Lucas & Nathan Debate Skrillex ft. Chance the Rapper’s “Coast is Clear” Posted by Lucas G. on 03/11/14 | Filed under Opinion, Debates, Chance The Rapper, Skrillex, Heat Check

Fun fact: Nathan and I live on two different sides of the country and have never met. Still, I talk to him more than I do my roommates. It might sound chaotic but it works pretty well; thanks GChat!. Aside from making me listen to Migos, we pretty much always agree on what to write about, and our tastes are usually the same (i.e Anchorman and Froggy Fresh). For the most part it's like this, but sometimes we disagree on if something's dope or what the best flavor of Doritos is (Cool Ranch, obviously).

Currently we have been debating the dopeness of this new Skrillex cut. Yes, not something two rap nerds often discuss, but this particular cut off his (now streaming) new album features none other than one Chance The Rapper. Now, I think the song it dope, but Nathan says otherwise. Maybe it's because he's over 30 and is too old maybe not, but either way, we need to settle this, so we are high jacking Heat Check.

Like last week, you vote on the song to determine if it's hotter than Jhene Aiko in in the Sahara, colder than Ice Cube in the Artic, or mild like salsa; but there's a catch, Nathan and I will both be stating our cases to convince you. I don't want to say it it's a big deal, but I'd be lying if this isn't playing in my head as I type. I can taste those Doritos.

Pro- Lucas

I'll probably come off as ignorant, but I really can't listen to EDM. I like stuff like Pretty Lights, but when songs completely stop sounding like songs and start sounding like robot bees, I lose interest. After about 10 minutes of listening I get a headache and get really antsy. I can't take all the drastic changes. I totally see how one could like it, especially live, but it makes me want to curl up in a fetal ball and wither away.

Not this song. It still has that electronic undertone (sort of sounds like excitebike) but there is more funkiness and more melody to it. It actually sounds like a real song because it doesn't have any drops; it's catchy, energetic, and kind-of off kilter but it works, sort of like Chance; he is the perfect emcee for this beat. The more I hear from him the more I like. He has range, versatility and charimsa. Chance can rap over things that many other emcees wouldn't and it sounds so natural.You may not love the beat, but certainly Chance's style and charisma are too charming to ignore.  Plus it has that summery, warm-weather vibe; I can't wait to pay this with the windows down (when it finally get's nice).The EDM/hip-hop hybrid is happening and will continue to happen, but it's songs like this that make me think it might result in some pretty unique shit. But mostly it puts a smile on my face and gets my feet moving. It's as simple as that.

Con - Nathan S. 

Going straight to the old man jokes, are we Lucas? It's like that? Hope you enjoy listening to every second of the next Ice JJ Fish album. 

I will admit though, nothing makes me feel more grumpy old man than EDM. It's all basically a "Key & Peele" skit to me, although thankfully as Lucas pointed out that's not really an issue here. Chance's vocals, as (almost) always, are pretty thoroughly entertaining, but delivering some dope vocals over mediocre production does not a good song make. When I first heard it I thought it was a mediocre DJ mash-up - it sounds like the beat and vocals just so happen to be playing at the same time. If they had gone all the way into that '90s bounce sound, something like a new school "Shorty Swing Me Way", it could have been dope. But instead we get this aggravating distorted drone in the background; it feels like a decent dance floor jam, if there was a midget poking you with a #2 pencil while you danced.  

I think most of what Lucas likes about this song is that it's not as bad as he was expecting, which is like being glad someone slapped you in the face because you thought they were going to kick you in the nuts. And if I've learned anything in my old age, it's to stop being grateful for not being kicked in the nuts. 

Are you listening to this over anything on "Acid Rap"? No, right? It's as simple as that.*

* Also...original cheesy Doritos clearly superior to Cool Ranch.  

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