Mainstream Sunday pt. I

Hip-Hop Royalty: Kanye, Rihanna, and Jay-Z

I thought I'd start a day of the week where I post a bunch of mainstream stuff thats getting a buzz or stuff that I think is worthy of radio play or may hit the mainstream. The picture above is from the upcoming video for the new Jay-Z song "Run This Town". Looks cool right?

Speaking of Jay-Z, in this song entitled "Warrior", Hov raps alongside Lil Wayne, Drake, and Gif Majorz. The song was produced by Dem Jointz as part of his League of Extraordinary Gentleman project which apparently also features Kanye, T.I., and M.I.A. (gentlewoman?). Again, Drake and Wayne on the same track and I feel like the new guy comes on a lot a stronger. Great rhymes and he just seems more confident somehow. Maybe its just cuz Waynes message is getting worn out: we know you're a player/ smoke all the time/ are gangster. Sure Drake's message isn't too far off but his styles a breath of fresh air... for now at least.

And P.S., Jay-Z still is the King, on both of these tracks - also here covering the Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" (on YouTube from All Points West). Check out Dem Jointz though the song "The Best" with Kanye and Wayne is a winner. It's very different for a rap song. I'm a fan of this guys music. Its kinda jazzy?

On the theme of covers, let's talk about Mos Def. Here's a video of him covering the late King of Pop's "Billie Jean". Proving once again that what he has above most other rappers is passion heart and ingenuity. I love Mos Def even though I've only recently gotten into him but you should really check out his album "The Ecstatic" especially the sensational song "Quiet Dog Bite Hard" but also "Twilite Speedball" and "Life in Marvelous Times" (on Myspace). Mos Def combines genres incredibly as well as meaningful spoken word. Again, I'm only a new fan but I find him quickly rising to become one of my favorite rappers.

Another rap group who I admittedly don't know that well but enjoy everything they do is the Roots. And a girl I love who I've taken every opportunity to promote on here is Janelle Monae.

Meet the Roots ft. Janelle Monae on her song "Sincerely, Jane." This video will prove to you that she is truly a superstar. And the Roots have taken notice. So should you.

"The truth hurts and so does yesterday. What good is love if it burns bright and explodes in flames?" I don't know Janelle but I feel ya haha.

Okay it is at this time that I need a disclaimer. This is not a hip-hop blog. This is an all types of music that I like blog.

Meaning I could post some broadway tunes on here if I felt like it.

Or country.

So don't complain about me only focusing on rap or make you really sorry and post country and Broadway songs haha.

But just to avoid being pin-pointed as a Hip-Hop blog. Here are two tracks I hope to hear on the radio this year:

Dan Black - Yours at www.myspace.com/danblacksound

:::: I don't wanna talk about him too much yet because I'm planning on having a feature dedicated just to him but basically he's become my new iPods most played artist hands down in about 2 weeks. He's on the rise and in fact Justin Timberlake has been twittering about him recently. You'd be wise to take notice.

Also, Little Boots - New in Town

:::: Just a really fun song. Great to drive along and sing to. She very well would have made my Top 10 Ladies of the Blogosphere feature if I had found this album about a week ago. She sounds like a heavenly mix of Madonna and Pink and also Lady Gaga and even Britney Spears-ish throughout the album. Yet throughout the whole album, for you macho men, you find yourself enticed by her musically interesting beats and electro-riffs that back the poppy choruses. Little Boots is definitely my favorite find of the week. (That's gonna be a new section on the site, I just decided haha).

Also for your pleasure, Boom Boom Pow Remix - featuring Kid Cudi. And check out what Cudi did with this guy named Sharam. Great track called "Strange".

And in case you haven't heard it, Paramore - Ignorance. From the upcoming album "Brand New Eyes".

I can't think of anything else to include in here right now. But it's cool. You'll be hearing from me again very soon.

- Nick.

Music For The Rest of July

Kid Sister.

Here are some tracks to get you through the rest of July with the theme of almost mainstream haha:

Kanye West - Paranoid (MR Flash Remix)

---- The original of this track was pretty great and the first song off 8o8s and Heartbreak that caught my attention. However this remix makes the song slightly better by bringing up the BPM. And we all know more BPM = more FUN.

Keri Hilson - Crazy (Gnarles Barkley cover)

--- I read a review of Keri Hilson somewhere saying she sang like a studio singer meaning she sounds like a mediocre singer who is just filling in vocals for the artist who will dub over later on. Personally I feel like she's entertaining and I like both of her singles "Knock Me Down" and "Turnin' Me On" very much (not gonna lie I turn up my volume every time they come on). Plus, if you do your research you'll find out Ms. Keri Baby writes her own stuff as well as is part of the hit song-writing team called The Clutch. Anyway this Gnarles cover is good/okay although I've heard much better.

Kid Cudi, Common, and Kanye ft. Lady Gaga - Make Her Say (Remix)

---- Again, upping the BPM. I find the original a wee bit painful for some odd reason even though the rhymes are first class and the concept "I make her say oo oo oo oo, when I pa pa pa poke her face" is clever enough to put a smirk on your face.

Kid Sister - Right Hand Hi

---- Cool track, kind of like a hey I'm here type of thing where she repeats her name a bunch. She reminds me of that female judge from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew or whatever Lil' Mama. It's a good tune from a girl Kanye has seemed to take under his wing... meaning you either wanna hear this or you don't depending on your stance on Kanye West.

Larry Tee and Princess Superstar ft. Santigold - Licky (Blogula Re-edit)

---- This popped up on hype machine one day and idk why I listened to it but I'm so glad I did. Bonafide club banger!

N.A.S.A. ft. Karen O - Strange Enough

---- I haven't gotten N.A.S.A.'s Spirit of Apollo yet mostly because I'm lazy but trust me its on my wish list being that every track I've heard ends up in my Most Played. This is the best all around track from them so far. In case you don't know, they mash mix and edit songs from popular acts as well as indie artists creating the perfect blend of mainstream and underground. Don't believe me? Search them. I dare you.

So download them and blast them from your car stereo but please, support the artists, buy the albums.