Trip Lee – Good Thing
The swan song on Christian rapper’s Trip Lee‘s new album The Good Life. Don’t sleep cuz of the Christian thing. Dude is kinda nice.
Kurtis Stanley :: On My Mind
Lil’ something for my single folks out there. Produced by Gummy Soul of Fela Soul fame, “On My Mind” showcases newcomer Kurtis Stanley kickin game to the local bar bunny. Nothing too over the top, just a real honest and chill record about a guy trying to get to know a lady better. Something I can relate to. The best game is no games. Chuuuuch.
Miguel :: Adorn
Miguel is an artiste in every sense of the word. This video is an interpretation of the album art for his upcoming release, Art Dealer Chic Vol. 1, which he painted himself. Just another talent for the ladies to adorn.
Art Dealer Chic Vol. 1 :: In Stores 2.27.12 :: artdealerchic.com
via Okayplayer
The Don is Gone
We’ve lost yet another Titan of black music this week – to kick off black history month no less. The great Don Cornelius’ life ended in a manner that none of us would have imagined. But his gruesome end does nothing to tarnish his legacy in my opinion. In my most formative years, he, along with other recently passed music luminaries “had me feelin’ like black was the thing to be.” Soul Train was a celebration of black culture at its best orchestrated brilliantly by the Don’s uber-cool persona and trademark baritone. His life’s work lives on in all of us who were blessed to take part in the celebration. I just pray that he’s been forgiven and shimmied his way on down a Soul Train line into Heaven.
Thank you Don,
Rest in Love, Peace and Soul
Iron Solomon :: Almost There
Iron Solomon’s evolution from battle MC to legit artist continues. Debut album Monster coming soon…
Chris Turner :: Liquid Love
Was hanging out with a friend of mine this weekend and she put me on to quite a few new gems. The best of which was this song Liquid Love by Chris Turner – an original interpolation inspired by a Roy Ayers’ classic record of the same name. Check out a few more impressive vids of Mr. Turner after the jump. Brotha’s got a special voice.
Change of Heart (Freestyle session w/ Melo-X, Jesse Boykins III and MoRuf)
Find a Way
Dr. King’s Greatest Fear Realized
© Ernest Withers Photography
For some reason, of all of Dr. King’s speeches and quotes, this one has stuck with me the most.
“There is nothing more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity” – MLK jr.
I think what strikes a chord with me is the fact that this statement has come to fruition. I feel that it embodies one of the fundamental ills of today’s generation. The collective self-discipline, desire to learn, succeed and advance in society experienced in Dr. King’s era – partly borne of their common struggle against racial inequity and persecution – has been replaced by a desire to be “cool.” A “cool” developed in the post civil rights era in the midst and wake of Reaganomics with it’s bolstering of the drug trade and subsequent mass incarceration that tore apart the fabric of the black family. The strong values that would have otherwise been passed on from that proud generation were done away by the need for broken families to fend for themselves by any means necessary. Its no surprise that we’ve developed a singular-minded, crabs in a barrel mentality that epitomizes the “sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity” that Dr. King feared the most. With that said, I think that one of the things we can do to carry on his legacy is to challenge the notion that the poor life choices that have become commonplace in our communities are “cool” and reinforce the idea and practice of collective will that affected so much positive change under his leadership. With a unified voice, financial and political agenda I think that we’d be able to make good on the sacrifices that he and so many others made to afford us the opportunity to realize our greatness. Maybe its too foolish or lofty a goal but what can I say, I’m a dreamer.
The Internet :: Purple Naked Ladies
I’ve always felt that Syd the Kid was the oddest member of LA youth movement super-group Odd Future. As the lone female in the group, she’s obviously nowhere near as off the wall as their front man, Tyler the Creator, but more so because I didn’t know what role she played besides her tour DJ/studio engineer duties. I mean, not many groups take the time to acknowledge their engineer so I figured she had some sort of talent the world had yet to see. That sneaky suspicion was proved correct with the release of this gem of an album Purple Naked Ladies. Under the deft moniker The Internet she flexes her vocal talents over stellar production by Matt Martians of The Jet Age of Tomorrow. With an assist from Duepayer fave Coco (of Quadron) on the album’s standout track, Visions, as well as other quality jawns like Web of Me and Cocaine, its clear that she can hold her own with the likes fellow OF crooner Frank Ocean. Purple Naked Ladies is yet another notch on the Odd Future collective’s belt and further proof of their staying power, making the conspicuous absence of their most talented member a little less painful. Free Earl!
Visions
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Web of Me
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Cocaine (Official Video)
