The Audacity of Dope

I can’t get enough of Henri and his growing disillusionment with the world. Here’s video three, another masterpiece. If you missed the first two, click here.  From the looks of the credits, Henri calls Seattle his home.  Makes sense.

New School Noise is the brainchild of my guy DJ Same and Le Fresh Perspective, who hope that the event can shine light on some of the younger MC’s in the Seattle area.  The idea is pretty straightforward: fans will vote from a list of MC’s to decide who will perform at the showcase, which goes down August 19th at Neumos.  In the build up, they’ll be releasing a few of these teaser videos showing cyphers with some of the artists looking for votes.

Up above, you can see Dave B, Sean Brooks, Rebel, and J’Von, while down below, you’ve got Warm Gun, TayWill, Key Nyata, A-Rawlo, and Antbeezy.

Since Same has been helping out with Sound Session, we’re helping out with this program and co-signing it.  I think I may be hosting the event at Neumos too, but we’ll have more official news released on Le Fresh’s site, Neumos’ site, and TAOD as we get closer.

Yeah, I know WLotD kinda died a few years ago when I became equal parts too busy and too apathetic to continue to call out idiocy in new songs, but if I happen to be blogging as I hear something dumb, I reserve the right to revive it.  You can thank Pleasure P, he of the legendary wack lyric veteran group, Pretty Ricky.  His new song with Tyga is called “I Like Girlz,” which aside from the always classy and edgy replacement of the letter “s” with a “z,” seems straightforward enough…until you hear the chorus:

“I love girls, I love girls, I love girls // So much, I think I’m lesbiahonest”

While Drake’s original line was pretty funny and somewhat clever, turning it into a hook for your single was a bad move P.  But then again, you named yourself Pleasure P, so I suppose it’s all relative.

Ah yes, the list that generated enough tweets in the Seattle hip-hop community to trend the other day has reached its conclusion with the release of the #1 video above.  For those unaware, D-Money of Juice Radio put together this project inspired by the MTV “Hottest MC” debate where he asked several media figures in the Seattle/Tacoma area to submit lists of their top 15 “freshest MC’s.”  The panel was comprised of myself, Casey Carter, Sara from Fresh N Def, Sermon from Sermon’s Domain, DJ SupaSam, DJ Swervewon, Josh Rizeberg, and DJ Iceman.  A final slot was reserved for fan votes collected on Juice Radio’s website and you can view the entire list and the accompanying videos here.

We were told to construct the list using specific criteria focusing on solo MC’s (not groups or singers) and their accomplishments within the past year.  The various categories we were instructed to key on ranged from sales/downloads to radio play, from concert draws to media recognition, and every variable you can think of in between.  In the end, even with the criteria, the idea was to make picks based on who we felt were the overall “freshest” in the NW, which is obviously subjective to each individual.  Not surprisingly, we had fairly different lists, and also not surprisingly, it was revealed during the course of our discussion that some of the panel did not follow the criteria or fully understand it.  What’s a hip-hop list without some controversy from the very start (and the inability to do the most basic tasks correctly)?

The format allowed for the panel to bump up artists if we were convinced during our discussion that they had been voted to an incorrect slot.  Personally, I would have preferred the panel to simply fill out their lists accurately from the jump and then we could stick with where someone was voted.  If you’re deemed knowledgeable enough to be on the panel, you should be able to construct a good list and defend your picks without getting swayed during the discussion to vote someone up or down.  That said, when Macklemore was revealed as #3 on the list, I was happy we’d have a chance to vote him to his correct position at #1 because it’s clear that with the criteria we were told to use, nobody has excelled more than him in the past year.  It’s not even debatable in my opinion.

I was disappointed that the list didn’t unanimously have him at #1 to begin with, but I can’t speak for the selections of any other panel member.  All I know is that only 6 of the 15 artists I selected made the final list (though they only revealed the top 10, so I suppose 5 were never going to make it).  Of those, I think the most startling omissions were Geologic (aka Prometheus Brown) and Ish (aka Palaceer Lazaro of Shabazz Palaces).  To conclude a “Freshest In The NW” list without two of our most successful and influential artists, who continue to release great music to widespread critical and consumer acclaim, seems like a travesty.

Regardless, it seems the list accomplished what it set out to do, which was to generate conversation about all the talent we have in the Northwest.  Were there things I would do differently if this were my project?  Absolutely, starting with the fact that I would never do it to begin with.  However, this is Juice Radio’s creation and I enjoyed giving my two cents in the discussion.

That said, I’m troubled by the reactions of many people, mainly because they seem to be attacking the idea that this is some sort of definitive list.  Of course it’s NOT a definitive list!  I thought that would have been common sense, but yet again, for the 24823948239423424th time in my life, I’ve overestimated the intelligence and comprehension levels of the general public (though if I continue to do that, it’s really more my fault than theirs).  Individual lists are fine, but it’s the idea that combining a group of lists, from anyone, somehow transforms these individual opinions to fact that is completely absurd.  I assumed everyone would understand that, but I was wrong.

I hope you enjoyed the debate and the videos, but I’d advise you do yourself a favor and don’t take it too seriously.  Then again, that’s also just my opinion…

Even with the product placement (which I’m ok with if it provides more support & exposure for the band), Little Dragon can do no wrong.  Pretty much in love with the band and Yukimi at this point.  #NoShame

Big shout to everyone I ran into down in Los Angeles this past week, especially Nick and the whole team at Hard Knock TV.  I had a blast playing in their basketball tournament and celebrating their 7 year anniversary and 50 million YouTube views.  Here’s to many, many more!

Check out new music on this week’s SNSS from artists like Kanye, Pac Div, Eighty4 Fly, Ray Dalton, Wale, Khaleel, ADaD, Little Dragon, Lupe Fiasco, O.C., Apollo Brown, and more.  Enjoy!

 Show #368 (7-1-12)

1. Killer Mike – “JoJo’s Chillin’”
2. DJ Khaled ft. Kanye West & Rick Ross – “I Wish You Would”
3. Nas ft. Rick Ross – “Accident Murderers”
4. Pac Div – “Automatic”
5. Eighty4 Fly ft. Neema – “Go Slow” (Local Music)
6. Dom Kennedy – “Girls On Stage”
7. Big K.R.I.T. ft. 8ball, MJG, & 2 Chainz – “Money On The Floor”
8. Brothers From Another ft. Prometheus Brown & Thig Natural – “Molly Moon” (Local Music)
9. Ray Dalton – “So Emotional” (Local Music)
10. Rashad – “Make Love 2 This”
11. Wale ft. Stalley – “Fluorescent Ink”
12. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib ft. BJ The Chicago Kid – “Shame”
13. Khaleel ft. Panchi – “Rappin’ Exercise”
14. Big Boi ft. Pimp C, Bun B, & Big K.R.I.T. – “Gossip”
15. Brother Ali – “Stop The Press”
16. ADaD ft. Fashawn & Naledge – “Space Invaders”
17. Asher Roth – “Good Morning View”
18. Little Dragon – “Sunshine”
19. Lupe Fiasco – “Bitch Bad”
20. O.C. & Apollo Brown – “Caught Up”
21. The Stop The Violence Movement – “Self Destruction” (Throwback of the Week)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?2as2qjfanq7zjy8
(back up / streaming link – http://www.sharebeast.com/zj65nw89z78r)
(2nd back up – http://linkmixes.com/r7zxegdgc7mf)

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.

Pretty busy this week, so I’ll keep it simple.  New music on this episode of SNSS from artists like The-Dream, Freddie Gibbs, Madlib, Dom Kennedy, Cocaine 80’s, Hodgy Beats, Oh No, Phife Dawg, Mike Jaggerr, Stevie Crooks, Alchemist, and more.  Hope you enjoy the tracks!

LA friends: I’ll be in Los Angeles this week from Wednesday to Sunday.  I’ll be at Hardknock TV’s 7th year anniversary on Saturday, but if you want to link up any other time, or there, just hit me up.  Looking forward to seeing y’all!

Show #367 (6-24-12)

1. The-Dream ft. Pusha T – “Dope Chick”
2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib ft. BJ The Chicago Kid – “Shame”
3. Curren$y ft. Estelle – “That’s The Thing”
4. Kardinal Offishall ft. Shi Wisdom – “Mr. Parker”
5. Brothers From Another ft. DJ 100Proof – “Sonic Boom” (Local Music)
6. Brother Ali – “Stop The Press”
7. Frank Ocean – “Pyramids”
8. Rashad – “Make Love 2 This”
9. Dom Kennedy – “1:25”
10. Cocaine 80’s – “Motivation”
11. Oddisee – “Paralyzed”
12. Oh No ft. Phife Dawg & Jose James – “Dues N Dont’s”
13. Dark Time Sunshine ft. Reva DeVito – “Never Cry Wolf” (Local Music)
14. Nas ft. Rick Ross – “Accident Murderers”
15. Mike Jaggerr ft. Maffew Ragazino – “Don’t Stop”
16. Alchemist ft. Danny Brown & Schoolboy Q – “Flight Confirmation”
17. Stevie Crooks – “Iverson”
18. 50 Cent – “All His Love”
19. Ice Cube – “Once Upon A Time In The Projects” (Throwback of the Week)
20. Camila Recchio – “A Million Ways” (Local Music)
21. Hodgy Beats – “Lately”
22. Big K.R.I.T. – “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”
23. Add-2 ft. John David Provitt – “Love Jones”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?o4n77mmur4fkk07
(back up / streaming link – http://www.sharebeast.com/a6147hxfbii7)
(2nd back up – http://linkmixes.com/b0nk9ftuliyu)

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.

And speaking of Dom, here are the visuals for the lead single off the Yellow Album.  DJ Dahi killed this beat and the verses, especially the second, are hilarious and classic Dom (“I don’t even drink soda!”).  Hey, when it ain’t broke…don’t fix it.

You already know the drill: Dom returns out of nowhere, drops a great project, shuts down the Internet, owns the summer, and continues to have record labels in a tizzy trying to sign him.  Download it now!

Download:  Dom Kennedy – Yellow Album

Stevie’s on his mid-90’s steez throughout The Cashmere Killer and it’s evident again on the video for “Iverson.”  Large Professor on the beat.  Dope stuff.  Download the project for the freeeeeee right here.