In a recent interview with MTV, Gym Class Heroes’ front-man Travis McCoy said his upcoming album Lazarus is “music to have a good time to.” Seeing as I’ve downloaded, playlisted and repeatedly grooved shamelessly to the first single “Billionaire,” I’d like to approve the Nappy Boy’s message. Read the rest of this entry »

“‘Cause if we’re gonna lose this thing, we’re goin’ out in style.”

The video for GCH’s “Live A Little” is a patchwork quilt of live performance clips woven together almost seamlessly.

Pic Property of Rap-Up

More than anything else on Christmas Eve, I wanted to walk out of the home of the Golden State Warriors able to affirm everything Wayne has boasted from being the best rapper alive to the embodiment of music itself. I’ve seen Jay-Z in his prime, Big Daddy Kane years past his but still raw as ever, and James Taylor rock an arena with a guitar and microphone. I know what great is. Don’t get me wrong, Weezy did his thing but as a whole the show failed from trying to do too much. With such a broad audience it would be hard to please everyone, but put it this way the Bald Bull looking motherfucker in front of me was up and buck through “The Block Is Hot” but in the heat of all the teenage screams he was fast alseep. True story. Read the rest of this entry »

…because the album cover included in the file was so shitty.

Bernie Allen – Who Is Bernie Allen

Like many new artists, L.A.’s Tyga is getting publicity more for who he knows than what he’s done. As the rumored cousin of Gym Class Heroes’ Travis McCoy and the next big thing off of Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money imprint, Tyga’s got friends in high places. Friends only get you so far and on his debut release No Introduction, it’s up to Tyga to deliver quality music to ensure his self-proclaimed future stardom.

In that he’s failed, as the album is consistently devoid of musical worth. Vapidity is the central theme of both the production and lyrics. “First Timers” typifies the sugary feel of the album, as Tyga boringly tells a breakup story over a beat that manages to rip off both the Backstreet Boys and Slick Rick. Tyga spends too much time talking about teen angst, failing to connect with any listener who has left puberty behind. Entire tracks are dedicated to meeting girls online (the horrific “Aim”) and playing phone tag on voicemail (“Press 7″). All of these tracks feature a production style that derives itself from Avril Lavinge rather than Run-DMC; it’s really more teen pop than rap. In this context, a standard club-banger like “Coconut Juice” actually seems refreshing; at least it’s got the narcissism and beat style that fans are used to. Read the rest of this entry »