Calvin Durag

Rating : 6.1 Lil Yatchy's newly formed band, Concrete Boys, is a hip hop collective made up of talented and ambitious young artists eager to establish themselves in the music industry. Their debut project,  It's Us Vol. 1 , sets the stage for the future of rap with standout performances from artists like KARRAHBOOO, Camo!, Draft Day, Dc2trill, and the group's leader, Lil Yachty. While the entire album has an experimental vibe, it still maintains a cohesive sound. The production is flawless, and each rapper brings their A-game, making this debut truly exceptional and an enjoyable listening experience. T he selection of instrumentals is truly captivating. Some of the standout beats that really captured my attention in this project were M.O.B, 2 HANDS 2 EYES 10 WHIPS/RENT DUE, LA REID, UP YO STANDARDS, ON THE RADAR, and PIMPIN AINT EASY. The latter had a reminiscent vibe to Drake's (“Calling For You”) evoking that For All the Dogs energy. It's worth noting that Lil Ya...

Rating : 5.0 Future and  Metro Boomin have returned once again with another sonic odyssey. However, this album falls short in maintaining the consistency needed to achieve its intended appeal. The production is inconsistent and lacks the utmost effort. I found myself trying to force myself to love it, but it just felt cringe-worthy. WE STILL DON'T TRUST YOU is ridiculously long, clocking in at 88 minutes. It's a double disc that lacks direction and introspection, unlike the first installment which felt more polished and complete. Future and Metro Boomin try to defy expectations, but some moments feel recycled from their previous works. The song titles sound promising, but they end up being the same generic instrumentals by the renowned producer, Metro Boomin. Future doesn't bring his A-game here; his lyrics are repetitive and boring. I almost dozed off during the listening experience. WE STILL DON'T TRUST YOU feels like a direct sequel to Future's 2017 album, HNDR...

Rating :  8.0 To say that Bryson Tiller hasn't evolved as an artist would be a gross understatement. There's something about this album that evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and stirs up memories from the past. It showcases Bryson Tiller at the pinnacle of his talent, both as a singer and rapper. He masterfully blends his artistic styles and incorporates various elements from his previous works to construct an entirely new sonic universe for his dedicated fanbase. It's like an open invitation for everyone to immerse themselves in his innovative artistic style, which fuses R&B with elements of trap, EDM, and pop. It provides a sublime listening experience that leaves you with a lasting impression. On (“Peace Interlude”), a slow trap ballad, Bryson Tiller reflects on his life and expresses a longing for tranquillity. This song perfectly captures Bryson Tiller's heart and soul, with its production, instrumentation, and lyricism. The lyrics, “ I can't figure out i...

Rating : 9.0 In under 56 minutes, ScHoolboy Q showcases his incredible talent for songwriting and delivers a meticulously crafted record that doesn't waste a second. I would describe BLUE LIPS as a thoughtfully curated collection of songs that come together to bring the entire concept to life and make a bold statement. This album truly redefines Schoolboy Q's style and genre, solidifying his position as one of the top emcees of his generation. He reveals aspects of himself that we believed we would never witness again. It's like a renaissance, where a rapper confronts his battles with drug addiction to cope with his daily challenges. In (“Germany '86”), a track infused with soulful samples, ScHoolboy Q candidly delves into his personal life, offering his most honest expression yet. He also reflects on his relationship with his mother, acknowledging her as his superhero, saying, “ My superhero's a woman/ You know she served for this country ”. On (“THank god 4 me”), ...

Rating : 7.8 The album kicks off with the namesake (“We Don't Trust You”) a bass-filled instrumentation crafted by the renowned producer, Metro Boomin. Future, the rap mogul, delivers his best performance yet. It serves as a remarkable opener to their long-awaited collaboration. The intro is elevated by Future's signature ad-libs, “ If Young Metro don't trust you, I'm gon' shoot you”.  It's a well produced Trap ditty that sets the mood for the main event.  WE DON'T TRUST YOU has been teased on different social platforms, and Metro Boomin even gave a sneak peek of some tracks earlier, like (“Cinderella”) featuring Travis Scott. This created a lot of excitement and anticipation among die-hard fans. The album received mixed reactions from fans, and the hidden features added an extra layer of excitement to the whole experience. WE DON'T TRUST YOU  gives Future another opportunity to showcase his competence as a rapper and maintain his illustrious legacy in ...

Genre: Amapiano/Pop Label: FAX Records, Epic  Released: October 11, 2024 Format: LP "Following the success of her debut self-titled album, TYLA, released in March, she has reissued it with bonus tracks, adding a layer of fulfillment and depth." Deluxe Edition Unveiled Tyla has undoubtedly had a remarkable year, marked by numerous nominations and accolades across the globe. She has been making waves at every event she attends, sparking both controversy and consensus. Following the success of her debut self-titled album, TYLA , released in March, she has reissued it with bonus tracks, adding a layer of fulfillment and depth . The deluxe edition arrives at an opportune moment, showcasing her undeniable artistic prowess and versatility. The three bonus tracks kick off with "SHAKE AH," featuring Tony Duardo, optimist, and Maestro Fresh-Wes. This energetic opener immerses us in a bass-heavy Amapiano instrumental that artfully combines infectious melodies with Tyla's s...

Rating : 6.6 J. Cole surprised everyone with the unexpected and unannounced release of Might Delete Later , sparking a frenzy of speculation online. This came after Kendrick Lamar dissed him and Drake on the track (“Like That”), a collaboration with Future & Metro Boomin. As soon as the mixtape hit streaming services, fans immediately gravitated towards the main highlight and final track, (“7 Minute Drill”) where J. Cole responded to Kendrick Lamar; rapping, “ He's still doing shows, but fell off like the Simpsons ”, suggesting that Kendrick Lamar's prime is fading while he tries to stay relevant through touring. J. Cole continues to rap, “ Your first shit was classic, your last shit was tragic/ Your second shit put niggas to sleep, but they gassed it/ Your third shit was massive and that was your prime ”. J. Cole boldly and relentlessly confronts Kendrick Lamar, challenging the notion that his discography isn't as flawless as critics and fans claim. But let's not o...

Genre: Country  Label: Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Released: March 29, 2024 "COWBOY CARTER showcases an artist who, despite already being remarkably accomplished, continues to exceed expectations in fulfilling their life's purpose." Beyoncé's artistry shines brilliantly across every facet of her work. At 42, she continues to reinvent herself, exploring new dimensions of her image and sound. Her decision to venture into a country album highlights her impressive versatility and creative depth. The album cover, music, and visuals are perfectly attuned to her artistic vision. COWBOY CARTER is an emotional rollercoaster, where each track takes listeners on a distinct journey while delivering a harmonious and immersive experience. As ACT II , it beautifully carries forward the story set by ACT I: RENAISSANCE , her seventh solo studio album from 2022. "AMERIICAN REQUIEM" kicks off with a soulful gospel vibe, enveloping you in a church-like atmosphere where t...