The Audacity of Dope

Un court-métrage de 2004. Écoutez, je ne sais pas ce que vous dites…mais vous êtes belle.

Awesome.  Chapter One here if you missed it.

I could write an essay on Kanye’s Runaway film, and the ensuing debates it sparked, but what’s the point?  There will be a million analytical pieces by Monday, and none of them will be any more “right” than the others.  It’s art…and I’m really not looking forward to hearing other people tell me how to consume it.

Personally, I’m satisfied with an interesting concept, some beautiful shots & colors, and some really dope music.  The intro scene with “Dark Fantasy” and the “Devil In A New Dress” segment were flawless, though part of me wishes this was the first time I ever heard any of these songs.  That’s always been one of my least favorite aspects of the internet age and I may have to revert back to avoiding music from my favorite artists until it’s officially presented.  Even with all the live performances, interviews, and song/artwork leaks spoiling much of Runaway, I thoroughly enjoyed the film.

Regardless of how you felt about it, you have to agree: no mainstream MC puts more effort and care into his music than Kanye.  Sure, it can come off pretentious at times (ok, much of the time), but he’s really trying to express something in his art and take it to new places.  He doesn’t always hit the mark, but musically, he’s never disappointed me.

A toast to Yeezy.

By now, most of you have heard Nas’ collaboration with the 2009 Red Bull Big Tune champion, C-Sick, but I thought I’d post up the ill behind the scenes footage of the making of “Film.”  Above, you can peep a little background on C-Sick’s journey, while the two studio segments are below.

Also, neither of the 2 versions of the song that have leaked online so far are the final edit, so I’m posting that up too.  In case you’re living in the woods, my co-host on Sunday Night Sound Session, J. Moore, created the Red Bull Big Tune with Vitamin D, Jake One, DV-One, and Marcus Lalario.  The homies helped put this song together and even recruited Seattle’s own Choklate to sing the hook.  Due to sample clearance issues, C-Sick’s original beat had to be replayed, and you’ve yet to hear the final, official version of the track…until now.  Enjoy!

Nas ft. Choklate – “Film” (final version)

People around the 206 know that I’m notorious for not going to many shows, but I may have to make an appearance this Wednesday at the Vera Project (in Seattle Center, right next to Key Arena).  As J. Moore, Jake One, Vitamin D, DV-One, and Markus do in every city that Big Tune hits, the entire week is filled with great events for the public and for the participants.  Since Seattle is the home of the event, you already know that we’ve got some dope stuff going on before this Friday’s battle at the War Room.

Case in point, hit up the Vera on Wednesday for a free show from The Physics, J. Pinder, and Spaceman, along with an exclusive video documenting the collaboration between last year’s Big Tune winner, C-Sick, and the legendary Nas.  See y’all there.

While the weather has been nice out here in Seattle for a while (yes, we do have nice weather, shocking, I know), it’s finally starting to feel like summer.  This weekend featured the annual “Bite Of Seattle” festival, an awesome exhibition match between Chelsea FC and the Seattle Sounders in front of 66K at Qwest Field, and A-Trak & Theophilus London shutting down Chop Suey.  All of this under 80 degree sunny skies mind you…and now this coming weekend will feature our KUBE Summer Jam at White River Amphitheater.  Nothing like summer in the SEA.

On this week’s show, we played new cuts from folks like Killer Mike, Donnis, J. Cole, Pac Div, Goapele, Slaughterhouse, Mr. Hudson, Rakim, and more.  We also ran a joint from the big homey Jake One off his project with Freeway, along with world premiering the final version of Nas’ “Film.”  The version that you’ve heard floating around the net features the original beat from last year’s Red Bull Big Tune winner, C-Sick, but the final version sports revamped and replayed music, along with the proper mixing and mastering.  With our very own J. Moore co-writing the hook, you know we had to drop the official version of that big tune.

Last but not least, shout to Consequence for calling in to talk about his new single with Kanye & John Legend (the joint is crazy) and his upcoming Cons TV album.  “It’s the Cons fool…word!”

Show #216 (7-19-09)

1. Rakim – “Holy Are You”
2. Killer Mike – “In My City”
3. Donnis – “Heartbeat”
4. J. Cole – “Ladies
5. The Physics ft. Macklemore – “Good” (Local Music)
6. B.o.B – “Camera”
7. Pac Div – “For You”
8. Get Busy Committee – “Come And Talk To Me”
9. Freeway & Jake One – “Bloggers” (Local Music)
10. **INTERVIEW WITH CONSEQUENCE #02, PT. 1**
11. Consequence ft. Kanye West & John Legend – “Whatever U Want”
12. **INTERVIEW WITH CONSEQUENCE #02, PT. 2**
13. Mr. Hudson ft. Kanye West – “Supernova”
14. Drake – “The Winner”
15. DJ JS-1 ft. Wordsworth & Rahzel – “What’s Happening”
16. Skyzoo – “The Beautiful Decay”
17. Slaughterhouse – “Warriors”
18. Grynch – “My Volvo” (Local Music)
19. Nas ft. Choklate – “Film (Final Version)” (WORLD PREMIERE)
20. Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos – “Shining Down”
21. Goapele – “Milk & Honey”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?inztxznej5n
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/629529039f341627/ )

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.