A Podcast About Rap.
The one where Jean and Marcus reach back and evaluate six of rap’s most recognized double discs. Did these albums truly need twice the space to contain their greatness, or are they merely products of pride and excess?
The one where Jean and Marcus discuss the recent, overwhelming Billboard chart success of young upstarts Lil’ Uzi Vert and XXXTENTACION, and their new albums Luv Is Rage 2 and 17, both of which were released August 25.
The one where Jean and Marcus get vulnerable by admitting that there are a few so-called classic rap albums they’ve never heard, and share their thoughts on their first listens.
The one where Jean and Marcus evaluate nine rap albums that followed classic releases, and compare them to their predecessors.
The one where Jean and Marcus continue talking about the times when rappers they like, or wanted to like, have let them down; this time focusing on albums instead of songs.
In the world of the music industry, there exist boundaries and other defining lines. There have, at many times, been definitions of the line between artistry and entertainment. Within these definitions, there has definitely been a fair amount of crossing and meshing that finds us struggling to preserve the separation.
An artist like Lil’ Yachty has been registered by many as a resident of the entertainment world. He is regarded as one who will find what works for sales and attention, and lacks the respect of the “real hip hop” purveyors (Joe Budden included), and even has heard chuckles from fans of his contemporaries, regardless of level of relevance.
On his major label debut, Lil’ Yachty parts his trademark beaded braids to view the public in the eye on his testimonial Teenage Emotions.
I didn’t enter this looking for a variance of “emotions” or sounds. I fully expected endless boasts of financial standing and sexual conquests, along with the occasional dart at his critics.
Well, a lot of what I expected was in there.
I can say that this album was more varied than I expected. The album began with a welcome that references his lack of drinking, losing friends, money and desire to a star. The brags and desire continue on “DN Freestyle” and “Peekaboo”, his collaboration with Migos. On the former, his flow starts hard, but fizzles quickly as he steps away from the beat’s pace. This is an issue that I have found at other times with him, including his recent collaboration with Tee Grizzly. This continues over the next couple of songs, as he continues the same script of questioning haters, and previously mentioned topics.
Kamiyah steals the show on the collaboration “All Around Me”, which also features YG.
The turn of emotions comes from the block of songs that begin with “All You Had to Say” and “Better”, which actually shows pain from being let down and desires for a true love. Yachty attempts singing more, which isn’t so bad. This emotional turn continues on “Running with a Ghost” as he returns to rapping, and leaves the singing to Grace.
Lil Yachty’s rapping is most stable over “Priorities”, which feature a wavering back and forth of his morals. There is not enough of him being focused and measured with his lines on this album, which makes a 69-minute listen a bit difficult.
The production for the album overall is handled by multiple personnel including Digital Nas, The Stereotypes, and Earl. Ricky Racks, who produced “Peekaboo”, has no other selections amongst the 21 tracks. Sounds range from slow moving trap beats on “All You Had to Say”, to the steel drummed, island vibe of “Better”, and the 80s electronic drumming for “Bring it Back”, a yacht rock attempt from Yachty.
While there a lot of moments where he steps above the stream of commonness, it is not enough to hold this entry high. There is potential found when he truly finds the words for his emotions, but is quickly drowned out when he either steps to the background behind his collaborators, or repeats overused themes.
The one where Jean and Marcus give their opinions on January and February 2017’s rap releases. Includes albums by Substantial, The Koreatown Oddity, Prodigy, Mozzy, Migos, Iamsu!, Big Sean, Lupe Fiasco, Quelle Chris, Remy Ma & Fat Joe, Future, Jidenna, Jonwayne, Roc Marciano, and Oddisee.
Apologies for the snap, crackle, and pop audio glitches.