Kanye West ft. Dwele - Power

NEW KANYE
This is what I wanted to hear from Kanye when he came back, dammit!
Loud.  Angry.  Aggressive.  Defiant.  Arrogant.

Sean Price - Snow

Respect that man.

Black Milk - Don Cornelius

A leftover from the upcoming album, as seen above.
If these are the scraps, then shiiiiiiiiiiit.
Have some.

Asher Roth - G.R.I.N.D. (Get Ready It's a New Day)

Radio rip, sadly.  I will ditch it ASAP when CDQ drops.
This isn't on the new mixtape, so album #2 must be coming soon.

Blu - So Perfect

Another seemingly random jam from Blu.  This time, with old partner, Exile, on them beats.
The song doesn't really do anything, but somehow I still like it.
Kinda like those Madlib songs that just kinda exist for the sake of existing.
I don't know what that means either.
Yeah . . .have some.

Oh, and it you haven't yet, or you're new around here...
you need this:

Drake ft. Jay-Z - Light Up

Unfortunately, this is covered with annoying tags from whoever it is that got ahold of this song
...but whatever, this is "a hell of a record", says old music exec. 

My opinion of Drake vacillates*, but it sounds like this album just might be on point.  I'm sure there's gonna be 3-4 complete throw-away, terribly pointless, Young Moneyish songs...but there's alot of potential.

* That's the best unintentional 1-bar rhyme I ever wrote, haha.

Major Lazer x La Roux: LazerProof

Lazerproof.  Get it? *
Yyyyyyup.  This is either magic or disaster, but I'm damn sure gonna download it and find out.

This collabo mixtape is a mix of blends, dubs and remixes matching Major Lazer (Diplo & Switch) with La Roux jams/vocals and some dancehall/reggae tracks.

Get at it here.

* Of all the random club jams that come out on a weekly basis...what made this one catch fire on pop radio?

Jack White x Jay-Z

"Ray Bans" coming soon . . .

Terry Adams & Aaron Ross x Odyssey

THE LATEST VIDEO FROM ODYSSEYBMX.COM

If you love me...and you do...you will buy these wheels for me.

Audiobullys - Only Man

Directed by Frenchists, Jonas & Francois, this video is sure to do for sneaker soles what "D.A.N.C.E." did for t-shirts...whatever that impact may have been.  I'm not too sure what I'm talking about.  But that first sentence sounded like something a media critic would have written.  And then I would have scrunched up my face like, "wtf does that even mean", and wondered why I was on that site to begin with.

So, yeah.
I like this video.
It's got things written on shoes.

Groove Armada - Look Me In The Eye Sister

I'm not even sure how much I like this...but let's roll with it anyway.
Ain't gon' hurt nobody. *



*That's right.  Groove Armada commentary spiced with a Kid n' Play reference.
Where else you gonna go for that?!

The Roots x Monsters of Folk - Dear God 2.0

The Legendary team up with the heroes of the beardo set, MoF, for the re-working of "Dear God". 
The Roots new album, How I Got Over, is finally set to be released on June 22.

I don't need to tell you that you should own it.

Statik Selektah ft. Consequence - Life Is Short

Word.

Frankie is PISSED about Juve . . .

Granted, I'm 98.67% certain that if you're reading this, you also mess with The Offside Rules (or its how you ended up here in the first place), but holy hell this has to be posted again.

If you didn't know, the Red Bulls beat Italian "giants", Juventus, yesterday in Jersey 3-1.  I usually swing between "I don't care" and "why the f**k are we doing this" on the mid-season friendly scale...but ol' Frankie's reaction to the whole thing made the win, and potential injury risk to one of MY players completely worthwhile.

This is the greatest moment in the history of the soccer internets.

Joell Ortiz - Who Dat

Yeah.  Definitely better than whoever you were just listening to.

Today is "Diddy Day"

For no reason at all, other than being kinda bored, a bit of a jerk, and this coming up on my iPhone...I am declaring today Diddy Day.

I think you should join me in my celebration.

To mark the occasion, I plan to sneak in as many Diddy ad-libs into a conversation with my boss as possible.  For example:

Boss: Working hard, I see!
Me:  Can't stop.  Won't stop.

Boss: Heading out to lunch early?
Me:  Uh-huh...yeah.

Boss:  Can I get that finished TPS report on my desk?
Me:  Take dat, take dat, take dat.

...and so forth.  I'll stop short of referring to him as "playboy", but you get the general idea.

All You Need To Know About Last Night . . .

met·ro ¹  (mtr)n. pl. met·ros
1.  The ability to hit the woodwork 3 times in one game and proceed to lose by 2 at home, as caused by an unholy menage-a-trois between the gods of Comedy, Pain and Hades himself.

Now, if you'll excuse me...I'm off to the airport to pick up a friend of mine arriving from Paris.

Tokyo Police Club - Wait Up (Boots of Danger)

I like TPC.  And this lead single doesn't make me angry...soooooo...good times.

Oh, while we're here, would you like a Passion Pit remix?
Sure, why not, right?

T. Hemingway ft. Versis - Slow Down

  AJB - T.Hemingway - Slow Down ft. Versis by applejuicebreak 

Don't know who these dudes are, but they e-mailed this to me this morning, and it's dope.
So here you go!

Wait...apparenly I've posted a song from Versis before.  Hmmm.

Drake - 9AM in Dallas

(This isn't a proper song off the album, or anything.)

I think Drake has been feeling the pressure from the segment of fans worried that his album is gonna be too pop or R&B...so he decided to go off.  The kid can still spit.
And really, this is a battle he can never win.  His music is constantly moving through and between 3 genres...someone in his fan club is always gonna be let down.

FSC Preparing to Make Biggest and Funniest Mistake in Network History

Oh man.  Someone at Fox Soccer Channel is going to be fired.
This coming Monday, the 24th, there will be a LIVE broadcast of Fox Football Fone-In
...at Nevada Smith's, NYC home-base to the rudest supporters in the league.
...with co-host, Eric Wynalda, who has been on the NY Shit List since he insulted Red Bulls fans back in '07.

You will not enjoy this night, Mr. Wynalda.
Come prepared to apologize for your remarks, or come prepared hear a few suggestions about how certain former members of your family may be spending their time, and with whom.  Just sayin'.  Gonna be some angry folks in that room.

Pharrell x Flavio

Pharrell Williams and Flavio Briatore in Monaco last weekend during the F1 festivities.
What a great and comically random pairing of people.

Donwill & Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan): The Sandwich Shop

 Memory refresher.
Finally!  I've been waiting for theis for a while, now.
Listen/Have some.  98% chance of dope.

While you're at it, get these too:
 

The Black Keys - Tighten Up (2nd Video)

The Black Keys "Tighten Up"

The Black Keys | MySpace Music Videos


There was already a mighty fine video for this...but whatevs.
I like this one too, and the jam jams, so they can get away with it.

King Driis - Hold On

 
KING DRIIS - HOLD ON from Pricefilms on Vimeo.

Man...I could have sworn I told y'all about this months ago, when the song came out.
But yes, that is Idris Elba.  And yes, it's a 9th Wonder production.

Reflection Eternal: Revolutions Per Minute

Revolutions Per Minute

New album from Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek in "stores" TODAY!
Go get it, or I'll come to your house, open up all your cereal boxes and let them shits get stale.

Sooooo...

Seems like it's all a done deal, eh?
Hmmm.

If I can deal with A-Rod on the Yankees ans Vince Carter as a Net (and the potential of that cornball from Cleveland showing up here), I can do this, right?
I mean...Henry isn't that hate-worthy...right?

So what if he's stupifyingly French.
So what if he is the walking symbol for the only European club I care about enough to despise.
He's gonna be great, right?

Dear [insert holy figure], PLEASE don't let this jackass be a bust.  My heart wouldn't be able to take it.  I'm serious.  Having Thierry Henry join my team, and then do nothing would literally kill me.  Dead.  Simultaneous heart-a-stroke in 101, with an ESC flag in one hand, and an $8 PBR in the other.  Ugh.

I'm not ready for this.

My best attempt at rational fandom:  let's say "On-Ree" signs officially and probably makes his debut on July 10 @ RBA vs. DC United.  Yup.  Either the greatest or worst omen in MLS history.  That gives him 16 regular season games.  I'll say he scores 12, assists on 7, we make the playoffs.
But what about the reasons he's really coming?  Will current non-fans suddenly care about RBNY?  Do they even know who Henry is?  I mean...he's NOT David Beckham.  No one is.  Sadly, this is the most fickle market on the planet, and I really don't think the Henry signing is the ticket to assuming sell-outs for the rest of the year.  I think NY will sell out (25K) for Jul-Aug...slide down to 20K in Sept, and level off at 18K by season's end (assuming Random Brazilian/Italian Midfielder X doesn't also show up).

Does the above equal "money well spent"?  Hell if I know.
I just know I want to win something.  If it means signing a deal with the Frenchist Devil and singing about "Titi" for totally different reasons after a game than I usually do...then so be it.  Let's roll.

M.I.A. - XXXO

Vacation Late Pass Alert

Hmmm...
This is dangerously close to being the same annoying, pseudo-electro, Gaga-esque crap that I try so hard to avoid on pop radio.  C'mon, Maya.  You're better than this.  Especially following up "Born Free".  Oh well.  I assume this is the radio-friendly single for the folks that only know "Paper Planes"*

* I promise, that was only meant to sound half as snobbish as it sounds.

Kele 2-for-1 Sale

"Walk Tall"


"Rise"

These jams will make you feel better about yourself while you're sweating Miller Chill at Brooklyn Pool this summer with that girl you don't even like.  You NYers are weird.  Random digression.  I'm tired.

However...I'd say Kele is 3-for-3 with goodness so far with this thing.  "Walk Tall" might be my jam for a few days.

UPDATE:  So I've just listened to "Walk Tall" for the 5th consecutive time.  Holy hell that shit sounds RIGHT!

Toro y Moi - You Hid

TORO Y MOI "YOU HID" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Vacation Late Pass Alert



Still waiting for ol' Chaz to release a bad song.
I gotta admit, though.  I really do have a hard time watching his videos without chuckling at least once.  He reminds me too much of Elvin from the Cosby Show.

Common ft. Queen Latifah - Next Time (Just Wright Version)

Updated version of the previously unreleased jam-a-lam.
Have some.

Drake - Find Your Love

Vacation Late Pass Alert

This has really grown on me.
Still don't like the sound of Drake's voice, but as the Captain of Kanye West Apologist Society softball team, it's impossible for me to still give 808's heavy rotation and not jam this. 

Fashawn ft. Blu - Samsonite Man

Exile on them beats.

This is one of those things, where before pressing play, you know its impossible for it not to be dope...and there you go.  It's dope.

Mickey Factz - Alpha

MICKEY FACTZ: ALPHA from Creative Control on Vimeo.

Really wish Mickey Factz was bigger than he is.
Damn shame.

Reflection Eternal - Ballad of the Black Gold

Reflection Eternal - Ballad Of Black GoldbySneakattackmedia



It's a "preaching to the chior" situation if I tell you to go get that album right?
You have learned something here...right??
Sure you have.

Dirty Money ft. Rick Ross & T.I. - Hello, Good Morning

Vacation Late Pass Alert

I still don't like Ross, and this song is still pretty hollow...
but, dammit, that beat is just way too crazy.
 
Is it possible for arrogance to have a sound?
Maybe its just me and my ridiculous ego, but that beat is like an instant trigger for flagrant acts of Diddy-esque cockiness, and I love it.

Asher Roth - Muddy Swim Trunks

Asher Roth - Muddy Swim Trunks (Directed by BBGUN) from bbgun on Vimeo.

Ridiculous how good this kid can be when he feels like it.
Go get that mixtape.  Now.

Mr. Flash - Flesh (NSFW)

"FLESH" Mr Flash Music video from Cédric BLAISBOIS on Vimeo.

(Def ain't for the job)

Let's start this week off with a BANG, shall we!!
It's 10AM on a Monday.  What do you need?
A French club killer and a video featuring various women doing things to each other that you usually have to pay to watch...or just live in Miami, where female self-esteem is shattering all-time low records on a daily basis.  Whichever is more convenient for you.

[How is this the first time I've ever mentioned Mr. Flash on this site?]

I Am Back. All Up In Your Internets.

Yyyyyyyyyyyeah!  I'm back home, and full of more coffee than the FDA recommends.
72% more refreshed.
86% less financially stable.
Still a victory.

Anyway...hopefully I can get back into the swing of things today with the jams and whatnot.
Speaking of which, I bet you'd never guess the two most common songs I heard coming out of people's cars/radios in Aruba...

Shakira's World Cup thing:

 ...and Gucci Mane's "Lemonade":


Yeah.  I still don't even know how to process that as reality.
BUT.  I'm back now.  After barely even sniffing the internet or mass media at all for the past 10 days, I'm sure this week will be full of retrospective WTFs, "how did I miss this", and week old rants about something everyone else has already gotten over.  Good times.

VACATION!!!

I'm gonna keep it extra real, because you're my people...
There's some jams and videos that came out yesterday and this morning that I should probably post.  Not to mention some work at my actual job that I should be doing...but I'm feeling somewhere between Marshall and Kanye's sentiments right now.

Why?  Because for the first time since my Vegas Extravaganza III in Aug '08, my ass is going on vacation.  Right there to that picture above.  Oranjestad, Aruba and Palm Beach where I will be drinking rum like there was no tomorrow and passing out in the sun at such length that I am sure to return home a shade of mahogany not dissimilar to that of the 57th passenger.

SO...I will "see" you fine again when I return next weekend.
PEACE!!!!

Kele - Tenderoni

Behold:  the visuals.
I actually like this a bit more than a) I expected, and b) I probably should...but so be it.  It sounds right on the big ass house speakers.

Sia - Clap Your Hands (Diplo Remix)

This is like 4 different jams strung together.  Good times.
Have some (better quality).

The Neptunes / N.E.R.D. on Juan Epstein

Oh this is perfect for me.  Completely perfect.
My favorite producers of all time with my favorite rap nerd radio personalities.
So much random info in this!

Fat Joe ft. Jeezy - Slow Down

Fat Joe:  King of the "I really wanna hate on this, but I can't" first single.
NY radio...wake up.

Uffie ft. Pharrell - ADD SUV (Armand Van Helden Remix)

 
Wow.
This is so much better than the original.
This is a radio rip*, actually.  But whatever, this shit bangs to ridiculous levels.

* I cannot properly express my envy towards the British for actually having worthwhile terrestrial radio.

Ava Luna - Clips

Ava Luna - Clips from Ryan Hooks on Vimeo.


I have no idea who this Ava Luna dude is...but this is RIDICULOUS!!!
This is absolutely gonna be my favorite song for the rest of the week.
Jam of the Month* status.
Do yourselves a big favor and check this guy out.  His other jams are just as good.
There really is nothing better than finding random gold from people I never heard of.

* Was I just inspired to add a new feature to the blog??  I think I was!

HURTS - Better Than Love

Yeah, this is definitely 25yrs worth of rip-off material, but at least the ripped the good stuff.
Cheers, HURTS.  Whoever you are.

Chiddy Bang - Truth

Chiddy Bang - Truth from LOOSEWORLD on Vimeo.

Ok..I like it.
But do I really like it?  Or is it just so on-the-nose stylistically with my "scene" that I feel a subconscious obligation to like it?  I don't know.  I think too much.

Rubix - Disco Electronique

GirlsLoveDJs Records presents: Rubix - Disco Electronique from GirlsLoveDJs on Vimeo.

This jams...but there are gonna be some pissed off Frenchmen when they hear it.
While we're at it...whatever happened with this?

The Black Keys - Next Girl

This is Victory.
For whatever reason, I was never into The Black Keys.  Seems like I should be.  Like...this is a jam tailor made for me, and alot of their shit seems to be that way...yet I own none of it.

Donwill x Wallpaper x The Park - Love Junkie

Donwill "Love Junkie" (Wallpaper LIVE Remix) from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

 
Tanya Morgan's Donwill teams up with band I don't know, The Park, and producer I don't know, Wallpaper to make a mighty fine reworking of a Don Cusack jam.

REPOST: Eminem - Despicable

Just because I don't think y'all were paying proper attention the first time.

Royce Da 5'9" - My Own Planet

Have some.
Remix of this with a surprise guest (hmmmm) coming soon.

Jesse Boykins III - Amorous

Jesse Boykins III - Amorous (Official Music Video) from Jesse Boykins III on Vimeo.

Cognac music.
Sip some.

Listen to this and then go flirt with your boss and see if you can get that raise.

Red Cafe - Heart and Soul of NYC

Red Cafe - Heart and Soul of New York City by K1X from K1X on Vimeo.

Pete Rock on them beats.
I don't remember this song at all.  Dope, though.

Jadakiss x Green Lantern: The Champ Is Here 3

Fantastic.
You already know, right?  Right.
Have some.

Wale ft. Marsha Ambrosius - Diary

Wale songs seem to be either really good, or absolutely terrible.
Very strange.

Kali ft. Termanology - Higher

Smoove.
Statik Selektah on them beats.
Have some.

We Are Scientists - Nice Guy

I lol'd.

I Have Been to Hell and Back...

I'm not dead!  I have marched through the gates of Hell and survived!
Holy fuck, RFK is a shitbox.  Good grief, man.  If MLS was a city, RFK would absolutely be the projects.

Anyway...
The Roadtrip Curse has finally been broken, for me (since joining ESC, something always comes up right before a trip to DC and I could never make it), and for my beleved Bulls of Redness (first win in DC since 2005).  I feel good.  Damn good.  5-1 good.  DC winless in last place good. "Groin-grabbingly good"*.

To be honest, I can't even bring myself to talk too much shit.  I honestly feel bad for DC United as a team.  The club itself and the fans?  Fuck 'em dry, but the team is so visibly miserable that it's not (as much) fun to kick them around in 2010.  I will, however, say that United's core fans should absolutely be ashamed of thems selves...

I've been reading/hearing alot about members of the supporters groups boycotting games and "protesting" because DC is complete shit this year.  Judging by what I saw in the stands and the silence I heard coming from the Eagles/Barra from the Salou goal on...I'm guessing it's all accurate.  DC united fans seem to be quitting on their franchise...and I'm stunned.  This is a team with 4 title banners in its stadium.  A fanbase who for 10+ years has done nothing but mock NY for it's annually empty house.  A fanbase who has claimed to be the best bunch of SUPPORTERS since MLS Day 1...and this is how they react to their first genuinely terrible season?  Are you serious?

There are many good reasons for hardcore fans to not be at games:  job, family, finances, etc.  But a 5-game losing streak by the most successful franchise in the league?  What a joke.  As a NY fan, I've heard EVERY possible argument for why one should/shouldn't support the home team, so don't e-mail or comment some bullshit about "we deserve better" or "our ownership isn't blah blah blah".  Do your jobs or disband.

With Philly's rookie status and DC's new found plastic-ness, it seems that the ESC/GSS boys from NY/NJ are running rival-free in 2010.  Shame.

And while I'm at it...
What the hell were the green and gold smoke bombs about in the Barra Brava section?  PLEASE tell me that wasn't some "United to United" connection about ownership hatred with the folks in Manchester.  There's no way DC fans are that stupid, right?