The rap music I listened to this year: 

Currensy– Gold and Chrome is the most important song that isn’t about police brutality written this year.  Currency discussed raising a child during the emergence of COVID.  The writing method allows a clear description of the sea change that occurred within weeks. Currency deserves every award musicians receive for this song.  “Gold and Chrome” is historic. 

Currensy isn’t Trump, and I don’t know if he is a middle class democrat.  

Public Enemy- State of the Union produced by Premier told you which white backpackers were voting for Trump. If someone who complains about the current state of rap couldn’t appreciate Chuck D assailing a president as fascist over a Premier production as good as his work with Group Home, Jeru, or Gangstarr then they were a Trump Supporter. Once this would reveal itself in a conversation, I would point out that Trump was once friends with Russell Simmons and likes rap so maybe he looked at this as an accomplishment that P.E. dissed him. 

Lil Baby – Bigger Picture discussed the protests while encouraging voting from the perspective of someone who wouldn’t normally be considered political but felt the need to save our country. I wondered if Kanye tried to get Lil Baby to vote for him while they were making music a few months later. 

RJD2 – A Salute to the Blood Bowl Legends scratched a DJ Przm vocal sample in a deejay composition that’s name referenced a skateboarding and graffiti spot.  The Blood Bowl is literally 5 minutes away from where I’m typing this. RJD2 was successful in a tribute to Bustown skateboarding, and Hip Hop Culture. 

RIP DJ PRZM 

Snarls  – Burst – This Columbus, Ohio band combined reverb, and sound with incredibly catchy and intimate songwriting. 

Run the Jewels – Killer Mike was the most beloved person in rap as he campaigned for Bernie Sanders, and helped encourage Atlanta to vote, and be productive after the police murders. 

——————————————————————>

Other music  worth mentioning: 

Illogic – Autopilot 

Saigon ft. Kool G Rap – MF Effect 

Paris – Safe Space Invader

DJ Critical Hype ft. Andre 3000 + Tyler The Creator- Got My Eyes Open 

Busta Rhymes – Look Over Your Shoulder ft. Kendrick Lamar 

Saweetie – Tap in 

DJ Rhettmatic + JRawls aka Rawlsmatic – Role Reversal feat. Craig G 

Black Thought ft. Pusha T, Killer Mike + Swizz Beats- Good Morning 

Ghostface Killah – Burner to Burner 

Kid Cudi – Leader Of Tha Delinquentz 

Jeru The Damaja –Power To The People 

Smif-N-Wessun – Bucktown 360 

Conway the Machine- Front Lines 

Anderson Paak- Lockdown 

Jim Jones ft. Conway the Machine, M. Scibilia-  The People remix 

Jay Electronica -AWT

Jack Harlow – What’s Poppin’ 

Evidence – Unlearning 

CJ Fly + Joey Badass – Rudebwoy

Blu + Exile – Miles 

The internets: 

Versus  

RZA vs. Premier reminded everyone that listening to Hip Hop with your friends is Hip Hop. Especially if RZA and Premier are in your living room playing the music. 

Jeezy vs. Gucci-   A confrontation that once led to Gucci killing someone was resolved with music, and the bigger picture plain to see. Did Hip Hop learn something from Pac and Biggie?  Yes 

—————————————————————-> 

Prediction. 

The start of Winter saw a spike in COViD.  People aren’t in the sun as much.   

We should have the COVID Vaccine soon. 

—————————————————

I used the dad reference point a few times here. Once to state the country feels like a divorce. Once again regarding democrat middle marketing. Another complimenting Currency’s song to his son…….While I shouldn’t have to clarify…. psych-ops is why 2020 was in shambles. 

Wes Flexner’s Rock N Roll Show Wednesdays 7 pm 92.7 /98.3 wcrsfm.org 

BSA Hip Hop Thursdays 7 pm 92.7 / 98.3 wcrsfm.org