Friday Night Lights. Happy Birthday

Five years ago, on this date of November 12th, J. Cole released what I consider a top 5 Mixtape of all time... Friday Night Lights. Friday Night Lights is the third mixtape released by J. Cole. I feel this was the release that finally put people on notice about his talent. I won't even lie, this was the first project I heard from Cole. Ironically, when I heard it for the first time around my Freshman year of high school, I thought it was terrible. I only liked one song off it, 2Face. It took me two years until I realized the masterpiece he created. So on its 5th year anniversary, I've decided to review it.

Friday Night Lights is a mixtape about of J. Cole's youth. He rapped on a myriad of topics, so many that it's hard not to relate to something on here. I think what makes this tape so relatable is the way J. Cole told stories on these songs. J. Cole was storytelling. He was descriptive. You could hear all the emotions he dealt with, and that's where J. Cole excels. He tells tales better than any other rapper in the game, and Friday Night Lights is the highlight of it.

So Standout Tracks? I kid you not... All of them. There is not a bad song on this mixtape. So I'll start with my most favorite song on the whole mixtape

Too Deep For The Intro 

For anyone who hasn't heard this mixtape, I'd advise you to listen to this song first. I love this song, like I listen to it every day. I think it's my favorite because it's the most relatable to me. Cole talks about being a kid in high school. He then talks about domestic violence, and why it happens. The second verse was the verse that really gets to me. My favorite part of the song is when he starts talking about his virginity. " But being a virgin was something to be embarrassed about, I used that ass for practice so I wasn't scared out my mind". Raps about all this on a soulful Erykah Badu sample.

The Autograph

Another one of my favorites. He opens up with one of the most quotable lines in rap history. "They say anything's possible, you gotta dream like you never seen obstacles" The first verse is all about reaching your dreams, and how it feels to finally start doing so. The second verse he starts talking about this girl he knew. How he was this girls sidepiece. He kinda regrets making a women cheat on her husband. He keeps it's a buck with her the whole way though " I wouldn't say that you a hoe, just made a hoe decision" . The song is full of quotable lyrics all the way through, must listen. 

Villematic

On this track Cole remixed Kanye's Devil In A New Dress, and he snapped. A lot of rappers remixed this song, and Cole had the best one... by far. Another song full of quotes. This song has a lot of college references because Cole did graduate. He talks about the hate he gets for no reason. Then he talks about the hoes and the temptation of cheating. " But I'm tryna be strong, remind myself she ain't about shit, These hoes the same all that change is the outfit" 

In The Morning

This was probably the most popular song off the album. It was a nice slow jam, the ladies loved this track. Cole's first verse was him trying to run game. "Baby you summertime fine... You fine as hell, I guess I met you for a reason, only time will tell." The next verse comes from the 6God before he officially was. Drakes comes in singing. " Baby you wintertime cold, The night is still young drink that dinner wine slow," He goes on talking about his love for thick women, and even subs Serena Williams on here " That thing is pokin' , I mean you kinda like that girl that's in the US Open" Cole then delivers a dope third verse to close it out. 

Love Me Not

This was a song to Cole's girlfriend at the time. He talks about how the music changed him, and how it's hurting their relationship. He talks about how he's always gone, and the struggles of being a rapper on the road. I love this song because it's something straight form the heart, you hear the hurt and the truth about the whole situation. He then raps from his girl's perspective which was so creative. " The way you braking my heart, I should sue you for that, call up my uncles and my cousins, have 'em do you for that. " 

Blow Up
Another very popular song of this tape. Cole explained this song perfectly in the chorus. This is a song for his haters. He knows the fame and success is coming, and no amount of hate will stop it. One of the hardest bars of the whole tape comes on this song with his use of double ententes and irony.  " It's funny how money, chains, and whips, make us feel free." Cole says it's ironic that the things that kept us in slavery are the things we chase when we have money. Genius line.

2Face

2Face is probably the best bar for bar song on here. Cole was straight spitting the whole time. You could hear the anger all over the track, and it sounds even more prevalent considering how laid back the beat is. This was the first Cole song I actually liked, and the only one I liked when I first heard Friday Night Lights. Very quotable on here too, definitely a must listen if you one of those people that love straight spitting.

Farewell

Another top song is the tape's closing one. On Farewell, Cole raps from the perspective of him looking back on his life. He wonders what they will say about him when he dies, debating between many positives and negatives. He then starts reminiscing on his childhood and how that was such an easier time. " Yet I won't forget my past, and I hope it won't forget me"  Cole closed the album out perfectly with this one.

Looking For Trouble

Looking For Trouble was the bonus track for this mixtape. This is one of THE hardest songs... ever, Looking For Trouble featured all G.O.O.D. Music. We were blessed with fire verses from Pusha T, Kanye, Cyhi, Big Sean, and J. Cole. Back to back to back. Pusha T laid down a solid verse, a nice opening, then Kanye came in and started eating dropping bars like "The devil stay testin',  cause when you chase pussy it's a sin, but when it fall in your lap it's a blessing". Cyhi followed by Big Sean. Then J. Cole came in and literally dropped one of the hardest verses I've ever heard. " Cole world make way for the chosen one, what you now hear putting fear in all the older ones." " Fucking hoes while teaching niggas to hold they sons, this the rap Moses, scratch  that, Mary and Joseph son." He even dropped this line that blew up twitter for the longest. " They say you are what you eat, and I still ain't pussy" He by far had the best verse, dropping quote after quote. A J. Cole must listen.

Friday Night Lights is one of the greatest projects ever. Considering the fact it's a mixtape and not an album makes it even more prestigious. My personal belief, this is Cole's magnum opus. He's dropped three amazing albums, but none have surpassed the excellence of this tape. His flow was a work of art, the way he strung together stories on here is unrivaled. This mixtape deserves it's ranking as a Top 5 mixtape ever, and if you've truly listened to it, you would not debate it. Thank you J. Cole for this masterpiece, and Happy 5th Birthday.

Chance The Rapper, Concert Review

I made it out.

Chance The Rapper's concert at the Tabernacle defied my expectations completely. I came in with a group of friends, and within 30 minutes the crowd was so wild, I lost all of 'em. We waited about 40 minutes for the show to kick off (Albeit we did get in early) . I was hot, I was sweating, my feet were hurting, but hey, I'm about to see Chance The Rapper, so I knew it was all gonna be worth it. 

Towkio kicked off the show. I've heard his  name before, but I never listened to his music. I won't even lie though, his performance might change that for me. He brought the energy. There were only a few people that knew his lyrics, but he had EVERYBODY in the crowd jumping. He brought out Joey Purp for God In Me; that was the first time I heard it, but I loved it. Joey Purp's verse was dope as hell too. Another song I clearly remembered is a song I think called Abstract. He was singing on it, and when I tell you the whole crowd was shocked to see that, I'm not exaggerating. Towkio was the perfect opener, got the crowd jumping and wanting more.

METRO BOOM MAKE IT BOOM ON THESE HOES! And that's just what he did . Metro's set was spectacular. He opened up his set with one of Future's hardest, Thought It Was a Drought . 

He then proceeded to dole out the Drake bangers with Energy and Big Rings, but shit got crazy when he played Flocka. He played Grove Street Party and Hard in The Paint and had the whole crowd moving! Literally I had no control of my movements, I just swayed with the crowd. That was probably the most turnt moment of the whole concert. S/O to Boomin'. He then turnt the crowd up once again with a CLAASIC. Can't Tell Me Nothing had everyone singing along. He even threw in a couple Kid CuDi songs that had the crowd going crazy. Metro Boomin' finished his set with the smash mixtape he executively produced, What A Time To Be Alive.  Fantastic set Boomin'.

Another thing that was dope about Metro Boomin's set was not only his playlist, but him as a performer. 

He is Atlanta. Now I see why he gets so much love from the city. He literally represents Atlanta in everything about him. From his dressing, to his speech, to his stage presence. The way Metro Boomin' was turning up,dancing, having fun on stage is the same way I'd see a homie getting lit at a party. I met Metro the other day, and the way he talked to me is the same way any regular dude would've, exact same lingo and everything. Cool dude.

FINALLY.

Chance is up.

Chance The Rapper Setlist

Everybody's Something

Pusha Man

Smoke Again

Lost

Baby Blue

The Way

Church

Paranoia

14400 Minutes

Family

Long Time 

Brain Cells

Juice

Favorite Song

That's Love (Interlude)

Rememory

Miracle

Angels

Wonderful Day

Family Matters

Sunday Candy

Cocoa Butter Kisses

Chain Smoker

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Bird noises. That's all we heard until we see Chance pounce on stage amidst the colorful flashing lights and smokescreens. When it finally clears up, everyone can finally see him, and he stands there soaking up the applause. He's dressed Aiight. Just a black polo and camo pants, nothing too serious... Oh yeah, and some black Yeezy Boosts, my bad. He then goes right in to Everybody's Something. Obviously a favorite because the whole crowd was singing back to him.

He performs Pusha Man another obvious favorite.

It was kinda funny when he cut off all the music to introduce himself like everybody didn't know who he was...

Then he performed my favorite song, Lost... I'll just let y'all watch it for yourselves.

As he went deeper and deeper into his set, I realized something. I thought I was a huge Chance the Rapper fan, but I was mistaken. There were some people who knew all his lyrics, tongue twisters and all. I was kinda shocked; I was even more shocked to see the diversity in the crowd. Easily, Chance has one of THE most diverse fan bases. Easy. From blacks to whites, to Indians, to 80 year olds, Chance had 'em all there. He then went into his 10Day set, which was lit also.

 He performed Long Time, 144400 Minutes, and my personal favorite was Brain Cells. He then turnt the crowd back up with Juice, which every single body was jumping and singing to. It was hype as hell.

He then went into what I would call his ATL set. He started Dabbin' and what not; it's kinda funny how Dabbin' has really taken over, and how every artist shows tribute to it when they in Atlanta. But oh yeah, he surprised us and brought out Jeezy to perform Put On.

Then as if that wasn't enough, he brought out 2 Chainz to perform his hit Watch Out.... Lituation.

He performed a couple more songs, including his newest song, Angels, then sadly closed out with Wonderful Day and Family Matters....

Or so we thought. Chance blessed us with an encore of 3 of his top songs. Sunday Candy, Cocoa Butter Kisses, and Chain Smoker.

Finally the Finale.

Chance's stage presence is undeniable. If I can sum him up... He's a performer. It helps his personality shines through his music and performances. He showed the goofy side, dancing all over the stage. If I could use one word to describe his performance, I would say Cartoon-ish. It was colorful, and full of visuals, funny, but full of energy and excitement. You can tell he honestly loves being up there and doing what he does . But then, he has his emotional, serious side that's also in his music . To me, it came out when he was performing his second verse of Paranoia. As he rapped about the struggles of youth in Chicago, you could hear the seriousness in his voice, and feel the anger in his demeanor. He even free-styled a bar at the end of it talking about black boys still getting killed. Dope.

All in all, the concert was freakin' amazing. Best concert of my life. I might've struggled to stay up, I might've had no breathing room, and it was musty as hell. Shit, it was so hot in there too; I told myself I wouldn't let another man spray water in my mouth, but hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. To top it all off,  I sweated out my clean ass new Stussy shirt, but I'd do it all again. I'll close with what a buddy of mine said. "Chance's show is the best I've seen since Beyonce" 
Enough said.

Rodeo Album Review

Travis Scott's highly anticipated debut album finally arrived last week. The long wait for Rodeo is finally over and La Flame didn't disappoint . He opens the album perfectly with a song that sets the mood and displays the themes of the album. Partying, drugs, alcohol, and sluts. Oh yeah, plenty of them. 

One thing I'll give Scott, this album was produced masterfully. The beats are hard and intricate, yet smooth with a lot of trap influence. The beats fit perfectly over his use of auto tune, which he used ALOT through the album . While listening to this album, another album kept popping up in my head . YEEZUS. The feel is exactly like that of Kanye's latest album. From the eeriness, to the dark and sinister lyrics, even the auto tune. This album very Yeezus like, like a Yeezus reincarnation; which is not a bad thing at all. Great job on the production.

Another good thing about Rodeo is that the album is jam- packed with features. Swae Lee, Young Thug, Justin Bieber, Chief Keef, The Weeknd, Quavo, and even Kanye himself make appearances on the album. Me personally, The best feature on Rodeo came from the Weeknd on Pray 4 Love. He smoothly switches between rapping and singing as he croons about the perks and struggles that come with music fame . " I'm right here, you know where I stay, 
and if you don't, then ask your girl, she probably know the way" .  The Weeknd rapping is definitely something to behold . Also another singer decided to lay down a rap verse on this album, and you might be surprised, but Justin Bieber held it down; I would've never thought he could spit like he did on Maria I'm Drunk. Let me not forget Quavo either, The Migo was no slouch on Oh My Dis Side, my personal favorite song on the album . I definitely see some Solo work coming from him in the future.

Stand out Tracks ? Definitely listen to Oh My Dis Side featuring Quavo and Pray 4 Love featuring The Weeknd. Maria I'm Drunk and of course his single, Antidote were also good standouts.

Negatives about the album? The only thing I would say is the lyricism definitely could have been better throughout. I also was dissapointed by the Kanye feature on the album, Piss On Your Grave, should have been way better . 

All in all, great job by Travis Scott, especially for a first album. I will definitely be at the concert once he makes his way to Atlanta .