Fresh Out The Gutter

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Kendrick Lamar confirms DAMN. was intended to play backwards to give fans a different vibe than if it were to play in the numerical order it was released in.

You may recall all the theories we had about a second album shortly following the 2017 release... we actually had it all along. If you play the album in reverse numerical order the feeling the album evokes changes.

“It plays as a full story and even a better rhythm...” Kendrick said in a recent MTV interview.

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ATMOSPHERE's Welcome To California Tour at Observatory OC

For those of you that experienced ATMOSPHERE Thursday night at The Observatory of Orange County, I know the following “fan girl” four-page letter that you’re about to read will make perfect sense.

With over a twenty-year career, Atmosphere (currently individually known as Slug & DJ Ant) has a discography with eleven-plus widely successful projects which range from albums and EP’s.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota duo has conquered a segment of hip hop in a cult-like manner over the years. Most of those that gravitate towards the group are not your average flashy clothes and jewelry wearing hip hop fans. In fact, there seems to be a bigger connection between artist and fan when it comes to Atmosphere. A connection that surpasses hip hop.

Those of you familiar with Atmosphere probably find or have found comfort and refuge in Slug’s lyrical transparency at some point in your life. From early on in their career, the lyrical content in the music has been relatable to the listener. This is exactly where the group roots their success.

Joyful to dark instrumentation and lyrics full of questions, life lessons, personal confessions, and emotions is what Atmosphere has had to offer throughout the years. Even with all of that involved, it's still hip hop.

As was expected, the venue was sold-out for this Welcome to California Tour. It's not an often occurance that we get the duo on this side of town, so of course fans had to jump on the tickets quickly.

Atmosphere took the stage around 10pm and as the crowd roared at sight of Slug’s presence, he began to rap “Camera Thief” off the Southsiders album. There was no fancy grand entrance, no expensive stage scenery. The stage humbly displayed the name “Atmosphere” across the DJ table and a skull print U.S. geographical backdrop with California highlighted.

They proceeded to perform cuts off Southsiders and the latest project Fishing Blues. It wasn’t until maybe 20 minutes into the performance that they hit us with something off the older projects. “Godlovesugly” was one of the first reminiscent tracks that they did. Cameras went up in the air and the entire room was rapping along. We then heard “Modern Man’s Hustle” and when “Fuck You Lucy” came on it made it clear why we were all there appreciating such moment.

Slug took to the microphone shortly after and wanted to make a confession to the crowd. “I want to apologize,” he said, “because twenty years ago I didn’t give a fuck about you…[and] I want to thank you because you’ve been there for me through some hard times and I’m sure I’ve been there for you too.” The crowd cheered at the short speech.

For those of us who consume music primarily as a therapeutic outlet, those words resonated deeply. Yes, I was that girl who nearly shed a tear at the thought of it. At the thought of times the lyrics in songs like “Happy Mess”, “Modern Man’s Hustle”, “Yesterday”, “The Waitress”, “Dreamer” among countless others were the only comfort I could get. I know, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

It was such a great nostalgic feeling when the group visited tracks off 1997’s debut Overcast, Seven’s Travels, and When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold. You could tell that most of the attendees were real fans because there was never a moment in which they ceased to recite word for word. There was even a young girl who was brought on stage and recited Spawn’s lyrics off their debut album.

The real beauty of this sold-out show lies in knowing there’s a special room in hip hop for someone like Atmosphere. When we think about it, it's a beautiful thing that these artists are able to reach a certain amount of success and loyalty to where they can live off this music without “selling out” and simply being themselves and being for the people.

Thank you Slug and Ant for the years of music and the memorable experiences at these shows. Until next time.

- Stace Fresh

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Snow Tha Product: “Problems”

Snow Tha Product has “Problems” and she’s about to lose her grip on her latest video release. 

This new track comes to us only a little over two weeks after “Waste Of Time.” Check out the video below. -Stace Fresh

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Kendrick Lamar Adds YG to DAMN. Tour

DAMN. This tour is about to be Krazy.

It looks like YG will be joining Kung Fu Kenny on tour this summer.

Since Kendrick Lamar’s tour dates released a little over three weeks ago in April, he has then added more dates and cities to the list. The DAMN. tour now consists of 32 shows in which Travis Scott will perform alongside the Compton lyricist on the first 17 dates of the tour, and YG will take over for the remaining 15 shows.

D.R.A.M. still remains on the tour lineup for all 32 dates. Check out full tour dates below.  -Stace Fresh

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A.R.S. “Complicated” feat. Eyevan

A.R.S. returns with a well executed collaboration alongside singer/songwriter/producer Eyevan on “Complicated.”

Per usual, Artistic Rhythm and Soul returns with thought provoking lyrics to a soulful melodic sound produced by Eyevan . Released under the Soul In It imprint, “Complicated” contains a story-line of temptation & infidelity. At some level, you’ll be able to relate, take a listen down below.

-Stace Fresh

Purchase “Complicated” on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/complicated-feat-eyevan-single/id1233558752

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Snow Tha Product drops the ultimate ‘f*** boy’ free zone anthem “Waste Of Time”

Snow Tha Product drops the ultimate “fuck a ‘fuckboy’ ” anthem.

The female spitter finds herself in her latest single “Waste of Time” in a situation most of us ladies have been in once or twice. 

“I don’t know when you changed it up on me but I coulda’ sworn I never got he text I could’ve planned this shit accordingly  I hate to nag and I hate to stress Cuz’ I haven’t been up on my regular shit Man, I was slowing down a little to pursue this I ain’t no regular bitch…”

Yep, we’ve all thought it at some point and perhaps even said it, and now we have a tune to it.

Remember when Big Sean had us chanting “I Don’t fuck with you! You little stupid ass bitch, I ain’t fucking with you!”, well this is that, but for the ladies. Make sure you check out the video down below.

- Stace Fresh 

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DAMN.

The title is pretty self explanatory; if we could leave it at that, then we would wrap up this discussion with that simple headline. 

Kendrick Lamar returned full force with the single “Humble” March 30th, giving us a taste of what was to come with the much anticipated album we have all been patiently waiting to hear from the Compton lyricist.

The single had us all hanging by a thread for about two weeks, growing impatient with any news regarding the forthcoming project. 

After being pushed back one week after it’s anticipated drop, Kendrick finally released DAMN. this past Friday (April 14th). It was a damn good Friday, all pun intended.

The album begins  with the intro “BLOOD.” where Kendrick comes upon a blind woman who he tried to help. In the midst of his kind deed, we come to find that the lady pulls a trigger on Kendrick and he dies within the story-line of this track. The question is asked, “Is it wickedness? Is it weakness? Are we gonna live or die?” The track ends with a snippet of a Fox News anchor criticizing Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” anthem in which he mentions police brutality. 

“DNA.” follows with Mike Will Made It on the production. The producer also takes credit for “HUMBLE.” and “XXX.” These are the hardest sounding tracks of the album in which we find Kendrick hyperventilated over the topics at hand.

“I got, I got, I got, I got Loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA Cocaine quarter piece, got war and peace inside my DNA I got power, poison, pain and joy inside my DNA I got hustle though, ambition, flow, inside my DNA”

Kendrick brings black culture and roots to a glorious forefront.

One of my favorite tracks off this album is produced by James Blake- “ELEMENT.” There’s something so enticing to the ego within the chorus of this track.

“If I gotta slap a pussy-ass nigga, I'ma make it look sexy If I gotta go hard on a bitch, I'ma make it look sexy I pull up, hop out, air out, made it look sexy They won't take me out my element..”

Lamar then proceeds to call out his so-called competition (lyrically there is none) by stating, “Most of y'all don't fade, most of y'all been advised Last LP I tried to lift the black artists But it's a difference between black artists and wack artists.”

Ohweee!

“LOYALTY.” featuring RiRi & “LOVE.” containing the sweet vocals of Zacari are my other personal favorites. Yes, yes, I know… I’m soft.

“XXX.” featuring U2 finds the emcee going in at the 1:20 mark and transitioning back into a laid back sound. You can hear Bono’s vocals right before Kendrick continues with the biblical references and our nation’s/society's current stance which circulate throughout the entire album.

9th Wonder reels Kendrick into a soulful hip hop instrumental on “DUCKWORTH.” where he brings himself back into the storytelling essence of hip hop.

By now, I’m sure all of you have read the theories and speculations regarding this album. To make a long story short, some seem to derive the thought that because of the project's underlying biblical references, Kendrick dies on the first track of DAMN. and the project was released on good Friday, that Kendrick might be “resurrecting with another new album on Easter Sunday.

Tweets from the TDE camp fueled the assumptions.

But what if I told you... that's not the official version..

— Sounwave (@SounwaveTDE) April 14, 2017

I guess we’ll just have to wait around today and find out.

-Stace Fresh

Follow the link to purchase DAMN.: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/damn/id1223592280

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Listen Up AMERIKKKA, Joey Bada$$ Has Something to Say

Joey Bada$$ returns with a mouthful for us to swallow with All-Amerikkkan Bada$$. 

The Brooklyn native brings forth his sophomore album, accumulating production from DJ Khalil, 1-900, Like, and Pro-Era in-house producers Kirk Knight, Powers Pleasant, Chuck Strangers, and of course Statik Selektah. Features are also kept to a minimum with ScHoolboy Q, Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight, Meechy Darko, Chronixx, Styles P, and J. Cole.

The album begins with a wake up call- “Good Morning Amerikkka”- proposing the question to all those listening, “What’s freedom to you?” As we listen into “For My People” and the tracks that follow, this question begins to resonate and demands a wise answer.

“Temptation” comes with an uplifting and repenting message that perhaps most of us can relate to, because of this it has become my favorite track off this album.

“And I really can't take it no more

I've been fighting temptations, my Lord

I'm young and I'm restless, and I really can't help it

I never felt selfish before

I've been living so reckless, I know

Tell me Lord, can you help me?”

On “Land Of The Free” Joey gives us a proposition for progress and consciousness.

“The first step into change is to take notice

Realize the real games that they tried to show us 300 plus years of them cold shoulders

Yet 300 million of us still got no focus

Sorry America, but I will not be your soldier

Obama just wasn't enough, I just need some more closure

And Donald Trump is not equipped to take this country over

Let’s face facts 'cause we know what’s the real motives”

Bada$$ gets a bit more blunt on “Y U Don’t Love Me? (Miss Amerikkka),” just in case it wasn’t clear enough, midway into the album he starts to give it to you straight with no chaser.

“Tell me why you don’t love me

Why you always misjudge me?

Why you always put so many things above me?

Why you lead me to believe that I’m ugly

Why you never trust me?

Why you treat me like I don’t matter?

Why you always kicking my ladder?

Why you never hearing my side to the story?

Never look me in my eyes, say sorry?”

This is an ode to the Black Lives Matter movement and the issues/concerns of our colored brothers and sisters.

ScHoolboy Q accompanies Joey on “Rockabye Baby,” while “Ring The Alarm” keeps the feature within the Pro Era family. J.Cole guests on “Legendary” behind a mellow-jazz fused instrumental.

In my personal opinion Styles P takes the win when it comes to best feature on this album’s “Super Predator” track. The track possesses a very peculiar New York sound reminiscent of the early 90s. Needless to say that a game veteran like Styles on this album is a humbling and exciting thing for hip hop today. The album closes out with an outcry for unity and justice on “Amerikkkan Idol.” The following lines summarize the purpose of this project as a whole.

“What the government is doing amongst our people is downright evil…

They want us to rebel, so that it makes easier for them to kill us

and put us in jails

Alton Sterlings are happening' every day in this country and around the world

The scary part, boys and girls

Is most of these stories don't make it to the news and reach mass consciousness

It is for sure time that we as a people stand up for acknowledgement

And accomplishment of what we call human rights

It is time to rebel, better yet, raise hell

I just want everyone to be cautious about how they go about it

Because this is all part of the government's plan and what they been 

plotting…”

All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ brings about the concept for justice, unity, pride, education, and most importantly awareness of what is going on in society and within our communities, specifically aimed at blacks in America, but not strictly confined to.

Not everyone will be able to empathize with the lyrics on this album, however Joey has made it possible to grasp the attention of the skeptics through the production and delivery making it inevitable not to give it a proper listen or two before completely dismissing this sophomore effort. - Stace Fresh Make sure you give All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ a listen and/or purchase down below.

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SERVED FRESH: A.R.S. “Soul In It”

A.R.S. is back with “Soul In It” produced by J.Bizness. “Soul In It” is the follow-up single to the Inland Empire emcee’s- “Spinnin.” After a hiatus from music, A.R.S. is returning with a fully invested soul into his craft. This latest single depicts his found wisdom in the midst of life’s growing pains. At only 24, A.R.S. is determined to walk the path of a level-headed man both in his rhymes and daily life, making his lyrical content one of substance. You can catch A.R.S. at Rhymefest LA 9/29 alongside headlining act Talib Kweli and Rhymefest in Seattle,WA 10/08 with Raekwon and Supernatural. Make sure you click the link below, listen and share. https://soundcloud.com/artistic-r-soul/soulinit - Stace Fresh

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SERVED FRESH: Mac Miller  ‘The Divine Feminine’

Mac Miller is back, and better than ever, with The Divine Feminine. The long awaited new project from the Pittsburgh native is here! I dare say the album lives up to my personal expectations that derived from the first single “Dang!” (feat. Anderson .Paak) released off the project a few months back. The project is sated with soulful-funky instrumentation, along with simplistic poetic lines.

Notable guests on The Divine Feminine include Bilal, CeeLo Green, Ty Dolla $ign, Kendrick Lamar, Njomza, and new girlfriend Ariana Grande. The concept of the project seems to be heavily inspired by the emotions of the female gender. It includes the other-side of the game in which Miller tries to make sense of the fusion between love and lust. It’s overly sexual in terms of content, all-while keeping an eloquent and delicate gesture catered to it’s female listener. “Stay” is probably my favorite joint off this project. “Will, you, stay, just a little while, babe?” The saxophone in between the pauses of each comma on the lines of this hook is everything! You really have to listen to understand what I’m talking about. To describe The Divine Feminine in a single word- seductive. - Stace Fresh

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SERVED FRESH: Young Thug : No, My Name is Jeffery

Disclaimer: F*** your hip hop politics on this one. I like what I like. Let’s proceed... Young Thug dropped No, My Name is Jeffery and after a week of marinating on it, I have to say I’m all here for Thugger. Before we get into the track-list, let’s talk about the cover. What on earth is he wearing?! It looks like he wanted to wear a suit but then wanted to also be the “Quinceanera” and then remembered he had to go plow rice at seven. Whatever it is, it must be some expensive couture type of s***. Moving on.

The album starts off with “Wyclef Jean” which has a very catchy Caribbean tempo to it. That surely seems to be the music trend as of late- and it works. “Floyd Mayweather” features Gucci Mane and Gunna. The entire track depicts the lavish lifestyle of a “boss.” Money, sex, drugs. “Swizz Beatz” is one of my personal favorites off the album, it’s catchy with the “love, love, love, love ,love...” repetition. I’m all here for love- count me in. I already know what’s gonna happen with “Future Swag” as soon as it hits the radio (if it hasn’t already) -  y’all are going to think it’s a Future record. It’s the epitome of Future, but what else is new right. I mean, at one point in time we thought Thugger was Wayne.

You know Blu (the rapper) once said “...my ex used to bump Xzibit and her favorite line was I be catching bitches while bitches be catching feelings Yet she don't want me tricking around See, she idolize the lifestyle but don't want none of it going down” This is exactly what that is. I don’t know why it’s so catchy to rap to “Lil mama, she wet like a boat Lil mama, she ready for war She ready for dick in her ass and her throat”- on this track. I got problems y’all. I love Rihanna but “RiRi” is a track I can do without. Sorry, after a week it did not grow on me. “Guwop” featuring Quavo, Offset & Young Scooter is another catchy track that I’m sure will make it’s way to the radio. “Harambe” is ape shit! Literally. You’ll understand when you hear it. “Webbie” is another one that needs to grow on me. “Pop Man” featuring Wyclef Jean is a banger though. The Caribbean vibes are back on this one. Apparently, a few days ago the track was changed to the name “Kanye West” which makes sense given the lines- “Chanel it up, Chanel it up She peacock wit the colors Middle finger, stick it up If you ain't never gave no fucks Get behind her, put it in her butt Then beat it up“

My ultimate favorite and of course, everyone elses, is “Pick Up The Phone” where Travis Scott lends vocals on the chorus and Quavo has a part as well. It’s not only a guaranteed hit because of it’s ease on the ear, but because it’s seductive romanticized sound. I’m all here for Young Thug, or Jeffery, whatever he is being called now days. I can’t knock the creativity. - Stace Fresh

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SERVED FRESH: Isaiah Rashad “Park”

Yes, yes y’all- we have some new Isaiah Rashad and guess what? It’s nothing less from perfection to my ears!

It looks as if we will finally hear the follow-up to 2014′s Cilvia Demo, September 2nd. The album will drop via Top Dawg Entertainment and is titled, The Sun’s Tirade.

Below is the latest from the forthcoming release, “Park” produced by Park Ave. and D. Sanders.

Stay on the lookout for The Sun’s Tirade dropping late next week. -Stace Fresh

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SERVED FRESH: Bishop Nehru “Fade”

Grimm Doza laced Bishop Nehru with gem! The New York native brings mass appeal (pun intended) on this suave 90s styled track, “Fade.”

“Fuck am I going through? the fuck is going on? the hurt ain’t even new, its just it’s never gone...”

Can y’all relate? Don’t fret, it’ll ‘fade.’

No word yet on whether this will be part of a new project from the Nas protege. Either way, we are glad it dropped.

I love it when these 90s kids cater to that nostalgic sound! Y’all gotta listen. The track is available for free download, so you have no excuse. -Stace Fresh

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SERVED FRESH: Thurz "Westside Bonita"

This is that ‘west coast bonita applebum.’

Summer is coming to an end and Thurz is coming well-equipped with this latest track.

The Inglewood native pays homage to ATCQ on his own twist of “Bonita Applebum,” over a THX, C, and Watts production.

This one goes out to all the summertime-fine “cuties with a booty and long hair.” Turn this up some.

P.S. Can we take a second to admire Stephanie Santiago on the cover art? Yassssss.

- Stace Fresh

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We got another one! Dom Kennedy teams up with Jake One on "96 Chris." Something tells me that this new Dom K. project is coming sooner than we think.

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SERVED FRESH: Dom Kennedy “U Got It Like That”

I was just thinking the other day… Summer is coming to an end, you know what that means, NEW DOM KENNEDY ON THE WAY!

Here it is folks, we have a new single by the “Leimert Park Legend” titled “U Got It Like That” featuring Niko G4.The track’s sound has that signature laid-back flow that we love from Dom.

The song is produced by Mike Free and it is to be featured on Los Angeles Is Not For Sale Vol. 1. There is still no word if this will be a Dom K. project or an OPM family installment.

Either way, we are excited to hear what is in the works.

OPM till’ it’s over!

- Stace Fresh Listen Below

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FRESH Pick Of The Week