To begin our coverage of all the albums emerging from Kanye West's highly publicized Wyoming Sessions, this Quick 7 reviews Pusha T's Daytona. Despite the focus on a controversial cover photo, a "heated" Drake beef, and Kanye West himself, King Push brings every ounce of his aggressive bars and emotion over a focused and brilliantly produced 7-track project. Playlist Theme - Rappers with Storied Histories in Business and Activism In our attached playlist, we feature Meek Mill, Drake, and Tupac courtesy of Pusha's bars, 2 Chainz and Common due to shared producers (Mike Dean and Kanye West), and "Sweet Serenade" from Pusha T's first solo release in 2013. Full Show Notes - Socials - @7DegreesPod

The Arctic Monkeys have only grown in popularity since their 2006 debut made waves in the garage rock scene. After the massively successful, leather jacket-clad AM album, Arctic Monkeys go to the moon for Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino for a radical change in sound. Does the lounge, future rock take off like a rocket or stay grounded? Find out with Seven Degrees. Playlist theme - The 2000s Rock Scene (https://goo.gl/6P9Ddg) In the lead up to Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, we explore some of the other biggest names in rock from 2000-2009. Find out more about how a Will Ferrell movie connects one band from Texas and one from France, how a small effects machine changed live performance sound in 1999, and revisit some of the most memorable opening album lines from the past 40 years. Full Show Notes - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/episodes/arctic-monkeys-tranquility-base-hotel-casino/ Socials - @7DegreesPod

Post Malone finally dropped his much anticipated sophomore album "beerbongs & bentleys". The young rap/rockstar has seen a meteoric rise to fame in the past couple years with the release of "White Iverson", the hit "Congratulations" with Quavo, and the chart-topping, enduring singles "Rockstar" and "Psycho". After calling his debut album "Stoney" "mediocre", Post Malone refines his style to bring some of his most sonically focused and catchy songs, all the while portraying the goofy and crazy personality Posty has become known for. Playlist Themes - Post Malone's Tattoos In one of our most eclectic playlists yet, we cover over 60 years of music history. Learn more about how the King of Rock 'n' Roll met two of rock's most timeless figures, how a legendary metal group connects to a very recent cloud rapper, and how the feared 27 Club spans decades. Full Show Notes - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/episodes/post-malone-beerbongs-bentleys/ Socials - @7DegreesPod

The real is back. Just four days before its release, J. Cole went to Twitter to announce he would be dropping his fifth studio album, K.O.D. With its multiple meanings, commentaries on addiction, and Cole's signature "Do-It-All-Myself" style, the artist has created his most commercially successful, and divisive, work yet. K.O.D. brings a brutally honest and unapologetic meditation on excess and youth while allowing Cole to further cement himself as one of the 2010's Hip-Hop Royalty. Playlist Theme - Rappers Flipping the Script on Drugs (https://goo.gl/BVT8Td) In this episode's playlist, we explore other rappers who have discussed the negative effects of excessive drug use. Learn more about how two artists tied closely to their past drug use give a sobering account of numbness, how two other artists kicked their substance use to drop their most acclaimed works, and how a couple producers and engineers have crafted the sounds of the past 10 years. Website - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/episodes/j-cole-kod/ Socials - @7DegreesPod

Saba's second studio release Care For Me is our subject for this Quick 7 review. The Chicago-rapper first saw recognition from appearing alongside his fellow Chicago rappers and received positive reviews for his debut, but Care For Me takes it to the next level, offering a smooth, well-thought, and deeply personal look at Saba's mental state and coping following the death of his cousin and friend in early 2017. In the playlist attached to this episode, we see appearances from Noname, Chance the Rapper, and a few members of Saba's PIVOT Gang. Get ready for collection of jazzy and soulful songs from Chicago's rap finest. Playlist Theme - The Generation of Chicago Rappers (https://goo.gl/oAWj4o) Full Show Notes - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/quick-7s/saba-care-for-me/ Socials - @7DegreesPod

In this Quick 7 review, we discuss Ciaran Lavery's third solo studio release Sweet Decay. The Irish singer-songwriter saw acclaim after his 2016 release Let Bad In. With this project, he delivers the songwriting and voice while creating a relatable and tragic love story centered around a man who looks to love to escape his sadness and his sin. Be sure to check out the playlist for this episode as well! Featuring Mumford & Sons, James Vincent McMorrow, and Saint Sister, it shows the current state of the British Isles folk scene with the songwriting and melodies to bring out all the emotions. Playlist Theme - Contemporary British Isles Folk (https://goo.gl/6aEvcu) Show Notes - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/quick-7s/ciaran-lavery-sweet-decay/ Socials - @7DegreesPod

Cardi B, the first female solo rapper in nearly 20 years to hit #1, released her debut project Invasion of Privacy as she continues to rise in popularity. As far as the album is concerned, Cardi B shows she's more than a flash in the pan. Playlist Theme - 2017 Rap Hits (https://goo.gl/MuAzuj) In the connections before Cardi's album we take a look at some other Billboard Hot 100 hits from 2017. We talk about how a wrestling legend has left his mark all over the rap industry, how Forbes stays up-to-date with the most emerging artists and talents, and we try to get to the bottom of A$AP Rocky's mysterious collective, AWGE. Complete Show Notes - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/cardi-b-invasion-of-privacy/ Socials - @7DegreesPod

In our first Quick 7 episode, we cover The Weeknd's suprise release My Dear Melancholy. Amidst rumors of returning to the Trilogy/XO sound that fueled his dark R&B sex, drugs, and heartbreak style, does the Weeknd actually move away from the sound that netted him a Grammy and billions of streams? Kind of, but there is definitely plenty of shade being thrown at Abel Tesfaye's exes. Show Notes - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/quick-7s/the-weeknd-my-dear-melancholy/ Socials - @7DegreesPod

Jack White has had one crazy career, fronting three different bands and having a successful solo career. And, spoiler, he went full Jack White on Boarding House Reach. Playlist Theme - Experimental, Alternative, and Garage Rock (https://goo.gl/M2Sqto) In our connections leading to White's new album, we speak more on topics like how Modest Mouse and The Flaming Lips are more related than you think, how Beck and Bjork are connected with a similarly eccentric French filmmaker, and how the Arctic Monkeys are influenced by everyone from Mos Def to The Black Keys. Full Show Notes - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/?page_id=607&preview=true Socials - @7DegreesPod

We look at two hip-hop legends in this episode, Royce Da 5'9" and DJ Premier as PRhyme, and see if they can reach the same levels of acclaim on their sophomore collab. Playlist Theme - Hip-hop Duos (https://goo.gl/hgJ9wx) Show Notes - http://sevendegreespodcast.com/episodes/prhyme-prhyme-2/ Socials - @7DegreesPod