Jay-Z and Kanye West releases their Watch The Throne documentary which shows the making of the project.
Chuuwee – ‘Crown Me King’ Mixtape Review
Crown Me King, the latest mixtape from Sacramento, CA rapper Chuuwee, is a follow-up to his Watching The Throne EP which dropped last year. The project can be considered as an eager prince vying for control of the so-called Throne propped up by Kanye West and Jay-Z last year. The problem, however, does not deal with the capabilities of the prince, but rather his personal vices.
Chuuwee has impeccable songwriting skills. He can pen expansive verses, full of technical intricacy and occasional wit, that sound quite elaborate. In tandem with the lyrics is his ability to spit such multisyllabic chatter while regulating his breathing and providing emotional versatility in his voice. He also picks solid producers to work with, such as ENG, who provide some creamy sample-based beats that fit him perfectly. A major problem belies the project, however- the mixing, which sucks. If Chuuwee couldn’t compel lyrically, most people would not strain to hear his buried vocals.
And yet, while the mixtape succeeds structurally, the content of his lyrics leave a disconcerting feel. “Scribe,” arguably the best “song” on Crown Me King, is the sole reason for that doubt. On the spoken word piece, a disgruntled Chuuwee details how the jaded response towards his artistic efforts has left him angry and frustrated. To him, the people who should support his music the most dismiss his passion, like a parent disappointed in their child for becoming a painter instead of a doctor. Chuuwee then rants on about routine insanity, which he defines as “doing the same shit over and over and expecting different results.”
The entire piece has a grave seriousness despite coming from such a young guy. Chuuwee has the passion and the know-how to go places, and that clearly comes through on the song. But when he’s actually performing a rhyme, he can also get caught in “routine insanity,” as he totes a brash, at times annoyingly immature, male chauvinist, budda connoisseur, fuck-y’all-get-money mentality.
One of the more nitpicky gripes deals with the hooks. While he can produce some gripping intermissions like on “Keep It Real,” where he sounds like a nascent Method Man, some feel so thrown together. He ruins the previous verse on “Rule The World” with his horrid off-key singing, and literally says “this how the chorus go and fuck you if you don’t like it” on “Smoke One For Doom” before doling out a floppy excuse for a hook.
It seems that the reason why certain people refrain from openly embracing Chuuwee’s music deals with the odd mix between professional tact and juvenile tendencies that he holds so near and dear. His music, including Crown Me King, is equivalent to an unearthed diamond: it may be rare and have great potential, but the true value comes from an artisan perfectly sculpting and polishing it into form. No one considers raw diamond worthy for a ring, and Chuuwee’s art, while worthy on the surface and deserving of a couple of listens, leaves a bit to be desired as a whole.
Kanye West – ‘Theraflu’ ft. DJ Khaled
A new Kanye West track, “Theraflu” featuring DJ Khaled, has the Chi-town rapper letting off a little steam. The beat’s O.K., but Yeezy goes ham regardless, flossing until he strikes blood, discussing the Amber Rose-Wiz debacle, and telling haters to “shut the f*ck up when you talk to me ‘fore I embarrass you.” Mr. West is in the building, yo.
Peep the DEHH review for West’s latest project, “Watch The Throne,” and go listen to “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” again, because it’s dope.
Jay-Z & Kanye West – Ni**as In Paris [Video]
The video for the now 2x platinum single from The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West). Not sure I get this video but at least it didn’t start over 14 times in a row. After you finish watching this, check out the write up my man at thetapedeck.net put up on the video. Hilarious.
Dead End Hip Hop | Webisode 34: Carter IV vs. The Throne
What does nearly a million records sold first week out mean? Well, nothing to Jay-Z and Kanye West. Or does it? Almost going platinum in a week has to mean something in today’s environment. We all know that Jay-Z and Lil Wayne has a “beef” of sorts going on. Will Tunechi doubling up Hov and Ye add fuel to the fire? What about the so called beef? Is it a beef? We tackle those question and more in this discussion about Lil Wayne and Jay-Z. What do you think?
Dead End Hip Hop | Unseen Jay-Z & Kanye West Convos
Exclusive unseen footage as a prelude to the “Watch the Throne” album review upcoming from Dead End Hip Hop.
Dead End Hip Hop | Webisode 12: Is Kanye A Living Legend??
Kanye West ripped the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival performing hits ranging from “Jesus Walks” to “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” to “Say You Will” to “Power” to “Runaway“. Known for his controversial moments (think George Bush and Taylor Swift), Kanye has been able to do what many have not been able to do. Survive. Returning back to the mic last year with the instant classic My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West has proven music is more than bars and beats. It’s art.
Download | Kanye West & Jay-Z-H.A.M.
First single from Kanye West and Jay-Z’s “Watch the Throne” album. After a few listens, I can say I like it. I get it. I’ll have a more cohesive write up later. More digestion needed.
Download: Kanye West & Jay-Z – H.A.M.
Jay and Ye to Release Full Album, Not EP
We have learned that instead of releasing a 5 song EP, Kanye and Jay-Z will not do a full album instead. Watch the Throne was orginally set for a December 7th release but that may not happen now.
“We putting out a whole album now,” Kanye told MTV when asked about Watch The Throne. “We had done five [songs] so far, and then a few of ‘em, kind of, were out there, and I put them on my album. Sorry Jay. But we got some more, and we going to the south of France at the end of this month just to record new ideas.”
As long as this does not go the way of “Best of Both Worlds”, we should be good. A Kanye West/Jay-Z duet album should be pretty hot.