The Audacity of Dope

While in town last night for a show at Nectar, J. Moore and I got a chance to hang out with one of our favorite groups, Little Dragon, aboard their tour bus.  Yukimi, Erik, Fredrik, and Håkan talked about their current US tour, their record label situation, the success of the band so far, how their collaboration with the Gorillaz came about, their early plans for the next album, and more.

If you haven’t checked out both their self titled debut and last year’s Machine Dreams, I really can’t recommend Little Dragon enough.  They can flip pretty much any style, they’re supremely talented, and above all, they’re good people.  Additionally, when you see them perform live, you can just tell that they love music.  It may sound silly, but not a lot of artists seem to share Little Dragon’s passion for creating and enjoying the music they make.  It really comes through on record and in their live performances.  They’re destined for big things…

That’s right y’all…Shad, aka one of the top 5 MC’s doing it today (no hyperbole), has a new album on the way.  You’re not ready, so get ready.

No idea what this is all about, but it’s awesome.  Credit due to Patrick Jean for creating such an ill bit of animation.

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.

If you recall a while back, we played a track from this up and coming group on SNSS and they just released this dope EPK to hip y’all on the crew.  Keep an eye out for the Niceguys in 2010 and beyond.

**Not to be confused with meeting Mr. Nice Guy:

Preeeeeeeeeach.  I hate rappers.

No idea what the backstory is on these Fader TV joints, but I do know that Freddie is a BEAST.

Not a music video, but the homies Court Dunn and Emilio Rojas hooked up for this quick piece where Emilio runs off some things that define hip-hop to him.  Really well done and bonus points for the Wu-Tang Financial reference.

You are not ready for my narration prowess!

But nah, in all seriousness…this documentary is super dope.  Be on the lookout for it on March 9th…shout to the fellas, Chris London, DRG Films, and everyone involved for letting me be a part of it.

Smoke DZA recruits fellow Marley Smokers Devin The Dude, Curren$y, Asher Roth & hookman June Summers for his Smokers anthem “Marley & Me” produced by Scoop Deville. Directed by Creative Control. – OnSMASH

For my first official post with some actual material I bring you the official video for the remix to Smoke DZAs single off his Substance Abuse mixtape, Marley & Me featuring a few friends.

Editor’s note: If you’re gonna get lifted, be responsible folks.  That was your PSA of the day.  – Non-smoker Hyph