For the first time since the Astroworld Festival tragedy, rapper and Houston native Travis Scott is talking about the night that resulted in the deaths of 10 of his fans. Many are saying the embattled rapper isn’t showing enough remorse. In an interview posted Thursday morning to Charlamagne Tha God‘s YouTube channel, Scott sat down […]
The best albums of the year lists are definitely making the rounds on the interwebs. Maybe you saw Uproxx’s Best Albums Of The 2021 already? Or our genre-focused year end round-ups in hip-hop, indie, etc… They’re filled with killer releases from across the spectrum. Same goes for lists from other outlets that all highlight the prevalent music that marked this past year.
But damnit if there wasn’t some incredible music put out in 2021 that didn’t get the same shine as Olivia Rodrigo, Jazmine Sullivan or The War On Drugs. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best albums of the year that were slightly off the radar. Or maybe you’re just that in tune with things that you didn’t miss these at all? Regardless, these are positively ten of the best albums of the year and they deserve your attention.
The Toronto-based singer and producer had put out two EPs in the past that yielded singles like “Work” and “Doubt” that effectively put her on the map. But Alpha is her proper full-length debut and it’s a stunning fully-formed collection of songs that sounds like nothing else. On “Take Care Of You” featuring Syd, Day Wilson morphs her voice on the hook to lay the groundwork for her and Syd to show why they’re two of the pre-eminent Queer vocalists today. “Lovesick Utopia” is one of the most intriguing productions of the year that flashes Day Wilson’s chops as more than just a singer. There are also appearances from fellow Canadians Daniel Caesar and Badbadnotgood, and Drake even picked up a sample of “Mountains” for his track,”Fair Trade,” off of Certified Lover Boy.
Packing slick sports references in his bars at every turn, Allblack is a certified play runner who’s been killing the Bay Area street rap game. On “Ego,” he spits over Kenny Beats’ production: “Big bread, hero / Pressin n*****s, Deebo / At the bank more than Harden at the free throw / All this cash that I’m gettin’ f***in’ up my ego.” He raps about his past life as a pimp on “Life Of A P,” a hyped-up old-school G-Funk beat with Kossisko on a deft hook. TY4FWM is an album about gratitude though (heck, it’s in the title) and Allblack spends time shouting out the cats who’ve been there with him through thick and thin, and the ones who came up with him along the way. He’s on a French Montana level with the sheer volume of features, but they all pop off, like the 2Pac-inspired “War Stories” with Mozzy and Peezy, and the rough and tumble “We Straight” with Vince Staples over a sick beat by Cal-A.
Easy Eye Sound, the label helmed by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, had an incredible year, with standout releases from Yola, Shannon Shaw, Robert Finely, and more. But none felt as true to its retro-minded aesthetic than the debut album by soul singer Aaron Frazer. For the uninitiated, Frazer is the drummer and high-pitched vocal yin to Durand Jones’ yang in The Indications. On Introducing…, Frazer more than holds his own as the singular focus on the classic soul vibes of “You Don’t Wanna Be My Baby” and the groovy R&B of the flute-inflected “Bad News.” Auerbach produced the album himself and it’s the little details he employs — the way the horns hit on “Can’t Leave It Alone” or the deliberate way Frazer’s voice is mic’d on “Bad News” and “Lover Girl” — that paint the perfect canvas for his label’s new star to sound like a reincarnated 1950’s heartthrob.
The rise of London’s modern jazz movement cannot be understated and pianist, producer, and rapper Alfa Mist is among its most prolific products. This is jazz music for hip-hop heads that’s tailor made to both groove to, or burn to. On “Mind The Gap,” Alfa opens singing over an arrangement of his masterful keys, a shrewd drum beat, and hypnotic horns. “I take my time, so they only see me in the right state of mind… we all rise and decline,” he sings, before giving way to Lex Amor coming in like a young Martina Topley-Bird. There’s a lot to like on Bring Backs, from trip-hop soundscapes to jazz drum breaks, in a welcome journey of the mind all around.
Recorded at Evian’s Flying Cloud Studios in the Catskills, Time To Melt is a gorgeous expression of psychedelic pop music. It’s gentle enough to soothe, but built intricately to stimulate. Evian, who has produced albums for similarly trippy folk artists like Cass McCombs, Blonde Redhead, and Okkervil River, is dashing on his third solo release. The combo of sweeping strings, Rhodes keys, and unpredictable horns on “Knock, Knock,” make the existential jam flow like a pristine stream. “Dream Free” features vocals from his partner Hannah Cohen and is a celestial electric number that like the album, is built for those who want to ponder the intricacies of the cosmos and the constructs around us.
Presented by rapper Pell as a compilation that showcases the strength of the New Orleans hip-hop community, glbl wrmng vol. 1 was all that and then some. It represents the diverse sound of New Orleans rap, from the syrupy “Well Sh*t” featuring Paasky, to the shimmering and hopeful “Technicolor” with LeTrainiump and Dominic Scott to the twisty, sticky production of “N95” by Malik Ninety Five and Bryant Keith Malonson. Pell appears on every track and is a confident and stoic facilitator throughout all of it, for a veritable discovery trove of collaborators. There’s 16 tracks on the album that each seem to scratch a different sonic itch, as the collective searches for hope and peace amid tumultuous times. None are more affecting than “Take Time” with Pell and Kr3wcial finding harmony in hip-hop, in more memorable fashion than just about any cut I spun this year.
The Brainfeeder-signed producer courses through the electronic music spectrum jumping from techno, to vaporwave, to drum and bass and more. Don’t let the name fool you, this is serious stuff fronted by British producer Felix Cleary Weatherall that understands both the nuances of big room bass and chill out. Samples under beats often call back to Detroit disco and techno, like the well-enacted tear down and build-up of “Life In A Mind.” It’s almost as if you’re witnessing the bones of a track’s construction as it’s being laid down.
While Laura Marling is one of the best modern folk singers on the planet, her electronically-minded side-project with producer Mike Lindsay (of Tunng) is proof that her penchant for exploration sees no bounds. The second LUMP album represents the continuity of the vessel Marling has found for material that doesn’t necessarily fit into the tightly-wrapped warmth of her acoustic guitar. But she’s a dynamite lyricist no less and on “Bloom At Night,” she sings:
“I predict that this affliction lasts for life
I suspect that you’ll regret your lust for light
I suggest that you address your appetite
For to be seen to cast your beam across the night”
Animal is an album about escape and embracing your inner beast in the process, and Marling places another mighty feather in her cap over Lindsay’s entrancing production.
Yes, it’s another Bay Area hip-hop album, because if there’s any scene that consistently falls beneath the surface, it’s Bay Area rap. June is from San Francisco and Orange Print illustrates the culmination of his never-ending hustle. This is a dude who consistently puts out multiple records each year and he’s finally made it, but is somehow only now getting on the same scope nationally as rappers from more prominent enclaves. On “Intercepted,” he relishes on finally starting to get his flowers “Hard times, we prevailed, spent years manifestin’ / ‘Nother day, another lesson, took it all as a blessin’.” There’s an aura about June on Orange Print that emanates comfort for where he’s at in life. He’s not concerned with what people are doing outside of his sphere anymore, and it lets him spit about success, wisdom, and his signature health conscious calling card with poise and couth.
The South African indie singer-songwriter put down one of the most beautiful and spacey releases of the year. Her staccato is unwavering on “Only When I,” her jazzy coo is reminiscent of Billie Holiday on “Dusk,” and she channels her inner-Angel Olsen on “How To Get Out Of Love.” When Lou sings, it always feels as if the stars are her audience and her voice just grows into infinite spaces. Her sweet delivery over a clarinet on “Lonely Crowd” will send you right into the night sky. Yet, Glow is a perfect companion piece for sleeping in, having breakfast at noon, and just spending your whole day at home in your sweatpants.
The only thing missing from Questlove‘s moving historical documentary Summer Of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (aside from the hours of footage that had to be cut to make a watchable documentary in the first place) was a soundtrack that could be played outside of watching the film itself. After all, the doc covered the weeks-long 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which featured free live performances from Black music legends like Gladys Knight & The Pips, Nina Simone, and Sly & The Family Stone.
That changes today, with the announcement of the official soundtrack coming soon to streaming and physical media, including CDs and vinyl. Like the film, Questlove curated the once-lost audio documentation from several of the original performances, compiling 17 tracks including Sly & The Family Stone’s “Sing A Simple Song,” B.B. King’s “Why I Sing The Blues,” and The Operation Breadbasket Orchestra & Choir’s rendition of “Precious Lord Take My Hand” with Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples.
In the press release announcing the soundtrack, Questlove said, “It goes beyond saying that you can’t have a monster music journey on film without an equally awesome soundtrack. The people demanded ‘more!’. So for the people, we bring you musical manna that hopefully won’t be the last serving. These performances are lightning in a bottle. Pure artistry! Enjoy.”
The Summer Of Soul soundtrack is due on streaming and CD 1/28/2022 via Legacy Recordings. Pre-save it here. The vinyl release will be announced at a later date.
Zion Williamson has been a hot topic in the NBA over the past couple of months. It is taking him a lot longer than expected to come back from his foot injury, and fans are concerned about his health. It doesn’t help that numerous photos have come out recently, that depict him in a much heavier state than we are typically used to.
For example, the image below went viral on Twitter, and it led to heavy speculation that Zion is just in shape right now. In fact, not long after this image came out, it was revealed that Zion probably wouldn’t be back until the New Year.
As for his actual weight, there has been some interesting reporting from Tim MacMahon of ESPN. While appearing on Zach Lowe’s podcast, he revealed that Luka Doncic is 260 pounds right now, and that Zion is 330 pounds. It’s a wild number, and you can hear what MacMahon had to say, down below.
“The number I’ve heard from several places about Zion is 70 pounds higher than 260. You do the math,” MacMahon said. Lowe seemed perplexed by the number, and rightfully so. If this is the case, then Zion has a long way to go before he ends up on the court.
This is a developing story right now, so stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest updates.
Tierra Whack has been on and off the scene but today she’s back in full force. After releasing her newest EP “Rap?” last week, the Philly rapper is back with another EP titled “Pop?” Tierra Whack To Drop “Rap?” Counterpart, “Pop?” Tierra Whack will release a new EP this Thursday titled “Pop?”. The project arrives […]
December 8, 2021 marked two years since Juice WRLD tragically died at Chicago’s Midway Airport in 2019.
In the years since the “All Girls Are The Same” rapper’s passing, hip hop has made sure to keep his soul and spirit alive in a myriad of ways, but with his second posthumous album Fighting Demons set to release tomorrow, December 10, MONTREALITY spoke with a handful of his friends in the rap game to commemorate the life and legend of one of the most impactful artists in recent memory.
Rounding up SoFaygo, SSGKobe, Lil Durk, Bloody Osiris, Brent Faiyaz, Big Sean, Lil Keed, Migos, DJ Scheme, Trippie Redd and Ski Mask The Slump God, the eight-minute MONTREALITY video titled “in memory of Juice WRLD” paints a picture of a young, hungry rapper, determined to make it to the top and bring everybody along with him.
Lil Durk, said that every time he got in the studio with his fellow Chicago native, Juice WRLD made him go harder than he thought he could.
“He was like, an icon. Not just saying it ’cause it happened to him, he had an advantage to be the next, coming out of Chicago, the next Kanye type sh*t. ‘Cause he was smart. Personality crazy. Music genius,” Durk said. “He put pressure on me … rest in peace Juice WRLD.”
Much like Durk, Big Sean said that, despite Juice’s young age and short time in the game, his raps were inspirational, and directly from the heart.
“Juice. I mean, tremendous, extraordinary, talented, honest, artist. That’s gonna live forever. Those songs, that honesty, that music, how raw it was, uncensored. That inspires me to stay that raw, stay that uncensored. I appreciate it, for real,” Sean said.
Trippie Redd, who included a Juice WRLD feature on his latest project, Trip At Knight, told MONTREALITY that Juice was hilarious, and that he saw him as a real-life brother.
“He was a great ass friend. He was just funny as f*ck. He used to do funny ass sh*t. I don’t know. He used to be funny as f*ck … He was one of us, for sure. He was definitely in the friend group,” Trippie said. That was just my brother. We just vibed differently because we got it. Long live my brother.”
While fans and fellow rappers have shared their excitement for Fighting Demons (as well as the upcoming Juice WRLD: Into The Abyss HBO documentary) it will be interesting to see, and hear, exactly what the new album turns out like. With features from Eminem, Polo G, Trippie Redd and Suga from BTS, Fighting Demons already feels like an attempt at a commercial record—more so than his first posthumous record, Legends Never Die.
Keep an eye out for Fighting Demons when it drops at midnight, and check out the full MONTREALITY “in memory of Juice WRLD” video below.
Kyrie Irving has missed the entire season thus far due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Irving is simply not interested in getting the shot, and the Nets have been trying to look for ways to get him to do it. In the end, however, Kyrie’s position on the vaccine has held firm, however, there is hope that a plant-based option could end up changing his mind.
Irving believes wholeheartedly in plant-based medicine, and numerous vaccines using these methods are in the works. While none of them have been approved yet, sources close to Kyrie are saying that a plant-based option interests him and if it were to become available, he would sincerely think about taking it.
Recently, Steve Nash spoke about Kyrie’s absence and whether or not he’s aware of the plant-based possibility. Nash noted that he hasn’t spoken to Kyrie about any of this, however, he will gladly take Irving back whenever he’s ready.
“If we get the gift of his return, we’ll be ecstatic, but we can’t count on it,” Nash said per the New York Post. “We can’t wait for him. We have to get to work, and get better, and our group’s been awesome this year.”
This is a developing story, so stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest updates.
[Via]
Reality star Blac Chyna is being accused of allegedly holding a woman against her will in a hotel room as she was high off drugs during a party last month. A video has surfaced showing the aftermath of the alleged events of Blac Chyna’s afterparty at the Sacramento Sheraton Grand Hotel on November 26, during which a man named Ron Knighton and his female friend, who remains unidentified, claim that Chyna became irate with the woman and held her hostage inside the room.
“Everyone was enjoying themselves; the drinks were flowing and the energy in the suite was real good,” said Knighton to The Sun. “Suddenly out of nowhere Chyna just yelled at my friend to ‘shut the fuck up’ or she’d beat both our asses. The vibe immediately changed so at that point we thought it was best to leave – but when I went to walk out she shut the door behind me and kept my friend in the room.”
In the video that went viral on Thursday morning, Knighton could be heard yelling for Chyna to open the door to let his friend leave. After somebody opens the door, a woman is seen quickly exiting and she’s visibly distraught. She cries by the elevator and tells Knighton that she’s sorry before he tells her, “It’s not your fault. She’s high on cocaine and crazy.”
There is an active investigation from the Sacramento Police Department. “A dispute between two parties occurred, and the incident was resolved at the scene by the individuals involved,” said a spokesperson. “No injuries were reported. The department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and the investigation remains active.”
Watch the video below.
Back in August, Indiana-based rapper midwxst sat down with HNHH for our Top 5s series to tell us a little more about himself as an artist, and where he’s from.
In the months since, the self-described “happy nerd,” has been on a roll. Dropping “Tic Tac Toe” as a prelude to his September EP, Back In Action, he followed up the eight-track project with another single, “Care” in November.
Yesterday (December 8), midwxst slid back with another record, releasing “Bluffing” with some well-designed, photoshoot-inspired visuals. Rapping over bouncy drums and groovy synths, “Bluffing” is midwxst’s plea for everyone and everything around him to stop acting fake, and perfectly displays the struggle of keeping it real while trying to make it in music.
Quotable Lyrics
Anxiety’s on ten
I been losing all my friends
I don’t want this sh*t to end
Don’t want this to be in the past tense,
It’s really hard to think, it’s really hard to open up
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Tommy Fury would be dropping out of his fight against Jake Paul. Tyron Woodley has been named as the replacement fighter for the match, and while fans are excited to see Woodley get a second shot, there are plenty of people out there who still wanted to see a Fury go up against Jake.
In the aftermath of this move, Jake and Logan Paul unleashed a fury, no pun intended, of disses against the boxing star. As you can imagine, this has since angered Tommy’s brother Tyson, who recently went off on the Paul brothers during an interview on the Behind The Gloves YouTube channel. It was filled with profanity, and it just goes to show that the Paul’s are not well-liked right now.
“Jake Paul can go suck a d*** for all I care … p***y,” Fury said. “Him and his brother are s***house p***ies and could never live in my world because they’re f***ing bitches. And, if you don’t like the language, get f***ed.”
Considering the fact that Tommy pulled out due to a chest infection, it certainly is a low blow for the Paul’s to go off on him in such a dramatic way. Regardless, this kind of drama is going to lend itself well to a great fight if both sides ever decide to sign another contract.
[Via]
