#iTunesSounds: Four To Know – March 14, 2016

“Four To Know” is a glimpse inside what’s current in the iTunes Music Libraries of our team members. We’ll provide four songs to grab and a breakdown of what appeals to us in each track.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) “7 Years” by Lukas Graham

The song is currently sitting at No. 1 inside the iTunes Store top songs listing. The Danish pop rock-soul group is headlined by Lukas Graham Forchhammer and will launch their debut album on April 1st. The song “7 Years” is an interesting take on life from a kid through adulthood into the later stages of life. Keep an eye on “Mama Said” as a potential second single after the album drops.

2) “She Don’t” by Ella Mai feat. Ty Dolla $ign

Ella Mai just might have my favorite RnB track of the first quarter to date. She teamed up with emerging star Ty Dolla to deliver a smooth yet soulful output. Her profile and sound is still so new to the scene that she doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page built yet. Given the buzz this song has created that shouldn’t last much longer.

3) “Miley Cyrus” – French Montana feat. Future

French Montana is back folks. This combination is mean with a banger for the spring coming as a result. In typical French fashion, he drops a basic though witty jewel with “I couldn’t Michael Jordan so I J. Cole’d.” Montana has another track called “Figure It Out” with Kanye West and Nas bubbling on the surface as well.

4) “Moolah” by Young Greatness

Along with Desiigner’s “Panda,” Moolah could be the anthem of Spring Break 2016. The video already has over 2.5 million views on YouTube. Hailing from New Orleans, Young Greatness has a hit on his hands with this one. The legendary Jazze Pha produced this monster, and the sound has been in steady rotation on my personal playlist since the top of the calendar year.

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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#iTunesSounds: Four To Know – March 1, 2016

“Four To Know” is a glimpse inside what’s current in the iTunes Music Libraries of our team members. We’ll provide four songs to grab and a breakdown of what appeals to us in each track.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) “L.A. Confidential” by Tory Lanez

BREAKDOWN: Lanez brought the heat with the lead single off of his upcoming album scheduled to be titled “L.A. Confidential.” He performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel at the end of January, and it is already charting on The Heat’s Weekly Top 35 countdown on Sirius XM. I was in Los Angeles at the beginning of February and had a chance to really listen. This record has the potential to take off the way that “Say It” did during the back half of 2015. Despite Lanez “off-field” issues with fellow Canadian, Drake, the music Lanez is putting out has his name amongst the up-and-comers in the urban music game right now.

2) “Panda” by Desiigner

BREAKDOWN: First of all, I thought this was Future when I heard the song. Second, Kanye West tossed the Brooklyn-based rapper a MEAN alley oop by putting a sample of this song on his “The Life of Pablo” album. Kanye also announced earlier in February that Desiigner is signed to G.O.O.D. Music so the placement is purely by design. With the catchy beat and hook, this just might be the Spring Break anthem before it’s all said and done.

SIDENOTE: I heard Uncle Murda’s remix of “Panda.” He too thought it was Future and stated so on the song. At least I wasn’t alone.

3) “Jam” by Kevin Gates

BREAKDOWN: Kevin Gates dropped the “Isiah” album earlier in the year. 48 hours later, Gates proceeded to release this track with Trey Songz and Ty Dolla $ign. It’s Gates at his essence: crisp hook, witty wordplay all based on his relationship with a female.

4) “Pillowtalk” by Zayn (Malik)

BREAKDOWN: From the opening beat drop, the former One Direction group member showed that he has a song built to top the charts sooner than later. His debut single is currently sitting at No. 10 on the iTunes charts and is getting major airplay on radio stations from coast-to-coast. Expect this one to stay in rotation for a while.

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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#iTunesSounds: Drake – “Summer Sixteen” – February 6, 2016

By: Donte’ Grant @DineroJones and Brandon Clay @psbpopculture

Drake is claiming 2016 as his year as his next album will be released in April. The Canadian artist, who is featured on Rihanna’s new single Work is getting into album mode, announcing his long-awaited fourth solo LP, “Views From the 6” is on the way.

Expected to arrive later this year, Drizzy gives fans a preview of what to expect on Views, premiering a new street single, “Summer Sixteen” on OVO Sound Radio on Beats 1.  Slide over to iTunes/Apple Music to purchase or stream “Summer Sixteen” which is produced by OVO in house beat monsters Boi-1da, 40, and CuBeatz.

CLAY’S TAKE: I was sitting courtside watching Kansas State last Saturday night when our PSBPopCulture.com Team Member, Jordan Davis, messaged me about this track. Let me say, I played it 20 times on the way from Manhattan back to Kansas City that night. Drake spared NO ONE on this. He touched Barack Obama with a line, “my verses are like the whips that you ride in, they’re bulletproof.” Drake then reengaged Meek Mill after winning this summer’s battle versus the Philly-based rapper. “I let the diss record drop, you were staying right below me (at the Four Seasons hotel). We must have played it 100 times, you were going to bed. Why would I wear a vest, you’re supposed to aim for the head?”

Next up, Mr. Graham took on Toronto’s own Tory Lanez. “All you boys in the New Toronto (a shot at Lanez’s mixtape title) wanna be me a little…you was never gang gang gang gang, you was never one of us.”

He even got a quick jab at Kanye West. “My pool is bigger than Kanye’s. Kanye’s pool is nice, mine’s just bigger is what I’m sayin.”

With Views from the 6 on the horizon, it will be interesting to see if Drake continues his “Shots Fired” campaign.

Listen to Drizzy’s announcement on OVO Sound from Beats 1 Radio on Apple Music below.

Screen Shot 2016-01-25 at 12.29.24 PMDonte’ Grant is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com. Grant, a 10-year music industry veteran, a former A&R at Atlantic Records, Jeezy’s CTE label, and founder of TheOrganizedGrind. Follow him on IG @MuchoDineros and Twitter @dinerojones.

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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#iTunesSounds: Kanye West – “Waves” – February 2, 2016

By: Donte’ Grant @DineroJones

Kanye West aka The “Louis Vuitton Don” is back in the news with less than two weeks to go until his highly anticipated new album drops. This time, the news isn’t a new song dropping. It’s actually him dropping his album title.

What initially was going to be title So Help Me God then changed to Swish (which I never liked as a title by the way) now is titled Waves. A day after unveiling the track list to the then 10-song LP, Yeezy announced the album will now be titled Waves. Oh, and apparently with the new title came the addition of a new song. Mr. West added “Ultra Light Beam” to make Waves an 11 track opus.

Waves will debut at New York City’s Madison Square Garden during the Yeezy Season 3 fashion show which will be broadcasted live to various theatres across the world.

Can February 11th get here already???

Screen Shot 2016-01-25 at 12.29.24 PMDonte’ Grant is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com. Grant, a 10-year music industry veteran, a former A&R at Atlantic Records, Jeezy’s CTE label, and founder of TheOrganizedGrind. Follow him on IG @MuchoDineros and Twitter @dinerojones.

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#iTunesSounds: “No More Parties in LA” – Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar – January 25, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture and Donte’ Grant @DineroJones

After a slight delay, Kanye West was back last week with his “G.O.O.D. Friday” series. Kanye enthusiasts had to wait until Monday morning for the arrival of “No More Parties in L.A.,” featuring none other than lyrical behemoth Kendrick Lamar. Here’s an in-depth look at the output from two of the industry’s A-List stars:

GRANT’S TAKE: The six-minute track was produced by Madlib. West, who is the boss of G.O.O.D. Music, teased his fans with a snippet of this record at the end “Real Friends” when it dropped on January 8th. The Madlib-produced track marks the first time West and K.Dot have appeared together on a song. West uses this record to remind everyone his still has impeccable rap skills. Ye’ mentions “I was uninspired since Lauryn Hill retired” and “I know some fans who thought I wouldn’t rap like this again” in the same way he delivers a hilarious anecdote about an assistant crashing his matted Maybach. Effortless flows with substance, combinations like this one are far and between nowadays in Hip Hop. It’s only fitting Kanye brought it back on a song featuring Lamar. K. Dot dominated hip hop in 2015 garnering 11 Grammy nominations from his critically acclaimed and commercial successful “To Pimp a Butterfly” opus. It’s safe to say with the the February 11 release of West’s highly anticipated album “Swish,” the Louis Vuitton Don is set to have a big year in 2016.

CLAY’S TAKE: I agree with Donte’s outlook on this one. The wordplay and samples give me the feeling that Mr. West is cooking up a similar production to his “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” album released in 2010. That loop of the Ghostface hook off of the G.O.O.D. Music collab “Cruel Summer” was not lost on me. It’s the same song where Kanye first proclaimed “Hold on, I ain’t trying to stuntman but the Yeezy’s jumped over the Jumpman.”

FAVORITE LINE: “Thinkin’ back to how I got here in the first place: second class chicks wouldn’t let me on first base. A backpack brotha with luxury taste buds and the Louis Vuitton store got all of my pay stubs.” — Kanye

Screen Shot 2016-01-25 at 12.29.24 PMDonte’ Grant is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com. He is a 10-year music industry veteran. Grant is a former A&R at Atlantic Records, Jeezy’s CTE label, and founder of TheOrganizedGrind.com. A former hooper at Augusta State, he is a diehard LA Lakers fan. Grant is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. He has been around the PSBPopCulture.com Team since it’s inception. You can follow him on Twitter @dinerojones.

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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#FreshStyleFits: Bomber Jackets – January 21, 2016

***Brandon Clay pictured in a Topman Jersey Bomber Jacket.
Photo Cred: Jonathan Hemingway @JLHemingwayPSB

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture and By: @KTaylorPSB

Taylor’s Take: Kendall & Kylie Jenner along with Gigi Hadid clearly love rocking the bomber jacket with leggings (and my personal favorite accessory being their Yeezy shoes). I love this jacket because it’s the perfect casual, comfy jacket while still looking fashion forward. Black and olive green are popular colors for this look but moving into spring floral prints are going to be right on point with the way this trend is moving. My suggestion is to pair the jacket with leggings like Kendall and Gigi like to wear or sport torn jeans like Kylie.

I decided to go with a modified version of the look that you probably wouldn’t see the Kylie wearing but it fits my style best.

Macy’s: Tommy Hilfiger Tweed Bomber Jacket – $52

Here are three different looks that are still in stock:

1) Missguided: quilted jacket rib collar bomber khaki – $68

2) Urban Outfitters: Light Before Dark Bomber Jacket – $64

3) Free People: Quilted Aviator Jacket – $148

Brandon’s Take: From the GQ stylish man of the year, Kanye West to award winning actor Eddie Redmayne, bomber jackets are definitely the move for guys this season. There are multiple ways to pull off the look. A pair of OVO Jordan 10’s might call for a bigger version while a pair of low top Louis Vuitton sneakers or Converse are a perfect reason to pull out a slim version from the closet.

Here are three different looks at varying price points that are still in stock:

1) Alpha Industries: MA-1 Jacket – $140

2) Topman: Stone Wool Blend Canvas Bomber Jacket – $140

3) Topman: Grey Jersey Bomber Jacket – $55

#PSBPopCulture | Jordan 72-10's | #SoleFlow CRED: @jlhemingway | #AnyGymIsHome

A photo posted by BrandonClayPSB (@brandonclaypsb) on

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.

Taylor-Staff-PicTaylor Johnson serves as Brandon Clay’s personal stylist and is one of the most fashionable people in Atlanta. While attending graduate school at Georgia State, she’ll contribute to various categories throughout the PSBPopCulture.com site.

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#FreshStyleFits: Kanye West + adidas = YeezySeason – January 20, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Kanye West has come out the gate in 2016 on a mission. He’s revived his G.O.O.D. Friday series of single drops in anticipation of his album “Swish” due to release on February 11th. It’s no secret that Mr. West has long been known as one of the game’s premier rap artists and music producers. Since dropping “Yeezus” in 2013, he has been quiet musically not releasing an album or EP since then. In the interim, he’s done a little of everything else becoming a husband to Kim Kardashian, a father twice over to North and Saint West, as well as a go-to in the fashion world.

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

He split (rather loudly) with Nike and signed with adidas. Most recently, his signature line of Yeezy Boost sneakers have been arguably the hardest sneaker to get that actually hit retail shelves. One of West’s latest singles, “Facts,” talks all about it so make sure to listen if you haven’t already. I had a conversation with Mississippi State assistant, Elena Lovato, about the scarcity an event this weekend. Shortly thereafter Tennessee assistant, Jolette Law, commented on the shoes as well.

As popular as the Jordan Brand Collection of shoes have been, Kanye has a valid point about his shoes jumping over the Jumpman.

With an original suggested retail price of $200, current prices on the newly released Yeezy 350 Boost (Tan colorway) low top sneaker have climbed to $1,500 per pair on reseller VIP Exclusives. The black and turtle dove colorways of the 350 Boost which were released earlier in 2015 are going for $2,500 while the 750 Boost hightop version has a price point of $3,500. Even the OVO Jordan 10’s that were released in limited supply late last year can be found around $550 per pair right now.

If you got your hands on a pair like Buford High volleyball star Avery Cason, did before the prices skyrocketed congratulations.

We were fortunate enough to get our hand on each of the four low top versions before they left the retail shelves avoiding the expensive headache of trying to find them through a reseller. Here’s a look at the shoes:

#SoleFlow | #YeezySeason (Part I) 🎄🎅🏾

A photo posted by BrandonClayPSB (@brandonclaypsb) on

#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

#YeezySeason (Part Three) | #yeezyboost350

A photo posted by BrandonClayPSB (@brandonclaypsb) on

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.

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#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.

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