Chronic Future - World Keeps Spinning

Recently, I found an old back up disc of mine that I had when my computer first crashed about eight to nine years ago. Curious, I loaded it up and started rummaging through the contents finding a whole bunch of old pictures from high school and a ton of the music I use to listen to. I immediately thought of this blog and a band I use to listen to that goes by the name of Chronic Future (CF's Wiki). Although Chronic Future is categorized as an alternative rock group, they are also labeled as rap rock group. Around the time of Chronic Future's success, there were not many other bands that had garnered much attention or success by incorporating rap into their musical style, with the exception of Linkin Park. Sadly, as of 2009 Chronic Future has been on hiatus and there hasn't been any buzz of them making any sort of return.

Chronic Future's lyrics usually challenged societal norms, and challenged people to stop being complacent in the modern world. Almost like Rage Against the Machine but not as brash. Being a teenager, they definitely gave me something to think about. It was artists like these that really had me questioning the status-quo. CF's music really got my mind churning in ways that I never thought I would and which is probably why I've become the inquisitive person I am today. I know I'm not verbally inquisitive, and I should be, but not a day goes by that I don't ask myself something. Whether it be why does said person have to spend $300 on a pair of jeans, or why is that girl so inclined to wear that much make up? I am in no way judging these people, but people are usually the starting point for me when  I go on what I like to call a thought journey which lead you from one point to another.

 Anyways, I know this isn't the typical hip-hop music that I usually post, but I do hope you guys enjoy it. Sadly, I only have one Chronic Future album on this CD, but I definitely recommend it to anyone that might be a fan of alternative-rock. Lines in My Face(CF's Album)

Sorry for the quality, it might be a little crappy because the video was uploaded so long ago. If anyone's interested in the album I can definitely email it over. Hit me up if you want it! Enjoy!

Ab-Soul - Empathy.

About a year ago, I stumbled upon the shades wearing Ab-Soul, a rapper from Carson, California. Aside from the great music he makes, I was intrigued by the fact that this man always wore sunglasses. Night and day, rain or shine, the sunglasses would never come off. That, and that he also refers to himself as The Black Lip Bastard, a peculiar nickname. All these attributes combined made him quite a character and made me curious to learn more about him, beyond just music. In this interview, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED3QwL4dWSE, Ab-Soul brings to light some of the mysteries shrouding him. Furthermore, Ab-Soul was one of the people that actually molded Kendrick Lamar into the MC that he is today.

Aside from being an MC, Ab-Soul is quite the vocalist. Something that took me by complete surprise. When I first heard the audio to his track Empathy, I thought the person singing was a feature on the track. I was in shock when I saw the music video for the first time and saw that it was him. Of course you have other rappers that try to sing and rap like Drake, or Chris Brown, but the quality of this man's lyrics, his powerful voice, he undoubtedly has some soul, there's something more organic about him than other artists who take on the challenge of being a singer and a rapper.

The song Empathy is a tribute to a fellow artist from the same record label, Alori Joh, who committed suicide a few months before the song was made. The definition of empathy is the ability to recognize feelings being felt by another being. Ab-Soul is transmits various feelings through this song, which people will more or less will be able to identify. The soft, mellow, smooth beat make for a relaxed listen, with his voice complimenting perfectly. Even when transitioning from singing to rapping, the central feeling the song is projecting is never lost. An artists who is able to combine all these attributes together and a hint of mystery to themselves is not something you normally see nowadays, and sadly most rappers are typical and don't differentiate from each others most of the time. Overall, you don't have to take my word for it, you be the judge!