama paid homage to retired power forward, “Horace Grant”, and also collaborated with Lil Yachty for the single “Last Minute”. The 17-track project also includes features from frequent collaborator Bino Rideaux, Quavo, and Grammy Award-winning producer Hit-Boy. The project includes the sports related & lavish lifestyle bars that we’re used to, but it also gets deeper at times like on “Remember”. Overall, BlueBucksClan is here to stay. 

Remble: “Ted Talk”

After the success of “Gordon Ramsey Freestyle”, Los Angeles’ Remble wasted no time to keep his momentum going, and released the track “Ted Talk”. Remble had received attention after his multiple collaborations with Drakeo The Ruler, who is an apparent influence. Despite the impact Drakeo may or may not have on Remble’s musical career, the music is still unique. An example of this is the Laudiano produced “Ted Talk”. 

The music video is a little unusual, as Remble is dressed reminiscent of Jesus while on a beach somewhere in Southern California. Despite the weird antics going on, the song is hard nonetheless, as Remble displays different flow patterns to show off versatility. However I don’t think we’ll see a hook on one of Remble’s solo songs. 

Kalan FrFr: TwoFr 2

Kalan FrFr has become one of the faces of this new wave of Los Angeles hip-hop. In just three years of releasing music, Kalan FrFr has elevated at a rapid pace. He has become one of the latest signees to Roc Nation, and released his debut under the label TwoFr 2. 

The lead single “Scoring” was one of the biggest songs of Kalan’s young career, with the catchy “know your baby mama wanna eat my shorts” line, it’s easy to gravitate to. The follow-up singles were “Get In” featuring Stunna 4 Vegas and “No Love” featuring Mozzy and produced by Cypress Moreno. The intro track to the album “Look at Me” sets the tone perfectly. Kalan FrFr shows a solid balance between up-tempo/turnt up tracks like “Pray” & “Ima Ball”, and slower melodic love songs such as “Never Lose You” & “I Like/Good Love”. With minimal features, and a solidified sound, Kalan FrFr did what he needed to do for his major label debut.

Capolow : “2 Percs” & “The Blade” 

One of Oakland, California’s best upcoming stars is Capolow (or Capolow 304). Although there are young stars in the area like Symba, Rayven Justice, and Guapdad 400, there aren’t many new artists that have that ‘hyphy’ sound reminiscent of the mid 2000s. Capolow has been trying to revive this style for a couple years now, and in his case it’s worked. In 2020 Capolow dropped standout projects Room 304 Kid Next Door, and a joint project with Kamaiyah titled Oakland Nights . In 2021, Capolow looks to continue his run with his two latest singles, “The Blade” featuring Scando the Darklord and “2 Percs” featuring Scando the Darklord once again and Nef The Pharaoh, with the latter set to drop a joint project with Capolow later this year. 

Capolow’s flow on “The Blade” is redolent of the late Mac Dre, a flow we haven’t heard of for 15 years. “2 Percs” is a modernized version of the hyphy movement, from the lyrical content, to the instrumental, to the visuals, Capolow has put his twist on Oakland hip-hop.

Lil’ Duece: “Outside Tiny Yung Freestyle”

Inglewood, California’s Lil’ Duece has the perfect anthem, as the world is beginning to open up. Enough said.

G Perico & Steelz: “So Sweet”

Saying that G Perico is flooding with his music in 2021 would be an understatement. The Los Angeles native released the 9-track project Welcome to the Land, and then released six more songs for his Lover Boy Slim EP for Valentine’s Day. After his departure from Roc Nation, G Perico has used his newly acquired freedom in all the right ways. 

This time he connects with a frequent contributor to the west coast scene, Steelz for their latest single “So Sweet”. G Perico ditches the Valentine’s Day vibe for a more traditional, shit-talking gangster rap we’re accustomed to hearing from him. There are multiple Instagram captions on this track. 

THE SOUTH

“Hard For The Next” - MoneyBaggYo Ft. Future

Moneybagg Yo looks to be in album mode. After riding the success of his Time Served deluxe project, Moneybagg Yo has hit us with two singles in “Time Today” and now “Hard For The Next” Ft. Future. While the flexing and big shit talking in “Time Today” lives in the same world as “Said Sum”, “Hard For The Next” is a much more romantic song dedicated to a woman. The concept of the record is Moneybagg Yo and Future upgrading the status and lifestyle of the women they’re involved with, thus making it harder for the next man to live up to the bar set by both Moneybagg Yo and Future. Future reminded us all of why we need HNDRXX 2. Despite all of the remarks (both criticism or praise) that Future gets for being the face to toxicity, he sure knows how to make a love song. Moneybagg Yo is really showing his diversity with these last two singles, and this next album is very pivotal for his career as a well received album could push him into a new tier of rappers.

2 Minute Drill: Big Scarr

1017’s Big Scarr hails from Memphis, Tennessee and is actually the cousin of Pooh Shiesty. Similar to Pooh Shiesty’s come up, it’s been nothing but singles for Big Scarr as he continues to grow a fanbase. Of course, it helps when you’re signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 label. Big Scarr knows how to use his resources, on his latest single “SoIcyBoyz3” Big Scarr recruits Foogiano, Gucci Mane himself, and Pooh Shiesty to rap over a Tay Kieth instrumental. It’s a combination that can’t lose, this single is definitely going to give Big Scarr more exposure across the country with his performance on this record.

“Own My Masters” - Jackboy Ft. Russ

Sniper Gang affiliate and Broward County’s own Jackboy has been working. Over the past year Jackboy has had collaborations with hip hop artists from all spectrums including 42 Dugg, Lil Mosey, Juelz Santana, Dreezy, Fredo Bang, and Rylo Rodriguez. He’s back again with a single from Russ, which on paper would surprise you if you haven’t been keeping up with either of the two. On Russ’ end, he’s collaborated with different acts in the past from Benny the Butcher and Black Thought all the way to Lil Baby. These two artists are very versatile with their collaborations which is what music is all about. On this single they both flex about owning their masters and how that has allowed them to live the life they live today. And while you wouldn’t know what to make of this collab on paper, this single works. Jackboy is able to harmonize much better than you’d expect and Russ floated over this production.

“No Breaks” - Slimelife Shawty

The 21 year old out of Atlanta, GA is back with a new single in “No Brakes”. It’s very early for Slimelife Shawty as he’s still a new artist trying to introduce himself to new fanbases. Being a 21 year old from Atlanta tells you that more than likely artists such as Young Thug and Future are his inspirations. You can even hear some Lil Baby influence on Slimelife Shawty’s latest single “No Brakes”. The future is very bright for the 21 year old Atlanta native as he continues to keep putting out these singles. Having already collaborated on songs with the likes of Rylo Rodriguez and Lil Durk is a good sign for the young rapper.

“38 Sides” - NoCap Ft. NBA Youngboy

NoCap brings NBA Youngboy along for his latest single “38 Sides”. The Mobile, Alabama product has been battling legal troubles much like his Baton Rouge counterpart NBA Youngboy. As of today, both men are currently behind bars. Despite being in and out the legal system, they’ve been able to cultivate fanbases with their vulnerability in each song. This single is no different, both of these artists are at the top of their game when they’re being introspective about their life and everything that’s happening to them. It’s what makes their fanbases so strong. Their fans feel very connected to each artist and feel like they know them on a personal level through the music. Despite both artists currently being locked up right now, this single will connect with their fans because of how hard they support each artist.

Rod Wave - SoulFly

Rod Wave is back with another project in SoulFly. The project is projected to sell 150K units with little promotion and zero bundle packages. This is a testament to Rod Wave’s talent and the strong support he gets from his fans as this album has been spread via word of mouth. There’s no media drama/beef, and there’s only one feature on the entire project in Polo G (who delivers an amazing guest verse). You gotta give Rod Wave credit for just focusing on the music. Good music will always rise above everything else. In this era, where many complain that artists are doing too much in order to sell records, you gotta give artists such as Rod Wave their flowers for never indulging in those things. And the album is great, Rod Wave is very vulnerable and gives his fans seemingly every piece of information in his life. The soul in his voice makes him extremely unique. Rod Wave will be around for a long time, and after selling around 150K with this latest release it’s definitely time to start mentioning Rod Wave amongst the top tier young acts.

THE MIDWEST/EAST

Louie Ray - Need Me 

Flint, Michigan is the city for the best flexes in the game. Louie Ray is a part of that continuous trend of non-stop flexing. His newest song “Need Me” proves just that, with a little bit of autotune and harmonious vocals to put the icing on the cake. The beginning vocals sound like Lil Yachty’s old bubblegum days of only autotune screeches “You gonna say you don’t need MEEEEE”. Louie follows that up by hitting notes of beautiful notes and classic one-liners. One of the toughest bars is Louie declaring how he owns a song if his verse is too hard. He boasts “While y’all was getting fat quarantining, I was doing road trips.” He doesn’t take one second to not show off his major accomplishments, but in a different sound. That’s flexibility.

Bfb Da Packman - Federal

It must be easy for Packman at this point to make something hysterical and addictive as possible. His newest song “Federal” once again produces laughs deep within with his clever one-liners and bold claims. The premise of this makes truly no sense, but it doesn’t need to with the Flint rapper. He truly doesn’t have a care in the world, the man has thot classics, a new Honda Civic and is still getting cheated on. But the line that got the biggest chuckle out of me has to be “Family full of hoes, even my granny got an OnlyFans” which even if it’s damn near impossible to believe, it doesn’t matter in the slightest. A close second was “I bust when she twenty sucks in, she a baby hunter.” Seriously, nothing is serious to Bfb, huh?

Drego - Krazy Man Album

Yes, I started my first three write-ups with the state of Michigan… watch your mouth. Anyways, Drego dropped an album that should end up on many people’s end of year lists. I declared it. Drego has one of the most lively sounds out of the state with many lakes. It’s hard to not bring up the countless one-liners like I did on the first two write-ups, but Drego floods the album with them like on “Chauncey Billups” with the verses just overloaded with them. 

“Put a Perc’ up in my lean, look like a snowglobe when I’m sippin, You ever got down on your knees and prayed to God to send a brick in? It fucked my head up ‘cause he did it, bruh just showed me a whole chicken, Forgot I’m blood, I mean bhicken”

They match with the hazardous beat, but the talent of sounds don’t stop there. “I Know What You Want” featuring Sada Baby might be the highlight of the album. The two flip the classic Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey track, but with the love for the streets and the come-up of hustling. Drego steals the show with his flip of the chorus and how phenomenal he sings. Then comes in with his best flow and bars, “I’m blood in all 50 states, I pull up that blicky blicky” Drego says before he reports that he don’t have to pay for entry in any club. This was a great album, and if you missed it that is on you

Kota the Friend x Statik Selektah - To Kill a Sunrise

My analysis on Kota the Friend is pretty minimal; he is a Brooklyn rapper who speaks about his life. Nothing more, nothing less. There wasn’t a list of things that stood out to me like my peers promised me, but maybe Statik Selektah can turn things around. In fact, he did. Kota has never sounded more alive and motivated to rap about the hope and pride he wants to bring to his community. He fits in next to a Radamiz, while maybe a bit less multidimensional in his voice and rapping capabilities. Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t shine on his own. Statik brings the taylor made beats to Kota’s presence as he raps more intense and focused than ever. “The Cold” has him barring up with the smooth, yet direct flow on how tense the world is around him and how it’s making lasting effects. His hook really puts you at ease though, making sure that the success is possible. 

“Sunrise” is the light at the end of the tunnel that he wants the listener to get too. He is grateful, and has copious amounts of hope in his soul to get the listeners on the right track. “But as long as I am stuck in this body I’m slingin’ hope and healthier ways to cope.” Kota seemed to find himself throughout the album, but those two songs are highlights that could make 2021 playlists.

Ranking Milwaukee’s Finest

A few weeks ago, Alphonse Pierre wrote about the rapid music scene occurring in Milwaukee. Schools should have mandatory classes on Alphonse finding rap regions and replace that scumbag Christopher Columbus that suburban districts have lied about for decades. How do you even come across rappers from that city? But I was amped to listen to a new rising region, I figured I’d rank these artists latest drops.

5) Lakeyah - Worst Thing

Lakeyah is the most recent signee of the infamous Quality Control Music label, and she is making the necessary moves. She has vocal range and killer lyrical talent. On this song, “Worst Thing”, she reflects over a boyfriend who keeps cheating on her with basic bitches, declaring she is done with these dudes. Her voice doesn’t really emote too much energy within each verse, and honestly it makes her sound frustrated more than empowered to move on from her ex. While she does have some great lines of her man meeting 100 scrubs before meeting one other woman like her. But it doesn’t move me other than another heart-break ballad.

4) Mula Mar - Round 1 

Mula Mar can very much blend in with the rest of Flint, the steel drums and instant rapid flows would go great next to one of Rio’s many group rap sessions. With this one here, the dramatic instrumental tends to over-weigh the voice of Mula. There’s a section where I could barely hear what he was rapping. However, when he is audible the bars are awesome. “Fuck these Cosmo’s and Wanda’s I make them go POOF… She slurped me had to get some steam off like a bowl of soup.” The less than two minute track had some radical flow and some infectious vocal inflections, but someone should turn up his voice in the booth.

3) Raised Round Bosses - Bad Intentions

Duck and Jay are the rappers featured on this song (Lamar made a video appearance of course) and they brought the heat. Right out the gate, Duck spits “I got home from jail and went straight to the blender”. He spits about wanting money while knowing it’s the root to evil and the bustdown aspirations that are being chased. Meanwhile Jay just lists off every gun that’s in every car. 223’s in the Nissan and 14’s in the Jeep. Bad Intentions. They come correct, mean business and flex in the most beautiful marble home that Milwaukee can find. 

2) Big Wan - Antidote  

Big Wan is clearly the best shit-talker as Alphonse mentioned first and foremost in his section. Have you ever seen 20 bricks flown on a banana boat? Big Wan has. This single is a bop that should be played at every club as soon as it’s open. He has hilarious bars, “A big n**** with a big back, but I ain’t Santa though.” Wan can flex on you effortlessly, “I got a bitch for every day of the week, you got a daily hoe.” Hell, the man is even motivational, “I wake up every single day I gotta make a roll.” His voice just flows right through you when he spits, it feels like the song should never end. The added homies shouting out his lyrics at the end of every verse only amplifies my point of hard this joint is. 

1) Chicken P - Science Class

Chicken P is definitely the man of Milwaukee, holding that spot on the Mt. Rushmore with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He has the best sense of humor clearly from the music video. Chicken has the best rapping voice in Milwaukee, that’s not even debatable. This scene of him cooking up something in Science class, never realizing he would actually need it in the future is a hilarious visual. His relentless flow and constant street talk from the trenches about breaking them bricks down seem to pollute my every being. It’s an enjoyable listen and overall describes the excitement that these artists create with every drop. Milwaukee got themselves a great group of artists, maybe the city will build off that.