Tag: Cardi B

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Throwback Thursday (US Style)

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Today’s throwback track is by the one and only Lauryn Hill. Her 1998 single “Ex Factor ” was released from her critically acclaimed album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”.

Cardi B sampled this song on her 2018 song “Be Careful” and most recently Drake sampled this song on his 2018 hit “Nice for What” & reaffirmed people’s love for the original. The song is mostly Lauryn pouring out her love and pain to this ex which is why it is considered a song that people associate with breakups. The first line of the song “It could all be so simple but you’d rather make it hard” could be argued to relate to the end of a relationship. Sometimes there will always be that person that is willing to hold on while the other is not cooperating. There a few songs that the first line when played captures people’s ears and is enough to make them sing in unison, this is one of the songs.

A line that sticks out to me and highlights the desperation one may feel towards the breakdown of a relationship; “Tell me, who I have to be to get some reciprocity”… When you love someone so much you want to do anything you can to make it work. In addition you want them to be on the same page and to feel the exact same way you do about them. The common theme in this song is the fact Lauryn’s love is not mirrored in this partner.

One of the most famous lines and a line that Drake himself sampled in his song is “I keep letting you back in, how can I explain myself “. Some point in everyone’s life there is that one person we may keep running back to. No matter how hard you try to move on, it may be too hard to let them go. The success of this song definitely has something to do with the relatability we all may feel to the situation.

The final verses and the outro are a repetition of lines such as; “Care for me, care for me, I know you care for me…There for me, there for me! Said you’d be there for me“. The repetition reminds me of questions you may ask yourself when thinking back to the relationship and the reminder of the empty promises.

Overall this song can be considered a classic. What makes a song a classic in my opinion is a song that can relate to you everytime you hear it.

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Songs to start of the Week;

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These 3 songs are songs to look out for and listen to this week:

1. Lady Leshur – Black Panther.

Lady Leshur is a female UK rapper & is probably best known for her infamous ‘Queen’s Speech’ freestyles. This particular song has a similar authenticity to her previous material and the song demonstrates her rapping talent. The accompanying video shows Leshur rapping on a train and in an alley with frequent references “Wakanda Forever” to the famous 2018 movie ‘Black Panther’. Her wordplay isis next to none which makes her one of the best the UK has. Favourite Line: “heat like Miami, free throw on ’em, Dwayne Wade on the gyally….Um, that’s a 3-second violation”

2. Da Beatfreakz Ft. Mr Eazi, Seyi Shay & Shakka – Take Over. 

Any song featuring Mr Eazi, Seyi Shay or Shakka is bound to be hit so you can imagine how good it is with all of them together on the same song! You’ll be singing “take over, take over” all day after hearing this song. The harmonies, the fusion of Seyi Shay’s soothing voice with Shakka’s unique sound and lovely afrobeat vibe provided by Mr Eazi makes it a future hit for sure. Favourite Line:”Baby let me sweet your tea”

3. Cardi B – I Like It Ft. J Balvin & Bad Bunny.

Arguably one of the stand out songs from Cardi B’s highly anticipated debut album. The song mixes latina music and reggaeton on a trap beat. I love the fact Cardi goes back to her Latina roots and it is a refreshing chaange from the mood on the album. This song will probably be a big summer hit and could possbly be the next Luis Fonsi “Despacito” in terms of popularity. Definitely a great song to start the week on! Favourite Line/section: “Eating halal, driving the Lam’, told that bitch I’m sorry though…bout my coins like Mario….yeah they call me Cardi B, I run this shit like cardio” (Then the beat changes and it is amazing)

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New Music Friday: Invasion of Privacy

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The highly anticipated debut album from woman of the moment Cardi B is finally out!!! Her debut song ‘Bodak Yellow’ was arguably one of the hits of 2017. The song allowed the world to see Cardi B in a different light, a legitimate artist, rather than just a character on the TV show “Love and Hip Hop’. This album is one of the best debut rap albums I have heard in a while. The production on each song is incredible and you can tell some real thought and effort when into the making of this album. I will focus on specific songs in due course and I always believe albums should take time to marinate in your ears for at least a week before you can choose the real hits. However, on first listen these are my quick opinions.

  1. Get up 10 (Intro) . This is such a great introduction to the album and reminds me of the infamous introduction on Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nighmares’ album. Favourite line: “I was covered in dollars, now I’m drippin’ in jewels”, pretty much sums up Cardi as a whole.
  2. Drip Ft. Migos. Typical Migos song meaning very hyped and very catchy, Cardi’s verse was good. Only issue is that Cardi was drowned out on her own song. Migos definitely overtook it. Favourite line would have to be every adlib when “Ice” is mentioned.
  3.  Bickenhead. Pure rap. This song really demonstrates Cardi’s rap ability. The song will definitely have you bopping your head. Favourite line: “I’ma flex like a ‘roid, I’m a ten, she a ‘droid”
  4. Bodak Yellow. Classic. The song that started it all and it is yet to get old. Favourite line: “These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes”….classic!
  5. Be Careful. This song was released a few days earlier and while many were not expected this direction from Cardi, I welcome the refreshment. Only wish is that a singer such as Dej Loaf was the one singing the chorus. It is nice to see Cardi in a more vulnerable light though and it reminds us that she is human and can be be versatile. Favourite lines: “Thinkin’ I’m flawed because you inconsistent…
    It’s gon’ hurt me to hate you, but lovin’ you’s worse”.
  6. Best Life Ft. Chance the Rapper. One of my favourites on the album. I love the sentiment behind it. Chance as usual adds his own unique signature to it. Favourite line: “I made a couple M’s with my best friends, turned all my L’s into lessons”
  7.  I like it Ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin . If you are a fan of Reggaeton or latina music, this song will definitely win your hearts. You cannot listen to this song without feeling like you want to salsa or cha-cha! Favourite line: Oh he’s so handsome, what’s his name”. Full review coming soon.
  8. Ring Ft. Kehlani. This song is enough to get anyone in their feels. Kehlani’s beautiful voice provides the song with a R&B feel. Favourite line: “You gon’ be sick to your, stomach” (more the tone change at that part but will provide a more detailed review in due course)
  9. Money Bag. Possibly my least favourite on the album because the song sounds extremely similar to ‘Bodak Yellow’ in terms of the flow. This song does have one of my favourite lines though; “I said “Bae, it’s a snack,” he said it’s a entrée”. Haha
  10. Bartier Cardi Ft. 21 Savage. This song was released as the second single on this album (after Bodak Yellow). The flow on this demonstrates her ability and I believe 21 Savage compliments the vibe of this song so well. Favourite line: “I like hot sauce on my chicken”
  11. She Bad Ft. YG. I almost didn’t even recognise YG on this song! He sounds very different but I do like this song. Favourite line: “I could buy designer but this Fashion Nova fit”
  12.  I Do Ft. SZA. A very fitting end to the album andI can’t think of anyone else who would do this song justice other than SZA. Favourite line:  “My little 15 minutes lasted long as hell, huh”