The Audacity of Dope

I’m in awe.

What started out as somewhat of a novelty record has attained cult-like status, and it’s sure to grow to unprecedented heights with the release of the visuals for “And We Danced.”  I remember when we played this on Sound Session after Ryan first sent it over and we confused the hell out of our listeners.  I don’t know why though…the proposition is simple:

We’re having a hoedown…are you hoes down?

You should be.

With the NBA lockout looming larger every day, I’ve already convinced myself that there won’t be a season.  This way, if any good news breaks, it will be a pleasant surprise since I’ve already accepted disappointment.  In its absence, I have a feeling I’ll be following more NHL this season, especially if our closest Pacific Northwest squad, the Canucks, can replicate their (regular) season success again.  I’ll also have more interest if Nike keeps creating dope marketing collaborations like this one, highlighting Montreal’s P.K. Subban over a dope track by Canadian legend Saukrates.

Another video I’ve been meaning to post for a few weeks, but better late than never.  Most of you should have already seen this but if you aren’t a big K. Dot fan, perhaps you missed it.  Kendrick absolutely spazzes on this record, though my favorite crazy ending to one of his songs is still this one.

I’ve been meaning to post up this video for a while and while it’s definitely doing a bit much on the colors, you gotta like any pop/R&B record that calls back to the 80’s & 90’s glory days.  The Charlotte Hornet jackets about a quarter of the way in did it for me.  I’d much rather hear records like this on the airwaves than Rihanna’s latest Euro-beat “controversial” song…even with the trite hip-hop sample schtick.

It’s the eve of another London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea, but before I get some sleep, I thought about one of my favorite moments from this rivalry: Michael Essien’s unbelievable 30 yard strike in 2006. While the game ended in a 1-1 draw, it was one of the most exciting matches I’ve ever seen. World class talent all over the pitch, an intense rivalry, and huge stakes all culminated in this late game tying goal.  To come up from right back, where he was only filling in from his natural defensive midfield position, to slam a shot like that off the post and in…unreal.  Definition of a stunning strike.

Gotta be one of the top songs of the year, right?  I’m happy to see the official visuals after the lyric video held us down for the last few weeks.  Common’s The Dreamer/The Believer was scheduled to be released in November, but it’s just been pushed back to December.  No matter.  I’m still predicting a classic.

Khat is apparently part of The Weeknd’s mysterious XO crew, so as you’d expect, details on him are pretty sparse. Not surprisingly, he makes a similar “pseudo-R&B meets trip-hop while on X” kind of sound that The Weeknd is killing with as we approach prime cuffing season. More loft music for the nights that you can’t remember, with the people that you won’t forget.

Soundtrack music for the rainy and cold northwest winter…

Download the whole Traphouse project here.

A lot of folks complained that Jhene’s previous videos didn’t highlight her looks as much as people hoped, but that may have been a strategic move by her and her camp to emphasize the music. We get more Jhene in the visuals for “My Mine,” which, in my humble opinion, is a fantastic thing. Not only is the song good (Fisticuffs are beasts, by the way), but she seriously might be the hottest woman on the face of the earth.  #shruglife

What up y’all?  Apologies if I’ve been a bit M.I.A. (noMaya) over the last week or so.  I know I have a ton of music to get to, emails to answer, interviews to edit, blog posts to write, etc., but I’ve been caught up with my non-music life recently.  It’s actually been great to focus on the day job and other normal, grown up facets to life, but I’ll try to get back in tune on the music side this week.  Holler at me if you need me!

Enjoy this week’s SNSS with new music from The Roots, T.I., Cocaine 80s, Allen Stone, Phonte, Lupe Fiasco, Chip Tha Ripper, DJ Shadow, Danny!, Torae, and more.  That dopeness.

Show #333 (10-23-11)

1. T.I. ft. Pharrell – “Here Ye, Here Ye”
2. Mac Miller – “Blue Slide Park”
3. Cocaine 80s – “Six”
4. J. Cole – “Daddy’s Little Girl”
5. Rocki Evans – “Funeral Song”
6. Torae – “That Raw”
7. Rasheed Chappell – “What I’m Here 4”
8. Allen Stone – “Sleep” (Local Music)
9. Proh Mic ft. Tone Trezure – “Sleep In Girl” (Local Music)
10. Danny! – “I Don’t Wanna Hear That Sh*t”
11. Mayer Hawthorne – “Henny & Gingerale”
12. DJ Shadow ft. Posdnuos & Talib Kweli – “Stay The Course”
13. Immortal Technique – “Toast To The Dead”
14. Phonte ft. Evidence & Big K.R.I.T. – “The Life Of Kings”
15. Lupe Fiasco – “Lightwork”
16. Cam’ron ft. Kanye West & Syleena Johnson – “Down & Out” (Throwback of the Week)
17. Action Bronson & Statik Selektah ft. Nina Sky – “Cocoa Butter”
18. Sonny Bonoho – “Coogars” (Local Music)
19. Yuna – “Come As You Are”
20. The Roots ft. Big K.R.I.T. – “Make My”
21. Chip Tha Ripper ft. Wale – “25 Wives”
22. Sir Michael Rocks – “Brite”
23. Rick Ross – “I Love My B*tches”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?ap7iwa1d9dd5047
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/ykozyfmq4pvp)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/9514807385efd0f4/)

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’ve been having so many negative experiences this past week dealing with artists, labels, and promoters, I can’t even begin to express my frustrations with this industry.  Rather than treat everyone like Silky Johnson — “I hope all the bad things in life happen to you and nobody else but you” — I’d like to stay positive and instead recognize all the dedicated SNSS listeners who sent their support and appreciation for what we do.  You guys are awesome and we do this for y’all.  And them, even if they don’t know it.

Enjoy and be sure to peep my favorite song out right now:

Show #332 (10-16-11)

1. Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Illest Motherf*cker Alive”
2. Common – “Blue Sky”
3. Murs – “316 Ways”
4. Nas ft. Rick Ross – “It’s A Tower Heist”
5. Rick Ross – “I Love My B*tches”
6. Mac Miller – “Blue Slide Park”
7. Drake ft. Nicki Minaj – “Make Me Proud”
8. J. Cole – “Sideline Story”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH SONNY BONOHO, PT. 1**
10. Sonny Bonoho – “Coogars” (Local Music)
11. Sol – “Albert Einstein” (Local Music)
12. **INTERVIEW WITH SONNY BONOHO, PT. 2**
13. Rapper Big Pooh ft. Choklate – “They Say”
14. Donny Goines ft. Bun B, XV, & Pill – “Champion’s Anthem”
15. Maffew Ragazino ft. Rocki Evans & The Mad Stuntman – “City of God”
16. Rocki Evans – “Funeral Song”
17. Yuna – “Come As You Are”
18. Chip Tha Ripper – “Realer”
19. Mobb Deep – “Quiet Storm” (Throwback of the Week)
20. Sir Michael Rocks – “Brite”
21. Steven A. Clark – “Angel Of Death”
22. Allen Stone – “Unaware” (Local Music)
23. Ro Blvd ft. Thurz – “Great Going Good”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?5qgtwmd5gf2gvro
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/hpx11rfgqgfs)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/94890351bdbe4425/)

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.