Hats off to everyone who successfully submitted a song to the top 5 this week. Every song offered something enjoyable and I can honestly say that it was very tough hashing out which songs would be in the top 5, let alone the order. A variety of tracks were submitted, from very heartfelt and touching to club bangers, hood style, alternative, and all in between.
With such stiff competition, this weeks competition came down to two things -- execution and replay value. Did you song do what it was set out to do? Did you perform well? Does the mix sound proper? And, more importantly, would I want to hear this song again? Again, the bar was set pretty high this week, which makes this week's top 5 selection that much more impressive:
Chayse Maclair - Always on the Outside
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10689237
picKOne - Dope
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10682378
Mr Showtime - When I Wake Up (W/ Yung Tek)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10687408
Moose - Fall in the Cracks
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10668795
Boss Game - I Be Goin' Off
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10677133
Chayse Maclair continues his stranglehold on the top spot this week with a creative and interesting track, "Always on the Outside." It's both the topic and the metaphorical foundation for this song, and a proper delivery over and exciting and dynamic beat give this song the lift it needs to earn it's spot. The storytelling lyrics here are not only on-point in the sense that they are well-written, but they also fit the beat, a tough task when a beat changes continually throughout. It begins from the perspective of a hard-working man facing a homeless beggar, then flips to the homeless man's perspective to tell an interesting tale, leaving the listener to side either way, both with compelling sides. The one misstep here I found -- I wish there was no hook in the middle, I would rather have the story continue and finish with a hook at the end. I understand why it was composed the way it was, and it works as-is, but that is an improvement I think would have made this that much better.
A close second, Jane G33 and Ackurate represent their group picKOne well with a lyrical banger, aptly named "Dope." Jane particularly bodies this track with some sharp, witty lyrics and wordplay. Ackurate complements well with great rhymes and grimy lyrics and they trade half-verses on a soulful head-bobbing beat that both takes you back and grabs you by the eardrum the second the track hits. The quality is great, though maybe the verses could have been a hair louder, but the one thing I think keeps this out the #1 spot this week is replay value. It's a fantastic listen (or three), but it's not the storytelling track that strums at your mind and conscious like the #1 track does. Overall, though, this was well put together and gives you a feel like this is what hip-hop should sound like.
So, how the hell do you follow those acts? A tough task indeed, but Mr. Showtime makes a great effort with "When I Wake Up." It's a rap about rapping (imagine that!), but it's actually well-done, with some witty lyrics and a touch of wordplay here and there. Like the #2 song, Mr. Showtime and his featured guest, Yung Tek, trade half-verses, particularly shining on the second verse (which sold me on it's top 5 spot). The quality here is good but the beat here puts a stamp on this one for me, awesome selection. The hook sounds great over it and it's got that "it" factor. It's certainly a love it or hate it or song, and you see which side I'm taking. It doesn't have the lyrical dexterity of the songs above, but it's definitely a fun listen.
A number of very personal tracks were submitted this week, and it's very hard for me to not select all of those as my top 5 because I have a personal bias toward tracks like that (though, of course, my top 5 is my top 5). That said, the one that shined the most for me this week was Moose's "Fall in the Cracks." It's got a solid hook that engages the listener and makes me somehow feel involved. The delivery needs a breath of life, but the lyrics are both solid and relate-able. I did not like how the song ended, a song like this needs a second hook to finish and a fade-out, not just a stop. Polish and presentation is key and these things can make a difference to the listener. Polish is one of those things no one really pays attention to when it's there, but when it's missing, you notice. So, while it may take more time that you care to put in at the time, it's worth it. It's the difference between great and good. Still, this song is good and earns a top 5 selection.
Probably the second-toughest pick this week (second only to choosing the #1 spot) was the #5 spot. There were a number of great songs that could have made it, but Boss Game's "I Be Goin' Off" showed the completeness, quality, and replay value necessary to make the top 5 this week. A quality, catchy hook interludes three verse with high energy and fun wordplay. It's an easy-going track, so don't expect your mind blown here, but it's quality and a good listen, and you'll be hard-pressed not to sing along. I do feel that the final verse needs a bridge before it to truly sew this song up; the beat makes it a bit difficult to get through that last one, but a solid hook eases that burden. Overall, a high-energy effort with just enough lyrical dexterity to keep me interested at a pace to match the fast-moving instrumental.
And that's my five for the week. Overall, an awesome selection to choose from and I felt the cream rose here. I was certainly impressed by every one's submissions and this was definitely one of the toughest weeks for me in terms of track selection. It's a good problem to have and I'm looking forward to more next week. Everyone upped their game this week, the quality is improving and the hard work is paying off. Once more, hats off to everyone who submitted this week.
N. Talekt
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