We lose weeks like buttons, like pencils. -Dave Eggers
Zion I producer, AMP LIVE, just released his new EP, You Are Not Human. This is the first official video from the project.
To start off with a bang. New music from the group, Toro Y Moi.
Producer, Kan Kick has a new beat tape out called, Rummage to Royalty. No other musical genre has anything on the wordplay of hip hop artists.
Producer, Exile has 2 mixtapes out. This track is off of Intro to the Outro which is a remix tape featuring artists like, Talib Kweli, Guilty Simpson, Fashawn, Blu, MED and Pharoahe Monch. This is easy-listening to me…
Hassaan Mackey and producer, Apollo Brown just released a new collaboration album called, Daily Bread.
The Current Most Over-Rated Acts
I won’t sully my own blog with posting the actual music on here but if you want to know what not to listen to click the links.
1. Jay-Z (will always be number one at this at least. I’m sorry if I don’t get the appeal of rappers being businessmen also. That seems counterproductive to the artistic process; as explained by Kendrick Lamar this interview/freestyle. He seems to perpetually be at the same stage as Kevin Smith is currently; so distant and disconnected from your audience that you are forced to find a new one. Unfortunately, Jay-Z went pop along with Kanye and everyone else on the radio it seems like and gained the largest and most undiscerning audience of them all.)
2. lil Wayne (I don’t think I’ll ever be rid of this guy but he does let me know what “artists” not to listen to by having them featured on his songs. Artists that stay away from him are usually the ones I listen to.
3. Drake (I completely understand why the masses love this fool.. he IS pop music.. he sings and raps about girls, money, and how cool he is. But I was a little shocked when K-OS said he approved of drake. Almost as much as when Talib said he can appreciate lil wayne. I don’t think real artists should sign off on these people. Be more responsible, some people take you seriously.)
4. Odd Future (I’m glad you’re independent but I would be happier if you made good music. Take a step back from the ‘hardcore’ as you seem to think of it and try just rapping. Real hip hop artists can rap acapella and their lyrics will still hold up. I won’t hurt my brain to imagine any of this group’s song without an overpowering, heavily condensed beat to drown out half of what your saying.)
RECAP: Catching up on recent releases.
One of my top 5 favorite MC’s of all time. One Be Lo released his new album L.A.B.O.R. (Language Arts Based On Reality) along with 2 mixtapes of old and unreleased material. All that music should hold you over till the next Binary Starr album.
A snippet of the upcoming second album from Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli) was released. Sounds amazing.. can’t wait to hear a full song.
Madlib included a bonus disk when he released his album, Medicine Show No. 11. He calls the bonus disk, Madlib Around the World. This track is called Philadelphia.
Strange Fruit Project released a new album called Dreamer’s Journey. Not bad but I think I might miss their old material.
Finally, Phonte is rapping again (hopefully he will give up singing soon) and he and 9th Wonder are friends again.. So all is right with the underground again.
Tribute to Girls Who Use Profanity.
Dessa (of Doomtree). Found hip hop from a different avenue than most female MC’s.
Old school greatness from Bahamadia.
Boog Brown is Bahamadia reincarnated for the modern hip hop era.
A man can be destroyed but not defeated. -Ernest Hemingway
I have a decent amount of new music to share for the first time in a few weeks.
Just found out about his group, Actual Proof and I have to say I’m impressed. This duo just signed to 9th Wonder’s record label so I expect this track to be an example of the kind of music is to come. This track is produced by frequent 9th Wonder collaborator, Khrysis.
OneBeLo was the first MC that I truly became I fan of. He’s still one of my favorite rappers of all time and I’ve been anxious to hear his long overdue next album. This is his newest track.
He can rap. Forget the “rappers” he hangs out with, the rappers he equated to, and the genre he’s placed in. In that group of talentless newcomers, Kendrick Lamar stands out because of his potential and lyrical ability.
Here’s my attempt at revisiting an artist I said I would get back to you guys about. More great chill music from ShinSight Trio.
Behind the scenes of Nas & Common’s “Ghetto Dreams”.
A psychedelic track from the Whitefield Brothers’ newest album released on Now Again Records.
What the Fuck is Chillwave?
I prefer the term psychedelic pop but whatever… just some heavily mixed, chill ass music.
I suppose this is my favorite artist from the genre, Toro Y Moi. Perhaps my favorite song as well.
While looking for other bands from the same genre I came across this song that struck me as very familiar. I realize now its the song from the opening credits of Portlandia. Awesome track and hilarious show.
Now I’m just getting lost on youtube and wikipedia looking for different artists. That’s usually how I find all these different bands but somehow I still feel out of the loop when listening to anything besides hip hop.
Little Known Beatmakers
Jneiro Jarel works with MF DOOM often and I”ve heard they are even planning on working on an album together. This would be great news if I thought this project would ever see the light of day. For now just enjoy his unique instrumental tapes.
Newish producer with a lot of talent and a few beat tapes already circulating.
Clutchy Hopkins is famous for keeping his true identity a secret. That is, unless he’s an old caucasian homeless man.
Frequent collaborator of Qwel, Maker is starting to show he can be a stand alone producer.
Gems
More dope music I found while stumbling around on some of the blogs I follow. I’m behind because I was studying for the GRE but now I have a big chunk of music to share so not all bad.
Just came across this artist too. AF the Naysayer is his name and the track is produced by Luke St. John. Very intelligent, smooth raps right here. The beat is nice also.
Clan Destined is a new group with a lot of ability. This track is produced by LA based producer, P.U.D.G.E.
This track is off of Paul White’s upcoming album, Rapping with Paul White. Right when I was going to forget about this guy he makes a smart move like this. The above track features Guilty Simpson. If you like make sure to look out for the album.
My love is my soul’s imagination… How do I love you? Imagine. — Saul Williams
Up and coming Compton MC, Kendrick Lamar has been blowing up the last few weeks. I’m just glad to see a California MC with decent talent get some attention. I’ll have to keep an ear to his music though.. he might be a little to hard for my tastes. A lot of potential here, though.
Rhymesayers MC, Grieves released a new album recently entitled, Together Apart. I don’t know how Rhymesayers found a guy that fits so perfectly with the artists they already have but maybe that’s just the Minnesotta sound.
This beautiful track is from French Italian producer, Leon’s new LP, The Unseen Side of the Moon. I love producers that use vocal samples as part of the beat.. makes me feel like the beat is singing.
A chill beat from producer, Screw’s new EP, Come Through.
Tribute to Girls with Tattoos.
What kind of fuckery is this? I heard this song is about Nas. A great song, a formerly great artist.
New music from the beat legend, Ras G.
One of my favorite songs by Atmosphere. Slug really brought his lyrical talent to this one.
Favorite Animated Films
Waltz of Bashir
Amazing film with a great story and some of the best imagery I’ve seen in an animated film.
Persepolis
A really enjoyable film about a young rebellious Muslim girl from Iran sent to school in Europe.
A Scanner Darkly
A great cast combined with a great American filmmaker. If you like this film, you would like Waking Life.
Triplets of Bellville
I don’t know why this film isn’t more famous in America. Its brilliant and I still don’t understand how language is irrelevant in the film. No subtitles needed.
Je lui ai renoncé
a nostalgic post.
One of my favorite groups of all time. I’m hoping to hear more great music from them in the future now that Phonte and 9th Wonder are cool again.
The legendary Roots crew with a track from their 1999 album, Things Fall Apart.
Oakland based hip hop duo Zion I with one of their biggest hits, Bird’s Eye View. This is one of the first songs I heard when I started to get into underground hip hop.
The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks. -Christopher Hitchens
Black Thought’s side group, Money Makin’ Jam Boys, just released this new video for the song, Tear it Down. Its not the Roots but still good.
This is one of those beats that give me chills. Its from the new collaboration album, Falcon by Design, by producers, Maker and Joe Beats.
14KT is a great producer I started following not too long ago. This track is off his new instrumental album, 14KillaTape.
Another instrumental track but this one is from a recently released demo tape that was made in ’95. I love music like this.. Album is called Midnight EEz.
Can it be fixed?
Brazilian born rapper, Laws just joined hip hop group, the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. league. Don’t let the southern accent deter you. There is substance here. This is from a mixtape that features some classic Paul McCartney songs.
Here’s a great smoking song for all of you who partake. WEST COAST!
This is off of Blitz the Ambassador’s latest album, Native Son.
Favorite French Films
La Haine (1995)
Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)
OSS 117: Le Caire, nid d’espions (2006)
À Bout de Souffle (1960)
Penses-tu de moi?
This is an animated short released by The Walt Disney Company in 1945. It is a collaboration with Spanish Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. WAYYYYY ahead of its time. Reminds me of Waking Life.
Street art in Mexico.
Nice video of the whole process of painting plastic.
Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome. -Isaac Asimov
New video for a classic Jay Electronica track. Very dreamy song.
Track off of MED’s new album. This song’s produced by Exile and features Blu. Nice beat, nice lyrics.
Opio (of Souls of Mischief) and Equipo released a new collab album called, the Red X Tapes. Opio’s unique voice and flow fits perfectly on this beat.
Kev Brown just came out with this project with rapper, Kaimbr. Kev Brown doesn’t release his music on any type of normal schedule so I’m happy he’s still making music and collaborating with talented artists.
Pourquoi je ne me souviens mes rêves, sauf s’ils portent sur vous?
A track from the All Series Records: L.A. Series #8. Producers, Mike Gao and Tokimonsta share this beat album and alternate tracks. This is one of my stand-outs from the project.
One of my favorite non-hip hop producers, Onra hooked up with Byron for his newest project, The Big Pay Back.
A pretty ominous sounding track from prolific production duo, Blue Sky Black Death just released a new beat album. I really miss their hip hop beats so this track is probably the closest one on the album to hip hop. Don’t let that discourage you. I really liked their earlier albums and I’m sure another hip hop project is on the way.
Not too familiar with this artist but this track is pretty damn ill. All I know is that he’s affiliated with Project Mooncircle, the same collective that CYNE comes from. Will get back to you on him.
Quand tout était facile.
Films I’ve recently watched and enjoyed:
Cash (2008)
An entertaining heist film with Jean Reno and Jean Dujardin.
Jules et Jim (1962)
Can’t have a french film post without a ménage à trois. This film is about a polyamorous relationship set in the 1900’s. Truffaut uses a lot of cool camera effects and aesthetic techniques.
Les Diaboliques (1955)
An awesome suspense film by Henri George Clouzot. They remade it in 96 with Sharon Stone with the opposite result. French films shouldn’t be remade for Americans.. our philosophies on art are too different.
The Shaolin Temple (1982)
One of the most influential Martial Arts films to date. Jet Li’s breakout role and a great old school kung fu film. No CGI.
Flash Focus Record
Legendary duo, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth perform T.R.O.Y. live. Looks like a great performance, very good live.
Blueprint performing a new song live. I first heard this guy when I got a copy of his collaboration album with RjD2. He’s one of the more insightful rappers out right now but he still has a very interesting rhyme pattern as well.
Roots and Erykah Badu perform You Got Me at Woodstock ’99. They look soo young..
Clouded consciousness.
Here some visuals from Peter Rock’s newest project with the old school group, Camp Lo.
A really dope beat and an ill Fashawn feature.
Some french rapper. I guess rap is getting pretty big over there..
“Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere. – George Washington
This is the first song I’ve heard by this guy but I like it.
Can’t go wrong with Wu-Tang, especially the Chef.
LA producer that makes baby making beats.
An up and coming group that not bad at all.
Waxology 