Die Antwoord – Suck On This
Returning with their first new project in two years, Suck On This finds South African act Die Antwoord as strange and controversial as ever. I can’t claim to be a huge fan of duo Ninja and Yolandi Visser, but their output is always interesting, and Suck On This is no different.
Although 13 tracks long, Suck On This is more a taster for Die Antwoord’s anticipated fourth album than any type of cohesive long player. There are only five new tracks on the tape, scattered between weird skits and a bunch of remixes of some of the duo’s better known tracks. The two singles already released, Bum Bum and Gucci Coochie, are both indicative of the type of hip-hop/rave hybrid you can expect from Die Antwoord. Bum Bum is a filthy rap song centred around a sample of a woman saying “even in my bum” (read the story behind the song here) while Gucci Coochie is a club banger featuring Dita Von Teese of all people. Album opener Dance Wif Da Devil is more of an intro track and I Don’t Care a slow building dance thumper, with the soft, tribal influenced Dazed And Confused the clear highlight of the new material.
The addition of remixes is a bonus – particular The Black Goats‘ take on Enter Da Ninja and Gods‘ jungle remix of Fok Julle Naaiers – but they don’t add anything new to Die Antwoord’s growing music catalogue.
Verdict: One for Die Antwoord fans only.
https://soundcloud.com/dieantwoord/dazed-confused-ft-god-1
Casey Veggies – Customized Greatly 4: The Return Of The Boy
The fourth release of Casey Veggies‘ Customized Greatly mixtape series continues the 22-year-old Californian rapper’s growth as a lyricist. Experimenting with a number of producers and including guest appearances from Dom Kennedy, Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign, Customised Greatly 4: The Return Of The Boy, is a well-rounded release that should keep Veggies’ fans happy.
Opener New Jack City and the piano laced Mike Zombie produced Street Fame explore Veggies’ love of hip-hop and the effects of fame, Canadian Tory Lanez (who we interviewed recently) pops up on the snapping Can’t Get Enough, while Danny Wolf comes through with a smooth beat on Choose Up. Brown’s and Veggies’ first collaboration, One On One, details the pair’s sexcapades while Harry Fraud, one of my favourite producers, delivers the goods on the relaxed Perfect Timing as Veggies raps about life in L.A. and his growing career.
Veggies improved lyricism shines on this mixtape, particularly on New Jack City and Feelings, with Customised Greatly on par with his debut studio album Live & Grow.
Verdict: Album quality mixtape well worth your time.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTMw2YEGDI4]
FKi 1st – First Time For Everything
Atlanta production duo FKi, comprising of 1st Down and Sauce Lord Rich, are of the new breed of talented producers making their name in the hip-hop world. Having worked with the likes of 2 Chainz, Tyga and Post Malone in recent years, 1st Down has stepped out from behind the boards with his first solo release, First Time For Everything.
The six track project, released via Mad Decent, blends the glitchy hip-hop production the duo are known for with 1st’s Southern drawl and features from the producers’ good friends. UK rapper Danny Seth surprises on opener Prove Yourself while the late Bankroll Fresh adds a touch of menace to the probing GIT. But, it’s regular collaborators Post Malone and iLoveMakonnen who make the most impact with their contributions. The Meaning is based around a subtle guitar riff and R&B production, with Malone continuing his recent trend of singing without auto-tune, while iLoveMakonnen’s off-kilter delivery complements 1st’s own unique vocals.
Verdict: Entertaining project helped greatly by 1st’s big name friends.
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Image: Datpift
California based rapper Casey Veggies, is one of the brightest stars coming out of LA hip hop today. At only 22 years old, the artist has achieved miles more than most, having come to attention with former crew OFWGKTA. Veggies, real name Casey Jones, has been releasing mix tapes since the age of 14, and since then has gone on to co-own his record label and clothing line, Peas & Carrots International. In spite of what feels like years of success and recognition, his very first full-length album, Live & Grow, was just released late last month. We had a chat with the man himself about the new album, his clothing line and more.
Hey Casey, thanks so much for speaking to me today. I love Live & Grow!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that.
I thought it was a really strong album, I especially loved I’m The King – it’s such a great opening track. How did the idea come about for you to use clips of your dad speaking on that track?
That’s one of the earlier songs we created for the album. It just had a crazy vibe to it, it reminded me of something old school, there’s just an old school feel to that track. It just brought out me speaking out about my life, and talking about how I was feeling. I started off the album just speaking about where I saw myself at, how I’m feeling at work and my perspective on the game. It’s like a boost, it’s like a real confident song. I’m kinda not really telling people that I’m the king in that song, I’m just speaking on the fact that we’re all kings, we’re all human beings and people should think of themselves as a king and be confident in themselves. And that’s pretty much the concept of that song, and that’s why I had my dad talk on it. It just meant a lot to me.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xABFaKEsORA&w=420&h=315]
I really loved it. Did you have a favourite collaboration on the album?
I think the record with Tyler, The Creator is probably my favourite collab on there!
What was different now that you’ve got major label backing? Did you learn anything new during the recording process?
I think there was just a couple things that I was just trying to figure out on this one. You know, it was a little different of a process but I definitely adapted to it and I learned a lot creatively.
Can you tell us a little bit about Peas and Carrots International as well?
Yeah, Peas and Carrots International is my clothing line, my brand, it’s a lifestyle brand. We have a store out here in LA, and there’s a lot of new things coming soon from the brand. We have a lot of collaborations coming, we just dropped a collab, a pair of boxers. We just have a lot of new things in store.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSEvpgohpfU&w=560&h=315]
Do you think there’s something important about the relationship between music and fashion?
Yeah, they go hand in hand! They’re both strong, strong advocates for creativity.
What would you say you get creatively out of fashion, that’s different to what you get from making music?
They’re just both such strong forms of self expression, you know we rappers like to express how we feel. In what we wear, in what we say and how we say it.
I saw you had a scene in the film ‘Dope’ as well, how did you get involved with that?
It was just dope, it was a dope opportunity. The movie was based in my hometown of Inglewood, and the director reached out to us, and was like you really embody the era, and the generation. I was more than happy that he called me, and its a super dope movie.
Do you think you’d do something similar in the future?
Oh, definitely! I’m definitely going to stay in tune, and keep thinking of accessing more film opportunities.
So, in regards to the album again, when you write do you consider your audience? Or would you say you write solely for yourself?
Who am I writing for? I write for my fans, I write for myself, I write for the people around me and I write because I know that a lot of young kids listen to my music. And you know, the world does need a lot more positive energy, we need to focus more on giving back and give people something they can use that will benefit them.
You’re really active as well on social media. What effect do you think social media has had on you as an artist, and your interaction with fans?
I think it’s dope. I think it definitely gave me the chance to spread my music, and it gave me a fair chance to become an artist and follow my dream and get my music out there to the world.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgLgAisFrmc&w=560&h=315]