There are those moments where the music takes over completely. School, work, stress, even your very surroundings are whisked away, even just for a minute by the sounds and emotions in the air.
Monthly Archives: April 2012
Monday Blues & Beats Vol. 20
Sorry for the tardiness, my music hosting server was down yesterday. But here we are.
April 21st marked the fifth annual Record Story Day! Subsequently leaving us with a great week in music.
This week the Icelandic group Sigur Rós released a double single with two incredibly heartfelt, emotional tracks.
The lovely Fiona Apple has released a single for her album coming this summer after a seven year absence.
Beach House let off another gorgeous single for the upcoming project.
Feist and Mastodon put together remixes of each other’s songs. A very odd combination but the folk and metal actually work well together.
A$AP Rocky and Hit-Boy teamed up for an addictive banger, while Mac and Curren$y chill out.
Also included in this week’s mix: Lana Del Rey on BBC, Wiz Khalifa, MellowHigh, Major Lazer, A Thousand Fuegos, Gotye & Tiësto, Talib Kweili, B.o.B, Riz & Drake, Hoodie Allen, Drink To Me & Nipsey Hussle.
Continue to the Listening/Downloading Room
The Forbes Five: Hip-Hop
2012′s Wealthiest In Hip-Hop have been named via Forbes Five. The list gets published every Spring ranking the top five moguls in Hip-Hop by net worth. Forbes also has another list “Cash Kings” which ranks on annual earnings.
AHM Network: Johnny Canuck
A Little Inspiration:
Monday Blues & Beats Vol. 19
Mark Foster (Foster The People) teamed up with Kimbra (featured on Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know”) and DJ A-Trak for Converse’s 3 Artists, 1 Song project.
The excitement surrounding a Theophilus London/A$AP Rocky collaboration is hard to contain. Using a Cy Coleman/Dorothy Fields sample circa 1966 made famous in 1967 by Shirley Bassey.
Finally some new material from the New York Indie Hip Hop artist Aesop Rock. It’s been awhile.
Joshua Tillman is a folk singer/songwriter who’s been around the map, literally and figuratively. He’s released 7 solo albums over 4 different record labels. Tillman drummed for the Philadelphia band Saxon Shore from 2001-2004 and Seattle’s Fleet Foxes from 2008-2011. After recording a cassette tape before his 4:30 AM shifts at a Seattle bakery, Damien Jurado heard it, and invited him on tour with him. Now, Josh is recording under the alias Father John Misty for Sub Pop Records, you can find his first single in the mix.
New music from Breakbot, Meek Mill, B.o.B, French Montana
Listen/Download Here
Q-Tip Signs To G.O.O.D.
April 11 2012, the iconic leader of A Tribe Called Quest has signed with Kanye West’s record label. G.O.O.D. (Getting Out Our Dreams) Music is under the Def Jam/Universal Republic umbrella. The Chairman and CEO of the parent company is Barry Weiss, the man who turned Jive Records into a hip hop empire including but not limited to the entire A Tribe Called Quest discography. Both Q-Tip and Barry are excited to re-connect and work together again. There’s no denying their chemistry of boss meets artist was anything but fruitful.
Kamaal Ibn John Fareed (Q-Tip) has worked with Kanye West on a few occasions. The 42-year old perfectionist added some flare to “Lift Off” and “That’s My Bitch” on the groundbreaking Watch The Throne. Not to be outdone by the smooth soulful G.O.O.D. Friday track “Chain Heavy” with Talib and Consquence.
Q-Tip’s fourth solo LP (tentatively The Last Zulu) will be released under the label. Expect the Queens native on the G.O.O.D. Music compilation record which is expected to drop sometime this spring.
H.A.M.: NHL Playoff Edition
Between the months of April and June, there is this magical phenomenon that takes places;
the NHL Playoffs.
Photo courtesy of Markay
A Breakdown Of Each Series
Monday Blues & Beats Vol. 18
Kanye West did his thing last week, having every major blog around the world talking about you; check. First it was “Theraflu,” where he tweeted the artistically provocative artwork. Then, the chatter surrounding a G.O.O.D. music compilation album surfaced with a single featuring label mates. Mr. West has this innate ability to get everyone in the music industry, be it artists, Russell Simmons or bloggers; to hone in on whatever he’s up to.
Roc Nation’s Jay Electronica finally graces the music scene with a fresh new track.
Urban Noize does a fine job of remixing the West/Fiasco “Touch The Sky” single with some Florence Welch vocals.
The Swedish Dream Pop group JJ is working on their third LP and gave us a taste of it this week.
New singles from Kid Ink, Curren$y, Dragonette, T.I., Blue Foundation, Fat Joe and more.
AHM Network: Ep. 10
The much anticipated self-titled video from Drake’s Take Care was delayed over a week and now we end up with a double-video release from the Canadian artist.
Backed by the sound of Gill-Scott Heron, remixed by Jamie xx, the “Take Care” video has well-orchestrated visuals. Rihanna looking like a lost puppy in an empty room is consistently comforted by Drake, signifying strength (the bull). Along with the warm embrace in a cold scene, you see beautiful imagery including a bluejay, tropical fish and an acrobat doing his thing. In addition, two scenes straight out of Lord of the Rings.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Drake’s Re-Bar Mitzvah, or something along those lines. Featuring Lil Wayne in a panda mask. The outlook portrayed is very care-free, participating in what you believe while having a good time is achievable. Again, very fitting visuals with a slight Lonely Island-esque goofiness to it. Special guest appearances from Birdman, DJ Khaled,Trey Songz and more.
