With recent production including some of the biggest songs on the current rap landscape \like Drake’s ‘Free Smoke’ and Playboy Carti’s ‘Magnolia’ (as well as the lion’s share of the rest of the production on Carti’s self-titled debut mixtape and a lot of work with Young Nudy one of the really underrated artists right now), I decided it was time to find out more and delve into his extensive ‘back catalogue’ on Soundcloud. I found out that not only does this Queens native have a ridiculous amount of material, but that in addition to producing he also raps and is actually pretty good at it.
I found this song via redlitedj.com, a great blog, and had never heard it before, and it ended up becoming arguably my top song of the month. As far as I know it’s a Future ‘loose end’ from January that was probably overshadowed by the two full-length projects that he released in February and the ubiquitous success of Mask Off, but it may actually be my overall favorite song by him to date. The song improbably samples K-Ci and Jo Jo’s ‘All My Life’ and kind of reminds me of a lullaby. As an added bonus I love the nostalgic vibes of the VHS-esque video for the song.
Drake – Passionfruit
Those who know me are probably surprised by this selection as my friends know me as a bit of a Drake ‘hater’ sometimes but I have to admit I did enjoy the ‘More Life’ album, specifically ‘Passionfruit’ and ‘Glow’, and I have to be objective and give credit where credit is due. The light, lilting tropical beat for Passionfruit is so relaxing that at the very beginning of April, I had listened to it a bunch of times in a row, and almost felt irritated and unrelaxed when it wasn’t on for about a day or so, almost like withdrawal from some sort of depressant drug. For some reason I can picture this song being in the background of one of the Yoshi type video games playing as the Yoshis dance around and enjoy their island paradise. One of the writers for Pitchfork called this version of Drake ‘Margaritaville Drake’ and it really is the perfect description.
Polo Hayes – Gucci Shoes
With over 51k plays on Soundcloud after being out for just 2 months, ‘Gucci Shoes’ by Polo Hayes is blowing up on Long Island and beyond right now and I’m predicting this regional hit could make waves nationally soon because its’ just that good and that unique. Polo is one of the most dynamic and creative artists to come out of Long Island and is garnering considerable buzz right now. He’s affiliated with the same YGRF group as Z$tat$ who I featured the other day. I’m planning on doing a full post about this song tomorrow. Polo comes out guns blazing with these two ridiculous lines in the first verse…
“They don’t want me in the Benzes, with Versace lenses…none of my niggas got pensions, I ain’t never learn my lesson, my AK need extensions, bullets the same size as wrenches”.
“They don’t want me in that ‘Rari, sh*ttin on em never sorry, I know people want to harm me, but they don’t want it with the army.”
He has a lot of other really good songs check out his Soundcloud here
