Funky club and dance music veteran Armand van Helden and Kanye West affiliated beatmaker and DJ A-Trak unified under the Fools’ Gold imprint as Duck Sauce to much fanfare earlier this year. Their debut release, “aNYway” is a disco funk winner that could’ve slayed in 1979 from Studio 54 to the Paradise Garage to 2001 Odyssey and all spots in between. Nationally and internationally this year it’s been a prime track for openers to closers, from discos to downtown bars and Ibiza nightclubs. It’s a winner with fresh guitars, synths and drums, effortlessly re-fit for today with some deft control touches by the duo.

The video for the track, as a precursor to their full album release on October 26th is cute, and tongue in cheek, harkening back and reminiscent of a simpler time. It’s certainly retro, with nods of the head to two influential 70′s live music shows, “Don Kirschner’s Rock Concert” and the Wolfman Jack announced “Midnight Special.” The performance by the slick, Jackson 5 recalling funk outfit is entertaining as well, and now, with a video like this, the rest of the known universe can get their feet tapping to the groove.

Either way, it’s definitely whetting my appetite to see what they’re going to come out with next.

Still no sign as to what the album is going to be called, so I guess we’ll all have to wait patiently.

*Okay, not really, but it’s definitely a track I want to watch on my phone while I’m sitting in traffic tonight.

Notorious B.I.G. – Ready To Die Originals

Whoever posted this claims that these songs are unreleased or original tracks from Ready to Die which didn’t make the cut because of sample clearances. I can’t verify if this is true but I’m taking this dude at his word for now. (via Bol, HH&VG)

01 Intro(Original Uncleared Sample Version)
02 Things Done Changed(Original Version)
03 Gimme The Loot(Uncensored Never Before Heard Version)
04 Machine Fun Funk(Dj Premier Version)
05 Warning(Original Version)
06 Ready To Die(Original Beat Version)
07 One More Chance(Original Uncleared Sample Version)
08 Fuck Me(Interlude)
09 The What(Original Unheard Lyrics Version)
10 Juicy(Pete Rock Version)
11 Everyday Struggle(Demo Version)
12 Me And My Bitch(Original Beat Version)
13 Respect(Original Extended Version)
14 Friend Of Mine(Original Demo Version)
15 Whatchu Want(Unreleased Original Version)
16 Suicidal Thoughts(Pete Rock Version)
17 Come On(Unreleased Original Version)
18 Who Shot Ya(Original Demo Version)
19 Mac’s N Dons(Unreleased)
20 Pepsi Freestyle(Unreleased)
21 Biggie Got That Hype Shit(Unreleased Demo)

I’m posting this video for three reasons:

1.)It’s a little Asian boy pop locking.
2.)It’s Mano’s dope remix of “Dey Know.”
3.)It’s a little Asian boy pop locking.

Hope this makes your day. Have a fly weekend.

(props: Keenan)

MySpace:

MP3: Colin Munroe – Flashing Lights

First, off, who is Colin Munroe? Google is failing me this time. (Lady Glock, can you inform a brotha?) Having that said, a pretty nice remix of Kanye’s “Flashing Lights” video. Like I said before, non-commissioned videos are taking over! (from Kanye West blog)

Update: More info from Colin’s people (and Lady Glock)–The dude is from Toronto and is collaborating with Dallas Austin for his debut CD, Don’t Think Less of Me, which should drop this year. Check out more tracks on his MySpace.

Buy The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!

Saul Williams dropped the first video off of his groundbreaking internet-only project The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! You can get the album from Saul’s Website although it’s not free anymore (hmm….). It’s definitely worth getting though.

This is supposedly off of his new album Ego Trippin’ which is supposed to drop next year.

But still, there are egregious examples of people using the hip-hop in ways that make even a passive person like me offended. Like this video from the Singapore Media Development Authority. Don’t be fooled by the intro, or even the beat. Shoot, even the production quality is good. But still….just watch the video. And laugh. Or cry.

The second video comes from good ol’ Montgomery County, Maryland. Seems like the new principal wanted to introduce himself and figured that the hip-hop would be a great way to connect with the kids. Only problem is, most kids in high school weren’t even born when the show premiered. But that didn’t stop Principal Darryl Williams from making this video. Though it should have. (from DCist)

And while were on YouTube….

Tay Zonday – Cherry Chocholate Rain (Dr. Pepper Commercial)

I’m actually digging this, scary enough.

Why does this dude have a TV development deal and the Internets Celebrities are still relegated to YouTube? Rafi and Dallas…the man is keepin’ you down!