Monthly Archives: 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!