I will not apologize for unloading this amazing Billie Holiday inspired tape on you all. Yes, that’s a fresh blend of 1930′s noir and modern hip-hop beats you hear thumping in your ears. The samples of Holiday really make her voice come alive in the present tense, you honestly just need to spin this album completely through (and a couple more times for good measure).
Check out L’Orange and his fabulous work done on Old Soul. Trust me, you will not be disappointed, it’s robbery that this thing is free.
*Disclaimer* I’m pretty damn late with this, but I still wanted to share a bit of my experience from last month :
On March 20th, Odd Future came to NYC. I decided to make a day of it and really wanted to immerse myself in the whole experience. So, I checked out the pop-up shop they opened on Orchard Street (a one day merch store set up in each city on the group’s tour where fans can meet the guys and buy overpriced t-shirts and other assorted apparel) and then headed over to the concert later in the night. I’ve been following OF’s rise to fame for the last 2 years or so but this was my first time witnessing the pandemonium they bring with them.
I woke Tuesday morning to find an interview from Hot 97‘s Peter Rosenberg featuring Tyler the Creator and…for the first time ever, the long lost OF member EARL SWEATSHIRT. The interview solidified the rumors that Earl was in New York and started the buzz about the possibility of Earl joining the rest of Odd Future for the show that night. Needless to say, I was stoked about this possibility and watching the interview only added to my excitement.
The New York popup shop was supposed to open around 12pm, but when I arrived closer to 1:00, I came to find out that it had yet to open and there was an incrementally growing line growing creeping down the block. Generally I know things like this tend to NOT run all that smoothly, so I shouldn’t have been surprised to learn that after about 3 hours standing in line, basically all the members of Odd Future had left the shop to get ready for the show that night. Although, I did get to grab the album from the store before heading back home to recharge for the night AND I did see Domo Genesis and Taco who were still floating around the store for a bit.
As I got to the show and entered the Hammerstein Ballroom to OF’s Syd Tha Kyd DJing, I immediately felt the excitement in the air. I also immediately noticed about 50% of the crowd was probably still in high school and 60% definitely under 21. But I’m not dissing the kids, I mean I was a dumb hippie kid in high school who went to moe and Keller Williams shows all the time (so I am in no position to say anything). The crowd got more and more hyped through Syd’s DJ set, especially when she dropped the Kanye West/ Jay-Z banger “Niggas in Paris.” But then, all of a sudden, Syd cued up the familiar sounds of Hodgy Beats and Left Brain’s MellowHype track “64.”
This first song set the tone for the show and after that, it was more or less complete madness. I hadn’t been to a show, not to mentioned a RAP show, in quite a while but I must say I was floored. These kids were insane, so much fucking energy! I somehow found myself near the front of the crowd, about 40 or 50 feet from the stage, in a sea of sweaty dudes pushing and shoving and yet I still had a blast.
BUT then, about half way through the set, the true moment everyone was waiting for. The keys to the song “Orange Juice” hit and after a few seconds, Tyler and the rest of Odd Future introduce their long lost brother, EARL SWEATSHIRT.
The entire room, including OF themselves completely lost it. At this moment, the event no longer became just a concert. For Earl, it was a return home and I would consider, a defining moment as his first live performance with the group. There will never be another “Earl’s first show” and I am so happy I was able to witness it first hand. On stage you could see the camaraderie, joy, and excitement from the entire OF family. A group of friends, fucking around with one another, doing what they love. This can be summed up by the last few moments of the concert; as the group performed the final track of the night (which is also the last track of their new album) “Oldie,” a sprawling 10+ minute throwback feeling track featuring a verse from every collective OF member. One by one, each member recited their respective verse and by the time it came to Earl’s verse (the second to last and by far the longest of the song) nearly the entire stage was full of OF family, backing their newly returned brother.
This might sound a bit lame, but it was a special day for me, and I am extremely happy still, as it is now nearly a month ago that I was a part of this whole event.
With this sudden chill back in the air, I’m beginning to get a bit desperate…sort of like Neiliyo in his latest video. Except minus the Malibu, f that shit.
I’m pretty sure you all know by now how I feel about the French and their hip-hop. I fucking love it, so of course I was extremely hype on being tipped off on Chill Bump.
Straight out of Tours, France – this rap/hip-hop duo consists of Bankal (Beatmaker) and Miscellaneous (MC) who both have been busy making names for themselves in their home country. It’s nice to hear when two furious forces join together and create something so absolutely smooth that it’s hard not to listen.
Check out their latest EP entitled Back To The Grainwhich shows off their crate-digging and beat dropping skills all while simultaneously throwing that middle finger up.
How have I not heard of this local before? I’ve got plenty of love for Rise’s label,Free Form Records, where this gentleman’s smooth flow calls home but this is the first time I’ve caught wind of DistantStarr.
He’s got a laid-back style, hints of the golden-age with a contemporary spin on his beats and I’m just digging all of it. Wake up Philadelphia, this guy is in our backyards – open your ears. Listen to his latest 4-track album, Seekers, below and keep an eye on him, I hope this is only the beginning.
Ever since he released “Dr Lector,”Action Bronson’s notoriety (as well is his beard and stomach) have been getting bigger and bigger. And rightfully so. This guy has a fantastic flow. He’s got that real rap, throwback storytelling approach to his craft, and his newest mix tape, Blue Chips, is a fine testament to that. In not only Action’s flow and approach to the mic, but also in the tape’s overall production (handled by Brooklyn’s Party Supplies). This just has a great mixtape feel to it; solid use of samples and good raps.
A couple weeks ago while writing about Soft Lighting I used the term “Grotto Music” in order to describe his sound.
I’m back with another Sea Isle inspired descriptor in this post as I bring you some “Kiddie Pool Music.” Now, these tracks can be enjoyed in any setting but I believe that in order to achieve maximum listening pleasure you should crank both of these as you chill out at a backyard beach bbq in the friendly confines of a kiddie pool.
First up we have “Summer Girlfriends (I reminisce)” by Chaz Van Queen featuring Jinesis. It sounds like the laid back party hip hop of the early to mid 90s and its nostalgic verses fit the vibe perfectly. Chaz shows off his range during the track, rapping some parts then breaking out his singing voice to enhance his story.
Next is “Full Retard,” the first single off of El-P‘s upcoming album Cancer for Cure. This one is heavier on the bass than the previous tune and a little bit more aggressive. Still perfect for the kiddie pool as well as a night time drive to the beach. I guess it could work if we brought a boombox to the basketball courts, too. We need to bring a boombox to the basketball courts.
I’d like to end this post by saying shout out to Doctor Urbas. He likes rap music. He’s a doctor.
One of the many reasons why I fucking love Coachella.
Azealia Banks is one bad ass female..and this is just the beginning. Think of an underground Nicki Minaj with slicker beats and samples, though, that wouldn’t even come close to this 20-year old’s talent. She’s got some incredibly raw lyrics, ridiculous and versatile flow, singing her own hooks and rapping the verses.
All I know is that shit will erupt when she begins to spit the opening lines for “212.”Check out a slew of her singles below and just wait for the debut album, she’s going to be hitting the charts hard before you even know it.
