The Audacity of Dope

Following up on his interview with J. Moore and I from our Summer Jam a few months ago, Kendrick stopped by the Sound Session studios this past week while out in Seattle for a show. 

We talked all about his new album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, which drops tomorrow.  He spoke on his approach to the record considering it’s not his first project but his first on a major label, how he wanted it to act as an introduction to the rest of his music, whether or not the label influenced him creatively, his favorite song on the album, and more.  We also touched on his early days as a rapper, getting in front of a mic for the first time, how his Top Dawg Entertainment crew compares to the other cliques in the game, and some other random topics.

Be sure to cop the album tomorrow and support one of the best artists we have in music right now!

While in Seattle for the 2012 Capitol Hill Block Party, Malaysian-born singer Yuna visited SNSS for an interview and live performance.  We discussed her transition from Asia, the role MySpace, Indie Pop, and FADER played in her success, meeting and working with Pharrell, her creative process, her growing collection of cover records, life on tour, her self-titled US debut album, her next project, and more. Additionally, she performed two acoustic songs live in studio: “Live Your Life” (5:40) and “Decorate” (16:08).

Yuna is a true talent.  Catch up if you’ve been sleeping and keep an eye out for her to make some big waves in the near future.

Shout out to the Cornerstone, Detooz Films, and Le Fresh Perspective homies for helping make this happen.

Maybach Music Group’s Stalley stopped by Sound Session while in Seattle on tour on 6/10/12. We chopped it up about various topics, including his “Savage Journey To The American Dream” mixtape, linking up and receiving advice from Rick Ross, how he plays the “every man” role in the MMG crew, his upcoming major label debut album, and more.

Big shout to Stalley and Dan for coming through the studio, plus Detooz Films for filming and editing the footage.

Now…say it with me:  M-m-m-m-m-maaaaaaybach music!

As I mentioned before, there are few things better than a Curren$y and Nardwuar conversation. I mean, just look at the frame above. Simply awesome.

“…and now she grants wishes!?!?!?”

Yukimi, Fred, Erik, and Hakan answer a few questions in this interview and then perform two unreleased, never heard before songs: “Sunshine” and a cover of the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes The Rain Again.”  Easily one of my favorite bands in music these days…

Not only is it great to see Mack and Ryan link up with my guy Nick @ Hard Knock TV (cough…SXSW HoopxHang Champions!…cough) during the Paid Dues Festival, but the interview turned out really good as well.  But if you’re familiar with Hard Knock content, that’s no surprise.  Peep both clips to hear the fellas talk all about their story, their upcoming album, Seattle’s hip-hop scene, and much more.

Alright, last Nardwuar interview from SXSW…I just love these…and you can’t even front, they actually get the artists to reveal a little more about their history than most interviews.

Plus, this might be the best ending in a while.  “Everybody Harlem Shake!”

Bronson was one of the few artists at SXSW that I hadn’t seen perform before so I was really excited to see him rock. Aside from being a dope MC, this dude is completely hilarious on and off stage. You can get a sample of that in this video with Nardwuar.

Nardwuar hit a home run with all his hip-hop interviews at SXSW last year and this year was no different.  Dude was everywhere.  Here’s his clip with Kendrick Lamar, where K. Dot gives you a little insight into his history.  Love the story about his dad driving him and his mom home from the hospital for the first time and blasting Big Daddy Kane because “he has to hear this.”  Awesome.

I’m catching up on some videos I missed over the last few weeks (work x the Christmas madness) and I have to post this one up. Nardwuar caught up with Ghost during Deini’s first ever visit to Vancouver a few weeks back and as expected, hilarity and wisdom ensued. “Noodles is noodles.” What more can you say?