Lav's Music Corner

5.  Alone  - Kim Petras (feat. Nicki Minaj) Even though I've liked both of these artists a lot in the past, to say I was skeptical of this song would be a huge understatement. While I did think each of their previous two songs were okay it felt like they were both headed for some kind of slump and hearing the relatively lazy sampling on display in the previews for this track didn't help remedy that. Ultimately though this song is also pretty decent with an exciting performance from Nicki and a hook that is sticking with me more and more. It's far from the best either are capable of but it's a plenty serviceable collaboration.  Listen 4.  Undergrowth  - Squid If hearing the funk rock riffs and the repeated Limp Bizkit ass "melt" hook on this song immediately activated your gag reflex, you're not alone. My first reaction to the song was pretty garish as well. In fact it took me a few times of hearing it with completely shifted expectations to realize there a...

Your Old Droog is a Brooklyn based Ukrainian American rapper who first emerged around the middle of the last decade drawing comparisons to Nas with many even believing he could be Nas rapping under a pseudonym. Since then he has released 6 records highlighted by 2017's critically acclaimed Packs . Droog released 3 full studio albums of material in 2019 alone and quickly turned around to release Dump YOD  which appears to address his Ukrainian history.  Review By Lav: I've been a pretty big fan of Droog since first hearing Packs  in 2017 and last year his Transportation  album proved to be a favorite of mine even though I didn't have time to review his third album of 2019 Jewels  before the year was out. Droog once again dropped a December album and I wasn't gonna let it get by me again, especially given that Dump  seems like Droogs most personal and conceptual record yet. As it turns out that concept extends much more to the instrumentals of the record than...

Run The Jewels is the pairing of Atlanta rapper and Southern hip-hop legend Killer Mike alongside producer/rapper and experimental rap veteran El-P. The pair first linked up on Killer Mike's R.A.P Music  album in 2012 before pairing up under the RTJ moniker the next year. The duo went on to release 3 critically acclaimed hip hop records over the next 4 years highlighted by the transcendent hardcore hip-hop modern classic Run The Jewels 2  in 2014. Review By Lavender: Just like everybody on earth I love Run The Jewels. Killer Mike and EL-P came from very different places but the sound they have crafted together is unique, hard-hitting and politically charged. From some of the most hilarious vile lyrics to the most witty and revolutionary there is no shortage of creativity between the pairing and they have been amazing on one record after another. Even with expectations as high as they are on RTJ4  the duo still manages to go above and beyond as they crafted one of the best...