Frank Ocean
Christopher Francis Ocean, better known as his stage name, Frank Ocean is a force to be reckoned with. This New Orleans bred vocalist has caught the ears of hip hop icon Lupe Fiasco along with smooth rhythm fanatics across the nation.
His music has been defined as part of the bluegrass genre, however his style and flow rides alongside the hip hop elite.
If Bruno Mars, BoB, and Trey Songz were part of a horrific science experiment which called them to be pushed into a morphing machine, Frank Ocean would be, the guy pulling the lever. Yes you might choose to compare this rising star to an already known artist; however that would be the easy way out.
Mr. Ocean seems to have a level of imagination that surpasses mindless cameos and drawn out hooks, the only shame would be if his future success will modify his unique style. When tracks call for a nice rhythm to vibe with, yes his lyrical content may drift off, but you receive your good music fix of the day.
I feel Frank Ocean has the goods and only time will tell if he can reach all of us.
Follow Frank Ocean on Twitter @Frank_Ocean
SlimTruth
Kendrick Lamar
Hip hop has taken a lot of hits over the years, seems as if rappers come out of a factory, throw a shiny chain on and start making hit records. It might line the pockets of the people behind the stage, but it doesn’t make for good music for the ears of this generation. Hopefully the chain of “Souljay Boys” will be broken since we have seen a glimmer of hope poking through the dismantled ruins of complete crap.
22 year old, Kendrick Lamar from Compton, California just might be a part of a new hip hop movement. The music audience always appreciates an artist who does not forget where he comes from, Lamar eats, sleeps, and breaths Compton. With that said most would picture another N.W.A thug with pistols in each hand rhyming about the tough life they had.
However, Kendrick follows his own light, though I’m sure trials and tribulations have followed this young MC throughout his life, he is not looking for sympathy or vengeance from anyone. His style of rapping is not “look at me! I have a message for the people”, it is more of a relaxed and conscious type of flow.
His original stage name was K.Dot until he decided that he wanted to give his audience all of him and leave the masks behind. Kendrick figured if he wanted to connect to others then why not start with the name is mother dubbed him. To place Lamar in a genre would be an obstacle since he creates what he calls “Human Music” Kendrick says that human music is something only real people with real lives can come to appreciate.
He might classify himself as a “human musician” however the rest of us are going to go with Hip Hop. Kendrick is much like Lupe Fiasco in his delivery, his vocabulary makes for an impressive and entertaining song to vibe to. He also possesses the rare and genius ability to be a storyteller with his flow, much like hip hop legend Common. Kendrick is still an extremely young artist who has a good amount of growing to do.
Kendrick Lamar luckily has the room to spread his wings as far as his soul chooses. Untapped potential is at his fingertips. This man could be having brunch with the legends of this game, or if he so chooses to fall off track, he can be sweeping up the cigar ashes from these same men. Good luck to this young lyricists, bring Hip Hop home!
Follow Kendrick Lamar on twitter @kendrick_lamar and check out his latest album The Kendrick Lamar EP
SlimTruth
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