Gunplay is maybe the best rapper on Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Label (my favorite anyway — Meek Mill is a close second), and part of a Bawse-formed collective known as Triple C’s [sic, apostrophe] (Carol City Cartel). He’s very much a part of the post-Flockaveli mini-(so far) era of rap in which thugged out goons bark out monosylabic threats over momentous, booming beats, but Gunplay brings some lyrical wit to the table and also, as evidenced in the track above (which has a video now), some occasional emotional nuance.
Gunplay’s strong last mixtape (favorably reviewed at p4k) was released as a prelude to his forthcoming solo debut Valkyrie, but that album isn’t out yet. As blogger YAYODANCING points out, the new mix, Short Fuse, is yet another blend of newer and older songs, many of which were previously released online, but here they are in a nice coherent package.
Pusha-T, half of the rap duo Clipse (with his brother Malice), has just released his first full-length project under the wing of Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music label, in the form of the free mixtape Fear Of God. The tape came out last week, and features Pusha doing some of his best work over a mix of original production and classic beats.
So far, Pusha’s alignment with Kanye seems to be good for him. He’s featured on the lead single from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, “Runaway”, and I think Kanye enjoys the thuggish cachet afforded by working with Pusha. They certainly appear to be having fun together here.
This tape is great. The beats are well selected, the guest appearances are strong (50, Rick Ross, Kanye), and Pusha is firmly in the zone, which always makes me want to screw my face up and go “eeuugggghhh”.
Hello to all and apologies for being less than present during the summer. I’ve switched coasts and will now be keeping you all apprised of the dankness occurring in the Bay Area of Kuhlifawnia. The Governator and I hope you all had a fantastic summer and we’re excited to share a few albums with you.
So without further ado….
Bun B - Trill OG: This is the third and final installment in the Bun’s “Trill” series and has by far the most star power with Drake, Gucci Mane, T-Pain (personally hate T-Pain) and Young Jeezy joining in the fun. The album also features tracks produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Boy-1nda (of Drake sidekick fame). If you wanna be a gangster in the summertime (or fall) then look no further.
The Budos Band - III: There’s just no stopping the Daptone label, The Budos, The Sharon Jones, The Lee Fields or the Menahen St Band but I haven’t been able to stop listening to this since it came out. Typical great groove, not a throwback/hokey kind of funk but their own thing. Budos delivers a third time.
Rick Ross - Teflon Don: Don’t care at all that his whole persona is a fake. I love The Bawse and I love Bear Grylls. Best rapper name not yet used: Bare Grillz.
Ratatat - LP4: Another long time favorite of mine, Ratatat made my summer with LP4. As you can see, I’m a simple man but this band continues to put out great stuff and deserve a mention here.
Hope you all had a great summer and don’t forget to vote “Yes!!!!!” on Prop 19.
This came out yesterday and I just think Rick Ross has the right set of enthusiams and facial hair to make it worth checking out whatever he does. Admittedly, the Haiti footage at the beginning doesn’t go too well with the organized crime theme but I’m over it…
