This year I get BlackStar!
I've seen Mos Def live and Talib Kweli live on separate occasions. I haven't been privileged to see them as BlackStar just yet. However, that'll soon be checked off my concert-going list. Gracing Seattle on (remember, remember) the 5th of November... Tickets go on sale starting this Friday, Sept. 30th at 10am and they're only, a splendidly priced, $35 a piece (plus applicable fees).
I am beyond excited for this one. I've been such an eager fan for such a long time, I'd be short of insanity if I passed this concert up.
My happy-ass is mad dashing to Showbox SoDo come my next payday. Unless... one of my lovely people would like to buy my ticket. I mean, it'd make just about the perfect birthday gift - something I would love at a reasonable price?! I'm just sayin'. ;)
Click here for more details and to purchase tickets online.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Hopie | Off Tonight
One of my favorite, independent, female MCs - Ms. Hopie Spitta - left me with anticipation all week. An upcoming release of the video for Off Tonight - one of the tracks from her latest, Dulce Vita.
Finally getting the chance amongst my morning turmoil to peep the video out, there's no surprise that I'm most pleased. In addition to the relatable and up-front lyrics - to add white lace leggings, dancing bears and a 1960's (timeframe) white Ford Mustang with the black top... Shut yo' mouth and partake in the sight & sound.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Finally getting the chance amongst my morning turmoil to peep the video out, there's no surprise that I'm most pleased. In addition to the relatable and up-front lyrics - to add white lace leggings, dancing bears and a 1960's (timeframe) white Ford Mustang with the black top... Shut yo' mouth and partake in the sight & sound.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Friday, July 8, 2011
Night Falls Tour
So last Tuesday I got an email/concert update from Showbox - I always skim these emails just to see who may be coming to perform in my city. Under the "Just Announced" section, I'm scrolling... Evaline? No... Cut Chemist? No... Young Jeezy?! Um, maybe... If it was 2005! Chromeo... Chromeo?! With Mayer Hawthorne & The County?! What?! WHAT?! I dang near jizzed in my panties. Not only is Chromeo one of my favorite duos but on tour with the Mayer?! It was like someone just told me I won the lottery in all 50 states! Oh the little things that (good) music does to me...
I quickly asked my usual concert buddies if they'd like to attend this phenomenal concert with me. My sister said no. Boo. But my bestie said YES! Hells yes! I think she may be just as, if not more, excited than I am because she went for the pre-sale. I didn't take that option because of the added fees that they get you with when buying tickets online and especially thru Ticketmaster. So I will be driving my happy ass down to the Showbox SoDo sometime next week to purchase my ticket at their box office - with their awesomely minimal $2 fee - my ticket shall remain under $30. Deals fo' reals! Especially to be most entertained by the magnificence which will exude from this particular tour. On October 10, 2011... Chromayer's about to rock my mu'fuckin' world!
More info and to buy tickets for the Night Falls Tour
(Mayer's take on Chromeo's Don't Turn The Lights On. Superb.)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
I quickly asked my usual concert buddies if they'd like to attend this phenomenal concert with me. My sister said no. Boo. But my bestie said YES! Hells yes! I think she may be just as, if not more, excited than I am because she went for the pre-sale. I didn't take that option because of the added fees that they get you with when buying tickets online and especially thru Ticketmaster. So I will be driving my happy ass down to the Showbox SoDo sometime next week to purchase my ticket at their box office - with their awesomely minimal $2 fee - my ticket shall remain under $30. Deals fo' reals! Especially to be most entertained by the magnificence which will exude from this particular tour. On October 10, 2011... Chromayer's about to rock my mu'fuckin' world!
More info and to buy tickets for the Night Falls Tour
(Mayer's take on Chromeo's Don't Turn The Lights On. Superb.)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Thursday, July 7, 2011
June 2011 re-cap: In my music world...
June 2, 2011 - The Hooligans In Wondaland Tour. Featuring Janelle Monae & Bruno Mars with Mayer Hawthorne opening. I went with my favorite gal pals and our dinner ran over so, unfortunately, we missed Mayer's opening performance. But we were just in time for Janelle Monae! 
And saying I got my life during her set is probably an understatement. I thoroughly enjoyed myself - singing and dancing along to every song she performed. Her performance was vibrant, feel-good & wondrous. I would likely detain all other life-happenings whenever, and every time, I get a chance to see her perform. She's that good and totally worth the continuous experience.
After her set, there was a slight intermission and I was standing in the lobby-type area waiting for part of my crew. I looked to my left and standing about 10ft away from me was none other than the great Mayer Hawthorne! I blinked twice and shook my head, nudged my bestie to look and tell me that she sees who I see. We looked at each other and began our approach. He was hanging with a couple of his band mates from The County and was only surrounded by a handful of fans waiting for autographs and pictures. While we excitedly waited for our turn, I mentally told myself to cool my jets and not to seem overzealous. As soon as it was clear, I slowly approached him and asked if we can take a pic with him.
After our group pic, I said my thanks and we walked away. But it wasn't over. My best friend REALLY wanted his autograph. So we approached him once more to ask him to sign our ticket stubs. This time, I sparked up a friendly conversation. And he has got to be one of the most chill & humble musicians ever. I quickly felt like I was speaking to one of my homeboys. We got our autographs and took one more pic then gleefully walked off. Thinking we were a safe distance away, as my best friend and I were talking about The County members that were with him, I playfully said, "Where's Topher?" - his guitarist that I've been (only slightly) crushing on since November of last year... But too bad we were still within earshot of MH & his people because they heard me! Ahaha! So embarrassing!
I skipped out on watching Bruno Mars perform, which is who more than half the people there wanted to see. Boo. Not that he's not a good singer but I'm just not a fan. But being able to see Janelle Monae (again) was totally worth going. And seeing, taking pictures & speaking with Mayer Hawthorne totally made up for missing his set. Totally. I am an adoring and committed fan and can't wait for the next time I'll be able to see either of them perform live.
*
June 17, 2011 - The Cud Life Tour. Oh if I had a dollar for all the skinny jean-wearing/can't-hold-their-liquor/don't-know-how-to-discreetly-smoke-their-weed teenagers that I saw at this concert, I woulda walked out a millionaire. Ok, maybe not a millionaire but I woulda likely left the concert with a ton of cash. But that didn't stop me from enjoying my first time seeing Kid Cudi perform live. His opener, Chip Tha Ripper, was excellent. His rhymes were real and to the point and his beats had me nostalgic - found myself back in 1994, turning up the gangsta beats blasting outta my older sister's Escort! If you're a fan of Cudi, you've gotta find yourself automatically a fan of Chip.
Cudi was simply out of this world. He took it back to his mix-tape days, of course did songs off of his two official studio albums and he even performed Kanye's All Of The Lights. And he had a live band with him. I can always appreciate a Hip Hop artist more when they come out with a live band as opposed to a DJ. The sound of a live band just makes the concert experience so much better.
During his set he spoke to the crowd, he drew energy from the crowd... And he made sure he gave as much back to the crowd as the crowd was giving him. It was a long set, which I also appreciated since a lot of artists now-a-days can likely seem too busy for their fans and either wanna be late or cut their set short... Cudi also brought Cage out to do Maniac as well as let him perform one of his own songs, I Never Knew You. The song was kinda depressing but that's him and I can dig it. And Cudi also brought Chip Tha Ripper back out to do a few of their songs together. And when they did All Talk... Oh it was over for me! I was feeling myself during that song just about as much as Cudi felt himself during his whole set! Ahaha!
Oh and did I mention I was fighting a mean and nasty cold that decided it wanted to germ me up just the day before the concert?! But I missed Cudi the last time he was in Seattle and I told myself, "Even if my sister and best friend have to wheel-chair my ass up into this concert... I'ma see Kid Cudi!" Nothing was gonna stop me. Seattle coulda been in the middle of a natural disaster and I still woulda went! So fuck a cold-germ! I took my DayQuil and light-headedly skipped my ass into that venue! Ahaha!
Overall, The Cud Life Tour gave me just that... life! Probably one of the better concerts put in my concert-going history book. I had an absolutely great time, stumbling teenagers and snot coming up out my nose and all.
P.S. Kid Cudi also mentioned a short-film that he'll be releasing this October, featuring Cage and directed by Shia Labeouf, entitled (what else?)... Maniac.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
And saying I got my life during her set is probably an understatement. I thoroughly enjoyed myself - singing and dancing along to every song she performed. Her performance was vibrant, feel-good & wondrous. I would likely detain all other life-happenings whenever, and every time, I get a chance to see her perform. She's that good and totally worth the continuous experience.After her set, there was a slight intermission and I was standing in the lobby-type area waiting for part of my crew. I looked to my left and standing about 10ft away from me was none other than the great Mayer Hawthorne! I blinked twice and shook my head, nudged my bestie to look and tell me that she sees who I see. We looked at each other and began our approach. He was hanging with a couple of his band mates from The County and was only surrounded by a handful of fans waiting for autographs and pictures. While we excitedly waited for our turn, I mentally told myself to cool my jets and not to seem overzealous. As soon as it was clear, I slowly approached him and asked if we can take a pic with him.
After our group pic, I said my thanks and we walked away. But it wasn't over. My best friend REALLY wanted his autograph. So we approached him once more to ask him to sign our ticket stubs. This time, I sparked up a friendly conversation. And he has got to be one of the most chill & humble musicians ever. I quickly felt like I was speaking to one of my homeboys. We got our autographs and took one more pic then gleefully walked off. Thinking we were a safe distance away, as my best friend and I were talking about The County members that were with him, I playfully said, "Where's Topher?" - his guitarist that I've been (only slightly) crushing on since November of last year... But too bad we were still within earshot of MH & his people because they heard me! Ahaha! So embarrassing!I skipped out on watching Bruno Mars perform, which is who more than half the people there wanted to see. Boo. Not that he's not a good singer but I'm just not a fan. But being able to see Janelle Monae (again) was totally worth going. And seeing, taking pictures & speaking with Mayer Hawthorne totally made up for missing his set. Totally. I am an adoring and committed fan and can't wait for the next time I'll be able to see either of them perform live.
*
June 17, 2011 - The Cud Life Tour. Oh if I had a dollar for all the skinny jean-wearing/can't-hold-their-liquor/don't-know-how-to-discreetly-smoke-their-weed teenagers that I saw at this concert, I woulda walked out a millionaire. Ok, maybe not a millionaire but I woulda likely left the concert with a ton of cash. But that didn't stop me from enjoying my first time seeing Kid Cudi perform live. His opener, Chip Tha Ripper, was excellent. His rhymes were real and to the point and his beats had me nostalgic - found myself back in 1994, turning up the gangsta beats blasting outta my older sister's Escort! If you're a fan of Cudi, you've gotta find yourself automatically a fan of Chip.
Cudi was simply out of this world. He took it back to his mix-tape days, of course did songs off of his two official studio albums and he even performed Kanye's All Of The Lights. And he had a live band with him. I can always appreciate a Hip Hop artist more when they come out with a live band as opposed to a DJ. The sound of a live band just makes the concert experience so much better.
During his set he spoke to the crowd, he drew energy from the crowd... And he made sure he gave as much back to the crowd as the crowd was giving him. It was a long set, which I also appreciated since a lot of artists now-a-days can likely seem too busy for their fans and either wanna be late or cut their set short... Cudi also brought Cage out to do Maniac as well as let him perform one of his own songs, I Never Knew You. The song was kinda depressing but that's him and I can dig it. And Cudi also brought Chip Tha Ripper back out to do a few of their songs together. And when they did All Talk... Oh it was over for me! I was feeling myself during that song just about as much as Cudi felt himself during his whole set! Ahaha!Oh and did I mention I was fighting a mean and nasty cold that decided it wanted to germ me up just the day before the concert?! But I missed Cudi the last time he was in Seattle and I told myself, "Even if my sister and best friend have to wheel-chair my ass up into this concert... I'ma see Kid Cudi!" Nothing was gonna stop me. Seattle coulda been in the middle of a natural disaster and I still woulda went! So fuck a cold-germ! I took my DayQuil and light-headedly skipped my ass into that venue! Ahaha!
Overall, The Cud Life Tour gave me just that... life! Probably one of the better concerts put in my concert-going history book. I had an absolutely great time, stumbling teenagers and snot coming up out my nose and all.
P.S. Kid Cudi also mentioned a short-film that he'll be releasing this October, featuring Cage and directed by Shia Labeouf, entitled (what else?)... Maniac.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Friday, May 27, 2011
Century ft Ayo | Heaven
Within constant disappointment in my city's local Hip Hop acts, I drew a refreshingly light breathe when I came across the locality of another genre - back to the goodness of R&B...
Century, a friend whom I've casually known the past few years, has recently dropped a new video. Without a clue that he was even pursuing music, I was pleasantly surprised. The video was shot excellently and the song draws definite attraction.
I may not be much of a fan of Seattle's Hip Hop but I can definitely get used to the possibilities that lounge within Seattle's R&B...
(Keep doing what you do Trey!)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Century, a friend whom I've casually known the past few years, has recently dropped a new video. Without a clue that he was even pursuing music, I was pleasantly surprised. The video was shot excellently and the song draws definite attraction.
I may not be much of a fan of Seattle's Hip Hop but I can definitely get used to the possibilities that lounge within Seattle's R&B...
(Keep doing what you do Trey!)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Mayer Hawthorne | Impressions
My fellow MH lovers... DO NOT HESITATE! Rolling Stone & Mayer Hawthorne are offering his first EP cover album for free! Yup! You read me right. FREE!
And just when I thought I couldn't adore him as an artist anymore... Can't get any better than MH covering some classics as well as some newer song selections, putting his own signature Mayerful twist to them. Or on second thought, it probably could get better. We're talking about Mayer Hawthorne here. It will always get better. Mm. God love him.
Click the link below to read the Rolling Stone article and get to the link for your free download...
MH | Impressions | the covers EP
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
And just when I thought I couldn't adore him as an artist anymore... Can't get any better than MH covering some classics as well as some newer song selections, putting his own signature Mayerful twist to them. Or on second thought, it probably could get better. We're talking about Mayer Hawthorne here. It will always get better. Mm. God love him.
Click the link below to read the Rolling Stone article and get to the link for your free download...
MH | Impressions | the covers EP
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Rocky Rivera ft Raka Dun | Girl Like Me
Feeling the reggae-vibe (and that pink lipstick ;) off of Ms. Rocky Rivera's latest video. Takes me back to 2002/2003 - up in the club, dancing like I was straight outta a Sean Paul video. And can't beat checkin' out Raka Dun's kinda cute ass. Not sayin' he's hella hella fine but I'd let him..... Lordamercy.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday... Earth Day... Be Still Young Heart Day...
Just as I posted a shout-out to my fellow musichead/cousin on my Twitter/Facebook, I see a post from Big Boi. The official video for Be Still is finally complete. Although I love the song, the video didn't exactly excite me. With a make believe comic backdrop, constant transitions and... 'Daddy Fat Saxxx' cheerleaders?! For the seemingly laid back song Be Still is, what's the significance of the cheerleaders?! They're rhythmically horrible and simply unappealing. Now I'm sure Big Boi had some kinda vision for the video of this song but I can't seem to find the relevance. But I guess that's the art of being a musician - or any kind of artist for that matter - you don't really have to make sense to your audience as long as it makes sense to you. And it never hurts to get a little Big Boi & Janelle Monae in your life. Even if the video's not spectacular, the song still is.
Click on the link below to watch the video:
Big Boi ft Janelle Monae | Be Still
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Click on the link below to watch the video:
Big Boi ft Janelle Monae | Be Still
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Where the B.U. at?!
Back in HIGH school, my friends and I shortly (for one night) merged our clique with an outside clique. These girls, although fun, seemed to have a trademark saying that night, or rather one particular girl... "Where the B.U. at?!". Perhaps my clique was still undisclosed to the likes of slang outside of our hood but we quickly understood what it meant... Where the BUD at? The ganja... The cheeba... The chronic... The buddha... The reefer... The pot... The green... Although we never clarified with the girl, what "B.U." literally stood for - as long as we knew what she was talking about, we were ready to hot box.
So today is 4/20... Now how did 4/20 become our nation's unofficial weed holiday? I bet most of you don't even know. Well, for you, I googled... ;)
"420, 4:20 or 4/20 (pronounced four-twenty) refers to consumption of cannabis and, by extension, a way to identify oneself with cannabis subculture. The notable day for these is April 20.
The term was allegedly coined by a group of teenagers in San Rafael, California in 1971. Calling themselves the Waldos, because "their chosen hang-out spot was a wall outside the school," the group first used the term in connection to a fall 1971 plan to search for an abandoned cannabis crop that they had learned about. The Waldos designated the Louis Pasteur statue on the grounds of San Rafael High School as their meeting place, and 4:20 p.m. as their meeting time. The Waldos referred to this plan with the phrase "4:20 Louis". Multiple failed attempts to find the crop eventually shortened their phrase to simply "4:20", which ultimately evolved into a codeword the teens used to mean pot-smoking in general."
So now feeling a bit more educated on this fine, green-smoking day, light it up my friends. And for you, I provide not only a tidbit of a reefer history lesson but some marijuana specific tunes - to add loveliness to the haze...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
So today is 4/20... Now how did 4/20 become our nation's unofficial weed holiday? I bet most of you don't even know. Well, for you, I googled... ;)
"420, 4:20 or 4/20 (pronounced four-twenty) refers to consumption of cannabis and, by extension, a way to identify oneself with cannabis subculture. The notable day for these is April 20.
The term was allegedly coined by a group of teenagers in San Rafael, California in 1971. Calling themselves the Waldos, because "their chosen hang-out spot was a wall outside the school," the group first used the term in connection to a fall 1971 plan to search for an abandoned cannabis crop that they had learned about. The Waldos designated the Louis Pasteur statue on the grounds of San Rafael High School as their meeting place, and 4:20 p.m. as their meeting time. The Waldos referred to this plan with the phrase "4:20 Louis". Multiple failed attempts to find the crop eventually shortened their phrase to simply "4:20", which ultimately evolved into a codeword the teens used to mean pot-smoking in general."
So now feeling a bit more educated on this fine, green-smoking day, light it up my friends. And for you, I provide not only a tidbit of a reefer history lesson but some marijuana specific tunes - to add loveliness to the haze...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
I Find It Hard to... Pay?! (Rebel)
Lauryn Hill is gracing Seattle with her presence on May 22, 2011. But $65/ticket?! Come on now. I mean, I'm just as much a Lauryn-fan as the next and maybe I woulda paid that much during her miseducated days. But $65?! Am I just being frugal? Ok... I'm sure she'll bring satisfaction to her audience the way I know that she can but, for one, the concert's at The Showbox SoDo, not quite the sparkly venue (not to mention I've never paid over $40 to attend a concert at The Showbox). And secondly, unless she's gonna come out doing some Erykah Badu-type-shit (if you've ever seen Ms. Badu perform live, you know what I'm talkin' about...), the ticket price has me thinking that I'll pass.
Besides I saw her in concert back in 2002 and was delighted yet disappointed - she was rudely dope. Rude by her audience & stage crew but dope in her song-selection & performance. So notioning to pass on seeing her again doesn't have me too questionable as she's already an archive in my concert life.
But if anyone does go see her, lemme know how she was - if I may have missed out or if I didn't really miss anything at all...
Event details & tickets
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Besides I saw her in concert back in 2002 and was delighted yet disappointed - she was rudely dope. Rude by her audience & stage crew but dope in her song-selection & performance. So notioning to pass on seeing her again doesn't have me too questionable as she's already an archive in my concert life.
But if anyone does go see her, lemme know how she was - if I may have missed out or if I didn't really miss anything at all...
Event details & tickets
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Hopie Spitshard | Be A Lady
Cattiness and hear-say amongst your feline peers is a given. With those closest - and not so close - to you, you have to know that one day, someday, it's not gonna be all sugar & spice. I've known it all. The sweetness, gossip and mischief... Sister-sibling rivalry, best friend bitterness and cliche clique spats over the littlest things...
Hopie Spitshard has easily become one of my new favorites. No muss or fuss and you get exactly what you ask for. And her latest video reassures you of her appeal & relativity, just in case you otherwise have decided to forget... How to be a lady, that is. ;)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Hopie Spitshard has easily become one of my new favorites. No muss or fuss and you get exactly what you ask for. And her latest video reassures you of her appeal & relativity, just in case you otherwise have decided to forget... How to be a lady, that is. ;)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Break out your skinny jeans and your blunts...
...Seattle.
Mr. Rager is headed our way once again.
Not missing this for anything. Especially since I missed him the last time he was in Seattle (wanna come during the holiday season and all, with my broke-ass...).
I am utterly exuberated by the month of June this year. In concert. I get to see Janelle Monae & Mayer Hawthorne, again, and I get to (finally) see Kid Cudi.
Within the circular that is my concert world, I think the minuscule gap that cohabitates with the rest of my fave artists that I've already seen all-the-way live is getting smaller. Perhaps even just about sealed.
Come June 17th... My mojo is about to get slightly doper.
Buy tickets here...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Mr. Rager is headed our way once again.
Not missing this for anything. Especially since I missed him the last time he was in Seattle (wanna come during the holiday season and all, with my broke-ass...).
I am utterly exuberated by the month of June this year. In concert. I get to see Janelle Monae & Mayer Hawthorne, again, and I get to (finally) see Kid Cudi.
Within the circular that is my concert world, I think the minuscule gap that cohabitates with the rest of my fave artists that I've already seen all-the-way live is getting smaller. Perhaps even just about sealed.
Come June 17th... My mojo is about to get slightly doper.
Buy tickets here...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
RIP Nate Dogg...
Flooding my Twitter last night were a bunch of tweets about Nate Dogg's death. The internet couldn't keep up fast enough as nothing was available on Google quite yet. Then a retweet by Big Boi & Mayer Hawthorne via Daz Dillinger (likely a reliable source) stating a "RIP Nate Dogg" made true what everyone thought could be a rumor.
Nate Dogg at the young age of 41 was deceased. His death seemed inevitable having already suffered 2 strokes, 1 in 2007 and the other in 2008. He was said to have been in rehabilitation ever since.
You regulate on higher turf now and suffer no longer, Nate Dogg. Rest in peace...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Nate Dogg at the young age of 41 was deceased. His death seemed inevitable having already suffered 2 strokes, 1 in 2007 and the other in 2008. He was said to have been in rehabilitation ever since.
You regulate on higher turf now and suffer no longer, Nate Dogg. Rest in peace...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Friday, March 11, 2011
Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
Oh how I waited and waited in anticipation for this album. Twitter was no kinda good to me, following Lupe Fiasco, and all the talk of Lasers - by him and fans alike. I told myself that I wasn't gonna download it before it's official release date, since y'all know as much as I that sometimes leaked tracks don't sound as good as the original. So finally came March 8th and I happily made my purchase...
Undoubtedly a lovely piece of work. Lupe has seemingly become one of those artists that only get better as their musical life progresses. With a signature Lupe sound, I do believe his creativity has garnered a level up. Some tracks, melancholy and others brighter, I enjoyed just about every song on this album. And after one listen, I already had my favorites.
A long way from Kick Push, Lupe can't leave us losers just yet. Here for him as much as he's stuck around to stay here for us. Even if it might've been by contract. Either way, we'll always love Lupe.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Undoubtedly a lovely piece of work. Lupe has seemingly become one of those artists that only get better as their musical life progresses. With a signature Lupe sound, I do believe his creativity has garnered a level up. Some tracks, melancholy and others brighter, I enjoyed just about every song on this album. And after one listen, I already had my favorites.
A long way from Kick Push, Lupe can't leave us losers just yet. Here for him as much as he's stuck around to stay here for us. Even if it might've been by contract. Either way, we'll always love Lupe.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Rocky Rivera
And just 24 hours after I was intro'd to Hopie Spitshard, my cousin intro'd me to Rocky Rivera (AKA EyeASage).
I know I may be a bit late with this one - rather both of them - but better late than never.
A female, powerhouse MC with a laid back rhyming voice. Carrying many a similarity to Hopie (looks, female, Filipina, MC, Bay Area...) may be a coincidence but safe to say that the production of this particular brand of independent artist is broadening. (Let me find a 3rd one... I might have to see wassup with the water system in the Bay.)
Rocky Rivera appears to me, a little more seasoned and definitely not an undergraduate to the technique. The wife of Bambu - perhaps the musicality derived from likelihood, or life in general, is what brings her around so rough yet gallant. Her sound stages as tough, the sex is a bit more showcased and the bright-eyes are swept under the rug.
She's dope. The pretty pretty holds unnecessary. She seems a lil too street for a whirly girl moniker. But holds it down just the same.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
I know I may be a bit late with this one - rather both of them - but better late than never.
A female, powerhouse MC with a laid back rhyming voice. Carrying many a similarity to Hopie (looks, female, Filipina, MC, Bay Area...) may be a coincidence but safe to say that the production of this particular brand of independent artist is broadening. (Let me find a 3rd one... I might have to see wassup with the water system in the Bay.)
Rocky Rivera appears to me, a little more seasoned and definitely not an undergraduate to the technique. The wife of Bambu - perhaps the musicality derived from likelihood, or life in general, is what brings her around so rough yet gallant. Her sound stages as tough, the sex is a bit more showcased and the bright-eyes are swept under the rug.
She's dope. The pretty pretty holds unnecessary. She seems a lil too street for a whirly girl moniker. But holds it down just the same.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Hopie Spitshard
No... That's not a porno name. Stop it. Even though that, too, was my initial thought. Shhhh... Ahaha! If you happened to initially think that as well, yeah, we here. ;)
Hopie Spitshard is actually the name of an independent, female, Filipina, Hip Hop artist who hails outta the Bay Area. My musical "boss"/cousin/fellow Hip Hop lover was the one who intro'd me to her.
Her sound is unique and hard. She's sweet but doesn't sell her sex. Her voice is cute but not annoying. An obvious pretty girl with a definitive style, an edge for the microphone and stance of purpose in an otherwise man's (Hip Hop) world.
And not only is she a lil hardcore, 90's-esque, underground MC... she's also a lil Josie College. Recently having taken a 2 year hiatus from her music to complete law school. As if you couldn't love her any more... Beauty got brains too.
In emails with my cousin, I kept describing her as pretty pretty dope. Double pretty for a double talent.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Hopie Spitshard is actually the name of an independent, female, Filipina, Hip Hop artist who hails outta the Bay Area. My musical "boss"/cousin/fellow Hip Hop lover was the one who intro'd me to her.
Her sound is unique and hard. She's sweet but doesn't sell her sex. Her voice is cute but not annoying. An obvious pretty girl with a definitive style, an edge for the microphone and stance of purpose in an otherwise man's (Hip Hop) world.
And not only is she a lil hardcore, 90's-esque, underground MC... she's also a lil Josie College. Recently having taken a 2 year hiatus from her music to complete law school. As if you couldn't love her any more... Beauty got brains too.
In emails with my cousin, I kept describing her as pretty pretty dope. Double pretty for a double talent.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Money Making Jam Boys/Bitch!/They not playin'...
Black Thought not playin'
Dice Raw not playin'
Truck North not playin'
P.O.R.N. not playin'
S.T.S. not playin'
Their mixtape, The Prestige: Jam Boy Music, was released in early February and is the kinda stuff that makes me further appreciate what's underground. Already a long-time lover of The Roots, I was put in lust with the fact that Black Thought is a composite in MMJB. Then having the rest of the group consisting of artists that are frequently featured in numerous Roots tracks, made this album automatic in my musical life.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Dice Raw not playin'
Truck North not playin'
P.O.R.N. not playin'
S.T.S. not playin'
Their mixtape, The Prestige: Jam Boy Music, was released in early February and is the kinda stuff that makes me further appreciate what's underground. Already a long-time lover of The Roots, I was put in lust with the fact that Black Thought is a composite in MMJB. Then having the rest of the group consisting of artists that are frequently featured in numerous Roots tracks, made this album automatic in my musical life.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Friday, March 4, 2011
Marsha Ambrosius - Late Nights And Early Mornings
The songstress half of Floetry - at first I didn't even recognize her on her album cover! Marsha Ambrosius is lookin' kinda hot. And she definitely didn't leave the heat with just her new look... Although the song selection hasn't veered much from some of the more popular Floetry songs, most still engulfed in the desire and passion of love, I can't even be mad at her solo debut. Listening to her album had me nostalgic, remembering the times when I cared a little less about life and dove into the deep end of passion. At some instances it even made me wanna creep under my sheets, both by myself and with someone. I replayed almost every deep memory I've had, with every memorable lover I've been entangled with. This album encouraged me to think pleasantly, speak warmly and do passionately. Cheers Ms. Ambrosius. Cheers.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Not my jam... Do not turn it up...
I like the Kardashians. I really do... As reality stars.
Via Kim Kardashian's Facebook & Twitter I've been so eagerly notified that the beloved Miss Kim K. has delved into the music arena. Premiering her debut single this morning on the Ryan Seacrest radio show. Now I ain't entirely mad, as she mentions that a portion of the proceeds from her single will be going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, but on another note it's horrid. Just like all other wanna-be music artists who either know somebody that knows somebody and/or has a whole lotta money, they wanna have the power to do something different and then falsify it by calling it a dream. Insulting the truly artistic and talented likes of real music artists that live and breathe and put their heart, foot, ass and soul into their work. Perhaps that's why I usually despise the masses of mainstream and commercialism because it's all about the sale and rarely ever about the talent. And this is very well the case with Miss Kim's single. But again, I'm not entirely mad knowing where some of the proceeds will be going...
So I put this in the pile of music trash that I continue to create. Along with Drake's eyebrows and Lil Wayne's chompers... JLo's vocals, sober MJB and sensitive Keyshia Cole... But if you're intrigued to still give it a listen and make your own judgement, here you go:
Kim Kardashian song premiere - Jam (Turn It Up)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Via Kim Kardashian's Facebook & Twitter I've been so eagerly notified that the beloved Miss Kim K. has delved into the music arena. Premiering her debut single this morning on the Ryan Seacrest radio show. Now I ain't entirely mad, as she mentions that a portion of the proceeds from her single will be going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, but on another note it's horrid. Just like all other wanna-be music artists who either know somebody that knows somebody and/or has a whole lotta money, they wanna have the power to do something different and then falsify it by calling it a dream. Insulting the truly artistic and talented likes of real music artists that live and breathe and put their heart, foot, ass and soul into their work. Perhaps that's why I usually despise the masses of mainstream and commercialism because it's all about the sale and rarely ever about the talent. And this is very well the case with Miss Kim's single. But again, I'm not entirely mad knowing where some of the proceeds will be going...
So I put this in the pile of music trash that I continue to create. Along with Drake's eyebrows and Lil Wayne's chompers... JLo's vocals, sober MJB and sensitive Keyshia Cole... But if you're intrigued to still give it a listen and make your own judgement, here you go:
Kim Kardashian song premiere - Jam (Turn It Up)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Monday, February 28, 2011
Adele - 21
Finally getting around to downloading Talib Kweli's Gutter Rainbows, I did my usual check of new music that I may be interested in. Nothing except for Miss Adele. Her latest album, 21, controls a more melancholy and adult Adele and I can't help but grasp her album in my hand and muse it for my ears. It's powerful, passionate and mad. Miss Adele kicked it up a notch. Her 1st album was good, this as her 2nd album being even better, I look extremely forward to her 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Hooligans In Wondaland
Last week, a cousin of mine posted a flyer on Facebook displaying a tour with Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae, featuring Plan B (5/4-5/30) and Mayer Hawthorne & The County (6/2-6/15). I became beside myself. Immediately flashing back to November 2010 and how tinged I was from seeing MH & The County live at Neumos. Then to August 2008 and how fascinated I was from seeing Janelle Monae live at Nectar... Although no dates were on this flyer, I also became antsy - "What if they're not coming to Seattle? Or what if they are but not on a date that they'll be with MH?!", I frantically Googled. And to my satisfaction... The Hooligans In Wondaland tour was landing in my beautiful city of Seattle on June 2nd, the very day MH & The County will start touring with them. Oh my heart was aflutter.
And again, thanks to the marvelousness of tweeting and my eagerness towards following Janelle Monae, presale tickets became available for purchase via her website (as well as Bruno Mar's website). I jumped on it like a prisoner jumps on some panini after years of lock-up and quickly bought 2 tickets.
If you're devoted fans, as I am, to either Janelle Monae or Mayer Hawthorne and have yet an opportunity to see either of them perform live, this concert should be a must. And yeah, even Bruno Mars fans... get it in... (LoL! Can you tell I can do w/o Bruno Mars?!)
General public sale begins Saturday, February 26 through Ticketmaster. Click here to preview and/or get your tix thereafter.
Or you can also check if presale tix are still available via Janelle Monae's website: http://tixx1.artistarena.com/janellemonae/
I am extremely ready to Errol Flynn Tightrope Tip. Yeah, that's that newnew dance. Y'all ain't even knowing. ;)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
And again, thanks to the marvelousness of tweeting and my eagerness towards following Janelle Monae, presale tickets became available for purchase via her website (as well as Bruno Mar's website). I jumped on it like a prisoner jumps on some panini after years of lock-up and quickly bought 2 tickets.
If you're devoted fans, as I am, to either Janelle Monae or Mayer Hawthorne and have yet an opportunity to see either of them perform live, this concert should be a must. And yeah, even Bruno Mars fans... get it in... (LoL! Can you tell I can do w/o Bruno Mars?!)
General public sale begins Saturday, February 26 through Ticketmaster. Click here to preview and/or get your tix thereafter.
Or you can also check if presale tix are still available via Janelle Monae's website: http://tixx1.artistarena.com/janellemonae/
I am extremely ready to Errol Flynn Tightrope Tip. Yeah, that's that newnew dance. Y'all ain't even knowing. ;)
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
GHOST!
Days before I was recommended to watch The Radiant Child (a documentary about artist Jean-Michel Basquiat), I saw a post of Kid Cudi's video GHOST! Familiar with Basquiat, it never dawned on me how much Cudi and Basquiat look alike and after watching The Radiant Child, how much their personalities may have similarities as well. It kinda gave me shivers at how eerie it was.
So if you have time, do check out the documentary, The Radiant Child, or even the movie, Downtown 81. And in the meantime, check out this unofficial video for Cudi's GHOST! featuring Basquiat...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
So if you have time, do check out the documentary, The Radiant Child, or even the movie, Downtown 81. And in the meantime, check out this unofficial video for Cudi's GHOST! featuring Basquiat...
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Extra bright/I want y'all to see this...
For some reason, Rihanna featured in Kanye songs/videos works for me. I normally don't like her any other time. Featured in any other artists music or even her own music. But just like in "Paranoid", it just works....
Watch this video sober. Unless you're never sober than watch it as you are. Just remember the key word is "lights". Don't get mad if your pupils go into hyperdrive.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Watch this video sober. Unless you're never sober than watch it as you are. Just remember the key word is "lights". Don't get mad if your pupils go into hyperdrive.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Well hello, Chromeo...
Being a kid born into the 80's (1979 to be exact), I took on a lot of what the 80's had to offer. From it's sitcoms & movies to it's clothing, hairstyles & make-up. So I love how within the past few years the lovely trends of the 80's made a slow & sweeping comeback. Although some of the 80's fantastic trends shoulda very well stayed in the 80's, one thing that I'm most pleased about that made a cameo into our modern day are the sounds... That funky, electronic revival heard in some artists beats like Gordon Voidwell & Peaches. Most recently I was introduced to a duo called Chromeo, by none other than my fellow Vegas musichead/cousin ;)
I immediately dug their sound. Made me wanna put on some white 1-inch heels, a jean skirt, sheer black nylons and tie my hair to the side with a teal scrunchy, teased to high-heaven! Not that I ever wore that kinda outfit or anything... ;)
So all those within my age category (or not, all are welcome), let's have an audio flashback shall we?
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
I immediately dug their sound. Made me wanna put on some white 1-inch heels, a jean skirt, sheer black nylons and tie my hair to the side with a teal scrunchy, teased to high-heaven! Not that I ever wore that kinda outfit or anything... ;)
So all those within my age category (or not, all are welcome), let's have an audio flashback shall we?
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Close your eyes. Are you extremely relaxed? Now count backwards starting with 10...
It was a $20 and under Christmas this year and my lovely lil sis totally listened to my Christmas list. As I was opening my gift(s) from her... set aside Grown Ups... set aside The Tell-Tale Heart... it was like it illuminated... N*E*R*D - Nothing. Been playing in my deck ever since. Although I woulda liked a couple more tracks on the album, it's still well worth the buy. Signature N*E*R*D sounds, signature Pharrell lyrics & vocals... And not a thing wrong with that. If it ain't broke, ain't gotta fix it.
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
Listen well
Be swell
And remember half the time I really 'Don't Give a Shit'
XO
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