The Audacity of Dope

Another day, another week’s archive for SNSS and we’re getting closer to being all caught up.  Plus, the audio is sounding extra nice, and will, from here on out, now that we’re getting things set up properly in our new studio.  Episode #550 will be coming soon too, but in the meantime, enjoy this one.

New cuts from Royce Da 5’9″, John Crown, Domo Genesis, Phife, The Age of L.U.N.A., Avelino, Elzhi, dvsn, Suede Brown, Snoh Aalegra, Musiq, Kanye, Sol, and more.  I’m not even ashamed of my guilty pleasure tracks either: that Rihanna is fire and the Travis Scott remix of MadeInTyo’s “Uber Everywhere” is, for lack of a better term, lit.  Hov throwback since I felt bad that an entire generation seems to just knows him as Bey’s husband.

Grab the show below:

Show #549 (4/24/16)

1. Royce Da 5’9” – “Wait”
2. STATIK KXNG (Statik Selektah & Crooked I) – “I Hear Voices”
3. John Crown ft. Fatal Lucciauno – “Chutes & Ladders” (Local Music)
4. Kanye West ft. Kid Cudi – “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1”
5. Kanye West ft. Desiigner – “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 2”
6. 808INK – “Suede Jaw”
7. Domo Genesis ft. Anderson .Paak – “Dapper”
8. Phife Dawg – “Nutshell”
9. Nu Era ft. Blu – “Judkins Park” (Local Music)
10. Gallant – “Percogesic”
11. AOSOON – “City”
12. The Age of L.U.N.A. – “Blow Me Away”
13. Avelino – “Rich Soul”
14. J Dilla ft. Bilal – “The Ex”
15. BJ The Chicago Kid – “Turnin Me Up”
16. Jay-Z – “Streets Is Watching” (Throwback of the Week)
17. Smoke DZA – “Stage Five Steamer”
18. Elzhi – “February”
19. Musiq Soulchild ft. Rapsody – “Far Gone”
20. Snoh Aalegra – “In Your River”
21. Kali Uchis ft. Vince Staples & Steve Lacy – “Only Girl”
22. Rihanna – “Sex With Me”
23. MadeInTyo ft. Travis Scott – “Uber Everywhere (Remix)”
24. Tunji Ige – “Bring Yo Friends”
25. Raleigh Ritchie – “Werld Is Mine”
26. dvsn – “In + Out”
27. Suede Brown – “NightCall”
28. Nao – “Fool To Love”
29. Sol ft. Dave B – “Don’t Even Party” (Local Music)

Link to download – https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B72U-rgJjvmWMWZSQ0o0WlVkbmM

If you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and stream/download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

I love how Drake’s at the point where he can just release two videos out of the blue with no regard for marketing pushes from his label or anything else to worry about.  It’s similar to Kanye releasing “Theraflu” for no reason right after “Mercy,” just cause he felt that the people needed them both.  So right after “HYFR” comes this more serious, sullen video from Drizzy and a very un-Rihanna looking Robin Fenty.  As far as radio singles go, I’d be hard pressed to think of a record I like more than this one in the past year.

And if you want the inspiration, enjoy the classic from Bobby “Blue” Bland:

I didn’t think I’d like this, but they won me over with a few of the lines (“I’m Wale’s secret Santa” and Drake’s intonation on “liiiIIIIIIFE!”) and a few impressions in particular (Big Sean, Beyonce, J. Cole, Kreayshawn, Birdman, Drake, and Wyclef). J. Cole receiving a basketball as a gift was golden too. Pretty good stuff overall.

Order of appearances: Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, Plies, Rick Ross, Beyonce, J. Cole, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Tyler The Creator, Kreayshawn, Lil B, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Drake, Wyclef Jean, Rihanna, and LMFAO.

I’ve been meaning to post this up since last week, but I’ve been caught up in the post-Thanksgiving madness.  Florence kills this version of Drake and Rihanna’s soon to be smash in this live performance for BBC Radio 1.  As I’ve mentioned on Twitter, I can’t tell whether I live it and then Drake puts it in to song, or he writes about it and then it happens to me.  Either way, I’m pretty sure he owes me royalties on my life right now.

Jermaine might have my favorite record out at the moment with this one. “THAT’S THE HOOK RIGHT THURR!!!!”

It seems like when folks aren’t discussing planking on Twitter (hip-hop, you’re late to the party on that one), they’re talking Drizzy. I’ve seen negative feedback from a lot of my friends and peers for “Marvin’s Room” and “Trust Issues,” but like pretty much all of Drake’s music, I like these records.

And as emo as people want to accuse Drake of being, there’s something pretty gully about dropping the official visuals for “Marvin’s Room” right after Chris Brown released his version. Wamp waaaaaamp.

“I’m talkin’ crazy girl, I’m lucky that you picked up…”

As I’ve mentioned numerous times, I’m a sucker for flashing lights.  It’s a good thing I’m not prone to epileptic seizures, since this video is clearly going to cause a few of those.  This is an epic anthem and ‘Ye’s partnership with the NBA for All-Star Weekend is working flawlessly.

Best artist alive.

Is it just me, or is there some sort of acapella renaissance going on these days?  I’m not mad at this one at all, though the high synths and accompanying funny faces make this into more of a quirky video than it needed to be.  And of course, Shad is a better rapper than you all.  Hyph-approved.

I could write an essay on Kanye’s Runaway film, and the ensuing debates it sparked, but what’s the point?  There will be a million analytical pieces by Monday, and none of them will be any more “right” than the others.  It’s art…and I’m really not looking forward to hearing other people tell me how to consume it.

Personally, I’m satisfied with an interesting concept, some beautiful shots & colors, and some really dope music.  The intro scene with “Dark Fantasy” and the “Devil In A New Dress” segment were flawless, though part of me wishes this was the first time I ever heard any of these songs.  That’s always been one of my least favorite aspects of the internet age and I may have to revert back to avoiding music from my favorite artists until it’s officially presented.  Even with all the live performances, interviews, and song/artwork leaks spoiling much of Runaway, I thoroughly enjoyed the film.

Regardless of how you felt about it, you have to agree: no mainstream MC puts more effort and care into his music than Kanye.  Sure, it can come off pretentious at times (ok, much of the time), but he’s really trying to express something in his art and take it to new places.  He doesn’t always hit the mark, but musically, he’s never disappointed me.

A toast to Yeezy.

You may remember Paul from his work with the homies Inverse, but it’s clear from this video that he’s far more than just a dope violin player.  Woah.