Features
16
Jun
2012
Reviews
Typically, when I write reviews I let the music stand for itself. I don’t read the booklets included with the music until I start writing and need to reference who produced the track, played on the track, etc. However, when I started listening to Satellite Kite, the first album by Beautiful Eulogy, I was struck with an overwhelming urge to take a look at the digital booklet included. Boy, am I glad I did. Not only are the lyrics for all the songs included in the liner notes, but there’s a brief paragraph written about each song’s origin, composition or meaning. I love getting glimpses, no matter how brief, into the creative processes that different artists go through, and the insights given in the notes allowed me to have an even better understanding of the heart that went into the making of this album.
Talk About It
09
Jun
2012
Interviews
Lecrae Moore wants to make two things clear: He’s a man of God. And he's hip-hop. “If I was a plumber, I wouldn’t say, ‘I’m a Christian plumber,’” said the Houston-born rapper during a recent stop by the Complex offices. “I’m going to say I’m a hip-hop artist. You're going be able to tell the filter that my
Talk About It
05
Jun
2012
05
Jun
2012
Interviews
Lecrae stopped by the XXL offices recently, where he spoke on his Church Clothes mixtape, his tattoos, his thoughts on Jesus pieces and plenty more…
Talk About It
01
Jun
2012
Interviews
In the last year, Lecrae has steadily become more of a household name in hip-hop circles. Thanks to work with Statik Selektah, shout outs from artists like Kendrick Lamar, and, more recently, his Don Cannon-hosted Church Clothes mixtape—which features No Malice as well as production from 9th Wonder and Boi-1da—Lecrae has been
Talk About It
01
Jun
2012
29
May
2012
Interviews
29
May
2012
Interviews
In March, Malice announced that he was changing his name to No Malice. It was another step in the transformation that the Clipse member had been going through. As his brother and groupmate Pusha T built a solo career following the duo’s last project, late 2009′s Till The Casket Drops, No Malice has experienced a religious awakening, released a
Talk About It
28
May
2012
Reviews
Trip Lee and Reach Records deliver his most anticipated album: The Good Life. In early 2011 Trip relocated to Washington, DC. During that stretch of musical silence, Trip Lee was participating in a pastoral internship. Upon hearing the news, I wondered how his new album would sound. With his previous offering, Between Two Worlds, Trip diversified his production and content. The Good Life takes us further in the life of Trip Lee.
Talk About It
26
May
2012
Story
It's time for you to stop rapping.
Let that settle in for a second.
For some of you reading this article that was the most liberating thing you've heard in weeks. But it's time. There are a myriad of reasons that explain why it's time for you to stop rapping but right now you just need to embrace the joyous, liberating reality of your musical retirement.
For some, you need to hear the reality of something you know deep down is true but no one around you has the guts to tell you: you're just not that good. And I'm not talking to people just starting out and trying to sharpen your craft. You're off the hook here. I'm talking to you Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. 3 to 4 albums strong and all just aren't that good. No one is saying you're a bad person, but plenty of people are saying behind your back what you need to hear to your face - you're not a good rapper and you haven't been one for a while now. Deep down, you know it’s true but pride won't let you accept it. Well allow me to be the voice of reason, conscious and honesty - you're not that good and it's time for you to stop rapping. I'm not being mean but, for once someone is telling you the honest truth you've been waiting to hear and it’s time to hang up the pen, blackberry, iPad "Notes" app or whatever you use to write rhymes with. But hang on with me, I'll go deeper with you in a minute.
Talk About It
24
May
2012
Story
We keep hearing from web/tech gurus about how empowered artists are in the internet age, but yet, the numbers just don’t add up. It’s also ironic that tech bloggers like to promote the idea of “touring and t-shirts” as a solution to the
Talk About It
