Jan
31

Black Sheep-”Flavor of the Month”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AgFZN4SBc4 Thanks to the real Douglas Reinhardt for reminding me of the classic video for “Flavor of the Month.” This is one of the reasons why the LP for A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing hangs from my wall. More rappers should carry shepherd staffs in their videos. Download: MP3: Black Sheep-”Flavor of the Month”

Jan
31

Lil Wayne & Juelz Santana-”Black Republican” Spoof

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6mM-zzoaWI I can’t help but feel that this could’ve gone a lot further. I mean, on the original song, Juelz is talking about “English Muffining” you and how “you need hugs.” Still, if you parody Santana and Wayne, it’s hard not to be funny. Download: MP3: Juelz Santana & Lil Wayne-”Black Republicans”

Jan
30

The Bug ft. Warrior Queen-”Poison Dart”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aW7NFSGklM So yeah, I completely slept on that Bug record.  This track is the “Paper Planes” that you aren’t sick of. Nate Patrin’s review from last summer nails it. ” London Zoo..stands out amidst the recent wave of dubstep in a way that makes Burial’s Untrue sound like Music for Airports. But it also takes… Continue reading »

Jan
30

Beards, Blazers & Glasses: The Sinister Minimalism of Wooden Shjips

While inferior but fine noise + noun outfits like Wavves, Women and White Snake, elicit the brunt of blogger bombast, Wooden Shjips stay buoyed if not blotted. Other than Dusted (who consistently get it right), judging from the relative critical and public apathy Wooden Shjips have received, the San Francisco four-piece seem fated for a… Continue reading »

Jan
29

Q-Tip ft. Raekwon, Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne-”Renaissance Rap Remix”

As Disco Vietnam succintly stated: everything about this song is good. Download: MP3:  Q-Tip ft. Raekwon, Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne-”Renaissance Rap Remix”

Jan
29

Diggin in the Digital Crates: Happy Mondays-Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches

Sach O only slept with your mother cuz she’s dirty. Good writing and complex writing aren’t one and the same, a notion conveniently ignored by white indie rappers, college educated singer-songwriters and pretentious-ass music bloggers with little to say and the lingering desire to make their college education seem like it was worth the money.… Continue reading »

Jan
28

Rubies-”Room Without a Key” (Studio Version)

Sometime in the near future, I’ll compile a list of slept-on records from 2008. In the meantime, allow me to serve this Studio remix of Rubies’ “Room without a Key,” a track so sublime that writing about it threatens to invoke the hoary “Dancing About Architecture” adage. Plus, I’m busy. So in short, the moral… Continue reading »

Jan
28

Rick Ross, Slumboss Millionaire: A Closer Look at the Real-Life Inspiration Behind “Southern Gangsta”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPQL3K97SiA With a tip of the cap to Danny Boyle and A Way Between Voice and Presence, we take a deeper look at the alternately painful and joyous recollections that led to the construction of Rick Ross’ verse on Ludacris’ “Southern Gangsta.” Little known fact: Ross’ boss qualities are purported to be the inspiration for… Continue reading »

Jan
27

Jackie Mittoosday

While justifiably lauded like most of his Studio One cohorts, within the pantheon of reggae greats, Jackie Mittoo rarely receives the same first-breath recollection of a Marley, a Toots, a Lee Perry or even a Winston “Burning Spear” Rodney, or Horace Andy. Ditching Jamaica for Toronto in the late 60s, the keyboardist, singer, one-time Skatalite,… Continue reading »

Jan
27

Review: Plies-Da Realist

Houston-based, Shea Serrano, is a columnist for the Houston Press and Houston Magazine. He’s also written for the Village Voice, Filter Magazine, URB Magazine, Mental Floss Magazine, Texas Observer, Dallas Observer, and others.  Unlike much of the blogosophere, he does not believe that Plies “Da Realist” derives its chief inspiration from Di Sica. Plies, Florida’s… Continue reading »

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