Vic Mensa – Orange Soda (Video)
After the release of Kids These Day’s debut album Traphouse Rock…everything seemed to just stop. I think the album never really took off as everyone imagined, the band had soooo much hype to live up to. In the end I felt like one of the few people that genuinely liked it. Well, people finally woke up after word spread that the Chicago band would be breaking up. All these guys are so young, it will be fun to see which projects they touch next.
I don’t think anyone was worried about the fiery spitter Vic Mensa. In perhaps his strongest solo effort to date, Vic drops visuals for “Orange Soda” – an ode to everyone’s favorite summer drink. Just in time! Off the kid’s upcoming INNANETAPE project, “Orange Soda” brings out a falsetto croon from Vic that results in Mensa’s best solo effort yet. This combined with his verse on Chance The Rapper’s “Cocoa Butter Kisses” really has me dialed into the rhymesayer of a band no-longer.
Watch The Duck – Poppin’ Off x Girlfriend
Watch The Duck, these guys really are some ATLiens. The trio (plus the duck) have found an interesting way to mash-up every other genre to ever exist into EDM. There are clear EDM drops that every bass head can appreciate but Watch The Duck has sandwhiched those drops between plenty of soulful vocals, ticking keys and blaring horns. The tunes have the feel of your favorite summer festival hosted by a Reggae/Dancehall host from the 70′s….and he’s throwing one hell of a party. Dive in, that’s all I can really say.
I don’t know what planet these guys are from but they certainly found an interesting blend of sounds. Check out their ful project Anatidaephobia EP on Soundcloud or on iTunes.
Kenzie May – Hide & Seek
My CrowdNoize compandre Leah tipped me off to this tune the other day and I’ve given it several spins since. I guess I’ve kinda been on a kick of the global voices of women (see New Zealand’s Lorde’s The Love Club – EP, UK’s London Grammar’s “Wasting My Young Years”, Australia’s Hiatus Kaiyote’s – Tawk Tomahawk) as of late!
Please take some time to explore the depth’s of Kenzie May’s “Hide & Seek.” This 19-year old sure has a knack to create a mighty big hook.
Chance The Rapper – Acid Rap (Mixtape)
Chances are you may have already heard about this project. It’s absolutely taken the internetz by storm. Chance totally owns Chicago and because of the genuine brilliance of the project, this fine tab of acid has seeped into the blood stream of cities nationwide. Just yesterday, it was announced that Chance would be supporting Mac Miller on a 38-city nationwide tour with select dates that include Earl Sweatshirt, Action Bronson and The Internet.
Anyway – the project is an absolute treat from start to finish. It’s been extra special to be jamming out to this mixtape breathing the very Chicago air that has inspired it. Chance is Chicago’s next Twista, Common and Kanye. We already know their impact on the world, now it’s Chance’s chance.
Chance The Rapper – Acid Rap (Mixtape)
Personal favorites include “Cocoa Butter Kisses” featuring Vic Mensa (of Kids These Days) and Twista, “Juice” and “Smoke Again” featuring Ab-Soul.
Tickle Torture – Forgotten (Video)
Tickle Torture is my favorite artist on the planet right now. Tickle Torture is a sexual being from another planet who resides in Minneapolis. My Tickle Torture journey dates back to this time last year, the band I mange – whysowhite was playing a gig in town and we randomly stopped at a local watering hole in the hopes of catching some live music. That night we experienced Tickle Torture. I was absolutely blow away by his performance and it was one of those performances I can even really put into words. Is there anything better than going to a show with zero expectations and walk away with one of your most memorable sets of the year. I remember Google-ing Tickle Torture that night and not finding much but knowing he would soon resurface. This was the most danceable stuff I had heard out of Minneapolis since The Purple One.
Months passed and Tickle Torture popped into my head when I started to do some preliminary planning for a showcase I was putting together at SXSW. I did a blind Google searching hoping for some recorded material. Sure enough – two full EPs were just waiting for me to enjoy. I listened to both and enjoyed them both very much.
Be sure to check out both Spiritual Machete (Aug. 2012) and his most recent project Together Again (Dec. 2012.)
With that said check out a stand out tune from Spiritual Machete titled “Forgotten.” It includes…and I quote “lots of fog, a 78 Cadillac convertible, antelope heads, and some slight nudity….”
That’s all you need to know. Torture has never felt this good.
Greg Grease – C.R.E.A.M Dreams (Video)
Greg Grease’s Cornbread, Pearl & G (stream here) was one of my favorite releases of last year. Many share these feelings, as Grease was just labeled City Pages “Best Hip-Hop Artist” for 2013. We’ll here are some mighty good visuals for the tune “C.R.E.A.M Dreams.” Hot damn, that’s a dope ass flow!
Crunchy Kids – Nash Money (Video)
I don’t know much about Minneapolis group Crunchy Kids but their debut project is being recorded and mixed at Waterbury Studios (hey Big Cats!) in Minneapolis. But hopefully the visuals for their tune “Nash Money” are a taste of what’s to come on their debut album Mint, which you can pre-oder now at CruncyKids.Bandcamp. The project is due out May 14th.
Absynthe (Lizzo & Sophia Eris) – Magic Ride
I’m already a huge Chalice fan…so with side project featuring both members Lizzo and Sophia Eris already sounds good. Their debut statement “Magic Ride” is definitely trip somewhere! Crunchy drums, synthy stabs, mean rhymes and mesmerizing soulful vocals? Yup, it’s all here. The duo are rumored be dropping a mixtape under this moniker real soon.
Lizzo’s got her debut album with Doomtree beatsmith Lazerbeak on the way too! BOOM!
Shouts to Prophis & JR on the production.
Night Moves – Colored Emotions
Night Moves comes by way of my hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It’s gotta be one of the best music scenes on planet earth. We’ll here comes another talented trio. Night Moves released their album Colored Emotions in October of last year. I discovered this one on BandCamp’s new weekly podcast a few weeks ago. Well the titular track off the album stuck with me most. It sounds like inhaling sunshine. Enjoy!
Be sure to grab the whole album via their BandCamp page.
London Grammar – Wasting My Young Years
A breathtaking cinematic trip from UK trio London Grammar. I’ve had their lastest release “Wasting My Young Years” on repeat. Such a mature sound for youngsters. Vocalist Hannah Reid showcases her absolutely stunning voice from start to finish. If they keep creating captivating sounds like this they’ll be performing for the masses on a global scale soon enough. Everyone can relate to this beautiful tune. For fans of The XX, Florence & The Machine, Adele, Sigur Ros etc.
London Grammar have two more tunes over at their Soundcloud page that are also worth checking out: “Metal & Dust” and “Hey Now.”
Travi$ Scott – Upper Echelon ft. T.I. & 2 Chainz
Rarely am I captivated by today’s gunfire snare patterns and heavy machinery production in today’s rap game. It was awesome when it first came on the scene. But this explosive incantation both rapped and produced by recent G.O.O.D. Music signee Travi$ Scott has a mind of it’s own. The guest features couldn’t really get any bigger too.
Stoop Kids – What A World (Album)
Get me back down to New Orleans – sit me on a porch with a shrimp po boy (fresh too, I wanna taste the salt water!!) and some sweet tea all up in my face. New Orleans’ own Stoop Kids captures that feeling, mixing elements of hip-hop and the old soul of doo-wop. Plenty of bizarre-o lyricism over twangy broken string blues, dazzling organ piano and smoked out harmonies too. Basically, this is summertime music….and it’s right on time! Ya’heard me?!
Hiatus Kaiyote – Tawk Tomahawk (Album)
All credit for this one goes to my Minneapolis brotha Jake of BeSceneMPLS for putting me on to this one. When I was down at SXSW a few weeks ago, I was chillin’ outside a venue with Jake when he had to split to go interview Australian space soul group Hiatus Kaiyote. He left telling me I needed to check out their project as soon as possible, leaving me with that both Erykah Badu and ?uestlove had been tweeting about how tremendous their deubt project was.
After several listens, this is an absolutely incredible project. Definitely for fans of Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Erykah Badu, Tune-Yards, Robert Glasper etc. A true journey into the deepest soulful depths of our audible universe. So check out the groups debut project Tawk Tomahawk (released in Spring 2012.) It’s definitely the trip you’re looking for.
Mally & The Sundance Kid – Winner (Music Video)
Mally drops the visuals for one of my favorite tracks off his debut album The Last Great… (2012) which was one of my favorite albums of last year. Production from The Sundance Kid – this beat is pretty incredible!
Plenty of Twin Cities cameos with this video! Shouts to my dudes Mally and Sundance.
Song Produced By: The Sundance Kid
Producer/Director/Editor: Victor Rukavina
Line Producer/Assistant Director: Andrew Melby
Director of Photography: Jake Gardner
Production Company: One Light Collective
Theophilus London – Snow Angel ft. Trouble Andrew
When you sample Radiohead’s “Everything In It’s Right Place,” – it will bring that energy from the start. That’s the case with this tune by Theophilus London featuring Trouble Andrew. It feels dark – yet optimistic with a hint of that hot trap sound. Lyrically Theo brings some fun and Trouble Andrew brings in the stoned out hook. Definitely worth a listen!
whysowhite – whysowhite (Album)
It’s not news to anyone that frequents this site or knows me personally but I manage out of 8-piece funk band out of Chicago by the name whysowhite. After 2-years of hard work, we’re excited to release the album to the universe. We dropped it this past Friday, hours before we opened for soul singer Cody ChesnuTT. I could go on and on for hours about how much I love the album and the sounds within it. Please give the album a solid listen and support the full album with a download and/or donation if you can. Appreciate all the support and love so far!
We’ll be down at SXSW 2013 and play Martyrs in Chicago on March 8th.
Download the full album via whysowhite.BandCamp.com. We’ll be doing a physical release within a few weeks alongside iTunes and Spotify within a few days.
OCD: Moosh & Twist – This High (Video)
Moosh & Twist have always made their way back onto my radar these past few years. I think they got grouped together in the college rap bubble we had. Well after a brief hiatus the Philly duo have dropped the visuals for “This High.” I’ve always thought they had great beat selection and this song is another reflection of that. It’s got a pretty catchy hook and just seems to show off a little more maturity in their music.
Like it? Grab a download for it over at SoundCloud.com.
Sweater Beats – MLLN DLLR (Video)
My brotha Go Mene put me on to this producer/DJ out of New York by the name Sweater Beats! I’ve bumped this one a few times already today so I figured you all would dig it too. Easy listening right here!
Grab the single on iTunes if you think it’s crackin! Sweater’s got plenty of stuff to sink you teeth into on his SoundCloud page too.
Pond – Giant Tortoise
I love when a song title truly reflects the sound of a song, it’s definitely the case with this one. It also gives me the feeling of jumping into a pile of crisp leaves, or speeding through the city on my bike or maybe even a sunny day on the beach (with plenty of spiked lemonades.) That’s the beauty of this song by Pond, which features members of Australian psychedelic rockers Tame Impala. You don’t know where it’s going to take you. Plenty of guitar solos, fuzz and drums that mimic slamming on a metal trashcans. Just try not to get lost, alright?
Like what you hear? Stream Pond’s entire 2012 release Beards, Wives, Denim via YouTube. Their follow-up should hit sometime this spring.
Chance The Rapper – Juice (Video)
Chicago’s own Chance The Rapper brings the first visuals (and single!?) off his highly anticipated sophomore mixtape Acid Rap. I swear every song I hear this guy’s got a different flow, but that’s what makes it exciting! For this one – director Austin Vesely brings Chance to time square to rap over AllDayRecess’ extremely playful production. With just one Chance The Rapper live show under my belt, I already know this is one his fans will make some serious noize over.
If you haven’t heard Chano’s debut #10Day yet, do so!
Lorde – The Love Club (EP)
This youngster comes by way of New Zealand. Lorde brings confidence – rapping reality and harmonizing catchy hooks. With songwriting that’s hauntingly honest of today’s culture (a la Frank Ocean), Lorde is definitely a voice I’m going to keep my eye on. The Love Club came out this past November. Did I mention this gal is only 16 or 17? Shouts to Pigeons & Planes.
I chuckled at the following SoundCloud comment “MIA slowed down with T. Swift lyrics.” Wouldn’t it be nice if this was on the radio?
PS: “Royalty” is absolutely the stand out track in my mind. There’s a future in singing like that.
Kodaline – High Hopes (Video)
I may be sappy but the visuals for this video definitely had my eyes watering. Of course, the nostalgic lead vocals of Steven Garrigan are the stand-out on this tune from Dublin-based band Kodaline. The visuals are an emotional roller-coaster and will definitely have you grasping for air in its final moments. Musically it’s a safe song, nothing unreal but sometimes something simple and to the point does the trick. The lyrics are absolutely relatable too.
The tune will be featured on the groups upcoming The High Hope, due out in March.
Devendra Banhart – Never Seen Such Good Things
Oh boy! Well I was writing the previous post about Tim Maia, I mentioned Devendra Banhart. I hadn’t seen the name in a couple of years. I’m happy I did a quick Google search for new music. Banhart actually just released the first taste off his upcoming project Mala and it’s just as delightful as I expected. Looking forward to the new record for sure, a young-confused Pwelbs played Banhart’s Nino Rojo and Cripple Crow albums to death.
A charming singer-songwriter tune for a bright and sunny morning.
Menahan Street Band – The Crossing (Album) + Keep Coming Back (Video)
I was checking out the releases I hadn’t heard yet from my homie Q’s list of “Top 20 Albums from 2012” that I hosted here on the site. Q’s ninth selection, The Crossing (on iTunes) from NYC based instrumental supergroup Menahan Street Band particularly perked my ears. Their sophomore album, The Crossing is an incredible release from start to finish. The group consists of musicians whom performed with Antibalas, El Michels Affair, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and the Budos Band. Crazy how timing works – the group released the video for my favorite track off the project titled “Keep Coming Back.” Stream the video that tells a very dope short story – below! If you like that, you’ll fall head over heels for the rest of the project.
Although very organic in sound, this album definitely gives me that same rush as running around on foot here in the concrete jungles of The Windy City.
The group’s debut album Make The Road By Walking dropped back in 2008 and became a huge favorite to producers. The album has been heavily sampled by the likes of Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Curren$y, Kid Cudi and most famously by Jay-Z and producer Diddy for the song “Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)..” – which some might say could be one of the bigger rap songs of the past decade. “Roc Boys” samples the album’s title track “Making The Road by Walking.”
Others may also recognize the group’s name as the backing band for soul singer Charles Bradley’s critically acclaimed release No Time For Dreaming.
