Who better to do our first CONTEST with than one of the hip-hop duos that got us goin, Panacea. The two just released The Producer’s Cut of Ink Is My Drink with new & improved interludes and we’ve got a few to give out to you!
How to enter:
(1) hit up the re-released Ink is My Drink on Bandcamp
(2) tell us your favorite track and why through:
(a.) Our Facebook post (‘like’ it!)
(b.) Twitter (bonus for following us!)
* You can submit once on Facebook & once on Twitter for two possible entries into the contest.
** Winner will be chosen by K-Murdock, Raw P & myself based on the best answer (most thoughtful / comical).
That WizardCud created a little hype tonight, premiering his first song from his highly anticipated rock-band with Dot Da Genius, 2 Be Continuum.
“Perfect is the Word” sets their first single off with an interesting twist. When I thought of Kid Cudi going rock, it put an image of Hendrix in my head (blame Erase Me) with a melodramatic rapper vibe at heart. But after listening to the track, it’s more like Hendrix’s LSD daze tripped into a shroomed out wallow.
Whatever kind of fucked up it is, Cudi’s new shit will grow on me soon enough – it always does.
[audio:Perfect-Is-The-Word.mp3|titles=Perfect is the Word]
Like all festivals, events and any large gathering, the most interesting thing to watch at Soundset 2011 were the people. Ranging from the majority, punk-ass teenagers, to the older crowd with kids, Soundset grew to over 20,000 people this year.
I don’t know how many of you like to crowd watch as much as I do, but as someone trying to cover the event, most of my time was spent gazing at the mess of fans feelin the vibes off the performers: a majority of acts that many had not heard before and the headliners that brought us all together. As impressive as the headliners were this year, especially De La Soul, I wanna point something out about a few of the other acts […]
[audio:Wanna-Be-Like-You.mp3|titles=Wanna Be Like You]
Of course we had to hear some cuts from Chiddy’s Guinness World Record for the longest freestyle rap, coming in at 9 hours, 18 minutes & 22 seconds. I kept up with it for the last half and there were definitely many of those Chiddy witty one liners. Someone should make a damn story out of all those rhymes! ;)
It’s good to see that Chiddy Bang is swellin’ to Status. Can’t wait to hear what’ll be on Peanut Butter & Swelly, which releases this Friday (the 27th) – especially what Xaphoon has in store for us!
[audio:Guinness-Flow.mp3|titles=Guinness Flow]
Yes, I know this is a little dated, but that “Colorful Storms” remix caught my attention and had to give it more play. I checked out the full album by Damu, Spare Time, and found a few more gems to add.
I’ve been following Damu’s work with Panacea & Y-Society for a while now, but haven’t swooped up his solo shit till now. Half of Spare Time is a bunch of instrumental electro-jazz, but where it really comes to shine is when Damu mixes in a few well versed MC’s. Raw Poetic, Kev Brown, Insight & even a little Guru sample in these four tracks – and shows again why rap was made for jazz (or is it the other way around).
[audio:Colorful-Storms-Remix.mp3|titles=Colorful Storms (Damu Remix)]
I didn’t realize how much Steddy P sounded like The Grouch until I started playing their tracks head to head (gotta little Tech N9ne in their too). Style-wise it’s more like The Grouch, but I can’t really pin exactly why – it’s that calm, cool, collected sound, but something more specific. Whatever it is, I’m definitely feelin it.
Steddy P’s recently released LP, What Happened Tomorrow, has got more than a few solid tracks. “Pours Out”, the third track on the album, was what originally caught my ear. With a ‘steady’ rap flow and well harmonized backup vocals, Steddy brings more fresh to the Midwest. Dude can really can carry a tune.
Check out What Happened Tomorrow on Bandcamp and throw us back some thoughts.
[audio:Pours-Out.mp3|titles=Pours Out]
The Family Sign brings an intimate look into the members of Atmosphere. In their recent video therapy sessions, the group sits down with Dr. Ralph Borka and hashes out some of the issues they’ve had as a group over the years. However, the real sentiment lies is in their seventh studio album, where Slug dives into his life as an aging emcee and the group, more than ever, shows where their roots truly lie.
The most noticeable change in The Family Sign is Slug’s style. Many have criticized it, claiming he’s lost his edge over the past few years. As true as this may be, when you’re almost hitting on 40, edgy may not be what you’re going for. But with the loss of a youthful arrogance, a more humble emcee emerged, expressing the sentimental side of Sean and pushing the group in a different direction. But as fresh as their new style is, it still relies on the place that made them so great.
We all know Slug is know for his Minnesota love, but The Family Sign, more than ever, is a true ode to MN. The album shows clear Minnesota ties through its themes and choice of instrumentals, but more importantly is a representation of the Twin Cities’ growing scene. Atmosphere may be the most influential group in the area right now, but they’re only at the tip of the Minnesota music culture.
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“Kiss Me on My Lips” is the first taste off Blaqstarr’s The Mixtape. The track features Mos Def whose voice is cut up and layered throughout. Besides that, Blaqstarr’s voice is autotunes at various parts, which I have mixed feelings about, but really it didn’t seem needed.
The mixtape is set to release next tuesday (April 12) on BlaqstarrMusic.com – expected to feature Talib Kweli, Diplo, Switch and a few others.
[audio:Kiss-Me-On-My-Lips.mp3|titles=Kiss Me On My Lips (feat. Mos Def)]
Kid Cudi posted on his Tumblr blog, Cud Life, that he was quitting weed for good (check it out after the jump). But I think it’s safe to assume this is some practical joke for April Fools. First off, the message is absolutely half baked (haha). If someone like Cudi was actually quitting weed, I doubt he would mouth off about it. And two, of all days he had to pick today. Give me a break, I’d almost say I could see Snoop Dogg quitting before Cudi. But what’d y’all think
In other Cudi news, he’s released a new track titled “Capcom”. A few reports say this may be the first off his upcoming mixtape, A Man Named Scott, but they aren’t that good of reports. Whatever the case may be, it’s Cudi and we all know y’all are gonna eat it up!
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First thing I look for in a remix is if it’s better than the original. But I didn’t really even like Gambino’s original on this, so Knell didn’t have too much to overcome. Why I didn’t like the original wasn’t my usual reason, Gambino’s whiny rhymes (kinda adoring it right now), but more on the beat.
Well, Knell throws in some electro tripepd-out strums up against Gambino’s well played wordage for this remix. Also gotta mention the YoungBloodZ drop, nice touch Knell.
[audio:Let-Me-Dope-You.mp3|titles=Let Me Dope You (Knell Remix)]