Overall, there have been some truly incredible Air Jordans over the years. Although there are so many different colorways to choose from, there are certain offerings that stand out compared to others. Fans have developed their favorites that they constantly go back to. One model that has definitely stood the test of time, would be the “Military Blue”colorway. Numerous silhouettes have gotten it, and today, we are looking at four of the best Jumpman examples of “Military Blue.”
Jordan Trainer 2 Flyknit “Military Blue”
Image via GOAT
Firstly, we have the Jordan Trainer 2 Flyknit in “Military Blue.” One thing that is fun about this shoe is the fact that it is covered in military blue throughout the upper. Meanwhile, the midsole is white. This creates an offering that is packed with color. If you are a huge fan of the aesthetic, then you cannot go wrong with what you’re getting over here. We just wish more Jordans took this approach to the colorway.
Secondly, we have the Jordan Legacy 312 Low in, you guessed it, “Military Blue.” This sneaker is an amalgamation of numerous iconic Jumpman sneakers. The shoe is characterized by the mostly white upper. and “Military Blue” highlights that make their way throughout. It is a sneaker that is both clean and familiar, which makes it a great option for consumers.
Air Jordan 1 Centre Court “Military Blue”
Image via GOAT
Subsequently, we have this Air Jordan 1 Centre Court “Military Blue.” This is a shoe that contains a familiar aesthetic as it contains some of the core tenants of the Jordan 1. However, instead of a swoosh, we get a big Wings logo that stretches around the sides. As for the “Military Blue” element here, we get that in the form of a solid color block. It makes for a unique look that embraces some modern art aesthetics.
Jordan 4 Military Blue 2024
Image via GOAT
Lastly, but certainly not least, we have the Air Jordan 4 “Military Blue” 2024, which can be seen above. Overall, this is an iconic offering that was part of the OG rollout of the Jordan 4 back in 1989. If you are a fan of clean sneakers with a white base and a pop of color, these will be for you. The blue here is gorgeous, and when you add the grey into the mix, there is enough contrast to keep things interesting.
Be sure to let us know which of these sneakers is your favorite, in the comments section down below.
Hip-hop’s history books contain millions of enduring statements, infinite ideas, and indelible expressions penned by hundreds of thousands of students of the game. Thousands of them got their brilliance delivered to mass audiences, hundreds reached the peak highs of their time and style, and dozens have transcended the genre into a status of cultural ubiquity. But out of all of these writers who shaped the philosophies, language, and communication of rap music, there is a strong case that, along with The God MC Rakim, none have been more influential or definitive than Nas. We took it upon ourselves to accept that challenge and see just how pivotal Esco’s pen has been to the community.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of his classic album Illmatic yesterday (Friday, April 19), we listed out seven of the most quoted lyrics, motifs, or refrains from this magnum opus across hip-hop’s history, along with just a few of many examples. As arguably the greatest LP the genre has to offer, a status that only a handful of rap records can claim, there is obviously so much more to say, and many more lines that you’ll hear in songs released since ’94. But these are among the bars on the project that most closely evoke its narratives in your head when you hear them in another song or everyday conversation. We’d love to know your picks, as we certainly missed a lot, so join us in celebrating this masterpiece and thanking Nas for his craft and creations down in the comments section below.
I Never Sleep, ‘Cause Sleep Is The Cousin Of Death (“N.Y. State Of Mind”)
While this phrase obviously existed before Illmatic‘s release, no rapper spits it today without evoking Nas’ “N.Y. State Of Mind.” It’s a phrase that perfectly fits within the vivid description of Queens’ street life and placed the album into a special era; a coming-of-age tale that inspired countless others put their unique spin on. Over the years, we’ve heard the greats reference this specific bar including J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Denzel Curry, and The Game.
Furthermore, the most famous of these is likely Lil Wayne’s “6 Foot 7 Foot,” which actually references another Illmatic bar we’ll get into later. “Life is a b***h, and death is her sister / Sleep is the cousin, what a f***ing family picture,” Weezy raps on the cut. Another notable modern example is $UICIDEBOY$’ 2016 cut “AM/PM,” on which Ruby raps: “If sleep is the cousin of death, I guess me and $lick counting sheep ’til we out of breath.” From ’90s East Coast hardcore to 2010s New Orleans horrorcore-adjacent trap; who would’ve thought?
The World Is Yours / I’m Out For Dead Presidents To Represent Me (“The World Is Yours”)
Here’s a two-parter, mainly because the mere title of “The World Is Yours” and the “It’s mine, it’s mine, it’s mine, whose world is this?” refrain lives on in a lot of rap media: bars, interviews, promo material, movies… you name it. J. Cole has an early song titled “Who’s World Is This?” and there’s also Blu’s classic album with Exile, Below The Heavens, with the track “The World Is.” Out of the many enduring Nas bars on this song, one of them is the money-focused, “I’m out for dead presidents to represent me.” Joey Bada$$, a student of Nasir Jones who references him very often, spits this bar on 1999‘s “Hardknock,” and 2016’s “AMERIKKKAN IDOL.” Logic does the same on 2012’s “All Sinatra Everything,” and of course, there’s Jay-Z’s use of it for his “Dead Presidents” series. That definitely didn’t backfire at all…
Life’s A B***h And Then You Die… (“Life’s A B***h”)
Next is AZ’s iconic hook on “Life’s A B***h”: “Life’s a b***h and then you die, that’s why we get high / ‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go.” Other than being one of the most cutting and reality-affirming moments on Illmatic, Nas’ words here transcended even the hip-hop genre. One of the most curious homages we found in our research was a live version of metal band Deftones’ “Teething” from 2001, in which they added this chorus to the track to a pretty hype effect. Just goes to show that these lyrics have etched themselves in musical and cultural history, not just within hip-hop. Back to that, though, some quick examples: Kendrick Lamar’s “FEAR.,” A$AP Rocky’s “Phoenix,” Tyler, The Creator’s “Lone,” and “Headstone” by Flatbush Zombies, which actually references dozens of rap classic throughout its runtime.
Somehow, The Rap Game Reminds Me Of The Crack Game (“Represent”)
Here’s what Nas had to say about this bar from “Represent”: “It’s all about getting a dollar, don’t trust nobody, keep your eyes open, don’t play with nobody, focus on what you’re supposed to get out of it. This s**t is dangerous, it’ll take you down… What’s the difference?” Once again, Jay-Z echoed this sentiment in his 1997 track “Rap Game / Crack Game,” and Biggie Smalls references the rhyme scheme on Ready To Die‘s “Things Done Changed” that same year. “If I wasn’t in the rap game, I’d probably have a ki, knee-deep in the crack game.” Cam’ron also echoes the bar on “Sports, Drugs & Entertainment,” and Benny The Butcher, 38 Spesh, and Elcamino develop the metaphor on 2021’s “Blue Money.” “Crack game like the rap game but ain’t as safe / If we got the same plug we like label-mates,” Spesh spits.
Also, we wanted to shout out Nas’ reference to the Five-Percent Nation on this “Human Nature”-sampling cut, “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”: “Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half man, half amazing.” The second half of that bar is the namesake of the third track (featuring Method Man) on Pete Rock’s 1998 album Soul Survivor, and also that of cuts from Blocboy JB and more. As for lyrical mentions, Mac Miller does so on the Faces cut “Friends” featuring ScHoolboy Q, Joe Budden gives a nod on “NBA,” and 50 Cent used it to belittle Ja Rule on the diss track “Your Life’s On The Line.” Safe to say, this last example proves that these aren’t always very favorable references, at least when it comes to who the bars might be intended for, if it’s not just an homage to the Queens legend.
Finally, we have a repeated phrase throughout Illmatic that is the title of one of its songs, and also appears on the outro of “Represent.” “One time for your mind” comes from Grand Wizard, who provides the aloof hook on the first example before Nas gets into the chill cut. This is such a versatile phrase that can be used as an ad-lib, a filler bar, a historical reference, as part of a complex rhyme scheme, or as a reminder to keep the mental focus up and live for the singular moment. It appears in pop hits like “Pon De Replay” by Rihanna, lyrical onslaughts like Lil Wayne’s “Dreams & Nightmares,” Lupe Fiasco’s “Paris, Tokyo,” Ab-Soul’s “Double Standards,” Das EFX’s “Real Hip-Hop,” The Roots’ “No Alibi,” and so many more. Despite the variety of uses for this bar and many others, every hip-hop head knows its origins well.
Every single month, HNHH comes through with a feature containing lesser-known artists that you need to check out right now. Overall, it is an attempt to help our readers expand their horizons and catch onto new artists before they blow up. Furthermore, sometimes, we steer our readers toward artists who they may have missed, despite their current virality. Whatever the case, discovering new music is a whole lot of fun, and in April, our staff got together to talk about some of their favorite under-the-radar releases of the last 30 days. From viral tracks to underground darlings, there is a lot of great music to get to.
JP – “Bad Bitty”
First up, we have JP, a college basketball player from Milwaukee who is making waves in the city’s burgeoning rap scene. Milwaukee rap has characterized itself with one word: “fun.” From catchy danceable tracks to some hilarious samples, artists from Wisconsin’s premiere city seem to be captivating audiences. JP is quintessential Milwaukee. From his extremely catchy bars to his infectious energy, it should come as no surprise that “Bad Bitty” is one of the most viral tracks on the internet right now. He’s become an internet meme, but he still gets talked about with reverence. If there was ever a song to reach “Song of the Summer” status in the middle of the Spring, it would be this one.
feardorian – “highschool”
FearDorian recently put out his debut album and it is getting some critical praise. There is very good reason for this. The Surf Gang collaborator has been making waves with a plethora of incredible tracks and beats that will make you feel like you are on a cloud. Overall, the artist is also a proficient MC who just makes you excited about the way they deliver their tracks. Not to mention, the artist has consistently taken risks with samples. For instance, Amy Winehouse has found her way onto some of FearDorian’s releases. It just goes to show that artists associated with the Milwaukee scene are making some of the most unique music in the United States.
Papo2oo4 – “Had To Ball”
Popo2oo4 is an artist who has been around for a while at this point. Overall, the New York MC has a unique delivery and style that will make you nostalgic for the early to mid-2000s. Even the visual for “Had 2 Ball” is a great example of this. While rapping in front of rims, YouTube commenters are reminded of the Midnight Club video games. However, even the style and beat selections will make you think of those same visual aesthetics. Nostalgia is a very powerful tool in terms of connecting with your audience, and Papo certainly has that in droves.
JaeyBxrd – “Cut Me Open”
JaeyBxrd is an artist who has been bubbling thanks to his unique ability to blend genres. Overall, there have always been artists who try to mix genres. However, JaeyBxrd does it in a way that makes you relive the glory days of early 2000s Post Grunge, and late 2010s SoundCloud rap. He’s one part Juice WRLD and another part Breaking Benjamin. It makes for a great mix of sounds, even if the music reviewer “intelligencia” might scoff at his mere existence. With the song “Cut Me Open,” JaeyBxrd makes an impact that will make you want to go back and play those PlayStation 2 era MX vs. ATV games. It’s a very specific reference, but when you listen to his music, you will understand.
SVDP – “WHIZTLA”
SVDP is a Toronto artist who has been working with plenty of other staples of the Canadian music scene. For instance, the artist recently collaborated with Backxwash and the producer LA+CH. In fact, SVDP got to link up with LA+CH on the track “WHIZTLA” which is an off-kilter banger. The song weaves in and out of calmer and sped-up flows, creating perfect contrasts from start to finish. Meanwhile, the production helps take the song to a new level. Overall, this is a song that you need to check out right now. Additionally, it should urge you to check out other artists within Canada, who are pushing boundaries in their field.
Let us know which of these songs was your favorite, in the comments section down below.
In the unforgiving entertainment world, fame often comes with a hefty price tag. This is especially true for child stars thrust into the limelight at a tender age. While the allure of stardom can be irresistible, the journey to the top is filled with challenges. The many stories of these child stars underscore the harsh realities of fame and the toll it can take on young talents. From battling mental health issues to grappling with substance abuse and legal troubles, their journeys serve as cautionary tales of the perils of celebrity culture. While most of them are doing well today, not everyone is lucky.
Raven-Symoné
Best known for her role as Raven Baxter on That’s So Raven, Raven-Symoné faced the daunting task of balancing fame with her personal growth. Despite her success, she confronted body image issues and the pressure to conform to industry standards. In an interview with People, she opened up about being body-shamed and criticized for her weight while on set.
“I wish I was living now as a younger person,” she said. “I probably wouldn’t have so many mental issues. [They said] I was too big to be doing an hour-and-a-half concert. ‘I don’t know how she can dance being that big.’ And I was like, ‘I still did it!’ I was on tour forever because it’s not about your size, it’s about what you have to say.”
Gary Coleman
As the lovable Arnold Jackson on Diff’rent Strokes, Gary Coleman was one of the most famous child stars of his time. However, behind the laughter lay a troubled soul battling financial woes and legal disputes. Despite his iconic status, Coleman struggled to shake off the stereotypes associated with his on-screen persona, grappling with the harsh realities of fame. His relationship with his parents was also fraught. They were accused of mishandling his earnings and using him for their own financial interests.
After his seeming success in the ’70s and ’80s, Coleman’s career started to wane in the 1990s. As a result, he encountered difficulties securing more roles in Hollywood. Additionally, he grappled with legal troubles, including a lawsuit against his parents and an arrest for assault in 1999. Sadly, Coleman succumbed to complications from his congenital kidney condition in 2010 at the age of 42.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s name is known worldwide. When discussing child stars and the consequences of fame, there’s perhaps no better illustration. Michael began his career at the tender age of five and later became widely known as the “King of Pop.” He dazzled the world with his extraordinary talent, but behind it all lay a childhood marred by exploitation and intense scrutiny. Michael endured relentless media attention and struggled with his identity under the spotlight, facing immense pressure to maintain his image as the epitome of perfection.
Speaking with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, he confessed: “It hit me before I was a teenager. I wanted so badly to play in the park across the street because the kids were playing baseball and football but I had to record. I could see the park, right across the street. But I had to go in the other building and work until late at night making the albums. I sat there looking at the kids with tears running down my face and I would say, ‘I am trapped and I have to do this for the rest of my life. I am under contract.’”
Regina King
Some may not know Regina King as a child actress and may recognize her from her roles in Boyz n the Hood, A Cinderella Story, and If Beale Street Could Talk. However, the actress became quite popular when she starred as Brenda Jenkins in the TV series 227. She was 14 years old at the time and struggled quite a bit because of her rising popularity. She opened up with People Magazine about her mother’s decision to keep her in public school.
Thanking her mother, she said, “It was instrumental in me becoming a person who can find balance on shaky ground. It’s not an easy thing, living your life on display, and it’s particularly hard when you’re young. But participating in those social situations as a teen gave me an understanding of how different people can be, which has been very helpful when navigating Hollywood.”
Keke Palmer
Bursting onto the scene with her breakout role in Akeelah and the Bee, Keke Palmer was one of the most adored child stars around. Yet, as she transitioned into adulthood, Palmer faced the pressure to shed her child-star image and prove herself in a competitive industry. Despite her resilience, she confronted moments of self-doubt and scrutiny from the media. She told The Root: “However, it caused me a lot of pain because I essentially had to abandon my childhood feelings and desires, becoming like a parentalized child, which is something some of you can probably relate to in your own way. This was something that I have had to continuously work through because I am grateful but often feel like I missed ‘IT.’”
Orlando Brown
Known for his role as Eddie Thomas on That’s So Raven, Orlando Brown’s journey from child star to adulthood was marked by personal turmoil and legal troubles. Despite his early success, Brown grappled with substance abuse and erratic behavior. This subsequently overshadowed his talent and threatened to derail his career. The former child star has since had several run-ins with the law for drug possession and burglary.
He appeared on The Dr. Phil Show and opened up about his battles with addiction, homelessness, and his mental health. “I was drinking a lot,” he said. “I just found myself in a dark place because I couldn’t really find everybody. It’s kinda like looking for your keys, when you stop looking, they’re right there type of deal. I started to realize what was in front of me.”
Jaleel White
Immortalized as the iconic Steve Urkel on Family Matters, Jaleel White experienced the highs and lows of child stars at a young age. Despite his success, White grappled with the burden of being typecast and struggled to break free from the shadow of his most famous character. He also faced racial discrimination. During an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, he disclosed that certain prominent child stars from that era received preferential treatment compared to him.
Furthermore, he lamented that he was never extended an invitation to the Emmys. He said: “It’s fair of me now to definitely say, you were made to feel African-American. Fred Savage was always invited to the Emmys; he was always treated like a darling during this time. I was never invited to the Emmys, even to present. I was pretty much told that I would be wasting my time to even submit myself for nomination.”
Lindsay Lohan
Rising to fame with her roles in Disney films like The Parent Trap, Mean Girls, and Freaky Friday, Lindsay Lohan was destined for stardom. Yet, her journey took a tumultuous turn as she grappled with substance abuse and legal troubles in her teenage years. The constant glare of the media magnified her struggles, casting a shadow over her promising career.
In 2019, she spoke with Variety, stating, “The first time I was in a tabloid, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I feel like Britney Spears!’ because she was in a tabloid and I felt cool. Little did I know what would happen from there. I know that I’m a damn good actress, and it’s been my passion since I was a child, and I know that when I care about something I put 100 percent and more into it. And I know that in my past I was young and irresponsible, but that’s what growing up is. You learn from your mistakes.”
Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes was one of the child stars on a meteoric rise. However, behind the scenes, Bynes battled with mental health issues exacerbated by the pressures of fame. Her public struggles played out in the media, underscoring the harsh realities faced by child stars thrust into the unforgiving spotlight. Bynes later took a break from acting due to her constant reliance on drugs. She confessed to Paper Magazine in 2018 that her drug usage changed her.
“My advice to anyone who is struggling with substance abuse would be to be really careful because drugs can really take a hold of your life. Everybody is different, obviously, but for me, the mixture of marijuana and whatever other drugs and sometimes drinking really messed up my brain. It really made me a completely different person.”
Rising to fame as a Disney Channel star, Demi Lovato charmed audiences with her powerhouse vocals and relatable persona. However, behind the facade of success lay a battle with addiction and mental health issues. These were exacerbated by the pressures of fame. Lovato’s journey to recovery played out in the public eye, shedding light on the challenges child stars face.
While promoting her docuseries Simply Complicated at the Cannes Lions, she stated: “I wouldn’t start that young if I could do it over again. It was a difficult transition from child star to transforming into a mainstream artist. It’s something that is very challenging. You have to find your identity. For so long you’ve been molded into something and then you’re expected to figure out who you are very fast in front of the entire world. It’s definitely been difficult, but it’s been a learning experience. I am still figuring out who I am every day.”
Macaulay Culkin
As the precocious Kevin McCallister in Home Alone, Macaulay Culkin became a household name overnight. Yet, his rapid rise to fame took a toll on his childhood, leading to strained relationships and personal struggles in adulthood. According to Entertainment Weekly, Culkin pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor drug possession charges in 2005. He also confessed to Esquire: “I played with some fire, I guess is the best way to put it. At the same time, I’ve never been to rehab or anything like that. I’ve never had to clean out that way. There were certain times when I had to catch myself, once or twice.”
Since its debut in 2000, Curb Your Enthusiasm has offered viewers a unique blend of cringe-worthy comedy and unfiltered honesty, courtesy of the one and only Larry David. With its improvised dialogue and Larry’s knack for finding himself in absurd situations, each season has brought new laughs and unforgettable moments. The HBO show classic finally came to an end with Season 12, and it’s the perfect time to look back and rank each season. It’s been a longtime coming, but the cast, crew, and fans have said goodbye.
12. Season 12
The finale season kicks off with a visit to Atlanta, where Larry finds himself in hot water after offering Auntie Rae an illegal bottle of water while queuing to vote. This lands him in the national spotlight. Although the episodes from then on may be somewhat tepid, the series compensates with the touching finale. Specifically, the end is centered around Larry’s gripping courtroom trial. Tragically, midway through the airing of Season 12, the passing of Richard Lewis casts a somber shadow. The news emphasized the weight of saying goodbye to an iconic comedy series and its cherished characters.
11. Season 1
The first season of Curb Your Enthusiasm introduces viewers to the retired and wealthy comedian Larry David. In Larry’s world of social faux pas and awkward encounters, Larry almost always makes a fool of himself. The season introduces viewers to recurring characters such as Jeff Greene, Larry’s manager and closest confidant, Susie Greene, and Cheryl. While the season finds its footing, it sets the stage for the brilliance to come. Season 1 doesn’t fall short in any aspect; rather, it serves as a glimpse of things to come.
10. Season 11
Season 11 had audiences witness Larry David’s quest to amend a city council ordinance. Engaging with a city council member, he seeks to sway her decision in his pursuit of change. The season also had a star-studded guest appearance roster with actors such as Lucy Liu, Albert Brookes, Seth Rogen, and Woody Harrelson. With the familiar sight of an aging Larry David maneuvering through Los Angeles as a single man, the series showcases a more polished portrayal of Larry’s social ineptitude than ever before.
9. Season 5
In Season 5, Larry finds himself on a quest to find his biological parents, leading to the revelation that he’s a viable kidney donor for his close friend, Richard Lewis, who desperately needs a transplant. Confronted with mortality, Larry is compelled to delve into his past, triggering an emotional journey. The fan-favorite episode “Ski Trip” was also filled with misunderstandings, mishaps, and hilariously awkward encounters. While not as consistently strong as some of the show’s other seasons, Season 5 still delivers plenty of laughs and memorable moments.
8. Season 9
After a six-year hiatus, Curb Your Enthusiasm returned with its ninth season, which sees Larry trying to promote his musical “Fatwa” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! However, he finds himself in an overwhelming predicament when he has a fatwa declared against him by an Iranian cleric. Even with a bounty on Larry’s head, the season had quite a number of low points. Moreover, it lacked the consistency and comedic brilliance of the show’s stellar seasons.
7. Season 2
In its sophomore season, Curb Your Enthusiasm continues to explore the absurdities of everyday life through Larry’s misadventures. The season-long narrative follows Larry, who finds himself in trouble when he visits a studio executive’s home. During his visit, he accidentally cuts the hair of the executive’s daughter’s beloved doll, Judy, which happens to be a collector’s item. This mishap sets off a chain of classic Larry antics that fill the season with memorable moments.
6. Season 3
Season 3 finds Larry embroiled in a series of restaurant-related misadventures, from firing his bald chef to breaking the thumbs of a food critic. The season centers on Larry and his business associates embarking on a venture to open a restaurant. With its razor-sharp satire and hilarious guest appearances, including Martin Short and Martin Scorsese, this season solidified Curb Your Enthusiasm as a comedic powerhouse.
5. Season 4
This season, comedic legend Mel Brooks enlists Larry and Ben Stiller for roles in the Broadway musical The Producers. The season delivered the perfect blend of absurdity and hilarity. One of the season’s highlights occurs in the episode “The Car Pool Lane,” where Larry finds himself in a tight spot, attempting to secure a free ticket from Marty to the upcoming Dodgers game. However, Marty’s recent loss of his father complicates matters. Despite Larry’s best efforts to devise cunning schemes to escape his predicament, each attempt only seems to dig him deeper into trouble.
4. Season 8
Season 8 has Larry navigating through single life following his divorce from Cheryl. As he ventures into the dating scene of Los Angeles, an inconvenient alibi leads him back to his roots in New York City, providing a welcome change of scenery. Yet, Larry quickly discovers that social mishaps and personal attacks are as rampant in the bustling streets of New York as they are in the glitzy world of Hollywood. While still delivering serious topics, the season is filled with plenty of laughs.
3. Season 7
In this season, Larry attempts to win back Cheryl’s love. The season also brought fans the awaited reunion of Larry David and the cast of Seinfeld. It’s an absolute delight witnessing numerous cast members from Seinfeld return with their comedic prowess intact. As Larry navigates the challenges of producing the reunion, the season delivers laugh-out-loud moments at every turn. The chemistry between the Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld casts is electric, making this season a standout.
2. Season 10
Three years after Season 9 was released, Curb Your Enthusiasm came back with a bang. The season begins with Larry finding himself in a predicament when his female assistant accuses him of sexual harassment. Later, Larry’s feud with Mocha Joe leads him to open a “spite store” next to his coffee shop. Filled with memorable moments and razor-sharp wit, Season 10 proved that the series still had plenty of comedic magic left.
1. Season 6
Season 6 boasts a flawless lineup with no weak episodes, establishing itself as the series’ most reliably humorous season. Whether it’s the anticipated hilarity of hosting a Black family whose surname ironically matches their ethnicity or the emotional rollercoaster of Cheryl divorcing Larry, this season is packed with comedic highs and poignant lows. With its trademark blend of cringe comedy and biting satire, this season offers plenty of laughs and memorable moments.
Overall, March was a great month for music as we were blessed with a plethora of amazing projects and songs. Having said that, it only makes sense that we would count down the best rap albums and songs of the month. We have been doing that every single month of the year so far, and we will continue to do so for the entirety of 2024. Below, you can find our staff’s favorite albums, as well as the songs they have continued to bump consistently.
Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You
When Future and Metro Boomin dropped We Don’t Trust You, fans immediately rushed to the track “Like That,” for very obvious reasons. However, the entire album is just fantastic. Metro has always had the it factor when it comes to his production. Moreover, Future remains one of the most influential rappers of all-time. He has not lost a single step, and when he combines with Metro, it always turns into gold. We can’t wait for the second album which is due out on April 12th.
ScHoolBoy Q – Blue Lips
It had been five years since ScHoolboy Q had given us an album. However, with Blue Lips, he certainly made the wait worth it. Overall, this is a project that showcases Q at his best. From the lyrics to the storytelling to the production choices, everything here is on a whole other level. TDE has always put out quality projects, and this is absolutely no exception. We’re happy to have Q back, and we hope he delivers another album in the not-do-distant future.
MIKE & Tony Seltzer – Pinball
MIKE is one of those artists who is able to put out album of the year contenders seemingly at will. At the end of the day, Pinball, a collaborative album with Tony Seltzer, is a great example of this. Once again, MIKE delivers some fantastic flows and bars. The production throughout the project is otherworldly, and MIKE slides over it with ease. Furthermore, there are some dope features throughout the album. “On God” with Earl Sweatshirt and Tony Shhnow proves to be a perfect example of this.
Flo Millo – Fine Ho Stay
Lastly, when it comes to the album category, we have Fine Ho, Stay by Flo Milli. When the artist dropped “Never Lose Me,” it was clear she had a hit on her hands. Once she added Cardi B and SZA to the mix, it was a cheat code. However, the entire album is amazing. Flo Milli is a hitmaker, plain and simple. From singing to rapping, she can really do it all, and her hooks are always catchy. If we continue to get more of this, Flo Milli’s ascension in the hip-hop world will be complete.
Last year, Sexyy Red cemented herself as a bonafide hitmaker. Overall, she can crank out hits at will. Sure, her bars and flows aren’t next level, but they are extremely confident. Not to mention, while her lyrics are extraordinarily raunchy, they are funny and make for some viral moments. On “Get It Sexyy,” the artist has given us yet another anthem. It feels like she just cannot miss with these songs. Now that she has Drake in her corner, we’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of Sexyy, very soon.
On the same day that Kendrick Lamar broke the internet, Big Sean dropped “Precision.” Once again, it felt like Kendrick was purposely trying to take away from Sean’s moment. However, Sean was able to emerge through the noise. “Precision” is a great return track from the artist. His hitmaking abilities are still very much prevalent, and he has matured significantly with his bars. As for the production here, it is anthemic and uplifting in a way that is perfect for the spring and summer months.
Cardi B – “Enough”
Cardi B is at the top of her game right now. Although it has been years since her debut album, there is no doubt that she is in album mode. There is no greater indication of this than the song “Enough.” Once again, Cardi gives us one of her signature anthems. It is the kind of song you just want to rap along to. Furthermore, it reaffirms the fact that Cardi has one of the most commanding voices in the rap game. Hopefully, the album is real and it gets here in time for the summer.
Don Toliver is an artist who is always going to bring the vibes. His singing voice is lovely, and ever since he got together with Kali Uchis, it feels like he has brought things up a step. It also helps he uses her as inspiration for song writing. That is especially the case on “Deep In The Water,” which is yet another display of Toliver’s talents. It seems like a new album is on the horizon, and we can’t wait to get the full thing. Hopefully, we get some variety, as “Deep In The Water” is definitely a continuation of what Toliver has already given us. Albeit a heightened version of that sound.
Playboi Carti – “Ketamine”
Playboi Carti is someone who is very mysterious with his releases. At this point, we don’t know what to expect from him. However, “Ketamine” was a delightful surprise earlier this month. It is part of the rollout for his album I Am Music, which has no real release date. However, you can’t help but love the energy in this song. Carti is still doing that deep voice cadence, and he is embracing the punk and metal aesthetics that helped Whole Lotta Red standout. We cannot wait to hear what this entire album will be like.
Future & Metro Boomin ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Like That”
“Like That” is a song that needs no introduction. Overall, it features Kendrick Lamar and it contains some shots directed at Drake and J. Cole. This was a song that was destined for greatness from the start. Not to mention, Kendrick and Future just sound amazing over it. Metro’s production and sampling is top notch, making this a true contender for song of the year.
Let us know your favorite rap albums and songs of the year so far, in the comments section below.
Dr. Dre recently announced via Jimmy Kimmel Livethat a new Eminem album is on the way. According to the acclaimed producer, the project is nearly finished, meaning it could be released very soon. For the last several years, Eminem has taken to surprise album drops with no advanced notice or promotional singles, meaning the latest still-untitled project could be released any day now. While fans are understandably excited, Eminem has hit a few stutter steps in his career that raise trepidation in hip hop heads awaiting his latest full-length release, with hardcore Stans hoping for a few specific outcomes. Let’s examine five things we desperately want from Eminem’s forthcoming eleventh solo studio album.
5. A Tight Tracklist
Eminem’s career on the mic has spanned over three decades at this point, meaning the veteran MC has persisted through a number of industry trends. One issue plaguing new releases right now is overly bloated tracklists designed to capitalize on streaming hours. While some artists, such as French Montana, have released albums clocking in at over 90 minutes, others have taken to tightening their projects down to only 7-9 tracks to provide a quality-over-quantity approach. While Eminem’s biggest fans would certainly be happy to take in as much new music as possible on the new album, it may be best for the 51-year-old to focus on a concise, thematically-focused LP with no filler.
Eminem’s last full-length efforts, Music To Be Murdered By Sides A and B, were criticized for containing 20 and 16 tracks, respectively, offering fans a sort of “throw it at the wall and see what sticks” approach. His next album should remove extraneous tracks and skits and offer a tight tracklist that leaves fans wanting more.
4. Dr. Dre Beats & Production
Some of Eminem’s best work, dating back to the origins of his career, has seen him locking in with his mentor and frequent collaborator Dr. Dre. Luckily, Dre has already confirmed his involvement with the new album during his Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance, stating, “I’ve got songs on it, and it’s fire.” While there’s no way of knowing just how involved Dr. Dre is with the full production, the legendary producer confirmed that he would listen to the full draft and provide some additional mixing shortly after his television interview. If the fans are truly lucky, Dr. Dre’s production and mixing credits will be all over this new album.
3. No More Pop-Inspired Radio Singles
Songs such as “Love The Way You Lie,” “Not Afraid,” and “Monster” have their place in Eminem’s discography, and that place is in the past. At this point, it seems obvious that there is simply no need for Eminem to continue flexing his pop-friendly radio appeal, especially when artists such as J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and even Drake have proven that you don’t need to sacrifice style for substance to make hit records. Eminem’s next project would benefit from following the blueprint of recent Nas albums produced in collaboration with Hit-Boy. These projects, which include the King’s Diseaseand Magic trilogies, prove that middle-aged legacy artists can still reach career highs while remaining true to their roots and offering straight bars to their base of hardcore hip hop heads.
While Music To Be Murdered By and Side B offered fewer radio-type songs than some of Em’s previous work, they still had moments that dipped into pop territory, with features from the likes of Skylar Grey and Ed Sheeran. While we mean no disrespect to radio-friendly pop musicians, these tunes have always rubbed Eminem’s core listener base the wrong way. If there’s any hope for the celebrated artist to drop a late-career classic, he needs to do away with the notion that a female-sung chorus is a cheat code for album sales.
2. Features From Other Hip Hop Legends
To further build off the previous point, Eminem should enlist the rhyming efforts of other rap industry veterans, who can motivate the Detroit-born artist to lay some of his most competitive bars yet. Eminem has been in the studio with artists like Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Nas, Kid Cudi, and more in recent years, prompting some of his finest feature verses in a long time. With any luck, the new album could see Shady Records collaborators like 50 Cent, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Westside Boogie joining the tracklist.
Eminem’s most critically panned albums, such as 2018’s Revival, have leaned too heavily on pop singer guest vocalists in place of hardcore lyricists. There is no question that Eminem’s pen game is as elite as some of the leading names in the industry today, and there’s absolutely no reason why celebrated rhymers like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, or Freddie Gibbs would snub the opportunity to get on wax alongside the “Real Slim Shady” rapper.
1. Cool, Laid Back Flows
One of the biggest issues plaguing Eminem’s body of work in the last several years has been his aggressive, shouting, staccato flow. While the angsty vibes may have been a welcome crutch to deliver some mind-boggling bars on a track or two, Eminem has become the subject of memes and ridicule for his frequent overindulgence of this flow. Some of his newer feature verses on tracks such as “The Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady” with Kid Cudi, “Lord Above” with Fat Joe, or even Lyrical Lemonade’s “Doomsday Pt. 2” have seen Eminem relaxing and delivering his bars with a slick, chilled-out vibe, allowing the rhymes to speak for themselves. If the fans are fortunate, the new Eminem album will feature new and inventive delivery without the tired staccato that the rapper has come to rely on.
Of course, Eminem’s core base will eat the new album up no matter what, though the project could be instrumental in shaping the opinion of a new generation of hip hop listeners. As Eminem transitions into a new phase in his career, the eyes of the hip hop community will no doubt be tracking his every move.
Beyoncé is finally about to release her long-awaited eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, and fans have already begun digging through the tracklist to choose their favorite sonic expressions. The album touts a staggering 26 tracks, with features such as Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Willie Nelson, and several rising Black country stars. Still, a few notable performers are missing, who would surely have pleased fans far and wide. Since Cowboy Carter was announced, the BeyHive has been in a frenzy to debate and discover which of their favorite artists are on the genre-blending project. Here are a few artists who are absent from the album that fans would surely have enjoyed.
This one is a bit of a long shot, but if anyone knows about crossing pop-rap and country tunes together in one harmonious swing, it’s Lil Nas X. The 24-year-old rapper has made no secret of his love for Beyoncé and a crossover event between the pair would have made for a perfect viral event. Lil Nas recently tweeted, “Beyoncé finna make me put my cowboy hat back on,” following the announcement of Cowboy Carter, prompting some fans to presume the pair had been in the studio together cooking up country-style jams. Unfortunately, it seems that Lil Nas X made this statement just from a fan perspective. Still, if there were an artist to demonstrate the value of a remix, it would be Lil Nas X, so fans can still hold out hope that the “Old Town Road” rapper will appear on a Beyoncé track eventually.
Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion are two iconic contemporaries who represent the finest artistry that Houston has to offer. The pair previously collaborated on Meg’s “Savage” remix, with Beyoncé specifically bringing some country flare to the rap record in lyrics like “I say left cheek, right cheek, drop it low, then swang / Texas up in this thang / Put you up on this game / Ivy Park on my frame, gang gang gang gang.” The pair have reunited on stage as recently as September 2023 to perform the chart-topping remix together, leading fans to hope they had been in the studio working on more new tunes for Cowboy Carter.
While Taylor Swift has moved away from her country roots in recent years, the global superstar is still beloved by many country listeners. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are two of the world’s most massive artists, each touting an incredible catalog and a base of ravenous, dedicated fans. While the pair may be too busy to combine their star power, it certainly would have been a massive moment for Taylor Swift to appear on Cowboy Carter. Unfortunately, it looks like the Swifties and the BeyHive will be battling it out for who has the bigger and better album this year instead of joining forces to celebrate the biggest cross-genre collab in recent memory.
While Jay-Z is not particularly known for producing hits within the country genre, fans would definitely have appreciated a feature on Cowboy Carter. The hip hop icon has been with Beyoncé for over 20 years, spanning a long history of chart-topping collaborations on records such as “Crazy In Love,” “03′ Bonnie & Clyde,” “Lift Off,” and “Family Feud.” Despite Jay-Z not laying vocals on the new album, his fingerprints are likely all over the project behind the scenes. After all, the album does advertise the 54-year-old’s namesake right in its title.
1. Kendrick Lamar
BEYONCÉ & KENDRICK LAMAR ARE *RUMORED* TO HEADLINE THE 2024 ESSENCE FESTIVAL IN JULY, GET UPpic.twitter.com/mejFAI26KC
Kendrick Lamar seemed like an easy choice to drop a feature verse on Cowboy Carter, especially after the PGLang rapper has repeatedly referenced the Compton Cowboys and dubbed himself Cowboy Kenny in recent tracks such as “The Hillbillies” with Baby Keem. Kendrick has also recently taken to rocking cowboy boots and cowboy hats in music videos and concert stops, making him an ideal candidate for crossing over into the country genre. Furthermore, Kendrick recently collaborated with Beyoncé on her 2023 record “America Has A Problem (Remix).” The track serves as the third collaboration between the pair and sees Kendrick referring to himself as an honorary member of the BeyHive.
Overall, the Nike Dunk is one of the greatest shoes ever created. It is one of those models that has stood the test of time, and it feels like it will never get old. Although there may be some people out there who are fatigued with this model, others still adore it. Moreover, Nike is always looking to expand its library with the Nike Dunk. New colorways are always being created, and this is great news for longtime fans. Below, you will be able to find five Nike Dunk colorways that we recommend for the Spring season.
Nike Dunk Low GS “Active Fuchsia”
Image via GOAT
Firstly, we have this grade school Nike Dunk Low in an “Active Fuchsia” colorway. This is a model that is perfect of the Spring thanks to its obvious pops of color. Here, you can see that the shoe has a white base to it. This is subsequently followed up by pink overlays that extend to the Nike swoosh and even the outsole. It is the kind of sneaker that kids will definitely want to wear, so it was smart for Nike to make this a Grade School offering.
Dunk Low “Chlorophyll”
Image via GOAT
Secondly, we have the Nike Dunk Low in the “Chlorophyll” colorway. These green Dunks are highlighted by a lighter shade of the color on the sneaker. Meanwhile, the overlays are darker green. Some white is found on the Nike swoosh, the laces, and the midsole. Ultimately, it is a look that stands out and will add a pop of color to your wardrobe. If you want to be different, these are a great option.
WMNS Dunk Low “Citron Pulse”
Image via GOAT
Subsequently, we have this Nike Dunk Low in a women’s colorway dubbed “Citron Pulse.” Again, this is another one of those colorways that just works with a colorful outfit. In fact, you could wear these even with an all-black or all-white fit. Essentially, the shoe begins with a grey base to it. Additionally, the shoe gives you a huge boost in color with some yellow overlays. This yellow is also on the outsole for a nice added effect.
Nike Dunk Low Retro Vol. 1 SP “Plum”
Image via Flight Club
Up next, we have this “Plum” version of the Nike Dunk Low. Overall, this might just be the most colorful offering on this list. From the light and dark purple base to the burgundy Nike swoosh. This is a shoe that will turn heads. Furthermore, it has that premium quality to it thanks to all of the suede. It comes together perfectly, and fans will most definitely appreciate what’s going on here. If you love the Dunk Low, you will probably love this.
Nike WMNS Dunk Low “Peach Cream”
Image via GOAT
Lastly, but certainly not least, we bring you this Women’s Nike Dunk Low in “Peach Cream.” Overall, this is a sneaker that most definitely lives up to its name. Firstly, we have a nice off-white base. Secondly, the shoe is enveloped with bright orange overlays that have the aforementioned peach aesthetic. It is a shoe that puts you in a good mood just by looking at it. This orange Dunk is perfect for the Spring months.
Let us know which of these kicks is your favorite, in the comments section down below.
Only a handful of albums in music history earn the pretentious acclaim that they garner, and who would’ve thought America’s two most blunted supervillains would be hip-hop’s best examples of this? Moreover, MF DOOM and Madlib’s legendary collaborative album Madvillainy turns 20 years old today (March 23). To this day, people still champion its lyrical density, its now-iconic and unique sampling, the seamless inclusion of featured guests, and the overall wealth of appeal within its 22 tracks and 46 minutes. In other words, it’s one of the most fun rap projects to listen to thanks to its sharp, witty bars and engaging production while also being fit for scholarly analysis. There are so many samples to unearth and discover, such rich wordplay laden with hip-hop history and double entendre references, and more soul than a sock with a hole.
Furthermore, we decided to take a look at 20 of the many obscure, surprising, under-discussed, or overlooked references on this album (one song at a time) from MF DOOM’s pen and mic, and from Madlib’s Boss SP-303 sampler, his turntable, and his tape deck. Of course, Madvillainy‘s 20-year history and universally celebrated acclaim means that you’ve probably already heard of these. But we found that these inclusions don’t come up as often as others. Some of these are samples you wouldn’t have expected to be samples, others are clever lyrical nods, a few are old entertainment callbacks, and all of them add to this LP’s mystique, character, and timelessness. Sounds dense, doesn’t it? Yet this complexity doesn’t dilute Madvillain’s creativity, fun-loving nature, immediacy, or frankly, their coolness. Such has been the case for the metal fellow and his maniacal liaison ever since New York plates was ghetto yellow.
Starting off with Madvillainy‘s opener, the musical backdrop is Morton Stevens’ “Beach Trip” off of the original TV soundtrack for Hawaii Five-O from 1968. What makes it ironic is that most of the other sampled clips in this song are from movie trailers but don’t highlight their music, and the music itself on this track comes from a TV show soundtrack rather than a film. This also marks Madlib’s first use of spoken word from James Gordon’s 1989 documentary, The Documented History Of The Fabulous Villains. He also uses clips from this movie in the songs “Rainbows,” “Money Folder,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy” later in the tracklist.
“Accordion”
One of the most iconic songs on this album once made a girl cry, and it was never the same since. MF DOOM’s last line on here is “Won’t take the one with no skinny legs like Joe Tex,” and there are a few reasons for its cleverness. Firstly is Joe Tex himself, a 1960s and 70s singer and songwriter who spoke over much of his material in a faster and less melodic way as a precursor to what rapping would become. He has a song called “Skinny Legs And All” in which he agrees with Metal Fingers’ sentiment -– or rather, the other way around.
However, the other notable background detail about this lyric is that MF DOOM originally had another version of this line: “Wolf likes the girls with the skinny legs.” This was in reference to Peanut Butter Wolf, the founder of Stones Throw Records, whose connection to DOOM and Madlib is well-documented at this point. But when Wolf’s thin girlfriend at the time heard the lyric before the album’s official release, it made her cry. Then, he told his masked friend about it, and without warning, the official version of the album released with the ending line we know today. “I guess he felt bad,” Wolf said of Dumile’s decision.
“Meat Grinder”
“Still back in the game like Jack LaLanne, think you know the name? Don’t rack your brain,” MF DOOM spits on another one of the most iconic moments on Madvillainy. Jack LaLanne was a fitness expert and bodybuilder who continued to sell fitness products, perform feats of strength, and advocate for proper nutrition until his death at age 96. Thus, he was still in the game for a while, but it’s been so long that DOOM doesn’t want you to “rack your brain” trying to remember his name or identify why it might sound familiar to you. To “rack” also means to put a set of weights back on the rack after weight-lifting, or bodybuilding. Not even the illest villain believes in having to know every reference in every bar… but he’ll be cheeky about teasing you to do so, and the temptation is hard to resist.
“Bistro”
You can hear the sample at 0:10 and throughout
Sample starts at 0:20
While this track is mostly just MF DOOM talking casually over a funky flip, Madlib chose to include some lines of dialogue right beneath his partner’s voice that, although barely audible, add some nice texture and context. The clips come from the show McMillan & Wife, specifically the third episode of its fifth season in 1975, “Very Private And Very Difficult Matter To Discuss.” Furthermore, in the dialogue, a character invites another to go get a drink, and the track’s title already points to the perfect destination to do so.
Also, MF DOOM’s final line on here is a very deep reference to the Stones Throw Records crew. “I’d like to dedicate this next joint to my mans, you know, Big Hookie and Baba from the laundromat.” DOOM refers to Hookie & Baba, a comic series created by the label’s art director Jeff Jank. He told Undercover Magazine during an interview that it was a “lewd” project “sold exclusively in [the] San Francisco Bay Area laundromats to local winos.” Given that “Bistro” is a celebration of Madvillain’s entourage, this nod to their partners is quite colorful and, dare we say, wholesome… even if it sounds like a troublesome team.
“Raid” ft. MED
You can hear the sample at 0:59 and throughout
Sample starts at 6:29
For the “chorus” portion of this vibrant and fun head-bobber, Madlib seems to manipulate an existing sound and repeat it to make it sound like “Day, day-day-day”… or maybe that’s just how we’re hearing it. Either way, it’s surprisingly not a manipulation at all, but rather a direct pull from George Clinton’s title track off his 1982 album Computer Games. As for MF DOOM, this contains one of his most multi-layered sets of references on the album. “The doctor told a patient ‘It’s all in your imagination, n***o’ / Ahh, what do he know? / About the buttery flow, he need to cut the ego / Trippin’, to date the metal fellow / Been ripping flows since New York plates was ghetto yellow.” The first part of the line is a reference to the 1949 film Home of the Brave.
In it, a Black soldier is ironically convinced that racism in the military is in his imagination after a doctor calls him a racial slur. But MF DOOM rejects the doctor’s words and thinks he needs to focus on his flow, a metaphor for other rappers needing to cut their bragging and hone their skill. Then, by stretching out the space between “ego” and how the doctor is “trippin’” in the next line, he references the concept of an ego trip, or thinking too highly of yourself. “Tripping” on psychedelics can also provoke “ego death,” an out-of-body experience that can provide another realm of self-consciousness and awareness, thus “cutting” the human ego of an MC. Finally, this references Ultramagnetic MCs’ and De La Soul’s tracks titled “Ego Trippin’” (De La’s version being a “sequel” to Ultramagnetic MCs’ rendition), and DOOM mentions his “flows” again.
“America’s Most Blunted” ft. Quasimoto
You can hear the sample at 0:53
Sample starts at 0:22
With a whopping 19 samples, it was impossible not to include “America’s Most Blunted” on this list. We could’ve picked any of these references and samples, especially the pro-marijuana comedy album A Child’s Garden Of Grass, released in 1971 by writer Jack Margolis, Jere Alan Brian, and producer Ron Jacobs. Fun fact: that also appears on the track “Rhinestone Cowboy” later on Madvillainy. Nevertheless, Madlib’s most curious inclusion here is from Disneyland Records and Walt Disney Records Studio Group’s “Acting Out The ABC’s” from 1962. The song is exactly what it sounds like: a children’s song to get kids to learn the alphabet and dance, act, or move along to it depending on the letter. “If you all gather around the phonograph” (as the sample says), you’ll understand why the dope-smoking anthem has such a bizarrely and contrastingly whimsical or wondrous feel.
“Do Not Fire!”
You can hear the sample at 0:33
Sample starts at 3:30
“Do Not Fire!” is another sample-heavy joint, with nine of them to look at which range from Street Fighter II sound effects and clips to 1970s Indian music and the laughing evil voice from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Regardless, Madlib’s most ingenious and underground inclusion on this Madvillainy cut is a cheering crowd featured in “Back Door Daddy,” a song from a raunchy 1972 comedy album of the same name from Skillet, Leroy & LaWanda. LaWanda Page was a comedian and entertainer dubbed “The Black Queen Of Comedy” who collaborated on this album with Skillet, Leroy & Co., the duo comprised of Sanford and Son co-stars Leroy Daniels and Ernest “Skillet” Mayhand.
“Money Folder”
You can hear the sample at 2:46
Sample starts at 9:35
MF DOOM albums obviously come with many comic book references and media samples, plus a particular love for Dr. Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom. On “Money Folder,” the song’s ending samples the aforementioned Fabulous Villains documentary, which is suddenly interrupted by a clip of the word “DOOM.” This comes from the Spider-Man TV show, specifically its first season’s second episode “Dr. Doom, Master Of The World” from 1981. This is just one of the many instances of “DOOM” clips that Madlib and the London-born lyricist himself use to interconnect with other spoken word samples, and it comes across quite seamlessly. Now for bars: “Egads, he got enough styles to start three fads / True that, she bad, I wonder do she come with kneepads,” MF DOOM raps on the song.
“What a call, what a real butterball / Either I get a strike or strike out, gutterball,” he continues, mixing animal references, food companies, bowling, and baseball. Butterball is a brand specializing in turkey products, and a “turkey” is three strikes (knocking down all ten pins with one move) in a row in bowling, hence “three fads.” “What a call” is a term for successfully calling or predicting a strike (swinging and missing the ball) in baseball. Baseball players also wear knee pads to slide on the field and DOOM wants them for this lady, presumably so she can kneel down and perform oral sex on him. He’ll either enamor her and get a strike in bowling terms, or fail and strike out (three straight strikes) in baseball terms. “Gutterball” is when your bowling ball goes in the gutters on the side of the lane, resulting in no points.
“Operation Lifesaver AKA Mint Test”
You can hear one of the samples at 1:13
This sample starts at 4:37
“Operation Lifesaver” has a couple of samples, but it’s one of the Madvillainy cuts that gets the most mileage out of a single source. For example, Madlib uses many different clips of dialogue and sounds effects from the story album Songs And Stories About The Justice League Of America from 1966 by Tifton Records, namely from the tracks “The Theme Of The Justice League Of America,” “Aquaman – Defeat Of The Dehydrator,” and “Metamorpho: Fumo The Fire Giant.” In addition, he also takes from a similar story album: The Official Adventures Of Flash Gordon (1966) by Jackson Beck. Specifically, it’s from the track “The Decoys Of Ming The Merciless.”
Speaking of story, the narrative behind this song is that MF DOOM is on a date with a woman with bad breath. “Wow, it caught me off guard / I went to breathe out but then she made me cough hard / Contact the God and let him know to slip two in,” he spits over the beat. “Contact the God” is apparently supposed to be a reference to the Nation of Islam, and the number two means wisdom in their numerology. As such, DOOM suggests that he thought about telling her directly that her breath stinks, but opts for more underhanded and less confrontational ways to potentially improve his night out as the song goes on.
“Figaro”
This is a pretty simple one all things considered, but just one of many examples of MF DOOM paying homage to the rappers and microphone fiends before him on Madvillainy. Also, “Figaro” is laden with some of the most discussed, cryptic, clever, and relentless lyrical onslaughts on the whole album, so we had to give it a shoutout and look for less traveled paths down its runtime. “O’s beats and my rhymes attack,” he raps at one point, which might be a direct reference to Marley Marl and MC Shan’s “Scratch.” “All these beats with my rhymes attached,” Shan rapped over Marl’s beat, a rapper/DJ duo akin to Madvillain. The lines rhyme, and “O” is Otis Jackson Jr., better known as The Loop Digga, DJ Rels, Beat Konducta, Quasimoto, Yesterday’s New Quintet, or simply Madlib.
“Strange Ways”
You can hear the sample at 1:25 and throughout
The ending of “Strange Ways” narrates a downtrodden man after his former partner starts seeing another, more rich suitor. The clip itself uses phrases such as “feeling blue,” “an old flame,” “raining cats and dogs,” etc. Madlib took this audio clip from a 1951 cartoon short film titled Symphony In Slang directed by Tex Avery and written by Rich Hogan. In it, God is trying to understand a man telling his life story in heaven, but interprets his slang sayings literally, as depicted by the animation. Narratively, it also perfectly ties into the story of the very next song on Madvillainy‘s tracklist, “Fancy Clown,” which is about two of Daniel Dumile’s alter egos, MF DOOM and Viktor Vaughn, and how the latter’s girl cheated on him with the former. It’s a seamless inclusion that also points to DOOM’s obsession with language.
Speaking of the late legend’s obsession with language, there’s a line on here that isn’t solely included just to set up a rhyme scheme. “They pray four times a day, they pray five / Who ways is strange when it’s time to survive,” MF DOOM raps on “Strange Ways.” “Five” seems to just set up the “survive” rhyme, but the record’s message centers around authorities taking advantage of their subjects for personal gain, whether it’s police abusing their power or religions and governments waging war on their colleagues. Jewish people pray four times a day on the Sabbath or Shabbat, whereas Muslims pray five times daily. DOOM points out that each religion has its own customs and culture that others will wrongfully try to eliminate or oppress. We shouldn’t be focusing on what makes us different, but rather the common struggles we can help each other with.
“Fancy Clown” ft. Viktor Vaughn
You can hear the sample at 0:08
Sample starts at 0:13
One of the more unnoticeable and obfuscated samples on Madvillainy appears in the first few seconds of the aforementioned “Fancy Clown.” While the actual beat and melody samples something else entirely, Madlib chose to include a song on here that sounds soulful enough to warrant a track of its own, but opted to only use a small part of it. It’s the 1972 song “Walkin’ In The Rain With The One I Love” by Love Unlimited. The part that the West Coast producer uses is buried beneath the already sampled vocals, melodic elements, and drums; it’s of a group of folks scattering as rain falls. You can hear one voice yell out, “See you tomorrow!” and there’s a pretty good chance that many of Madvillain’s most ardent fans never noticed it in the mix. Or at least, enough to identify it as a wholly different sample.
As for MF DOOM, he gives out a pretty simple reference here, but one that each new year, generation, and fashion trend cycle threatens to bury deeper in the ground. “Matter fact, gimme back my bracelet and my Shearling,” Viktor Vaughn demands of his girlfriend. A Shearling is a wool coat that really took hold of b-boy and b-girl fashion in the 1980s, but nowadays it just sounds like some nondescript clothing item or brand. The idea certainly gets across, but it’s one of the moments on this album that is the most at risk of losing its cultural specificity over time. Clearly, DOOM meant it under a different context than the people who wear Shearlings today.
“Rhinestone Cowboy”
You can hear the sample at 0:08
Sample starts at the very beginning
Finally, Madvillainy‘s closing track “Rhinestone Cowboy” provides a discographic history for a Brazilian singer-songwriter and comically self-aware admissions of MF DOOM’s unabashed passion for references, wordplay, language, and humor. Starting with the sample, Madlib actually uses the same artist for the track’s musical sample (beat and melody) and the applause throughout: Santo Amaro’s own Maria Bethânia. The actual beat elements are from 1971’s “Mariana Mariana” off of the album A Tua Presença, whereas the applause is from her song “Molambo” off her record Recital Na Boite Barroco from three years earlier. Looks like Otis was a particularly big fan of Bethânia herself or Brazilian music at large when he was cooking this one up, and that connection across her discography for entirely different elements is a creative homage to the 77-year-old’s catalog.
Then, MF DOOM delivers one of the funniest and most characteristic lines on the LP. “Goony goo-goo, loony cuckoo / Like Gary Gnu off New Zoo Revue, but who knew the mask had a loose screw?” With “loony cuckoo,” we know he’s delusional, and “goony goo-goo” is gibberish from Eddie Murphy’s 1983 stand-up special Delirious. New Zoo Revue was a 1970s kids’ TV show, but Gary Gnu is from a 1980s children’s show called The Great Space Coaster. DOOM’s mix-up proves his “loose screw”: he’s as “cuckoo” as a character being from the wrong TV show. The villains love to make fun of their own jokes, as it’s just another excuse to string more words and sounds together in masterfully creative and fun ways. This humility makes Madvillainy an infinite source of hip-hop craft, sonic wizardry, linguistic transformation, and immersive, curiosity-rewarding knowledge.
BEYONCÉ & KENDRICK LAMAR ARE *RUMORED* TO HEADLINE THE 2024 ESSENCE FESTIVAL IN JULY, GET UP
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