The Audacity of Dope

Yes, I’m a ‘Ye stan, but I really do dig damn near everything Kanye is involved in.  This track with Mr. Hudson was recorded during the autotune phase, which he seems to be pretty much done with…probably half on his own volition and the other half thanks to Jay.  Either way, it came out pretty dope and the video has a really ill star effect that I haven’t seen before.  Plus, it’s catchy…

And I feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel like takin’ off

While I get the opportunity to interview lots of dope artists, it’s standard practice that their conversational abilities pale in comparison to the music they make.  However, when someone as talented, eclectic, and interesting as K’Naan drops by the Sound Session studio, it’s virtually guaranteed to be a good time.  Sure enough, chopping it up with the man who fled Somalia’s civil war on the last commercial flight to leave Mogadishu proved to be an enlightening, and humbling, experience.

We discussed the current political upheaval in Iran, the pirates off the shores of Somalia, the gifts and curses that come with being a cultural ambassador, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, his recent Troubadour album, and more.  He even leaked some information on upcoming projects that hasn’t been reported yet…enjoy!

K’Naan on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?nttezgrtzz3
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/620305724e5447e5/)

If you’re still sleeping, wake up and cop Troubadour in stores now.

It’s strange how doing a weekly radio show means that whenever a major event happens, your thoughts are automatically documented.  I’m sure nobody else does, but I’ve gone back and listened to some old shows after historic moments and it’s kind of cool/strange to have these moments frozen in time.  This episode of SNSS is no different, since I’ll always remember it as the show after we lost literally the most popular person on the planet, Michael Jackson.

By now, there’s really nothing left to be said about the situation, but obviously Mike will be remembered for his incredible highs as well as disturbing lows.  As I mentioned in my initial blog post, regardless of all the trouble he had in his life, his music was exceptional and will live forever.  As we do for all talented musicians that were part of this hip-hop culture, we’ll continue to play songs on our show that carry on Mike’s musical legacy the best we can.  RIP to the King…

Peep this week’s show to hear new cuts from folks like B.o.B, Mayer Hawthorne, Ayah, Chali 2Na, The Kid Daytona, Mos Def, and more, plus an excellent local lineup featuring M64, Mycle Wastman, and The Physics.

Also, be sure to check out the full interview with K’Naan.  We talked all about the uprising in Iran, the pirates in his home country of Somalia, the gifts and curses that come with being a cultural ambassador, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and…oh yeah…his music.  It was a good one.  Shout to Enrique, Jesse, and Simi from IGA/Octone for bringing K’Naan through the station.

Show #213 (6-28-09)

1. Mos Def ft. Talib Kweli – “History”
2. B.o.B – “Do You Have The Stamina”
3. De La Soul – “Big Mouf”
4. Mayer Hawthorne – “When I Said Goodbye”
5. Ayah – “Fallen”
6. Wu-Tang Clan ft. Ghostface Killah & Tre Williams – “I Wish You Were Here”
7. The Physics – “Callin’” (Local Music)
8. Chali 2Na ft. Damian Marley & Stephen Marley – “Guns Up”
9. Slaughterhouse ft. M.O.P. – “Woodstock (Hood Hop)”
10. J. Cole – “Grown Simba”
11. DJ JS-1 ft. CL Smooth, Brother Ali, & Sadat X – “Nuthin’”
12. Drake ft. Phonte & Elzhi – “Think Good Thoughts”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH K’NAAN (SNIPPET)**
14. K’Naan – “Fire In Freetown”
15. M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) – “Rhythm Of The Drum” (Local Music)
16. Big Pooh ft. Darien Brockington – “Move”
17. Outasight – “Brand New Day”
18. Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos – “Shining Down”
19. The Kid Daytona ft. Bun B – “Air Born”
20. Mycle Wastman – “As Long As I’m With You” (Local Music)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?51mhznyoz1z
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/62029183c749b9f9/

Link to download the FULL interview with K’Naan – http://www.mediafire.com/?nttezgrtzz3
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/620305724e5447e5/)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

I was debating whether or not to post this video, since I know it’s been plastered on virtually every blog in existence today, and then a reader commented his appreciation for NOT posting this…BUT…I’m afraid I gotta.  I just like this song, though the video doesn’t do a whole lot for me.

I’m not sure what’s funnier:

• The haircut ending
• Jewelry and bottles that will probably appear in his next video being blown up
• The ugly lefty jumper…[clipse] EEGGHHHCCKKK [/pusha]

But in the end, ‘Ye told me to kill y’all to keep it one hunnid.

Is this really the official video?  Even for a viral clip, it seems a bit shoddy for ‘Ye.  Either way, I love this song. Mood music…that I can kind of relate to right now. Sigh.

Between the leak of “Shining Down” and this teaser video, I’m officially geeked for Lu’s new album.

I’m always down to check out some new talent, especially when it’s co-signed by some folks I respect.  Peep this new tape from J. Lately, featuring appearances by our fellow 5-C’er, Tunji, along with Co$$ and Bambu.  I’m about half way through and I’m impressed with J’s flow and wordplay so far.  The beats are ill too…

Download here courtesy of 2DopeBoyz.

I was following along on Twitter as the news broke this afternoon, and I’ve had a lot of thoughts the rest of the day about Mike’s passing.  Ultimately, it’s a sad, sad story, but I hope people will remember him by separating the music from the person.  It’s clear that MJ was severely troubled and was probably mentally ill his entire life.  Even with all the craziness, he managed to release timeless music that will always evoke special feelings for all of us.

For this post, I decide to toss up the short film, Captain Eo, that Mike did for Disneyland in 1986.  I remember going to see it with my dad and between the movie, the music, and the 3-D glasses, there was nothing cooler at the time.  I rocked that Eo shirt for so long hahaha.  If you’ve never seen it, there’s no way it will mean as much to you now, but if you do remember seeing it in your youth, you know.

R.I.P. to the most famous person in the entire world.  It’s not often that you say that.  His music will live forever.

The long awaited video for Pac Div’s “Mayor” just dropped and I think the visuals fit nicely with the 2009 west coast anthem (any other contenders so far?).  Rapping in front of the old Forum was a great touch, though using the “clean” edit with dirty adlibs and sample in the beat was kinda strange.  Universal Motown had that problem when they first sent out the clean edit and it looks like it struck again.  No matter, still a dope track and that beat [west coaster] is hella hooard homey [/*dub*].

Video courtesy of OnSmash.  Be on the lookout for a Pac Div appearance on SNSS soon…

Since my day job works with music videos, I often get a sneak peak at clips before they get released.  We got this one in last week and since I’ve always loved the track (the beat is banoodles), I was hoping the visuals would live up to it.  Thankfully, Todd Angkasuwan, one of the illest up and coming directors in the game, did the song justice and killed it with the one take approach.

Shout to Talib, Corey, Tunji, S.A.S., and the whole Blacksmith fam.  Cop “Back Again” on iTunes right here.