As if OWSLA wasn't already dominating EDM already, they're now going to churn out more house music. You wouldn't normally associate Skrillex with house music, but he's proven time and again to be a quite capable of making any music he sets his mind to. Like for example his new collabo with Habstrakt off the upcoming HOWSLA compilation. It's has the quirkiness you'd expect, but the non-stop energy and pace of Chicken Soup is addicting. It breaks the normal build up and drop formula with steady, thumping beat that is offset with simple, quick vocals. If the goal was to open up listeners' imagination and get away from the type of music you'd normally hear from the OWSLA, then I'd say mission accomplished...#ChickenSoup
It may sound like I'm complaining, but there's no real downside to getting more new music from one of the standout DJs in EDM right now. What you can expect on Hyperreal is an upbeat House vibe with just enough quirkiness that it sounds like something Flume would put out. Kucka's light, airy vocals mesh well over the smooth, rolling bassline. I would go as far to say it's in my top five favorite tracks in the Skin collection, but it's a chill track that's more than worthy of a few listens...#Hyperreal
Only in a made up, happy Zelda music world can we all collectively imagine three EDM bosses like marshmello, Skrillex, and Slushii graduating from high school together. Moving On is a shameless nostalgia play using moving onto college as an apropos analogy that fits in nicely with the vibe of the track. It might be the most play dough soft EDM imaginable, but damn is it easy to listen to. Everything from the heavy bounce to the video game synths aligns perfectly with everything we've heard thus far from mello. Consider it a nice light snack with added novelty if you're in the market for a new motivational anthem...#MovingOn
This week's top five was unique in that it starts and ends with Jimmy Kimmel's monologue about the birth of his newborn son. If you don't get at least a little choked up over hearing the sadness in his voice over feeling helpless about the situation as a whole, then you need to check yourself. His story aside, I appreciated his story and how it directly relates the the healthcare bills that are being mulled over by the House this week. Let's just hope the listened and make the right decision, ultimately.
Aside from Kimmel's impactful story, there were a few videos in Hip Hop that had the internet collective pressing play over and over again. J Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only documentary was previously released via other outlets like HBO, but this week it got put on YouTube for consumption from the masses. The word real comes to mind when watching him go to the various cities in the South and hear stories from the people trying to make it through the day-to-day. Watching the documentary and then transitioning to DJ Khaled's star studded video for I'm the One was about as stark of a difference as you'll get in VOTW. Needless to say, everything about it was tried and true Hip Hop from the video girls to the pool parties to the immaculately trimmed hedges.
Making sure EDM got their contribution for the week was Gryffin and Illenium's Feel Good. The video is cool and all, but that candlelight version that features Daya's stunning vocals is officially where it's at. Speaking of where it's at, it wouldn't be a complete week without at least a few shennanigans. This time it came from Fallon's crew who put together a minute long mash up of Star Wars characters singing Smash Mouth's classic, All Star. It's kitchy, but it delivers the entertainment value you'd expect from a novelty like that...#AllStarWars
Jimmy Kimmel Monologue About His Son's Heart Condition
J Cole - 4 Your Eyez Only Documentary
DJ Khaled feat Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne - I'm On One (Video)
Gryffin & Illenium feat Daya - Feel Good (Video)
Fallon Mashes Up Smash Mouth's All Star With Star Wars Movies
Few artists truly appreciate and harness the power they have in their voice. It's easy to dismiss the messaging in a lot of Hip Hop tracks because "it goes hard" or "it's dope", but for every ignorant Hip Hop track there are inspirational tracks like Logic's 1-800-273-8255. What's the significance of the phone number you ask? Well, that's the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that Logic decided to make the song title in hope that it would make a difference in someone's life. Before you listen to the track, please watch his explanation of the story he told on the track.
The use of different perspectives on the song escaped me the first few listens, but given the amount of impact it could have on people, it's genius. Chances are we'll all find ourselves in one of the roles he detailed in the track either fending off our own thoughts or helping someone else step back from the edge. I gotta admit, I'm extremely impressed by the amount of thought and care Logic poured into the creation of this track. He's truly setting the bar how to use your voice as a positive weapon in the fight for social good. For those wanting to support Logic and his pursuit to help Everybody, you can do that by grabbing a copy of his album when it drops tomorrow...#18002738255
Few things excite me more than reading "new single off RL Grime album that he's been working on for the better part of two years." Reims is every bit the thunderous trap anthem you'd hope for from someone who has stretched and pulled the genre of EDM to its limits. Like most things Henry touches, it's more controlled chaos than disorganized noise. There's an ebb and flow to the track that comes off as theatrical and dramatic the more you listen. At points you may find yourself waiting for the excitement on the track, but the gradual build makes it all worth it. I'll put it this way, if you like tracks like Scylla and Always, you're going to enjoy the direction of his new one below. Cop it at the usual outlets if you're as pumped as I am about his new one...#Reims
If there's one thing I look to from Kill Paris, it's funky electronica. Knowing that, his new single, where r u, was literally music to my ears. It ventures off the beaten path a bit toward a more experimental sound, but what you get are a succession of interesting changes in tempo. Take for example around the 1:04 mark where the beat shifts into this downward spiral of dopeness out of the blue. If you're keeping score at home, where r u is the second single off his upcoming Awakening EP. Oh, and if you'll be near Philly, DC, or the West Coast over the next month, you might want to see if he'll be in your area. In other words, I'll see some of you in Sactown on the 19th...#LookingFowardToIt
Last week was one star studded collaboration after another. This week is starting out on the same note with a massive collection of talent in the form of Another Life. It'll probably get buried in the lede, but Ester Dean's contribution to the track is what I geeked out on the most. She's been a part of some big songs, but for me her demo tracks going back as far as a decade were what really impressed me. It's more of a made for radio instrumental than a party starter, but Ester's vocals are what you'll end up remembering. Honorable mention goes to the burst of emotion on the drop by two of the best in EDM. If you're a Sci-Fi fan, you'll appreciate the animated, 3D depiction of the track below. Even better, they put the Radio Mix of the track on Spotify. Plenty of ways enjoy this one, so pick your favorite outlet...#AnotherLife
Afrojack & David Guetta feat Ester Dean - Another Life
Last week there were rumors of a Kygo and Ellie Goulding collabo. This week those rumors and for a lot of fans, wishes, came to fruition in the form of First Time. It may not have the ceiling that It Ain't Me had, but you really can't go wrong with Ellie's raspy vocals over a smooth Kygo beat. I will admit that I was sucked in more by the repeat-ability of the lyrics than the beat, which isn't normal for a Kygo track. It didn't have quite the tropical flair of past beats, but it probably didn't need to with Ellie steering the ship the right direction. Don't get me wrong, it's a solid track that's sure to make waves due to the sheer star power and novelty of the collaboration, but it's not my favorite. Maybe you'll like it me than me, but I'm on to the next one, staying optimistic that he'll find a way to navigate around anything resembling a sophomore slump...#FirstTime
A few months back I posted a warning shot from an up and comer named Whethan. Well, it didn't take him long to hit his stride because his new one with Charli XCX is bangin'! On first listen the edgy guitar riff caught my attention. The more I listen to it, the more I appreciate how Charli's soft vocals contrast with the heavy beat and stop and go tempo. The icing on the cake was that soothing chord progression around the two minute mark that invites you to come closer before smacking you in the face with another drop. Lucky for us, there are more than one free way to enjoy this one below. Enjoy picking a favorite below or head on over to iTunes or Spotify if you're already sold...#LoveGang
This week's top five hit a wide range of emotions from serious to quirky to feel good to funny. Leading the way was Kygo and Selena Gomez's video for It Ain't Me. Neither artist star in the video and to be blunt, the story it told was much deeper and sadder than I imagined when listen to the track. Maybe it's the Trop House vibe or the sultry vocals, but I did not picture that tragic of a tale.
Moving on from the sad to a much more adorable, quirky story from Cashmere Cat. Let's just say the colorful instrumental matched the odd story quite well. If you're as geeked as I am about Big Boi's re-emergence, you'll enjoy his funk filled performance of Mic Jack on Fallon. Sticking with a positive vibe was Jeremih, Chris Brown, and Big Sean's colorful, dance heavy visuals for I Think of You. You had to imagine any video with Chris Brown was going to include some dancing. And last but not least some awkward, yet always on point humor from Jon Oliver. Can't make up some of the stories he tells, which makes it even more awesome that they're usually all true...#JonOliver
You may remember back on Tuesday night when I gushed about Odesza's first new single since 2014, Line of Sight. Well, they weren't done releasing new music because less than 24 hours later, they let loose Late Night. I'm not going to mince words regarding a favorite between the two because if you read my post earlier this week, Late Night came in a distant second.
BUT...that doesn't take anything away from their smooth, ethereal new one below. It has a high pitched, chant-like vocal sample, vibrant synths, and a steady pace led by a somber guitar chord progression. All of it adds up to what you'd expect from the Seattle duo and make you appreciate that their years long hiatus is finally coming to an end. Remember when I mentioned going to Red Rocks to watch them perform all this new music in about a month? Well, I've listened to their new music so much over the past 48 hours that I decided to pull the trigger on tickets. See y'all in Morrison over Memorial Day weekend...#LateNight
Lately, Gorillaz have been killing it. They did everything they could to drum up excitement for months leading the release of new music and since then they've withstood all that hype by continuing to release exciting music. Adding to all that hype are artist like ZHU who took a recent release of theirs and flipped it into his own dark, deep house concoction. The original version of Andromeda features everyone's new favorite rapper D.R.A.M. and is memorable because of its theatrical, stop and go pace.
What I like most about ZHU's remix of the original is how well he amplified the "where it all goes down" vocal sample over his own beat. I didn't realize how awesome the original sample was until ZHU repeated it a few times and put it over his own beat. It's a testament to his ability to take great music and truly put his own mark on it by translating it to his own style. I probably don't need to tell you this if you're a Gorillaz fan, but they recently put out another new single with Rag‘n’Bone Man, Zebra Katz, and RAY BLK. Like much of their new music, The Apprentice an interesting concoction of styles all wrapped up in one track. Their new album, Humanz, will be dropping this Friday, so cheers to getting to unwrap that end of week present...#Humanz
Saying it was all worth the wait doesn't do justice to how excited I was to hear the full version of Line of Sight. Nothing against Late Night, but Line of Sight has already catapulted itself to near the top of my favorite all time Odesza tracks. It comes equipped with vibrant chords, soothing vocals, and a vocal sample that will beg you to chant along. Credit WYNNE and Mansionair for helping raise the instrumental goodness to heights it wouldn't have been able to reach alone. I just finished my fifth lap around the track and I'm going to do a couple more for good measure. Needless to say this is making my attendance at Red Rocks in about a month a damn near lock at this point...#LineOfSight
This is starting to sound like a broken record, but Alan Walker is on such a roll right now, he seemingly can do no harm. Take for example his latest remix of Bruno Mars' That's What I Like. The remix comes armed with the vocal swagger of the original, but add in a soothing chord progression and an ever-so-gentle drop. It finds a way to be chill and uplifting at all once with a few delightful high notes sprinkled in to accentuate Bruno's growing excitement throughout the track. It's not going to shut down the club or anything, but it succeeds in its ability to take an already likeable track up another notch. Give it some love on iTunes or Spotify if you're as smitten as I am...#ThatsWhatILike
Bruno Mars - That's What I Like (Alan Walker Remix)
Continuing the Hip Hop momentum this week with a new one from Adam Levine and Big Boi. Few lyricists can match the buttery smooth delivery of Daddy Fat Sacks when he's on and you better believe he brought his A game on this one. Similar to the way he seamlessly integrated with the funky sound of Phantogram with Big Grams, his cruise control flow blended quite well with Adam's stellar hook. Don't get it twisted, this guy is headed to the top of Top 40, but there's enough funk baked into the beat that it's far from formulaic.
The word on the streets is Big Boi has a new album on the horizon. For those keeping score at home, Boomiverse would be his third full length album (not counting Big Grams). If that's old news to you, then you've probably already heard the other track he released along with Mic Jack, Kill Jill. Hearing Jeezy and Killer Mike on a track with Big Boi was definitely a breath of fresh air. Not sure what exactly "Coming Soon" means, but it's a safe guess that by the end of 2017 we'll have a new disc full of tracks to dig in on from one of the best in Hip Hop...#MicJack
It's taken a few singles, but I'm starting to warm up to D.R.A.M. As bubble-gum laden as Broccoli was, it was still addicting af and was impossible to ignore. But that was only the start as his new one with Juicy J and A$AP Rocky will remind you a lot of the Three Six Mafia when you listen to it. Off top you get hit in the face with a heavy, rolling bass-line followed by "mafia" chants. I get that a hook is supposed to be catchy, but the repetition on Gilligan runs dangerously close to being annoying. Still, that doesn't take anything away from the heat that Juicy and A$AP bring on their verses. The track below continues the trend of new, exciting Hip Hop that's doing it's best to re-ignite my affinity for Hip Hop that has been dormant for a few years. Cop it in iTunes or Spotify if you're in need of a strip club quality banger...#Gilligan
This week's top five skewed heavy toward Hip Hop. Led by Kendrick Lamar's Don Cheadle assisted video for DNA and Nicki Minaj's England themed video for No Frauds, this week started on a high note. That high note continued when Lil Dicky and his smokin' hot co-star of Pillow Talking, Taylor Misiak, did a full 40 minutes on Facebook live. On it they touched on lots of the video themes, as well as tremendously personal things like whether they want to have kids and potential concerns around having kids. I'll leave it at that and let you watch for yourself.
On a more unique, novelty tip Hans Zimmer did some pretty cool live orchestra stuff at Coachella. Luckily someone filmed a full nine minutes of the performance for those of us who weren't lucky enough to attend. And rounding out the top five was a one of a kind interview with 2D and Murdoc Niccals of Gorillaz. Seems pretty run of the mill until you realize they're animated characters who are on camera giving an interview. Those of you who are Gorillaz fans, permission to nerd out...#Gorillaz
Kendrick Lamar - DNA (Video)
Nicki Minaj feat Lil Wayne & Drake - No Frauds (Video)
Lil Dicky Answers Questions About the Pillow Talking Video
Hans Zimmer Performance Coachella
Live 2D Conversation with 2D and Murdoc from Gorillaz
It doesn't get more dramatic and theatrical than a Hollywood themed duo from Lana Del Rey and The Weeknd. Picture both crooning back and forth for four and a half minutes. Nothing but pillowy soft vocals focused on appreciating the little things in life is what you can expect on Lust for Life. It's the title track on Lana's upcoming Lust for Life album that will presumably be hitting iTunes in the coming months. It's not very often I post a serious, hardcore ballad like this, so I'm going to appreciate it for filling the void of ballads on this week's playlist...#LustForLife
Remember that time TLC hit up Snoop Dogg for a comeback single? Wait...what? TLC is back?? Obviously, they're back sans Left Eye (#RIPLeftEye), but nonetheless the duo of T-Boz and Chilli getting back together to make music came out of the blue. Before I get into the music, give it a listen...
Way Back succeeds in it's ability to drum up the nostalgia of 1990s R&B. Honestly, it was a bit more ghetto and heavy than I expected. The bumpin' beat and at times edgy lyrics hit the mark on getting your attention. Part of me wonders if the lyrics were written prior to Prince passing away too. It'll be interesting to see how the comeback effort progresses, but their new one definitely piqued my curiosity...#WayBack
There's a sub-genre of chill EDM that is continuing to expand by the minute. Take for example, A R I Z O N A's new one, Electric Touch. It's an upbeat, almost Trop House sounding track that's as bubbly as it is easy-listening. It's the latest single off their upcoming Gallery album that will be hitting iTunes on May 19th. If you're looking for music to latch onto from them I'd recommend either Oceans Away or Let Me Touch Your Fire. Both live in that sweet spot of Indie electronica if you're a fan of that type of music. Keep it locked for at least one or two more singles from them over the past month leading up to their album release...#ElectricTouch
It's getting tough to create interesting beat these days with so many people having access to limitless amounts of technology. Now that every imaginable sample has been synthesized, it's harder to stand out, especially in EDM. But, don't lose all hope optimistic listener, just press play below on SNBRN's new one. Show Me features a production assist from Coyote Kisses and plenty of pops and clangs to keep you on your toes. It's part tribal, part chill, and 100% dope. The sample is simple enough to add a bit of personality, but the drop around the 48 second mark is what'll keep you coming back from more. The gentle ebb and flow throughout the track is interesting enough to keep you on your toes for a full three an a half minutes. Before you track down a copy of this one on the usual outlets, give it an up-vote on hypem if you feel so inclined to support the artists for putting the fresh new one below...#ShowMe
One thing I really geek out over is when artists known for producing EDM flip the script and turn out a track that makes you re-evaluate the range of music they're capable of making. Case in point, Cazzette's new one Handful of Gold. It's a feel-good ballad that hardly sounds anything like EDM, but it's an amazingly unique song. When listening for the first time, I waited for the formulaic drop and didn't get it, but instead was rewarded with this unexpectedly heavy horn progression followed by an airy guitar riff. Sure, JONES vocals are perfect for the track, but this is truly one of those standout instrumentals that succeed in taking the listener on an adventure across the wide spectrum of emotion. There's some heartfelt vibes, some excitability, even a touch of inspiration in the mix. You want the definition of standout track in electronic music? It's this because it makes you question whether or not it should even be considered EDM, yet you really like it. I'd say I'm impressed, but you already know that by now, so iTunes or Spotify if you're with me...#HandfulOfGold
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a big fan of Linkin Park's evolution as a group. I've already gushed about Heavy and Battle Symphony, but now you can add one more to that list of favorites from their upcoming One More Light album. Good Goodbye has a hell of a 1, 2, 3 punch of Mike Shinoda, Pusha T, and Stormzy chipping in thoughtful, intense verses in between a Chester B hook. The end result is a Hip Hop sounding ballad, but thanks to the talent of the lyricists, it succeeds in it's about to tell a forceful tail of turning a page and moving on. Interesting to see Stormzy continuing to garner to notch features on tracks too. Something tells me it's only the beginning of his career trajectory. Linkin Park's new one is out in about a month on May 19th and as you can tell by the multiple posts lately, it's shaping up to be a hell of an album...#GoodGoodbye
This week was a special week in that it brought with it a clear candidate for video. Unsurprisingly, Lil Dicky was the mastermind behind the near 11 minute short movie that ended up being the crown jewel of this week's top five. I can't even really do justice trying to describe it, but I will warn that the first minute or so has a bit of nudity, so be mindful of the NSFW tag. Let's just say the video is a slow paced, non-linear train of thought style conversation that will take your imagination and sense of humor on a roller coaster of emotion. There's literally too much comedy gold in there, so feel free and reference the lyric Genius link as you watch.
On a whole different top four list, there was a slew of new music videos that were worthy of note. Let by Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar's haunting, CGI infused video for Goosebumps and Wale and G-Eazy's new spiffy visuals for Fashion week, Hip Hop ruled the roost on the music tip. An honorable mention goes to Major Lazer, Nicki Minaj, and PARTYNEXTDOOR for their house party with FaceTime themed video for Run Up. Closing out this week's top five was The Chainsmokers who made their SNL debut last weekend. Playing a small, quaint venue like Studio 8H isn't exactly what they're used to, but they found a way to deliver a solid performance. They won't be mistaken as rock stars stage presence wise, but Drew especially is coming into his own vocally, which is fun to watch. I for one am stoked to see them live in a few weeks when they come to Bill Graham. I'll see y'all there...#MemoriesDoNotOpen
The beauty about Baauer's experimental style is that it always keeps you on your toes. One song he may be clanging pans together, while other's he may be out in nature recording obscure live nature sounds. It's truly a mystery box any time we get the opportunity to unwrap one of his creations.
The original was quiet, dramatic, and methodical, but Baauer's remix took a decidedly different course. Instead, the measured pace went double time, producing a Dancehall quality, booty shake anthem. It's not quiet as heavy as a lot of his other creations, but man is it a fun dance track. You have 100% permission to wild out and twerk to this new #banger.
Flume feat Kucka - Numb and Getting Colder (Baauer Remix)
After a couple laps around The Chainsmokers new album, I think I'm ready to start declaring favorites. Unsurprisingly it's a track that I immediately gravitated toward due to Jhene Aiko's name being attached to it. Her distinct, sultry vocals have made many an appearance in this hood of the internet. On Wake Up, she plays the star role, alternating between verses and a repeatable hook. To their credit, Alex and Drew did their part to let Jhene shine while providing enough bounce on the beat to get listeners nodding along.
What really stuck with me, though, was the ending of the track. Since when did The Chainsmokers get into screwed and chopped beats?!?! Tip of the cap to Robert Davis and color me intrigued as hell that they'd mix that into their music. There's no doubt there will be a few more posts from Memories...Do Not Open before it's all said and done. At this point, you'd have to make a concerted effort to avoid hearing their new album with all the publicity they're getting these days. Over the past year they've attracted a lot of haters, but I'm proud of how far they've come and I hope they're finding ways to navigate their newfound fame...#MemoriesDoNotOpen
Admittedly, I have a thing for Indie tracks flipped into melodic house remixes. Many times I've openly appreciated how The Chainsmokers for introducing me to the likes of Tove Lo and Anna of the North through their remixes. Now that they're off and rolling making their own music, I've been in need of someone to step up and fill that void.
Well hello Gryffin! It's no secret he's been on my short list of breakout artists for 2017 and this new remix of Sigrid's Don't Kill My Vibe only fuels the fire of that hot take. For reference, check the original...
It's a solid, vocal driven ballad on its own, but when you add in a few mellow drops, it becomes infinitely more likeable. The remix isn't a huge departure from the original, but the vibe much more ethereal. Follow me on over to Spotify to give this one a few spins...#DontKillMyVibe
Hope y'all are ready because this whole Frank Ocean comeback is now in fully effect. We got a few warning shots with his recent Calvin Harristrack and his latest buzzy single Chanel. As a side note, neither of those tracks moved the needle much for me, but Biking is heading the right direction.
On his new one, he enlisted the help of this guy you may know named Shawn Carter and his former Odd Future band mate, Tyler, the Creator. The first half of the track is more or less a long, meandering intro leading into a chill, guitar-led beat. Those hoping for a lights out, hot sixteen can continue waiting or fast forward to Tyler's verse around the three minute mark. Speaking of verses, what the hell was that last thirty seconds of the track? To me, it sounded like loud gibberish. I'm going to hang my hat on the stellar vocals Frank chipped in on this new one and join the rest of the population that seem to be geeking out over the prospect of a new full length album...#Biking
Frank Ocean feat Jay Z & Tyler, the Creator - Biking (prod by Frank Dukes)
This might be winding the clock back farther than many of the viewers of this post, but y'all remember The Dream Academy's Life in a Northern Town from back in 1986? If you're drawing a blank check it below...
Yea you remember it because that tribal "Hey mamamama" chanting is addicting af. Now picture that over a melodic Tritonal beat. Now we're talking! Let's just say they dusted off the original and flipped it in a way that amplifies the good vibes while making it accessible to a generation of music lovers that missed the boat on the original. Hey Mamama is a great example of how electronic music is such a potent tool for re-upping classic tracks. The vocals aren't that much different from the original, but when you add in a few vibrant chord progressions, it becomes awesome in a whole new way. Do yourself a favor and head on down to iTunes or Spotify so you can add a bit of therapeautic chanting to your Monday work commute...#HeyMamama
He doesn't get the credit he deserves as a lyricist, but Pusha T never half-steps on the mic. He's a lot like Lupe Fiasco in that he always brings an intensity and there's always plenty of deeper meaning buried a few feet below each of his bars. Only difference is his delivery is a lot more solemn, following a steady, predictable rhythm. Don't sleep on those soulful backup gospel vocals from Mavis Staples too. She's a big reason why this track feels so ominous and haunting when you listen to it.
All that aside, who's stoked about this Gorillaz comeback? Whether or not you're geeking out over the upcoming release of Humanz, the fact that we're reaping the benefits of a collaboration like this can only be a good thing. Also, it's more than a bit ironic that the doom and gloom vibe of this track and their upcoming album as a whole was generated from channeling the negativity associated with Trump winning the presidency. Sometimes good music comes from a dark place, so feel free and embrace that double edged sword as you press play below...https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetMeOut?src=hash
Gorillaz feat Pusha T & Mavis Staples - Let Me Out
It was a fun week for videos with plenty of variety to keep things interesting. Led by the latest and greatest trailer for the upcoming Tupac movie. I usually cringe when Hollywood tries to tell the story of a music idol, but Straight Outta Compton was a step in the right direction. I'm hopeful All Eyez on Me ends up being of similar quality. Speaking of quality, how bout Steph Curry flexing those karaoke stills? I feel you on that Moana tip, I love everything about How Far I'll Go and will gladly sing it for an audience on demand. Keeping the feel good vibe going was Continuum's International rendition of The Chainsmokers/Coldplay's Something Just Like This. The world needs more coming together and collaboration, so tip of the cap for whoever put that together.
And just in case you thought I'd let a week go by without some comedy, step right on off. Leading that effort was deadmau5 who casually rick rolled his NYC audience as an April Fools joke. Was it me or were his fans singing along? Kudos for the true fans who went down with the ship on that practical joke. And finally, The Ringer decided to put Hannibal Burress and Vince Staples together in a room and have them judge whether certain NBA players were real enforcers or fake enforcers. Needless to say, there were some hot takes and plenty of jokes that may or may not throw Metta World Peace under the table...#NBAToughGuys
All Eyez on Me Tupac Biopic (Trailer)
James Corden Hosts Steph Curry in Carpool Karaoke
International Cover of Chainsmokers Something Just Like This by Continuum
That Time deadmau5 Rickrolled Everyone on April Fools Day
Hannibal Burress & Vince Staples Talk Real vs Fake NBA Tough Guys
If we're talking collaborations we'd hope come to fruition, a Dillon Francis and G-Eazy track would be near the top. Say Less continues the trend of Young Gerald seeking out collaborations far and wide, teaming up with the like of Britney, Bebe Rexha, and Wale recently. G-Eazy proliferation aside, let's not cast aside the heat that DJ HanzelDillon Francis brought on the instrumental. He brought those arena filling horns, coming in hard and haunting on the hook. It's a textbook lesson on how to use pace to lure in the audience before slapping them in the face with a tough drop and finishing with screwed vocals in case you weren't already entertained. If you're a fan like me, check out the lyric video below and Spotify if you want to do a few more laps around it...#SayLess
Swag on deck every time Mike Stud releases a new track. Close your eyes, listen, and tell me you don't hear Drake in the mix? To be clear, that's not throwing shade either. They share similar braggadocious wordplay while mixing between rapping and singing. It sure helps to have a dope Louis Bell beat too. It may be kitchy af, but the whole cold, hace frio (it's cold for all you monolinguists out there) lyrics had me going back to Spanish 1 in High School. I'm torn between whether I like the beat or the laid back bars, but together they make a dynamic duo. You won't be able to find the track yet on the normal outlets, but hit this iTunes link in a few days. 'Til then, bang this one on and floss all those diamonds you wish you had with the windows down...#Frio
For those of you who thought Ludacris lost a step...feel free and take a seat. His new one, appropriately titled Vitamin D, is another trophy on his mantle piece of stellar singles. Equipped with a Thong Song beat sample and a vocal assist from Ty Dolla $ign, there was plenty to sink your teeth into.
The real gold, though, is baked into the lyrics that will have you blushing and cracking up throughout the track. If there's one thing Luda has always done better than anyone else in Hip Hop, it's to be really salacious and vulgar in a playful way. He's got the witty banter and wordplay that will have you singing along no matter how outlandish the lyrics. For example, this classy one liner, "You need a U-Haul, if you leave me, woman, I'ma get blue balls." Needless to say, he's still a heavyweight in Hip Hop and this new banger is all the proof you need for that to continue to be true...#VitaminD
There's experimental music and then there's whatever you'd call Cashmere Cat's new track 9 (After Coachella). I've always been a fan of music that challenges the status quo, which is why you've witnessed a lot of Cashmere Cat sprinkled throughout the years. On his new one, he did his usual crazy beat making with all sorts of off the wall samples. There's very little repetition on the track, which is why it breaks the mold of what you'd normally hear.
If I'm keepin' it 100, I love MØ and SOPHIE's vocals, the quasi-hook over heavy crashing beat and ethereal ending to the track. I'm not at all a fan of the quirky droplet beat progression mixed in, but that's the beauty of the music that lives on the fringes. You take some, you leave some and you're better off for having taken a trip outside your comfort zone. One thing's for sure, the song you hear below is an original piece and you probably won't hear anything like it...unless it was from Cashmere Cat or Baauer...#9AfterCoachella
Cashmere Cat feat MØ & SOPHIE - 9 (After Coachella)
I'm a sucker for Future Bass slow jams, which is why I've been zoning out to GANZ's new one non-stop the past few days. Whatever You Choose features the vocals of Caitlin Mitchell-Stubbs over a slow burn beat with plenty of bass. It's a slow banger, emotion soaked with high pitched synths that provide the necessary excitement for a post-drop release. The track follows his high-profile collaboration with What So Not (Joy) and other stellar flips like Hyperparadise and I Want U. If you're a fan of euphoric EDM, don't lose sight of GANZ as he continues to churn out great singles...#WhateverYouChoose
Is it me or does it seem like Calvin Harris is focused on making the best summer playlist possible? First it was Slide with Frank Ocean, now he enlisted the help of Pharrell, Young Thug, and Ariana Grande on an equally carefree new one in Heatstroke. I'll put it this way, if you're a Young Thug fan you're gonna eat this one up. He's all over the track from the drop, chipping in two verses and even lending a hand to Pharrell on the hook. It's not very electronic, more smooth, pop funk. The sound is something you'd expect from a Daft Punk track, not a Calvin Harris single. It'll be run through the gamut of Top 40, but it's perfect cruising music, so by all means get at this before you hear it at every beach or lounge party you go to this summer...#HeatStroke
Calvin Harris feat Pharrell, Young Thug & Ariana Grande - Heat Stroke
