Videos of the Week January 1st

This week's top five kicks of 2016 in an interesting fashion. Before moving full speed ahead into the New Year, give Mashup Germany's seven minute, 53 song mashup put a nice bow on 2015. Such a great time capsule that will serve as an easy way to go back to a lot of mental bookmarks. And for those of you now starting to experience winter after a warm January, check out Ja Rule reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Why include this on VOTW? Well why not, I can't think of anything more random.

In the land of new music, Skrillex came through with some visuals for his new remix of his own song Stranger. If eye candy is what you're after, imagine for a minute Selena Gomez stalking you. Yea that's not the worst visual and the video reflects that sentiment. And last, but not least a slighty NSFW video for Kendrick Lamar's latest short film, God is Gangsta, contains two of the tracks (u and For Sale) of To Pimp a Butterfly. If the song lyrics don't make you think about some things, then the video sure will...#GodIsGangsta
Mashup Germany's Top of the Pops (Year End Video)

Ja Rule Reads How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Video)

Skrillex - Stranger (Skrillex Remix with Tennyson & White Sea) (Video)

Selena Gomez - Hands to Myself (Video)

Kendrick Lamar - God is Gangsta (video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week October 9th

This week was a downright exciting mix of videos. There was no rhyme, reason or discernible pattern to the top five, but on the flip side that created an awesome variety. Leading the way was Sam Smith's new video for the upcoming James Bond Spectre theme. The mix of clips from the movie, orchestral instrumentation and of course, Sam's stellar vocals created a dramatic aesthetic. Along similar lines was Kygo and Ella Henderson's BBC Radio 1 live cover of Taylor Swift's Wildest Dreams. Love Kygo on the piano live and you'd be hard pressed to convince me that the original is much better than the cover.

And just in case the first two videos delve too much into real life, Skrillex went all anime with the help of California based visual artist Roboto. I've always loved Ease My Mind, so it's cool to see it finally get a visual story attached to it. If you're a fan for really out-there festivals, you'll enjoy the behind the scenes look at the Gathering of the Juggalos. It was interesting to hear Flosstradamus's take on the gathering as a whole being more communal than they thought it would be. Of course last but not even close to the least, there's the dangerous and underrated-ly beautiful Ronda Rousey. I really hope she and Floyd "Woman beater" Mayweather get a chance to have it out at some point. Until then, I'm going to continue to try and reconcile how someone so physically threatening could be anywhere near that attractive...#Rousey
Sam Smith - Writings on the Wall (Video)

Flosstradamus Visits the Gathering of the Juggalos

Skrillex Ease My Mind (Video)

Kygo & Ella Henderson Cover Taylor Swift's Wildest Dreams

Ronda Rousey Speaks on Floyd Mayweather Beef and Dresses Scantily

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week September 25th

A whole lot of randomness this week with a few late night highlights leading the way. First let me say thank you to Radio 1 for continuing to surprise us with interesting cover versions of tracks. First it was Sam Smith and Disclosure covering Drake, not Chvrches covering Bieber. Any time songs are able to be reimagined in a live setting by talented people, we all win. Speaking of we all win, how bout Bernie Sanders' prospects of being elected. We all wish he were getting more press, so I would have been remiss if I hadn't included Colbert's promo for his show this week (#FeelTheBern).

In other news, I appreciated the vibrant augmented reality style of Tiesto and Don Diablo's new video for Chemicals. I'm having a really hard time moving on from the track, which isn't a bad thing. Also, did anyone get a bit nostalgic with the Keenan and Kel Good Burger throwback skit? Yea, it was pretty stupid humor at the time, but it succeeded in making me reminisce. And last, but definitely not least, who else is pumped for the Angry Birds movie? As a recovered Angry Birds perfectionist, I'll admit to being skeptical of it being able to be translated into a movie. Then I noticed Danny McBride, Jason Sudeikis, Bill Hader and Key were all voices in the movie and excitement prevailed. Let's just hope the script lives up to the hype...#AngryBirdsMovie
Tiesto & Don Diablo - Chemicals (Video)

Keenan and Kel Reunite for Good Burger Sketch on Fallon

Chvrches Covers Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean?”

Stephen Colbert Puts Everyone on Bern Notice

Angry Birds Movie Teaser Trailer

Image Credit: YouTube

Sam Smith & Disclosure Cover Drake's Hotline Bling

I'm struggling with a bit of an existential crisis tonight as a result of the video below. By now you're all keenly aware of my affinity for both Drake and Sam Smith, so you're most likely nodding your head in empathy for what I'm going through right now. Then, you throw in a Disclosure cameo on the production just for good measure and the result is a more than a little tough to process.

I'll put it this way, it didn't matter what the end result was of Sam and Disclosure's cover of Hotline Bling, there's no possible way it was going to live up to my expectations. Full disclosure (no pun intended), I wasn't a huge fan of the original version of Hotline Bling, so the cover was already set up to fail. Given, it was a live cover, which requires a good amount of prep and thought, but the lounge feel on the instrumental was a bit vanilla. Sure, Sam brought his usual sweet vocals, but it was missing the punch and exclamation that he usually brings to songs. Let's just call this one interesting and move on, cool?...#HotlineBling

Photo Credit: YouTube

"No One Can Love Me Like You Do, It's Automatic"

Just in case you weren't already intrigued by the mythical being that goes by the name of ZHU, here's a fresh new reason to pique your curiosity. The track already had enough hype leading up to its release, but having BBC Radio 1 premiere it tonight too the hype to another level. It helps that Automatic features UK's own AlunaGeorge, but in all honesty, it didn't need any hometown love to jettison the new single to success.

If you're a fan of ZHU's swanky, womp womp sound with sultry vocals, this will resonate with you. The low pitched vocal samples serve as a watermark on ZHU's sound and Aluna's soothing high-pitched vocals contrast well. My favorite part of the track was the beat break down around the three minute mark that was highlighted by a saxy ride out. Word has it this will be one of many tracks released by ZHU as part of his Genesis Series. It will feature the likes of Skrillex, Bone Thugs and A-Trak, so feel free and hop on the excited bus and keep F5ing the internet until a release date is posted...#Automatic

Zhu feat AlunaGeorge - Automatic