Sunday, December 18, 2011

Will.i.am - T.H.E.

Will.i.am's performance of T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever) featuring Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger at the AMA's was nothing less than dope in my book. Like no other performance I'd ever seen before, it held my attention every second of the song. Hopefully you guys enjoy it as much as I did.

New Kingdom

Discovered by Chase Alexander just last summer, New Kingdom is a four member band from Los Angeles. Their incredible sound comes from singer Noah King; Oren Yoel on keys; bass player Joe Rausch; and drummer Evan Turner.
Their music has a feel that most can dig, with lyrics that almost everyone could completely relate to. Infusing rock; pop; funk; and soul into their songs, it's hard to just lump this band into one genre of music. They have been making their way in their career since 2008 playing live shows in California. In making a name for themselves, they have shared a stage with top performers such as B.o.B.; Janelle Monae; and Asher Roth. Earlier this year, they were also featured on MTV's show, The Seven's, highlighting upcoming bands and their music.
In June of 2010 New Kingdom released their first project, entitled "Naked Time". It's a seven track EP, with all seven songs being nothing less than great. They also released their debut video for the first song off of the EP, titled Stepped On The Scene. This video not only portrays their talent, but also the crazy amount of energy they have to help showcase it. In a world where music is not just enough, New Kingdom has the energy that makes you want to hear and see more.

Stepped On The Scene


Stream "Naked Time" to hear all seven tracks if you need to be further convinced.

If I've done my job well enough, go ahead and download "Naked Time" and rock out with your...well, just rock out.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Jared Evan

Chase Alexander put me on Jared Evan, singer/rapper from New York, years ago with his first mixtape "Radio In My Head". Since then he's come out with two more, entitled "Back and Forth" and "unCOVERED". I'm sure most of our viewers haven't heard of him yet, but he's been stirring up a lot of noise since 2008; including opening for Lupe Fiasco, touring with OneRepublic, performing at SXSW music festival, and having his debut single In Love With You featured on HBO's hit show Entourage just a year ago.
A song off of his second mixtape, "Back and Forth", that I immediately liked is Weight of The World, featuring Stat Quo and Roscoe Dash. It has a cool beat, is pretty catchy, and actually quite motivational. But if anyone's like me, I turned you off just by mentioning Roscoe Dash. Although he's still doing that ratchet shouting, I can admit that it's still a pretty decent verse. Enjoy.



If you liked what you've heard, check out his mixtapes at jaredevan.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Big Boi x The Black Keys: The Brothers of Chico Dusty

I stumbled upon a mash up a while back of The Black Keys album, The Brothers, and Big Boi's latest album, Sir Lucious Left Foot...The Son of Chico Dusty. If you've never heard of The Black Keys, they're a dope rock duo to check out; with 7 albums under their belt, El Camino being their latest as of this year. And if you don't know who Big Boi is, nor heard of his latest album...get out from under that rock. Here's a couple songs off of the tape:

"Go Get Tangerine" (especially a good one for my fellow Jets out there...)



"Afraid of The General" (ignore the video, the song does work)


If you like what you've heard, click the highlighted link to download the mixtape: The Brothers of Chico Dusty. Enjoy.

Red: I Should Tell Your Mama

I was showed this a while back. It's absolutely hilarious yet kind of amazing all at once. The lyrics are funny but this is all him. Hope you enjoy it as much as I first did.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Flint's Finest

Growing up I was real accustomed to the heavy, underground, rough sound of The Dayton Family. Coming out of Flint Michigan. Like most cities today Flint is very impoverished. However there is a rose that grew from the concrete. Jon Connor. In 2009 I attended the African American Festival at Heart Plaza in Detroit. After the festival a street team was handing out CD's. This CD was Jon Connor's "The Calling Pt. 2: The Second Coming." Like most free hand out CD's I usually toss them out. There was something about this CD that made my friends and I pop it in the player. We were blown away by this mans talent. Still to this day one of my favorite tracks is "It's Gonna Come." Just a beautiful track that most people can relate to. After releasing his album "The Salvation," Connor has been getting a lot of buzz. Today on 12/12/2011 he released his new project "Season 2." Hit the link down bottom to enjoy a very talented rapper.



Season 2 (Mixtape)

House Party: Meek Mill Feat. Young Chris

This is my anthem right now. I can play this 24/7. AND THIS IS HOW MY SUPER BOWL PARTY IS GOING TO BE. CRAZY!!!!!

The Best Of November

Best Album of November:

Childish Gambino: Camp



This man has made a classic on his first solo album. Such a great listen. If I had to give a runner up I would of given it to Yelawolf's: Radioactive.

Best Movie:

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas



Best Video Game:

Modern Warfare 3 (Hands Down)



Many hours have been spent on this. With friends home for the holidays... More DUTY SESSIONS!!!

And finally...

Best Mixtape:

Nipsey Hussle: The Marathon Continues



Nothing better than a mixtape that sounds like an album. This project was beautiful, and BANGS in the Candy Painted PT. Go download this mixtape now and support Neighborhood Nip.

Christmas Break

Although it is less than two weeks away from Christmas, I am not feeling the holiday spirit at all. It seems like time sped up to Christmas being right around the corner. Now I don't know about anyone else, but I have important things to do with my money..not including spending it on gifts [unfortunately]. I would love to spend money on those I love so they can have what they want, BUT since that's not going to happen this year, I'm going to enjoy the season the best way I know how: with friends.
If you have good friends, you'll view them as your second family; and considering that it is break, all of your good friends should be home from school, so go see them! Make some fun plans to do what you guys like. Catch a movie; have a drink; go to a club; whatever it is, make sure you make time for your friends this season. You don't need much to have a good time so don't be lazy or uncool, do something fun and enjoy yourself!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

A Day I'll Never Forget

Thursday December 1, 2011 Aka. The Day I'll Never Forget. Riding in the car with good friends Michael Scott and Sterling Savariau. Where were we going? We were headed to Chicago for the Watch The Throne Tour with Kanye West & Jay-Z. The 4-5 hour drive there was very easy. Having conversations and rap debates passed the time easily. The hardest part about the trip was getting off the freeway in Chicago... WHAT A MIND FUCK. Besides that, we picked up a friend and headed to the United Center for the concert. Our seats were up high, but who can complain with free tickets to the biggest rap heavyweights in the game. Around 9:30 the lights dimmed down and the crowd went nanners.
The concert opened with H.A.M., a lead single and bonus track off the "Watch The Throne" album.

I finally appreciate this song. I am not going to go over every track they performed... But I should.
My top 3 tracks from each artist would have to be in this order.
HOVA: #3. Big Pimpin'
#2. H To The Izzo
and my #1.

Hell of a performance by that man. H To The Izzo will forever be my favorite HOVA track, but something about this track made it very special. I don't know if it was the elevated platform, the lights, the rapper made out of lasers, or just the quality. Whatever it was he won me over.

Being in Kanye's hometown best believe he tore it down. I have never heard a crowd go so loud for their hometown hero. Although I have also never seen Eminem perform at Comerica Park.
With that being said, here are my top 3 Yeezy songs.
#3. Can't Tell Me Nothing
#2. Diamonds From Sierra Leone... WITH JAY AS A GUEST!!!!
But my #1 was.

After performing this I had chills for the remainder of the show.

Kanye gave a speech and a tribute to his mother, and after performing "Niggas In Paris" 2 times, the show was over.


................

BUT NO ONE LEAVES WITHOUT AN ENCORE!!!!
I would have loved to see Jay come back and perform "Encore" But instead the United Center was turned into the biggest club that i've ever been to, as they performed "Niggas In Paris" another 6 times.


This is something you have to experience for yourself. The idea of this performed 8 times sounds terrible. But each time got more and more and more and more and more and more HYPE.

This show will go down as the best experience of my life. As i tweeted after @ADayDaName "Look... If jesus came back......... I would rather see that watch the throne concert.... In chicago again..best fukkin concert of my life"

And that is the truth. I have been to many great concerts such as... Wale before he was huge, performing with live instruments. KiD CuDi before his first album with a suprise laser show. The Clipse at the Shelter. Meeting Fashawn after performing at the Shelter... And the list goes on. But any word to describe this concert has no effect on how powerful and spectacular it was.

The Weeknd - The Knowing

The Knowing, brought to you by The Weeknd, is featured on his first mixtape, "House of Balloons". This video is very deep, and in my opinion, completely genius. Enjoy and grab both of his mixtapes "House of Balloons" and "Thursday".

This is a powerful song without the visuals, which is why I included the song alone, and then the video (listen first).



For those that understand and/or have a huge like for music, you'll get what I mean when I say there's a different feel to the song when only listening to it, and then listening to it with the visuals.