Genres
Mixtape: Gilbere Forte – Some Dreams Never Sleep
I completely slept on Gilbere Forte. I admit: it took an appearance on a BET Cyper and The Hundreds presenting his newest mixtape/EP for me to listen to him. But now that I’ve listened to Some Dreams Never Sleep, I can’t stop; this Philadelphia MC is on point. I mean, look at the star-studded cast he managed to pull together for the 11-track project: Big K.R.I.T., Jim Jones, Pusha T, Asher Roth, Casey Veggies, and more.
Gilbere easily goes toe-to-toe with each of these rappers, spitting memorable verse after memorable verse. He’s young, he has a message, and he’s ready to shine. You can download three choice cuts below and if you like what you hear, the full EP is available for free after the break.
MP3: Gilbere Forte – “Black Soul (feat. Big K.R.I.T.)”
MP3: Gilbere Forte – “Hot (In This Bitch) (feat. Jim Jones & Pusha T)”
Listen: The Weeknd – “Initiation”
Dark, gloomy, and perfect for the Halloween season. Enjoy.
Jamie xx Teams Up With Quayola for “Progress”
Producer Jamie xx teamed up with multimedia artist Quayola and his team, Abstract Birds, to create stunning visuals for a brand new track entitled “Progress”. Resembling a sort-of DNA strand, the video was created using two 15-meter HD screens and Partitura software as part of the ‘Structures’ project with Rizlab.
You can watch the video over at Rizlab’s webpage. More videos will be released as the week progresses, including recordings of Jamie xx and Quayola from a September 22nd live performance.
Foster The People Live on Saturday Night Live
Just in case you’re one of the very sheltered few who haven’t yet heard Foster The People‘s infectious single, “Pumped Up Kicks”, the Los Angeles trio dropped by Saturday Night Live to perform two songs – the other of which is “Houdini”. The performance also includes a guest appearance by Kenny G in the final horn section of “Pumped Up Kicks”.
Check out the two videos below.
“Pumped Up Kicks”:
“Houdini”:
Listen: k-os – “Faith Pt. 2 (feat. Drake)”
Toronto MC k-os linked up with his long-time buddy Drake to release a new track named “Faith Pt. 2”. The first version of the song appeared on k-os’s 2010 mixtape, The Anchorman Mixtape, which was mostly recorded while on tour with Drizzy. Now, almost a year later, we have the second version of the track with production from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. New bars from both and interestingly enough, Drake seems to have returned to his pre-Thank Me Later flow.
Interview: The Calm Blue Sea
What are your names and specific roles in the band?
Steve: I’m Steve and I play drums and we all write.
So you and Kyle (bassist) were both there when the band started?
Steve: I guess I’m an original member and Kyle is not. He’s our 2nd or 3rd bass player, but he’s been with us since 2009 so I don’t think he’s going anywhere.
Why did you guys choose the name The Calm Blue Sea?
Steve: Okay, I have no explanation for that. Maybe Chris does, but they had it when I got in already. (more…)
Listen: Common – “Blue Sky (Prod. No I.D.)”
A radio rip of Common‘s second single “Blue Sky” has been floating around the Internet, but now we have the full CDQ version of the song. Following up first single “Ghetto Dreams” where Common traded bars with the legendary Nas, Common’s newest track has an old-school feel and samples none other than Electric Light Orchestra‘s “Mr. Blue Sky”. Production by No I.D., who also produced the first single.
MP3: Common – “Blue Sky”
Common’s ninth LP, The Dreamer, The Believer will be available November 22 via Warner Bros. Records. That’s a date you definitely should have marked down.
Jupe Jupe Prepare New Album, ‘Reduction in Drag’
Seattle synth-rockers Jupe Jupe are currently finishing up their sophomore effort, Reduction in Drag, which will be self-released by the band on November 1. Anchored by layers of fuzzy, uplifting synth and guitar, Jupe Jupe tracks are appealing from the first moment they reach your ears. There’s no denying the ’80’s influences apparent in their composition and when coupled with the throbbing beats, the quartet create an sonic environment that is fit to rock a stadium.
Do yourself a favor and throw on some headphones while listening to the following two tracks, both taken from the band’s upcoming album.
Trae Tha Truth – “She Will (Freestyle)”
Well, here you go. Trae Tha Truth and his raspy voice going in on one of this year’s biggest beats, the T-Minus produced, Drake featuring “She Will” from Lil’ Wayne‘s Tha Carter IV. Download or stream below.
MiaoMix Monday #3 [Rap Remixes]
This week’s playlist is a collection of rap remixes of pop/indie songs. Sampling songs like these has become increasingly popular in the last few years and it’s resulted in some pretty creative songs. It’s always pleasant to listen to a track and recognize a familiar song that I already love, especially if the rapper does the sample justice. This week’s mix contains some chill rap and upbeat rap. Samples include “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Rolling in the Deep”. Listen to the mix below:
Neako – “The Dawn”
Josh Bonney – “Gimme the Beat (ft. Benjy Johnson)”
Chiddy Bang – “Cameras”
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – “Otherside”
OCD: Moosh & Twist – “City Kids”
Jamie xx – “Rolling in the Deep (REMIX) ft. Childish Gambino”
Foster the People – “Pumped Up Kicks (DJ Reflex Remix) (feat. Kendrick Lamar)”
Olu – “I’m Ballin”
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