Live From New York: Big Sean Is Securing His Legacy as One of the Realest Emcees to Ever Do It

Originally published on BET.com here.

At some concerts, in between songs is a perfect opportunity to snap a selfie, rush to the bar to get an overpriced drink or fill your best friend in about something that simply cannot wait until the booming bass fizzles out. However, seeing Big Sean live at New York City's legendary Radio City Music Hall wasn't just some concert.

In fact, it marked the first time in my entire life at a rap show that I witnessed one determined fan go out of her way to "shhh" a loud concertgoer in the row behind her — exaggerated pointer finger pressed to her lips and all. The trio of talking, attention-stealing girls, perhaps stunned by the boldness of the urgent demand, immediately obliged and turned back toward the stage, eyes wide. After all, the Don was talking and not only that — he had something to say.

As the 29-year-old words it himself, performing in New York City for the first time in about a year's time on Tuesday (April 11), was "perfect timing" because "everything is going so f**king right in [his] life." When someone is shining from the inside out, such a positive energy is equal parts contagious and celebratory. It's almost impossible to be around someone who is in the best mood ever without letting it influence your own vibe. And ultimately, that’s a major part of the very foundation that Big Sean's joie de vivre is built upon.

Throughout his near two-hour display of undeniable talent, the rapper encouraged the crowd to leave the venue as elevated, upgraded version of themselves, sharing all sorts of motivational gems with the crowd. His sermons were organically woven into his set, reminding fans that the same way he speaks to his fans is the same way he speaks to his homies backstage. Such an authenticity is arguably Big Sean's greatest quality; something that is fundamental to not only his own success but to his eagerness to give back to others and inspire those younger than him to follow their own dreams as well. In other words, he really puts on for his city, whether that’s Detroit or whatever city he happens to be in for the night 

Such a genuine generosity and natural leadership was further exemplified by his opening acts, MadeinTYO and Neisha Na’shae. Both rising talents, Sean’s hand-picked selection allowed him to fulfill the role of a proud big brother by simultaneously teaching and passing the torch to both millennial acts hungry for the spotlight and notoriety in the same fashion Kanye West previously supported him. 

Na’Shae, a 20-year-old Ypsilanti native and R&B singer, kicked off the evening with her performance celebrating the fact that, before she was gracing the same stage that virtually every mainstream artist has blessed at one point or another, she was performing in high school auditoriums. Treating the audience to "On a Cloud," the single that first gained her local radio play, was a wonderful way to begin a night that Big Sean carefully designed to ensure attendees straight up felt good about themselves.

Following Na’shae’s set, MadeinTYO took over. Ringing in his 25th birthday on the same night, he used the occasion to remind the crowd he's living proof of that hard work pays off and everything you've ever wanted is directly related to how much you believe you can achieve it. Bringing out G-Eazy and 24hrs as surprise guests to perform their collaboration “Down for Me,” the "Uber Everywhere" rapper then called on the crowd to help him manifest his next goal: performing at the Grammys. This call-to-action helped further set the mood that this evening was as much about setting an intention as it was having a good time and enjoying the music.

With the lively crowd somewhat unsure on how to take in a Big Sean concert from designated theater seats, it soon became clear that Radio City Music Hall did make sense to host him after all. . While a sweaty standing room layout would have been preferred by his die-hard supporters — with a noticeably large amount of people already sporting the Big Sean merch they purchased while waiting for the show to start — the city landmark accented the fact that the Detroit rapper's bread-and-butter is in his arsenal of top-tier hit singles and quality body of work. He can adapt to any venue because seeing Big Sean live is exactly that. There are no frills, no pre-recorded vocal tracks (the horror!), no unnecessary extra production and no overwhelming set design. Just one man, a microphone, a sole spotlight, a DJ, a drummer and a keyboardist. While this Tuesday night affair was hosted by a venue whose Art Deco-style adornments helped create a built-in ambiance, Big Sean took center stage and demanded not only the attention of the audience, but a level of respect that only comes after years and years of putting in work. Sean was present, and in turn, commanded the same courtesy from the sold-out crowd.

As he put a smile on damn near everyone's face who was in the 6,000-person capacity theater, he shared that his parents were in attendance, declaring that he was going to give his all during his time on stage, adding that "not everyone gets this kind of love in New York City." 

Powering through material off of his fourth studio album, I Decided, including "Voices in My Head/Stick to the Plan" and "No Favors," he also revisited his older material, such as 2014's "Paradise" and the crowd-favorite G.O.O.D. Music posse cut "Mercy.” He happily warmed up the crowd before expertly slowing it down with songs like "Play No Games" and "Jump Out the Window," which created the perfect moment for none other than Jhené Aiko to make an unannounced, but beyond appreciated, entrance.

The couple complimented each other both in their appearance (donning loosely fitting white looks) and in their performance alike, transporting fans to what a TWENTY88 concert looks and feels like. With Aiko stealing the spotlight Big Sean was grateful to share, her hypnotic voice added to the feel-good magic of the night, something that was later complimented by the fact it was also the reveal of April's full moon. Together, they performed "On the Way," "Same Time, Pt. 1" and "I Know," with those in attendance eager to hang onto the utterly perfect moment for as long as possible. Before Aiko disappeared off stage, Sean offered a simple "I love you" and kissed her farewell, a gesture that was met with an explosion of applause and goosebumps for those who spent months reading articles detailing rumors of their alleged romantic relationship.

As Big Sean refocused his energy on his own material ("Halfway off the Balcony," "Owe Me" and "Moves"), in front of two massive LED screens facing each other, he moved in between being a silhouette in the shadows and taking in the full spotlight, rarely taking a moment to stand still. He then dove back into even older material, including a rendition of his Kanye West collaboration "Don't Like," his and Drake's "All Me" and the tried-and-true club anthem "Dance (A$$)." MadeinTYO also re-appeared on stage, joining the Don for a duet version of his smash hit "Skateboard P.” Following their shared moment on stage, Sean continued to drive the point home that he's all about supporting the next generation to discover their best selves and live their best lives.

"I want you to leave here an upgraded version of yourself," Sean told the crowd. "My greatest success isn't in counting more money than I ever thought I'd have...My greatest success is watching what was once in my mind appear in the palm of my hand and you too can make it happen." 

As he sprinkled other words of wisdom, such as advising getting a strong team in order and tactfully mapping out goals, it became even more clear that Big Sean hasn't let his successes negatively change him in any way. Before ending the night with "Bounce Back" and "I Don't F**k With You," he took about 10 minutes to provide the audience with his own collection of major keys, all while expressing his gratitude for how his journey has unfolded thus far. In his artistry, along with the support of his growing fan base, it’s hard not to notice that he's poised to impact a movement much bigger than his music, even more so than he already has. 

As the youngest person to ever be awarded the key to Detroit, Big Sean is embracing his destiny and doing so without sacrificing having a good-ass time and staying true to both himself and his life missions. As they say, what is real cannot be threatened and Big Sean just might be the realest one out.

Written by KC Orcutt

#repost BET.com: From a Jail Sentence to a Record Deal, Tee Grizzley Makes a Strong Debut With Rough-Around-the-Edges Mixtape

Album review originally posted here on BET.com.

Back in October 2016, Terry Wallace was presented with a choice. After serving a three-year stint behind bars on home invasion charges, the 23-year-old better known by his moniker Tee Grizzley, was reunited with his freedom and his future — something that becomes very real once the parole papers are processed. It really can go either way in regards to taking a step forward or another one backward. With the luxury of choice and the looming possibilities of what to do next, there's an accompanying pressure that the Detroit rapper admits: if it weren't for his music, he'd likely find himself locked up again.

On his first day out of jail, Grizzley laid a foundation, perhaps out of urgent necessity, for what would eventually develop into a budding career in rap. Not even bothering to change out of the clothes he left the prison in, he stepped into the studio to record the aptly-named single "First Day Out" — a track he first penned behind bars back in April 2015. By a twist of fate and a wink from the man upstairs, his first-ever track began taking off, accumulating views at a viral rate and landing him on the radar of 300 Ent. and Atlantic, where he ended up inking his first official deal before 2016 came to a close.

As he weaves his gripping story into “First Day Out,” he gives fans a proper introduction of who Tee Grizzley is for the first time, with lines such as "You ever been inside a federal courtroom? / N***a you ever went to trial and fought for your life?" helping make it known that the rapper is fully aware he's on borrowed time. With that comes a great responsibility to one's self and is an opportunity that the God-fearing, street-smart rapper embraces as a blessing, knowing that his passion to aspire to something greater is also his saving grace.

Growing up, his parents were in and out of jail, with his mother now serving time for a drug trafficking and his father getting murdered in 2012 after a life spent on the streets. Grizzley's hardened past is littered with heartache that his grandmother helped heal by exposing him to decades worth of R&B early on while she raised him on her own. Although his childhood was far from a fairytale, the musically inclined teenager found himself drawn to making music from an early age, first hearing his uncles make records at the age of eight and inspiring him to create his own tracks in middle school with the help of his friends. Grizzley later became the first family member in generations to go on to attend college but, during his freshman year at Michigan State University, was faced with a new variety of temptations, snowballing into what would soon become his developing criminal record.

Throughout his debut project, My Moment, Grizzley doesn't hold back from letting us in on exactly where he came from, reflecting on certain aspects of his troubled past while eagerly embracing the moment he's now found himself thriving in. However, his unique approach, balancing raw aggression with inviting, melodic moments, is his strongest suit. We're not alienated or overwhelmed by the at-times strikingly blunt lyrical content, further proving that Grizzley already has impressively come into his own as a maturing recording artist with a knack for storytelling.

With production handled mostly by Helluva and two blessings from Sonny Digital and another from DJ Mustard, the varied soundscape suits Grizzley in a way that some rappers spend years trying to perfect, somehow allowing him a brilliant versatility that makes sense in a feel-good club setting without losing sight of its hard street influence either.

As the project's smooth production contrasts significantly with Grizzley's extremely distinctive vocals, he's able to stand out amongst the tracks he's paired with on Spotify's rap-curated playlists — something that helped aid with his hit single taking off in the viral manner it did, since accumulating 18 million streams. While "First Day Out" is the undeniable standout track from the featureless project, several other singles also have the necessary recipe to take off in a similar fashion, with "Real N****s," "No Effort" and "How Many" emerging as the strongest offerings throughout the 13-song tracklist, full of boastful bars, polished delivery and hard-hitting production alike. 

Sometimes he spits as fast and ruthlessly as possible, almost as if he's ranting and sweating at the same time ("My Moment – Intro" and "Country"). Other times, he's softly singing dirty sweet nothings ("Side N***a"). Either way, that IDGAF zeal is a real vibe and something that not every rapper can pull off without arrogance hindering their appeal. While My Moment may not be a flawless, five-star project, he's winning a lot of points for putting so much of his personality and individuality into each and every bar.

As Grizzley interchanges between singing and rapping, his life story is not only alluring, but also told in an intriguing way. While one could argue that the entire genre of hip-hop was built off of tactfully capturing street wisdom, the gems that Grizzley shares are a little hard to find and off-the-beaten path, in turn adding to his intrigue as an artist.

His story in and of itself may build a different argument, but Grizzley will be the first to tell you he doesn't have all the answers, the best advice or everything figured out. That humble honesty is a breath of fresh air, reminding us that while this may be his first moment in the spotlight, Tee Grizzley is destined to have many more.

#Repost Spotify NMF x Billboard.com: Harry Styles, Joey Bada$$, The Chainsmokers and More Are Spotify Editors' Picks for New Music Friday

Originally published here on Billboard.com. 

Every week, Spotify updates their "New Music Friday" playlist, featuring 50 of the freshest new tracks hitting the service that week.

On the heels of Billboard's partnership with the streaming giant, we'll be tapping Spotify's editors to sift through the soon-to-be-hits and highlight the best of the bunch.

Check out the picks and listen to the entire "New Music Friday" playlist for April 7 below.

Halsey - "Now or Never"

Halsey is making a tsunami-sized wave this week, further proving that despite having the most impactful year of her career in 2016, this year, she's taking even more of a no-ceilings approach to her artistry. Earlier this week, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter released her new single, as well as confirmed that her upcoming sophomore album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, is slated for a June 2nd release. Pairing the track, "Now or Never," with a cinematic visual depicting an action-packed tale of ill-fated lovers, Halsey begins a new chapter -- one that is respectfully starting to abandon her alternative pop roots without completely starting over from scratch. Drawing inspiration from R&B slow jams, the theatrical song is easy to champion, with Halsey quick to find her footing as she explores intoxicating new territories for the first time. The song's accompanying video also doubles as her directorial debut, setting the stage for what fans can expect from her forthcoming conceptual body of work. "[It] is one part in the center of a long narrative that tells the story of two people in love despite the forces trying to keep them apart," she shared in a statement. "On its own, the song is about two impatient young lovers, but in the context of the Hopeless Fountain Kingdom universe, the stakes are much higher for these two star-crossed lovers." Needless to say, with her dynamic lead single, Halsey has already got us at the edge of our seats. Hook, line and sinker.

Chainsmokers, "Break Up Every Night" (from Memories...Do Not Open)

The Chainsmokers have been carefully and cautiously been building up to the release of their long awaited debut album for the last several years, beginning with their infectious and witty 2013 chart-topping single "#SELFIE." While the dynamic duo (composed of Drew Taggart and Alex Pall) has found unprecedented success built off of loose singles and smart collaborations alone, fans have been eagerly awaiting to find out what the pair is capable of when curating a cohesive collection of tracks to be digested in true blue album format. Now that their debut, Memories...Do Not Open, has finally arrived, fans are quickly celebrating the previously predominately EDM duo's significant range, with songs skewing between lighthearted sing-along-inducing tunes (a la "Break Up Every Night"), radio-ready rock (courtesy the Coldplay-assisted "Something Just Like This") and sultry electronic-tinged anthems (such as with "Wake Up Alone" featuring the ever-alluring Jhene Aiko). With the album's lead single "Paris" already impressively racking up nearly 300 million streams on Spotify, it's exciting to see how the rest of the songs will resonate with the storied group's dedicated fan base and which track will climb its way up the charts next. As the Chainsmokers commemorate their continued winning streak with a solid top-to-bottom release true to their signature sounds, they remind us that sometimes sticking to a trusty formula is the wisest risk of all. Especially considering the fact the group has spent years authentically carving a lane of their own single-by-single, it’s only fitting that the Chainsmokers’ consistency and knack for quality song-writing shines brightly through on their polished debut album.

Harry Styles - "Sign of the Times"

Just over a year that One Direction began their self-declared hiatus, member Harry Styles has now officially got a piece on the board once again. With today's release of his debut solo single, the beloved singer is a testament to the fact that rushing greatness rarely works in one's favor and that sometimes taking a break to restore one's creative energy is a more fitting decision before diving in headfirst again. As his new single proves to be well worth the wait for his fans, many are weighing in that when the singer is left to his own devices musically, he skews in a direction that is all too reminiscent of David Bowie - and in the best way possible. A stark contrast to the work he collaborated on with the pop sensation that helped him begin carving his legacy, Styles' solo material is as majestic as it as captivating. The song opens with the singer's impassioned voice softly joined by an effortlessly sound piano melody and as the song unfolds, the moment captured is not rushed whatsoever but rather is developed gradually; a nod to Styles' beginning to hone his songwriting skills in a new way. With the track almost reaching the six-minute mark, Styles depicts a somber scene, full of cryptically vague lyrics and an urgency to take action, as he sings a compelling argument that the end is near. While the song's design allows listeners to interpret the meaning as they wish, Styles revealed during an appearance on BBC Radio 1 that this is the song he's the most proud of writing thus far. Considering the weight of it all, it's clear "Sign of the Times" was pulled out of the very depths of Styles' brilliant mind, expertly crafting a song that sets the bar extremely high for his forthcoming debut masterpiece.

French Montana - "Unforgettable" ft. Swae Lee, "No Pressure" ft. Future

French Montana is doubling up the ante this week, appearing on our New Music Friday playlist no less than two times and bringing along two heavyweight collaborators for the ride. The Morocco-born rapper has been gearing up to share these with fans for months now, first teasing he was in the studio with Rae Sremmurd's Swae Lee last year. While his 2016 release, MC4, was met with several unfortunate setbacks, such as having some issues with sample clearance and the project being accidentally sold in a Target two months before its scheduled release, French Montana is readying his recovery from those discouraging setbacks and is making sure that this time around, whatever he's working on will see a much smoother roll-out. Adding a Future collaboration to the heat he unleashed from the vault this week, it's currently unclear whether these songs will be part of a larger project or if they are helping the rapper to warm up and appease fans in the meantime. With each release, French flexes his ability to adapt to the distinctive vibe of each drastically different song. While his Swae Lee-assisted track is primed to soundtrack the summer months, his joint effort with Future sure to thrive in the late night club scene. Whether the song is upbeat and sensual or dripping with auto-tuned goodness, French Montana rises to the occasion each time, creating two fine additions to his ever-growing catalog and reminding listeners it'd be unwise to ever count him out. After all, there's no feeling quite like leveling up on a Friday -- twice.

Joey Bada$$, "Ring the Alarm" featuring Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight, Meechy Darko (from All-Amerikkkan Bada$$)

Simply put, there can be a tremendous amount of pressure placed on an artist's sophomore album. Such a pressure is arguably doubled when one's debut was so successful, it charted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, elevating one's career to a level where a national spotlight has been both blinding and unwavering ever since. While such is part of the story of Brooklyn's own Joey Bada$$, now that his follow-up to 2015's B4.DA.$$ has officially arrived, it's safe to say that the now 22-year-old turned that pressure into fuel and motivation, delivering a cohesive project full of bars and impeccable production alike. With All-Amerikkkan Bada$$, the Pro Era co-founder continues building a case he's one of the most impactful rising artists in recent memory. While the emcee has steadily been releasing music since 2010, he has come a long way from sharing freestyles on YouTube. Throughout his second studio album, such growth is highlighted at the forefront, with songs such as "Ring the Alarm," "Good Morning Amerikkka" and "Temptation" all making it evident he is consistently coming into his own over time. With the 12-track album truly showcasing his range as a striking lyrical force, the production and guest features he includes on the project also speak to his impressive ear for selectively piecing together elements that make him stronger. With blessings from J. Cole, ScHoolboyQ, Styles P, Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight and Chronixx, Joey Bada$$ doesn't oversaturate his project with guest features, something that today's artists can definitely take a note from. With his talents at the forefront and a series of deeper themes weaving the project together, Joey Bada$$ finds success in unapologetically addressing today's political climate and rising above as a born leader, all while making sure he doesn't lose sight of his own identity at his core throughout his selfless missions. All in all, All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ is everything fans were holding the wonderboy emcee accountable to and then some, with the rapper himself confidently sharing with Billboard, "If I die right now, I know I made an impact on the world with this body of work." Bravo, Joey, bravo.