Let’s keep the A-Side Worldwide theme going for another post, shall we? Buff sits down with HHO and discusses the sounds and messages in his new album, There’s Only One. He’s on point with “Beat The Speakers Up.” That’s just what Sound Session does every weekend.
One of the best blogs out there, illRoots, linked up with one half of Inverse, Tunji, for a quick Q&A session. Tunj speaks about the group’s sound, their inspirations, and gives us a little information on their upcoming debut album, Long Day’s Journey. You can peep the entire interview here.
If you still haven’t downloaded their So Far (The Collection) project, slap yourself and then grab it here.
Ruby Hornet just posted up a great interview with Rhymefest that I highly recommend y’all check out. They talked about how Fest’s approach to music has changed over the years, his “Stolen” video, how you have to be the change you want to see in the world, and much more. Here’s a sample:
RubyHornet: When you speak about that perspective, how important is it for you as an artist to be able listen to other people’s experiences and stories? We think of emcees as great speakers, but is there an exchange that has to happen? Do great artists need to also be great listeners?
Rhymefest: I think anybody who is going to be successful in anything needs to be a great listener. Let’s take Barack Obama. The other day Barack Obama was speaking at a town hall meeting. Somebody stood up and started yelling, and the people started booing him. He said, ‘wait, wait, wait. Don’t boo him. What is he saying?’ And the guy said, ‘you never do the pledge of allegiance. Do you love your country? We didn’t even do the pledge of allegiance, and you’re talking about America.’ And people started booing him. [Obama] said, ‘wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. We didn’t do the pledge of allegiance. Somebody was supposed to do that before I got up and started speaking and they didn’t. You know what sir? You lead us in the pledge of allegiance and I’ll say it along with you.’ He put his hand on his heart and the audience roared. What if he wasn’t a good listener? Imagine how the Republicans would have killed him with that. You know, he played it smooth. Listen, this song that I’m coming out with, “Stolen.†It was because I was listening that I had the inspiration to make another song. It’s because I really listened to somebody who really lived through it. Don’t get it wrong, Alex. You can listen, but I’m not making any excuses for ignorance. Ignorance has no refuge.
Amen. Read the entire interview here, and be on the lookout for El Che when it drops. It’s going to be a great record.
(woah, sneak diss there at the end…yikes.)
Murs, 9th Wonder, and Murs’ hair talk about why you should download Sweet Lord if you haven’t already. And if you haven’t, why not? It’s free. Go grab it here. Sidenote, has anyone seen an interview where Murs explains his hair? Seriously, he must have talked about it. I know people who won’t even check for dude because of it, and I need some funny explanation to placate them. I might have to ask him about it at Rock The Bells, but really…I don’t want to be that guy.
Courtesy of Always Hustle, who apparently will drop part two tomorrow.
The homey Emilio got a nice feature on Loud Favorites the other day. He talks a little about his background, the Phaze One project, DJ K.O.’s upcoming album, and his own EP due out soon. If you missed his video for “That Time,” check it out here. Bonus footage of Emilio spitting some bars (killed ’em!) after the jump.
Spotted at the Dopehouse.
Kardi links up with HHO for a quick interview talking about his album, breaking through with “Dangerous,” and his Black Jays/Circle families. Of course, if you want the thorough interview, check Kardi on Sound Session. Another interview with him from JumpOffTV at his listening party after the jump too.
Swiped from Nah Right.
The homey Bishop Lamont sold out the House of Blues Los Angeles recently and a whole bunch of the new west coast movement showed up to support. Bishop also speaks briefly on his upcoming album, The Reformation, but you can hear a much more thorough discussion on everything he’s doing on Sound Session in the next few weeks…stay tuned.
Spotted on Nah Right.
The second part of the interview with Wyclef, Lauryn, and Pras in Toronto from 1994 (first part here). Still crazy to think this happened almost 15 years ago. Can you imagine if the Fugees stayed together? I think they’d be right there challenging Outkast as the greatest group of all time. Without exaggeration, The Score, The Carnival, and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill are all in my top 10, easily. Look out for a new interview with Clef this weekend where he reflected a lot on these “good ol’ days.”
Video courtesy of The Meaning of Dope.
Then click the picture above to read this excellent article from the August issue of Spin, written by David Peisner. He discusses the possible explanations for D’s sabbatical (complete with great insight from some of the singer’s closest friends) and even extrapolates to cover the larger “left-of-center black music renaissance” the Soulquarians represented. The piece also shines light on D’Angelo’s current work and leaves us hoping that we might actually hear something new sooner, rather than later. In the meantime, break out Voodoo and give it a listen. I read this article then played the album in the gym and it floored me. Still one of my top 5 albums of all time.
Thanks to FWMJ for the heads up.
W.T.F. Not informative, but hilarious. I assume this happened when “Glow In The Dark” was up in Vancouver about a month ago.
Spotted on KayCee’s bloggy blog.