Videos of the Week March 14th

Lots of variety to chew on for this week's top five videos. The best of which was BANKS video for Brain. The hauntingly seductive visuals matched the aura of the track perfectly. I really hope more people start catching on to her creativity as an artist.

Beyond that, Asher took a trip to the skating rink, showing a fun Indie side to his musical repertoire. Despite the terrible tragedy at SXSW this week, shows did go on and there was a tremendous amount of hype surrounding Kanye and Jay Z's performance. I'm a big fan of concert intros, which is why H.A.M. was my favorite of the amateur videos shot. If you're in the mood for a sexy workout video with plenty of hard bodies and washboard abs, you'll appreciate Trey Songz new one. Finally, I'm more than a little excited for James Brown's life story to be told on film. Mostly because Tate Taylor (director of The Help) is directing it, but also because James Brown is an interesting dude....#GetOnUp
BANKS - Brain (Video)

Asher Roth - Tangerine Girl (Video)

Kanye West & Jay Z Performing H.A.M. at SXSW

Trey Songz - Na Na (Video)

James Brown Biopic "Get On Up" (Trailer)


Photo Credit: YouTube

"Up in the Clouds, Me and My Spouse"

How do you continue the buzz on a classic album? Start accepting offers from Hall of Famers to drop verses on tracks that made the album what it was, an undeniable piece of Hip Hop art. On the original good kid, m.A.A.d city, the were three, count that three cameo verses on twelve tracks, which allowed a whole lot of real estate for Compton's Prince, @kendricklamar, to shine.

That's what made the album so special, he did it mostly by himself lyrically. You could argue that he did get a good deal of help production wise from the likes of @Pharrell, @Hit_Boy, @drdre, @SCOOPDEVILLE and @JustBlaze, but he didn't need to craft his narrative with flashy radio friendly hits and superstar cameo verses. It's admirable because he had his own formula that went counter to pop culture trends and he executed it flawlessly. The end result will eminently have a lasting impact on Hip Hop and influence the way a whole lot of upcoming artists go about trying to be successful in Hip Hop.

You may have caught it earlier this week, but @Young_Guru debuted the remix below a few days back in Austin with @JustBlaze by his side. That was before he performed to a capacity crowd at SXSW, further cementing his influence on music culture as a whole. In summary, I'll put it like this...when you add an @s_c_ verse and bridge old and new Hip Hop gap with two well respected artists that have never collaborated before, it's no surprise the the track has over 323,000 plays on Soundcloud in the first five hours...#TDE

Kendrick Lamar feat Jay-Z - B*tch Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix)

"You Know What We Doin', Whiskey For Communion Tonight"

All it takes is one big track to make a name for yourself in Hip Hop. Sure, it helps that your one big track features a legendary name like @justblaze. For me, that's what got me to sample it, name brand recognition. It's sad and sometimes I feel like a snob for doing it, but in a world where time is curren$y, folks like me who review music don't have the time to listen to everything. The best advice I can give to an aspiring artist is to get someone on your track that a lot of people know.

A cameo or feature will get your foot in the door enough to kick in wide open if you bring the heat like @MyNameCuey. This track reminds me a lot of one of my favorite hidden gems by @chrisyoungraps called Bottles of Fiji Water & a Beautiful Girl. It's got an infectious hook and a equally upbeat vibe on the beat brought to you by Just Blaze and @XpartysuppliesX. OnCue is everything his name says. He's able to go bar for bar on the verses and isn't doesn't sound out of characters singing his own hook.

For all of you hardcore fans who made it out to SXSW last week, you may have caught him performing throughout the week. Word has it he's got a new Just Blaze produced video for his song Kinda Late faeturing @mikeposner and @eightyocho. You can bet there's plenty more to come from one of BK's finest up and comers. Keep it locked here because this past week I just became a believer in all that is Cuey...#BoutToBlowUp

OnCue - New Religion (prod. by Party Supplies & Just Blaze)

Videos of the Week March 16th

Slightly Hip Hop heavy on my weekly video report this Friday. I found myself wondering more than once today why in the hell I wasn't at SXSW with all the other sane minded individuals who enjoy music for a living and don't have an 8 to 5. With the music portion about half way through, there have been videos sprinkling in like @BIGKRIT's performance of The Vent. Surely there will be more to come, but until then there's plenty of other commercial videos to tide you over...#HappyStPattysDay

Wale feat Rick Ross & Meek Mill - Ambition (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. - The Vent (Live at SXSW)

B.O.B - So Good (Trailer)

J Cole feat Missy Elliot - Nobody's Perfect (Video)

Classic Reebok Campaign With Tyga & Mike Posner

GIVERS - Up Up Up In The Clouds

I'm 2 weeks removed from my adventures in Austin for SXSW, and there is one band that I can't stop thinking about, and that's a band called GIVERS. As an intro to them as a band, check out their interview at this year's SXSW by John Norris (via Noisevox) where he discusses their recent signing to Glassnote Records and upcoming album.

@giversmusic are from Lafayette, Louisiana, which makes sense in hindsight, as they have an eclectic mix of influences that only certain areas of the country can provide naturally. From afro-beat, to pop, to folk, this band has it covered, and they mesh it together ever-so-nicely.

GIVERS - Up, Up, Up
|Download

Their big break came when famed indie band, Dirty Projectors, invited them to open for their Baton Rouge show. GIVERS must have made quite the impression, as they soon found themselves opening for Dirty Projectors the rest of the tour.

It's no surprise to me now after having seen them, as their talent is glaring, and their energy is incomparable. I was so blown away by what I had seen, that I, literally, sprinted across town upon hearing that they'd be performing again within the hour.

They provide you with that remarkable feeling, where between songs, in amazement, you look to the person next to you and say, "Wow!". So if you get the chance, I highly recommend that you do anything you can to see these guys in person, you won't be disappointed!

GIVERS - In My Eyes
|Download