Friday, September 30, 2011

Videos of the Week

What a random NBA 2K12 commercial with the likes of MJ, Drake, Brian Wilson and Mark Cuban. Three of the hottest concert tickets this fall include Adele (ridiculous how much her tickets are going on stub hub), J Cole and Big Sean. It's called marketing folks, make yourself visible so people will go watch. Give bloggers something to embed to their site!. I realize I'm only a part of the game and that's cool with me as long as you're reading and clicking around...
T-Pain feat Lily Allen & Wiz Khalifa - 5 O'clock (Video)

Big Sean - I Am Finally Famous Tour Trailer

Adele - Someone Like You (Video)

Drake and Micheal Jordan's NBA 2K12 Commercial

J Cole - Daddy's Little Girl (Video)

Enrique Iglesias feat Pitbull - I Like How it Feels (Video)

Thursday, September 29, 2011

"Cause There'll Be No Sunlight, If I Lose You Baby"

Who better to antagonize and evoke teenage angst and unrepentant emotion than @brunomars. No big surprise that he was recruited along with his production crew The Smeezingtons to create the ideal ballad tol fit with the dark, melancholy backdrop of Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1. The movie will hit the big screens on November 18 and probably set some more records since the whole franchise has cornered the tween-30 year old demographic of women...and their boyfriends.

To be completely honest, I really enjoy the track and to be fair, Bruno's vocals were spot on. The audible ambiance that the instrumental provides is picturesque. From the piano lead in to the simple, rolling percussion and the whiny harmony at the end of the hook. It's just a great ballad all around and fits like a glove with the dark, somber Twilight theme. Good chance I'll be singing this one in my car alone very soon...#DontJudgeMe

Bruno Mars - It Will Rain (prod by The Smeezingtons)
|iTunes

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

"Just Call Me Genuine, ’cause I’m the Same Ol' G"

You might think I'm a fan @Tyga just because I endorse damn near everything Young Money. For me though, it's more of a chicken before the egg sort of admiration I have for Thank You God Always. Before I had an appreciation for what Young Money was going to be with the addition of @drakkardnoir, @jaysean and @nickiminaj, I was writing about songs like Press 7 and Coconut Juice.

Fast forward three years and now Tyga's sophmore album, Careless World: Rise of the Last King, is due out November 19th. I haven't seen an official tracklist yet, but I did already let y'all in on his first single called Far Away. For single #2, Tyga enlisted Drake and @Ovo40's help on a very "Drake sounding" track called Still Got It.

When I say "Drake sounding", I mean beat-wise with the organ lead in and signature kick on 40's instrumental. You may be saying to yourself, haven't I heard this somewhere? Why yes you have observant reader...

Call it a demo, call it a throwaway, whatever you name you pick, it's still an adequate foundation for a hit that Young Money wasn't about to see leave the compound. I'll give it a thumbs up, even though a verse from Drake would have been appreciated. Can't always get what you want, though, so a long hook with a lil bit of harmony will suffice.

If you remember anything from this post, remember not to sleep on young Tyga on November 19th. He's got the backing and talent to make enough noise that your iTunes playlist may need his assistance coming up here soon...

Tyga feat Drake - Still Got It (prod by Noah "40" Shebib & Supa Dups)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

"I Hit Her With That Pipe, Call That Nancy Kerrigan"

About a month ago, there were whispers circulating around the blogs regarding a new single from @bobatl. Those rumors were legitimized when he started performing a new track called Strange Clouds at his latest concerts in Colorado and Syracuse. Now before go 0-60 with the expectations, you'd better check them at the door because there is little to no chance he's going to make as much noise as he did with his first two singles from his debut album (Nothin' on You, Airplanes- 141 million views on that...damn!). If you're more about sampling than reading, the video below should set the stage as far as what you can expect...
I'll be the first to admit, I was hoping for a home run too, especially after seeing the @liltunchi feature. To say I was let down after first listen is unfair, though, because as calmer minds prevailed, I reminded myself of the same fact that I led off the post with. Temper the expectations because it'll be hard to reach the levels he did with his first album. 

Funny thing is, after a couple days of listening to it, I'm not finding myself singing the hook and vibing to it a little more each day. So what if the ceiling isn't as high, it's still a solid track and has me excited as hell for his sophomore album. No details yet on the album itself, but the fact that a lead single, which was supposed to be out Oct 3rd and then got pushed up a week due to the leak, made it to iTunes already, is good news.

B.O.B. feat Lil Wayne - Strange Clouds
|iTunes

Monday, September 26, 2011

"It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn"

Yes, I agree, I should probably not market my blog as a Hip Hop blog with all of the non-Hip Hop I've been posting lately. Truth be told, Hip Hop music is the basis of my passion for music and sharing what I like through daily words. But it's not even close to the whole story because there are a lot of other great artists that don't fall into Hip Hop that I really enjoy. I always talk about my love for deep, powerful, emotional music and I can't think of anyone (other than maybe @coldplay) that makes as powerful of music as @flo_tweet.

For a lot of us who had no idea who she was, the VMAs is where she first backhanded us and demanded attention with her high octane vocals on Dog Days are Over. I remember thinking to myself who is this chick and why is she performing on VMAs when nobody had heard of her? Man was that short sighted in hindsight, but I can say that now that I've taken a liking to her newest single Shake it Out off her upcoming album Ceremonials, due out October 28th.

There are so many ways you can go with the track below, but no matter what direction it takes you, it leaves you with an uplifting feeling. Florence's dominant vocals are somehow matched with the intensity of the choir behind her as she implores the listener to "shake it off, shake it off (the devil that's on your back)." This past week I've started out every single workout with this song because it will absolutely empower you to move your body and drive your mind toward positivity. Apologies for stream only below because let's be honest, the track is not Hip Hop and as a result, abides by a different set of rules...#UnwrittenBloggingRules + #GoAndCopIt

Florence and the Machine - Shake it Out
|iTunes

Sunday, September 25, 2011

"Cole World Comin', Call Back Up Assistance"

"Worldwide stunna, oh man, I'mma
Reign on the game, make it storm and thunder"
The song below would make my top 10 songs of 2011 if you asked me for a list today. A couple Friday's ago, I posted @JColeNC's performance of God's Gift in Toronto and made a mental note to earmark the track when I got a full listen of Cole World: The Sideline Story. Check the video below if you missed it..
The track managed to sound elite, even on a low quality video, which is tough. Bonus points are in order for Cole not only rapping, but also producing such a bangin' beat. It goes hard, but in a way that allows Cole to story tell and maintain a smile as he tells his "I made it" story. We'd all like to get to a point in our lives where we can go back to all the girls who were too good for us back in the day and take batting practice. Right? Well...some people dream, but Cole World makes it happen. (Hey it ain't  trickin' if you really got it, right?) As an aside, hopefully ya'll caught that Bone Thugs First of tha Month sample on the hook too.

I haven't made a full judgment on how much I like J Cole's debut release, but it's tracks like this that will have people pointing back and saying, "Man he really was great from the start." No word on a third single from his debut album, but it'd be hard not to nominate this one for discussion. Cole World: The Sideline Story hit's iTunes and shelves near you this Tues, Sept 27th. If you're lookin' for a diamond in the rough, cop this individual track below and thank me later because it'll end up being the best track on his album when the dust settles.

J Cole - God's Gift (prod by J Cole)
|iTunes

Saturday, September 24, 2011

"We Fell in Love in a Hopeless Place"

There are few artists as powerful as @rihanna when it comes to pushing weight on Billboard/iTunes. What's interesting to me about her new single is her decision to collaborate with up and coming Scottish DJ/producer @CALVINHARRIS. If you haven't heard of him, then you must not know he's the one behind Bounce featuring @iamkelis (below)...
You know me, I'm all about electro/dance rhythms, which is why I'm posting her new single below off her yet-to-be-titled, 6th studio album due out November 21st. If anything, I'm really impressed and pumped that so many well known American pop acts are incorporating European dance/club production into their music. I'm finding it harder and harder to hate on contemporary/pop music nowadays because it's becoming more interesting and innovative.

I'm sure this will be force-fed to you until you learn to dislike it, but for now, I'm ok with promoting it and giving it some love...

Rihanna - We Found Love (prod by Calvin Harris)
|iTunes

Friday, September 23, 2011

Videos of the Week

Bunch of Timbo this week, which is building up some serious excitement for Shock Value 3. Still a big fan of those Wale, Bei Maejor and Chiddy singles too. Pretty pumped they made videos for both tracks...
Timbland feat Pitbull - Pass at Me (Video)

Bei Maejor feat J Cole - Trouble (Video)

Wale - Bait (Video)

Timbland feat Jet - Timothy Where You Been (Video)

Red Cafe feat Fabolous & Lloyd Banks - The Realest (Video)

Chiddy Bang - Mind Your Manners (Video)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Garbage Verses Can't be Recycled

I've got a Bad Feeling that the track below may end up on @TaioCruz's upcoming third studio album. I say that because @official_flo's verses are 100% copied and pasted from his new single Good Feeling. Now I've already vented about what became of that track with the tease surrounding the initial beat-jacking of Avicii, but it'd be more than a little embarrassing to use the same verse on two radio singles. The more I listen the more I'm just confused. Is it a B side or demo? Remix? I have no idea because the beat even sounds like Good Feeling and follows the same formula that a lot of Taio hits did with the upbeat club rhythms.

I'm not one to be quick to judge or over-react, though, and I'll admit there's probably more shock value than truth in that last paragraph, but C'mon Man!!! (#CCVoice) My guess is the use of Flo's recycled verses are more of a placeholder and if the track ever makes it to the light of day as a single, we'll either get new verses or a completely different feature than Flo Rida.

Take it for what it's worth, but I doubt this version will ever make it to the masses, so feel free to indulge in what could turn out to be a hidden gem...

Taio Cruz feat Flo Rida - Hangover (prod by Dr. Luke)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

"Girl What You Grabbin' Cash For, All You Need is Your Passport"

Real smooth jam from @Wale off his upcoming album Ambition, due out November 1st. On this track, @rickyrozay officially patented his increasingly noticeable ad-lib "hurrrumph" grunt. Usually it was once or twice a verse, but we're talking like every other bar dude is grunting nowadays. Must be catching on considering how many features and other noteworthy artists who are trying to do albums with him lately.

The biggest takeaway in my eyes is hearing Wale return to his style that I really liked on his first album. No more pointless, gratuitous Mayback Music tracks (yea I heard the beginning of the track). I'm convinced he was out to experiment and appease his new crew when he took that turn for the worse the past couple months. Either way between the track below, Bad Girls Club, Bait and yet to be heard tracks with Cudi and Big Sean, I'm starting to get geniunely excited for his second album.

Shouts out to @kevincossom on the hook too. It's about damn time other artists started valuing his abilities and giving him features. Between Ambition and Take Care, I should be set the next month for new music. Lots to be excited about, including this melee of awesomeness I'll be taking part in this weekend...

Wale feat Rick Ross & Kevin Cossom - Best Night Ever (prod by Beat Billionaire)(No DJ)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

"I Predict an Earthquake Up in Here"

For those of you not up on British Hip Hop, you may not be familiar with @Labrinthda1st. He was the writer and producer of @TINIETEMPAH's debut single Pass Out, which was a big springboard for his now blossoming International notoriety. While you and I may have slept on Labrinth's talent, Simon Cowell didn't when he made him the first non-talent show signing of Syco records.

Now it's looking like a solo album titled Furtherworks is in the works and the original version of Earthquake (below) will serve as the lead single. Strangely, you can pre-order the single and wait for a month until October 24th, which doesn't really jive with the rapid dissemination of music these days. I can respect an artist trying to make a splash on the solo scene, though, so I'm instead going to post the more upbeat, dance version of the single produced by none other than @bennybenassi. I'm usually a bigger fan of the dance remix, but in all honestly both versions are well worth a listen and the one you like best will probably depend how hype of a mood you're in.

I'm adding this to the growing proof that British Hip Hop deserves more love than it's currently getting. One or two more Tinies or Dizzee Rascals and that may be the tipping point that leads to American legitimacy. Time will tell...

Labrinth Ft. Tinie Tempah - Earthquake (Benny Benassi Remix)
|Cop Original

Monday, September 19, 2011

High5Collective + Frank Ocean

Seems like there's a new go-to production crew Hip Hop has fallen in with recently. If you haven't heard of High 5 Collective, you probably failed to notice that they did the video for Kanye and Jigga's newest single, No Church in the Wild. Seeing that @frank_ocean collaborated with Ye and Hov on the track, it's no surprise he enlisted @H5C who specialize in "Visual art, fuckery and getbuckery."

The common denominator between the two videos seems to be an Indian/Pioneers sort of settlers theme. Sure, if you expected to see the artists, you'll probably be a little disappointed because the visuals are more of an artistic representation of what's being said than a typical cars and women style video. Check it below...
Video aside, I really like D'Angelo style sound Frank gives off with the high pitched falsetto. The calmness of the verses mixes well with the simple beat and makes it seem like the hook is sung by somebody completely different. I'm betting this will make it to iTunes and when it does, I see no reason why you wouldn't want to purchase it or anything else Frank releases for that matter.

Frank Ocean - Thinkin' Bout Ya
|iTunes

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Drake Goes in on a Lex Luger Beat

I know, I know, this remix is like a week old, but I didn't plan on this week being so chalked with big releases, so it got pushed back. Still, you know I wasn't about to let some new @drakkardnoir slip through the cracks without sharing it, especially because it marks the first time he's been able to get on a @SmokedOutLuger beat. What you expect is what you get from any @WakaFlockaBSM track, so if you're hoping for substance, then you clearly don't enjoy frequenting strip clubs where all of his music is played. In other words, even though 99% of the music I listen to has substance, it's impossible for me to follow my better judgment and instincts to ignore Waka's tracks because Lex Luger's beats are my kryptonite (see what I did there superman?) Good got I'm a nerd...

Not the usual delivery from Drizzy on his verse either, which is interesting. The change up of flow makes him sound kinda subdued, but it fits in with the company he keeps on the track. So much booty bass on this one that I damn near slapped on the 808 check label on this one, but that's sorta like saying a zebra has stripes when you're dealing with a Luger beat. More of a novelty remix, but well worth a listen...

Wacka Flocka feat Drake - Round of Applause (Remix)(prod by Lex Luger)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Who Rocked it Better? Lil Eddie vs JoJo

Complete toss up between one of my favorite demo singers/songwriters Lil Eddie and @JoJoistheway, who I've always been a big fan of on the low. I say on the low because when she was 16 she released High Road, which was a great album front to back, but I got some strange looks from the fellas when I spoke highly of it. To each their own man, I'ma live my life, she's got a great voice and is a talented vocalist!

Both are great, under appreciated vocalists, so picking a favorite version isn't something I'd feel comfortable doing because (for once) I don't want to influence your opinion either way. Like me, you should add both to your newest playlist and hopefully gain a respect for both because both versions are great in their own way. Heads up for that new JoJo album Jumping Trains out early 2012. It'll be her first album in six years and you can cop her new single Disaster on iTunes.

Lil Eddie feat Ameriie - Guardian Angel


JoJo - Guardian Angel

Friday, September 16, 2011

Videos of the Week

Lots of Kanye this week on the videos, including him bringing out his whole G.O.O.D. Music crew out to perform All of the Lights. Pretty cool to see Cudi and Big Sean join him on stage...
Kanye West & G.O.O.D. Music Perform All Of The Lights (Heineken Red Star Access)

J.Cole feat. Trey Songz -Can’t Get Enough (Video)

Afrojack, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Nervo - The Way We See (Video)

Big Sean – Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay Feat. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash (Video)

B.O.B Performs New Track Strange Clouds at Syracuse

Behind the Scenes on Rhymefest feat Kanye West - Alligator Boots (Video) with Kim Kardashian 

Behind The Scenes on Tinie Tempah feat. Wiz Khalifa - Till I'm Gone (Video)

Asher Roth feat. Akon - Last Man Standing (Video)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

"I Got a Hublot I Call it Tebow, I Strap That B**ch With a Gator Band"

"No more Mr Nice guy, hello Mr Nice watch”
When giving a once over at @JColeNC's upcoming albums' tracklist, I'm pretty sure everyone had the track below circled. It's not everyday you get a @s_c_ collabo on your album, but when he's writing your checks, it's in his best interests to throw in a hot 16. What I really like about the track is the fast paced, drum/bass, almost dubstep feel to the beat, done by none other than Cole himself. Can't harp on how much credit he deserves for producing his own stuff man, other than Kanye, name me another artist that is as talented on the mic and still gets it done behind the boards.

Two more weeks til Cole World: The Sideline Story drops on September 27th. Got a couple noteworthy tracks so far that have leaked, but I've got a vested interest in hearing it in it's entirety because great albums make their name with the non-single tracks. Man I really hope it lives up to the hype...

J. Cole feat Jay-Z - Mr. Nice Watch (prod by J. Cole)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

"I Dream of Para-para-paradise"

When it comes to easy listening, harmonic, but subtly uplifting tracks, there is absolutely none better than @coldplay. Put it this way, they're one of those bands that prior to listening to a new single of thiers, I already know I'm going to post about it. They know how to singles because when they release them, it leaks via iTunes and you allow people to stream it. That's just how it works and when you've been blogging for a minute, you figure that out by either getting C&D'd or just be observant to your surroundings, get in where you fit in, like I've chosen to do.

I can't really explain it, but between the strings, rock solid backbone synth, and Chris Martin's velvety vocals, this track has that je ne sais quoi. In other words, it'd be unfortunate if you didn't add this to your iTunes collection if you haven't already decided to wait patiently for Mylo Xyloto to drop on October 24th.

Coldplay - Paradise
|iTunes

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

"Tell Me, Who Did I Leave Behind?"

Put it this way, I'd rather visit Club Paradise any day of the week rather than call myself a Free Spirit. That's wasn't meant as an obvious T&A shot either, instead it was more for those who have been paying attention and know my thoughts on Drizzy's new track with Raaawwwwss! In the grand scheme of things, Club Paradise would have fit in nicely on So Far Gone because he goes back into storytelling mode, as if to give us listeners another chapters into his life while he gives us an update on what the effect success is having on his life. From the old friends at home who claim he's sold out that he rhetorically asks "Tell me, who did I leave behind?", to the entourage he brings with him on the road that he can count on being real since they have known him since day one...it's another wide open door to the psyche of a real dude trying his best to stay real through it all.

Lord knows I'll never have the notoriety @drakkardnoir does, but if I did, I'd imagine I'd be fighting the same internal thoughts and dealing with the same dilemmas he faces as his fame and fortune increases. Yea I know it's fun to pretend, but find me another rapper or artist for that matter, who speaks so openly about their life that you feel like you know them. It's a unique quality that he's always possessed and I don't care what the haters who claim he's too emotional or vulnerable with his lyrics...dude had the balls to tell millions of people some of his innermost, honest thoughts. I'd like to see you try that in front of a room full of people, much less put it on wax for everyone to dissect again and again.

Conflicting reports on whether this will surface on Take Care, but I'm cool with it being a diamond in the rough or deluxe bonus track if that's the case. All I know is that it's far from a filler track and not single material, which would make it a great choice for the album. Shouts out to @OVO40 on the instrumental.

#October24th

Drake - Club Paradise (prod by 40)


Monday, September 12, 2011

Bad Boy's New White Boy

Seems like every big record label needs a white boy these days. First it was Eminem, who blazed a trail for the likes of Asher Roth, Mac Miller and Yelawolf. Enter new Bad Boy/Interscope signee @machinegunkelly, a 21 year old from Shaker Heights (Cleveland) who makes a living with his rapid fire flow (hence the name). I'll let Sway fill in the rest of the details...

I can't hate one bit on the come up MGK has made from rapping in his basement, all the way to the bidding war that Diddy ended up winning. Which brings me to my next point, would Diddy not only invest, but outbid other prospective labels over just anyone? If the shoe fits, wear it (see Ciroc) and after one song, I'm listening. Shouts out to @jonathanrotem on the beat and @livvifranc on the hook on Warning Shot...#Duck

Machine Gun Kelly feat Livvi Franc - Warning Shot (prod by JR Rotem)

Sunday, September 11, 2011

"Tat My Name on You Girl so I Know It's Real"

Presumably upping the stakes in an attempt to weed out the groupies, @drakkardnoir and @rickyrozay are setting the bar higher if you want to really get with them. Spotted over at OVO, the picture above is evidently how you know it's real. I get it, it's like physical collateral because if the girl turns out to be fake, she'll forever have a reminder of it with your name tatted on her. Interesting concept, sorta forward thinking in nature and a potential asset for a lot of high profile celebrities to add to their arsenal. Still, I know a lot of fake girl that get a tat just to get with a celebrity. If it were up to me, I'd make it "tat my name where I can see it, so you know it's real", so that all the undercover one can't fake the funk.

As far as the execution and sound of the track, @ovo40 gets the production credit for providing the mellow template. Call it a street cred track with a touch of harmony for Drizzy Drake, displaying lyrics that get in it where they fit in with the Rozay influence. Not my cup of tea in the grand scheme of Drake tracks, but I can see why he went the direction he did with the track in collaborating with the industry's hottest rapper out now. Should further his clout/Hip Hop influence and provide a firmness to Take Care that all the trappers and gangstas were missing on Thank Me Later...#Oct24th

Drake feat Rick Ross - Free Spirit (prod by 40)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Kendrick Lamar Has a Pair of Pumped Up Kicks

My boy Mikey Mike, aka Indie music extraordinaire, posted this track on the blog shortly before it hit mainstream radio. My opinion as a general music observer, was that it sounded like a solid Indie track that had some universal likability. In that last sentence there was no mention of it being a top single and making serious waves on contemporary radio like it did.

Since I enjoy shades of Indie and Hip Hop, anytime the two worlds collide, I generally like it. As such, daps & lbs are in order for @djreflex of Power 106 for putting Compton's prince into the limelight on the remix to @fosterthepeople's hit single. If Detox ever comes out, that may would definitely be the tipping point for @Kendrick_Lamar's career. Until I'm gonna continue to post his stuff to get the word out because he brings a unique combination of intelligence and ferocity when on the mic. In other words, if you haven't already, you should probably go and cop his new album Section 80 on Amazon for $3.99.

Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks (DJ Reflex Remix)
|iTunes

Friday, September 09, 2011

Videos of the Week

Lot of Cudi this week and if you're not in the mood for a Steven Segal esque, me against the world beat down, then his new video for Mr. Rager may not be for you. I still love that Skylar Grey track and top 5 beat of 2011 by Alex da Kid on Invisible. Oh yea, that new J Cole is dope too, I might just have to go see him in Philly when he comes around in about a month...
Skylar Grey - Invisible (Video)

Kid Cudi - Mr. Rager (Video)

The Knux feat Kid Cudi - Run (Video)

DJ Drama feat Big Sean, Trey Songz, 2 Chainz - Oh My (Remix) (Video)

J Cole Performs New Song God's Gift Off New Album in Toronto

Travis Porter - You Don't Know About It (Video)

The Cool Kids feat Maxine Ashley - Summertime (Video)

Thursday, September 08, 2011

"It's 5 O' Clock in the Morning, Conversation Got Boring"

Not everyday you hear a proper English accent on an auto-tune heavy @TPAIN track. Thanks to the hook provided by @MrsLRCooper, I'm left feelin' like this track is pretty dope. It's got a real chill vibe to it and I'm giving a lot of the credit to Teddy Pain for evolving his style that was getting a little bit tired with his non-stop mix of auto-tune and in your face club tracks. Rarely do we a heartfelt ballad about sitting up waiting for the object of your affection.

This is probably going to serve as the lead single to his upcoming album RevolveR, which is slated to come out sometime by the end of 2011. Shouts out @RealWizKhalifa on the mini-verse at the end with the iPhone shout out...as if the girl would be out her damn mind for charging her Droid...smh. I'm playin'! I've got an iPhone and was more than a little elated today when this hit the iTunes store today. Forgive me in advance for mobile blogging y'all...#boutTimeGoogle

T-Pain feat Lily Allen & Wiz Khalifa - 5 O'Clock

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

"No Album to My Name and I’m Already Hot, You Can Say I’m Pre-heated"

In an effort to build the buzz heading into his debut album's release on September 27th, @JColeNC is taking over Sundays. His plan is to keep his music on your iTunes playlists, so that when Cole World: The Sideline Story hits the shelves, you'll think about all that free music he's been handing out of late. You won't find the track below on his new album, but you better believe it's album worthy, as it featured both verses and production from Cole himself.

Anybody else get a Nintendo vibe from the beat on this track? It's head nod worthy, but what makes it stand out are those old school synthesizers. Like straight up Contra, you feel me?

Man Contra plus Super Techmo Bowl was my youth in a nutshell. Three more weekends til Cole's masterpiece finally makes it out of the oven. It's hard to say whether it will compete with The R.E.D. Album and Watch the Throne, but what I do know is that it should tide me over til Take Care and most likely be better than the medicore Carter 4. Only real question is, is it worth driving an hour to pay homage on a Wednesday night?...#WellSeeHowGoodTheAlbumIs

J Cole - Heavy

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Kem is Grown and Sexy

Man it's been a while since I heard @kem_intimacy's grown and sexy ballad Share My Life. The track and Kem's Intimacy album has been out about a year now, but when I woke up to the track below as my radio alarm on Sunday, it was such a calm, peaceful way to start the day that I couldn't help but have a good day. Straight up, dude is the modern day Teddy Pendergrass and epitomizes what my twenty-something generation refers to as grown and sexy music.


"Older, mature yet hip; something that is for a more mature group of people"

Somethin' like Earth, Wind and Fire or Isley Brothers...anything that a girl in their 20s wouldn't look at you like "No way you're puttin' that on and gettin' in these jeans" (#ginuwineVoice). In other words, somethin' so classic that it plays even with the younger ladies. In short, G&S music walks a tenuous line with young women and is usually a tool only used by the confident, audacious male types, but to be fair, in the end your chances are probably more contingent on your level of game.

I digress, but real talk, if you don't have game and you're still tryin' to impress a girl, learn the lyrics to this track for the pillowtalk move, slow dance style. Lord knows this has been on my BMM playlist for quite a while, but hearing it when I woke up this weekend reminded me just how much I loved this track. I'm givin' it the classic stamp, it's reached that level of legitimacy...which rhymes with Intimacy...cop that!

Kem - Share My Life
|iTunes

Monday, September 05, 2011

New Bei Maejor - Till We Get it Right

It's been a lil bit since I've heard a smooth ballad from @beimaejor. I'm hopeful that this and his newest single with @JColeNC will mean that a major label debut is soon to follow, but it seems like the mixtape route is his favorite and most traveled route. In case you missed it, he's already released a mixtape, Throwback and he's got another one on tap, maejorMaejor.

I'm guessing the track below will surface on his upcoming maejorMaejor mixtape, but that's only speculation. Either way I'm sure he'll keep it USD and hopefully keep the new material coming...

Bei Maejor - Till We Get it Right

Sunday, September 04, 2011

"I'm Spendin' Money Like a Rich White Girl"

Kinda crazy how far @pusha_t has come relevance wise in the past year. Sure, anyone familiar with Hip Hop has always admired Push from his work with Clipse, but for years mainstream success and attention were elusive to the talented lyricist. Then came along @kanyewest who put some faith in Pusha in signing him to G.O.O.D. music, which then parlayed into a Def Jam co-sign this week. Yea that's a lot of important, distinguished Hip Hop folks putting faith in you and you abilities...

The track below will presumably serve as the second single off I'm Yo Pusha's sophmore solo album, Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray, due out September 27th. Feelin' Myself is more of a mid-tempo, for the radio track with a quality beat from @ThaBizness and an equally solid hook from @kevincossom. It's a stark contrast from his no holds barred lead single with @fucktyler, but will provide a needed diversity to his upcoming release. I'm digging the video too, feel free to peruse either and keep an eye out for that high profile G.O.O.D./Def Jam release in late Sept.
Pusha T feat Kevin Cossom - Feelin' Myself (prod by Tha Bizness)

Saturday, September 03, 2011

You Ever Made Love Thru the Speakers?

Y'all know by now that I'm a huge buyer of anything @KEVINCOSSOM is affiliated with. I can see why all the top producers hand him over beats to create demos because he's got a knack for creating high energy tracks. His newest one below is no exception as he teamed up with @MrBangladesh for an all out assault on your speakers. Put it this way, if this were making love through speakers, baby girl would wake up with a limp the next day. Know what I'm sayin?

#808Check in this b i atcha, mind the corny, repetitive sample on this track and give the speakers some room to breathe...

Kevin Cossom - Make Love Thru the Speakers (prod by Bangladesh)

Friday, September 02, 2011

Videos of the Week

Lots of good stuff below including Adele shutting down the VMAs with her superb vocal performance of Someone Like You...
Adele Performs Someone Like You at VMAs (Best Performance)
Yelawolf - No Hands (Video)

How in the hell did Tyler, the Creator win best new artist over Wiz Khalifa & Big Sean?

J.R. Rotem Producing Nicki Minaj's New Single Fly

Nicki Minaj feat Rihanna - Fly (Video)

Wale feat Jeremiah & Rick Ross - That Way (Video)

Neon Hitch - Gucci, Gucci (Kreayshawn cover) (Video)

Thursday, September 01, 2011

"Oooh Sometimes I Get a BAD Feeling"

Dammit @official_flo! You were so close to what could have been the dopest lead single off any album in 2011, but it looks like the unofficial version of the track where you *borrowed* DJ @Avicii's Levels beat was too good to be true. Hey Atlantic Records, how about throwing Avicii a bone and hashing out a compromise the way Leona Lewis did with him? I'm betting the settlement included throwing him a couple racks on racks on racks, but Leona is (presumably) getting to use the version she's already released.

Memo to Atlantic Records, hopefully you've crunched the numbers on the ROI for the original vs the diluted, official version because you had an absolute gem on the original beat. Was the goal to change it just enough so that it didn't sound too much like the original beat? That way DJ Avicii would have less of a plagiarism complaint right? Maybe so, but lengthening out the sample a little bit and absolutely watering down the beat with a bland synths is like bull dozing a rain forest with beautiful exotic plants so that you can plant corn. Yes, the corn will sell because the masses will eat anything made of corn (Flo Rida on a dance track), but what you had was a top 10 single of 2011. Settling for less is like stealing a car, replacing the engine with something that has less horsepower, changing the paint job so that it looks different, then selling it for the same price it was worth when you stole it. Check the original version below in case you missed it...

Flo Rida - Good Feeling (Original with DJ Avicii beat)
In an all or nothing world, being semi-shady and going safe after being ballsy leaves the door open for criticism, which is the reason for this post. No, I don't know why the track was ultimately changed and I'd love to hear the extenuating circumstances behind the decision to change it, but all I've got to go on are my theories discussed above. I dunno about you, but I'm going to continue to ignore the version below and pretend like it never happened. Buyer beware, I'd give a listen to the original before settling for the recycled, manufactured garbage they're going to try and sell you on iTunes and in the club. #DoTheRightThingAtlanticPayAvicii

Flo Rida - Good Feeling (Official Final Version)
|iTunes

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