Live Set: D’Angelo in Sweden

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January 30, 2012
Mixes
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Up until recently, I detested R&B. When I first started getting into hip hop when I was 12 or 13, I associated the genre with the likes of Usher, Ne-Yo and Mariah Carey who appeared to be the antithesis of my backpacker ethos. To put it succinctly, I would much rather listen to the squeeky, stream-of-consciousness flow of Madlib’s Quasimoto than the shiny bullshit of T-Pain (admittedly not R&B). I liked the occasional Anthony Hamilton, or Erykah Badu track, and I enjoyed making fun of R. Kelly, but I held an unreasonable contempt for the genre for many years. Boy, how wrong I was. “Alternative” R&B acts like The Weeknd and Frank Ocean have opened my eyes to the genre, and pushed me to investigate more contemporary R&B.

D’Angelo had also impressed me on J Dilla tracks, but I had never thought twice about investigating his solo work. Recently, the Richmond, VA crooner has emerged from hibernation and scheduled a few live performances. The below mix is from a recent performance in Sweden, and features a number of originals, covers, and two Dilla tracks (!!!). While I cannot begin to understand the impact D’Angelo has had on modern R&B and the neo-soul movement, I can begin to respect him and his contemporaries for their impact on modern hip hop, and as the forefathers of The Weeknd’s and Frank Ocean’s of 2012.

New Shabazz Video + Tour Dates

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January 30, 2012
Live, Videos
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Shabazz Palaces have made quite the impression over the last year or so since the unheralded release of their first EP in select Seattle record stores. 2011’s Black Up was a resounding success, and the duo is now one of the most critically acclaimed groups in both the hip hop and Pitchfork crowds. Part of the Shabazz appeal is their unique visual aesthetic and today, we are graced with visuals for Black Up standout “are you… can you… were you? (felt).” The video features some beautiful Seattle imagery, a beautiful protagonist, and more. As if the video isn’t enough to satiate our need for savant, the duo announced a few dozen new tour dates across the US, Canada and Europe. Check out the full list of tour dates after the jump and expect some more words on the current state of music videos in the near future.

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Black Star + Aretha

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January 27, 2012
New Music
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Black Star,  composed of the prolific MCs Talib Kweli and Mos Def, comeback onto the scene with two solid releases Fix Up and You Already Knew (off the Top secret Aretha Franklin mixtape). Mos Def should now actually referred to as Yasiin Bey…the guy just got tired of Mos Def.  Black Star has been relatively dormant as both artists have been working on their own projects but hopefully this is the beginning to a long awaited reunion. The two performed Fix Up live on The Colbert Report and then released You Already Knew on their website. Fix Up is produced by Madlib and You Already  Knew is produced by Oh No.

Live Review: Tokimonsta At Low End Theory

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January 26, 2012
Live
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Photo from facebook

Ok, so this is only a pseudo live review, because my camera ran out of batteries, but you’ll just have to take my word on how great the show is. Last night, Tokimonsta headlined Low End Theory at The Airliner along with Nutrik and Co.fee sub-headlining. To make the event even more exciting, it was Toki’s birthday at midnight.  Headlining is a funny word for an event like Low End because it has connotations of a green room, pretentious guests, etc., but the artists at Low End are just fans when they’re not on stage, chilling at the bar, smoking stogy’s with friends outside, and mingling with the crowd. It still truly amazes me that musicians like Toki and FlyLo are so humble when they play in front of thousands at festivals on a weekly basis.

Anyway, after a few issues, we got into The Airliner around 11 just as Co.fee came on. I wasn’t too familiar with Co.fee prior to last night beyond his track on Gems Drops 2, but his set was a great start to the night. Mixing hard hitting bass tracks with hazy hip hop, Co.fee set the stage perfectly for Toki, and got a ton of new fans in the process. Next, resident DJ Nobody took the stage alongside Nocando in sinister style. Riling up the crowd in anticipation of midnight, Nobody dropped “Beamer, Benz, Or Bentley” and a couple other tracks that got the crowd chanting along.

As the witching hour neared, Toki made her way through the crowd and took the stage to a massive outpouring of love. Again, I truly wish I had my camera to give you a taste of how much the crowd adores Toki, but alas I fucked up. Anyways, Toki took the stage to raucous applause, and proceeded to absolutely wreck the next 45 minutes. Toki started off slow with a few melodic originals and vocal tracks, taking a brief break at 12 for a rendition of “happy birthday,” before kicking the night into high gear. Toki is one of those DJ’s that is so skilled that she almost lulls you into a trance and then all of a sudden you realize you’re dancing your ass off. The peak of the set came when she dropped three of my absolute favorite tracks of 2011, A$AP Rocky’s “Bass,” The Weeknd’s “High For This,” and Hudson Mohawke’s “Thunder Bay” in succession. To say the least, I was enthralled. After a few cries of “Toki, will you marry me?” she hopped off stage and disappeared into the crowd.

We stayed for a little while after, catching some of the Gaslamp Killer’s set. As always, GLK gave no recognition that he was the “after the headliner” set and was playing in front of less people. Wyling out as always, Gaslamp dropped an esoteric “Niggas In Paris” mix before going into a number of funky bass tracks. Overall, easily one of the better nights at Low End in memory. From the start of Co.fee’s set to the time our legs gave out midway through GLK, there was not a dull moment, and the love shown for Toki showed just how much she means to the Low End crowd. Wish I could have documented the night, but thanks to the power of the interwebs, I’ve found a few videos. If you have any complaints/feedback on our first live review, hit us up in the comment box or shoot us an email.

Fresh Knxwledge

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January 25, 2012
New Music
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FRSH SLCTS Black Spade Knxwledge Spand Nate JamesKnxwledge is quickly becoming one of my favorite new producers. Black Spade spits over this Knxwledge beat from his Komposure EP http://gloof.bandcamp.com/album/komposure-ep. This is said to be the first of an exciting lineup of collaborations that Knxwledge has in store for us in 2012. I for one, can’t wait for these collabs after listening to this solid track.

Check the original and the new track. Be sure to check out my previous post on Knxwledge.

http://gloof.bandcamp.com/track/5-spand

New Paper Route Gangstaz – “Hello World”

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January 25, 2012
New Music
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In recent years, several Huntsville, Alabama hip hop groups/artists have receive national attention. First it was Jackie Chainz with his hit track “Rollin,” which was later flipped by Gucci Mane. Next up it was the Paper Route Gangstaz with their Diplo assisted Fear And Loathing In Hunts Vegas tape. More  recently it has been G-Side that has gotten some acclaim in the form of a feature in Spin. It looks like it might be time for PRGz to take the spotlight again. Fear and Loathing was released in 2009, but the group has been fairly silent since then. “Hello World” might just be their triumphant return to prominence. Featuring some silky vocals from Joi Tiffany and a bangin’ beat from SOV, the track definitely has a pop sensibility mixed with PRGz drug slangin, streetwise verses.

Stream/Download: Paper Route Gangstaz – “Hello World” Feat. Joi Tiffany (Prod. SOV)

Tokimonsta B-Day Party At LET

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January 25, 2012
Live
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Photo by Joel Lee

Low End Theory has been mentioned numerous times on this blog in its first few weeks of existence. Most outside of Los Angeles know it as the classic tribe album, but many within the City of Angels know it as one of the premier club nights on the West Coast. Helmed by Gaslamp Killer, DJ Nobody, Daddy Kev, D-Styles and Nocando, Low End occurs every Wednesday night at Lincoln Heights’s The Airliner. In 2011, Thom Yorke, Flying Lotus, James Blake and more laid down sets in front of a small and intimate audience. Along with major stars, Low End works incredibly hard to work in new talents, many of which (Ras G, Odd Future, The Glitch Mob) have blossomed into stars themselves. I have attended the night numerous times and have not been disappointed once. Each resident brings a unique, forward thinking set to the table every week, as Nocando frantically freestyles over the beats.

Whether you’re into hazy psych rock, or crunchy bass music, you’ll have a great time. The diverse crowd shares only a love of cannabis and an open mind for disparate musical stylings.  Tonight, Tokimonsta is celebrating her birthday with a special Low End appearance alongside Nutrik and Co.fee. The diminutive Toki is one of the most celebrated artists in the bass music world and has consistently released incredible music for several years. If you live in the LA-area, I definitely recommend you head to Lincoln Heights tonight. If you can’t make it, I’ll have some video/words up to give a little peak into the Low End world. Check out some of Toki’s best tunes below.

Stream/Download: Tokimonsta – “Alive”

Stream/Download: Shlohmo – “Hot Boxing The Cockpit” (Tokimonsta Remix)

Album Review: Schoolboy Q – Habits & Contradictions

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January 24, 2012
Album Reviews
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I joined the Black Hippy party in December of 2010 the day I heard Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q’s freestyle over Weezy’s “6’7’” beat. Kendrick and Schoolboy’s version came out only one day after Wayne and Cory Gunz released theirs, and when placed back to back, the two don’t even compare. Kendrick and Schoolboy bodied what would become the best track on Carter IV (admittedly not saying much). At that point I had heard of Jay Rock, the third Black Hippy member, mostly because of his brief stint at Young Money, but Ab-Soul, the fourth member was still an unknown to me.

Fast forward to 2011. Kendrick Lamar absolutely owned the year with Section.80 succeeding on all levels and ending up on just about everyone’s year-end “best of” lists. Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy all released their debut full lengths with varying rates of success. Noz the popular Nah Right blogger dubbed the group the new Hieroglyphics for their diversity in lyrical styles and topics. I’m not sure who plays Del in that comparison, but the two crews do have more than a few similarities.

Now that the Black Hippy name is out there, the question is whether they have the staying power to truly become the next big thing in West Coast hip-hop. With Habits & Contradictions, Schoolboy Q has answered that question with a resounding yes. Schoolboy’s follow up to his first album, Setbacks, was released at midnight on January 14 and is easily the best hip-hop release at this point in the year. Featuring guest appearances from Q’s Black Hippy cohort, A$AP Rocky, Dom Kennedy and Curren$y, and production from Alchemist, Lex Luger and A$AP Ty, there is plenty of talent surrounding the Carson City MC. Some MC’s might be overwhelmed when surrounded by so many talented MC’s/producers, but Schoolboy still manages to own the project. 

“Hands On The Wheel” featuring A$AP Rocky is the albums party anthem. An ode to bitches and blunts featuring some Lana Del Rey-esque vocals taken from Cudi’s “Pursuit Of Happiness.” Whether it’s coke, E or shrooms, Schoolboy and A$AP are indulging.

Too damn high, can’t stand myself
I love drunk driving, man I’m something else
Heat on my side, you’re more than welcome to melt
I’m ’bout to finish a pound, you’re more welcome to help

Later in the album, “Oxy Music” gives the listener some drastically different insight into Schoolboy’s drug habits. Instead of reveling in the party life, Schoolboy is now delving into the struggles of addiction and selling drugs.

Satan in your soul let it take control
Oxy cotin fiends keep the foil low
Let the pill burn inhale exhale it slow
Let yo heart explode drop ya to the floor

“Grooveline Pt. 1” would fit better on a Curren$y album, although Schoolboy does sound natural over the soulful Lex Luger beat. The rest of the album reflects the contradictions (it’s a very aptly named LP) in Schoolboy’s life. He wants to just party and have fun, but his personal devils, and his environment keep pulling him away from the good life. In the end, Schoolboy is an incredibly likable character despite his struggles.

Download: Schoolboy Q – “Hands On The Wheel” Feat. A$AP Rocky

Download: Schoolboy Q – “Oxy Music”

Download: Schoolboy Q – “Blessed” Feat. Kendrick Lamar

Dropping This Week (1/22-1/28)

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January 23, 2012
Uncategorizable
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A day late on this. Don’t have time to preview every album, but it’s a pretty big week. Go out and buy/download MU.ZZ.LE. It’s excellent.

Cloud Nothings – Attack On Memory (Carpark Records)

Gangrene –Vodka & Ayahuasca (Decon Records)
Vodka & Ayahuasca opens up with a brutal recording of someone puking their guts out. The album doesn’t get any friendlier. The LA-area duo’s last album, Gutter Water, was an ode to the comic book rap with a distinct “from the streets” vibe, the new album specializes in the outrageous department asthe two MC’s/producers try to out weird each other in their own fucked up states. Vodka & Ayahuasca is not the easiest listen with Oh No repeatedly getting off topic and Alchemist’s rhyme skills still not top notch, but guest spots from Kool G Rap and Roc Marciano steady the album and the combined production acumen of the duo makes up for any lyrical deficiencies that might be present.Gangrene (Alchemist  + Oh No) – Vodka & Ayahuasca (Decon Records)

Gonjasufi – MU.ZZ.LE (Warp Records) (Gabe’s Pick)

Sumach Ecks aka Gonjasufi released one of the most surprising and innovative albums (A Sufi And AKiller) in 2010 on Warp Records. Fusing experimental reggae, hip hop and electronic sounds with production from Flying Lotus, Gaslamp Killer and Mainframe, the album seemed completely out of left field Sometimes Ecks would sing, sometimes he would rap and sometimes he would just kind of mumble. Long story short, the album worked and cemented Sufi as one of the most forward-thinking artists on the West Coast and FlyLo as one of its premier tastemakers. Since 2010, we have received two EP’s from Sufi, but it’s been a full length we’ve really been waiting for. Tuesday, we get our wish. If MU.ZZ.LE is anywhere near as good as A Sufi And A Killer or the first single, “Nickels and Dimes,” we are in for a treat. Check out this interview Sumach did with The Arts Desk for some insight into his creative process, and what drives him to make music. Stream MU.ZZ.LE at The Fader.

Jazzanova – Upside Down (Sonar Kollectiv)

Nada Surf – The Stars Are Different To Astronomy (Barsuk Records)

Zeds Dead – Adrenaline EP (Inspected Records)

The Toronto duo of DC and Hooks are back with another EP to start off January. 2011 saw the duorelease five EP’s (!), tour the globe incessantly, and release one of my favorite tracks of the year, “Coffee Break.” While they have worked in electro, hip hop and dancehall in past releases, Adrenaline is a return to a more straight up in-your-face dubstep style. You can stream previews of the EP on Soundcloud and buy 320’s on Beatport.