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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Download: N.E.R.D. – “Baby Doll”
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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Download: Lupe Fiasco – “I’m Beaming”
As the year comes to a close, we thought it was only appropriate to share with you the music that inspired us most. Off top, let me make it clear that this isn’t “top” or “best” anything. Contrary to popular opinion, this music thing is not a competition. Not to mention that trying to collapse a year’s worth of music into a comprehensive playlist just isn’t really feasible. Just ask Lily Allen, Pac Div or about 100 other artists who easily could’ve ended up on this short list. Having said that, it’s only right to pay homage to the tracks that made our life that much more enjoyable. Whether they made us sing and dance, contemplate our lives or drive way too fast in the whip, the artists behind these 25 deserve a little recognition. Consider it their gift to you.
The Clipse are nothing if not consistent. Not only is the quality of their music virtually guaranteed, but over the course of their career, the themes have stayed pretty consistent too. Even so, Hell Hath No Fury was further proof that talking almost exclusively about cocaine trafficking could still make for a brilliant piece of work. While Lord Willin’ captured the duo at their most youthful, riding a wave of commercial success to platinum status, Hell Hath No Fury found them resentful and frustrated by industry politics, crafting a relentless masterpiece of an album. If the subject matter was repetitive, Malice and Push always kept things interesting through sheer lyrical ingenuity.
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Download: The Clipse – “Freedom”
This shit is wet, but please don’t make the mistake of thinking this is all you need. Til the Casket Drops, well, drops on Tuesday, and I can already say the brothers Thornton have one of the best albums of the year on their hands. Can’t say I expected much less though. If The Clipse leave something to be desired quantity-wise, the level of quality more than makes up for it. A lot of credit has to go to Chad and P too though; since before Lord Willin’, they’ve supplied The Clipse with some of the most consistently excellent production in the game. With a little help from Sean C & LV (“Roc Boys”) and DJ Khalil (“Kinda Like a Big Deal”), the Tunes laced the soundtrack up proper once again. Do yourself a favor and cop this shit when it drops this week.
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Download: The Clipse – “Champion”
Some smooth shit for the late night from Snoop, accompanied by P and the artist formerly known as Moesha. I guess we can look at this as a long-delayed sequel to “Beautiful”. Hard to miss the similarities. Maybe it’s just the ’90s kid in me talking, but it’s cool to hear Brandy doing her thing on a track again. Ray J’s definitely been threatening to take that most famous family member spot lately. Anybody else remember when Kobe took Brandy to prom though? Jokes. Aright, I’m getting off track. Time to slap this and settle.
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Let’s not get things fucked up. The Clipse are still one of the biggest threats in the game. With Till the Casket Drops less than a month away, the Brothers Thornton kept it simple for “Popular Demand”, calling on Rik Cordero to direct the clip for one of the more crucial slaps in recent memory. Maybe they could’ve set their sights a little higher, but hey. It’s to the point I suppose. And I’m still not tired of that Pusha verse yet.
Shit’s crazy sometimes. Life is so exciting because rarely do you really know what’s gonna happen next. Last night Jay-Z came to the Pauley Pavilion at UCLA. With N.E.R.D, Wale & J. Cole alongside, the show sold out in a matter of days. Needless to say, cats were hyped. For the past three weeks I’d been contemplating coppin a tick, but for $50 and limited bread I had started to come to grips with the reality of only hearing about the concert from friends the next day. So when last night rolled around and I found myself driving to Pauley with no ticket and no connections, I knew I had little to lose, and very much to gain.
Back by popular demand indeed. It’s been a solid three years now since everybody’s favorite dropped their stellar sophomore effort, Hell Hath No Fury. I don’t know too many folks that got enthusiastic about Killa coming back, but the collab only makes sense. P doing his best Cam impression on the hook is comedy, but the highlight has to be that first verse. Pusha just murks. Till The Casket Drops is set for release in December, but in the meantime between time, this one is whip ready.
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