Travis Barker sure loves his all-star Hip Hop line ups. Here’s the title track off his Give a Drummer Some LP featuring Game, Lil’ Wayne, Rick Ross & Swizz Beatz. No point in mentioning those drums, is there? Nah, didn’t think so.
Semtex talks to Nicki Minaj about the fame she’s acquired, her fans, her collaboration with Drake, the new album (she breaks down her top 5 tracks from it), her ‘Monster’ verse and how she first met Lil’ Wayne and became a member of Young Money.
Sumit over at the HHC sat down with A Tribe Called Quest x Lucy Pearl member Ali Shaheed in London last night while he was getting ready for an event he was DJ’ing at. The two discuss a range of things including that very special ‘ATCQ sound’, memorable moments, as well as his thoughts on the forthcoming (and somewhat controversial) documentary based on the band. Hit the play button to see what’s up…
It is Monday already? No, don’t worry – you’re good, the weekend hasn’t disappeared just yet. Something about busy schedules forced Swizz to drop his #monstermondayover the weekend instead. This time the producer-supremo teams up with Musiq and together they deliver something rather funky and pretty cool I think. This is suiting my mood right now, my only issue – when Swizzy jumps in with a verse. Don’t think it was very necessary. But other than that – yea, this is enough to get my head to bop.
New music from Oh No, off his forthcoming Ohnomite album; ‘Sound Off’ features Termanology and Ea$y Money and erm, ‘sounds’ pretty mean to me. Volume up, press play and download as you please…
To all you soppy traditionalists out there getting ready for Valentines day – this one is for you. Actually, scrap that, this is just as good for any jaded-realist too. Jessie Ware & Sampha (who produced the track also) trade verses in this loved-up, rather cool sonnet. If you’re going to do the whole ‘soppy’ thing, you may as well do it to a track that sounds like this, right?
‘Valentine’ drops on February 7th via Young Turks.
Off the cuff you wouldn’t necessarily put Tokimonsta and Andreya Triana together, musically they’re rather different – but on this remix, it some how works. While Triana’s sultry original still stands as the best version, Tokimonsta’s remix definitely adds something fresh to it. Andreya’s vocals are little drowned out for my liking, but the contrast in musical styles here is something quite interesting, I like it. I’m a big fan of both artists.
Baby Sol has been heavily involved in London’s Live scene for some time now, performing her own material on many stages whilst also hosting and running her own events. Recently she has found herself on bigger stages touring with Rox and Paloma Faith and working with Ty, Black Einstein, Tinchy Strider to name a few as a professional backing vocalist and session musician. Now the time has come to take a break from all that and focus on herself and so she drops her debut EP Before I Begin and it doesn’t disappoint.
This is a quality piece of work! I haven’t stopped listening to it all weekend! 7 tracks of Soul infused Jazz Reggae, Full live instrumentation (with full live horn sections!!!!) and Baby Sol’s ridiculous vocals all over this is brilliant! The Ep takes you on a ride with highs and low full of tales of Love, Loss and Waste Men there’s something for everyone here. The EP kicks off with the Big Band feel Track Always with massive mean horn section and even meaner backing vocals Baby’s vocals Shine! You get some Reggae vibes with ‘No No No’ before some mellow soulful numbers ‘Sitting’ and the gorgeous ‘Tick Tock’.
A soft subtle mellow number that has the nicest groove that makes you just bop and shake your head from side to side as you enjoy the beautiful guitar vibes and the lovely vocals. It’s the kinda track that would sit quite happily on any Jill Scott or Floetry Album a testament to its class.
There are more big numbers to round off the EP with the final track Gone featuring some Horn lick’s reminiscent of Quincy Jones and MJ in their heyday (no lie!). Great songs, superb Musicianship, strong production and vocals that are full of character and style that really i can’t compare to anyone i can only sit back and enjoy and i think you should too!
The EP is available now here and catch her live at her EP Launch at The Hoxton Bar & Grill on 24th Jan tickets available now check it out!!!
Never a bad thing to see artists do some good, this time Hova surprises some kids (and their teacher) for “Oprah’s in Australia: Wildest Dreams” series.
Newness from the homie DâM-FunK today, my head is a little worse for wear this morning (don’t ask), so this is something that is giving me life on this rather mild, but sunny London afternoon. We love the funk.
Haven’t been following Timbaland Thursdays that much and I’m not entirely convinced by this. But I never was convinced by Timbaland on his own anyway. Always and still do prefer his collobos. Can’t lie though, the beat is a head bopper.
Yesterday Raphael Saadiq gave us “Good Man”, today he gives us the announcement of his return to the UK. The one off London show will be at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire and so far Saadiq will only be there for one date.
Thursday 28th April is the date set for Saadiq to bring the full nu-retro power of the forthcoming album ‘Stone Rollin’ (and hopefully some oldies.)
Faaaaaaaaark. Big man tings. New mix courtesy of mr Logan Sama from purely Maniac beats featuring a host of hot fire spitters…Dylaaaan Dylaaaaaan. Check out the new Part 2 over on his soundcloud here.
