West coast rapper and singer Blxst has already scored a couple of hits and worked alongside some iconic figures like Nas, Snoop Dogg and E-40 before putting out his debut album. Essentially going full R&B, Blxst leans more than ever towards his soulful tones and beachside vibe as he runs through a series of tracks … Continue reading Blxst – Before You Go
West Coast
Vince Staples – Vince Staples
With each new project, you can always trust Long Beach rapper Vince Staples to hit an engaging middle ground between delivering the classic grim, unfazed delivery and detailed street stories he rose to fame on and switching up the style or concept to something completely new. After moving from the hyperpop and dance-influenced Big Fish … Continue reading Vince Staples – Vince Staples
Boogie – Everything’s For Sale
West coast rapper Boogie has been generating a lot of anticipation for his debut studio album since signing to Eminem’s Shady Records label – which is a pretty exclusive deal to get! Everything’s For Sale has arrived, and despite drawing some pretty obvious inspiration from his rap contemporaries on a few tracks, the project manages … Continue reading Boogie – Everything’s For Sale
Rapid Fire Reviews (6ix9ine, MGMT, Nipsey Hussle)
Bensbeat is back for the summer and I'll be catching back up to the present with a lot of these quicker posts. 6ix9ine - Day69 Controversial Brooklyn rapper 6ix9ine delivers a debut project infused with the unique scream-rap energy he brought to the singles that made him famous, but it lacks the lyrical content and … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (6ix9ine, MGMT, Nipsey Hussle)
Kehlani – SWEETSEXYSAVAGE
Oakland R&B upstart and former America's Got Talent finalist Kehlani's SWEETSEXYSAVAGE is technically her debut studio album, though her previous critically acclaimed mixtapes Cloud 19 and Grammy-nominated You Should Be Here are what put her in the spotlight. The album stands as a huge statement and assertion of self in the wake of last year's heavily covered … Continue reading Kehlani – SWEETSEXYSAVAGE
YG – Red Friday
West Coast gangsta rap revivalist YG returns with a brief collection of songs which didn't make the cut on Still Brazy, his acclaimed album from earlier this year. Although YG continues to bring the high-energy tracks we've come to expect from him, and reunites with some key collaborators, some of this material falls much shorter in … Continue reading YG – Red Friday
ScHoolboy Q – Blank Face LP
Perhaps I shouldn’t be reviewing this album, as the very first words uttered on ScHoolboy Q’s latest release Blank Face LP are “This that f--- the blogs”. While I understand why you might feel this way, Mr. Q, please don’t hate me for constructive criticism. And fortunately, not a great deal is needed as the … Continue reading ScHoolboy Q – Blank Face LP
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 