New Music, After Life

Music being released posthumously, is something that makes me feel, very much, some type of way. On one end, I didn’t want this artist to go, and I want to continue to hear their music. But on the other hand, obviously we can argue where the money is going. More importantly, however, why wasn’t it released in the first place? I just feel like, unless it was a project that was almost done and ready to go out, the artist probably had a reason why it didn’t drop. Who is anyone else, to say this is for the world to hear? There is a strong sense of selfishness I get from people releasing an artist’s music after their passing.

This year, we have had so many tragic and unexpected losses in hip-hop. Above, we have XXXTentacion, Skins, as well as Mac Miller’s Circles. The release of X’s album makes me extremely uncomfortable. X’s mom wanted this to drop, but isn’t she in the middle of fighting with his Baby Mother over seeing the child, if he is even the father, and where all his money is going? I think this family has had it rough for quite some time, and I think Momma X is trying to pocket off her son. Seeing how sensitive and emotional X is as an artist, I would never just assume he was ready to release this album to the world.

Mac’s album, we were told was just about done, and his producer knew where they were going, so he finished it off, and left us with one last project. I know this got the blessing from Karen, and acknowledgment that it is a strange thing to do. I believe he did want the world to hear this, but there is no real knowing how much Jon Brion worked on this after Mac’s passing, and if this is exactly how he would have wanted it. I give a pass because I personally needed this, and I believe Karen’s heart is pure, but it is still a bit off to me. I hope this is last from Mac’s book, only because I think the rest did not come out, for a reason.

Nipsey’s slogan was The Marathon Continues. I’m sure he’d want us to put out everything he’s recorded in which we haven’t heard. For sure, Higher was ready to drop on DJ Khaled’s album. It was too soon after to call it, but Khaled got the OK from Lauren, and donated all the proceeds to a charity Nipsey represented. I say this is the absolute only way to do it.

When Eminem released Godzilla, I was surprised he got on a track with Juice WRLD at all. I thought it was big, because it was my hero and my brother’s on once track. But then I thought it was weird. Was there any acknowledgment of what just happened? On the physicals of the album, Eminem noted that this album was dedicated to Juice WRLD, and his other friend whom had passed. He also acknowledged it in interviews around the album, about what great talent he had and how pleased he was working together on the track, and how unfortunate it was, the events that had taken place. Juice’s team posted several photos of him at the studio during this time. I am sure Juice would have wanted people to hear this. Such a great accomplishment of the young talent, absolutely smashing the chorus with a legend in the space. I just wish he was here for it. Or if he must be gone, get this song on the radio, and giving all the money to an organization to help kids with drug addictions. It would make sense for the both of them. I’m not thrilled about this album that is now rumored to come out, of all unreleased Juice WRLD songs. I’m sure his fans will go nuts and cry listening, but this is another guy that I think needs to approve his music before it is released.

Lil Peep’s documentary has me messed up, I must say. I enjoyed it, getting to know him as a person. He was a sweet kid, with insecurities, and a deep passion. He always put his peers first, which is why I cringe at this documentary. All of Peep’s friends that used to feed off of him are interviewed in the tape. It seems to me, that they’re all intoxicated or completely messed up. Why wouldn’t they get help after what had happened to their friend? Peep used to pay their rent, or let them stay with him, when he made money from his music. Now, these kids are going to be making money off this documentary, by telling Peep’s story for him. We’ll never know what he has to say about any of these things we see on the tape. This left me overall a bit uneasy.

It’s a touchy subject for sure. I think there is a right way to go about it. But for the most part..

Verdict: Keep it in the vault.