Those of you itching for a new Pharrell album may feel like a new album is long overdue. The good news is he, Shay Haley, and his main squeezes Chad Hugo just rolled out a bouncy new single with Rihanna, so there's a chance your itch may be scratched with Lemon. Between the speaker rattling bass, swaggy raps, and quirky samples, the track is pretty damn catchy. I can't say with complete confidence that this means a new album from N.E.R.D. is on the way, but the rumors are abound. The mysterious No_One Ever Really Dies posters is the strongest indication of an album name I can offer...
New school funk that compares to retro funk of decades past is hard to find theses days. That's why I jumped up out my seat when I heard Kenna's new one Relations. The Chad Hugo produced beat showcases 80s synthesizers that compliment a funkadelic beat. The sheer fact that the word relations is used speaks to its throwback nature. Check the original below for reference...
Don't expect the remix below to be markedly different, but do pay attention to the Childish Gambino verse. With his new Because the Internet album due out in a month, he seems to be rounding into tip top lyrical shape with the bars he let loose on the remix below. Do me a favor and throw this on the next mix cd you burn your dad (does anybody still burn cds? maybe cloud it to him?). You heard it here first folks, your parents might even enjoy this one...#Relations
A while back @macmiller tweeted that he was working on multiple records with @Pharrell for his new Pink Slime EP. Knowing the way artists talk about collaborations, it's always safe to take a wait and see approach so that you don't get excited for an album that is infinitely delayed (see Detox). Nonetheless, the announcement which had the Hip Hop blogosphere excited and hopeful that more tracks like On a Roll would surface.
After this week, it seems like things are coming together nicely for the new EP. Not only did Mac let loose with the second Pharrell featured track, Glow, he also confirmed the EP is almost ready to come out of the oven.
What's most refreshing about Glow is the glistening, bouncy, yet unmistakable Neptunes sound that escapes from the beat. Skateboard P gets the production credit, but somewhere @ChadHugo is smiling from ear to ear doing his ghost-producer thing. Doesn't really matter who in the end gets the production credit, what's most important is realizing that Mac And P have developed some serious chemistry together in the studio. Call it similar alternative Hip Hop visions or just an on some other shit type of attitude, they see eye to eye, which shows musically and has me looking forward to some #PinkSlime...
Mac Miller - Glow (prod by Pharrell)
|iTunes
So is this supposed to mean that since Dr. Dre used his new high tech HP Envy Laptop to remaster his "supposed" first single Under Pressure (off Detox) that Detox is imminent and coming soon? Sidebar: What is that retractable face covering in the commercial that looks like some sort of storm trooper sunglasses with a cup shaped breathable mouth region? Also, does that come with the laptop? I'm just saying, if I'm going to make an informed purchase of a laptop that is over $1,000, I need to know the capabilities of this robotic Dr. Dre beat mask and whether or not they are included in the price of the laptop. If they are included, will they contribute to my digital mixing skills? Finally, would mixing goggles or beat facemask be appropriate names for this apparatus and if not, can I still buy them separately to wear when I'm not mixing and in a social setting?
Retractable beat mask aside, like all good things that are too good to be true, I'm gonna assume the role of devil's advocate hater and point back to that Coors Light commercial he did that spotlighted the immaculate beat from the "supposed" Detox reference track The Next Level made with the help of The Neptunes (@chadhugo & Skateboard P). Remember when he did this beat and everyone hopped on the "OMG Detox is coming" bandwagon in 2007. See below...
But, what if it is true that this is another step toward the album and first single? Well, this is what Dr. Dre posted on his website about the unfinished leak of Under Pressure.
Adding more drama to the story, Scott Storch who co-produced Under Pressure with the good doctor, said
"Dr. Dre was looking for the right hook for the single Under Pressure" and now "the hook is now ready and chosen." - Source
Honestly, I'll be happy if I still like Hip Hop music in 50 years when Detox is finally released...til then it'll continue to be the lock ness monster of Hip Hop. For real though if he includes finished versions of The Next Level with Snoop and Under Pressure with Jay-Z on Detox, it's over with...Hip Hop will have a King and I will would fully watch a 1 hour special anoiting him that, even if it doesn't involve any free agency. With these "hypothetical" lead tracks, I really don't think the momentum for his album could get any unstoppable...wait a minute...
I'll let that marinade for a bit for all my hatinass friends who look down on my loyal @justinbieber support...
Y'all hadn't forgot about Pharrell, Chad Hugo and gang had you? Well just in case the answer to that was yes, here comes a not so subtle reminder of their ability to create booty shakin' basslines that can coax even the most introverted wallflower to get on up on the dancefloor.
This is the first single off N.E.R.D.'s new album titled Nothing and everyone's favorite Timbo protege Nelly Furtado came along for the ride. Nothing too complicated about this track as the name does the track justice with an upbeat, fun, dance-worthy beat that blends into a simple, repeatable chorus. You know how in the summertime you go get ice cream and get those ice cream cones that are dipped in chocolate? Well this one is dipped in straight FUNK!
Always had an appreciation for N.E.R.D. in that they can pull off the live music, instrument driven Hip Hop that doesn't sound out of place...it just sounds fresh. For me it's fresh in small doses because I have to be in the mood to listen to their music due to it's in-your-face intensity. For the time being though, I'm in the mood for this...and you will be too...once you hear it on the dancefloor.
