Lists

Lists: 5 of Eminem’s Biggest Cultural Smashes

Published

11 months ago

October 1, 2017

The current state of Detroit rap scene is that it’s the most creative it’s ever been. With artists like Tee Grizzley, Babyface Ray, Molly Brazy, and All-Star JR all pushing the envelope in new and exciting ways, the scene will continue to grow and evolve in ways that we haven’t seen before. Mainstream artists like Big Sean and Dej Loaf hold it down on the world front as the artists in the city work to expand the love for the city that these artists make evident in their music.

As lucrative as the scene is, nothing would exist without the work of the previous generation of artists who made the world fall in love with the authenticity and raw emotion associated with The Motor City. Marshall Matters, also known by his stage name Eminem, was one of those acts who set the stage for years to come.

Marshall Matters went on to become not just one of the best rappers to come out of Detroit, but one of the best rappers in the game period. He’s technically not even from Detroit – he’s from Saint Joseph, Michigan which is over 191 miles away – but the city and artists within him embraced him to the point where he became one of our own. His signature darkly comedic rap style defined a generation, spawning the careers and styles of many of the biggest rap stars today.

He’s released some heaters over the years that define his groundbreaking rap style. Here are five of the best.

Superman

This dark tale of brushing off women is one of the best songs to come out in the last fifteen years. Eminem uses his signature style of raps to craft a loving ode to the gold diggers that exist in the hip-hop spectrum. The accompanying video is over-the-top cheesy, just like something you’d expect to see from the song’s title.

Without Me

This is the track that introduced most of mainstream America to Eminem’s comedic style. The song is adventurous and jam-packed with swagger, similarly reflected in the video. To note: the scene where the worker spits in the onion rings is perhaps the most disgusting scene hip-hop history.

Forgot About Dre

Dr. Dre’s sinister production provided Eminem with the backdrop to get really heavy, really fast. This was America’s true introduction to Slim Shady, and boy what an introduction it was. Eminem’s question of “What do you say to somebody you hate?” still rings true today.

Rap God

Newer Eminem releases don’t get the credit that they deserve. People often say that starting with Relapse, Eminem fell off somewhat. That’s entirely not true. “Rap God” is one of the best lyrical performances in hip-hop. Period. Don’t believe me? Try and recite the verse without taking a breath.

Stan

Eminem’s “Stan” was an ode to the obsessive and unhinged fans that rappers often have to deal with during the course of their careers. The song was told from two perspectives: the fan and Eminem himself, who didn’t respond to the fan’s letter before he did something terrible to himself and his significant other. The name “stan” is still used to describe these crazy people that creatives of all kinds deal with now.

Lists

Best of Instagram: @cree.ikuko

Published

10 months ago

November 8, 2017

Trey Alston

Cree Ikuko is a biracial beauty who’s racy photoshoots have taken Instagram and Tumblr by storm. Her art, always tasteful – she refrains from shooting nude – has an elegant quality about it, making each release of hers something that people look forward to like sports games. In addition to being a rising model, she also is a poet, songwriter, and recently, gotten into vlogging. She’s a multi-threat with a high probability for continued success, so checking out her Instagram account for our Best of Instagram series is a must. Check out our pics below.

Perfection, Unbridled

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bat57STB0rA/?taken-by=cree.ikuko

At first glance, this picture is nothing but a simple selfie that’s both stunning and mysterious. But taking a closer look shows the many working parts that make this one of our favorite pictures on Instagram so far. From the curly hair to the smug look on her face, the reveal of just enough cleavage to intrigue viewers, and the color contrasts of the shirt that make it one of the most interesting tops currently out on the market, Cree knows how to make a statement.

Beach Body

https://www.instagram.com/p/BafpFi4BHl7/?taken-by=cree.ikuko

When it comes to beach bodies, Cree might have the ultimate one. Her bathing suit is endlessly inviting, almost teasing us in what it hides. She knows that she fills it out to perfection – it’s up to us to refrain from salivating like hungry dogs.

Bathroom Stall Selfies

https://www.instagram.com/p/Baxf5J8Absf/?taken-by=cree.ikuko

Since when has a bathroom selfie ever made it into our best of Instagram list? Cree provides an exception: her careless pose borders on perfect. Between her casual face and the way her dress clings to her body like a bodysuit, nothing can go wrong with this picture.

Car selfies

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bajw5zYhUDi/?taken-by=cree.ikuko

It’s become a thing now that we can’t deny: Cree breaks all selfie rules with her careless, yet elegant photos. A casual car trip turns into an aesthetically pleasing visual memory that we’re glad to have come across on Instagram.

String Chronicles

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaE_hBMBa2k/?taken-by=cree.ikuko

String bathing suits are her thing and we’re glad to see that she has more than one. The turquoise color acts as a delicate contrast from her bronze skin that makes it all the more intriguing to view. The fact that most of her face is covered in shadow goes a long way in making this photo mysterious.

Killer Nurse

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ4q0KYhlgL/?taken-by=cree.ikuko

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s only right that she’d find a costume to scare people into a heart attack. This costume will cause a heart attack, but not out of fright.

Halloween Preparations

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZywGDBheL3/?taken-by=cree.ikuko

Out of both Halloween costumes, this one would be scarier. It’s almost the more inviting of the two, with cleavage that looks dangerously close to popping out. The red hair also helps the picture to look scary. Be on the lookout on Halloween to see her in this.

Cree Lannister

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZRtaNDBo9L/?taken-by=cree.ikuko

There’s a very Game Of Thrones feel to this post in particular. Although she’s sitting in a white armchair that’s the stark opposite of the foreboding Iron Throne in Westeros, the self-confidence evident in the post along with the pose invoke Cersei Lannister comparisons. We bet that Cree’s much nicer and more approachable than the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

Lists

Lists: 4 Virginia Artists You Should Get Familiar With

Published

10 months ago

October 10, 2017

Trey Alston

Virginia’s a state that sits on the East Coast of the United States but draws inspiration from the best of the country’s current Hip Hop trends. D.R.A.M.’s the latest artist to break out of the state, but there’s a ton of talent that sits ready to unveil itself in due time. The influence of Virginia legends Pharrell, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and The Clipse is evident in the outlandish nature of many of its artists’ styles and has drawn a spotlight to the state as of late. Guessing who’s going to blow up next is anyone’s guess.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the biggest artists in the state. Whether they’re actually good or not is up to your discretion – they’ve captured the interests of people at a national level, so go figure. But if you’re not up to date on what’s happening in the Commonwealth State, take a gander at who’s who below.

Young Crazy

Back in 2013 when Crazy released “Get Dumb,” it quickly went viral because of its guttural look into life in Norfolk. Since then, Crazy has consistently released the type of music that his growing base of fans want to hear. He’s worked with legendary producer Timbaland as well as opened up for Young Thug at NSU, promoted to main act when Thugger never showed up. He also recently connected with 40 VAN for a performance in Texas.

He’s poised for a quick takeoff sooner than later. It’s important to know that his success didn’t happen overnight – he’s been about this for a while now. Take a listen to some of his music and become a fan.

Standouts: “Lessons” and “Painter Clique”

Treez Lowkey

When you think of atmospheric trap music in Virginia, Treez should be the first name you think of. He’s been on the scene for years, acting as a mysterious force that drops acclaimed projects that seem to come out of nowhere. He recently connected with the A$AP Mob and has become a member of A$AP Rocky’s AWGE collective. The future is bright for young Treez.

Standouts: “Watch” and “Not At All”

Masego

There aren’t many rappers nowadays that play live instruments on stage. A defining part of Masego’s persona is that he’s a master saxophone player – and it’s not an act. The release of his breakout hit “Girls That Dance” made him an overnight celebrity, serving as a culmination of years of hard work in the college circuit. Now, he amongst relocating to Los Angeles to perfect his sound, he’s been spotted with DJ Jazzy Jeff and J Cole.

Standouts: “Navajo” and “Send Yo Rita”

Levi Carter

Have you ever heard of “Galaxy Trap?” It’s a genre that Levi Carter has created and perfected. His artistry has gotten him a deal with Roc Nation and he continues to release music, albeit slowly. He’s a breath of fresh air in the rap scene, with hard-hitting bars that pave the way for some serious growth potential. We can’t wait to see where he goes.

Standouts: “You Not Gang” and “Dear Mama”

Lists

Best of Instagram: Katt Leya

Published

10 months ago

October 9, 2017

Trey Alston

Katt Leya’s pretty mysterious for a rising model. Although you can easily come across pictures of her and videos of her dancing on the internet, finding out who exactly she is is a little harder. Here’s what we do know: she’s beautiful, voluptuous, and she likes anime. She also keeps it real on her Twitter account.

https://twitter.com/vivalaBadChiCk/status/883581721417043968

https://twitter.com/vivalaBadChiCk/status/883122463676215297

She’s also watches anime so if you’re into Dragonball Z, Hunter x Hunter, or One Punch Man, you may have a shot.

https://twitter.com/vivalaBadChiCk/status/894484040572702721

There’s one oddity about her: she eats fries with mayonnaise. So maybe she’s more off kilter than she lets on.

https://twitter.com/vivalaBadChiCk/status/876985028739293184

Regardless of her questionable food tastes, she’s someone that we can’t wait to see rise in the modeling and entertainment world. Her Instagram account features more of her pictures, giving more insight into who she is as a person. We decided to peruse through the account and gather some of the best posts four our latest Best of Instagram list.