Thanks to the Freemasons, Illuminati, Fox News, Big Oil and all the other power-brokers that royally screwed us, there is no doubt your asshole boss has told you to do ‘more with less’ lately. In that spirit, here are 17 of the best short-but-sweet hip-hop jammies. The criteria is strict, no longer than 120 seconds. No bona fide interludes; instrumentals are eligible but there has to be at least a minor musical progression. Blog police: I’m not saying these are the best, I’m just saying these are fucking incredible. Chime on in, ye of the short-attention span, that is, if you made the grade in hip-hop masterclass.
|
With Labor Day behind us, Summer is officially disappearing in the review mirror. But the best thing about fall isn’t the colors, it’s the great new music that the season brings to get us through the shorter days and colder nights until Christmas. Here’s the albums you should be certain to check every week. …MORE
|
While witnessing The Roots & John Legend blow the roof off in West Hollywood this weekend, it occurred to me that the last time I was so enthralled by a show at the legendary Troubadour was when Atmosphere came through in 2006 with a full live band. “Slug is on some Springsteen shit” is how former URB editor Scott Sterling described that night as the backpacker from Minneapolis took us through over two hours and serious emo-rap, brought to life by a five-piece live band.
Atmosphere just announced some new tour dates for 2010—named the “To All My Friends Tour,” which to my chagrin doesn’t include LA (yet). But here’s what’s on deck so far for the tour which also features Blueprint, Grieves & Budo and DJ Rare Groove. …MORE
|
Last night, John Legend and The Roots brought their recent collaboration the intimate state of West Hollywood’s Troubadour, the 54-years-young legendary music venue that has hosted more historical moments than many notorious venues—CBGBs, The Filmore and neighboring Whiskey A Go-Go—combined. And while this inspired pairing might not rank with Elton John’s first U.S. appearance or Mookie Blaylock’s first ever gig under their new name, Pearl Jam, last night’s performance threatened to rip the old wooden ceiling off. Showcasing their new overtly conscious album of soul covers, Wake Up!, the five-piece crew (no Black Thought, no Tuba Gooding Jr.) ripped through a majority of the record, including the title track which found Common making an unscheduled appearance onstage. But other than this hip-hop interlude, it was near impossible to place a date …
Over the last few weeks, we’ve shared videos from Q-Tip, Phonte, and Janelle Monae all singing their praises on Bilal and his highly anticipated new album, Airtight’s Revenge dropping September 14th via Los Angeles based independent label, Plug Research. This time around, we have ?uestlove of The Roots crew and self-proclaimed “favorite twitterer’s favorite music snob” talks about Bilal calling him the “greatest specimen of voice in post-modern hip hop culture…”
Leave a Comment!