Trina: From the Feature Artist to Mixtape Queen

I will be reviewing Trina’s Who’s Bad mixtape for this post.

Listen to or download the mixtape here:

 http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/10722/trina_whos_bad.html 

Background Information:

• Birth name: Katrina Leverne Taylor
• Birthplace:  Miami, Florida
• Influences: None Found
• How long has she been doing music: Since 1998
• Type of Artist: Mainstream
• Genre(s): Rap
• Current Label(s): Slip-N-Slide
• Similar Artists: Rasheeda, Nicki Minaj, Lil’ Kim, Remy Ma, Shawnna  
• Fun fact:  She was a real estate agent before she was in the music industry.

       Trina lived most of her life between Liberty City and Pembroke Isle. Trina became a real estate agent. She hadn’t initially thought of being a rapper, but Miami rapper, Trick Daddy, was establishing his career in 1997 and saw the talent in her. Trick Daddy gave Trina a chance to be featured on his album. Trina first gained notoriety in 1998 with her appearance on Trick Daddy’s song Nann N!##@, which reached number three on the Rap Charts. After that feature, Trina gained recognition signed to Trick Daddy’s Slip-N-Slide label. In March 2000, Trina's debut album Da Baddest B!&*# was released, and the album entered the Billboard Chart at number thirty three. The album was certified gold by November 2000. Trina is still considered one of the best women in the rap industry.  Yet, Trina considers business as a priority. Trina is attempting to grow her brand with Diamond Princess & Diamond Doll fragrances, Pink Diamond Couture Clothing, and her future acting career. Trina is going to make sure that her music is right, which is why she is in such high demand as a featured guest artist. Trina stated that she does not plan on handing anyone her crown. Trina has released five studio albums: Da Baddest B!$#@ (2000), Diamond Princess (2002), Glamorest Life (2005), Still Da Baddest (2008), Amazin’ (2010). Trina has released at least two mixtapes, but I am not sure of the exact amount of mixtapes she has released, and I also do not know if either of those are major mixtapes.

Introduction:

Trina is a Mixtape Queen because she is still one of the top women in the rap game, and her lyrics continue to portray that she believes she is still the baddest b!$#@ . Mixtape started off by featuring on Trick Daddy’s song Nann N!##@, but now she is one of the most notable female rappers. This mixtape definitely show that Trina still thinks she is the baddest chick, and she is not going anywhere for a long time.

Favorite Line: My Testimony- “I gotta think God that I’m still here living. All the blessings I received no doubt He’s the realest.”  No Lyrics Available

Top 3 Tracks: (This list is ordered from the song I like most to the song I like least.)

1. Testimony- This is my first look at the more sensitive side of Trina, and it looks really well on her. Trina tells about her past and how it made her who she is today. Both her instrumental and flow are real on this track, and I feel like I definitely got to know Trina more from this track. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE7Jz3YL2kc  
2. Clear It Out- I recommend this song all the trendsetters. Trina addresses all the haters she has, and she tells them just how she feels about them. She has great lyrics and a rocking instrumental on this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFId0ItOfBQ
3. Baddest of All Times- Trina talks about how she got to where she is. She also talks about the list of things that make her bad. She talks about her experience and truly gives people a glimpse of her life on this track.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0Lpk-GjvLg

Bottom 3 Tracks: (This list is ordered from the song I dislike most to the song I dislike least.)

1. Get Dat Money- The instrumental to this track sounds like something that would be used to hypnotize someone. Compared to other songs on this mixtape, Trina delivers lackluster lyrics on this track. There is no sense of harmony in this song, so this song just does not appeal to me at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7S2E5lH23I
2. Like That-Soulja Boy’s simplistic lyrics doom this track from the beginning. The instrumental is not that complex either. Trina delivers great lyrics, but Soulja Boy killed her song just like “Video Killed the Radio Star.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbiXmts9IaM
3. Superstarr- This is Trina’s attempt at a rock song. However, this song does not display Trina to her fullest because it is mediocre. It seems as if Trina raps well and the instrumental is great, but the two elements just don’t seem to flow with one another. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbPFBw303L0

Overview:

I recommend the mixtape Who’s Bad to people that like independent women. Trina definitely holds her own as a female lyricist, and she has few featured artists on this mixtape. Trina showed that she still believes she is the baddest chick, and that she does not see anyone as her competition.

Other Related Links:

http://oh-trina.com/biography/

http://www.myspace.com/trinarockstarr

http://trinafan.com/trina/biography.php

http://www.last.fm/music/Trina

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/trina/biography.html

Variety Week

Hello World,

I feel as if my blog is lacking variety. So, this week is officially diversity week. I will try to expose more mixtapes that might be less popular to other people, but they are cool with me. Trust me! I wouldn't have you listening to anything that is not good in my personal opinion. I hope you enjoy the music I have previously provided for you as well as the mixtapes I will expose you to this week. 

I Appreciate You All,

Roberta "The Media PRHO" Collier 

Lil’ Wayne: From New Orleans to Mixtape King

I will be reviewing Lil’ Wayne’s The Blue Martian (Deluxe Edition) mixtape for this post.

Listen to or download the mixtape here: 

http://www.datpiff.com/Mixtape_Evolution_Lil_Wayne__The_Blue_Martian_del.m124374.html

Background Information:

• Birth name: Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.
• Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Influences: Cash Money Records, Jay-Z, Beanie Siegel, Lupe Fiasco, Rick Ross, and Dipset
• How long has he been doing music: Since he was 8
• Type of Artist: Mainstream
• Genre(s): Rap
• Current Label(s): Young Money Ent./Cash Money Records/ Universal Motown
• Similar Artists: Birdman, Mack Maine, Drake, Young Jeezy, T.I.
• Fun fact: Lil Wayne once released more music in the two years than Tupac Shakur.

            Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. was born on September 27, 1982 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  He was a straight-A student, but he found music as the best means of expressing himself. Wayne gained the moniker Gangsta D and started writing rhymes. The 11-year-old convinced the Cash Money label to take him on. Lil’ Wayne was discovered by Cash Money CEO Brian “Birdman” Williams when a mutual friend introduced him to the young rapper. Birdman liked what he saw in the young rapper, so he took Wayne under his wing. Lil’ Wayne has released eight studio albums Tha Block Is Hot (1999), Lights Out (2000), 500 Degreez (2002), Tha Carter (2004), The Carter II (2005), Tha Carter III (2008), Rebirth (2010). Wayne's planned 2003 album wasn’t distributed by his label, so he put it out as an underground mixtape called Da Drought. His feedback from the mixtape went so well that he has released nine official mixtapes since then. He has released eleven official mixtapes SQ1-SQ7 (2003), Da Drought (2003), Da Drought 2 (2004), The Prefix (2004), The Suffix (2005), Dedication (2005), Dedication 2 (2006), Blow (2006), Da Drought 3 (2007), Dedication 3 (2008), and No Ceilings (2009). On January 23, 2008, Lil’ Wayne was arrested after Border Patrol agents found 105 grams (3.7 oz) of marijuana, almost 29 grams (1.0 oz) of cocaine, 41 grams (1.4 oz) of MDMA, and $22,000 in cash. Lil’ Wayne was charged with four felonies: possession of narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia. On October 22, 2009, Lil’ Wayne pled guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. On March 8, 2010, Lil’ Wayne was sentenced to a year in prison, which he is currently serving in Rikers Island. He is expected to be released after eight months if he serves with good behavior. Yet, in May the correctional staff found Wayne was holding contraband (an MP3 player, charger, and headphones).

Introduction:

Lil’ Wayne is a Mixtape King because he makes a lot of mixtapes every year.  His fans love to listen to these mixtapes as preludes, interludes, and postludes to his CDs. Lil’ Wayne started off as Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., but now he is definitely a Mixtpe King. He is at the e yef the rap industry whether people like it or not. Lil’ Wayne made sure to record a number of songs, mixtapes, and music videos so there would be no shortage of his presence in the media while he is doing his time.

Favorite Line: My Generation- “My generation will make a change; this generation will make a change.”  http://www.killerhiphop.com/my-generation-lyrics-lil-wayne-nas-damian-marley-joss-stone/

Top 3 Tracks: (This list is ordered from the song I like most to the song I like least.)

1. Currency- This song is just all around catchy. I predict this will be a hard-hitting single sometime soon. Trina, Rick Ross, and Lil’ Wayne make a great trio on this song, and if you like money this song is for you.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnbRnSATBFM
2. Tattoo Foreva- I love the acoustic instrumental this song begins with. This is just a song with a different type of sound than I expect Lil’ Wayne to have because the song sounds like a pop song. However, Lil’ Wayne and T-Pain’s raps compliment and/or contrast the instrumental just as much as they need to make a good track. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9cayY_HOOo&feature=related
3. P#$$^ N!**@- This song is a typical Lil’ Wayne song. It has a hard hitting beat, and he has good lyrics as well as a few moments of random gibberish. This song is a great song to put in when you just want to ride down the street and stunt on people because it has a instrumental that will show of your car’s stereo system.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpTpDf9IaPY

Bottom 3 Tracks: (This list is ordered from the song I dislike most to the song I dislike least.)

1. Other Side- Lil’ Wayne has definitely went to the other side of the universe with this song because I feel as if he really is a martian if he thought this song was great.  This song is okay, but it just seems to be foreign and/or weird for some reason. This sounds like techno meets hip-hop and R&B and neither genre seemed to be represented too well in this track. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65NMcWyTToc
2. Soldier- This song was not my cup of tea at all. I expected this song to be much better especially with both N.E.R.D and Lil’ Wayne on the track. The artists’ reputations are much better than this song in my opinion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQmQcmbCyIs
3. Blood N!**@$- Distracting instrumental, it sounds like it is overpowering the first artist. If you are not a blood or affiliated you probably won’t be able to relate to this song. Lil’ Wayne delivered good lyrics with his classic swagger, but swagger is nothing when the song is not relative to me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Z0gd_Gk5I&feature=related

Overview:

I recommend the mixtape to people that like Lil’ Wayne because he is definitely in a category of his own nowadays. However, if you are a person with an eclectic music style this mixtape definitely touches on the styles of a number of genres. The Blue Martian (Deluxe Edition) is definitely different from any other mixtape I have heard this mixtape makes me think of back in the day when people jut used to take songs they like of any genre and just record them all on one cassette tape.

Other Related Links:

http://www.lilwayne-online.com/bio.aspx

http://www.last.fm/music/Lil'+Wayne

http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lil_wayne/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd

http://www.lilwaynehq.com/

http://www.mtvmusic.com/artist/lil_wayne

5 Current Mixtapes I Recommend

I have provided links for you to play and/or download the mixtapes: (I hope you all enjoy them! )

1. Lil’ Wayne- The Blue Martian

 http://www.mixtapepass.com/music/0000010700-the_blue_martian_deluxe_edition.php

2. Bun B- No Mixtape

                                    

http://www.mixtapepass.com/music/0000008986-no_mixtape.php

3. D-Block: D-Block Island

                                         

                                        

http://www.mixtapepass.com/music/0000010502-dblock_island.php

4. Red Cafe- No Witnesses  

                                  

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/11840/red_cafe_no_witnesses.html

5. Raekwon- Cocainism Vol. 2

                                     

  http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/11860/raekwon_cocainism_2.html

Hello everyone, 

I would like to thank all of the visitors that have made comments and visited my blog. I would like to encourage you all to continue to come to my blog, and to invite your friends as well. For all frequent visitors, please follow my blog. Once again, all comments and suggestions are welcome. You all are appreciated. 

                              

Thank You All,

Roberta "The Media PRHO" Collier   

The Cool Kids: From Cool Kids to Mixtape Kings

I will be reviewing The Cool Kids’ Tacklebox mixtape for this post.

Listen to or download the mixtape here: 

 http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/11884/the_cool_kids_tacklebox.html

Background Information:

• Birth name: Antoine “Mikey Rocks” Reed and Evan “Chuck Inglish” Ingersoll
• Birthplace: Matteson, Illinois and Mount Clemens Michigan  
• Influences: Hip hop in the 1980s and artists like Eric B. & Rakim
• How long has he been doing music: They have been rapping together since 2005
• Type of Artist: Mainstream
• Genre(s): Hip-hop
• Current Label(s): C.A.K.E./Chocolate Industries
• Similar Artists: Mickey Factz, Wale, Pacific Division, Kidz In The Hall, Lupe Fiasco
• Fun fact: They met in mid-2005 after Mikey came across some of Chuck’s beats online and liked what he heard.

          The duo first met where Mikey was born and raised, in the Chicago-area homes. Chuck lived in Mount Clemens, MI until he was 11. The met when Mikey heard Chuck’s beats online and wanted to see him with the intention of making beats to sell to other artists. Yet, they realized their flows and lyrics fit best over their production. In 2007, the group started receiving a lot of press attention, after Chuck Inglish began promoting their material. The Cool Kids were eventually booked by Josh Young of Flosstradamus for a DJ performance, and they met electronic musician Diplo there; he offered to release a mixtape of their unreleased tracks titled Totally Flossed Out on his label Mad Decent. The Cool Kids declined his offer. Also, Pitchfork Media Group invited them to perform at the companies’ summer festival, and after they did this they landed a spot at New York's CMJ Music Marathon. There they met DJ A-Trak, and he offered to give them an opening spot on M.I.A’s solo tour. That same year, the Cool Kids signed to Chocolate Industries, who released their debut, the Bake Sale EP, in January 2008, with plans for a full-length to follow. The duo has five official mixtapes That's Stupid! (2007), Cool Ass Ninjas (2008), Gone Fishing (2009), Merry Christmas (2009), and Tacklebox (2010).    

Introduction:

The Cool Kids are Mixtape Kings because they went from nothing to something, and they used mixtapes as a means of getting there. Midwest artist usually do not gain a lot of popularity, or they do not stay consistent enough. However, The Cool Kids are consistent, and hopefully they get all the notoriety they deserve.

Favorite Line: Gettin’ Flicked-"Chasing a high they ain’t seen since they sold crack illegal."


Top 3 Tracks: (This list is ordered from the song I like most to the song I like least.)

1. Gettin’ Flicked- This song had a catchy hook. The lyrics to Gettin’ Flicked were inventive. This song really gives a peak into the style of The Cool Kids. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQefp86g8Lo
2. Birthdays- This song started off right with a nice smooth beat. Birthdays shows that both of the artists have a relaxed. This song does not quite compare to some of their best songs, but it is most definitely in the top of their repertoire.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfvtP2lH1so
3. Going Camping- Going Camping has a number of catchy and innovative metaphors. This song has an electric instrumental. If you are a person that listens to music to help you to relax, this is a good track to relax to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2SXYDF2Cm0

Bottom 3 Tracks: (This list is ordered from the song I dislike most to the song I dislike least.)

1. Summer Nights- This song was boring to me. Summer Nights had a lackluster instrumental.  It sounds redundant because it is too similar to the rest of the songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gH7pRWOQyI
2. Systems- This song did not have much to it. As a matter of fact, the instrumental was too simplistic. The song didn’t flow well at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA6J_oYZAFs
3. Strawberry Girl- This song’s lyrics were elementary. The song was repetitive, and had a simple rhyme scheme. The duos flow didn’t match perfectly with the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc6zJdRGWbw&feature=related

Overview:

I recommend the mixtape to people that like rappers that think outside of the box. The Cool Kids are influenced by older hip-hop and both their lyrics and style reflect that. The duo has moved from MySpace to their label C.A.K.E. and the spotlight. I hope for the duo’s sake that their raps continue to shine brighter than the lights that point at them when they stand on the stage to perform.

Other Related Links:

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Cool+Kids

http://www.coolxkids.com/

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/where-the-cool-kids-are/Content?oid=925366

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3jfexqyrldje~T1

http://illinoisentertainer.com/2008/02/the-cool-kids-interview/

T.I.: From the Pen to Mixtape King

I will be reviewing T.I.’s F[#@*] a Mixtape for this post.

Listen to or download the mixtape here:  

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/11646/ti_fuck_a_mixtape.html

Background Information:  

• Birth name: Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr.
• Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
• Influences: 2Pac and Jay-Z
• How long has he been doing music: Since he was 7
• Type of Artist: Mainstream
• Genre(s): Rap
• Current Label(s): Grand Hustle/ Atlantic Records
• Similar Artists: Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z, and The Game
• Fun fact: Pharrell Williams once referred to him as the Jay-Z of the South.

Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. was born on September 25, 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia. Clifford began rapping at the age of 7. By the time T.I. reached the age of 14, he had been arrested several times. He was nicknamed "Tip" after his paternal great-grandfather, Kawan "KP" Prather. Prather was a record executive, so he discovered and signed T.I. during his teenage years. When he signed to Arista Records ; he shortened his name to T.I. out of respect for label mate Q-Tip. According to the last fm website, “As of October 2008, T.I. has had nine Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles, with 3 of them reaching number one.” He founded Grand Hustle Records in 2003. In November of 2007, T.I. was arrested on firearms possession charges. On March 27, 2009 T.I. was scented to serve a year and a day for his firearm possession. He completed his sentence on December 22, 2009. T.I. has released seven studio albums: I’m Serious (2001), Trap Musik (2003), Urban Legend (2004), King (2006), T.I. vs. T.I.P. (2007), Paper Trail (2008). I am not sure of the number of mixtapes he has released.

Introduction:

T.I. is a Mixtape King because his fans have dubbed him the King of the South and King of Rap, and the spirit of a king is definitely present in this mixtape. T.I. went to jail on gun possession charges and was recently released, but he came back to the rap game as good as he was before he left. Hence T.I. has quickly moved from the penitentiary (pen) to the Mixtape King.

Favorite Line: B[!%#@] Who- "Don't even think it's fair the guy can breathe the same air as I."

Top 3 Tracks: (This list is ordered from the song I like most to the song I like least.)

1. B[!%#@] Who-  In this song T.I.P has a I don’t give a [add expletive here] attitude. He addresses the negative comments people have said and he tell them exactly how he feels about them. He dispels the negativity that has been circling around him; this is definitely the persona T.I.P, and he is definitely serious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOxaH0enBxs
2. Got Your Back- This song exemplifies the less abrasive side of the rapper, better known as, T.I. Him and Keri Hilson have great chemistry on this track; they seems as if they are really in love with one another and have each other’s backs. T.I.P. has a nice spoken word at the end of the song that is not typical of him, but it is rather enjoyable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOI7ISiJZUw
3. Celebration- T.I. illustrates the progression he has made over the years through his lyrics. He also speaks his truth as if he is not worried about what other people have to say. He is relaxed, but in the same token the song is tough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uGqiwg2f-E

Bottom 3 Tracks: (This list is ordered from the song I dislike most to the song I dislike least.)

1. Yeah- The instrumental in this song is barely appealing. T.I. sounds as if he is high out of his mind for the first verse and then he sounds regular, and that inconsistency really bothered me. T.I. had Lil’ Wayne as a feature artist on this song; with those two rapping together the song could and should have been much better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isk8yS0OFg0
2. Once Upon a Time- I feel as this concept of telling a story about your friends getting caught up while trying to sell drugs has been overdone. This just didn’t live up to any of the older story raps. Once upon a time usually refers to a fairytale, but this song is about as far away as you can get from a happy ending. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsdFmLSOT2E
3. Whether You Like it or Not- In this song T.I, tells the various ways he is separate from his peers. He should’ve rapped more abrasively to make me feel as if he really meant what he said. This was just a snippet of the song, but I wanted to hear the whole track. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Xz318RBh0

Overview:

I recommend the mixtape to people that like to address the negativity of their haters with their personal accomplishments. T.I. definitely let his haters know he was rising despite what they say or did in regards to him. T.I. has not been out of jail long and he stated on the mixtape that he has plenty of songs. So, after hearing this mixtape I cannot wait to hear his upcoming King Uncaged album.  

Other Related Links:

http://www.trapmuzik.com/

http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/t_i_/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd

http://www.last.fm/music/T.I.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1939267/

http://www.atlanticrecords.com/ti