The Audacity of Dope

I don’t post up too many single joints these days, but when a collaboration like John Legend and the Roots comes along, it’s cause for a celebration.  Plus the homies at Columbia specifically asked and I’m hoping for some inter-office label drama between the old “internet is dead” Prince style execs and the ones that actually understand the new model.  Be on the lookout for a possible appearance from JL & ?uest on SNSS soon!

John Legend & The Roots ft. Melanie Fiona & Common – “Wake Up Everybody”

If you were lucky enough to hear Sound Session last night, you heard us debut a brand new record from the Physics called “My Place.”  That song is part of a special 3 song package that they released to the net today, which you can download right here.  “My Place” might be my favorite song out right now…from ANYWHERE…not just from Seattle.  Grab that ASAP.

As I mentioned during this week’s SNSS recap, there’s no MC in the game today that makes me wear out the rewind button like Shad.  His music represents pretty much everything I look for as a listener: skills, quality production, intelligence, and above all, truthful and genuine expression through this art form.  His last record, The Old Prince Still Lives At Home, is a classic album and his new project, TSOL, drops on May 25th (at least in his native Canada…and I assume online at the least for us Americans).

I’ve been lucky enough to vibe with TSOL for a minute and it’s another flawless release from Shad.  Now you can listen to it in its entirety thanks to Spinner, complete with a track by track breakdown from the man himself.  What are you waiting for??? LISTEN HERE!

Oh, and if anyone out there isn’t convinced, I don’t know a soul who wasn’t an instant fan after seeing this:

Oh hell yes.  As referenced here, Shad’s new album, TSOL, is on the way and I couldn’t be more excited for a project this year.  I think the only other rapper that makes me rewind for lyrics as much as Shad is Lupe, and y’all already know I’m a Lupe Stan.  If you aren’t up on Shad, don’t worry, there’s room on the bandwagon.  But um…get on NOW.

Shad – “Yaa I Get It”

Spread the mp3 to your people and share the good word on Shad…

The homey Fest just dropped his new joint, “Familiar Faces,” and while it’s dope…it also gives me an excuse to post possibly my favorite YouTube clip of all time.  First, the song:

Rhymefest – “Familiar Faces”

The track samples Gary Jules’ “Mad World,” which is generally known as the song used in the first Gears of War commercial, but if you’re really cool…you know it as the soundtrack for SAD PANDA!

Fin.

Ok, so my last post made me feel kind of bad for old Ursher.  I’ve been listening to his new album recently and while very little of it is actually appealing to me, there’s one track that I like a lot:

Usher – “Pro Lover”

Perhaps it’s the subtle Dawn Penn reference in the lyrics, or perhaps it’s his incredibly romantic chorus, sure to make all the ladies swoon:

“Lovin’ me baby, that’s a no-no/
I’m better when I touch and go/
I’m tryin’ to add your name/
To my Hall of Fame/
Not just a player, I’m a pro”

Really a modern day Marvin Gaye with the songwriting.  Alright fine, just enjoy the melody…

Some of the melodies in this song are really catchy…

John Legend – “There With You”

When do we leave?

Yessir!  It’s getting closer and closer to the release of DRG Films’ documentary on U-N-I & Ro Blvd.’s A Love Supreme project.

*cough* narrated by yours truly *cough*

Also, Y-O and Thurzday leaked a new track off the upcoming re-release of the album, due out February 23rd.

U-N-I – “Supreme 2.0”

Enjoy!

My favorite track of the month is easily Mayer Hawthorne’s remix of James Pants’ “Thin Moon,” and the fine folks at Stones Throw have given me the go-ahead to post it up for y’all.

James Pants ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Thin Moon (Remix)”

EDIT: Apparently there was a mix up and the label has now asked for the song to be removed. If you got it, lucky you.  If not, you can always tune into Sound Session this week to hear us run it over 100K watts.

Mood music.  Enjoy.

Since I’m gonna run this on Sound Session tomorrow, I figured I’d post up this quick mix I made combining Timbaland’s “Say Something” featuring Drake with the freestyle that Lupe murdered last week.  Someone’s verse had to go…sorry Tim.

Timbaland ft. Drake & Lupe Fiasco – “Say Something (Hyphen Edit)”
(back up link)

Timbaland ft. Drake & Lupe Fiasco – “Say Something (Hyphen Edit) (Clean)”
(back up link)

Clean included for my fellow DJ’s.