Okay, last VIDEO today, I promise:
Category: Video
VIDEO: “Heaven Only Knows” (A.R.M. ft. Brother Ali)
I know I’ve been all about the videos lately. (Pssst: it’s a tactic this blogger uses when he doesn’t have the time or inspiration to write something of substance, shhh…don’t tell anyone.)
Here’s yet another one: A.R.M.’s video for “Heaven Only Knows.” A.R.M. is based in Minneapolis (M.anifest by way of Ghana, Krukid by Uganda), with the Seattle connect being the production which is by Town-native, Budo. If I were looking to have only one producer handle my debut album (dropping 2015, son!), Budo would be on my shortlist.
(P.S. Just kidding about my debut album. Please, I couldn’t rap my way out of a wet tortilla.)
VIDEO: “Zone Out/Nothin’ On Me” (Avatar Young Blaze) + Download
Gangsta is not dead:
Avatar Young Blaze’s style is not really my sh*t, but good on ‘im for making proper moves. His new mixtape, From Russia With Love is available now for FREE download.
VIDEO: “Empire State of Mind” (Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys)
First off, I know there are haters, but I love this song. It can make the smallest fishes in this huge pond feel like the most colossal of champions, especially when it’s late night on the headphones, walking down any street in Manhattan. (You really won’t understand the feeling until you do it for yourself.) It’s pure ear candy that should be appreciated for what it is: a great piece of unadulterated pop music porn.
But damn, the video could have been so much more. I’m really disappointed — I think it’s boring. It looks like something a grad student could have made for a film editing course (though I guess the fly-overs probably would’ve been challenging). Jay and Alicia consistently bring the class. I feel like the director Hype phoned it in.
I do have a cool story about this video, though. Click here to read it. I was standing about 20 feet away from Jay when he says “I used to cop in Harlem…etc”. Here’s basically what I saw (P.S. I did NOT take this video):
VIDEO: BET Awards The Cypher (Mos Def, Black Thought & Eminem)
The Roots have become such a corporate entity that sometimes I forget Black Thought is one of the illest emcees around and not just another well-tuned instrument in a mainstream hip-hop band. (Not saying I don’t still love The Roots, just saying it’s not as “cool” to anymore.)
VIDEO: “I Swear” (Hill-B ft. Khingz & TC IZLAM)
Hill-B = Hillary Butler. Husky football alum, stand up!
VIDEO: “We Were Once A Fairytale” (dir. Spike Jonze ft. Kanye West)
I think this is hella sad.
VIDEO: “Something New (Remix)” (Fresh Espresso ft. Grynch, Macklemore & Gatsby)
My LOVE/hate relationship with Fresh Espresso continues! Hooray!
Check out this post on Winners Circle (Blah Blog) for the download links to “Something New (Remix)” and a brand NEW Fresh Espresso track, “Bedroom”. P Smoov and Rik Rude (aka Fresh Espresso, aka The Boys I Love to Hate) made some more fire — damn, man.
VIDEO: Blue Scholars Interview (The Long Pilgrimage)
Just viewed this video on Blogs is Watching (courtesy The Long Pilgrimage on Vimeo).
Blue Scholars is my favorite hip-hop group out of the 206. I make no secret about it. Of all the local acts, I relate the most to Geo and Sabzi’s brand of political-minded, progressive rap. My affinity and loyalties within hip-hop music are inextricably linked to my constantly-evolving view of what’s going on in the world around me. I’ve found that the music I favor on my iPod is a function of where my consciousness is in the world. I’m incredibly thankful that groups like Blue Scholars exist. They serve to further confirm certain value systems and principles that I’m steadily learning about and striving to adopt or, in some cases even, reject.
VIDEO: “Life Is Better” (Q-Tip ft. Norah Jones)
Q-Tip is kind of a hippie (but we been knowing that) and I still contend Norah Jones could have a career in neo-soul (whatever the f*ck that is). This video made me happy during a week that has been very unhappy.
A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG 