The Rap Music Plug Podcast

#66 - BLOODBLIXING INTERVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

Skip intro (0:49).

It's been a minute since I've had an interview for you guys. But after a summer of falling back, and getting things in the background taking care of, this Fall expect to see a bunch of great artists join the show.

Starting with Ep. 66, hailing from New York, I have with me an unbelievably dope rapper, producer, who is probably the most played artist of the year for me, alongside my man Kincee BabyFace Pearlis.

His name is BLOODBLIXING.

The meaning of Blix's name name (2:11).

His thought's on the underground movement that he is a part of (4:13).

Backstory behind the Mach-Hommy influence (6:32).

Blix on why it's important to pay homage (12:25).

The first R&B GANGSTA EDITION w/ WHOBEJAZZZ (21:07).

His unique rapping style (27:09).

Working w/ 2 Dolla Will and recording BUTTE BEER (34:24).

The GANGSTA EDITION series (38:19).

The essential BLOODBLIXING releases (42:18).

What's upcoming for Blix (47:47).

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com 

Let's stay connected! Find me here: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ 

#65 - Iceberg Theory & August Fanon - Horned Monk REVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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In sharp contrast to the usual religious subject matter you hear in music, Iceberg Theory's perspective on this topic is NOT dogmatic. It's not a simplistic perspective that says "God will save us", or "God is perfect".

Ice either, uses these religious themes as cool motifs and poetic devices for his rhymes, or, is exploring the fundamental foundation of belief, and the complexity and contradictions that arise from this perspective. These thoughts are especially notable in light of the recent release of DONDA by Kanye West.

Having just listened to the DONDA album (2nd listening party version to be clear) prior to recording this review, it allowed me to see Horned Monk with a different lens, and develop a deeper appreciation for how it approaches the topic of religion.

Horned Monk deeply wows me lyrically, with production from August Fanon that never ceases to impress.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "(Untitled)"

Stream/Buy Horned Monk here: https://icetheoryrap.bandcamp.com/album/horned-monk  

Interview with Iceberg Theory here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/28-iceberg-theory-interview/id1527457780?i=1000506626322  

Review of Iceberg Theory & August Fanon's Dispatches from the Kali Yuga here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/25-navy-blue-iceberg-theory-august-fanon-fatboi-sharif/id1527457780?i=1000504296233 

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com 

Let's stay connected! Find me here: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ 

#64 - Vince Staples - Vince Staples REVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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What has always gravitated me to Vince Staples, is that he is frank.

Vince is so frank in the way he paints his life in Long Beach, describing harrowing street experiences with a cold bluntness that has defined his music to-date.

These blunt observations were often layered over loud abrasive production, or lively west-coast instrumentals that emphasized Vince's charisma and ability to ride the beat in a very catchy way.

With Vince's latest self-titled effort though, the usual formulas in a Vince release have been adjusted.

... And for that reason, VINCE STAPLES was easily one of the most unmemorable first listens of a highly anticipated album that I can remember.

I think the very lowkey nature of the album took a lot of getting used to, but eventually I can say that I think this approach brought something new out of Vince lyrically that I did like, yet limited an existing strong trait of his as well.

With Kenny Beats, I think this move to subtly took his typical vibrant energy and trapped it in a box.

The subtle grooves, melodies and samples only uncovered themselves on many listens… taking trips is great, lil fade has a really dope synth loop that I thought was super fresh

What I think Vince loses from this more subtle approach is that the highly animated delivery from Vince that I always have loved, which is now restrained and less present.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "ARE YOU WITH THAT?"

Stream Vince Staples here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2suR5CCbtL2Wq8ShFo8rFr?si=u5uH7aXVTR-kEbWLwqglrw&dl_branch=1  

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com 

Let's stay connected! Find me here: https://rmpp.carrd.co/ 

#63 - MIKE - "Disco!" REVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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When I think of MIKE, the words that come to mind are sincerity and honesty.

In absolutely every album MIKE has released, he poured his heart out.

On "Disco!", MIKE certainly leans into his soulful nature once again, but without getting overly consumed by it.

In the past, MIKE would really exude the depression that he was experiencing at the time, and it's not like there's anything wrong with that from a music perspective.

However, it's nice to see him continue the progression we saw on weight of the world, where he seems more at peace with where he is in life.

I see tears of joy and weight of the world as MIKE processing the death of his mother and coming to grips with the pressure and residual effects that this unfortunate event inflicted on his mind.

Whereas "Disco!" feels like MIKE beginning a new chapter in his life, reflecting on the past without LIVING in the past... which can only come from acceptance.

It doesn't mean he isn't still dealing with similar struggles, but now he is doing so with a stronger sense of presence and assuredness that is palpable.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "ghoulish"

Stream/Buy "Disco!" here: https://mikelikesrap.bandcamp.com/album/disco 

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com 

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#62 - Tyler, The Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST REVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

(Go to 0:49 to skip the intro)

On the surface, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST sounds like Tyler flexing about how great his life is, with specific moments that reference a failed love he had with some girl.

But in reality, this album mirrors a famous poem by Charles Baudelaire in many ways, but takes it a step further and comes to a conclusion that is both realistic and interesting.

Tyler's primary subject matter on this LP is flexing his successes, and his wealth. But deeper than that, there is a real pride he displays in how he has navigated his way in the music industry, standing for what he believed in amidst a lot of hate and a journey to self-discovery related to his sexuality and identity.

Tyler sounds content and FREE.

This all serves to set the context for the one missing piece that is remaining in his life, which seemingly would upset this peaceful mind-state that he is otherwise painting in his rhymes... and that is a girl.

A girl he is trying to court to complete this decadent life Tyler now leads. This is precisely where the album's layers begin to unfold...

RMPP Preferred Cut: "WILSHIRE"

Stream CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST here: https://open.spotify.com/album/45ba6QAtNrdv6Ke4MFOKk9 

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Let's stay connected! Find me here: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ 

#61 - YOD - TIME REVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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On TIME, Your Old Droog shows he can paint lyrical pictures very well. However, the picture paints here is sometimes kind of dull in my humble opinion.

What Droog is talking about on TIME is a far cry from the much deeper exploration that occurred related to his relationship with his Jewish and Ukrainian identity on Jewelry and Dump YOD.

On those albums we saw YOD get personal... something he does do here as well, but in a way more captivating way that struck me on an emotional level.

But I'd also say that the bars on this album are not on the same level of Tha YOD Fahim, Jewelry, and especially Dump YOD, which was one of the best albums of 2020, with one of the craziest rapping performances I've heard in a long time.

All of these gripes are not even addressing the elephant in the room with this album... at least in the room where I personally am listening to this album.

This elephant for me is the production.

Rarely do these beats leave an impression on me, which is a shame because Droog usually selects great beats to rap over.

The listless nature of many of these beats, compounded with the less than always interesting lyrical content from Droog... makes TIME an album that sees Droog come back to Earth, after an impressive hot streak spanning all the way back to 2019.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "The Magic Watch"

Buy/Stream TIME here: https://yourolddroog.bandcamp.com/album/time 

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rohview on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com 

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#60 - Skyzoo - All the Brilliant Things REVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

(Go to 0:49 to skip the intro)

New York's Finest, Skyzoo, has returned with his latest studio album, All the Brilliant Things, just as Ottawa's Finest, The Rap Music Plug, has returned to continue taking the podcast game by storm. It feels great to be back!

The way the lyrical themes play out on this album, is ultimately why I appreciate All the Brilliant Things so much more on multiple listens.

Unlike In Celebration of Us, which focused on his new experiences with Fatherhood, and how life was growing up alongside his honourable father, All the Brilliant Things differs in Skyzoo's focus.

This time around his lens is more outward, focusing on how his hometown has changed over the years mainly due to gentrification, walking you through memory lane recounting various stories and life experiences.

Sky also spends much of this album discussing his place in the game, and his contributions to hip-hop. Obviously Skyzoo has been, and still is braggadocious about his skill and accomplishments. However, on All the Brilliant Things, what I'm referring to is a grounded and celebratory view on what his rap career has meant to the art form, and what his career has indirectly meant for young men from his home... serving as an inspiration for those that grew up alongside him.

I obviously recognized Skyzoo's lyricism to be great since day 1. But on this album, I find the themes are exceptionally put together and push this album over the top.

Couple that with exquisite jazz-infused instrumentals, and we have another great rap album in 2021.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "Rich Rhetoric"

Buy/Stream All the Brilliant Things here: https://mmg-skyzoo.bandcamp.com/album/all-the-brilliant-things 

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rohview on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com 

Let's stay connected! Find me here: https://rmpp.carrd.co/ 

Bonus - The Sleep Sinatra Summit w/ Freemusicempire & Camo Bucket Hats

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Sleep Sinatra's recent run has been nothing short of amazing, culminating with the fantastic DIVINENATION that he dropped earlier this year.

To discuss Sleep's impact and what makes him standout in the crowd, I joined the Freemusicempire and Camo Bucket Hats (@CamoBucketHats on Twitter) for a fantastic far-reaching discussion.

I hope you enjoy this bonus episode while I'm on vacation. But most importantly, I hope you support Sleep Sinatra's fantastic music.

Support Sleep Sinatra here: https://sleepsinatra1.bandcamp.com/ 

Join the Freemusicempire here: https://freemusicempire.com/ 

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rohview on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Let's stay connected! Find me here: https://rmpp.carrd.co/ 

#59 - Navy Blue - Navy's Reprise REVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

(Go to 0:49 to skip the intro)

Another day, another Navy Blue record has dropped. As one of the most essential voices in all of hip-hop, I absolutely had to talk about it.

Navy knows how to name an album. Song of Sage, his 2020 opus, felt like a grand mission statement that perfectly captured what makes Navy... Navy.

Similarly, this latest album titled Navy's Reprise, feels like a reprise… like an addendum, an appendix to the main presentation that was Song of Sage.

By no means does this album not hold up on its own, but it doesn’t feel essential.

I feel this mainly through the production that feels a bit too lacking in impact, and rapping from Navy that certainly is great, and is consistently touching on similar topics of wisdom, freedom, etc… but unlike Song of Sage that felt like songs all added up to something larger than the sum of its parts, this set of tracks does not.

Navy's Reprise feels like a collection of like-minded songs that sound great, but don’t leave a lasting impression on me... like stray thoughts, loose ends, versus the complete picture that Song of Sage painted.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "Don't Get It Twisted"

Buy Navy's Reprise here: https://navybluethetruest.com/ 

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Let's stay connected! Find me here: https://rmpp.carrd.co/ 

#58 - Mach-Hommy - Pray for Haiti REVIEW

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

(Go to 0:49 to skip the intro)

Mach-Hommy teamed up with Westside Gunn to create the long-awaited Pray for Haiti, Mach's Griselda return. 

Curated by Westside Gunn, this album is luxurious and smoother in sound than any other Mach album to-date.

I really do love how Mach sounds over these more airy melodically smooth productions, but I don't prefer this sound over the more tough grimy sound he's typically rapped over.

West has a unique ability to make his albums sound both gritty and luxurious at the same time... almost always managing to find the right balance.

But I think with Pray for Haiti, he turns the knob too much into the smooth category, making an album that is sonically very similar to Pray for Paris, but with even more smoothness to it that I don't think should've been present on this Mach album.

Even when the album leans more to his typical sound, the edge and grit behind the production sometimes lack that electric rawness that we get from his previous work.

This has nothing to do with Mach at all honestly, because Mach as a whole raps exceptionally well and focused on this album.

I really did like this album... but I guess it lacks just a bit of an IT factor in the production that takes some of the enjoyment away from me.

It's funny, because Pray for Haiti actually remedies the main gripes I had with Mach's Hard Lemonade... it's longer and more complete, but I think goes too far in the polished direction for my liking.

Mach himself absolutely killed this album though, and genuinely delivered one of his best rapping performances.

I just think West could've chosen a gritter set of instrumentals for him to rap over, as these beats washed over me a bit too much.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "The Stellar Ray Theory"

Stream Pray for Haiti here: https://open.spotify.com/album/7doW9YWOtpmqHBqAUuBaKO 

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For artist development/writing services, DM me @rohview on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Let's stay connected! Find me here: https://rmpp.carrd.co/