BlipMasta5's February & March 2018 Favorites

Favorite Rap Song
44 More - Logic

After the heavy concepts tackled in Logic's last album, hearing this song as his next project teaser has me along with others to believe that a Bobby Tarantino 2 seems like it's around the corner. He has already released a music video for another single, "Overnight", but "44 More" captivates me much more. This song shows Logic's ability to deliver an impressive flow along with his positive message and disregard toward what a popular rapper is supposed to prioritize. Do you think this is a proper successor to "44 Bars" from Bobby Tarantino like I do?

Favorite Rap Music Video
Django Jane - Janelle Monae

When I first saw her teaser for the next album (or Emotion picture), I began teeming with excitement! Soon came the release of two singles from the upcoming project continuing the story of the Archandroid. One being the Prince-inspired, funk piece that is "Make Me Feel" and then this surprise of the month, "Django Jane". We've heard Janelle rap a few verses on previous albums, but those were merely embellishments of the overall messages of the R&B songs she performed. This particular track has her handling the microphone as a true emcee with the confidence to win over any doubter that Janelle really may be a GOAT contender for musicians thriving in the 21st century. If you don't believe, press play and "cue the violins and violas!"

Favorite R&B Music Video
B Still - Brail Watson

Brail Watson has been occasionally releasing singles for a little while, after the release of last year's Christ Crunken Commentary album. This is one of the few that has been accompanied with a music video. This soulful tune has some gospel leanings as he vocalizes his prayer to God to ease his mind in these trying days. The easygoing vibe of the video coincides well with the easy pace of the song and is laced with a bluesy guitar solo. If this track isn't able to provide you a moment of reprieve, I'm not sure what will relax your mind.

Favorite Anime (as of February)
Citrus (Manime Matt's opinion below)

This season has a good amount of shows that I'm enjoying. Yet, Citrus has edged its way into being one of my favorites for the Winter. The video displays the way Yuzu and Mei interact with each other, as well as the complex dynamics of love, lust, and intimacy being explored. It also explains their interest through the perspective of a lesbian relationship. Honestly, from the first few episodes I was intrigued by just how they presented the sexual tension, but how they developed the relationships past that and why the characters respond to that tension the way they do made me love this anime. If my quick rambling doesn't convince you though, maybe Manime Matt can do a better job.

Favorite Anime Related Video
Anime Dad Jokes 3 - ThatGuyYouKnowww

I'm a big fan of dad jokes and bad puns. I'm also a big fan of anime. Therefore, seeing All Def Digital's Dad Joke series inspiring an anime spinoff made me so joyous! If you want a good laugh, then I have this to share with you. ENJOY!!!

Favorite Music Cover
Someone to Call My Lover - Alyson Stoner (Janet Jackson Cover)

Alyson Stoner put out a Janet Jackson tribute last month, but apparently she wasn't finished showing her love for Ms. Jackson quite yet. Her Valentine's gift to us happened to be this lovely cover a great song that Janet put out in my childhood. This was really well done and reminiscent of the video of Janet did herself. The little twist that Alyson put on this that sold me though was her gender swap in the second verse for representation of any preference. Being an "Ally", I continue to look forward to her content from covers, dances, originals, & occasion vlogs. She's came a long way from Missy Elliot videos and Disney shows!

Favorite Anime Discussion

All Might is Better Than Jiraiya - FourStarBento

 

FourStarBento is TeamFourStar's new venture in discussing anime and analyzing the art form that I've been following for a few months now. This was a new approach that the company has approached a topic that sparked their interest. With their points that they raised, I had to somewhat agree. Is "My Hero Academia's" All Might a better mentor than "Naruto's" Jiraiya? You decide...after giving them a listen and mulling it over yourself.

Favorite Music Discussion

Most Over Used Terms in Hip Hop: GOAT - HipHopDX

HipHopDX is an online blog that has had a very successful YouTube presence with their series, The Breakdown. A few different topics have made me a loyal watcher and this is a discussion I feel many can enjoy regardless of favorite genres. This is something that is based in the hip hop culture that slowly permeates much of pop culture now. What do you think it takes to truly be considered the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT)? What would be the criteria? Is it really a term that is overused? This video has me convinced that it is.

Favorite Dance Video

Whiskey Drip - Kinjaz

I'm back at it again with the dance videos! This routine had me actually enjoy a Post Malone song, so I had to give it some credit. The clean lines and the synchronization of this crew is always astounding to watch. Then, the fact that they can also bust into a more groove oriented style as well shows their versatility. They had me doing my Ric Flair "Woo!!!" after watching them get down, so maybe you, too, can enjoy the choreography.

Favorite R&B Song

Wanna B - Brail Watson

This song is about fighting off depression and loneliness with God and the people He'll surround you with. In particular, it happens to be specially dedicated to Brail's newly wedded wife. It's chill vibe is the perfect soundscape to escape to with its smooth pads, guitar picking, and brushed drum patterns. It also ends off with a soothing message of not allowing the bad things to cross the line to take your sanity. Hopefully, everyone can find this as beautiful as I do.

Favorite Music Video

Solange feat. Facer - Tobi Lou

Alright now, I know this technically came out in February, but I found out about it in March! Also here's another fun fact: I have to blame Facebook for this discovery. I saw it pop up about 3 times in one day on silent, and that third time I gave in due to the anime and Spongebob clips catching my eye. I'm glad that I did though because the dreamy pads and jittery hats was the perfect bed for Tobi's quirky and confident sing-song raps. This was a truly fun snippet of the song that music video showed off. It was catchy enough to have delved into more of Tobi Lou's catalog of lighthearted, good vibe tunes. Yet, I think I'll have you start where I did and see where it takes you.

Favorite Musical Experience

Heaven in Pennies (Rough Draft) - Esperanza Spalding

WAAAAAAAY back in September an experiment from one of my new favorite musicians was conducted and I finally caught up this month. This experiment by Esperanza Spalding was to create a ten track album within 77 hours and have it livestreamed on Facebook the entire time! My favorite track, "Heaven in Pennies", happened to have some of its creation shared on her YouTube and it flabbergasted me! The clip above shows her a bunch of incredible musicians (like Robert Glasper on keys) getting their final take with everyone in the room that could do. Esperanza leads them all through the song that they just learned within a few hours as she plays the string bass and sings what the vocal melody would be. The amount of skill and musicianship displayed here is awe-inspiring! After watching the few clips floating around YouTube chronicling the whole experience, I was entranced. Much of day one was creating from scratch the musical ideas, a few song concepts, collaborating with musicians who could come into the studio to record. Day two had many more musicians and singers who could replace some of the lines and melodies with the proper instruments along with finishing up a good portion of the song lyrics. Day three was getting the finishing touches on what needed to be written, played, recorded as well as most of the mixing and mastering of all the tracks. If you do happen to listen to the entirety of the album, Exposure, you'll be stunned by the creativity and diversity of this jazz masterpiece put together in such a short time. Trust me, Esperanza Spalding is true genius!