Videos of the Week September 1st

This week's top five was relatively cut and dried thanks to the VMAs and a new Taylor Swift video. Despite the fact that everyone watched Game of Thrones over the VMAs, there were still plenty of noteworthy performances. It all starts and ends with Kendrick Lamar who never ceases to amaze when he's firing off bar after bar in front of hot flames. When we look back on 2017, Humble will without a doubt be in the top five of most noteworthy tracks. Speaking of noteworthy, big ups to Logic whose performance of 1-800-273-8255 inspired a 50% uptick in calls to the suicide prevention hotline. While a lot of artists donate money to causes, I have a lot more respect for those like Logic who can be change agents by attacking an underrated problem like depression head on. Rounding out the top three performances was Katy and Nicki's acrobat, basketball inspired performance of Swish Swish. It may be pop as hell, but I have a hard time tuning out that addictive beat.

Outside of the VMAs, Taylor Swift had the internet ablaze with her new Look What You Made Me Do video. You know it's a big deal when they use it as a lead in after commercials on the Megacast for OSU and Indiana. Through five days, the video already has 118 million views. There are few artists who can create a buzz like she can, that's for sure. And in case you needed a bit of humor with the overly music heavy top five, Colbert has your back. This week he decided to go through the roster of White House employees and anoint them all with doppelgangers. Was crazy how spot on many of them were, like the Jeff Dunham and The Simpsons comps 😂...#Colbert

Kendrick Lamar Performs DNA & Humble at the VMAs

Logic, Alessia Cara, Khalid Perform 1-800-273-8255 at the VMAs

Katy Perry & Nicki Minaj Perform Swish Swish at the VMAs

Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do (Video)

Colbert Creates White House Alter Egos Part III

Photo Credit: YouTube

"I Don't Wanna Die Today, I Don't Wanna Die"

Few artists truly appreciate and harness the power they have in their voice. It's easy to dismiss the messaging in a lot of Hip Hop tracks because "it goes hard" or "it's dope", but for every ignorant Hip Hop track there are inspirational tracks like Logic's 1-800-273-8255. What's the significance of the phone number you ask? Well, that's the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that Logic decided to make the song title in hope that it would make a difference in someone's life. Before you listen to the track, please watch his explanation of the story he told on the track.



The use of different perspectives on the song escaped me the first few listens, but given the amount of impact it could have on people, it's genius. Chances are we'll all find ourselves in one of the roles he detailed in the track either fending off our own thoughts or helping someone else step back from the edge. I gotta admit, I'm extremely impressed by the amount of thought and care Logic poured into the creation of this track. He's truly setting the bar how to use your voice as a positive weapon in the fight for social good. For those wanting to support Logic and his pursuit to help Everybody, you can do that by grabbing a copy of his album when it drops tomorrow...#18002738255

Logic feat Alessia Cara & Khalid - 1-800-273-8255

"All You Have To Do Is Stay a Minute"

Match Zedd up with any talented vocalist and it'll be a sure hit. I could rattle off a laundry list off past stellar collabos like Selena Gomez, Matthew Koma, Ryan Tedder, Ellie Goulding, and Jon Bellion to name a few. While you're at it, might as well add in one more to that list in Alessia Cara. Who is she you ask? You might recognize her latest single Scars To Your Beautiful?

At this point, whether you recognize her or not is irrelevant because she's going to keep making music like below that will force you to get to know her on a first name basis. Stay is a vocal driven ballad with just enough electronic influence to get you nodding along. I really dig the computerized, Daft-Punk-ish vocal overlay on the hook. It's a fun track and one that I'll be rooting for as it makes its foray into the blender of Top 40. Check it on iTunes or Spotify if you feel so inclined...#Stay

Zedd feat Alessia Cara - Stay