The Audacity of Dope

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?

Speaking of Shad, here’s a great mini-documentary about a recent trip to his family’s homeland, Rwanda. As I always tell MC’s, and really any young people in general, think global, not local.

This clip of Shad talking to kids at a middle school in Surrey, BC exemplifies why he’s one of my favorite MC’s.  It’s one thing to be an incredibly talented rapper and musician, but when combined with intelligence and the realization that you have an obligation to help make the world a better place, it takes it to the next level.  I wish more MC’s were as forward thinking and intelligent as Shad, so they could speak to our youth as well.  As it stands now, there are probably less than 20 MC’s around that I’d encourage they go speak to kids.  And that’s horrifying.

Sound Session listeners will recognize this track from some of our recent episodes and it’s one of my favorite Pacific Northwest records of the year.  JayKin played this for me when I dropped by Alife Vancouver a few weeks ago and I was hooked right away.  Even with our fleeting summer weather, the vibe instantly puts you in a good mood.  Combine the audio with dope shots of Vancouver at night (Gastown!) and you can’t go wrong.

Off JayKin’s Sneakers and Video Games 2 (Bonus), which you should download right here…RIGHT NOW!

The homies at Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver, BC wanted to make sure our Seattle readers know that MPC wizard and all around dope beatsmith AraabMuzik will be performing on Thursday, September 22nd.  If you’re in the area or can make the trip, it should be a dope show.  Here’s one of my favorite tracks off his newly released instrumental album, Electronic Dream.

The Van City homey JayKin dropped a quick video from his upcoming Sneakers & Video Games 2 project and you really can’t go wrong with a piece featuring Juice and Street Fighter.  Speaking of which, I recently found out that Ryu’s name is pronounced “Rhyooo” rather than “Ry-uuu.”  Needless to say, I feel like I’ve been living a lie my entire life.  I’ll still destroy you with my girl Chun Li though.

Vancouver: go check out JayKin performing live with Dom Kennedy tonight (the 24th) at Fortune Sound Club in Chinatown!

In the immortal words of Hov, “it was all good just a week ago.”  Last Monday, I was enjoying the start of my vacation with sun, soccer, and the prospect of being out of the office for a few days.  This week, it’s rainy, my vacation is over, and I’m stuck at home with a little cold.  This is where you bring up #firstworldproblems…

On the plus side, once I recover from this cold and finish the week, I’ll be starting my new day job at ESPN next Monday.  As a result of their “Rookie Camp” orientation at Bristol’s headquarters, I’ll be missing SNSS next week but J. Moore will hold it down solo.  If you miss my voice, you’re creepy you can just download this week’s show and enjoy!

Show #325 (8-21-11)

1. Dom Kennedy – “Money Don’t Stop”
2. Jay Rock – “Elbows”
3. Game – “Ricky”
4. Thurz ft. BJ The Chicago Kid – “Hell’s Angel”
5. 2Pac – “Temptations” (Throwback of the Week)
6. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton – “Can’t Hold Us” (Local Music)
7. Asher Roth – “In The Kitchen”
8. Trackademicks ft. Freddie Gibbs, Phonte, & 1-O.A.K. – “Chill”
9. JayKin – “V.A.N. II” (Local Music)
10. SBTRKT ft. Little Dragon & Shabazz Palaces – “Wildfire (Drumma Boy Remix)”
11. Frank Ocean – “Swim Good”
12. Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Gotta Have It”
13. Styles P ft. Busta Rhymes & Rick Ross – “Harsh”
14. Mayer Hawthorne – “A Long Time (Chromeo Remix)”
15. Omar Aura ft. Fashawn – “1,000 Palm Trees”
16. The Physics – “Chalk Up Tomorrow” (Local Music)
17. Union ft. Elzhi – “Wings”
18. Black Rob – “Can’t Make It In NY”
19. Maffew Ragazino – “Short Yellow Bus Theory”
20. Phil Ade – “Coming Home”
21. The Weeknd ft. Drake – “The Zone”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?q54yn1jkhcfhn4i
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/i4c97k2f0nwd)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/94001229735f080f/)

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.

A few weeks ago, Shad performed at the Capitol Hill Block Party here in Seattle and his super talented DJ, T-Lo, sadly wasn’t able to make the trip. I was honored to step behind the tables and help keep the show moving in his absence, though I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being on stage. Just not for me.

Shad, on the other hand, is a natural. Above is a quick clip of him performing “Compromise,” a great record off his classic The Old Prince album.  If you missed the official video for the track, peep it here.

“There’s so many things to do / So many people I need to talk to”

Coming off a few days worth of vacation in Canada, that quote kinda sums up how I feel about life right now.  One of my favorite aspects to visiting a city like Vancouver is that the people up there are just far more friendly and outgoing (and interesting) than my fellow Americans.  Sorry folks, it’s true.  Every time I stepped out in Van City, I had fun conversations with people left and right.  Plus, they all instantly treated me like family.  Much appreciated y’all.

There are so many experiences I’m looking forward to having in life and if I can get green lights all along the trip like Aloe, life will be good.

Every day, another person asks me what I’ve been listening to recently and most of the time, I default with “whatever we’re playing on Sound Session.”  It’s an easy answer since it’s true and there’s just too much music being released to keep everything top of mind.  Recently, I’ve switched it up a bit because there are a few artists killing it to such a degree that I’ve found myself listening to their projects over and over.  One such artist is Los Angeles’ Dom Kennedy, who is quietly writing a blueprint for independent success without a major cosign.

If you haven’t checked out his past few releases, you’re missing out on some of the dopest music around, especially for these west coast summer days.  I can’t recommend The Original Dom Kennedy and the two editions of From the Westside With Love enough.  Cop ’em now!

Dom will be performing in Vancouver on Thursday, August 24th, and thanks to our friends at Fortune Sound Club, we’ve got one pair of tickets to give out here on TAOD.  Whether you live in Van City or you’re a fellow Seattle resident able to make the drive up, if you want to check out the show, just answer the question below by emailing me – DJHyphen@gmail.com – and I’ll pick out a winner on Sunday, the 21st:

Question:  According to one of Dom’s singles, in what year did he write his first rhyme?

If you know the answer and can go to the show, hit me up!  Along with Dom’s performance, they’ll be celebrating the 4 year anniversary of The Freshest, one of the illest DJ collectives around.  It’s gonna be a great night…