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Archive for October, 2011

Listen: Kid Cudi – “Bigger Than You” [Unreleased 2007]

In 2007, rapper (and now rocker) Kid Cudi linked up with producer Emile for the first time to create a song called “Bigger Than You”. Here’s what Emile had to say about the song in a 2009 interview with Complex:

“He had in his head what he wanted to start the album with. Like way back it was a song called “Bigger Than You,” which some people might of heard because it leaked. It was a really dope record. “Bigger Than You” was actually the first record me and Cudi ever did together. It was on the first day that we met, we cut that song. Once we cut it, he was like, “That’s the intro to my album.” It stayed that way for a while, but that record was cut a long time before the album was ever done, so eventually it kinda faded out.”

MP3: Kid Cudi – “Bigger Than You”

This isn’t the first time this song has appeared on the Internet, making its initial appearance as “Do It Alone” on Cudi’s demo tape. This, however, is the completely mastered version from Emile. Listen for yourself above.

Sol Premieres New Single “Albert Einstein”

Our Seattle-based friend Sol just sent over a brand new track titled “Albert Einstein”, which features production by Jacks Green & Pseudonym. The first single from his upcoming album Yours Truly, “Albert Einstein” was released to build anticipation for his album and to follow up the release of his extremely successful free EP, Dear Friends Vol. III (download it for free here). A bit darker sounding than some of the songs we heard on Dear Friends, “Albert Einstein” has some great punchlines and a hook-that-isn’t-a-hook (“I don’t think I need a hook for this one / Cause you already hooked on this one”).

Grab the song on iTunes here.

Listen: Childish Gambino vs Chiddy Bang – “Put It In Your Manners (DJ 21azy Mashup)”

This mashup came out a couple of days ago, but I thought it should be posted here so more people could listen to it. It’s a mashup of Childish Gambino‘s “Put It In My Video” and Chiddy Bang‘s “Mind Your Manners”. You can listen to the feel-good track below.

DJ 21azy has already done some pretty good mashups, so if you like this mashup make sure to check out his Soundcloud page here.

DJ Premier Banned Justin Bieber from the 2011 BET Cypher

This year’s 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards made headlines for its impressive lineup of rap cyphers, featuring big names like Eminem, Slaughterhouse, Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar, and much more. But one name that didn’t make the final cut was teenage pop superstar Justin Bieber.

DJ Premier, the man behind the turntables who made a name for himself as the production half of the critically-acclaimed Gang Starr, announced on air today that he banned Bieber from participating in the cypher. Breaking down the process for joining the cypher, Preemo said, “They’ll give me the list [of artists]. We have arguments upon arguments. Shout to [President of Music Programming and Specials] Stephen Hill. Shout to [BET producer-writer] Jesse Collins. Believe me, we be arguing over who should be on it and all of that. Lots of big fights over the phone.”

He then went on to talk about Bieber’s request to join, stating, “I was like, ‘Yo, as long as he got a dope rhyme, let him spit.’ But then we heard, ‘Oh, he wants Luda to write his rhyme.’ I was like, ‘Oh no, no, no, no. If you ain’t writing your own rhyme, you can’t do it.’ So Justin, you gotta take a backseat. Write your own rhymes, honey. You gotta call him honey on that one.”

Maybe next year, Shawty Mayne.

[You can listen to a recording of Premier’s talk over at Rap Radar. If you missed the cyphers, you can watch all of them right here.]

Listen: Coldplay – “Princess of China (feat. Rihanna)”

The latest leak from Coldplay‘s highly-anticipated new LP, Mylo Xyloto (out October 24th), is the band’s much-talked-about collaboration with pop superstar Rihanna. With production from the legendary Brian Eno, the synth-filled track is complete with soaring guitar reverb and a driving drumbeat that are perfectly suited for a headlining arena show. Huge vocals from both Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and Rihanna top everything off. Listen to the track for yourself below.

There’s no doubt in my mind that “Princess of China” will wind up all over the radio. But hey, look on the bright side; at least you’ll know all the words when Coldplay’s next stadium tour rolls by!

Listen: The Roots – “Make My (feat. Big K.R.I.T.)”

Below, you can listen to the first track from The Roots‘ upcoming album undun, set to drop on December 6th via Def Jam. Questlove explained that the album is kind of like a concept album and will be “an existential re-telling of the short life of one Redford Stephens (1974-1999).”

“Make My” enlists the help of fellow Def Jam emcee Big K.R.I.T., who spits the first verse on the track before being followed by Black Thought. Mellow, rock-infused production by frequent collaborator Khari Mateen and The Roots themselves rounds out the song, which will be available for purchase on iTunes starting November 1st. Check out the album’s tracklisting after the break.

(Via Okayplayer)

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MiaoMix Monday #4 [Folk]

This week for MiaoMix Monday I put together a playlist made up of folk songs. This mix consists of contemporary folk music like fuzz folk or folk rock. I’m not the biggest expert on folk music, but it makes me feel a lot more calm when I listen to it and these are some of my personal favorites. Some of you will probably recognize some of the artists here, such as Neutral Milk Hotel or The Tallest Man on Earth, but hopefully some of you will find your new favorite band.

Fleet Foxes – “He Doesn’t Know Why”
Brett Dennen – “Ain’t No Reason”
The Tallest Man On Earth – “I Won’t Be Found”
S. Carey – “In The Dirt”
Dan Mangan – “About as Helpful as You can be Without Being Any Help at All”
M. Ward – “For Beginners”
Horse Feathers – “Curs in the Weeds”
Gold Leaves – “The Ornament”
Neutral Milk Hotel – “In the Aeroplane over the Sea”

The Wonder Years B-Side

The Wonder Years just released a brand new b-side for Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing (check out Frank’s review for the album here). This acoustic cut is titled “Living Room Song” and was made available exclusively to those that purchased the Japanese version of the album. Check out the song below.

MP3: The Wonder Years – “Living Room Song”

Video: Drake Takes Over Saturday Night Live

Drizzy Drake stole the show in more ways than one on last night’s episode ofSaturday Night Live, appearing in two sketches and two song performances. Working with Jay Pharoah on “Weekend Update”, the two dressed up as teenage wolves and rapped about stealing candy from children on Halloween. Even better though, Drake appeared on a hilarious Digital Short with Andy Samberg featuring a number of “interviews” with the musician and actor.

Drake also performed two songs from Take Care: the album’s lead single “Headlines” and “Make Me Proud” with fellow Young Money member Nicki MinajTake Care will be released on November 15th, a delay of about two weeks from the original release date.

Check out all four videos after the break.

“Bag Jackin'”:

Digital Short:

“Headlines”:

“Make Me Proud (feat. Nicki Minaj):

Interview: Phil The Thrill

My favorite thing about talking to artists is just hearing how humble they really are and how much work they’re putting in to achieve their dreams. Hard work definitely does pay off. So last week, I was extremely fortunate to speak to an up-and-coming rapper from Virginia named Phil The Thrill, who has been releasing an EP a month for the past five months, garnering attention from XXL Magazine and SmokingSection.com. On October 25th, Phil will be concluding the series with a full-length mixtape entitled Barely Awake, which you can preview here.

Check out my full interview with Phil below.

Hey Phil, what’s up? How’s it going?

Phil The Thrill: Good, good, good.

I’ve just been reading about Steve Jobs. Man, that’s terrible.

Phil The Thrill: Crazy, crazy. I mean, they knew it was gonna happen eventually, but it was just all of a sudden it seems like.

Yeah… ah, the man’s a genius. So I hear you’re 22 years old and from Newport News, Virginia, is that correct?

Phil The Thrill: Yessir.

Actually, where have I heard of that place from? Is that…Michael Vick’s hometown?

Phil The Thrill: Yeah, yeah. Michael Vick, Allen Iverson.

Oh, okay. How’s the music scene there?

Phil The Thrill: It’s… pretty scattered. This area is known as Hampton Roads, the 757. I’m not sure how familiar you are with this part of Virginia but Missy‘s from here, Timbaland‘s from here, Pharrell‘s from here,The Clipse are from here. So yeah, we have a pretty crazy rich tradition as far as music goes. It just seems like they’ll move away and you know, it’s hard to really get them back to reach out to artists that are coming up now. But as far as tradition goes, we’re definitely on the map when it comes to music, period. And then 45 minutes up the road is where Trey Songz and Chris Brown are from.

Man, that’s nice.

Phil The Thrill: Yeah, man, it’s crazy.

So where did your rapper name, Phil The Thrill, originate?

Phil The Thrill: It’s actually been a name that’s stuck with me. It’s actually been my nickname since I was around twelve years old. I was an athlete playing basketball and football and you know, when little nicknames happen to you when you’re a kid… they’d just be like “Oh, Phil The Thrill!” It sticks and through high school, when everyone would have AIM screennames, I was like lemme use my nickname. It stuck with me then and when I went on to play college basketball, it stuck with me there. So it became my Twitter name and once it sticks, I’m not going to try to change that just because I’m doing music. It’s my nickname and what people know me as. (more…)