Week of 6/19: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

[6/19] NT's SoundClick Top 5

Yet another tough week in the world of SoundClick music.

Short and sweet, this week's difference makers came down to creativity and execution. What were you reaching for with your work, and, just as importantly, did you achieve what you set out to accomplish?

That said, here's a solid selection of songs in this week's Top 5.

Chayse Maclair - Schools out for Summer (f/ Jane G33)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10730518

Jo-Kane - Y'all Ain't Ready (f/ Boss Game)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10725981

Mdot - Intro to Bright
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10120316

Hydden Ajenda - Werewolf
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10598260

Mr Showtime - Have A Nice Day :)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10751328

Last week's #1-spot-holder Jane G33 assists Chayse Maclair, no stranger to that coveted position himself, in a creative and thought-provoking tale entitled "Schools out for Summer." Not too dissimilar from last week's #1, Chayse and Jane speak on the hardships faced, but with a twist in that the hardships are faced by a person also dealing with school, putting life into perspective and implying that maybe school isn't as important as the burden of daily life. It's a slow-building song, and I think Chayse gets saved by a growing beat on this one, as he finally kicked it up a notch as the beat drop, but dragged us to that point a bit. Still, he sets up the plot excellently and Jane comes in to crush the ending, again, from a perspective unique to her which makes the track that much more appealing.

After a short hiatus, Boss Game makes his return to the top 5 alongside Jo-Kane in the head-smashing anthem "Y'all Ain't Ready." This track definitely has the appropriate grit and bump to it, but the quality is a bit jarring at first. Looking past that, Jo-Kane kicks things off with a laid-back, confident verse, akin to Chayse's verse in that it's slow-building and a bit lulling. Perhaps Jo-Kane could have benefited from some ad-libs here. He then double-times it to finish off the verse and lead into a nice verse from Boss Game (notice how the ad-libs liven up the verse a bit, though Boss Game's delivery is commanding enough here that it's not as necessary as with the Jo-Kane verse). While the content is not as innovative, I felt like this song really fits the mood it was shooting for and reaches it's goals.

Newcomer Malcolm Lowe, AKA Mdot (no relation) enters the top 5 this week with "Intro to Bright," a cleverly put together track with an exciting delivery and some fun lines. Overall, it's a good introductory track and certainly makes you want to continue listening. The hook is interesting and the beat works with it's high-energy. Smart move with the acapella bits here, too. Major issue with this song is in terms of cleanliness. A few of the backups & ad-libs were off in an irritating way -- and yes, I know some were purposely off. Also, the beat does grind on you a bit after a while, but that said, the song is the appropriate length for that. Finally, while the hook is fun, it's not something that'll keep you coming back. Those factors keep this from the #2 spot this week, but certainly a strong, impressive showing and, to my points earlier, it does what it set out to do -- make you want to listen to the mixtape.

Hydden Ajenda enter the top 5 this week with a tale entitled "Werewolf." It's a metaphorical story about two hungry powerhouses coming together to slaughter. Maybe this could have been higher aside from the replay value effect, but I actually dig this track. The presence of the rappers here is pretty good, especially on the second verse, and it's a pretty creative song. While the delivery could use some cleanup & enunciation in places, I think, overall, this was well put together and came together to do what it attempted. While personal taste and "it" factor also keep this a little further down the list this week, this is a track that has potential to be pretty nice once polished. The story, emotion, and lyics are all there, just needs a bit of fine tuning to really get going.

Mr. Showtime and Yung Tek, familiar partners, collaborate yet again with "Have a Nice Day :)." The tough thing about this song is that it really is set up to be a banger, it just takes a swing and a miss. As I've been mentioning, setting out what you tried to accomplish is a bit part of getting your song right, and this fell a bit short. Perhaps it was the beat selection. On this, the hook was clearly important, but I could barely tell the difference between the hook and the verse. In addition, unlike past submissions, this hook was not well-written and it showed. Also, the verse and energy here are fine but they do not really build to the track, leaving the listener with a feeling of "that's it?" I felt high expectations for this song to deliver, especially with a banging beat like it had, but it fell a bit short. Still, good enough for this week's top 5, but going back to re-evaluate this song would be smart. Stick with your theme and clean up a bit, and this song is a true banger.

Hope you've enjoyed this week's top 5. Another nice set of songs to check out and a nice showcase of what SoundClick.com has to offer.

With a few major moves and holidays coming up soon, the Top 5 will be suspended indefinitely. Rest assured, it will be back, with a few changes, when things slow down a tad. In the meantime, check out any past week you missed and I'll catch you back here real soon.

N. Talekt

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 5/29: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

[5/29] NT's SoundClick Top 5

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