[Album Review] Drake – Nothing Was the Same

’Drake – From Time (Feat. Jhené Aiko)’
’Drake – Furthest Thing’
’Drake – Tuscan Leather’
’Drake – Worst Behavior’

More than just the Adele of the rap game, Drake‘s ability to convey both sensitive and egotism with an ear for solid bars with catchy hooks have made him one of the highest selling artists in the industry. In just 4 years, the actor turned unlikely rapper/singer has achieved more with just 3 albums than most artists accomplish in a lifetime in the industry: sold out shows, millions of records, Grammy’s, and chart-topping singles. Now that Kanye West has chosen to explore more of an indie sound with his latest release Yeezus, Drake has arguably become the game’s new unchallenged crossover star. With his latest release Nothing Was the Same, he returns to the style of spitting about former relationships and braggadocious rhymes, but a little less formulaic than before.

Minus the obvious hits, “Started From the Bottom,” “All Me,” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” Nothing Was the Same features a more in-depth look into Drake’s life that further explores the upsides and downsides of fame on his personal relationships. On the opening “Tuscan Leather,” Aubrey takes a minute from crooning over hooks and choruses to deliver a straight rap that includes boasting and a mention of his short-lived fallout with fellow labelmate Nicki Minaj. “Too Much” featuring Sampha (of SBTRKT fame) delves into more personal and somber themes, as Drake spits about how the growth of his fame affects family ties.

Read the rest of the review and stream more from the album after the jump

Related items:

[Remix] Portugal. The Man – Evil Friends (Jake One Remix) (Feat. Danny Brown)

Portugal. The Man
Evil Friends (Jake One Remix Feat. Danny Brown)

If it’s “Evil Friends” you’re looking for, you could do much worse than Danny Brown. Danny isn’t shy when it comes to tackling beats, which explains why his list of collaborations includes names as diverse as Purity Ring and Charli XCX. Still, Portugal. The Man is unexplored territory for the Detroit spitter, but with the help of producer Jake One, the collaboration manages to work perfectly.

Flipping the title track of the group’s latest album, Jake One captures some of the more downtempo moments of the original, while adding in some steady drum patterns to transform it into a hip-hop ready soundscape. Danny handles the rest of the legwork, delivering some energetic yet effortless bars to help set the mood. It’s a great reminder of the diversity he employs, and the track helps to whet our appetite a bit as we patiently wait for Old, dropping September 30th. And if you haven’t listened to it yet, make sure to grab Portugal. The Man’s Evil Friends, in stores now.

Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Wale & J. Cole – Winter Schemes (Prod. Jake One)

Wale x J. Cole
Winter Schemes (Prod. Jake One)

As they revel in the chart-topping success of their latest albums, J. Cole and Wale decided to let this one loose in celebration of their newfound positions at the pinnacle of hip-hop. July may seem like an odd time to release a song titled “Winter Schemes,” but if you pay closer attention, the name really seems to imply that the pair have been planning their domination since way back in December. Check out the dope Jake One produced single above, and if you haven’t already, make sure to grab yourself copies of Born Sinner and The Gifted, which are both incredible records in their own right.

Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Wale – Poor Decisions (Feat. Rick Ross & Lupe Fiasco) (Prod. Jake One)

Wale
Poor Decisions ft Rick Ross & Lupe Fiasco

Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group are gearing up to release their third ensemble album (in as many years) this summer with Self Made Vol. 3. Becoming a staple of the season now, Ross has churned out these records year after year in order to stay on top of the game. It’s been a brilliant strategy that’s kept him at the forefront of our minds, and it’s also helped make household names out of guys like Meek Mill and Wale.  The first single from the project comes today from the latter who changes things up a bit with “Poor Decisions.” While we’re not used to hearing Rozay on a more conscious tip (maybe he’s changed his ways since that whole “Molly” incident), that happens to be Lupe Fiasco‘s forte, who proves to be a perfect feature for this new track. Check out the Jake One produced cut below and let us hear your thoughts.

Related items:

[Hip-Hop] J. Cole – Truly Yours 2 EP

After dropping off  “Cole Summer” last night, J. Cole serves up another treat with the sequel to February’s Truly Yours EP. Like the previous installment, the six-track EP is composed of previously unreleased material and songs that were left on the cutting room floor. With features and production from 2 Chainz, Young Jeezy, Bas, Jake One, and Canei Finch, this iteration is even better than the last. If this is the material that didn’t make the album, you have to wonder what Cole has in store for us when Born Sinner comes out on June 25th. Grab the free download here.

’J. Cole – Cole Summer (Prod. By J. Cole)’
’J. Cole – Kenny Lofton feat. Young Jeezy (Prod. By Canei Finch)’
’J. Cole – Chris Tucker feat. 2 Chainz (Prod. By J. Cole & Canei Finch)’
’J. Cole – Head Bussa (Prod. By J. Cole)’
’J. Cole – Cousins ft. Bas (Prod. By J.Cole:Ron Gilmore)’
’J. Cole – 3 Wishes (Prod. By Jake One)’
Related items:

[R&B/Soul] Tuxedo – Tuxedo EP

It looks like the comeback of Justin Timberlake‘s got everyone stepping their soul game up. After Robin Thicke reemerged last week with his brand new single, “Blurred Lines,” mysterious soul group, Tuxedo, has also decided to show off why they’re better than any old “Suit & Tie.” Rumored to be a collaboration between Motown crooner Mayer Hawthorne, and industry veteran Jake One, Tuxedo is a godsend for enthusiasts of the smooth and funky. Although the EP is only three songs deep, it has just enough flavor to keep you satisfied. Starting things off with the hip-swinging, finger-snapping “Do It,” the EP soon proceeds onto the classic West Coast rhythms of “So Good,” before finally winding things down with the slowjam, “Get U Home.” The EP is definitely worth a listen the full way through, and we look forward to learning more about the identities behind this enigmatic group in the coming weeks.

’Tuxedo – Do It’
’Tuxedo – So Good’
’Tuxedo – Get U Home’
Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Joey Bada$$ – Wendy N Becky (feat. Chance the Rapper)

To celebrate the recent worldwide trending of his Pro Era crew, Brooklyn’s young star, Joey Bada$$, delivers a dope new track with fellow rising emcee, Chance the Rapper. On “Wendy N Becky,” Joey spits with his impressive, classically-styled lyricism about some dangerous ladies over an appropriately smooth instrumental from the always jazzy Thelonius Martin. Chance, who hails from Chicago, holds his own with a light, syncopated flow. Enjoy this chilled-out cut below and look out for Joey and the Pro Era to take over this year.

’Joey Bada$$ – Wendy N Becky (Feat. Chance The Rapper) (Prod. Thelonius Martin)’

Bonus: Chance the Rapper’s recent single, “Acid Rain,” has been grabbing a lot of attention in the last week or so and with good reason. Over an airy Jake One instrumental, Chance cultivates powerful bars conveying a breadth of deep thought and emotion. Listen and grab a free download below.

’Chance the Rapper – Acid Rain’
Related items: