First heard over at Okayplayer, this instrumental version of one of my all time favorite tracks made my heart flutter. I mean, I can feel the love all over this cover.
Hailing from Chicago’s Southside, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is made up of eight talented brothers who obviously have a great ear for classic sounds. Read more about their rich musical history here.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending one of the dopest hip hop shows my body has rocked to. The Do For Self Initiative hosted its first show of its 2012 concert series. According to the website:
“Do For Self is a community initiative aimed at promoting all humans to be self sufficient. Free from brain wash, and tyranny of the mind, and body. Applying the philosophy of “Every Option Every Variable” to every decision… I present direction – organized from each according to ability, to each according to need.” -GBK
Hosted by Methuzulah with special guest DJ Trackstar, with performances from the rhythmic collective Capacity Demo (DJs Illastrate, AmDex and DT, and flutist Rasheeda Ali), Tef Poe, Ekundayo, Gotta Be Karim, Clan Destined, Sha Stimuli, and Boog Brown, every act that hit the stage brought fire.
This showcase was what the culture of hip hop is all about: connectedness, vivid storytelling, self-sufficiency, and rhymes that move the crowd. If what went down at 529 is any indication of what Do For Self has in store, I would definitely recommend anyone in ATL to check out the next show. Check the website for any upcoming events.
New ATL duo FUPM, comprised of Bobby Creekwater and Stat Quo, dropped their new video “Alright, Alright.” If you’re not aware of these two, shame on you! Naw, if you don’t know, here’s your chance to step your shit up real quick. Bobby Creek and Stat have both been on the hip hop scene for a minute, both are former Shady Records label mates and both can ride a beat like nobody’s business. So it was only fitting that the two join forces and form FUPM (Fuck U, Pay Me).
Their new video, directed by Daniel Czernilofsky, is a laid back ride through the city with a nice lil’ cameo from Kendrick Lamar.
*sigh* It should be pretty clear that I’m crazy about this man. D’Angelo stops in Paris at Le Zenith and blesses the crowd with the undisputable fan favorite, “Untitled (How Does It Feel?)”. After watching this clip and hearing that soulful, passionate voice, I can definitively state, “It feels damn good.” Although his performance isn’t as steamy as the music video, the raw passion is still there. With just his piano and his vocals, it’s the closest we’ll get to appreciating D’Angelo’s stripped vulnerability (for now–hopefully).
Enjoy.
After many years of lingering anticipation, neo soul trailblazer D’Angelo has finally returned. And he’s showing up and showing out like he’s never left. R&B Jesus is currently touring 11 cities in Europe and, judging from the footage, KILLING each inch of the stage.
What I found below…jammin’. D’Angelo converts the classic “Brown Sugar” into a funked out jam session riddled in Prince/Morris Day & The Time-inspiration. I was about to hit “The Bird” and everythang.
I’m looking forward to when he makes it back to the States. I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been waiting for 12 years for the resurrection of R&B Soul.
This is one of my favorite tracks from Bilal’s 2010 release Airtight’s Revenge. I remember seeing him perform at Center Stage in Atlanta last year. Damn near had me boohooing in my seat. The release of this acoustic version of “Think It Over” is most definitely a treat. Bilal’s voice beckons you to close your eyes and crawl inside that memory that you once loved but may need to forget. A love lost. Le muhfuckin’ sigh.
Okayplayer has the drop on the exclusive audio from Bilal’s soulful, tear-inducing acoustic performance at Red Velvet Studio and will be releasing three more of these gems up until Valentine’s Day.
Enjoy. Try not to cry.
Image via Wikipedia
The idea of having an identity and a traceable history is a luxury that I have not been afforded. I have met people who have traced their lineage to the continent of Africa through centuries. To my own knowledge, the furthest my history goes are plantations in Southern Mississippi and sharecroppers in Lowndes County, Alabama. Although I believe there is much more to my family timeline, I am, nonetheless, proud of the legacy that has been shared with me.
Watching someone as influential in hip hop as Q-Tip talk about the little knowledge he has about his own ancestry astonishes me. This is a man who clearly expresses much pride and respect for the nations of Africa (word to the Zulu Nation) and surely has the resources to delve deeper into his lineage but only had an inclination of what his true past held. Fortunately, he teamed up with African Ancestry and okayafrica to trace his roots and discover where all that musical talent originates from.
Oh, and check out the video of Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots tracing their roots as well.
It’s been a minute since I’ve really dug a R&B/Pop singer. Admittedly, when I first heard Elle Varner’s “Only Wanna Give It To You”, I experienced a slight internal struggle, fighting the groove that this joint made me feel. Ok, I like her. She has these soulful undertones that belie her pop princess persona.
Before the release of her debut album, she’s dropped a very nice mixtape, Conversational Lush. With production from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Bei Maejor, Elle blends her take on soul and pop seamlessly. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Sooo, I just came across some fire and I have to share. Hailing from East London, the singer/songwriter A.L. croons melodically over classic beats from the late, great J Dilla. That’s right. This young lady was bold enough to hop on some Jay Dee productions and do her thang. Her style is slightly reminiscent of both members of Floetry. Yep, she gets her Floacist on, rhyming coolly as if Dilla designed those beats especially for her.
Personal stand out tracks are ”123456789″, taken from Q-Tip’s ”Let’s Ride” (a true banger, btw), and “The Urge”, which is an ode to a lady’s yearning for just a good ole fuck. But please believe, the whole EP is a smooth ride.
Click the cover art for the free download of ”The LB EP (The Laid Back EP)”.
