2cool4school

May 31, 2013 8:27 AM

Last spring, Chance the Rapper got suspended from High School for 10 days. Faced with an ultimatum from his Dad to make real progress as an artist or drop it and get serious about his studies, Chance spent his suspension making the mixtape #10Day, a critical hit. Now, Chance has released another mixtape, Acid Rap, that delves even deeper (and with even more complex wordplay) into his favorite subjects: hallucinogens, nicotine addiction, the 90s, his mom, and the current dire situation of the south side of Chicago. Many critics are calling it a masterpiece. Download for free here, or listen here.
posted by Potomac Avenue (60 comments total)

Sounds really great so far. Thanks, Potomac Avenue!
posted by Foci for Analysis at 8:37 AM on May 31, 2013

I am enjoying this a great deal. Thank you!
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 8:49 AM on May 31, 2013

Digging it and I think with the quality and now the exposure he could take this far. Still I hope the kid finishes High School though. Fame and fortune only works out for a vanishingly few.
posted by Big_B at 8:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Just noticed the name Acid Raps (besides the obvious) could be from this Eminem freestyle.
"Don't ask what the squeegee's for
Or the holy water, acid raps that'll eat these floors
Eat a hole in a rhyme book, you see these horns?
And as for me you ask when I'm gone, will he be mourned?"
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:03 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Whoa did I just see FPP about a mixtape? Here are some of my favorite mixtapes from fairly recently:

Fabolous - Soul Tape 2
Big K.R.I.T. - King Remembered in Time
Flatbush Zombies - D.R.U.G.S.
Curren$y - Covert Coupe
Pusha T - Wrath of Caine

BRICK SQUAD, META FILTER, BRICK SQUAD, META FILTER
posted by Teakettle at 9:22 AM on May 31, 2013 [17 favorites]

The slow, stuttering flow is definitely A Thing right now, but the guy has real personality and a great intuition it sounds like. I really like this.
posted by invitapriore at 9:30 AM on May 31, 2013

Chance the rapper is high school age?

Anyway, eminem mentions acid rap a few times. One is in Kill You where he says "I don't do acid rap, I rap on acid" it is a reference to a Detroit mini-genre pioneered by a rapper named Esham. It is sort of the precursor to horrorcore. He influenced eminem, ICP and even Danny Brown. Pretty much why Detroit rap is the way it is.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:34 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

Born = April 16, 1993 (age 20). So actually the suspension was in 2011, not last year! The story about him recording the record then must have been exaggerated or else it took a long time to come out.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:39 AM on May 31, 2013

How do you feel about Joey Bada$$? He's like 18 now, his new tape comes out pretty soon. Next month I think.
posted by Teakettle at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2013

I just didn't know Chance was that young. A lot of these guys are so young, Chief Keef is 17 isn't he?

Chance has been getting a lot of attention over the perception he is "anti-Molly" since Molly rap like Trinidad James is so hot right now, maybe that is why I thought he was older.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:49 AM on May 31, 2013

Teakettle's mixtape list covers a lot of my recent favorites as well.

I'd definitely add this one to my favorites list:

Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - Lost In Translation
posted by rollbiz at 9:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

As far as Chance goes: I loved #10Days, not sure how I feel about the new one yet.

Oh, and one of the tapes on Teakettle's list I'd never heard before is the Flatbush Zombies. Just fired it up and it opens with a sample from Portishead's "Roseland NYC Live" album. Wow.
posted by rollbiz at 9:56 AM on May 31, 2013

Rap is in a funny place right now when Kendrick Lamar can say these lines and sound old:

See I've spent twenty three years on the earth searching for answers
Til' one day I realized I had to come up with my own
I'm not on the outside looking in
I'm not on the inside looking out
I'm in the dead fucking center, looking around

posted by invitapriore at 9:57 AM on May 31, 2013

I do not know Joey Bada$$! I will check him out. Chance is by far the best lyricist I've heard in a while though--I'm a sucker for emotional rawness combined with a wordy fluid style, reminds me of the 90s which is a cliche but whatever. I appreciate dudes like Lil B, ASAP and Keef and the like, but I only really connect with folks like Gambino, Earl Sweatshirt, kinda thing (and Kitty, but that's a different story).

My point being, this tape really affected me. I teared up a couple times. Probably because I'm old and remembering the first time I heard "Where I'm From" but still--the fact that this kid can represent the most blighted part of the country right now with love and fear and shame rather than just bravado filled me with hope and bittersweet joy.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:58 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

I can't download that #10day from the link given - it says "The file you requested has been removed from MediaFire for a violation of our Terms of Service. "
posted by RustyBrooks at 9:58 AM on May 31, 2013

Rusty I know you can listen to 10Day here as well-- think you can DL too.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:00 AM on May 31, 2013

You might like Joey, his 1999 is a modern classic in my eyes, it's an amazingly articulate view into teenage life. I think my favorite track is Pennyroyal.

Rollbiz, I will check out eXquire
posted by Teakettle at 10:01 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

The WBEZ article I posted above really says what I like about this tape way better than I can...

Even in the midst of an epidemic of violence that’s earned Our Town the nickname of Chiraq, life on the South Side is anything but one-dimensional. Gangs, drugs, poverty, a fundamentally flawed school system, and the despair that comes from knowing that so many people in a position to help just don’t give a crap are inescapable facts. But so are love, hope, community, and reveling in a thousand humble joys—from grilled cheese sandwiches to birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese, and from smoking weed to dissing Kobe Bryant—all of which combine to make life worth living.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:02 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

Boy the download process from that site (datpiff) is scummy as hell.
posted by RustyBrooks at 10:04 AM on May 31, 2013

Chief Keef - Back From The Dead

Pusha T has a new song produced by Don Cannon Numbers on the Boards that just appeared earlier this month.

Personally I really like Joey Badass since it is all 90s boom bap, I particularly like Survival Tactics.
posted by Ad hominem at 10:07 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Thanks y'all! Yeah this 1999 Joey thing is great so far! Very Buckshot Shorty. Still like Acid Raps better tho'. ;)
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:12 AM on May 31, 2013

Esham - Judgement Day Vol 1
Esham - Judgement Day Vol 2

Probably as controversial as rap gets. A black guy from Detroit rapping about Satan and the KKK backed by Ozzy Osbourne samples and what sound like recordings of klan rallies.
posted by Ad hominem at 10:26 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]

Rollbiz, I will check out eXquire

Definitely recommend it, but just be aware it's very different than Chance and some of the other folks mentioned. Much more of a raw NYC/ODB kind of feel.
posted by rollbiz at 10:35 AM on May 31, 2013

If anyone else is looking for 10Day and doesn't want to register with Datpiff (or hand over a cell phone number wtf), a quick Google finds a download from Mixtape Monkey that seems clean, fast and hassle-free.
posted by Mothlight at 10:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [5 favorites]

The new Chance album is nice, Kendrick Lamar's rise to the top can only be seen as a good thing for the rest of rap, hopefully we are entering a more experimental era.

I've been feeling Pusha T (seems he won that battle with Lil Wayne), Blocka is an unstoppable track.

Some mixtapes I've been bumping in the past few months...

Mann - The Lisa EP

Le1f - Fly Zone

Cassie - RockaByeBaby

Curren$y - New Jet City

Jeremih - Late Nights (it's a year old, but it was far and away my favorite album of last year)

Anticipating the new Action Bronson, Teedra Moses and ASAP Ferg stuff.
posted by cloeburner at 10:54 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Damn, this album is amazing.
posted by IAmBroom at 10:56 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]

Never in a million years did I think anyone would be expressing love for Esham on MetaFilter. SO AWESOME. Super-nice dude, too.

Everyone who feels the same about acid rap/horrorcore would do well to check out (at minimum) the Serial Killaz EP by Halfbreed HaLFBrEEd, as well as anything by House of Krazees (R.O.C. from HaLFBrEEd with Hektik and Mr. Bones, a/k/a Monoxide Child and Jamie Madrox of Psychopathic Records alumni Twiztid).
posted by divined by radio at 10:57 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

seems he won that battle with Lil Wayne

Pusha T - Exodus 23:1 vs. Lil Wayne - Ghoulish

Forgot Keef has a new track Macaroni Time.

now I gotta stop looking up shit on youtube and listen to some of this other shit. At least I got something to do besides work today.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:06 AM on May 31, 2013

Searching Rap Genius for the phrase "Acid Raps" is fun, even if probably irrelevant.

Pharrell from Best Friend:

"The place we love the most, the hood was built to smash us flat
But I escaped cause I chased, what made me passion that
Now I got my skate team and spit these acid raps."

Swollen Members:

"Driving nails through my palms
I've arrived in many forms and this is one.
Paint it black then Pitch it Black like Riddick
Rap acidic, admit it, it's analytic."
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:07 AM on May 31, 2013

I wish I had something to add, but: My playlist is thanking all of you sharing music in this thread.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 11:35 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Man Chief Keef, that dude is controversial. The Chicago scene right now is so weird, you got Kanye, Chance and Lupe on one hand and then Chief Keef, Lil Durk (2), and Lil JoJo (RIP) on the other.

Basically, some truly amazing conscious rap and some of the most violent, nihilistic trap rap are both coming out of Chicago. Nevertheless, I appreciate both, but realize that Chicago is in serious turmoil and Chief Keef isn't helping.

bangbang
posted by cloeburner at 11:45 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

Right? Keef got arrested twice in like one week, and got into a beef with Katy Perry of all people. She backed down, I guess she figured she would end up like JoJo. Now Kanye is repping 3hunna in Black Skinhead. I guess he is serious he doesn't want to be a celebrity anymore, soon we will see him in a Keef video with his shirt off in some dudes backyard holding a styrofoam cup and a swisher sweet.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:57 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]

metafilter love sosa
Hit him with that cobra
Now that boy slumped over
Raris and Rovers
metafilter love sosa
posted by Teakettle at 11:59 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

Action Bronson got a mention here, but since nobody posted a link to Blue Chips I guess I will.

Also, a warning about the Chance the Rapper tape: one of the tracks at the beginning has a very long dead spot that is completely unintentional. Don't skip ahead assuming a download error.
posted by Going To Maine at 12:01 PM on May 31, 2013

As a community organizer and political leader, Chief Keef has a lot to answer for!
posted by chrchr at 12:02 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Sosa is amazing. He was recently pulled over for doing 110 in a 55. He made bail and then went home to play paintball indoors. (vine link) He gives Iris Murdoch a run for her money, that's for sure.
posted by Teakettle at 12:14 PM on May 31, 2013

As far as Chance goes: I loved #10Days, not sure how I feel about the new one yet.

OK, just sat down and went through "Acid Rap" again, and I am now sure how I feel about it. It's fucking excellent.
posted by rollbiz at 12:26 PM on May 31, 2013

Chicago is in serious turmoil and Chief Keef isn't helping.

The Chicago Reader begs to differ: "It might sound crazy, but the notorious, teenage, gun-waving rapper could be a solution for a city struggling with violence"

I love Chance's new mixtape and I'm happy to see a less-nihilistic direction for Chicago rap. How did a Chance the Rapper thread turn into a Chief Keef thread anyhow? I guess it's sort of inevitable, given Keef's media profile these days.
posted by crazy_yeti at 12:26 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Chief Keef is fun to gossip about. So was Master P though. Everyone on earth would rather listen to Aquemini right?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:42 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

I think Keef needs to expand his oeuvre a bit.

As of now we know a lot of shit he don't like, snitches, sneak disses, thirsty bitches, smoking regs, poor boys, people who think they are flexing but need exercise, ones and fives in his bankroll.

Shit he likes, raris and rovers, forgiato rims, flats, lean, rolling up a QP, o boys, GBE, 3hunna. 30s, All white Audis, Gucci, macaroni time.

Maybe as he matures as an artist he will broaden his horizons and tackle issues such as bugattis, Hublot watches, what color ice he has on his Jesus piece, what the gull wing doors on his SLS remind him of, which basketball player's team number corresponds with how much he pays for a brick, and all the other things we expect from a more mature artist.

Only time will tell.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:18 PM on May 31, 2013 [11 favorites]

I think he should be commended for his role in keeping things 3hunna.
posted by Teakettle at 1:25 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

I think the only controversial rapper we haven't mentioned yet is Mc Ride of Death Grips.

Singles:
Death Grips - Guillotine
Death Grips - Takyon

Mixtapes:
Exmilitary
The Money Store
Deep Web No Love
posted by Ad hominem at 2:01 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Finally checked out the Rap Genius page for Juice which apparently Rappers are editing now too? Cuz Chance has this to say about one line from it.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:05 PM on May 31, 2013

Is Necro considered controversial?

EDIT: That video is really disturbing FYI.
posted by Teakettle at 2:07 PM on May 31, 2013

Finally checked out the Rap Genius page for Juice which apparently Rappers are editing now too? Cuz Chance has this to say about one line from it.

Yeah, they have video annotations from rappers too. Some of them are oddly funny, like a rapper standing in his bathroom filming himself with an iphone explaining some line like what he means by "fuck bitches, get money" like in this Mac Miller song

Is Necro considered controversial?

EDIT: That video is really disturbing FYI.

Youtube wants me to log in so you know Necro goes hard. Dead body disposal is oddly reminiscent of a famous AskMe comment.
posted by Ad hominem at 2:17 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Forgot Keef has a new track Macaroni Time.

Is it a cover?
posted by Hoopo at 4:38 PM on May 31, 2013

Holy shit this kid is the freshest rapper in a minute
posted by Michael Pemulis at 4:45 PM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]

I think Keef needs to expand his oeuvre a bit.

Indeed. Keef needs to better reflect the gritty reality of his adopted home town, Northbrook, Illinois into his music. It was toward Northbrook that Keef was doing 110 in a 55 (the Edens Expressway). I lived in Northbrook for a couple of years (as did Ferris Bueller) and can attest to the brutality of the place. But I guess it has its appeal for Mr. Keef. It's true that, 100 years ago, Northbrook was basically just a red light district called Shermerville; perhaps he wants to turn back the clock.
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 7:50 PM on May 31, 2013

Indeed. Keef needs to better reflect the gritty reality of his adopted home town, Northbrook, Illinois into his music

Iiiiiiiin South Side Chicago, born and raised
On the playground is where I'd spend most of my days
posted by Hoopo at 8:09 PM on May 31, 2013

theneedledrop - Acid rap.

Anthony fantano has a pretty good perspective, he rates Chance the Rapper slightly below Kendrick Lamar. Of course he gave Death Grips the first 10 he ever gave.

Of course I love Chance the Rapper, and Kendrick Lamar, And Death Grips, but all these guys are great, so listen to them.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:32 AM on June 1, 2013

It took me a few seconds, but I realized Chance's delivery and voice quality on the opener (and on some subsequent tracks) remind me of Lil Dicky who was handing out his mixtape in San Francisco a few weeks ago, including Ex-Boyfriend, which may be too Flight of the Concords or Seinfeld for some "serious" rap aficionados.
posted by knile at 2:07 AM on June 1, 2013

While we're on the topic of Chicago rappers let me just drop the name Sharkula into the mix. Sells his CD's on the street, they are very unique. I love this guy!
posted by crazy_yeti at 6:42 AM on June 1, 2013

Sosa is amazing. He was recently pulled over for doing 110 in a 55. He made bail and then went home to play paintball indoors. [...]
posted by Teakettle at 2:14 PM on May 31
[+] [!]

Not following you ... why is this amazing?
posted by Unified Theory at 7:43 AM on June 1, 2013

Thanks so much for this post and for all the comments. Just from scrolling halfway down the comments I have downloaded 8 new mixtapes which I'm excited to listen to. Any recommendations for hip hop blogs or hip hop news sites.
posted by dreyfusfinucane at 9:42 AM on June 1, 2013 [1 favorite]

Drey I got the tip for this mixtape from Cocaine Blunts Dot Com.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:01 PM on June 1, 2013

Noz, who writes Cocaine Blunts, is my favorite rap writer on the Internet. He also has a very active tumblr and a column for Pitchfork.

Other than that, there's kinda a vast sea of blogs that I would love some guidance to as well. Ego Trip is mostly Golden Age or backpacker or whatever, mixing material about '80s and '90s artists as well as current artists that are more in the traditional New York vein. They'll cover Chance and Big K.R.I.T.T. but probably not Future.
posted by chrchr at 11:48 PM on June 1, 2013

Thanks all those Blogs and websites look great.
posted by dreyfusfinucane at 6:20 AM on June 2, 2013

Seconding the love for Noz. He's great. I didn't know about the tumblr or the Pitchfork column, so thanks for linking to them.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 8:31 AM on June 2, 2013

We Have Beef With Datpiff, they download shit from datpiff so you don't have to.

I also lurk on /r/hiphopheads and worldstarhiphop.com, they are not quite as terrible as you may think. For example,Worldstar has an new Joey Badass video and a Sosa interview on the front page.

Also Naduwar videos on YouTube, that guy is like a font of knowledge, he introduced me Egyptian Lover through one of his interviews.
posted by Ad hominem at 5:01 PM on June 2, 2013 [1 favorite]

4th most popular OFWGKTA member Hodgy Beats has a new mix tape Untitled 2.
posted by Ad hominem at 7:53 PM on June 2, 2013 [1 favorite]