A DECADE of Hip-Hop by Retro/Ricole

Finally, Ricole’s drops his list of top hip-hop imprints of the decade. Who left their mark? Check out which albums made it on his personal playlist featuring Rapsody, Pusha T, Vince Staples, and more. So here it is. By far the hardest list for me to compile and I listed 30 each instead of…

ByOUT40January 1, 20210Comments

Reviews The Spin List

Top 5 Albums of 2019!

An album grants a rapper the time, patience, and perfection to present him or herself to the world. So, who had the best this year? 1. When The Sky Cracks – Stitch EARLY Frederick brought in the year with Stitch’s debut of When The Sky Cracks, an album centered around family, life lessons, and hope.…

ByOUT40December 31, 20190Comments

Reviews The Spin List Videos

WATCH: daMOOD – Cupid. Bang Bang

Wednesday’s drop for Music Video Week is daMOOD’s “Cupid. Bang Bang!”

ByOUT40June 19, 20190Comments

Reviews The Spin List

westEND Music Review: Who Am I

westEND Music Review Who Am I - Anf The 13-track list projects opens with the voice of Chazz Palminteri, from a classic and sentimental scene in A Bronx Tale. Score: 7.9 Instrumentation: 8.5 Lyrics: 8.8 Delivery: 7.1 Production: 8.5 Cohesion: 7.9 Creativity: 7.1 The concept of Who Am I explores an array of life experiences the average listener can relate to.…

ByOUT40May 29, 20190Comments

Reviews The Spin List

WESTEND Music Review: Hearts Everywhere Relate

The album begins with song, “Lovely” that intertwines the Stevie Wonder classic. All the songs on this project are about love and relationships in one way or the other. This intro prepares the listener for what is to come.

ByOUT40March 10, 20190Comments

Reviews The Spin List

westEND Music Review: GS2

westEND Music Review Gold Sodium Vol. 2 Ahzay Gold Sodium Vol. 2: Tears on the Page is a story about resurgence. "I'm bout to do it like I never did." The album begins with "Never Did," a track that sets a high energy, empowered tone; revving up the listener for what is to come and…

ByOUT40December 14, 20180Comments

Reviews The Spin List

westEND Music Review: GS1

westEND Music Review Gold Sodium Vol. 1 Ahzay Score: 7.9 Instrumentation: 8.8 Lyrics: 8.2 Delivery: 7.6 Production: 7.8 Cohesiveness: 7.4 Creativity: 7.8 Ahzay is a Frederick based artist that recently debuted his album Gold Sodium in April. The 15-track album is Ahzay's second, after his first, The Routine. In his own words, Gold Sodium is the reflection of success, achievement and…

ByOUT40November 21, 20180Comments

Reviews The Spin List

westEND Music Review: Trap Baby Jesus

westEND Music Review Jase Kevion Trap Baby Jesus: The Motion Picture The long-awaited project from music group DEMI’s Jase Kevion gives more than a hook. With well-placed skits throughout 17 tracks and a display of versatile subject matter, “The Motion Picture” isn’t a far-fetched presentation of this album. Score: 6.4 Instrumentation: 7.8 Lyrics: 6.3 Delivery:…

ByOUT40October 29, 20180Comments

Reviews

FOOD REVIEW: Serenity Tearoom

From teas to exquisite southern cuisine. The Serenity Tearoom is an upscale restaurant serving down south cooking in unprecedented ways. Sweet Potato Cheesecake?! Salt & Pepper Catfish?! Cajun Stuffed Hushpuppies?! Chicken and Sausage Gumbo?! Serenity is well-known for tea time. But now? Dinner is served! Service: Our waitress was friendly, chipper, and seemed newly hired. Our down…

ByOUT40October 25, 20180Comments