Once upon a time in a universe far, far away, HipHopDX used to host blogs. Through Meka, Brillyance, Aliya Ewing and others, readers got unfiltered opinions on the most current topics in and beyond Hip Hop. After a few years, a couple redesigns and the collective vision of three different Editors-In-Chief, blogs are back. Sort of. Since our blog section went the way of two-way pagers and physical mixtapes, Twitter, Instagram and Ustream have further accelerated the pace of current events in Hip Hop. Rappers beef with each other 140 characters at a time, entire mixtapes (and their associated artwork) can be released via Instagram, and sometimes these events require a rapid reaction.
As such, we’re reserving this space for a weekly reaction to Hip Hop’s current events. Or whatever else we deem worthy. And the “we” in question is myself, Andre Grant and Ural Garrett. Collectively we serve as HipHopDX’s Features Staff. Aside from tackling stray topics, we may invite artists and other personalities in Hip Hop to join the conversation. Without further delay, here’s this week’s “Stray Shots.
We Want “Untitled” To Be Slightly Experimental
Andre: His second official record has the makings of a classic but it is not without its detractors. “i” has warmed to people after some time and a few Grammys but it’s still a fairly controversial record. The “Untitled” joint performed on Colbert Report was also not universally received. For me, I want him to continue down this road of experimentation while still blessing us with classics like “The Blacker The Berry.” For this thing to be amazing I think he has to be super nuanced about the being black records, and continue on his creative trajectory.
We Want It To Be A Really “West Coast” Album
Ural: Kendrick is most definitely on some experimental shit and creative progression is always welcomed. However, what made Good Kid m.A.A.d City so dope was how West Coast of an album it felt. One of the best surprises of Good Kid m.A.A.D. city was the guest appearance of Mc Eiht. Having Compton’s Most Wanted’s fearless leader hop on the “m.A.A.d city” was the ultimate West Coast bridging of the gap moment for me. Would love to see Kendrick collaborate with another underrated West Coast vets like Goldie Loc or even AMG(r.i.p. The Fixxers)
Andre: Word up to that. Strangely, a lot of people on the West Coast I’ve spoken to said that the album wasn’t West Coast enough. They looked at an album like YG’s My Krazy Life with the majority one producer production and the hood missives on jackin’ people’s cribs and they could relate. There was an album that stood directly in line with the Death Row albums of the 90s. But there’s precedence for Kendrick’s kind of in-and-out street tales as well. And I’m hoping Kendrck chooses to create cohesiveness through the music as much as narrative as well. Say… three producers tops! Which leads me to our next topic. Will Dr. Dre feature heavily on the album?
We Want Dr. Dre Heavily Involved With The Album
Ural: That’s an excellent question Mr. Grant! I wouldn’t be surprised if Dr. Dre is doing the same executive production stuff he’s been relying on for the past several years because clearly no one is checking for his solo production work in terms of beats. With that in mind, I believe that Aftermath shine and quality approval process will be in full effect. Everything about Kendrick’s sophomore follow-up is being meticulously planned and Dre is probably at the center giving out directions left and right.
Andre: I definitely don’t agree that no one is checking for Dre’s beats! And I’m fully looking forward to seeing if the master producer got to blessing Kendrick with a few gems. I mean, how better to continue the legacy of the West Coast sound than by having production by one Dr. Dre? it would also add a spiritual element to the proceeding and officially crown Kendrick as the second coming of whoever and the first coming of Kendrick Lamar.
We Want This To Be Kendrick Lamar’s Coronation & Another Solo Journey
Andre: That’s another thing, though. I don’t want K. Dot to go into this focusing on the sophomore jinx or whatever. I hope he’s looking at this as a coronation. Which reminds me. As much as I thoroughly love every member of TDE, I think this one needs to be another fairly solo journey if the impact of this album is to be truly felt.
Ural: Absolutely, here’s hoping he can get a feature that’s out of this fucking world or handle the load himself. One of the more interesting things about Good Kid m.A.A.d city is that only other TDE artist featured on the album was Jay Rock. Considering Ab-Soul‘s loose cannon antics recently, Schoolboy Q‘s slow rise and SZA’s evolving songwriting ability, there are some interesting moments that could happen. Hell, Isaiah Rashad has been as silent as Kendrick recently as well and many have been wanting to see those two for a minute now.
We Wouldn’t Mind A Complete Break From “GKMC”
Andre: That’s right! Ain’t no party like a TDE party. Which leads me to my next point. I don’t want this album to necessarily to be a pure continuation of the previous record. GKMC dropped almost two and a half years ago. No one can go that long between albums anymore, except Kendrick. And with so much time passing between records, I just don’t think the story he put forth on the first one is what I’m looking out for. After “I’m Real” and his mom is like, “You know where I leave the key.” That’s where that story sort of ended for me. Are you looking for that story to continue?
Ural: After Francis Ford Coppola made The Godfather nearly fifty years ago, many were clamoring for a quick sequel to be released within the next couple of years. Instead, he made the absolutely amazing Gene Hackman vehicle The Conversation. Of course, he’d return several years later to the Corleone family and made arguably a better film than the first. At this point, if Kendrick wants to make a Godfather II, awesome!! If not, The Conversation wasn’t what people wanted initially at fist but it still stands as one of the best psychological thrillers of the era. Would I like to see another day in the life of K.Dot? Sure but, if he’s on some other shit and it sounds dope, I’m all for it.
Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant that has contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Features Editor for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.
Ural Garrett is an Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.
this was a horrible article. nobody cares about none of this shit
Ah, yes, and yet here we are.
^ Lmfao beautiful response
seriously nobody cares i just clicked cuz i seen kendrick name but yall niggas dumb for this one
when will all yall sites understand, THE ALBUMS NOT CALLED UNTITLED, HE JUST NOT TELLING US THE NAME TIL IT COMES OUT
We caught that, but we just couldn’t leave spaces or make up something, right? That would be indecent.
name of the album would be [Untitled], not just that means untitled
Fuck off with your bs album kendrick .. pushin it to bronsons date to try steal his shine cause you nervous … mad bitch move! Was going to buy both albums but now its only going to be bronson and i will pirate yours! MR WONDERFUL!!!!
Ouch. We don’t think it was intentional.
of all of the underrated West MC’s you can choose from, y’all say Goldie Loc and AMG???? Stop it. There are much better options like Kam, W.C, Bad Azz, B-Real, Kurupt, Murs, Ras Kass, Rappin’ 4-Tay, etc.
K.Dot just needs to keep doing what he has been doing.
This article is such shit. Who fucking cares what YOU want? Let Kendrick do whatever he feels like doing. It’s his album, not yours. You’re not the creative genius here.
“Blogs are back everyone!” Fuck outta here.
HHDX is shit now.
^^^^ my nigga
who gives a fuck what YOU want! You get what you get. Accept his art, you greedy mfuckas!
Kendrick needs to do a joint with Punch. Lyrically, Punch may be the best spitter in TDE besides Kendrick and Punch has nice production skills as well. People are sleeping on Punch, you only need to listen to Punch’s Prelude to know he has lyrics and production, I see him more in the vein of Pete Rock and Havoc, but actually better than them lyrically. If Kendrick is going to put anyone from TDE on a track Punch should be on there.
Nas & R/ Kelly beat you to it bruh
Aside from Dr Dre production, id like to listen to kendrick spit over some DJ Quik beats.
To me, Section .80 was his first album, regardless if it was on a major label or not.
So he’s got two albums out, and both can certainly be argued as ‘classics’.
GKMC was his sophomore album, so he’s proven that no jinx is involved. I trust dude knows what he’s doing, so I’ll patiently wait to see what he produces next without going into it with “I want it to be this way…” attitude.
I just came here to say fuck kendrick no one cares about him anymore hes shits weak nd hes come back has no hype.#FWA