Here at Always on the Inside we get a ton of fan mail (feel free to send some over! – 7000 S. Harlem Ave. Bridgeview, IL 60455) with all sorts of content ideas and things we can do to improve our fair blog. We recently got this piece of fan mail from a Sandy Hannan in Denver, CO:
Dear Jeff,
Love the blog. Long time listener and a huge fan of your work.
Thanks for always keeping us informed about everything happening in Chicago. I think of everyone who writes for Always on the Inside, you provide the most insight and really help us get to know the team.
I’m a big music fan and would love to know more about the players musical interest. What kind of stuff are they listening to right now? Can I find the tunes anywhere?
Hope all is well. I’ll send some snacks your way soon.
Toodles,
Sandy
Wait? Was that a letter from my Mom? Since Jeff is busy with some #Fire15 stuff, I thought I’d take a crack at putting together a music series. Each week Always on the Inside is going to focus on three tracks/albums that a #cf97 player is listening to currently. Put the tracks between your headphones with Muve Music, if you’re so inclined. For the first addition we caught up with aspiring rap lyricist and resident beat-bopper Tony Walls. Without further ado, here’s Between the Headphones:
Always on the Inside: What type of stuff are you listening to right now?
Tony Walls: The first album is "Self Made Vol. 2" which is by Maybach Music Group which is headed by Rick Ross and two of his most popular artists -Meek Mill and Wale.
Overall, it's up tempo with really nice beats, something to bob your head to and stuff that you can play not only before training but also before games. They're really clever and good with wordplay.
Another track is "Take Care" by Drake, even though it is older. I would have to say Drake is one of my favorite artists right now. He does a really good job, I know it sounds corny, painting a mental picture and an image in your head when he's rapping. A lot of the situations he talks about, I can relate to actually. Not just with women, but with growing up.
He does a really good job of talking about his childhood and struggles he went through with his parents. I can relate to his music and he can sing. He has a really good voice.
I'm also listening to Meek Mill, who I mentioned before. His mixtape is called "Dreamchasers 2". I like Meek Mill because, similar to Drake, he raps about a lot of day-to-day situations. He's all about motivation and staying focused toward the goals you want reach in life, which is important to me and relevant to where I am right now.
That mixtape is one of my favorites right now. The lyrics are easy to listen to and he has a smooth flow.
AOTI: What do you get out of listening to music, especially these albums?
It's not necessarily to escape reality. It's something to get you amped up, pumped up before a game. I think that's why a lot of people listen to music. You do get lost in the music. A lot of music paints a mental image.
AOTI: What did you listen to growing up?
TW: I've always been into rap music. My neighbors, who were like older brothers to me got me listening to it. I've always liked Biggie, he's one of my favorite artists. I've always been surrounded by it growing up. I'm not close-minded to other music, though.
I listen to a little bit of Gavin DeGraw, a little bit of Lauryn Hill. My little sister is really musically diverse so she got me on a little Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber. So I try to stay open-minded, but rap is my first choice for sure.
