You Ain't Bout That Life

Whattup doe!  This is Keenan and I’m back like I couldn’t leave you and ready to spit some more intrinsic knowledge for all of my fellow amateur philosophy professionals.  I hope all have been swell the last week or so while I’ve been away.  The posts haven’t been as frequent as I like because of all the other work that is going into BOM right now to ensure that we are able to provide the best product and experience to people as we possibly can.  Hopefully as we continue to develop our brand we will have more people that will want to be a part of “The BOMMob” (BOMSquad has been used too much) which will enable us to be able to accomplish more and deliver more content to our followers.  To get information on how you can help in the advancement of BOM, email us at therealbom@gmail.com orrrrr, DM us on Twitter @OfficialBOMMob...ANYWAYS!  That was boring.  Let’s talk.

Have you ever heard someone say, “You ain’t ‘bout that life!!!”??? It is usually shouted angrily when there is a verbal altercation between individuals after one has offended the other and the threat of violence is imminent.  It is also referenced when one is boasting of the festivities that they will be recreationally involved with during the evening hours and a friend must intervene to allow those in earshot that the boaster “ain’t ‘bout that life.”  These definitions of the term are probably best expressed by Dr. Flocka Flame on his song “U Ain’t Bout That Life”(disclaimer: he’s violent and cusses a lot, sorry not sorry).

I say all of that to say, I really like this term.  I feel as though it goes deeper than having to refer to someone’s ability to act tough or party all night before their 8 AM class.  It can be used to talk about all aspects of all lifestyles.  There are a multitude of lives that we can be about.  We can be about that student-athlete life AKA the most time consuming lifestyle on this side of the Marines.  We can be about that musician life (I wish I was about that life).  We can even be about that Dungeons and Dragons life! (well you can, I’m not about all that, but you get the point)  We all have particular interests that intrigue us, and we should stay in those realms.  That isn’t to say we shouldn’t try new things, but instead to say that we shouldn’t act like we are experts or experienced all of aspects this new thing.  For instance, if you are about that bird-watching life, don’t come to me to talk basketball like you know what you’re talking about.  You look dumb pretending to be a hooper.  Go study some Bald Eagles or explain to me why vultures evolution process made them so ugly.  This goes for every time people pretend to be something they’re not.  “Trying to fit in” is stupid.  If you don’t fit and the people you’re trying to fit with won’t let you because of differences between you and them, then that is their issue.  All we can control is ourselves.  That is why I say that we are all the bosses of ourselves because each of us is like a small company or corporation.  Our ideas, skills, thoughts, and interests are our product that we are selling.  Some people are like Coke and Pepsi and everyone wants to be around them and work with them.  Some people are the local fertilizer plant and only a few people want to get together to collaborate.  And some are like Enzyte.  People like what they see at first until they look a little deeper and realize that none of it is real and they go bankrupt.  Not everyone is going to be Pepsi and Coke because not everyone has the personality or popular interest that those type of people have.  Some of us are going to have to be the fertilizer plant; disliked (hopefully not for your smell) because you are doing what you like even if it is unpopular and reaping the benefits from being what you are.  Just don’t be Enzyte (for those that don’tremember Smilin’ Bob, click here).  At first everyone loved Enzyte and the possibilities and then all of a sudden they realized the façade that they were buying into and stopped.  All was good until people realized Enzyte wasn't bout that "Natural Male Enhancement" life. 

My last point is this:  It is much more difficult to try and be about a life that you aren’t about.  For me to act like I LARP (Googlethat to see what it means) would be ridiculous.  I have never done it and probably never will, but for me to pretend like it would cause me all types of unnecessary stress.  Keeping alive a lie is difficult and becomes more so the longer the lie is sustained.  Example:  Lance Armstrong.  If Lance had come out a decade ago and said, “Yes world, I used steroids because I had freakin’ cancer and needed help to get back to peak physical strength and sustain it” then maybe he wouldn’t be looked at as the worst type of person (profiting from charity).  His relief when he was finally caught was reported on because he knew that he could finally stop running and pretending to be this clean athlete that he pretended to be.  The easiest thing to be is ourselves.  It is also the most unique thing as well.  So I say, if you are an athlete, like sports; if you are a dancer, go to the ballet; if you like Justin Bieber, be a Belieber (I think that’s what they’re called); if you don’t believe in monogamist relationships, don’t date; if you do, don’t cheat; if you’re thirsty for one, go to the club; if you ain’t, cute don’t claim it; and if you ain’t about it, don’t be about it.  This post is why I say “We Like What We Like, So Do What You Do.”  If you like it, do it.  In the wise words of Mac Miller “Do what you do best.  I mean, it’s what you do best.”  The main message: Be Coke or Pepsi, some of us are fertilizer, but don’t be Enzyte.

I hope that was ok.  If not, oh well.  Anyways, go follow us on Twitter @OfficialBOMMob or check back here tomorrow to find out.  Also you can follow us on Instagram @OfficialBOMMob.  I’ll holla at y’all later.  Deuces Brodies.

Cole World: Born Sinner Review

Whattup world?!  It's Keenan (of course) and I'm back like MJ in '95!  If you didn't see the post yesterday, then go here before continuing so that you can keep up.  Let's continue...  So what album do I have as #6 out of the most recent summer releases?  No other than Born Sinner by J. Cole **golf claps**.  I must start this out by saying, I really thought J. Cole’s mixtapes were some of the best music I had heard for the longest.  My senior year in high school consisted of a ton of Kanye (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy), Mac Miller (KIDS), and J. Cole (The Warm-Up & Friday Night Lights).  Yes, two of his mixtapes were on constant repeat as I walked through the halls of Sycamore High School (side note: I am really looking forward to the day that I become a success and they ask me to come back to speak to some kids about how SHS was instrumental in my path to success.  My laugh will be a combination of hyena, Jay-Z, and Eddie Murphy followed by a resounding “No.”  Let’s just say I don’t have many fond memories of high school that didn’t occur on a basketball court).  Understand that just because he is ranked 6th on my list, doesn't mean I don't like the album.  It's a really good listen, and obviously a lot of people like it, but to me it was just a really tough group to contend with.  So as I review this, I hope that I’m not labeled a hater or anything (actually Idc, you can label me whatever helps you sleep better at night).  I’m being honest.  It’s what I do best.  Let’s start, shall we?

     1.       Villuminati

Firstly, let me say that I don’t like how Cole acts like he is from THE Ville.  Do you know how many Villes there are?!  Personally, I feel like Nashville is THE Ville (615 stand up).  But anyways, his first two lines compared himself to Jay-Z and Tupac.  Whoa sir!  I know it’s a Cole World and all, but it ain’t that Cole yet.  Like you’re “nice” but you ain’t “NICE!”  I think the whole f**got spiel is an example of that.  Like, he made a point, then eliminated it, made another and did nothing with it.  Huh?  But according to him I’m homophobic because I paid a lot of attention to that part. **Kanye shrug**.  As far as the beat to this song: ehh.  It doesn’t suck or anything, but I’m not like “Yo, J. Cole is the next greatest producer ever son.  Like, he’s gonna be up there with Dre soon.  Beat is CRAZY!!!!!” Nah, but its ok.

     2.       Kerney Sermon (Skit)

Stupid.  Stupid.  Stupid.  I can’t find the next button fast enough.  These 48 seconds added absolutely nothing to the album whatsoever.

     3.       LAnd of the Snakes

Da Art of Storytellin’ is about to come on?  Oh, nevermind.  It’s just the beat with a little Cole touch-up.  I mean it isn’t like this is from one of the greatest groups ever (Outkast) from one of the best albums (Aquemini).  That’s a lot to live up to.  I must say that I like how the song starts with “Damn Cole I wish I woulda known you would be rich/ Well, shoulda asked”.  Ha.  Funny.  I feel the same way.  This hook was trash “Make that ass drop/ Hey make that ass drop”.  The creativity is plentiful in this one *sarcasm*.  The end, when he talks to this girl that he hooked up with and never talked to again was funny too.  Everybody has that person that you ignored until you needed some attention or something.  They always seem happy to see or talk to you, but I think Cole is right in that in the back of their mind they’re like, “Oh so now you wanna talk huh?  When I locked my keys in my car and was stuck outside in the snow the other day with no jacket and my wet socks your phone was dead and you weren’t home, you ain’t want to.  You tweeted that you were bored at home!!”  Cool song.  It ain’t change my life or nothing, but it was cool.

     4.       Power Trip

We’ve all heard this song 3,773,438,347,509,817 times (s/o to the radio for trying to kill off every song they play), but I like it still.  Miguel aka Mr. Supreme Leg Drop is starting to become a favorite of mine.  I also like when dudes who can’t sing decide to try **gives thumbs up to J Cole**.  It gives me a part in the chorus where I can join in and feel like we’re really in this together.  If you are familiar with J. Cole then you probably realize that this is a continuation of his song “Dreams” where he fictionally (I hope) stalks a girl, gets denied by her because of a boyfriend, then kills the boyfriend because after you kill a girl’s boyfriend, she’s obviously going to want you because she wouldn’t suspect you might not just be crazy about her.  Maybe you’re just crazy.  Anyways, there isn’t much to say about this song though because we’ve heard it so much.  Still dope for now.

     5.       Mo Money

This was dope, money.  The beat is dope, money.  I don’t think he could rap a whole song like so, money.  But I still kinda wanted mo’ money. (see what I did there?  I rapped like… nevermind).  Next!

     6.       Trouble

The hook immediately gets a “Booooooooo.  You suck.”  But the choir was dope.  I’m a sucker for a good sample or a good choir (s/o Kanye).  The way he starts the second verse is nice though because I feel the same about school.  I’m just there to meet people and maybe learn some stuff that Google can’t teach me (which isn’t much).  I won’t quote the last 8 bars or so of that verse, but that part is REAL!  Overall, I’m not mad at the song, but I wouldn’t just be like “Aye cuz!  Put that ‘Trouble’ joint on!  That song makes me want to change the world like MLK and Malcolm X.  Like I feel empowered by the message.  Like I gain the ambition and knowledge of a young Aristotle from everything Cole says on that track.”  Nah.  But I don’t hate it.  I won't skip over it if it comes on.

     7.       Runaway

J. Cole has a lot of girl problems.  Without females, he loses like 98% of his raps.  And he basically dry snitches on himself by telling everyone that no matter how hard he tries, he’s still a dog.  Haha.  For him, that probably is ok because as a rich entertainer he can get girls ASAP, no Rocky.  Let one of us average, broke dudes try that.  We’d be out here looking thirstier than Tyrone Biggums in a drought.  Must be nice.  This probably my favorite song so far though.  The music is nice and what he is saying is nice.  I wouldn’t tell everyone this stuff, but it is how people act and really feel.  Also, he does more singing and I’m right there swooning with him.

     8.       She Knows

Another song about females. Surprise?  I say not.  I'm not a big fan of this production.  It doesn't call for endangered Polar Bears to be hunted for their fur or anything, but a couple cats might get their tails stepped on purposefully.  As far as lyrics, it’s just a continuation of the previous song talking about how terrible a boyfriend he would be to a girl.  Again, I don't hate it, but I wouldn't choke out an elderly lady WWE style for hitting the next button when it came on.

     9.       Rich Niggaz

I thought this was going to be some braggadocio about how everyone around him was rich, but instead it is the opposite.  He can’t even stand 93% of rappers we hear every day (I can’t either **looks at Lil’ Wayne**).  Not a huge fan of the music (it's an ok beat)  This song got stuck in my head after I wrote this, so it's better than I thought.  The content is what makes it so wonderful though because he’s completely right in stating that all these rappers talk about is money, jewelry, materialism (except they don’t use that word because it’s too big for them).  What is interesting is that he is under Jay-Z and if anyone has heard Jay’s music lately, you would know that he is the most extravagant person in the game right now.  I’m assuming Cole thinks its ok for Jay because he does it creatively.  While, for instance, all most “rich niggaz” are talking about Bugattis and Jesus pieces, Jay talks about a Basquiat and Picasso (it’s worth a Google).  That’s probably just my opinion though and secretly J. Cole hates Jay-Z and plans on assassinating him, kidnapping baby Blue, and making Beyoncé his personal servant.  Who knows?  Great content here though, especially if you get tired of the radio and the mainstream.

     10.   Where’s Jermaine (Skit)

I know where Jermaine better not be: Making another skit.  Boooooooo.  My skip button isn’t working fast enough.

     11.   Forbidden Fruit

“KDot!  Get in the car!”  This definitely sounds 100% like a Kendrick Lamar beat (it’s actually from an old song called Mystic Brew and A Tribe Called Quest sampled it first).  You know what though?  Cole World didn’t let Kendrick spit!  Wow.  He teases us by saying “featuring Kendrick Lamar” and only gives us a hook.  A hook that anybody could have done (though Kendrick's alien voice makes it kinda dope).  Anyways, Jermaine never catches the vibe of the beat.  It's really cool and mellow and he verbally A-Town Stomps on it.  Kendrick saves the song and doesn't even have a verse.  Tough World.

     12.   Chaining Day

First off, “boooooooo” to the song title.  I can’t fully relate to this song like most of Cole’s songs, but I like that he made a Jesus Piece song with a new concept.  It’s kind of like he doesn’t even want the piece, but he can’t help it because it looks so nice.  I can relate with clothes and shoes I suppose, but I have yet to own a chain, and probably never will.  If I’m buying a chain then I probably wouldn’t make a song that says I hate “rich niggaz”.  Just saying.  The creativity an d new outlook on a concept that is played out was refreshing though and for that Mr. Cole... **salute**

     13.   Ain’t That Some S**t (Interlude)

Time to get ignorant!!  I honestly don’t care what he says on this.  He flows nice and sounds like he knows what he’s talking about.  The beat is like Megatron krumping at the peak of a mountain that creates an avalanche below and makes the music the snowboarders affected will ride to on the next Red Bull commercial.  Dope.

     14.   Crooked Smile

Interesting song selection after the ignorance that just occurred, but I really like this song.  To me, music is all about vibes, melodies, and content.  This has all of that.  I never really noticed that Cole had a crooked smile, but DANNNNNNG homie.  He’s giving Fabolous a run for his money for “Most Messed Up Grill Even Though He’s Got Money To Fix It” Award.  Mouth looking like a unexplored cave.  Teeth like a speleothem (give it a Google).  Anyways, I really do like this, all jokes aside.

     15.   Let Nas Down

I’m conflicted about this song.  On one hand, I’m like “Yo, that’s a cool story Cole.  I’ve never really let down an idol like that before, so I appreciate your insight.”  But on the other hand I’m like “You let Nas down?  So! You ain’t even know him like that.  You got on a track and cried about letting down Nas? Smh.”  Also, the fact that Nas made a track called ‘Made Nas Proud’ was kind of lame, and I really like Nas.  Anyways, I’m still not sure how I feel about this bromance between these two grown men, but the song is cool (I think).  And I guess for originality he can get a pass.

     16.   Born Sinner

A safe, title track to sum up the album.  The guy on the chorus, Fauntleroy, did a good job with his part.  I don’t have much to say about this song, but I like it.

Well alright, there you go!  That’s what I think about Born Sinner.  For the most part, Cole did a much better job on this album of leaving out weak bars in his verses that scream “Boooooo!” and left those for only a couple hooks.  The main issue that I have with this album, and why it is 6^th out of the 6 I’m reviewing is that I just don’t like the music most of the time.  His production doesn’t suck, but I don’t feel it like the others.  It’s like a stale chip when you’re really hungry.  You need food, so you’re going to eat it and it works for now, but you know there’s steaks and mac-n-cheese out there to be eating too.  I hope that he works more closely with some bigger producers in the future, but as long as he keeps giving us real life situations to relate to and doesn’t fall into the temptaion of “Molly Rap” he’ll continue to do fine.  Anyways, I’ll be back tomorrow with another one of these.  I won’t tell you who yet, so follow us on Twitter @WeAreBOM or check back here tomorrow to find out.  Also you can follow us on Instagram @WeAreBOM.  I’ll holla at y’all later.  Deuces Brodies.

Summer Reviews!!!

Ayeeeeee! This is Keenan, back like I was on vacation, and ready to talk with y’all a little bit.  I know that the post haven’t been so frequent as of late, but we’re about to change that for the next week.  As many of y’all know, these past few weeks have been HUGE for music as it pertains to new hip hop releases.  To my count, there are 6 projects that I have in my car that I have listened to numerous times in order to determine which I like most.  And since blogs were created with the intent for everyone to be able to share their point of view in an instant, I will share mine on these albums. **cheers from the balcony** Thank you. Thank you.  You are far too kind.  The albums that will be blogged about are… (In no particular order) **drumroll**

J. Cole – Born Sinner 

Jay- Z – Magna Carta… Holy Grail

Joey Bada$$ - Summer Knights

Kanye West – Yeezus

Wale – The Gifted

Mac Miller – Watching Movies With the Sound Off

FAQs (okay, I've never been asked any of these, but I felt that we needed a moment of clarity)

"Keenan, who has the best album title?"

- Well, loyal fan (I'm taking this too far) I can definitely say that Born Sinner, The Gifted, and Summer Knights is left out of this conversation.  They don't suck or anything, but they didn't change any lives or push any boundaries.  Between Yeezus, MCHG, and WMWTSO it is difficult to say.  Yeezus is absolutely the boldest and Kanye instantly eliminated those of the Christian faith almost immediately with that title.  MCHG sounds the most loaded. I think Jay-Z has about 3,425,754 meanings hidden in there.  WMWTSO is probably the most entertaining.  I mean, if these were book titles, I would absolutely read that book before all of the others.  I guess I would have to go with one of those three, depending on what I wanted that day for my life.

"Mr. BOM, who has the best alum artwork?"

- Well, thank you for that new nickname, loyal reader (if you can't tell by now, I'm probably gonna keep this up).  Yeezus is eliminated because it lacks any artwork because of how "revolutionary" Kanye is (Personally, I just don't think he came up with anything to match the brashness of the album and title.  I mean to keep up, he would have had to impose himself as Jesus on the cross with beautiful women of all ethnicities surrounding him while he flips a bird to the media.  Yeah, that probably wouldn't have been wise for sales.).  J. Cole's is pretty cool.  I like his little character.  Summer Knights probably has some significance that I don't understand **Kanye shrug**.  The Gifted is ok.  So that leaves Jay and Mac.  I am a sucker for Renaissance art, so MCHG is probably my favorite and matches the title well.  But the randomness and hilarity of Mac Miller's cover is classic.  I don't get it, but am I really supposed to?

"Excuse me sir, in what order would you put these artist ranging from least favorite to favorite?"

- I appreciate your politeness sir/ma'am.  Before these albums came out, I would have said:

6/5. Wale n Joey Bada$$ (interchangeable)

4. Mac Miller

3. J. Cole

2. Jay-Z

1. Kanye West

After numerous listens, I would now say:

6. Wale

5/4. J. Cole n Joey Bada$$ (interchangeable)

3. Mac Miller

1/2. Kanye n Jay-Z (interchangeable)

There probably aren't many people that agree, especially after looking at Cole World's album sales and the fact that most of you are like, "Who tf is this Joey Bada$$ dude?".  So this is strictly my taste in music and what I think.

"Aye cuz, are these gon' be like biased n tish?  I ain't tryna read all 'at and it be mad biased."

- I mean, I'm human so yeah they probably will be in a way.  BUT!  I swear on the 4th season of The Walking Dead (yeah, that's how you know it's real) that I'll try my best not to be.  I don't like reading biased reviews, so I wouldn't want to do that to someone else.  

"Sooooooo, do you like have like a format for these 'reviews' or like is it like a freestyle?"

-In the wise words of Soulja Boy Ph.D., "I don't freestyle cuz my style ain't free!"  Even though this blog is free (oops).Anyways. Personally I prefer track by track reviews with an intro and summary because they are the most in depth and easy to follow while you listen.  If you haven’t ever read one of my reviews before, I make them as simplistic as I can because I know that from personal experience, I CAN’T STAND CRITICS that use phrases like “jiggly synth squelches” and “lyrical nadir”.  And if you haven’t ever read a review, copy and paste those words into Google so you know it’s real.  So yeah, I go for the fluid reading instead of trying to outsmart you to feel superior in musical knowledge. The only remaining question is: What order will these reviews occur?  The plan is to start from 6 and go to one from least to most liked.  So which album comes in at number 6…?  You’ll have to visit us here tomorrow and find out.  We’ll drop some hints on our Twitter@WeAreBOM, so go follow us ASAP, no Ferg.  Anyways, I’ll see you back here tomorrow!  Deuces Brodie.