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Whilst the Maybach Music Group ran roughshot over the three months of inconsistent summer weather, the enigmatic powerhouse collective known as G.O.O.D Music was quietly creating a buzz akin to a tropical hurricane. News of the imprint’s joint album
Cruel Summer began to surface as the group’s leader,
Kanye West, spent this past summer adding lyrical muscle to affiliates
Pusha T, Big Sean and
2 Chainz’ cuts [in addition to fleeing from the paparazzi with ‘new’ beau
Kim Kardashian]. As we enter the Autumn months, can his collective create an ‘Indian Summer’ of substantial heat?
Arguably one of the greatest compliments an artist can be paid is that their music is ahead of its time, in line with the notion that the greatest musical moments can occur when one's art is not in accordance with the norms and practices of the present day. Kid Cudi often lies at the centre of such debate, and whilst both his Man on the Moon LPs continue to be weighed up by the musical courts, Cudder moves further to the left with his latest outing - an alternative rock album, alongside producer Dot Da Genius. 
Far more often than not, it's the packaging and marketing of an artist that inevitably determines how well received they are by the public. For every braggadocious rapper flooding the airwaves with chart hits, there are equally as many talented individuals who Hip Hop seemingly doesn't care for. This arguably was the case for the now Maybach Music affiliated Wale. From being the Nike boasting, good girl loving free spirit to flirting with critical acclaim due to clever anecdotes and engaging material, Washington, DC's almost favourite son has divided Hip Hoppers opinions over his merits. But under new employers, a somewhat new image and a new album, Mr Folarin gets another chance to define himself to those still looking to place him in either the Hot or Not categories of emcees.
Unearthing one of music’s most recent enigmas, in 2008 Kanye West introduced us to Scott “
Is there such a thing as a post–Kanye West sound? Cleveland born rapper, singer and actor Kid Cudi sure makes it seem like it. Not only did the Cudder (as he’s sometimes called) attract the interest of Mr West, with his first and only mixtape A Kid Named Cudi early in 2008. The former employee of fashion label Bape, was also hired for his song writing services and backing vocals on some of Kanye’s most popular tracks (such as ‘Heartless’ and ‘Welcome to Heartbreak’) later that same year.