First Spins

Keep up with First Spins with DJ Brando now on 91.1 WMUA FM on Fridays (Thursday nights) 12-2am!

DAMN.

Cmon’ y’all. I mean how could DAMN. not make this list? You could consider me the Kendrick fan who in 2016 would check if K Dot released some new heat once a week. He never did. But he did surprise the hell out of all of us in 2017. Let’s start when The Heart Part 4 dropped. Kendrick proved (although he didn’t need to prove to anyone), that he is “the greatest rapper alive”. The G.O.A.T. effortlessly executes complex and unique flows around three completely different beats. He trolled practically everyone when hinting at the date April 7th, in which only Joey Bada$$’s album dropped, which was quite disappointing (but we can get into that later). Nevertheless, K. Dot dropped on April 14th, with one of his weirdest but most intricate albums yet. There are many moments on this album that makes the listener think, “DAMN.”, starting with the first track, “Blood”. Young K. Dot, trying to be a good man, reaches out to help a blind woman find something and in return gets a bullet in his body. Was it wickedness or weakness? K. Dot leaves that to the listener to decide. How can you not love this creativity!? A concept album like this is super refreshing, especially in rap nowadays when all it takes to sell a record is rapping in triplets and making endless drug references.

Ight, my bad. My bias came out a bit too strong.

K. Dot then takes you on a journey, exploiting all his faults and flaws, but still flexing on “maney ass rap niggas”. Metacritic gave it a much deserved 96, making it equal to his previous album To Pimp a Butterfly. Which one’s better? Should they even be compared? 

 I’ll leave that up to you to decide. 

Highlights: DNA., YAH., LUST., XXX.

The Drum Chord Theory

Yes yes y’all! Matt Martians, for awhile, has been an inspiration to us weirdo bedroom producers. The Drum Chord Theory, released January 26, is a ride through The Internet’s co-founders mind. This is the first solo project Martians has released since his “The Jet Age of Tomorrow” days (which he hinted will be making a return this summer). This album is very enjoyable because it’s very fresh, original and unlike anything that has been released this year. Produced by mainly Martians, with the exception of Steve Lacy and Tyler, The Creator on some tracks, his strong suites flourish. His strange imperfect harmonies lay perfectly on his abstract beats. Martians keeps the listener intrigued with each song, even including hidden tracks added at the end of the songs. Certain songs from the album truly exhibited how much of a role Martians played in the Odd Future sound. Songs like “Baby Girl” and Dent Jusay” bring a certain type nostalgia to them, yet they’re brand new.

While we all anxiously anticipate the next Internet album, Syd and Matt both make the wait more enjoyable with their invigorating albums that can keep spinning till the needle wears out.

Highlights: Baby Girl, What Love Is, Alotta Women/Useless, Dent Jusay (feat. SYD & Steve Lacy)

The NEVER Story

Alright, so last year I wrote a story about artists y’all shouldn’t be sleeping on. Spillage Village affiliates EarthGang were included, but I should’ve included more of the talented Spillage Village crew. I’ve had my ear out for J.I.D. for a while, at least since I heard the ‘Bears Like This Too’ project. He complimented EarthGang’s sound so seamlessly with intricate flows and a voice that rips through the mic, I was just waiting for these dudes to blow up. Next thing I know, J.I.D. is signed to Dreamville, and it’s lit. With the two singles he dropped before his album, “NEVER” and “Underwear”, I knew this man could rap his ass off. This album is J.I.D.’s “look, I turned nothing to something, and y’all better pay attention” story, properly worded “The NEVER Story”. Each track is a bop. J.I.D is outrapping almost every rapper relevant right now. From the second track “General”, J.I.D literally knows this is the truth “Anybody can see the kid got it. I see niggas ignore so I feel a way about it”. He spits so viciously that it’s impossible to ignore now. Since this is his debut album, he technically still has much to prove in the rap game. Nonetheless, he’s proved it, to me at least. If y’all can show me a better rapper at this moment, I’m all ears.

*shrug emoji* 

Highlights: NEVER, D/Vision, Hoodbooger, LAUDER

To my fellow spinners, it’s been a long and busy semester. Nevertheless, First Spins is far from over.

Expect more weekly content including a “Albums of the Year” list!

Tity and Dolla - Isaiah Rashad (feat. Hugh Augustine & Jay Rock)

Off of Isaiah Rashad’s new album The Sun’s Tirade.

Drowning (feat. BADBADNOTGOOD) - Mick Jenkins 

Mick Jenkins and BADBADNOTGOOD team up again after “On The Map” and “Hyssop of Love” [see later] Look out for Mick’s debut album The Healing Component, September 23rd!

Sweet Sweet - Travi$ Scott

https://itun.es/us/b2AJeb?i=1150135919

Fresh off of his first #1 album, Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight, Travi$ does not seize to deliver. As quoted as “his favorite song off of the album”, it may be mine as well.

Because I’m Me - The Avalanches 

The Avalanches - Because I'm Me [Wildflower] from faustidioteque on Vimeo.

The first track off of my favorite album of the summer, Wildflower, which was their first album in 16 years! Jam out to some great spirits this morning.

Sunny Duet (feat. theMIND) - Noname

Named perfectly. A very sunny sounding track by Noname off of her debut project Telefone. One of my favorite female MC’s for a while.

Hyssop of Love (feat. Mick Jenkins) - BADBADNOTGOOD

The second collaboration between BADBADNOTGOOD and Mick Jenkins for BBNG’s album, IV. Just a vibe-y track with Mick Jenkins referencing “Perception” off of his last EP, Waves.

In My Shoes - Fudge

Comprising of Michael Christmas and producer Prefuse 73, the duo’s new album, Lady Parts, has definitely been in constant rotation. “In My Shoes” serves as their first single, and a great brushing teeth track if that’s what you’re into. 

Only Human - Innanet James 

I can’t even act like I know a lot about Innanet James, but I can tell you this, this dude is next to come up! In my opinion he sounds like a mix of Anderson Paak, GoldLink and Vince Staples, if that makes any sense. This track off of his newest mixtape, Quebec Place, may be my favorite. From the funky production to the woken lyrics, this is a great way to start your morning.

Wyclef Jean - Young Thug

Come on...how could this not be on this list? The first track off of Thugger’s newest project, Jefferey, gives you nothing but great vibes. Shout out to Wyclef by the way. Fugee-la-la

Bus In These Streets - Thundercat

I don’t know if it’s me, but I can’t help but smile when hearing this song. The sunny production and Thundercat’s melodic voice create the perfect duo for eating that morning breakfast.

Don’t worry people, First Spins is not done, and not even close. Last Wednesday we launched First Spins radio through Spreaker! 

I [Brando] will be trying to at least two shows a week, and you check our Twitter for updates when to tune into a show. Our first two shows feature new songs from Frank Ocean, Mac Miller, Danny Brown, Isaiah Rashad, and more!

The dark ambiance of the BLKSWN - SWNSNG video exactly reflects what is heard, “he’ll let it blow”. Produced, directed, recorded and written by BLKSWN himself, he lets the competition know, he’s ready, for anything. His versatility of switching up his flow is just as nasty as the beat it’s on. With his gang behind him throughout the video, they all get hype and dangerous, at one point even holding torches. Easy to say, you should come f*** with the gang. With this being BLKSWN’s first single off his next album, it’s apparent his will be in your ear shortly.

With “Chance 3″ a shear number of hours away, a new song titled “No Problems” featuring 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne just premiered on Apple Beats 1 radio at 1pm. The ridiculously fire track has CRAZY verses from both 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, possibly better than anything on “Collegrove”. With a hype chorus like

If one more label try to stop me It's gon be some dreadhead ni**as in ya lobby

It’s apparent, you don’t want any problems with Chance.

The Underachievers recently revealed the artwork to their upcoming mixtape “It Happened In Flatbush”. Recently, Issa Gold announced the mixtape would be released next week. On Monday they released the track “Really Got It” that was liked by many. The mixtape is also titled, Lords of Flatbush 2, so it is apparent these songs will be bangers like the first previous Lords Of Flatbush. Nevertheless the Indigo fans are excited.

Kaytranada is at 99.9% and he’s grooving his way to 100%! In his newest video “Lite Spots”, he and his robot friend dance their way into some fun. Directed by Martin C. Pariseau, the video is very intriguing and definitely worth a watch. The track “Lite Spots” is off of his impressive May 6th album, 99.9%. 

Watch the video below!

After weeks of teasing and hyping his new mixtape “Customized Greatly Volume 4″ with the hashtag #CG4, Casey Veggies revealed the album cover to the mixtape along with a date, May 20th, and trailer! This is will be Veggie’s newest release since his 2015 album “Live & Grow”. 

Watch the trailer and stream “Live & Grow” below! 

Today marks 5 years since Tyler, The Creator’s second album “Goblin” released! This is the album that initially sparked my interest in Tyler, The Creator and Odd Future, and I have been a fan ever since. Since those 5 years, Tyler’s sound as changed quite a bit, yet the music he makes is still amazing (Cherry Bomb & Wolf). “Goblin” serves as the second album in the Bastard-Goblin-Wolf trilogy.

Make sure you spin this one today! Watch the legendary “Yonkers” video and stream the album below! 

Yesterday, it was reported Chance The Rapper had been hospitalized and could not perform at the Robin Hood show in NYC. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: @AndersonPaak, @MarkRonson & @joeyBADASS will be performing for #NYC4NYC @Terminal5NYC tonight in place of @chancetherapper

— Robin Hood (@RobinHoodNYC) May 9, 2016

Joey Bada$$ and Anderson .Paak filled his position in hopes he will get better. 

Looks like I'll be performing at Terminal 5 tonight in NYC covering for my brother @chancetherapper get well bro I got you ‼️

— BADMON (@joeyBADASS) May 9, 2016

Chance later tweeted that he has pneumonia...but Chance 3 will still be released on Friday.

Thank you @joeyBADASS and @AndersonPaak for filling in for me and supporting a great cause. GREAT Men. I got pneumonia but #Chance3 still.

— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) May 10, 2016

Yay! We hope Chance the Rapper has a speedy recovery and we are beyond excited for Friday.

If You’re Reading This, you might be disappointed. After 2 years of hype, Drake finally released his fourth studio album (fifth if you include “If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late) “Views”. After the triumphant year Drake had in 2015 with the release of “If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late”, slaughtering Meek Mill’s career with “Back to Back”, and his collaboration project with Future “What a Time To Be Alive”, I thought there is no way Drake could fall off. Maybe I set my expectations too high? Maybe I’m not hearing something other people are? Nevertheless, I was quite disappointed with the album. 

Starting with the first track, “Keep The Family Close”, Drake spends 5 minutes complaining that all the women that told him “let’s just be friends” aren’t his friends anymore...seriously. Comparing this album opener to his others like “Tuscan Leather” and “Legend”, this song was not strong enough to grab my attention. The next track, “9″, Drake spits his “pause type flow” over a beat that sounds similar to something that would be on IYRTITL. The song gets its’ title because “I turned the six upside down, it’s a nine now” (creative, right?). This song, more attention grabbing than the last, speaks on his love for his city, Toronto. “I made a decision last night that I would die for it”. This GIF below perfectly depicts how much he loves his city and his team the Raptors.

via GIPHY

I respect this song because he really does love his city and does what he can to improve it, but I still was not all that impressed.

He continues the album with “U With Me’ and “Feel No Ways”, these are more singing type songs. “U With Me” peaked my interest because I saw it included production from Kanye West, but even with Ye’ production, Drizzy had yet to get my attention! Finally, with “Feel No Ways”, I actually enjoyed the track! It features intriguing and interesting production from Jordan Ullman and 40, and Drake’s singing is not as boring and slow as the previous songs on the album. My interest was sparked, and the next track kept it ignited. “Hype” produced by Boi-1da and Nineteen85, is one of the bangers on the album that’ll keep your head bobbing. With the repeating bar “My enemies wanna be friends with my other enemies, I don’t let it get to me” Drake shows that he has more confidence than before, which he should since Drake practically held the throne last year. The next track “Weston Road Flows” is a smooth track that sounds like its’ straight from his second album, “Take Care”. I liked this track because, though there is no chorus, he has bars to keep you intrigued, like:

I gave niggas like you a reason for celebration You number one and I'm Eddie Murphy we tradin' places Lookin' in the mirror I'm closer than I really appear Creepin' like Chilli without the tender, love, and care

The next song, “Redemption” was incredibly boring, and that’s all I have to say about that. Refreshingly the next song is “With You” featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR, which is no doubt one of my favorites on the album. “It’s about us right now, girl, where you going?”, in this track PND and Drake explain their love for the women that are leaving them, claiming, no matter what, they are still with them. Though I really liked this song, I realized my main reason for liking it was due to PND killing his part of the song, not so much Drake. “Faithful” featuring Pimp C and dvsn is a pretty good song. Emphasis on the “pretty good” because it isn’t amazing. The production on the song is 10/10 and is handled by 40, Boi-1da and Nineteen85. The beat bangs, yet, it is also smooth. Drake’s verse is solid but his singing on the chorus becomes annoying. dvsn, one of the newest OVO signees, saved this song. His singing is remarkable, to the extent that I had to give some of his songs a listen after hearing this track. Next, Drizzy had to in throw the banger “Still Here”. Drake wants you to know that “Me and all my niggas doin' well, doin' well, dog”...good for you Drizzy. The banging beat is produced by Daxs and 40 and features some standout bars from Drake.

Hittin' like that 30 on my jersey man I'm gifted Whole lot of sixes, but I'm still like Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah 6 point star, Lion of the Judah All my niggas ain't off rockin' Gucci One do it then we all gotta do it

Alright Drizzy, we see you flexing. The next two tracks “Controlla” and “One Dance” had already been released before the album came out, and were loved by many. I, personally, cannot stand “Controlla”. Hearing Drake sing in that fake Caribbean or Jamaican accent (whatever he was going for) is just annoying to me, and sadly has to receive the skip from me. He continues with the same accent for “One Dance”, but this song is not as bad, to me, because of Kyla and Wizkid. They kill the song. “Baby I like your style”, they are some vibe-y singers. The next song “Grammys” featuring Future sounds like it was a song that didn’t make their 2015 album “What a Time To Be Alive”. It has a hard beat and Drake has pretty nice flow on it until BOOM, Future’s voice emerges. 

First off, Future’s interlude before his verse may be one of the best of all time, asking Drake if he won a Grammy because he’s so turnt up. Suddenly the beat switches and Future goes all the way in, with possibly my favorite verse on the album.

They gon' think I won a Grammy They gon' think I won a Grammy Swervin' out the Panoramic I'm hangin' out, they can't stand me

He flexes hard. Once again I found myself liking a Drake song only due to the artist featured. The next track “Child’s Play” is pretty dope. He has some savage lines like “Don’t make me give you back to the hood" and admits his love for The Cheesecake Factory. In this song he’s telling his girl that all the outfits and material items she wants is just “child’s play” to him, and he’ll spoil her if she can “bounce it, like woah”. “Pop Style” which dropped before “Views”, but originally with Kanye West and Jay Z, is a fire song...but taking Kanye West and Jay Z out of a song is blasphemy. I personally think there was an Apple Music/Tidal issue in the mix, but Kanye’s verse was STUPID (meaning dope)! So c’mon Drizzy...not cool. The next song “Too Good” featuring Rihanna is basically “Take Care” part 2. It’s...cool. I wasn’t impressed by the songs, but I’m sure it is a good dancing song and the women will vibe it. 

Man oh man, the “Summer’s Over Interlude” is a vibe! Sang by Majid Al Maskati, the song has a 70′s R&B smooth feeling to it, and although only a minute and 46 seconds, it’s one of my favorites on the album. “Fire & Desire” was another boring Drake singing song! The song aimed at a former lover is meant to imitate Rick James & Teena Marie’s song of the same title. I personally think the album could have done without the song. The closer of the album (since Hotline Bling is a bonus) “Views” is a GREAT song! Finally Drizzy! Drake has always been great at closing albums and he followed through in this sense. From the beggining bar to the end, Drizzy nails this song.

Yeah, you feel the pressure, man, I know the pressure And my wifey is a spice like I'm David Beckham

In the end, I was throughly unimpressed with this album. It seems like it was aimed to be a “Take Care” sequel, but some things shouldn’t have sequels; The Hangover for example. I will say, the production on this album was VERY good, and 40 never disappoints on his beats, but for the first time in a Drake album, he really needed to rely on his features for his songs to stand out. Nevertheless, this album is selling ridiculously and Drake’s making his money...so do you thing Drizzy.

Just please make a good album next time.

STANDOUT TRACKS:

Feel No Ways

With You (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR)

Still Here

Grammys

Views

The Underachievers are back again with more heat after dropping “Play That Way” on 4/20. Produced by Stavros, they give us another banger building up hype for their mixtape “It Happened In Flatbush”. The mixtape will be comprised of mostly bangers like their 2013 mixtape “The Lords of Flatbush”. With the song dropping, Issa Gold announced the mixtape will be dropping next week!

I'm thinking next week release for It Happened in Flatbush.

— Selessi (@Issa_GOLD)

May 9, 2016

Yesterday, the Hip-Hop world received some great news. During Madlib’s interview with the Red Bull Music Academy, he revealed that he and Freddie Gibbs are working together again for another joint album titled “Bandana”. “Bandana” will serve as the sequel from the two’s first joint album “Piñata” released March 18, 2014. Reddit user Pentellium suggested that the album titles stems from Piñata, since you wear a Bandana when hitting a Piñata. Makes sense right?

Madlib announced some bittersweet news with the announcement of the album, noting that Gibbs did snag some of the beats that Kanye received from Madlib’s beat CD. 

We just wanna thank Madlib for these 6 beat CDs he sent over#scary pic.twitter.com/rSKnOH5s9b

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest)

January 22, 2016

Nevertheless, I’m sure Gangsta Gibbs will do the beats justice.

Revisit Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s 2014 album “Piñata” below!

Today’s morning track is “With You” by Drake featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR. This track stands out on his mediocre album “Views” that was released April 29 (They’ll be a review up soon). Singing over a vibe-y beat produced by Murda Beatz and Nineteen85, Drake and PND compliment each other greatly like always. Though the album was quite unimpressive, this song is one that is refreshing compared to some of the other boring songs on the album.

*sorry Drizzy, I can’t let you live*