Opinions
The Evolution Of Enima And What Every Underground Artist Should Learn
Enima Is Far From An Overnight Success And Here’s Why!
It became undeniable that Enima is a dominating figure in Montreal’s rap scene. The French rapper had a phenomenal rise to success last year with over a million views, thousands of album sales, streamings and many concert tickets sold.
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While some people may think that the “MMS” rapper came out of nowhere, we decided to dig deeper in his journey as a rapper and understand why this artist shook the scene the way he did.
Humble Beginnings
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w01zq_m4Zio[/embedyt]
Enima made his first solo appearance online 6 years ago with the track “Fuck Le 9-5” and at this stage of his career you could already notice certain key features of his music. The melodies, flows and the themes discussed were early signs of what his sound would be about in the future.
Regardless of the budget, creative idea behind your music and what you can deliver as an artist, you have to start where you are and mature until they recognize your talent.
The Image You’re Selling
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UnnNpUU_Nc[/embedyt]
A couple years after his first solo release, Enima dropped the song called “Gonflé/Sauce” which was well received but it didn’t grab the public’s attention the way it should yet. At this point, Enima was definitely building the image that some love or hate today.
Luxury cars, jewelry, designer clothes and all our favourite elements of gangster rap were in the video (they even chopped a body at the end!). It was definitely an overview of his signature as an artist while nothing yet predicted if he would get a buzz in the future.
Certain fans complain about Enima being too focus on certain topics like his lifestyle as a pimp, the streets and everything that evolves around that. If your music is supposed to reflect on your life and how you see it then to me he’s an artist who literally found a thousand ways to do that!
As an artist, you’re selling more than your music. Just think about all the videos we grew up to and what you remember from them. Montreal is now moving away from the ”me and my boys on a block” videos and you should too (for real).
Let’s admit it, some good visuals and the image that goes with it make you connect with the rapper and then you want to know more about his work.
In simple words, build an image that your audience can identify with, make them dream with your lifestyle or way of thinking and soon the fan base will come.
Develop Your Own Sound
A lot of hip hop heads consider Enima as a French version of a Us rapper but to me his sound represents Montreal regardless. The slang he uses are typical expressions we can hear in the east end of Montreal while he maintains the caliber and mainstream appeal of rappers from France.
Production wise, he definitely has the ear for picking beats and his catalog is impressive in terms of sound and influences from what’s going on in hip hop today.
Making a song is a combination of so many different elements, when you find that right formula like he did; throw it on the market and look how the public reacts. If they like it, you know exactly what to do next : DROP THEM BANGERS!
The Hit
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PgAanYdKg8[/embedyt]
Every artist is looking for a breakthrough at one point another, sometimes you’re at the right place at the right time then you get signed and sometimes you drop a bomb and the world changes forever.
On his part, Enima took the second route by dropping what would become the first of a long list of hits. If you didn’t figure out yet, I’m talking about his cult song : “MMS”.
While some people might think that “MMS” was just a remix of a popular song, it quickly grabbed the public while gaining thousand of views, a serious fan base and spins in the local clubs.
Give Them More Than Music
I respect an artist that knows how to show me different sides of him or her through music. Most of all, I respect an artist that introduces me to his day to day lifestyle in an entertaining way.
Enima is not an exception to this rule and he made it clear that he was about that life on and off the studio. Some might remember his 200K challenge in which he challenged Montreal rappers to show 200 000$ on camera to see if their money was good.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNNKqaIqEAA[/embedyt]
At one point people tried to discredit him with a video of him caught in the middle of traffic to give him a ”WorldStar” moment. You know what they say : ”bad publicity is still publicity’.
The “Cette Nuit” rapper turned this situation around and manage to use the video in his advantage while keeping his credibility intact.
The Consistency Factor
Even though the content of his music is controversial for sensible ears, anybody with common sense must admit that this artist is familiar with the terms : NEVER STOP.
In 12 months only, Enima dropped multiple songs,3 mixtapes, 7 videos in a row, performed at various concerts and made several headlines through DMS, Inter-Peura, Haute Culture and now most recently Montrealgotstyle.
While still on his rise to the top, focusing more on performing all over Quebec, the artist just dropped a video for his song called “Henny” which predicts a hot summer for the rapper.
Watch Now
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WJhpYRIEWE[/embedyt]
Hate It Or Love It?
You can hate it or love it but Enima’s career is definitely on a good run so far and we hope to see more coming from him in a near future. I believe that this is a good sign for any upcoming artist that this is now doable!
Do you think Montreal is now entering in an era in which local artists could actually live off their music? Let us know your opinion in the comment section now!
Fashion & Lifestyle
What If Tony Montana Was Actually The Biggest Hater Ever?
”All I Got In This World Is My Balls & My Word”
Tony Montana Was A Real Boss Or Just A Hater?
It’s funny what we retain from certain movies, I remember how I used to glorify Tony Montana when I first saw Scarface. Now that I’m an entrepreneur myself, I feel very different about the iconic Cuban gangster.
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Don’t get me wrong, Scarface is a phenomenal movie. It has influenced many different cultures whether it’s Hip Hop, Cinema and let’s not forget all of the Tony Montana’s famous lines.
We vividly remember the mansions he had, the cars, the hot woman, the lifestyle, his “balls and his words” and the less reluctant part where he is sniffing his life away. My question to you is simple :
What Did Tony Had To Do To Get there?
Some people will pinpoint his business deals and the fact that he became a respected gangster in Little Havana. Others might think it’s because he was ruthless and had a Suge Knight type of approach to things.
In reality, none of this would’ve been possible if it wasn’t for the murder of Frank who was actually his boss. Think about it, Frank gave him everything, power, money and glory but at the end, Tony wanted the throne regardless of what he had to do for it.
Today we will highlight why Tony Montana was actually the biggest hater ever and not the gangster some of us revered even decades after!
Tony Was Envious Of Others (Especially Frank)
It’s one thing to want a better life for yourself but it’s another thing when this involves to take away everything from your boss.
In life, it seems like you either work your way up or you take someone else’s spot. Society makes you forget that it’s a predator versus prey world and we always admire those who toss the rules in the bushes.
Tony Montana was ambitious but it was always combined with a bitterness for the next man’s success. Tony would often feel upset about Frank’s lavish lifestyle, Frank’s wife and his power.
Feeling better, smarter and bigger than Frank; Tony made several moves behind Lopez’ back to the point where their partnership got close to the hedge. What we saw as confidence and drive was in fact a lack of patience and judgement from Tony.
Frank told him that building an empire would take time and steps to achieve it. Even though Tony made it, we all know how the movie ends right?
Tony Couldn’t See His Best Friend Happier Than Him
Manny and Tony’s relationship was a tv moment in itself (at least before the end). We saw them as brothers trying to escape the struggle but as you know money and power divide men and they couldn’t escape that.
Beyond being partners in crime, business associates and cousins, they had a special bond. They’ve been through the worst together from the concentration camps to the chainsaw scene and they kept their eyes on the prize.
Further in the movie, we saw the worst from Tony Montana when he had his back against the wall. His wife turned her back on him and he was caught up between enemy lines. There’s only one person that was willing to stand by him : Manny (and his “little friend” of course).
“Everything was all good just a week ago” but then Manny got married; even worst, he got engaged to Tony’s sister. We can argue for hours about Montana’s strange relationship with his sister but that’s not the point here.
In fact, when you really think about it this wedding and love they had for each other was the only thing that Tony couldn’t buy or take by force. This was the missing link to his “dream life” and boss status.
As a competitive spirit and undercover hater, he shot his own friend and partner. In Montana’s mind it was loud and clear:
“If I Can’t Have This, You Can’t Neither!”
Tony Got High On His Own Supply (On his Success Too)
When Tony got to the top, we saw that a major part of his downfall was the fact that he wasn’t clear minded due to his cocaine usage.
I always felt like this part of the movie was actually a metaphor that the viewer should figure out for himself. To me, it was a representation of Tony’s obsession about his success; his new drug.
For the most part, you would see him do coke when he would close a deal or when his business progressed. The drug you see him snort is actually a dangerous mix of his ego and his new “the world is mine” attitude.
This reminds us that no matter how successful you get, you should never look down at others or become delusional about your success. Tony had his taste of the good life but this feeling of superiority became an “addiction” to him.
My Two Cents
Even though Tony was not exactly how we first envisioned him, he remains an iconic character that still stimulates our imagination and admiration. We wanted to highlight the darker side of Tony and finally unveil the mask on his hating tendencies.
I think this fascination we have for Tony Montana reveals a lot of things about our society. Do we respect people for their real values or for what they can show us? Being a boss is represented materialistically or with way you act?
One thing is for sure, Alpacino made this character an enigma we couldn’t totally solve even decades later!
While We’re On The Subject
This Was Our Highlight Of The Movie
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z6gxXBW97w[/embedyt]
What Do You Think?
Does this article changes your point of view of the Cuban gangster? Do you think Tony Montana was a real boss or just a hater?
Let us know in the comment section now!
Fashion & Lifestyle
Today In Hip Hop News: Will Hip Hop Die With Its Legends?
Think About It For A Sec!
Today In Hip Hop News: All We See Is Legends Dying But What Does It Mean To Hip Hop Culture At Large?
Today in Hip Hop news all we see is drama, rumors and rappers complaining or insulting other rappers. This week I had to take off my mental filter and really stop what I was doing because of this headline : Prodigy Of Mobb Deep, Dead At 42!
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A true Queensbridge rap legend, Prodigy is one of the rare pioneers who managed to keep their skills impeccable regardless of the era, sound or his own age.
R.I.P Albert “Prodidy” Johnson
Needless to say that Prodigy was an impactful artist. Just think about the timeless classics he provided to us whether through his solo career or with the most iconic Hip Hop duo ever; Mobb Deep.
42 years old is quite a young age to pass away and even though he was known to be dealing with sickle cell anemia since birth; we didn’t see it coming.
I took a sit back, log off from social media and I had an horrifying thought in mind :
“What Will Happen To Hip Hop If All The Legends Die?
Even though we shouldn’t think about things like that, we still have to admit that most of our favourite artists are not getting any younger.
I’m talking about our pioneers like Jay Z (47 years old), Nas (43 years old ), Kanye West (40 years old), Eminem (44 years old) and so on.
The 90’s Baby Struggle
Growing up, we used to idolize our rappers and we often forget they are still ordinary people through it all. If you’re a 90’s baby, it’s hard sometimes to cope with the changes in Hip Hop.
I’m 26, which means I’m too young to truly relate to Big Daddy Kane. On the other hand, I’m still young enough to understand that the Lil Uzis or Lil Yatchys of the world are making Hip Hop maybe less lyrical but still entertaining (tricky right?).
The Balance Factor
Let’s face it, Hip Hop has changed maybe not for the best sometimes but it’s still Hip Hop to me. Okay, rappers now freestyle off an Iphone or for the most part they don’t even write their stuff; I get it.
Okay, the lyrics are not the focus anymore, autotune is L-I-F-E, rappers can push high notes; once again I get it! The only reason why I get it or even appreciate it at times is all because of one word : BALANCE.
Music is about moods and emotions for the most part. How you feel often determines what you will listen to. One day I can feel like blasting “Big Poppa” in my car only to find myself jamming to “Mask Off” a couple hours later.
The pioneers and Hip Hop Legends are the ones who keep that balance intact. Even when they adapt their sound, flow or rhymes to what’s hot, you can feel a touch of their early work.
Jay Z’s verse in “I Got The Keys” is a perfect example of this. Who would’ve thought that Jay would ever collab with Future AND on a typical trap beat.
The delivery still remained impeccable, the lyrics were well thought of and you can still feel a touch of 1996 Jay Z through the song.
The New Wave Of Hip Hop
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking the new wave to bring us songs like “Lose Yourself” or “If I Ruled The World“. My only concern is that I haven’t seen a lot of artists putting out those kinds of classics these days (and it’s scary).
Today in Hip Hop news, we would like to know who is really able to carry the torch left by the legends. We would like to know if the music genre and the culture behind it is in good hands.
I think it’s a “Only Time Will Tell” debate from the get go. We should let these new artists grow and mature in their craft to see what they’ll bring to the table.
If there’s one thing that music and fashion both have in common, is the fact that they both recycle elements from the past after a certain period of time.
From the old school samples, to the choruses and who knows what again? Potentially, conscious and lyrical music might be “The Hot Thing” to do again (Kanye West’s Shrug).
Today In Hip Hop News: Where Do You See Hip Hop In 10 years From Now?
Every 10 years or so, Hip Hop is changing whether with a new sound or with plenty new faces. Which artists will be the new icons 10 years from now according to you? Will Hip Hop survive the loss of its current legends?
Let us know in the comment section now!
Fashion & Lifestyle
A Closer Look To The Latest Yeezy Adidas Sneakers (Did Kanye Snapped?)
It’s A “Kanye West’s Shrug” Moment
A Change Of Direction For The Yeezy Adidas Sneakers?
The fashion industry and the music industry may look different from the outside but they all require the “Hit” factor which is why Kanye West has a lot of weight on his shoulders whenever he drops his Yeezy Adidas sneakers!
Read Also: A Closer Look At The Adidas X Kanye New Yeezy Runner
It is now a well documented tradition for each Yeezy seasons; Adidas and Ye always tease us with the next sneaker release for the new season. This time around, they’ve introduced the world to a new Yeezy Runner for the upcoming Yeezy Season 6.
Ever since he has stepped his foot in the footwear world, whether with Nike or Adidas, Mr. West always had the eye to bring a newer perspective with elements he took from different inspirations.
Today you’ll have an exclusive look at his new Yeezy runner coming for the Yeezy season 6. We will give our insights and why this particular release announces a change of direction for the Yeezy Adidas sneakers
Will Yeezy Jump Over Jumpman Again?
I’ll never say that Yeezy is losing his touch but it’s hard for me to understand his new direction. I remember when he said that he wanted to make his products more affordable but as you know those “Yeezy Runners” are not that much affordable although they have a simpler look.
When you compare this new line of Yeezy Addias sneakers with the smash that the Yeezy Boosts had on the sneaker world, you can tell that sneakerheads have some serious questions for the musician turned designer.
“I want to fucking draw shoes, and it doesn’t matter if someone thinks that I’m supposed to be doing something that’s more important. [Adidas] gave me the opportunity, especially this first run, to make ’em however I want to make ’em. They didn’t say, “You got to make the logo four times bigger than the shoe.’”
-Kanye West
I salute Ye’s effort to try different things but my only issue is the fact that his new release doesn’t bring something new to the sneaker culture. This aspect of Kanye’s work was always what made him an influential designer whether for shoes or for clothes.
The “Yeezy Factor” Is Missing
In fact, I see a lot of resemblance to the Prada Americas cup of the old school ES skateboard shoes. Once again, Ye’s flair didn’t miss some key changes in the sneaker culture.
Indeed, everything is merging between brands & designs but this particular release didn’t match our expectations or his usual standards.
I think he’s evolving as a designer and maybe this is an attempt to gain a larger crowd. Does Kanye tries to avoid being pigeonholed in the urban world? I think he made it very clear that he has high end fashion ambitions and maybe this is a step in that sense.
Nevertheless, I still give props to Yeezy’s earlier work and overall impact on the sneaker culture. I would like to see if this new line of Yeezy adidas sneakers will eventually disrupt the market.
There’s no official release date or price yet since this was just a teaser for what’s coming for the Yeezy Season 6
Cop Or Drop?
Regardless of the price or the release date, would you invest in a pair of those “Yeezy Runners“? If so, what attracts you in this new design?
If you noticed the change of direction in the Yeezy adidas sneakers you can also have a closer look at Yeezy Runners for the Yeezy season 5 .
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