FSD Feature: We Be Clubbin’

DJ Amaris
DJ Amaris is the CEO of TKO entertainment, and spins at Adrianna’s, The Zone, Secrets, Mr. Ricky’s Geisha Lounge, The Lick, and also spins High School and College parties regularly.

1) Chief Keef – I Don’t Like
2) Lil Durk f. Lil Reese – OTF
3) Chief Keef f. Young Jeezy – Understand Me
4) Lil Durk – L’s Anthem
5) King Louie – Val Venis
6) Chief Keef – Save That Shit
7) Edai – Feelin Like Myself
8) TKO – Dope On Me
9) Edai – Gucci
10) Munnie – Cash On Me

Nothing really needs to be said about Keef at number one. “OTF” at number two isn’t a huge surprise; Amaris was an early supporter of both artist’s careers and threw shows for each, and as the lead single for Durk’s highly anticipated new tape, it’s pretty high-profile. “Understand Me,” “L’s Anthem” and “Val Venis” reflect what we saw on V-Dub’s list, unquestionably big singles in the clubs right now. “Save That Shit” was my first pick for a hit from Keef’s last tape; I still wonder if they’ll end up pushing that single, although I prefer the X-Mane Shawty one to the Soulja Boy remix, where Soulja just sounds out of tune. Edai’s “Feelin Like Myself” is off his Forgotten mixtape from earlier this year; it’s kind of a sleeper with an unusual beat courtesy Smylz; it intermittently drops to just a lonely angular piano line after each chorus, before bringing back the entire beat.

Smylz is a pick for one of Chicago’s most underrated producers at the moment; his recent beats for Lil Mister have been pretty impressive too. TKO’s “Dope On Me” suggests a little light favoritism since the DJ is TKO’s CEO, but this is pretty catchy lo-fi melodic swag rap. Edai’s “Gucci” has received a fair amount of attention and even got a Chief Keef remix; I didn’t love it at first, but it stuck out, like it didn’t fit in with the kinds of rap that it’s clearly emulating, and has rewarded repeated listening (If “double g on my belt buckle” ends up stuck in your head don’t say I didn’t warn you). Munnie’s “Cash On Me” shows a familiar distorted sing-song via Atlanta as “Dope On Me” and “Gucci,” and the full version includes verses from Chief Keef and the underrated Prince Eazy. As a side note for anyone who’s been following this stuff for awhile — how weird is it that you have to sit through Jim Beam ads now to hear streams of Edai mixtape tracks on YouTube?