Tek.Lun - The Crusade [EP Review]

What's up, fam? It's ya boy: the muzical Don Jon Escobar aka the real Carlton Banks aka Bill Nye's 2nd cousin and ya boy is BACK for the long haul this time around. If you don't know me, my real fake name is Waverly Spades. Today, we have this project from Baltimore producer/DJ, Tek.Lun. I first heard of Tek.Lun's production on GoldLink's Hip Hop Interlude. Very short song, but I loved that beat (one of my faves on the tape) and I really wanted to listen more into the dude. I also just wish that beat was longer. This past week, Tek.Lun dropped The Crusade EP, which is 30 minutes of a very House/trap sound with some Bmore Club influence. It sounds very different from a lot of things coming from this scene. Every pad is so lush, but every distorted 808 kick is so clean, fat, and thick. It's very together, and diverse in the way that the album goes from Chicago House (Consequences) to a chill, trap feel (Broken 2), from some alien Dilla + Outkast shit (Plum w. Drew) to some funky, upbeat shit (PRAISE DE GANJA!). It's a great summer release because I can feel like I can take this shit and ride through the hood (in like spring or fall) and still feel like it's 82 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The title track (The Crusade) literally feels like a Crusade through the hood. Return of the Mack shit. amirite? So much of this is sample heavy and late 80's/90's reminiscent. Overall, I fucks with this EP heavily. There may be an LP version of this later on, so I'm kinda hype for that too.
4.7 Contemplations out of 5
This review was brought to you by Waverly Spades, and now I'm off to watch SNL Donald Trump's presidential campaign announcement.
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Bobby Woody - Roland (Telegraph Ave Remix)

Hey Trekkies, and Nerds! I'm feeling bad because I realized that I didn't put on my signature introduction. I've really been out of it, so I'm going to revamp it for this one. Ayo, it's me: Bill Nye's 2nd cousin aka the ORIGINAL black nerd aka the REAL Carlton Banks aka the Blacker Hacker aka Big Ghost's Prodigy aka the 3rd realest nigga in the game aka Game of Spades, but you may just know me by fake name on the streets: Waverly Spades. Today I have with me, a friend of mine, Bobby Woody's latest track. I haven't put him on here since his "Rollin In Da Deep." (hahah been a while, dude.) While Bobby is a great rapper, I've always felt that he was producer first, and this one is his latest beat. (This is an instrumental remix of Telegraph Ave from Childish Gambino's new album "Because The Internet.") His rapping is fast paced, all over the place, and confident in his insecurities and his beats are a reflection of that. When it starts, you have no idea where it's going to go, but then, you hear that "Chicks Love Bobby Woody." It's a lot of the little things that make this track. The piano lines are easily a standout. That weird percussive synth thing that plays around with the hats. This dude even sings for a bit (or at least I think that's him. I didn't hear that part in the orignal. lol.) Overall, this is a great track. I was listening to the original nonstop before I heard this. Good ass job.

5 Nerd Contemplations out of 5
Nerd Approved

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Chrissy Vasquez - Pro$per Proficient [Mixtape Review]

Oh hi there, nerds and freaks and geeks. You probably know me as Bill Nye's 2nd cousin or the real Carlton Banks, but for those of you who don't know me at all, my pseudonym is Waverly Spades. Lately, I've been on summer break because nerds need breaks too. I got a job, went to camp, watched a lot of cartoons and catfish. It's been real. Free my nigga, summer. Now, back to the review. Over this summer, I've been hearing about this girl who goes by "Chrissy Vasquez." She's been randomly showing up on my timeline through retweets and people posting her stuff. I click on her profile and there's this little cartoon twiticon and link to her mixtape. I'm strangely attracted because like, lightskin bitches and pokeballs... it doesn't get better than that! But seriously, there aren't many female singers/artists in Baltimore who take their craft seriously, so the album artwork alone sparked my curiosity. Let's see  how this sounds.

(Interlude) For The Boys - Ever since Drake did Bria's Interlude and Ronny did Liya's Interlude, everyone thinks that an interlude is just a track you do to commemorate to someone else, but that's not really the case! It's the track usually done between tracks. I'm not going to be too much of a stickler on this stuff though. Musically, this introlude throws you off because unlike most modern pieces of music, there's background music. This is purely instrumental. That is so foreign and interesting to me. Chrissy has an amazingly warm, alto voice. The title of the track is "For The Boys," but it sounds like it's for someone specific. She seems very sex-craving, but intimate in a way that's just cute. I'm impressed.

4.7/5

Senseless - Everything about this song is so jazzy. I really feel like this is a young Billie Holiday. drug addiction and all. lol. Much like the last song, this sounds like a little letter. It's again, cute.

3.9

Sensual Money - This is a very abrupt change in pace. This short and sweet track is about a girl named Molly (an ironic reference to the drug that Trinidad Jame$ made famous, I'm presuming). "They don't call her Molly for nothing. You'll see if you just slip her something." She's the stereotypical "party girl." She's got a drug addiction to cocaine, heroine, and mollies I presume. Like most good girls gone bad, she didn't want it to happen. There are some great double entendres like "Molly shot herself down." This happens to be the most hard hitting song on the tape for me. I really like it

4.9/5

Smeared Lipstick (Prod. by Ricky Broadway) - Engineering-wise, it immediately annoys me how loud the vocals are compared to the beat at times, but at other times, it feels like a nice artistic touch. Ricky Broadway made the perfectly, eerie beat for this girl. This song is back and directed to two boys. It's an interesting ending to an EP that seems almost too short.

"He made me numb. He made me cum."

3/5

Well, for the first time in Nerd History, I'm almost at a lost of words for this body of work I just listened. to. -almost.- Where do I start? Due to the intimate nature of these songs, I can't tell if she's making herself a sex object or everything is truly personal. The first song is called "For The BOYS," but she definitely seems to be only talking to one person. Even if it is a bit seemingly out there, everything still seems classy. She almost reminds me of the Weeknd, in a sense, she can say whatever the fuck she wants, and people won't hate it. They'll always love it because of the voice and vibe of the song, but don't think I'm knocking the authenticity of this girl. I sorta want to compare her to Billie Holiday, but I feel her voice isn't grown enough for this. I could immediately hear this girl doing a song with Lorine Chia or Kilo Kish.  This is a really ill, little EP. It's not too short, but it leaves you wanting more. Chrissy did this one right. I'm rooting for her.

82.5% - B

Nerd Approved

This review was brought to you by Waverly Spades, and now I'm off to stay up late another night thanks to Labor day weekend.

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EndOfTime (Feat. Marlo D.) [Prod. by Richard Desire]

  It's been a minute since I've gotten to check my inbox and an hour since I've found something in there that I absolutely like. Aus Taylor sent me one of his joints, "EndOfTime" back in April, but I'm bumping my head to it like it just came with Yeezus. I don't know the sample, but that beat is so triumphant. Richard Desire did his thing! This was Aus' first original track, and for a first, it's great. Marlo D on that last verse kills. They rap about the somewhat cryptic society we live in. Aus, Marlo, and Richard are all parts of a Baltimore creative collective called "The Creators." After this track, Aus already seems like such an established artist. I'm definitely looking forward to see more. "What's time, but some organized nonsense?" 4.5 Nerd Contemplations out of 5 Nerd Approved Follow @ImAusTaylor on Twitter Follow OGAus on Tumblr Follow me on Twitter @WaverlySpades This track was brought to you by Waverly Spades, and now I'm off to go cop Yeezus (on Spotify because a nigga broke).

Nova Starz - Dark, Lovely Places... for the #RAGERS [Mixtape Review]

What's up, trekkies and nerds everywhere? It's me, Bill Nye's 2nd cousin, the real black nerd, the hip hop connoisseur, if you will, but you may really know me as Waverly Spades. Today, I have Nova Starz debute mixtape/album, Dark, Lovely Places... for the #Ragers. If you don't know who Nova Starz is, she's an R&B singer out of Baltimore. She's only released like 2 songs so far, but they're both so amazing. She's done many a features for Baltimore artists in the past two years. I have been waiting for this mixtape since I first heard the first single for the album, Not Surprised. I saw so much in her when I heard that first single (and watched her video for "Time Machine"), and I already know that I won't be disappointed with this project. The mixtape is entirely produced by her husband, Street Scott, which means the production on this is most likely going to be ridiculouslyfuckinginnovativeandperfectallthewaythrough mindblowing. Well now I can't wait to listen to these tracks because I'm really excited to hear Nova's debut project and the direction it took, especially since she's an R&B artist. There seems to be no set standard for R&B/Alt R&B, and I just love the creativity in it. The thought of this has me actually jumping around in my computer chair.

Insane About You - The mixtape opens with some chilling, very ethereal pads, very reminiscent of a Drake songs. Nova starts singing with her scintillant voice. Hardly a minute in I'm just in love with album already. I want to give it a 600% already. DAWG. THE DRUMS AND SYNTHS CAME IN. This right here, son... I'm ready to shed a tear just because this track is so beautiful. Her style so far is reminding me a little bit of Imogen Heap. To say that Scott's production on this track is flawless is an understatement. A beautiful start the tape.
5/5

Not Surprised - Weird little transition, but it's okay. I'm already grooving to the beat. I could go on about how much I love this track, but I did a full review on it, sooo yeah. Just go read that.
5/5

Cops Pulling Me Over - After that little intro. I immediately started jumping around. Here's a nice little song about Nova being high as fuck and driving. Unfortunately, it's not like Kid Cudi in Pursuit of Happiness. She's getting pulled over and her vibe being killed. Well if I got pulled over, I'd definitely play this. My high would come back. The hook is soooooo catchy. Don't be surprised if you hear me singing that around.
4.8/5

White Lines - This was one of the singles that was released waaaaaaayy before the album was even announced. I love the production hear. That drum break with an 808 and pads over it. It's so simple and beautiful. I mean, I know it's bad that Nova Starz is talking about cocaine because cocaine is definitely bad, but seriously, this is just beautiful. Actually, maybe it's a metaphor for something I'm not getting.. (RapGenius pleeez!) Was that a little bit of Rickie Jacobs I heard in there? This is such a chill song.
4.6/5


The Heart's Of Rockets - Out of this completely futuristic album, this track is probably the most futuristic of them all. The syncopation, simple harmonization, autotune USED CORRECTLY (VERY FUCKING RARE), and content overal.... This so far is my favorite track off of the album. At this points, I'm noticing some of Street Scott's use of the same formula to make these beats, but each one still sounds so original and it's own! It's a matter of pads, synths, and heavy kicks basically, but then, there's so much more into it. Ahhhh. Why is that nigga such a beast?
5.6/5

One Last Try (Genius Kid ft. Queen Sunshine) [Prod. by Genius Kid] - First of all, I'll say that Genius Kid's production is somewhat fucking with Scott's. He's got the synth and heavy kick thing going on with some melody, but there's not all of the intricate little things and variations that Scott puts in his beats. After some analysis, it's actually a very welcome and nice change. This track is much more modern pop/trance than the previous ones, but I mean that in the best way possible. Starz goes above and beyond on those vocals
4/5

Smoke With You - This song is so contrasting for me. I like all of the sounds EXCEPT that one weird synth thing it starts out with, but this song still gets love. Usually girls who #RAGE aren't that attractive to me, but Nova completely changes this. She makes it sound so classy and somewhat healthy and it's not because she's just singing about smoking. This isn't any Wiz Khalifa track. This is a love song. A party and weed brought to people together. It's a cute love story. and by the end of that song, that synth thing that I hated actually sounds nice. It speaks.. Street Scott has a gift.
4.7/5

Kings and Queens (ft. Matt Wuest on Guitar) - This is just a great song. Matt Wuest on that guitar... Probably nothing better than live instruments in modern music. This makes me think of something a little bit Frank Ocean. Starz' higher range is so amazing. This track was a perfect collaboration between Matt Wuest, Scott, and Nova's vision. My words can't even really explain how much I love this song.
5.2/5

These Dreams (ft. Street Scott) - That synth bass thing in the beginning is so alien and futuristic. It was such a sudden change that my heart is beating a bit faster. The kick feels like a heartbeat. Who was that singing almost like Kanye West in the beginning? Was that Street Scott? Oh my gosh. I actually had to replay this track one more time to understand how amazing it was. This song is actually my favorite track on the album. Unanimous decision without a doubt. It sounds so simple, but it's so complex. It felt like the song was going to be longer, but it's over before you even knew it. I didn't even know Street Scott could sing! I thought he was going to rap. This is a great duet between the young, soon-to-be power couple. That whistling is even on point. lol.
7/5

I had VERY high expectations for this tape (like Empire State building) and Nova went wayyyy above and beyond those expectations (like she was on the Burj Khalifa or space elavator or some shit). The ethereal production would sometimes remind me of Nosaj Thing or Flying Lotus, but at the same time, it always had a genuine Street Scott feel. Each production was beyond major and game changing and I feel that's almost essential to Nova Starz' sound. Because of that, you might notice me judging this whole project a smore of a collaborative effort, rather than just Nova's debut. I couldn't tell if I'd pin her closer to Imogen Heap, Jhene Aiko, or just a mix of the two with some Frank Ocean. She's got her own sound with a nice soprano voice. At times, it almost sounds like she's British. That diction makes the harsh messages, sometimes a bit cuter and easygoing. I like the large instrumental pauses in some of the songs, it lets it all just speak for itself. At times, I couldn't fully understand what Nova was saying, so the melody was really speaking for itself and all of the messages and musical ideas were conveyed PERFECTLY. I don't think I've ever heard a project quite this solid. All I have for it is praise. Nova Starz and Street Scott are without a doubt two of the most talented people in Baltimore. This tape should be doing the numbers of Frank Ocean's first tape, if not more. I honestly encourage you to listen to the project and seriously share this with a friend. It's worth it! This shit is QUINTUPLE NERD APPROVED, my nigga.
102% - A++ (Extra Credit and all)

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