Solange Knowles: A TRUE Artist

On November 27th, the incredibly talented (and underrated) Solange Knowles released her latest collection of music. The 7-track EP, True, is a follow up to her funky and soulful previous album "Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams". On True, Solange continues her journey as an artist with a musical palate that sharply contrasts her wildly famous sister's style.

Solange is, in my opinion, one of the best female artists out here. She has the entire package: impeccable individual style, deeply personal and well-crafted songs, and solid, unique production. She is the cool singin', paintin', DJin', and cussin' intellectual chick that girls want to hang out with and guys want to date. Solange is one of the few artists who truly understands that if you want to produce timeless, quality, and cohesive material, then you need to use "tried-and-true" methods. For example, she wrote the entire EP and worked with one producer, Dev Hynes, to produce a seamless sound.

Here is a track by track review:

"Losing You"

This song is the perfect kickoff to the EP. "Losing You" is odd, yet pleasant gumbo of pop and R&B with a dash of house music influence. Although Solange's airy vocals lament a fading love, the upbeat and percussion heavy tempo is uplifting and provides a perfect match to Solange's carefree and unique persona.

"Some Things Never Seem to Fucking Work"

Could this song be an ode to her widely publicized teenage romance (and first marriage) to college football player Daniel Smith? Perhaps so. At any rate, we have all went through that necessary shift from agonizing heartbreak to lingering anger over a love gone wrong. Despite her foul language and angry lyrics, Solange's vocals are flawlessly smooth over the simple production.

"Locked in Closets"

 Solange serves up yet another potential hit with this track. The vocals are the defining feature of the song: effortless and solid without unnecessary melismas. Keep it on repeat!

"Lovers In the Parking Lot"

The second upcoming single from True, "Lovers In the Parking Lot" is a standout track on this EP. Backed by a hypnotic beat, Solange reassesses the pitfalls of toying with another person's emotions. Dev Hynes and Solange are a match made in musical heaven.

"Don't Let Me Down"

Once again, Solange tackles the pitfalls of love over addictive music. She proclaims her love for her man and expects his affection in return with church-tinged vocals. The production pulsates with a guitar influence. This song shows Solange at her most vulnerable moment on the EP.

"Looks Good With Trouble"

I don't know why this song/interlude is so short, but I need more. Much more. This small sample of sexy is an unfair tease and proves that this Knowles sister is a vixen in her own right.

"Bad Girls"

Best song on the album. Lyrically, vocally, and production wise. Solange spreads her wings with sweet vocal runs as she finds herself in a strange bed after the previous night's bad decisions. 

Overall, congrats on a fantastic EP void of filler and full of intoxicating music!

Love Solange,

-T. Amour

The Most Interesting Rappers Out Right Now Pt. 2

I'm back with the second post about the most interesting rappers out RIGHT NOW!! As noted, these are current rappers who are active in the rap arena. And, these lists are in no way exhaustive! There is a plethora of talent, both signed and unsigned.

Check out my first post here to get a feel on how I view the rap music: The Most Interesting Rappers Out Right Now Pt. 1

Here is Part 2

1) Rapsody
 
Remember the incredibly talented Kendrick Lamar from the previous post? Well, let me introduce you to his female counterpart. Hailing from North Carolina, Rapsody is poised to be a future forerunner in rap music and, after sampling just one track, you will know why. Her socially conscious lyrics and unwavering effort to preserve the essence of rap is reminiscent of Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah. Her image is quintessential B-girl. And her motto is simple, yet poignant: "Culture Over Everything". Pick up a copy of her latest effort, The Idea of Beautiful.

**Must hear tracks: "The Drums" , "Kind of Love", "All Black Everything", and "In The Town"

2) Ab-Soul
 
Yet another member of the Black Hippy supergroup is on my list. Along with Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolBoy Q, Ab-Soul is West Coast rapper with unlimited talent. Ab-Soul was ostracized as a child due to a rare skin disease, but instead of allowing adversity to derail him from his dreams, he began actively pursuing a career in rap music, eventually signing with Top Dawg Entertainment in 2007. The 25 year old wordsmith is the heartbeat of his group and often displays his keen awareness of politics and social issues on his tracks. His latest body of work, Control System, is a must-have for any hip-hop fan and features vocals from his late girlfriend Alohi Joh, who sadly died from an apparent suicide earlier this year.

**Must hear tracks: "A Rebellion", "ILLuminate", "Nothing New", and "Terrorist Threats"

3) B.o.B.

As you can tell, I am not a huge mainstream rap fan, but B.o.B. has had my attention for the past couple of years. Born Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. in North Carolina (we generally breed good people here), and raised in Decatur, GA, Simmons began playing several instruments as a child, including the trumpet and his now-famous guitar. A 2006 performance at T.I.'s Club Crucial soon led to a deal with Atlantic Records. Like most recent artists, his climb to fame started on the mixtape circuit in 2007 and 2008. His breakthrough freshman album, B.o.B. Presents the Adventures of Bobby Ray, took 2010 by storm. Several hits were spawned, including the inescapable "Nothing On You" featuring Bruno Mars. B.o.B. represents the lighthearted side of hip-hop as he effortlessly blends genres and generations of fans. If you think he's too mainstream, check out his recent mixtape F*ck Em We Ball and change your mind.

**Must hear tracks: "Nothin' On You", "Hell of a Night", "Out of My Mind", and "Arena"

4) Jay Rock

Don't judge me. Yes, I do have all 4 members of the Black Hippy movement on my lists. Jay Rock was, of course, a mixtape artist and caught the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment. In 2008, his debut single, "All My Life" was largely praised by the rap community and Jay Rock quickly earned a spot on several hip-hop "up and coming artist" lists. In 2011, his highly anticipated and well-received debut album, Follow Me Home, was released and solidified his presence as narrator and exceptional lyricist.

**Must hear tracks: "Hood Gone Love It", "Say Whassup", "All My Life", and "Kill or Be Killed"

5) Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino's road to rap success mirrors the ever present rapper Drake. An actor turned rapper, Gambino took the leap from TV to hip-hop and created an independent release in 2008 entitiled Sick Boi. His rap persona is all over the place: self-deprecating, humorous, braggadocios, introspective, and all around unique. For Childish Gambino, the genre box simply doesn't exist. He makes music on his own terms and plays by his own rules. Check out Royalty, his latest mixtape released on Independence Day of 2012.

**Must hear tracks: "Fire Fly", "Heartbeat", "Freaks and Geeks", and "UNtouchable"

Could there be a part 3???? Stay tuned and you will find out....

With Love,

T. Amour

Thanksgiving: The Good, Bad, and Ugly - Be Thankful Anyway

Depending on who you are, Thanksgiving can stir a multitude of emotions. For some of us, we can picture and taste our Grandma's savory sweet potato pie. For others, it brings back bad memories of awkward family conversations or disagreements.

Personally, I have mixed emotions about Thanksgiving. I strive to be thankful everyday, even when things don't go my way. I could also get into the whole Pilgrims/Native Americans thing, but that is another post and I won't go there!

I have a list of my blessings that I refer to at least 3 times a week to remind me that my life, although it is not perfect, is filled with small joys. I have a husband, a healthy daughter, healthy nieces and nephews, a roof over my head, and yes, even my day job (because having a source of income rocks). I am also thankful for music and poetry :)

I also have this blog. And I have each and every one of you who takes just a few minutes to read my blog and support me as I chase my dreams of becoming a successful blogger, writer, and business owner. Even if you don't agree with the orgins behind this holiday, grab some Chinese, sit down on the floor and write out a list of what makes your life worth living. I promise, it is longer than you think!

From me to you, have a joyous Thursday filled with light, love, prosperity, laughter, smiles, and purpose!

Since I have until Monday off work, I can FINALLY finish a couple of blog posts that I have been wanting to share with you.

Here's a old-school song to put you in a thankful mindset: William DeVaughn "Be Thankful for What You Got"

With Love,

T. Amour

Words of Wisdom

Just a few thoughts to keep in mind this week! I look forward to bringing you Part 2 of my "Most Interesting Rappers" post (See part one here) soon.

**Attitude defines reality - If you remain positive, then positive things will manifest in your life!

**Trials build character - Successful people CAN'T be weak. Your current struggle will prepare you for the continuous uphill battle toward personal success.

**Square pegs don't fit into circles - Don't try to force things to work that simply don't work. And don't try to fit into a circle you don't belong in. Individuality is sexy.

**Silence is golden - Our world moves at an alarming rate. Take time to slow down for a minute and savor life.

**Beautiful Surroundings - You have no control over other people's personalities, opinions, and actions. But you can control who you let into your space. Life is too short to surround yourself with ignorant people.

I hope you have a beautiful week!

Love Light and Live Life!

-T. Amour

The Most Interesting Rappers Out Right Now Pt. 1

Rap/Hip-hop is one of the most versatile and dominant forms of music. Inside the paradigm of rap lies a myriad of subject matter, rhyming techniques and varying terminology. The roots of hip-hop run deep into history, reflecting African storytellers who recited tales to the fluid beat of drums. Many generations have been heavily influenced by the world of hip-hop music, and it is now arguably the most dominate genre of music on the planet.

But, despite its rich heritage, the majority of today's mainstream rap has been castigated for its misogynist lyrics and promotion of irresponsible and illegal behavior. Even former staunch supporters of rap music have declared that "Hip-hop is dead" as the topics have become largely repetitive and the lyricism has been reduced to mindless chants and kindergarten rhymes.

However, I have unshakeable faith in this genre of music. I don't buy into the propaganda that rap music is dying. Like I have said many times on this blog, quality music exists, you just have to be diligent enough to explore the many possibilities! I rarely listen to the radio because I have no interest in hearing the same songs 20 times a day.

My love for rap is thriving primarily to these 5 artists listed below, among others. Right now, they are reigning supreme on my personal playlist and they prove that the masterful lyricism, storytelling, and intelligence in rap music is ALIVE.

Here is the first lineup of The Most Interesting Rappers Out RIGHT NOW (no particular order):

1) Kendrick Lamar


 Kendrick Lamar is a rap genius. This Compton-based lyricist began his rap career as a mixtape artist nearly 10 years ago with his first mixtape in 2003 while he was still a teenager. His album on the independent label Top Dawg Entertainment, Section 80, was critically acclaimed and proved that he would be a formidable force in rap music. Now, with the recent release of his major-label debut album, Good Kid, m.A.A.d city, Kendrick proved he has the ability to attract the mainstream audience without losing his authenticity. GKMC is already being heralded as a classic album and reasons are obvious. This album is the definition of superior storytelling, brilliant lyricism, and unprecedented cohesiveness. No need to skip tracks!

**Must hear songs: "Rigamortis", "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst", "HiiiPower", and  "The Recipe"

2) J. Cole

Shout out to my home state hero! J. Cole hails from humble beginnings in Fayetteville, NC, where he began rapping in high school. After graduation, he decided to take his rapping AND atheletic talents to the Big Apple, where he attended St. John's University under a full basketball scholarship. After graduating college, he began to hone his lyrical talents full-time, releasing his first mixtape. However, it was his second mixtape in 2009, The Warm Up, that truly caught the attention of rap fans. A year later, he was the first artist signed to Roc Nation and its been ON every since. Cole's next two efforts, the flawless mixtape Friday Night Lights and his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story, cemented his status as one of the sharpest lyricist in the game right now. J. Cole's music spans a plethora of topics and showcases his superior intelligence and clever wordplay.

**Must hear songs: "Too Deep For the Intro", ALL THREE SIMBA TRACKS, "The Autograph", "Lost Ones"

3) Casey Veggies

Unlike Lamar and Cole, Casey Veggies (born Casey Jones) has not yet had his moment to bask in the mainstream glow, but that doesn't mean he isn't a force to be reckoned with. A former member of Odd Future Gang, Casey has decided to forge his own independent path in the music world. He has released 5 mixtapes and finally signed with Roc Nation earlier this year. Casey Veggies is refreshingly creative, decidedly unique, and talented far beyond his years. He can take a "typical" rap subject and present it in an unorthodox way. He will be around for a LONG time!

**Must hear songs: "Ridin' Roun Town", "DTA", "Swag Worth a Mill", "It's All Good" "Nobody"

4)ScHoolboy Q

There's no suprise that I like ScHoolboy Q. He, along with Kendrick Lamar, are members of the West-Coast super group Black Hippy. After releasing two mixtapes, he dropped his independent label debut, Setbacks, in 2011. The album turned out to be anything but a setback for him, and ScHoolboy Q followed up in 2012 with the highly acclaimed Habits&Contradictions. What makes him interesting? It's all about his unique delivery and eclectic style. Similar to his group mate, he is able to rhyme about an endless list of subjects with an incredible level of thought. Every line, every word is deliberate and meaningful.

**Must hear songs: "Fantasy", "I'm Good", "Blessed", "Nightmare on Figg St."

5) Joey BadA$$

Joey BadA$$ is...well...bad ass. In a great way. Although he is only 17, his style is reminiscent of the "golden age" of rap music. Joey's 1999 mixtape is unlike anything I have ever heard in today's era. It's smart, soulful, and astounding. He is a diamond among much of today's trash. I respect him and support him for remaining true to who he is and achieving success and acclaim on his own terms. Think Nas and Jay-Z at the beginning of their careers - the undeniable hunger and dedication to the poetry of rap music. Yet, he is interesting and captivating enough to be relevant among rap fans. Can't wait for his official debut album!

**Must hear songs: "Survival Tactics", "Waves" (this is my ish), "Catharsis", "Righteous Minds"

This list is just the beginning of my current rap catalogue. Part 2 to come your way soon!

Love Hip-Hop,

T. Amour