There’s nothing like the awkward pause during the chorus when I play the clean edit for “Random Call” on SNSS. Sean, Guilty, and Black are currently dominating my car’s stereo, when I’m not being overwhelmed by bass from Sirius/XM.
Shout to Todd Angkasuwan on the visuals as well. Great stuff.
There are few things more rewarding for those of us who really live and breathe this music and culture than seeing talented artists, who are also good people with good teams, break through and get the success they deserve. I couldn’t be happier to see someone like Big K.R.I.T. get shine on a major label and have a hit record on his hands with the “Country Sh*t” remix. Kudos to his whole team and to Def Jam for getting this one right.
Seattle folks: come see K.R.I.T. at our Summer Jam on July 16th at the White River Amphitheater!
Pusha continues his visual assault with yet another video off Fear Of God, this time for the Nottz produced “Alone In Vegas.” 2011 is shaping up to be quite the year for Terrence.
So apparently there was quite the hubbub (greatest word ever?) earlier this week when Lupe was quoted as calling President Obama a terrorist. While I understand the shock value factor of grabbing that soundbite for the headline, people clearly missed the larger point that US foreign policy could certainly constitute terrorism for many folks in the world. Killer Mike’s latest, PL3DGE, touches on similar subjects, especially here on “Burn.” Go head fellas.
Elzhi’s back with the next set of visuals off Elmatic, this time linking up with Michael Castelaz to highlight “It Ain’t Hard To Tell.” Has anyone asked Nas if he’s heard the project yet? Most artists would probably be a little salty, but I gotta think Nas would be appreciative.
Aside from the realization that Drama Beats from Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory can actually make some slaps, the most surprising thing about this song/video is that Lamborghini’s actually require a key. I thought we were all on team #pushtostart these days, no?
A few posts ago, I mentioned that Taysean is possibly the most underrated artist in the Seattle scene. Looking at the game from a national perspective, I might have to give that distinction to Laws. I’m continually surprised that more people aren’t up on one of the nicest and most versatile MC’s around. Hopefully that will change with the release of his Paul McCartney inspired Yesterday’s Future project this summer.
The homies Emilio and Court Dunn link up for the “FTW” video off Life Without Shame. I’d love to play this one on Sound Session, but something tells me it wouldn’t go over that well with the FCC. Haters.
As the hip-hop community, and all who love music, reel from the loss of the legendary Gil Scott-Heron, I thought to myself about the messages in his records. Do today’s artists have the desire and ability to make music that elevates to the levels Gil effortlessly resided in?Â
While mass media would certainly tell you otherwise, I think they can. We certainly need music that offers us escape, but it’s vitally important that we continue to create good music with real purpose.
Shout to Kendrick for doing just that with one of the best songs of 2011 so far.
During one of the 329821329834230 times I saw the Pac Div homies rock live at SXSW, I remember tweeting that they make the exact kind of hip-hop I like the most. “Fallin'” off their Mania release is just such a record. While I may take excursions into other sub-genres, it’s essentially the same experience I have while consuming other forms of media: fantasy land is fun to visit, but I live in the real world and relate to that real music. Exhibit A above.