Common ft. Pharrell - Universal Mind Control (Original Video)

So this is the video that WAS going to come out, eh?
(This one actually did)


Not a fan.  There's something about dance "moves" that bug the hell out of me.  Listening to music, and then making deliberate and pre-planned movements seems totally counter-productive to me...but what do I know.  All I do (in public) is the "drink and a 2-step" and the "indie rock bop", so don't listen to me.

The B.S. Report: RW/RR Challenge Fantasy Draft

I have no shame in admitting that I am a 27yr old man with an complete addiction to The Real World.  To take it a step further, the RW/RR Challenge shows just might be the best thing television has created since Sanford & Son.  I am not alone in this...Bill Simmons of ESPN and his homeboys have come up with the brilliant idea of treating the new Challange season like a pro sport, complete with a fantasy draft.  Players get points for fights, intoxication, hook-ups (do we still say "hook-ups"?), crying, etc...and get deductions for arrests, game DQs or mentioning loved ones back home.  Tell me that ain't the greatest shit ever!  I wish this was a normal thing.  Not only would I pay to join, I'd friggin' win that shit!!

Volcano Choir - Island, Is

We already went over who Volcano Choir ($10 says I spelled it "Chior" at the time) is, didn't we?
Good.  Too lazy to do that again.

At my core, I'm a very simple man (No I'm not.  Clearly evidenced by my expansive graphic tee collection).  This video doesn't really do much, but the nothing that it does is pretty great.

The Roots - How I Got Over

The cries of "I <3'd Da Rootz B4 Fallon" will deafen the angels themselves this winter.
There has to be a t-shirt coming, right?

Black Lips?

 

Semi-serious question:  Is Black Lips band name racialist??
They're not a band I follow, because their music bores me senseless...but with all the hoopla about one of their dudes getting in a fight with one of the dudes from Wavves (zzzzzz), I've been seeing them around the webs.

So...do they mean black lips, or Black lips?
The ARE southern (assumed racialism), and the dude that got in the fight appears to be a homophobe and all-around dick, so I think its a fair question.

Skyzoo: The Salvation

In stores (WTF is a "store"?) TODAY!!
Don't play yourself, go buy that shit...especially you fraudulent folks in NYC (yeah, I said it).

Some jams after the jump...
(I'm ridiculously excited about finally being able to type "after the jump")

Aloe Blacc - What Was Your Name

This is some smoove shit, right here.

Consequence ft. Kanye West & John Legend - Whatever You Want

::Waiting for the press release stating that this was filmed on Hype Williams' iPhone:: 

Kings of Convenience - Mrs. Cold

I share this song with you because it brings up two very important discussion points:
1)  Do women throw panties at coffee shop performers?

1a) Are those panties "fair trade", or at least made of hemp?

2)  Am I infinitely cooler because I was introduced to an artist via their side project, long before I even know it was a side project?

In a perfect world, I say the answer to both is a resounding "Yes".

MySpace Showcase: Naeem Oba

What's that?  You turned on your radio and wanted to punch yourself in the head after 3min?
Naeem Oba just might have a solution to the nonsense you've been listening to.
This is a 5-star reccomandation, folks.

Bio after the jump...

Outasight - Catch Me If You Can

Shit, its after 4PM on a MONDAY and this is the first thing I've heard all day that was worth sharing.
That's a bit sad.

Miike Snow - Black & Blue (Savage Skulls Remix)

No worries, that title is very misleading.
There is, in fact, no savagery involved with this remix.

Side note:  This is walking away with album of the year at this point, right?  Am I forgetting anything?
Bonus question: How many babies in Brooklyn were named Miike this summer?  All of them?  90%?  And were all the girls named Sylvia?

Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka

G'on getcha some, g'on, g'on getcha some.

Take me advice, good peole of the internets...this is some good shit.
It's 70 proof...yet delicious. And it's one of those happy, good mood, drunks.
I'm feelin' extra weekend right now. In FACT . . .I'm leaving work early.

UPDATE: So I just looked at the clock and realized that it's time for me to leave anyway. HA!

Mutemath: Armistice

I'm buzzed. Quite buzzed, actually.
But this much I know for certain. You see that ^^^ album? You should buy it. It's got jams on it. Actually, I don't even know if it's been released yet...but thanks'd to the wonderful people of Japan, I have it, along with all their bonus tracks...so I win.

You want to win? Buy Armistice (I had to re-type that 5 times before I spelled it properly).

Semi-FLASHBACK: Broken Social Scene - Superconnected

I forgot how devastatingly outstanding this album was.
I spent 6min figuring out which song to post.

UPDATE: Screw it! It's Friday, and I'm feelin' good (thanks to this stuff), so let's give this post a bonus track. SERIOUS jammification at the 2:00 mark.



On the real, though . . .I like BSS . . .but I never have any idea WTF they're talking about.

"Right in the peppercorns!"

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

This, my friends, is a brilliant slice of television.

In an outtake from the Today Show, Meredith Viera* kicks Matt Lauer in the nuts**.
What? You need more than that? Fine. Wait for Al Roker's so-corny-its-hilarious reaction (that I demand become a catchphrase among the kids) and look on Martha Stewart's face during the whole thing. I'm convinced that if the camera kept rolling, we would have seen her transform into a half-lizard, half-goat and eat the producer's face in a howling fit of rage.

*Am I mistaken, or didn't Meredith have some MILFy potential on The View? What happened?

** "Nuts" is now, and will forever be the funniest euphamism for testicles. Its simple and to the point, yet sounds just ridiculous enough to get a laugh. Go ahead...say "nuts" to yourself 5 times and try not to laugh?***

***Guess what? I just made you sit at your desk and say "nuts" and chuckle like an 11yr old. Consider it a lesson on the power of the blog. In less scrupulous hands, this could have been a more disastrous turn of events. Was getting you to say "nuts" the entire reason for this post in the first place? Am I REALLY that bored and circuitous****? You bet I am!

****Did I really just use the word "circuitous" in a blog post that was essentially about a man being kicked in the nuts? I think I did. Where else you gonna get this kind of action? Frankly, if you're still reading this...I am amazed. This is by far the most pointless thing I've ever posted. But you're good people. You're patient. I can appreciate that.

Mr. Hudson - White Lies

Mr Hudson - White Lies from MrHudson on Vimeo.

Lesson Of The Day, kids: The value of music is COMPLETELY relative to the time at which you are introduced to it. What does that have to do with this video? Hell if I know...I just wanted to throw it out there.

Washed Out - Feel It All Around (Fan Video)

FEEL IT ALL AROUND from Northern Lights on Vimeo.

Damn right this is another Washed Out post!
This video was produced by Chase Heavener.

Mew - Repeaterbeater

From what I gather...
A clean-shaven Col. Sanders gets into a dispute with Mew about adding a 14th herb or spice. However, it appears that the Colonel is some kind or witch, and has hypnotized the band and sent their mind to a universe that is one part The Happening, one part Poltergeist and one part The Shining. I do acknowledge that my assessment of this video could be a little off target.

And while we're here...
Is there any way we can get Mew and Muse to start beefin'?!
It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? No? Ok, then.

BK One x Brother Ali & Scarface - American Nightmare

Unfortunately, this is a radio rip (for now)...but the song is so dope that its worth it just to listen.
If/when the no-DJ version hits the webs, I'll be sure to let you know.

Chromeo - Night By Night

Well, well! About damn time we got some new Chromeo.
I can't believe they let the whole summer pass without any new music?

...and whoever is running this Green Label Sound stuff stays on point.
I love me some Mountain Dew.

Joell Ortiz - 50 For The People

You know what it is.

UYD FOR LIFE!!

Gonna get all up in them podcast guts.
No way am I missing this.

Nicolay: City Lights vol. 2

Nicolay, the production half of The Foreign Exchange, has released the second edition of his City Lights series today. This time around the Shibuya district of Tokyo serves as his inspiration.

Its a must-have for your collection, trust me.
Perfect music as summer fades into fall.

Check out the first single, "Lose Your Way".

Miike Snow - Animal (Mark Ronson Version)

Bet you didn't see that one coming, did ya?! This is the B-side to the "Black and Blue" single over in the (not so) United (not really a) Kingdom. Cool points to Ronson for going with "Version" instead of "Remix". This is extra right, but none of the remixes efph with the Crookers remix yet.

(Why the Wale jam starts at the end is beyond me...just ignore the last 4sec)

Miike Snow - Black and Blue

WTF is a "UK single", gentlemen?
As if we can't see the video here, pffff.

Small Black - Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix)

What's that you say? You're STILL not ODing on Washed Out yet?
Allow me to help.

Clearly, Mr. Out (If that is in fact his real name. I remain skeptical) doesn't need his own jam to make great shit.

You know...the original sounds REALLY familiar. Have I posted it before? Did I hear it somewhere? Does it really matter? Ehh. Some of Small Black's other stuff ain't too shabby, either. Have a listen.

The Golden Filter - Thunderbird

Well this is timely. I just saw the Golden Filter jam out (quite successfully) as the warm-up act for The Rapture.

Now they have some newness out.

Clipse x KAWS Complex Mag Cover

(Complex via NahRight)

Not the ususal thing I post, but this is one of the best magazine covers I've seen that doesn't include a woman's ass cheeks prominently.

Phoenix - Fences (Friendly Fires Remix)

One word: Jam.

NEW Thom Yorke 2-for-1

Thom Yorke is one of those artist where no matter how you may try to "review" or opine about his music, you either sound like a jackass, or feel like one for even attempting it...so I won't even bother. All I can say is do yourselves a favor and take the time to absorb it all. That, and if you're a fan of Eraser, you'll love this.

Enjoy...

"Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses"


"The Hollow Earth"

New Blu & Exile??

(Twitt-rip by 2Dopeboyz)

As you may know, there are few thing about modernity I despise more than Twitter...
...but it seems that even the Digital Antichrist* can bring fantastic news once in a while.

And just in case you aren't familiar yet, Blu & Exile collaborated in 2007 to create, Below The Heavens, an album not nearly enough people are familiar with, but will almost certainly be seen on Best-of-Decade lists later in the year.

*(c) - FF&SS, Inc.

Fresh Daily - Apollo 13

This video is like one of those Puffy videos from the 90's...if Puffy was a broke hipster in 2009.
Good times.

Muse - Uprising

Yeah...get some of this video in your jaws.

While I'm on the subject, allow me to inform you that Muse's latest, The Resistance, is quite splendid. As I remarked to my lovely co-pilot (LOL @ you for expecting a photo link) upon first jammin' it: The album sounds like it could be the soundtrack (or even original score) for a modern re-interpretation of Flash Gordon.

Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension

Uh oh . . .I don't think I like this.
::deep breaths::
(To self:) Don't panic...don't panic...first "singles" are often less than brilliant.

Fashawn ft. J. Mitchell - Life As A Shorty

Is It Just Me . . .

. . .or is UEFA Champions League secretly the most BORING soccer on the planet?

Before you get your torches and pitchforks, let me clarify: I am fully aware that the UCL features the best clubs, best players, most evocative pageantry, yadda yadda of any non-international competition. I get it. I promise.

BUT...when it comes to the actual on-field product...it's the anti-sex. Mainly, I believe, because Europeans seem to have a tendency to play sports with a mentality of "don't lose" rather than "go win". You know what I mean? Every manager is so terrified of not leaving a match with at least a point, that Champions League strategies tend to be incredibly dull and ultra conservative.

I don't know about you, but there's only so much 4-5-1 defensive soccer that I can stomach. Wake me up when the group stages are over.

Q-Tip- Barely In Love

I wish I knew Q-Tip was on TV last night. D'aaaah well.
However...you need to stop what you're doing right this minute and buy this.

No, for real. Buy it now.

"Wrong Hole"

WRONG HOLE with DJ Lubel, Taryn Southern and Scott Baio from Scott Baio

My Beloved, Pathetic, NJ Nets...

FACT: I am the ONLY die-hard New Jersey Nets fan alive.

This promotion makes my soul cry.
The Nets are SO WHACK...that they have to give away merch for OTHER TEAMS to get people in the building. Good grief.

It might just be my inner soccer hooligan talking, but this might be the most abominable sports promotion since Disco Demolition Night in '79. Imagine the Red Bulls giving out reversible shirts with Angel on one side, and Taylor Twellman on the other (only available in medium, of course)!! Or the Jets passing out T.O. shit. There would be a riot to end all riots.

But noooooo. Nobody gives a shit about the Nets. Just me.
I won't even bother yelling about how much more successful the damn team would be if they just left the damn Meadowlands (utter shithole) and noved to Newark with the Devils. Nope . . .let's box everything up and move to Brooklyn. WTF, Jay-Z? GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

What's worse is that in 5yrs, the "Brooklyn Nets" are gonna be the St. Pauli FC of basketball. All the Williamsburg and Park Slope jackasses who have lived in BK for 20min are gonna cover themselves in Nets gear and "rep" Brooklyn like they were born there. DAMMIT!!!

Screw it. While I still can, I will continue to rock my Nets steez my way. Drunk on shitty canned beer in the upper deck $15 seats.

UPDATE: Holy hell, one of the shirts is for Kevin Garnett...of the Celtics...a fuckin' DIVISION RIVAL!!! I'm going to set something on fire.

Bear in Heaven

YES!!!

There is a BEAUTIFUL surge of mid-tempo, R&B-infused electro going on right now . . .and I couldn't be happier. Washed Out, Toro y Moi, Little Dragon, and perhaps now Bear in Heaven.

"Lovesick Teenagers" is magic. Just wait until you hear the chords when the chorus comes in! it's that type of synth that's big without being heavy and overbearing. It gives you (or maybe just me) that strange, floating-head feeling that comes when this type of jam is done at its best.

"Wholehearted Mess" is another jewel. Not the open-air flight of "Lovesick Teenagers", it has its own appeal. In some ways it sounds like two songs stacked on top of eachother. Underneath is a jumping, neon strobe, disco charger...but layered on top is a calmer, almost Phoenix-like vocal. It meshes strangely, but well.

Shit...disco may be gone, and the indie-garage sound may have fallen right behind it, but if this is the next "movement" that the world's cool kids are serving up, I am 100% down.

P.S. - Seriously, how fuckin' crazy are the keys in the chorus for "Lovesick Teenager"?!

Air - So Light Is Her Footfall

Gather 'round, chi'rrens...its cinematic French storytelling music time!

Hot Chip - Wrestlers

This is just stupid enough to be good.

Man, Hot Chip have really fallen off my radar. I seem to remember loving a "single" or two from the last album (and a gang of remixes), but not liking the ACTUAL record* too much.
Maybe I'm completely confused, and the band I'm thinking of isn't even Hot Chip. Really, there's so much music from this decade muddled in my skull that I can't tell what's what anymore.

*FACT: Referring to albums as "records" is a sure sign that you had a music industry job in a past life.

Boy Crisis - Fountain of Youth

I might not actually like this song. I'm feeling supremely neutral about it.
Perhaps I just feel uncomfortable with the name Boy Crisis...

...and this is like the fourth post-"Electric Feel" video I've seen where the costumage (not a word) is waaaaay too similar. Step it up!

Mercury's in Retrograde

For real...it is!
So don't take it personally when you're trying to talk to your woman, she takes it wrong and you end up getting punched in the neck.

It's not your fault. It's his.
Scientific analysis: Apparently, ol' Mercury gets upset when his planet is in the wrong spot, and he comes down to Earth and metaphorically farts in everyone's Cheerios. Good times.

Shotty Horroh ft. Cory Gunz - The Future

Peace to Culture VI for this one.
Alchemist on them beats.

Who's Shotty Horroh?
I don't know either. But I efphs with this.

Washed Out - Feel It All Around (Toro y Moi Remix)

This HAD to happen, right?!
If you've been reading this space lately, you know I was all over this as soon as I saw the title.

Royce Da 5'9" - New Money

Ignore what the YouTube thing says. This isn't a Primo beat, he's the Exec. Prod. of the album...not this track. From the upcoming Street Hop album.

...does this mean I have to cut my Faux-hawk and wear baggy jeans now!! Oh no!!

Mick Boogie x Peter, Bjorn & John ft. Rapper Big Pooh, Phil Nash & Chaundon - Stay This Way (Jazzy Jeff Remix)

Mick Boogie / Peter Bjorn & John - Stay This Way (Remix) from Myk Dawg on Vimeo.

This.
I'm still a sucker for this kind of video.

My Obligatory 2 Cents on Kanye...

I guess I'm required to comment, so here it is:

Being surprised, stunned, outraged, angry, disappointed, etc about Kanye at a friggin' VMA is like being angry about the "violence" at Wrestle Mania.
It's MTV for gawd-sakes...their award shows have reached P.T. Barnum levels of manufactured drama. Why? So an internet jackass like me can spend 5-10min of his morning yakking about it.

::deletes 4-paragraph rant about pop culture, Gen Y, MTV, marketing and the internet::

Let's just move on, shall we?

K'naan x J.Period ft. Kardinal Offishall, Steele & Bajah - Belly Full (Messengers Remix)

Big choonz!!

Yes, there's a back story for this slice of magic, but it's late, and I'm feeling EXTRA lazy tonight...so I'll let the wonderful folks at Okayplayer explain it.

Re-Post: Little Dragon - Feather

UPDATE: I had to re-post this song to lead us all into the weekend. I haven't been this smitten with a new jam in MONTHS. I really don't know enough adjectives to give this the praise it deserves.

This is spectacular. Like...incredibly, amazingly, spectacular.
This song was hand-built in a lab somewhere, destined for me to play it and post it here.
It's like all my favorite parts of the 80's and the 00's got drunk and had some really good sex. But it was a classy white wine drunk, and the hotel was this place.

New album, Machine Dreams, is out now.

Shot-Term FLASHBACK: The Rapture

Oh, yes! Tonight, at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, I momentarily re-live the loooooong lost days of the mid-decade when I prowled the streets of lower Manhattan in a Pabst & Jager fueled haze in search of the nearest disco.

Ahhh...the colors, the sounds, the booze, the trust fund babies from the Upper West Side who pretended to be from Brooklyn. The horrible stink outside of the clubs that made it apparent why the Meat Packing District was given its name. The birth of neo-Brooklyn and my first parties in an industrial complex that's suddenly become a residence / show venue / art studio / factory. Saying to my friends, "nah, I'm taking it easy tonight", only to find myself walking out of some spot with the sun shining in my face at 6AM. The golden age of my now fading youth.

I say this as if I'm 40 or some shit. I just turned 27 crap's sake.

WHATEVER...I'm still nostalgic, because that magic, but tragically short period in NYC when elctro-dance-rock reigned supreme is something I'll always look back on and remember . . .and an era I could NEVER survive a second time around.

M.O.P. ft. Rell - What I Wanna Be

DJ Premier on them beats.
Remember Rell??

Semi-FLASHBACK: Big Pun ft. Black Thought - Super Lyrical

Big Pun - Super Lyrical f. Black Thought (Official) from 2dopeboyz.com on Vimeo.

If you don't know this song very well...then I don't think we can be friends any more.
Seriously.

You may have heard about the Pun documentary coming out. In conjunction with that, "Super Lyrical" is being re-released as a single. This has always been a special song for me. Its not too often that 2 of my Top 10 get together on a song. Black Thought doesn't exactly work with alot of folks.

Cage - Eating Its Way Out of Me

Speaking of dope albums that I've been stuck on lately, Cage's Depart From Me is the business. It's a SLIGHTLY different mood than what we've heard from him in the past. A little bit of secure sarcasm has replaced a good portion of the old lost hopelessness . . .for the better.

HOWEVER...I will suggest that you don't make the same mistake I did. I listened to this and Depeche Mode's new album for the first time back-to-back. Yeah. Great way to mess your head up for a minute. It's like the weekend I watched Donnie Darko and Requiem for a Dream consecutively. Mind ain't been right since.

Little Dragon - My Step

I'm all up in this album right now.

USA v Trinidad & Tobago: Tonight, 7PM

FYI:
World Cup Qualifier tonight on ESPN Classic (LIVE...don't ask).
Other than the games against Mexico, USA on the road against T&T is by far my favorite international soccer fixture. All that drunken hollerin' and whatnot they do in Europe is fine and all, but with a team nicknamed the Soca Warriors and a full band rockin' for the full 90min, it's my favorite atmosphere in the game.

Shame we gotta whoop that ass, though.
Nothing personal.

Skyzoo - Popularity

Second single from The Salvation (9/29).
Don't let that album get past you...trust me.
Have some.

Fashawn 2-for-1 Sale

2 fresh ones from Fashawn's "mixtape", The Antidote, along side The Alchemist.
"Fash Plays It Cool"
"Lost In New York"

READER COMMENTS Experiment?!

This is either going to send me ALL the way to the insane asylum, or be the most fascinating thing I've done in quite some time.

I'm felling a little bold, a little brave, and slightly stupid...
So...for the first time, I'm going to open up this blog to reader comments.

I've remarked a few times on how I think reader comments on music blogs (ESPECIALLY blogs heavy on Hip-Hop) can be the most mind numbing shit I've ever read. NahRight and Stereogum's readers make me want to kill myself, the readers, and their immediate families . . .but then at places like Okayplayer, or smaller, more personal blogs, the conversations can be fantastic.

And to keep it extra real, I don't even know how many of you there are...or if any of you really give a shit about what I share, or my opinions in the first place.

So I think...TEMPORARILY...I will open up the comments' section around here and see what kind of thing pops up. If it's enjoyable, I keep it. If it brings out the lunatics, I kill it.

Let the games begin!!

Matt & Kim ft. De La Soul - Daylight (Troublemaker remix)

This is one of those songs where I don't even care if it's good or not...I'm just giddy that it even exists. And to top it all off, this is on the FIFA '10 soundtrack. How great is that?
Have some.

Little Dragon - Feather

"Feather"


This is spectacular. Like...incredibly, amazingly, spectacular.
This song was hand-built in a lab somewhere, destined for me to play it and post it here.
It's like all my favorite parts of the 80's and the 00's got drunk and had some really good sex. But it was a classy white wine drunk, and the hotel was this place.

New album, Machine Dreams, is out now.

Kid CuDi - Pursuit of Happiness

Not to get all Capt. Blogotron negative ::eye roll::, but this song kinda reinforces my apprehensions about CuDi's upcoming album:

The dude has amazing taste in what's good in music (this song is produced by Ratatat, with guest vocals from MGMT)...and he's very creative when it comes to the conceptual stuff . . .but the shiny aesthetics of Kid CuDi jams seem to be miles ahead of the ACTUAL lyrics and content. Is it just me? Am I expecting too much from him? I don't know.

Air - Sing Sang Sung

This is EXTRA mello...and I like it.

I was a casual observer of Air until I heard this song for the first time maybe 2 years ago, and decided I need to pay much closer attention. Which reminds me, the new album, Love 2, is out...and I need it.

I know I say it all the time, but the French are really amazing when it comes to music. Food, cars, personalities, combat, accents...not so much. But, good grief, they can throw an album together.

Empire of the Sun - Without You

Why don't I have this album yet?
This is the kind thing that happens when you listen to WAY too many artists in WAY too many sub-genres. Sometimes the obvious downloads/listening sessions slip by you accidentally.

And for all you Hip-Hop heads wondering "Who the hell is Luke Steele" after jammin' your stolen copy of Blueprint 3 this weekend...BAM! See above, baby! How's it feel? Questioning yourself a little bit? Ready to run to NahRight and talk about how whack Jay is now?

Go ahead...we'll be over here...in the future...jammin' that good shit.
Feel free to join us when you're ready.

Bk-One ft. Phonte, Brother Ali & The Grouch

Smoove.

Fabolous - Never Let It Go

This was recorded for Loso's Way, but it didn't make the final cut . . .instead, it's a bonus track on the Japanese release of the album.

Let me say that again...a bonus cut on the Japanese release of the album.
Hip-Hop in 2009, ladies and gentlemen. Have some.

Drake - Fear

Well, well.
OK, Drake. You done done it. I'm back in. You can still make a quality song. This is right. Just do us all a favor and stay the fuck away from Wayne when you're recording, that clown brings your quality down like crack did to Whitney. Have some.

FLASHBACK: Jay-Z - Dear Summer

J*Davey - End Of Your World (Mama's Back)

J*Davey, along with Sa-Ra and The Carps complete my Why The Hell Ain't You Up On This Trifecta.

Exile: Plug Research Podcast

Exile Radio Podcast by PlugResearch Music

Oh, this is lovely.
A big ol' pile of Exile gems. New, old, unreleased, not yet released...the works.

This will be jammed later this afternoon as I take my digital NJ Nets into the conference finals on NBA 2K9. That's right, the Nets. I said it. You don't want it with Yi Jianlian, son!

UPDATE: For you other nerds out there, here's the tracklist of what you're listening to
1. Sike (Exclusive Instrumental)
2. Vangel (Exclusive Instrumental)
3. Freedom (from Fashawn "Boy Meets Word" Inst)
4. B.A.D.B (Exclusive Instrumental)
5. Your summer song (from Exile "Radio")
6. Your summer song J mitchell remix (from Exile "Radio" Remix project)
7. If you're down (Exclusive Instrumental)
8. Hell Fya (Exclusive Instrumental)
9. Hey Snake (ADAD EXclusive)
10. Population Control Samiam Remix (from Exile "Radio" Remix project)
11. Operator (non album Exile "Radio" track)
12. Were all in power Ev, Krondon, and Blame one remix (from Exile "Radio" Remix project)
13. Its coming down Knowledge remix (from Exile "Radio" Remix project)
14. In Love Milo Remix (from Exile "Radio" Remix project)
15. I've been Dreaming of you (non album Exile "Radio" track)
16. Stay tuned Musinah Remix (from Exile "Radio" Remix project)
17. Silver Moon (from Exile "Dirty Science" LP)
18. Spitten Image/ Emanon (from Exile "Dirty Science" LP)
19. Time has come/ Slum Village (from Exile "Dirty Science" LP)
20. Fly/ blu and Exile (from Exile "Dirty Science" LP)
21. Sky (Exclusive Instrumental)
22. Stepper (Exclusive Instrumental)
23. In the night 22 (From "From LA With Love" Compilation)
24. Treat (Exclusive Instrumental)
25. FUNKD (Exclusive Instrumental)
26. Birds eye view (Exclusive Instrumental)
27. No Greater love/ Blu and Exile (from "Below the Heavens" LP)
28. Stars /Fashawn (Exclusive from Fashawn "Boy Meets World" LP ft. Aloe Blacc)
29. Good Bye (Exclusive Instrmental)

UPDATE: Pictureplane - Goth Star

Very misleading title, I promise.
This song doesn't really do anything...but it does that nothing pretty well...
So thumbs up.
UPDATE: My bad, I didn't know there was a proper video for this.

Health - Die Slow

I'm not sure if I actually like this, or if I just find it really interesting.
Either way, I'm sure some of you will dig it...so have a ball.

Wale - Ice & Rain

Pictureplane - Goth Star

Very misleading title, I promise.
This song doesn't really do anything...but it does that nothing pretty well...
So thumbs up.

Toro y Moi - Talamak

Is Toro y Moi and Washed Up the greatest friendship duo since Larry and Balki?
I say yes, sir. Hell yes.

Get some of the newness.

KRS-One & Buckshot ft. Mary J. Blige - The Way I Live

Black Milk on them beats.

Blueprint 3: First Impression Review (cont'd)

Alright...let's try this again.

Hate (ft. Kanye West)
Rappers: [Jay-Z (2.75L + 4F) + Kanye (3L+4F)] / 2 = 6.88
Beat = 3
Hook = 2
Concept = 2
TOTAL = 2.78

Gross. I hate "hater" songs. Who gives a shit? Why do I want to hear a millionaire, muliti-platinum, world-class magastar tell me about alllll the people that dislike him sooooo much. Just stop. Cut the shit. Your life is fuckin' FANTASTIC. So 3 of 4 jackass rappers called you Joe Camel. Whoooooo caaaaares. This song is terrible all aound. Easily the worst thing on the album so far, and I hope it stays that way.

Reminder
Rapper: 3.5L + 3.5F = 7
Beat = 4
Hook = 2
Concept = 3
TOTAL = 3.2

Alright, Mr. Carter...I get it. I promise. You're great. All these young folks are unappreciative. I understand. Seriously. PLEASE stop telling me. This really isn't a reminder when I've been listening to the same thing for about a dozen tracks already. Sheesh. Beat is kinda decent though.

So Ambitious (ft. Pharrell)
Rapper: 4.25L + 4.25F = 8.5
Beat = 4.75
Hook = 4.25
Concept = 4.25
TOTAL = 4.35

Nice recovery, sir! I was getting worried . . .and LOL @ you readers already knowing I have a pro-Pharrell bias. Yeah, I do. Sue me. The dude brings the best out of rappers, there's no denying it. This is no different. I think this might be my jam, son. See...you can do a motivational song without "hater this, hater that". This is proof.

Young Forever (ft. Mr. Hudson)
Rapper: 4L + 3.5F = 7.5
Beat = 4
Hook = 4.5
Concept = 4
TOTAL = 4.0

HA! Didn't see that sample coming, did you? I know anyone too young to get the sample wonders why the hell the hook got such a high score. But trust an old man like me...it's dope. And go do your homework or something. Get off my lawn!! Album closers are rarely smashes, so I'm cool with this.
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SUMMARY:
TOTAL Album Score : (Total Songs Score 57.56) / 15 songs = 3.84

On a Scale of 1 to 10, that's a 7.67. Sounds about right to me.
I think my formula held up pretty well.

All-in-all...it was an OK album.. Jay-Z wasn't the best I've ever heard him, but he was definitely above average more times than not. There were very few instances where I wondered to my self, "why is he still doing this?". Early on in the album there was some REALLY nice and subtle metaphor work by Mr. Carter. I hope it's picked up by most listeners....it won't be. As far as my gripes, for Jay-Z's performance...1) That damn flow he kept using. The one from "Run This Town". It's terrible, and needs to be scrapped. He's so much BETTER than that cadence 2) Like I said a few times, the subjust matter got a little redundant. Not only was I hearing it too much on this album, but I hear it on ALL of Jay-Z's post-"retirement" work. It's gotten stale. The beat choices were pretty good. Alot like Jay-Z himself, none of the tracks blew my mind, but he gave me alot more birdies than bogeys. Peace to Tiger Woods. Overall, I think the 3.84 out of 5 is pretty accurate. Blueprint 3 is no classic...but there's damn sure enough good music here to keep it in rotation for a while.

And really, in 2009 commercial Hip-Hop...what else can we ask for?

F**Kin' Blogspot!!!!

AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!

I'm sorry...I'm having some really bizarre technical issues in the middle of my favorite post ever.
Forgive me.

I WILL get this review back on track!!

Blueprint 3: The First Impression Review

Gooooooooooood morning, Blogadelphia!

As you know by now, I have been quite obsessive about avoiding leaked songs from Jay-Z's new album. Why? Because I like to hear important albums all in one sitting and soak the the whole album in in a single listening experience. That, and I obviously don't give a shit about bringing traffic to my own site. D'ahh well.

Well...today I find myself with 2 very important tools at my disposal: 1) A ton of morning free time 2) A full copy of BP3, complete with bonuses, b-sides, the whole works.

Sooo...I'm gonna take the opportunity to do something a little different this morning. Something I will call a "First Impression Review". With the exception of 3-4 songs, I haven't heard any of this album yet. So in real time, I'm gonna jam it out here at my desk, and "live update" (always wanted to say that) you on my initial impressions for each.

How am I doing this? Personally, I think there's a very simple formula to "judge" the "quality" of dope Hip-Hop: First solve for R(apper), wheras R=L(yrics) + F(low). Then, use R to help solve for J(am).

J = [R+B(eat)+H(ook)+C(oncept)] / 5.

Got it? Of course you do...that wasn't confusing at all and it made perfect sense. Don't ask me how I developed that formula...just accept it as truth.

Moving along, I will be listening to each song, and grading each quality on a 5-point scale. again, I'll be doing this "live", so keep checking back to follow along. Let's GO!
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PRECONCEPTIONS: In terms of pure entertainment value, not necessarily skill, Jay-Z is probably my favorite rapper of all time. Because of this, he's on a very short list of artists for whom I get nervous before their albums are released (see: Kanye, N.E.R.D., Incubus, Bloc Party, etc). So...my expectations are VERY high for Mr. Carter. I expect alot more from him that probably ANY other emcee in the business (I refuse to say "in the game"). Unfortunately, the few leaked songs that I have heard so far REALLY haven't impressed me. To be honest, 3 monts ago, i was expecting this album to rival the Black Album...at this point, I'll settle for Kingdom Come.

First song coming in a few . . .

What We Talkin' About (ft. Luke Steele)
Rapper: (4.5 Lyrics + 4.25 Flow) = 8.75
Beat = 4.5
Hook = 4.25
Concept = 4.75
TOTAL = 4.45
This is a great start to the album. Bonus for the Luke Steele appearance. I'm already feeling a little bit better about this album. I think Jay says here what alot of over-25 fans are feeling: There's just too much bullshit and WWE-style dramatics in the music these days. If he holds true to this form and doesn't bother going after useless rappers like Jim Jones and Game, I'll be a happy man.

Thank You
Rapper: (4.5 Lyrics + 4.75 Flow) = 9.25
Betat = 4.5
Hook = 4
Concept = 4
TOTAL = 4.35

OK, we're 2 for 2! I really like this one. It's like a Jay-Z 101 type song. Like, if someone were to ask you, "Who is Jay-Z and what does he do?", this is a perfect track to play for 'em. The flow on this was very '90's and that always a big plus. OK...I can breathe now...this album won't suck! Whoooo!

D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)
Obviously, not a first impression, but whatevs.
Rapper: (4 Lyrics + 3.5 Flow) = 7.5
Beat = 4.75
Hook = 4
Concept = 5
TOTAL = 4.25

We all know the story with this. Really, the song wins thanks to a beat so hard it makes you scrunch your face up all crazy and an amazing concept. If you really listen, Jay's not saying too much, and his flow is kinda dull. The hook it super simple, but in this context...it works.

Run This Town (ft. Kanye West & Rihanna)
Again, not a first impression
Rappers: [Jay-Z (3.5 lyrics + 3.75 Flow) x 2, = Kanye (4.25 Lyrics + 4 Flow)] / 3 = 7.58
Beat = 4.5
Hook = 3.5
Concept = 3
TOTAL = 3.72

This song still rates a big "Ehhh" for me. The whole thing is a bit of a mess. The beat is dope, but it over-powers both rapers. Rihanna is CRAZY annoying. Jay gets out-gunned by his protege. The whole "run this town" idea doesn't hold true for the whole sonng, especially Kanye's verse. If this song were just Track 4 and not the lead single, I might feel differently.

Empire State of Mind (ft. Alicia Keys)
Rapper: (4.25 Lyrics + 4 Flow) = 8.25
Beat = 4
Hook = 4
Concept = 4.25
TOTAL = 4.1

Not too shabby. Cool for an album cut. I will say, I hope Jay isn't gonna keep up that "dada dada DAH da" flow up for the whole album...I'm not diggin' it. Thankfully he changed it up a little for the last verse. Did anyone catch that little Anna Wintour / Winter bit? Dope.

Real As It Gets (ft. Young Jeezy)
Rappers: [Jay-Z (4L +4F)x2 + Jeezy (3.75L + 3.75F)] / 3 = 7.67
Beat = 3.75
Hook = 3.5
Concept = 3.5
TOTAL = 3.68

Looks like we're deep into "album cut" territory on this one. Not a bad song, it just didn't move me one way or another. Has anyone else noticed that Young Jeezy has gotten significantly better over time? Think about it. I still don't wanna buy his album or no shit like that, but he's definitely better today than he was 5yrs ago. The irony is, the better he gets, the less popular he becomes. Hmm.

On to the Next One (ft. Swizz Beatz)
Rapper: (3.75L + 3.5F) = 7.25
Beat = 3.5
Hook = 2.75
Concept = 3.5
TOTAL = 3.4

Yuck. I might have been a little generous with some of those scores. This might be the first F-FWD song on the album. Swizz sounds ridiculous, the "on to the next" under the beat is annoying, Jay is dull. I appreciate the "Yo, XXX is played out, we don't do that anymore", but damn, it's the underlying theme of about 4 songs on the album...we get it.
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OOOOOOkay...slight change in plans. I'm gonna have to temporarily put this review on hold (I'm enjoying the hell out of this, BTW). I'm gonna go have lunch with my girl...not that you care. And since I have no respect for my employers, it's gonna be an extended lunch. SO..I'll be back in about 2hrs or so. Until then, my friends . . .
______________________________________

I'm BACK!! Halftime is over, let's get back to business . . .

Off That (ft. Drake)
Not a first impression.
Rapper: 3.5L + 3.5F = 7
Beat= 3
Hook = 3
Concept = 3
TOTAL = 3.2

I don't like this song. If it were anyone besides Jay-Z, I'd hate it. But, being the greatest commercial ever, Hov can even put a little shine on a turd. Timbaland's beat sounds 10yrs old, and considering that the song is about not doing old shit...well. Drake sounds like he's singing out of his nose. This is just a bad song, salvaged by a great rapper. Sorry.

A Star Is Born (ft. J. Cole)
Rappers: [Jay-Z (4.25L + 4.25F)x2 + J. Cole (4.5L + 4.5F)] / 3 = 8.67
Beat = 4
Hook = 3.25
Concept = 4.75
TOTAL = 4.13

Now this, I like. Maybe even more than my "scientific" system might indicate. I LOVE the idea of a rapper as big a Jay-Z taking time to salute the contributions of his "peers". Telling somebody "yo, you nice" takes alot more courage than a pointless diss. The symmetry of "introducing" people to J. Cole on this song was perfect. AND J. Cole absolutely did his thing! Remember, not only is he a virtually unknown "internet rapper" on a friggin' Jay-Z album . . .but Jay is his BOSS. Considering the pressure he was under for his verse, I think he killed it (hence his score being higher than Jay's). Good shit.

Venus vs. Mars
Rapper: 4.5L + 4.25F = 8.75
Beat =4.25
Hook = 3.5
Concept = 4.5
TOTAL = 4.2

A better hook, and this would be some top-shelf shit. The concept is dope, and Jay pulls it off in a really creative way. Probably his best wordplay so for. Looks like the album is picking back up after that soggy bit in the middle.

Already Home (ft. Kid CuDi)
Rapper: 4.25L + 4F = 8.25
Beat =4
Hook = 4.25
Concept = 3.75
TOTAL = 4.05

Another nice one. Pretty good. You know, I think I like Cudi alot better as quirky voiced singer than I do as a rapper. I will say this, though...Jay is really getting redundant with some of this subject matter. He's like the dude who keeps saying "I don't care" for an hour after something happens. If you don't care, and you're over it...then stop talking about it. We get it. I'm really not interested in hearing more of it.

Aaaaaaand I just saw the title of the next song...

Outasight - Downtown In My Mind

This is extra fresh.
Have some.

Dirty Money - Love Come Down

Hmmm.
I need this instrumental ASAP, I know that much.

Diddy must be bored as hell, he doesn't seem to know what to do with himself these days. Nasty vodka (don't front, that shit is GROSS), 11 shows on MTV, that whole Last Train to Paris fiasco...

...speaking of which, let me hip you to some shit. If you think Last Train to Paris was only supposed to be a random, under-promoted mixtape, then you're nuts. I promise you, that "mixtape" was gonna be Diddy's next album. You know...the reason for a whole TV show...the "album" that we suddenly don't hear about any more. But then...something happened, and Diddy had to scap it, but didn't want to put all that time/money/work/Felix to waste. Hmmm . . .I wonder what happened that made him change his mind.

ANYWAY . . .so now we get Dirty Money, which is The Didster himself, Dawn from Danity Kane...and somebody named Kaleena (no idea who that is). So there yo go.

Mick Boogie x Peter, Bjorn & John ft. Big Sean, Black Milk & T3 (Slum Village) - Just The Past (nVMe Remix)

From this.
Drums are crazy . . .have some.

OLD SCHOOL: Colonel Abrams - Not Gonna let You

I could do this for hours, I promise.
But I won't . . .I know 98% have NO idea what these songs are . . .OH WELL!!

OLD SCHOOL: D-Train - Keep On / Something's On Your Mind

Awwwwwwwww SHIT!!!
Y'all don't know nothin' 'bout that right there, bwoy!!

You're gonna have to give me a minute, I'm in a groove right now. It's hard to care about the new whack ass song from MC Bathwater or whoever the fuck when your mind gets you in an good 80's lane. I'll get to that current shit later...

...and you're damn right the song is 9min long. Jam. That. Shit.



D-Train!!!
Y'all are lucky I haven't figured out how to DJ with YouTube clips, lol.

OLD SCHOOL: Bernard Wright - Who Do You Love

80's R&B!! YEAH!!!

No lie...this is one of my favorite jams ever, but I have NO recollection of this video at all. Perhaps that was for the best. Ah well...it still is and will always be the jam.

UPDATE: I'm sorry, but that video is damn near traumatizing and retroactively killing one of the best songs of my childhood...so let's go here and listen to the clearer, 12" version without the goofy visuals.

Makes a HUGE difference..right? Damn. It's like my subconscious blocked out the absurdity of that video.

Strong Arm Steady x madlib - Get Your Money Right

Madlib = Truth.
I didn't even know this collabo album was happening.
After reading the additional info, I'm still unclear if its out yet...bu I'm sure I'll get my hands on it one way or another.