Ocean has reportedly been “shopping” his next album to various labels
Jay-Z and Frank Ocean at the Grammys
Jay-Z has declared his appreciation for the unique artistry of Frank Ocean, saying the R&B trailblazer has crafted “some of the best music that we’ve ever heard”.
The comment came during Jay’s appearance in a Twitter Space hosted by Alicia Keys earlier this week (the singer was there to promote her recent eighth album, ‘KEYS’), where he also compared Beyoncé to Michael Jackson, and said there was “not a chance in hell” that someone could take him on in a VERZUZ battle.
“You know, the success has to be like Frank Ocean,” Jay said in the Space. “Now obviously, you know, he’s super popular, but I wouldn’t say that he’s playing by what were the industry rules. He’s playing by his own set of rules – he’s making music that he wants to make, and it doesn’t fit a format.
Jay-Z just said on Twitter Spaces, “Frank Ocean has some of the best music that we have ever heard, he’s playing by his own set of rules. He’s not playing by any set of industry rules.”
“He doesn’t have songs on there that fit pop radio or that make it [to] a billion streams; he just has music that’s better than everyone else. And that’s what has to be the goal going forwards. And I don’t want to say [he’s] better than everyone in terms of competing with music, I’m just saying, like he has some of the best music that we’ve ever heard.”
Keys echoed the praise for Ocean, vouching that he “lives in his world and goes and creates what he loves”, and that it’s clear he’s not “playing by anybody else’s rules”.
Hey fam! You guys just do not know how thirsty I was to get to my desk at work, put my earbuds in, and rock out to Travis Scott’s new album “Astroworld”. The album which has 17 tracks does not disappoint at all! Like, it is one of those albums you can listen to from the beginning to the end!
Now it’s time for me to dissect the album for you….starting with the first track “Stargazing” which comes in with a heavy bass line & your typical Travis Scott sound. On this track, I feel like he is prepping you for the lists of unknown surprises that comes with this album i.e. no mentions of any artists being featured on the track listing. But, while listening to this track the beat changes so fast that you will think you’re on track 2 already.
Track 2 is when the first surprise comes in…..”Carousel” The Big Tuck sample enters in quietly but gets louder! Then you hear a feature with Frank Ocean!!!! Like where in the hell has this dude been???
Track 3 “Sicko Mode” slides in with a Drake feature!!!!! In my head I’m just thinking to myself like Drake stays winnning! I do get a little mad how the beat switched so fast after Drake said like 1 bar! But hey…the album still held my attention anticipating for more! One thing I will mention is that this album felt as if it was extra songs within the songs. For, after Travis finish his part, the beat kicks back up again with Drake back on track going IN!!
Track 4 “R.I.P. Screw” is a nice screwed up track paying homage to the OG from Houston, TX who started the chopped & screwed up movement, and included a feature from Swae Lee. Their is one part in the song that I think Travis chopped & my goofy self thought maybe productions made a little error LOL
Track 5 “Stop Trying To Be God” is one of FAVORITE tracks and do you know why??? The features on this track include Cleveland’s own Kid Cudi, James Blake, and the LIVING LEGEND STEVIE WONDER!!!!! I love the hook “Stop trying to be God…thats not who you are” something I know every person can relate to. I even seen on Instagram, Akron native Lebraun James working out to this song. I see Travis just dropped a video to this just 2 days ago….check it out!
Track 6 comes in smoothly with a Juice WRLD feature called “No Bystanders”. Once the beat fully drops you will hear a Three Six Mafia sample which got me hyped of course!
Track 7 “Skeletons” which has features including Tame Impala, The Weeknd, and my favorite Pharrell. I admit this track is not one of my favorites off this album, but Travis tried to get a little deep & emotional on this song which can be truly felt when the next track comes on.
Track 8 “Wake Up” is literally beautiful song! Of course, he must be talking about his feelings about Kylie Jenner, who is the mother of his daughter, Stormi Webster. This song is so sweet that I can already imagine what the video should look like. I can imagine Travis & Kylie laid up in bed tastefully naked with the covers helping to hide certain parts of their body while they play with each other in a loving & affectionate manner.
Track 9 “5% Tint” has a sample from The Goodie Mob’s classic “Cell Therapy” which got me very excited for I doubt this new generation has no idea who The Goodie Mob is!
Track 10 “NC-17” comes in with my mind asking the question….Are you ready to turn up?? Me as the listener I respond “HELL FUCK YEA!!!” LOL. This song has 21 Savage featured on it talking about the thotties of course! I can picture this track being played at all your local strip clubs.
Track 11 “Astrothunder” is a cool track to vibe out too..nothing that’s exciting, I call these album fillers.
Track 12 “Yosemite” has NAV & Gunna featured on this song. I am trying to tell you…if this album do not have you sold already then I don’t know what else to tell you! This track comes in with a hard beat to vibe to, and stays right on flow with the album theme.
Track 13 “Can’t Say” has a Don Toliver featured on this hot track. Another nice vibed out track getting you prepped to the closing of this album or what you may think is getting close to the end.
Track 14 “Who? What?” has Take Off & Quavo from my favorite and Grammy nominated group The Migos featured on this track. Mind you, we really do not hear from Take Off alot so I can admit that I was shocked to hear him! I had to listen twice just to make sure it was not Offset!
Track 15 “Butterfly Effect” which is the first single Travis dropped from off this album about a year ago and is currently on your local radio stations play list.
Track 16 “Houstonfornication” a song talking about how if and when he needs a vacation, best believe you can find him in his city.
Track 17 “Coffee Bean” the last track where Travis is reflecting on how it is to be a boyfriend to Kylie Jenner, and he is not saying that its terrible, no, he stating how he is not what “others” expected her to be with. He said that he calls himself “Mr. Bad News” when honestly…I think he actually is one of the best people to come into her life and vice versa.
Overall, it is still too early for me to declare if this album is a classic. I will say that this album will be one of my favorite albums to play from the beginning to the end with no interruptions. “Astroworld” reminds me of Memphis Bleek album “Coming Of Age”…it is not listed as a classic to the masses, but to those who truly loved the Roc-A-Fella Label, it is a classic! I heard that Travis stated that this album is supposed to be a part of a trilogy, and was actually supposed to been released prior to his second album “Rodeo”. While I did enjoy his second album, with “Astroworld” you can really hear his growth and how he is evolving has an artist as well as a producer. Great album Travis Scott!!!
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