things that make you learn

Update

2011-08-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

As the school season kicks in, I am planning on blogging again. I really don't know what or where I will blog, but hopefully I could start updating this site and getting those unique views up again.

-K

Destry - Waiting On A Island [Review]

2011-03-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

Destry is something different. Ever since leaving Straylight Run, Michelle DeRosa has established herself as a musician, leaving the big stage for a sound that fits her. With the help of Tyler Odom, who is one of the masterminds behind Cassino (Ex- Northstar) and Sam Means (Guitarist of The Format), Destry gives us their latest punch, Waiting On An Island.

In this compact disc, the listener immediately gets the southern California indie vibe. “This Island” is a soft ballad where DeRosa’s haunting voice lazily accompanies the electric and tambourine. The albums overall tone is very mellow, a sound that was not heard in Straylight Run. “Into The Rain” is a lullaby that you could see yourself humming to your children, as Odom’s and DeRosa’s vocals clash into each other, creating a soft and calm feeling of normalcy.

In “Smile”, the listener can feel the Cassino vibe that Tyler Odom contributes to the record. At times, DeRosa sounds like Zooey Deschanel of She & Him. But to her credit, DeRosa does it better. Her voice is not forced at all on Waiting On A Island. It’s natural and fits.

It is a shame that Destry has not blown up like it should have. Waiting On A Island is an excellent album, featuring that southern sound that reminds you: Summer is coming. The album art and music make the listener go into a different world, a world of simplicity. Waiting On A Island is a way to be heard.

TMO10 - #5- Big Sean - Finally Famous Vol. 3

2010-12-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

Big Sean is...indescribably. You really just don't know when he's going to release something. Finally Famous Volume. 3 is a clear example of Big Sean's mysterious character. The tape was supposed to premier in 2009. But it never came out. Then it was supposed to come out in March...but it never came out. Finally, G.O.O.D. M.U.S.I.C. and Sean's camp got their toots tuned and released this duel packed mixtape in August.

The tape features Tyga, Chiddy (of Chiddy Bang), Drake, Mike Posner, and many more. There's a reason why it's number 5 on my list.

Download: Big Sean - Finally Famous Vol. 3 [DatPiff]

TMO10 - #6- Nique - X.XIII

2010-12-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

At number six, we have the up comer Nique. Thanks for DJ Booth's freestyle series, I discovered Nique shouting over J.Cole's "Top of the World". Quite frankly, I thought he went harder than Cole world. Some might call me crazy but it had me sold. He released X.XIII in October, his latest mixtape. Every year or so, I discover a new artist and keep him to myself. Nique was that artist for 2010. Do yourself a favor, jump on the wagon asap.

Download: Nique - X.XIII [His Website]

TMO10 - #7- OnCue - Leftovers

2010-12-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

I used to have a rule when making this list. If the tape came out after November, it was not going to be considered. However that rule has went bye bye. Exception to the Rule: OnCue. I was not too familiar with OnCue. I've heard his tracks before and nothing really stuck out. He just seemed like a more polished version of Mac Miller and Asher Roth. However, OnCue has left 2010 with a great taste in my mouth. Those Thanksgiving Leftovers are worth the spin.

Leftovers is a great ode to the birth of an up and coming rapper. There's not much more for me to say. Just give the tape a spin and agree with me.

Download: OnCue - Leftovers [Mediafire]

TMO10 - #8- Tyga - Well Done

2010-12-10T11:21:00.000-08:00

Tyga, Tyga comes in at number 8 on the Things That Make You Learn Top Mixtapes of 2010 list. While he does not have a debut album with Young Money yet, he has released a slew of mixtapes. In November Tyga released Well Done, which featured freestyles upon freestyles. Imagine Tyga going over J. Cole's "Who Dat"...check or even Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow"... the rapper from the west coast has done it all.

What still remains my favorite aspect of Tyga's rapping style is his nagging voice flowing over and over with no breathes. While he might have some corny lines, he still delievers quality track after quality track. Be sure to check out Tyga mans freestyle over "Teach Me How To Dougie".

TMO10 - #9- B.o.B. - May 25th

2010-12-08T20:47:00.000-08:00

B.o.B. has one hell of a year. Depending on what kind of fan you are, we saw the development of one of the most talked about performers in the business right now. While he lost most credibility with his single "Airplanes", he still pleases the old fans with his mix tapes. Bobby Ray just released his new mix tape, No Genre this week. But I'm not talking about that tape.

Earlier in 2010, B.o.B. released May 25th in an effort to beef up our ears until his debut album. Quite frankly, he did just that. May 25th contains the classic B.o.B. we know, with the help of heavy weights J. Cole and Asher Roth. Certainly, he's going in the right direction as he has been nominated for 5 Grammys.

TMO10 - #10- Charles Hamilton -Snap Crackle Pop

2010-12-08T17:43:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to be....graded fa la la la laaaaaaaa. I'm back to blogging. And without further words, I give you Things That Make You Learn's Top Mix tapes of 2010. At number ten, we have the crazed man by the name of Charles Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton had one controversial year. It involved cancer, angry rants, disappearing from the face of the earth, and other things. He released around ten mix tapes that were pretty much all raw and rough. One stuck out among the rest. Hamilton released Snap Crackle Pop in October, which featured freestyles over todays beats. From the likes of Lloyd's Beamer Benz or Bentley and Lil Wayne's Comfortable, Hamilton really gave his own on this tracks.

He is one hell of a producer and I hope things turn around for him. He is a young man and aren't all great musicians crazy?

1. Charles Is Wack 2
2. Cozy
3. Dreamer Friends Are Pretty
4. Feisty Scholarship Fund
5. Over 36 Hours
6. Pharmacutical Pedicure
7. Public Domain Music
8. Yit Tit Tee

Download: Charles Hamilton - Snap Crackle Pop [Usershare]

Review: J. Cole - Friday Night Lights (Mixtape)

2010-12-08T10:13:00.000-08:00

J. Cole has a track on his new mix tape entitled “Blow Up”. Cole predicts the success of his rapping with his punch line, “Bitch I’m about to blow up.” Well to no surprise, one of the lower key rappers is doing just that. Friday Night Lights is J. Cole’s latest attempt to intrude your headphones and keep us hungry fans full until his debut album, Cole World.

I cannot understand what is more impressive. Is it that J. Cole has a talent for making a bunch of words flow so effortless? Or is that he produced almost every single song on Friday Night Lights? A combination will give the occasional listener a reason to sit back and enjoy a classic.

Friday Night Lights begins with a ballad of piano and Cole’s voice echoing as he eases the listener into taking the bait. He explains how this mix tape is where he will make a name for himself. Cole teases the listener into the true track, “Too Deep For The Intro”. The track’s name explains it enough. Cole introduces us to a new blend of rap. A track full of comparisons from Nas to the new age flow, Cole sums up his effort with the closer, “if they don’t know your dreams, than they cant shoot em down”.

An element of J. Cole’s latest effort that sticks out is the lack of guest appearances, which is a huge positive. With the help of DC Based rapper Wale, Cole and Wale meet again on “You Got It”. The track features an upbeat punch with a mix of distant drums and Cole’s signature piano touches. He does not stop there. J. Cole adds Young Money heavyweight Drake on the track “In The Morning”. With both rappers having their ways with words, they explain a fictional story of love and making a one night stand last longer.

Here comes the time in the review where I need to pick a favorite song. Here’s the problem: there are too many songs that I favor. However one of the realist songs I’ve heard in quite sometime sticks out more than the others. “The Autograph” is strictly Jermaine Cole going off. This track features one of those feel good anthems, where Cole narrates his success and where he is in the world. In a very close second, “Home For The Holidays” is your classic 1970’s instrumental. The thing with J.Cole is that it does not matter what instrumental he’s rapping on, he will make it his own and do it better than anybody else in the game.

J.Cole leaves Friday Night Lights with the simply named track, “Farewell”, his final ode telling the listener where he stands in the world of rap. If you ask me, he’ll be here for a while. Friday Night Lights will go down as one of the top mix tapes of 2010. And it’s not too early to call it the top mix tape of the century.

Score: 94%

New Reviews @ The Hood Nerd

2010-08-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

I've posted a few new reviews over at The Hood Nerd. I'd appreciate any feedback anyone has. I'm still going to post some reviews over here that don't really fit THN. Thanks everyone!

Mike Posner - 31 Minutes To Takeover

Curren$y - Pilot Talk

Freddie Gibbs - Str8 Killa [EP]

Download: Wale - More About Nothing [Mixtape]

2010-08-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

For once, Wale has released a mixtape when he said it'd be released. Grant it, a few server issues and a thirty minute delay, we are graced with one of the most annticipated releases of 2010. Wale gives us the second dose of the Seinfeld love with More About Nothing. If you were a fan of The Mixtape About Nothing, then you're going to appreciate this one just as much. The tape features Wiz Khalfia, Roscoe Dash, Tre from UCB and others.

All I'm going to say is it's great that Wale proved he doesn't need 40 guests on a mixtape. The go-goer throws us his best pitch right here. Download link below.

Download: Wale - More About Nothing [Mediafire]

Download: Astronautalis & DJ Fishr Pryce - DANCEHALLHORNSOUND!!!!!

2010-08-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

I remember hearing about this guy a while back. It might have been in 2008 or earlier. His name is Astronautalis. He's signed to one of my friends label, Eyeball Records. When Marc first signed Astronautalis, I was kind of saying to myself, "What the $*#(". The label is a predominately indie based label signing some white rapper out in the northwest. Well, the signing finally makes sense.

This mixtape was released earlier this year, I think around March. Astronautalis teams up with DJ Fishr Pryce and gives us, DANCEHALLHORNSOUND!!!!! It's about two miles better than Sam Adams and a huge step above Asher Roth. The tape features P.O.S and Tegan and Sara. The artwork is kind of disgusting, but I'm not part of the marketing campaign. Download link below.

Track list:

1. Do You Believe in Life After Thugs?
2. The Secrets of the Undersea Bell
3. Trouble Hunters
4. Avalanche Patrol
5. Run! (feat. Nobs)
6. The Case of William Smith
7. Mr. Blessington's Imperialist Plot
8. Voicemail Freestyle: P.O.S & Jake
9. Seaweed Sheets
10. Learn to Listen (feat. Andrre & Pierre the Motionless)
11. turns out...this wasn't Gomez' number?
12. Voicemail Freestyle: Tegan & Sara
13. Down and Out in the Bold New City of the South
14. Voicemail Freestyle: Mike Wiebe

Astronautalis & DJ Fishr Pryce - DANCEHALLHORNSOUND!!!!! [Mediafire]

Indie Roundup: What I've Been Listening To (7/30/10)

2010-07-30T06:42:00.000-07:00

I told myself when I re-opened this blog that I wasn't going to let the Indie aspect of my life die. Well, it hasn't at all. The past weeks we've seen some interesting albums dropping from the hipster living. Here are two albums I highly suggest download/buying as they are currently some of my favorite rights now.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Let It Sway

The Missouri boys are back. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin releases Let It Sway, courtesy of Polyvinyl Records. The album has a lot of songs (I'm too tired to count them right now). Notable tracks that stick out: Banned (By The Man), Back In The Saddle and All Hail Dracula! It's a lot different from SSLYBY previous releases (Pershing & Broom). It kind of sounds like Fountain of Waynes on LSD. That's fine in my books.

Rating: 78%

When I first heard the Ra Ra Riot album, I was pretty tired and drunk. I decided to click on a random song. 'Shadowcasting' was the song and what a fucking jam that song is. I haven't The Orchard much of a listen, but I can already tell it's not going to be as strong as The Rhumb Line.

Rating: 74%

Download: Freddie Gibbs - Str8 Killa No FIlla (Mixtape)

2010-07-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

I cannot remember a time I anticipated a record/mixtape as much as I did with Freddie Gibbs Str8 Killa No Filla. The mixtape features Jay Rock, Pill, Bun B and others. I'm gonna stop talking from here because there's going to be a review soon. Download link below.

Download: XXL

New Writings @ The Hood Nerd

2010-07-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

I've found a space where I can be comfortable. I'm co-writing for the webzine called The Hood Nerd. I believe in what Jay is doing and hopefully I can lend some ideas to him. We posted my first review, which is Curren$y's Pilot Talk. Check it out here!

Video: Freddie Gibbs - National Anthem (Fuck The World)

2010-07-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

My most anticipated mixtape this year. Freddie Gibbs debuts his video for "National Anthem (Fuck The World)". He's dropping a new mixtape Thursday, entitled Str8 Killa No Filla and following that up with his EP, Str8 Killa.

Review: Curren$y - Pilot Talk

2010-07-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

Curren$y - Pilot Talk

Evolution has occurred since the early days of Earth. From monkeys to humans (though that is disputed), to pre-historic dinosaurs to lizards today, evolution is all around us. But for some reason, none of this intrigues me. The evolution of southern bad ass Curren$y is more appealing. While holding the title of “Spitta”, Curren$y has taken his rapping career into a different relm of ‘respect’. First he was covered by the shadows of Young Money Entertainment, now he’s finally able to shine with his Roc-A-Fella swagger and he’s debut album to the mainstream, Pilot Talk.

For one, I’m not a huge fan of seeing a lot of guest appearances on an album. However, Pilot Talk is an exception. Curren$y features the likes of Snoop Dog, Mos Def, Jay Electronica and more. With each artist representing a different side of Hip-Hop, the album really takes its own and shows where Hip-Hop/Rap should be going. And you can’t forget the production of Ski Beatz, who everyone is a fan of.

Curren$y displays different sides of his rapping abilities. Take for instance track number two, “Audio Dope II”. Spitta accompanies the elevator themed instrumental with some of that southern bad ass I was talking about. The combination of the Curren$y’s smooth, calm flow with the addition of the rasta background demonstrates his true ability as a performer. He flows that up with “King Kong”, the original single for Pilot Talk. Here, Curren$y discusses how he’s higher up in the world than King Kong...or any person for that matter. The club banger even has some lyrics for your brain to ponder. "On the ground I am like a quarterback attackin defensive line men homie who gon block em."

What Curren$y lacks in his previous works is difference int he meaning of songs. You have him and Wiz Khalfia rap about weed for a whole mixtape and it seems that is all they want to do. Do we have a problem with that? Not when the tracks are great. For instance, “The Hangover”, which features Mickey Rocks. Depending on what kind of Hip-Hop your ear likes, the is one for the record books. If there is a sound I can see Curren$y being comfortable with, it’s defiantly the laid back, burn an l sound that is illustrated throughout this track. The story behind this track is pretty much about partying and living life on the edge, which Curren$y does everyday.

We cannot forget about the other standout track off the record. “The Day”, which features Mos Def and Jay Electronica, is something for fans to get amped for. Center Edge Territory, which is the group name of the three, have five more songs that are awaiting the opportunity to our ears. Curren$y wisely invites New Orleans native Jay Elec to jump on this track and as expect, Jay Electronica steals the show on the track. While Jay Electronica has stayed quiet this year thus far, he delivers some of the most power fullest bars we’ve heard this year. “I pray my heart is DMC and Reverend Run enough / 'Cause I’ma throw my number up / I’ma throw some chicken bones and feathers on a hundred bucks / And summon up the thunder what / The voodoo man is coming, bruh / You can’t see the forest for trees / It's okay, I got my jigsaw and my lumber truck / Tell them boys that their run is up.”

Pilot Talk is concluded with two previously released tracks, “Address” and “Life Under The Scope”. Stalley lends a few bars in “Address” and with the addition of Ski Beatz on the track, it’s a track to be talked about...or at least played twice. And how about ending a great album with yet another laid back track with “Life Under The Scope”, where Spitta discusses how the life of the famous really is.

Evolution is something that will always be argued about. However, the evolution of Curren$y from being an unappreciated pothead to on top of every major blog is something that most won’t mind. Pilot Talk is a great example of how patience is always worth it in the long run. Whether your a fan of Curren$y’s weed tunes (Breakfast, Chilled Coughee, The Hangover) or the new outlook on life (The Day, King Kong), he brings something for every Hip Hop fan to listen to. After all, we still talk about monkeys turning into humans, right?

Rating: 84%

Download: Lupe Fiasco - BMF (Building Minds Faster) Freestyle

2010-07-26T19:57:00.001-07:00

As it seems that the whole internet has petitioned for Lasers to be released, Lupe Fiasco has decided to drop a new freestyle over Rick Ross's track, "BMF (Building Minds Faster!)". Personally, I feel that I could have done a better job because it's really not that good. Still worth a listen or two. Download link below!

Lupe Fiasco - BMF (Building Minds Faster!) Freestyle [Mediafire]

Lyrical Chatter: Limbeck - Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It

2010-07-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

The funny thing about music is it's like the internet. Whatever you make never goes away. This week's Lyrical Chatter column features the band Limbeck. Their one of those bands that never really gets the appreciation that they deserve. We will be listening to the previously un-released track, 'Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It'.

The title of the track is a story of itself, until you listen to the lyrics in dept. The track was originally released on the Doghouse 100 compilation, then re-recorded for their latest effort, The Delicacy of Living Modestly.

---------------------------------------------------------------

leaving now and it's so nice out i think that i could blind myself watching the sun go down play the radio loud i don't want to go but i gotta go now six hours to go until i show up back home i pull up to some kind payphone to hear the sweetest noise come out i played the radio loud i don't want to go but i gotta go now i heard the sweetest noise come out from the payphone i wanna turn around don't let time take the thrill while i'm away cause if you let it take the thrill this whole thing's a waste i played the radio loud i didn't want to go but to turn around i heard the sweetest noise come out from the payphone but it's such a joke now i didn't want to go home but i like my home now

---------------------------------------------------------------

Vocalist Robb McClean tells his story about going back and forth between a girl. He doesn't know if he should leave because he's obviously spent a significant amount of his life with her. He talks about how the partner shouldn't let time take the thrill because it will all go wrong. The thrill in this case is love and how she should just move on just like he did. At the end of the track, McClean states, "I didn't want to go home/but i like my home now" describing how he's content with how he's living now without her.

Limbeck - Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It [MultiUpload]

Review: Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler's Day Off

2010-07-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler’s Day Off

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off meet Bewler’s Day Off. The name’s are similar, but that’s where it ends. Meet Rugz D. Bewler, New York based Rapper. Coming up through the NYC, you have to make a name for yourself. Pretty much, if you’re beats and rhymes sound the same as some else, then you’re going to be in the shadow. So how does one get noticed? Ask Rugz D. Bewler.

With the releasing of the mixtape, Bewler’s Day Off, we are graced with groovy disco dance beats (“Don’t Dance”), doing exactly what we thought: partying. We even have some romance throughout the mixtape (“Love” & “Sexy Time”). But every recording artist needs a song freestyle over a british cutie. Bewler does just that with his freestyle over Lily Allen’s “Oh My God”. While the song is mainly dominated by Allen, Bewler donates a few bars for our listening pleasure. Rugz doesn’t stop there.

The tool he uses on this record that other artists don’t do is: showing different emotions in different songs. Sure, you can have concept mixtapes (aka: stories) or just similar sounding mixtapes (aka: Jay Rock, Drake, etc…). Rugz D. Bewler delivers with the help of Skotch Davis and former basketball great Stalley (“Bend Her Over [Life’s A Bitch]”). Throughout the song, you hear the chorus, “Life’s a bitch and I’m gonna bend her over.” The line might not mean much, but it shows the extended emotions used to complete Bewler’s Day Off.

I could go on more about the mixtape, but why be the spoiler? Bewler’s Day Off is something to listen to the next time you’re looking for something new and different. As my ears listened, my heart loved. Download Rugz D. Bewler’s “Bewler’s Day Off”.

Rating: 8.0

Worth Listening: “Cobra Kai”, “Oh My God”, “Love”

Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler's Day Off [DatPiff]

Download: YC The Cynic - Summertime

2010-07-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing I love more than seeing up and coming NYC MC's making it in the music world. YC The Cynic released a mixtape earlier this year entitled You're Welcome and is set to release his second of the year, The Spectacle. Here is the first leak from The Spectacle entitled 'Summertime High'. Easily one of my favorite songs of the summer so far.

YC The Cynic - Summertime High [Bandcamp]

Look What I Found: Brandon Clark & The American Standard

2010-07-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we listen to music. Other times we dream about music. But mostly, music is always with us. Whether it be a random sounds you hear out in the world or one of those annoying vuvuzela's. It's sounds and music. It runs through our soullllllssssss. Enough of the touching introduction, my real reason to writing to you today is about Brandon Clark & The American Standard. When I listen to music, I try to stray away from what I normally listen to.

First it was Pop-Punk, then it was Indie, a little Country and now HipHop/Rap. I tend to listen to all the genres still, however more so with Indie and Hip Hip. Brandon Clark and crew have given us their small rendition of songs, entitled Honestly. The album gives you many different shades. Shades that we all should start listening up for. Whether it's the catchy opener 'Anchor' or the slow moving/Billy Currington sounding 'Restless', this EP has a lot to offer. I highly suggest checking out this guys release as he is signed to P Is For Panda, who was previously one of the original founders of The Militia Group. Don't be surprised to see Brandon Clark's name on the Billboard Hot 100 soon.

Brandon Clark & The American Standard - Anchor [Mediafire]

Stream Honestly [Bandcamp]

2010 The Open Championship @ St. Andrews Links

2010-07-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

I'm the occasional golf fan. I'll watch all the majors as much as I can. We were greeted with a treat today by a 21 year old named Rory McIlroy, tying the course record with a 63, where he currently stands in the lead with a -9 after day one. My personal favorite, Lucas Glover is four shots back shooting a 68 along with Tiger Woods and other Americans. I'm going to start incorporating sports into this blog as I'm an avid sports fan.

In other sports news, the New York Mets play tonight against the San Francisco Giants. This days marks the return of outfielder Carlos Beltran and the benching of the frenchy. Notes from the game later tonight.

Download: Black Lips / Pierced Arrows - Scion A/V Garage

2010-07-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

One of my friends in the industry sent me this a while ago and I passed up on it. He sent me it again today and I decided to give it a listen. It's a duel release from the Black Lips and Pierced Arrows. Two tracks or pure rawness. Not really my cup of tea, but some of you will enjoy this. Download link below.

Black Lips / Pierced Arrows - Scion A/V Garage [Mediafire]

Download: Ab-Soul - LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous

2010-07-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

When it comes to HipHop and Rap, I'm down to listen to anything really. I'll give it a try. If it's good, I'll write about it. If it's weak, I'll just throw it in the trash bin. This guy Ab-Soul just released his latest mixtape, LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous. I mean, is it Album Of The Year material? No. Is it worth a listen? Sure.

Be sure to listen to the track 'Turn Me Up', which features Kendrick Lamar (Who I've never enjoyed prior to this song). Download link below.

Ab-Soul - LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous [Usershare]