What Does the Fox Say?!

I you haven't heard of the song called "The Fox" by Ylvis a Norwegian duo then it is a must to check out it has literally gone viral with over 55 million views! I have to admit when I first heard it I was kind of skeptical thinking it was just a electro pop version of "Old McDonald" but the song has grown on me tremendously. Lyrically it is just about animals and the sounds they make but the hypothetical sounds that Ylvis comes up with for the fox really add to the song making it a blast to listen too. Overall I like the song, it might be the beat, or the dancing in the animal costumes, or how passionately they are singing about what sound a fox makes because after listening to the song a few times through I have become pretty concerned with not knowing what sound the fox makes! Even if you think this song is not your type of music it is definitely worth watching just for the video if nothing else because seeing grown men dancing in animal onsies just might brighten your day with some laughter.

No More Smiley Miley

Miley's new music video for her song "23" just released today and I have to admit I have had it on replay for quite awhile already and have reached the point where I am singing and rapping along, it's very catchy! I am a strong believer in the fact that as long as you have a good beat the lyrics can be mediocre and it'll still be a "banger." Mike WiLL is living proof of my theory considering that not only is the beat on this song golden but he has producer for many other rappers like Juicy J, Trinidad James, and Future. All of those rappers I wouldn't say are exactly inspirations lyrically but I guarantee their songs will be the most popular at any club you go to. 

I have been a BIG supporter of Miley's new look from the beginning because honestly I found her boring before, like a little too cookie cutter, but in the music video you see her decked out in Bulls attire rocking Michael Jordan's number 23. Even though, the song is sort of a ode to Michael Jordan, and I say sort of because this song is more focused around pop culture icon that is the bulls and the "#23." With that said I like that not all her outfits in the song are centered around the whole bulls concept though like her white outfit when she's holding the bedazzled basketball is a favorite. I guess the fact that I'm even commenting on Miley's outfits in her music video shows that lyrically the song was ok, I think she could have had more badass lyrically since I guess this is a rap song to some degree, like one part of the bridge she literally says "I'm naughty by nature like hip-hop hooray." Maybe if she would have had a cleaver line or two in there I would have been more impressed but generally this song is ideal for those night outs with friends. From a marketing stand point her music and style are consistent because she's young and having fun so why not make music about that? Trust me us college kids love that because if you can't listen to cheesy music now when can you really?

Also have to mention I'm a BIG fan of the Wiz Khalifa's laugh, he really needs to capitalize on it.

Kendrick Lamar Takes Control in Hip-Hop

      This is a post that technically should have been made last night when Big Sean Leaked the song "Control" which features Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica. The song itself is 7 minutes long which is a lot longer than your average hip-hop song but its only fitting since this song is in no way meant to be like an average hip-hop song. The song is essentially a challenge to all the other rappers, that Kendrick Lamar mentions in his verse, that have gotten just a bit too comfortable with their standstill in hip-hop. Kendrick is trying to take rap back to the core and nothing is better than a good ball buster, battle verse to challenge the other rappers. 

      Even though it is Big Sean's song it really is Kendrick who grabs the attention and main focus of the song. Kendrick from the beginning of his verse takes on a more aggressive approach compared to the other rappers on the song and also compared to many of his own past songs. Kendrick's tone and flow are more aggressive to show he means business. To show the aggression and seriousness in his lyrics Kendrick makes references to being in "destruction mode" saying he's "important like the Pope" and of course when he says "Who the fuck y'all thought it was supposed to be?" in reference to the next greatest hip-hop legend, it shows Kendrick is ready to battle for the number 1 spot. Kendrick's verse only gets more serious when he mentions his name among the greatest like Nas and Andre 3000 as well as calling himself a "black Beatle" or a Marley. Kendrick then moves on to name drop about 10 other rappers, who include Drake, Mac Miller, Wale, and J Cole, and basically tells them to just stop rapping now because he is better than them. The reason for this fueled verse is because hip-hop is something Kendrick cares for and is unhappy with the state of it now so he is trying to invoke the change, plus nothing sells records more than some good friendly competition. It's funny because when you listen to Kendrick's verse it sounds a lot like something from Biggie or Tupac because of the raw emotion in the song that has been missing from rap since the death of the two. It almost seems like since both Biggie and Tupac got killed rappers became afraid of the same fate so they stuck to this generic cookie cutter style of rap about money, clothes, and hoes. 

      The producer of the songs was smart enough to strategically place Kendrick's verse in the middle of the song because you kind of get a build up of what is to come with Big Sean's milder version of "control," then get the climax and overload of raw emotion with Kendrick's verse, and then get to cool down again with Jay Electronica's verse that has many biblical references. Because, just in case after you listen to Kendrick murdering the song you feel the need to have to go to church after, all theoretically speaking of course. 

Apologies!

Sorry guys that it has been forever since I updated my blog but I figured it was time to turn things around so stay posted for new blog posts this week! :) Until then check out this awesome quote by James Brown "I taught them everything they know, but not everything I know." If you don't know who James Brown is then shame on you haha but he is definitely worth checking out especially his song the "Funky Drummer" which just happens to be one of the most sampled pieces in hip-hop.