Month: April 2022
IDK & KAYTRANADA Connect With Denzel Curry For “Dog Food” Single
Bakar Is The Moment
It’s hard to nail Bakar down — in terms of genre, style, and, in his early days, even by a name. With each of the London-bred singer’s songs, he wants the listener to cherish the moment in which they are hearing and feeling it. On Bakar’s debut album, February’s Nobody’s Home, each track unfolds like the pages of a book, detailing his most cherished moments, lining in Hampstead, Camden, and Chalk Hill.
We get a glimpse of Bakar’s day-to-day life in the video for “NW3,” the title of which refers to the postal code of London’s Hampstead district. Whether he’s alone on a rooftop, enjoying a meal with friends, or smoking in his flat, Bakar finds solace in each moment, often getting lost in time, dancing throughout.
But before Bakar, born Abubakar Baker Shariff-Farr, “found the answer” in “NW,” he released much of his music on Soundcloud beginning in 2015, anonymously. Oftentimes, he would upload vocal freestyles over samples of King Krule and Bombay Bicycle Club, many of his raw, unfiltered lyrics opening windows to his soul. One of these tracks is 2016’s “Sharing Is Caring,” on which, he reels over a love lost.
“Hope that you believe like how I believe / Gave you my love, you sold it back to me / Play with love too much, you might lose it / Smoked my last Camel but we can twos it,” Bakar sings, as adlibbed hums and coos give the song a forlorn and haunting element.
The influence of Kid Cudi and Dev Hynes is present in Bakar’s work, the latter of which Bakar has been a fan of since Hynes’ Lightspeed Champion days. Hynes released his most recent album as Lightspeed Champion in 2010, and Bakar says Hynes and Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke were among his favorite artists during his adolescence. As Bakar is wont to live in the moment, these are probably the closest hints we’ll ever get in regards to his actual age. In a 2018 interview with Wonderland, following the release of his debut mixtape, Badkid Bakar said his age was “infinity.”
A year after that interview, Bakar would release an EP called Will You Be My Yellow?, which contained the breakthrough hit, “Hell N Back.” Like Bakar himself, his music is ageless, as he remarks on a tumultuous relationship over jazzy horns and subtle drum patterns.
“Could you tell where my head was at when you found me? Me and you went to hell and back just to find peace,” he sings, delivering soft, silky vocals, with his soulful, British accent still audible throughout.
“Hell N Back” became a sleeper hit in the United States, reaching the top of the Adult Alternative Charts 27 weeks after its release, breaking the record for the longest climb to No. 1. Bakar had actually begun the process of writing Nobody’s Home before he wrote Will You Be My Yellow?, but the timing of the ideas he had conceived and the work he wanted to put out just wasn’t right.
“Will You be My Yellow? started picking up — you know, that song ‘Hell N Back’ started going crazy,” Bakar said in an interview with Document Journal. “It bought me some time, basically, to figure out the record. A couple songs [from my first try] were really potent. They stood the test of time. When I came back to Nobody’s Home in 2020, I was ready, long story short. I was so ready — the way the world was, all the topics, Palestine, this, that.”
On his proper debut, Bakar offers a collection of tracks that are both timely and timeless. He shares anecdotes of love and heartbreak, both romantic and familial. On a particular track, “Youthenasia,” he explores the dark parts of fame, and how his status has affected his role in his family.
“It’s like lately feel the pressure, I’ve been feelin’ nauseous / Lately like my mama has become my daughter / I wouldn’t change it for the world, man, this sh*t is awesome / I ain’t seen my dad in fifteen years, who would’ve thought it?,” he rap-sings over a thumping drum loop.
As the son of an immigrant mother from Tanzania, Bakar examines racial injustice on the track “The Mission,” while expressing a desire to create wealth for the generations of his family after him.
“All I ever hear is people talking about how bad nepotism is,” Bakar says in the song. “Do you know how badly I want some nepotism in my life?”
Since his breakthrough, Bakar has found fans in collaborators Dominic Fike, Kenny Beats, and Benee, as well as the late Virgil Abloh, the artistic creative director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection. Abloh even designed a special edition cover for Bakar’s Nobody’s Home. Though Bakar’s rise in the US may seem less rapid compared to that of the TikTok hitmakers of our time, his music, both old and new, still sounds fresh and timely, whether you were to have your first listen today, or months from now.
An Astroworld Documentary Maker Claims Travis Scott Is A Criminal And Deserves Jail Time
As we ease back into festival season, the tension continues when it comes to the unresolved tragedy of Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival, where ten people died. There have been many lawsuits, petitions to get him removed from Coachella, and conflicting attempts of damage control. The rapper was just recently announced as a headliner for Brazilian festival Primavera Sound, his first since the tragedy.
In the midst of all this, filmmaker Charlie Minn has been working on a documentary that’s (maybe insensitively) called Concert Crush: The Travis Scott Festival Tragedy. In a recent interview with Page Six, Minn said, “Travis Scott to me is a punk. In my opinion, he is a criminal. Ten people died. How do we get around that?”
“The reason he deserves criticism and jail time, he knew there was a problem,” he further explained. “He acknowledged an ambulance in the crowd. He noticed people passed out and stopped the show on three occasions. I’m not saying he knew people were dead, but he knew there was a problem. An ambulance is not an ice cream truck.”
The documentary is playing in select theaters in Texas starting today for just one week. It’s also available to stream online.
Nardo Wick Talks Super Tough In His Intense ‘Krazy Krazy’ Video
Burgeoning Jacksonville, Florida star Nardo Wick explained who he is with his 2021 debut album (fittingly titled Who Is Nardo Wick?, which dropped via RCA Records in December). Today, he picks up where he left off with the video for “Krazy Krazy,” his first new music since dropping the debut. “Krazy Krazy” comes with an intense video depicting the Florida rapper’s livewire energy through clips in the studio and on the streets, sewn together with a frenetic edit that matches the thumping Tay Keith production.
Nardo’s been on a roll since releasing his breakout single, “Who Want Smoke??” Releasing a remix of the song featuring 21 Savage, G Herbo, and Lil Durk, he maintained his momentum with another star-assisted single, “Me Or Sum” featuring Future and Lil Baby. The strength of those singles helped lift his first major-label album to a No. 21 debut on the Billboard 200.
Also featured on the album were fellow rising stars like Big30 from Memphis and Milwaukee’s own Lakeyah, while production was contributed by Boi-1da, Hit-Boy, Murda Beatz, and Tay Keith. In addition, Nardo was able to keep his name buzzing this year with features on Doe Boy’s mixtape Oh Really and Latto’s album, 777.
Watch Nardo Wick’s “Krazy Krazy” video above.
Casey Veggies Drops Off 5-Pack EP, “Since Y’all Forgot” With Dom Kennedy, RJMrLA, & Kalan.FrFr
Casey Veggies has taken some time off from releasing new music in recent months, but today, the California native is back with a super smooth 5-track EP called Since You Forgot, on which he reminds his fans just how talented he really is.
On two titles – “Kick Doe Freestyle” and “Backend” – the 28-year-old rides the beat solo, but for the project’s three other tracks, he recruited some other artists to help him out.
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First, we hear from Dom Kennedy on the previously released “Royalty,” followed by an appearance from RJMrLA on “Cullinan,” and finally, “Good Dope” with Kalan.FrFr.
Last year, Veggies dropped off CG5, the fifth installment of his Customized Greatly series, which was well-received from fans, although many have been anxiously waiting to hear what the “Can I Live” hitmaker has been cooking up during his time off.
Other hot projects that arrived this New Music Friday include Future’s I Never Liked You, Kehlani’s blue water road, Action Bronson’s Cocodrillo Turbo, and Money Man’s Whale Games, just to name a few. Which one is your favourite? Let us know below, and tap back in with HNHH later for more hip-hop updates.
Tracklist:
1. Royalty (feat. DOM KENNEDY)
2. Cullinan (feat. RJMrLA)
3. Kick Doe Freestyle
4. Good Dope (feat. Kalan.FrFr)
5. Backend
Saucy Santana Signs Record Deal With RCA
In a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, Connecticut-born rapper Saucy Santana revealed he is now signed with RCA Records.
While sitting down with DJ Envy, Angela Yee And Charlamagne Tha God, Saucy Santana went into the depths of his struggles in the industry as a gay man trying to make way as an independent artist. Santana felt like “there was only one thing stopping [him].”
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images
He continued saying, “I feel like I didn’t have that complete backing with a major label. I put in a lot of work, I worked really hard being an independent artist. But I feel like now with that major backing, I can clear certain samples, I could get this radio sh*t going, I can get these bigger artists. It’s up.”
Going into his reasoning behind choosing RCA over other music labels, RCA’s respect for Santana’s craft and hands-on approach to creating was a large factor. “When it comes down to TikTok dances, it’s me. When it comes down to videos, I’m telling them how I want my videos,” he explained. “I let them know that I need somebody that understands Santana, but wants to help elevate and push Santana to the forefront.”
Once word of Santana’s signing came out, the “Shisha” artist tweeted, “Everybody talking shit about RCA! Look at Latto, Doja Cat & SZA and many more I didn’t mention! #NuffSaid”
Check out the interview below.
Rihanna Shares Celebratory Post For First National Heroes Day In Barbados
It was November of last year that Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados bestowed the nation’s highest honors onto superstar and businesswoman, Rihanna. Recognized for her contributions and “honor” she brings to her nation, Rihanna was declared the National Hero of her home country. She holds the title of the 11th National Hero of all time, and Barbados’ first since 1998.
Upon being named the National Hero, Rihanna spoke to the people of Barbados, stating her immense pride to call herself a Bajan.
“The people. Y’all are the true heroes of Barbados and I take y’all with me wherever I go. I’m so proud to be a Bajan. I’m gonna be a Bajan ’til the day I die. This is still the only place I’ve ever called home,” she said, on stage alongside Mottley. “I love Barbados. I love you guys. And I pray that the youth continue to push Barbados forward. I’m so proud of you, Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Thank you so much for honoring me in this way. I have travelled the world and received several awards and recognitions, but nothing, nothing compares to being recognized in the soil in that you grew in. I thank you so much for this.”
Rihanna is apparently still reflecting on the monumental event, as she returned to Instagram to speak on her first National Heroes Day.
In her post, she attached a number of photos from last year’s presidential inauguration, which served to mark the nation’s new status as a Republic. She captioned the carousel, “My very first #NationalHeroesDay as a National Hero of my country Barbados!” attaching a number of emojis representing the national flag of Barbados.
Jonathan Brady/Getty Images
She continued, “What an absolute honor to be amongst such great men and women who have come before me and held this title in commitment to our nation! I will forever cherish these memories and continue to represent the Bajan people and my home Barbados to the fullest!! Love and gratitude to both The Prime Minister, The Honorable Mia Amor Mottley and our President, Her Excellency The Most Honorable Dame Sandra Mason for trusting me with this honor!”
Check out Rihanna’s Instagram post below.
In related news, RiRi and A$AP Rocky recently celebrated their impending child with a rave-themed baby shower, although, not without a few bumps in the road along the way.
Mike Posner Praises Big Sean For Bringing Him Out At Coachella: “I’m Still Emotional”
For some, the post-Coachella emotions are still running high – including Mike Posner, who joined his longtime friend Big Sean on stage for his second weekend set at the incredible music festival. In case you missed it, Sean Don brought out his girl Jhené Aiko as well as YG for his first time taking the stage, and followed it up seven days later with another TWENTY88 reunion, along with a visit from his fellow Detroit rapper.
On Instagram earlier this week, the “Cooler Than Me” hitmaker took a moment to thank the “Blessings” artist for showing him love with a heartfelt message written in the caption of a video montage of their sweet friendship.
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
“I’m still emotional from this,” Posner began. “The fact that this man took time out of a career crowning moment in front [of] 50,000+ people to share with me and honour my father… I don’t know, I’m, speechless.”
The 34-year-old told readers that he “wouldn’t be here without Sean Anderson,” although he acknowledges that what the two recording artists are doing is “bigger than [them].”
“Sean showed me that if you can believe it you will see it,” Posner continued. “We both hope that inspiration bleeds out of your microphones and into your hearts. Anything you desire to be, do, or have…is possible. So what are you gonna do now!!!?????!!!???”
As HipHopDX notes, the pop singer’s father recently passed away after a battle with brain cancer. During Coachella, Sean referred to the late man as “Daddy Pose” before sharing some kind words with his good pal right beside him on stage.
Elsewhere at Coachella 2022, Billie Eilish tapped Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams to sing “Misery Business” and “Happier Than Ever” with her – check that out here, and let us know what you thought of Mike Posner and Big Sean’s performance below.
[Via]