Week of 6/12: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

[6/12] NT's SoundClick Top 5

Awesome, awesome, awesome.

Every week's track selection seems to be getting better and better, which makes it both fun and tough to choose a top 5. That said, I think this week's top 3 could certainly be #1 contenders on any other week, but this week they're competing with each other, and only one can take the top spot. So, the criticism has to be a little tougher to decide who that is.

That said, this week came down to both execution and, most importantly, creativity & originality. For execution, it's a matter of it's not just what you say, but how you say it. A commanding presence and delivery is a must for your song to really get over. Secondly, how creative was your song? Have I heard this tune before? Is it fresh and new, either in terms of lyrics or concept? That goes a long way in terms of both enjoyment and also that critical category of replay value. That leads me to the top 5...

Jane G33 - Little Me, Big World
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10732925

Big Kannon - Karma Pt 1
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10700354

Xplicit - Life Ain't Easy
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10720430

Chayse Maclair - It's Alright, It's Okay
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10741103

Mr Showtime - I Think I Am (#1 W/ Yung Tek)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10741457

Perfect timing, eh? Last week I predicted that it was just a matter of time before Jane G33 grabbed that #1 spot, and she wasted no time snatching it with "Little Me, Big World." While this track has small flaws that I'll get to in a bit, this song is the perfect example of what I discussed above. It's fresh, original, creative, and has great presentation, both with great lyrical delivery and presence and also a smooth, dynamic beat, with a hook that grows on you. All the stars align here to deliver a hot track that finally has that replay factor, whose elusiveness has been plaguing Jane G33 for the past few weeks. That stems from the concepts and originality, especially present in the second verse. Not having heard this before makes me want to listen again. There were a few slip-ups in terms of misaligned backups and mistimed (or missing) emphasis, but overall, an excellent, powerful listen that earned a hotly-contested #1 spot.

I'm going to say the same thing about Big Kannon that I said about Jane G33 last week -- it's only a matter of time before he grabs #1. Kannon raps to near perfection with "Karma Pt 1," telling a familiar tale of a girl being taken advantage of by a stud. The quality, rapping, energy, presence, execution is spectacular, and he makes great use of lyrics to tell his story. Storytelling like this should progress naturally both in its plot and in lyrical writing, and Kannon absolutely nails it. That said, the main thing lacking here is replay value. I've heard this story time and time again, so it's hard to me to play it a third or fourth time knowing exactly how it'll end. And because it's not a lyrical track, I only have the story to look forward to. And after peeling back the surface to reveal the meat and potatoes, it's simple got a "been there, done that" feeling that doesn't take advantage of the things that make these type of tracks really stand out. Comparing this to, say R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" series, his stories were fresh and original, with twists and turns. That is the element missing from this otherwise outstanding track. I think there was an opportunity to do his when Kannon mentions that the girl has her "reasons" for not wanting to be involved with the guy. Maybe those reasons are more than because he's after one thing. Maybe she's sick? Maybe she's related?! Maybe she's involved with someone else close to him? Regardless, I think that was opportunity lost. Also, a small thing in terms of completeness, I think the way the track ended wasn't good in terms of a cliffhanger. Let the song end with just the sound of the tires skidding off, no beat fading out, no extra lyrics. Just let the tires skid away and end it there. Just a thought. Again, taking nothing away from the artists clear ability here to perform and command the mic, I would have just liked a more original story here OR some original elements to make this sew up the #1 spot. As is, it's excellent.

Newcomer Xplicit continues the storytelling theme of this week's top 5 with an interesting track "Life Ain't Easy." I was digging this track from the needle drop, and when the actual beat dropped Xplicit goes in. This is actually pretty well done lyrically, and with a fun beat keeping with the theme of a "fast-paced lifestyle," this song comes off as well done and complete. A bit of "it" factor comes into play here making this track enjoyable. Finally, I like how Xplicit keeps his concepts together, like fast-paced life and work, really tying together the song as a whole, a subtle but important aspect to writing. A few missteps here, though. I felt like there was a shaky confidence in the delivery, which slightly affected how this came out. Also, the backups were conflicting at times with the front verse, making it tough to hear some of this words, which really hurts a story. Looking past that, a fun track that got a few spins from me.

Chayse Maclair moves up a slot this week with "It's Alright, It's Okay," a fresh new track off his upcoming mixtape. I would say this song is more that just alright, and okay, it's good. However, while it strives to be an uplifting track, it just misses the mark. Beat selection works here with the song, in fact, I think it's excellent. It's a dynamic beat that grows as the song does, allowing the opportunity for the story to grow with the beat. That said, I felt Chayse missed the opportunity to turn his energy and emotion up when the beat climaxed at the end of verse 1. I heard a slight attempt, but just wasn't enough. The second thing that kept bothering me was the constant interruption of the backup vocals. They are supposed to be the backups, so make them back up! Turn them down or don't use them if they are hindering your song. Obviously, some of these can be overlooked, but it's too constant with this song to get past. Finally, the hook needs a jolt of energy and literal volume to make it really work. Overall, I dig the concept, the verses were good, especially verse two, but the execution and presentation here really hurt this song from being as good as it could have been. Still, thumbs up.

Wrapping up this week's top 5 is Mr. Showtime's return to the list, back alongside Yung Tek, with "I Think I Am (#1)." This almost grabbed the #4 slot, but in the end, Chayse won me over with his creativity and lyricism. To put that into perspective against this song, this is indeed one of those song you've heard before. Still, it's very well done from both a quality & lyrical perspective. It's comparable to the #2 song in that aspect. Oddly enough, it's also comparable to the #3 song in terms of it switching the beat in the beginning. Just one of those odd things that you rarely see happen, so funny that it happens twice here. That aside, Showtime really goes in and demands your attention from the jump. Yung Tek finishes off the verse, but I was slightly disappointed with the verses. Not bad, but I've heard better from him. The hook works. Sticks in your head, but the lyricist in me doesn't like the "shine like the sun" line. Still flow and execution here over a great beat make this a fun song and well-deserving of a top 5 spot.

Great work by everyone this week. I have to applaud all the entrants this week for bringing some fantastic songs. I really have nothing to say after that, so I'll let the music speak for itself. See you back here next week!

N. Talekt

Week of 6/5: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

[6/5] NT's SoundClick Top 5

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