I've decided that I'm going to give the people a weekly dose of music that I find while scouring the internets. Some songs you may have heard most you haven't. For the first installment I'm going to present to you:
The Neighbourhood | West Coast
Tove Lo | Habits
AlunaGeorge | Your Drums, Your Love
Frankie Vado | Rap Ballad (Demo Mix)
With the release of My Name Is My Name Pusha releases the video for Sweet Serenade feat Chris Brown, 1 of my favorite tracks. Hopefully we get a video for 40 Acres feat The Dream soon.
Wu Tang Clan
By now most of us have heard if not the entire Drake album, at least the track he calls Wu Tang Forever. A lovely ballad in which The Wu is sampled but absolutely not represented in classic Wu fashion. When you hear the words Wu Tang Forever you probably think Protect Yo' Neck, C.R.E.A.M., Gravel Pit and so on, and not a well crafted love song by a part time singing part time rapping Canadian from Toronto and Degrassi fame. Drake could have easily just called the track It's Yours or shown an ode to the Wu in some other fashion, maybe getting Meth or Ghost on the track, but he didn't. Instead he named it Wu Tang Forever and gave us a ballad that makes me want to call up old flames and let them know it can still be theirs. If you're a Wu fan I have a treat for you. A mix I call Intro To The Wu available in the Downloads section. A well crafted mix of Wu favorites and tracks that any Wu fan will love but also a great mix for some of these new cats that might not be as familiar with the greatness that is Wu Tang.
When I first heard this song, I hated it. But then I said to myself; self listen to it again there's gotta be more to it. And like being dealt an Ace in Blackjack it hit me, Em is a fucking genius. I missed the subtle throws to Kid Rock, the classic Slim Shady feel, the obvious ode to the Beasties etc etc. Enjoy the video its dope as fuck.
Cuffin Season; a time of year when those who've been single for the summer are now looking for "relationships." For men it's usually trying to tie down a shorty who was highly sought after during the summer (usually his summer fling), in some cases she's unavailable for some reason and he ends up with plan B. For women it usually ends up being a bad decision on choosing the most popular guy who seems to be interested versus the guy she really digs but maybe friend zoned or is unavailable. Now Cuffin Season only exist to the foolish, real men & women need not be offended or take part. I personally do not believe in taking part of the fictitious season and never have & never will partake. But I've seen it happen oh so many a time.
That brings me to the mixtape. This is the 3rd installment and for the 1st time I'm going to break down the reasoning behind the tracks.
Tracks 1-4 are Phase 1, that feeling out period. The period where the attraction is mutual and interest are peaking. Strawberry Bubble Gum by Justin Timberlake is a flirty light hearted song, a perfect start to phase 1. The Way rmx by Ariana Grande ft Fabolous is definitely further into Phase 1 approaching Phase 2 when the cuffer & cuffie both feel like its real. Sadly they may be mistaken. Followed by Top of The World by Robin Thicke is full swing into the fling, things may not be official yet but they are getting serious fast. Burn by Ellie Goulding is when the heat is turned all the way up the holidays are approaching quickly and this may be the new person sitting at the family table.
This leads us to Phase 2 Seasonal Love by Sean Kingston feat Wale, all parties involved are a little a little cautious but it still makes sense to move ahead. Green by Ryan Leslie ft Fab & Tap Out by Rich Gang are just that raw lust, who cares what anyone thinks shit just got real for the all players involved.
Leading to Phase 3 and maybe the longest phase but represented the shortest on the tape this isn't the Valentine's Day mix the R&B is for February. Leading off this phase is Ariana Grande ft Big Sean this time with Right There, hear that infectious Crush On You sample? It is glorious. Hov & Bey are next up with Part II it's true part of Cuffin Season seems like the real deal and it'll never end.
Sadly this leads us into Phase 4 spear headed by Yeezus with Bound 2 it's almost a song itself about Cuffin Season it takes you through all of the emotions. Things start looking bad in Phase 4 there's ups and downs but it doesn't look repairable. This is where a Cuffin Season relationship and a real one differ parties involved aren't willing to give it 100% to fix it. But something keeps it going, Wanderlust by the Weeknd is perfect for this part. As is Love Hate Thing by Wale.
Phase 5 the final phase is lead by none other than the King of bad decisions Drake. His track record of making songs that make you do dumb things when you're drunk is impeccable. Hold On We're Going Home is this bad decision. One more miserable try at something that never really was. This is usually that post Valentine's Day relationship that's short lived. Which is followed by the depression of its over but maybe time will fix it, enter J Cole ft Jhene Aiko with Sparks Will Fly. Ending Cuffing Season is Big Sean again ft Jhene Aiko & Weezy with the bitter ballad, Beware. But it's ok, it is now the summer and you're free as a bird well for 3 months or so that is.
It's just not a mix of random songs you see it tells a tale that many fall into some willingly, some without a clue. Now I am not saying that Cuffin Season is the only season going on right now you may have found that person that may be your one or at least the right one for a long time. I wish everyone luck and hopefully My Funny Valentine 3 finds you all happy in February.
Head over to the Music section to check out the mix.
Trap Artist UZ
Trap Music, you may think I mean the glorious southern cocaine rap stylings of Young Jeezy, Pusha T, T.I. or even Rick Ross. But you'd be mistaken, now don't get me wrong I love cocaine rap music, but the Trap Music I speak of is a bit different. Imagine you take some Rap/HipHop, Pop, EDM, Drum & Bass, Jersey Club and mix it all up you'd start to get a feel for the music I speak of. Now Trap Music isn't for everyone, HipHop purist will hate it, because if it isn't boring 80's rap or super lyrical shit, they hate it (but that's a different discussion) House & Electronic purist will too hate it, it's just not always music to dance to. But plenty will love it. I stumbled upon it one day on YouTube and have been hooked ever since. I sneak Trap songs into my DJ sets as much as possible, particularly a remix of Justin Timberlakes Suit & Tie by Ta-Ku. Probably one of my favorite things about Trap Music is that the Artist/DJ's that make Trap Remixes do so to such a wide variety of songs. Whether your favorite Hov song, Rihanna's chart topping hits, Ellie Goulding or Lana Del Rey it seems like no artist is safe. Even Drake & Kanye have been given the Trap treatment.
Do yourself a favor, go give it a listen you may find some songs you will absolutely hate you may find some that you will definitely love. Break out of the Musical Box, the self imposed Exile to 1 Genre free your mind, take your ears on a journey. Infectious bass, tantalizing synths, orgasmic build ups and insane drops. How could you not give it a listen after that.
Here are a couple sites to help you in your journey (other than YouTube & Sound Cloud of course):
Run The Trap & Pigeons & Planes
Here are a few tracks I personally fools with:
No, no I'm not going to rap. But what I will do is delve into the Hip Hop culture for a minute. To hear Kendrick come off so brash and matter-of-factly when saying he's the best out now is great. The fact that he did it in the same breath of bigging up his peers is even better. Think back on the days that Tribe ran with the Native Tongues & Busta's verse came on Scenario, he shitted on his homies on their own track. Shortly after Busta blew up solo and made a career of murdering features. Em did it to Hov on Renegade. Hov did it to Bleek with Dear Summer. 50 to everyone on How To Rob, the list goes on. As a fan I can't wait for Wale, Pusha, Mac, Drake etc to step their game up and continue the rise of the current state of Hip Hop. The French, 2 Chainz & Juicy J ignorance is still entertaining and has its place just like the Wiz & Curren$y weed raps have their place but real rap is back and hopefully it stays a while. Until then I'm 1 part classic ish, 1 part new ish and 1 part everything else.
In the meanwhile check out this dope Eminem feat Liz Rodriguez track: Survival
Newest Castro Mix. Control ft Kendrick Lamar, Joe Budden, Los & Skylar Grey. Listen to it below, Download in the Music section.
Paradise Valley 8.20.13
Added a new mix to the Music section, Easy Like Sunday Morning , a wonderfully relaxing and chill mix with songs from classic artist such as Sam Cooke & The Spinners to new school crooners like The Weeknd & Frank Ocean. Perfect for brunch or just hanging out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon/morning. Here's the tracklist:
