Hoodie Allen is a, self-described, All-American rapper who talks about issues that we can all relate to. Happy Camper is his newest album, released on January 22nd, and personally it's my favorite. He released this album to download for free on his website as well as on Spotify, Soundcloud, and Youtube. You can also buy it on iTunes if you want to support him even more. Happy Camper is a contemporary hip-hop album that is ten songs long. This is a soundtrack that any student could enjoy.
1. “Intro to Anxiety”:
This is a song that any anxious/stressed person can relate to.Being in schooleven the
littlest thing can cause stress. This song says how we just have to separate
the good stress from the bad and just live life positively.
Best Lyrics:“Sometimes I let my ego get the best of me. Sometimes I wonder why my stress is stressing me. Sometimes I lay awake and I can't go to sleep. This is my introduction to anxiety.”
2. “Are You Having any Fun?” (Featuring Meghan Tonjes):
This song is for anyone who has ever lost a lover or felt lost in love. When you are young, you constantly worry about love and if the person you are with truly likes you. This is a normal emotion to feel when we just want someone to enjoy being with us. However, worrying so much, you may alosepart of yourself and because of this change, things can end.
Best Lyrics: “I could be the one you really wanted. Could've had it all, but then you lost it.”
3. “Remind Me Of”:
This is the feel good track of the album. Growing up you tend to think about the past when new situations are occurring in your life. It talks about how we are always on the same grind. When you first start school you are in this flow and you don’t tend to change your ways. The song is saying the way things are now is how itused tobe, and that even if it isn’t great, whatever you are going through will change. This song just makes you want to groove and prove to people that you can do what they said you couldn’t. This song is personally my favorite.
Best Lyrics:“So, I won’t ever be a rapper that you see complaining. If you want it, go and take it, step up, word to Channing Tatum.”
4. “So Close to Happiness”:
This song is exactly what it says. We’re always trying to find happiness and we always get so close but things get in our way. We need to realize that material things don’t matter and that we can be happy with what we got. It also is referring to how we need to keep people close no matter how within reach are dreams become because in the end, we still need friends/significant others to be there or else we won’t actually be happy.
Best Lyrics:“Please don’t give up what we got. We’re so close to happiness.”
5. “Too Invested”:
This song is about a toxic relationship.Neither one of them is invested emotionally. One minute they are in love and the next they aren’t. They don’t care anymore. In life if you don't put in an effort, things will end.
Best Lyrics:“All I know is everything is gonna fly away eventually. And I'm trying to find the words to say to show you what you meant to me.”
6. “Surprise Party” (Featuring Blackbear):
Every album has a song that slows it down and makes you want to get groovy. This is a good date night song.It's saying that you already know what's about to go down, and you don't need to be surprised about it.
Best Lyrics:"This ain't no surprise party. Girl, and you don't need no invitation."
7. “Make you Feel” (Featuring Ricky Smith):
One of the catchiest hooks is done by Ricky Smith at the beginning of this tune. This song is for anyone that cares about someone and they do not seem to care back. The two artists work together to convey the emotion that something bad has happened between the lovers and they want things to be good again, as well as be able to make the person feel cared about.
Best Lyrics: “I never wanted to make you feel alone. I never wanted to leave you on your own.”
8. “Champagne and Pools” (Featuring Blackbear and Kyle):
This song is more somber and mellow. If you have ever been in a situation where you give your all and that still isn’t enough, that’s what this song is about. No matter what you do, they don’t care. And even after you get them everything they wanted, they still want more.
Best Lyrics:“You spend one hundred dollars on some damn shampoo, but it still smell like L'Oreal to me.”
9. “25th Hour”:
The 25th hour is when it’s too late to get something done. It’s when everything is over and time is out. It is referring to the movie and novel “25th Hour,”written by David Benioff. It’s the final hour between freedom and imprisonment. This song is about being willing to throw everything away if it means that you can still have the one you want.
Best Lyrics: “I tell 'em, I'm the original, All-American Hoodie Allen. These other rappers, they do impressions, that's Jimmy Fallon.”
10. “King to Me”:
The song is slow but has a happy back beat. When you look up to someone and they raise you, they become family. Even if they are in the wrong it doesn’t matter because you care so much about them. This song is about supporting the ones who helped you along in this journey called life.
Best Lyrics: “When you get down, someone's gonna steal your crown. But you'll always be a king to me, and a family.”
Hoodie Allen is going on his “Happy Camper” tour with openers Blackbear and Super Duper Kyle starting on Feb. 4, 2016, in Portland, Oregon. He will be coming to Pittsburgh on March 17. If you are looking for St. Patrick’s Day plans, I highly recommend buying tickets to see him. Check out his website for more information. While you’re at it, download his album because it’s free and who doesn’t like free things?
