BUMP IT Or DUMP IT!, VOL. #173

 

Simple rules: 
Here’s the Top-9 new singles officially sent to Urban-based radio formats, that are either beginning to chart right now or expected to chart soon. In exchange, you can have & listen to them, and personally comment below, stating if you would *Bump It* or *Dump It* for each record and why... [Strong Bump, Weak Bump, Weak Dump, or Strong Dump] 

[Strong Bump] = Unquestionable Smash Hit.  Extremely rewind-worthy and one of the better records out currently. Next to no flaws to pick out, that you'll be supporting/playing daily.  Something you predict will be a Top-15 Hit or higher.

 

[Weak Bump] = A Good Moderate Hit. Quality & above-average; has more positives than negatives.  Might need to grow on you/others, but could catch on.  Not a clear smash hit, but something you'd genuinely want people to check out, so you’ll be supporting/playing it occasionally. Something you predict will be a Top-50 hit.

 

[Weak Dump] = Sup-Par Record. Not bad, but definitely missing the mark somewhere.  More negatives than positives.  Listenable, as you might like some parts but not the whole composition.  You don’t hate it and could understand its buzz, but you know you won’t be supporting/playing it much.  Something you predict that won’t be on airwaves very long or have much replay value.

 

[Strong Dump] = Complete Trash.  A record you absolutely hate and has next to no positives at all.  Garbage, and a waste of your time; that you’d want to warn people away from.  Something

173

 

01-"LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN" (Bruno Mars & Anderson. Paak w/ Silk Sonic),

Debuting #25 on Pop;

Debuting #28 on Rhythmic/Club;

Debuting #12 on Adult/R&B;

Shipped to Urban 03/09/21;

via AFTERMATH/ATLANTIC.

[beginning w/ 3,419 + 1,186 + 1,007 + 243 Daily US Spins]. – It’s super throw back, has a lounge sound about it. It’s grown folk Saturday night brown liquor music. I like it, it’s smooth, mature and it’s slow dance music. I expect this song to do well across multiple platforms, because it has been getting a lot of attention and the rollout has been serious with them introducing the song on just about every radio show, dropping a video, and performing at the Grammy’s. I expect it’ll chart 1-10 on Adult R&B, 15-25 range on Rhythmic /Club,15-25 on Urban, and in the 15-25 range on Pop – Strong Bump 

 

02-"TRACK STAR" (Mooski),

Debuting #40 on Urban;

Debuting #47 on Rhythmic/Club;

via WEALTHY 4 LIFE/CAPITOL.

[beginning w/ 866 + 331 Daily US Spins]. – This song has a strong familiarity to it, I’ve long ago heard it, but it’s being reintroduced on social media and I feel like I’ve heard it on a commercial or two also. It’s a mid-tempo trap-n-b song. I’m not a fan of the whole song, but it has it’s alluring parts. It’s one of those songs I don’t know why it works, it just does. It’s kind of strip down, it’s simple, but it’s relatable, and the highs are enough to make you want to hear it again. I expect to hear it percolate on radio because it’s the type of song that you can play at any part of the day and it may have just enough magic to become a guilty pleasure. I expect it’ll chart in the 20-30 range on urban and 25-35 range on Rhythmic / Club – Weak Bump

 

03-"ROLLS ROYCE UMBRELLA" (Clever f/ Chris Brown),

Debuting #39 on Rhythmic/Club;

Shipped to Urban 03/02/21;

via GRADE-A/RCA/REPUBLIC.

[beginning w/ 828 + 102 Daily US Spins]. It’s an ok song, good enough to get radio play; but it lacks originality, seems a bit contrived, and overdone. For example, I personally think that Chris Brown is only on the song to lend his celebrity to it and give it a chance at being popular. The song could stand on it’s own. It’s deep club bass and a lot of vocal effects, but it doesn’t stand out it sounds like a bunch of other trap n b cats, 10 other people could have easily made this song. I expect it to get radio play, but I’m not sure how long it’ll stay in rotation or in people's memory. I can see it charting in the 20-30 range on rhythmic/ club, and potentially 35-45 on urban. – Weak Dump 

 

04-"FEELS" (Tory Lanez f/ Chris Brown),

Debuting #44 on Urban;

Shipped to Rhythmic/Club 02/27/21;

via ONE UMBRELLA/CREATE MUSIC GROUP INC.

[beginning w/ 609 + 67 Daily US Spins]. – It’s one of those slow thumping songs that’s just before mid-tempo that you could fit in a late-night set, on a late-night ride,  or you could play in the club and it would still fit the mood. It sounds like mid-2000’s song. It’s ok but it doesn’t wow me or necessarily make me want to hear it again. I expect better from two seasoned vets. It could play on the radio but I don’t it’ll get a lot of play given the state of radio right now. I can see it charting in the 35-45 range on urban for a short amount of time, I think it probably should be shipped to Adult R&B because the majority of people that grew up listening to them would hear it and it’s a shorter hurdle to get over. – Weak Bump 

 

05-"STILL TRAPPIN" (Lil Durk f/ King Von),

Debuting #47 on Urban;

Shipped to Rhythmic/Club 03/09/21;

via ALAMO/GEFFEN/INTERSCOPE.

[beginning w/ 547 + 46 Daily US Spins]. – Both the beat and the lyrics are super simple and predictable. I think it lacks creativity and imagination.  It’s a stereotypical trap; dark, street, braggadocious but not a high level of skill lyrically and a very simple delivery. I wouldn’t be shocked to hear it on the radio, but I'd be shocked to hear it frequently. I think it’ll chart in the 35-45 range on urban – Weak Dump

 

06-"OPP STOPPA" (YBN Nahmir f/ 21 Savage),

Debuting #49 on Urban;

Debuting #44 on Rhythmic/Club;

via ART@WAR/ATLANTIC.

[beginning w/ 508 + 482 Daily US Spins]. – I hate the beat. The piano notes are out of key for one, secondly they kind of clash with the rest of the song. The beat lacks creativity and needs work. Lyrically it’s not great, but the playful delivery of the hook is enough to make most people listen and attempt to sing along or at least figure out what he’s actually saying. It doesn’t quite sound like a radio single but I expect to get a little bit of radio and probably chart in the 35-45 range on both Urban and Rhythmic/ Club.  – Weak Dump

 

07-"IT COULD BE YOU" (JayQ The Legend),

Debuting #49 on Pop;

Shipped to Urban + Adult/R&B 02/24/21;

via BREAKOUT MUSIC ENT. 

[beginning w/ 386 + 61 + 56 Daily US Spins]. – It sounds like a badly produced reggae track. Like instead of using live instruments he made a reggae pattern on a beat machine but then didn’t feel it in. I'm not feeling it, it sounds incomplete. I’m shocked this is even getting play in pop. I expect it’ll chart in the 40-50 range in Pop. – Strong Dump 

 

08-"MYSTERY LADY" (Masego f/ Don Toliver),

Debuting #28 on Adult/R&B;

Shipped to Urban 03/10/21;

via EQT/CAPITOL.

[beginning w/ 270 + 74 Daily US Spins]. – This one is kind of tough, it grows on you as the song goes. The production is airy and mystical, the delivery of the singing is playful and kind of reminiscent of “ My Favorite Things”. I like the understated progression and movement of the song. I love the sharpness of the guitar in the back.  Because of how intricate it is, I don’t see it as an Urban record. I believe older audiences will give it a chance and I can see it charting Adult/ R&B in the 20-30 range – Weak Bump  

 

09-"CLOUDS" (NF),

Shipped to Rhythmic/Club + Urban 02/25/21; 

via NF REAL MUSIC.

[beginning w/ 128 + 63 Daily US Spins]. – I like the song, I just don’t think it’s a radio single in today's music game. It’s dramatic and cinematic both on the production and lyrical delivery reminiscent of early Eminem. I like it but I don’t think it’ll get much radio play nor will it chart. – Weak Bump 

 

Tank - Elevation

I listened to Tank's #newalbum - Elevation. It's a good full album listen. It's a an uptempo R&B album, it's the type of R&B that's sexually suggestive and explicit, but the production is upbeat and more for the club than the bedroom. It's the type of music you'd play on the way to the bedroom or in the car. There are a few slow songs but not many. The songs I liked are "champion" (it has a club feel), "I Don't Think  You’re Ready",  "Dirty( my favorite song), Somebody Else, "Do You"- (potential radio single), "Just Listen" and  "I Promise". I'd give it a B-, it's not his best work, but it's about average for him. 

Casanova - Behind These Scars

I listened to Casanova's - #debutalbum - Behind These Scars. It was better than expected. He showed significant improvement and growth from a musical and subject matter standpoint.  I appreciated that his subject matter has expanded beyond just getting out of jail and talking about jail. It's still street music but he has some other vibes on it as well. Some of it is for the club and a few of the songs have radio potential.  He still has some improvements to make but he's definitely maturing as an artist. I liked the songs: “Jail Call”,  “ So Brooklyn”, “So Drippy”, “Woah”, and  “Coming Home”. I'd give it a B

Dave East - Survival

I listened to Dave East #newalbum - Survival.  It's actually his #debutalbum and it's a very good debut. He's been at this for a while but he pretty much nailed it with this offering. It's a 20 song offering and they are full-length songs, so he had a lot of space and opportunity to mess up. He showed tremendous growth and development, development and maturity in crafting this piece of work. We all know that he can rap and he has a flow, but he made wise choices on his production, greatly improved the song making and the sound on this project is expanded and bigger. I don't think it'll get any radio play, none of the songs have a radio single appeal based on how radio is formatted these days. But it's a good whole album listen, he's creative, dropping jewels and he's crisp with the bars. It's repeatable and it'll grow on you, it's headphone music, it's the type of music you listen to on your commute. I liked “Me and Mine”, “Daddy Knows”, “What You Mad At”, “The Marathon Continues”; his career lacks a signature song but this is a very good album. Good traditional East Coast street music. I'd give it an A. 

Young Thug - So Much Fun

I listened to Young Thug's #newalbum - So Much Fun. Truth be told it was pretty horrible. The production is decent, it's pretty much all music you'd expect to hear in the club, but it's not music that'll make you dance. Lyrically it's rubbish, it's melodic mumble rap. It lack substance, clarity, artistry or creativity. With the exception of the songs " The London" ft. J.Cole and Travis Scott and " "Hot"ft Gunna; I don't really hear too many other songs worth listening to, or that could be radio hits. I'd give it a D

Snoop Dogg - I Wanna Thank Me

I listened to Snoop Dogg's #newalbum - I Wanna Thank Me. It was severely disappointing. I'm positive Snoop has access to better production, the production could have / should have been much much better. The writing was lazy and snoop didn't showcase any lyrical skills. Considering it's Snoop's 17th album I expected a more skillful and veteran approach to the music. The album doesn't jam at all. There aren't a bunch of good songs, the album is entirely too long, the album has a bunch features but not a lot of creative energy. There are a lot big named producers but it's none of their best work. It's a long way from vintage snoop, I mean he has the same flow, but nowhere near the same creativity or passion. He has some solid mature messages, but the album is not entertaining or repeatable at all. I didn't hear any singles or standout songs. I'd give it a D. 

Kanye West - Jesus is King

I listened to Kanye West's #newalbum - Jesus is King. Musically it was fire, I was thoroughly impressed, it contains excellent production, excellent arrangement, and melodies. It's sonically different than any rap or hip hop album you'll hear.  Lyrically it's lackluster, the normal help he would usually get was totally not available and it shows. The project was better than I expected, the songs I liked are "Follow God", "Closed on Sunday", "Every Hour" ft Sunday Service Choir, "Use This Gospel" ft. Clips and Kenny G, "Hands On" ft. Fred Hammond. It's better than a lot of gospel albums, definitely better than most gospel rap album, it's repeatable but not heavy rotation. It might get some radio play but I'm not sure what would be a lead single, but I wouldn't be shocked to hear a choir singing a few of the songs.  Definitely worth a listen. I'd give it a B. 

Sheek Louch - Gorillaween Vol. 2

I listened to Sheek Louch's #newmixtape - Gorillaween vol.2. Sheek delivers with the consistency we're accustomed to hearing from him. It's a combination of street bars, trash talk, bragging, and wisdom with a confident delivery. The beats aren't next level, killer or standout; but you can head nod to a few and they work with the lyrics. I liked “Slowdown Baby” , “ Bang Bang ft. The Lox” , “Gorillaween ft. Dyce Payne”, and “Walkin up ft. Snyp Life” . It's underground/street music, nothing I'd expect to hear in the club or on the radio. It's a relatively laid back listen, it's headphone music for sure. I'd give it a B

Blueface - Dirt Bag

I listened to Blueface's #NewEP - Dirt Bag.  It's west coast club music, with an emphasis on the production. The production was good but not groundbreaking. He showed improvement by rapping more on beat or as close to it as possible, he still needs to develop the skill to ride the beat. It still lacks substance or growth, or variety. He needs to work on his creativity also, there are a lot of simple phrases and simple metaphors; he can be more intricate. For the most part the songs were better than the anomaly that was “Thotiana”,  they just are not as catchy, i wouldn’t be shocked if any of these songs made radio. But I wouldn’t listen to them outside of a club or if they played on the radio. The project is not repeatable and i wouldn’t request any of these songs at a party, it's not must hear music. I didn't have a favorite song or standout song.  Id give it a C-

A$AP Ferg - Floor Seats

I listened to A$AP Ferg's #NewEP- Floor Seats. The songs “Ride” , “Dream, Fairytales, Fantasies” are possible radio singles.  The majority of it is stuff that could play in the club, but it's not standout, its the type of club music that plays in the background and you talk over it until the DJ plays something that catches your attention. The production is alright, lyrically and flow wise its ok, but it needs more variety and more creativity.  I'd give it a C-

Brother Ali - Secrets & Escapes

I listened to Brother Ali's #newalbum - Secrets & Escapes. Lyrically and substance wise it was top notch. I didn’t like the production, it was the wrong selection and variety of beats. The beats were kind of lazy, they didn’t have the nod factor, they didn’t make me zone or move or get interested in the songs. The beats were deeply underground but none stood out.  I didn’t appreciate the song making, sometimes he doesn’t need the best beat to make a dope song, he didn’t deliver that on those project. It's a slow-moving, downtempo album. It might be better received live in concert at a part when you really want to slow down and talk to the audience and you want them to really listen to the depth of whats you’re saying. It's a good listen, but not a very entertaining listen. It's full of album cuts and b sides with nothing that stands out or makes the pop, or jump. If you deeply listen to lyrics it’s repeatable but if you just casually listen it won't be. Id give it a C+

Gang Starr - One of the Best Yet

I listened to Gangstarr's #Newalbum - One of the Best Yet. It was good to hear Guru's( R.I.P.) vocals over Dj Premeir production one more time. But, you can tell that the album copy and paste. It didn't feel like he was rapping to those beats, the melding and synergy you get from being in the studio together were lost. It's not a huge reach, Premeir did an excellent job of matching the beats to his already recorded vocals, but little things that would have been changed are noticeable.   It's probably the best you could get out of it, but it was still a little disappointing. The production was top-notch as expected.  The guest verses were perfect fits.  I liked “ Bad Name”  “ Get Together” “ Bring It Back here”  “ Take Flight”. I honestly don't expect this to get much radio play, it'll be very much an underground album and something the cult-like following of Gang Starr will appreciate. I'd give it a B- 

DaBaby - Kirk

I listened to Da Baby's #newalbum Kirk.  It was short and concise. There were more collaborations and bigger collaborations. He essentially aligned himself with the right people for radio and commercial success. It’s good club music but it can be listened to just about anytime, but it doesn't have any standout material. I didn't have a favorite song, nor did I hear a single. He's still at the same level, he hasn't grown or showed improvement, this feels like a rushed project. because with all of the big name features ( Kevin Gates, Chance the Rapper, Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, Money Bagg Yo, Migos, etc) it should have been a bigger project, with a bigger sound or at least one song that seemed like a go. It's not a momentum stopper, but it doesn't do much to add on to it either because the first album still has all of the momentum. I'd give it a C+

Sir - Chasing Summer

I listened to Sir's #newalbum - Chasing Summer.  It's soulful and bluesy. It’s mature, it's musical and doesn’t sound like anything anyone else is doing. It’s a very chill vibe. It's a brown liquor and cigar music, this is lounge music. I really like 

“Still Blue”, and “you can’t take me”. I don't think it'll be a big radio hit, but if it gets on radio it'll be played on adult contemporary / R&B formats or smooth jazz stations; it's too mature for mainstream radio. I'd give it a B 

Lil Kim - 9

I listened to Lil Kim's #newalbum -9.  I didn’t like it, it doesn’t sound like her. It lacks originality, she sounds so much like what everyone else is doing, that she ends up sounding like a featured artist on her album. Whatever producers and writers she was working with, she completely embodies their style to the point that the album is essentially glorified karaoke. It’s not aged appropriate, she sounds exactly like one of these new Lil or young rappers, she sounds like the people she influenced. She exhibits no skills or influences reminiscent of her era or signature style. The lyrics and delivery were so-so. The production is alright. The album is beneath her at this point in her career, it showed no growth, development, neither did it prove that shd has it. There's no straight to radio single, no big hit, nothing for the club, it's street and underground. I'd give it a C- 

Doap Nixon - Sour Disel 2

I listened to Doap Nixon's #newalbum - Dour Diesel II.  It's street, underground and it's mid-90's nostalgic. The beats are cinematic, lyrically it's not for the radio and it's unapologetically that. It’s older head hip-hop. The lyrical and song making skills are good but not great, the production is pretty good. It's a whole project listen, no particular singles, or standout tracks. You can listen to it from beginning to end but it’s not an addictive listen. I'd give it a  B-

Drag-On - Ignorance is the New Normal

I listened to Drag-On's #newmixtape - Ignorance is the New Normal. It's not bad, it's just not standout.  It's 5 songs, it's a  good listens, but nothing special. It could play in the club, could be played on the radio, but no guaranteed singles. It has good energy, it's slightly repeatable but the songs kind of all have the same energy.  I'd give it a C+

Saint JHN - Ghetto Lenny's Love Song

I listened to Saint Jhn's  #newalbum- Ghetto Lenny's Love Songs.  It’s not for me, he seems to be the type of artist that would have a cult-like following. It didn't grow on me, I had no desire to listen to it again. It's the type of music that pulls influences from everywhere but it's not clearly defined and it doesn’t quite fit in any particular box. It's kind of all over the place, it lacks focus direction or a common theme you can latch onto; you font know what to expect from song to song. It's a lot of elements that never quite gel together or even complement each other. It's very very different than anything playing on the radio or in the clubs, it's not street, I'm not sure where it fits in, it's just different. I didn't hear any singles, nothing that stood out or that made me wish to listen to it again. I'd give it a  C 

Skyzoo & Pete Rock - Retropolitan

I listened to Skyzoo and Pete Rock's #newalbum Retropolitan. It's a good listen but i would have expected better beats and better song making. And by that I mean I would have expected some beats and some songs that stood out immediately.  Sky is kind of at his best when he has early Jay-Z type, jazzy and cinematic beats, however he does do well over Jazzy beats also. This album grew on me, nothing really stood out after the first listen and it took a while for me to get back around to it, it's by no means and instant replay or on constant loop album, but it's definitely worth multiple listens, in fact you'll need multiple listen to even appreciate it. If you're the type of person that music is disposable for and you have to like it instantly or it's on to the next this is not the project for you; there's a lot of nuance in this project that does not stand out in the first listen. It's not a flashy listen, there are no big radio hits or huge features, it doesn't sound like anything else being made currently. It's a very throwback, very New York, very underground 90's sounding album, yet it still is up to date.  My favorites songs are " Truck Jewels", " It's All Good", and "Glorious"  - B 

Compton Menace - Menace Monthly, Vol. 6

I listened Compton Menace's #newmixtape - Menace Monthly vol.6. It's apart of his Monthly series of mixtapes. It's good production and decent song making, but he didn’t shine lyrically. The lyrics were lack luster, there was no excitement or punch, nothing that made I heard nothing that made me eyebrow go up.  The songs didn’t have catch, the hooks were not catchy. All of the elements of the songs just didnt fit together and make the magic that a good song or album delivvers. It's a decent listen, but I didn't have a particular favorite song.  I didn't hear a stand out or go to track, neither did I hear a single.  I'd give it a  C+