ROUNDTABLE #5
Macklemore-Otherside
Grawedawg: I do like the way Macklemore samples other artists when making his beats, and using RHCP in a song about addiction is solid way to go. Unfortunately, the draw back is that hearing this song just makes want to turn this off and listen to the Chili Peppers. Still, I always feel like Macklemore pours his heart out in his music, and I it is good to hear more from him on the Lounge.
Rita from the Block: Macklemore's mashup with RHCP is cool, but a little forced
Quiet D: this is quite good, I've listened to it many times over the last couple days. Initially I though it was merely yet another hip hop song about hip hop but it's grown on me; nice use of the lead base guitar sample, more songs could use lead bass; good use of trumpet; lyrics and instrumentation fit together and are rather moving; lyrics as seems to be the norm in hip hop are too literal for my taste -- I prefer the vagueness of rock, as in "and once again, I'll pretend to know the way through the empty space, through the secret places of the heart" doesn't mean anything in particular but it's more moving than most hip hop lyrics, but still these are alright and are fitting.
BPerl: ambitious attempt, but it just doesn't come together. even though he stays on beat most of the time, it just doesn't really sync up that well to form a complete sound.
Chivato: Love this sh*t. Macklemore's one of a kind flow and wordplay over a classic sample is only amplified by the serious subject matter. Propz to Lefty Hook to putting me on to Macklemore cuz this guy is beyond dope.
Morgan-Drama
Grawedawg: As a fellow Redskins fan, I think this song is a metaphor for the Daniel Snyder era. He stood beside us when he bought the team, but now he has pushed us down with his foolish actions as an owner. "The chick we don't like" is overpriced free agents and washed up bums (Larry Fucking Johnson! Are you kidding me?!). Man, fuck Daniel Snyder.
Rita from the Block: I also liked Morgan's song. She sounds like a combination of a young Mary J. and Jill Scott, which are two good things. A good story with a very listenable beat and a nice hook.
Quiet D: boring. I suppose the best I can say is it was interesting in the gradual revelation that her best friend was actually involved in jumping her but I may be wrong since I wasn't paying close attention. instrumentation is utterly tedious
BPerl: Kind of like the instrumental. flow's kind of choppy though, and all she's doing is complaining.
Chivato: I'm a huge Nicki Minaj fan, but where the female rappers at today who just spit some thoughtful rhymes about everyday life situations. Haven't listened to too many of Morgan's songs but seems like she's got her niche as a storytelling lyricist, not a shock and crazy rapper like most females out today.
Carmine-The Champagne Song
Grawedawg: This is the Andre of music: it isn't very good, but it might help you get with 17-year-old girls.
Rita from the Block: Maybe I'm giving away my diminishing street cred here, but all "sexy" "come sleep with me" rap songs I've been hearing lately while on the treadmill at the New York Sports Club, watching their Rap Station music videos on the little tv (see? very white.) just leave me feeling creeped out and sorry for the girls who fall for that, but Carmine's Champagne Song is genuinely sexy and smoove. Maybe a little slow at times and 30 seconds too long, but a hot song. Reminds me a bit of Ignition when it came out circa 2002.
Quiet D: utterly tedious, awful singing, typical hip hop song about how it's so neat to have nice stuff and being able to seduce women with said stuff, unless it's actually all an ironic parody of typical hip hop, in which case it's a merely a boring song
BPerl: this one's pretty terrible, even for a slow song. the guy's lines and delivery make it sound like he has yet to graduate middle school. need i say anything about the vocals?
Chivato: Whats up with all the hating going on here? Not the most lyrical of songs but got a nice vibe to it. "Champagne tastes better with good company don't iittttt."
Soulstice-Forgiveness
Grawedawg: I could see this song getting a lot of club play for a few months. I liked this song more and more each time I listened to it. First verse is a little weak, but the song really gains steam as it goes along.
Quiet D: eh, don't care for it. no distinguishing qualities. he has got his paper route but everyone who doubted him will be asking for forgiveness... I don't know what to think.
BPerl: best song of the bunch, although I wasn't crazy about the autotune. also, i think the instrumental they use for the hook should have been used for the verses.
Chivato: Awesome use of Drake for the chorus and some hot lyrics from Soulstice. "They know who I am, but not who I'm about to be!!!!" Thats my motto right now. Watch where I'm at in a year or two suckazzzz hahahah.
Burnz-Good Music
Grawedawg: The only things stopping this from being good music are the shitty lyrics and annoying beat. Other than that, though, it's right there.
Rita from the Block: "Good Music" sounds like any other rap song. And what's with really skinny rappers these days? Better than the Big Puns of the world I guess.
Quiet D: listened once, no desire to listen to again; not actively offensive
BPerl: this one was alright...the hook gets pretty annoying though. gotta respect the ice cream truck.
Chivato: Love the video and beat. I gotta admit, Burnz's voice is love or hate, but I dig it. Just feel good music here.
