#hiphop

The Kid Laroi says “Goodbye, for Now” to Music

Mike Stark
Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison | Getty Images

Goodbyes are always the hardest, especially when it comes from our favorite artists.

On Monday, Nov. 15, The Kid Laroi dropped his music video for his song “Still Chose You” with fans. After the premiere, the artist announced he’s closing the chapter of the F… Love era.

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Music Video Still Chose You The Kid Laroi

He shared in an Instagram post “To my beloved fans, I hope you all enjoy the ‘Still Chose You’ video! I know that record is a fan favorite, so I felt that it was only right for that to be the video that finally closes the ‘F… Love’ era.” He continued “It’s been a wild year, to say the least. Seeing the impact of the project and hearing about how it’s helped and changed so many peoples lives is f…. Beautiful – but also incredibly surreal. It’s the reason why I do this s—. My life has also changed so much this past year because of it and I owe it all to every single one of you. There is no way I will ever be able to repay you.”

Photo Credit: The Kid Laroi on Instagram

He concluded the statement with, “Last week I went on a small vacation for the first time in a while. During that time I started thinking, and I made the decision that I need to take some time away from everything and focus on the next project, my debut album. I’m going to miss you all beyond words can describe, but I do believe that this is what I need to do to give you all the best music possible. I’ll be back soon, I promise. I love you, Laroi.”

The Kid Laroi did remove all previous content on his social media but kept the note to fans. Many have sounded off in the comments with support of his decision and encouraging him to get the well-deserved rest after a packed year.

For now, we can continue to stream all his current music to hold us over. I can’t wait for new music and to see what The Kid Laroi comes up with next.  

Written By: Mike Stark | @MikeStarkCA

G-Eazy Agrees to Plea Deal in N.Y.C Assault Case

Mike Stark
[Cover Photo] Photo Credit: FilmMagic

Bay Area rapper G-Eazy struck a plea deal to avoid jail time from the September assault incident.

On Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the “No Limit” rapper appeared in a New York City court to plead guilty to disorderly conduct.

The Manhattan District Attorney Office shared that Gerald Earl Gillum (G-Eazy’s real name) was assigned to a diversion program and must complete three Manhattan Justice Opportunities sessions in order to avoid time behind bars.

He is also ordered to stay away from the alleged victims of the September incident and is scheduled back into court in January to ensure he’s following through on his deal.

In September 2021, G-Eazy was charged with misdemeanor assault after he and members of his crew allegedly got into an altercation with another group of guys at the “Boom Boom Room” inside the Standard Hotel. One person was struck in the head with a glass bottle with G-Eazy accused of punching an individual in the head.


Photo Credit: Screenshot of Breakdown Music Video by G-Eazy feat. Demi Lovato

Legal troubles from the rapper have not slowed down his music career since the incident. He released his latest album “These Things Happened Too” in September and teamed up with Demi Lovato for a music video of his song “Breakdown”, which has both singers acknowledging their dark past and trauma.

Written By: Mike Stark | @MikeStarkCA

Peep This Joint: Mos Def – Black on Both Sides Album Review

Johann Oribello

October 12, 2019 marked the 20th anniversary of his universally lauded album, Black on Both Sides by legendary rapper Yasiin Bey, better known as Mos Def. 

This project marked his debut as a solo artist after receiving critical acclaim on his collaborative effort with another veteran rapper, Talib Kweli with their full-length LP, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star that released just a year before this project. 

Released in 1999, Black on Both Sides is a bonafide 90’s rap album that remains a hallmark and defining sound for underground boom-bap hip hop. Despite the vintage production style, Mos Def manages to utilize the sound to create a timeless record that stood the test of time and still bumps even today. 

Especially after the tragic deaths of Tupac and Biggie that nearly closed off the golden age of hip-hop, Black on Both Sides serves as a final hoorah to the definitive era.

Due to the album’s timeless feel despite its sound being centered around boom-bap, the album is universally praised as not only one of the best albums of that era but also of all time. The album stands as an ideal introduction to 90’s boom-bap due to its accessibility and timeless sound.

With passionate and thought-provoking lyrics mixed with an effortless flow dispersed throughout the project, it’s clear to see that Mos utilized the album to restore sociopolitical consciousness into the rap game and bring hip-hop back to its roots/foundation. 

The song, “Mathematics” is a prime example of this which is filled with meticulously-crafted lyrics and effortless delivery. Under a beat laced by legendary producer DJ Premier, the Mighty Mos Def addresses the racist prison industrial complex that particular targets people of color:

“When the average minimum wage is $5.15/

You best believe you’ve got to find a new grind to get cream/ 

The white unemployment rate is nearly more than triple for black/ 

Some front-liners got their gun in your back/ 

Bubbling crack, jewel theft and robbery to combat poverty/ 

And end up in the global jail economy/”

Regardless of the fact that this album came out in ‘99, many of the bars Mos spits are still relevant today. Mos reveals that many social issues that plagued the world then still exist today and time has shown that it has only gotten worse. Further in the same song, he spits about the growing use of government surveillance:

“40% of Americans own a cell phone/

So they can hear everything that you say when you ain’t home/

I guess Michael Jackson was right, you are not alone/”

Besides the overarching effort to spread awareness and enlighten his listeners, Mos does come through with more lighthearted tracks such as “Ms. Fat Booty” where he tells a story of a girl he met at a club who eventually ghosted him. He flexes his story-telling ability and his delivery demonstrates just how vivid of a picture he can paint with his bars. 

Some more standout tracks from the album that you should listen to include “Hip Hop”, “Do It Now” featuring Busta Rhymes, and “UMI Says”. 

As mentioned earlier, this project is flawless from top to bottom and is a shining example of sharp Mos Def’s pen and flow is. With a signature 90’s sound, he manages to create an album that stood the test of time sonically and is still relevant in today’s politically charged environment. 

Go peep this joint!

Rating: 10/10

Written by: Johann Oribello

The Ultimate Lifting List

Kelsey Donahue

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year…midterms! Sike. It’s a miserable, dreary time. Long nights of studying and binge eating weird foods because you don’t have time to grocery shop (Not speaking out of personal experience or anything…). Anyways, everyone has their form of stress relief, whether it be watching Netflix or venting to a close friend. My stress relief drug of choice is hitting the gym. No gym trip is complete without a pair of headphones on full volume.

This playlist is 58 minutes in length, the maximum time that my lifting workouts ever last. Whatever workout regimen you follow, it’s always good to have some motivating music on in the background.

  1. A** Back Home- Secrets

This is a screamo remake of a Gym Class Heroes Song. It may surprise you how much a little bit of screaming can pump you up. This is the perfect song to start off your workout.

  1. Tom Ford- Jay-Z
  2. No Mediocre- T.I., Iggy Azalea
  3. You See Me- Childish Gambino
  4. Switch Lanes- Tyga, The Game

You may recognize the name Tyga because he has a minor role on a majorly popular reality television show. His talent is minimal, in all aspects, but this song is one of the few good ones.

  1. Headband- B.o.B, 2 Chainz

I am not going to claim that I have the credibility to make this statement, but this is a true hip-hop gold mine of a song.

  1. I Don’t F**k With You- Big Sean, E-40

Aside from being a great song to squat to, “I Don’t F**k With You” is a great study song. I know that sounds strange, but trust me. This song was the sole reason I got through finals freshman year.

  1. Otis- Jay Z, Kanye West
  2. All Gold Everything- Trinidad James
  3. R.I.P.- Jeezy, 2 Chainz
  4. No Hands- Waka Flocka Flame

This song takes me back to early high school. Pick up those free weights and stare at yourself in the mirror for a second and reflect on that dorky person that you used to be (Again, not talking out of personal experience…). Please don’t be that person that stares too long though.

  1. Gas Pedal- Sage the Gemini
  2. Fancy- Drake

I tend to try and ignore the sexist undertones that are evident in almost every hip hop song, but this one’s a little less sexist and a little more independent women. Although I wouldn’t exactly throw a Drake song in the pile of female empowerment anthems, “Fancy” does make being one of eight girls in the non-cardio part of the gym a little less annoying.

  1. Gold Digger- Kanye West, Jamie Foxx
  2. Ayy Ladies- Travis Porter, Tyga
  3. Lean On- Major Lazer

At the end of your workout it’s always good to slow down the pace a bit to match your plummeting heart rate. “Lean On” does just that, at least in comparison to the other songs on this list.


shoes

No matter your form of midterm stress relief, it’s a guarantee that this playlist will at least provide a little escape from the madness.

You can access my Spotify playlist here! IMG_6546See you at the gym! 😉