Nova Starz - Not Surprised (Prod. by Street Scott) [NEW SONG]

What's up? It's the real Carlton Banks over here and I'm just hoping y'all had an awesome Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate (or if you don't celebrate a holiday at all, I just hope you had a nice day)). My laptop's up and running again, so I'm back to this blog thing I do in my spare time. I'm on break until Wednsday, so I'll have a lot of that hehe.
This track right here, I heard a few days ago on BmoresVeryOwn and Street Scott sent it into me. Before I go in about how amazingly futuristic this is, let me introduce everyone here to Nova Starz and Street Scott. Both are artists from Baltimore. Nova Starz is a singer. I first heard of her earlier this year when I saw her video for Time Machine. That video in itself is crazy; the way it's put together, amazing vocals, and ridiculous production (also done by Scott). This woman is bringing originality and a new sound to RnB. She reminds me of Jai Paul in the exemperintality, but still having sort of an RnB/pop feel in her songs. Around then is also the time I first got into Street Scott. One of my friends who is also into the Baltimore Hip Hop Scene told me about him and this dude is ridiculous. While he's produced for major label artists such as Jim Jones, Max B, and Jadakiss, Street's production is going to be a major foundation in that Baltimore sound. He's produced a lot of Rickie Jacob's dopest shit and made heaven in a FreEP for Rome Duran. On top of his amazing production skills, Scott is an amazing rapper, doing features for artists such as Big Dro and having a single like Rocket Man. These two people are, in my opinion, two of the most creative and original artists we have in Baltimore. They're both on my list of people to make it out of here. You know what's even better?
They're engaged. WHAT? PEOPLE THIS AMAZING ACTUALLY FIND OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE THAT AMAZING AND GET MARRIED. THAT'S RARE. it's happening, bro. You saw the end of that Time Machine video. lol. They're like a younger version of Winslow Dynasty lol.
AND NOWWWWWWW the song.
The song starts off with a little vocal bit that I know is from something else! Ahhh it's killing me that I can't remember what it is. Nova's voice throughout this whole track is just beautiful-- no. It's better than that. It's sumptuous. All vocal delivery is flawless. I wouldn't be surprised if she recorded it all in one take. Nova Starz makes singing sound so easy to do (and then, I tried singing. It wasn't as easy as Nova made it seem). The instrumentation is so heavenly. I don't know if those drums are live or if Scott is just that fucking amazing at sampling/creating drums. The beat is so smooth. This song doesn't even sound 2012. It doesn't sound 2013. The song is from the future. Nova Starz is going to change and bring back life to RnB. I don't have much more to say about this, but that if you read this and don't download the, you're choosing to live under that rock.

QUINTUPLE NERD APPROVED, MY NIGGA.
Get ready for Nova's album Dark Lovely Places... For The #Ragers coming next month!

Download Not Surprised by Nova Starz (or live under your rock and not witness the greatness that shall be the future)
@NovaStarz | @StreetScott
Nova Starz on Soundcloud
Street Scott on Soundcloud

This review was brought to you by Waverly Spades, and I'm hoping you had a great Christmas!

Eske - Fuckin Problems (ft. BKnitts, Tommy Prospect & Bobby Woody) [New Song]

Ayo! It's Bill Nye's 2nd cousin aka the original Black Nerd, Waverly Spades! I'm pretty sure this song was released about a month ago, but I had to post it! It has three people that I've posted before and love! (BKnitts, Bobby Woody, and Tommy Prospect) If you don't recognize Tommy Prospect, it's because he used to go by the name TGK. "Tommy Prospect" sounds a bit more matured to me. I like it. The new kid here is a Milwaukee rapper that was raised in the suburbs of Chicago (lolwut?) named Eske. I'm pretty sure that's a river in Ireland. And now that I've taught you something new, we can go on with the song! I'll just tell you guys how I like it verse by verse.

BKnitts - This verse was one of the hardest to me. Also the 2nd funniest. "Sweet Jesus. BKnitts, stop rapping like you mean it! People gotta think you're not manic or conceited!" The verse easily switches around and gets a bit narcissistic. That's not a bad thing. It's just really clever to use your problems on a trap called Fuckin' Problem lol. "Got 2Chainz, I'll be glad to rip em off ya!" Did I hear BKnitts do Schoolboy Q's "yawk yawk" thing?

Eske - I have mixed feelings about this verse. It's not bad or anything, but you know how people feel about ASAP Rocky's verse of the original to this song? That's how I feel about this verse. It's only feature quality, but it's his song. Eske speaks a lot about the job market and rappers messing things up being his problems, but other times, lyrics put together just don't make sense to me. Overall, this verse is great. I listened to some of the other stuff on this guys YouTube where I like his verses more. They just make more sense to me! My main complaint is the quality. The verse sounds recorded on a laptop! Step that game up, son!
"Music game is tough and this job market's cutthroat." 

Tommy Prospect - I like that first line. It reminds me of Camus' "Maman died today" in The Stranger. "Me and Bobby just some hoodrat misfits." idk why exactly, it's just odd. like, who starts a verse like that? lol. "I'm gifteeeed like Christmas!" I see who is the Drake of this song. lol. "See a 14 year old, all y'all know is the man!" I like Tommy's verse because instead of rapping about his problems, he raps about his lack thereof. Not saying he has a lack thereof, but this is the verse that seems most mainstream crafted, but it's not. Instead of complaining, it's basking in the happiness of the moment. I fucks widit.
"I'm gon punch my problems in the face. What the fuck is a problem anyway?"

Bobby Woody - okay as soon as I heard "THEY LOVE DINGO GANG THAT'S THE FUCKIN' PROBLEM," I had that face like "this nigga.." This verse is the funniest to me. Bobby clearly is the one who sticks to the topic of the song: fucking girls; but his problem: girls don't want to fuck him. lol. "I said 'girl, I know  you want this dick!' She said 'Bobby, that shit sick!'" Like it starts off really serious like "And now this music shit is a business," but somehow gets to lines like "A virgin getting more bitches on his Toshiba" lmao is this nigga rapping about porn? I don't understand! And he gets to talking about the friend zone and shit. Somebody, please put this in RapGenius for me. I'm having a fuckin problem understanding what he's rapping about!
"Ho happy she got a nigga acting niggerish.. Bitch, I got a white girl acting liquorish!"

Overall, I like the song! Nerd approval over here!

Oh and by the way, I saw this.. That video is almost at 1000 views. Where's the video, you liars?

This review was brought to you by Waverly Spades, and now I'm off to hit up Mrs. Claus. I here she  might buy me a domain name :)

Download Fuckin Problems

Eske on YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

Bknitts on YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Bandcamp

Tommy Prospect on YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

Bobby Woody on YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

Follow me on Twitter because I say the stuff that you wish you could.

Diplomatic - Vital Information [Single]

I know I'm late, but a few months ago, this dude that goes by Diplomatic sent me his single called "Vital Information." I keep telling myself I'll get to these sooner or later, well here I am finally getting to it. Diplomatic is a young rapper/producer from Baltimore. This is one of the singles from his upcoming mixtape "Dipluminati"
The beat is like a mix of Lex Luger and some 2006 RnB. It's smooth and hard at the same damn time. hmmm. The first verse is hard with a lot of interesting stuff said.
"Sex, money, and drugs. Pick on of the above. That's all you niggas love thinking you are a thug." That's a not so typical line about some very typical niggas.
"Devil worshiping idols whom are suicidal" I actually really like this line. That's probably the most significant thing I've heard today. Of course, I'm not one of those people who claims every artist is Illuminati, but say if Kanye West was (which I don't believe he truly is), he had lines like "Sold my soul to the Devil. That's a crappy deal" and "Suicide, what kinda talk is that?" Diplo goes at some of our greats with that one right there.
The chorus is interesting. "Take this vital info, stop being a bitch!" That's my new catch phrase. lol.
Overall, I think the song is okay. Diplomatic also made the beat. I like how it goes from intellectual one line to silly the next. It's Nerd approved. Check it out and see if you like it.

Download "Vital Information" by Diplomatic
@Diplomatic0914 on Twitter
Diplomatic on Facebook

Y1 - FinallY Or1ginal (Mixtape Review)

What's up errrybody? It's me, the real Carlton Banks aka Bill Nye's 2nd cousin aka that nerdy ass nigga who decided to start a blog and bash on the niggas he hates aka Waverly Spades. I haven't done a mixtape review in a minute. Recently, Y1 found his way into my ear and I was itching to take a listen. Nicholas Pullen is an up and coming rapper from Baltimore going by Y1. Let's see what he sounds like.

Members Only (Introduction) [Prod. by Piz Corleone] - This song is a nice intro. Y1 throws some nice bars with a dope flow. Nice way to start shit.
"I don't need critique. I am who the real is." Well fuck this review.
4.5/5

Famous [Prod. by Audio Dope] - That hook is very warming. What is that from? It sounds so familiar. Y1 tells us how he wants to live. It's life most of us go for. I like how Y1 paints his dream to us. I really like his flow. The beat is great. Idk why, but this is better than other songs I hear where artists are complaining about how they want fame. This song is dope.
4.7/5

Don't Give Up [Prod. by William Kraz Johnson (of Eyecon Music)] - That MJ sample! yasss. That beat is on some 9th Wonder shit. This song is smooth. Y1 raps more about fame, but from a different angle, the dreaming part. The premise of fame. Y1 makes a dream so inspirational.
"Baltimore til my back break. Even though it's just a lil spec, that lil spec gon give this man a check."
4.2/5

Skylight [Prod. by Kae B (of Eyecon Music)] - This song had a dope music video. It shows a lot of Baltimore areas that I'm familiar with, which makes me happy. Someone from Baltimore getting love like that is a great thing to see. This easygoing song is nice to vibe to as the tape continues.
"I'm just tryna make it to the skylight. Surrounded by vampires, what a Twilight"
5.2/5

Recruiter (Skit) - Damn. I usually don't like skits too much, but this skit speaks numbers, not only about unemployment, but how most jobs aren't really shit. I'm glad I'm not the only one who believes it. Don't conform to just being a number. "Can we hurry the fuck up cuz I got class in like 45 minutes" lololol

What I Gotta Do [Prod. by William Kraz Johnson] - This song is nice. It took a few listens to get used to the chorus. Nice message on determination.
"The weed I had to cough it up because it was clouding every vision I would conjure up"
3/5

2000 to Forever (ft. 810 & Black Sunn) [Prod. by Kahlil The Wiz Kid] - The beat is that feel good shit! Y1 killed it and picked the perfect artists for features. When I first heard 810, I thought that was Da Kid Gowie! lol. 810 and Black Sunn perfectly complimented the track this is probably one of my faves off of the tape.
"All you do is slang hatred, then hide in the Matrix."
4/5

Reincarnation [Prod. by William Kraz Johnson] - Ohhh we're slowing things down now, huh? The beat sounds like a cut off one of the old Kanye albums. Y1's faster flow goes perfect over this. It's like Twista's verse on Slow Jamz. haha. I fucks with this track.
"Sometimes you gotta change the paint to get the right picture"
3.9/5

Rich Man & The Pauper (ft. Jay Verze) [Prod. by William Kraz Johnson] - A pauper is defined as a person without any means of support, but is there anything that defines a man as rich?  I remember when this joint dropped a few months ago. My question since I first heard this: Out of Jay Verze and Y1, who is the rich man and who is the pauper?
4.2/5

Music Is Cocaine (Skit) - At first, I thought this was just some random skit where Y1's playing guitar and I was like "wtf?," and then my nigga started singing. This should be made into a real song. It sounds like some J. Cole shit.

Let's Get Away (ft. Ashley Alexander) [Prod. by William Kraz Johnson] - That sample has me reminiscent of J. Dilla stuff. I'm also thinking of 9th Wonder. This track is just chill. It's the equivalent to a filler for me. I like. Vocals are provided by Ashley Alexander and they are quite beautiful.
3/5

Beautiful (ft. B Swails) [Prod. by Go (of Misfitz Sounds)] - Go (of Misfitz Sounds) gets mad love for the beat. It's nice and smooth, but I can't find the guy online whatsoever! Y1 drops a few hypnotizing bars. B. Swails voice is just soothing. The bitches are gonna love this. Y1 is adulating someone in the best way possible. I'm going to sing this to a girl and see where that gets me. lol
"I just like to live like it's my last night cuz when the day comes, this a past life."
4.7/5

Drinks In The Air [Prod. by Joshua "Jehdi" Thomas of The Humans] - The idea of this song makes me chuckle a bit. It starts on some really chill, Jamie Foxx type shit, and then the verse is  just Y1 going in. It's a nice, sudden change of feel. I don't drink, but I'm sipping my Pepsi to this joint. Jehdi is an amazing fool for this beat, especially that chorus section. This joint is the perfect mix of rap and club RnB (the Jamie Foxx/T-Pain shit).
4.2/5

Little Does She Know Part 1 [Prod. by William Kraz Johnson] - So much, yet so little to say about this song.. I'll let it speak for itself. Beat.. also crazy. Can't wait for Part 2.
5.2/5

Kobe Bryant [Prod. by Piz Corleone] - GOT ME FEELIN LIKE I'M KOBE BRYANT. This beat is on some Waka shit. If you were here, you could see me doing my swag dance. This nigga, Y1. This nigga right here, son! This nigga right here! Somebody put this shit on 92Q so I can drive to school like "CHANGE MY NUMBER ON THESE FUCKERS LIKE I'M KOBE BRYANT!" I love this song. I'm usually not into songs over beats like this, but Y1 is so versatile that I actually like this! His flow is ridiculous!
"Might be on the same team, but there's no alliance"
5/5

Goodnight - I thought the beat was a Kanye intro lol. This song starts with some crazy lines like "Don't be sipping like a bitch. I give a damn bout what yo throat say!" The beat is RIDICULOUS (after you get past the Kanye intro. lol.) The chorus reminds me of some J. Cole shit. This track is stupendous. The beat has a Kanye ending too. lol.
"Just don't be like Daniel and try to Jack my shit!"
4.9/5

Lincoln's Address - This track had a dope music video. The song is just inspirational. It's a nice look around and a great way to end the tape.
"Even though I'm 1%, my flow has to represent the 99."
4/5

Point blank, this whole tape was great. I heard a little of Y1 before, but I honestly did not know what to expect. I wouldn't call this a mixtape, but an album that Y1 was nice enough to give to us for free. Pullen is an amazingly versatile artist, going from songs like Skylight, to Let's Get Away to Kobe Bryant to Lincoln's Address and keeping it all real and amazing. There is never a lack in quality, stylistically or lyrically. This is honestly one of the best mixtapes I've heard this year. Y1 at times sounds like the perfect mix of Lupe Fiasco, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. That's 3 of my favorite rappers rolled into a guy from Baltimore. This was a great mixtape and I can't wait to see what else Y1 has in store.
86.3% - B+

Y1ForPrez.com
@iam_y1 | Y1 on YouTube | Y1 on Tumblr
Go Download the Finally Or1ginal mixtape!

This review was brought to you by Waverly Spades, and I'm off to reluctantly write an essay on the feminism movement of the 1920's.

Bink (ft. Jay Verze) - Toddlers

Ayo. What's up? It's me, the real Carlton Banks. I haven't been able to write much lately because of my loads of homework. (School sucks. Winter break needs to be hear now.)
This a young nigga movement! Well, I saw this track on TrapRockRadio. I've reviewed Bink and Jay Verze before, so I had to check it out. The track is hard. This is some pretty equanimous shit that was just bumping to me. I had to bob my head for that chorus. I'm sorry Bink, but Verze killed you with that 2nd verse! Bink came back hard again for his 3rd verse. It sounded off beat for a minute at the end though. Well, that's all I have to say for this track. You check it out and judge for yourself.

Download Toddlers by Bink (ft. JayVerze)

This song was brought to you by Waverly Spades, and now I'm off to listen to 3.5 because I do want to review that!