Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino: Fun Fact: he got his name from one of those Wu tang Clan Name Generator things. I tried it out... I wasn't as fortunate. I got such names as : Amateur Overlord and Jive Talkin'ChoirBOY! So needless to say, Donald Glover was, on that merit alone, going to have a pretty sick rap career. I love him and how bitter he can be. I love his punchlines, his flow and his creativity. He's definitely a leader of the new school because his approach is somewhat different to what is out there. It's young, it's raw and it gives a spin on even the most tired out rap topic. Definitely worth the listen if you're not already a fan (really? you're not a fan?)
Kendrick Lamar
First time I heard Kendrick was when I downloaded his 2010 mixtape (O)verly (D)edicated. I didn't really know what to expect, I hadn't heard of him before that. My friend told me to and I obliged but I'm so glad I did. The first song I heard on it was Alien Girl and I was and still am very much in love with it. He actually had about 3 mixtapes before that but as with most- it took a few tries to garner the attention. Kendrick's next release; Section 80 is by far one of the best of 2011 and I don't care what anyone has to say about that! It is just that good- bite me if you think otherwise... Or you know, download Section 80 and bite your tongue!!!
The Weeknd
He is probably the most mainstream of all my entries and that's probably thanks to Aubrey 'slide down a rainbow of oestrogen' Graham aka Drake. LOL sorry I couldn't resist, Ghostface described him as that on his blog and I thought it was absolutely hilarious! Meanwhile, October's Very Own, The Weeknd is killing it right now. His creative approach to his music makes it hard for him to be ignored. I'm definitely a fan of some of his work. He's just released the video for The Knowing which everyone on my facebook is raving about. he's definitely going to be around for a while I reckon.
Frank Ocean
Nostalgia/Ultra did what it was supposed to do! It made sure everyone paid attention to Frank Ocean. Such a simplistic album, void of all the usual brouha that has poisoned r&b of late. No, Frank decided to strip his music of all the theatrics and just sing. His songwriting skills are impeccable. His voice, though not as strong as say, Gerald Levert, has a quality to it that gives it a modesty a certain dose of humility that makes his songs so believable and quite frankly is a breath of fresh air in an industry where the louder your voice goes the better it is considered- sometimes!. I could listen to him all day and sometimes I do. I really hope he doesn't change for the industry, he strikes me as one who may negotiate but never fully leave this formula that has created such a buzz around him- hopefully!
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