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#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

#PSBPopCulture: Everything’s a Remix – April 28, 2016

Last week, we witnessed Kobe Bryant leave the game of basketball in unprecedented fashion. Scoring 60 points in front of the cultural icons such as Jay-Z and Jack Nicholson while millions sat at home to see one last Kobe performance. It was THE game we wanted to see. Although he started slow, he would find his rhythm while hosting up 50 shots en route to 60 points and the win.

Inevitably, there were Kobe detractors and one of the most notable was Jason Whitlock who guest-hosted on the Colin Cowherd show last Friday. In his comments (below), he called Kobe a fraud and a knock-off of Michael Jordan. This led to an interesting conversation with our PSB Pop Culture team about the idea originality in sport, music and art. Jonathan Hemingway and Jordan Davis dive deeper into this issue in this article.

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB and By: Jonathan Hemingway @JLHemingwayPSB

What are your thoughts about Jason Whitlock’s comments about Kobe?

JORDAN: I’m not thrilled about his comment, however I am not surprised. The reason the statement is invalid is because it is based on the ideas that Kobe copied Michael Jordan’s game. Of course he did!!! This is basketball and the best part about basketball is when players find other players that they look up to and they study their game. You want to be able to find pieces of their game you can incorporate into your own and improve your performance. And Kobe didn’t just do this with MJ, he took pieces of all the historic basketball greats and tried to embed that into his arsenal of his game.

HEMINGWAY: Personally, I am not a Kobe fan. So I did not take these comments to be as blasphemous as many others within our circle at Peach State Basketball. I think there is some validity behind his points about Kobe being selfish and narcissist. His farewell tour was a near farce, but it was entertainment and it was what the fans wanted to see. However, his points about Kobe being a fraud I think are way off base. His comment, “Imitation is often a sign of fraud” is completely inaccurate. Kobe won five championships, a league MVP, multi-year All-Star, etc. etc. etc. There is nothing fraudulent about that. Kobe won! Whitlock can stop with that rhetoric.

Is Imitation Good For Sports?

JORDAN: Imitation is great for sports in two different ways. First, to truly be great at your sport you have to find a few people that are great at your sport and see what it is that gets them their success. That can be anything you want it to be. Players look at the greats work ethic, their pregame ritual and literally everything else that they do. Second, that is the only way sports will revolutionize into better and better competition. Players watching legends from the past and trying to do what they did, but BETTER.

Imitation is a transition method of historic events and greatness from one generation to the next. I was born in ‘95, so I didn’t get to watch Jordan. I did witness was Kobe, who because of this, became MY generation’s version of MJ. My generation didn’t get to experience Michael Jackson, but they did they get Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, and other artists that pulled pieces of Michael Jackson’s greatness.

HEMINGWAY: After coaching basketball for 15 years, let me share a not well-kept secret: Everybody tries to copy the winners. You see it with teams that win. In the NFL, organizations try to copy the Patriots. Now everyone is trying to copy Golden State in the NBA. Small Ball and stretch 4 and 5 players are trending. If there is one place in the world where originality has little to no value, it is in the arena of sports. In terms of individuals, you always teach youth players to mimic the successful players. You tell players to watch the footwork of a Tim Duncan or the shooting release of Klay Thompson. Everything is copied in sports, because you know that works. In terms of Kobe copying the posture, the style and the moves of MJ – he modeled himself after the best and he came very close to mastering those skills and he won. Let him live.

Is Imitation good for Music and Art?

JORDAN: I read a book by Mark Fisher, called Capitalist Realism recently. This book briefly touched upon this idea of imitation. He describes how “monetary value is the death of culture”, and so on and so on. But then Fisher talks about Kurt Cobain and his ideas on the culture of music. He referred to Cobain’s quote, “Everything is a cliche”. Kurt Cobain understood that his music would make him famous. Cobain knew that regardless of his fame, everything that could be done has been done. It is that inherent idea that everything that has taken place will continue to repeat on down the road. Because of this there is no true originality in music/art. Everything has already been tried, everything has already been done, all we can do is revamp it or contort it into something that looks new. Every artist has an artist or two, or several that they embed into their own art form. Even if it’s unknowingly.

HEMINGWAY: Much like in sports, musicians and artists take ideas or samples from their predecessors and make it their own. The most sampled song of all time is an 80’s track called La Di Da Di by Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh. Ludacris and Mary J. Blige sampled it in Runaway Love when they scratched “like this” together (watch the video below). Color Me Badd sampled the phrase ‘to the tic toc you don’t stop” in their hit single “I Wanna Sex You Up.” Even Miley Cyrus put her own twist on the phrase La Di Da Di in her song 2013 song We Can’t Stop. She switches it up by singing “La da di da di, we like to party.” In many ways you can trace much of hip-hop back to this one song. Everything that we see in pop-culture is truly built upon something that came before. A key difference should be noted here. There is a difference between copying and imitation. Taking someone else’s work and putting your own name does stink of plagiarism. I am embarrassed to say that I have bought local rappers mix-tapes in parking lots. Only to find it is just a few teenagers rapping Young Jeezy and T.I. tracks. That is not imitation…it is a simple rip-off. However, when an artist takes a previous piece of work and takes it in another direction we can see the true value of creative imitation.

Ludacris – Runaway Love ft. Mary J. Blige

So what does it mean to be Original?

JORDAN: The true definition of originality is to be independent and creative. However there is no true originality in the world. Mark Twain once said, “All ideas are second-hand, consciously and unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources…”. After two semester of philosophy I just don’t believe there is such thing of originality.

HEMINGWAY: In my view, everything is original and nothing is original all at once. No one can walk in the same time and space as a previous athlete, writer or musician. The world changes by the day and the ways in which we encounter the culture change as well. We are unique and original by simply being who we are at this moment. Yet the thoughts, emotions, ideas that we have are all borrowed from those before us and even those around us. It is impossible to live life in a vacuum or a bubble. What is more important is using what we know and experience to mold ourselves into the best version of ourselves. That is true originality.

Is there a point where copy cats lose credibility? Or does it depend on their status?

JORDAN: There’s times when “copy cats” are badgered, the way Whitlock tried Kobe, or the way rap heads call Drake a “Culture Vulture.” Truth is, the people that attack their imitators are the ones that don’t understand it’s the way of life. When Young Thug first came on the scene everyone was saying, “Who is this Lil Wayne wannabe?”. Heck he even named his album “Barter”, after Lil Wayne’s “The Carter” album series. Now Young Thug is well known and commonly played throughout the world.

So at first, yeah the copy cats are made fun of and slandered. However once it starts to work and society looks passed the initial imitation, they develop a fan base and they are looked at as originators.

HEMINGWAY: I believe that the difference between a copy-cat and a true artist is being unique to the moment. Kobe may have borrowed MJ’s moves, but he brought LA back to championship status. Jay-Z has been accused of stealing Biggie’s rhymes, but he certainly made the 21st century his own. In the end, it does not matter who did it first what matters most is who did it the best. So in this way of thinking, “Everything’s a Remix.”

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.

HEMI-HEAD-SHOTJonathan Hemingway is a Chicago sports fan who reps the Bears, Bulls and Cubs. He’s also a diehard NFL Sunday Ticket subscriber. Like Clay, Hemingway’s music taste are wide-ranged and depend on the day. He is also a major part of PeachStateBasketball.com wearing multiple hats with the title of Director of Domestic Scouting and owning CoachHemi.com.

Category: #BCSPopCulture | 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.

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#EntertainmentPSB: Bryson Tiller – “T R A P S O U L” Nationwide Tour – February 16, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Bryson Tiller stormed right through 2015 debuting with a No. 1 album, “T R A P S O U L.” Team members Jordan Davis and Taylor Johnson joined me at Center Stage for the show. Here is a look at our night through Snapchat and Instagram:

Looking, looking, looking….

A photo posted by JD (@palmtreejd) on

Brandon-and-Taylor

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: #EntertainmentPSB | LEAVE A COMMENT

#ITunesSounds: “Work” – Rihanna feat. Drake – January 30, 2016

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB and Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Wednesday morning was the start to a long and eventful day in music. From the Twitter beef with Kanye West and Wiz Khalifa, to 2 Chainz surprising the masses with a new mixtape. Not to be outdone on this busy day, Rihanna dropped her hot new track with Drake called “Work.”

DAVIS TAKE: I was excited to hear the two A-List artists team up again. I could easily see this song being a good feel for a lot of different settings from clubs, clothing stores, or even just car rides. Immediately following the release of Work, Rihanna’s album, “Anti” was leaked through the app Tidal. However, she didn’t seem too upset about the sudden exposure of her 8th studio album on Twitter, and was understanding of the situation.

The track has a smooth upbeat tempo with a bit of a “club music” undertone. Rihanna gives the song a good dance vibe by the way she says, “Work, Work, Work” throughout the chorus with her Barbadian accent.

In typical Drake fashion, he comes in after the second chorus to spit a smooth verse on an R&B singer’s track. Overall, both artist did a good job of sticking to the song’s theme and doing what they do best without “DTM’ing.”

Publisher’s Note: DTM = Doing Too Much. It is almost always used to point out someone doing something excessive in life.

CLAY’S TAKE: I’ve been a fan of Drake and Rihanna teaming up since “What’s My Name?” back in 2010. Arguably the game’s premier hip-hop artist, Drake also delivered a track with Rihanna on “Take Care” back in 2011. Despite rumors of a relationship swirling heavy in 2013, the two have maintained a working connection dropping another jewel in Work. The song is right down the plate to be a hit on airwaves and streaming services worldwide. It’s currently the No. 2 most purchased song on iTunes and should remain in the Top 10 for weeks to come.

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.

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#PSBPopCulture: “10 Questions” feat. Law G. of Goodlife – January 16, 2016

“10 Questions” is designed to give our readers an in-depth, behind the scenes look at the hottest names in the streets. From fashion to music to sports, these are the people you need to know and the stories behind where they are right now.

Law G. released his 13-track “Came A Long Way” mixtape in December 2015. Here are 10 takeaways from our hour-long sitdown with the emerging Atlanta-based rap artist.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) CLAY: What was the coolest non-music moment of 2015 for you?

LAW: My man Jah from AEBL Hoops gave me the chance to hoop in the celebrity all star game at Grady. Migos and Skippa Da Flippa were in it. I had a good time connecting with Quavo too.

2) CLAY: We’re here to tell your story, connect new people to you. What else do you do when you aren’t in the booth?

LAW: As you can tell, I love hooping like a lot. I feel like every hooper wanna be a rapper. Same with everybody wanna be a street ni**a. I love video games too for real. Man Clay, that Fight Night, they need to bring that back. You know we love that NBA2K16 and that Madden16…yo, the graphics on that thing too real.”

3) CLAY: You know I’m a video game junkie at heart. I dig that. Tell the people where you’re from.

LAW: I’m originally from Cameroon in Central Africa. I moved here to Atlanta and went to Meadowcreek High then I finished out at South Gwinnett.

4) CLAY: Tell us about South Gwinnett. You walked the halls when Mr. 6th Man, Louis Williams aka “Lou Will” was there. How was that vibe?

LAW: It’s crazy cause to this day, we’re all still fam. I mean look at my Goodlife crew with Nette (Executive Producer) and Delano Jr. (Advisor) not to mention the big homie Delano Sr. (Goodlife CEO). We all South Gwinnett family. My boy Ant Jukes, all them. The basketball games were crazy back then. Everyone out to see Lou and Merc (Mike Mercer). Kenny still working with Lou. That’s like his right hand man. Everybody’s in it to see the other person succeed too. We’re a family, everybody pushing each other because we all trying to win. We all trying make it. It’s a family thing.

5) CLAY: How does Lou’s NBA success influence your hunger in the music game?

LAW: Like I told all them, if we took over the rap game plus Lou’s movement with LouWillVille, it would be over. True story, the Drake and Big Sean’s, we comin at the top spot just like ALL them boys have.

A photo posted by Lou Williams (@louwillville) on

6) CLAY: Speaking of Big Sean, he’s one of my favorite artists. I know you rock with his music. What you been listening to of his lately?

LAW: I like that track “Back Up” he did with Dej Loaf. Buddy snapped on that! He killed that and the Blessings track too. Looking back at the Finally Famous mixtapes, Big Sean was one of them boys who knew he had to make it because he can rap, I respect that.

7) CLAY: Who else has you pushing the envelope musically right now?

LAW: Eminem is in a different phase of his career but still that’s my favorite growing up. He broke the mold. MGK, Mac Miller, even Macklemore, you gotta say that Em paved the way for them boys. Another one is J. Cole. I love his story. Who stays dedicated enough to eventually get signed by the same person (Jay-Z) who didn’t even wanna sign him in the first place?

8) CLAY: I remember Em’s Slim Shady dropping in ’97. Standing outside of North Gwinnett with the boy Jermale Wilkerson and being amazed that this white guy can really rap. On Cole’s Sideline Story, that “Mr. Nice Watch” collab with Jay was crazy. What do you have that can give the people hearing you for the first time that feeling?

LAW: On my tape, like I’m trying to come at the NICE tapes. We got our songs Ghost and Bond Money bumpin’ in the strip clubs. It’s so so dope man. So much love when we in there. I performed Ghost at the and PeeWee Longway and Jeezy was in there. I saw em nod they heads in acknowledgement to the movement. I try not to waste no time, like I have to go get it, like I’m responsible for people back home in Cameroon, so I can’t play around with this music.

9) CLAY: When did you really take the rap game seriously? There’s a moment for all of us in our lane that we realize, this can actually happen. Give us that moment for you.

LAW: Even back to South Gwinnett days, I used to love rap. But I wasn’t serious about it as far as being an artist. It’s hard to focus and deliver the picture to the fans of how you see life. Gotta drop it in a way they can relate, ya know? I was tust freestyling in cars after school before the game back then. It was probably 2008 area when it hit me. I’m ready for the game man, like its a lot of real dudes in the game. I’m not trying to be one of those super cool artists in the game, that’s not me. I’m giving the people me, what these streets made me.

CLAY: This doesn’t count as a question but I wanna know. I gotta get your take on Meek and Drake. Meek had the hottest output of his career then the Drake beef starts…

LAW: My man Meek Mill, I don’t know who he got in his circle. The Goodlife family wouldn’t let me do that. We gotta focus on our own music, day-to-day grind. That’s why I came a long way and why I’m gonna go a long way. My circle got my back. Meek was doing it, like he was popping. I would have to tell him to sit down and focus on the music. We winning.

10) CLAY: Say Less. Who you working with in the studio and what’s next for the Goodlife movement?

LAW: Big up to the boy T Black the Hitmaker. That fella’s a problem on the boards. I talked to Zaytoven and we talkin’ about possibly on crafting up an EP. We really gonna flood the streets. Hold on Clay…

“WHAT YOU GOT A STYLIST BRUH”

CLAY: What you talking about???

LAW: You got the Embellish jeans with the Yeezy’s on. You must have a stylist.

CLAY: Nah man. What’s that Kanye line from Champion: “I don’t see why I need a stylist When I shop so much I can speak Italian.” Haha. Really though, shoutout Taylor Johnson for helping create the style though this outfit I put together solo. Serious business, tell the people what’s next for Law G.

LAW: I have so much to say. Came A Long Way is without a question the start of the movement. Now we gotta cultivate the buzz, the love. Ghost is playing on V103 now. The reason I feel like a lot of blessings are gonna come is because I just pray man. I just know I got a long way but I’m just cool with it. My confidence is on 100, but I know, I ain’t there yet until like I got the fans buzzing monthly when I drop a track and I really start eating off my work. Like I know the moment one track catches, I gotta have a lot more to follow, like Trinidad James with All Gold Everything he got on quick. The second and third singles are critical so know that’s what I’m consumed with. Having those ready to jump off after Ghost catches fire.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music 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. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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.

Category: #BCSPopCulture | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: Four To Know – January 14, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) “Look At My Dab” by Migos

Listen to more about this topic on the GreenLabel.com Report at the 9 min mark:

BREAKDOWN: Please note that this latest song is not to be confused with “Dab” or “Dab Daddy” both of which were also penned by Migos. Let’s not forget “Trap Dab” by HoodRich Pablo. No, this version is designed to make sure the listener looks at the artists as they do the popular dance that the 2015-16 NFL MVP frontrunner Cam “Dab” Newton has incorporated into his post-touchdown celebrations. That said, it works for them. That seems to be a recurring theme for Migos and their Migos Family of artists. Repetitive? Maybe. Catchy? Definitely. These days that equals success for the Kings of Dab.

2) “Facts” by Kanye West

BREAKDOWN: This song could legitimately have an entire column dedicated to the bars Kanye laid down. From the play on the hit single “Jumpman” to the mention of his wife, Kim’s, latest app making a million a minute, this is vintage Kanye West.

Are West’s claims true?

Actually, most of them are. I would say it’s safe to say that Nike has a little (or a lot) more in their portfolio than just Drake and Don C., but I love West brashness after the adidas release of his “Yeezy” signature shoe became the hottest thing out this winter. After a dispute with Nike that ended with West leaving the company, adidas has to be thrilled with the trendsetter’s ability to make the company relevant again through fashion and song. Newly-minted adidas endorser, Nick Young, even played a NBA game in Ye’s high top version upon inking his deal.

SIDENOTE: The Yeezy Boost 350’s were a MUST add to my personal collection. Both Taylor Johnson (my personal stylist) and Jenna “Babyface” Zimmerman (fashion aficionado) are not sneakers fiends but love the low top version.

FAVORITE LINE: “Nike treat employees just like slaves. They gave LeBron a billi not to run away.” — A direct reference to the new incentive-laden, lifetime contract LeBron James just signed rumored to be in excess of a billion dollars.

#SoleFlow | #YeezySeason (Part II) 🎅🏾🎄 "You knew after yesterday's Part One, there had to be a Part Two."

A photo posted by BrandonClayPSB (@brandonclaypsb) on

3) “Roses” by The Chainsmokers feat. ROZES

BREAKDOWN: The irony of the song name matching the feature artist was not lost on me. In the process, The Chainsmokers had dropped a song that currently sits at No. 6 on the iTunes Store charts. I caught it on Sirius XM last week while on a trip to Chicago. The two young men, Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, are scheduled to drop their debut album in 2016. If “Roses” is any indication of where the album will take us, expect the wave to ride well into the new year.

4) “Ritz Carlton” by Plies

BREAKDOWN: It’s been over five years since Plies had a smash single. The Fort Myers, Fla., based rapper is back at it again with this release off of his “Ain’t No Mixtape Bih.” Born Algernod Lanier Washington, Plies is a social media star with his Instagram posts. After the line “Ran Off On Tha Plug Twice,” caught on this bowl season, he took it and ran posting various videos from college players celebrating by doing the dance after scoring touchdowns. PeachStateBasketball.com analyst, Christian Simmons and I enjoyed a laugh after watching Alabama men’s basketball coach Avery Johnson take off after a big win this week.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music 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. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: “Hot or Not” – G-Eazy & Kid Cudi –January 11, 2016

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB

“When It’s Dark Out” by G-Eazy

After coming off an amazing debut album, “These Things Happen” released in 2014, G-Eazy had a lot of expectations as to what he was going to put out next. With several radio hits such as “I mean it”, “Lotta That”, and “Downtown Love”, it was hard for audiences across the nation to imagine this Oakland, California native topping it. This year G-Eazy brought us yet another quality tracklist in his album “When It’s Dark Out”.

At first I was skeptical as of G-Eazy’s ability to provide more heat so close behind his last great album. Then I got text in between classes from my boy Brett Byerly (@Bbyerly46) saying it was a must cop. After getting in my room and letting it play while I studied for finals I realized… he was right. The album includes big name features such as Chris Brown, Big Sean, Kehlani, to smaller upcoming artist such as Starrah and Quiñ.

My personal favorites are “Order More” featuring Starrah and “Everything Will Be Okay” featuring Kehlani. I would be surprised if one or both hit the radio soon. This album is a solid purchase for any G-Eazy fan or just someone looking to expand their hip-hop library.

“Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven” by Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi has been a favorite artist of mine since his first mixtape, “A Kid Named Cudi” to his “Man On The Moon” album from his GOOD Music days. However after going ghost for awhile, people across the world, including myself, were starting to wonder if we would ever get another “Day & Night” or “Pursuit of Happiness” type banger from Cudi. This year he finally dropped his second album under Wicked Awesome label umbrella after much anticipation from his core audiences. However, unlike his usual album work, this body of art from Cudi left me highly disappointed.

With guitar and drums consistently throughout the album, it sounded more like an album put together by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Although it may have reached a certain interested crowd in the world, there is no question that he has lost a lot of core fans. The album is a complete left turn from all his previous works in which it almost sounds as some sort of Indie Rock album. This was a tough realization that maybe the artist that brought us such amazing songs, will never return back to that level of glory.

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.

Category: #iTunesSounds | LEAVE A COMMENT

#iTunesSounds: Law – “Came A Long Way” Mixtape – December 21, 2015

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

A Cameroon-born rap artist, Law is next up off of the Goodlife record label. The emerging star calls on Bigga Rankin, DJ Fresh, DJ Key and DJ Scream to help host the tape. Though Law calls Atlanta home, the influence of his African descent is prominent throughout his music. Law released his 13-track “Came A Long Way” mixtape earlier this month. We take a look at some of our favorite tracks:

1) “Ghost”

BREAKDOWN: This catchy beat produced by T Black The Hitmaker has the makings of a radio single. Law talks that money talk on this one. The wordplay using the popular Rolls Royce Ghost automobile and counting money in a Phantom (also a Rolls-Royce model).

2) “Ronnie”

BREAKDOWN: Law addresses the death of his close friend Ronnie. He serves as motivation for the whole Goodlife movement to kick down the doors that the industry didn’t hold open.

CLAY’S NOTE:Law expressed to us in our interview that Ronnie was like a brother to him. Look for that interview to be posted later this week.

3) “So Good”

BREAKDOWN: He follows up the emotional “Ronnie” with a positive take on life. The opening bar go “This the feeling that you get when God gives you all the answers / This the feeling that you feel when moms make it out of cancer / It’s like your body is elevated, can’t even explain it / Tears of Joy need a minute, have you ever had this feeling?”

4) “Progression”

BREAKDOWN: Delano (Sr. is the Goodlife CEO, Jr. is Law’s longtime running mate) and Nette (Executive Producer) have set the deck for Law to succeed. After the shoutout, Law goes on to addresses the patience to withstand the wait for greatness and the haters involved in the day-to-day grind.

5) “Bond Money”

BREAKDOWN: With the recent troubles surrounding rap artist Rick Ross putting up his house for bond to be released from prison, having the money for bond is more important than ever. Law addresses this talking about everyone in his crew from his homeboys to his girl having the bond money ready at any time.

Keep an eye out for our full interview with Law:

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @PSBPopCulture.

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#PSBPopCulture: Staying Fit and Eating Healthy – December 9, 2015

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB

Between spending time trying to keep a decent GPA and 50 cent wing nights at the campus Wingstop, it’s (real) hard to keep a good diet and real easy to gain weight in college. Luckily, I have three close friends that are constantly keeping me on track and headed in the right direction. Both of my workout partners, Taylor Grant and Bo Danso, are majoring in exercise science so they lead our workouts every night with their knowledge of the body and muscle groups.

SIDENOTE: Follow them on social media – @YaboyTG and @edanso132

Taylor wants to own a physical therapy facility, while Bo wants to own a gym. Because of that, every night is like a free professional personal training session. I take a lot of their health and fitness ideas as well and try to incorporate them into my life. I dig the way Bo always keeps track of his protein and carbohydrate intake to make sure he’s getting enough and the way Taylor plans his meals 2-3 days in advance.

The third person who does a great job of keeping me on track, in a competitive way, is my PSBPopCulture.com editor Brandon Clay. Being around him and watching eat extremely healthy then hit the gym twice a day, gives me that extra motivation to not slip up. Even after long red eye flights and his busy schedule, he finds time to get it done. I think to myself, “Surely if the boy B. Clay can manage to find time to prepare his healthy meals and hit the gym then I have no excuse.”

CLAY’S TAKE: I appreciate that fella. Honestly, for me it’s become a lifestyle. It’s a numbers game in terms of calories in versus calories burned combined with the amount of fat in those calories and protein intake as well. With my travel schedule, I have to be very cautious of what I choose to fuel my body with on a daily basis. I wasn’t blessed with the genetics to eat whatever I want and still stay in optimum shape. I had to greatly reduce my sugar intake in 2013 to see gains. I love slushies, Swedish Fish and things of that nature so it was an adjustment. I’ve replaced those things with other products that I like including granola and sugar free Trident gum.

This fall, I’ve adjusted my cardio to make sure I’m in the gym on a daily basis. I tell people often that it’s a daily choice to be great in any area. I feel as if I’m competing against myself and Jordan amongst others to get better each day. Owning the fact that I want to be in shape has made me that more accountable for sticking to my goal of being in great shape. The PSBPopCulture.com Team gave me a hard time when I made the life adjustment to reduce the sugar a couple of years ago but that’s exactly the motivation I need to be successful. I function at a high level when people tell me I can’t get something done.

Here are some of my favorite music lines to motivate me:

“I see rappers in the gym trying to tone up.” – J. Cole, Winter Schemes

“Living out a suitcase but I’m feeling good, Johnny’s got me pushing two plates.” – Drake, 9 AM in Toronto

“6 pack under my tank top.” – T.I., Trap Back Jumpin

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 is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @PSBPopCulture.

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