Everybody put three fingers in the air.

I’ve always been proud to say that my music taste is extremely eclectic. I love everything from Frank Sinatra to Tupac to The Fray (my favorite band!–>check out my earlier post about them!) and back to The Temptations. Listening to music is one of my favorite past times so, naturally, I was really excited to start college because I knew that I would be exposed to new genres of music and falling in love with new music is one of my favorite things to do! But lately, I’ve really been trying to delve back into my hip hop roots. I guess I have my older sisters to thank for my love of hip hop. They were the ones that kept the 80s and 90s hip hop blasting from the stereo in my home when I was a little girl. Since I’ve been trying to reconnect with good, genuine, traditional hip hop (not that tired, played-out, trashy music that Lil’ Wayne calls “hip hop”), I find myself listening to Kendrick Lamar more these days.

If you call yourself well-educated on hip hop, then you should recall the “West Coat-East Coast” fad that began in the late 80s and has been revitalized due to Black Hippy. Black Hippy is a group of upcoming West Coast rappers from California. Their music is reminiscent of that old-school, laid-back, gritty yet honest sound that was so relevant to the 80s and 90s. The group consists of four rappers: Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Ab-Soul (pictured below from left to right).

Kendrick Lamar is my favorite, but I really feel like this group could revolutionize hip hop in a new way and take it back to where it used to be. You know what I’m talking about. That kind of music that required you to sit and just delve into its lyrics. Or you could just be riding in the car, chilling with your friends, listening to the beat as you drive down the street. You know what I mean? It’s…relatable, it’s real, it’s conscious, and it provides something that is lacking in today’s definition of hip hop: substance.

Kendrick Lamar, a rapper from Compton, California, is, as far as I’m concerned, the reason for why Black Hippy has gained recognition now, though Schoolboy Q is definitely up there, too. His musical style reminds me of a mix between Lupe Fiasco, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and 2Pac. The one thing that really did it for me was the fact that Kendrick and Ab Soul created this movement called “HiiiPoWeR (stylized by holding three fingers in the air – hence, the title of this post).” Originally a song from his independent digital album Section.80 (which is really awesome, by the way), “HiiiPoWeR” was intended to be released to further the HiiiPoWeR movement. A quote from Lamar in a HipHop DX interview gives a brief explanation of the movement:

“A lot of people don’t understand. They think it’s just a song. It’s really a big movement       that we’ve got in L.A. that’s spreading like wildfire,” he said. “Hiiipower: the three i’s represent heart, honor and respect. That’s how we carry ourselves in the streets, and just in the world, period. Hiiipower, it basically is the simplest form of representing just being above all the madness, all the bullshit. No matter what the world is going through, you’re always going to keep your dignity and carry yourself with this manner that it don’t phase you. Whatever you think negative is in your life. Overcoming that and still having that self-respect.”

HiiiPoWeR has common roots with the movement, T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. (The Hate U Gave Little Infants Fucks Everyone) started by late West Coast rapper 2Pac. T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. tells us that neglecting our young children can lead to future problems, not only for the child, but also for the community. HiiiPoWeR and T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. both seek to uplift a nearly broken generation that is being destroyed by society. And I think that’s something really special and incredible. And way overdue.

Because I love Kendrick Lamar so much and want other people to know about him and love him too, I had the idea to dedicate a whole post to him. You’re very welcome.

Stay Hiii,

Ayolah

P.S. Not that kind of high.

HiiiPoWeR – Kendrick Lamar (from Section.80)

Where it started.

Swimming Pools (Drank) – Kendrick Lamar (from good kid, m.A.A.d city)

No Make-Up (Her Vice) – Kendrick Lamar  (from Section.80)

For you, ladies.

Keisha’s Song (Her Pain) – Kendrick Lamar (from Section.80)

This song does it. I still remember the first time I heard it. My sister and I were driving to Boston for the first time. It was August 13th, maybe three or four o’clock in the morning. Everything was quiet, including me. And I listened to the lyrics of this song while my eyes wandered through the darkness illuminated by the car’s headlights. And even after the song ended, the lyrics stayed with me, bouncing around in my head. The lyrical brilliance of this song is something special.

Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe – Kendrick Lamar (from good kid, m.A.A.d city)

“Threes in the air. I can see you are in sync.”

Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst – Kendrick Lamar (from good kid, m.A.A.d. city)

The deepest, most poignant song on the entire album, Lamar wrote from the perspective of siblings of Kendrick’s friends that he had written songs about on Section.80 and good kid, m.A.A.d city. Hence, the title, “Sing About Me.”

A Little Bit of Soundtrack Lovin’: Save the Last Dance

It’s that time again, people.

That is, it’s time for my next post in the Soundtrack Lovin’ series! And this post is being dedicated to another favorite movie of mine - Save the Last Dance (2001). It’s about a white girl whose mother dies suddenly so she is forced to move to a very urban, largely African-American populated part of Chicago with her estranged father. Having to, of course, switch schools to a predominantly black school, she meets a black guy and the two bond over their love of dance while facing interracial relationship challenges; he also helps her rediscover her forgotten love for ballet. It’s a lovely movie, really. It features Julia Styles and Sean Patrick Thomas, who provides major  eye candy for the ladies.

The soundtrack is really slammin’ (that’s some slang from the movie) and and I really hope you guys take a chance to listen to it or at least watch the movie.

Ayolah

You Make Me Sick – P!nk

And most people don’t even know about P!nk’s R & B days.

Crazy – K-Ci & JoJo

Only You – 112 (feat The Notorious B.I.G. & Mase)

And my personal favorites…

You Can Do It – Ice Cube (feat. Mack 10 & Ms. Toi)

I really wish I could have found a video for this scene on YouTube because this is honestly one of the best parts of the movies. Sarah (Julia Styles) has been learning how to dance with a little bit of flavor from Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas) and she finally showcases a routine he taught her at the local club. The routine is widely loved, of course.

You – Raphael Saadiq  (feat. Q-Tip & Snoop Dogg)

Murder She Wrote – Chaka Demus & Pliers

This is one of the BEST dance songs. EVER. And I’m still listening to it years later and it was first released in the 1990s. I think that’s saying something. This scene from the movie is also really awesome.

U Know What’s Up – Donell Jones

When was the last time there was a quality female rapper around?

I’d say it was about five to ten years ago. The female hip hop game is seriously lagging. Back in the 80s and 90s, there was a plethora of female rappers to listen to: Yo-Yo, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Lauryn Hill, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, Left Eye, and probably a ton of people I’m forgetting. And even during the years of 2000 to about 2005, I’d say we had a few female rappers: Missy Elliott, Eve, etc.

Sorry (but not really) to say it, but Nicki Minaj just isn’t cutting it these says. Being the woman I am, I feel it’s okay to have a strong foundation of male rappers, such as Eminem, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, etc, that are around, but I think it’s always been reassuring to have women as well.

That’s why I’ve decided to provide a list of songs by female rappers that I think are exemplary of good music. Some are old songs, and some are new. Anyway, enjoy the music!

Ayolah

Brandy – I Wanna Be Down (Remix) (feat. MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, & Yo-Yo) 

Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)

TLC – Waterfalls

Lil’ Kim – Hold On (feat. Mary J. Blidge)

Missy Elliott – Hot Boyz (feat. Lil’ Mo, Eve, & Nas) 

Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y. 

AND if you’re looking for up-and-coming female rappers, here are two to interest you. I don’t really know much about current music. I indulge in the oldies, to be honest. But these two ladies have been listed on GlobalGrind’s 10 Favorite Up and Coming Female Rappers as of February 2012. Check ‘em out!

Iggy Azalea – My World

Azealia Banks – 212 (feat. Lazy Jay)

I Should Really Pay More Attention to the Apps on My Phone

After having my phone (Samsung Galaxy S I) for a year and nine months, I have finally taken it upon myself to explore the apps that came pre-loaded on my android. Surprisingly, I actually found something I liked! I’m usually not one for streaming radio stations/playlists, but Slacker Radio has changed that mentality for good. I customized a playlist (titled “Indie/R&B/Hip-Hop”) and found a few gems that I hadn’t heard in a while. Check them out below!

Come Close - Common

The Wilhelm Scream – James Blake

Check On It – Beyonce

Differences – Ginuwine

Feel It All Around – Washed Out

Bounce 102: Boyshawts, or, Bounce’s Rise to Fame and Infamy

This post is the second installment of a two-part series on New Orleans Bounce music. Click here to read part one, “Bounce 101: Introduction to Bounce”.

“Man, forget going to the club to meet someone new! When I wanna meet someone new I go get me a basket, and I go walk around Walmart. All the women be in Walmart, ya heard?!”

More unforgettable words have never been spoken. And these 36 words from Mr. Ghetto’s “Walmart” are only the beginning of the most mind-boggling and booty-shaking four minutes and twenty-two seconds of video that you will ever—ever—see.

Let me ask you a question: What do you do when you go to Walmart? Do you buy vegetables? Bread? Maybe some other household necessities such as toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, and the like? For most of us, the process of going to Walmart probably involves going in, making groceries, and coming right back out as soon as humanly possible (because who wants to spend their whole Saturday standing in line at Walmart?).

But not Mr. Ghetto!

Mr. Ghetto’s infatuation with the experience of going to Walmart brought him a level of fame—or rather, infamy—that I’m sure nobody shooting a homemade video with a handicam expects to receive. As a result of his love for boyshort-clad women who like to make their groceries in Walmart, Mr. Ghetto attracted a worldwide audience. I had friends up in the northeast calling me and asking if I’ve been to that Walmart (for the record, I’ve shopped at that particular Walmart many times before). Heck, I met people from Spain that said they had seen the video.

I’m not entirely sure that it was Mr. Ghetto’s intention to reach such a high level of internet fame, and it probably came as a huge surprise to him when the video garnered 1.2 million views in the first week alone. But that said, it’s kind of hard not to make a scene when you bring two boyshort-clad dancers in sports bras into your local grocery store and then shoot video of them (I always wonder how long they stayed in there filming for) gyrating furiously at a velocity that rivals the speed of light.

After the release of Mr. Ghetto’s “Walmart,” it didn’t take long before the rest of the country knew what bounce music was. In an interview with NOLA Defender, a blog centered on New Orleans culture, Mr. Ghetto said, “Bounce, you know, they don’t consider it mainstream. But after this song right here, this is mainstream. It don’t get more mainstream this. So, hopefully, this is going to change the game.”

Mr. Ghetto was right; bounce certainly did go mainstream after this. However, it’s hard to say whether the people who saw the video necessarily thought of Bounce as being a legitimate form of music after having viewed the video. Youtube reactions were mixed: while some people thought it was hilarious, sharing it with their friends and undoubtedly having themselves a good laugh over the Shake Team’s impressive dance moves, others responded negatively, admonishing Mr. Ghetto for the video’s explicit content and distaste. Unfortunately, neither of these are the reactions that you want when trying to get people to take your music seriously. Even more unfortunate is that some people came to view New Orleans itself in a negative light after seeing “Walmart.”

Luckily for Bounce music’s reputation, some serious damage control came in the form of Diplo and Nicky da B.

 “Express Yourself,” featuring New Orleans Bounce artist Nicky da B, comes off of Philly-based DJ and producer Diplo’s latest EP of the same name.  After attending one of the many Bounce showcases in New Orleans, Diplo reportedly liked what he saw and began hanging around with the Bounce big-names in an effort to get to know the Bounce music and culture better.

His efforts, in my opinion, clearly paid off in “Express Yourself.” Due to the nature of Bounce—any genre that puts an emphasis on “booty-clapping” is bounce to be a bit raunchy and hypersexual—it can easily come off as distasteful to those who haven’t experienced it before. And, though I mean no disrespect to Mr. Ghetto or his music, getting people outside of the New Orleans area to understand Bounce needed more than a haphazard video shot in the lingerie section of Walmart.

Diplo and Nicky da B’s collaboration, in addition to being better thought-out than Mr. Ghetto’s video, is also much more well-balanced. “Express Yourself” contains many of the same elements of “Walmart”—the fast beats, the repetition, the booty-clapping, and the boyshorts (or “boyshawts” as New Orleanians so lovingly call them).

However, “Express Yourself” is a lot more lively, colorful (literally – the sweater Nicky wears in the video probably includes nearly every color of the rainbow) and upbeat, reflecting some of the qualities that I think make New Orleans so unique. The video is shot on-location in New Orleans at a variety of local landmarks, a great way to include elements of the city’s culture. Additionally, the song itself is a lot more melodically playful than other Bounce tunes, and it can’t hurt that it was produced by a world-renowned DJ.

The things that “Express Yourself” does work because they help to tone down what otherwise might be another risqué Bounce video. The dancers are better-clothes and the message better-said (because, honestly, who doesn’t want to express themselves?!). Diplo and Nicky da B’s collaboration is seriously fun, with emphasis on the serious. Because of songs like theirs, people now know that Bounce means business.

There are obviously a lot of other players in the Bounce game that helped to take the genre to where it is today. However much longer the full account of it’s history may be, I hope that you enjoyed this abridged introduction to this fun and truly unique style of music. If you’re interested in seeing live Bounce, don’t forget to check out Nicky da B open for Tilly and the Wall at Brighton Music Hall in October (tickets can be found here).

Bounce 101: Introduction to Bounce

One of the biggest misconceptions that I’ve heard about Southerners regards the kinds of music that they listen to. If you ask anybody living below the Mason-Dixon line (yes, I suppose that you can also include Texas), they’ll present you with an array of artists and styles that reflects tastes not all that different from people living in the rest of the country. But if you ask anybody else (read: Yankees), the only kinds of music that we play down in the bayou are jazz, pickup-truck-and-beer country ballads, and banjo-pickin’ finger-lickin’ good ole’ bluegrass music.

Now, I’m not going to refute the fact that a lot of us think country and bluegrass are awesome (one of my favorite songs—”Callin’ Baton Rouge”—is by Garth Brooks, and I used to own a banjo. But that’s another story). However, many places in the South—especially where I’m from in New Orleans—produce bands that experiment with all styles of music, from indie to hip-hop, electronic, and rock. One of the most exciting musical trends that we’ve experienced in recent years has been New Orleans Bounce music, or just “Bounce” for short.

Bounce originated in New Orleans sometime between the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. For most of the time since then, it has been a phenomenon localized largely to New Orleans, but which eventually spread to other Southern urban centers such as Atlanta. Growing up during the early 2000’s, I remember DJ Jubilee’s “Get it Ready, Ready!” permeating virtually every school dance or Jewish Community Center sock hop (yes, we had those) that I attended.  The song—still probably one of his biggest hits, and the song that everybody still requests when DJ Jubilee plays his monthly Bounce show at the popular La Maison music club—is a fast-paced, high-energy blend of repetitive beats and melodies. And like most Bounce songs, it is highly infectious.

One of the most important aspects of Bounce music is the call-and-response style that songs often use. In “Get it Ready, Ready!” Jubilee calls out dance-move directions to the audience the entire time (“Now walk it like a dog!”—trust me, you all want to see that one). The call-and-response separates Bounce from a lot of other music that I’ve heard because it is super interactive for the audience, and therefore super, super fun.

People in New Orleans eat this stuff up like it’s a Thanksgiving turkey. And, from what I can tell, people up here do, too. This past April I went to see Big Freedia—one of New Orleans’ most beloved Bounce artists—perform at Brighton Music Hall. I guarantee you that most of the people in that room had never been to a Bounce show before. But when Freedia got up there, people were so eager to shake their booties in front of everybody that they were running towards that stage like Ryan Gosling was waiting for them at the finish line.

Honestly, it’s kind of hard to fully describe the awesomeness of a Bounce show experience. It’s hip-hop on speed, it’s participation, it’s shaking your ass. But it’s also just kind of ridiculous. And that’s the best part. Even though Bounce knows this, it doesn’t give a crap, because Bounce just wants to have fun.

If you want to experience some Bounce goodness for yourself, make sure to head on down to Brighton Music Hall (again!) to see Nicky da B open for Tilly and the Wall on Friday, October 12 (you may purchase tickets by clicking here).

This post just barely scratches the surface of the Bounce phenomenon, and there were a lot of parts that I wasn’t able to get to in order to give you a better picture of how it all began in the first place. Stay tuned to the BU Central blog if you want to hear more about Bounce and it’s rise to fame (or infamy)!

Allison

So, Let’s Talk About Kanye

Notably deemed one of  Hip-Hop’s most controversial rappers, Kanye West  recently released a track featuring the “King of Hype Men” DJ Khaled that’ll have you clenching a fist to your mouth while yelling “Oh!” for several verses at time because you couldn’t believe he would say such a thing. But, then again, this is Kanye West we’re talking about (please refer to the Kanye West Interrupts Taylor Swift at VMAs youtube video if you need a refresher of how arrogant he can be).

In the track titled Theraflu, Kanye talks about well-discussed “barbershop topics” regarding his feelings toward Wiz Khalifa proposing to his former lady love Amber Rose and his rumored relationship with Kim Kardashian. Personally, I had a good chuckle when I heard his verse where he practically threatened Kris Humphries by saying he’s lucky he “didn’t have Jay kick him off the team.” Yet another priceless Kanye verse to add to the list.

Check out the track below:

 

And if that wasn’t enough for you, watch this guy’s review of Theraflu. Trust me, you’ll thank me later for the laugh you will have:

 

- Sherelle

A Well-Deserved Lap of Victory

About a week ago I had a dream that I met Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It happened at one of their concerts and I was with my best friend. Her and I swooned over the two musicians and they ended up leaving the stage to go and hang out with us. After a while we got to talking and Alison (my friend) and I made it very clear that we were kind of disappointed that they did not play “And We Danced” at the show before we all left (you will understand the importance later). At this moment we were dragged from where we were sitting onto the stage (it just appeared because things like that happen in dreams) and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis played the song while Alison and I danced on stage along side them. Needless to say I was incredibly disappointed to have to wake up for my Environmental Science lecture. Sometimes reality is just so much less exciting.

I have been following Macklemore and Ryan Lewis since I was in the 8th grade. Now that I am away at school every time I hear their music I feel like I am right back in the Pacific Northwest. I know I always talk about music triggering memories but I frequently get tingles in my whole body when listening to this music, it is truly inspiring.

Recently Macklemore was awarded with being a part of XXL Magazine’s Freshmen Class. An extraordinary achievement, and one that him and Ryan Lewis most definitely deserved. This week they released this song and video as a tribute to the path they have traveled to get to where they are today. The song, “Victory Lap” highlights the high (and the not so high) points of their careers and it makes waiting for their new album to come out that much harder!

“Victory Lap”

 

I almost forgot! I told you I would fill you in on why them playing “And We Danced” was so important in my dream… no words can describe, but watch this video all the way through and you will understand.

“And We Danced”

 

Check out Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on their website http://macklemore.com/

The rain today in Boston makes me feel like I am right back home in Washington, and since I have been able to inside all day and simply enjoy the pitter patter on my classroom windows I LOVE IT!

Stay warm and dry!

Love always,

Lanie

P.S. One more video to celebrate the Mariners’ 9th inning comeback against the Rangers last night!

British Children + Quality Rap Music = The Most Adorable Video You Will Ever Watch

It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to say that Azealia Banks is the single best thing to happen to rap music in 2012. Her speedy rhymes and sick beats make almost every track she drops instantly danceable, especially the wildly popular “212″.

I’m a huge fan of the song and her music in general, but the purpose of this post is not to praise her obvious brilliance. It’s to show you CUTE BRITISH CHILDREN reviewing “212″ and dancing around to it and it is literally the cutest thing to ever exist in this world. Literally.

Videos like that make me want to go outside and impregnate the first person I see…or kidnap a child…or maybe just babysit for someone. Yeah, I’d say that’s much more likely.

Have a great week, y’all!

Josh

Weekend of Leaks: Drake, Childish Gambino, AND Birdy!

I’m not sure about all y’all, but the world of music was very kind to me over the weekend. THREE of my most anticipated albums of the year leaked, giving me a ton of new tracks to keep me patient for at least another week or so.

It’s been over a year since Drake released his last offering, Thank Me Later, and his follow-up album is certainly something to get excited about. I’ve only listened through it a couple times so far, and the major standout for me is the sexy title track with Rihanna, “Take Care.”

Childish Gambino is Community star Donald Glover‘s rap project and he’s finally releasing his debut album after a string of mixtapes and EPs. Camp has Glover constantly testing out new genres to accomodate his hilarious and poignant raps. “Heartbeat” goes hard with a legit electronic beat and is definitely worth a listen.

Birdy is a 15-year old British phenom that y’all clearly need to know about. She grabbed major attention last year with her cover of Bon Iver‘s “Skinny Love” and she continues that trend of fascinating covers on her debut album (all tracks except for one are covers). My favorite, a beautiful version of The National‘s “Terrible Love,” was nowhere on YouTube, but I was able to find her equally beautiful rendition of The xx‘s “Shelter.”

That’s it for this week, hope y’all enjoyed the tracks!

Josh