Music Lists

The Worst XXL Freshman Freestyles

With the 2020 Freshman Freestyles fully underway, here are the most cringe-worthy raps in recent memory

Lil Pump - Gazzy GarciaLil Pump in concert at O2 Academy Brixton, London, UK - 20 Nov 2018

Photo by RMV/Shutterstock

The XXL Freshman Freestyle is a strange beast.

On the one hand, the allotted 90 seconds has allowed for bubbling new talents to really show their strength. The 16-bar offerings from Vince Staples and Angel Haze still remain some of the most talked-about freestyles in XXL history. But on the other hand, placing swag-rappers and singers in an arena built for battle rappers seems cruel and unfair at times.

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MUSIC

Petition for Lupita Nyong'o to Start a Rap Career

The star showed off her rapping capabilities on last night's episode of The Tonight Show.

Lupita Nyong'o has already given us so much.

She's performed incredible roles in a variety of films, from Us to Black Panther. She's stunned Oscars audiences and fueled awards show dreams. She's spoken out about social issues like sexual harassment and colorism, and is writing a children's book about the latter.

It seems that there's nothing she can't do. On last night's episode of Jimmy Fallon, she showed us that if she wanted, she could easily take over the music industry. Appearing as her alter ego "Troublemaker," she once again proved that she has a talent for rhythm and wordplay.

This isn't the first time she's shown off her rap capabilities. On the way to the Black Panther premier in 2018, she gave us a glimpse of her freestyling alongside Letitia White. She also rapped alongside the cast of Us in another YouTube video.

Us Movie Cast Rap Video Jordan Peeles Us(Lupita Nyongo,Winson Duke)www.youtube.com

In 2017, she appeared alongside Chrissy Teigen in Comedy Central's Lip Sync Battle and showed off her dancing abilities. The pieces are all there, and judging by the signs, it'll only be a matter of time before we get our first Troublemaker mixtape.

FILM & TV

BOX OFFICE BREAKDOWN | Back To School Blues

SEPTEMBER 7th-9th | What's Coming to Theaters this Weekend?

popsugar.com

Class is in session with some of our favorite films to kick off the first week of school.

In Popdust's column, Box Office Breakdown, we aim to inform you of the top flicks to check out every weekend depending on what you're in the mood to enjoy. Looking to laugh? What about having your pants scared off? Maybe you just need a little love? Whatever the case may be, we have you covered. Take a peek at our top picks for this week…

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MUSIC

EXCLUSIVE | Listen "13" Rappers Spit Fire On Epic Posse Track Just Released Today

Listen to "13" -- Brent Butler, Deascent, Crimdella, Paco The G Train Bandit, J thegodis, DOMOSOCRAZY, Que Cee, Ratchet By Nature, Ohene Cornelius, Redddaz, Stonehenge Parnhashnakovsky & Sir Kn8

Posse cut records have long been revered in hip hop, and "13" proves that tradition is live and well.

February 13, 2018 New York City - You heard it here first!Brent Butler, a Jersey-raised rapper, producer, and guitarist just released a new track teasing his upcoming debut solo EP, L I L A C. Known for his eclectic combinations of musical genres (often paying homage to his punk roots, performing live instrumentations on his records and at shows, transitioning back and forth from rap to singing), it's a totally welcome surprise to hear him straight rap on his latest self-produced beat, and then turns the mic over to 12 (yes, 12!) indie rappers in this non-stop, whirlwind of a record.

So whose on the line up? In order of appearance: "13" features verses from Deascent, Crimdella, Paco The G Train Bandit, J thegodis, DOMOSOCRAZY, Que Cee, Ratchet By Nature (Sam Wise & Apples), Ohene Cornelius, Redddaz, Stonehenge Parnhashnakovsky, and Sir Kn8 (part of the duo Killin H8).

"The idea was to give a spotlight to my favorite artists in the local scene and just make a fun, crazy record before finishing up the EP," Brent tells Popdust. "I didn't actually know where it would stop. I made this mean ass beat, and didn't intend to use it for myself. I thought I'd probably give it to another artist. But it's so energizing and got me so pumped that I ended up forming a few bars, which - probably unconsciously - ended with a hand-off to Deascent."

In 2015 Brent and Bronx-bred rapper, Deascent, released a 7-track concept EP together called THE COLD PRESS, and began fronting a full live band by the same name in partnership with singer/songwriter and bassist, Dan Victor.

"I'm all about collaborations, so working on my first solo EP, L I L A C, may have had me a bit stir crazy in the studio. When Deascent heard the track and responded with his own 8 bars, I was like... okay let's go nuts... Next it was 4 rappers, then 8, then 11, and it kept going. It easily would have gone over 13, but we drew the line there decided to do a surprise release on the 13th... cuz you know, numbers."

"13," like many in the grand tradition of posse cuts, possesses enormous gravity and has such insane energy because each artist brings their own personalities and emotions to the song; each has their own reaction to the music and plays off what the artist before them performs. It's a giant conversation, which in the case of "13" ends up being wildly compelling . Lyrics range from the bombastic, braggadocios remarks you may expect from rap, to the political, philosophical, and straight up psychedelic.

1.BRENT BUTLER

Follow Brent Butler on -- IG: @brentbutlermusic | FB: brentbutlermusic

Order Of Appearance:

  1. Brent Butler
  2. Deascent
  3. Crimdella
  4. Paco The G Train Bandit
  5. J thegodis
  6. DOMOSOCRAZY
  7. Que Cee
  8. Sam Wise (Ratchet By Nature)
  9. Apples (Ratchet By Nature)
  10. Ohene Cornelius
  11. Redddaz
  12. Stonehenge Parnhashnakovsky
  13. Sir Kn8

Tell us what you think of the record and check out all 13 of the artists, each of whom have impressive, independently released catalogues and upcoming projects. And look out for Brent Butler's full EP L I L A C, due this spring!

Team work makes the dream work. - Popdust


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