Last week, John Legend teamed up with The Kennedy Center, Universal Music, and The Digital Youth Network to launch What’s Going On NOW to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s timeless album. The campaign will focus on the aspects and themes of the record reinterpreted through images, poetry, video, and music. The digital component will conclude in May with a star-studded concert featuring Legend, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

On Wednesday I was invited to a sneak preview of Estelle’s new album All of Me listening event at Open House  in New York City. The UK-born singer is preping for the release of her latest album, All of Me, which is her first offering in almost four years. The album features collaborations with Rick Ross, Janelle Monae and John Legend among others, and is meant to be a more personal effort than her US debut. All of Me hits stores February 28th.

Jazz songstress, Nina Simone once said, “An artist’s duty as far as I’m concerned is to reflect the times”.  This thought is lost on a lot of music artists now who just want to party and bullshit their way up the charts.  Enter John Legend who with the assistance of the talented legendary Roots Crew, to step up to the plate and reflect using  revolutionary songs from  some of the 1960′s and 70′s that shines light on the plights that plague America in these times (i.e., recession, poverty and war…etc).  WAKE UP!  isn’t a throwback album, while all of the songs are some of the most noted Soul protest songs,  Baby Huey’s “Hard Times” and Bill Withers “I Can’t Write Left Handed” (which clocks in around 11 minutes, one of  THE best tracks) which Roots’ guitarist Kirk “Cap’t Kirk” Douglas lets loose with a dynamic solo , Donny Hathaway’s “Little Ghetto Boy”.   Legend’s vocals sometime fall short , but The Roots musicianship coupled with Black Thought’s lyrics grabs the ball and carries it home.

The message that  WAKE UP! delivers comes ringing through loud and clear, let’s hope these songs of change inspire a new generation of people.

Tracklisting

Hard Times (f/Black Thought)

Compared to What

Wake Up Everybody (f/Common & Melanie Fiona)

Our Generation (The Hope of the World) (f/CL Smooth)

Little Ghetto Boy (prelude) (f/Yusef Malik)

Little Ghetto Boy (f/Black Thought)

Hang on in There

Humanity (Love the Way it Should Be)

Wholy Holy

I Can’t Write Left Handed

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free

Shine

Magnetic Man feat John Legend – Getting Nowhere

In the US, dubstep is still a nascent genre, relegated to underground dance clubs and “in the know” blogs.

In the UK, however, the genre is popular enough to be played on drivetime radio, and dubstep remixes have event topped the charts. So it’s no surprise that there is now a dubstep “supergroup,” Magnetic Man, consisting of DJs Skream, Benga and Artwork has become so popular across the pond.

What’s also not surprising? That US artists are jumping on the trend. So far Rhianna, Kelis, and Eve have already had dubstep projects, and now John Legend has paired with the UK trio.

Legend is no stranger to electronic music, pairing with MSTRKRFT last year ago for the spectacular Heartbreker track.  So don’t be surprised that he lent his voice to to this mild dubstep track. The trio do a good job in complementing his voice, and creating a track that plays on the dubstep feel yet remains accessible at the same time. Enjoy.

Remember when Rick Ross was exposed as corrections officer and the Internets were predicting his doom? Well, radio airplay and a #1 album pretty much silenced the haters and rendered Bloggers irrelevant.

Ross is back with the album Teflon Don, and every track that has leaked so far has been a banger Maybach Music 3 might just vie for track of the summer. Unfortunately, the track “Sweet Life” with John Legend was not on the tracklist, however they decided to make a video for it anyway.

I’m digging the laid back feel of Teflon Don, and I might just have to cop this album on July 20th. (via HypeTrak)

John Legend & The Roots – Our Generations

The  iconic denim company Levi’s, recently enlisted a dozen influential musicians of different genres to help launch their 2010 Pioneer Sessions, a platform used to showcase ‘pioneering’ artists interpreting a song that has inspired their sound  (all which are available as a free download).

Last month we told you about the first release which was from veteran rapper Nas, who did an awesome job re-creating the hip hop anthem “Hey Young World” originally done by Slick Rick. Since then everyone from Raphael Saadiq,  The Shins Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat have stepped into the booth to record their versions of  a classic.

The latest installment currently available comes from John Legend and The Roots who do a cover of song called “Our Generation” which was originally recorded from a Louisiana soul singer named Ernie Hines.

Legend and The Roots’s modern interpretation of “Our Generation” retains the all of the authenticity of the original track: It gets funky from the outset, with big fat brass and an ice cold keyboard vamp, inspirational backing singers and a particularly gritty vocal by Legend who reiterates Hines’s 40-year-old message about making the future better by “getting rid of all the hate.”

John Legend and The Roots are also gearing up for their soon to be released collabo album Wake Up! which will drop September 21.

Nearly 20,000 people came out to National Mall to help raise awareness for Mother Earth. This was the first time in about four years that Earth Day wasn’t a washout. Various speakers from all walks of life were there; Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Trudie Styler (Sting’s Wife), Football player/Reality show personality Dhani Jones, Director James Cameron and the Cast of Avatar—C.C.H. Pounder, Laz Alonzo & Giovanni Ribisi, as well as various scientists, activists and political figures. They all spoke of ways to give back to the Earth; washing clothes in cold water, driving 10 miles less each week, starting a garden –all just a few easy cost effective ways to help save the Earth.

The musical performances this year were a who’s who of the entertainment world, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, Willie Colon, Passion Pit and Jimmy Cliff who was accompanied by soul crooner John Legend. But it was the mighty Legendary Roots crew from Philadelphia PA, who set the precedence for the remainder of the day. The Roots performed a medley of their hits; Break You Off, The Seed and the latest single “How I Got Over” from their forthcoming album. Mavis Staples of the Staple Singers performed “I’ll Take You There”, followed by a Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy performing the timeless Bobby Womack classic, “If You Think You’re Lonely Now”, which surprised me because I didn’t know that Patrick could belt out a tune like that. Joss Stone, Robert Randolph, Booker T (Booker T & the MG’s) and Bob Weir were also part of the Roots and Friends segment of the show. John Legend returned to the stage, to debut his new single “Wake Up” with the Roots from his fall forthcoming album.

After a wonderful performance by Legend, Sting was next up to bat—and boy did he knock it out of the park! He looked great and his voice was awesome, “Message in a Bottle” was a fitting song for the event, the way he sang the song made the song seem more about the Earth than what it was originally was. Mind you they were all backed by the legendary hard working band, the Roots. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

While the musical acts were a great part of the day, let us not lose focus of what this day was really about. There are many ways in which we can help! Please learn more information about Climate Control and other ways you can help stop the destruction of this planet at www.earthday.org.

MSTRKRFT
Fist of God

Can hip-hop and soul exist over 120 beats per minute? MSTRKFT sure hopes so. The Toronto elctro duo recruits some unlikely partners for their latest disc, which pairs some of the best known and unknown urban musicians over their delectiable trash electro beats. Does it work? Why yes it does.

The lineup is impressive: Lil’Mo, N.O.R.E., E-40, Ghostface Killah and John Legend round out some of the known cats that are featured on this disc. At first the thought of these parings made me cringe, but after listening to this disc I gotta say, it’s the best thing to happen to hip-hop in years.

I’m not going to lie, a lot of these projects are long on vision and short on execution and deserve a FAIL. However, MSTRKFT  crafted their signature sound over their guests’ contributions to the point that it almost felt natural and not forced. E-40 feels at home rapping over “Click Click,” even bragging at the beginning: :How many rappers do you know can get on an uptempo 120 mang…and still gas it?” Ghostface Killa gets sampled on “Word Up,” and the result has the dude bouncing over house hi-hats like a lowrider. Lil’Mo, the only female guest on the album, simply does her job on “It Aint’ Love,” adding a feminie touch to the start of the album. John Legend’s “Heartbreaker” is another standout track, featuring his deep vocals over dancefloor ready floor filler based around some soulful piano loops.

The standout track on this album though, has to go to my homie Jahmal from fellow Toronto band The Carps. If you don’t know, the dude probably as one of the best voices in North America, and he’s featured in not one, but two songs on the disc, “So Deep,” and the excellent “Breakaway.” Also of note: even though the sound is futuristc, there is no trace of Autotune or vocoder to be found.

The verdict: Of course Fist of God isn’t going to be everybody’s cup of tea. If you haven’t danced to house or electro in your life or you prefer your hip-hop over Primo beats, you will find much to be desired here. However, if you’re an outside the box thinkier who thrives on the marriage of different culutres and genres, like yours truly, Fist of God is and aural experience and quite possibly one of the best CDs of 2009.

MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend – Heartbreaker

A couple of y’all were asking be about this MSTRKRFT x John Legend track last week and thanks to Rome at Better Than Yours I found the link to the official track at the Thank God I’m Famous Blog. To be quite honest, I thought this track was going to be a clusterf#%k, but I was presently surprised to see how it turned out.

I know there’s a lot of hate for John Legend out there, and I know I’m going to get a lot of hate for posting this track, but you gotta admire the dude for taking a risk with two Canadian electro artists. It’s not what’s “hot in the streets if you will.” But whatever. It’s a solid danceable club track, and it’s even got a classic new wave feel to it with some traces of old school house. And I know the US doesn’t go for club music, but I see this as being a huge floor filler in the UK.

MSTRKRFT is a elecronic music duo from Toronto that formed from the ashes of one of my favorite bands, Death from Above 1979. Even though I heard a few remixes hear or there, I never really checked their 2006 album The Looks, though I think i should have.

It’s all good though. In 2009, they’re back with a new album called Fist of God, and this time, the duo is blurring the lines of hip-hop and electronica. Dudes may hate, but I’m a huge fan of hip-hop/electronic collaborations, and the lineup for this album is spectacular. Not only does it include E-40, N.O.R.E. and Ghostface Killah, but John Legend (REALLY??) and my homie Jahmal from The Carps.

MSTRKRFT will be playing the Radio Room patio on March 21st, and there is the strong possibility that special guests will be rolling through as well.

MSTRKRFT – Bounce feat. N.O.R.E & Isis (of Thunderheist)

MSTRKRFT – Bounce feat. N.O.R.E & Isis

This year, instead of just having me yap on about my Best of lists, I reached out to several of our readers to give their Top 5 of the best releases of the year. I’ll be profiling a new reader each day over the next several weeks to see what their best tracks of ’08 were. Today’s reader is DJ Cam Jus, who dropped the Couch Sessions mix last week and is throwing a New Year’s party at Expo on 9th and U Street tonight.

Cam Jus Best of 2008:

Ranking was determined by personal favorites, overall quality, and what was hugest at spots I played at throughout the year.

Name: DJ Cam Jus
Location: Largo, MD
Website: yeahclass.com

Songs:
1. Green Light – John Legend ft. Andre 3000
2. tie: Put On – Young Jeezy / Everyone Nose – N*E*R*D
3. On the Rock – Mavado
4. Day N Nite (crookers remix) – Kid Cudi
5. A Milli – Lil’ Wayne

Honorable Mention:
Pop Champagne – Ron Browz
Single Ladies – Beyonce
Am So Special – Mavado
Blow Your Head – Diplo
My President is Black – Young Jeezy
Get Silly – Backyard Band
Swagger Like Us – T.I.
Luv Your Girl – The Dream
Sound of Kuduro – Buraka Som Sistema ft. M.I.A.
Paper Planes – M.I.A. (2007, but you know…)

Albums/EP’s/Mixetapes, etc.:
1. Shine – Estelle
2.  Santogold – Santogold (feels like it might as well have come out in 2007 that’s why i wasn’t sure to put the bangers in the songs list. so many people got them in ’07)
3. Unsung Hero – Colin Munroe
4. 808s & Heartbreak – Kanye West
5. Youth Novels – Lykke Ki

Honorable Mention:
The Recession – Young Jeezy
Lovehate – The Dream

John Legend Feat. 3000 – Green Light (Diplo Dade County Remix)

I haven’t heard a Diplo remix in a while, so I’m pleasantly surprised that he got back into the game with the already great “Green Light.” Diplo keeps the track bouncy, but adds a special touch of early 90s Miami Bass to the mix. I was going to hold this one for a future podcast, but this track is the perfect start to the weekend and it can’t be ignored. (via Mad Decent)