If you don’t get the above, then you clearly haven’t listened to Kanye’s new song ‘Saint Pablo,’ which might be making an appearance on his next album Turbo Grafx 16.
Ye has bars on this one. Well, he’s always had bars but I feel this song gives us that (I miss the) old Kanye.
And equally exciting, you can now stream The Life of Pablo on Apple Music! So much for Kanye tweeting that the album would never be on anything except Tidal. He’s dramatic. As am I, so I feel you. Anyways, listen to his newest song below. UPDATE: Joke is on me because it already got taken down. Regardless, be on the lookout for when it hits the interwebs again.
And tonight we were also gifted with the highly-anticipated and somewhat mysterious collaboration project between Big Sean and Jhene Aiko, TWENTY88.
I’m about to purchase it on iTunes and give it a listen. Or two.
So if you have Tidal, stream it here or support on iTunes like me! If you don’t have Tidal or don’t want to pay the $8.99, then you can wait because I’m sure it will be on Apple Music and probably Spotify in the very near future. But I’m impatient, so there’s that.
Okay, this is flames. I already love Tiller and Abel, so the fact they’re on a track together, especially ‘Rambo,’ which is one of my favorite songs from Young Tiller’s TRAPSOUL album. Epic.
Really hoping these two create a completely new track together.
I cannot believe I launched californyinz one year ago today! I can’t tell if it feels like I started this just yesterday or a really really long time ago. Regardless, I’m glad I did, and I truly thank yinz for your continued support and reading! It means so much to me when I get texts saying how much you enjoyed a post or when someone has Tweeted or re-tweeted one of my articles or pressed that ‘like’ button on Instagram and Facebook. It also happens to be #tbt, which is pretty perfect. My first post and notification I received below!
While I didn’t reach my 10,000 views goal by this one-year date, I am quite close to 9,000 and once I do hit 10K, the goal is to get 1,000 views per month. The majority of the content I post is what appeals to me, but if there’s anything you’d like me to touch on, please don’t ever hesitate to let me know. I can’t say I’ll write about it for sure, but if it’s something I am passionate about or have an opinion about (I have a lot of those), I’m more than happy to whip up an article. And yinz are my audience, soooo if that’s what will get you to read the blog, then send your ideas.
Starting this blog has allowed me to do some really cool things that I don’t think would have been possible without. From going to Wiz Khalifa’s recording studio (I promise that post is coming!) to his private album listening party to just connecting with dope people through the blog and on Twitter, I have loved every second of this.
And as of late, starting californyinz has opened doors to new writing opportunities. I’m a contributor for HipHopMindset, a hip-hop blog that has a heavy focus on hip-hop dancing, and even more exciting, I’m writing for the YesJulz Agency blog! My first post goes live tomorrow, and they have me on a regular posting schedule, so you can expect a new post each Friday. Super excited about this opportunity!
And in the past year, how much great new music have we received?! I mean really. The Life of Pablo, ANTI, Rodeo, Beauty Behind the Madness, What a Time to be Alive. And I don’t even have time to list the random remixes, singles, and club bangers that have dropped. Nothing makes me happier than listening to music and attending cool events and concerts and sharing it with yinz.
I would like to make some enhancements to this site – making it a bit more sophisticated and getting rid of the dang ‘wordpress.com’ in the URL.
So in this next year, I plan on:
Changing my website to californyinz.com
Featuring more up-and-coming artists
Attending more listening parties for that exclusive and behind-the-scenes content
Recording a reaction video to Views from the 6. I know I have some competition with that 14-year-old girl (also from Pittsburgh) whose Drake reaction vid went viral, but I got this.
And more! Even though I don’t really like saying ‘and more’ because it’s left open-ended and without specific things, I won’t do anything. But you get the idea.
So again, I truly thank you all for reading, sharing, and talking about my blog and posts. I look forward to sharing more with you!
And I definitely didn’t realize that today also happens to be Noah Shebib’s aka 40’s birthday. Who is 40? Well, he produces the majority of Drake’s music. Could I have picked a better launch date? Maybe Drake’s birthday. JK.
Yesterday RiRi teased us with a short clip of her ‘Kiss It Better’ video, but now it is finally here! Once again, she doesn’t disappoint, and I can add this to another reason of why I love her.
The super sexy black-and-white clip is quite seductive and shows the Barbadian queen’s confidence, which we all already know she has plenty of. This is def NSFW (not safe for work), so watch on your iPhone not on your desktop. I don’t want yinz getting in trouble.
Just when I think he can’t be anymore photogenic, the 6 God is back and this time on the cover of SLAM 198 magazine with two Toronto Raptors All-Stars. I don’t know if I’m more excited to look at the Toronto Rapper or the Toronto Raptors. JK. Drake always.
Executed by SLAM’s Senior Editor Adam Figman, he was casually at the Raptors’ new training facility along with photographer Atiba Jefferson. Kyle Lowry and DeMar Rozan, who are photographed in the cover as well, were also present. Cue Drake. From reading the article, it seems he appeared there as a surprise. Well thank the heavens because then this photo shoot came to life.
I did a little research on this magazine and they’ve been known as the ‘hip-hop basketball magazine’ but have yet to put a rapper on the cover. Well, until now that is. The 6 God blessed them with his presence and magic happened. What a time to be alive. And it makes sense in this particular scenario since Drizzy is the Raptors Global Ambassador.
Happy Monday, fam! I hope yinz had a wonderful and relaxing Easter. Mine was relaxing until dinner time. Let’s just say I rode the Struggle Bus to work today. But I made it. Anyway.
I’ve recently been ‘liking’ a lot of new songs on SoundCloud and re-posting as well. So if you want to know what I’m vibing out to on the reg, listen below! And while you’re at it, hit that follow button so you can stay up-to-date.
Really looking forward to the couch and my Drake coloring book tonight. Bless up.
Although it’s the Detroit rapper’s 28th birthday, he gave us a gift – a new song. I really think Big Sean is up there with Drake for me. He’s so talented, passionate about his music and fans, and easy on the eye.
Happy Wednesday! Hope yinz are having a great week.
Mine has been pretty chill except for last Friday, which was all the way turned up. As I mentioned in Thursday’s post, I was heading to Future’s Purple Reign Tour at the Hollywood Palladium. Let me detail the day’s events for you all.
Parker and Sydney met at Agatay around 1ish. We enjoyed some beverages, called the Uber, and an hour and fifteen minutes later, we arrived at Future’s pop-up shop on Fairfax. Before we went inside the store, we decided to get some food at this Italian spot right next door called Jon and Vinny’s. Wish I could tell you how the food was but we didn’t end up eating there. We never even placed our order. Once we sat down, I hopped onto Snapchat to see if Future had posted anything. Well, he did, and I’m glad I checked. His Snap read ‘Fairfax 410.’ Well guess where we were… Fairfax 412. (412 yinz yasss).
Eating at this point was not an option. Getting in line for his store was. We were in the front of the line with a couple of big security dudes in suits who advised us that once we got in the store, we were not to take any pictures or videos. Fair enough. We entered the store, and the three of us all purchased some Freebandz swag. Next thing I know, Sydney tells me to look up and freaking Future is there, all 6+ feet of him. He was wearing a pair of light denim jeans and a white hoodie. He was super chill – on his phone with two of his kids running around him. Talk about a meet and greet but sans meeting. Or really greeting. But you get it.
We then took an Uber to the Palladium where Parker got in line, which was already wrapped around the building at 5:45pm. Syd and I got some food, grabbed an order to-go for Parker and patiently waited until the doors opened. We were really close to the front – about four rows back. The crowd wasn’t too bad. LA’s own DJ Dre Sinatra had everyone hype with club bangers. There were two opening acts before Ty Dolla $ign. Not gonna lie, I don’t know their names. Moving on. Ty came out and crushed it. I really really love seeing him perform. He’s also super talented. The man can rap and sing. He loves the fans too. He actually stage dove into the crowd and lost a shoe! He proceeded to take off his other shoe and threw it towards us. He brought out Juicy J and Joe Moses. Too dope. Watch some of his set below!
Towards the end of his set, he made the mistake of telling the crowd to move as close to the stage as possible. Seriously, you could not move. I don’t do well in tight spaces where people are all up in my business to begin with, but this was just ridiculous. We were shifting as one unit, the chick’s hair in front of me was in my face/mouth area, my right arm was smooshed up against this one mass of a man. So Sydney and I stayed in our spots for as long as we could during Future’s set, but then we couldn’t take it any longer. We moved to the back, got some water (I really ‘Thought It Was a Drought’) and were able to still see and dance. We left Parker up in the front and re-connected with him at the end.
Okay now about Future’s performance! It. Was. Lit. He opened with ‘Thought It Was a Drought’ and did most of his mainstream songs mixed with some early Future. Girls and guys of all ages and races were rapping along with him. I’m even talking about a 12-year-old boy who was there with his dad. Dad, you were the real MVP. From the lights to the overall sound, the show captivated the audience and Future really made you feel part of his set. You can just tell he vibes hard with his fans and appreciates them. Future took a little break and out came DJ Esco who kept everyone going with some crowd favorites. Future came back on and ended his set with one of my personal favorites, ‘March Madness.’ He performed for about an hour and a half in total.
The entire Purple Reign Tour was worth every penny. Not sure how he did it, but as soon as the LA show was over, Future hopped onto his tour bus to head back to Santa Ana for ANOTHER show. He performed there the night before and in Tempe, AZ even earlier that Thursday evening. Four shows in two days. That’s impressive. And I imagine his energy level was hype each show. That just proves his passion for music, touring, and the fans.
Next concert… Rihanna and Travi$ Scott, but that’s not until May. That’s all for today!
Just when I think he can’t be anymore photogenic, the 6 God is back and this time on the cover of SLAM 198 magazine with two Toronto Raptors All-Stars. I don’t know if I’m more excited to look at the Toronto Rapper or the Toronto Raptors. JK. Drake always.
Californyinz 