thanks

News:

Pusha T's King Push will be out in 2017. Produced "mostly" by Kanye. :D

http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/06/k...ing-push-album

"It’s mostly Kanye West. It’s good beats, I’m giving you the science! Good beats! Crack!" -- Pusha

BIG FISH THEORY is pretty incredible.

Possibly on par with "DAMN.", not even exaggerating.

haven't heard it yet. But Vince has a pretty insane track record. Starting with Hell Can Wait, then a double album the next year, then the Prima Donna EP.... he's done a really good job of putting out high quality stuff in rapid fire, that all sounds like their own thematic projects rather than just "some more Vince songs" y'know?

This is how we cut https://www.facebook.com/ogmagnum1/v...2308880788418/

I just purchased my CD version and am downloading the free Amazon auto rip MP3s right now. I haven't heard it yet, but I'm pretty excited.

I don't think, based on the singles, that it will be on the same level as DAMN, but that's pretty much what I expected. I've actually cooled off a bit on DAMN at this point. No longer listening to it every day. But I know goddamn well that it's a stone-cold stunner (with a few weak moments... for instance "Loyalty" basically sucks). I just need to give it time and not overdo it.
I still get the I got-I got-I got..." but stuck in my head a lot, and as soon as it plays in my brain, I want to hear "DNA" in full. DAMN is really a great album, and I think its best moment represent the absolute best of what mainstream rap music has to offer. (I'm not saying it's MBDTF or Yeezus or TLOP-level, but it, and Kendrick in general, is the next best thing.)

ANYWAY, I think Vince is still growing, and I think he's one of the few active artists in rap who is at or near Kendrick's level as a rapper and as a presence. I think this album will probably explode (from what I've heard so far, it's pretty goddamn poppy), and I think it will likely turn Vince into a true household name. He'll probably foil the world with a follow-up that sounds nothing like it, and if he does that successfully, that's when he'll be on Kendrick's level.

Right now I'm just excited to listen to this thing.

Louder's right — this is a really strong album. I like it very much. I'll probably be listening to it a bunch.

I don't think it's realistically a contender against DAMN. It's an entirely different kind of project and it strikes different chords and goes for different vibes. It's pretty goddamn impressive though.

Yo, so I just got my copy of Big Fish Theory, and Vince pulled a Yeezus with the CD packaging.

Check it out:



As a rule, I'm really not a fan of this. I buy physical copies because I want physical copies to stay around. I feel like when I retire I might like to work part time.

at a pressing and packaging plant for vinyl. When I see this kind of shit, I feel like Vince is saying, "Hey, fuck you Severian! Fuck your dreams! I don't give a shit about your retirement!"

Jay album is out, I pirated it because I don't wanna stay anywhere near Tidal.

My initial impression is that this album is for the critics and the fans. I didn't hear any songs that cater to the radios, instead Jay flows over smooth, jazzy No I.D. production and his bars are introspective.

Yeah, I'm liking it even though he disses Kanye right out the gate on "Kill Jay-Z." It's just the kind of album I wanted from him, at first listen, and a good follow-up to the slightly unenergeized MCHG.

That song with Frank Ocean is noice.

Oh yah... and here's a post I made in the "What are you listening to?" thread that I want to share here because there seems to be some confusion about who can access the album...

***



Jay-Z - 4:44

There have been some contradicting reports about who can access the album. Apparently Tidal said it would only be available to Tidal subscribers who either A.) subscribed prior to the arbitrary date of June 26, or B.) use Sprint and subscribe to Tidal -- apparently at any date.

I can tell you that at least for the time being, this is not true. At least not everywhere. I haven't had a Tidal account since The Life of Pablo became available on Mp3 and Apple Music. I also don't have Sprint, because, honestly now, who the fuck has Sprint if they can help it?
But, first thing this morning, I hopped on my phone, re-downloaded the Tidal app, and set up a new account (with yet another 30-day trial period offered to me :) ) and I was able to listen to the album immediately and without issue.

It would be REALLY STUPID to make he album a Tidal exclusive, only to make it not available to some subscribers based on when they started their account. In fact, it would defeat the purpose of using an exclusive album as a marketing technique, and would simply serve to piss off a FUCK TON of people, who, like normal people, only give a fuck about Tidal when there's a dope new album out and they can only get it on Tidal.

Louder:

I think I picked up on a Drake subliminal in "Moonlight" ... lemme know what you think:

Yeah, these lines definitely come across as Drake subs. The contrived Thriller comparsions, Instagram posing and dangerous guy acting all point at Drake. Spot on.

On a side note, I really like Magna Carta, to the point where I almost want to say that I love it. It isn't the most serious album, but that's a part of its charm, just an extremely enjoyable, mindless listen with good beats and catchy music.

This new album makes Magna Carta seem like child's play, ha, but as far as Hov's discography goes, Magna Carta will still have its time and place for me.

Guru tweeted that they're gonna add new songs to the physical edition. Interesting..

Magna Carta's worst component was Justin Timberlake. "Holy Grail" and "Picasso Baby." I tried to excuse these songs for a long time, but they are JUST NOT FUCKING OK.

All of "Holy Grail" is just a cheesy serenade that should have been chopped off at the fucking neck. And "Picasso Baby" is alright, but it definitely has JT trying to sing a variation on the "Smells like Teen Spirit" chorus, and THAT SHIT IS NOT FUCKING ACCEPTABLE OR OK IN ANY WAY.

The rest of the album is actually fine by me. "Oceans," "Tom Ford," ... oh! "FuckwithmeyouknowIgotit" and "FUTW." All fine. Not, like, awe inspiring, but fine, good, enjoyable songs.

However... those first two are just too fucking ridiculous. Even if the ONLY JT appearance was his Nirvana impersonation, and everything else was totally JT-free, that shit would still be inexcusable. So I have to be, on the whole, anti-MCHG, if only for those songs. The rest is just fine.

Yes, after repeated listens, 4:44 makes MCHG and a lot of other Jay albums look like child's play. It's a very strong album, with good lyrical content and sick beats.

And the physical edition is going to have the track from the teaser video on it!

I'm liking this a lot. I think it's above Big Fish Theory (for no anyway), but below DAMN. in terms of 2017 rap releases.

This is the album I wanted him to make. Actually, Kanye would have produced a bit on that album, and preferably not been dissed, but still. This is GOOD.

He can retire now. Shit is honest to god fire. Really.

Yes I hate "Holy Grail", always make sure to skip it.

His flow on "Smile" man, Hov is on fire for real.

"Kill Jay Z" is such an incredible opener. Maybe the best intro I've heard all year. Beats out Vince Staples' "Crabs in a Bucket".

Yeah, I was just telling someone it's his best opener since "December 4th."

I think "Caught in their Eyes" is one of the finest songs I've heard this year. It actually reminds me of "Champion" a little bit ("Their eyes.... theirs eyes"), and Frank sounds great.

"Moonlight" samples "Fu-Ge-La" to glorious effect. Love it.

There isn't a song I've felt compelled to skip, and I've been listening to this for almost two straight days.

It does kinda sound like a diet-Kanye record in terms of its production. Yeah, I know, it's No ID, so it's natural that there would be some similarities, but I get the feeling there must be a real rift between the two right now, because this album sounds like it's begging for a Kanye executive producer credit.

Still, I'm shocked at how fresh this kind of rap (relatively classic, traditional) can sound when it's done right, even in 2017. This album reels in all the braggadocio and larger-than-life stuff and just presents Jay in his most basic and most elemental. I love his lyrical mindset here. I love the apology track (so sad!), and I actually really like hearing Beyoncé contribute background vocals.

Maybe my opinion will change over time, but at this point ... I honestly wasn't sure he had a record this good in him. There's something really genuine about it. Like Mos Def at his best and brightest, or Kanye back in the beginning. I love it. I can't stop listening to it.

There's a "Fu-Ge-la" sample? That's legit. Maybe Jay is finally "rhyming like Talib Kweli" on this one? That's the impression I got from the samples.

On the flip, y'all don't like "Picasso Baby"? That was actually one of my fav MCHG tracks. "I never stuck my cock in the fox's box" and all.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/fe...-ideas-w490602

Read this interview, friends.

No I.D. says he pushed Jay to open up on this album. The result, I must say, was amazing!!

Kendrick tweets:

"4:44. WOW. MASTER TEACHER."

https://twitter.com/kendricklamar/st...61466227757056

List of songs that inspired 4:44
http://tidal.com/playlist/41e60f32-e...9-c1ff1fd7bd52

This album.. so mature, so layered, and far from gimmicky.

If Jay retires with this one, he might as well go down as the greatest MC of all time.

"Marcy Me" is honestly BREATHTAKING.

THE WORDS JAY IS SPITTING, GODDAMMIT. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME. AHH SO GOOD.

Ok, number 1:

Jay has always been able to rhyme like Talib Kweli (who, by the way, has sucked to the point of becoming a basic non-entity over the past several years) ... the issue, in Jay's mind, was that he had decided to be lyrically inferior. And I'll say, on 4:44, he's rapping from his heart, not doing acrobatics. But the result is stronger than anything I've heard from either artist in some time.

Number 2:

"Picasso Baby" has its good parts, but, again, it features JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE VOCALLY SAMPLING KURT FUCKING COBAIN. That is NOT OK.

Also, Jay totally stuck his cock in many a fox's box — an error in judgment he addresses on this album in a surprisingly heartfelt and genuine-sounding way.

That's the thing with Jay. Yeah, he's an extremely good emcee, but he's spent a lot of time doing shoddy work. I don't think I'd call him the greatest. I do like to call him the Muhammad Ali of rap, because that just seems appropriate AF.

Also, yes, he can and probably should retire as soon as possible now. That's how good this album is.

Louder, at what point do you think Jay starts/stops talking about Kanye in "Kill Jay Z?"


It's confusing with the way the song is laid out as a self-monologue. He seems to slip into talking TO Kanye at one point, then talking to himself ABOUT Kanye immediately after.

Some sources like TMZ are saying it's at the "you dropped out of school" part, but Jay dropped out too, (of high school).
They're also saying that the "you the one that's insane" part is directed at Kanye too, but that would mean he flopped back to the second-person (and back) AGAIN over the course of one verse.

just curious about what your take is.

I hope they figure their shit out. I hope Kanye isn't crazy for good now. :(

Doesn't JT do Nirvana on "holy Grail?" Am I remembering wrong?

What TMZ says makes no sense to me. I'm convinced that all the "you's" in the song are directed at himself.

Uhh... I thought it was "Picasso," but I could be wrong.

Either way, wherever it happens THAT SHIT IS FUCKING UNACCEPTABLE.

Out of loyalty to Jay after having been a fanboy since like '97, I am pretty sure I deluded myself into defending the song at first. Not the Nirvana part, but the JT part(s) in general. However, that was silly and stupid of me and I want to restate that *Nsyncing Nirvana is UN-THE-FUCK-ACCEPTABLE and TERRIBLE in every way.

Low point of Jay's career. Low point of fucking JT's career. Inexcusable and wrong.

But anyway...

NR you should let Louder send you a copy of 4:44 because it's goddamn worth it. Not as worth it as Pablo, which you wouldn't let me send you a copy of, so I'm not expecting you to say yes, but yeah. Good fucking shit.

And yes, Jay and No ID sample the FUCK out of "Fu-Ge-La" in the best possible way in "Moonlight." Its topical and relevant and clever and does the original song justice. Just a really smart, well-played sample of a great song.

And the Drake disses don't hurt. :D

"Holy Grail" is the song that interpolates Smells Like Teen Spirit. Awful, like I said.

Oh, my bad. I forget. Thought JT turned up at least twice on that album.

"Kill Jay Z, they'll never love you
You'll never be enough, let's just keep it real, Jay Z
Fuck Jay Z, I mean, you shot your own brother
How can we know if we can trust Jay Z?"

"You got people you love you sold drugs to"

"You stabbed Un over some records
Your excuse was "He was talkin' too reckless!""

"You almost went Eric Benét
Let the baddest girl in the world get away
I don't even know what else to say
Nigga, never go Eric Benét!
I don't even know what you woulda done
In the Future, other niggas playin' football with your son"

Jesus Christ, Hov. This album is just too good to be true.

"Mama had four kids, but she's a lesbian
Had to pretend so long that she's a thespian
Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate
Society shame and the pain was too much to take
Cried tears of joy when you fell in love
Don't matter to me if it's a him or her"

Can't get over how Jay keeps going OFF over the Stevie sample on "Smile".

Louder... this video is kinda frustrating because it's narrated in thick ... ahh... "ghetto" vernacular... BUT, it's very important and very significant to the new Jay album and to our mutual friend Kanye and the relationship between those two.

Kanye done with Tidal?

Apparently, Kanye is hot under the collar about his contract with Tidal, and no longer considers himself a part of the company. Why? Because... uhh... well, I guess Tidal never paid him a cent for the ~1.5 million subscribers he that flooded to Tidal when TLOP was running as an exclusive there. Like, not a cent. Nor did they pay him the money they promised him in reimbursements for videos that would be made for the album.

The YouTube video basically takes Kanye's side, but also says Kanye "never made any videos" for TLOP. (???) Buf "Famous" was a Tidal exclusive for a while, and all the videos he made for the album (there were 3 total, 4 if you count the Yeezus season 4 extended "Father Stretch my Hands" clip, and FIVE if you count the video version of the listening party) were all played on Tidal before they became widely available, even if they weren't "exclusives."

So, while I love the fuck out of this new Jay album, I'm a big queefed off at Jay.

I mean, of all the exclusive albums that have dropped over the past few years, no artist has ever pushed as hard for their format as Kanye did for Tidal when TLOP first dropped. He freaking DOUBLED their number of registered users for fuck's sake. He probably kept Tidal afloat for another year with that shit. That's insane. Also, as the video mentions, he also basically gave up album sales for Tidal. And when he changed the album, the changes came to Tidal first.

And he hasn't been paid more than his normal, like, 3.5% "co-owner" share?

Interesting. Makes sense now why he took the album to Apple Music, after saying he never would. Makes sense that he released it on his own website too. I can feel super good about myself knowing that I paid that fucking cash money for the MP3 version AND like $700 in concert tickets. :cool:

OH OH OH! And Tidal/Jay is saying. "Heu, if you think you're going to leave, and if you try to make an exclusive anywhere else, we'll sue you."

Which is FUCKED UP. But... BUT... maybe it's a good thing? Maybe it will convince Kanye to abandon streaming exclusives and focus on releasing hard copies of albums on, you know, that fucking LABEL he owns? Like everyone wants him to do? That would be great.

Anyway watch the video.

I kinda thought so too, but some of those lyrics make me question that. It really does seem like he's speaking to Kanye at certain points...

For instance (and please do read this and respond, because I have nobody else to nerd out with over any of this shit), look at this part:


^^ OK, that right there... If the whole thing is an inner monologue, and Jay is talking to himself, why would he say "I"?

We're talking about a pretty accomplished songwriter here. He's in the goddamn Songwriters' Hall of Fame for fuck's sake. He wouldn't make the mistake of mixing up his perspectives in the course of a single sentence. In other words, if Jay himself is "you" throughout the song, then who the fuck is "I?" The way I see it, "I" would necessarily have to be Jay, which means that "you" is, at least temporarily, NOT JAY.
Like I said, he's too strong a writer to splice his perspectives unintentionally... but if it's intentional, then that's a different story, and the phrasing is deliberate and means something specific.

To me, this suggests that Jay is definitely switching narrative perspectives, not just making a beginner's mistake.

Do you see where I'm coming from here? What do you think?


ALSO...

^^ "Saint" is a bit on-the-nose as a Kanye reference at least, what with, y'know, that massive album in which Kanye compared himself to the Paul the Apostle, aka Saint Paul, and the song and massive fucking tour that were called "Saint Pablo," not to mention the fact that Kanye just had a kid and named that poor fucker Saint. So, again, is he talking to Kanye?

There's also the "KumbaYe" bit. Kind of an obvious 'Ye reference. I feel like the word "KumbaYe" (as opposed to "kumbaya") has turned up elsewhere, perhaps on Watch the Throne somewhere? But I can't think because the part from "Kill Jay Z" is just embedded in my brain.

(NOTE: The official lyrics are obviously not out yet. BET says the "Saint" lyric is actually "you ain't the same..." but Genius (which I've come to trust quite a bit) says it's "Saint," so for now that's what I'm going with.

Fuckin' holler at me about all this shit dog! :eek:

The "I" threw me off too.. I think he's just speaking about himself from someone else's perspective throughout the whole song, just not sure who that narrative is, but that person wants him dead. He also felt bad for him at one point, alright. Still the same person, in my opinion.

Ye is already "him" so he can't be the narrative, Jay also uses his name directly a line above. The Saint/KumbaYe shit is obviously another Ye reference though.

I just really don't like the switching narratives idea, so I'm trying my best to revoke it.

I'll watch the video in a bit.

I don't like thinking that he's spending that much time dissing a guy with mental health issues who kept him and his label relevant for so long, and who worked his ass off for him, then surpassed him in popularity and continued to be a supporter and a friend. :(

I want reasons to not have to feel bad about this. Kanye fans on Facebook are all like, "wow fuck this guy." I just want music to be music.

what makes you think Jay Z is a NICE GUY? why wouldn't he mouth off on a copycat?