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Anyway, today we'll be looking at the best "Guest Verses of 2017" where I'll be examining which rapper (or singer) came onto another artist's track and absolutely stole the show (not in a competition aspect but more in a "hey, this artist is really having a moment right now, and it so happened to be on another musician's song).
In 2016, best guest verse went to Conway The Machine on "The Cow" by Westside Gunn, amazing, personal, and deeply vivid verse that bared one man's life story within it. Listen to the verse here.
In 2016, best guest verse went to Conway The Machine on "The Cow" by Westside Gunn, amazing, personal, and deeply vivid verse that bared one man's life story within it. Listen to the verse here.
I will also be copying and pasting the verses in text form so you can physically see the guest verse (Thanks Rap Genius!)
Without further ado, let's get to number 17...
#17. Noname on "Amphetamine" by Smino
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| Noname, the featured guest rapper (Left) and Smino, the rapper who's song she was featured on (Right) |
"Amphetamine" is the seven minute grand finale on Smino's debut album "blkswn" (good album, btw) and it features rapper Noname amongst some other uncredited rappers on the second half of the track.
I was ready to shut this track off near the last minute of the song ("Amphetamine" did feel like it dragged on, in my opinion) but then Noname pops out of nowhere to deliver a how-does-she-so-effortlessly-rhyme-these-words verse that's in all honesty pretty standard for Noname (she's set a high standard for herself) but the way she rhymes multiple syllables over a smooth beat, coupled with the fact that she doesn't do that many features in the first place, makes this a no brainer for my pick for one of the best guest verses of 2017.
So yeah, check out Noname's show stopping verse down below and be sure to check it out in text form as well.
[Noname on "Amphetamine" by Smino]
Sunny metropolis, overzealous as telefone
Telefone a new continent, maybe rode me a rocketship
Copper all on my dash, and he ticket that lady optimist
Said I'm moving too fast, slow down, slow down
Opened up for Lauryn Hill, woah now, woah now
Woah now
Everything is everything and the object steady mystified
My allegories underneath the rock will only fear resides
I bet I'm gon' find it, I know I'm gon' find it
Happiness, bank account, white accountant
I found the fountain
I was born in all black, how could God denounce this?
I told Him, 'Give me my money, I need my money now'
Thank you Jesus, whoever you are
I know you gifted me the gift of gab and simile
And simpleness, the solitude is loneliness
Been good to me
I told them, 'Give me my happy, I need my holy now'
Thank you Jesus, whoever you are
Thank you Jesus, whoever you are
#16. Open Mike Eagle on "American Robot" by BUY MUY DRUGS
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| Buy Muy Drugs (Denmark Vessey, [right] and producer Azarias [left]) ( Buy Muy Drugs as a group [Left] in black and white picture) and the featured artist, Open Mike Eagle (Right) |
When I first heard of Buy Muy Drugs (Pronounced "buy My drugs") on a reddit forum and read a pitchfork review on this collaboration album between rapper underground rapper Denmark Vessey and producer Azarias, I was intrigued. An album about a (as pitchfork calls it) "a dystopian world in which agony prevails and desperation is the new normal."? Sign me up for a listen!
On "American Robot" Open Mike Eagle raps from the perspective of the average working class American citizen in this dystopian universe where it's work, family life, climbing the corporate ladder, rinse and repeat.
It's actually pretty scary how Mike is able to pinpoint, with laser accuracy, the day-to-day lives of so many people in the United States today. This is definitely a guest verse worth noting because Denmark's verse and hook seem to blend together. Mike was definitely center stage for this one, and boy did he deliver with a short, yet potent verse. Check it out down below!
[Open Mike Eagle on "American Robot" by BUY MUY DRUGS]
For lunch my lady fixes me pickles and chicken parmesan
I clock into the station and wait on rating from Arbitron
Trying to get these interns not to be unprofessional
Please put your waste items in the proper receptacles
Saving
My son has been asking for different fire trucks
Climb the corporate ladder
Pal around with the higher-ups
Get your clients up
I park my car under the viaduct
Between an old mail truck and an idle bus
How many times I've promised myself that this was the final cut
Grind another line until it's the time with the Midas touch
Reminds me of this time when we thought nobody could silence us
Please pardon my sinuses
Bonus Gif:
#15. Kendrick Lamar on "Yeah Right" by Vince Staples
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| Vince Staples (left), Kendrick Lamar, featured artist (right) |
Let me be the first to say I did NOT care for "Big Fish Theory" and I think the critical acclaim it got was underserved. Don't get me wrong, I like Vince, I really do (in all honesty he should go full Joe Budden and ditch rapping to become a media personality, but I digress) but "Big Fish" felt so hollow to me, like the production was different, but it felt different for the sake of being different. Like Danny Brown's "Atrocity Exhibition" was different with a purpose, it was meant to show you the crazy world of Danny Brown through a sonic standpoint, that's why the production was so wild. However, "Big Fish" Theory, the electronic beats could be swapped out with any other type of beat and it felt like it wouldn't have mattered.
There was definitely a noticeable improvement in Vince's song crafting but it didn't do anything for me when compared to (for example) his debut album "Summertime '06" where his lyricism as well as the production captured me from the start with "Lift Me Up".
For Vince's next full length effort, I want a one producer, one rapper album collab. Which producer you ask? Clams Casino. Everytime Vince hops on a Clams Casino beat, it's murder, bottom line. If he can somehow secure 10 or more beats from Clams, Vince can drop his best work to date, I'm certain of it, but "Big Fish Theory" wasn't hittin' for me. Glad Vince got his recognition though.
I will say, however, that it was a good move to not include any credited features on the track listing to force people to actually listen through the album because (let's be honest) many people just skip to the songs with the big name features like Kendrick. Sad, but it is what it is.
On "Yeah Right", Vince finds himself questioning different rapper's authenticity (*spoiler alert* the vast majority are inauthentic) before Kendrick unexpectedly comes on to talk about death ("New York nigga be like "deadass"/L.A. nigga be like "on the dead homies") and riches ("Paid like two Damon Wayans, retire early). It's a short but sweet verse that has Kendrick rapping on some experimental production that (I'm hoping) Kendrick hops on in the future in his own solo work.
Check out the song and the verse in text form down below...
[Kendrick Lamar on "Yeah Right" by Vince Staples]
Pop 'til it's vacant
Pop 'til the wrist pop
Pop 'til he shakin'
Pop like four on the floor been in rotation
No allegation
Popular demand, I understand my name is only for conversation
New York nigga be like "deadass"
L.A. nigga be like "on the dead homies"
I was off the porch like Fed-Ex
211, got bread on me
K-Dot twilight the zeitgeist
Roll like fried rice and tempura shrimp
Temporary pimp, nah, don't remember them
Just canary yellow gem, jumping out the fuckin' gym
Swang like new Dana Dane, I ride dirty
Paid like two Damon Wayans, retire early
Fade like shadows, the stallion, the cattle
A bitches decision for you, is narrow
Collision, the money, and fame, the pharaoh
The physic, the chemist, the lame
Collateral for Kendrick whenever exchange
Compatible for riches with more to gain
I said, nigga, yeah right
I don't fair fight but I bear fight
Lookin' for my next roadkill for the headlight
Hangin' on my last four kills for the highlights
My life, hiii life, high five, bye, bye
#14. Busta Rhymes on "East Coast REMIX" by A$AP Ferg
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| Busta Rhymes, featured artist (left) and A$AP Ferg (right) |
During the summer of 2017, A$AP Ferg was drumming up hype for the release of second mixtape "Still Striving" and in order to drum that hype, one usually drops singles leading up to the tape. And Ferg, being no stranger to posse cuts, dropped a video which featured Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, French Montana, Dave East, A$AP Rocky & Busta Rhymes. It was a pretty impressive feat to not only get all those rappers on a track but to also get them to rap their verses within the music video. Good job, Ferg.
What stood out to me about Busta's verse was in the very beginning where he says "Let me give them a friendly reminder real quick, yo" and then he starts to go in. It was then that I knew that I haven't heard a Busta Rhymes verse in a good minute, good to know Busta's rhymes (no pun intended) haven't declined in quality throughout the years.
While, on paper the verses aren't that spectacular, it's the flow, speed and breath control that impressed me most about Busta's verse on this posse cut, also I loved the "go" rhyme scheme near the end of the verse and the bongo drum sounds during one line of this verse.
Yeah, check out Busta's verse on "East Coast Remix" to see and hear a rapper who hasn't lost a step. Also, give Busta's collab with Vybz Kartel & Tory Lanez (which came out in 2017) some love too.
#11. A$AP Rocky on “New Choppa" by Playboi Carti
As evidenced by my top 16 albums of 2016 (Top 17 albums of 2017 coming soon), I'm a fan of T.I., always have been, and for awhile now too. By the way, to everyone reading this, check out T.I.'s last album "Us Or Else: Letter To The system' VERY dope album that was largely slept on because of the timing in when it came out (came out at the very end of 2016, which is when a LOT of people are doing their year end lists and are revisiting and reviewing music from earlier in the year).
I remember blasting T.I.'s "King" album in my childhood home in Florida, specifically the song "I'm Talkin' To You" where he's dissing a rapper or rappers. Love that song, especially the 3rd verse where he goes OFF. In fact, listen to it linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_qiinLrC3k
Anyway, T.I. came through on this feature for K.R.I.T., a quick but urgent verse, T.I. lays out why he continues to go as hard as he does when it comes to rapping, being a businessman and just hustling in general. The best part is when he itemizes the term "Excuses" as if it's an object or commodity that can be used to clothe or feed his children ("Can't be no excuses/my children can't eat no excuses/My daughter can't sleep in excuses/My son he see me with no paper like keep your excuses")
Check out the verse down below and the song itself in the youtube link for an energetic and motivational burst of southern fried musicality with a hustler's spirit.
As everybody reading this knows (or should know) Offset had a first-rate year last year in 2017. Starting off the year with his biggest hit single "Bad and Boujee" with Quavo and Lil Uzi Vert. Dating and eventually proposing to Cardi B, who, of course has had her own gigantic success in 2017, and dropping the best mainstream collaboration project with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin ("Without Warning"). These are just a few things amongst others that made Offset (and the rest of the Migos) a force to be reckoned with in 2017. But one other thing that made Offset great in 2017 was how hard he went on songs that he was featured on too.
#4. Drake on "Family Feud" (Remix) by Lil Wayne
"Nigga, my advice, fuck the black and white shit
Be who you are, identify as a star
No one tells you you're that
It's something that you just know
The world be stealing your glow
Your mama did what she could
Her life was miles from good
Your father fell in the trap
They set for you when you black
They met when they was low
And therefore you a product of that
And so your trauma is deep
Don't bury it you should weep
And clean it out of your system, then truly forgive 'em
Just my opinion, only then can you find peace
Just start to notice happiness don't come from album release
I've been through it before
Can only share with you what I know
To be true, but at the same time, I'll never be you
And you'll never be me, no matter how hard that you try"
One, two, three, four
One, two, three, four, listen
Look into my eyes
Tell me you could see beyond the smile that I'm puttin' on
This front that I'm puttin' up for you
I spill my soul into a microphone
With poems written in blood
In hopes that it's enough for you
Do you love me yet?
Do you love me yet?
No? Okay
I'll go harder for you
In fact, I rap till I collapse
All I wanted was acceptance, my latest lesson
I'll never feel your approval till I accept my own
Come from a messed up home, destitute and less informed
About the ways to raise a child up
To not become a product
Of his environment, I need to cry and vent
But I done built this wall up
Actin' like everything's all good
But in reality I'm lookin' for something
Through bumpin' my favorite rappers I came up after
Nas, Cole, and Hov
Eyes closed, I zone till five or so in the morn'
I'm used to being alone
Shit, you know how long I've been out on my own?
Chasing dreams, fantasies of a throne
One day I wake up and see that it didn't exist all along
Till then I will pen verses that fans consider brilliant
Boosting my ego with every million that spills in
And still then
I won't find solace, so where's the logic in that?
Worrying 'bout if they think Logic could rap
When it all goes back to a childhood, need to be loved
By parents that was in too deep with the drugs
Nigga, my advice, fuck the black and white shit
Be who you are, identify as a star
No one tells you you're that
It's something that you just know
The world be stealing your glow
Your mama did what she could
Her life was miles from good
Your father fell in the trap
They set for you when you black
They met when they was low
And therefore you a product of that
And so your trauma is deep
Don't bury it you should weep
And clean it out of your system, then truly forgive 'em
Just my opinion, only then can you find peace
Just start to notice happiness don't come from album release
I've been through it before
Can only share with you what I know
To be true, but at the same time, I'll never be you
And you'll never be me, no matter how hard that you try
This is for youngins out there wondering how far you can fly
The truth is that you could go further than the stars and the sky
But if you want to then you ought to know why
Are you running from something
With hopes of becoming someone
That's finally worthy of love
Let me tell you now, you're worthy enough
Fuck approval from strangers, that shit is dangerous as hell
Find God, learn to accept yourself
And I'm gone, accept Him
What stood out to me about Busta's verse was in the very beginning where he says "Let me give them a friendly reminder real quick, yo" and then he starts to go in. It was then that I knew that I haven't heard a Busta Rhymes verse in a good minute, good to know Busta's rhymes (no pun intended) haven't declined in quality throughout the years.
While, on paper the verses aren't that spectacular, it's the flow, speed and breath control that impressed me most about Busta's verse on this posse cut, also I loved the "go" rhyme scheme near the end of the verse and the bongo drum sounds during one line of this verse.
Yeah, check out Busta's verse on "East Coast Remix" to see and hear a rapper who hasn't lost a step. Also, give Busta's collab with Vybz Kartel & Tory Lanez (which came out in 2017) some love too.
[Busta Rhymes on "East Coast REMIX" by A$AP Ferg]
Let me give them a friendly reminder real quick, yo
Y'all already know the god gotta talk
Every single time I come you niggas know I gotta do it
Yes I gotta do it and I gotta kill 'em and I gotta hit 'em
Yes you know a nigga gotta beat 'em stupid
Only got 41 seconds just to give a nigga shit
Every second bitch I gotta use it
Somewhat a nigga blew it and I cannot
Grab the microphone and not make a motherfucker lose it
And I make niggas jump in the back
Niggas up, she in the back of the truck
Lil' mommy wanna fuck and she really wanna suck
When I finish with it then we go in the back of the club
And we do this shit again my nigga, pronto
Bip-de-badda-de-booda-de-beat it like a bongo
Banging on the pussy like a nigga named Alonzo
Head game crazy, that make her the head honcho
Mad cause I took his bitch and now he thinks he macho?
Somebody better call the cops yo
'Fore we run up inside of that nigga's lil' condo
Put him in a box so the nigga in a cargo (cargo, cargo)
Shut a nigga down (fake bitch)
Throw a bottle at ya, shut a nigga mouth (break shit)
Come and follow me, stand up on the couch (shake shit)
Let us wallow, niggas know we're in the house (trey fifth)
East Coast nigga!
#13. Flatbush ZOMBiES on "A Glorious Death" by A$AP Twelvyy
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| A$AP Twelvyy (Top), and Flatbush Zombies, the featured artists (Bottom) |
Let's get this out of the way, I'm a big Flatbush ZOMBiES fan, not quite stan status yet, but I'm well on my way. One thing I've always liked about the ZOMBiES is how they always take their time between their major releases as a group. 2016, they dropped their great debut album. 2017 was the year of features for them. Appearing on Joey's project, A$AP Mob's project among others, this was my favorite feature from all 3 of them in 2017.
Meechy Darko kicks it off with a verse that sounds like he's not trying to rhyme, but he's doing it anyway in the most amazing way (there are no bad Meechy Darko verses by the way), then Zombie Juice comes in, does his thing (Juice has definitely gotten closer and closer to the other 2 members in terms of skill level)
The beat then changes into this halloween haunting beat, the type of beat you might play on halloween in a haunted house. Before Twelvyy and Erick Arc Elliott come through and finish the job.
It's the ZOMBiES at their ABSOLUTE best, but "A Glorious Death" is just a reminder that the ZOMBiES haven't lost a step in their rapping ability and it makes me hype for their next full length project.
Check out the song and lyrics from each member of the ZOMBiES down below.
[Flatbush ZOMBiES on "A Glorious Death" (the 3 members are Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice & Erik Arc Elliott)]
[Verse: Meechy Darko]
New phone who dis?
New day, new bitch
Rang rang, there go my celly
Tattoos like Makaveli
Acid trip, this bitch I'm with
Might overdose like Anna Smith
Crip or Blood, 50/50 love
My nigga died for this handkercheif
ZOMBiE gang, A$AP
I eat the beat, and beat three
From CD to tape deck
LSD, some shroom tea
2 groupies and safe sex
Threesome, AM
Amen, Hallelujah
Hallow clipped it, hollows through ya
Backwood smoking, Goyard gun holster
Gucci sofas
Heard you was sending shots
I was too high to notice
Marijuana, I'm smokin' potent
My eyes are glowin'
My pistol loaded, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop
Now you knowin'
[Verse: ZOMBiE Juice]
Top of the buildin' and I got a feelin'
Sudden rush to the brain, so obnoxious the feelin'
Loyalty to the drugs, feelin' so high high nigga what
Rolling with the clique, middle fingers up
Police on my dick, never gave a fuck
Always living trife, bitch you down to fuck?
Smoking on some shit that your mama off
Never pretend, I gotta go get it this one is all
War love, got me [?]
Talkin' 'bout some money, we gon' get it solved
Talkin' 'bout some bud, we gon' smoke it all
LSD bitch, I'm off the wall
Throw your hands up if you wanna roll
On some new shit, baby this a new phone
Got some new packs in and some quick dough
Same nigga dead niggas 10-4
Rest in peace to my nigga, nigga, Yambo
[Verse: Erick Arc Elliott]
I shake the game, refrain from permanent
My style compares rare like fiends that serve a nick
My goals can touch souls, my niggas impervious
My team go buck wild, sip Hen and smoke spliffs
Don't think I won't trip, cherish every moment
A nigga won't miss if he's very focused
All black, funeral, gettin' down with a bad one
Used to smoke 2 grams, now I'm smokin' mad blunts
Had extendo, niggas, 'cause they basic
Minds need replacement, thoughtless, conscious and tasteless
Ring a bell 'cause the aliens comin' down
If you say that shit is myth my experience was wild
Man could run a mile while his legs are broken down
But Arc cook it up, tell shorty simmer down
It's amazin', how you niggas really feel about it
When it's top floor, ain't no room for more when it's crowded, mothafucka
#12. Frank Ocean on "RAF" by A$AP Mob
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| A$AP Mob (Left), Frank Ocean, the featured artist (Right) |
These rappers are lucky that Frank doesn't do the whole singing AND rapping thing cause he could definitely body that lane if he chose to fully commit to it. Frank Ocean, an R&B singer, comes in and starts kicking not one, but TWO verses. When this song was originally played on his blonded radio show on Apple's beats1 radio, there were two versions being played.
Thankfully, A$AP Mob were kind enough to attach both versions together in one song. Lyrically speaking, Frank is really just flexing and having passive, stream of conscious thoughts like "need some cable, tired of watchin' basic", but the fact that this dude sings songs like this and then hops on a rap posse cut and bodies everyone via rapping is a testament to how talented this dude really is. A small EP of Frank rapping is just what I need right now. Just like how I need a 100% singing album from Drake, but of course, these are only dreams...for now.
Check out Frank's show stealing verse(s) down below as well as the track itself in youtube form.
[Frank Ocean's verse(s) on "RAF"]
We gon' need a bigger table, though
Need some cable, tired of watchin' basic
Wouldn't sign ya if I had a label
That designer on a nigga label, fuego
Down the bottle, still under the limit
I could buy your bitch just off my debit
I could buy her, not fuck up my credit
Ain't no executives flexin' my blessings
Ain't no middleman cuttin' my blessings
I got all of this flick for the Lord's worship
You ain't slammin', got the Asperger's
I'ma drag that nigga, he deserve it
I'ma read his ass like a LaBeija
Anna Wintour cool with my mama
And it's winter fool, need a bomber
Plate of ravioli at Obama's, right, right, right
Can't you see I'm eating, what's poppin'?
Wrist like ravioli, stuffed with diamonds, right, right?
We don't have the same problems
I get Raf Simons, 'cause I'm gifted
That means, sometimes I get it and don't even want
Give Raf Simons, when I'm giftin'
That means sometimes I give it, you know that you want it
Sterlin' silver lasers (laser)
Rubies red, my skin too black to blush
This bitch too rare to bust
Seen her in the iPhone pages
This ain't on the Gram, Wizard of O-Z
Parka pockets full of mint leave
Guap is smellin' like it brush teeth
Say cheese, see the porcelain
Xans and water, see swordfish
Backwoods all forestry
Raf draggin' on the floor, bitch!
Flame thrower in it, in it
I'm torchin' the road in these Gucci flames
Stuck to the pavement, they glued
I'm two-point-five million a venue
And twenty-five hundred a tooth
I'm coatin' my lungs in the muddy
I'm cold like I'm sick with the flu
I cover my face and I'm bloody
That Spring/Summer 2002
Two, two, two, two, yeah
Please, don't touch my Raf
Sleep in the grass, Teddy
Sleep with the Teddy
Quick with the hands, ready
Please, don't touch my bag
Please, don't touch my Raf
Shirt off, I'm cam ready
Deadstock in memory
Please, don't pop my tag
#11. A$AP Rocky on “New Choppa" by Playboi Carti
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| A$AP Rocky (Left) and Playboi Carti (Right) in the "New Choppa" Music Video |
Short and really sweet is the best way I'd describe Rocky's sole appearance on Playboi Carti's self titled mixtape. "New Choppa", the seventh track on the tape, finds Carti doing what he has been doing on his self-titled effort. Ad-libbing his way through a beat followed by a ear worm hook that will be repeated by your younger cousins who also heard the song.
Then, after what seems to be an endless barrage of "Yahs" and "What?" (or as Carti pronounces it 'Whey?') A$AP Rocky suddenly strikes like lightning, blazing on to the track with a faster-than-normal-flow-but-it's-Rocky-so-of-course-he's-going-to-make-it-sound-effortless flow.
His verse was perfectly short but to actually hear, actual rapping, on what is essentially a beat tape with Carti adlibs was a welcome change, and the best part is, Flacko didn't even have to try, the bar (or bars) were so low that he really could've came with any verse and it would've been great compared to Carti's sing-a-long lyrics.
In fact, I'd venture to say that if Rocky were given these beats on Playboi Carti's self titled mixtape, it'd be awesome, and probably his best work since "LiveLoveA$AP", but I rest my case, your honor.
But yeah, not knocking Carti, but Rocky showed the obvious difference between them and it showed how actually rapping on what is supposed to be a rap song, can actually *Looks around* help the quality of a track.
My point is, despite how short and vapid it is, I love Rocky's guest verse, it works, and it doesn't do too much, and sometimes, that's all you need.
Remember the K.I.S.S. acronym...Keep It Simple, Stupid. Check out the music video for "New Choppa" by Playboi Carti featuring A$AP Rocky, along with the lyrics in text form down below.
Then, after what seems to be an endless barrage of "Yahs" and "What?" (or as Carti pronounces it 'Whey?') A$AP Rocky suddenly strikes like lightning, blazing on to the track with a faster-than-normal-flow-but-it's-Rocky-so-of-course-he's-going-to-make-it-sound-effortless flow.
His verse was perfectly short but to actually hear, actual rapping, on what is essentially a beat tape with Carti adlibs was a welcome change, and the best part is, Flacko didn't even have to try, the bar (or bars) were so low that he really could've came with any verse and it would've been great compared to Carti's sing-a-long lyrics.
In fact, I'd venture to say that if Rocky were given these beats on Playboi Carti's self titled mixtape, it'd be awesome, and probably his best work since "LiveLoveA$AP", but I rest my case, your honor.
But yeah, not knocking Carti, but Rocky showed the obvious difference between them and it showed how actually rapping on what is supposed to be a rap song, can actually *Looks around* help the quality of a track.
My point is, despite how short and vapid it is, I love Rocky's guest verse, it works, and it doesn't do too much, and sometimes, that's all you need.
Remember the K.I.S.S. acronym...Keep It Simple, Stupid. Check out the music video for "New Choppa" by Playboi Carti featuring A$AP Rocky, along with the lyrics in text form down below.
[A$AP Rocky's Verse on "New Choppa" by Playboi Carti]
I roll up an L in the lobby
My partner's got wops and it's probably a Glock or a Tommy
From H to the E double hockey sticks
Keep a chopper chop you if you try me bitch
Let's see who next on my homi' list
Carti like, "Rocky you bodied this", that's my prerogative
Shit on them, that's on my potty list
Accused of being boujee by a snobby bitch
Cops want to ID us, hope they as fast as my Adidas
She say I'm special, that's obvious
Rich 'cause my ideas run up the racks, for the most part
"I rap," when they ask what my hobby is
Run it up, not one of them
Rich as fuck, I'm a hundred up
Swipe, swipe, like I'm on a bus
It's A$AP and I ain't wanna rush
#10. T.I. on "Big Bank" by Big K.R.I.T.
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| Big K.R.I.T. (Left) and T.I., the featured artist (Right) |
As evidenced by my top 16 albums of 2016 (Top 17 albums of 2017 coming soon), I'm a fan of T.I., always have been, and for awhile now too. By the way, to everyone reading this, check out T.I.'s last album "Us Or Else: Letter To The system' VERY dope album that was largely slept on because of the timing in when it came out (came out at the very end of 2016, which is when a LOT of people are doing their year end lists and are revisiting and reviewing music from earlier in the year).
I remember blasting T.I.'s "King" album in my childhood home in Florida, specifically the song "I'm Talkin' To You" where he's dissing a rapper or rappers. Love that song, especially the 3rd verse where he goes OFF. In fact, listen to it linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_qiinLrC3k
Anyway, T.I. came through on this feature for K.R.I.T., a quick but urgent verse, T.I. lays out why he continues to go as hard as he does when it comes to rapping, being a businessman and just hustling in general. The best part is when he itemizes the term "Excuses" as if it's an object or commodity that can be used to clothe or feed his children ("Can't be no excuses/my children can't eat no excuses/My daughter can't sleep in excuses/My son he see me with no paper like keep your excuses")
Check out the verse down below and the song itself in the youtube link for an energetic and motivational burst of southern fried musicality with a hustler's spirit.
[T.I.'s Verse on "Big Bank" by Big K.R.I.T.]
Big bank, currency, and revenue
Getting to it, all a nigga ever do
And all I care about is how to get it, no doubt
Big numbers in front of my decimal, check it
Make sure it's multiplying
Is all I'm ever I worried about
And slow money beat no money
What the fuck you in a hurry 'bout?
Nigga, I'm saying, mm
Stay getting to it that broke shit ain't in my plan, yeah
Sleep when I'm dead, I'ma grind every day that I can
Got seven kids, and I gotta make sure
All of 'em them fed, by any means
Can't be no excuses, my children can't eat no excuses
My daughter can't sleep in excuses
My son he see me with no paper like keep your excuses
If you ain't producing, you're useless
That's why I'm out here getting to it
Fresh out the booth, I go straight to the stage
Then I go straight to get paid
Hunnid' I earned, fifty I saved
My bitch don't be cleaning up, I need a maid
She don't be cooking so I need a chef
Ain't giving me nothin', I get it myself
I'm doing my thing and I did it to death
Stacking them chips, getting that dough
Millions, need me a couple hundo
Big mansion with a double front do'
Pretty young thang in a new condo
Pray to God I could stay rich and stay humble
#9. Young Thug on "Sacrifices" by Drake
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| Drake (Left) and Young Thug, the featured artist (Right) |
Back when I reviewed Drake's "More Life" back in April 2017. I noted how Young Thug's verse was surprisingly good, and how it was the first time I heard Thug so clear and coherent on a track. I still stand by what I said about the song in general. "Sacrifices" is a very blasé song that is good for background music, but not much else.
Still, when Thug starts his verse, it gets interesting, if only for a second, the way he does the "I'm talking (blank) like (blank)" is pretty cool. It kept me entertained cause I thought it was a creative way to rhyme words.
Also, back to his clear cadence. I liked how Young Thug wasn't doing anything extra with his voice, he kept it plain and simple, and it worked. This verse definitely took me by surprise, cause I would've never expected anything like that from Young Thug in terms of delivery. The lyrics aren't super duper deep or anything, but like I said, this is ranked at a number 9 because of Thug's unexpectedly good delivery on this song, which ended up being the best part of Drake's "Sacrifices".
I like being surprised, and said surprised ended up at #9.
I like being surprised, and said surprised ended up at #9.
Check out the song and verse down below.
[Young Thug's verse on "Sacrifices" by Drake]
I was stealin' from a bitch (slime)
Back when I was 21 (facts)
My favorite gun was a SIG (nine)
20 in the clip, head one (no cockin')
Growin' up, I was a running back
You never made me ran once (goddamn)
I got shot, sweat started runnin'
That shit was red like Hunt (ketchup)
I'm kickin' pimpin' like I punt (beat it)
But don't you think shit's sweet?
I'm talkin' sweet, deer meat (ooh)
I'm talkin' suite like he sleep (like he sleep)
We ain't doin' too much talkin'
I'm talmbout talkin' like a speech (election)
Like the President, I kill 'em neat (scammers)
I’m talkin' neat like freak
I'm talkin' neat like fleek
I'm talkin' neat like a geek
You come with beef, I eat a B
I'm talkin' B’s, spellin' bee (sheesh)
Double R, that's a Rolls, paint it yellow like it's dairy
I'm talkin' Rose like Derrick
I'm talkin' rolls like a belly (woo)
Like a new car, I got two keys
Tryna score the bucket like a Chevy seat
Then I heard they been pullin' all week
I'ma use ya name like, "Who is he?"
You get it? I said I'm a username like, "Who is he?"
Got some gold on, leprechaun, sheesh
Deep sleep short for deceased
Big bezel on the Patty (woo)
I’m talkin' PADI—I meant Patek
Don't try to take it, I got guns
I'm talkin' guns, not pellets
I watch the game from the floor (floor seats)
I'm talkin' wood, first mattress
I'm talkin' wood, pants down
I'm talkin' woods like them clowns (you get it?)
I got my mink off a monkey
I'm talkin' monkey like Jumanji (hrr)
All your diamonds partly sunny
I'm talkin' sunny like D, Sunny (Sunny Delight)
My diamonds wet, it cost me money
I'm talkin' wet like it's runnin' (sink)
I'm talkin' wet like Katrina (New Orleans)
I'm talkin' wet like Dasani, huh
#8. Lil Yatchy on "From the D to the A" by Tee Grizzley
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| Lil Yatchy, the featured artist (Left), and Tee Grizzley (Right) |
I always like when artists deliver a pleasant surprise. And on "From the D to the A" Yatchy definitely showed up to rap and I was surprised. That's why he's so high up on my list, even if the subject matter he raps about is as deep as a kiddie pool.
For anyone not familiar with Lil Yatchy, he's a newer artist who broke out in 2016 with his "Lil Boat" mixtape. The reception to the mixtape was mixed, some people praised the whimsical melodies and simple hooks that made Lil Yatchy's music stay with you long after the mixtape had ended. On the other hand, the common criticism that's very apparent when it comes to Yatchy's music is his lack of lyrical ability. That criticism was echoed ten times more, when Yatchy dropped his critically panned commercial debut album "Teenage Emotions".
On the Tee Grizzley song "From the D to the A", Yatchy was ignited. I think he saw one too many "Yatchy can't rap" tweets on twitter and decided to go hard on the back and forth with Grizzley, and it worked. The way Yatchy and Grizzley trade mini-verses back and forth honestly makes me want to hear a whole collaboration project between them. Nothing long or crazy, but something like what Tee Grizzley and Lil Durk dropped with "Bloodas"
Anyway, for anyone who thought that Lil Yatchy was weak, well, you're still right. But it's nice to see the newer rappers actually trying. And the fact that he's holding his own with Tee Grizzley who isn't exactly a lyrical slouch either, proves that Yatchy can get busy on the microphone when he really wants to.
Check out the song and the verse(s) from Yatchy down below.
[Verse 1: Lil Yachty]
Off top, run a nigga out his socks
Niggas talk more than bitches
Niggas really be on cock though
Just fucked a ho out in France
Paint her face like Picasso
I iced out my vatos, I'm really up
Big ass Beamer, big Benz and my Bentley next
Stop playin' around on my phone ho, gimme sex
Watch on my wrist out of date, but it's Rolex
Grizzley up next, I'm up now
Strap your bullet vest
[Verse 3: Lil Yachty]
Oh, A bag secure, that's on my mama, bro
Asian lil' ho, she ride that dick, Yokohama flow
Made that shit double, got an Uzi, I don't scuffle
Not a banger but that banger in my car like an airbag
Niggas only aimin' in the sky, call those Air Mags
All up in Neiman's, coppin' shit like fuck a price tag
I'm ballin', ain't near a rap nigga in the game that I'm callin'
If I need help, I'll dial it by my se-kelf
[Verse 5: Lil Yachty]
Well shit, bro, let me get her then
I'ma dog her out then switcheroo into the lion's den
Nigga talkin' down, my bro got more heat than a fryin' pan
Gucci 'round my hair, wrapped tight like I'm Taliban
[Verse 7: Lil Yachty]
You the type to look around but never cop shit, ayy
I'm the type to buy the store, make them restock it, ayy
Beam on everythin' I own, I will not miss
Grizzley by my side like a pilot ridin' cockpit
[Verse 9: Lil Yachty]
Middle finger to them niggas hatin' and fakin'
They plottin' on my death, I give their mothers deep penetration
Diamond choker for some reason give me pure ventilation
Every real nigga livin' will respect this collaboration
[Verse 11: Lil Yachty]
From the D to the A, put respect on it
If that's your ho, why my dick got her mouth on it?
I'm from the south, I got diamonds in my teeth
I got fur on my fleece, my new ring could pay your lease
#7. Denmark Vessey on "I'm That Ni#%a" by Quelle Chris
Denmark Vessey came through with the funniest guest verse of 2017. Basically, on the song "I'm that Ni#%a" Quelle Chris and Denmark Vessey make fun of stereotypical rapper tropes like not smiling in pictures, ridiculous brags and flexes among other typical "I'm a rich rapper" things. The song plays into the album title 'Being You is Great, I wish I could be you more often' which is the title of the album that this song (I'm that Ni#%a) is on.
Denmark Vessey's verse stood out to me cause the line "Can a nigga get a tax break" literally made me laugh out loud when I first heard it. That's it. It's not the most lyrically dizzying verse ever nor is it a verse where you will walk away knowing something about that artist that you didn't know before. No, it's just a verse that made me laugh and it puts me in a comical mood every time I listen to it. Check out the song and the verse down below.
Also, when Quelle Chris raps "Gordon Ramsey came over cooked up a nigga a festival/
Hes like Q you that nigga/ I'm like 'yo get of my testicles'", I was laughing as well. Funny song overall and the funniest rap song I heard all of 2017.
Royce Da 5'9" has always had bars. You can go back to the 1999 major label debut of Eminem. On "The Slim Shady LP" Royce was trading bars back and forth with Dr. Dre's latest apprentice at the time and for good reason too, they were both talented MC and friends from the same city. But lately, I'd say, around 2014 when "PRhyme" came out (his collaboration with DJ Premier) is when Royce really started coming into his own. In 2014, he quit his dependency on Alcohol, mended some relationship issues with his wife and just focused on being healthier physically, mentally and emotionally.
 |
| Denmark Vessey, the featured artist (Left), Quelle Chris (Right) |
Denmark Vessey's verse stood out to me cause the line "Can a nigga get a tax break" literally made me laugh out loud when I first heard it. That's it. It's not the most lyrically dizzying verse ever nor is it a verse where you will walk away knowing something about that artist that you didn't know before. No, it's just a verse that made me laugh and it puts me in a comical mood every time I listen to it. Check out the song and the verse down below.
Also, when Quelle Chris raps "Gordon Ramsey came over cooked up a nigga a festival/
Hes like Q you that nigga/ I'm like 'yo get of my testicles'", I was laughing as well. Funny song overall and the funniest rap song I heard all of 2017.
[Verse: Denmark Vessey on "I'm that Ni#%a" by Quelle Chris]
Ayo I hate to brag I hate gloat I hate to lie yo
I just came to use your wifi cuz mines slow
All my favorite rappers got a line bout how that nine go (well how your nine go)
When I ain't got one I don't need one
I got action track ad-lib onomatopoeia's
Sincerely that nigga P.S
You can't six letter F with a nappy head deity
Yeah thats me that nigga on my epitaph
Stoic in the photo I'm that nigga that will never laugh
I'm that nigga only nigga that get hella cap
Hella range, no sleep, weather from the weather fan
To the cell of dream that's a head to the toe
Had to let niggas know you get sun when the weather bad (yeah)
I'm that nigga though a king like Coretta
Better have weathervein if you ask what's my name
I'm that nigga
Word to N, word to eagle
I'm that negro
That nigga nigga nigga nigga nigga
They say it's Ethiopian for king, I'm with it
Like can I get a amen can I get a witness
Can a nigga get a tax break from handling his business
Hashtag that's important yeah
Highlight that yeah
Put that on the on the Microsoft Excel, bro
Chill
Hashtag
#6. Royce Da 5'9" on "Truth (Why U Mad)" by KXNG Crooked
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| Royce Da 5'9", featured artist (Left), KXNG Crooked (Right) |
It was at that time that Royce dropped "PRhyme" and it got people talking. Royce was making waves on his own without the push from America's favorite caucasian lyricist. In 2015, he released a deluxe edition of "PRhyme" with features from Black Thought, MF DOOM, Joey Bada$$ and Logic. Then 2016 came and Royce dropped his "Trust The Shooter" EP along with a full length album that same year called "Layers" which received mostly positive feedback from music critics and fans of Hip Hop alike.
So, it's only natural that the hot streak continue in 2017 in the form of features. Royce has done quite a number of features in the past year from (what it seems like) everyone in the hip hop world that doesn't have a song on the billboard chart. From Conway The Machine to King Los to Statik Selektah, if you're an up and coming rapper, Royce isn't that hard to reach for a verse.
On "Truth (Why U Mad)" Royce puffs out his chest and basically says that 1. He's not to be played with ("I'ma show up where you did your show last/That's gon' be yo' ass/I don't get you there, I come to yo' ave/I don't get you there, I come to yo' lab/Show up frontin' like I'm drunk with the MO-AB") and 2. If he's not the absolute best, he's one of the absolute best ("Tell the truth, "nigga, who the best in this industry?"/If it ain't Crooked, Kendrick and Cole, bitch, then it's me")
Also, there's this rough, coarseness in Royce's voice when he's spittin' this verse, almost as if he was on the verge of losing his voice or was coming down with a sickness at the time of recording this verse but powered through his latent illness like a soldier.
In other words, the coarseness in Royce's voice adds an extra layer of griminess to his rhymes that really makes what he's saying stick in the song. I like it, plus he's rhyming words proficiently like always too.
In other words, the coarseness in Royce's voice adds an extra layer of griminess to his rhymes that really makes what he's saying stick in the song. I like it, plus he's rhyming words proficiently like always too.
Check (the verse and the song) down below!
[Royce Da 5'9" on "Truth (Why U Mad)" by KXNG Crooked]
Tell the truth, "nigga, who the best in this industry?"
If it ain't Crooked, Kendrick and Cole, bitch, then it's me
You only acting tough 'cause you sniffing coke and sippin' Hennessy
I click triggers re-lentlessly
I kill rich niggas instantly
While I'm here I'm fucking all your little bitches
All I said to that little thot, was "hello" back
Marshall called me the best out, I called him the "kettle black"
I'm like Nas, I'm about the check
My cars is parked in an underground garage like Das EFX
I'm about the deposits like I'm in debt, 'cept I'm not in debt
I move in silence and I don't move inside it, unless I'm protected like contracepts
I'm a Contra-vet
Thought you got me my got me my side was wet
God just wept
I'm the flyest yet
I'm disguised as Ness
Your brides is in bed, but the skies is nest
I left my deposit slip on the Gaza strip, while I was checking my connect
Yes!
I confess
I don't rap for checks
I rap to kill rappers and for my respect
I shall let this nine go pyrotech'
Lies gon' catch up and guys get lied to rest
I confess, shit don't go right, then I go left
We not friends, do not flinch like Tourette's
I'm on yo' head!
Like berets
I'ma show up where you did your show last
That's gon' be yo' ass
I don't get you there, I come to yo' ave
I don't get you there, I come to yo' lab
Show up frontin' like I'm drunk with the MO-AB
I'm a seasoned Slaughter House general, ya'll the beginners bro
If I'm starving you know I target your dinner bowl
I'm a part of an augmented envision in God's image
Part of a team that brings all the women
When I'm stepping wherever, they got to check the weather
When I'm summoning, summer bring autumn winters
I'm too up to understand what under means
Anytime I'm coming it's humbling to all contenders
Male or female, we can bet your budget
I got asked in a interview, "where did I think I would be if I wasn't in this bitch being the best who does it?"
That's easy, I be somewhere else, being the best who does it
#5. Offset on "Met Gala" by Gucci Mane
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| Gucci Mane (Left) and Offset, the featured artist on "Met Gala" (Right) |
Songs like "Slide" by Calvin Harris, "With Vengeance" by Ski Mask the Slump God and "Flood Watch" by Juicy J all have Offset features, and they all feature him prominently rapping like he has something to prove. Offset's like "Y'all ain't about to give Quavo all the praise when it comes to solo endeavors, I'm going to put in work too and make y'all put RESPEK on my name *Birdman Voice*"
Anyway, Offset's best feature verse, out of all the ones he did in 2017, was without a doubt, his verse on "Met Gala" by Gucci Mane.
To put it simply, Offset made the song his. "Met Gala" literally feels like an Offset featuring Gucci Mane song. "Met Gala" reminds me of that line in "5 AM in Toronto" by Drake when he said
"Give these niggas the look, the verse, and even the hook
That's why every song sound like Drake featurin' Drake"
That's basically Offset on this song, he handles the hook, spits a verse right after the hook, does another hook, and THEN Gucci hops on. Not to mention, Offset sounds energetically aggressive, like someone just told him he "can't rap" right before he stepped into the booth.
But yeah, check out Offset on "Met Gala" by Gucci Mane for a vintage, belligerent Offset. Also check out the music video [music vkinda NSFW] and Offset's verse in text form down below.
[Offset's verse on "Met Gala" by Gucci Mane]
"Look at my boogers, they big as you (booger)
You could get shot with your nigga too (bow)
The stick make a nigga do boogaloo (brr)
Bentley Mulsanne but the seats masseuse (skrt)
I'm havin' more stripes than Adidas boost (havin' that)
Dick in her mouth like an edible (dick in that)
Nigga start shootin', you better move (brr)
I fight for my gang, I won't let 'em lose (gang)
Your bitch, she wantin' the pipe, aight
This shit all started off light (huh)
Hopped in my DM and rode me a kite, flight (yeah)
And she on the very first flight (go)
Finesse a nigga then get his shit bike (huh)
Psych, right, nigga, goodnight (on sight)
Poppin' that shit 'cause he thinkin' he pipe, pipes
Hunnid rounds drum with the knife (brr)
Me and the Wop, Biggie and Pac (Wop)
But we so different, we keepin' the Glock (bow)
I'm on a yacht and the yacht on my watch (yacht)
Fuckin' a thot on the ocean, Dubai (thot)
I'ma play dumb but I see all the plots (plot)
She know what I'm 'bout (hey)
You hit this dope and your heart gonna stop (hey)
They callin' the cops (12)
Hop on the jet, this a 20 passenger (jet)
Offset a maniac, I'm the massacre (hey)
I take your heart out and shoot your bladder up (agh)
Get to the top and we blew the ladder up (top)
Ran up my money, I'm talkin' lateral (bag)
Got that bitch high off a Perc and Adderall (high)
Pull out the fire and you better grab it all (brrr)
Bitch, I'm Offset and I'm 'bout to set it off (hey, hey)"
 |
| Lil Wayne (Left) and Drake, the featured artist (Right), Marvin Gaye in the picture (further right) |
You can have all the bars in the world, but if you're rapping just to rap, just mindlessly rhyming words like some sort of robot. I don't really care, it's useless, there should be meaning and intent behind each word in your rap beyond "I'm just rhyming to show that I can rhyme words many times in a row". Or at the very least, have a dope delivery/flow/cadence/tone something.
That's why I like Drake's verse on Lil Wayne's remix of "Family Feud" off his Dedication 6 mixtape (which dropped at the tail end of the year 2017). With just 2 days left until the new year (2018), on Friday, December 29, 2017 a "Family Feud" remix appeared online with Lil Wayne and Drake, and it was goooooooooood.
Drake starts out the song casually flexing like a bodybuilder reaching for his wallet in his back pocket with him mentioning things like having Jay Z's personal sound engineer send him the original beat to "Family Feud", taking Beyoncé and Jay Z out to dinner, and being at Diddy's house while he's on the phone with Colin Kaepernick.
But then...
He goes in on his grown man business raps, saying he might pay "Wayne what Universal owes" and wanting a bigger stake in his own endeavors with Apple music ("Somebody get Larry Jackson on the phone/I need some ownership if we pressin' go/'Cause business is boomin' on behalf of me/I need a bite outta the Apple like Adam and Eve")
It's lines like that that remind me why I mess with Drake in the first place despite his many questionable moments both musically and socially. The dude can rap and is a rapper, and ghostwriting stuff aside, he is a competent writer when he needs to be. This was a great change of pace from the pop laden tracks of "More Life" and it reminds me that Drake is due to give me that summary later this year in 2018.
Anyway, there are other notable moments in Drake's verse on this remix but it would really behoove you to listen to this song (and Drake's verse in particular) for yourself. Check it out down below.
[Drake's verse on "Family Feud" Remix by Lil Wayne]
[Intro: Drake]
Yeah, Dedication 6, of course
Shout out Guru for sendin' me the beat, too
Young Angel, Young Lion
More Life, no dyin'
Yeah, alright, I got it, yeah
[Verse: Drake]
Super Bowl goals, I'm at the crib with Puff
He got Kaepernick on the phone, he in a whole different mode
Angel hair at 2AM for Bey and Hov
Just to show them how I treat the city like my humble abode
Ayy, tell me if TD Bank is approvin' loans
I'm thinkin' of payin' Wayne what Universal owes
My nigga spent a lifetime goin' platinum and gold
He should own half of the label, shit outta control
Somebody get Larry Jackson on the phone
I need some ownership if we pressin' go
'Cause business is boomin' on behalf of me
I need a bite outta the Apple like Adam and Eve
We gon' have to break the billi' curse
I need my paper long like "A Milli" verse
Or too long like a sentence from a Philly judge
Fuck is the point in all the beefin' when we really blood?
Nobody wins when the family feuds, nigga
Everybody gotta eat, we can't exclude niggas
I make the crib, expandin' pools, and expandin' rooms
Addin' Hammam Spas with tannin' booths, nigga
That's truth, no boost, nigga
But this isn't all about callin' truce
I'm still dishin' out verbal abuse
That shit could get re-introduced
If somebody got somethin' they urgin' to prove, nigga
Inspirin' to the youth
New Years Eve, lookin' like a royal flush
Wait, we all in the same suit
I'm Hall of Fame in the booth, nigga
My karma makin' the news, nigga
This pudding taste like the proof, nigga
If I ever see Trump, he better salute niggas
Much as we do, nigga (for real)
#3. J. Cole on "AfricAryaN" by Logic
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| J. Cole, featured artist (Left) and Logic (Right) |
Commercially speaking, 2017 was very good to Logic. Musically speaking? Not so much. After dropping one of the most disappointing albums of 2017 (Yeah, I said it. More on that later in another post) Logic became a meme, that meme came in the form of "Did you know that Logic is Black & White?" or "Did you know that Logic is biracial?" or some variation of that.
This meme became apparent because on Logic's third album "Everybody" he (literally) spent nearly a third of the album talking about how he's biracial and the struggles surrounding being black and white in a clearly, racially divided United States.
What makes J. Cole's (surprise) guest verse on "Everybody" so great to me, is the fact that Cole successfully refutes all of the things Logic was complaining about in terms of the hardship of being biracial. To me, Cole basically says "Who cares if you're black and white? Just be who you are. I'm black & white and you don't see me making a big deal of it, I just continue to be a dope person."
I want to specifically point out the part on J. Cole's verse that I think is the most potent in the new few lines.
Be who you are, identify as a star
No one tells you you're that
It's something that you just know
The world be stealing your glow
Your mama did what she could
Her life was miles from good
Your father fell in the trap
They set for you when you black
They met when they was low
And therefore you a product of that
And so your trauma is deep
Don't bury it you should weep
And clean it out of your system, then truly forgive 'em
Just my opinion, only then can you find peace
Just start to notice happiness don't come from album release
I've been through it before
Can only share with you what I know
To be true, but at the same time, I'll never be you
And you'll never be me, no matter how hard that you try"
What Logic was missing all throughout the entirety of "Everybody" was enough self awareness to know that being mixed isn't this whole grand thing to make a show out of, but rather, it just is what it is. Cole's verse is like a father finally stepping in and setting the record straight after the mother struggled to thoroughly articulate her point.
(Side note: I also want to address that "you'll never be me, no matter how hard that you try" line which, I interpret as, Cole telling Logic "Bro, stop all the biting" but that's just me being the wild Logic hater haha.)
J. Cole may not be my favorite rapper in the world, but he was on point with the subject matter on this Logic song. And most importantly, I hope Logic really payed attention to what Cole was saying on that verse, cause I think Logic, more than anyone else, needed to pay attention to what Cole was saying on that verse.
[J. Cole's verse on Logic's "AfricAryaN"]
One, two, three, four
One, two, three, four, listen
Look into my eyes
Tell me you could see beyond the smile that I'm puttin' on
This front that I'm puttin' up for you
I spill my soul into a microphone
With poems written in blood
In hopes that it's enough for you
Do you love me yet?
Do you love me yet?
No? Okay
I'll go harder for you
In fact, I rap till I collapse
All I wanted was acceptance, my latest lesson
I'll never feel your approval till I accept my own
Come from a messed up home, destitute and less informed
About the ways to raise a child up
To not become a product
Of his environment, I need to cry and vent
But I done built this wall up
Actin' like everything's all good
But in reality I'm lookin' for something
Through bumpin' my favorite rappers I came up after
Nas, Cole, and Hov
Eyes closed, I zone till five or so in the morn'
I'm used to being alone
Shit, you know how long I've been out on my own?
Chasing dreams, fantasies of a throne
One day I wake up and see that it didn't exist all along
Till then I will pen verses that fans consider brilliant
Boosting my ego with every million that spills in
And still then
I won't find solace, so where's the logic in that?
Worrying 'bout if they think Logic could rap
When it all goes back to a childhood, need to be loved
By parents that was in too deep with the drugs
Nigga, my advice, fuck the black and white shit
Be who you are, identify as a star
No one tells you you're that
It's something that you just know
The world be stealing your glow
Your mama did what she could
Her life was miles from good
Your father fell in the trap
They set for you when you black
They met when they was low
And therefore you a product of that
And so your trauma is deep
Don't bury it you should weep
And clean it out of your system, then truly forgive 'em
Just my opinion, only then can you find peace
Just start to notice happiness don't come from album release
I've been through it before
Can only share with you what I know
To be true, but at the same time, I'll never be you
And you'll never be me, no matter how hard that you try
This is for youngins out there wondering how far you can fly
The truth is that you could go further than the stars and the sky
But if you want to then you ought to know why
Are you running from something
With hopes of becoming someone
That's finally worthy of love
Let me tell you now, you're worthy enough
Fuck approval from strangers, that shit is dangerous as hell
Find God, learn to accept yourself
And I'm gone, accept Him
#2. Sammus on "Hymnal" by Open Mike Eagle
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| Sammus, the featured artist (Left) and Open Mike Eagle (Right) during the "Hymnal" music video |
The beauty of featuring on someone else's song is that you never know who could discover you through that feature. For instance, on Kendrick Lamar's "Good Kid, Maad City" album, on the track "Money Trees", numerous people were introduced to TDE member Jay Rock because of his show stealing guest verse. In fact, many people literally only associate Jay Rock with "Money Trees" and nothing else (which is sad, he had a very overlooked album, "90059", which dropped back in 2015) but at least he got the look he needed to get his name out there, which is important for an artist.
I hope the same thing that happened to Jay Rock won't happen to Sammus cause she was dope on "Hymnal" and the best thing about the song (Sorry Mike, your hook came in second place though!) and I hope she gets some attention off this feature even though Open Mike Eagle isn't exactly the biggest artist out there either. Both Sammus and Open Mike Eagle are underground, but Open Mike Eagle is literally just one thin layer deep into the ground, while Sammus is burrowed in depth, under the ground.
Basically, one artist is more known, or attracts more people, based on their name, than the other one and hopefully, some fans for Open Mike Eagle, can translate into fans for Sammus too.
Now, I had NO idea who Sammus was prior to listening to "Hymnal" off of Open Mike Eagle's 2017 album "Brick Body Kids Still Daydream" but as soon as I heard "I'd rather be hiding alone like some Ewoks/Up in tree tops/Creeping around like I'm T-Boz/Steeping the grounds in my teapots/But I'm Steve Jobs" I was instantly actively listening. "Who was this?" I asked myself as I started to nod my head along to Sammus' flow.
I checked the tracklisting saw '(feat. Sammus)' and immediately looked her up and WOW turns out she's a PhD student slash nerd slash dope-as-hell underground MC who's been putting out music as early as 2010. (According to her wikipedia and some of her bandcamp biography anyway)
See what a good feature can get you? Now Sammus has a new listener who's eagerly awaiting her next music release and is currently following her on twitter and you should too, link here.
I didn't even mention how clean her delivery was on the track, nor did I mention how she kept the same rhyme scheme throughout her whole guest verse (which is a very hard thing to do) but once you hear her verse, you'll be like "Oh, I see, this is dope" or if you don't that's cool. But you can't say she can't rap either though.
Anyway, check out the music video for "Hymnal" and Sammus' clean cut verse in text, down below.
I hope the same thing that happened to Jay Rock won't happen to Sammus cause she was dope on "Hymnal" and the best thing about the song (Sorry Mike, your hook came in second place though!) and I hope she gets some attention off this feature even though Open Mike Eagle isn't exactly the biggest artist out there either. Both Sammus and Open Mike Eagle are underground, but Open Mike Eagle is literally just one thin layer deep into the ground, while Sammus is burrowed in depth, under the ground.
Basically, one artist is more known, or attracts more people, based on their name, than the other one and hopefully, some fans for Open Mike Eagle, can translate into fans for Sammus too.
Now, I had NO idea who Sammus was prior to listening to "Hymnal" off of Open Mike Eagle's 2017 album "Brick Body Kids Still Daydream" but as soon as I heard "I'd rather be hiding alone like some Ewoks/Up in tree tops/Creeping around like I'm T-Boz/Steeping the grounds in my teapots/But I'm Steve Jobs" I was instantly actively listening. "Who was this?" I asked myself as I started to nod my head along to Sammus' flow.
I checked the tracklisting saw '(feat. Sammus)' and immediately looked her up and WOW turns out she's a PhD student slash nerd slash dope-as-hell underground MC who's been putting out music as early as 2010. (According to her wikipedia and some of her bandcamp biography anyway)
See what a good feature can get you? Now Sammus has a new listener who's eagerly awaiting her next music release and is currently following her on twitter and you should too, link here.
I didn't even mention how clean her delivery was on the track, nor did I mention how she kept the same rhyme scheme throughout her whole guest verse (which is a very hard thing to do) but once you hear her verse, you'll be like "Oh, I see, this is dope" or if you don't that's cool. But you can't say she can't rap either though.
Anyway, check out the music video for "Hymnal" and Sammus' clean cut verse in text, down below.
[Sammus' verse on "Hymnal" by Open Mike Eagle]
I'd rather be hiding alone like some Ewoks
Up in tree tops
Creeping around like I'm T-Boz
Steeping the grounds in my teapots
But I'm Steve Jobs
On my Apple updating my E-Shops
Eat a apple a day, take a brief pause
Take a nap, lie awake in-between sobs
Then I rap and I pray and the grief stops
My ego take cheap shots
Can't believe how she speak to me
She talks like it's neat pushing buttons like key fobs
Well good day, bitch, I'm writing this beat knocks
Tryna pen classics like Reeboks
Or Greek thoughts or a Fleet Fox
And teach a good message like Aesop's
That stick to my skin just like grease spots
So forget all the things that my dreams cost
Yeah, I'm getting my kicks, fuck some clean socks
Ice cold, we living like freeze pops
Cause I'm gonna take licks while I defrost
Divest from your demons, and weak stocks
And invest in your team 'til your scene pops
It might mean wearing jeans 'til the seam pops
But don't wait like Dre did with Detox
No hate hinder me, I will clean clocks
Like today, I can't play, I don't give fucks
I won't change what I say, take your screenshots
Yeah, I'm just being me that's what she wants
And this might seem weird cause a dream stops
When you wake up but for the sake of
Finding peace, no sleep when you dream jobs
Now please, go be who you dream of
I'd rather be hiding alone like some Ewoks
Up in tree tops
Creeping around like I'm T-Boz
Steeping the grounds in my teapots
But I'm Steve Jobs
On my Apple updating my E-Shops
Eat a apple a day, take a brief pause
Take a nap, lie awake in-between sobs
Then I rap and I pray and the grief stops
My ego take cheap shots
Can't believe how she speak to me
She talks like it's neat pushing buttons like key fobs
Well good day, bitch, I'm writing this beat knocks
Tryna pen classics like Reeboks
Or Greek thoughts or a Fleet Fox
And teach a good message like Aesop's
That stick to my skin just like grease spots
So forget all the things that my dreams cost
Yeah, I'm getting my kicks, fuck some clean socks
Ice cold, we living like freeze pops
Cause I'm gonna take licks while I defrost
Divest from your demons, and weak stocks
And invest in your team 'til your scene pops
It might mean wearing jeans 'til the seam pops
But don't wait like Dre did with Detox
No hate hinder me, I will clean clocks
Like today, I can't play, I don't give fucks
I won't change what I say, take your screenshots
Yeah, I'm just being me that's what she wants
And this might seem weird cause a dream stops
When you wake up but for the sake of
Finding peace, no sleep when you dream jobs
Now please, go be who you dream of
And now, the number one guest verse of 2017 is...
DRUM ROLL PLZ...
#1. Jay Electronica on "All of Us" by Talib Kweli
 |
| Jay Electronica, featured artist (Left) and Talib Kweli (Right) |
But let's put that to the side, the content of his guest verse on Talib Kweli's "All of Us" is outstanding and best captures how the year 2017 felt politically and socially. With lines like "I hit that shmoney dance on the coffin of a crooked cop/In a Worldstar society where all we do is look and watch" it's a no wonder why there's always a "Where's the album Jay?????" comment under every youtube video, forum post and social media post concerning Jay Electronica. It's because we know he can but he just won't, which begs the question...
How in the world does Jay Electronica make a living? If he's a rapper but he's not putting out any music beside the occasional loosie and feature verse, how does he get paid? Seriously! Is he still messing with that Rothschild chick? Is her illuminati self funding Jay Elect's lifetyle? Does Jay Z have a special living arrangement for Electronica at Roc Nation? Do the five percenters or any other belief based organization provide shelter, clothes, food, money etc for him? How does he survive?
It's a mystery really, Jay Elect, one of modern Hip Hop's living enigmas. Reminds me of his feature verse on "PRhyme" where he said "Where he been the past three years? It's just a mystery" and I have a feeling, it's all going to come out, albeit, years after the fact, but it will come to light about what happened to Jay Electronica during those past 3 years. Or maybe he'll die with all his secrets intact. Either way, I can be sure of one thing...
And that's that in 2017, Jay Electronica appeared and delivered my favorite guest verse of 2017 on a song called "All of Us" by Talib Kweli (and Yummy Bingham). That's the one fact I know I have regarding this Hip Hop mystery...check out the verse and song down below.
[Jay Electronica's verse on "All of Us" by Talib Kweli]
I tarried through the turbulent month of Ramadan
Sweating all through the night just like the Holy Prophet
Then reappeared on the stage in BK with the Ummah
Shoulder to shoulder with J Cole and Kweli
Just before Jehovah the God crowned me the king with his goldie locket
Alhamdulillah, we've come really far, ain't it?
The little engine who could, could power any car can't it?
The mothers in Chiraq say the murders getting burdensome
The cries of the despised was heard flying out of Ferguson
The last days and times
The holy Quran and Bible we on the last page and line
The verse with all the babies dying
Outside of the matrix, inside of the spaceship but the savior's blind
Or so it seems, years after Noah was told he would row upstream
The heavens bursted and the rains came
Retaliation for the sons of the fathers who worked the chain gangs
I hit that shmoney dance on the coffin of a crooked cop
In a Worldstar society where all we do is look and watch
No intervention, policemen beating elderly women with evil intentions on the highways and the byways
The police state be sprayed into the backstreet to the driveways
Officer friendly is an enemy now, looking at me sideways
Shit was all bad just a week ago
The view was just as sad just a peep ago
The cries of the asiatic ancient-semitic peoples that propel Jay Elec from the pedestal to the steeple
Written by Joseph Sanker II on 1/9/18
Here's a spotify playlist so you can play all these verses back to back!
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd we are DONE. Whew! This list took long enough to type up. After this, I'm planning to do a...well, I'm not even going to say, just look for more posts by subscribing to the mailing list or just bookmarking this website or by following one of the socials below. Yeah, but you will be seeing my favorite albums of 2017 soon enough (plus honorable mentions) so, you have at least ONE guarantee.
~ Joseph Sanker II
written on January 9, 2018
published on January 12, 2018
written by Joseph Sanker II
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Until next time! Peace out! One.
Written by Joseph Sanker II
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