Rotation 11.30.19
This month flew by…
How is it the end of November? This month was full of all the things, my event, Top 5 Night, Thanksgiving, a crazy work schedule, even a head cold that tried to take me out, but I’m still here and ready to give you these jams so let’s get into it.
Featured Albums:
Imagination & The Misfit Kid - Labrinth
I don’t know how to even talk about Imagination & The Misfit Kid because it’s Labrinth, the singer/songwriter/producer/musician/ music supervisor, he wears more music hats than most of the current day and this album shows that he saves the best for himself. This album is one of the most dynamic I’ve heard in a very long time. The eclectic pop and electronic beats blend well into the ballads such and low fi funk beats. At times it is sonically overwhelming because you’ll have synth beats then a string quartet with vocals and I would think I wonder how this felt in the studio. Of the 15 track album, I’m in love with a solid half and still like the other half. There are only two collaborations on this album Zendaya of Euphoria and his longtime collaborator, Sia. If you want to try something new and different and you haven’t already, please check it out you won’t be sorry!
Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack
Regardless of how you feel about this movie, what we’re not going to do is pretend the music in the film isn’t amazing. From the score composed by Devonte Hynes aka Blood Orange to the music supervision done by Kier Lehman, the soundscape of this film is divine. There is classic R&B on the soundtrack with Bilal and Raphael Saadiq to that good old southern hip-hop with Mike Jones, Slim Thug, and Paul Wall. This album also features a new original track from Ms. Lauryn Hill, “Guarding The Gates.” Whether you are planning to see this film or not and whether you enjoyed it or not, this soundtrack is with a few spins.
Songs for You - Tinashe
Songs For You is the fourth album from Tinashe an artist that many labels expected to fully pop but struggled in sales and not due to lack of talent. This is her first album as an independent artist and it shows. Songs for You is the most real I’ve heard Tinashe ever and it leads to a nice blend of pop and contemporary R&B. There are four collaborations on this album MAKJ, Ms. Banks, 6lack (who is on everyone’s album this year), and G-Eazy. The stand out tracks on the album are: “Hopscotch,” “Save Room for Us,” “Cash Race,” and “Link Up.”
Featured EP:
The Gamble - M.anifest
M.anifest is a Ghanaian rapper, singer, and songwriter. I found him through my favorite Kojey Radically who has a collaboration on The Gamble EP. This EP is fun and light. The uptempo African beats are a great introduction to this artist. He has a few albums out already, so I’m excited to go back and check out other projects seeing how of the seven-track EP I love four of them. Including his newest single with Burna Boy, “Tomorrow.”
Featured Visuals:
I got three favorites since I’ve been away for so long. “New Breed” is giving some future beats vibes and I love that the video is a cartoon because the juxtaposition of new and nostalgic is perfect. Next up is Kano’s “Can’t Hold We Down” featuring Popcaan. My Jamaican heart couldn't not share this joint. And lastly, Ego Ella May’s “Girls Don't Always Sing About Boys” is visually so soothing to go with this timely track.
