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Yet another collective emerging from the Odd Future clan, as this time Hodgy Beats and Domo Genesis get together as MellowHigh, putting a stoner spin on Hodgy and Left Brain’s MellowHype name.
Whilst their name may be light-hearted, the music certainly isn’t. Sporting an intense Lex Luger beat, Timbs showcases Hodgy and Domo in their most ‘serious’ light to date, as each rapper steps away from the OFWGKTA freeform carnage to lay down some slick, structured raps that will take many by surprise. The production has a real knock to it, with a driving percussion that is supported by little more than some ominous synth work, creating a simple and effective backdrop for both rappers to come through with some excellent flows, whilst the lyricism has a ‘regular’ hip-hop style for the most part, and as a result is far more accessible to the wider hip-hop audience. Arguably, this is one of the clan’s most rounded and audience-friendly tracks to date, and I’m really interested to see how this duo progress from here. Free grab below.
MellowHigh-Timbs
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Ned Flanders without the S just isn’t the same.
Two videos in quick succession from the OFWGKTA clan’s upcomingOF Tape Vol. 2 release, set to drop later this month, and whilst Rella was a pretty enjoyable one all-round, I’m not quite as enamoured with this.
The OF ‘oddness’ works when there’s a funny angle to it, but here it just comes off as a little too incongruent, as the video is set to a rather dark, minimal production that would have been far better suited to a more evenly-themed video. The creepier elements of the video (such as Tyler as a baby) do work relatively well with the audio, but the unnecessary amount of naked obese people (I wish I was joking) just drives any serious surrealism out of the video, and hence affects the perception of the audio given that it’s the first time hearing the song for most of us.
Could have been good, but instead it’s just a bit boring. Hopefully there’s better yet to come, especially in light of the aforementioned Rella single, which was certainly both a fun watch and a good listen.
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Violence, cross-dressing, drugs and much more: Odd Future are back. It’s fair to say many of us ‘got over the hype’ surrounding this collective relatively quickly last year, but credit where it’s due, as this video has captured my interest once more.
What’s instantly noticeable is that they’re clearly enjoying the access to higher production quality, as the video immediately strikes you with an air of professionalism that continues throughout the video, containing the natural Odd Future anarchy very well. The clip is typically wacky, with all sorts of insane activities and outfits, alongside plenty of laugh out loud moments-Tyler’s on great form in his section with some fantastic mannerisms.
The track itself also boasts from a more polished feel, with a thudding, energetic production served up by the ever-improving Left Brain, whilst Hodgy, Domo and Tyler genuinely bring some enjoyable flows to the track, with Tyler’s tongue-twisting delivery being a highlight. It’s a surprisingly enjoyable effort from the OFWGKTA clan, and much credit to them for adding a little gloss to their edgy, out-there style.
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Outside of one or two tracks, I felt Domo’s Rolling Papers mixtape was a little overrated by many, and whilst I could see its appeal, it felt a little too samey and frankly needed more familiar productions (ie. freestyles over existing beats) to make his ability stand out a little more.
It seems like that’s exactly the approach taken here, as Under The Influence apparently has Domo ‘Mostly Over His Favorite Instrumentals‘, which should make for entertaining listening and allow for a proper appraisal of his ability as a rapper. Click below for the free download, courtesy of the OFWGKTA collective.
Domo Genesis-Under The Influence
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Normally, I don’t go for these ‘personality hosted’ mixtapes as they just tend to be a mish-mash of readily-available tracks. However, the ever-entertaining Peter Rosenberg (one of the few prominent lovers of both hip-hop and wrestling!) has really pulled off something special here, with a 23-track project full of original material from the likes of Raekwon, Odd Future, Kendrick Lamar, Asher Roth, Childish Gambino and many more. There’s even a Macho Man Randy Savage interlude!
Needless to say, this looks like a must-have for all hip-hop fans, and alongside the glut of rap gargantuans, there are a couple of ‘middle-ground’ names on here I’ve been looking to get into, whilst I’m sure we’ll also be introduced to a few new and upcoming stars. To quote Peter, ‘With so much BS out there — sometimes it’s hard to find what’s really poppin. Well I did the work for you. Enjoy.’
Peter Rosenberg & Popchips Present : What’s Poppin Vol. 1
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Having listened to Mike G’s enjoyable Ali recently, there’s no doubting that of all the Odd Future rappers, he’s the least Odd Future: by that, I mean he’s a more standard west coast style rapper, with a laidback flow and regular (in rap terms) content that makes him stand out by virtue of simply being rather normal.
Hodgy Beats steps up to the boards with a mellow yet slightly disquieting production, blending thin production with wistful synths to provide a solid backdrop. Mike comes through with decent, if unspectacular raps, though it’s his comfortability and connection with the production that stands out here, with his lazy flows in particular floating effortlessly on the beat.
Mike G-Chevron
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I was excited for this release, but for the wrong reasons it turns out: I actually thought the track/video being released was the song 65 Hodgy performed recently in the BBC studios, but it turns out it’s actually a different track with a similar title that’s also set to be on the re-release of Hodgy and Left Brain’s Blackenedwhite album.
64 is a significantly busier, more ominous track than 65, with an infusion of that OFWGKTA energy that wasn’t present (and rightfully so) on the performance of 65 (which I’m still really looking forward to), coming on a style closer to that of Tyler and Hodgy’s popular Sandwitches. It’s a solid atmospheric, dark production with a captivating intensity, and Hodgy comes through with some decent raps, lending credence to the view that he’s the most ‘complete’ rapper currently active in the group (Earl would otherwise take that title).
Interestingly, the video lists Hodgy as the man behind the ‘video concept’, a role Tyler has recieved a lot of credit for in his own videos, and Hodgy also deserves praise here. The unsettling and anarchic vibe of the track is enhanced very effectively with lots of dark, gothic scenery blended with Hodgy’s aggressive, unstable demeanour, and finished off by playing on basic human fears with snakes, coffins and more. It’s one of those tracks that’s definitely meant to be seen and heard simultaneously, and as a result I’m not 100% convinced the audio alone will have a great deal of longevity, but it could grow on me and either way I’ll certainly be giving the video a few watches.
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The best rapper in the OFWGKTA clan? There’s certainly a mounting pile of evidence in favour of that statement, and with the re-release of MellowHype’s Blackenedwhite album due in around a month, Hodgy comes through with a short but solid bit of hip-hop to whet the appetite. Decent production, combining a few pretty simple percussion elements with a piercing vocal sample to create a slightly off-kilter beat that hovers between soulful and almost eerie. Enjoyable listen though, and looking forward to that re-release!
Hodgy Beats-April 27th
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I actually deleted half of Tyler’s overhyped Goblin. Maybe I didn’t get it? I figured he’s clearly a talented individual (his videography demonstrates his creativity extends beyond purely audio) but with several lazily produced tracks and interludes on Goblin I hope someone can harness this innovation into something more ‘complete’ for his next project, Wolf in 2012.
This video is the best thing about the song (one which didn’t remain on my Hitachi). Tyler, credited as director for the visuals here, crafts a comical yet in-depth story to compliment the lyrics and each verse is portrayed with three very differing scenes allowing Tyler to display his alter-ego Wolf Hayley on numerous occasions. What’s also interesting to note on this is the obvious increased budget the OFWGKTA frontman is afforded here. Let’s see what he comes up with next.
Side note: I hear recently he’s also going to appear on Game’s R.E.D. Make of that what you will.
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Seemingly out of nowhere, the (somewhat reclusive) man-of-the-moment Frank Ocean comes through with some visuals for a track that preceded but didn’t quite make his nostalgia, ULTRA project.
It’s a superb track too, with a simple piano melody being turned into an atmospheric, wintery track by Frank’s harmonic, passionate and ultimately addictive vocals. Lyrically it’s decent too, with the opening verse running through the differing tastes of himself and his lady of interest, whilst the second verse has a more emotional vibe.
The video is suitably offbeat, with a dim tint effect giving the video a dark, contemplative feel, adding to the isolation of empty roads the car travels. Frank gets some much-needed camera time too, and this is a very fitting video for an enjoyable track. Track can be grabbed here.
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Centenaries are a rare thing in many walks of life, so I speak for both past and present, writing and non-writing members of the OTU team when I thank you sincerely for your dedication to our online presence. Whilst various weekly serials have come and gone, this has stood strong for 100 weeks, so we genuinely thank you for your support here in R&B Fridays. Having been introduced in our very first week, this also marks our 100th week online, so thanks again for all of your support in getting us this far.
As it’s a milestone episode, it felt like the right decision to award Frank Ocean the honour of representing this occasion. I can hear your outrage: ‘why not a staple of the episodes, like Lloyd or Usher?’. Well, we like to look forward, and frankly (sorry) I feel he’s really going to dominate this series for the next 100 episodes, and deservedly so.
Click below for your regular weekly instalment: two days late, in keeping with tradition! I’ve also got a little extra something to celebrate the occasion coming shortly after this…
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 100
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From underground obscurity to hip-hop phenomenon, it’s fairly accurate to say that quite a bit has changed for Tyler and his team over the past few months. With Goblin’s May 10th release date only around the corner, here’s the latest drop to compliment the superb Yonkers. Tron Cat continues that haunting, electric production that Tyler has become known for and the lyricism is as hard-hitting and controversial as always. Not quite as grabbing as Yonkers, but by now we’re starting to get a good feel for Goblin.
Tyler, The Creator-Tron Cat
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Plenty of new material this week, in what has been a very active week for the R&B and pop scene. Well, that’s probably a half-truth as there’s only really the one post to recap on from this week’s posts, with the official visuals for Nikki & Rich’s breakout single with Fabolous surfacing.
Very interesting lineup in this week’s episode, with man-of-the-moment Frank Ocean lining up alongside such current luminaries as Chris Brown, Trey Songz and many more. No throwback this week as there has been quite a chunk of new material to get through, but there’s lots of good stuff to get into regardless. Click below to collect your winnings.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 96
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So, it seems Frank previously worked under the alias of Lonny Breaux (under which he’s reportedly worked with Rihanna, Justin Bieber and others). It seems a bunch of material from that era has surfaced, and has been neatly complied here, along with some extra stuff Mr. Ocean released prior to and after his breakout album Nostalgia, ULTRA.
I’m pretty huge on this guy right now (along with many others), and this (Nintendo) 64-track compilation (yep, 64!) should hopefully satisfy our desires for more Frank material. It should certainly be interesting to see how his style has evolved too: considering how refined his sound seems to be, it’ll be a very enjoyable experience seeing how that artistic development has happened.
Frank Ocean-The Lonny Breaux Collection
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And the Odd Future bandwagon rolls on. Today, we’re stopping off with arguably the second most prominent member of Odd Future, Hodgy Beats. Dropped last night/this morning depending on your timezone, Hodgy comes through with some very solid raps that aren’t as ‘shock factor’-based as Tyler’s style, and hence makes for another nice show of versatility from the OFWGKTA crew.
I’ve not managed to get through much of their back catalogue yet, so this is one of my first exposures to Hodgy’s ability, and he’s clearly got some ability. His style here isn’t anything particularly revolutionary, but is very enjoyable thanks to his clear delivery and solid lyricism. Production on this one is superb, with Bambeeno serving up a wistful soul sample and lining it with hard-hitting drum work.
Hodgy Beats-Mystery
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I rarely post or even watch interviews, but this is far too entertaining to not post. Not sure who this Nardwuar fellow is, but his geeky persona is relatively entertaining and plays off the Odd Future boys really well.
There’s a lot to love here, as Hodgy and Tyler are at their immature best and are clearly having an awful lot of fun in the limelight. It’s nice to see that sort of ‘free-spirited’ nature, and it’ll definitely have you cracking up at some of the things they come out with. Always good to see artists who don’t take themselves too seriously.
Gained a new respect for Tyler musically too, as he clearly knows his stuff and has a deep knowledge and appreciation for a wide range of music. It’s refreshing to see that whilst they’re impulsive and ‘crazy’ on the surface, they clearly have a good understanding of music underneath it all, which hopefully sets them in good stead for their careers. Golf Wang.
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It’s fair to say that the last Frank Ocean post went down an absolute treat. He’s definitely caught fire in recent weeks, and here we’ve got a track that didn’t make his nostalgia/ultra project.
On the strength of the tracks I’ve heard thus far, it’s evident Frank would have made it with or without the Odd Future buzz. He’s got a brilliantly smooth voice, and clearly has an adaptability that belies his relative inexperience: Swim Good was a more R&B/pop-driven track, whereas this is an acoustic/alternative track that will most certainly find a home in the playlists of a really diverse set of fans. A soft guitar backdrop weaves with his voice brilliantly to highlight his emotion, and turn the spotlight to his fantastic vocal and lyrical work, as well as his ability to write a great hook. Complete stamp of approval here, don’t miss this.
Frank Ocean-Pyrite (Fool’s Gold)
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If you thought you knew Odd Future, you’re about to have that perception changed. Frank is actually a singer, and certainly has a very different style to the industrial, ‘shock factor’ style we’ve recently come to know from Tyler and co.
The dark lyricism is still there in parts, but he’s got a very relaxing style, and clearly has an ear for a melody as he comes through with some memorable vocals that suggest Odd Future may just have an even bigger, more diverse (odder?) future than any of us could have predicted. Dave comes through with some solid raps to round off the track nicely, complimenting Frank’s vocals well and showcasing his own versatility well. Wouldn’t recommend missing this, very melodic and thoughtful stuff. Grab the track below, and/or get the full nostalgia, ultra mixtape here.
Frank Ocean-Swim Good ft. Dave Raps
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Undoubtedly the man of the moment in hip-hop, Tyler’s track French was originally featured on his 2009 debut solo album Bastards. With his sharp rise to prominence, many remixes are beginning to emerge and this one twists the industrial, gritty production of the original into a more electronic style.
It’s a pretty solid remix, with the somewhat lighter production being far less ominous than the original, and hence will probably make for easier listening to those unconvinced or unaccustomed to Tyler/Odd Future’s beat selections. The original production also complimented the ‘shock factor’ of the lyrics with its blunted tones, whereas this remix downplays that aspect and instead makes it into one where the lyrics are projected slightly differently. I’m not sure I prefer it to the original, but it’s certainly more accessible to the wider audience, and worth checking out either way. Click here for Yonkers.
Tyler, The Creator-French (Toro y Moi Remix)
http://overratingtheunderrated.com
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Murray: February 19, 2011
After major hard drive failure a week ago, I dropped the OTU team a tweet asking for a brief update on anything that had passed me by during my agonizing downtime.
Indi directed me to this. Already generating masses of hype across the hip-hop educated parts of the Internet, Tyler, The Creator from Odd Future drops this disturbing video in support of his upcoming sophomore LP, Goblin.
Tyler’s style takes some getting used to, but the ferocious, industrial beat drives home the haunting black and white visuals where we watch Tyler eat a cockroach and vomit it up before hanging himself.
This is never going to get airplay, but this is exactly the type of hip-hop which helps shine fresh new light onto much of the monotonous drivel out at the moment. All I can say is: Stay tuned.
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