John Talabot

Plug God Charlie M. warned me ahead of Primavera Sound about Spanish producer John Talabot. My world was sufficiently rocked as he sewed up the evening with his beautiful, "washed-out" House. The article below explains just how little we know about the producer outside of the fact that he resides in Barcelona. I quote from the following article, "This week, Talabot released another batch of new music, the Families EP, via Young Turks. To commemorate the occasion, Talabot has put together an exclusive mix for the XLR8R podcast series, an offering that finds the mysterious auteur hazily winding his way through sun-soaked house, spacey disco, washy techno, and all points in between." Click his name below to hear the new XLR8R mix.

John Talabot

Mix Chopin - Keep On

Mix Chopin - Keep On by Mix Chopin

Everyone likes a little bit of free music. I´m Barbara Walters bitch.

Baths at Primavera Sound

Man... the video is pretty cool. Turn the video up to HD for sure.  Uh, but this just doesn't do Will Wiesenfeld a.k.a. Baths' set at Primavera Sound in Bercelona any justice... he tore that shit down.  As the crowd rocked to the first notes of his set it was evident he was going to kick things at the festival into another gear.  This man did more to his songs than I may have ever heard in my life. The fast finger movements, the vocal distortion to his own voice (AS HE SANG), the drops after silent samples... he was everywhere.  At one point I noticed he was wearing a pair of really lefty gym shorts with maybe the ugliest vintage T I've ever seen... and then a comment from a fellow God said it all, "This guy just does not give a fuck".  Baths not only ripped his set, he sang his fucking heart out, DJed as hard and intensely as anyone ive ever seen, all the while genuinely doing HIS thing for himself.  Two songs before he finished he said, "These lasts songs are more dancy... more GAY" and It became more clear where his swag had come from... this man had stopped caring a long time ago. He was having way too much fun to listen to people try to clown.


This is his most famous video and it goes as well... but please... see this guy run his set once in your life.  It will fuck you up.

Primavera Sound 2011: Burial set by Kode9

One of the most memorable performances at this year's Primavera Sound Festival was the Burial set by Kode9 on Friday. For those that don't know, Kode9 is the mastermind behind UK label Hyperdub. He also played a set of his own tunes and selections on Saturday night. During that part of the festival, which served as a heavy-raveyish wrap-up to a music marathon of exhausting proportions, I managed to chat it up for a couple minutes with no one other than James Blake himself. After I complimented him on his DJ set from Friday night (JB crushed it in both his live set and DJ set), he simply pointed up at Kode9 and said, "This guy is the one who started it all." The Burial set got deeper than Jacques Cousteau and rattled my skeleton with incessant drum grooves, post-dubstep basslines and sped-up vocal samples that literally brought tears to some really beautiful Italian girls dancing next to me. Crazy shit. Check 'er out.

Preview Burial's new EP:

Burial - Street Halo 2011 by extramusicnew

And a mix he did for Mary Anne Hobbs' last show on the BBC. Tracklisting below!

01 Speedy J: "Tesla"
02 Zomby: "Natalia's Song"
03 Brandy: "Never Say Never (El-B version 1)"
04 Brandy: "Never Say Never (El-B version 2)"
05 Brandy: "Angel (X-Men vocal mix)"
06 Laurie Spiegel: "Voices Within – A Requiem"
07 Alena: "Turn It Around (Hard House Bantons Mandy Mix)"
08 Cooly G: "He Da Biz"
09 Theo Parrish: "Soul Control" [ft. Alena Waters]
10 KMFH aka Kyle Hall: "Girl U So Strong (Wild Oats)"
11 Terror Danjah: "S.O.S."
12 Darkstar: "2 Chords"
13 Prince: "Condition of the Heart"
14 Erykah Badu: "Telephone"
15 Foul Play: "Being With U Rmx"
16 A Guy Called Gerald: "Silent Cry"


PS: Burial is a strange and mysterious introvert that produces unbelievable music. Do a little research on the man behind the beats if you're into discovering personal stuff about artists.

Ana Tijoux - 1977

Ana Tijoux is a French-Chilean musician whose MC work in the group Makiza gained her mad fame in the 90's. She be a late 70's baby. This tracks hot... She's currently promoting her latest album, 1977.

Chucho Valdes - Mamba Influenza

This man is the Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer, and arranger you wish you were. He founded one of Cuba's best-known latin bands in 1972: 'Irakere'. However, this fool mostly gets down solo dolo with a dispensable band. He's won four Grammy awards, including one this year, for his contributions to four different albums. I got put on his rendition of Rhapsody in Blue by the gods at NPR. Peep this shit right quick.

Kingdom - You

If we're talking about summer party tracks, can't forget this right here. The homie RK All Day put me on.

Waka Flocka Flame - Grove St. Party

Club going stupid, when I o let's do it

It's slowly starting to become summer time and with Memorial Day weekend upon us, I might as well give you all something to go off on.

"The Greeks" by Is Tropical

Child rebel soldiers killing each other and hustling yay...in suburban France?
This video goes hard and definitely adds to the track. Fuck it though, this song is blowing up hard on the web thanks to this video. Megaforce, the French directing collective, is gaining internet fame for their music videos which began with Kid Cudi's Pursuit of Happiness and is only gonna continue if they keep making gems like this.

Claremont 56

Claremont 56 puts out music made for summer weather. The collaborative group of producers on the label have perfected the balearic sound to highlight any chilled out electronic mix you're thinking of making.

Mystical

Shabazz Palaces. Seattle, WA. "This video contains footage from the upcoming documentary by Village Beat titled Tough Bond -- a film about kids sniffing glue to survive street life in Kenya's disappearing villages and exploding urban slums."  

Raw...

shabazzpalaces.com/

They got a nice smattering of videos on youtube, and there are 4 or 5 mp3's floating out there if you want to get some listening in before their album Black Up drops on Tuesday. 

Youth Lagoon - July

Footage taken from the film The Exploding Girl
Youth Lagoon - July from pat fairbairn on Vimeo.

This isn't the official video, but I stumbled across it and thought it was worth sharing.  As far as I could gather, Youth Lagoon is the product of Trevor Powers, a Boise native.  He has but a few tracks under his belt.  His upcoming album is entitled The Year of Hibernation.  Anyway, this song goes.  Going.  Going. Swag safely.

This track is available for free at the band’s Bandcamp.

Kidz In The Hall - Break It Down

Double-O and Naledge have been holding it down for a while and here comes their latest cut off of Occasion The EP, coming this summer.



Freshly squeezed.

A-1 - So Much For Yesterday

I'm just going to quote the guy's fans:

Fresh off of releasing 5 independent Mixtapes after debuting as a solo artist in 2009, A-1 is back in 2010 ready to release his newest solo project, "After School Special" [available now]. Consistent as a lyricist, A-1 brings acrobatic word play, hard hitting punch lines and poetic visuals to the forefront in his music. Introspective verses about his own life and the world around him from the perspective of a young, working class member of society, with a scatterbrained sort of versatility separate his music from the others.

Straight out of the Mission in San Francisco, it's A-1...

The Weeknd - Rolling Stone

This is the latest from The Weeknd and may or may not be on his coming summer project: Thursday. The beat samples or alludes to Andre Nickatina's 'Ayo for Yayo', sustaining the yowder theme. I gotta say, this dude is going to take the game over. Enjoy these first few projects. An artist this nice blows up.

Boldy James "Trappers Alley: Pro's & Con's"

Boldy James is so lowkey, he's prolly not on your radar. He associates with the likes of Sir Michael of the Rocks, Chuck Inglish, and Tennille. His flow is ultra clean. This track 'Dice Game' is off his recent mixtape, Trappers Alley: Pro's & Con's, which didn't get the attention it deserved. I'm tryna put you on.

Get his new mixtape HERE. But hit the jump for a sneak peek of the tape and the official video for "I Sold Dope All My Life".

Kreayshawn

My homie put me on this a minute ago, telling me shorty was blowin up. My dude and this girl are from a similar network of people as they both reside in the East Bay: Circles blend... In this case, it's proximity. I gave her video some attention, and somewhat dismissed her voice, but figured her image was on point as far as consistency and encompassing a single aura. A few days ago, I saw this on WorldStar, and was instantly fascinated. The video features cameos of Left Brain and Jasper Dolphin of OF, and attracts hipsters and rappers, and/or hipster rappers. I'm sure a lot of you are already on this, but it's kinda sorta fresh.

Also, check out her left hand "man" reppin the Seattle Sonics allusion... RIP.

James Jean @ Art Hong Kong 2011

This year, the Hong Kong International Art Fair features work from the Los-Angeles based painter: James Jean. Jean's paintings and sketches are really fresh. As of the last few years, he's held exhibitions in France, Australia, New Zealand, and mostly NYC. He may be most known for the prints he designed for Prada. If you think these are illy, check out this man's website, which hosts both paintings and sketches, letting you know he don't fuck about.

The Hong Kong Art Fair showcase will display his latest work until May 29th, 2011. Readers in Hong Kong: mos def get there.

Hit the jump for a better peek.

White Denim - Street Joy

Here is a live performance from Austin's White Denim.  If you like what you hear, I've included the mp3 below.  You can stream their new album, D, in its entirety over at aol music and support the group by buying the album on amazon.

  

Download: Street Joy

Shabazz Palaces - Swerve... The Reeping of All That Is Worthwhile (Noir Not Withstanding)

Here is the closing track from the highly anticipated Shabazz Palaces (at least I'm highly anticipating it and I know a few of my fellow Gods are as well), Black Up set to drop June 28.

The song closes with a chant that originates from The Last Poets whose name oddly enough is taken from a poem by the South African revolutionary poet Keorapetse Kgositsile.  And we have come full circle.  
Shabazz Palaces - Swerve... by subpop
Previous: Producer of Digable Planets creates Shabazz Palaces

Hit the jump for summer tour dates

Thebe Neruda Kgositsile - How you gon do anything but rule?

Last week, The New Yorker, ran an article on the Odd Future member, Earl Sweatshirt.  

Some of the more interesting things to come out of the article include that Earl's real name is Thebe Neruda Kgositsile ("Thebe is Setswana for "shield," and Neruda is a homage to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda) and that Thebe is the son of Keorapetse Kgositsile.  Keorapetse is one of South Africa's most celebrated poets.  And in 2006, he was named the country's poet laureate.  One of his most best known poems is "Towards a Walk in the sun," in which a poet images his own demise.  Kelefa Sanneh of The New Yorker writes of this poem saying "In the final stanza, the recrimination builds to a furious italicized expression of poetic abnegation:

when the moment hatches in time’s womb there will be no art talk.  the only poem you will hear will be the spearpoint pivoted in the punctured marrow of the villain.

There is something chilling to say the least about this last stanza as the poet awaits the end of poetry, an idea that resonated with the influential group, The Last Poets.

During the apartheid years, Kgositsile lived in exile and traveled widely.  While visiting Chicago his friend, Sterling Pumpp, introduced him to the woman that would later become his wife and the mother of Thebe.  The couple eventually moved to Los Angeles where Kgositsile worked in the English Department at U.C.L.A.  When Thebe was born, Keorapetse's friend, Sterling Plumpp, published a poem in the Fall 1995 issue of TriQuarterly entitled "Poet: for Thebe Neruda" to celebrate the birth of his friend's son.  I did some digging and found the poem that was anthologized in the 1996 edition of "The Best American Poetry."

Hit the jump for Plumpp's poem and The New Yorker interview with Thebe via computer.

Kendrick Lamar - HiiiPower

Here's the video for the J.Cole produced track off #Section80.

Dazed & Confused Issue June 2011

Photography by Richard Burbridge, Styled by Robbie Spencer, & artwork by Maurizio Anzeri

Features: Herieth Paul, Dempsey Stewart, Charlotte Free, Bethany Terry, Christoph Ribbe, Kaan Tilke, Miles Frank, & Sen

Remaining photos after the jump.

Most Innovative Live Performance Ever

Our contemporary culture achieves its breed as popular art becomes dependent on the latest in technological advancements. The distinguishable artists of our time are those that embrace technology in whatever medium available. For example, artists such as Lil B and Tyler, the Creator can attribute their current success to the accessibility of the internet; while an artist like Kanye, who has gained international fame, realizes greatness in pushing the artistic limits of music videos. Technology, and its cutting-edge brand newness, seems the instrumental ingredient in prominence in popular culture.

Beyonce Knowles has been runnin' shit in the popular music game since Destiny's Child. Her albums go platinum, she tours internationally, everybody thinks her videos are hotter than Taylor Swifts, and she's the baddest bitch in the game, wearing Jay's chain. Aside from this list, Beyonce is an unbelievable performer. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it seems as though there has been a roof over the creative innovations in live performance (with the exception of Kanye at Coachella). At the Billboard Music Awards this year in Las Vegas, Beyonce made major strides in this particular realm, synthesizing live performance art and technology in a much tastier fashion, than say... Deadmau5's cube lightshow...

This shit blew my mind:

Hit the jump for even more swag

Pac Div - Fallin

Pac Div, a hip-hop collective out of Los Angeles, just dropped another visual to a track off their most recent project, Mania! If you like what you hear, they've got plenty more.

The Weeknd - Birthday Suit (reference track)

There has been a lot of hype lately surrounding the mysterious artist, The Weeknd, and his recent work with fellow Toronto star, Drake. All I know is that we can expect his influence on Drake's coming album Take Care. Here is a reference track The Weeknd wrote for Drizzy.

Wildfire (remix) feat. Drake

SBTRKT & Yukimi Nagano featuring Drake - Wildfire (Remix) by Hypetrak

The homie "doc" painted the original picture of this a few weeks ago and I went dumb, alone in my room. I was on some skeptic tip when I posted Drake on that Jai Paul sampled track a few days ago. But I can't lie, this shit real hot, you feel me... and so unlikely. Just when I begin to doubt the boy, he makes me eat my words.

Previous: SBTRKT & Yukimi Nagano - Wildfire

SPACEGHOSTPURRP

Spaceghostpurrp is one big mystery. He's from Miami, but seems to rep Oakland. He's just started drawing attention on the web in the past few months (birth year: 1991), but he dates all his mixtapes as if they were from the 90's. He could be the ghost of DJ Screw.

Frankie Knuckles - Your Love

"From the arpeggiated synth line to that thick, fat analogue bassline, it's one of a handful of tunes that captures the spirit of acid house," says Nick DeCosemo, editor of Mixmag. "Lots of current producers still look back to it for inspiration."  Animal Collective sampled "Your Love" on "My Girls" while Friendly Fires covered it on their Photobooth EP. And the Source mixed it under Candi Staton's "You Got the Love" and produced an even bigger hit (several times over), spawning additional covers from Florence and the Machine, the xx and, er, Joss Stone.  If you're a house DJ this may be one to get in your rotation...

How To Dress Well

Ok, I'll admit it right now: I know nothing about these people... That's a lie. I know they make dope music. From what I've heard, their sound is ambient and airy, and decorated with soulful vocals. The top youtube comment, on their track "Ready For The World", characterized them as a mix between Sigur Ros and some "R&B artist". I seent you. I attribute this plug to the "big brothers" at Twitter for assuming I'd want to follow them @HowToDressWell.

Hit the jump. I offer you more....

Four Tet

In addition to his salacious originals and remixes, the guy is one of the best DJs i've had the privilege of seeing. It was a 6+ hour set at his old residence, Plastic People in London. I caught it in bits and pieces (for my ears' and health's sake), but there was never a dull moment, and never a feeling of repetition. Control-ler.

Mellow Hype on BBC Radio

These are hella funny if you guys haven't peeped already on the Odd Future website.

BBC radio is known most respectably for hosting the latest musical talents in super intimate environments as to illicit meaningful responses. They've been doin their thing for a minute. I found it hilarious that a program as serious as BBC would ask Odd Fucking Future to perform censored versions of their songs.

Check out Sandwiches (live) after the jump.

Flying Lotus - Lovers Melt

I must say that these Stones Throw Podcast releases are some of my favorites.  If you aren't up on them, they warrant a listen.  This one, courtesy of Fly-Lo, is definitely noteworthy.  There is no track list, no theme, no loops, just records.  Enjoy

Download: Flying Lotus - Lovers Melt

Thundercat - For Love I Come (prod. by Flying Lotus)

Screen Shot from forthcoming Fly-Lo crafted video

Thundercat goes in on this George Duke cover.  If this is any indication/validation of the bragging Fly-Lo made on twitter a while back, I'm definitely intrigued to hear the rest of the Fly-Lo produced project.  Anyway, be on the lookout for Thundercat's summer release, Golden Age of Apocalypse to be released by Brainfeeder.  We'll be sure to keep you updated once an official release date is announced.

Thundercat - For Love I Come by Hypetrak

Designer Shit

When it comes to the L.A. coolguy swag, nobody does it quite like Dom Kennedy. Fresh off the release of his new mixtape "The Original Dom Kennedy" comes the video for his single Designer Shit. True to form, Dom stays dripped out in OG polo fits and adidas tracksuits with the extra hard bucket caps....clearly keeping a couple shorties within arms length at all times.



If you're not already a Dom fan, consider this your introduction and go download his discography.

Bon Iver - Calgary

Justin Vernon, the mastermind behind Bon Iver, announced their second album to be released June 21st. Aside from Volcano Choir and collaborations with Kanye West and Gayngs, Justin has remained largely silent since the release of "For Emma, Forever Ago" in 2007. In an interview discussing his coming album, he explains, "Somewhere along the line I forgot how to write songs. I couldn’t do it anymore with a guitar. It wasn't happening. I brought in a lot of people to change my voice - not my singing voice but my role as the author of this band, this project." Well fuck, Justin... That's not chill.

I Break Horses

Scandinavia has been churning out artists left and right lately. Next up is I Break Horses, this Swedish singer just released her first video in preparation to drop her first album which is said to feature remixes by the Chemical Brothers, Fuck Buttons and Star Slinger. Watch the video, which is surprisingly dope, and wait for what's to come.

I Break Horses - Hearts from Bella Union on Vimeo.

Lil B - SS (Lunice Remix)

Lunice did this remix of a Based God acapella and released it himself for free download HERE.  Flow harder than a anvil.

blame it on "boshy"

Wear My Hat

This shit is about me. Plain and simple. Produced by Chuck Inglish. Off Mac Miller's Best Day Ever tape. I live in Spain. Shut up dude.  Don't let girlies steal your hats either.  Damn.

SebastiAn

SebastiAn, of Ed Banger, has been working on his new album "Total" for a long time now.  It features the likes of Mayer Hawthorne and M.I.A... And we've seen great things from the album pop up already... the video below is spectacular and embodies the kind of desperate attention so many talented artists are seeking in today's busy world.



See more from the new album coming out May 29th after the jump...

Drake - Dreams Money Can Buy

Drake's development as a Young Money artist, not to mention a number of commercial releases following his debut album, has sort of diluted my interest in his work. But peep this track. I can always expect something dope from '40' and part of me thinks its dope that hip hop producers are sampling relevant electronic tracks. The other side of me is a little disgusted that a rapper like Drake, who once held unbelievable potential (and then signed with YMCMB, raps biggest monopoly), would go in on this joint. Maybe that's the elitist in me. Check it out...


Drake - Dreams Money Can Buy by Hypetrak

Kelis

In the last year, or so, Kelis has integrated herself deep into the electro dance scene and I dig it. Her game change has been accompanied by a number of really dope videos. Peep deez milkshakes:

This track's by the electro superstar, Calvin Harris. He's so underrated...

This video came out a few months ago and outlines a story to Kelis' latest mixtape, 'Queen of Hearts: Off with their Heads. Get it HERE

Better Days

The Throwback that is best enjoyed at the end of the week, is best enjoyed on my skate.

Pick some old tunes, grab a favorite brew, and mob traffic the best way we know how;

with your shoulders weaving between lanes.

With so much talk these days of the "super group",

I'd like to remind everyone of some people who did it first, and did it right.

Re-enter: Crosby, Stills, & Nash.

So go ahead, dust off your old skate,

Pick some throwback sounds,

And make a video while you're at it.

But if not, that's why we've got Dylan;

Rieder, that is.

*Video Images courtesy of Woodstock 1969 and Gravis Footwear.

Music courtesy of Crosby, Stills, & Nash as well as Cass McCombs and Graham Nash, respectively.

Here's to more Thursdays-

J Dilla - Wild

Thursdilla.

Prodigy - Keep It Thoro

It's the Infamous Mobb

In honor of Throwback Thursday, here is one of my favorite Alchemist assisted tracks off of Prodigy's H.N.I.C.

ThrowBack Thursday Presents - Wood Wheel

One of the hottest rap duos ever to exist showing yal how to chop blades and grip a wood grain wheel. "Smoke some, bitch....." - RIP Pimp C

Tokimonsta

This track is off Jennifer Lee's latest EP called 'Creature Dreams'.
Creature Dreams EP:

1. Fallen Arches
2. Little Pleasures feat. Gavin Turek
3. Bright Shadows
4. Moving Forward
5. Stigmatizing Sex
6. Darkest Dim feat. Gavin Turek
7. Day Job

It's available on all big online distributors, but you can find the whole EP on Youtube.

Throwback Thursday: Louis Armstrong (1957)

Louis "Sachmo" Armstrong, a renowned trumpet player and singer, was also a goodwill ambassador, movie star, prolific writer and collage artist. For many years, however, “the Father of Jazz” kept silent on the issues of race. He never marched or made appearances with civil rights leaders or anything like that. When criticized for not taking any public stand Armstrong would simply reply, “I don’t get involved in politics. I just blow my horn.”





The above video is from 1957... learn more after the jump.

News From James Blake

Only months ago, his self-titled debut album captured the hearts of music lovers and critics, worldwide; yet, the buzz surrounding Blake's recent release seems to have dissolved in the mediated ultra hype of new artists like OFWGKTA. The bro definitely keeps to himself, which may be why his fans are left with only a handful of BBC interviews and a couple live visuals of 'Wilhelm Scream'. Personally, I appreciate a good  mystery. Nevertheless, its been a lightweight minute since I've even touched a Blake song.

Here's a look at what the man's been up to:

James Blake - Give A Man A Rod (Second Version) by BOILER ROOM

A stupid fresh remix of 'Give A Man A Rod'. The track sustains the same percussive groove, with new pants. The classic Blake noise pad onsets near the middle, mapping tasteful harmonies. And the vocal sample is so delicately placed. Good shit boi...

Say wsup to Vivienne Gioli for this one.

Hit the jump as Blake offers us his latest visual for one of my favorite tracks off of the album: 'Lindisfarne'

Toro y Moi

If you are still sleeping on Toro y Moi just stop. Toro y Moi, aka Chaz Bundick, has been slowly building buzz and is ready to take the fuck over. He just announced a huge tour so check your calendars and download this album and thank me later. If your hesitant just watch the video and get down with his funky lo-fi.

Toro y Moi - Talamak from Caseytography on Vimeo.

Gilbere Forte' - Die For You

Most know Gilbere Forte' for his part on the remix to Stromae's "Alors On Danse", however he runs deeper than that. This cut is off of his Eyes of Veritas project that I definitely recommend. The video was put together by director Jerome White as he put Forte's track on top of edits from Memoirs of a Geisha.

Is it racist if I say she taste like edamame?

Spotted At TheSmokingSection

Last Minutes with Oden - Eliot Rausch

With youtube slipping faster and faster into half advertisements and half garbage, Vimeo seems to be filling in the void for people who don't give a fuck about talking cats. At Vimeo's first annual awards show a lot of good work was on display, but the man collecting the most attention, and rightfully so, was filmmaker Eliot Rausch. Rausch was nominated twice in the category for best documentary and took home the prize, as well as Best Video and Community Choice, with the truly moving Last Minutes with Oden. If you have ever had a pet or have a soul this will make no doubt make you tear up. Watch below and check his channel for more, because without a doubt his is a name to remember

Last Minutes with ODEN from phos pictures on Vimeo.

Kid Daytona - Padma

The official video for Kid Daytona's 'Padma' is here. 'Padma (So Buttery)' (prod. by Amp) is the 9th track off his latest LP, "The Interlude", presented by LRG. The video portrays Daytona as well-off, well-cultured, well-dressed,and worldly. The kid ain't no lame. To all Amateur rappers: get out your blackberries and note how effortlessly this rapper from the bronx fits his flows in pocket.


The Kid Daytona "Padma (So Buttery)" from Team OnSMASH on Vimeo.

Oh, and you can grab his LP HERE for free.

Rustie - Keesha Resmark

This one is for the Sleepers.

Rustie is a dubstep and electronica Dj/Producer on the Glasgow record label. The shock value of the kids debut release, "Jagz the Smack", purged the ears of well-known Djs around the world, "from Modeselektor to Flying Lotus". I found this track on a mix by Dj Paul Pre.

JULIAN SMITH - Techno Jeep (Original)

uhh yeah...

Africa Hi Tech

Africa Hi Tech (or AFRICA HITECH) are streaming 93 Million Miles, their entire album for free, right here.  They are real clean and funky sounding with heavy traditional African musical influence.

AND peep this live mix for more dopeness

 Africa Hi Tech Recorded Live at Deviation 3/11/2010 by Benji B

Elzhi’s "Elmatic"

Detroit spitta Elzhi dropped an homage mixtape to Nas's legendary LP "Illmatic" last week.  It was produced by Will Sessions and has appearances by Royce da 5'9" and Pete Rock.  XXL and Elzhi offer the free download below.

Download Elzhi’s Elmatic Mixtape Now | XXLMAG.COM

Shoutout to my cousin Alex Atkins for the plug.

SALEM - Till The World Ends

Salem has remixed Britney Spears’ super silly, larger-than-life club odyssey ‘Till the World Ends’ (or, to borrow a turn of phrase from The Guardian , “her latest tooth-grinder”)... and dropped this video with it. The top youtube comment: "The effect created by juxtaposing Brittany's flippant apocalyptic reference with military footage is frightening." Agreed.

thanks to FACT for the plug

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Garden (Jesse Rose Remix)

Lots of people are still sleeping on TEED (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)... but really, stop that. This remix is a banger but give TEED a peep or two.

Shout out Lydia for the plug.

J. Cole Leak- Disgusting

J. Cole's new album is supposed to be called "Cole World".  Here's a leak off it: "Disgusting".

RACKS - Bei Maejor Piano Remix

This guy's been blowin up... and this shit makes me laugh so hard. I guess the lyrics kinda tell his whole story though so just listen.

LOL Boys - LDR EP

The LOL Boys are self-proclaimed French Pop/House/Regional Mexican Producers out of L.A. and Montreal. Their latest EP, "LDR", can be streamed below. They're really dope and choose a variety of samples including The-Dream's 'Sweat It Out', on the track "Cloudy". If you don't peep this plug because you think their name is dumb, you shouldn't be reading this blog. Fucks with me, my people. I will take you there


LOL Boys - LDR by LOL Boys

Pure Wet Ep

If you were hyped off that last post, Jensen Sport also dropped his Pure Wet EP. Its four tracks with the same aura as The Wet mix. Ima go head and make it easy for yal. All you gotta do is Hit This.

If you're having trouble with opening rar files, or dont really know what they are. All you need to do is cop this HERE. Open the Rar Expander anytime you download a rar file, and it will automatically buss it wide open.

The Wet Mix

It's called The Wet Mix. Need I say more? I think not.. But if I could be anymore obvious, this mix is most effective when your girl is "in the mood" and/or has "20 different pills in her". If you're a cool dude and feel like you can groove this one out at a luxurious party in a 5-star hotel lobby, or the intimate jump off in your homies loft, come get it. Don't be scared.. I only mean to entice.


Jensen Sportag - The Wet Mix by CASCINE

DJ Khaled Feat. Drake, Rick Ross, & Lil Wayne - I'm On One

Some call him Kal-ed, others Kuh-lead, while I still call him 50's bitch. Regardless, something new to vibe to that'll wake Khaled's mom up from her 9 to 5.



Spotted At Nah Right

Pulsate - André Michelle

Click the title. Digital artist André Michelle made this great toy/instrument... But I guess all instruments are toys.

It's also an app for those with fancy smartphones.

Tamas Paczai

The Romanian-born Tamas Paczai is a unique photographer. Being born and raised in war-torn eastern Europe gave Paczai a perspective that just isn't seen in mass media. His series on his homeland as well as those from his travels in Eastern Europe and Northern Africa are the kind of pictures you just don't see every day. Giving the viewer a real insider's look on countries they may never set foot in. More photos after the jump.

Def Sound

Def Sound is out of L.A. and he makes dope music with dope videos. I promise.


This is his latest:




See some more illness from Def Sound after the jump...

Simon Lekias

Simon Lekias is a professional photographer who captures only the finest babes in their fanciest auras. He's flicked covers for Glamour, Bazaar, Men's Style, and a lot of others. A few photos of his really stuck out to me. You can peep several of his portfolios at His Website. Otherwise, hit the jump for a better preview.

The Antlers and Neon Indian: Rolled Together

The Antlers and Neon Indian: Rolled Together


The Antlers recently reimagined their CoS Top Star-earning LPBurst Apart by teaming up with Neon Indian for a performance of “Rolled Together”.  Essentially the marriages results in The Antler’s Peter Silberman’s dope and dreamy falsetto accompanied by a stream of psychedelics.  Neon Indian’s glitchy electronics replace the song’s horn accompaniment... see the original track below.

Dream Valley (Young Montana? Rework) - Solar Bears

Building off the Young Montana? post we debuted a few days ago, here is a new cut in which the UK producer reworks an unreleased track from the Dublin duo, Solar Bears.  I love the texture of this sound.

Dream Valley (Young Montana? Rework) by Solar Bears

James Vincent McMorrow - We Don't Eat (Adventure Club Remix)

 James Vincent McMorrow - We Don't Eat (Adventure Club Dubstep Remix) by Adventure Club Dubstep

You can download the track off the soundcloud page.  Adventure Club is a Dj/Production Duo from Montreal.  The Original song "We Don't Eat" is by James Vincent McMorrow.  Check out James Vincent McMorrow's album here: http://bit.ly/dHcspw

Adventure Club's FB Fan Page - http://www.facebook.com/AdventureClubDub 
Adventure Club's Twitter @ adventuredub


shoutout Karl Ryan for the plug. Thanks for that contribution Karl.

Tayyib Ali - Do It

Rapper out of Philadelphia that my dude CC put me onto earlier today. Dropped his new mixtape, Keystone State of Mind, just recently and can be had here. For the hesitant folks, here's a little sampler of what the guy has to offer.

Raji Baby For Slickers Only

Peep this unique individual flexin ultra tuff on the brand new mixtape, "1000 Angles". Raji also plays football for Boise State. Boys Winnin'. For the artist at a glance, listen to 'Check' and 'Regular Girl'. Whole tapes available on this plug right here:

I Don't Think You're Ready For This Jelly

A lil lesson in physics. Don't blink..

 

For The Mamas

Hope you all wished your respective mothers a happy mother's day today. Kanye West's "Hey Mama" performance at Coachella this past year on top, the CDQ version down bottom.

Kerry James Marshall

Kerry James Marshall was born 1955 in Birmingham, Alabama and bounced around from South Central L.A. to Chicago, where he taught at the School of Art and Design at the University of illinois at Chicago. His large-scale paintings mostly depict African-American life, the effects of the Civil Rights movements on domestic life, and rudiments of popular culture. His work glorifies the ghetto. In the Lost Boys series, Marshall explores the concept of being "Lost in the ghetto, lost in public housing, lost in joblessness, and lost in literacy." This man flexes on the real economic struggle. I love the atmosphere he creates in these paintings, in his emphases on contrast and texture.

Push on the jump for more 

Scott Pommier

Thanks to a budding interest into photography as an artform, I have started to keep tabs on prominent artists in the field. Scott Pommier is without a doubt on my top ten. He is one of the few dudes doing it right now. Pommier tends to focus on the the rough and tumble parts of today, with series devoted to cowboys, motorcycles, etc. Not to mention his work with skateboard powerhouses Vans and Transworld. Pommier manages to take any situation and make it feel absolutely timeless.



Several of his series have a genuine Northwest outdoors vibe due to his being based out of Vancouver. The familiar feel of the coastal and wild landscapes makes me desperately want to hit the road and live off the land. Scott Pommier is for sure a guy to keep your eyes out for in the future because I'm sure he's got a lot more magic left in that camera.

More photos after the jump...

Young Montana?

This dude has his hands all in the contemporary progressive beat movement that characteristically finds roots in the 80's funk/disco scene, but stays fresh and newnew using a structure of amassed samples. His debut album Limerence is only $8 and can be copped HERE. Or snatched right off the interweb using a number of shady techniques that I'm all for. Its stuffed with all those tracks you love to groove witcha girl too on the lowkey.

JUNIP - Always

I am hella into this video off of Junip's new album, "Fields."

www.junip.net
Directed by Andreas Nilsson. Shot at the Air Guitar World Championship in Finland starring Alpo Aaltokoski and Hot Lixx Hulahan.


The Lakers are donezo.

Main Attrakionz

Alright big plug, sometimes I hesitate to show anybody these fools but I've been bumpin them all week and sugarman asked me if i fucked with em today so it's time to give them their Plug dues. If you're not ready, go listen to Wiz's new ablum or somethin, plant a tree or some shit.



They're from oakland. they fuck with clams casino and Lil B... their production is hella cool. they're steez is hilarious and they're for sure talented rappers. Squadda B especially is not to be overlooked, but Mondre M.A.N. plays as his perfect compliment.  It's hard to refer a specific song for one to peep, because their style is hard to pin down.   Also it takes a few listens to see how fresh it is. First time I heard em, I didn't listen to another track. But i saw they had some production done by clams casino... so i listened more...



above is more quintessential Main Attrakionz... but all i can say really is keep listening... you're gunna wana be the first one slappin this shit:    LISTEN to Main Attrakionz new album "Blackberry Ku$h" HERE

you heard it here first philistines