I used to wanna rap like Jay-Z
Now I feel I could run laps around Jay-Z
Nas ain’t seen nothing this nasty
B.I.G. & Pac got it coming when I pass too
You got the mic, I ain’t the one you wanna pass toMy ni$*@s say my new shit past due
I paid dues, even got that shit tattooed
HiiiPoWeR on another plateau
I know you know we need a few plaques too…” – Ab Soul
I love those lyrics. That’s the confidence, belief and attitude one needs to make progress. You can never sit around looking at the throne as something that can’t be achieved. You work hard, create your own lane, challenge it and get what you demand from it – in order to be the best, you must challenge the best.
That 41st law mentality is what makes Ab Soul is one of my favorite rappers right now. Aside from being highly intelligent, he sounds driven, like he cares about being great, like he practices everyday and wants no one to question his ability as a rapper. That use to be the norm in Hip Hop, you couldn’t try to be rapper without being incredibly good at it. I’m not talking Mr. Brainwash good here, I’m talking Picasso great. You had to be amazing, you had to innovate, you had to have your own style, you had to be the real deal. In the age of “swag” rappers the playing field is different but it’s nice to know there are still people that still value mastery and perfection of their craft. So many people want recognition or success, few actually know what it really takes, even less are truly willing to do it.
So why all the talk about rap in during a Ryan Radler release? Well it’s simple, these tapes come with that same fire and artistic integrity to not just exist but stand out as something special and worth while. I love that energy more than anything in an artist, it’s seductive, irresistible and necessary. When are artist is in the zone and that energy translates to their work the observers mind opens up and respects it. That’s usually when people say – I don’t really like this type of music but this is cool. I haven’t heard a Ryan Radler tape that hasn’t done that to me and I love it. That said, press play on this one and feel the energy of someone working hard to be great. Immerse yourselves in the Ryan Radler zone, it will treat you right.
S U M M E R : a n t i – w i n t e r 3 D
- GRAND RESORT – Night Is Dark
- MILES BONNY x B.LEWIS – Bottom To Top
- XXYYXX – Tied2U
- JOHNNY HAMMOND – Can’t We Smile
- WARPAINT – Undertow (Blackbird Blackbird Remix)
- SANDRO BRUGNOLINI – Alipid vs. Franciose Hardy
- GORDON REES – In a Bossa Mood
- FRANKIE ROSE – Know Me
- PHÉDRA – Aphrodite
- FINAL DJs – Salt On Our Skin (Sebastian Scotch remix / Normandy Edit)
- LABYRINTH EAR – Snow White (DREAMTRAK Remix)
- SMASHING PUMPKINS – 1979 (StardonE Remix)
- BRAIDS – Glass Deers (Teen Daze Remix)
- YOUNG MAN – Fate