Summer 2017 Recap

Summer 2017 has been relatively calm in the music world, when compared to the year prior. However, there were still a lot of great hits that have come out from  many popular artists. The few that I will be focusing on are: Grateful by DJ Khaled, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music by 2 Chainz, Ctrl by SZA, Big Fish Theory by Vince Staples, 4:44 by JAY Z, and Luv Is Rage 2 by Lil Uzi Vert.

Let’s start with Grateful. In this, Khaled’s 10th major album, he continues bringing the best artists in the game together to make hits. With features from artists such as Beyonce, JAY Z, Rihanna, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne, and even more Khaled truly stacks his deck. Khaled has 3 major radio hits on this album: Shining (ft. Beyonce and JAY Z), Wild Thoughts (ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller), and Billboard chart topper I’m the One (ft. Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, Quavo, and Lil Wayne). This is a 23 song album, and of the 23 I enjoy 18, therefore this album is definitely something to check out. Khaled indeed made “another one.”

Next up is Pretty Girls Like Trap Music. I was actually most excited for this album, since it has been a while since 2 Chainz released any major projects. Now don’t let the title fool you, this album while titled “Trap” is one of 2 Chainz more calm pieces. He has chosen more soothing background music as well as less violent lyrics, in some songs that is. Quavo, a member of the hit group Migos, as well as Travis Scott, the 2 artists I think have had the best year so far, appear on this album. 2 Chainz rose to number 5 on the charts with his hit single Good Drank (ft. Quavo and Gucci Mane) which also is listed on this album. I anticipated this album very much and I wasn’t let down. I enjoy about 75% of the songs on this album and I feel that 2 Chainz has effectively projected his message that he isn’t done yet.

Switching genres towards the R&B side, SZA (pronounced “siz-ah”) dropped the most anticipated project of the summer, according to Complex magazine, her debut album Ctrl. It is a very mellow album specifically made for the ladies I presume. With Love Galore being the most popular song on the album (and my favorite) as well as pre released Drew Barrymore and new hit The Weekend gathering a lot of fan love, it is evident that the ladies are satisfied. For the guys who need to get in their feelings with a slow love album coupled with an angelic voice, this album is for you. 

Surprise. Another genre switch. Well not really. Vince Staples is a relatively newer artist to step onto the scene. His new project Big Fish Theory is a clever mix of rap, and pop/electronic music. For those fans of pop/electronica definitely check it out. It could be a good way to segue into becoming a rap fan. The same goes for those who only like rap. Vince does a good job of maintaining the lively, fast paced, tone throughout all the songs on the album. My favorite song on the album is Homage. This song is just one of the many pieces on this album that make me want to stop what I am doing, get up, and dance. Overall, this album has a lot to offer to many different types of music fans, which is why I classify it as a banger.

The next album of summer ‘17 that I would like to highlight is 4:44 by JAY Z. This album got a lot of buzz especially because of the video and lyrics to the second song on here The Story of OJ. JAY Z illustrates very crudely using a cartoon character of himself, the brutal discrimination and racism that black people faced and still face today. This video became so popular that Twitter erased it off of their social media platform because of the intense Twitter debates and quarrels over it. I enjoy and feel that JAY Z’s message (you have to listen to find out) was a very powerful one. In regards to the album as a whole I do not feel that 4:44 measures up to JAY Z’s earlier projects. 

The final album that I have to mention is Luv Is Rage 2 by Lil Uzi Vert. This was the second most anticipated album of the summer and definitely my favorite, and I enjoy every song on it except one. However, many people disagree. There has been a lot of debate over this album, even by Lil Uzi Vert’s own fans. Here’s the opinions of some students I interviewed about the album:

“Uzi is the voice of the youth, but when it comes to full length release, he just can’t show up. It’s an amazingly produced album with lukewarm lyrics, but he should learn how to rap if he’s going to be the voice of the youth.” -Kyle Truevillian (‘18)

“I feel like Uzi is forcing a sound and a different vibe that’s not like his former projects.” -Keyshawn Aytch  (‘19)

“It is very demonic in my eyes especially the song that adds up to 666 (referring to  the song 444+222), a number that has known relation to satan.” -Gia Sanders (Kenwood Academy, ‘19)

These students have voiced some of the most popular complaints about the album. Despite these things, I believe that each of the songs sound good, which is why I enjoy the album so much.

Summer 2017, despite the quantity of projects being lower than years past, still brought us tons of high quality music to jam to. Although the summer is over, many of these albums will continue to be bangers throughout the next few years. In the upcoming fall season I am looking forward to Travis Scott and Quavo’s (the 2 artists who I mentioned were having an exceptional year) collaborated album. It should be fire.