A lotta hip hop I love right now is sounding like Kendrick and I haven’t been this exciting about it since our start. We built this blog on hip hop about five years back, but electronic took over up until a year ago when hip hop caught up — or more likely we caught up with it.
Most of it you’ll love, but most of you aren’t going to like the last track, understandably. Give it a couple years.
We still get a lot of hip hop submissions, despite our lack of featuring hip hop these days. We did manage to gather a good bunch to show our appreciation for the style that inspired this blog in the first place, including one of our biggest inspirations, Raw Poetic.
Now this list has as many hip hop influences as influences elsewhere, however, the emcee is our focus. The syntax & phonetics rap has brought to music is why we loved it the most in the past and why we love it the most right now.
Electronic is overtaking the industry and has done the same on this blog more & more each year. Our list of electronic music is so massive this year we split it in two.
First up is our best electro soul of 2013 that ranges from funk & jazz to R&B & dubstep (melodic dubstep). We weren’t sure if we wanted to include the remixes from our last list, 2013’s Top Remixes, but there is just as much soul in the remixes as any of the originals. Make sure to play through all 25, it’s got a good ebb and flow to it.
Also, stay tuned for our next list in electro: electronic dance music – and not that bullshit shit.
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Independent record labels are sprouting up all over the place — in location & style. And the ones that are doing it right not only have a choice selection in catalogue, but also take the time to artfully craft their image as they do their artists.
Each of these 12 labels sport some of the most well respected producers & musicians that belong on this blog and create a culture with style around their music. On here I may point out a few that lack in proper online presence, but they are all doing it right when it comes to the perception of this era’s evolution in music labels.
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I don’t know if the people of Rio have caught on to this shining tribute to their city yet, but I sure as hell would love to be the one to bring it to them. I’ve never been, but Theo’s Rio has given me a clear picture of how pleasant it must be.
Every time I listen to it, it’s like daydreaming back to that 1950’s Rio or some Hunter S. Thompson tropic stupor. Either way, Theophilus London and his Menahan Street Band have made me dream in Rio. I can’t wait for the sunny day where I play this for the first time there. Shit’s national anthem status.
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Ya know, when I covered Theophilus London in Minneapolis, I appreciated a few tracks of his, but didn’t follow him regularly. However, since his show I’ve caught too many quality tracks from this dude. I can’t tell you how many rappers send their music to me daily and 99% lack what London excels in, character/personality/whatever you wanna call it.
“All Around The World” sports a burly, bass driven beat with this MC’s character expressed as distinct as ever. But Theophilus London is more than just a healthy character in the hip-hop scene, he packs wordplay & beats that few MC’s can manage to muster UP.
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Theo’s lightin up SNG with some flashy artwork and a ‘Big Spender’ sampled track, also featuring ASAP Rocky. Samples sped up and doused with bass to make it one bump for your ride, but this ain’t the main appeal, it’s that Theophilus flow.
Not enough emcees form their flow to the beat like London + switch it up every song to keep his vocals sounding fresh. Every time I hear a new track of his, it’s like hearing him for the first time. Rare form, my man.
[audio:Big-Spender.mp3|titles=Big Spender (feat. ASAP Rocky)]
This Saturday I got the chance to go see Theophilus London play for the first time in Minneapolis. I don’t go to too many shows to review them, mostly because it’s far more fun to watch the crowds and also because I tend to drink, which usually leads me down a path to no good.
My biggest problem with drinking is that I lose my memory, so covering the event proves difficult. I tried to hold off as much as I could for this show, but what the hell is my job there anyways …well, I guess to remember it is one thing […]
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Goulding is still the DUBSTEP Queen, but a nice change of pace sets this “Starry Eyed” night right. The remix brings in vocals from Theophilis London’s cover of “Starry Eyed” and the two mix well.
Can’t wait to see her in Minneapolis this August… since she cancelled last time :(
[audio:Starry-Eyed-Penguin-Remix.mp3|titles=Starry Eyed (Penguin Prison Remix)]
I thought Beyonce had a beautiful voice; but after hearing Solange on this track, I think I’m changing my focus. This beautiful backup makes the song.
“Flying Overseas” is about a Brooklyne native dreaming of traveling the world with a loved one. A fantasy we’ve all had, done well.
Meditate on this mental trip.
[audio:Flying-Overseas.mp3|titles=Flying Overseas](Download Link in Full Article)