The Audacity of Dope

(watch part one in HD on HyphenTV)

On December 13th, the legendary Common Sense made his 4th appearance on Sound Session here in Seattle. Since we just talked to Com in September (check it out here), we wanted to do something a little different instead of our traditional interviews.  With help from our good friends at Interscope/Geffen/A&M we threw a listening party for his new Universal Mind Control album with 50 lucky winners, some customized Microsoft Zunes, and other assorted goodies.

In the video recap, you can watch Com talk about the creative process for every track on the album and what it was like to work with the Neptunes, Mr. DJ, Kanye West, Cee-Lo, and more.  Be sure to watch both parts of the video and enjoy them in HD on the HyphenTV Vimeo Channel courtesy of Organic Digital Videomedia.

(watch part two in HD on HyphenTV)

Since the entire interview lasted about an hour, I’ll be posting up the full audio for all you die hard Common fans sometime in the next week.  As dope as the video clips are, there’s even more interesting tidbits about UMC‘s creation in the extended interview (the reason why the “Announcement” video was pulled, the story behind the original mix of “Punch Drunk Love,” etc.).

Stay tuned for that and hit up Com in the blogosphere over at his new site, ThinkCommon.com.  Be sure to go cop Universal Mind Control in stores now and still available at Zune.net for 99 cents!  It makes a great last minute Christmas present…

The interviewer is ehhh, but the #1 Human Being is entertaining as always.  This will give you a little insight if you’re still confused to what ‘Ye has been doing with Graduation and 808’s & Heartbreak.  Internal swagger is truly off the charts…and 808’s gets better on every listen.  I really like that record and I’m still a proud backpacker.  So there.

More Kanye goodness in this interview with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez.  Hahahah @ the verse at the end too.

Kanye skipped across the pond last week for the Glow In The Dark Tour and sat down with the BBC’s DJ Semtex for a great interview.  ‘Ye is the illest artist in the game right now, [Jay-Z] plus his interviews are hotter [/Hov].  I highly recommend checking this out…quotables for days.

Kanye West talks with DJ Semtex – http://www.zshare.net/audio/516729337e0e3225/

808’s & Heartbreak drops today.  Go cop that.

Ever messed with a girl who fits this song?  Ever fit the song yourself?

This is my jam right now.  Sure, it may be a little corny/emo…and perhaps it gives you flashbacks of roller skating songs from back in the day…but ‘Ye and Cudi killed this one.  I’ve been singing it all week.

Kanye West ft. Kid Cudi – “Paranoid”

you worry bout the wrong things, the wrong thiiiiiings…

[swag] “you’ll never find nobody better than me” [/swag]

This song is so dope to me.  The animation in the video isn’t my favorite style, since I generally prefer it more cartoon-ish, less artistic, but it works well and looks exactly like ‘Ye and his mannerisms.  I hope he hasn’t started smoking cigarettes in real life though.  Most. Pointless. Drug. Everrrr.

Love it, especially because it’s open to so much interpretation.  Thoughts?  Ready for 808’s and Heartbreak, or are you scared?

Swiped from Tunj.

As I mentioned during Wayne’s month of shame, ‘Ye has a horrible line in this joint:

“How it feel to wake up and be the sh*t and the urine?”
–Kanye West, “Swagga Like Us”

Not good ‘Ye, not good at all.  He’s one of my favorite rappers but WLotD has to be [Fixed News] fair and balanced. [/Faux News]

I love studio footage, especially when it involves Kanye To The.  Paparazzi squabbles aside, ‘Ye’s life must be great.  He literally flies all around the world with his best friends, making dope music in amazing studios.  Sounds pretty good to me.  In related news, if you haven’t heard yet, 808’s and Heartbreak has been unofficially pushed up to November by Kanye himself.  We’ll see if Def Jam acquiesces.

Swiped from 2DopeBoyz, who also have the individual musical elements of Kanye’s “Love Lockdown” if you’re interested in remixing the track…

I don’t usually post single songs, nor electro/dance joints, but I’m making an exception for this.  I already stated that I’m digging the original, and this mix takes it to a crazy new level.  Club banger.

Kanye West – “Love Lockdown (Hatchmatik Remix)”

Spotted over at WDIR.  Canada stand up.