The Audacity of Dope

Mayer Hawthorne links up with Seattle’s own Jake One to create this super smooth ode to a classic party starting drink. The Hennessy folks need to reach out on a licensing deal ASAP.

This song always reminded me of some classic Brand New Heavies…specifically the “Saturday Night” joint with Mos Def that Dilla remixed. Mayer’s in town tonight for Seattle University’s Quadstock festival and something tells me we’ll see this one performed.

My guys Buff1 and DJ Rhettmatic recently released visuals for “Say What” off their collaborative Crown Royale album (criminally slept on, by the way).  Buff’s been one of my favorite MC’s for years…ever since I stumbled upon the Athletic Mic League around the turn of the century (thanks Napster!)…and his style is just so dope.  It’s pretty straightforward, but he has that genuine and effortless steez that epitomizes “the MC” in my book.  Good stuff fellas.

Remember where you heard this record first?  *Cough* Cornerstone Mixtape #115 *Cough*

Shout to the homies Buff & Rhett, two of the illest and nicest dudes in the industry.  Their collaborative self titled project is finally dropping on December 7th and it’ll be well worth the wait!

Shout to Josh for putting me up on this dope new music from Tallahassee, Florida.  You’ve heard this record on SNSS recently and here’s the video.  Peep their site for more info – www.typicalweekend.com

Web 2.0 is all about social media and appropriation, right?  So as long as I credit Chris Ryan at MTV, I can steal use his write up, right?  Works for me:

We’re not only devotees to Mayer Hawthorne’s impeccable neo-retro soul stylings but also his panache when it comes to making music videos, especially the melancholy beauty of his recent clip “I Wish It Would Rain.” So we’re pretty excited (in a melancholy way) to bring you his new video for “One Track Mind,” taken from his delightful A Strange Arrangement album.

“One Track Mind” mixes the innocence and wit of early ’60s rom-coms with the concept of the ’80s classic (using the term “classic” loosely) “Mannequin.” Over a note-perfect Motown arrangement, Hawthorne and his almost-perfect woman (save the whole being-plastic-thing) have a tea party in a garden, go on a boat ride, share an ice cream … pretty much the perfect day. Like most love stories, this one has a bump in the road. But you’ll have to watch to see how it plays out.

Watch Mayer Hawthorne’s “One Track Mind” video below. A Strange Arrangement is out now.

On the real, this is one of the problems about living in Southern California.  I remember being down there when it’s sunny damn near the whole year and, noEeyore, sometimes you’re in the mood for the weather to be a little cloudy/rainy.  Alright fine, perhaps not to the degree that we get here in Seattle, but there are definitely days where it feels more comfortable than 80 degree sunshine.

Oh…and of course you already know, Mayer’s impeccable album, A Strange Arrangement, is in stores now.  Cop that.

If for some ungodly reason you don’t…peep this dope piece put together by the Ruby Hornet team for a nice recap.  Shout to the homies Buff, KT, and the whole Athletic Mic League.  They’re one of my favorite crews of all time and it’s great to see all the success that Drew/Haircut/Mayer is having these days.  Great music from great people!

Really feeling the the two tracks I’ve heard from Yoshi so far…here’s a video my man Gerard directed featuring Buff1 and D-Brock.  Real smooth.

RTC at Ruby Hornet grabbed some great footage of 2009’s breakthrough artist, Mayer Hawthorne, performing live at the Dark Room.  Peep part of “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” above, then a little reggae flip of the single below.

Head on over to Ruby Hornet for more clips and be sure to catch this tour when it hits your town!

(Fun fact: I’m eating a Now N Later right now.  That’s right bitches.)

If you aren’t up on 14KT, you’re missing out on one of the illest producers in the game.  He’s been putting it down for years with the Lab Technicians and Athletic Mic League, and recently as part of THE most underrated collective of artists around, A-Side Worldwide (Buff1, Now On, Mayer Hawthorne, etc.).  Thankfully, he’s giving you another chance to get familiar with his new project, Nowalataz.

Coming off the heels of the magnificent The Golden Hour, KT is releasing a Donuts inspired collection of beats as an homage to Dilla (RIP).  Download and bump this immediately.  If the first track doesn’t get you hooked, there’s something wrong with you.

Download here.