Related Recs

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Late 90’s Jay-Z

The Jay-Z that we now know — the one who makes shady and feeble NFL deals, the one who is essentially a house husband to Beyonce’s breadwinner, the one who looks like Basquiat if he had a 401K — pales in comparison to the Jay-Z that my older brother, older cousin, and I were obsessed with growing up. Shawn Carter was once a force of nature on the mic, and transformative as a rap star. No one knew much about his personal life that wasn’t in the music, but they knew he came out with a crew of dogs ready to unleash at a moment’s notice. (This Diary of Jay-Z from MTV is a good example). He was adept at making you feel the snark and the bite in his music, lifestyle, and persona, but also being in control of his behavior and narrative. There’s never a time, except when he struggled with a Mannie Fresh beat, where Jay-Z isn’t in control while he is rapping; it’s arresting to listen to him jab and swing with his flow and words without ever losing the rap pocket. For example, a song like “Streets Is Watching”, when he says “it’s like a full time job not to kill niggas”, is so raw to me. He truly means that. He wishes he could smoke everyone. It is hard for him to keep control of himself when he wants to lash out. But he has to do it anyway because violence costs too much. For any Black kids in NYC, and especially ones who are outgoing and enjoy the limelight like me, who are trying to make it happen, listen to late 90’s Jay-Z. It’ll make you more focused, stronger (notice how Jay-Z is never focused on women, in fact he rejects them if they annoy him) — and more aware of the possible snakes around you.

@jayson

STAFF

Oct 16, 2023

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Wu-Tang Clan

okay technically it’s Andy Grammar cause I moved upstate in 2017 and he went to my high school, but nobody playing that weak ass music #respectfully #nothingpersonal #imsurehesaniceguy + I was born & raised in Staten Island so you know we gotta rep the Wu. 36 Chambers & Cuban Linx some of the greatest records of all time.

@Greenelysium

Feb 26, 2025

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pusha t - if you know you know

Inspired by The Starters on Netflix and hype for hoops season around the corner. You know?!

@afrorory

Oct 11, 2024

Top Recs from @madchen

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first kiss

one night stand or future spouse nothing beats the anticipation.... the build...... the mystery revealed.....

@madchen

Jul 23, 2024

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being ugly

builds character

@madchen

Apr 2, 2024

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surfing the web

the old-fashioned way, like you would before the entire internet was monopolised into basically three conglomerates. why would you spend all your time on your computer swapping between instagram tiktok youtube pinterest when you could find some of the coolest websites you've never heard about learning information your algorithm would never feed to you!!!! a good place to start is your favourite artist's websites (not just musicians!) sometimes they have blogs (especially if they're writers) and often they link websites they like. I also like magazine websites - the face, angel food, hot literati or craigslist missed connections. I check the new york section all the time

@madchen

Oct 8, 2024