"I Got That Boom Boom Baby Bring the Bass"

Despite never seeing any of the Pitch Perfect movies, I'm a bit of a closet Anna Kendrick Stan. Mad respect for her talent as an actress, singer, and just about everything else she decides to do. In case you missed it, the third rendition of Pitch Perfect dropped this week. The reviews may not be living up to previous versions, but the good news is there are a few noteworthy tracks that found their way onto the soundtrack.

The most noteworthy of those new tracks is Iggy Azalea and Zedd's collabo. Boom Boom is as energetic and in-your-face as you'd expect for a song landing on a Pitch Perfect Soundtrack. Armed with plenty of sass from Iggy and a vibrant beat from Zedd, there's plenty to sink your teeth into. Sure it's as pop as can be, but the EDM twist implored me to give it a second listen. Check it and a whole lot of songs from the movie on iTunes or Spotify if you're as curious as I was...#PitchPerfect3



Iggy Azalea & Zedd - Boom Boom

"Get Low, Get Low, Hands on Your Waist Let's Go"

Summer must be in full swing because the EDM heavyweights are turning up the heat with new singles. Enter Zedd who just unleashed a new one with Liam Payne today. Get Low is about as feel good and addicting as you would expect from a new track from Zedd. The cover art above typifies the vibe of the track with a sunny summer feel permeating the track. It's a little too perfect to get more than a week's worth of love on GWDJ Favorites, but it's going to be a fun week ahead with this new one leading the way. Head on over to the normal outlets if you're pumped about the bright ray of sunshine below...#GetLow



Zedd feat Liam Payne - Get Low

"All You Have To Do Is Stay a Minute"

Match Zedd up with any talented vocalist and it'll be a sure hit. I could rattle off a laundry list off past stellar collabos like Selena Gomez, Matthew Koma, Ryan Tedder, Ellie Goulding, and Jon Bellion to name a few. While you're at it, might as well add in one more to that list in Alessia Cara. Who is she you ask? You might recognize her latest single Scars To Your Beautiful?

At this point, whether you recognize her or not is irrelevant because she's going to keep making music like below that will force you to get to know her on a first name basis. Stay is a vocal driven ballad with just enough electronic influence to get you nodding along. I really dig the computerized, Daft-Punk-ish vocal overlay on the hook. It's a fun track and one that I'll be rooting for as it makes its foray into the blender of Top 40. Check it on iTunes or Spotify if you feel so inclined...#Stay

Zedd feat Alessia Cara - Stay

Zedd Takes His Turn Remixing Let Me Love You

Is it me or does it feel like everyone has remixed DJ Snake and Bieber's Let Me Love You? I posted the Marshmello remix last week and that was following Tiesto's After Hours mix. Luckily for us, the folks over at Your EDM put together a nice list with Spotify links to check out all at once and pick a favorite.

Now it's Zedd's turn to add to the pool of remixes and let's just say he made his mark. Quirky doesn't do justice to the excitable chord progression that ensues post-drop. It's a jumpy, energetic blend of happy chaos. If you're a fan of Zedd, you'll nerd out over this one. Me? I'm still trying to wrap my head around the craziness, but I appreciate the hell out of it's uniqueness...#LetMeLoveYou

Justin Bieber - Let Me Love You (Zedd Remix)

Videos of the Week November 4th

This week's top five was a nearly even split between late night performances and actual music videos. Led by the politically charged of Black America Again by Common and BJ the Chicago Kid on Fallon, there was a solid dose of drama. If you're looking for silly then look no further than Colbert and Run the Jewels crafting a new Halloween anthem that will make the parents blush. On second thought, it was more outlandish than anything, but RTJ spit some hot fire while Colbert did his best to be cater to the straight edged demographic.

In the world of real music, Cudi released a new video for Surfin' with Pharrell despite still being on the mental mend. The video was a lot more celebratory than his last, but shared the same low budget, trippy forest vibe. Then we got another reminder of why Anderson .Paak is the peoples' choice for best new artist. So much funk when that man graces a mic! And of course, last, but not least, Zedd came through with what I'd characterize as one of the most unique performances I've seen in a while. Performing his track Ignite, he started with a live orchestra, then proceeded to finish the track in the center of a 3D box. The folks at the Staples Center are lucky to have witnessed such a fresh rendition of the track, but audio and visual wise...#Ignite
Common and BJ the Chicago Kid Perform Black America Again on Fallon

Run the Jewels Perform the Halloween Wiggle on Colbert

Kid Cudi feat Pharrell - Surfin' (Video)

Anderson .Paak - Come Down (Video)

Zedd Performs Ignite with an orchesta at the Staples Center

Photo Credit: YouTube

Zedd's League of Legends Theme is Lit

It's pretty crazy how massive E-gaming has become around the world. For one, it wasn't until recently that I learned there are dedicated play-by-play people who call the League of Legends World Championships battles. Here's a snippet of how it all goes down in a video that showcases a few stories that inspired the new track below...
Pretty cool to see neutral people calling battles who are so in-tune and know all the players and teams by name. And what's even better is how Zedd stepped up with Tim James to create a theme for the latest World Championship. Stylistically, it's as thumping and melodic as you'd expect. There's a palpable thump that leads the tempo, balancing out the mellow vocals and soft initial build up. I'm not a gamer, but that isn't stopping me from appreciating everything about this track...#Ignite

Zedd and Grey Get the Juices Flowing on Adrenaline

Seeing that I've made it my daily hobby to categorize and reflect on music, I've found that giving context to place and mood of where I'd listen to a track is important. For example, Zedd's new single with Grey would be a perfect fit for my latest workout playlist. It has a consistently energetic rhythm and even when the beat seems to take a minute to breathe, it's right back in your face. That's what I love about Adrenaline, which as a side note is a perfect name for the track. It'll get you going and provide the spark needed to ignite a party if that's what you're looking for. Whether it's listening to it during a run tomorrow morning or a party I'm hosting this weekend, you can bet the track below will be invited to join...#Adrenaline

Zedd & Grey - Adrenaline

Videos of the Week April 1st

All in all, it was an eclectic mix of videos this week. There wasn't a real discernible pattern to the top five, just a bunch of randomness, which is fun if you're in the mood. Leading the way was the internet bending Ariana Grande video for Dangerous Woman. That video needs no intro if you're a guy as you may find some enjoyment in seeing Ariana in lingerie for about four minutes straight. A natural segue from that video is to another woman who is equally sexy, Jennifer Lopez. She, on the other hand, is clothed for the entirety of the video, but her and James Corden had a lot of fun singing karaoke and texting Leo DiCaprio.

If Hip Hop and animation is what you're after, you'll enjoy the more than a little weird double video for Big Grams' Born to Shine and Run for Your Life. Simply put, nobody does weird like Adult Swim. Moving on to the world of live performances where Zedd and Aloe Blacc performed their latest hit Candyman on GMA. The horns section with Zedd on the keys was definitely a good look. And rounding out the top five was a new gem from Skylar Grey in the form of Moving Mountains. I'm not used to hearing her sing over acoustic guitar, but that's not a problem when you've got her voice...#MovingMountains
Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman (Video)

Jennifer Lopez & James Corden Carpool Karaoke

Big Grams + Run the Jewels - Born to Shine/Run for your Life

Zedd & Aloe Blacc Perform Candyman on Good Morning America

Skylar Grey - Moving Mountains (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Zedd & Aloe Blacc's Candyman Remake Feels So Good

As much as I find it incredibly annoying that corporate America is now treating EDM like their new best friend all the sudden, I'm going to choose to spin it in a positive light. At least we get more new music, right? And not just new music, an awesome new collaboration between two artists at the top of their respective games. Before I get into the who and what, give a listen to Sammy Davis Jr's cover of the original M&M's theme song The Candy Man...

Suffice to say you probably remember Sammy's jingle above or the original from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. What I can promise you is that Zedd and Aloe Blacc's new cover of Candyman sounds nothing like those versions. In fact, the Future Bass vibe of the new version is undeniably catchy. Aloe's vocals bring the soul necessary to do justice to Sammy's cover and the bright, bouncy post-drop release is a perfect example of how electronic music is becoming more accessible by the day. Despite the corporate ties, I can't but help get all caught up in the awesomeness of this new one...#Candyman

Zedd & Aloe Blacc - Candyman

Videos of the Week December 14

A bit of an EDM heavy top five this week with new videos from a couple formidable duos leading the way. First, you've got the tremendously weird quasi-animated Set Me Free video from Dillon Francis and Martin Garrix. Can't say I've ever seen anything like that or if it's a good or bad thing. For more of a down to earth display of music, Zedd and Selena have your back with their energetic performance of I Want You to Know at Jingle Ball. Rounding out the EDM vibe was The Chainsmokers Roses Uber edition. Couldn't have picked a more fun duo to set the tone for that type of activity.

In non-electronic new, there was a blast from my childhood with the Independence Day 2 trailer. Conspicuously missing was Will Smith, which takes the excitement down a few notches, but I'll remain cautiously optimistic until Rotten Tomatoes tells me whether it's worth seeing. And last, but far from least was Kygo's performance of Firestone at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. The sheer fact that Trop House made it to that type of award event is mind boggling. Kudos to Kygo for continuing to do amazing things...#Kygo
Dillon Francis & Martin Garrix - Set Me Free (Video)

Zedd & Selena Gomez Perform I Want You to Know at Jingle Ball 2015

The Chainsmokers - Roses (Uber Edition)

Independence Day Resurgence (Trailer)

Kygo Performs Firestone at Nobel Peace Prize Concert

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week July 12th

An overall fun week for videos with Major Lazer clearly leading the way with two more videos for tracks from Peace is the Mission. They have their own awesome graphical style for lyric videos that really works for them. When you can do that good of a job with animation, who needs a high budget video with high paid actors?

In other news, Zedd's Beautiful Now video leans more on the serious side, but the uplifting visuals were appreciated. If you're a fan of the NFL Bad Lip Reading, then you'll get a kick out of Jimmy Fallon's Celebrity Whispers. Who knew it could also be fun when you do it with celebrities on the red carpet? Closing out the week in a strong way is Cal from Timeflies who stepped up his #TimefliesTuesday game this week when he tackled OMI/Felix Jaehn's Cheerleader and Fetty Wap's Trap Queen. Freestyling on command is a unique talent and Cal does it effortlessly, which is fun to watch...#Cheerleader
Zedd feat Jon Bellion - Beautiful Now (Video)

Major Lazer feat Chronixx - Blaze Up the Fire (Video)

Major Lazer feat Nyla - Light it Up (Lyric Video)

Jimmy Fallon's Celebrity Whispers

Cal of Timeflies Takes on Cheerleader/Trap Queen (Freestyle)
Photo Credit: YouTube

"You're Never Too Young to Die"

Now that Hip Hop/EDM collaborations are becoming more and more frequent, I'm gaining a greater appreciation for the ones that are done well. By done well, I mean you can tell there isn't a verse by a Hip Hop artist pasted on top of some synthesizers haphazardly. If you're looking for a benchmark for fluid, extremely well executed cross-genre collaborations, Zedd's new track sets the bar for just that. Press play below for context.

Not only does the beat reel you in from the start, there's an excellent vocal presence on the track provided by the X Ambassadors. The track would have been just fine with the X Ambassadors harmonizing over the beat, but Logic's lyrical gymnastics took it to another level. I'd call it a deadly trifecta because it has everything from the cross-genre novelty to a great hook. If you're eager to cop the track it will surface on Zedd's new album, True Colors, in a week's time. By my count, the album already has three really solid singles, which elevates it to purchase worthy status...#TrueColors

Videos of the Week March 13th

The top five this week range from haunting to hilarious to happy. Starting with the haunting, it appears Kanye has landed on Anonymous's sh*t list. That doesn't seem like a very fun place to be in a time where cyber security is more of a myth than an actual thing these days. They have some interesting moral high ground points in pointing out the choices he's made in speaking out against people and choosing, then supporting his now wife Kim Kardashian (sidebar: she's not getting linked, she gets linked enough). We'll see if anything real comes of this, but there are unconfirmed rumors that his laptop was stolen in Paris...the plot thickens.

Picking up with the hilarious, Mikey Bolts came through with a stellar vocal performance of Uptown Funk where he channels his inner Family Guy. If you're in the mood for happy, I don't see how Kygo's Firestone could possible NOT cheer you up. I still have yet to push next when listening to that song, it's nothing short of classic. Also on the hPhe lovebird collaboration between Zedd and Selena Gomez. I'll put it this way, I wasn't unhappy watching Selena dance around in the video. Serving as nice exclamation point on the week is Kendrick Lamar's freestyle over Notorious B.I.G. beats. So cool seeing some fresh lyricism over beats that I grew up with...#ToPimpAButterfly

Kygo feat Conrad Sewell - Firestone (Video)

Mikey Bolts Delivers Uptown Funk Family Guy Style

Anonymous Delivers a Message to Kanye West

Zedd feat Selena Gomez - I Want You to Know (Video)

Kendrick Lamar Freestyles to Biggie Beats

Photo Credit: YouTube

"I Want You To Know That It's Our Time"

Well isn't this the most adorable collaboration know to EDM? Fresh off news that Zedd and Selena Gomez are now a "thing", here comes an official single from the dynamic duo. After a long countdown that was highlighted by a lot of tweets and then a snippet, I Want You to Know has officially landed on iTunes.

The track is gift wrapped for top 40 featuring a made-for-radio hook that is about as east to remember as the alphabet and a chord progression that is as soothing as it gets for EDM. In general, it stays true to form for what you'd expect from Zedd. Aside from the fact that gossip mags will eat this collabo up, the two seem to compliment each others' style quite well. Despite coming from different neighborhoods of contemporary pop, their combination of vocals and soothing synths seem to be a match made in heaven. It's a little too poppy to get more than a few listens on my weekly playlist, but if you're a fan of easy-listening electronic music, this one has your name written all over it...#IWantYouToKnow

Videos of the Week January 9th

It was a super diverse and entertaining week for videos all around. Led by the very artsy, somewhat sexually controversial video for Sia's Elastic Heart featuring the talented Maddie Ziegler and Shia LeBeouf. I'll admit, I was drawn to it because it was so out there, but I was a bit weirded out by the sensual touching between the 28 yr old and the 12 year old. I kept reminding myself it was acting, but if Sia thought people would interpret that as her two opposing alter egos, then she's sorely mistaken.

In other news Jimmy Fallon and Nicole Kidman almost dated...until Jimmy evidently blew it. The Human Serviette came through with yet another awe inspiring interview, this time surprising Zedd from the characteristically detailed stalking. If you've never seen an artist go through their own YouTube comments, Wiz Khalifa would be a good one to start with. Happy to see him take it in stride with equal amounts of humor and not giving a crap. Finally, in case you hadn't laughed enough, Funny or Die came through with an awesome trailer for the new Chris Bosh movie, Tall Justice 2. Yep, it's just as much of a mockery as you'd expect...#TallJustice2
Sia - Elastic Heart (Video feat Shia LaBeouf & Maddie Ziegler)

Jimmy Fallon Blew a Chance to Date Nicole Kidman

Nardwuar Interviews Zedd

Wiz Khalifa Reads and Responds to YouTube Comments

Chris Bosh Stars in Funny or Die's Tall Justice 2

Image Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week December 19th

Definitely an EDM heavy top five this week with Avicii's The Nights video leading the way. The video is a great anecdote for how music videos can be great tools for increasing excitement about song. The unbridled, live life to the fullest vibe of the song fits like a glove with the extreme sports driven visuals. In comparison, Madeon's new video for You're On is a bit more of a futuristic story. The mix of special effects and subtle branding make for an intriguing story.

For those who need a dose of crazy, you'll enjoy the fun mix of tribal and Hip Hop dancing in Skrillex's new video for Dirty Vibe. If you want some interesting content that will give you a bit more background on Zedd. It's crazy how these behind the scenes documentaries are about the only way we can see just how talented some of these EDM artists are. Last but definitely not least is another Jimmy Fallon/Justin Timberlake skit. This time they are teenage kids at summer camp who just want to sing a little Third Eye Blind. That's all I got y'all catch ya on the flip side after Christmas...#TheNights
Avicii - The Nights (Video)

Madeon feat Kyan - You're On (Video)

Skrillex With Diplo, CL, & G-Dragon – Dirty Vibe (Video)

Zedd Moment of Clarity Documentary

Camp Winnipesaukee w/ Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week November 21

Following a similar trend from last week, the top 5 features a healthy mix of Hip Hip and EDM with a splash of Fallon. The splash of Fallon came with the help of the legendary Roots crew as they did their best U2 impression. It must be nice to have the talent on board to cover for U2 when they cancel on you last minute. Most late night shows would be up a creek, but for Fallon it's an opportunity to channel his inner Bono.Update: Get well soon Bono.

On the EDM front, the TommorrowWorld After Movie clearly led the way. Thirteen minutes plus of festival highlights with all the colors, fireworks, and dancing had me hooked. Kudos to Absolut for the sponsored remix video of Magic!'s addicting track Rude that was redone by Zedd. Switching gears to Hip Hop, B.O.B. and Trey Songz finally came through with some visuals for their subtly cocky anthem Not For Long. They make a mean team when they get together. And last but definitely not least, Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson gave us all an in-your-face dose of throwback funk. I'm quite happy that everything from the outfits to the dancing matched the throwback sentiment of the track...#UptownFunk
Jimmy Fallon Playing Desire as U2

Tomorrow World After Movie

Bruno Mars feat Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk (Video)

Magic! - Rude (Zedd Remix) (Video)

B.O.B. feat Trey Songz - Not For Long (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week August 15th

With the NFL season on the horizon, this week has a bit of a football theme with The Manning Brothers' Fantasy Football Hip Hop commercial leading the way. Was it me or did Broadway Joe play to his stereotype a bit too comfortably when he was feeling up on that woman mid-way through the video? On an even less serious note, how bout that super, extravagant Madden commercial? It shares the same silliness as The Manning video, but with a little bit more crazy. I don't even play Madden anymore, but that video got me pumped.

In other news, Fences new video with Macklemore is an entertaining and artsy watch. David Guetta put together a perfectly Western video for Lovers of the Sun. And last, but certainly not least, Ariana Grande is in fact decent looking and it's not everyday you see her shoot rockets out of her ta-tas...#Madden15
Peyton & Eli Manning Fantasy Football Hip Hop Video

FENCES feat Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Arrows (Video)

Ariana Grande feat Zedd - Break Free (Video)

David Guetta - Lovers of the Sun (Video)

Madden NFL 15 Madden Season (feat Kevin Hart and Dave Franco)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week March 21st

There's little doubt which video gets the top spot this week. Whoever you are Jesse Hill, you deserve some love for finding a way to creatively express Beyonce's Drunk in Love through iOS Emojis. Aside from that, Zedd and Chromeo came through with some new visuals that were both entertaining in their own ways. I did appreciate the fun wedding story in Chromeo's new one for Jealous (I Ain't With It). You better believe I'm gonna be pressing F5 on the internet until the studio version of Drake's new one Call on Me drops. As a solid bookend to the week, Jimmy Fallon came through with an entertaining parody of the First Kiss video...#FirstLick
Zedd - Find You (Video)

Chromeo - Jealous (I Aint With It) (Video)

Beyonce's Drunk in Love Emoji Video

Drake Premieres New Song Call on Me

Jimmy Fallon Parodies First Kiss Video With First Lick

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week February 14th Valentines Day

Man, what an eventful week. You had severe weather wreaking havoc on the east coast and causing teachers to rap about school closings. You had the end of Jimmy Fallon's late late night chapter in favor of his new tonight show gig. What better way to close a chapter than a collabo with The Muppets on The Band's The Weight. And of course today is also Valentines Day, so hopefully you did something equally as creative as Timeflies did by cracking open a package of candy hearts and using them to fuel a freestyle. I have mad respect for artists who can freestyle off the brain like Cal (from Timeflies) and Chiddy (from Chiddy Bang). Also threw in the obligatory weekly EDM video featuring the beautiful and talented Hayley Williams of Paramore. And who could resist posting a new one from a dude who probably has more game in his left pinky than 90% of males on earth. Such an inspirational track! Have a good V-day y'all...#VDay2014
Mike Posner - My Light (Video)

Durham Academy Announces Snow Day

Zedd feat Hayley Williams - Stay the Night (Video)

Timeflies Tuesday - All You Need is Love (Video)

Jimmy Fallon Sings The Weight with The Muppets on his Last Show


Photo Credit: YouTube