Archive for February, 2012
[music video] The Stepkids – Shadows On Behalf
Download The Stepkids Shadows On Behalf
I posted the MP3 for this track before. It was one of my favorite songs of 2011 no question.
[album stream] Cilla K – New World Lullabies
Speaking of Tensei, he had a hand in producing some of the new album, New World Lullabies by Kitchen favorite, ‘urban-progressive’, elctro-soul singer, Cilla K. Check it out and tell me what you think….
[album stream] Tensei – ONE EP
Another nice one for your Sunday listening. Official plug (pun not intended) details follow…
Simple X and Midas Wells were both born and raised in the city of wind. Chris grew up in the suburbs while Midas spent many of his formative years in the south side of Chicago. X recalls his teenage years when MCing was his expression of choice but the day he touched a beat machine that all changed and production became the priority. Midas was drawn to music through summers he would spend in Arkansas visiting his grandmother and her antique piano. Though his parents were religious, he got introduced to secular music through records played by uncles and brothers. He began dabbling in production with pause tapes and a Casio SK-1.
On separate paths, Midas and Simple X finally met at Southern Illinois University in the late 90’s where they shared a dorm. They were part of a collective of friends who all had hip-hop in common, among them Serengeti of Anticon and Open Mike Eagle. At the time X and Midas met while cyphering, though neither was ever a serious MC, but nonetheless the two built a natural rapport and friendship. It was in that dorm room that Midas and X would become musical lab partners, experimenting with sound and working within the limited capacity that their resources afforded them in 1998. Once college ended however, the collective went their own ways and pursued more individual paths, many still involved in music, but X and Midas lost touch for a bit. X got a “regular job” but still devoted his energy to production on from time to time. Midas continued making music and though he had several projects there were a few experiences that turned him off and Midas left music all-together for a bit.
A few years ago, Simple X and Midas serendipitously ran into each other at a friend’s gig in Chicago and mutual curiosity led to the seed for Tensei being planted. Soon, they decided to try and make music together. After spending some time honing their production chops, X and Midas developed a sublime synergy between the two. “We can speak with the music without much hassle,” explains Midas. They hail from the musical mecca of Chicago, so the two have a vast wealth of influence and history to inform their production. As a result, Tensei is not heavily reliant on samples. They play musical parts themselves with both real and digital instruments, along with working with session musicians and vocalists. Simple X used his knowledge of Japanese language and culture to choose the name Tensei, meaning ‘heaven star’, for the duo.
[via Plug Research]
[album stream] Rasson Arigato – New World E.P.
6-track instrumental EP recently submitted to my inbox. I kinda digs…
Rasson Arigato online – website | twitter
[music video] Carl Thomas – Don’t Kiss Me feat. Snoop Dogg (+ Cosmic Kev freestyle)
Download Snoop Dogg SNOOP FREESTYLE COME UP
This Carl Thomas video/song is pretty generic (well maybe not generic but pretty meh) but I posted it mostly as an excuse to post this AMAZING Snoop Dogg freestyle from the Cosmic Kev Come Up Radio Show on Power 99 in Philly. Snoop is a TRUE MC who is way underrated. Listen to this and tell me, Snoop shouldn’t be in everyone’s Top 10 between his amazing catalog of music and raw MC-ing ability. Freestyling like this 20 years into the game still??! SALUTE!!!!
BTW: how has Snoop never won a Grammy??! F-cking TRAVESTY!!! Another reason why I shouldn’t bother watching them tonight….
Bonus:
Snoop x VICE at The Playboy Mansion for the Project X film which is a f-cking crazy movie!
[via BoBO]