#iTunesSounds: Mac Miller – The Divine Feminine – Sept. 15, 2016

Mac Miller‘s new album, “The Divine Feminine,” is slated to drop on Friday. As the title suggests, the tone of the release will be a project geared towards the mellow side of the game. Miller’s dropped three of the 10 tracks on iTunes already. Two of them have found their way into my Apple Music rotation. Here’s why:

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

“Dang”

Miller called upon up-and-coming artist, Anderson.Paak, for the album’s lead single. Paak delivered a slick hook while Mac’s wordplay carries the beat along in between the chorus. This song is getting consistent satellite radio spins already.

“My Favorite Part”

Mac enlists his new girlfriend, Ariana Grande, for this one. The result: a smooth ballad that has Mac pseudo singing. They nailed it.

Favorite Line: “You just don’t know how beautiful you and baby that’s my favorite part.” – Mac

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: Frank Ocean – “Blonde” – Sept. 7, 2016

Frank Ocean primed us for his latest release “Blonde” with a mixtape of sorts “Endless”. Both were Apple Music exclusive releases. Rather than break down Ocean’s whole catalog from the two, here’s my take on my favorite tracks from Blonde:

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

“Pink + White”: This is my favorite song from start to finish of either release. It has a very “Sweet Life” feel from Ocean’s debut album, “Channel Orange.” I immediately messaged the biggest Ocean fan I know, Griffin Dempsey, with my excitement about this one.

“Solo”: Ocean’s voice carries this one with a simple yet catchy melody backing him up.

“Solo” (Reprise) feat. Andre 3000: Wow. 3 Stacks took 60 seconds and turned it into arguably the verse of the year so far complete with a quick dig at Drake. Not much to say outside of that.

“Futura Free”: The last track of the album is a little scattered but the jewels for me come between :30 to 1:45 and again between 2:55 to 4:25. The lines about Frank paying his fans in the first set and Jay-Z emailing Frank about acting his net worth in the second set are golden.

PSBPCBC100Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: “Big Amount” – 2 Chainz feat. Drake – August 11, 2016

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB and Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

It seems every time that 2 Chainz and Drake team up, they deliver a classic track. From “All Me” to “No Lie,” the two stars rarely disappoint. They’ve done it again with “Big Amount” off of the “Daniel Son, Necklace Don” mixtape.

Jordan’s Take: I have to give another assist to my boy Dante Sawyer (@BuzzSawww) for the track. Before I listened to the entire song was the snippet where Drake states, “And I’ve never seen the inside of a Marriott or a Westin!” I immediately downloaded the song and listened to it. Usually Chainz and Drake gravitate toward the club banging type beats but this beat is significantly different. However the track is easily the best on the tape with decent bars from Chainz and Drake providing his usual heat.

Favorite Line:
“I was in Juvy, they gave me community.
I had to pick up some litter.
I want it easy, please do not tease me.
I wore my Yeezy’s to dinner”

Brandon’s Take: Drake and Chainz went in on this one. Drake brought the heat and forced Chainz to up his game in the process. The result was another smash hit.

Favorite Line:
“I got a big amount, I think I’m the biggest out.
You lit and can’t even put it out.”

LISTEN TO “BIG AMOUNT”:

Palmtree100Aug2016
Jordan Davis is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com with a unique blend of #PSBPopCulture reviews. Davis has been rocking the latest trends since arriving here in 1995. He is currently a student at Kennesaw State, a Social Media Intern with PeachStateBasketball.com and is well on his way to being the youngest in charge sooner than later.

PSBPCBC100
Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: “Boyz in the Hood” – DJ Drama feat. Meek Mill and Pusha T – August 3, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

DJ Drama has long been one of the go-to voices from behind the turntables in the rap game. His “Quality Street Music” series returns with a smash featuring three of the hip-hop game’s premier artists in Meek Mill, Pusha T and Ty Dolla $ign.

Meek opens with a mean stanza about his time in jail last year. He drops two verses that remind me of the artist who had the nation’s No. 1 rap album of 2015 per Billboard.

FAVORITE LINE: “Sorry your honor if I was too arrogant, the money was staggering. They locked me in PC with the rats, that ish was embarrassing. 23 hours in a cell by myself, man you couldn’t imagine it. They fed me some food I wouldn’t feed to my dog, man that ish was the nastiest.” — Meek Mill

LISTEN TO THE SONG:

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: “I Got The Keys” – DJ Khaled feat. Jay-Z and Future – June 30, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Khaled alerted us that a major key was on the way. He’s teamed up with Jay-Z’s management and HOV returned the favor with not one but two verses on Khaled’s lead single to his “Major Key” album due out in late-July. Add Future to touch the hook and a smash is born.

Jay starts off the track with a shot at Drake.

“Brothas always asking me the key: Til you own your own you can’t be free. Til you own your own you can’t be me. How we still slaves in 2016?”

BREAKDOWN: Direct reference to Drake still being contractually obligated music wise to YMCMB though his OVO brand is taking off in other product categories.

Mr. Carter then gives us a major key of his own.

“Key to life keep a (money) bag coming. Another night, another bag coming.”

BREAKDOWN: Always have revenue coming in. In this case, Jay made the transition from the street (brown paper) bag to the executive bag.

After that, HOV lets us know he’s feeling like Deion Sanders in his prime.

“I been speedin through life with no safety belt. One on one on the corner with no safety help. I perform like Josh Norman. I ain’t normal.”

BREAKDOWN: Norman, who just inked a massive deal with the Washington Redskins, is arguably the NFL’s premier cover cornerback capable of guarding the league’s premier receivers one on one

S. Carter then goes back at Drake again.

“Y’all know it’s one of one as soon you hear the uh uh (signature Jay call before a verse). Y’all know the difference between rap facts and rap fiction, right? Real life, I’m like HOV (the God of the rap game). Real life, I’m life goals. Real life, they like me? Real life , I’m like no!”

BREAKDOWN: Direct reference to Drake’s line in Summer Sixteen that says “I used to wanna be on Roc-A-Fella (Jay’s record label) then I turned into Jay.”

Jay continues with a bounce during the second verse is that of a man in the prime of his career not one who hasn’t released an album since 2013.

“My swag different, that (money) bag different. My wife Beyonce, I brag different.”

BREAKDOWN: Net worth of over 550 million and well, we all know Beyonce.

WATCH the video here:

Here is a post from Future’s Instagram…

@DJKHALED #IGOTTHEKEYS🔑 the video prem right after B.E.T awards

A photo posted by Future Hendrix (@future) on

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: “Ready For It” – Dame D.O.L.L.A. (Lillard) – June 29, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

This isn’t the first time NBA All-Star point guard Dame Lillard has stepped to the mic. That said, it is one of his most complete tracks to date. He teamed up with Jahlil Beats and Brookfield Duece to give us a track to start the NBA off-season with.

ASSIST: Fellow point guard Jasmine Jenkins with the alley oop on the link…

Here’s my favorite Lillard rap to date from Sway in the Morning (February 2015)…

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: Four to Know – June 15, 2016

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB and Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) “All The Way Up Remix” – Fat Joe and Remy Ma with Jay-Z

Jay-Z came in on what’s been one of the hottest songs in the streets this summer nationwide and gave it additional juice.

“You know you made it when the fact that your marriage made it is worth millions. Lemonade is a popular drink and it still is.” — Jay-Z

BREAKDOWN: Jay touches on the rumors of infidelity helping Beyonce come with huge sales of her album and subsequent tour. The Lemonade line is actually a Gang Starr rap lyric reference from the 90’s.

“I was up top seven winters and six summers. Cuffed. They on me on that bus all the way down now I’m all the way up.” — Remy Ma

BREAKDOWN: Remy has been quite a while locked up in New York but like Gucci Mane, she’s home now.

2) “Money Made Me Do It” – Post Malone feat. 2 Chainz

My boy Post Malone is back with a dope new track! Now, I wouldn’t consider it to be on the same level as his hit single “White Iverson”, but this is definitely something good to follow up with this. Post Malone sticking with his singer type rapping vibe on this track while 2 Chainz actually delivers a couple solid bars. One of my favorite producers FKI also does a great job on the production of this track. Assist to my boy Dante (@BuzzSawww) who reposted it on Soundcloud and I had to grab it. – Jordan Davis

CLAY: I love this one. I’ve been on it since JD tossed me the lob at the rim a couple of weeks back.

“Rest in peace to Bankroll, you in a better place bro.” — Post Malone

BREAKDOWN: Shoutout to up-and-coming rap artist Bankroll Fresh who was killed earlier this year.

“Bandana round my neck, like Bankroll Fresh. Pocket full of street money, count my blessings. One hundred, one thousand, 100 K, one million.” — 2 Chainz

BREAKDOWN: Chainz takes the Bankroll tribute and throws his spin on it. Well played.

3) “New Level” – A$AP Ferg feat. Future

If you’re looking for the perfect song to get that last set out in the weight room, finish that last mile on the treadmill, or a pregame track, look no further. This song immediately gets me hype when the beat drops because of that A$AP Ferg presence and delivery. Not to mention this is right in Future’s lane, who has been making some of the hypest tracks since “March Madness”! Both Future and Ferg do a great job of killing the beat lyrically without trying to do to much.  – Jordan Davis

CLAY: “A$AP, A$AP…that call on the intro is the coldest part of the song to me.”

4) “Major” – DMK

Keep an eye on the Detroit based RnB group. Their first single, “Major,” is a radio-friendly track that I actually caught on Sirius XM in late-May. Check their self titled “DMK” EP.

J-Davis-PSBPopCulture Jordan Davis is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com with a unique blend of #PSBPopCulture reviews. Davis has been rocking the latest trends since arriving here in 1995. He is currently a student at Kennesaw State, a Social Media Intern with PeachStateBasketball.com and is well on his way to being the youngest in charge sooner than later.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: Four to Know – May 18, 2016

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB and Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) Panda by Fabolous

Fab comes through on arguably the hottest song of the year to date with a verse that is even cleaner than the beat. Just listen… — Brandon Clay

Favorite Line: “You ain’t fam I don’t trust ya. Brothas will jam up your hustle. Your own man wanna crush ya, that’s a D’Angelo Russell.” (a slick reference to the Russell / Nick Young fiasco in LA earlier this year)

2) Grab The Wheel by Lil Uzi

To be completely honest I’m not a Lil Uzi fan and even my roommate Dom (@PrinceJones06) can tell you that I hated whenever he put it on in the car. But this song is definitely extremely catchy and rides when you’re in the car with your friends. I have to give credit to my boy K Rock (@krockmcclain) for showing me this one. — JD Davis

Favorite Line: “Rocking shows, I might get a lake house with a boat. I might rock all white just like the Pope.”

3) The Man by Nav

The moment I heard this song I knew I had to throw it in my rotation. This is my first time hearing this artist but he’s got a dope new style. The chill tone of the song along with the rappers laid back style gives the track a smooth vibe. — JD Davis

Favorite Line: “Now she dancing like Billy Jean she wanna go home, And she wanna go wit me cause. She know I’m the man, she got no money she got no plans, Designer Pants.”

4) Tru by Lloyd

Lloyd has been away from the scene since his hit, “Lay It Down” in 2011. He’s back with this one and explains some of the issues that he’s dealt with in the interim. — Brandon Clay

Favorite Line: Apologies if I ever let you down, so much ish done happened that it’s hard to talk about. So many losses that my lawyer said don’t talk about it. Just had to pray and keep it cool til I could walk up out it. Came home helped my sister raise her child, kinda hurt me cause I could have had my own now. Lost my baby and it’s starting to hit home now.

J-Davis-PSBPopCulture Jordan Davis is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com with a unique blend of #PSBPopCulture reviews. Davis has been rocking the latest trends since arriving here in 1995. He is currently a student at Kennesaw State, a Social Media Intern with PeachStateBasketball.com and is well on his way to being the youngest in charge sooner than later.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: Drake – “Views” – RnB Playlist – May 14, 2016

DISCLAIMER: I shared with PSBPopCulture.com Team Member, Jordan “JD” Davis, that I had to split the Drake “VIEWS” album into two separate playlists. I like his RnB songs but “Feel No Ways” in between “U With Me” and “Weston Road Flows” is a little much for me to handle.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

That said, the RnB list has 11 songs on it. While we didn’t get a line as transparent as “The one that I needed was Courtney from Hooters on Peachtree I feel like she was always the piece to complete me,” Drake and 40 always team up to make noteworthy songs. Here are my go-to tracks with a favorite lyric from each as well:

4) “Feel No Ways”

For the record, this is my favorite RnB song on the playlist…

“Who is it that’s got you all gassed up? Changing your opinion on me. I was only gone for the last few months but you don’t have the time to wait on me.”

7) “Redemption”

“I’m not unrealistic with none of my women. I tell em if they ain’t with it, then let’s just forget it. Relationships slowing me down, they slow down the vision. Guess I’m not in a position to handle commitment.”

9) “Faithful”

“I know you been workin, workin, workin, workin ain’t ya? You don’t have no time to layup. You just trying to be somebody before you say you need somebody.”

11) “Controlla”

“I think I’d lie for you. I think I’d die for you, Jodeci cry for you.” — a direct play on the old Jodeci song, “Cry For You.”

12) “One Dance”

“I had to bust up the silence. You know you gotta stick by me. Soon as you see the text, reply me. I don’t wanna spend time fighting.”

16) “Too Good”

“Last night I came to a realization and I hope you can take it. I’m too good to you, way to good to you.

18) “Fire & Desire”

“You’re just like my sidekick. I just wanna wife ya, fill all your desires.”

PSBPCMayDayBrandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: Beyonce´- “Lemonade” – April 27, 2016

Beyonce´ did it with this one even creating an hour long visual film to coincide with the album. Make sure to watch it. From start to finish, the music is diverse but is easy to follow. Here’s a look at some of my favorite songs and lyrics off the album.

The buzz over the weekend was crazy and sparked conversations with some of my favorite people: Jordan Davis, Donte Grant, Jacie Hoyt, Taylor Johnson, Maci Morris and Cameron Sealey amongst others.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Sidenote: There are some (not so) subtle references to alleged infidelity rumors floating around her husband Jay-Z and Rachel Roy. Queen Bey wastes no time getting into the topic…

1) Pray You Catch Me

“You can taste the dishonesty. It’s all over your breath as you pass it off so cavalier…pray I catch you whispering, pray you catch me listening.”

2) Hold Up

“Let’s imagine for a moment that you never made a name for yourself or mastered wealth had you labeled as a king. Never made it out the cage, still out there moving in them streets. Never had the baddest woman in the game between your sheets.”

4) Sorry

“I ain’t thinkin bout you. Middle fingers up. Put them hands high. Put it in his face. Tell that boy bye.”

7) Love Drought

“Nine times out of ten I’m in my feelings and ten times out of nine I’m only human tell me what did I do wrong.”

8) Sandcastles

“Although I promised and I could have stayed (baby). Every promise don’t work out that way.”

11) All Night

Note: Don’t let the old school OutKast “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” sample slide by you. That’s all.

12) Formation

“Cause I slay (times a million).”

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT