Music

James Chelliah x Cam May “i cannot tell, i do not know”

James Chelliah and Cam May are excited to release “I cannot tell, I do not know” on the 2nd of January 2022. “I cannot tell, I do not know” – a follow up to “Hold On, Pt. 2”, James’s highly-acclaimed collaboration with Moses Boyd and DARGZ – is an existential indie rap project accompanied by a graphic diary created by textile designer and illustrator Grace Joyram, which aims to present a detailed composite representing the range of emotions experienced and explored throughout the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

The project is a clarion call for those blindly walking through a life lived within the preordained boundaries set by others, and a sonic jolt to those whose bodies and minds are tired of the endless fight against the accepted norm. It explores the odd simultaneous contentment and frustration felt by many over the past two years, juxtaposing the tranquillity of monotony against discomfiting feelings of stagnation and aimlessness brought about by pandemic life.

Cam artfully plays with contrasts of light instrumentation and minor melodies to emphasize James’ scathing lyrics, ensuring that frankness is breathed into each piece. ‘Yaldabaoth’ layers mellow guitars with probing lyrics that question the obsession with social media, the transience of young-adult friendships, and living life through a lens, before slamming the listener into ‘Slurp’, a hypnotic and provoking ode to social proof and the desire to belong. As James notes “I looked at the life I was living and decided that I’d had enough. I reassessed friendship expectations, ambitions, communication norms, wants, needs. I started to make changes to reflect what I wanted: less of everything the world told me was important.”

This theme of contrasts continues with the ripe melancholy of ‘Fullish’ and its considered contemplation of the always-online world, and the mocking sonics and lambasting lyrics of ‘Couch’. The use of interludes and instrumental tracks ‘Alone’ and ‘Emptyish’ serve to tease kernels of the potential for us to live alternate lives, and create a space to digest what has been heard prior. The project concludes with ‘Something, at least drawing the listener to relief in recognizing that there can be a route to peace in the gradual acceptance of the different reality thrust upon us. Of the graphic diary, Grace says, “Initially the imagery is complex, jumbled, and caliginous. However, as the pages turn, the visuals get clearer and more comprehensible, representing the gradual acceptance of a different reality as time passed. The outcome represents a new perspective that we were able to gain from each passing day; a slower world allowing extra contemplation.”

The message of “I cannot tell, I do not know” shines a light on a risk we all face – becoming victims of the machinations of capitalist culture which keep us falsely satiated and unquestioning. James says: “We started writing this project when we realized that we weren’t looking forward to returning to a pre-covid life. Every day feels like a fight against conditioning, a fight against the self. The weight of the old world is heavy, what we’ve learned is light. The usual is returning and I cannot stop it. But I won’t participate. I cannot tell, I do not know.”

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Entertainment

Playboi Carti Feels “Like Weezy” as MUSIC Dominates the Streets

Playboi Carti is known for his unique style and unpredictable nature, but when he celebrates his achievements, he compares himself to one of the biggest names in hip-hop: Lil Wayne. Recently, his album MUSIC sold an impressive 500,000 copies in just two weeks, leading Carti to proclaim on social media, “FEELING LIKE WEEZY WE ALREADY PLATINUM N DA STREETS,” which means he feels as successful as Lil Wayne. Lil Wayne has greatly impacted hip-hop, and Carti has always admired him. You can see this influence in Carti’s music and style.

For example, Carti’s latest release is named after Wayne’s famous mixtape, showing just how much he looks up to the rap legend. Like Wayne, who built a massive following of loyal fans, Carti has also captivated the music scene. Interestingly, the success of MUSIC coincided with the ten-year anniversary of Carti’s first big hit, Broke Boi. A decade ago, he was just starting out, but now he is a well-established artist whose music releases are highly anticipated events. Fans are now looking forward to his upcoming album, BABY BOI. Given Carti’s history of surprising fans, it might take a while before the album drops.

Entertainment

Quavo Sparks Excitement for Possible “Huncho Jack 2” with Travis Scott

Could 2024 be the year that Quavo and Travis Scott bring back their popular collaboration, Huncho Jack? Fans are buzzing with excitement after Quavo shared a mysterious teaser that has everyone talking. While enjoying a ride on a speedboat in Miami, Quavo played a snippet of a new song featuring Travis Scott. He hinted that a sequel to their earlier project might be on the way by posting, “Thinkin HJ2? Tag Jack.” This has sparked a lot of speculation about whether the duo is working on new music together. Fans reacted enthusiastically, flooding the comments with hope for the sequel.

One fan expressed their desire for a follow-up after seven years, while another called the original album an “underrated classic.” The first Huncho Jack project, released in December 2017, stood out with its catchy tunes and the natural chemistry between Quavo and Travis Scott. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, selling 90,000 copies in its first week and topping the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts. The project also included contributions from Quavo’s Migos bandmates, Offset and Takeoff, adding even more depth to the collaboration. With Takeoff’s passing in 2022, revisiting Huncho Jack feels both poignant and a way to honor his legacy.

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Now, seven years later, fans feel that a sequel is more important than ever. Both Quavo and Travis have grown as artists, Quavo is adapting to life after Migos, while Travis continues to break new musical ground with his latest work, Utopia. A second Huncho Jack album could blend their personal growth with their skills in making exciting and innovative music. The ball is now in Travis Scott’s court. Quavo has clarified that he’s ready to roll, but will Travis join him? Fans are eagerly waiting and won’t stop until these two come together to deliver the sequel they’ve been dreaming of for years.

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