#MOJO2016 Single Review

Hello blog readers,

RetroGrav here with a review on the upcoming project single review on the album "#MOJO2016" from the group MOJO.  This is a hip-hop rap group from Houston, Texas that is debuting there album #MOJO2016 this year. Currently there are two singles out which I am about to review.

The first single is titled "Co-Sign" is an aggressive rap hip-hop track that screams epic. The lyrics are very honest and open "Ain't Got No Time For These Bitches" is a true statement. This is the type of song that the mainstream rap industry needs and brings rap back to what its been missing for years. My rating for this track is 9 out of 10. 

And then there is the second single "Wait For It" another song that has a fairy tale story telling type of dark rap beat. In my opinion I would prefer this as a B-Side single to Co-Sign because it is perfect as an album track because it is transitional and feels like a filler song but in a good way. But maybe this will be on the album as a track I might just got to "Wait For It". ;) My Rating for this song is 7 out of 10. 

Overall, this is a pretty good start for MOJO I think he could go very far if Co-Sign is promoted heavy it is a really good rap song as a lead song. This is just a sneak preview of what I think #MOJO2016 is all about and there probably is something even more exciting on this project to come. We just have to wait for it!

Thank you for reading!

Feel free to request a review on music or if you want me to talk about something else I am open to ideas.

Better Than Basic Review

Hello my fellow readers,

RetroGrav here with a review on the highly underrated album CD "Better Than Basic" from the group Eli$ha & JpJiggs.  Eli$ha is also known as Elias Ellis who is the star of Teenhood as Alex Simpson and Youtuber. This hip-hop rap album was released in April of 2016.

Better Than Basic 2016 Itunes Album Cover.

The first track is titled "Rich and Dangerous" It is kind of hip-hop trap song that is a slow jam opening to the album and has Eli$has vocals unedited it seems like and very raw. The opening version on Track one is decent however when another artist "Jewelslaya" joins in the song is improved. I think its a pretty decent opening track for the album with the short version however the duet version is way better. My rating for this song is 6 out of 10.

On the second track on the album titled "Better Than Basic" this is the anthem and theme song to the album in my opinion. The beat and groove of this song is one of the best beats ever it is some analog dub-synth type of trap beat. The lyrics for this song are sassy, confident and straight up in your face and I love it. When I first listened to this album this easily became my favourite track and gives a first good impression on Elias Ellis if you want to be left with a positive feeling, it sticks in your head, it truly defines music of this decade and will never be forgotten. My rating for this song is a 10 out of 10.

In the third track on the album titled "Wannabe" had a hip hop street music vibe being more quick and snappy with his lyrics. I believe this song was a single or a promotional single before the album came out something like that, it has many remixes I suggest the Rich Rich remix. If he was to make a music video out of this song I would pick that remix. My rating for this song is a 7 out of 10.

Then in the fourth track on the album titled "Do It Right" an intimidating trap rap song that gives you this "I am the best don't fuck with me" type of vibe. This is probably my favourite song on the album because it is so well composed and I could listen to this over and over again 100 times. The beat in the chorus is perfect with the lyrics and fast paced. I feel this should be in a rap musical or something. If anything I hope he would make this song a single and make a music video for this. I get an Iggy Azalea or Lady Gaga vocal influence from this track. My rating for this song is a 10 out of 10. Perfection. "Your A Mess Loser Compressed!

Another duet pops up on the album which is with "Jewelslaya" with her very raspy vocals performed in the fifth track "Ratchets Walk My Way". The song starts off with her rapping with Eli$ha then there is the chorus where it is a cute fast lullaby type of chorus "All The Ratchets Walk My Way". While it is cute and friendly it does get a bit irritating after a while where its a song that becomes too much. This is probably my least favourite song off the album. My rating for this song is a 3 out of 10. 
The seventh track on the album "This Is Trap" is a very experimental song where you could tell Eli$ha wanted to just have some fun and rap his heart out. It is a very short track I don't know if I consider this an album track or interlude it sounds more something that is to transition the album into another part. My rating for this song is a 4 out of 10 as an album track, but 6 out of 10 if its an interlude.

On the eighth track on the album "Pay For This" is a street type hip-hop trap song and this is where the album becomes more versatile. All the tracks prior were about "being sassy" and "giving attitude to 'Basics'" by this point it becomes more connected with reality wether then social media and teen slang. Pay For This a very universal song that everyone can relate too and probably a stand out track from this album. My rating for this song is a 9 out of 10.

Then we have the ninth track "Attitude" a club dance hip-hop rap track where it is kind of to a funky beat reminds me of a Daft Punk meets Iggy Azelea. Attitude is bringing the sassy back however in a different style which doesn't get as repetitive musical wise, lyric wise maybe but this album is called "Better Than Basic" after all. My rating for this song is 8 out of 10. 

Next track is the tenth one which is "Teach" where orchestral synthesizers get used within the album. This is the perfect closing song on the standard edition to this album because lyric wise it is saying "I am the master so you learned" type of message I get from this song. It is quite brilliant. My rating for this song is 8 out of 10. 

Now onto the bonus tracks the 11th track "Overrated" where it becomes more intense and more experimental. This song makes me feel like I am in some trance or crazy dream and its perfect for a bad dream sequence on a show or something for a character to be running through a nightmare. This song is amazing it could be a single in my opinion too. Everything about this track is perfection in my opinion. Pure Perfection! For a track that is titled "Overrated" it is definitely underrated. My rating for this song is 10 out of 10.
And finally the 12th and final track on the album "Frosted" a fun chilled out upbeat rap song which is the perfection closing for deluxe. It is about Eli$ha and JpJiggs finding a new friend to hangout with who fits into his "league" which is the perfect close to the album. It is a type of track that is like "you finished the mission with success".  My rating for this song is 7 out of 10.

Overall, to sum up the album it honestly is a pretty decent/average hip-hop rap album. I give it a 6 or 7 out of 10 in general. It is the start of Elias Ellis music career which I feel this was a sneak preview to something even better from humours I heard  of Paradox coming out soon which we are all excited for just from the fabulous "Loving Me". I don't know the whole background behind this album but I heard this was released as a joke in my opinion it can be entertaining with the way Elias raps and what he's rapping about, but the music is really good and its cool that Elias Ellis is very diverse with his music. I think with his diversity he will go far to continue to regenerate himself after every album and name he goes through. Just like how other Drakoloid stars have developed musically. Another thing to note is I like how this rap album didn't have explicit lyrics and was friendly it is good for the younger audience at Drakoloid to listen. I highly suggest anyone who likes friendly fun comedic hip-hop and rap music to get this album. 

Hope you bloggers enjoyed reading my second retro music review and please spread the word about my blog.

Sincerely,

RetroGrav

Drakoloid Psychedelic Smoking Vape Commericial Banned 2011 Vintage

Hello fellow Festivians,

Retrograv here today writing about something I managed to dig up especially since I have a large Drakoloid following on social media. The other day I found through another site a few unreleased Drakoloid commercials and one of them I found fascinating because it was advertising "electronic cigarette shop". Now Drakoloid is a kids/teen internet network that has kids and teen programming. This commercial was apparently made in a time when Drakoloid was going to be a teen based network I guess?

As I did my research on Drakoloid's extensive past, it is hard to find information on things that happened 5 years ago or longer because Drakoloid always changes and what they were in the past isn't what they are now. The shows were very different then such as Ride Roader being Drakoloid's most controversial show ever with many parent demanded fans wanting censors on the program when streamed. In 2011 in Drake Vegas mind seemed to be a fun colourful teen show that was experimental in so many ways. However it was also very vulgar with cartoon violence, coarse language that contained many innuendoes, even nudity at one point was shown on the show. A critically controversial episode was "Ride Explores The Inside" that was banned to be shown on Drakoloid by late 2012. It was an episode that was originally a dedication to The Beatles. Due to the very graphic scenery being based with Barry inside an rabbits body where Barry is in several X Rated areas, Not just that but getting high within the body as if he was on an acid trip, which lead to the music of "I Am The Walrus". This was a normal thing for Drakoloid to go through in its early years.

Now that Drakoloid is doing Psychedelic Summer, it still isn't as risque as some of there earlier content. The only content that gets controversy ever is ARTic, Rock The Basement and Teenhood with innuendoes in lines. Getting back to my point is that Drakoloid use to be a network where "anything goes and its ok for your kids to see that". I think releasing this commercial back then would of really proven that point further. It surprises me Drake Vegas is advertising a vape shop that is not for minors however  I know many people who smoke who are a minor and always trying to get E-Cigarettes so maybe thats why this came about.. maybe Drake Vegas loves him some E-Cigarette himself (I mean look at Ride Roader it seemed like he was on something when making that show with Kemp Easton) maybe Drake wanted to try something different? who knows?

Drakoloid stars of the future...

Hello my fellow followers,

Retrograv here, writing a blog all about what the future holds for Drakoloid. As I watching Drakoloid on the livestream tonight I noticed there has been so much change to come with a bunch of new shows I.E. Rock The Basement, High Schooled. While were still in the midst of Sarah Kellysen and Maria Mercado mania, I believe that were coming to a closure soon within the next year or two with both those actresses. There runs will soon be over like many other past Drakoloid stars I.E. Matt Parker, Trina White. They will soon be replaced by these upcoming new people.

One of the first new people who have been noted very well in the Drakoloid community to become known as the next "Sarah Kellysen/Maria Mercado" type (from what most people say) is Hazel Woodley. Hazel is a 17 year old girl from Seattle currently in her senior year of high school. She is an actress and singer. She currently stars in the Drakoloid continuing high school soap Teenhood as Stacey Martinez. Soon she will be the star of her own show Viral Jenneration which has been heavily advertised as ARTic 2.0. Drake Vegas seems to have high hopes for Hazel judging by twitter posts, blogs and much more. What makes Hazel likeable is that she is genuine, beautiful and organically talented. In my opinion Hazel is going to be her own type of person within the Drakoloid community and not a replica of the past. I hope she makes a music career with many albums that I would love to review out of Drakoloid along with Viral Jenneration Soundtracks from what has been said around. In a few years Hazel Woodley may become the most popular Drakoloid star of all time.

Another new person who has been highly noticed recently in the Drakoloid world is Elias Ellis. Elias is from Canada that same place where Drake Vegas is located. He is a singer-song-writer, actor and I believe producer who is currently one of the big stars in the Drakoloid continuing high school drama Teenhood as Alex Simpson. Now the Drakoloid community hasn't developed much on its male dominate shows or stars I.E. House Of Adopted Adam, Long Lost. Drake Vegas seems to really enjoy Elias on Teenhood from what I know and from what I have heard. I wonder if in the future he will get a show where he is the complete lead star. I think Elias has such a great work ethic and drive when it comes to doing Teenhood, the videos on his youtube channel and his music. There seems to be passion within his work which makes it enjoyable.

Alejandra Deleon is a Drakoloid star who just recently appeared on the scene and seems to becoming very popular.  She has a charm, Witt and attitude in all her characters that she plays that is just really hilarious especially with that beautiful to the bone accent. The show she currently is on is Rock The Basement where she is a true scene stealer for sure. She also guest starred on ARTic recently as a drunk girl and as a nice girl playing two roles in one? Drake Vegas must think she is talented then. Alejandra is a youtuber who has these amazing videos that I love watching she is sweet, genuine and funny which I think will take her everywhere. I hope one day Alejandra is the complete lead star of a Drakoloid Show.

Aidan Brown is one of the younger Drakoloid stars who is only 13 years old. He already is in two Drakoloid shows one is Teenhood as the little younger brother of Miranda "Simon Thomas". He also portrays Austin Harrison in the comedy show House Of Adopted Adam. It is amazing at his age that he already has two shows where he is a main role. I wonder if one day he will get his own show where he is the lead star. When someone is talented at a young age they end up becoming superstars later on. Drakoloid never had someone as young as him on any of his shows.

Madison Desiato plays one of Drakoloid's most known villains Britney McQueen on the jaw dropping teen soap Teenhood. I think Madi has insane talent that it gives me feels every time I watch an episode of Teenhood with her in it. She pulls a wicked Britney into the light in this show. Drake Vegas definitely agrees with us fans on this. I feel she will get her own show one day from Drake Vegas because talent like that doesn't come up everyday. As well Madi knows how to sing her covers on youtube are stunning. Madi is from Australia which makes her cooler then a koala.

Nicholas Merchant is one creative and talented person that is bringing more creativity and diversity to Drakoloid especially with his new show High Schooled.  While Rock The Basement pretty much is a sketch show made on the spot and is one of the first Drakoloid variety shows. High Schooled is a show that is scripted just like ARTic, House Of Adopted Adam but it has the actors all acting in the scene. This hasn't been done since Diaries Of Alice's Bedroom early seasons or shows like After School, The Western Cave from the early Drakoloid days. Nicholas Merchant may be a talent that is kept with Drakoloid for a long time to produce content and to act in roles on other Drakoloid shows. 

These are just my own predictions on who the next big Drakoloid stars will be.. I could be completely wrong on this but I think that most of these people are who Drake Vegas see's to have a future with his company in a big way. I already think Rock The Basement is a fabulous show hopefully I will feel the same about Viral Jenneration, High Schooled, Discovery Of Down Under.

I will be trying to write more blogs soon I am choosing to do another album review this time either on Maria Mercado's Princess or Elias Ellis Better Than Basic?

- Retrograv

Diaries Of The Orange Gum Soundtrack Review

Hello my fellow readers,

RetroGrav here with a review on the highly underrated soundtrack CD "Diaries Of The Orange Gum Soundtrack" from the internet show Diaries Of Alice's Bedroom. This soundtrack was released in September of 2013 and re-released in January of 2014 in Japan for free download. When this album first released it only was downloaded by 90 people the first week however the album has been downloaded by almost 1,000 people since its re-release in Japan. NumberOneMusic.com rated is as one of the best dance albums of 2014.

The original Diaries Of The Orange Gum Soundtrack Album cover September 2013.

The re-release Japanese cover of Diaries Of The Orange Gum Soundtrack January 2014.

The first track is titled "La, La, La, La, La" which is the theme song to the show. Now this version of the theme song is very unique compared to the one presented in the show for the opening credits. It is more slow, it has a soothing retro guitar vibe that makes you feel hypnotized. The song is all about the simplicity of Kellysen's character "Alice" going on her adventures whenever she wants and just going with the flow of what she comes to her. This non single track was surprisingly charted on NumberOneMusic at #9. I think its very cute and it reminds me of Nirvana very soothing intro track. It matches Kellysen style with her voice very well. My rating for this song is 9 out of 10.

On the second track on the album titled "Stars 4 Life" this is the breakout song that is slowly taking over the world of Indie music. This was the only single on the soundtrack to date, this is the first charted song that went to #2 in Canada Dance on NumberOneMusic and #11 on ReverbNation. Now this song has a dance electro-pop vibe however unlike all the other dance electro-pop now a days 

this is not at all autotuned which for that I commend the producers of this track. The lyrics for this song are true genius "run up and take a dive, even if I fall 1000 times, its not hard to shine, just know that your a Star 4 Life" true lyrics to an anthem. If La, La, La, La, La wasn't the theme song to the show this would fit well. As this song continues to blow up the Indie pop and dance world it will turn into an anthem that people will singing for decades and decades and will never be forgotten. The whole abum in general is a true gem that just needs aging. This song was performed in the episode StarSketched Alice! which was released on the internet last summer however taken down very quickly so it only livestreamed once. Although in the performance Logan Messenger "Kevin" is singing and dancing I believe to this song, but in the album version you don't hear his vocals even though he is still credited. My rating for this song is a 10 out of 10.

In the third track on the album titled "Holly's Breakfast" had a Dick Tracy music vibe with Kellysen using a more rough, louder, higher registry for this song. The song was performed in the episode "Music" which only aired once where Holly had a fantasy of Alice giving her cereal, which is a running gag on the show. This song was surprisingly charted at #11 on NumberOneMusic for Canada, Dance. I don't necessarily consider this song single material it is more of an album track, but I think its a cute girly funny song for the show. It also shows that Kellysen can channel other genres with her music. However this has to be my least favourite song on the soundtrack. My rating for this song is a 6 or 7 out of 10.

The fourth track on the album "Run Like A Record" is one of the first songs I fell in love with when I first downloaded the soundtrack. This song invented Dub-Synth (Dub-Step & Synthesizers combined) with its very quick, unique beat. It was performed in the second last episode "April Fools" at the end of the episode which Drake Vegas one of the writers & producers of the show and this soundtrack appeared in. The episode only played once. Although this is probably one of my favourites, its very atmospheric and just fun to dance too. As well lyric wise this song is on point and vocal especially at how quickly Kellysen sings the part "how many ways can we get on this dance floor right now" I honestly don't know how she sings it at that speed. However this song gave me not just respect for Kellysen as writer but as a producer too so goes for Vegas. I feel this song is very underrated and should have been charted somewhere, although I like how noone knows about this song because it feels like a rare gem with people that have the album only will know this song, you understand? the invention of Dub Synth. My rating for this song is a 10 out of 10.

And finally the fifth track on the album "And The Beat Goes On" was originally recorded by Cher & Sonny back in 1967. The instrumental for this version was released in 1999 in Britney Spears cover of the song which I think is a brilliant idea instead of some electronically done garbage for this gem of a song. However I do trust in Kellysen and Vegas abilities to re-invent this song. Although I love how they wanted to keep the true retro roots and simplicity to the album. I think vocal wise this is the most raw next to "Holly's Breakfast" and it is a great outro song to the album.  My rating for this song is 8 out of 10.

Overall, to sum up the album it honestly is a pretty decent soundtrack I give it a 8 or 9 out of 10 in general. It is the start of Sarah Kellysen's music career which I assume is planning to continue considering she will be creating a soundtrack for ARTic, praying it is in same shape as this album with more tracks. I feel this was the introduction or the sneak peek of whats to come next for Sarah Kellysen, Drake Vegas, Logan Messenger from leaving the past generation moving to the new generation. I highly suggest anyone who likes abstract dance music to get this album. Like I said before this album was one to age its success and I think it will continue doing better as the years go on by.

Hope you bloggers enjoyed reading my first retro review and please spread the word about my blog.

Sincerely,

RetroGrav