2015 Artist of the Year: Alessia Cara

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(Def Jam Recordings)

Alessia Cara is Roman’s Rap-Up’s ‘Artist of the Year’ for 2015. Her hit "Here" off her EP Four Pink Walls can be heard on any mainstream radio station. What made this hit unique, however, is its content and message. Instead of discussing relationships or partying like many of the popular songs on the radio, Cara's "Here" is based on a true story of being over the typical, shallow party scene. She explains that she'd rather be with her real friends having deep conversations than in a crowded room. It's candid, brutally honest, and so agreeable. This is how Cara dove onto the musical radar. Since the song exploded, she released her debut album Know-It-All that includes "Here" in addition to "Here (2 AM Version)," a brilliant title for a pianistic rendition of the song. For these reasons and more, Cara has rightfully earned Artist of the Year.

One main reason Cara has made huge strides in her career was touched on in regards to the success of "Here:" she writes openly about her life and her career start at a young age. Honesty is hard to come by and therefore valued in an artist's craft. Cara's song "Four Pink Walls" that inspired the name of her EP is about maturing quickly due to her early success. The listener assumes the walls are of her bedroom in the house she's grown up in; Cara explains the process of gaining fame and leaving behind her childhood. Cara used to complain about her simple life and now that her life has become busy due to her career, "those four pink walls, now I kinda miss them, man." It is a mixture of happiness that her dreams have come true but also an understanding of where she came from.

“Seventeen” is another song that demonstrates her maturity as a songwriter. This song holds a tone of nostalgia instead of excitement over her current rising star. Cara explains that she disregarded her parents’ advice to embrace her childhood while she still could, and now that her fame has risen, she realizes they were right. All Cara wanted to do was grow older and have a big career, but she failed to understand that she could miss the innocence of being seventeen. It unveils another side to Cara's journey. Even though she is still young for the music industry, her lyrical commentary demonstrates the reflection that huge talents like Adele didn't even provide in her early albums.

Cara excels to a lyrical and talent level that many young artists don’t achieve. She is beginning to tour since the album release, and we will definitely see more of Cara as she continues to grow and develop. It is difficult to be unique in an industry that has seen almost everything, but Cara has brought honesty to mainstream in a refreshing manner. Her vocal and instrumental talent, as she demonstrates in songs with piano, is to be noted due to its raw skill. She not only deserves breakout artist but also general Artist of the Year due because of her early successes rightfully earned.

2015 Year End Rap-Up: Top 5 Albums

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5) Purpose, Justin Bieber: After all of his mess ups in the public eye and many basic pop songs stamped on his repertoire, no one expected much from the new Bieber album. But if you were not a Belieber before, I promise you, you are now. Even if you don’t find yourself singing along to “What Do You Mean?” or “Sorry” in the car, you’ll probably love “Love Yourself.” It’s Bieber’s upbeat “screw you” song to a past fling. It makes you want to wave a certain finger in the air and Instagram a great photo just to rub it in your ex’s face. These songs, along with a few intense and reflective songs, create a well-rounded album. Bravo, Bieber. You’ve grown up before the public’s eyes – is it too late to say I’m sorry now (for doubting you)?

4) What Dreams Are Made Of, R. City: A wonderful progression from writers to rappers, R. City has produced a mix of reggae/R&B in combination with rap on their album. With big features such as Akon, R. City hit the ground running as artists as they take the microphone. Previous hits they have written include Rihanna’s “Pour It Up” and Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop.” Adam Levine featured in their hit song “Locked Away” that premieres on the album. Expect bigger and better as they settle into their shoes under the spotlight.

3) Badlands, Halsey: Badass feminine power is in – Halsey embodies this while adding her own flair in her new album. The next tour she does will hit stadiums in comparison to singing at small venues only a year or so ago. “New Americana” is the huge hit off the album, but other songs to note are “Castle” and “Hurricane.” Halsey has no filter and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is – with relationships, industry tycoons, and the public. She’s blowing up in the industry and will hopefully continue to climb the pop realm as a female monster.

2) 25, Adele: The long and quiet break Adele took from recording to focus on her personal life did nothing but boost expectations for her album that dropped at the end of the year. “Hello,” the hit single off the album, broke YouTube records for the amount of hits. The rest of the album holds the same raw talent that fans expect from Adele. However, instead of the drama and anguish felt in her last album, her new record includes more reflection over her youth and consideration over her future. It is a more mature Adele, and the mania that followed the release of her tour dates did nothing but reflect the overwhelming love for her talent. Welcome back, Adele!

1) To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar: Kendrick Lamar is by far the most influential rapper in the industry right now. His 2015 album demonstrated the immensity of his talent. In addition, his hometown Compton, CA, which is the home of the famous rap group, N.W.A. whose biographical movie Straight Outta Compton premiered this year, added to his background relevance. Lamar’s song “The Blacker the Berry” off his album was inspired by the death of Trayvon Martin. He raps, “You hate my people, your plan is to terminate my culture.” Lamar is speaking to the American white majority in reference to the racism that still persists in society today that appears in cases like Martin’s. Lamar successfully completes what very little rappers can do – he puts social issues into his music instead of the usual partying lyrics heard in hip-hop. His lyrics are explorative, inquisitive, and inspirational. There is a lot left in Lamar’s tank, and it would not be surprising if he continues to impress and make a permanent mark in rap evolution.  

2015 Year End Rap-Up: Top 5 Moments in Music

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As 2015 nears it's end, we at Roman's Rap-Up have taken the time to list our favorite things in music from the year. Below, find our top 5 favorite moments:

(MTV)

5) VMAs Nicki Minaj: “Miley What’s Good?”: Nicki Minaj called out fellow female artist and host of the VMAs, Miley Cyrus, during her acceptance speech. Cyrus had apparently dissed Minaj in an interview a few days before the awards show; once Minaj won the award for best hip-hop video, she responded to Cyrus’s criticism during her speech, ending with, “Miley, what’s good?” Cyrus attempted to smooth out the attack, as she was onstage the same moment Minaj was accepting her award. However, the artist vs. artist shade could be felt throughout the audience. If 2015 proved nothing else for Minaj, it’s that her attitude is almost as big as her… um… 

(Twitter)

4) Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift’s Twitter Feud: Again, Minaj slayed the haters involving Taylor Swift; except this feud occurred through Twitter. Minaj tweeted a passive aggressive statement about how her “Anaconda” music video was not nominated for best music video of the year even though it blew up on YouTube. Yet, some other artists’ videos were, and this might hint at possible racism occurring in the nominations. Minaj’s curvy body is celebrated in “Anaconda” in comparison to other artists whose slim bodies seemed to be favored for the VMAs. Swift, assuming Minaj must be poking at her, fired back. Minaj was not having the pop star’s fire, and this turned into a back-and-forth Twitter battle. No worries though – peace was restored to the musical girl world the next day when Swift apologized for the assumption that Minaj was directly digging at her.

3) Drake’s Release of “Back to Back” Aimed at Meek Mill: Another famous social media battle – Meek Mill, a well known rapper, fired at Drake as the two huge hip-hop egos went at it on social media determining artistic talent. Mill accused Drake of not writing his own lyrics among other digs. Drake finally replied through the release of the hit “Back to Back,” which seemed to shut down the hype and lean in Drake’s favor. Next time Mill, focus more on the recording studio and less on the subtweets.

(Twitter)

2) DJ Khaled’s Snapchats: Basically self explanatory, DJ Khaled’s Snapchats and videos have become famous for this inspirational yet extremely humorous content. As he stands against a stark background in one of his most famous videos, Khaled declares, “You smart. We da best. You a genius. I appreciate you. Never give up. This next part of the video is when you’re doing push ups or when you’re doing sit ups; let’s get it. Another one. Another one.” Though he attempts a serious vibe to inspire his viewers, the result is more hilarious than thought provoking. It sparked the usage of the phrases “I appreciate you” and “Another one” in a pop culture context. Keep doing you, DJ Khaled. Another one.

(Getty Images)

1) Left Shark: Probably the most famous shark of all time including Jaws, Left Shark made headlines after Katy Perry’s halftime show during the 2015 Super Bowl. Left Shark was a dancer dressed in a shark costume for Perry’s mash up of her best hits. Unlike Right Shark, Left Shark blatantly forgot the choreography, creating memes and GIFs of the struggle in comparison to his counterpart. It taught the country that we all have a little of Left Shark in us to appreciate and laugh at.

Photos: The 1975 Play Sold Out Show in San Diego

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(Gibson Dintersmith/Roman's Rap-Up)

Interscope-newcomers The 1975 played a sold out show in San Diego this week. Proving that they're here to stay, the group also will be embarking on an arena tour in the Spring.

Check out photos from the show below:


Concert Review: Mariah Carey Brings Holiday Cheer to Beacon Theater for Christmas Residency

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(Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

Mariah Carey is a force to be reckoned with.  Not only has the vocal legend had multiple platinum albums and a famed residency in Vegas, but she also holds the title of "Christmas Queen." Her 1992 holiday album "Merry Christmas" featured the timeless classic, "All I Want For Christmas," which is now a holiday music staple. Carey held a firm grasp on her title of "Christmas Queen" at Saturday night's concert in the famous Beacon Theater in NYC, part of her 8-night "All I want for Christmas" concert series.

From the second Carey appeared on stage, the roaring crowd never fell silent. Addressing fans in the front of the audience, the "All I Want For Christmas" singer commented on how she recognized many of the faces of her avid fans, many of whom had traveled from as far away as China and Austrailia. Only music royalty like Mariah Carey could draw such a diverse audience from across the globe.

Adorned with a massive Christmas tree and a variety of Christmas decor, the stage was the perfect compliment to what was happening at the moment.  A group of dancing and singing children accompanied the platinum-selling artist for several of her songs, adding an extra layer of "cuteness" to the show. “What is your favorite part of Christmas?” Carey asked the kids before breaking out into her newer Christmas hit, “Oh Santa.”

Whether the Grammy winning songstress was singing an original or a remake of another holiday song, it didn’t seem to matter to the thousands in attendance. Carey sang her most well-known cover “Christmas Time (Baby Please Come Home),” along with others such as “Silent Night,” “Santa Clause is Coming To Town” and more, all with vocal perfection.

Closing out the show with the non-holiday songs, “Hero” and “Emotions,” Carey came back out for the encore that everyone was waiting for.  “All I Want For Christmas,” arguably one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time, closed out the end of a spectacular holiday concert!

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” concert series runs through December 18th at New York’s Beacon Theater.