Week 7.2 – February 27, 2017
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Week 7.2 – February 27, 2017

DJs Deej and Winks were in the studio last night after a relaxing Reading Week. Winks and Nix will be hosting next week, while Deej is at the Matthew Good concert. He is playing at Maxwell’s Concerts & Events, and she will be writing a review.

The Oscars, Steve Harvey Style: Although moreso the fault of the Oscar staff rather than that of Jimmy Kimmel, the wrong film was named as Best Picture for the first time in the history of the awards. After Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight, he was able to go back on stage for this award, which was originally awarded to La La Land.

Future: Not one, but two, but perhaps a third Future album is coming. HNDRXX is said to be the favoured of the two newest releases. Winks mused about the possibility of HNDRXX squandering the success of Future, but Deej believes that are enjoyed for different reasons, and all different levels of Future fandom. With the upcoming Nobody Safe tour, featuring Migos, both agree that providing fans with such a wealth of new music was a smart move.

NAV: After dropping “Myself,” as a single, NAV has released his debut album. Both Deej and Winks are happy about the album, pleasantly surprised at the release.

Drake & the More Life Playlist: Winks is especially anticipating the More Life playlist, which some media has alluded to a release this upcoming weekend. There are already quite a few tracks floating around, so at this point, it only makes sense to release the rest of the list… right? Fingers crossed!

Get Out: Advertised as “100% on Rotten Tomatoes,” there is a lot of curiosity and controversy surrounding this film. Neither of the DJs have seen this film, and Deej is especially skeptical because of its primary classification as a horror film.

Festival Season: It is fast approaching. Winks is thinking that this is the summer to attend his first festival. He is curious about the line-ups for both Osheaga and Ever After in Kitchener-Waterloo. Deej did WayHome in 2015, and OVO in 2016. Nix has done Boots and Hearts, and is considering WayHome. Updates to come!

Radio Laurier’s “Hip-Hop Hangout”: Monday, March 13 marks the return of the Hip-Hop Hangout. It will be held at the Pub on King in Uptown Waterloo. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/418583488489677/?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A%22[%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22page%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22page_upcoming_events_card%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A[]%7D]%22%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D

This week’s track list is as follows:

  1. “Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers ft. Coldplay
  2. “Slide” – Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean & Migos
  3. “iSpy” – Lil’ Yachty ft. KYLE
  4. “Coming Out Strong” – Future ft. The Weeknd
  5. “Selfish” – Future ft. Rihanna
  6. “Some Way” – NAV ft. The Weeknd
  7. “Shape of You (Major Lazer Remix)” – Major Lazer, Kranium, N’yla
  8. “T-Shirt” – Migos
  9. “Stay” – Alessia Cara & Zedd
  10. “Myself” – NAV

Mondays from 10-11 p.m. Tune in, and turn up.

The Rap Up: Episode No. 16
The RapUp/The RapUp
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The Rap Up: Episode No. 16

“They say you gotta sell it to snatch the Grammy”

Well Chance, you proved them wrong. In case you missed this years Grammy celebrations, The Rap Up has you covered. Perhaps the biggest story of the night for the Hip-Hop community is that Chance the Rapper took home a total of three Grammy’s for “Best New Artist”, “Best Rap Album”, and “Best Rap Performance”. After a tumultuous year leading up to the event, with regards to major artists avoiding the ceremonies altogether, its clear the right decision was made. Additionally, even though Beyonce did not win “Album of The Year”, her incredible performance (while pregnant with twins we might add), and relationship with Adele stole the show. In fact, Adele broke her Grammy in half on stage so that she could share it with Beyonce, who she felt deserved the award just as much.

 

Big Sean drops “I Decided”

Big Sean came through last Thursday with the release of his newest studio album, I Decided. The project is laced with 14 tracks, and has features from Eminem, Jhene Aiko, The Dream, and Migos. Understandably, a lot of people have been debating the quality of Eminem’s feature, however we’ll let you be the judge of that. However, it is important to note that this is the first track Big Sean and Eminem have shared exclusively. Its also significant due to the fact both are at the moment Detroit’s most dangerous emcee’s. Overall the album seem’s to be well received by fans and even became America’s #1 album on Billboard this week.

(Written by TJ Mroz)

 

Songs Played This Week:

Outlet – Desiigner

Yeah Yeah – Travis Ft. Young Thug

I’m Better – Missy Elliot Ft. Lamb

BagBak – Vince Staples

No Favors – Big Sean Ft. Eminem

Moves – Big Sean

Slippery – Migos Ft. Gucci Mane

What The Price – Migos

Run Up – Major Lazer Ft. PND & Nicki Minaj

Drew Barrymore – SZA

Proud Family – Tory Lanez

The Zeitgeist of Hip-Hop: Migos’ Culture
Album Reviews
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The Zeitgeist of Hip-Hop: Migos’ Culture

Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, set social media ablaze with all things Migos on January 8th when he shouted out the Atlanta hip-hop trio and their single “Bad and Boujee” during his first Golden Globes acceptance speech. The big ups to Migos increased Spotify streams of the single by a staggering 243 percent and it didn’t stop there—Glover confirmed an upcoming collaboration with the group and proclaimed Migos “the Beatles of this generation.” Currently, “Bad and Boujee” is the number one song on the Billboard 100.

Migos, no strangers to the charts, have ruled the past few years with singles such as “Versace” with a feature by Drake, “Look at my Dab,” and “Fight Night,” but would the string of successes continue for the trap trio upon the release of their latest musical effort?

With much hype and anticipation, Migos released their sophomore full-length album, Culture, on January 27th with features from heavy-hitters like Gucci Mane, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert and 2 Chainz. Upon listening to the album through, I could not help but notice the vocal seamlessness of Qauvo, Offset, and Takeoff—a melodic and literal representation of their growth since their 2013 mixtape, Y.R.N. (Young Rich N****s). Migos’ growth spurt did not leave their signature catchy hooks and undeniable chemistry in the dust, but played on these strengths and set the bar for the future of hip-hop.

Most of the 13 songs on the album feature a heavy bass line without sounding indistinguishable from one another as unique songs. Being said, Migos has gone from mastering the art of the single to mastering the art of the album.

The Migos, without hesitation, have launched beyond notoriety into superstar status.

 

If you’re bad and boujee, you will (probably) like these tracks from Culture:

  • “Get Right Witcha”
  • “Slippery (feat. Gucci Mane)”
  • “Deadz (feat. 2 Chainz)”
  • “Out Yo Way”
The Rap Up: Episode No. 14
The RapUp/The RapUp
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The Rap Up: Episode No. 14

More Life

Drake has been teasing fans for several months now about his upcoming project More Life. Recently during a tour stop in Amsterdam, Drake told fans who were in attendance that they should indeed attend his next show on February 26th, which will be entirely different as More Life will be out by then. While there isn’t a set release date for the project, we can assume it will arrive sometime between now and February 26th. The project will also be released as an Apple Music playlist, which is an odd move but could give insight into what the project may entail. There have been rumors that the project is supposed to be a compliation album which leads us to believe the project/playlist may feature other artists than just Drake. Perhaps a few OVO tracks, a few from Skepta, 21 Savage and of course some new material from Drake. Whatever the case may be, we’re ready.

Migos Szn
Atlantas trio has had a heck of a month. With only 31 days into the new year, rap group The Migos have been the centre of attention. With their new album Culture just dropping the group is blowing up. Quavo, Offset and Takeoff just released their album which features Gucci Mane, Travis Scott DJ Khaled and 2 Chainz. The group first got the biggest co sign of their careers when Donald Glover got on stage to accept his award for the show “Atlanta” and shouted Migos out by saying their hit song that went platinum “Bad and Boujee” is the song of the year. After that their numbers just sky rocketed. There is a petition being passed around saying that Migos should replace Lady Gaga to perform at the half time show at the Super Bowl this upcoming Sunday. The trio then did a mini interview where they said since the best team in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons are in the Super Bowl the Best trio in Atlanta deserve to perform. I don’t know about you guys, but I defiantly would sign that petition.

(Written by TJ Mroz & Yafet Berhane)

 

Songs Played This Week:

Bad & Boujie – Migos

Get Right Witcha – Migos

Tempted – Jazz Cartier

Run Up – Major Lazer Ft. PND & Nicki Minaj

Change – J. Cole

High For Hours – J. Cole

Return of the Cool – Nick Grant Ft. B.Hess

Bouncin – Nick Grant

Week 5.2 – February 6, 2017
Shows/After Class
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Week 5.2 – February 6, 2017

Deej and Nix were in the studio this week, doing throwbacks galore; playing of their favourite songs and reminiscing on some of their favourite pastimes.

First of all, Much Video Dances. Between the ages of 11 and 14, they were all the rage. You didn’t want to be without a ticket for Friday night. The closest that we can get to that type of nostalgia is at Phil’s on Sundays. There is an abundance of old school tracks, paired with the cheesy music videos that we came to love.

The bands: All Time Low, Cute Is What We Aim For, and My Chemical Romance were among the many “emo bands” that defined our generation. Although we still loved and appreciated Hip-Hop and R&B, the pop music that catered to kids also had a soft spot in our heart. We remember when punk princess Avril Lavigne debuted her debut album, Let Go, when she was 0nly sixteen; it became the dream of every Canadian girl. Only seven years separates us and Lavigne, and this was before the days of YouTube. Why can’t we find fame, too?

Lyrics of Lavigne and countless others permeated the personal message section of MSN Messenger. It seemed like every kid has an MSN account, but it died out very quickly in comparison to other social media conglomerates like Facebook. Surprising, considering the influence that the emoticons had on our current Smartphone options. Maybe it’s not dead then?  Facebook, launched in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, has grown and changed so much, and continues to gain popularity each and every day. Instagram was recently bought by the Facebook founder, making him the patriarch of social media.

Before they were banned in school, Beyblades were a popular toy on the playground. In addition, Heelies (which were also banned), trading cards, Tamagotchis, and Krazy Bones were only a few of the fads that came and went throughout our childhoods.

What are some of your memories? Tweet us at @RLAfterClass.

This week’s track list is as follows:

  1. “Sugar, We’re Going Down” – Fall Out Boy
  2. “Misery Business” – Paramore
  3. “I Miss You” – blink-182
  4. “Addicted” – Simple Plan
  5. “Check yes, Juliet” – We the Kings
  6. “Dear Maria, Count Me In” – All Time Low
  7. “Happy” – Nevershoutnever
  8. “Sk8r Boi” – Avril Lavigne
  9. “Window Shopper” – 50 Cent

Read DJ Nix’s review of Culture by Migos here: https://radiolaurier.com/album-reviews/the-zeitgeist-of-hip-hop-migos-culture/

Mondays from 10-11 p.m. Tune in, and turn up.

 

Week 1.2: January 9, 2017
Shows/After Class
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Week 1.2: January 9, 2017

DJs Deej, Nix, and Winks would like to welcome everyone to 2017. The trio had a few weeks to rest and recupe for the new term, and had a lot to talk about as a result.

Movie Reviews:

  1. Passengers (DJ Nix) – cool concept, but too much focus on a romance (6.5/10).
  2. Rogue One (DJ Winks and DJ Deej) – excellent CGI and testaments to the original (7.5/10).
  3. Why Him (DJ Nix) – easy watch utrageous humour but done right for the length (7/10).
  4. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (DJ Deej) – good CGI and references to the world of Harry Potter, but the film was too overloaded with snippets of plot for what is expected to be a five film franchise (7/10).

Music: None of the hosts watched The Golden Globes, but the highlights were certainly there. Specifically, the fact that Childish Gambino thanked Migos for making “Bad and Boujee.” His hit show Atlanta took home an award, but the speech is the talk of the town. Since being made, the hit track has had an increase of stream volume of 234%. That’s the power of word of mouth.

 

Night Life: The owner of popular the Uptown Waterloo spots Night School / Stark and Perri just launched his newest venture on the 3rd of January, called “Becky’s Apartment.” It promises a youthful yet homey atmosphere. The DJs plan to check it out together after next week’s show; stay tuned for reviews!

This week’s track list is as follows:

  1. “Random” – G-Eazy
  2. “Controlla” – Drake
  3. “Wild Child” – Lupe Fiasco ft. Jake Torrey
  4. “On Top” – Flume ft. T-Shirt
  5. “Moves” – Big Sean
  6. “Stay Close” – Flume
  7. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
  8. “Castro” – Yo Gotti ft. Kanye West, Big Sean, Quavo, 2 Chainz
  9. “All In” – Kid Cudi
  10. “Multiply” – A$AP Rocky ft. Juicy J

Mondays from 10-11 p.m. Tune in, and turn up.