You can always count on RAC to deliver something fun and upbeat. Lucky for us, he just put together an entire hour's worth of the Indie funk goodness in the form of Ego. It's tough picking a favorite after one lap, but his newest gem with MNDR is a good start. It's an airy track whose lyrics are just as uplifting as the airy beat. Armed with a clear message about being yourself, there's plenty of symmetry between the vibe of the track and the words being communicated throughout it. As a side note, I really dig the cover art scheme of the album with the four singles being a collective representation of the the tracks as a whole. Check the cover art below and note how the art above is the lower right quadrant. Y'all know the drill, Soundcloud, Spotify, or iTunes if you feel so inclined...#Unusual
I could listen to Ryan Tedder's vocals all day. Whether they come solo or through a new One Republic track, I'm not picky. But, if you throw in some Trop House vibes to the already stellar vocals, I'm all over that. Rich Love sounds like something Kygo or Thomas Jack would produce with airy synths and a bouncy beat leading the way. It's the third release from the group, following the spring release of No Vacancy and recent single Truth to Power. It's what you look for in a summer anthem, with a chill instrumental and repeatable lyrics. It'd be criminal to gush about the beat and not give the production trio Seeb credit for their contribution. Kudos to One Republic for continuing to evolve their style as they continue to shape the landscape of Pop music. It's not easy to stay on top, but they're proving to be a example for others to follow who seek career longevity. No word on when their next album will drop, but it'll be presumably be their fifth full length release over the past decade. Can't complain about an album every other year, especially when they've been able to maintain the consistency as music has continued to evolve...#RichLove
The formation of so-called super groups can go one of two ways. Sometimes it can be a revelation when the two styles meld together to create something greater than the sum of the parts. Other times it's an absolute train wreck that makes you question how such talent could result in a such a let down. Luckily for us, when The Knocks and Mat Zo got together to form The Mary Nixons, it was the former rather than the latter.
Adrian combines the quirky upbeat rhythms from both collaborators, creating an idealized mix of styles. The high-pitched vocal sample that gets chopped up throughout the track is a good look. It'll have you singing along as you find yourself nodding along to the beat. It's poppy, Indie dance at it's best and you'd be crazy not to consider adding it to your latest Spotify playlist...#Adrian
When you think about it, it's kind of amazing that Kygo has found such a huge niche in EDM with his mellow, piano driven style. With the masses in EDM trending toward more tempo and more bass, he chose to slow it down and build off a masterful background as a pianist. I never thought I'd be so enthralled by watching someone perform music on the piano, but that all changed when I first watched a video of him performing a song in studio.
His latest creation is a remix of Alan Walker's Tired. The word beautiful doesn't quite do justice to the amount of emotion he's able to impart on the new version. A steady tempo serves as the heart beat of the track, as Gavin James's vocals are able to shine even brighter on Kygo's version. It's a catchy ballad made even catchier with a mellow post-drop chord progression. This one has the ability to melt the stress off a long Monday, so feel free to use it as such on your ride home today or tomorrow...#TiredRemix
And the onslaught of great new music from Odesza continues. Their new one features vocals from Naomi Wild and fits their ethereal chill style to T. The rolling tempo is enticing, gradually gathering momentum toward the hook. From there's it's a progression of happy synth horns that you can picture being the backdrop on a sunny day frolic through a meadow.
It's another huge step forward leading toward Odesza's upcoming A Moment Apart album that'll be hitting e-shelves on September 8th. If there's one thing you remember from this post it's to reference their upcoming tour stops. I can't stress enough how worthy of an investment it is to go see them live. I just saw them run Red Rocks and I'll be seeing a follow up show when they visit the Bay Area this fall. When it comes to EDM performances and actual "shows" (not just a DJ sitting behind turntables playing records), it doesn't get any better than Odesza...#HigherGround
Galantis's new one represents everything I like about EDM right now. There's so much fun, care-free music released every week that it's energizing. The slow build on True Feeling does everything in its power to invite you to keep listening and those who do are rewarded mightily with a bright, bubbly chord progress that is impossible to not nod your head along to. I talk a lot about nostalgia, but that's because are getting so good at evoking feeling with their music. In other words, you could probably make a candlelight acoustic ballad version of this track that would rocket up top 40 radio, but Galantis added a bit of tempo to it and subsequently, it's all the more addicting. It's slated to be the lead off hitter on Galantis's upcoming sophomore album The Aviary. It won't be landing until mid-September, which implies a lot of new music to look forward to in the coming months. Get pumped!...#TheAviary
For whatever reason, this week was dominated by huge music video releases. It seems more like the exception than the norm for a week's top five to be so heavily skewed toward music videos, but such was the case this week. Led by the action packed visuals from Dillon Francis and G-Eazy's Say Less video, there was plenty of bottle smashing fun littered throughout. Then, Macklemore did a complete 180 on his video for Glorious where he took his grandma around town to celebrate her 100th birthday. In hindsight, the vibe of the track fits perfectly for the celebration of life, so kudos to Macklemore for sharing the moment with all of us.
Then things got a little trippy on Travis Scott's Butterfly Effect video. Don't care what the critics say, that track goes hard and I have a really hard time skipping past it when it plays. In case that first dose of Travis Scott wasn't enough, he made an appearance in the dance heavy video for Know No Better. I'm not exactly sure what story is trying to be told other than kids that are picked on can still get girls too through their dance moves? Last, but most expensive was literally everything about deadmau5's new studio. Such a cool behind the scenes look of all the bells, whistles, nobs, and keys the make up his arsenal of music making equipment. Not sure about y'all, but I was impressed by the amount of analog based sound machines and old keyboards he had. If you had an inkling that he cares about his craft, your perception should remain unchanged...#deadmau5Studio
Dillon Francis feat G-Eazy - Say Less (Video)
Macklemore feat Skylar Grey - Glorious (Video)
Travis Scott - Butterfly Effect (Video)
Major Lazer feat Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, & Quavo - Know No Better (Video)
Calling Childish Gambino's Redbone a modern day classic is getting less and less outlandish with each day. I'm still amazed that he pulled off that falsetto so flawlessly. You'd be hard pressed to find me another artist who could sell hundreds of thousands of records as a rapper, then turn around and drop an R&B classic.
Original aside, when I saw the track below on DJ Mustard's new DON'T BOX ME vol. 1 playlist, I was more than a little curious. Pressing play resulted in a much more excitable, snappier remix. The slow ebb and flow of the original was augmented with some heavy bass and a bouncy synth progression on the hook that almost overpowers the vocals. Were the vocals trampled a bit? Maybe, but the vibe of the original still carried over in a much more party friendly fashion. Share it with your friends to defamiliarize them with the original version that they're probably getting tired of hearing around now...#Redbone
Forgive me for a minute on being late to the party on A R I Z O N A. Despite Spotify's best efforts to usher their new music my way I resisted...like an idiot. Little did I know how much they would remind of The Script with their addictive synth pop vibes. Much of their standout material on Gallery has been out for over 6 months, but listening to Oceans Away on repeat the past week has been a breath of fresh air for me. There's plenty of somber nostalgia baked into the lyrics, which falls squarely in the wheelhouse of what I crave in vocal driven music. I've still got a lot of catching up to do on their discography, but let's just say I'm well on my way at a brisk sprint thanks to my epiphany this week...#OceansAway
When Audien and MAX dropped One More Weekend about a month back, I was a fan. Not enough of a fan to write about it, but it got a few spins. Fast forward to late last week when It's Different swung for the fences and knocked a remix of the original out of the park. The remix has the catchy vocals of the original, but injects an addicting, speaking thumping drop that elevates the track to a new level. This is the first I've posted of It's Different, but upon further review, they have some bangin' music. Like for example their remix of Blackbear's Fashion Week. Holy bass batman! Follow me on over to Spotify to do a big ol' cannonball into their discography...#OneMoreWeekend
Audien x MAX - One More Weekend (It's Different Remix)
Take a bow sir Louis Futon. You deserve some serious dap for your flip of Chance the Rapper's Blessings. It's such a difficult task to break a track down to it's elemental form and build it back in a completely new and novel way. Before you watch how Louis broke it down below, here's the original version of Blessings.
Sure, the piano, guitar riffs and effort from the talented Ariel Shrumpet were cool, but the "Phat Drums" were what elevated the track to a new level. With samples being so easy to capture and make nowadays, this proves how easy it can be to "flip" a track. That's not to take anything away from Louis either. What he did was beyond dope. Find me someone who can utilize such a wide array of musical instruments and end up with something as cohesive as he did on the flip below. Feel free and direct download the bulky wav file if you want, but hopefully this becomes big enough to end up on Spotify one day...#Blessings
The more I listen to music produced by Cash Cash, the more appreciation I gain for how well they're able to inject life into their music. They generally churn out either party music or really mellow, addictive EDM pop tracks. This one is definitely the latter with Connor Maynard's vocal contribution leading the way on All My Love. There's a palpable bounce post-drop and a soothingness that the synth progression provides that's catchy af. It's a fun track that you'll be hearing a lot more on Top 40. Cop it on iTunes or stream it to your heart's content on Spotify if you're more into renting than buying...#AllMyLove
To some, the track below will elicit a "WTF!? reaction, but those who frequent this corner of the internet know how much of a child of Pure Moods I am. It's a big reason why I vibe so much with Odesza's ethereal, rhythmic, instrumental style. Four Tet may skew more toward the chill than rhythmic on the instrumental spectrum, but there's plenty of room for that on my playlists. His new one below, Two Thousand Seventeen, is a chill sandwich with a side of dream sauce. The harp sounding chord progression is downright picturesque...maybe even to the point of placid. The steady pace of the beat give it just enough contrast to remain interesting for a full four minutes. Cool the f out to this one with me y'all...#TwoThousandAndSeventeen
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
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
It's been an interesting last few weeks for Jay Z. Just last week he surprised everyone with a new full length album, 4:44. To no one's surprise, it was exclusively released on Tidal...the same music service that Kanye is doing he absolute best to sever all ties with at the moment. Storied history aside, 4:44 is going to get its highly anticipated physical release this Friday, building on the initial exclusive Sprint and Tidal release on June 30th.
So what can expect from the new album? Well, CNN thinks it's dope, 50 Cent thinks it's golf course music, and somehow it's already gone platinum. The only real consensus is that The Story of O.J. is a clear standout track. Blessed with a picturesque No I.D. production and a laid back, storytelling vibe, there's a lot to unpack. Just today, the Jiggaman released a video for the track that invites even more discussion. The black and white cartoon aesthetic provides and interesting back drop for a story surrounding racial tension. I'm still trying wrap my head around it, as well as the numerous subliminal shots on his latest album. Despite the record already going platinum, it's safe to say the story of this album is only beginning to be told...#TheStoryOfOJ
Jay Z - The Story of O.J. (Prod by No I.D.) (Footnotes)
After a weekend off the grid, the GWDJ crew is back just in time for 4th of July festivities. And what better way to slide back into the daily music routine than a Gryffin remix of a Kygo track. Admittedly, I was lukewarm on the original version back in late April, but Gryffin's version is a different story. While it still has that chopped up, remix feel to it, the added tempo and dissection of Ellie's vocals as a sample worked really well. Similar to the original, the remix gets off to a quiet start as it gradually builds energy toward the subdued, Chill House drop. The gentle ebb and flow of the chords post-drop was a nice touch too. It's a rare example of an EDM heavyweight doing justice to the original, rather than trying to really hard to out perform the original. Give it added listens on Spotify or iTunes if you feel so inclined...#FirstTime
Kygo feat Ellie Goulding - First Time (Gryffin Remix)
As if Bruno Mars' Versace on the Floor couldn't get any sexier, David Guetta decided to crank up the baby makin' vibe a few notches. In adding a slight tempo bump and some Daft Punk-esque vocal ad libs, Guetta did a stellar job of carrying the torch of the original without over doing the tempo. The funk still permeates throughout the track, but in a slightly more electronic manifestation. If you're looking for a complete overhaul of the original, this isn't going to be your favorite. But if you're wanting a new flavor added to an already good taste, then you might get swept up in the amplified sexiness of the remix...#VersaceOnTheFloor
I still haven't quite honed in on Whethan's sound as an artist, but that's more of a reflection on how diverse his singles have been so far. Good Nights is much more chill than previous releases, but it's equally as potent with Mascolo's vocals shepherding the way. The vibe of the track feels more like what you'd expect from The Chainsmokers when they were collaborating with talented vocalists you hadn't heard of yet. It's a stark contrast to Love Gang, which is why I'm still feeling out what Whethan is capable of as an artist. The good news is he's hitting the road on tour this summer, so there will be plenty of opportunity to investigate his capabilities further in the coming months. Check his tour trailer below along with the obligatory links to iTunes and Spotify...#GoodNights
You might remember the big news last December when Flosstradamus decided to part ways as a duo back in December. It was a sad end to a chapter in the life cycle of Flosstradamus, but the show goes with the next chapter having been released last week. How You Goin' Do That is the first release by Curt Cameruci, who is the half of the original duo now carrying on the torch for the Flosstradmus name. The new one featuring the vocals of Cara Salimando carries a much more chill, melodic vibe than the usual Trap Lord banger we've all become accustomed to from the duo. There's a hint of bounce post-drop, but it's much more vocal driven and seemingly geared toward Top 40. It's a stark contrast to something like Soundclash, but I get that time goes on and a new chapter will ultimately bring changes. I'm going to reserve judgment on the Flossy split after a few more tracks, but the early indications are to expect an evolution in musical style from Curt moving forward...#HowYouGonDoThat
Flosstradamus feat Cara Salimando - How You Goin' Do That
How Kanye of Drake to release a new track at fashion show. Signs made it's debut in Paris this week during Louis Vuitton’s show devoted to their new Spring-Summer ’18 collection. The track follows the tried and true One Dance/Too Good tempo that invites you to shake your hips along to the beat as Drake does his crooning thing. It definitely leans more toward the R&B side of the spectrum, which fits well with the fashion show setting. But I'll admit, the simplicity of the beat gets unnerving after a few listens. The back and forth pitter-patter is cool and all, but four minutes of it gets monotonous.
If you fast forward to the 5:55 mark in the video below you hear the song being played in context at the fashion show. Check it on iTunes or Spotify if you're more of a fan of the dancehall tempo than I am...#Signs
Drake - Signs (prod by Supa Dups & Noah “40” Shebib)
Here we go again with this laid back, carefree vibe from Calvin Harris. Don't Quit just surfaced on DJ Khaled's new Grateful album, but it fits like a glove with everything Calvin Harris has put out the past three months. Slide, Rollin', Heatstroke, and Feels have all followed the same sound...to the point that it's starting to sound manufactured. The reason I'm being so critical of the sound is because I know Calvin is capable of so much more than what's amounting to formulaic pop music featuring buzzy artists. Maybe I'm in the minority with that take, but if there's one thing I can't stand, it's seeming like you're making music that you think people will like. There's a thin line between trend setting and trend matching that I feel like he's walking right now.
Aside from the whole Calvin Harris beef above, I was a fan of Travis $cott's sing-songy autotune and Jeremih's vocal contribution. Of course I could have done without Khaled's hypeman style ad-libs that are so played out they sound like white noise. I get it though, branding and all. The good news is that this has some potential for being a standout track on a compilation album, which is exactly what Khaled's new album is. It's all over the place stylistically, but that's cool as long as it's expected from the start. Head on over to iTunes or Spotify for a few laps around the album...#DontQuit
DJ Khaled feat Travis $cott, Calvin Harris, and Jeremih - Don't Quit
Back like they never left, Fall Out Boy ignited a relatively normal week with an inspirational new single. Champion definitely sets its sights high with the song title, but when you've got the vocal prowess of Patrick Stump anything is possible. The energy of the track ebbs and flows ranging from the dramatic, singy-songy rap verses to the high-octane vocals and guitar riffs on the hook. The combination of energy and powerful vocals give it the opportunity to reach the heights its name portends.
For those keeping score at home, their new can be considered Act 2 of their upcoming Mania LP. The follow up single comes on the heels of the equally lit Young and Menace that dropped back in April. Check the Spotify and iTunes if you're like me and interested in listening a few more times...#Champion
It's been a while since I've been this stoked about a trio of music videos released in one week. Led by the seductive Rihanna and smooth vocals of Bryson Tiller, DJ Khaled's Wild Thoughts started the week off on a high note. Then, around mid-week, two of my favorite songs in 2017 were blessed with visuals. Desiigner's white-hot fire track Outlet finally was anointed with the cinematic fire that it deserved. It's a rare soccer-centric sports anthem with Sidney rocking a Manchester United away jersey. Man...if that track and video doesn't get you hype and wanting to take on the world, I don't know what will.
On a more mellow, but equally interesting note, Odesza's Line of Sight took a more Sci-Fi route into the top five. The story of a young kid befriending a robot was apropos for the serene vibe of the track. As a side note, I'm more than a little excited to have the opportunity to see Odesza at The Greek in October. Even though it's months off and I just saw them at Red Rocks, they're without a doubt in my top three favorite live shows right now and I'm more than excited to see them again.
Outside of the world of music videos, Khalid did a superb cover of Frank Ocean's Lost in the BBC Radio 1 studio. The piano session was perfect introduction to the up-and-coming vocalist if you haven't given him a listen yet. And rounding out this week's top five was a novelty all the way from Germany where the Rundfunk-Tanzorchester Ehrenfeld did a orchestra cover of Daft Punk's Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. It's not the easiest track to cover, so tip of the cap to how they put it together with the computerized vocals and all...#RundfunktanzOrchester
I never imagined living in a world where Big Boi would be churning out uptempo dance music. But here we are in 2017 and when you hear Chocolate, you're going to think it's a remix of a Big Boi original. Not so fast! It's that trademark funk that Daddy Fat Sacks brings to the table on ever track, but this time manifested with a bit more tempo and repetition.
At this point, I shouldn't need to sell you on checking out Boomiverse. It's an evolved version of Big Boi that continues a crusade of Southern swagger, but with added layers of dopeness. You've got the ATL mainstays sprinkled throughout the album, but it's songs like Chocolate that serve as a reminder that Big Boi is still on the grind and trying to push the expectations of his music. Life time achievements are a thing in Hip Hop and at this point, it's safe to anoint him as the poster child for longevity on a genre that has risen from relative obscurity to commercial success...#Chocolate
Evidently Marshmello was tired of being predictable. Just when we'd all warmed up to his happy-go-lucky style, he goes and drops a bangin' Jersey Club remix of Future's Mask Off. What's Jersey Club you ask? Well...it's similar to a lot of the Baltimore Club tracks I posted waaaay back in 2010. If you're looking for a reference from back in the day, check out DJ Class's Party Crackin'.
I'm not sure which is more surprising, that Marshmello took a quick Hip Hop detour or that he dabbled in a style he's never touched before. Whatever the case, the mello man flipped the original like a pro. It's a perfect break beat style track to bang out in between tracks at a show. Admittedly, I'm not a big Future fan, but I can zone out to the mix below all day long. Tip of the cap to Marshmello as I'm going to have to re-evaluate what the breadth of music I thought you were capable of making...#MaskOff
It must be summer because of late I've been in the mood for bubbly EDM. Like for example Sam Feldt and Lush & Simon's new one Fade Away. Led by a vibrant chord progression and soft vocals from Inna, it's bubble-gumy af, but hard not to get caught up in its tropical wake. It's a welcome respite from the mid-week doldrums, which more than makes it post-worthy. Hat tip to Sam Feldt for continuing to churn out feel good EDM tracks. His consistency is a big reason why I'll always give his new singles a listen. Follow me on over to Spotify, roll the windows down, and don't hesitate to share this with those around you...#FadeAway
Bonus Video - Inna performing Fade Away acoustic in studio...
Leave it to Silicon Valley to debut a brand new bangin' HudMo track. As soon as the credits started scrolling on the latest episode the clanging synths came in with a truck load of bass. Then Remy Banks' slow flow comes in over the beat for added thug appeal. It's a perfect fit for what you'd expect from Mike Judge. Slightly obscure and packed with in-your-face intensity. The track is one of fourteen that will be surfacing on the new Silicon Valley Soundtrack that'll be landing on iTunes on June 23rd. If you're a fan of the show, you're going to want to take a few laps around this gem of an album...#Passports
Everything Calvin Harris has put out in 2017 thus far has thrown me for a loop. I was so accustomed to his EDM driven style that I'm still wrapping my mind around this airy, funk vibe he's been focused on of late. I get that artists and DJs need to keep evolving to keep their music fresh, but as an avid far of his previous music, the rapid transition has felt a bit forced so far.
Take for example his latest star-studded funk anthem Feels with Pharrell, Katy Perry, and Big Sean. It fits perfectly in my mental model for the type of music I'd expect from Pharrell. The funk is layered on heavy and when you add in a swaggy verse from Big Sean loaded with quoteables mixed with a bubbly Katy Perry hook, you've got yourself a Top 40 topping hit. Maybe it's too bubble gum for my liking, but it's all just too perfect. Give me a grimy EDM beat like on Slow Acid and I'll be good to go. Until then I'll be trying my best to maintain optimism until I get to do a few laps around Funk Wave Bounces Vol 1...#Feels
Calvin Harris feat Pharrell, Katy Perry, & Big Sean - Feels
For the past nine years we've all been lucky to indulge in the creative brilliance of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. This week, Macklemore released the statement below announcing that the duo are taking a break to give each other some collective "space"...
"After the last tour, Ryan and I agreed that some creative space would be good for the both of us. Ryan Lewis is my brother forever. We have been working together damn near every day for 9 years and it felt like the right time. This decision came from a place of love for one another. I'm the best man at his wedding next month. There will be more M&RL music to come when the time is right."
Don't get it twisted, there's no beef, it sounds like they both want to pursue some opportunities independently. In my mind, there's no bigger opportunity than a collaboration with Skylar Grey. Following a familiar, piano led, clap-inducing anthem sound, Glorious is exactly as good as it sounds. When you press play below, you're going to get Macklemore's pitter-patter flow, backed by a soulful, vibrant hook from Holly Brook. It's musical inspiration to a T, which is everything you'd hope for an expect from the star power below...#Glorious
I'm bringing a truly unique top five this week. Led by some quirkiness, a few music videos, and a whole lot of race related content, it was an eclectic week. As long as you can get over the fact that Jimmy Fallon and Miley Cyrus didn't do the best job at concealing their true identities, their NYC Subway performance was one of the stand outs from this week. Pretty crazy how quickly a crowd gathered, mostly for Miley, but when Jimmy unmasked himself, people started losing it and breaking out their iPhones.
In the world of music videos, The Weeknd and Buddy released new videos for singles. Of the two, I enjoyed Buddy and Kaytranada's dance heavy video the most. Regarding race it was apropos that the Black Panther trailer came out the week that Ice Cube went on Bill Maher's show to school him on use of the N word. To Bill's credit, he owned up to his mistake and seemed like he was open minded enough to listen to what Cube was saying. As a side note, I really hope Black Panther continues Marvel's dominance in comic book cinema in 2018. Thanks to Wonder Woman, they actually might have competition from DC moving forward...#BlackPanther
Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Fallon Pose as Subway Singers
The Weeknd - The Secrets (Video)
Buddy feat Kaytranada - World of Wonders (Video)
Ice Cube and Bill Maher Have a Real Talk About Race and the Use of the N Word
TOKiMONSTA has been an EDM mainstay for a while now, yet she hasn't made her GWDJ debut to date. I don't have a good answer for why that is because I've been a fan of her for a while now. Her new one, Don't Call Me, with Yuna is as good of a debut as you could imagine as it mixes mellow vocals and a quiet, rolling beat. It's more ethereal and chill than anything, but a perfect track to zone out to when you're trying to get something done. Check it out at your normal iTunes or Spotify outlets if you're as big of a fan as I am...#DontCallMe
A few weeks back I saw Odesza debut Meridian live at Red Rocks. The rhythmic chanting on the track really stuck with me when I first heard it. It possesses the instrumental vibrance that you'd expect from the duo from Seattle. There's a mellow, but energetic vibe that fits well with everything they've put out to date.
To be honest, I gritted my teeth when I first heard they had a new album coming out. I did so because in my mind there was absolutely no way they were going to touch the greatness that In Return reached. After hearing Line of Sight and now Meridian, I'm starting to build up the confidence that they may somehow be in the same conversation. With A Moment Apart just shy of three months away from being released, there's a lot more of the story to be told. Cautiously optimistic with the arrow pointed up is where I'm at right now...#Meridian
It's sad, but there has been a direct correlation between Pimp C's passing and my affinity for southern Hip Hop. Songs like Big Boi's new one featuring Pimp C's vocals make me realize that more than ever. I've never been a big Gucci Mane fan, but even his sleepy raps didn't detract from the novelty of hearing Daddy Fat Sacks on the same track with Sweet Jones again. Don't get too excited about an unreleased verse, all you're gonna get from Pimp C is a quick sample. Nonetheless, his energy and brash delivery is infectious and gives the track a needed boost from the start.
If you're counting at home, this is now three praise worthy single from Big Boi in the past month. They'll all be on his upcoming Boomiverse album due out later this week. Needless to say, there's still eight more tracks we've all yet to hear on the full length album, so feel free to join me in getting stoked for it's release on Friday...#InTheSouth
I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's getting really hard to tell the difference between Drake and Mike Stud. The sing-songy rap flow with extra swag on deck they both possess is damn near identical. Plus Mike has his right hand man production wise in Louis Bell similar to how Drake has 40. Then there's the whole six degrees of Marcus Stroman separation. Mike played baseball with Marcus at Duke. Marcus now pitches for the Blue Jays, from Toronto...aka the 6, which is where Drake is from. Other than Mike covering a couple Drake tracks in concert, it sounds like the two are co-existing peacefully despite the similar sounds.
As far as Things I Like, the slow tempo and heavy bass is what will get your attention. Sure, the initial sample is corny af, but the lyrical gymnastics Mike is able to do on the beat is stellar. There's more singing than rapping, but that doesn't mean there's any shortage of gravitas from Mike on the mic. Let's just say the song below did what was needed to keep the momentum rolling after two dope singles, Gym and Frio...#ThingsILike
Trop House isn't the first thing that comes to mind when I think of RAC (Remix Artist Collective), but they sure as hell pulled it off with their new remix of Vice and Jon Bellion's obsession. It's sort of a mix of Chill House and Trop House, but the airy vibes are prevalent throughout. Piggybacking the stellar vocals from the original, RAC didn't dramatically flip the script on the original, but the House influence on the beat illuminates the remix. It's cliche to call it a summer track, but you can obviously picture listening during on a beach day or in the background when you're grilling out with friends. That's what I'll be doing tonight and I can promise you this remix will be spun a few times...#Obsession
Chalk this one up under the "I don't need to convince you to press play" variety. When David Guetta and Justin Bieber announce they're releasinga new single together people get really excited for days. Yesterday that day finally came to fruition with the release of 2U.
Does it have Bieber's pillowy soft vocals? Yep. Does Guetta bring his A game with a quiet beat and forceful, but catchy drop? You bet he did. It's never going to be the festival banger you may expect, but it has the power to to quickly climb the Top 40 charts over the next week. It doesn't hurt one bit that they employed a lyric video featuring Victoria Secret Angels lip syncing the track too. If you feel a little guilty for liking this for a minute, don't feel bad, I did too. Just give it a couple quick listens and move on before it hits the pop culture blender...#2U
