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Nov

R&B

New Music: Little Dragon - Fortune

Little Dragon - Fortune

Little Dragon’s 2007 self titled album stays on constant rotation in the iPod. It’s the type of album that you fall in love with from day one and never let go of again. Having that said, when I feel this way about an artists’ first album, I usually get anxious about their sophomore release. I’ve been dissapointed so many times by artists who either try to be more “pop” or forget that classic sound that made them famous whenever they get back into the studio for the second go round.

However, after listening to Little Dragon’s track “Fortune,” I’m not only less anxious for their sophomore release Berlinmaster, but I’m eagerly anticipating it. Everything that made me love this group in the first place is still there: the off kilter yet subtle beats and Yukimi Nagano’s magical voice still reign supreme.

Not much is known about Berlinmaster, but the fact that they just dropped a video for it (from Japanese animator, Hideyuki Katsumata) means that its hopefully coming real soon (via The Incubator).

Sidenote: I posted the divShare link as my away message and 5 people IMed me about it, so apparently I’m not the only Little Dragon fan around.

Tags: Berlinmaster, Little Dragon

Nov

New Music: Jessica Tonder

Written By : Stone // Comments (0)

Jessica Tonder - Art of War

I fell in love with Jessica Tonder’s voice from the second I heard it, and y’all might remember the Bee Remix with Proton that I played on the Podcast back in May, but Soul Bounce alerted me to the fact that she’s dropped some new songs on her MySpace which are equally as impressive.

With a smoky voice that evokes great female jazz artists of the past, and solid trip-hop production from Derrick “Drop” Braxton, the creator of such tracks as “Gold Watch,” and “Streets on Fire” from Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool, the 22 year old Atlanta via Miami native is poised to do big things in 2009. Her songs not only bring back the essence of those trip-hop tracks that we remember from the hey-dey (think Portishead and Esthero), but also brings a freshness and a uniqueness to them that is rare in music nowadays.

Her newest project, The Robot And The Little Girl, adds to Atlanta’s weerdo robot infatuation, and will hopefully drop soon.

myspace.com/jessicatonder

Tags: Jessica Tonder

Nov

UK Sounds

UK Tings: Kano, Wiley, Taiwah

Written By : Stone // Comments (1)

Kano - Hustler

VIDEO NSFW (The nipples are blurred out, but still…)

I already think that this video is one of the best of the year, but could this take this the best beat of the year honors as well? Kano’s album 140 Grime Street dropped in the UK last September and some over there are billing this as the London’s answer to Tha Carter III. If you don’t know what the video is referring to, then I suggest you re-watch New Jack City. I think this is probably one of the best videos of the year. What do y’all think?

Wiley - Cash In My Pocket

Wiley - Cash In My Pocket

Last time we heard from Wiley, the dude was calling his record company out on the Internets. Apparently, Wiley and The Man hugged it out, because his album, See Clear Now drops in the UK in January. His track Cash In My Pocket just dropped on the Internets (via DDoff) featuring Daniel Merriweather, and although the beat is dope, the hook is one of the most annoying things I’ve heard this year. Seriously, I can’t stand Autotune, but they need to throw some on this track.

Wiley describes See Clear Now as an “official” pop record, featuring collaborations with Lily Allen, Hot Chip, and Mark Ronson. I take it grime is officially dead, however, I’m curious to see how this album turns out.

Taiwah

Taiwah - Every Step

Sorry people, I have a MAD late pass with this one. If you don’t know, Taiwah is a South London based soul artist who is dropping some killer tunes right now. The 21 year old songstress is best known for working with Mark Ronson (who seems to be the Lil’ Wayne of the UK producer game right now), on his Versons LP that dropped last year though I wasn’t really feeling her contribution. However, her EP, titled In Jodi’s Bedroom, is simply amazing. It’s vaulting up my best album list as I type.

myspace.com/tawiah

Tags: Kano, Lily Allen, mark ronson, Taiwah, Wiley

Nov

Prince Takes Over Q-Tip’s Set In Vegas

Written By : Stone // Comments (0)

I stopped posting “news” articles a while back, but I couldn’t pass this one up (from Nah Right, Miss Info):

“Yo, while me and Q-tip were performing “Vivrant Thing” in Vegas last night….this n—a Prince walked out on the stage, took the guitar from our guitar player and just started rocking! None of us knew he was there until he popped up on the stage….then the n—a vanished like Batman, LOL!

The sound crew said Prince was in the balcony watching the show from the very beginning (The balcony was closed off). Then when “Vivrant Thing” came out, he just came backstage and walked out on stage.

None of us knew what was happening, then when we finished the show he was gone LOL!”

Why does this not surprise me? I’m laughing my ass off at this only because I’m having flashbacks of Chappelle’s Show.

Tags: Prince, Q-Tip

Nov

Volume 1

Written By : Rome // Comments (0)

Rik Cordero, of Three 21 Media fame and director to your favorite up and coming rapper, has entered the mixtape game with the help of the Best of Both Offices with his release of Lucid Dreams Vol. 1. There aren’t any exclusives or new freestyles, just real chill music to groove to.

Click here to read more about the mixtape and grab a link to download it..

Nov

Black Milk: Give the Drummer Sum (Video)

Written By : A. Rose // Comments (0)

Tags: Black Milk, Tronic

Nov

WEEKEND: The Bootleg Festival

Written By : Stone // Comments (0)

Local DC nonprofit Words, Beats, and Life is sponsoring“The Bootleg Festival: Mixtapes, Film & Hip-Hop’s Underground Economy” this weekend which combines live music with short film screenings and panel discussions. The films focus on the hip-hop diaspora through out the world, from Africa, Europe, and North America on Friday, to South America and the Caribbean on Saturday.

I”m glad that more light is shown on the global nature of hip-hop, since films of this nature are sorely unappreciated. The trailer above is for the documentary, Clash A’ Da Tight 1’s, which profiles grime music in the UK and Australia. (thx to All Our Noise for the trailer link)

FULL SCHEDULE HERE (pdf)

Tags: The Bootleg Festival

Nov

West Up

Written By : Rome // Comments (0)

Dom Kennedy, Pac Div & Carter - Everyone Knows Us…very very dope.

I like these non threatening/more concerned with their outfits west coast rappers. Remind me of Anotha Level (whats that ya say about the west coast, Michael From LA where u @?) and the Pharcyde in their appeal. I think dude Dom Kennedy spit the toughest. Don’t sleep on Shawn Jackson, Diz Gibran and other notable west coast acts on the come up.

Nov

Jay Electronica: Exhibit A (Transformations) Prod. by Just Blaze

Written By : A. Rose // Comments (1)

Jay Electronica - Exhibit A (Transformations)

Tags: Jay Electronica, Just Blaze

Nov

Kanye West “Heartless” Video

Written By : A. Rose // Comments (0)

Heartless from kwest on Vimeo.

Tags: 808 & Heartbreaks, K. West

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