The Audacity of Dope

(I recommend watching in high quality here)

While some of us were making completely pointless videos during the Seattle snow, the homies Geo and Sabzi were killing time making a better song and video than most artists do with huge budgets.  Seriously, are you kidding me?  About 95% of the artists out there wish they could make something this ill.  The clip was directed by Saba’s brother, Zia, who continues to churn out some of the coolest visuals I’ve seen recently.  Very dope.

Blue Scholars – “Coffee and Snow”

I’ve been sleeping on Little Dragon, but I’m finally awake.  And I’m highly intrigued.  Half way through the album and it’s great.  There’s so much good music in the world right now…

Little Dragon – “Constant Surprises”

Shout to my Swedish ancestry.

New dopeness from the homies Tunji and Toby, produced by Decap and featuring the most underrated hook singer in the game, Deacon The Villain from the CunninLynguists.  Actually, seeing as how this song (or at least the demo) was my ringtone about 2 years ago, it’s really that new…but it should be new to y’all and it’s dope as hell, so grab it ASAP:

Inverse ft. Deacon the Villain – “So True”

This will be featured on Inverse‘s upcoming EP, dropping online New Year’s Day with production from Kno (of the CunninLynguists), Decap, M-Phazes, and Cook Classics.  No better way to kick off ’09.

Seattle People: You better come check out Inverse when they make their debut in the 206 at Chop Suey on January 17th.  Be there.

(word to the Gorillaz poster in the studio)

Hahahahahahahah.

Bobby Ray just ethered half the industry with this one, Wayne especially.  I’m sure he’ll have to be PC and downplay any controversy as just jokes, but remember: [Ms. Fischer] behind every joke is a little bit of truth [3rd grade teacher].  Glad someone dope in the industry isn’t afraid to say it…

Look out for B.o.B., Playboy Tre, and B-Rich on Sound Session soon.

B.o.B. – “Autotune”

Mp3 courtesy of Eskay.

Ever messed with a girl who fits this song?  Ever fit the song yourself?

This is my jam right now.  Sure, it may be a little corny/emo…and perhaps it gives you flashbacks of roller skating songs from back in the day…but ‘Ye and Cudi killed this one.  I’ve been singing it all week.

Kanye West ft. Kid Cudi – “Paranoid”

you worry bout the wrong things, the wrong thiiiiiings…

If you missed this great remix from Cook Classics when I first posted it up, you’re getting a chance to atone for your mistake.  Thanks to GregTheDude, we now have some dope visuals to go with the mix so peep ’em and grab the mp3 right here:

John Legend ft. Andre 3000 – “Green Light (Cook Classics Remix)”

Remember the name Cook Classics.  For real.

New visuals for the lead single off Black’s Tronic album, one of the best projects of the year and the CD currently holding my deck hostage.  Go buy it.  In the meantime, make sure you at least have this jawn:

Black Milk – “Give The Drummer Sum”

Interview with Milk & Elzhi coming as soon as I get some free time to toss beats behind it.  Soon though…I swear!

Video courtesy of Legend.

As with other WLotD winners that I actually enjoy listening to, I feel like I should preface this post by saying I dig Illa J.  It’s been sad to see how much hate dude is getting from damn near everyone – casual listeners, Dilla diehards, bloggers, fellow artists, etc..  Is he stepping into Dilla’s shoes right away?  No.  Does he have potential?  Yes.  Am I salty that he’s using his brother’s unreleased beats to help support his family?  Helllllllllll no.  Do your thing Illa.

I peeped the Yancey Boys album over the weekend and I really dug it.  The beats are clearly top notch, and they’re the exact kind of Dilla sound that I’ve always loved.  Illa’s rhymes actually remind me of some early SV stuff: laid back, somewhat rambling, and centered around everyday ish.  That said, we played this joint on Sound Session last night and this line was kinda painful:

“I see you outside, gettin’ in the club free/
Lookin’ lovely, as soon as I seen you, I wanted to f*ck thee”
–Illa J, “DFTF”

Ahhh, I just hate when people force a rhyme and it’s so obvious.  Anyway, this joint is still great.  Who knew Affion Crockett could rap for real?

Illa J ft. Affion Crockett – “DFTF”

(i had the same look as Exile when I heard this)

Blu is the man and probably in my top 3 favorite MC’s right now.  Plus he’s a cool ass dude, so this pains me to do.  However, I heard a line in Evidence’s new track that just confused me:

“It’s the middle of ’08, and I still ain’t heard Obama speak bout problems that we face”
–Blu, “For Whom The Bell Tolls”

Word? This reminds me of the criticism that many people tried to hit Barack with early in his campaign: that he was only preaching this esoteric “change” idea, without backing it up with substantive policy positions and strategies.  The problem with that is that if you actually make an effort to listen to more than a 30 second soundbite on the news, or go read any of the extensive issue pages of his website, you quickly learn what Obama’s all about.  Now, you don’t have to agree with his ideas, but to say that they aren’t there or he hasn’t addressed virtually everything is just false.  I hope Blu has found Barack’s statements that talk about the issues he’s concerned with, because I assure you, they’re there.

So forgive me homey, but I just disagree with that line.  Blu’s still possibly the illest MC in the game right now, so make sure y’all cop his new Johnson&Jonson project.  Easily one of the best albums of the year.  And here’s Ev’s new track if you haven’t grabbed it yet:

Evidence ft. Phonte, Blu, & Will.I.Am – “For Whom The Bell Tolls”

The homey Cook Classics is clearly one of the dopest up and coming producers in the game and here’s his latest production: a remix to John & Andre’s insta-classic, “Green Light.”  I had a chance to help make this remix happen and I couldn’t be prouder of the result.  Shout to Joel van Dijk on the guitar and Joe Gonzales on the bass as well…everyone killed it.

John Legend ft. Andre 3000 – “Green Light (Cook Classics Remix)”

If you’re sleeping, Cook came through Sound Session a few weeks back and you can peep the show here.  We played some of the stuff he did with TiRon and Avriel Epps, which is all incredible.  Be on the lookout for more of his beats on projects by Pacific Division, U-N-I, Diamond D, Noah King, Inverse, and more.

5-C’s like what.