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Tag: Video Essay

  • Desiigner’s Potential Comeback Story

    Remember 2016? It was a golden era for hip-hop, with artists like Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and Kodak Black emerging as leaders of a new generation. Amidst this vibrant landscape stood Desiigner, the artist behind the infectious hits “Panda” and “Timmy Turner.” While many of his peers from that year’s XXL Freshman list have solidified their stardom, Desiigner’s career trajectory has been a rollercoaster of immense highs and challenging lows. Now, however, signs point towards a potential epic comeback.

    The Meteoric Rise of ‘Panda’

    Desiigner’s journey is inextricably linked with Kanye West’s ‘The Life of Pablo.’ After releasing “Panda” on SoundCloud in late 2015, the track caught the attention of West, who signed Desiigner to his GOOD Music label in February 2016. “Panda” was then repurposed on “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 2,” and its infectious energy, unique ad-libs, and distinctive sound captivated listeners. Despite early comparisons to Future, which some perceived as Desiigner being a “cheap copy,” “Panda” broke free and soared to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, even surpassing Rihanna’s “Work.” This five-times platinum single remains a nostalgic anthem, a testament to its massive impact.

    The sudden spotlight thrust Desiigner onto the global stage. However, his raw energy and limited beyond-the-hit persona meant his early performances weren’t always met with universal acclaim. The pressure was on to deliver a follow-up hit and a full-length album.

    Struggles with Follow-Up Success and Industry Pressures

    Desiigner’s first mixtape, ‘New English,’ released in June 2016, fell short of expectations. The 11-track project was criticized for its undercooked ideas and short song lengths, reigniting the Future comparisons and fueling “one-hit wonder” allegations. Just days before, his viral XXL Freestyle, rapping about Timmy Turner to a non-existent beat, had garnered millions of views and led to the eventual release of the hit song “Timmy Turner.” However, finding sustained success proved challenging.

    In 2017, attempts to replicate “Panda’s” success with tracks like “Outlet” yielded moderate results but didn’t recapture the same chart dominance. As the hip-hop landscape shifted, focusing on artists like XXXTentacion, Trippie Redd, and 6ix9ine, Desiigner seemed to fade from the spotlight. The “clout era” was in full swing, and he was notably absent.

    The GOOD Music Oversight and Personal Struggles

    The release of his project ‘Life Of Desiigner’ in 2018 was particularly disheartening. While Kanye West was releasing a string of albums from his GOOD Music roster, Desiigner’s seven-track project, lacking any production from West, was quietly dropped with minimal promotion. It felt like a forgotten release, overshadowed by West’s own focus on himself. This lack of support, coupled with personal mental health challenges and family issues, led Desiigner to leave GOOD Music in 2019, seeking what was best for him after feeling met with silence when seeking guidance.

    The following years saw Desiigner release EPs but struggle to regain significant traction. The situation took a deeply concerning turn in 2023 when he was charged with indecent exposure after an incident on a Delta Airlines flight. While he didn’t have to register as a sex offender, he voluntarily checked into a mental health facility and issued a public apology. This shocking event, unfortunately, became a defining moment, often overshadowing his musical contributions and causing many fans to disengage.

    Glimmers of Hope and a Potential Comeback

    Despite the setbacks, Desiigner has continued to create music. His 2023 full-length project, ‘ii,’ features a track called “Money Time” that has garnered over a million views on YouTube, offering a glimmer of hope. His story is a poignant reminder of the intense pressures within the music industry, where immense talent can be overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of hits and a lack of support during difficult times. Mentors and peers, like Kanye West, looked the other way, leaving artists like Desiigner to navigate their struggles alone.

    However, recent developments suggest a comeback might be on the horizon. A new freestyle released on Instagram showcases Desiigner rapping over traditional production, a departure from his signature sound. His bars and flows demonstrate a level of talent and growth previously unseen, leaving listeners in awe. Coupled with a similarly vibed track called “Talking To Jesus,” these releases indicate a significant artistic evolution. This renewed focus and demonstrated talent have people genuinely rooting for him, making a comeback seem not just possible, but perhaps even inevitable.

    Do you believe Desiigner is on the path to a major comeback? What are your favorite Desiigner tracks, past or present? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

  • Dave Blunts: Rap’s New Edgelord?

    Remember the “Clout Era” of rap? The days when artists like 6ix9ine dominated headlines with outrageous antics, turning controversy into chart success. While that era seemed to fade with 6ix9ine’s prison sentence and the pandemic, a new, perhaps even more extreme, version is emerging. This time, the clout-chasing isn’t just happening outside the music; it’s embedded directly within the lyrics and persona. And at the forefront of this new wave is Iowa rapper Dave Blunts.

    From Meme to Mainstream Controversy

    Dave Blunts began his career as an underground meme, but he’s now a name recognized for pushing boundaries, even catching the attention of Kanye West. His rise is a fascinating case study in how artists leverage shock value in today’s attention-obsessed music industry. While the “Clout Era” of 2017-2018 relied on external antics, the current iteration sees the music itself becoming the primary vehicle for generating buzz.

    Blunts’ physical appearance, notably his size exceeding 600 pounds, is often mentioned, but his music is genuinely shocking. His song titles, lyrics, and innuendos are deliberately provocative, designed to grab attention. This approach has led to comparisons with artists who prioritize controversy over substance, but Blunts takes it to another level.

    A Trail of Taboo Topics

    Blunts’ 2023 project, “Bigger Than I Ever Was,” offered early glimpses into his provocative style with titles like “Snap Benefits” and “pronouns part 2.” However, it was his 2024 project, “I Would Like To See You Try,” and its viral hit “Crying in the Kitchen,” that brought him widespread attention. The song’s lyrics have been criticized for referencing taboo subjects like the N-word, self-harm, Jewish people, Hitler, and pedophilia in a rapid-fire, almost game-like fashion.

    This strategy of hitting a “high score” of taboo topics forces artists to constantly one-up themselves, a gimmick that can quickly become unsustainable. His 2024 album “If I Could I Would” continued this trend with tracks like “Bundle of Sticks,” a reference to a slur against gay people.

    The ‘Cup’ and the Clout Chase

    Perhaps Blunts’ most synonymous hit is “The Cup.” Ostensibly about lean addiction, the song is more of a parody, with Blunts frequently seen holding a double styrofoam cup that often appeared empty. This, combined with his purple tracksuit emblazoned with “Dave Blunts’ Purple Stuff,” suggests a calculated grift, using the aesthetics of drug culture for clout rather than genuine representation.

    His music videos, like the one for “The Cup,” have gone viral, amassing millions of views and becoming memes. Even his live performances, where he’d sit on a couch and use an oxygen mask, caught the attention of figures like Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent. This constant stream of attention-grabbing tactics highlights a career built on controversy.

    The Kanye West Connection

    The climax of Blunts’ clout chase arguably came with his involvement in Kanye West’s recent musical projects. West was seen rapping Blunts’ lyrics, including those from the controversial track “Cousins,” which features West discussing a teenage sexual encounter. The revelation that Blunts penned these lyrics, especially given West’s later embrace of controversial ideologies, made a strange kind of sense to many observers.

    Blunts also reportedly wrote “Heil Hitler…” for West. In one infamous clip, West even suggested a “gas chamber song,” a level of absurdity often found in the darkest corners of the internet. Recently, Blunts has distanced himself from West, releasing a diss track claiming he was “groomed” into Nazism and anti-Semitism, suggesting he’s ready to forge his own path after capitalizing on West’s controversial period.

    A Dangerous Precedent?

    Dave Blunts’ career trajectory exemplifies a modern “clout era” where shock value and controversy are currency. Unlike earlier figures who faced genuine risks for their antics, Blunts appears to navigate this landscape with calculated moves, willing to engage with offensive material for career advancement. His willingness to praise figures like Hitler, even if later framed as a critique, sets a dangerous precedent. In an attention-driven environment, the line between artistic expression and harmful provocation continues to blur, raising concerns about where this trend might lead.

    What are your thoughts on Dave Blunts’ music and his role in the current rap scene? Do you see his approach as a calculated career move or something more concerning? Share your opinions in the comments below!

  • Drake’s “Not Like Us” Lawsuit Was Doomed

    The highly publicized rap battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar in 2024 captivated the hip-hop world, but the fallout continued long after the final diss track dropped. Drake’s subsequent lawsuits against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging defamation and the use of bots to undermine his career, have now been dismissed. This video essay delves into why these legal actions were likely doomed from the start.

    From Subliminals to All-Out War

    The animosity between Drake and Kendrick Lamar simmered for years, with Kendrick’s 2013 ‘Control’ verse serving as an early catalyst. While subliminal shots were exchanged over the years, the feud truly ignited in March 2024 with Kendrick’s appearance on Future and Metro Boomin’s ‘Like That.’ Drake’s responses, including ‘Push Ups’ and the AI-driven ‘Taylor Made Freestyle,’ were met with increasingly potent counter-attacks from Kendrick, culminating in ‘Not Like Us,’ a track widely considered the knockout blow.

    Despite Kendrick’s victory in the lyrical battle, Drake’s response was to pursue legal action. He filed lawsuits against UMG, claiming the company used bots to promote ‘Not Like Us,’ thereby undermining his career and negotiating power. He later filed a defamation petition, but the evidence presented was reportedly shaky and easily debunked.

    Shaky Evidence and a Desperate Plea

    One key piece of ‘evidence’ Drake’s team attempted to use involved reporting from HipHopDX’s Jeremy Hecht. Drake alleged that Apple’s Siri directed users to ‘Not Like Us’ when asked to play ‘Certified Lover Boy.’ However, Hecht’s own reporting, which Drake’s team selectively used, actually debunked this, showing Siri was merely referencing a lyric from ‘Not Like Us’ that happened to be the title of Drake’s album. Hecht expressed feeling used as propaganda, highlighting the flawed basis of Drake’s claims.

    The Hip-Hop Community’s Outrage

    Beyond the legal technicalities, Drake’s decision to sue was met with widespread criticism from the hip-hop community. The unwritten rule of rap beef is that it’s a ‘lawless’ space, a ‘war of words’ where participants engage in ‘mud-slinging’ without fear of legal repercussions. Suing for defamation after losing a lyrical battle was seen as weak and detrimental to the culture.

    As YouTuber Scru Face Jean pointed out, Drake’s petition seemed to argue that fans who enjoyed ‘Not Like Us’ didn’t truly understand the song’s implications. This approach was seen as an attempt to invalidate the very nature of rap battles and the public’s engagement with them. If UMG had lost, it could have set a dangerous precedent, stifling future rap beefs and fundamentally altering the genre.

    Judge Vargas’s Ruling: A ‘War of Words’

    On October 9th, Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed Drake’s defamation suit. Her ruling powerfully stated that rap battles are inherently ‘wars of words’ and that it’s unreasonable to assume the public would interpret the lyrics of ‘Not Like Us’ as literal, verifiable facts, especially concerning the serious accusation of pedophilia. She noted that both artists engaged in inflammatory language and offensive accusations, making Drake’s claim of defamation untenable.

    The judge’s reasoning highlighted the core issue: Drake’s lawsuit was fundamentally at odds with the nature of hip-hop battles. While Drake accused Kendrick of domestic violence, colorism, and paternity issues in ‘Family Matters,’ Kendrick’s response in ‘Meet The Grahams’ and ‘Not Like Us’ was devastating. Drake’s attempt to litigate a lyrical dispute was seen as a desperate move, regardless of the outcome.

    The Cost of Losing Respect

    Even if Drake had somehow won the lawsuit, the broader consequence for his career and standing in hip-hop would likely have been negative. Winning a legal battle against UMG might offer a technical victory, but it would come at the cost of losing the respect of his peers and the hip-hop community. It risks changing the genre for the worse, where fear of legal repercussions discourages the raw, unfiltered expression that defines rap beefs.

    With the lawsuit dismissed, the focus can now shift back to the music. Drake is reportedly preparing to release ‘Iceman,’ while Kendrick Lamar is expected to continue his pattern of reinvention. The lyrical battle is over, and hopefully, the legal battles that followed will remain in the past.

    What are your thoughts on the dismissal of Drake’s lawsuit? Do you agree that rap battles should remain outside the legal system? Let us know in the comments below!