EARTHGANG isn’t usually the type of duo that will take on another artist’s beats and then make it their own. The two MC’s brand themselves off of their authenticity and originality that they bring to the hip-hop genre. However, EARTHGANG has never held back when it comes to shouting out all of the legendary artists that have passed before them and inspired them to be the type of artists they have become. 

In this freestyle alone, EARTHGANG mentions the likes of Tupac, Q-Tip, and the late Mac Miller. Drake is known for his more sensitive, self-reflective side to him that he is able to tap into on a track. EARTHGANG makes no exception, as they use the entirety of the freestyle to reflect on their journey to this point – one of the main themes being grief. 

Johnny Venus on the second verse raps, “Doc called and said I should bare it all. How I been dealin’ with with the passing of my pa. How God seems to always add another straw. Q with me, I can hear it in his calls. We missing Mac but we try to shake it off.”

Since the very beginning, the rap community seems to always be in mourning – in fact, one could argue that rap started as a space that could hold room for both growth and loss. Hidden behind a hard exterior that took time to age like a fossil are their bones that still remember their past trauma. 

Tupac and Q-Tip made this transformation effortlessly, drifting between two very different worlds that they found themselves straddling. They shared bars back and forth like a tennis match. Some of their raps referencing the fame and fortune that they had accumulated – others being a representation of their upbringing in the Ghetto. 

EARTHGANG’s upcoming album title has been known for quite some time now. Although fans were eager for any new material from them, it still had them begging for Ghetto Gods to be released.

This title reveal makes the mentions of these hip-hop icons in this freestyle become the foundation for EARTHGANG’s empire they have built. EARTHGANG is known for not only their inventiveness, but for weaving their spirituality into their music as well. 

Johnny Venus raps, “This industry is flooded with mindless muddles ‘cause lies sell. The ugly truth might not bring in the money. Don’t they know it’s real shit the people want? A pause from the pill pop prescription junk.”

Stream “Lemon Pepper Freestyle Remix” by EARTHGANG and look out for their new album drop!

The post EARTHGANG Drops “Lemon Pepper Freestyle Remix” and Teases Upcoming Album appeared first on Red Roll.

21’s Story

21 Savage exploded on the music scene when he released his single “Red Opps” in 2016. Since then, he has been climbing the ranks from hot new artist to established rapper. Both 21 and Metro are products of Atlanta and partly responsible for the city’s recent takeover in the music world. 21 took over the “Trap Music” sub-genre from the second he stepped on the scene. His unique sound that some called “mumbling;” caught on very quickly and capitalized.

Although the criticism at first was that 21 Savage was being considered a mumble rapper, he quickly dispelled that theory with his growth as an artist. He has become more lyrical and his evolution as an artist is very noticeable. 21 Savage even draws in a different tier of artists for features at this point in his career. He has managed to become a better rapper without deviating from his roots. 21’s music even has a much deeper subject matter than before. 21 Savage even won a grammy award for his song “A Lot” with J Cole.

Metro is Boomin

Metro Boomin is the super-producer of the decade at this point. At 27 years old, Metro has managed to produce countless hits and contribute to the growth of new and old acts like Lil Uzi Vert, Migos, 21 Savage, Big Sean, Drake, Travis Scott, Future, and the list goes on for days. Although he has not yet won a grammy, he has triple platinum and diamond records in his catalog.

Recently, Metro announced that was coming out of his self proclaimed “retirement” to work with 21 Savage again, on this very album.

Savage Mode 2

In my opinion, Savage Mode 2 is in the running to be considered one of 21’s best albums. Metro does an amazing job on the production and even provides some beats that send a nod of acknowledgment to older hip-hop. 21 Savage shows yet again that he is taking a step forward lyrically and challenging his own style of music. He has a lot of different styles to provide on this project, and it even has some features like Young Nudy, Young Thug, and Drake. The album is even narrated by legendary actor, Morgan Freeman.

The Album is available on Apple Music and Spotify. It’s definitely one you want to check out!

The post 21 Savage & Metro Boomin Release Savage Mode 2 appeared first on Red Roll.

Aside from the visual display, the song itself is a hit. Drake seems to have his talents on full display to give us a taste of the album to come. I think the title of this song is Drake alerting his doubters that this album is about to be big. I enjoyed the song for a couple of reasons. I like the song at its core, and its proof that Drake’s beat selection is still impeccable, but I loved the Lil Durk feature. I personally feel that a lot of the music industry has copied Chicago at some point or another and never gave us our recognition.

It’s a big move for Drake to not only openly acknowledge Lil Durk, but bring him in on a project. Lil Durk has been making moves over the past years to further his career. He is arguable seen the most mainstream success of Chicago Drill artists. He has worked with some major names in the music industry so this was probably something he’s always had his sights on.

I also like that Drake featured Druski, who is an online comedian. I think it’s great that major artist are using their platforms to help out smaller acts.

Drake has hinted at releasing his album sometime in the coming weeks, so keep a lookout for it!

The post Drake Releases New Video appeared first on Red Roll.

It can be traced back to other producers turned solo artist like Pharrell or Kanye West. They have provided an example to other producers like Metro Boomin, Peirre Bourne, Sonny Digital, Southside, and countless other producers who have a stranglehold on the culture of Hip-Hop and other genres right now. It’s gotten to the point that the producers are as big as the artists and some of them want to show that.

Pierre Bourne is a producer/rapper that is a major trendsetter in music right now. Pierre has produced major hits for 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott, Kanye West, Playboi Carti, Big Sean, 6ix9ine, Young Nudy, Chance The Rapper, and the list goes on! He has made hit songs like “Gummo” by 6ix9ine and “Magnolia” by Playboi Carti.

The Life Of Pierre 4

Last year, Pierre released a solo self-produced album called The Life of Pi’erre 4. In my opinion, this was one of the best albums that came out last year. This album is one of the best produced albums I’ve ever heard. Pierre has a unique flow that fits every beat perfectly. All the beats on the album are experimental yet still in the realm of his other work in production. The tempo and general emotion of the project shifts throughout each song’s beat perfectly while transitioning into the next. This project does a great job of backing up its title and showing the transitions of life.

After this album, Pierre released two other projects. He released Sli’mere with Young Nudy and The Wolf of Peach Street with Jelly. In a recent Complex article, Pierre says he always aspired to be a rapper. He talks about his pursuit of his own solo career and his new video for his song Feds. The video is very interesting, check it out!

The post The Rapper-Producer: Pierre Bourne as a Solo Act appeared first on Red Roll.

1. Euphoria

If you’ve seen Euphoria, you probably love it just as much for the storyline as you do for the music. Euphoria follows struggling teen Rue (Zendaya) as she attempts to recover from a drug addiction. In this show, Rue and several other high school-aged characters’ lives and conflicts intertwine with one another. The series paints the picture of all of the main characters’ conflicts, piece by piece, using flashbacks to give each teen a detailed storyline. What is great about the Euphoria soundtrack is that most of the artists featured are young, currently popular or up-and-coming.  This is realistic– these are the musicians who real teenagers are actually following, like Beyoncé, Drake, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Solange, Migos, and more. There is also exclusive music for the show by producer Labrinth, featuring Zendaya. Overall, this show and the music it features are incredible. The way the music is used absolutely completes the story. If you haven’t seen this show, it’s a lot to handle subject-wise, but it’s worth it. If you have watched the show, I’m sure you can vouch for the quality of its soundtrack.

2. Big Little Lies

This HBO series, like Euphoria, is a drama with some dark content, but rather than showcasing teens, it follows a group of elite moms in Monterey Bay, California. Big Little Lies is based on a fantastic novel by Australian author Liane Moriarty. The main characters are played by Reece Witherspoon, Zoë Kravitz, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, and Shailene Woodley. Some of the music on this soundtrack is set to ominous B-roll footage of the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing to the shore. Otherwise, music is used in scenes to help better tell this super-compelling story. A diverse range of artists, both older and newer, appear on the soundtrack. Classics by musicians such as Aretha Franklin, Carole King, and Elvis are paired with more modern tunes by Frank Ocean, Sufjan Stevens, and Alabama Shakes. Even cast member Zoë Kravitz appears on this soundtrack, covering Elvis’s song “Don’t.” The theme song itself, “Cold Little Heart” by Michael Kiwanuka, is iconic for enthusiastic fans of the show, including myself.

3. Insecure

Insecure follows Issa, (Issa Rae), a twenty-something aspiring rapper in Los Angeles, California, who deals with friendship, relationships, and her day job as a non-profit educator. The main characters and cast are majority Black, so the soundtrack definitely heavily features both rap and Black artists alike. Frank Ocean’s lyrics are, at times, even embedded into the characters’ dialogue. Most of the music featured on the show are by young, up-and-coming artists, which is likely what most twenty-somethings in L.A. listen to. Rap favorites on the soundtrack include but are not limited to –  Rico Nasty, Mac Miller, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Kari Faux, and Tyler, the Creator. One of my personal favorite SZA songs, “Quicksand,” was released exclusively for the soundtrack to Season 2 of the show. This is definitely the show to watch if you’re a fan of rap, comedy and pop culture. If you’re not, this show may broaden your horizons and turn you into one.

What are your favorite HBO shows? Leave us a comment below to let us know!

The post HBO: A Catalog of Shows and Music appeared first on Red Roll.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who is no stranger to taking lead on virtual music initiatives, covered Bob Dylan’s “Shelter from the Storm” as the musical guest. He lit candles and hung a sign scribbled with “Entrance to Trains” in bubble letters to mirror SNL’s signature stage. The lyrics resonated differently in the uncertainty of today. It showed the harmony that rings out between kindness and struggles to prove that we all can provide shelter in challenging times like these.

Pete Davidson graced us with two musical sketches, including one that followed Drake’s recipe to a guaranteed hit. The episode also featured the entire cast singing Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day,” as a tribute to the late Hal Willner who passed away from COVID-19 complications on April 7^th. Willner was a sketch music producer on SNL.

The post Singing Along With SNL appeared first on Red Roll.

Given the rapper’s unique sound and being that he was from New York, he drew a lot of 50 cent comparisons. 50 Cent and Pop Smoke even eventually shared a friendship/mentorship type of relationship. In the wake of Pop Smoke’s death, 50 Cent has made multiple statements about the effect the death has had on him and the music world alike.

In one of his most recent statements, 50 Cent has announced that he will A&R a posthumous album in his memory and he is even reaching out to some very big artists for help. He has reached out to Drake, Chris Brown, Roddy Ricch and more to help make the album a success. 50 Cent has even promised the artist’s mom that he will win an award for the album and take her to the show as Pop Smoke always hoped to do. Pop Smoke’s funeral was held on March 5th in Brooklyn, NY.

The post Life After Death appeared first on Red Roll.

It’s not the inclusion of the beat change that turns me off of the song, it’s the structure and execution of it. There’s nothing inherently detrimental about a change of feel. In fact, it can often be a compelling narrative device. So what is it about the “Life Is Good” change that (for me) falls flat? 

In my opinion, if a song is going to change the vibe up dramatically, it should do one of two things: 1. the change should be an evolution- a step forward, not sideways, or 2. The change should be a step so far sideways that it illuminates characteristics of both parts that would have otherwise remained in the backdrop. 

All songs evolve. It’s a benchmark for good music that a song escalates start to finish. But some songs escalate with such unprecedented ferocity that it constitutes a complete change in the song. The quintessential example is Queen, in Bohemian Rhapsody and all over A Night At The Opera. This kind of change, executed properly, almost gives you a sense of familiarity with the artist. It says, yes, I know I glossed over a couple steps there, but we have this rapport, you get it, I have faith that you’ll catch up.

Basically, it scraps every unnecessary formality of musical transition, and then it scraps some of the necessary ones. And what you’re left with is a song that moves from point A to point B so quickly that your head is spinning, but that kind of fun, runners high type spin, and then it rewards you handsomely for even trying to keep up. 

The other kind of change is a bit different. It’s not necessarily an evolution at all, but a fundamental shift in feel, instrumentation, style, or anything of the other foundational components of a song. Kanye uses this kind of change often; dark, sinister instrumentals and rhythm oriented vocals open into vast, full band hooks, cathartic in their massive density and devastating on their melodic presence. In these cases, the abruptness of the change can enhance the effect of the song, the contrast compounding the emotional impact. The existence and immediate proximity of each part enhances the other, highlighting their differences in a new light, and heightening the impact of the song as a whole.

In the case of “Life Is Good,” the change doesn’t feel like an unprecedented yet welcome evolution, nor like a fundamental change in the tone of the song. In fact, despite differing in tempo, are otherwise fairly similar. To me, the change in no way enhances the listening experience of the song. It just feels like a brief preview of two different songs, arbitrarily pasted together.

The post “Life Is Good” and Changing up the Vibe appeared first on Red Roll.

“Yummy” is Bieber’s lazy attempt of crafting a pop number peppered with subdued R&B beats, and the end result sounds like someone tried to recreate Drake’s 2015 earworm “Hotline Bling” from memory while simultaneously listening to Jeremih.

With mindless, sing-songy lyrics that are as atrocious as they are ludicrous, “Yummy” is anything but decadent or delicious like the track’s title suggests: it’s unpalatable as it is putrid. Check, please! 

Supposedly, “Yummy” is Bieber’s token of, er, gratitude toward his wife, model Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin). Judging by the lyrics of endearment one can only assume his love letters to his darling wife are anything short of groundbreaking:

Yeah, you got that yummy-yum, that yummy-yum, that yummy-yummy.

Say the word, on my way

Yeah babe, yeah babe, yeah babe.

And a shameless promotion of his clothing line, Drew:

“Hop in the Lambo, I’m on my way/ Drew House slippers with a smile on my face.” 

The track was produced by Kid Culture, Sasha Sirota, and Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, a constant collaborator of Bieber’s.

“Yummy” is the first single off Bieber’s upcoming fifth album, which is rumored to feature collaborations from Post Malone and Travis Scott, although its title and release date are still unknown.

Fear not, Bieber fanatics: 2020 is your year. After canceling the remaining dates of the 2017 “Purpose” tour, consider “Yummy” the first of many Bieber olive branches offered, as the singer has a YouTube documentary series, “Justin Bieber: Seasons,” dropping Jan. 27, as well as a North American tour, which is set to kick off May 14 in Seattle.

The post Justin Bieber’s “Yummy” is a Recipe For Indigestion appeared first on Red Roll.

     Along with famed music charts like the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200, Billboard releases a Songs of the Summer list, updated every week. The songs are always catchy and upbeat, they have to be contagious if they want to last at the top of the musical leaderboards.

     Take a look at Billboard’s top ten songs from the week of July 28th. If you’re looking for something outside the summer pop bubble, I’ve supplied a song for each rank that I think would make a great replacement or supplement. 

#10 “In My Feelings” – Drake

     The prolific Drake can be seen throughout this list. This track is part of his latest album, Scorpion. With this album, Drake became the first ever artist to reach 1 billion streams within the first week of an album’s release. Yes, that’s capital B: Billion. The song fits easily into Drake’s repertoire of lovesick tracks. 

    Videos of fans participating in the #inmyfeelings dance challenge have popped up across social media platforms. While the dance craze has been a great publicity boost for the song, not everyone is on board.

     “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. Hopping out of a moving vehicle or jumping into lanes of traffic to show your dance moves is foolish and dangerous — to you and those around you. There’s a time and place for everything, but our nation’s highways and roadways are no place for the #inmyfeelings challenge.”  

     This warning comes from Nicholas Worrell, chief of safety advocacy at the National Transportation Safety Board. I Guess Mr. Worrell won’t be joining Team Drizzy any time soon.

Like that? Try this: “Work Out” – Chance The Rapper

# 9 “The Middle” – Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey

The Chainsmokers really wish they wrote this one.

Like that? Try this: “Ha Leh Lou Ya” – Robin Schulz, Christy McDonald  

#8 “No Tears Left to Cry” – Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande has no tears left to cry on this confident, happy tune. While listening to this song won’t make you sad, you definitely won’t be crying any tears of joy either. The best part of this song is it’s attempt to recreate a vintage 80’s pop sound. Lately lots of songs find success borrowing sounds from other times or places. Cardi B and Camila Cabello bring Latin flair that fires up their music. Say what you will about Justin Timberlake, but he knows how to harness the power of the old fashioned swing sound. Grande’s, “No Tears Left to Cry” isn’t really worth hearing twice. I’d like to hear more of this, “Dangerous Woman” stuff though.

Like that? Try this: “Changes” – DeJ Loaf

# 7 “Lucid Dreams” – Juice WRLD

Jared Higgins, A.K.A Juice WRLD, works through his relationship issues on this bass heavy track. What’s getting in between Juice and his true love, you ask? Could be the pills, his sleep paralysis, or the pressures of an up and coming music career. Whatever it is, Juice wears his heart on his sleeve on this one. 

Like that? Try this: “Babies” – KYLE Feat. Alessia Cara

#6 “Boo’d Up” – Ella Mai

Another songs about being in one’s feelings! This song asks that impossible question: what could get my high like you do? The answer is not important, not when you have a chorus with this much lyrical genius: “Listen to my heart go ba-dum, boo’d up, Biddy-da-dum, boo’d up / Hear my heart go ba-dum, boo’d up.” Her heart may go “Boo’d Up, but if she played that song for me on stage she’d get “Boo’d Off.”

Like that? Try this: “Eastside” – Benny Blanco (w/ Halsey & Khalid)

#5  “God’s Plan” – Drake

We be “Wishin’ and wishin’ and wishin’ and wishin'” we could get this song out of our heads.

Like that? Try this:  “Coolin and Booted” – Kodak Black

#4  “Girls Like You” – Maroon 5 Feat. Cardi B

A pop song at its finest: “Girls Like You” has it all. There’s a soft acoustic guitar in the intro, a refrain built entirely of “Yeahyeahyeahs,” and a slow-clap beat that leads listeners gently into their seats in the sun, says “Sit right here and don’t worry. Can I get you a grande caramel machiatto?”

Like that? Try this :    “Make Time” – Quinn XCII

#3  “Psycho” – Post Malone Feat. Ty Dolla $ign

I think what sets Post Malone apart from the rabble is his quirky attitude. He’s unabashadley himself on this track. He raps slyly about girls, diamonds, and his custom car. In the song’s music video, Malone wears a ridiculous outfit that shows off some leg and perfectly captures his attitude. Malone refers to the cutoff jean shorts he sports as his, “Chuck Norris Action Shorts.”

For a song that tackles some pressing issues with an equally care-free attitude, try,

“It Ain’t All Good (But It’s All Good)” – Tribal Hoose.

#2  “Nice For What” – Drake

It’s a short life, Drake’s making the most of it.

Like that? Try this: “Wild Child” – Lupe Fiasco Feat. Jake Torrey

#1  “I Like It” – Cardi B, Bad Bunny, & J. Balvin

Now this, I like. Something (everything?) about this aggressive anthem just works. The horns shine through behind Cardi B’s stong rap verses. Bad Bunny and J. Balvin add some fun references to celebrities like Fijian pro wrestler Jimmy Snuka and Cuban singer Celia Cruz. Following the success of B’s “Bodak Yellow” was no easy task. The Bronx-native singer will have to get used to hitting a high bar. Something tells me she likes it like that.

Want more female-led Latin pop?  Listen to “Mi Cama” – Karol G

The post Billboard Songs of the Summer Review appeared first on Red Roll.