Videos of the Week Novmeber 3rd

Lots and lots of fun live performances in this week's top five. Leading the way in that category was Odesza who put together a stunning rendition of Line of Sight. Having recently seen them live, I appreciate how they adapted their amphitheater sound to a more intimate setting. Keeping with the late night vibe, Maroon 5 and SZA delivered a fun rendition of What Lovers Do on Fallon. I'll admit I haven't seen much of SZA, so to see her sing live gave me a better feel for massive ceiling as a vocalist. Rounding out the late night trio was Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) of Stranger Things spitting a fiery summary of season one. Having now plowed through the first two seasons, it was enlightening to see the more authentic, raw side of young Eleven.

Pivoting off late night slightly with The Roots in a slightly different context than usual on Fallon. If you've ever seen them perform classroom style on Fallon, then you won't be surprised at how well they handled the space constraints on Tiny Desk. And last, but always the best is a second episode from Odesza's A Moment Apart Tour. I've said it many times, but if you're a fan of electronic music and wish there was more authentic instrumentation mixed with the synthesizers, then Odesza is your answer...#AMomentApart

Odesza Performs Line of Sight on Kimmel

Maroon 5 feat SZA - What Lovers Do Performance on Fallon

Millie Bobby Brown Raps Stranger Things Season 1 Recap on Fallon

The Roots Tiny Desk Concert

Odesza - A Moment Apart Tour Episode 2

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week October 20th

Bit of a slow week for videos, but that didn't stop the top five from rolling along. Rather than post the usual suspects, I went a little off script this week including the likes of Thundercat's Tiny Desk bass brilliance and a long form interview of Chance the Rapper's manager Pat Corcoran. There's a whole lot of soul baked into Thundercat's music and that fact was on full display with his stripped down performance at NPR. If you haven't read up on Chance's unique come up that has defied traditional super stardom in music, there's plenty to unpack in the hour long interview detailing how it all went down.

In the latest example of music, culture, and brands mixing, look no further than ZHU's collabo with Adidas. I will admit, as long as it results in new music, you can try and sell me anything you want to attach to it. If some real music videos is what you're after, I've got an EDM and Hip Hop favorite for the week. Afrojack and Hardwell need no introduction and their latest video shows how much fun they're capable of having on stage and on tour together. Man being a DJ sure seems like a fun occupation. Don't leave out Hip Hop, though, there are plenty of perks to being able to flow on the mic. I've been listening to Redman and Method Man for the greater part of two decades now and it's refreshing to know they haven't lost a step over the years. If Time is Money is about as dope as it gets from Red and Meth...#WuTang

Thundercat Performs at NPR's Tiny Desk

Chance the Rapper's Manager (Pat Corcoran) Speaks on Chance's Come Up

ZHU - Waters of Monaco (Adidas Campaign Video)

Afrojack & Hardwell feat MC Ambush - Hands Up (Video)

Wu-Tang - If Time is Money (Fly Navigation) (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week September 8th

This week's top five was dominated by Odesza, which is no surprise considering their new A Moment Apart album just dropped today. With the album release this week came an album trailer and an unplugged in-studio performance of their music at a local Seattle affiliate KEXP. My goodness...if you don't get goosebumps listening to their unplugged version of Line of Sight around the 27:30 mark, then please stop reading. I haven't even done a full lap around the album and I'm already convinced it's somehow managing to be on par with their last incredible album.

If I were to pretend to forget about Odesza for a minute, I'd encourage you to check out the dope new Adidas and Von Miller co-signed effort from YG and Mike Will. Appropriately titled Heart of a Lion, the mix of studio cuts and weightlifting clips made for an impactful watch. Then there was the obligatory NPR Tiny Desk cameo of the week from Jidenna. Still seared into my memory from Moonlight was the scene of him rollin' in his candy colored lac bumping the screwed and chopped version of the track. The Tiny Desk version isn't quite a hard, but it gave a little more insight into the vocal abilities of Jidenna. And last, but never least, U2 came through with a decidedly anti-Trump rendition of Bullet in the Blue Sky on Fallon. It's not a huge surprise considering how openly political U2 and Bono are, but man they didn't mince words. If you're in need for an invigorating boost of rebellion, definitely give that one a watch...#BulletInTheBlueSky

YG and Mike Will Made-It Heart of a Lion Video for Von Miller's Adidas Commercial

Odesza Performing Music From a Moment Apart on KEXP

Video Teaser of Odesza's New A Moment Apart Album

Jidenna Performs Classic Man on NPR Tiny Desk

U2 Performs Bullet in the Blue Sky on Fallon

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week July 7th

This week we got another Tiny Desk highlight to go along with a few music videos and some obligatory novelty. I've posted quite a few of NPR's Tiny Desk videos, but you'd be hard pressed to find another one better than the one below. Of course Chance performed a poem that he wrote while driving to the NPR offices. Luckily he had some DC traffic because what resulted was a fun watch.

Moving along to music videos where Ke$ha made a triumphant return on Praying. She's been through a lot over the past few years and if her new single is any indication, she's doing a hell of a job channeling that emotion. On a similarly invigorating way, Run the Jewels new claymation roller coaster video for Don't Get Captured was unique. Spooky is the word that comes to mind, which fits the vibe of the track quite well. If comedy is what you're looking for then you may be interested in James Van Der Beek's new show "What Would Diplo Do?" I'll give it to him, it was bold to cast himself as Diplo, but we'll see if the mockumentary has more than a few silly laughs to carry the series.

And last, but not least, this week delivered a new trailer for a star-studded new Jumanji reboot. The cast definitely gets your attention with Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and The Rock leading the way, but it makes you wonder whether or not they will be able to pull off a serious plot like the original did. Maybe it'll be an upgraded version of the original with a huge dose of comedy added to the mystery. Maybe it'll be one huge, contrived cluster. We shall see, at least we have until Christmas to hold our judgment...#WelcomeToTheJungle
Chance the Rapper Performing Puts on a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR

Ke$ha - Praying (Video)

Run the Jewels - Don't Get Captured (Video)

Viceland - What Would Diplo Do? (Trailer)

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Trailer)

Photo Credit: NPR

Videos of the Week March 24th

Couple interesting story lines baked into this week's top five. The first being the ultra sexy, Willy Wonka colored video for Jason Derulo's Swalla. Needless to say, the lyrical innuendo on the track manifested itself as well as you could have hoped in the video. Next, let me introduce you to DJ Hanzel, the German alter ego of Dillon Francis. As entertaining as he is, you could imagine why TBS sought him out for his own One Deeper Talks series. There are now seven short episodes in the series and two of them made this week's top five. If you're a fan of tongue in cheek humor and EDM, these will be right up your alley.

Just in case you forgot there was still social turmoil across the US, Run the Jewels took the liberties to bring that to the forefront like only they know how. Let's just say there's a police lineup and all signs point toward it being a setup. And last, but not least, I'm ending this week's top five on a heartfelt note with Sampha's Tiny Desk performance. The dude can flat out sign and all he needs is a crowd and his piano to put on a show. Tip of the cap Sampha, you rocked that tiny desk and had us all on pins and needles...#TinyDesk

Jason Derulo feat Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign - Swalla (Video)

DJ Hanzel (Dillon Francis) Interviews Calvin Harris on One Deeper Talks

DJ Hanzel (Dillon Francis) Interviews Flosstradamus on One Deeper Talks

Run the Jewels - Legend Has It (Video)

Sampha Performs an NPR Tiny Desk Concert

Photo Credit - YouTube

Videos of the Week February 10th

Yet again this week, it was a thankless task narrowing down a top five videos. If there was one underlying theme this week it was the presence of soul. Starting with Chance the Rapper's video for Same Drugs where he delivers a duet with what can only be described as a muppet. Trippy video, but nonetheless, a stellar track. Then there was that time John Legend invited over Gallant so they could sings some songs acapella and answer questions with fans. Hate on Facebook live all you want, but if it leads to more intimate sessions like this, I'm all aboard.

Moving on with Run the Jewels who seemed to fill every nook and cranny of NPR's Tiny Desk space. You can't hate one bit on their ability to hold the crowd (regardless of size) in the palm of their hands, but I question whether the type of music they make is suited for the Tiny Desk setting. Don't get me wrong it was hella entertaining, but it was akin to watching two dudes practice rapping, which isn't the most interesting thing. The good news is, Stephen Colbert and John Oliver have all the interesting you need as they exchanged political humor and banter for a good ten minutes. And last, but certainly not fifth on the list, was Anderson .Paak's church choir fueled rendition of The Come Down. At this point it would be foolish to question how talented of a performer Anderson. Find me another artist in Hip Hop that can lead a choir while playing the drums and singing...#TheComeDown
Chance the Rapper - Same Drugs (Video)

John Legend and Gallant Perform Penthouse Floor and Overload on Facebook Live

Run the Jewels Tiny Desk Concert at NPR

Stephen Colbert Interviews John Oliver on The Late Show

Anderson .Paak Delivers a Gospel Performance of The Come Down

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week February 3rd

If only every week could be as hype as this week's top five. Performances were the name of the game this week, front to back. Led by the Rockin' 1000 people who congregated in Cesena, Italy to form the largest rock band on earth to perform Nirvana's classic, Smells Like Teen Spirit. I'll admit, I thought it was going to sound like a catastrophe of sound, but it delivered the goods. If you don't get hype seeing all those people with drum sets and electric guitars then you weren't watching the same video that I was.

Then NPR hosted both D.R.A.M. and Gallant for a couple Tiny Desk concerts. Both were impactful performances as I gained more respective for D.R.A.M. and became more convinced that Gallant is far and away the most dynamic singer in music right now. Simply put, you need to watch both. And while you're at it, give MGK and Camila Cabello's rendition of Bad Things a quick watch. The mix of a nostalgic classic with updated vocals and rap verses made for one of the more noteworthy collaborations over the past year. And last, but never ever least, here's yet another example of why Jon Bellion's live show is must see. On Fallon he led off his performance with an unreleased verse “Hall & Oates” over a live rendition of a J Dilla beat as a tribute to one of his idols. I've seen him perform All Time Low maybe 10 times now and every time he does it slightly different and adds in a new unique element. There's so much more to come from Jon B in 2017 and a performance on Fallon is a strong indicator of how widely his talent begin to be regarded...#AllTimeLow

Rockin' 1000 Performs Smells Like Teen Spirit

D.R.A.M. Performs Five Songs From NPR's Tiny Desk

Gallant Performs at NPR's Tiny Desk

Machine Gun Kelly and Camila Cabello Perform Bad Things on Ellen

Jon Bellion Performs J Dilla Tribute of All Time Low on Fallon

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week December 30th

In perfect 2016 fashion, I'm ending this year on a completely random, somewhat entertaining, yet slightly disappointing way. While I wouldn't characterize any of the following videos as must see, they all cater to a specific music demographic. If you're a diehard, music OG who supports artists who consistently put on stellar live shows, then you'll enjoy Bon Iver's BK warehouse and Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)'s Fallon performances. As a side note, it was heartwarming that Mos gave the NY folks a proper goodbye at the Apollo last week. I'm bummed to see him hanging up his mic, but he'll always be one of my favorite multi-dimensional performers.

If you're the type of person who geeks out over typical Hip Hop videos stocked with full-lambo tricks and video girls, then you'll appreciate Travis $cott's new video for Biebs in the Trap. Side note - watching Travis surprise his family with a new house was pretty cool. Continuing on, if you're the type who loves getting up on that new video everyone is watching then I need to introduce you to Moshow. He's a rapper/cat enthusiast who released an awesome new video promoting washing and adopting cats. Can't make that stuff up, you just have to watch. Finally, looking forward to 2017, Movie Pilot put together a two and a half minute movie trailer montage for all the films you're looking forward to in 2017. If you're a cliff notes type of person, this one is perfect for you. Happy new year y'all...#Welcome2017

Bon Iver Live at the Pioneer Works Warehouse in Brooklyn (presented by NPR)

Yasiin Bey Performs Seaside Panic Room and N.A.W. on Fallon

Travis $cott - Biebs in the Trap (Video)

Moshow Raps About Adopting Cats

2017 Epic Movie Trailers Montage

Photo Credit: Facebook

Videos of the Week October 31

Using the word interesting to describe this week's top 5 is an understatement. Starting with Jim Carrey's more than a little entertaining mockery of Matthew McConaughey's Lincoln commercial. That tiny little booger part had me rollin'! Then you've got actor Daniel Radcliffe proving that he's got flow and blowing us all away with the way he rocks a mic. Surprising is what I'd call the NPR sponsored a non-autotuned T-Pain tiny desk show. Random doesn't begin to explain the scenario, but I will say that his voice isn't as terrible as people make it out to be.

Rounding out the top 5 is Major Lazer's cartoon debut. I've always been a big fan of the Major and I'd be willing to put money on the show having the best music for an animated series. Last but not least is Calvin Harris's new single C.U.B.A. Open Wide. Yea, my reaction exactly, what happened to the original version of C.U.B.A.? Not that I'm complaining about Big Sean's presence on the track, it just threw me for a loop. Whatever the case, I'm still not sure I get the whole ballet dancer in the middle of a shoot out motif they were going for...#OpenWide
Jim Carrey's Parody of Matthew McConaghey's Lincoln Ad on SNL

Daniel Radcliffe Raps Blackalicious's Alphabet Aerobics

T-Pain Tiny Desk Concert Presented by NPR

Major Lazer Show Opening

Calvin Harris feat Big Sean - Open Wide (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube