Childish Gambino (feat. Gonage) - Arrangement (Mixtape, 2012)

This is not a good way to return.

I like Childish Gambino. I’ve been looking to get rid of unnecessary associates in my life lately, so I figure I could lose a few Tumblr followers in my return. I understand why most people feel a certain disdain for Donald Glover; he’s beyond immature, nerd-baiting, and a horrible misogynist who criticizes rappers for the same pitfalls he contributes to. However, as a fan of NBC’s Community (well, the first two seasons anyway) and his stand up routines, and someone who shares the same juvenile, off-kilter humor, Gambino’s faux-Wayne routine manages to consistently entertain me. You can probably stop reading now, but if you do, you’ll miss out on the greatest unknown Brick Squad associate currently in action (if Complex is to be trusted); at least based off this one verse.

Gonage is a rapper based in Lithonia, Georgia, with a voice that reminds me eerily of infamous snitch and great rapper, Alfamega. Like Mega did on T.I.’s “Hurt”, Gonage wastes no time stealing the show from his featured artists, receiving the first verse as well as chorus duties. He has a keen eye for visuals, comparing a cheating partner sprawled across a bed to a rosary, before later on talking casual about his linen shirts and house shoes, an attire he frequents while going to the beach. With such a menacing drawl, everything Gonage raps sounds like a threat; even when he’s making Jodeci references, it sounds like he’s holding a bowie knife to his victim’s throat. His chorus is also simple, but will inevitably stay in your head for days; putting this whole “looking like a bank statement” spin on the “look how much money I have!” hooks may not be wholly original, but Gonage’s is truly effective. 

Though I haven’t given Gonage’s debut mixtape a full spin, you can find “Now Or Never” here now

Khalil Nova – Blessed To Tha Bone (No Jumper, 2012)

Khalil Nova’s Tha Black Layne Staley came out two weeks ago, but the Space Don is anything if not prolific. Blessed To The Bone is one of the less personal tracks from the mixtape, where Khalil gets sentimental about a back injury he suffered when he was only twelve years old. Despite mentioning this slight setback, he doesn’t dwell on it, instead focusing on the blessings that have followed and encouraging the listener to move forward. It really is one of the more positive songs on Black Layne Staley, being only the third track there, and that helps it serve as a prelude to the chaos that follows only a few tracks later. It reminds us that even when Khalil gets caught in his own twisted, warped vortex, that there is a human within the approaching nuclear explosion.

Light up, watch the new video for Blessed To Tha Bone now, and let the positive vibes sink in. If you haven’t already downloaded the tape yet, what’re you waiting for?

Khalil Nova - Combo (Soundcloud, 2011)

I ranked this song as #19 on my year end list, and it would’ve been ever higher had I been given more time to listen to it. This is still Khalil’s most grandiose song to date, and Khalil has described this song as making him feel like he’s “riding around on an elephant with a random Hindu God.” Very accurate. I was thinking more along the lines of the Ancient Psychic Tandem War Elephant, but I may watch too many cartoons. 

Khalil Nova - I Gotta Do It (Youtube, 2012)

The latest video from Khalil Nova finds him dancing in the woods, presumably on his way to the waterfall. Maybe looking for his spaceship home? It’s hard to say what the Space Don is up to in this video, aside from some tai-chi moves at about 1:50 into the video, but this is one of the most alien tracks that Khalil has unleashed on the world yet. Taken from his vastly replayable 808s of Death. 

The Black Layne Staley, 1/31/12.

Khalil Nova - Waterfall (Youtube, 2011)

Khalil Nova’s I’m The Black Layne Staley dropping January 31st. For now, meditate on the top of a waterfall.