The Audacity of Dope

As much as I like interviewing my favorite MC’s (most of which are dudes), it’s always a much appreciated change of pace when we bring a talented female into the Sound Session studio.  A while back, the lovely Melanie Fiona came through to chop it up with us and play some records from her upcoming album, The Bridge.

While the album’s release has been delayed until August here in the States, peep the interview to hear her discuss the motivation behind the music, why it’s universal to everyone, and how she’s hoping it helps kill off ringtone singles.  She also talked about her Canadian/West Indian background, the process of crossing over to America’s music industry by signing with Steve Rifkind’s SRC label, touring with Kanye West, and more.

You can watch the interview above or download the audio below.

Melanie Fiona on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?2m4glq2znej
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/62326399c6288270/)

Be on the lookout for The Bridge dropping soon…y’all haven’t heard anything yet, trust me.

(^^reminds me of why we used to go to our high school volleyball games)

The long awaited video for Drake’s “single” (in quotes cause they didn’t really choose it in the traditional sense) dropped tonight, courtesy of OnSmash with the world premiere.  As I mentioned on the Twitter, the combination of hot girls and basketball is pretty much a slam dunk for me, and the Kanye directed clip did not disappoint.  Well, unless you’re a sports bra manufacturer…cause you were not represented well here at all.

The highlight is definitely the 2nd skit break and Drake’s double entendre, but there is a weird Law & Order SVU kind of vibe jumping off here.  Anyone who has played or coached sports (I do both) knows the player/coach bond is definitely familial.  I understand the girls are on “his team” in a different sense, but it’s still stepping into an awkward area.

Shrug.  I’m sure he could recruit the same cast for an appropriate “HoustAtlantaVegas” video though…

The long awaited visuals for Wale’s lead single have finally leaked and I think the clip came out pretty nice.  Definitely crisp and I dig the track, though the blatant M.I.A. swagger jacking from GaGa’s hook still seems a little weird to me.  I’m sure Cool & Dre or someone ran it by M.I.A., but I’d be curious to hear what she feels about the hook.

Anyway, hopefully this single will catch on and Wale can join the ranks of Asher, Cudi, and Drake as the only new cats to actually get a crossover hit.  One of my old workplaces, KIIS in LA, has already added it so that’s a great sign.

Here’s another new video from Wale and Rik Cordero for “Family Affair” while we’re at it:

Seattle folks: Wale will be performing at Bumbershoot this year…don’t miss it…

This dude is freaking killing it.  Nice shot at the folks who took issue with his use of the Blackberry on the Funk Flex freestyle video.  Anyway, whoever brings him to the Northwest first will get major props.  Promoters, festivals, radio stations…hmmm…who will it be?

Courtesy of NahRight.

The two dopest artists in the game to me right now both hail from our friendly neighbor to the north, Canada.  Yeah, yeah, I still love all the usual folks I listen to, but in the past few months, I’ve been bumping nothing but Drake’s So Far Gone and Shad’s The Old Prince Still Lives At Home.  Even though it’s been available up north for a minute, Shad’s album is finally dropping here in the States on June 30th.  I really can’t recommend it enough…and those songs are like 2-4 years old now.  Wait till you hear the new ish.

And if you need any convincing that SK is dope, peep this…possibly the illest freeverse ever:

I’m sorry…WHAT?!!?!?  Incredible every time.

Ok, granted that he’s performing his H-Town anthem in H-Town (one of my former residences by the way), but it’s crazy how Drake doesn’t even need to rap/sing any of his lyrics already.  These fans know every single word and just like the last time, this same phenomenon plays out every single night he performs.  Every time I play this joint on SNSS we get immediate calls on it and folks even email later asking what it was.  It’ll be crazy to see how big (pause) Drizzy is by the end of the year.

Swiped from H.E.R.

I was just talking to my boy Eddie yesterday about how Joey is a real entertaining dude and his Joe Budden TV episodes are generally pretty fun to watch, especially considering there’s rarely a point to them.  This one’s no different really, just Joe chilling outside of the club with Drake, but again…fun to watch.  Drizzy!

I mentioned this at the end of last night’s SNSS (which I’ll post up late tonight), so I thought I’d toss up the video for y’all.  Drake took NYC by storm at the end of last week and closed it out with a live show at SUNY Purchase.  If you weren’t convinced that this dude is going to be a huge star, watch how the audience is singing/rapping every word to “Best I Ever Had” like it’s the biggest song out right now.  Oh…and it was girls too…so you know Drizzy is gonna blow the hell up this summer.

“spending every moment in the studiooooo”

I’ve been way too busy recently, which can be a good thing, but sometimes you need to take a night off…or in this case, two.  Back on Sunday in time for Sound Session, but first, heading up north with wifey…

Drake ft. Lloyd – “A Night Off”

Seeing as how I’m currently infatuated with Drake’s So Far Gone mixtape, I was excited to see this dope fan made project for the first 2 tracks off that project.  Lyle at 5846 Films mashed up “Lust For Life” and “HoustAtlantaVegas” with footage from Wong Kar-Wai’s 2046.  I’ve never seen that movie, but the visuals alone look fly.  Combining them with Drake’s melancholy intro and ode to the ladies in the club turned out to be a great fit.

Rock to this and if you haven’t downloaded the mixtape yet, I don’t know what you’re waiting for…