More of the Hippity Hoppity

While i'm clearly addicted to instrumental beat music, i'm surprisingly middle of the road on actual rap music. As far as i'm concerned, the genre died an inglorious death sometime in the late/mid-90s and remained a steaming pile of nerf herding crap for the better part of the next ten years or so. Fortunately, there's been a genuine resurgence in the music as it seems to grow further away from the mainstream spotlight it secured 15 or so years ago. Sure, it's the crap that still sells, but for those in the know, it's the underground and offbeat stuff that's where it's at. What the hell was my point before this pseudo-tirade began? Oh yes, as luck would have it, a number of actually good rap numbers have made their way into ye olde inbox, so let's have at it, won't we?

i've remained purposefully mum on the new Kanye CD because, quite frankly, i don't think too highly of the guy. While i certainly don't need my artists to be picture perfect facsimiles of myself, i need to have some common ground to get into the music, and 'Ye is approaching Prince levels of weirdness. All that being said, this track, released a few weeks back during one of his Good Friday dumps, is a fucking beast, with guests including Bon Iver, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross. West's verses are better than average (call my misogynistic, but the lines "Have you ever had sex with a Pharaoh/I put the pussy in a sarcophagus/Now she claiming I bruise her esophagus/Head of the class and she just want a swallowship" crack me up) and Jay-Z's are lackluster, but Nicki Minaj absolutely steals the show on this one. i've been hearing certain folks call hers the verse of the year. While i still don't see the allure of her mixtapes and won't even bother with her debut, if she can go this strong here, she clearly has talent to spare. Now only if she'd show it elsewhere. Anyway, if you want to hear more about KW's latest epic affair, the infallible Passion of the Weiss dedicated enough column posts to the thing for a damn book. My final thought--it's the type of CD you listen to once, pull out a couple of tracks (maybe), and then never listen to again. Or maybe you like egregiously over-hyped epics that go on and on and on and on and on and on, etc.

mp3: Monster (ft. Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross & Bon Iver) (Kanye West from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy)

i'm glad that Damu the Fudgemunk is as good as he is, because with a name that excellent, there was no choice but for me to write about him. He just dropped his Supply for Demand a couple of weeks ago, and here's a taste. And would you look at that, it's ABOUT D.C. FROM A D.C. LOCAL ARTIST!!! Don't tell me LET is only for Nigerians and Estonians.

mp3: DC Joint (Ward 4 Version) (Damu the Fudgemunk from Supply for Demand)

While we're on the local front, here's another joint produced by Oddisee, this one fronted by Stik Figa. Seriously, i have got to get a rap name.

mp3: From the Top (Stik Figa and Oddisee from Helpless Dreamer)

For today's uplifting track, LET fave Emay takes on the persona of a white racist in an effort to show what hate sounds like. It's a powerful message and a dope tune, but it might have been funnier if he got Clayton Bigsby to spit a few verses.

mp3: Racist on Purpose (Emay from his Bandcamp)

And today's closer could be perhaps my favorite music story of the year. As would any good younger brother and best man , England's Prince Harry knew he was responsible for the bachelor party of all freaky royal bachelor parties for the elder and recently betrothed Prince William. To best accomplish his goal, Hal reached out to none other than Snoop Dogg. In Snoop's own words: “When I heard the royal family wanted to have me perform in celebration of Prince William’s marriage, I knew I had to give them a little something. ‘Wet’ is the perfect anthem for Prince William or any playa to get the club smoking.” In true Snoop fashion, he debuted the following at 4:20 pm. Now, while i'm normally not a fan of the heavily autotuned, i must admit, this one here has club anthem written all over it.

mp3: Wet (Snoop Dogg from upcoming Doggumentary Music)

Beat Meet: The Grown Folks, Younger Sister, Local, Remixed, Kills Less Porpoises Edition

Even (especially?) if it's a shortened week, gotta have a Beat Meet, right? This week's installment, for the most part, features a number of winner albums. Plus, we've got a couple of extra treats, too. Let's be honest, for our U.S. readers, you're going to need a soundtrack for the self-induced coma you're going to put yourself into come Turkey Day. Fortunately for you, this can be it.

i'm constantly bemoaning (bragging about?) the fact that we get a LOT of submissions here at LET. And as good a job as we try to do listening to everything, well, things are going to fall through the cracks, plain and simple. Sometimes, though, the Fates realize this will not stand. Such is the case with Durojaiye Versatile's The Fermented Sessions. When DV sent a follow-up email earlier asking what we thought of the album, i had to scramble, but i'm glad i took the time to listen the second time around. The wine label CD art pretty much sums up the experience--grown folks' grooves just right for a dinner party mentality. Don't be fooled into thinking this is NPR-approved, light stuff, though--while i'm sure they'd dig it, too, this is for beat heads.

mp3: Bree (Durojaiye Versatile from The Fermented Sessions)

If the Powers-That-Be had their way, we wouldn't be talking about Caroline here at the Beat Meet. The Mice Parade member and younger sister of J-Pop sensation Olivia Lufkin originally was signed as the next J-Popper sensation, but walked away from a huge contract to make the music she wanted to make. What we've got here is ethereal vocals over dreamy beats and occasional, crisp percussion. i calls 'em likes i sees 'em, and this is one to keep an ear open for when it drops on January 25, 2011.

mp3: Swimmer (Caroline from Verdugo Hills)

Oddisee is blowing up the world over, but as a Prince George's County native, well, we DC-area bloggers take special pride in this hometown talent. Were you a fan of his work with Trek Life on Everything Changed Nothing? Were you more interested in the grooves than the raps? Well, are you in luck today then, kiddo, as we've got the instrumentals here for your listening pleasure.

mp3: Ready to Live Instro (Oddisee from Everything Changed Nothing Instros)

mp3: Still Never Rains Instrumental (Oddisee from Everything Changed Nothing Instros)

Sure, that's all good and well, but where's your Glitch Mob fix? Well, i do happen to have the latest DJ Vadim remix of Fortune Days featuring Yarah Bravo & Pugs Atomz. So eat, eat, you jackals. When the album DownloadToDonate.org on January 12, 2011, all proceeds go towards Haiti relief programs, so enjoy this sample, and then do the right thing when the time comes.

mp3: Fortune Days (DJ Vadim RMX ft Yarah Bravo & Pugs Atomz) (The Glitch Mob from Drink The Sea - The Remixes Vol. 2)

And since it is a feast week for we fat assed Americans, what better way to close things out than with another Simple Recipe from our beloved Pro~Ef? Answer: there isn't one. Tell me i'm wrong when i tell you that all recipes are better when read over stellar beats. Can't do it, can you? Don't question your Uncle Terrible, kids. Just trust me on this one.

mp3: Dolphin Friendly Tuna Quesadilla (Pro~Ef from Simple Recipes Series)

A Terrible Week of Album Reviews: Mr. Saint Louis EP

As luck would have it, i've received and/or ferreted out a handful of full CDs worthy of review lately, so i think we may just have a Terrible Week of Album Reviews. Until i change my mind tomorrow, at least, at which point you can expect your continued coverage of largely obscure beat tunes, zombie songs and mixes about female masturbation.

i've been singing the praises of Oddisee for a minute now, and i'm guessing his latest project might just propel him a bit further into the spotlight, which clearly is a good thing. Teaming up with Olivier Daysoul (how pimp a name is that, by the by?), Oddisee set out to make a soul record and did a damn fine job doing so. The album boasts four tracks, with instrumental and acappella versions thrown in for good measure. Oh, and there's a remix featuring Von Pea. Rumors of his sweetness have yet to be confirmed as of this moment.

The record kicks off with the space groover, "In the Now." Daysoul's falsetto plays slinkily against Oddisee's funk shuffle here before the oohs and aahs jump start follow-up, "Labor." "Foolish" keeps the melody flowing, amping up the guitar and drums just enough to keep the vibe frisky without ever jerking the listener out of the established mood. "Just a Song" adds a touch more romance to the mix, playing out like a sould record should. The acappellas and instrumentals just go to show how talented each is individually, but the team-up is so nice, that probably went without saying. i also imagine it's going to make life that much easier for the inevitable slew of remixes.

i'm guessing that by the time i finish writing and posting this review it already will be far too late, but the first 1,000 downloads of the album are FREE before going to "Pay What You Want, You Cheap Motherfuckers," and since i've already got one myself, 999 of you best move your asses in a quickly manner and get you some.

mp3: In the Now (Olivier Daysoul produced by Oddisee from Mr. Saint Louis EP)

mp3: Just a Song Acappella (Olivier Daysoul produced by Oddisee from Mr. Saint Louis EP)

More Mixtape Madness

Obviously, the greatest mixtapes you're ever going to hear are put together here at LET, but it would be unfair of us not to give credit where credit is due when we come across winners from others (second place is respectable, too, folks, so good on ya', mate!).

While LET probably is never going to be your definitive source for outside mixtapes, you know we're going to hip you to the good stuff.

Believe it or not, Tri Angle Records has just dropped a Lindsay Lohan inspired mix. In their own words:

"Inspired in part by Lindsay Lohan’s grotesquely fascinating black hole existence and in part by my unwavering belief in the power of pop music as an artform, I saw an opportunity to create something interesting with her music, and decided to ask some friends to reinterpret some of Lindsay’s songs. 'Tri Angle Records Presents: Let Me Shine for You' is the result. Even though we are all fond of Lindsay in our own ways, there is no FREE LINDSAY agenda here. We all love pop music and this is merely an experiment. All of our intentions are very sincere."

While this simply could have been a joke, the tracks are surprisingly good. It certainly doesn't hurt that some top notch talent was assembled to add tracks. Think somewhere between drone and chill, but without wearing its panties in the limo while people stand around taking cellphone pictures.

mp3: I Can Try to Run (Stuck) (Babe Rainbow from Tri Angle Records presents: Let Me Shine For You)

mp3: Something I Never Had (Laurel Halo from Tri Angle Records presents: Let Me Shine For You)

While we've posted tracks sponsored by Red Bull before, clearly i was uninformed on just how into the music scene your favorite vodka mixer actually is. Seems that since 1998, they've been sponsoring a traveling music academy. Essentially, they set up an HQ for two fortnight-long terms in a different musical metropolis each year, pulling "together pioneers of days-gone-by and musical legends of tomorrow from all aspects of rhythm and sound." This years' 60 participants set up shop in London, resulting in a pretty damn kick ass 41-track mixtape, bringing together some of the biggest names in instrumental electronic music. Seriously, TokiMONSTA and Oddisee on the same track? Do not pass go without picking up this bad boy. Be forewarned, however, at least i had a bitch of a time extracting the files from the zip. With that in mind, here are a couple of tracks to prove it's worth the effort of figuring it out yourself.

mp3: River Song (J-Wow & Sui Zhen from Various Assets - Not For Sale - London 2010)

mp3: Jackin4beats pt. 4 (TokiMONSTA feat. Andreya Triana & Oddisee from Various Assets - Not For Sale - London 2010)

i've inadvertently been sitting on a mixtape from Alex Ludovico for so long now that's he's since put out another one. You might recognize AL from various mixes we've put together ourselves, but his own stuff tends to be pretty damn good by itself. Homeboy spits fiyah and tends to kick it over dope beats. Expect to hear more about and from this up and comer.

mp3: d.o.a. (Alex Ludovico from Winning/Losing)

And finally, we recently received an interesting, homemade mixtape coming in at a handful of tracks at under ten minutes. As fans of the DIY ethic, here's a nod of the cap to Alex Gladwell. Sure, the production is a bit rough, but we all have to start somewhere. Plus, i'm pretty much a sucker for any beat that heavily samples Disney. Snow White in the house, y'all!

mp3: Childhood (Alex Gladwell from For the Mixtape)

Today Was a Good Day For Free Hip-Hop Love

Any day that starts with an email from Project: Mooncircle, my now favorite hip-hop label, is bound to be a good one. Throw in a couple of free online bangers, and it's a damn fine day indeed. You're responsible for your own mash, though. There are decency laws some of us have to adhere to, after all.

Back to P:M, they've got a couple of new ones, both dropping on June 4. First up is Numaads' Now EP, a four track hip hop ride drenched in soul and R&B. Combining the melodious pipes of Esperanzah with the beat skills of Q4's Sense, the duo creates a sticky, smoke drenched soundscape. Think Alicia Keys, but with far better backing music. The album also has a couple of remixes by notables Robot Koch and J Rawls.

Secondliest, we have Joe Kickass' full length debut, Mind Joe. You might have caught Joe's Let Me Introduce EP earlier this year (also on P:M). Joe kicks it old skool, as you'll undoubtedly find for yourself. He's got some guests here, including Portformat, Arts the Beatdoctor and Killing Skills, but most of the CD, from raps to production, is all Joe. Pretty kick ass, indeed.

In what is quickly becoming my favorite new label "thing," P:M has put together some snippet "remixes" of the albums done so well they might as well be called "overview singles" and be done with it.

mp3: Now Snippet (Numaad from Now)

mp3: Mind Joe Snippet (Joe Kickass from Mind Joe)

Thirder and having nothing to do with P:M, local boy done good oddisee (not to be confused with this Odd I See; holy Toledo!) just dropped the latest in his free "Odd Seasons" series, the aptly named Odd Spring. You may recall i told you all to watch out for this up and comer when recently pimping Oscillations. The man is creating some dope beats, in a style all his own. When asked what the beat scene is like in DC, invariably answers revolve around the works of Thievery Corporation. If he keeps dropping dope bombs like this one, oddisee will deservedly be in the conversation, too, before much longer.

mp3: The Blooming (oddisee from Odd Spring)

mp3: Birds & Bees ft. Diamond District (oddisee from Odd Spring)

Speaking of having been mentioned here before, i've been sitting on this joint by Amanda Diva for some time now. i first came across her by way of the Kidz in the Hall, and i'm suppose i now owe those cats a thank you. The rest of you may have caught her donig anything from acting in the Nickelodeon series, My Brother and Me (when she was 12), VJ-ing on MTV2, hosting on SIRIUS' The Hip Hop Nation Show or droping knowledge on Def Poetry Jam. Clearly, i live a sheltered life compared to the rest of you, or, at the very least, Diva. When not painting, she is mastering her own brand of "hiptronicsoul" these days, a damn well named genre if ever i heard one. While it's clearly incorrect to call her a noob, i have a feeling her name will become a household name sooner rather than later. Particularly if you live in the House that Hip Hop Built. If you do, however, check the blueprints one more time. Hip Hop seldom takes the time to submit proper permitting requests, and you don't want that shit falling down on top of you.

mp3: Colorblind ft. Johnny Polygon (Amanda Diva from Spandex, Rhymes & Soul)

mp3: Little Things (Amanda Diva from Spandex, Rhymes & Soul)

Blog-on-Blog Love: Oscillations

i have to say, i'm a bit surprised i haven't been hearing more accolades concerning Oscilliations Parts 1 and 2, a couple of FREE mixtapes put out by fellow blogs Jus Like Music and Apple Juice Break. Between the two tapes, there's nearly two and a half hours of all sorts of craziness, "from hip-hop to electronica to neo-soul to dubstep and beyond." Thankfully, it's filled to the brim with all sorts of booty shaking goodness, from names spoken of here in the past, like Alex B, to players i have no doubt we'll be talking about more in the future, such as Oddisee and Kidkanevil (assuming the latter doesn't break every bone in his body in a terrible accident trying to jump 77 buses ON FIRE!!! Actually, scratch that, i'd totally write that kind of shit up, too). Honestly, the concern with anything this sizable is that the crap and filler outweigh the good stuff. Not so here. No matter where your tastes lie on the electronic music scale, you're bound to find something to tickle your fancy on this one. And who doesn't like a tickled fancy? Nobody. Not even your grandfather.

mp3: Paradise (Invisible Inc. from Jus Like Music & Apple Juice Break present: Oscillations Part 1)

mp3: Block (Broken Haze from Jus Like Music & Apple Juice Break present: Oscillations Part 1)

mp3: Murked (Alex B from Jus Like Music & Apple Juice Break present: Oscillations Part 2)

mp3: Zo0o0o0p!!! feat. Oddisee (Kidkanevil from Jus Like Music & Apple Juice Break present: Oscillations Part 2)