Videos of the Week February 12th

Was it me or did all the news this week in music center around Beyonce and Kanye? While it was tempting to post snippets of Kanye's Madison Square Garden album launch fashion show, it was much better consumed live. Instead, let's pivot to Beyonce who is hilariously being threatened to be banned from Canada. Anyone who saw the Super Bowl performance was probably inspired by the aggressive and controlled demeanor of Queen B. The same description could be given to her real video for Formation where she steams ahead, proudly proclaiming Black Pride.

It's hard to follow that type of video, but if you haven't heard of Parson James, here's another example why he's going to be a household name soon enough. The dude is such a talented vocalist, there's no denying it. Word it has it Zoolander 2 comes out this weekend and it's receiving sub-part reviews. Along the same silly comedy lines, Peyton Manning and Magic Johnson played egg roulette on Fallon. Anytime you can see Hall of Fame athletes making a fool of themselves, it's going to be a good time. Speaking of making a fool of yourself, Kevin Hart is legitimately scared of reptiles. Not just little lizards, but also big snakes. In his words, "Snakes are racist!" Yea lots of laughs this week for sure...#Ophidiophobia

I forgot to post this video yesterday....I tried to conquer my fears!!! Shit didn't work, snakes can kiss my ... http://t.co/m3N0JzVRqc

— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) March 8, 2014

Beyonce - Formation (Video)

Parson James Performs Temple on Late Night With Seth Myers

Zoolander 2 (Extended Trailer)

Egg Russian Roulette With Peyton Manning and Magic Johnson on Fallon

Kevin Hart is Afraid of Snakes...Hilarity Ensues

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week January 22nd

For some reason, the majority of this week's collection of videos all have a serious undertone. From the rallying cry of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's promotional album video to the touching story of a mixed race kid growing up in the South in Parson James's video for a Sinner Like You to Odesza's haunting medieval visuals on It's Only video, there was plenty of emotional depth and serious messages delivered. Sometimes depth is contrived, but all three videos were really well executed and were successful is driving home their message.

On a less dramatic note, it was interesting to hear Obama give his take on Drake versus Kendrick Lamar. Fast forward to the 17:20 mark where the commander in chief explains why he'd give the nod to Kendrick over Drake if push came to shove. Can't disagree with the man, it's hard to go against K dot as a lyricist. Bringing up the rear both literally and metaphorically is Fallon's vocal impersonation of all the classic artists. Everyone from McCartney to Springsteen to MJ to Mick Jagger got some love and respect from the late night show star. By far, his best impersonation is McCartney, hands down...#Ham4Ham
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - This Unruly Mess I've Made (Promo Video)

Odesza feat Zyra - It's Only (Video)

Parson James - A Sinner Like You (Video)

YouTube Interview Where President Obama Says Kendrick > Drake

Jimmy Fallon Sings Hamilton Impersonating Bowie, McCartney, Springsteen, Mick Jagger, MJ, etc

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week January 15th

This week's top five is all about variety. There's a bit of Trop House, Hip Hop, Pop and even some mashed up alternative. Led by the editing insanity of The Usual Suspect on his use of 183 movies to mash together Linkin Park's In the End, there was some high end novelty potential this week. No idea how long it took for him to create that video, but the nearly two million views are well deserved. Coming in close behind is a much tamer, but equally awesome performance Stole the Show from Kygo and Parson James on Ellen. Sidebar - Kygo killed it last night in SF.

In the realm of Hip Hop, DJ Mustard and Travis Scott led the way with their booty shake inducing new one Whole Lotta Lovin'. Speaking of booty shaking, the final two videos offer plenty of dancing. 99 Souls video for The Girl is Mine is about as fun as it gets with creative editing and interesting transitions. The final video of the week from Miike Snow is about as interesting and outlandish as it gets from a plot perspective. Picture a Dr. Evil-esque villain who is experiencing some bit of sexuality confusion. Then, he falls for the secret agent that he captures and lives happily ever after as a same sex couple. Can't make that type of stuff up, you just have to watch...#GhengisKhan
Kygo Performs Stole the Show on Ellen

Linkin Park's In the End Sung by 183 Movies

DJ Mustard feat Travis Scott - Whole Lotta Lovin' (Video)

99 Souls feat Destiny's Child & Brandy - The Girl is Mine (Video)

Miike Snow - Ghengis Khan (Video)

Photo Credit

Take 'Em to Church Parson James!

Admittedly, I'm a sucker for soulful, choir-assisted gospel jams. As soon as the organ fires up and the harmony starts pouring in, I might as well be a hooked fish. In this case, Parson James is the vocalist leading the charge on an appropriately titled track, Charge. By now, it should be abundantly clear (in a Bruno Mars type of way) that Parson is going to be a super star. Counting the one below, he has at least three solid singles that will hopefully be leading up to a debut album. It's time for me to get out of the way and led Top 40 radio it's job of making him a household name...#ParsonJames

Parson James Steals the Show by Himself

Back in the day, you'd call a stripped down mix of a track the candle light version. That's the comparison I'd make for Parson James' solo version of Stole the Show sans labelmate Kygo. If you're in the mood for mellow, give it a listen below...

In the same way Aloe Blacc utilized Avicii to burst onto the scene, it looks like Parson James is spring boarding off the meteoric rise of Kygo. My point in saying that is not diminish the talent of two really talented vocalists, but it's to point out that I may not have gotten a chance to appreciate them had it not been for them initially riding the coat tails of the two world renowned DJs. However it came to be, I'm happy that it happened because I'm really looking forward to Parson's new solo album that is due out later this year...#StoleTheShow

"Why Don't You Wanna See, I'm a Sinner Like You"

Here's a great example of how one feature can set you up for a successful debut album. By now you're keenly aware for my affinity and also Apple's affinity for Kygo. His most recent single, Stole the Show, featured a vocalist by the name of Parson James. I really like that track, so when a new debut single called Sinner Like You from Parson flew by my neighborhood on the internet, I'm not biting. Before I get into why, give it a listen...

If you're into comparisons, I'm going to throw out Bruno Mars. Parson has a great voice and similar throwback delivery. The bluesy sound of the track meshes well with the soulfulness of his vocals on Sinner Like You. Simply put, the track has serious potential to do some damage on top 40 radio and you can count me in on those who are lining up to jump on Parson's bandwagon...#SinnerLikeYou

Videos of the Week May 8th

This week's top five is a bit EDM centric, but managed to be diverse. Led by new videos from Martin Garrix/Tiesto and Nero, it was fun to see visuals that captured the fun of The Only Way is Up and the intensity of The Thrill. We also had a Trop House sighting in the form of a new video for Sam Feldt's bubbly Show Me Love.

The clear standout of the week in my eyes was Kygo and Parson James's live cover of Tove Lo's Habits. I'm appreciating the stripped down piano work by Kygo because it shows more than just your average ability to manipulate electronic synthesizers. Add to that Parson James who absolutely knocked the vocals out of the park and you've got yourself a stunning cover. To wrap up the week, I had to include everyone's favorite new song performed on Fallon. Maybe I'm a bit late, but Fetty Wap seems to be the talk of Hip Hop lately...#TrapQueen
Martin Garrix & Tiesto - The Only Way is Up (Video)

Kygo & Parson James Cover Tove Lo's Habits on BBC 1 Radio Show

Nero - The Thrill (Video)

Sam Feldt - Show Me Love (Video)

Fetty Wap Performs Trap Queen on Fallon

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week March 27th

Simply put, it was a loaded week for dancing in music videos. Led by the quirky dancing astronaut, Kygo set the tone with the visuals for his new single Stole the Show. Following closely behind is Major Lazer and DJ Snake's Indian dance anthem Lean On. And then bringing up the rear is a nerdy, Napolean Dynamite style water dancing display put on in Martin Garrix and Usher's video for Don't Look Down. If you appreciate unique expression through movement, there's enough here to get you through the weekend.

Cutting the dancing madness is the trailer for the highly anticipated HBO show turned movie, Entourage. After watching a few seasons, I'm excited to see what they can do with a full length movie. Sure, there are cameos galore, but hopefully the plot of movie is as stellar as the TV show. Closing out the week is a sultry video from Jason Derulo where he shows off his skill set as both a dancer and a wild lover. Want To Want Me is such a catchy track and the visuals definitely did the song justice...#WantYouToWantMe
Kygo feat Parson James - Stole the Show (Video)

Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat MØ - Lean On (Video)

Martin Garrix feat Usher - Don't Look Down (Video)

Entourage Official Trailer

Jason Derulo - Want to Want Me (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

"It's Our Time To Go, But At Least We Stole the Show"

With the internet continuing to salivate over everything that is Kygo, it's a safe bet that the blogosphere is going to get shut down tonight with his new single Stole the Show. The track features vocals from Parson James and is more of a vocal ballad than a sweep-you-off-your-feet Trop House anthem. Don't get me wrong, it's plenty relaxing and catchy with the high pitched flutes reeling you in early, but it's not going to be retread without mercy like Firestone. The single is scheduled to hit your favorite e-store in about a week, just before he hits the stage to start his Spring festival rampage at Ultra Music Festival. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Kygo is the driving force behind Tropical House and however big he gets, Tropical House will get...#StoleTheShow

Kygo feat Parson James - Stole the Show