A new hip-hop outfit from Brighton called Rizzle Kicks is really making a splash in the UK. The group is made up of just two dudes, singer Harley "Sylvester" Alexander-Sule and rapper Jordan "Rizzle" Stevens. The boys have been nominated for Best Newcomer, Best Video and Best HipHop Grime at this years Mobo Awards. ALSO they bagged a nomination for Best British Single at the Radio1 Music Awards.
Not to mention that their single "Down With the Trumpets" has broken the top 10 on the charts recently.
Their early '90s vibe on thier album 'Stereo Typical' attracted the attention of producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who produced A Tribe Called Quest...a collaboration is afoot.
Fela Kuti's youngest son Seun came out with a slammin' new album entitled From Africa With Fury: Rise. Seun took over his father's band "Egypt 80" when he died in '97 and has been touring and making records with them since.
Fela is often called the "Father of Afrobeat" and produced politically charged outspoken and innovative music. The power of his sociopolitical voice is on par with Bob Marley's. He believed in music as a medium of change and later in life went into politics. Seun, like his father, believes that music and art plays a pivotal role in inspiring the people of Africa.
His new record clearly expresses that, without losing the heart of Afrobeat.
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80- Rise
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80- African Soldiers/Mr. Big Theif
Here it is. The highly anticipated collaboration between Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and Brit electro-producer wunderkind James Blake. The idea was born when they met at SouthBySouthWest last year and they created the track via email.
This track can definitely be recognized as Blake's work. Minimalist sound punctuated with a haunting dog bark and layering/harmonization of Vernon's vocals. [Editors note: found out that the aforementioned 'dog bark' is actually a Cuica. Although you rarely hear Cuica's being played so slowly and monotonously. There you go]
Lovely, I think... although there was rather a lot of hype surrounding it...see what you think.
One of our favorite Loyno artists just released a retro video to accompany a catchy track from his Endless Summer Mixtape.
Check out the rest of the Endless Summer Mixtape on Eazy's Website. He sampled lots of doo-woop and 50's pop tunes, added some drums and polished it all off with his signature laid back delivery.
The best live act in America just graced Chigaco's Lollapalooza Festival in Grant Park. On their Website they've posted live footage of a few of the songs including an inspired version of One Big Holiday.
Also, MMJ just announced a string of European tour dates. That way the folks across the pond can experience the thrill of a concert led by Jim James. That's at least one export that we can be proud of.
The theme for Wallpaper magazine's July issue was sex. Malika Favre, graphic artist for London design studio Airside, created an striking 60's inspired pin-up alphabet with her signature Alphabunnies. Meow!
Flying Lotus' newest mixtape includes none of the heavy reworkings and transitions we've come to expect from mixtapes these days. It does include, however, some of the most sampled songs of all time. Great soul, jazz, and world tracks from the psychedelic '60s, funky 70's and electronic 80's.
Essential summer listening. Enjoy.
Toro Y Moi has a new EP on the horizon called Freaking Out. Its gonna drop rather soon on Carpark Records. This track is actually a cover of Cherrell and Alexander O'Neal's 1985 Saturday Love.
Toro Y Moi- Saturday Love
and what's more....A new video from Toro Y Moi for How I Know. Featuring...Yes that's him...Damien from Mean Girls. You go Glen Coco!
