12 Producers for '12
Special thanks to David Turner, Jordan Sargent, Tyrone Palmer, and especially Scott M., who did the graphic design.
I did FKi, J Green, and Supa Villain. But, really please look at the graphics they are so nice.
Gwap (Remix) - Supa Villian (feat. Rich Boy & Trae the Truth)
Do people listen to all of the mixtapes a rapper releases during the year? Supa Villain has been connected to at least four different mixtapes this year, yet I have only heard one—and his release count is nothing compared to someone like Lil B, Curren$y, or the entire Bricksquad Family. Which is a shame as Supa Villain’s production is the primary reason I enjoyed Rich Boy’s 12 Diamonds from this year so much. I even like Supa Villain’s rapping as he digs a bit deeper for material than most producer/rappers, yet the one mixtape I’ve heard from him I cannot say I finished it.
Part of it comes down to presentation, as how am I supposed to know which mixtape of the four he has released are good, when there is so much music being released everyday whether it be a brand new album, a leaked album, or just a random tune that caught my ear; so anything that can distinguish one random track from another will go a long way in me listening to it. “Gwap (Remix)” stood out with its new cover art, and after a few seconds of listening I could tell this was not a random MP3 that landed on hulkshare in the AM hours.
Rich Boy’s “Gwap” one of the best tracks from 12 Diamonds, as Supa Villain’s production plays like a late night drive version of a Drumma Boy hit single where the drum rolls, sparkling synths, and well placed keyboard all contribute to its late evening atmosphere. The remix of the “Gwap” completely changes the original sound of the song, but the mood of a late evening drive back home is still there. But, now the keyboard melody has increased prominence and there is a desolate guitar sample throughout the song creating a road weary pace. Supa Villain’s added verse is pretty good, but real difference between the remix and the original is more that someone changed the radio station on a late evening drive from 80s synth pop to an 80s classic rock ballad. But still the sad truth is the only reason I have such nice words for this song is because a little bit of effort was put into the presentation of the song giving me a heads up it could be worth my time, as otherwise I would have passed over it until some else blogged about it.
Gold Kilo$ - Rich Boy
An advertisement for gold bricks, a Lil Wayne sample (“A Mile”), and Supa Villain’s relaxed production receives a Rich Boy verse thus making him the artist of the song. Supa Villain’s sample of “A Milli” is not the first time Supa Villain has sampled a Lil Wayne song (“Call Me Mr. Carter”), but the sample follow the footsteps of Block Beataz’ production on “Bankroll” where the song becomes an otherworldly Lil Wayne remix with an Alabama rapper just appearing on the track. The gold advertisement appears on the song more than Rich Boy—thinks Gucci Mane’s “Long Money” with only one verse—as Supa Villain’s production can make an ad for gold bars worth listening to. Rich Boy talk about money and girls, over Supa Villain’s fine keyboard work, dreamy synths, and lost-in-time bass form a great backdrop to wistful dreams of cash.
Top Albums/Mixtapes for the First Half of 2010
Order does not exist here.
Roach Gigz- Roachy Balboa
Roach raps really well (“Dear Rapper”, I could quote that entire song). Roach can recognize a good beat. Roach Gigz makes better music than well, must rappers today.
Young Jeezy- Trap or Die 2
Trap or Die 2 should, could, and will fill stadiums, because if this tape were from rapper of a lower popularity, I would be dissappointed to know that “D Boyz”, “Trap or Die Reloaded”, or “Lose My Mind” would never get a chance to be blasted to thousands of ears at once instead of through my terrible headphones.
Crystal Castles- Crystal Castles (II)
Crystal Castles (II) has three types of songs, the electronic dance song, the screamy and distorted song, or the really somber song and all three are better and more unique than I would expect.
Yelawolf- Trunk Muzik
Roach Gigz and Yelawolf have two things in common, they both rap better than anyone I am currently listening to and know what a good beat should sound like.
Supa Villain- Antawn Swisher: High Times
Supa Villain songs about personal struggles over his own produced tracks are great, and I really wish I could add a more fantastical description to this great mixtape.
Harlem- Hippies (Most Listened to Album this year)
I am pretty I like this only because I can actually play along with these songs, but you know what that is perfectly fine, also having all but a couple tracks being way too catchy does not hurt either.
A couple Mississippi Mixtapes
Antwan Swisher (Supa Villain) > K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (Big K.R.I.T.)
Despite Antwan Swisher having “26” tracks, the mixtape is not really that long because of the stupid idea of having 10 tracks of less than 40 seconds, because I really needed a fourth Smoke Break on this less than an hour long mixtape. So, Antwan Swisher by Supa Villain is a really enjoyable mixtape with many a track dedicated to smoking and driving, without falling into too many cliche and never sounding too repetitive. There is also, Supa Villain’s production, which throughout the mixtape is pretty great, showing again that the idea of Trance-Rap may not be a bad name for some rap music. “So Much Game”, with a 8-Bit Mario sample and plenty of video game rhymes should be something I hate, but Supa Villain is able to make it work.
So, for K.R.I.T. Wuz Here all I can say is for only a little more than an hour long, I have not wanted a rap album to end quicker, since listening to Urban Legend. K.R.I.T. Wuz Here has some great songs “No Wheaties”, “Hometown Hero”, “Return of 4eva”, and a few others are songs I know I will remember coming around to the end of the year, but as a whole album the thing is a chore for me to get through. The rapping is great throughout, and the production is normally pretty good, but what makes a great song and a boring song seems to a very line for myself when listening to Big K.R.I.T.
I would recommend each mixtape, but considering all of the praise the lyrical Big K.R.I.T. is getting, I just wanted to show some love to Supa Villain another rising rapper from Mississippi.
