Good Kid Mad City

Pocketing numerous Mixtapes, successful EPs, a staggering number of hits and collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, Kendrick Lamar has now stunned the hip-hop scene further with one of the finest albums of the year. Compton bred rapper carves out a breakaway style of his own with Good Kid M.A.A.D City; making the lingering wait for the debut album unquestionably worthwhile.

Subtitled as ‘A Short Film by Kendrick Lamar’, listeners are taken on a journey through the city that raised him. Layered with storytelling lyrics and nourished thickly with bedroom kickback beats, the talented rapper fails in hesitating or shying away from any personal experiences, throttling fans head first into his history with the tellingly, unfolding series of his formative years.

The adequate 15 track album begins with somewhat haunting ‘Sherane A.K.A Master Splinter’s Daughter’ that opens with a recited prayer by Lamar’s friends, before Lamar himself tells of a love story with Compton sweetheart Sherane. ‘Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe’ embraces his development and changing mind, backed again with mellow, electric guitar riffs complimenting his swift and slick wordplay and revealing his impeccable, deeply thought-out lyrical strength.

‘Backseat Freestyle’ produced by Hit boy is one of the more upbeat tracks of the album, offering a more aggressive and party- dynamic ambience constructed with fun, bold spits fans will enjoy on a night out- whilst ‘The Art of Peer Pressure’ invites us into his gang activity, as he luckily escapes a police chase with friends. ‘Poetic Justice’ is composed around Janet Jackson’s classic hit ‘Anytime Anyplace’ with input from fellow elite lyricist, Drake. A smooth and sultrily sexy vibe is fashioned, highlighting it as an album favourite before it ends with a confrontational gang argument first heard in opening track, outside Sherane’s home.

The last quarter of the album introduces supplementary likely favourites with ‘Swimming Pools (Drank)’, ‘Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst’ and ‘Real’ that finishes with a voicemail from his parents who define the meaning of realness, before accepting the advice and teaming up with Dr. Dre to proudly sing about his city ‘Compton’ self pro-claiming; ‘aint no city quite like mine’.

Although the album is assembled in an un-chronological order and the communication between his family and friends is sometimes indistinct, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City provides a clean and apparent account of who Kendrick Lamar is and how his hometown has shaped him- making it a cinematic success and more importantly- a refreshing breakthrough in hip-hop, adding classic depth back into the substance and hailing it undoubtedly worthy of its critical attention, ability and success. 

Azealia Banks Live Review

Hip Hop’s ever changing mores were taken a step further last September when fiery Disney princess-like character, Azealia Banks rocketed charts worldwide. Yet her self-given nicknames ‘Yung Rapunzel’ and ‘Bambi’ are a distant fairy-tale truth in comparison to her playfully crude wordplay and aggressive hip-hop spits. Judging the thriving crowd at Birmingham’s HMV tonight- this is exactly why they adore her.

Zebra Kat’z attentive presence teamed with Njena Reddd Foxxx’s sassy swag, breezily vamp up the crowd with a humorous and somewhat raunchy performance. Exotic gymnastic moves, catwalk mimics and mouthfuls of colourful language, the fierce New York rappers successfully finish their set with notable single 'Ima Read’. DJ Cosmo presents a vibrant half-hour set until the Harlem rapper takes to her stage.

Bouncing from track to track sporting her million dollar smile and Swarovski glowing bra, Banks thrust’s herself into a throttling flow that seemingly paces at a hundred miles per hour. The compressed 40-minute show switches from Fantasea mixtape and 1991 EP, highlighting Liquorice, Esta Noche and 1991 itself as crowd favourites.

‘This song may be the reason you all came out tonight’. Sparing no time, the crowd are launched into a sky-high frenzy as breakthrough single ‘212’ begins and fans thrillingly grasp the opportunity to chant the most offensive yet enjoyable lyrics in music so far.

Goodnight Lenin Live Review

The excitement bustling in the crammed room of the Hare and Hounds is hard to snub as Birmingham band, Goodnight Lenin are back in their hometown for an exclusive one night only gig. Gushing fans bearing cheesy grins and cold pints know they’re in for a treat as they gather to the front of the stage for the special evening.

Support act Mellow Peaches bring warmth to the room performing wholesome and hearty acoustic tracks to the brimming audience. They respectfully settle their enthusiasm and display gratitude to the duo’s efforts till their headlining heroes appear.

 A note is yet to be played but the delighted audience cheers regardless as Goodnight Lenin take to the stage with a thriving track list of past EP favourites, as well as introducing latest material from upcoming album with opening track; Laughter from a Younger Age.  The golden five some happily chat to fans with grounded confidence, charming everyone with plenty of between-songs banter and appreciative ‘thank yous’.

A tightly polished and high-spirited performance is dished out, reminding the audience how much the down-to-earth Brummie lads have blossomed since their YouTube kitchen kickback days, surging them head-first into unstoppable folk-fanatic success.