Thatmusick! New reviews out every couple of weeks.
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KENDRICK LAMAR – GNX
A sometimes patchy but entertaining claim to the throne from hip-hop’s unstoppable star. At this point, the name Kendrick is synonymous with the word “hip-hop”. Your old mum might not listen to rap music, or the radio, or Spotify, but she’s probably heard of Kendrick after 2024. He holds commercial success that other socially conscious…
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RECENT GEMS: Top 5
Another 5 standout songs from the past few weeks! Enjoy… 1. A$AP Ferg – “Alive” Ft. Dapper Dan From Fergenstein’s new album Darold. Opening with a bumping Yeezus-esque industrial trap beat, he muses on the emptiness that comes with fame, addiction, suicidal thoughts and even exercise and therapy. And that’s just part one! Leading into…
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LL COOL J – THE FORCE
A solid addition to the dad-rap division from one of hip hop’s elder statesmen. Maybe I’m just old now, but it feels like today’s hip hop albums are becoming more overloaded, homogenous in trends and style, and impactful as a flash in the pan. Viral stars are underselling, release dates have been coming and going…
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RECENT GEMS: Top 5
Just a collection of my 5 favourite drops that have come out recently! Enjoy…. 1. Demae – “Speechless” Demae serves us a dreamy love song with a driving bassline and backbeat reminiscent of artists like Thundercat and FlyLo. Beautifully airy and soft vocals intertwine with glittery synths and jazz chords, with sugar sweet (and lovably…
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BACK TO BLACK
A simplified anti-drug PSA that can’t quite capture its stars essence. When I heard an Amy Winehouse biopic was landing on the big screen, I didn’t have so much faith. We already have the Amy documentary – a very intimate, honest telling of her story, enthralling and hard to watch at the same time. With…
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BASHY – BEING POOR IS EXPENSIVE
A thoughtful, detailed comeback reflecting on the past, but never sounding stuck in it. Bashy never got his full flowers for his contribution to the UK rap scene before concentrating on acting. He had a solid mixtape run – I remember rinsing The Chupa Chups tape on my old mp3 player. A few great freestyles…
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THE 40 YEAR OLD VERSION
An endearing, amusing tale of an artist trying to keep it real. When most people think of hip-hop films, the mind wanders more to “8 Mile”, “Get Rich or Die Trying”, “Straight Out of Compton”. Larger than life tales of struggling artists coming up and betting their life on hip hop, like warriors on a…
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¥$ (YE AND TY) – VULTURES 2
Kanye’s always been a king of controversy in pop music. Never shy to speak his mind, proclaim his superiority, and back it up with groundbreaking music. An anti-hero, who could make albums like films with blockbuster grandeur that were alternative enough for the arthouse crowd