The Audacity of Dope

The homeboy Jon Jon is currently down in Los Angeles learning all sorts of incredible film-making techniques to take his productions to the next level, so I think he’s falling back from music videos for a little while.  That said, he’s got a few more in the stash, starting with the debut video for B.o.B’s right hand man, and all around funny guy/dope MC/crazy hook writer, Playboy Tre.  What up fellas?!

Just the viral version, real video coming soon.  But either way, my girl is back.  Download the track for free on her site, www.lykkeli.com.

Heja Sverige!

Similar to the clips that made OK Go so popular, this new piece from Hollerado for “Americanarama” is the best video I’ve seen in a long while.  I kinda like the track too, but most amazingly…one take!

99 years young…and I’m really happy she got to meet one of her great grandchildren over the weekend…she had a great life.  Just had dinner with her on Sunday and got the news yesterday.  Life moves quickly.  Love you.

Please send a note or call your family today for me, especially your elders.  Be safe y’all.

In case you overlooked it in this week’s SNSS wrap up, Joell Ortiz stopped by the show again to give us an update on everything he’s working on.  We discussed his Farewell Summer EP that just dropped, his upcoming Free Agent project, working with Jake One, whether or not Slaughterhouse is signing to Shady Records, and more.  You can check out the interview below:

Joell Ortiz on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?v43tdydgwml15x9
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/819879679df95f7d/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/1zwf2itwan0k)

YAAAAAAAOOOWAAAAAAA

I know it’s a bit lazy to go bullet-point style, but it’s a fairly effective way to communicate, right?  Here are your weekly SNSS highlights:

• Shout to the State of the Artist (SOTA) crew and Candidt for dropping by the studio to chop it up with us.  We also world premiered a new SOTA record called “Chief Seattle.”  Yeah, you know what it’s about…
• Thanks as well to Joell Ortiz for coming by a few weeks ago when he was in town.  Peep our interview through the links below to hear updates on his Free Agent project, working with Jake One, whether or not Slaughterhouse is signing to Shady Records, and more.  YAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOWWWAAAAAA!
• Lastly, be sure to check out two video interviews we released in the last week: 1st with Wiz Khalifa (70k views, Wiz is a STAR) and yesterday’s with my favorite writer in the game, Shad.  Surreal to be able to connect with such dope artists left and right…we’re just happy to be able to provide a platform for ’em:
• Wiz Khalifa – https://www.theaudacityofdope.com/2010/10/20/wiz-khalifa-on-sound-session/
• Shad – https://www.theaudacityofdope.com/2010/10/25/shad-on-sound-session/

Enjoy the show!

Show #282 (10-24-10)

1. Nottz ft. Dwele – “You Need This Music”
2. Child Rebel Soldier (Pharrell, Lupe Fiasco, & Kanye West) – “Don’t Stop”
3. Freeway – “Escalators”
4. The Kid Daytona – “Fly Lullaby”
5. Kendrick Lamar ft. Jhene Aiko – “Growing Apart (To Get Closer)”
6. Wiz Khalifa – “Mezmerized”
7. Celph Titled & Buckwild – “Miss Those Days”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH STATE OF THE ARTIST, PT. 1**
9. State Of The Artist – “Chief Seattle” (**WORLD PREMIERE**) (Local Music)
10. **INTERVIEW WITH STATE OF THE ARTIST, PT. 2**
11. Cee-Lo – “Old Fashioned”
12. theFEW ft. Cilvaringz & Blue Raspberry – “Homage To RZA”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH JOELL ORTIZ #02**
14. Joell Ortiz – “Battle Cry”
15. 7L & Esoteric ft. Inspectah Deck – “12th Chamber”
16. Mayday ft. Money Making Jam Boys – “Worst Case Scenario”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH CANDIDT**
18. Candidt ft. Maya Jenkins – “Imaginary Stereo” (Local Music)
19. Common ft. Bilal – “The 6th Sense” (Throwback of the Week)
20. M.anifest – “Coming To America”
21. DJ Nphared & Grynch – “Air Max ‘Em” (Local Music)
22. La Roux ft. Kanye West – “In For The Kill (Remix)”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?qw7x36t3b821dew
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/819873988cf85373/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/wywpyp5rpky8)

Link to download only the interview with Joell Ortiz – http://www.mediafire.com/?v43tdydgwml15x9
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/819879679df95f7d/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/1zwf2itwan0k)

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.

Anyone who has visited TAOD before knows that I’m a huge fan of Shad.  Not only is he one of the most gifted MC’s around, but he’s also putting his heart and soul into his music and discussing deep, genuine emotions.  I’m not sure you can ask for anything more from an artist and I’m elated to see the United States finally starting to catch on to his music.

Fresh of the American release of TSOL, Shad came to Seattle with K-Os for the first stop on their Born To Run tour.  It’s only right that we recorded a little something for y’all, though I do apologize for the poor lighting and video quality.  Hopefully you still enjoy our discussion covering the tour, the TSOL project, how it compares to his previous work, the intricacies of his lyrics, and more.  It’s not often that I get to discuss the finer points of artistic expression/responsibility with our guests, so this was an especially fun interview to conduct.  There’s much more that can be said about the issue though, so we’ll have to rekindle it when Shad’s back in town.

In the interim, enjoy the interview and be sure to cop TSOL and The Old Prince ASAP!

I could write an essay on Kanye’s Runaway film, and the ensuing debates it sparked, but what’s the point?  There will be a million analytical pieces by Monday, and none of them will be any more “right” than the others.  It’s art…and I’m really not looking forward to hearing other people tell me how to consume it.

Personally, I’m satisfied with an interesting concept, some beautiful shots & colors, and some really dope music.  The intro scene with “Dark Fantasy” and the “Devil In A New Dress” segment were flawless, though part of me wishes this was the first time I ever heard any of these songs.  That’s always been one of my least favorite aspects of the internet age and I may have to revert back to avoiding music from my favorite artists until it’s officially presented.  Even with all the live performances, interviews, and song/artwork leaks spoiling much of Runaway, I thoroughly enjoyed the film.

Regardless of how you felt about it, you have to agree: no mainstream MC puts more effort and care into his music than Kanye.  Sure, it can come off pretentious at times (ok, much of the time), but he’s really trying to express something in his art and take it to new places.  He doesn’t always hit the mark, but musically, he’s never disappointed me.

A toast to Yeezy.

I’m pretty much a sucker for anything shot in Tokyo or Hong Kong that showcases cityscapes or flashing lights.  I’m a simple man.

I’m a little mad that they dropped this video in October, but I suppose when you’re filming in SoCal, it’s always a long hot summer.  I love the way Hi-Tek worked in one of his classic “vocal sample that isn’t really a vocal sample” effect.  If you want to hear more about how this record, and every song on Revolutions Per Minute, was created, check out our in-depth interview with Talib & Tek right here.