Andre 3000 Finally Going Solo

Well well well, it looks like Three Stacks is back, maybe. This is not the first time this rumor has circulated. This was reported a few months ago but Andre quickly shut the talks down. This time HipHopWired (fascists) is the source, claiming that they heard it straight from him while backstage at Governor's Ball. When other media outlets confronted the former OutKast member, he only responded with a "we'll see" (classic Andre). I don't blame him. The dude hates the press and the limelight.
I am excited to hear this though. Andre3000 has remained a mute in the music industry for quite a few years now. Every now and again he'll throw us a few smooth bars on a feature, but the man has not claimed an album or even a song for too long. Although most people wont say this out loud, Andre was the better of the OutKast duo. Don't get me wrong, Big Boi is a great lyricist with a fast pace style. This complimented Andre's slow pace burn-out style perfectly. But Big Boi has been taking multiple stabbings at rapping on his own, and while some of what he has done works for me, he's inconsistent. Andre3000 was always more creative and always silky smooth. He works well with every rapper and can adapt to any style, not just Big Boi's.
I am excited to see what he can do on his own. I expect to see plenty of long, slow-paced songs. Hopefully he brings a few features along though too. He can turn up with the best of them and give me a few more bangers to bump to.

Young Thug On Top The Rap Industry Going Into Summer

Today's topic of discussion is ATL based rapper Young Thug. His distinct voice provides hooks for several bangers currently bumping on the radio these days. Its raspy and high pitch, but nonetheless a familiar trap sound that is something that we all love to hear. In a time where hip hop records seem to be executed with sharp lyrics and excellent tone, we all appreciate the ratchet chaos that YT vocally unleashes on a regular basis. The kid is only 21 and has been on the music scene for less than a year, and yet half of my favorite songs to bump in a car come from him. From "Stoner" to "Hookah" and "Danny Glover", Young Thug puts out high quality anthems more often than not. There's also "Loaded", and his features on T.I.'s "About Tha Money" and Birdman's "Lifestyle".

Young Thug looking how you think he would.

Does YT have what it takes to go the distance in this business though? His voice is one that I can see myself getting sick if I had to listen to him for another 5-10 years.  His voice is undoubtabley unique, but its obnoxious and I really don't like hearing him on songs for 4-5 minutes straight. I don't think he is the best lyricist either. Not that I think I am a lyrics snob but they definitely count when it comes to any music fans need to recite lyrics. Seriously, he makes no sense (check out the text of his songs at Rapgenius.com) 

On the other hand, he is doing something that I strongly agree with for his particular rap style. He's doing a lot of collaborations. Instead if him doing 2 or 3 versus a song, he has been focusing a lot more on introductions and hooks. Let T.I. and Tyga go in and kill a beat after YT sets them up with the catchy chorus.
Mixing trappers with rappers is a brilliant thing, one that the hip hop community has seen and loved over the past several years. I rarely like a 2 Chainz song with no features, but when you put him with Kanye and the rest of the GOOD music group, you get automatic bangers. This is the key to Young Thug's long-term success.

Young Thug is as volatile of a (t)rapper as it gets. The dude is not right in the head. Enjoy him while he's here, because you neva know.

Additionally, Here is a List of the Top 5 Up and Coming Rappers to Watch this Summer:
1. K Camp
2. Young Thug
3. Rich Homie Quan
4. Lil Bibby
5. YG