Dave $tokes
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | INDIE
Music
Press
potify is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, which is crazy because we really haven't found a better way to stream music since that time. So in order to celebrate their anniversary, they decided to reveal the most popular artists in each state.
It should be noted that this isn't the most listened to artist in each state, because that would probably just be a list full of Taylor Swift, Drake and Beyonce. Instead, this list shows what artist your state listens to way more than any other state. So if your state's most popular artist is Nickelback, that doesn't mean they're the most listened to artist in your state. It simply means your state listens to Nickelback WAY more than any other state.
Make sense? Ok, here's the list:
Alabama – Cannabis Club ATL
Alaska – Portugal, The Man
Arizona – $uicideBoy$
Arkansas – Craig Colorusso
California – Shorline Mafia
Colorado – Tech N9ne
Connecticut – Dave Matthews Band
Delaware – KJ the Stone
Florida – Anuel Aa
Georgia – Gunna
Hawaii – Maoli
Idaho – Hugh Jackman
Illinois – G Herbo
Indiana – Panic! At the Disco
Iowa – Kane Brown
Kansas – George Strait
Kentucky – Upchurch
Louisiana – Dave $tokes
Maine – Nickelback
Maryland – Shy Glizzy
Massachusetts – Taylor Swift
Michigan – Tee Grizzley
Minnesota – Thomas Rhett
Mississippi – Boosie Badazz
Missouri – Steven Cooper
Montana – Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Nebraska – Eric Church
Nevada – Milad E
New Hampshire – Emily Asen
New Jersey – PnB Rock
New Mexico – N99
New York – A Boogie With Da Hoodie
North Carolina – Young Dolph
North Dakota – Shinedown
Ohio – Machine Gun Kelly
Oklahoma – New Age
Oregon – Jack Johnson
Pennsylvania – Meek Mill
Rhode Island – Lingo
South Carolina – Mike Smith
South Dakota – Hollywood Undead
Tennessee – Moneybagg Yo
Texas – Cody Johnson
Utah – Paul Cardall
Vermont – Lake Street Drive
Virginia – Jane Zhang
Washington – ODESZA
West Virginia – Theory of a Deadman
Wisconsin – Quron of Pain
Wyoming – Five Finger Death Punch
(h/t Buzzfeed) - Joseph Misulonas
Socially conscious Dave $tokes releases his most controversial track to date with Hands Up. A deep, in-depth look at the current state of police brutality in first world countries, (specifically the United States). Dave $tokes create metaphor and imagery to paint a gloomy landscape to the plight of minority groups trying to live peaceful lives, yet are under the criminal microscope. “Hands up, I’m still a target with my hands up. They still shot me with my hands up”, a powerful statement given the current social climate around police violence.
Delivering syncopated triple time drum patterns the percussion creates the imagery of rapid gunfire, bringing the message and severity of this national crisis to the forefront of the listener’s minds. The bass funk creates a nice, steady groove in which Hands Up is exciting and entertaining. Drawing on the deep lyrical nature the beat never interferes, allowing Dave $tokes to deliver his message with ease.
The production on Hands Up is the best of Dave $tokes catalog. The aggressive percussion is mired with detail, and symbolism, while the counterbalance with the bass funk sits perfectly underneath the frequency range of that impressive snare. The oscillating synth sample creates an eerie melody in which we can almost hear police sirens being emulated.
Dave $tokes has taken this opportunity to write a full-length track, (over three minutes), and has reduced the graphic nature of the lyrics, proving his maturity and professionalism in challenging a serious social issue. By maintaining the criteria for radio, (length and subject matter), Dave $tokes will be able to market this track with more ease than his more aggressive, explicit ones (Fam Need You, and 03 Flo).
Hands Up could be $tokes leadoff single, as the message delivered is bold and daring. Challenging the system with a protest song is a risky investment for radio and licensing yet, with the marketability of the beats and the rhymes, Dave $tokes could be sitting on an urban single with plenty of interest for radio. Fans of Dave $tokes require to have this song in their collection, as the performance is at the major label level while maintaining the street credibility giving this theme greater significance. - Evolution Music Press
Basically a song about getting laid. Bust Down is a simple yet intricate single from Louisiana rapper Dave $tokes, combining metaphor with vivid imagery of the girl he once partied with. The Bust Down referring in this case to the stomping grounds of his youth and the girl he was once with. A single release such as this glorifies the innocence and the sexual tensions of the younger crowd while exploring the wonder of simpler times. “You cannot be the only one, who do I trust? We just f@&king baby girl you know its lust”, as the song and the narrative continue, Dave $tokes proceeds onto more vast detail of his encounters with the lady, but for the purpose of this review, we will keep it at the suggestions.
The beats on Bust Down are simple yet effective, as the repetitive snare creates a rhythmic movement, forcing the listener to bob their heads along with the beat. The pulsing percussion is aligned with an excited heartbeat, driving the imagery of the Bust Down with the girl of choice.
The rhythms presented in Bust Down are well-executed as the melodies keep time with the call and response style rap incorporated throughout the track. With the repeated theme of the Bust Down, Dave $tokes meticulously drives the beat to capture the downbeat of the exposition. This track would also make a great single with the exception of the explicit lyrics, however, in this track, the lyrics are quite poignant as they capture the mood being portrayed. This is an enjoyable piece as Dave $tokes showcases his ability to create a longer runtime on a track, which is not common for this artist.
For the club, Bust Down will surely be a hit, as the subject matter captures the heat and lingering mood of the clientele. Spinning this track near nights end would surely get the crowd excited in ways most DJ’s strive for every night. - Evolution Music Press
Discography
2015 - Home Movies 13 Track Mixtape
2016 - NORTH 5 Track EP
2017 - 3RD 5-7 Track EP Coming soon in April
2017 - TO THE BAY 5-7 Track EP Coming soon in May
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Bio
Leave it to Dave $tokes to mellow your night with smooth rhymes and rhythmic melodies. $tokes, 21, is an up-and-coming, underground rapper based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His music embodies soulful stories with a southern twang and an easy going vibe. Rapping since the age of five, $tokes has released three mixtapes, dozens of singles, more than four music videos and produced a vast array of beats.
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