Johnny Cinco – I Swear (Mixtape) Review

It may seem a little late to be talking about this mixtape but I Swear could be the project of the year. Calling Johnny Cinco the Drake of Atlanta is a gross over-simplification. The Atlanta artist does rap and sing quite well, works mostly with the same producer (Spiffy), and makes songs that are upbeat and boastful as well as tracks that are more somber and ambient. Cinco, who comes from the place that made Trap, does seem stuck on drug-selling music (and the 808-themed genre named after it) in a way the Canadian rapper never could be. Although it seems that his music has some influences from Drake, the I Swear mixtape perfects the airy, repetitive rap-ballads Drake never spent more than ten minutes per album on. Cinco’s music is also less accessible to a broader audience than Drake’s will ever be, less pop, less manufactured. His 2013 single “Wrong N***a” allowed him attention from fans and the music industry (Cinco signed to Migos’ label Quality Control soon after.) In 2014, the song “No Choice” was even more popular without straying from Cinco’s usual sounds. As a result, the rapper has been free to experiment and open the floodgates for song after song, and two album-worthy mixtapes in the past year. While some of his biggest moments have been collaborations with his label-mates or his part in a feud with Rich Homie Quan, he has otherwise been making music that appears unconcerned with the typical problems modern Hip-Hop has. I Swear has no misplaced collaborations with well-known artists or producers, no songs trying to be singles or radio material and no inorganic appeals to new audiences. With an organic fan base, original  and diverse material, Johnny Cinco is the ideal modern Rapper.

Fat Trel – Vlad TV Interview


Fat Trel talks with Pe$o in Miami for Vlad TV.

shoes.” In this exclusive clip Trel takes us back to the days where he would have no choice but to stay in a hallway under the stairs or a laundromat to get some rest. His life changed forever, however, once another D.C. emcee saw him perform at an open mic night.

“Wale is the sole reason why I took rap serious,” recalls Trel. He says he knew he wanted to take rapping seriously once he heard Mr. Folarin on the radio. Meeting Wale was Fat Trel’s big break, and now that he’s up he’s glad he doesn’t “have to go prey on innocent people” because he was “f***** up and hungry.” Watch as he details growing up in D.C. and how he keeps from getting discouraged in the industry, above.

Did David Guetta and the Black Eyed Peas Rip Off Shy Glizzy?


David Guetta and the Black Eyed Peas premiered a new song during Guetta’s performance at Coachella this year. The track featured a simple, piano heavy beat and a chorus that goes “This Is Awesome.” Sound familiar? It might, because Shy Glizzy’s breakout single “Awwsome” from 2013/2014 sounds a little too similar. Sabrina Vaz-Holder has more for Karen Civil, including video footage of the new single in full.

Attention Kills (Web Series) – La Introduccion (Ep. 1)

Attention Kills: Episode One- La Introduccion from Arize Ifejika on Vimeo.

Attention Kills: Episode One- La Introduccion from Arize Ifejika on Vimeo.

Attention Kills, a new web series about deception, relationships, music and the streets of DC, debuted this week. Check out King Shug, TOB, Team Chillside and more in episode 1, set to Shy Glizzy’s “La Introduccion.”