Halloween playlists tend to be a little bit harder to create for a number of reasons: we haven’t been circulating the same carols for centuries regarding the holiday and it’s also hard to write a dedicated Halloween song without it sounding unintentionally corny. That being said Michael Jackson was the master of this because the … Continue reading #PlaylistMonday: Boo! A KWC Halloween
So I’m fully aware that I have been dropping the ball on Playlist Mondays. Now, most of you know that I’ve been busy with a newborn and between him, work, my Wife and my toddler the extra time that does exist is minimal. I usually spend said time playing Madden or my Switch, so, my … Continue reading #PlaylistMonday: R and Beef III: The Reckoning
Subtitle: And I still can’t come up with good titles. But that’s not why you’re here. Anyway, I judge albums based on their endurance. I don’t care if they rush in running a full sprint if they run out of life three weeks later. It’s a marathon. Will this album still be running five years … Continue reading I Missed Two Very Important Album Anniversaries So I Must Blog About Them
Longtime friend of the blog shared this EP with us and now we share it with you. It’s only 4 tracks long but it’s four tracks of quality. Check out the latest project from the 251 rhymespitter below.
Make no bones about it, we’re nerdy here. We’ve played a lot of video games in our time and we’re proud of it. I’ve said SO many times before that music is special. It has the ability to set the mood for anything and make you groove no matter what. Playing a horror game or … Continue reading #PlaylistMonday: 8 Bit Boogie
If’ you’re wondering where you might’ve heard the name “Masego” from, you’ll probably recognize it from a viral video, shot from the studio, where he, along with fellow multi-instrumentalist, FKJ, create the song “Tadow” in which both play multiple instruments while crafting the song in front of your eyes. After seeing this video last year, … Continue reading #TheListeningClub: Masego “Lady Lady”
September 23, 2003. I remember running into the house scrambling towards my 3-Disc CD player, fumbling around trying to pry the plastic seal off the album I had just purchased at Best Buy. My Dad had taken me after school because I had told him for days how bad I wanted the new OutKast album. … Continue reading It’s been 15 years. Yes, you’re old.
Before I begin: Rap is a fascinating and diverse genre. It’s evolution and launch into the mainstream over the last two decades has been nothing short of phenomenal. It doesn’t stop people from complaining though. Especially about artists on the radio or who are blowing up on social media. Pop music is a young person’s … Continue reading Open Mike Eagle is “super Relatable”
When’s the last time you truly connected with an artist? Sure, “When [insert rapper] said ‘___________’, I felt that” has become a meme but when have you gone beyond the music and persona and truly connected with the artist? The answer for us here at KWC would definitely be Mac Miller. When he crept onto … Continue reading Playlist Monday: #RIPMacMiller
Last week we lost the Queen of Soul, the indomitable force that was Aretha Franklin had been in declining health for an unknown (to the public) amount of time before reportedly going into Hospice. We often believe that those who make timeless music are immortal themselves, and sad times like these remind us that this … Continue reading Playlist Monday: Samples, an Aretha Franklin Tribute
Mooooooooooooo If you haven’t seen the video that has made its way around the internet over the last few days, then you really need to. Doja Cat’s “Moo” has taken social media by swarm, resulting in laughs and memes galore. The video itself has amassed over 500K views (as of Aug 14) on YouTube … Continue reading Wait…..@DojaCat’s got some HITS
I first met Ryan, aka Kadesh Flow, freshman year of college in 2007. At the time I decided I needed to get to know him because he was the only other black person I’d met who’s read the Wheel of Time series. We quickly hit it off, generally being blerds before we knew it was … Continue reading Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Kadesh Flow Interview
For many years, Birmingham’s Secret Stages has taken the task of collecting the best-kept secrets of the music scene and giving them a platform. 2018’s festival relocated to the bustling Avondale district but the spirit remained the same. Many great acts performed throughout the weekend but we would like to highlight three we saw: Kadesh … Continue reading The Kids Wear Crowns x Secret Stages Recap: Artists You Need to See
The early 2000s saw the rise and take over of Atlanta when it came to hip-hop’s national scene. While groups like OutKast, Goodie Mob, UGK, and Geto Boyz helped pave the way for the possibility, the early to mid 2000s kicked the door wide open. Everyone from Bonecrusher to Pastor Troy to T.I. were releasing … Continue reading Playlist Monday: Field Mob Appreciation Day
I’m not one for narratives; I like to let the music speak. The outside noise of the world is ignored once I put on headphones and press play. An artist of a certain stature can’t sway my opinion one way or the other. “Timing” is only complementary to an album but it doesn’t … Continue reading The Most Impressive Album of the Year is an Album That Doesn’t Impress Me Much
Singer Blood Orange released two new singles off his upcoming album Negro Swan. It’s officially Blood Orange season.
As you all probably don’t know, Thursday marks my birthday and I will be celebrating. Despite what Lying Ron and CROOKED! AJ will tell you, I will be turning 29 on August 2nd, not 48. While the 29th birthday isn’t traditionally a milestone, this one is a big one for me and reason to celebrate … Continue reading [PlaylistMonday] – Birthday Suit
Once upon a time, I would hear a song and IMMEDIATELY get excited about the video that would accompany it. I had Video Soul and Rap City and yes, dare I say, The Box. Back in those wondrous times, Michael Jackson would create short films that had scheduled world premieres and full feature films would … Continue reading Reality Killed the Video Star
I enjoy my R and Beef series. When I first started doing these, it was a way to blend rap and R&B together perfectly into a short playlist. The first one was like 200 songs. Since then, I’ve tried to refine each one to fit a theme. The second one was more old school, the … Continue reading [Playlist Monday] R and Beef VI: With the YAMS
We’re Millennials, if there’s one thing that most of us have been at one point in time (or still are, that’s cool too), it’s broke. Most people think of rap music as a genre that only brags about HAVING money, not talking about their lack of it. I created a playlist that revolves around being … Continue reading Playlist Monday: “The Rent is Too Damn High!”
“If Birmingham embraces something, you have something” is the one message to take away from our interview with K.L.U.B. Monsta. K.L.U.B. Monsta is a mainstay of the Birmingham music scene and the underground Southern scene but they are finally seeing the fruits of their labor with their latest album, When Gawd Ready. We talk about … Continue reading “When Gawd Ready”: K.L.U.B. Monsta Interview
I had been working on this playlist for a while, but it didn’t have any direction so I sat on it. Then on Saturday night, my Ace text me about his mixer he was hosting in Birmingham the following day called “Cocktails on the Farm” “What playlist of yours would you put on for it?” … Continue reading Playlist Monday: Don’t Shuffle, Don’t Skip #4 – Mixer
Sometimes you just wanna hear a rap song with people talking ****. That’s what this playlist is for, just enjoy it.
You know what time it is! List time! Because we are nothing if not list makers. Actually, this site pretends to pass off original content but we’re really about the lists. Seriously though, I love lists because they’re a good way to pick everyone’s mind. I often find a few things I missed during the … Continue reading The Best Albums of 2018 (So Far)
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO’SSSSS READY FOR THE SUMMER EQUINOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX? MAKE SOME NOIIIISEEEEEE! Reggae horns go off No, but seriously, I’ve been sitting on this playlist for about a month because I wanted to wait for the week of “official summer” to start. You know, the one where the longest day of the year begins and the sun stays … Continue reading Playlist Monday: Summertime Fine
Music has always been a great uniting force. Reaching across time, language, culture and any other barrier to touch people in a way that few other mediums are capable of. Plenty of philosophers and all manner of people smarter than me have tried to quantify what exactly is it about music that allows it to … Continue reading Mike Shinoda – Post Traumatic Album Review
Summer time IS here, but not, like, officially here. It’s hot as hell outside, but we know summer storms are coming, so here’s a playlist for those….um….rainy days. We’ll have one for the sunny days as well, soon.
I know, I know, long time Linkin Park fans, the title of this post is borderline blasphemy, but I assure you, it isn’t click bait. Meteora is a better album than Hybrid Theory and it’s time you all accept this simple truth. This post was initially planned out around the 15th anniversary of Meteora, … Continue reading Meteora is Better Than Hybrid Theory
The Listening Club is a round-table book club style review of an album recommended by one of our crew members. This week: SABA – Care for Me.
Take it back to the mid to late 2000s for a second. Where were you? In college? Fresh out of college? If not, this playlist MIGHT not be for you. She made us drinks to drink.We drunk 'em, got drunk. Sir, you are a lyrical mastermind @TPAIN — The Kids Wear Crowns (@TheKWCBlog) June 3, … Continue reading [Playlist Monday] – College House Party by Ron
I woke up this morning in Daytona. All I had in my pocket was a flip phone, a few Euros, a folded menu for Chinese takeout. The phone rang. A faint voice said “Rank Pusha T’s best verses” then it hung up. I felt like I had to take heed. So here are my … Continue reading The Snow King: Pusha T’s Best Verses
Greetings! It’s been awhile since we’ve done this feature and per AJ’s suggestion, it’s time to bring it back. In case you don’t remember, The Listening Club is a roundtable review of music you may not be hip to yet. We give a quick blurb, list our favorite tracks and give it a score. This … Continue reading The Listening Club: Arin Ray (@ArinRayCamp) – Platinum Fire [Review]
I packed a few of my belongings left the life that I was living just some memories of it mostly the ones I can’t forget We’ve had the discussion several times on DCIP about what it takes to be a “classic” album, specifically in the realm of hip hop. A major piece of the discussion … Continue reading St. Elsewhere and Cee-Lo’s Mid 00’s projects that never came to fruition
Word to Buzzfeed for the featured gif If your favorite rapper arrived on the scene after 2007, he or she likely owes their career to Faheem Rashad Najm, better known as T-Pain. When Teddy Verscetti first hit the scene in 2005, he made a minor splash with I’m Sprung before getting his first major hit … Continue reading #PlaylistMonday: T-Pain Appreciation Day
When Birmingham’s own, YBN Nahmir, emerged on the scene I instantly knew it wasn’t for me. It’s easy to see what makes “Rubbin Off in the Paint” so undeniable but I feel like I’m too old for ultraviolent Droog rap. The same goes for YBN Almighty Jay because I’ll only allow one YBN into my mental … Continue reading YBN Cordae is the Rapper of the Future
Birmingham Comedic Legend, Daily Show Correspondent and All-Around good guy dropped into our latest recording of “Don’t Call It a Podcast” this weekend and provided us commentary on “white rock songs that slap”. The discussion was stirred up through a Twitter conversation headed by recurring DCIP guest @HumbleTeej regarding Pop Rock 80s hits and sort … Continue reading [Playlist Monday]: White Boy Rock, created by @RoyWoodJr
She’s fine too.
But she might be 5’2.
Music careers are hard to figure out. Sometimes you’ll hear a hit from a new artist and SWEAR they’re going to be around forever, only for them to disappear into the cosmos. Other times, you’ll hear a sound that you know won’t last very long, but suddenly you look up, it’s been 10 years and … Continue reading #PlaylistMonday: First Album, First Single
So a few weeks ago, we decided to let Ryne cultivate a few playlists every once in awhile. If you missed his first one, it was the “Lost R&B of the 90s” which got a lot of pretty good feedback. He’s back again with a “Get To Know Ya” playlist, which should be self explanatory … Continue reading [Playlist Monday]: “Get To Know Ya” by @RHancock19
Twitter exists in a dichotomy: once new material is released or a new thought is created, it must be placed into being a classic, or trash. There is no in between. Let me be clear – fandoms are great, they are fun little spaces for us to be part of as we witness an artist … Continue reading Stan Culture is annoying and ruining everything
Hello. It’s me. You knew full and well upon reading the title that this song would be on the list So why don’t you stop Everything And cry about that one really hard breakup Or all of them. This is a playlist about love songs and possibly being bitter about it but somehow being okay … Continue reading #PlaylistMonday: The One That Got Away aka Tough Breakups
No, this isn’t a KOD review.
I don’t really use Twitter anymore. I’m not being holier-than-thou when I say this. I don’t wear that fact like a badge of honor. I started decreasing my usage then all of a sudden, I wasn’t tweeting at all. I still check the @KWCBlog timeline often (follow us, if you don’t) to interact with our … Continue reading I Just Discovered the Greatest Music Video of the 21st Century
Some things need to be left alone….especially by white people
It was 2 AM on a cool Spring morning in 2001. Mr. Ronald Isley had returned to his home from a night of rendezvous with his closest friends. Upon checking his voice messages, Mr. Isley notes that the only people to call his home were a few close friends and a few collections agencies. His … Continue reading Was Chante Moore TRYING to get caught with a pedophile? A KWC Investigative Report
So I took this week off because our own Ryne Hancock came to me with a pitch for a #PlaylistMonday. He ha cultivated a playlist made of forgotten 90s gems that he wants to share with y’all. I didn’t get an exert from him, but it’s all good. My apologies on posting late, it’s been … Continue reading [Playlist Monday]: Lost R&B of the 90s (By @RHancock19)
Gotta rule over all them zones Got the tones that’s blowing up phones But when I’m hungry you know I’m gonna jones for eggs Fettuccine a la ovo In the kitchen where the pros go I’ll cook you something pro bono But all I know is eggs (I’m a chef, I roll hard!) I’d preface … Continue reading The Dr. Eggman Music Video is a delight
Ryan here. Ron was kind enough to start this post for me since I was falling asleep around 9:30pm last night like an old man and forgot to get the post started in time for today. So shoutout to him. Rap is an interesting genre. So young, yet so dominant. Comfortably repetitive, yet engaging. The … Continue reading #PlaylistMonday: THIS. IS. THE REMIX
But dag nabbit, I’m a walking bad habit Not fit to give advice, but still taking stabs at it Idealistic yet over pragmatic Broken down to brass taxes, I’m sort of fantastic – “Hold Your Breath” Music is powerful. It can set, create, alter and disturb moods. It’s the soundtrack to life and what helps … Continue reading Girls Like Me x @ItsIntuition was the album soundtrack to my college years
Although I have a wide-ranging palette when it comes to music, the genre I’ve revisiting with the least amount of frequency is R&B. Not just R&B but all subcategories of R&B as well. I’m not here to bash R&B, there’s a lot of it to still enjoy but I’ve just grown out of it. The … Continue reading Put Your Money on Gallant
In honor of the OutKast Madness bracket we ran on @TheKWCBlog twitter page over the last few days, it’s time to honor one of the greatest acts in music with their own playlist. Being that this is through Spotify, a few of the songs in the bracket weren’t available to put on the list, outside … Continue reading #PlaylistMonday: OutKast Appreciation Day
Ah breakups. So fun, so joyous. Yeah right. Most of the time after a breakup you want to yell, cuss, scream, or just relax and laugh about your wasted time. It’s okay, emotion is a real thing and you should process it. This playlist should help. Note: please do not try to follow all the … Continue reading [Playlist Monday] How to be super petty to your ex
Governor’s “Son of Pain” is one of the greatest R&B albums of the Millennium, Grand Hustle dropped the ball (Review & Listen)
Oh the early to mid 2000s. Certainly an era. In rap, it’s when the South really began to take over the game and start dominating the charts. From serious longterm contenders like T.I. to fly-by-nights like The Shop Boyz and D4L and Dorrough, there was enough music rolling around to make you bounce. Maybe give … Continue reading [Playlist Monday] Tall Tees and Throwback Jerseys
March is Women’s History Month, so what better way to celebrate a [Playlist Monday] than by celebrating groundbreaking women in the music industry. At first I was going to use BillBoard Charts to find women who broke through with “firsts” and record setting songs, but after awhile I realized there was a distinct lack of … Continue reading [Playlist Monday] #WomensHistoryMonth
FRESH OUT THE BOX STOP LOOK AND WATCH READY YET? GET SET IT’S ALLLLLLL THAT For today’s edition of #PlaylistMonday we turn to a 90’s staple in celebration of our #90sTV Bracket! All That was a sketch comedy/variety program that ran on Nickelodeon from 1994 to 2005 as a staple in its “SNICK” series. It … Continue reading [Playlist Monday]: This Is ALL THAT
It was around this time 9 years ago that one of the livest parties to ever grace this country occurred. The original and untouchable Twerkfest. (Birmingham, AL) Twerk happened, more twerk happened. Drank happened. Twerk happened again. This occurred two more times. Over the last few weeks we’ve done posse cuts and love songs, last … Continue reading [Playlist Monday] #Twerkfest2018
One of the greatest jazz singers of all time, Nina Simone, who died in 2003, would have turned 85 years old today. Born Eunice Waymon in 1933, Simone’s recording career spanned 50 years, sprinkled with songs such as “Mississippi Goddamn” and “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black.” In honor of her birthday here’s 15 tracks … Continue reading Happy birthday, Nina
Joe eluded to this in his latest Monday recap video via our Twitter page when I dropped this week’s playlist: there was not a hint of love songs within the Posse Cut playlist, so I’m rectifying that for you this Valentine’s Day. I don’t do “mood” playlists, cause what works for some doesn’t work for … Continue reading [Playlist Monday Special Editions]: 14alentine’s Day, Pronounced Valentine’s Day
I WAS gonna do a Valentine’s Day themed playlist and still might drop one tomorrow or Wednesday, but for now I wanted to do this one. Back in the 90s and 00s, a remix was synonymous with a posse cut, but there were times where Posse cuts were setout as the initial version of a … Continue reading [Playlist Monday] – Death by 1000 Posse Cuts
10 years ago people decided to cash in off Michael Jackson’s estate by releasing a remastered 25th anniversary edition of Thriller. We decided to follow suit and drop a short, Michael Jackson inspired playlist with some of his biggest songs as well as a few sleeper hits. Thriller was released in Nov. of 1982, so … Continue reading [Playlist Monday] – Thriller 35: The Best of Michael Jackson
The phrase “Blue Eyed Soul” has existed for quite awhile, all the way back to The Righteous Brothers in the mid-60s. The term is used to describe white soul or R&B artists and their music. I made this playlist awhile ago but I feel like the 10th anniversary of Adele’s debut album, “19”, is the … Continue reading [Playlist Monday]: Blue Eyes, White Dragon
It’s Monday which means it’s time for me to drop another playlist for y’all. For all 9 of you that follow my playlists on Spotify, you’ve seen this one before, but I figured I would drop it for all followers of the KWC to see. It’s from my R and Beef series. I started the … Continue reading [Playlist] R and Beef II: Even Beefier
I told myself I would do more of these and more often. See I travel a lot. A WHOLE LOT, and I find myself tinkering with different playlists and podcasts so that my extended drives won’t get so burdensome/boring. Last fall, I decided to make “themed” playlists set to create different moods. I had one … Continue reading [Playlist] Don’t Shuffle, Don’t Skip #2 – Mellow
Yesterday, I posted my Favorite TV Shows of 2017. That list was met with little resistance but this is where things begin to get spicy. So here are the best songs of 2017 (According to @RonQuixote_) 10. Moneybagg Yo-Insecure I would’ve called you a plum fool if you told me one of my favorite new rappers in 2017 … Continue reading Best Songs of 2017 [+ Playlist]
Last week on this very blog and of course, our Twitter account, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Lupe Fiasco’s “The Cool” by naming our favorite tracks from one of the best hip hop albums of 2007. Due to the fact that we only have five days left in 2017, I decided to use this … Continue reading Anniversaries of Albums We May Have Missed Out On in 2017
“Real fast, shake it, shake it real fast, PUT YO HANDS ON YO KNEES pop it, pop it, real fast” – Dee Jay
“Really I’m a good boy but that Trapaholics tag turn me into a hood boy”
Do you have that one song you absolutely hate to love? That one song that constantly stays on your mind? You hear it so much that you end up humming it all the time. For me, this was “Cha Cha”. I thought it was one of the most ridiculous songs I’ve ever heard and had … Continue reading Let’s Appreciate 2016’s Most Underrated Album
Fresh off winning the Craft Syndicate beat making contest, which gave him the opportunity to have a studio session with Don Cannon, Koji the Bandit releases Never Enough. Easily one of the best instrumental tapes you will hear all year. Enjoy.
As someone who tries to shine a light on the hip-hop scene in Alabama, I have something new for you. Fist of God comes from Tzu Vega, a rapper from Mobile. It features production reminiscent of Jedi Mind Tricks (with one obvious nod to Vinnie Paz) and razor sharp lyricism. Check it out and let us … Continue reading Tzu Vega (@Tzu_Vega) – Fist of God EP
Yep, you can pretty much expect any and all things Translee to get posted from here on out. This is a single from T.I.’s underrated Us or Else album.
The LA Rapper re-emerges after three years out the spotlight with his most introspective album yet.
It’s been awhile since we’ve done one of these but we couldn’t let Big Boi’s album pass without reviewing it. Well, the wait is over so let’s jump straight into it.
I’m renaming my “For Your Reconsideration” series, cause I ran out of ideas. Sue me. Anyway, I decided I’m going to start making a series of playlists designed for you to just let play through. I’m a mood music person, meaning that I can’t just listen to anything all the time, I need different songs … Continue reading The Kids Wear Crowns Playlist Series: Don’t Shuffle, Don’t Skip Vol. 1 – Chillax
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