First off, let me just say thank you for Friday night. For Nick, Ben, Amanda, KP and everybody that couldn’t make it out, it felt like you were out there in spirit. For all the folks that did make it out, you made that happen. Thanks as always for the love, for putting on, and for just showing your face and helping to get shit crackin. For the time being, we had to take a quick respite, but please believe we’re not stopping anytime soon. New songs on deck today from N.E.R.D., Yeezy, LCD and Cee-Lo, to name a few. The Ye is too real, Janelle covering “The Shape of Things to Come” is a must, and Wiz & Spitta going in over “Africa”? Jokes. Yeah, it’s Monday, but it’s good. This week is looking good already.
As you all know, Pharrell’s one of those dudes for me. I use his success for guidance on my own journey, and as a result, I take in his works with a critical eye and ear. The “Hypnotize U” performance on Letterman caught my attention, but anticipating a CD quality song and video to come soon, we passed on it. So now the video’s dropped, and on paper it’s right up my alley. Take a slap, put it in Miami, add a dozen bad ones, and 9 times out of 10 you’ve got me. In theory though, the premise is a little played out. But I’m a guy, and attractive women attract me. Make up your own mind about it, but don’t deny the sex appeal.
When it comes to music, I’m not always convinced my favorite artists should be the ones to speak on political issues. On the other hand, I do think it’s the artist’s responsibility to pose the questions. With the visuals “Help Me” I can’t say I completely understand the statement being made, aside from the fact that the times we’re living in are strange beyond our wildest imagination. But personally, the imagery evoked a reaction in me, and I think that’s pretty valuable in itself. Plus, I’m really not mad at the ’60s counterculture vibe. It’s something we can always use a little more of. Nothing drops November 1st.
So it’s back to being too damn hot in L.A., but lately it kind of feels like everything’s happening the way it’s supposed to. Maybe it’s just been a great weekend. In any case, it should be crackin out at Stones Throw’s 10.10.10 event tonight, with DJ sets from Madlib, Mayer Hawthorne, Prince Paul and Dam Funk to name a few. Should be a solid way to round up a settled Sunday. For the folks staying in, we didn’t forget about you either. New shit below from Drake, Warpaint, Stereolab, and of course the latest CRS (Kanye, Pharell & Lupe) collab that dropped Friday night. Personally, I’m partial to The Roots & John Legend take on Bill Withers though. Too real for words. Oh, and if you missed Yeezy on SNL last week, peep below. That shit was epic.
As far as our generation goes, Pharrell and Chad have been providing the soundtrack to good times for a decade plus now. For Daft Punk, it’s more like 15. So I suppose it’s only appropriate that the French house gods would lend some production expertise for N.E.R.D.’s latest. In retrospect, I was sleeping on the Letterman performance, where Pharell and co. debuted this one last week, so hit that MORE to peep. Nothing, which P promises is like “nothing you’ve heard before”, is due out soon, but for now settle on this one. On second thought, maybe find somebody to snuggle up with first. This shit is pretty sexy.
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Maybe it’s the slap. Maybe it’s the icy visual trip around New York City. It probably has something to do with the ridiculous slew of goofy ass cameos (Kanye, Santi, ?uestlove and Chromeo to name just a few), and it definitely has something to do with the fact that they got them all to sing along, and drop the only two words in the song. Whatever it is, this shit is kind of irresistible. Duck Sauce is A-Trak and Armand Van Helden, which if you’re familiar with the DJ world, is a pretty impressive duo. For clarification, this is the second dope visual from Duck Sauce I’ve seen. So don’t miss out on “Anyway” either.
So many jams, so little time. Kanye’s keeping them coming, releasing another star-studded seven minute spitfest yesterday with “So Appalled”. Jay got vicious, CyHi held his own, and Pusha T blacked out. RZA’s part is all fucked up and off-beat, but it almost felt like some old Wu shit, so I guess it’s gravy. For all intents and purposes, the Maximum Balloon with Tunde Adebimpe is basically a TV on the Radio song, which is cool too. Some live, NPR-studio Black Keys, a Pharrell-assisted slap that even Gucci Mane couldn’t make wack, and the Houses track are all highlights. It’s too damn hot in my apartment today. Might just have to throw these on the iPod and hit the beach one time.
This one’s strictly for the dreamers. For anyone that’s questioned the status quo, or dreamed of be something more, this one’s for you. Touching on topics from the importance of individuality, to the steps to starting a movement, Pharrell drops nugget after nugget of knowledge in this interview. Give yourself 30 minutes and check it out. This one’s important.
While I do consider myself grateful and blessed after making it through 17 straight years in school, I feel as though there’s a lot that needs to be changed about our educational system. In short, I think it revolves around the process of learning. School makes education so incredibly painful, that no one wants to do it. It hurt me to learn about x and y chromosomes, and it hurt even more to learn slope intercept form so that I could graph shit. I think we’ve just gotta find ways to make the learning process fun and relevant to our lives.
Recently Pharrell spoke with educational correspondent Steve Perry about the current state of the U.S school systems, and what needs to change. I appreciate Pharrell’s efforts because he’s actually doing something with the platform he’s built for himself. Using his fame to promote change. While Pharrell makes some valid points in the piece, your insight may be even more valuable. What do you think about our educational system, and what needs to be changed? Check out this video and share your thoughts.
A conversation Max, Jesse and I had the other day sparked some interesting thoughts about music. The question was basically, whether there’s an inherent value in keeping up with the new shit. I’m not sure if I really have a good answer to that, aside from the fact that I’m a fiend for any music I can get my hands on. And that, contrary to the impression you might get from the radio, there’s a lot of quality music being made on a regular basis. So if I feel it, I’ll throw it your way. If the artist gets some shine, and you get some slaps to throw in your iTunes, I think that’s worth something. Hit the MORE for the latest from Bobby Ray, jj, Mayer Hawthorne, J. Cole and a handful of other folks. Shit, Chris Breezy even came with a slap.
Sometimes all it takes to get people moving is a good, solid bassline. “Hot N’ Fun”, the first single from their upcoming Nothing, might not be the strongest work N.E.R.D. has ever put their name on, but it’s got a lot of the makings of an early summer anthem, in that it stays pretty true to the title. The cool thing about Pharrell’s creative process to me is that he’s not really shooting for perfection every time. The dude just does what he feels, and brings an idea to the table. Props to Chad for being able to pull together those ideas musically, because more often than not, N.E.R.D. comes with some quality music.
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Nine times out of ten when P speaks, I’m all ears. Last week Pharrell provided a keynote speech at Midem, a music business conference held in Cannes, France. Speaking on the state of the music industry, and his work over the past decade, Pharrell related how he’s managed to not only stay relevant but in many ways define the sound of popular music over the past 10. I know I’m not the only one when I say Pharrell makes me believe that anything is possible. Bruh’s settled in France talking about the shit he enjoys doing. Lot’s of insight in here. Hope you enjoy.
Lupe is one of those dudes that’s so clever with the wordplay, half the shit he says just goes over peoples’ heads. And in the modern music climate, it’s hard to figure out where a real spitter fits in. Luckily Lupe’s also an extremely dope songwriter; the best of both worlds in a lot of ways. I think Hov said it best: if hip-hop’s gonna continue to stay relevant, the music has to evolve into something broader. Cats like Cudi and Ye have definitely been bearing the torch recently. Not to say there’s no room in the game for a good old-fashioned banger, but the key is just originality. Count on Lupe to kill it again when he drops We Are Lasers later this year. For now, we’ll rock with the first leak. The Renaissance man himself on the track.
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