Why is George Watsky's Cardboard Castles #1 on iTunes?
George Watsky's album Cardboard Castles released today shot up to #1 on iTunes, as the best-selling hip-hop album. Watsky is a San Francisco hip-hop and spoken word artist who I interviewed back on my radio show on Fresh Air: The Alternative , which was included in Oakland in Popular Memory . Why is Watsky's album the #1 hip-hop album on iTunes, edging out Macklemore & Ryan Lewis? It has to do with the power of vulnerability . In an era of rappers boasting about their lavish lifestyles, cars, gold chains, and how many women they've been with, Watsky rejects that veneer and comes real with his spoken-word inspired tracks Tiny Glowing Screens Pt 2 and Dedicated to Christina Li . Could you imagine Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, or Gucci Mane releasing tracks like these? It's doubtful. Watsky showcases his range on Cardboard Castles , and his years of hustle have paid off--the word about his talent is out, and he debuted at #6 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Billboard charts...