Album Reviews coming tonight!

Album reviews of Mellowhype's (Odd Future) new LP and the Cali Swag District's new album "The Kickback" coming tonight!  Be sure to check back in.

New J Cole Video!

I'm a HUGE Cole fan, I'll tell you that right away.  It's a Cole Summer, and here's a video of J Cole and his crew screwing around at a Krispy Kreme.  Did I mention I absolutely love J Cole?  Just checking....

Somethin New to Spin 7/11 Style

Some decent songs hit the net today, a lot of big names.

- Wale feat. Big Sean & BoB - "First Class"
Not sure where this is from, seems like an old track with some recycled lyrics from Sean.  Maybe before Wale was signed to Ross.  Pretty good though. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N9HRQNdxgw)

- Chevy Woods feat Wiz Khalifa - "Crazy"
Khalifa has a very good verse on this song, besides that it doesn't really do much for me. Feel the same way? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUGbpnbcB4)

- Yung Joc feat Rick Ross - "Ugh"
Joc is back. I really don't think Ross was on this song, sounds like they just looped his trademark "ughhhh." Regardless, the beat is alright.  Joc knows how to pick beats, just wish he did something else well.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KHqFoR3xPM)

- Cory Gunz feat Uncle Murda - "Paper Chaser"
So this didn't hit the net today, but it's one of the better songs on Cory's new mixtape "Son of A Gun."  Beat BANGS.  I like.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x70NxCCuMsY)

Kendrick Lamar - Section.80 (Album)

Rating: 4.5/5

Kendrick Lamar once said "I'm a good kid in a bad city." Looking at the album cover, you might think that good should be scratched out.  But the genius who came up with the saying to never judge a book by its cover might have had Section.80 in mind. This Compton, California born and bred artist claims on the powerful track "Ronald Reagan Era" "grammy said when I'm old enough/I'll be sure to be all I can be." Grammy was right, as K.Dot is taking advantage of every opportunity he has been given, quickly beginning to gain a lot of steam as fans of hip hop listen to this game changing album.  Some artists are born with the "it" factor, as Kendrick Lamar delivers one of the best albums so far this year.

Hip hop is diverse, full of different races and people.  "Fuck Your Ethnicity," the first track on the album, explains how Kendrick doesn't care who you are and just wants you to enjoy the music.  That's a dope way to get more listeners, and a damn good message.  Starting to erase some of that cross-out from earlier?  Well, two songs later "ADHD" is filled with talk of pill-popping, drugs, and guns. Now you're confused - and that's okay, because that is what a good hip hop album does - makes you think.

"Why don't you bear witness while I bear feet/so you can walk in my shoes and get to know me" Lamar raps on "Poe Man's Dreams," one of the deepest tracks on Section.80.  He's speaking about the world around him, the environment in which he grew up.  He really does want you to get to know him at the same time that he's learning a lot about himself.  The same environment is the topic of "Ronald Reagan Era" feat RZA, and fans should be giving this one a lot of spins.

As innovative as Section.80 is, the smooth sound is interrupted by songs that don't seem to fit, even though they are still solid songs.  "Chapter Ten" has an all over the place beat, filled with a flow from Kendrick that just doesn't sound right with the concept, while "Rigamortis" has some of the same characteristics.

"Hiiii Power" is one of the best songs of the year, and is the best song on the album.  I can't say enough about the track.  If you haven't listened yet, go right away or you WILL regret it.

Section.80 is so innovative, such a fresh sound.  It is nice to see an album full of realness and no bullshit.  This is Kendrick Lamar 110% real from start to finish, whether you love it or hate it.  It's beautiful music.  I'll leave you with a line from Kendrick, "the sky is falling/the wind is calling/stand for something or die in the morning." I believe that he really is a good kid in a bad city, do you?


Buy the album here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/section.80/id447516359

Lil B - Game

Let's get this straight right away, I've never liked Lil B's music and I'm definitely not rollin' with the Based God movement.  Saying that, this song is decent (but his marketing his genius).  The third song off his album/mixtape/what the hell is it?? "I'm Gay (I'm Happy)" is not great, but decent.  The beat is hot... and the lyrics are much more in depth than say - "Justin Bieber." Take a listen, what do you think about him???

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI3RlBkB0rM

Bigtime video being posted TONIGHT!

Found a video online that I will post tonight, featuring a new J Cole and Kendrick Lamar song!! It sounds amazing.  Along with some more new songs floating around the internet and a new album review.  Any suggestions? Going to work out now after a 2 day vacation.. expect some good stuff tonight!

Freddie Gibbs & Statik Selektah - Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away (Album)

Rating: 3.5/5

Don't let the short seven track EP fool you, Freddie Gibbs definitely lives up to his "Gangsta Gibbs" nickname. A legend in Statik Selektah provides the production, while Freddie sounds hungry over the beats.  Their styles mesh very well together, I just wish we could have seen a little more Gibbs and a little less everyone else. Out of the seven tracks, there are nine guest appearances.

In Gibbs' other releases, it is no secret that he represents Gary, Indiana, and he's quickly putting the city on the map. The title track that opens the EP after a short intro  "Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away," might be one of his strongest songs to date. Selektah immidately gives the audience that grimey, gangster feel that you're used to with Freddie's music, and Gibbs rides the beat as well as he talks about how great he rides something else.  With a  chorus with lyrics of "lord giveth, lord taketh away/make a dollar for tomorrow we gunna take it today/I guess I'ma take your shit, that's what it takes to get paid/if you a gangsta do your thing and take your shit to the grave" he's definitely on point with his lyricism. "Rap Money" is track three, and this song doesn't disappoint either. A lot of rappers have the story of wanting to make money to help pay the bills, to get out of the hood.  The rap money that Gibbs talks about in the song is what he wants so that he doesn't have to hustle in the streets, but his music gives you the thought that he might not want to leave the streets even after becoming a successful artist.

The next two tracks offer a listen from a lot of other rappers , and only one verse on each song from Freddie Gibbs. If I'm buying an album from Freddie, I want to hear him.  Especially over the incredible beats that Statik provided for him.  These cuts,  "Wild Style" and "Already" are very good hip hop tracks in themselves and very well put together, although I just wish they were a little longer than 3:47 and 2:57.  When Gibbs is spitting on "Already" he's talking about the lifestyle of the streets and the good and bad that come with it.  It's evident that Fred understands the chances that he's taking as he raps "what goes around comes around and I've been dishing plenty out/always carry uzi's through my city with the semi out." Here he tells the listener that retaliation from someone is possible with all the things that he's done, so he feels the need to protect himself.

The last track "Keep It Warm For Ya" is one for the ladies, if you can call it that.  The title is an explanation in itself, so I'll just go on.  I feel this is one of the better songs on the EP, as the song overall gives you a relaxing feeling. The track is something you can chill out and vibe to, maybe with your girl if you're lucky.  We get two good verses from Gangsta Gibbs on this one even with two guest appearance slots from Smoke DZA and Chace Infinite.

"Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away" is a quick listen, but it's a project that builds on the success that Freddie Gibbs has created through his previous mixtapes.  If you're a Freddie fan, you're probably going to go back to bumping "Str8 Killa" or "The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs," but if you're a hip hop fan looking for solid music  and top notch production that Statik provides this EP might provide some replay value.  This isn't going to help Freddie jump the bridge he's on to being a household name in the industry, but it's not going to hurt either.  Let's hope that Jeezy sends him in the right direction, because the fans are real excited to see what is possible now that Gibbs is signed with the snowman.  Best of luck, there's a lot of fans rooting for you.

You can buy the album here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lord-giveth-lord-taketh-away/id446216708

Pusha T & Tyler, The Creator - Trouble On My Mind

First song we've heard off of Pusha T's upcoming mixtape "Fear of God Part 2: Let Us Pray" coming in August. The Neptunes produced it, so it has to be hot.

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0zEwdAF-gc

The Cool Kids - When Fish Ride Bicycles (Album)

Rating: 3/5

Mikey Rocks and Chuck English, hailing from Chicago and Detroit respectively, are the duo that make up "The Cool Kids."  Known for their bass heavy beats and original sound, the group finally sneaks by the underground scene, able to get their music to the masses in their first official full length album "When Fish Ride Bicycles."  Complete with guest appearances from Bun B, Ghostface Killah, Asher Roth, Travis Barker, and more, the album definitely has star power attached to it.

If you've been an avid listener of the group for a while, there was a certain sound you were expecting - and that sound is what you'll get.  With enough bump to blow a sub-woofer (or two), it's a solid summer album to ride around town in. But, if you're the listener that's looking for lyrics or deep concepts, you've come to the wrong place. The Cool Kids have never been focused on the direction and lyrical content of their songs, rather more focused on the sound. However with being an album, I know a lot of people (including me) were hoping for something with a little more substance.  The summer sound is evident throughout the entire album, with songs such as "Swimsuits" and "Boomin'" giving you the ride with the top down feel, but the disc opens up not as strong as some would like. The first track, "Rush Hour Traffic" is a song that tells the listener, 'I might be in traffic, but at least my ride looks good.' And the second song, "GMC" doesn't stretch much further starting out with "riding in that four door range rover classic" leaving the audience already wondering if this is what the whole album will be like.

There are defintely some good songs on the album though, don't get me wrong. A few of the standout tracks on the 11 track album include "Roll Call" featuring Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper & Boldy James, "Penny Hardaway" featuring Ghostface Killah, and their lead single off the album "Bundle Up."

If you've got a nice sound system, turn it up. But other than that, this album is disappointing in the eyes of many fans.

The official release date is July 12, but Green Label Sound has streamed the album a little early to give the fans a glimpse.  Listen to it here: http://www.facebook.com/GreenLabelSound?sk=app_178091127385