This was easily the most frustrating top 5 yet.
For all those extra plays on your songs last night, you're welcome. This week's entrants definitely had some nice tracks, but really everyone was about on par, sharing both strengths and weaknesses. Two songs stood out to me this week, and I literally spent hours re-playing those two songs trying to figure out who should take the top spot this week, I even delayed this posting a bit!
This week's selection came down to poise and creativity. How did the artists command the track, the beat, and the attention of the audience? What dynamics were introduced by the artist to separate their song from the rest of the pack? Who took risks? One of the closest top 5's yet, here's this week's picks.
Moose - Bad News (f/ Mr. Barkley & Mo)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10198815
Big Kannon - Dreamin' (f/ Britany Monet)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10700355
Jane G33 - Jukebox Joint
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10713873
Boss Game - Goin' Hard
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10700576
Chayse Maclair - A Free Download, No Tags
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10530609
Moose enlists Mr. Barkley and Mo to help deliver the "Bad News." Similar, but different from the Kanye West version, Moose and company go in on a well-produced track firing off stories of deceit and heartbreak, interluded by a auto-tuned hook. All three artists breathe life into this beat and the composition is on point, with a bridge placed perfectly towards the end, preluding the clean-up hitter who drives the track home. Quality is not perfect, but certainly good enough. Inarguably, this is a love it or hate it song, but the energy and passion behind this song wins me over and the dynamics inherent in the fact there are three different artists telling stories combined with a perfect backdrop with a changing beat sew this song up nicely. That elusive "it" factor wins this week. I actually played this song at G-Lotto's "Session One" listening party back in April, and it hasn't lost its flair since then.
Big Kannon's "Dreamin'" is a nice stroll down memory lanes that's sure to bring smiles and laughs to the listeners. With Britany Monet delivering on the hook, Kannon delivers three solid, consistent verses speaking on days past. This song is certainly something people can relate to and, for that reason, has great replay value. I like the way the stories are told and they transition well; this song definitely had time and thought put into it, and it certainly shows. The mixing is great, the lyrics work, the song bangs. The tiny flaw here is the cadence. The rhyme scheme and tone in this song rarely changes, making this track lull after a few listens. For me, either the beat or the rappers needs to change it up, give the singer a solo bridge, something to change the cadence. Still, an excellent work that's a must-listen.
Before I continue, I want to tip my hat to the top two. Both of you composed great songs, either of which could have topped the list, but a decision had to be made and that's where my head space was this week. Excellent work.
I'm going to say the same thing I said after last week's top two -- "so, how the hell do you follow those acts?" A simple answer, not easily. For me, it was a close call between the last three, but a bit of deliberation allowed Jane G33 to clearly grasp the #3 spot with the metaphor-laden "Jukebox Joint." From the needle's drop, you've got to love the jazzy, soulful, hip-hop song infusing into the beat. Jane's confident but laid back flow commands as she figuratively and literally breathes life into her joint. While it's a head-nodding listen that you've got to appreciate from both a musical and lyrical perspective, this track does have it's flaws. For a song of this caliber, the hook is lackluster, elementary, and too long. I wish I could place my finger on why, because simple hooks can and do work, but I think more energy would be needed to pull it off. Here, it's an awkward mix of lyrical prowess in the verses and over-simplicity in the refrain, the mesh doesn't really work. Still, a great track that lets Jane G33 shine and it's only a matter of time before she drops that banger to take #1.
The #4 spot was awarded to Boss Game, fresh off the release of his highly-anticipated mixtape, Rise and Grind, with another high-energy banger, "Goin' Hard." I must tip my hat to Boss Game for putting together a pretty decent hook. That said, the mix quality here is fairly low for a Boss Game track. The verses, however, command attention with some witty lines scattered about to keep the listeners' attention and keep the track enjoyable. Like the #2 and #3 tracks, this song could benefit from a bit of variation, but overall Boss Game nails it. Still, I am looking forward to hearing a different type of track from Boss Game. At this point, they're all starting to sound the same to me; and with songs like "Without You," "Since U Left," and "Lyrically," I know there's more in store than what I'm being presented with.
To conclude this week's top 5, Chayse Maclair releases his choke-hold on the #1 spot with a creative, dedicative effort in "A Free Download, No Tags." The concept is what it sounds like, a hot artist with little financials to spare looking to hop on some hot beats without the annoying tags. Can anybody relate? While Chayse always has a unique flow, the flow on this song goes a bit too far off at times, and sometimes he loses focus, putting more emphasis on keeping a rhyme scheme than keeping the topic. Still, I love the concept, it's fresh, the quality is nice, and it stays true to his form, keeping it real. That helps me as a listener better relate and believe the rest of his work, which is huge when it comes to taking that next step. While it may not be the best track on the list, Chayse is definitely showing his talents and is one to continue to watch.
And there's your top 5. Overall, I will say I'm pretty shocked. Entries I thought were sure shots didn't make the cut, and there was much more debate and deliberation this week just to get some kind of order. That said, it just means the music is getting better and that's a problem I can't complain about.
N. Talekt
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