Sunday, August 31, 2008

And anotha one...

Count it!

New flava in MY ear!

Mos Def.

A Milli.

[a freestyle. live.]



Shout out to
  • Nah Right for putting this on my radar!
  • Breezy.

    FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!


    I can't believe this.

    Don't sleep on Jojo. Don't sleep...

  • Can't Believe It - Jojo
  • Girl Talk.

    I like albums. I like singles, yes, but I loves me a good album more. I've said it before, so there's no need for me to elaborate. So anyways, people were all about this Lykke Li album a few weeks back, right? So I went ahead and scanned it, gave it a try, and wanted to jump on the bandwagon. Unfortunately, I don't see what the fuss is all about. Barely held my attention. But this? This performance right here? It may make me think twice.



    Maybe.

    Party and Bullshit!

    How to get rich without really trying [in Hip-Hop]:

    (1) Come up on some Louis Vuitton wallpaper and "backdrop" that shit up,

    (2) Come up on some Patron decals, add them here and there to the Louis Vuitton wallpaper, and "backdrop" that shit up,

    (3) Make sure your song and/or hook encourages folks to stunt. Cause people loooove to stunt!

    (4) Lather, rinse, repeat.

    New flava in ya ear!

    Mike Page.

    Show Yo Swag.

    Dairy Queen.

    FILE UNDER: .../A Moment of Clarity.

    Grand Old Party.

    FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: Out of the Races & Onto the Tracks!


    Righteous?

    "...On the eve of his convention, McCain took on the role of a concerned potential president determined to avoid the errors made by President Bush three years ago. "I have every expectation that we will not see the mistakes of Katrina repeated," he said...McCain said in an interview with NBC that it was possible he would make his acceptance speech not from the convention podium but via satellite from the Gulf Coast region..."

    Part of me wants to commend the Republican Party for putting the wants, needs, and security of the American people front and center. But a larger part of me who is still angry about Katrina and how all that shit went down* is purely cynical,and sees this all as a pure political ploy to garner more attention and/or votes. Plus I can only imagine the kind of flak Barack Obama would have gotten if he tried to pull this shit. I could hear it now: "YOU ARE NOT THE PRESIDENT! SO QUIT ACTING LIKE IT!"

  • YAHOO: McCain orders convention curtailed for Gustav


  • *My cousin got married last night. He, along with his wonderful bride and a few bridesmaids, guests, and groomsmen attended Xavier University in New Orleans and have already dealt with the deplorable disaster that was Hurricane Katrina. As someone who was safe and oh so far away from it all, it was surreal -for lack of a better word- to watch and listen as everyone tried to put on a happy face knowing that come the end of the reception and Sunday morning, they had to bounce and head back to the bayou to evacuate yet again, and hope for the best.

    Oh Word?

    FILE UNDER: Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    HOLD UP, WAIT A MINUTE! Slim from 112 has gone solo? Fo' real? Quit playin'!

    New flava in MY ear!

    Slim.

    Shawty Lo.

    And Yung Joc.

    So Fly.



    Ain't gon lie, that was mad chill and breezy. Definitely feelin' it!

    Looks like we made it!

    FILE UNDER: Obligatory "Damn M.I.A. is doing the damn thing with this Paper Planes track" post/Riddle Me This(?)/One Pure Thought.


    "A, you got that new Mia track?"

    Saturday night. Sometime between 1 and 3 a.m. Dipping through the streets of St. Louis. 104.1. Hip-Hop and R&B. Dave Banner and Chris Brown, Get Like Me. Grindin', groovin', tiltin' the head back. Song begins to fade, the next track bubbles up from the underground. Wait a minute, is that M.I.A.? Paper Planes to be exact? Damn. Get em shorty. Is this happening in the clubs nowadays? If so, that's what's up!

    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!/A Moment of Clarity.

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."



    Ain't that right Stevie?

    For Jason and Leah White.



    Saturday, August 30, 2008

    Get me so excited!


    Oracular Spectacular!

    "Calling the Skeletal Lamping product line a "paradigm shift" is bullshit, but you shouldn't underestimate all the sex talk on the record. Yes, Kevin is really thinking with his Hissing Fauna on this one, letting us know "We can do it softcore if you want, but you should know I take it both ways" ("For Our Elegant Caste") and that "I'm just a black she-male" ("Wicked Wisdom"). He wants to "make you come 200 times a day" ("Gallery Piece") and "ejaculate until it's no longer fun" ("Plastis Wafers"), but also dry your tears. There are slow jams, braggadocio, a big cock creator, and gang bangs. And sometimes he's just straight up: 'My pleasure puss, I wanna know what it's like to be inside you.'"

  • STEREOGUM: Premature Evaluation: of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
  • Friday, August 29, 2008

    Midwest Swang.

    FILE UNDER: A Moment of Clarity.


    "Bounce. Rock. Roller skate?"*

    So...

    This morning I finally got my hands on some food from this highly touted and sought after food chain they call Sonic's.

    Yeah...

    I don't see what the fuss is all about.

    *Our entire minivan let out a collective sigh of disappointment when our server walked to our car with the food. We were really hoping for some Roller Disco food service action.

    Thursday, August 28, 2008

    Bare Necessities.

    New flava in ya ear!

    Common.

    [feat. Pharrell].

    Announcement.

    Gone Fishin'!



    Tauwan is sleeping in, not exercising, drinking, and acting a fool with fam in St. Louis. That's what up! Y'all know what this is!

    Wednesday, August 27, 2008

    Magic's in the Make-Up.

    FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: Out of the Races & Onto the Tracks!

    So I gotta admit, I was all swept up in Barack Obama's how do you say, "aura" during the primary season. And I felt that small tinge of emotion and pride as I saw Michelle Obama, a Black woman, next in line to be first lady, march to the podium to speak as Stevie Wonder played in the background. As a Black American male it was just an incredible visage. But the speech? It was fine, but I don't know, I was just expecting so much more for some reason. So I went into Monday night's speech by Hillary Clinton with no expectations, along for the ride, hoping for something substantial, inspiring, and worthwhile. And boy did she deliver. I never hated Hillary or wanted her to go play somewhere, no. I just stood more firmly behind my man Obama, but on Monday night I second guessed myself as this woman moved me, entertained me, quoted Harriet Tubman and came with a swagger many thought was privy only to her husband. Barack is my nominee, and I'mma hopefully ride with him through thick and then til the wheels fall off, but Hillary? She's my girl and here's hoping that for her, the best is yet to come.

    Tuesday, August 26, 2008

    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!/A Moment of Clarity.

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't that right Michael?

    I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time!

    Seriously, I love this chick. Always have, always will.*


    *Though I will go on the record and say that the whole "girlishly aloof" thing does get on my nerves sometimes.

  • Thanks Rich.
  • No.this.fool.didn't!

    FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!

    Just press play.



    Wow. House arrest has done wonders for this man's creativity, no?

    Oh Word?


    The Ruler's Back!


  • LAIST: Hollywood Palladium to Reopen in October with JAY-Z
  • Generation Kill.

    FILE UNDER: It was all a dream.../Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.


    I(!) want to get away...

    Daytime. Somewhere in the Middle East. “Protected” by the American soldiers here on this Roswell/Camp Pendleton/Doomsday hybrid of a military site. Conflict is a-brewing. We few civilians present here on the grounds are clothed in white t-shirts and matching white boxer shorts. Both sexes. Meanwhile the American soldiers are in full on military garb trying to protect us, figure out exactly where the enemy fire is coming from, and “clap back.” The enemy fire is relentless and out of control. We must now resort to crawling to get from point a to point b/out of harm’s way. It’s hard not to be scared as BOOM man down, and again, BOOM man down. The gorgeous young Black mother next to me clutches her nude baby boy. Crying hysterically she rocks him back and forth, frantically whispering to both herself and those around her that, “it’s okay. I know this is right. We’ll see each other again soon” before handing off her baby to an American soldier. I look away and drop to the floor. This shit is out of control. Eventually I can’t take it anymore. Close my eyes. Content with just laying in the sunshine on my stomach hopeful that it all will end. Open my eyes. Conflict still brewing from both sides. Help nowhere in sight and/or currently unavailable as the American soldiers rush to fight fire with fire. Close my eyes. Open my eyes. M.I.A.’s Paper Planes starts to play. Turn my head slightly to the left and see three dimes, all face up, radiating gold in the sunlight. In fact, they are gold. I’m still scared and Paper Planes is still supplying the soundtrack to it all. I shiver, I tremble, a single tear rolls down my cheek. Close my eyes. Nothing but the sound of Paper Planes, gunfire, and a loud heartbeat ticking as if it’s near its expiration date. Fade to black. Paper Planes ends yet the heartbeat still pumps harder, faster, louder in the darkness. Open my eyes. Jump up in my bed. Look at the clock. It’s 7:35 a.m. And the heartbeat is still going harder, faster, louder, stronger, except it’s not my heartbeat, it’s my alarm clock, sounding off for the last 5 minutes. Good Morning(!), Wake up world(!), and hello Tuesday!

    Slo love.

    FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!


    "In this club!"

    Call me crazy, but something tells me this girl's album will straight knock.

    Trust.

    Keri Hilson.

  • Slow Dance.
  • GOOD MORNING!

    Monday, August 25, 2008

    Malcolm in the Middle.

    FILE UNDER: U Can't Touch This.

    Jesse McCartney covers one of my favorite cuts of the last few years or so, and all I can do is get distracted by how homeboy looks like Frankie Muniz covering T-Pain with Dallas Austin and Jermaine Dupri on back-up.

    Date with the night.

    Thursday, August 28th. I'll be in good old St. Louis, M.O. for the holiday weekend, but you? You should be here:



    Nuff said.

    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!/A Moment of Clarity.

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't right Aaliyah?



    Much love baby girl. Always and forever...

    UniverSOOOUUUL Circus!

    It's official y'all: T-Pain has come up on too much money.

    Real talk...

    T-Pain.

    Lil Wayne.

    Can't believe it!




    Also, how high was Lil Wayne during the recording of his rap on the bridge? [Y'all know he was all about the effects and shit in this video.] My God. No one was around to get homeboy a glass of water or something? Damn.

    "Stuntin is a habit!"

    "Get like we!"

    New flava in ya ear!

    T.I.

    Jay-Z.

    Kanye West.

    Lil Wayne.

    And a little help from M.I.A.

    Swagger Like Us.



    Track spotted over at
  • Stereogum.
  • Saturday, August 23, 2008

    Old School Funk for the True Funk Soldiers!

    "We don't believe you, you need more people..."

    ...to run your campaign and point it in the right direction...



    PRIMARIES: Out of the Races & Onto the Tracks!

    SI! SE! PUEDE!

    Joe texted us earlier this week. Two friends were coming down from Northern California and needed a place to crash in Los Angeles on their cross country trip to the Democratic National Convention.

    Skip to the end.

    Friday.

    It was one of those nights.

    No more than 10 peeps tops.

    Our apartment.

    Drinks, purple, good music, good conversation, video cameras, Mario Kart, Rich Girl [H & O], No Diggity.

    These girls -Annie and Samantha - were electric. And it sure was refreshing to be able to weave politics and shit into the conversation as opposed to sitting through yet another conversation of gossip, gossip, gossip, sex, sex, sex, life, work, school sucks.

    NO.

    Celebrate the good times. Keep ourselves informed, hope for some change, and do the damn thing.

    Oh, and they're blogging their cross country, shirt stenclin [done this morning in front of the pad. I got like three shirts! Si! Se! Puede!], nearly 500 stickered volvo drive to the convention and all that happens in between.

    Check it out:

  • OBAMA MOBILE USA
  • Friday, August 22, 2008

    [Girls] All Pause.

    And take in this here photo of Keyshia Cole. -Deep Breath-



    -SIGH-


    You may now return to your regularly scheduled program.

    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't that right Isley Brothers?



    HAPPY FRIDAY NIGHT, Y'ALL! NOW COAST...

    Sing it with me now:

    "It's so hard, to say goodbye. To yesterday..."

    Just press play.

    Seriously.


    FILE UNDER: A Moment of Clarity.

    Spotted over at
  • Crunk + Disorderly,
  • where else?

    Lady of Rage.

    You know what, I did not care for this track at all when I first streamed it. And then I watched this video, and was reminded of why I have been riding since Pink since Can't Take Me Home.

    Check it out!

    Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Pink, in

    So What?



    And how great are those scenes with her Ex-Husband?

    HOLD UP, WAIT A MINUTE!

    Damn. Somebody really think they Aaliyah and shit, huh?

    New flava in ya ear!

    Cassie.

    Lil Wayne.

    Official Girl.


    [ED.'S NOTE: Best screencap ever?]

    The Love Below.

    John Legend.

    Andre 3000.

    Green Light.



    I still feel as though this song belongs on a mixtape or is a Love Below outtake. But that's just me...

    MIXTAPE FRIDAYS!!!



    [Don't] Dance!

    1/Don Go Do It/The Rapture
    2/I Wanna Be Your Lover/Prince
    3/On Board/Friendly Fires
    4/Love at First Sight/Kylie Minogue
    5/Mickey Rocks/The Cool Kids
    6/Ms. New Booty/Bubba Sparxx feat. The Ying Yang Twins
    7/More Bounce to the Ounce/Zapp & Roger
    8/Run It/Chris Brown
    9/Tonight is Forever/Acid House Kings
    10/Lemme Get That/Rihanna
    11/Lights and Music/Cut Copy
    12/Hot-N-Cold/Basement Jaxx
    13/Don't Dance/Hot Chip
    14/Creator/Santogold
    15/One Pure Thought/Hot Chip
    16/The Hollows/Why?
    17/Summer Song/YACHT
    18/Hardcore Girls/The Count & Sniden feat. Rye Rye
    19/Give it 2 Me/Madonna
    20/Curious [Treasure Fingers RMX]/Romanthony
    21/Face to Face/Daft Punk
    22/Drugs in my Body/Thieves Like Us
    23/Blue Monday/New Order

    Thursday, August 21, 2008

    WEEZY!

    Phone home and come back to life, back to reality.



    Just saying...

    Get me so excited!

    FILE UNDER: Oh Word?



    Seriously, read that headline.

  • PITCHFORK: The Rapture Line Up DJ Dates, Plan DJ-Kicks Mix
  • Glamorama!

    I'm only ten minutes into this season premiere and I already know that I'll be hopelessly devoted to this shit right here. It's appointment television I tell ya what!

    [And the fact that the new Margaret Cho show is on immediately following it is just icing on the cake.]

    Check it out!



    And you know I'm loving how much Vivica is loving her role as the ghetto fabulous Heidi Klum.

    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't that right Amerie?

    The Wheelz of Steel!

    FILE UNDER: MIXTAPE FRIDAYS!!!


    "Youmustnotknowbouthe!"

    DJ Mark Andrew. He's got that Midas Touch! Check it out:

    New Mix Is Up!!!
    Ur Gonna Love It!!!
    Bangin Ass HEAT!!!
    No Drops, No Pro Tools,
    No Ableton, No Bullshit!!!!
    100% Live!!!
    100% FREE!!!!
    Jus Click It, No Ticket!!!!
    YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!


  • Click here.


  • That's what's up!

  • MYSPACE: DJ Mark Andrew
  • A Moment of Clarity.

    "Mane I'm a gangsta/g-a-n-g-s-t-a mane/a gangsta the best to come up out of PA mane/a gangsta seldom seen but always heard/a real gangsta more than just a 7 letter word/a gangsta ain't ya clothes/a gangsta ain't ya hat/your watch ring your chain naw a gangsta ain't that/a gangsta can have that but he ain't got to show it/cause with or without it hes still gangsta and you know it!" -Bun B, That's Gangsta

    This? Not so much.


    It was acceptable in the 80's!

    And it's more than acceptable today!...


    "Bitch you like it, don't front!"

    MSTRKRFT.

    Calvin Harris.

    (DJ sets)

    The Music Box @ Fonda, Friday September 26th.

    and Sunday September 28th at the El Rey.

    Tickets on sale tomorrow morning at 10.

    Get excited!

    Pump Up the Jamz!

    FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!/OH MY GOD!!!


    Cosmic.

  • DISCOBELLE: Romanthony - Curious (Treasure Fingers remix)
  • I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T!

    Do you know what that means?...

    New flava in ya ear!

    Ne-Yo.

    Miss Independent.



    Damn this CD needs to hurry up and come out already. Also, let's take a minute to talk about Gabrielle Union and Lauren London. MY GOD! Too sexy!

    Disturbia.

    FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: Out of the Races & Onto the Tracks!

    What's my age again?

    FILE UNDER: Oh word?


    Laid back.

    Hold up, wait a minute! Ryan Adams and Oasis are hitting the road together for a few dates? Oh word? Time for me to party like it's 1999*.

  • STEREOGUM: Ryan Adams On How To Have Fun At An Oasis Show


  • *Though I do prefer my Ryan without his Cardinal brethren.

    Wednesday, August 20, 2008

    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't that right Klaxons and Justice?

    [ED'S NOTE: Play this one at night y'all.]

    Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows.

    FILE UNDER: Oh Word?/Big Ups Ricky Martin!


    That 'she' he speaks of in this song? Doesn't even matter anymore.

    Ricky Martin is now the proud father of twin boys y'all. And he didn't even have to "get busy" in order to attain them.

  • DEFAMER: Immaculate Male Pop Star Conception Month Continues With Twins For Ricky Martin!
  • It ain't over til it's over.

    FILE UNDER: A Quick Peep/One Pure Thought/A Moment of Clarity.


    "I got game, he got game, we got game, she got game..."

    Ferd: hmm...
    hope? change?
    [name withheld]...change we can believe in?
    well, to his credit, he does have more experience than The One
    me: OH!....SNAP!
    Ferd: truth!
    hah
    me: [gets up and walks around the room in disbelief with a hand over my mouth like 'no you didn't!']
    Ferd: hah, are you all about obama?
    and you can say yes
    i know you at least see through the media and celebrity charade :)
    me:
    here's the thing
    I got swept up in all of Obama's shiny newness
    ain't gon lie
    but to be totally honest
    I was just excited about the whole process
    we had a mormon
    a guitar playing southern fool
    a woman
    a black man
    and father time
    just to name a few
    and then we finally got two candidates
    and while I KNOW I can't do McCain
    I am not 100% sold on Obama either
    I mean yes the man is charming and young and can shoot hoops like it ain't no thang
    but the luster has worn off
    not just in regards to him
    but the process as a whole
    this shit has just on way too long
    you know what I mean
    I hope that made sense
    Ferd: hah it did make sense

    How the other half lives.

    FILE UNDER: A Moment of Clarity.


    "Mission accomplished, fellas?"

    Last week we explored how Sir George W. Bush isn't really all that bad of a guy. This week see if you agree with Sean Wilentz's assumption that George W. has, and I quote, "Destroyed the Republican Party."

  • ROLLING STONE: How Bush Destroyed the Repbublican Party


  • Earlier...


  • Lame Duck?
  • Sho' Ya Right!

    So a weekend or two back I flipped on my tele and landed on BET. [Black.Star.POWER!] Luckily for me Keyshia Cole's show The Way it Is was on repeat and getting its marathon on.

    Wow.

    Immediately swept. Up. In it. I mean captivated. Why? Cause that shit was real, son! And all too familiar. The family struggles, stuffing "everybody and they mama" in one house, working for the cit-tay, loud ghetto ass arguments in the street in front of both your neighbors AND your kids, not to mention a whole lot of grown black folks who apparently ain't never heard of a censor button. MY GOD! At times it was like an episode of "Tauwan, this is your life!" But more than anything it just endeared me to Keyshia Cole, an artist whose musical output hasn't really been scanned by me outside of a few singles. It was just real. She's just real. In fact, she's just like us.

    Don't believe me?

    Peep this ad. Cause ain't too many artists running around doing ads for Pink Smooth Touch.



    Let that soul glow girl! Let it glow!

    Coming soon to an issue of Ebony, Essence, Black Hair, or Jet near you!


    Pic spotted over at
  • Crunk + Disorderly.
  • Get stupid!

    Don't stop!

    The Count & Sniden feat. Rye Rye.

    Hardcore Girls.


    Can you keep up?...



    Vid spotted over at
  • Discobelle.
  • For Your Consideration.


    What it do?

    I gotta admit, this fella they call The Game sure has been grabbing my attention lately. That dark and gritty looking Travis Barker clip, the track itself, My Life with Weezy, and now this. Most definitely copping this joint next week.

    New snippet in ya ear!

    The Game.

    House of Pain.




    LAX. In stores next Tuesday.

    "Let's get into some trouble!"

  • Now this is a groove I can stand behind...


  • New flava in ya ear!

    YACHT.

    Summer Song.




    Vid spotted over at
  • Idolator.
  • When I Grow Up!

    FILE UNDER: Quote of the Day!/Good Morning!/A Moment of Clarity.


    "I coulda been a contender?"

    Two college buddies talk about the future and where they are headed. One has taken the GRE recently, while the other is contemplating Paralegal/Law School. This is an excerpt from their story:


    HIM: here's the thing about law school...are you enjoying your life in a law firm? also...what law do you think you might want to do? personally, i can't see you as a lawyer; i feel like you are too personable and too electric to do that. i don't know if entertainment would be right because biz is all whack but...i don't know. i could totally see you being a really good teacher and inspiring a lot of kids.
    HE:...In the end I just want to do something involving politics possibly [with an emphasis on current events. I like having that shit in my life and all I seem to do is read history or political books for fun. You know when I am not reading and writing about music. hehe.], and there is always the drive to bring arts to younger children. Particularly those with limited access to it in the first place. Can you imagine how much more "electric" I would have been if I didn't have to seek out my artistic sensibilities or keep them under wraps til my later formative years. Actually don't answer that. There's a huge possibility I could have turned out to be one horribly arrogant little stage kid. You know, like a Black Zac Efron or something...

    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't that right Gwen Stefani?

    Tuesday, August 19, 2008

    Old School Funk for the True Funk Soldiers!

    Two dudes broke out in unisom with this song right here. I blame the viewing of Bob Saget's roast. [Amongst other things...]

    Party and Bullshit!

    How to get rich without really trying [in Hip-Hop]:

    (1) Take an idea and/or concept that a more talented or skilled MC would not let go on for longer than two to four bars and stretch it out til the wheels fall off,

    (2) Get T-Pain on the hook for guaranteed sing alongs in da clubs and in dem whips. This aids in stopping folks from taking a minute to realize how ridiculous the lyrics on the hook are as they "tilt that head back" [ED's NOTE: I fall victim to this far too many times with Rap and R&B Hits],

    (3) Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

    New flava in ya ear!

    Tay Dizm.

    T-Pain.

    Rick Ross.

    Beam Me Up.


    *And please if you can't sit through it all, at least allow yourself to listen to that hook at least once before pressing stop.

    Dream on.

    Throw a rock today and you'll most definitely hit a blogger posting this:

    New snippet in ya ear!

    TV on the Radio.


    Golden Age.




    Yeah...I guess. You would have thought that this was THE single of the year prior to pressing play. [Google it] Me? I'll go back to my !!! albums, and still go "meh" whenever someone mentions TV on the Radio.*

    *Yes, yes y'all I know Wolf Like Me is awesome. You don't have to remind me and/or tell me twice.

    Monday, August 18, 2008

    Pretty Please (Love Me)!

    So I have a confession to make: I have only recently succumbed to the playful and carefree whims of Estelle's American Boy. And no I have not given her debut CD Shine the time of day yet. But this song? This shit right here? Oh I messes with this shit right here. Real talk.

    New flava in MY ear!

    Estelle.

    And Cee-Lo Green the Soul Machine.

    Pretty Please (Love Me).



    Did I just see Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day chillin in the cut for a minute at the top of this video?

    Bitch Please!


    Baffled.

    DJ Khaled, Kanye West, and T-Pain team up for a track. Before we proceed with the "yes indeed(s)", let's speak on it, shall we?

    (1) DJ Khaled. Am I the only person who thinks this fool needs to shut the fuck up, or I don't know 'go play somehere'[I'm busy]?

    (2) I never pegged Kanye West as someone to rally behind a trend [You would think that he'd be all about setting them, no?], but this autotune kick he is on has got to stop. We Put On? Inspired. Go Hard? Makes me worried about his future output.

    (3) Go Hard. Wow. With a title like that you would expect the track to do just that. Unfortunately, it does not.

    New flava in ya ear!

    DJ Khaled.


    Kanye West.


    T-Pain.

    Go Hard.


    [Cause they ain't]

  • Go Hard - DJ Khaled feat. Kanye West and T-Pain

  • Yours to keep.

    FILE UNDER: Oh Word?


    This Thursday, August 21st.

    Real talk.

    Act like you know.

  • BLOC PARTY: Intimacy Pre-Order
  • Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't right Peter Bjorn & John?

    Wild Thang.

    I remember discovering and then falling in love with My Morning Jacket's last album Z.

    I remember purchasing Evil Urges earlier this year, walking away unimpressed with what was presented to me at the outset.

    I remember not giving up on it, coming back to it, letting it grow, not show.

    I remember being a "dick" to my friends. Skipping out on a Saturday afternoon to stay indoors, read the paper, Vanity Fair, and a book while getting my full length album play on.

    I remember selecting Evil Urges, letting "that bitch breathe" so to speak, loving the disc more and more as it went on.

    And what I remember most of all was how, after a two or three song block of songs that did nothing for me, this one track grabbed my attention, made me close my book and go "okay My Morning Jacket. I see you..."

    And so did its video.

    New flava in ya ear!

    My Morning Jacket.

    touch me i'm going to scream pt.2.




    You gotta admit, that's one of the greatest music videos you've seen in a minute, right?


    P.S.:

    Please make sure you are familiar with Part 1:

    The Dead Quote Olympics!

    FILE UNDER: You, Me, & Everyone We Know!

    This one goes out to all my homies on the grind, down and out, on the hustle.



    Vid spotted over at
  • Pajiba.
  • Duck Tales.

    New flava in ya ear!

    Black Kids.

    Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo).

    Sunday, August 17, 2008

    WHOOO THE FUCK IS THAT?



    Hollywood Holt. That's who.

    So a few weeks back I hit up the Dizzee Rascal show at the Echoplex. Before Dizzee graced us with his presence, we the crowd got to enjoy the fine talent that were the opening acts. Each one was hit or miss and easy to describe the next day if a friend asked you to recap the show; Band one, Kenan Bell, had a Roots feel if you were to remove Black Thought, insert Saul Williams, delete the spoken word and add a few more caucasians to the backing band. [You know, they combined rock and rap]. Opening act number two, The 87 Stick Up Kids, tried to recreate that 1980's B-Boy House Party rap vibe; And then there was Hollywood Holt. A Chi-Town native, not much taller than me [I'm 5'3], whose set was more memorbale for the "yes y'all's" and the "everybody say HEY(s)!...HO(s)!" than it was for the actual lyrical dexterity and/or audible hooks. In other words, it was another Los Angeles show in which you walked away thinking you'd never hear from or see these opening acts again.*

    I was wrong.

    New flava in ya ear!

    Hollywood Holt.


    Hollywood.




    *Not knocking these acts at all. Y'all know what I'm saying.

  • MYSPACE: Kenan Bell


  • MYSPACE: The 87 Stick Up Kids


  • MYSPACE: Hollywood Holt
  • Groove me baby!

    New flava in ya ear!

    Flight of the Conchords.


    Ladies of the World.

    Jockin' Jay-Z!

    FILE UNDER: Quote of the Day!



    "Noel Gallagher said I should 'learn three chords on the guitar and go write a tune'. So I just wanted him to know that I'm actually taking guitar lessons from Jay-Z right now and he's already taught me both chords to 'Wonderwall' (tune!)...In fact, it's so much fun having Jay teach me all of Noel's songs on the guitar (hooray!) that I'm thinking of doing an Oasis/Jay-Z remix album a la 'The Grey Album'. Potential titles are 'Champagne Superhova' or 'Definitely Jay Z'. I'll keep you posted." -Mark Ronson

  • NME: Mark Ronson lashes out at Noel Gallagher
  • Pee Wee's Playhouse.

    This girl is doing the damn thing. And I ain't mad at her for it.


    Solange.


    Sandcastle Disco.


    Saturday, August 16, 2008

    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't that right Radiohead?

    Midnight Love.

    FILE UNDER: A Moment of Clarity.


    Really Vivica? Really?

    See, this right here is why you don't watch BET at 1 a.m. on a Friday night.

    ...

    My girl.



    Always and forever.

  • Still Standing - Monica feat. Ludacris
  • Friday, August 15, 2008

    Word Up?

    FILE UNDER: A Moment of Clarity.


    Nope. Try again.

    From CNN.COM:

    "Although the name Georgia is familiar to the United States, the country isn't. Most Americans don't know its remarkable story..."

    Yeah, tell me about it. When the conflict first broke out, I read a headline that was something along the lines of Russia invades Georgia and was all worried that we had another problem on our hands here on American soil, before evenutally digging deeper and reading the fine print.

    Not a good look son. Not a good look at all..

  • CNN: Commentary: Russian bombs' message is 'this is for America'
  • You've come a long way baby!

    FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!


    Remember this?

    Let's talk about this chick Solange Knowles for a minute. Let's talk about how I never really gave her the time of day, and laughed at many a joke she found herself the butt of being Beyonce's little sister and all who almost appeared to famous simply by riding on coattails and shit. Let's talk about how her latest single I Decided is one of my favorites of the year, is constantly in my head, and currently provides the soundtrack for my Myspace page. And please, let's talk about how I can't even hate on this two minute snippet of this Mark Ronson produced track 6 O'Clock Blues from her upcoming album SoL-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams.

  • 6 O'Clock Blues - Solange


  • That's what's up!

    Shout out to folks over at
  • Concrete Loop
  • for putting this on my radar.

    Boyz in da Hood.

    The Game feat. Lil Wayne.

    My Life.

    Keep it Movin!

    And anotha one...

    New flava in ya ear!

    Oasis.

    Shock of the Lightning!

    Word Up! Hey!

    Fo' real doe?

    Travis is still making hits?

    Oh word?

    Daaaamn.

    New flava in MY ear!

    Travis.

    Something Anything.



    And anotha one, just because it's my favorite:


    Bones, Ribs, Coolers, and Beer.

    FILE UNDER: Old school funk for the true funk soldiers/This is how we do it!

    As the days get long, and we see a rise in temperatures, how many bitches want to touch this n****a name Snoo- ah hem, I mean we should take the time to relax the mind, let the conscious be free, and indulge in the tunes best fit for chilling, dranking, and in the words of Magic Johnson, "having a good time..."


    Ain't that right Dove Shack?

    Thursday, August 14, 2008

    Drugs Not Working.

    FILE UNDER: Riddle Me This?/New flava in ya ear!/...

    Now, I am not knocking No Age in anyway whatsoever, but after viewing the video for both Eraser and now Keechie below I must ask, how does one sit[/stand] through an entire concert of this? My God.

    New flava in ya ear!

    No Age.


    Keechie.

    Proceed at your own risk.


    "Are you not entertained?"

    Drugs. Drugs have got to play a part in all this.

    Shout out to
  • Pitchfork.tv
  • for the vid!

    You, Me, & Everyone We Know.

    Caught Pineapple Express this past Sunday. We also got there a little too early, meaning we were subjected to commercials, making of features, 'let's all go to the lobby' scrolls, and MORE COMMERCIALS prior to the start of previews.

    [Still weren't early enough to get great seats. Good seats yes, just not great. Opening weekend ain't no joke son. Especially on a Sunday afternoon.]

    During this time we got to see both a making of the new Michael Cera starring vehicle Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, as well as the trailer. Yes, I feel like I have seen the entire movie already, and yes it's almost like Juno with less pregnancy, more rock music, and more urban gentrification. Or as commenter Maddie over at Stereogum remarked, "looks like Hollywood locked a few indie hipsters in a closet, had them jack off in a plastic red solo cup and in turn served it on the coat tails of Juno."

    Don't believe us? See for yourself below:



  • STEREOGUM: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist Offers A Devendra Banhart Cameo, New Vampire Weekend
  • The Love Shack.


    Burnin' Up? I guess.

    I am one gullible motherfucker. Seriously. Ask some of my close friends. [Hell ask a
    co-worker or casual acquaintance] This is even more true when it comes to record reviews. If there is enough chatter and/or favorable reviews stacked behind an artist's work, then I'll try to take it in, go "hmm" and give it a shot. This of course, leads to the all important sampling step. Now this is truly make or break time. If you can't win me over in a 30 second iTunes/Amazon/full length website and/or blog stream then sorry, we're done. No amount of favorable words can save you then.

    Case in point: The Jonas Brothers.

    I know, I know, "what the hell are you doing caring about the Jonas Brothers", right?

    Wrong.

    Look, I like pop music. And I also spend of fair amount of my days scanning music mags and blogs just to stay up on my favorite acts, tune in to some new shit, and further my love of all things music. So it should come as no surprise that I have come across the name Jonas Brothers from time to time in the last couple of months. Especially seeing as how they are operating on this whole "bigger than The Beatles" tip. [calm down people, it's a joke]

    So after a while I had to move beyond the Nick and Miley gossip, the promise ring nonsense, and all that jazz, and go, "yeah, but what about that music?"

    Yeah...about that.

    Remember that whole gullible thing I mentioned a few sentences ago?

    A week or two back I found myself scanning the new Rolling Stone, and read the album review for the Jo Bros. latest disc A Little Bit Longer. The reviewer gave it four stars. FOUR STARS!!! Oh word? My eyebrows raised, I sat up straight on the couch, and literally said aloud, "am I gonna have to buy a Jonas Brothers CD?", as was mentioned in a previous blog post shortly following the living room announcement.

    Eventually, I came to my senses and realized it ain't that serious.

    And then the morning came.

    This morning to be exact.

    Looks like these fools are on track to sale damn near 800,000 copies of A Little Bit Longer this week. [Oh no! But Miley only sold 300,000 copies! -GASP!] And it's already off to a good start seeing as how it sold 201,000 copies on Tuesday alone. So after hearing this I opened my iTunes store and scanned me some tracks.

    Yeah...about that.

    Not for me. A lot of processed, crunchy sounding guitars and instrumentation, complete with that popular not quite Simple Plan and bands of that ilk but close vocal stylings track...after track. But then I got to track five, Lovebug. This is the song that damn near every reviewer points out in their write ups of A Little Bit Longer. And I can see why. Yeah, I only got a 30 second clip, but it was quite refreshing, especially amidst all the processed odes to being "hot and cold" and "yearning for you ba-bay" [Okay, so that last one might not be an actual lyric, but the sentiment is there, trust me] It's also very playful, and takes it time to simply breathe, hinting at a sound and a vibe that's more attuned to their age and could hint at what's to come if Disney "steps the fuck off" for a minute. Now, am I gonna buy the album or pay more attention to the fellas because of it? No? Will I hold out hope that their music will one day move beyond the processed cash machine it's currently stuck in? Yes.

    Plus, any song that reminds me of the Foo Fighers' See You off The Colour and the Shape gets major points in my book...

    New flava in ya ear!

    The Jonas Brothers.

    Lovebug.



    BONUS:

    Foo Fighters.

    See You.