B. David Zarley, Author at Parle Mag

Entertainment News

Freestyle of the Week Review: Riff Raff, “Shirts By Versace Freestyle”

The best Riff Raff cuts juxtapose his absurd lyricism with a sense of sybaritic danger; think the slow-burn smolder of “Bird on a Wire.” To that end, Kirko Bangz’s “Shirts…

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Entertainment News

Freestyle of the Week Review: Chance The Rapper, Sway in the Morning Freestyle

Left recently on the killing floor of a mid-size Southern newspaper’s editorial abattoir was a particular description of Chicago native Chance the Rapper’s vocal stylings which I felt to be…

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Freestyle of the Week Review: The Game, “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe Freestyle”

Despite abutting, as it does, a review/essay–predominantly essay–on Rick Ross’ freestyle treatment of the very same song, one would not expect to find much in the Game’s rendition, by way…

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Music
Op-Ed

Freestyle of the Week Review: Rick Ross, “Don’t Kill My Vibe”

To fulfill the titular obligations of this column, let us address Rick Ross’ freestyle upon Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”: True to Teflon Don form, i.e., Ross’ best…

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Freestyle of the Week Review: Spenzo, “Started From The Bottom Freestyle”

The most striking imagery from Drake’s “Started From The Bottom” visuals–edging out a bevy of comely, Isis eyelinered women and a preponderance of ridiculous dances, including a spiraling, hand spinning,…

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Music

Freestyle of the Week Review: Jim Jones, “Harlem Shake Freestyle”

While we are here, we may as well address that savage little concern creeping in the periphery of all things related to this song, the dead-eyed, be-fanged question of cultural…

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Freestyle of the Week Review: Trey Songz, “Fu*ckin’ Problem Freestyle”

At first blush–and there will be many more to follow, if the listener is of the demure and/or tad prudish variety–Trey Songz’ “Fuckin’ Problem” treatment appears to be a touch…

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Music

Freestyle of the Week review: Torch – “Hands on the Wheel Freestyle”

Let us start with the beat: “Hands on the Wheel” has an interesting composition, being built around a sample of Lissie’s cover of Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness,” thereby making…

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Music
Op-Ed

Freestyle of the Week Review: Nitty Scott, MC – “Bath Salt Freestyle”

Regardless of which way the zeitgeist blows, there are always artists who will be gravitating towards the darker end of the spectrum in terms of content, tone, and timbre; what…

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Freestyle of the Week Review: Honey Cocaine – “Mafia”

Honey Cocaine is bittersweet; describing her as such is a touch on the nose—ugh—but I find myself willing to open with that line–fuck!—namely due to the word being so appropriate. There…

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