REASON Archives | The Buck Stop

Just Some Rap Kickin’ 3

October 17, 2020October 17, 2020The SandboxLeave a comment

I didn’t foresee going almost a year before revisiting this concept! The good news is that we’re two away from making it a segment on its own. The greater news is that the fourth edition is weeks away. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves — especially when I laced something special in my...

Smoke x Mirrors ’20|05: III

May 31, 2020May 31, 2020Smoke x MirrorsLeave a comment

I feel like this playlist is best represented by the song “Magnificent” by JD Era, the third track here. It’s clear, concise lyricism over beats that complement by matching the intensity of the rhyme slayers. These songs made me pay attention to what was being said; the slick shit, the witty lines, capped with...

Smoke x Mirrors ’20|03: I

March 10, 2020March 10, 2020Smoke x MirrorsLeave a comment

Welcome to March folks. I hope all of us are taking the necessary precautions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In any case, I’m back with another edition of a much needed Smoke x Mirrors; after all, as 2Baba says, “We must groove“. And with this I’d like to express my enthusiasm for...

R&Cs: Thanksgiving

November 28, 2019November 28, 2019Roll and CoastersLeave a comment

The video for YBN Cordae’s “Thanksgiving” came just in time for me to put this together! By now, for those that observe this American holiday, I’m willing to bet that you’ve stuffed yourself with banana pudding, collard greens, turkey with extra cranberry sauce, and all other decadent dishes that got you laid up on...

Smoke x Mirrors ’19|03: II

March 20, 2019March 20, 2019Smoke x MirrorsLeave a comment

If I can make a wish about this playlist, then I’m hoping that the elated mood that took hold of me while I was making it will permeate your spaces. It came from artists like 2 Chainz, Dave, Giggs and Octavian that recently put out compelling projects. It came from the ever-addictive vibes from...

Smoke & Mirrors, October: II

October 15, 2018October 16, 2018Smoke x MirrorsLeave a comment

For months now, week after week, I get to cull from increasingly copious amounts of new — but more importantly dope — music. Here, I’ve tried as much as possible to capture some of the tendencies I’ve noticed for a while....

Smoke & Mirrors, October: I

October 7, 2018October 8, 2018Smoke x MirrorsLeave a comment

Just last week, I was salivating for the dope music to come as we close out 2018. And they were so many reasons to be hyped. First off, a new Dom Kennedy project, Volume 2, has come out. I’ve been a huge fan; he’s a big part of the soundtrack to my L.A. days;...

R&Cs: Lionne

August 29, 2018August 31, 2018Roll and CoastersLeave a comment

If you count his work as part of the duo The Shin Sekai, Dadju has been raining hits on us for two years straight! His solo debut album (Gentleman 2.0) was a clear highlight of 2017. His new single, “Lionne” is the first track off of that album and I’m surprised this great ode...

R&Cs: The Soul

August 15, 2018August 18, 2018Roll and CoastersLeave a comment

Top Dawg Etertainment, home of Kendrick Lamar and SZA, recently added Reason, a Carson CA rapper, to their quality-loaded roster. Along with the announcement, Reason released an intro-of-sorts titled “The Soul”. We lead off with that fiery one and some of the lyrics (quoted below) justify why....