August 3, 2018 · Travis Scott used the memory of a Houston amusement park to frame a sprawling album.
2018 – Travis Scott releases Astroworld
“Sicko Mode” changes beats and voices several times without giving up its forward motion. “Stop Trying to Be God” slows the ride, bringing harmonica and layered vocals into a much more reflective arrangement.
The record’s sequencing makes those shifts part of the experience. Its title points back to Houston, and details such as the chopped vocal passage at the end of “Sicko Mode” give the album’s hometown connection a musical form.
“Coffee Bean,” the closer, makes the most of a more understated beat. It lets Scott leave a record of rapid transitions and guests with an unusually direct final performance.
Release details and listening preview on Apple Music.
1999 – Memphis Bleek releases Coming of Age
Memphis Bleek’s debut gave a young Roc-A-Fella regular a chance to establish his own voice beyond the JAY-Z guest spots that introduced him. Released through Get Low and Roc-A-Fella, it captured the label at a point when its roster was becoming a central part of its identity. It arrived 19 years before Astroworld on the same date.
Read next · Browse Today in Rap History or explore Raptology documentaries.
Natalia is a Rap and Hip Hop enthusiast. After graduating from The New School of New York’s Public Relations Program and taking a course in Journalism at Michigan State University, she decided to dedicate her life to the music publishing business and to the discovery of new talent. She helps new artists gain exposure to the masses via online marketing and publications.
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