The Audacity of Dope

Just realized I hadn’t posted up the latest visuals from Cat and Stas…my bad! Better late than never. Dream Hampton made her directorial debut on this one and it came out super fresh.

“don’t funk with my grooooove”

When Biz Markie spit the classic line, “damn it feels good to see people up on it,” it wasn’t really about having other people validate your work.  Nah…you were still going to grind and do your thing,  regardless of whether or not cats caught the “Vapors.”  But clearly, there’s something rewarding about seeing others share and appreciate that work, especially when they spread it to their circle of friends with no ulterior motives.

That’s precisely what I’m seeing with the tidal wave of critical acclaim from journalists, bloggers, artists, DJ’s, label reps, and most importantly, listeners, for the new album from SNSS‘ close friends, Shabazz Palaces.  Fans may be familiar with Ish’s previous work in Digable Planets or Cherrywine, but I promise you, Black Up is an album unlike anything you’ve heard.  It’s officially out today on the venerable Seattle label, Sub Pop Records, and if you haven’t peeped it yet, consider your cool kid card pulled.

Cop it here (or at your favorite retailer…support indies!) and if you need convincing, read glowing reviews on Pitchfork, Prefix, the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, the BBC, NPR, and the Seattle Times.  Speaking of NPR, Ann Powers and Andrew Matson are highlighting the burgeoning hip-hop scene in Seattle all week in their Grind and Shine piece.  On SNSS #317, you can hear interviews from both Shabazz and Matson.

Clear some space out, so we can space out.  Black Up.

Show #317 (6-26-11)

1. Curren$y – “She Don’t Want A Man”
2. Kendrick Lamar – “Hol’ Up”
3. Rapsody ft. Raekwon – “Black Diamonds”
4. Nas – “Take It In Blood” (Throwback of the Week)
5. Nas – “Nasty”
6. Elzhi – “One Love”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH SHABAZZ PALACES, PT. 1**
8. Helluvastate – “Make Moves” (Local Music)
9. TiRon & Ayomari ft. Seinabo Sey – “Back 2 U”
10. Cocaine 80’s – “Summer Madness”
11. Casual ft. Mike Frost – “Sunday’s Best”
12. Shabazz Palaces ft. Thee Satisfaction – “Swerve…the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)” (Local Music)
13. **INTERVIEW WITH SHABAZZ PALACES, PT. 2**
14. Shabazz Palaces – “Recollections of the wraith” (Local Music)
15. **INTERVIEW WITH SHABAZZ PALACES, PT. 3**
16. J. Cole – “Work Out”
17. The Cool Kids ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Swimsuits”
18. Random Axe ft. Roc Marciano – “Chewbacca”
19. Royce Da 5’9” – “Second Place”
20. Apathy – “Check To Check”
21. **INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW MATSON**
22. Blue Scholars – “Anna Karina” (Local Music)
23. Thurz – “Prayer”
24. H.O.P.E. ft. Jhene Aiko – “Do Better Blues”
25. Drake – “Marvin’s Room”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?qrila94pmaboeta
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/h4xfnd3g4z4w)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/919711259dd2b26e/)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

Oh, you didn’t know that Hyph gets down with indie rock?  Well, you’re right, I don’t really…but I’m trying to learn!  There’s too much good music out there to be trapped listening to just hip-hop and R&B.  In fact, I’ve been meaning to make a Lykke Li post for like a month now, I’ll get on that soon.

Anyway, I’m posting the new video from the Grand Archives up for 4 reasons.  First of all, it’s a dope track from the hometown.  Secondly, the legendary Sub Pop Records just had their 20th anniversay over the weekend and I heard it was crazy.  Third…alpacas!  Lastly, and most importantly, the star of the video is none other than Upendo, aka J. Moore‘s son!  So let’s get this straight: before he’s 10 years old, Upendo’s drummed with ?uestlove, told jokes with Dave Chappelle, made beats, released an album as part of Beyond Reality, and now he’s in a video featured on VH1?  Wow.  Little man is destined for big things.