Music’s March Madness: Best of March

New Music Monday: Best of March Madness 

Welcome to a new, unique New Music Monday (or, Tuesday). This time we’re showing our appreciation for our favorite projects/ songs from March!

Viet 

Nigo – I Know Nigo

After much anticipation, the fashion icon, the man who literally made BAPE, Nigo, releases an album with some of the rap games best featured in them, like Tyler, The Creator, A$AP Rocky, Pop Smoke, Lil Uzi Vert, Clipse, Kid Cudi, A$AP Ferg. My favorite song from it was “Paper Planes” with Pharrell Williams and A$AP Ferg. Mainly because it reminded me of one of my favorite songs from the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 soundtrack.

But not just that, the fact that we got an archived WANG$AP song was crazy. “Who Dat Boy,” “Potato Salad,” and now, “Lost and Found Freestyle 2019” added to an already goated catalog. But my biggest thing with this album is how this album just transported me back into 2006: Pharrell, Clipse, Teriyaki Boyz, the peak of BAPE, Tokyo Drift soundtrack, NERD, Neptunes, Star Trek Records. 2006 was one of the peak years for fashion and rap, in my opinion. 

So for Nigo to bring back the boys was crazy and really made me appreciate an era I was never able to really experience for myself. This album really did that and I thank it for that. Does this album have some “eh” songs? Yes, some people lost their style and underdelivered. But with all the “meh,” there’s so much more to love. And I love it for that.

Denzel Curry – Melt My Eyez See Your Future

Now a lot of people said that this album was very much Curry’s best album. But the thing is, it’s probably his most accessible album. I think Curry found a way to use the lyricism from Imperial, the dark topics of TA1300, the bangers of ZUU, and the twisted retro style of 13L00D IN 1300D 0U to create a nice continuation of his albums, as well as a perfect introduction to who he is as an artist. 

This album is very much filled with style: It has influences from lo-fi, Three Six Mafia, trap, and jazz. Curry really didn’t do this alone as his features really stepped up and brought something new to the songs they appeared. Denzel has created another outstanding experience as he continues to perfect his craft. Also don’t get me started on how Kenny Beats, JPEGMAFIA, and Thundercat were involved in production. SHEEEEEEESH!!!!

Draft Day, Lil Yachty – “How Far Will I Go”

Okay, this one gonna be a little bit of a rant, but who said Lil Yachty couldn’t rap?! Draft Day and Lil Yachty brought it all out with hard, poetic bars about their success and their drive to continue this lifestyle in “How Far Will I Go.” This song really showed how versatile Yachty is. It is baffling to me that some people would really discredit all that Yachty has done. If anything this proves that Yachty and co. have bars for days, if really given the chance. They can go head to head with the best of them. This is a timeless Yachty song and goes to show that whatever Lil Boat does next, it’ll be a certified classic.

Latto, Lil Wayne, Childish Gambino – “Sunshine”

So, this one really stole my attention when listening to the album because this was released alongside the day that Donald Glover, AKA Childish Gambino’s show Atlanta, was having its season premiere. 

Gambino’s last album was very mediocre amongst some fans including myself. Although he made the best song of 2020—in my opinion—with “12.38,”  the rest of the album,“3.15.20,” was very alright overall. Then he featured in a song last summer and that song was pretty alright. 

So my expectation was that Gambino was just going to drop another verse, nothing special. Personally, it’s been almost 8 years since he’s really released a project where he really raps. 

Matter of fact he started his career off as a rapper, literally his first mixtape was called I’m Just A Rapper. So I wanted after years of him singing, will he go back and drop some bars. So, when listening to Lattos album and hearing her and Wayne kill their verses, it blew my mind hearing Gambino steal the show! I heard the old Gambino and when I did I started busting out dancing. I felt like I was in tenth grade again. This song is special because it proves that one of my all time favorites still has it in him to go bar for bar against some of the best. Gambino has done it again. ROYALTY THE MOVEMENT!

Jacques

Denzel Curry-  Melt My Eyez See Your Future

Denzel Curry really showed us his true capabilities with this album.His lyricism was beyond amazing and each beat of every track was so beautifully produced. Curry is definitely a very underrated artist. Not many people really speak about his talent and only limit his ability to what he did on his track “Ultimate.” Although it was still a great song and his ability to rap at such speeds delivering such punchlines was so impressive, it really does just put a lid on what Curry can do. However, with the release of Melt My Eyez See Your Future Curry definitely showed what he was truly capable of. This album is by far his greatest project. It’s obvious that Curry was sending a message with this one and it was definitely delivered. 

Joey Bada$$- “Head High”

Definitely my number one of all the releases in March. Joey really delivered with this track. The beautiful smooth and sound beat. The amazing lyricism and rhyme scheme. The emotion being portrayed as he reminisced on his moments with his friends who unfortunately passed away (XXXTENTACION and Captain Steez). NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT HE DID A COLORS SHOW WITH THE SONG TOO!? Ok I’m getting too happy, but seriously this is a really beautiful track especially if you really listen to what Joey is talking about in his lyrics. This song really reminds me of his 2015 album B4.DA.$$. The calm beat playing as Joey floats on it talking about his life and what he has endured. It’s no secret that Joey is a very talented artist, but it still surprises me how amazing this song was. I was left in awe when I first heard it, I felt almost as if I was levitating off my bed. Such a beautiful track, yet shown very little appreciation. “Head High” was definitely the best release that March has given us. The vocals, lyrics, flow, production, IT WAS ALL THERE. I’m very excited for Joey’s next album. 

Benny The Butcher- Tana Talk 4

The 4th edition of Benny’s Tana Talk pack and although it was highly anticipated after his ‘s release of “Johnny P’s Caddy,” it was still a very amazing album. Before I even mention Benny’s amazing ability to rap the way he can, I want to focus solemnly on the production of the album if I am not mistaken, The Alchemist produced most of the tracks on the album and all of which came out beautiful. There wasn’t a single beat on that album that had me scrunching my face wondering what was playing through my headphones. Every single beat on this project was beautifully produced. Benny’s lyricism was nothing short of fantastic. 

He is definitely one of the best lyricists from our generation. His gift of rhyming is like no other and he showed how deep it can get on Tana Talk. LET’S NOT FORGET THE FEATURES EITHER! I will admit, this project was feature heavy, HOWEVER, I am complaining simply because of WHO Benny had as features. Westside Gunn, J.Cole, Conway, Diddy, Boldy James, you cannot tell me this lineup isn’t the recipe for greatness. This album was soooo good and definitely one of the best releases for March.

As we say goodbye to March, we welcome the new music of April. This was a very fun month and we’re glad y’all got to listen with us. Let’s hope next month will be even better and more stacked. Stay safe, y’all peace 🙂