Thursday, June 30, 2016

Video :: Sledgehammer | Rihanna


When the artwork matches the liberation of the track accurately. When every single aspect of a song hits your {my} soul. This. Since the release of this record on Monday, I have played it at least 300 times.  #NoExaggeration.  At high volume levels.  You can imagine my excitement that in just days, the visual was released.   Rihanna is making music history again as this is the first ever IMAX music video debut.  "Sledgehammer" serves as the lead track for the upcoming Star Trek Beyond film.  Written by Sia, this enlivening baby can be heard on TV's all over as it is featured on the commercial trailer.
Check out the music video below::  





Related Post ::  Video :: This is What You Came For | Calvin Harris x Rihanna

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Video :: Layers | Royce da 5'9 x Pusha T x Rick Ross


Angelic. When a song is so captivating, you can’t find the words. ..
*insert all flames… golden instruments… blue skies… the purest of white.
Don’t waste time ranking the verses, just enjoy the masterpiece ::

***UPDATE from 04/06/2016 post- Lyric Video Added.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Motivation Mondays :: Jesse Williams BET award acceptance speech Transcript

Peace peace.  Thank you, Debra.  Thank you, BET.  Thank you Nate Parker, Harry and Debbie Allen for participating in that .

Before we get into it, I just want to say I brought my parents out tonight.  I just want to thank them for being here, for teaching me to focus on comprehension over career, and that they make sure I learn what the schools were afraid to teach us.  And also thank my amazing wife for changing my life.
Now, this award – this is not for me.  This is for the real organizers all over the country – the activists, the civil rights attorneys, the struggling parents, the families, the teachers, the students that are realizing that a system built to divide and impoverish and destroy us cannot stand if we do.
 It’s kind of basic mathematics – the more we learn about who we are and how we got here, the more we will mobilize.

Now, this is also in particular for the black women in particular who have spent their lifetimes dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves.  We can and will do better for you.
Now, what we’ve been doing is looking at the data and we know that police somehow manage to deescalate, disarm and not kill white people everyday.  So what’s going to happen is we are going to have equal rights and justice in our own country or we will restructure their function and ours.
 Now… I got more y’all – yesterday would have been young Tamir Rice’s 14th birthday so I don’t want to hear anymore about how far we’ve come when paid public servants can pull a drive-by on 12 year old playing alone in the park in broad daylight, killing him on television and then going home to make a sandwich.  Tell Rekia Boyd how it’s so much better than it is to live in 2012 than it is to live in 1612 or 1712. Tell that to Eric Garner.  Tell that to Sandra Bland. Tell that to Dorian Hunt.

Now the thing is, though, all of us in here getting money – that alone isn’t gonna stop this.  Alright, now dedicating our lives, dedicating our lives to getting money just to give it right back for someone’s brand on our body when we spent centuries praying with brands on our bodies, and now we pray to get paid for brands on our bodies.
There has been no war that we have not fought and died on the front lines of.  There has been no job we haven’t done.  There is no tax they haven’t leveed against us – and we’ve paid all of them.  But freedom is somehow always conditional here. “You’re free,” they keep telling us. But she would have been alive if she hadn’t acted so… free.
Now, freedom is always coming in the hereafter, but you know what, though, the hereafter is a hustle. We want it now.

And let’s get a couple things straight, just a little sidenote – the burden of the brutalized is not to comfort the bystander.  That’s not our job, alright – stop with all that.  If you have a critique for the resistance, for our resistance, then you better have an established record of critique of our oppression. If you have no interest, if you have no interest in equal rights for black people then do not make suggestions to those who do.  Sit down.
We’ve been floating this country on credit for centuries, yo, and we’re done watching and waiting while this invention called whiteness uses and abuses us, burying black people out of sight and out of mind while extracting our culture, our dollars, our entertainment like oil – black gold, ghettoizing and demeaning our creations then stealing them, gentrifying our genius and then trying us on like costumes before discarding our bodies like rinds of strange fruit.  The thing is though… the thing is that just because we’re magic doesn’t mean we’re not real.

Me in front as Marge Smallwood... expression and all... displays an accurate account of my reaction to his speech last night.  Along with watery eyes...

PERFECTLY and POWERFULLY said.  
S.o. to Genius for the transcript.  If you haven't seen/heard the actual footage, click here.


Related Post ::  {LISTEN} The Realest Black Conscious freestyle You’ll hear All Year :: Common's Freestyle on Sway in the Morning

Goodbye | Kid Cudi

The angels they protect me
From the horror in my dome...


The energy and delivery in this record from all angles is phenomenal and to open it up with the legendary monologue from Bishop (Pac) in 'Juice'... is just.. *sigh.
Pink Floyd's "Goodbye Cruel World" on the flip.  Take a listen below::
This shit is so twilight zone...



Related Post :: The Frequency | Kid Cudi

NY's Penn Station could possibly be getting a Roller Coaster?

via AE Superlab
New York… it just gets sweeter and sweeter here.

There have been talks of spicing up Manhattan’s world-renowned Penn Station.  It’s always uber busy (including any time I’ve been in there myself).  So busy that you may not even pay attention to how raggedy and poverty stricken the place is.  Anthony Bourdain is said to have once referred to it as ‘the bowels of New York City’.  I can see the correlation…

However, a new proposal by AE Superlabs has seemed to make way.  Referred to as ‘The Halo’, the 1200 ft. tall structure would integrate into Madison Square Garden (or Farley post office building) becoming one of the biggest and fastest tower rides in the world.  This location, which is just one block west of the station, is said to allow The Halo to offer varying degrees of intensity (i.e. thrill seeking and sightseeing) along with having 5 multi-colored rings .. representing NY’s 5 boroughs.

Their goal is to make this more than just a ride. AE Superlab has visions of making this ‘New York’s high tech version of the Eiffel Tower’.

With something as fascinating as this next to the station, the city can’t help but to be tempted to do a little tidying up of the place… right?  Let’s see how this turns out.

To read more, visit CNTraveler

{Watch} Short Film :: ScHoolboy Q - By Any Means: Part (1)

via MicrophoneBully
The first installment of the multi-part visual.  As we countdown to the release of Q's 'Blank Face' LP... watch below:: 



Related Post ::  Video :: THat Part | Schoolboy Q x Kanye West

First Began | PJ Morton

No one makes me feel the way you do.
and I don't know what I'd do
without you
and that's no lie...



Like the first time I ever saw your smile
I want that feeling again
Let's be the way we were when we first began.
There is no other way to describe this but.... LOVE.



TRILLECTRO 2016 Lineup | August 27 | Columbia, MD


Previous Post :: TRILLECTRO 2015 Lineup | Aug 29 | Columbia, MD

Related Post :: {Personal Post} Photos/Videos :: Trillectro 2014 | Washington D.C.

Video : Song For the Dead | Thundercat


Smell the space dust.  Find your way home.
Although, this has dropped a year from the initial release of Thundercat's album 'The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam', the effects of the project and its contents are still the same.  In conjunction with Adult Swim and Australian artist Ry No, here's the video for 'Song For the Dead'.  




Previous Post ::  Paris | Thundercat

Related Post :: Video :: Them Changes | Thundercat

Come Through and Chill | Miguel

Put your sweats on for me...


You know how Miguel does.  Another sexy mellow jam released for the masses.
The title is self explanatory.  Listen below:: 




Related Post ::  Video {Short Film} :: Going to Hell x Coffee x NWA | Miguel

Monday, June 20, 2016

Made in America 2016 Lineup | September 3 - 4 | Philadelphia, PA

|
Related Post ::  {Personal Post} Photos/Videos :: Made in America 2015

Obey Your Verse:: Missy Elliott, Tupac Shakur, & J.Cole on new SPRITE can series


SPRITE has returned for their second 'Obey Your Verse' campaign, this time around featuring Tupac, J. Cole, and Missy Elliott.  As with the last campaign, this series will highlight a total of 16 cans with lyrics from each artist on their own.  


The campaign will run through the peak of the summer from June 20 through August 15.  Visit SPRITE's official Tumblr page for more photos!  

{WATCH} Trailer :: 'All Eyez on Me' Tupac Biopic


Released fittingly on Tupac's 45th birthday last week (RIP), here's the first look at the official trailer for the 'All Eyez on Me' biopic... set for release in theaters this November.




Related Post ::  Happy Birthday Tupac...

Related Post ::  Indie Trailer :: "7Dayz", a film about the last week of Tupac's Life.

Video :: This is What You Came For | Calvin Harris x Rihanna

Lightning...
strikes every time she moves...


Calvin Harris and Rihanna follow up years later to their smash club hit "We Found Love" with their latest effort, "This Is What You Came For". The visual, centered solely around Rihanna, displays the pop star dancing in a world of her own surrounded by neon lights. Watch below::
And everybody’s watching her
But she’s looking at you...



Related Post ::  Video: We Found Love| Rihanna x Calvin Harris

Previous Post ::  Video :: BBHMM | Rihanna

No English |Juicy J x Travis Scott (Prod. by. TM88 and Lex Luger)

img via inyaearhiphop



Related Post ::  Go (Gas) | Domo Genesis x Wiz Khalifa x Tyler, the Creator x Juicy J

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Feel Like I Do | Disclosure x Al Green

via Disclosure twitter

Disclosure, who if you don't know may recognize from their hit mainstream song 'Latch' w/ Sam Smith, announced a surprise EP yesterday... which dropped at Midnight.  'Moog for Love' features this sweetly done merge of Al Green's 'Still in Love With You' into the listed track 'Feel Like I do'.  Soulectro type vibes for sure.  Catch the groove below::

My Ego | Tyler, the Creator

Same niggas laugh when you making shit
Then three years later wanna emulate the shit you did...


via ashamartin IG

During the uniquely executed premier of the 1st Golf Wang Fashion Show, Tyler performed a brand new unreleased song entitled 'My Ego'- a record that addresses 'media' issues, success, swagger jacking, and the still prolonged tension between he and his former friends in Odd Future.  *Sigh.  It stings sometimes to hear them throw jabs at one another, but sometimes it's the inevitable...
Anywho... I missed these keys.  Tyler, another album please.
Take a listen to rip directly from the show below:: 




Related Post ::  Listen :: Tyler, the Creator x ASAP Rocky Snaps over Kanye's "Freestyle 4"

Related Post ::  Fuck It | Tyler, the Creator

Atlanta ONE MusicFest 2016 Line-up/Info | Dungeon Family Reunion x Ice Cube x Erykah Badu + More



Related Post ::  Sit Down and Let Me Learn You Somethin :: The Organized Noize Documentary recap - "The Art of Organized Noize" #HipHopDocs

Video :: Really Got It | Jerreau

The real is back
How real is that


Ohio’s Own.. Jerreau.. drops a new visual from his current album, ‘Never How You Plan’. Heavy horns and everyday life in his home town (city). LeBron James, who has cosigned Fly Union as a group and Jerreau as a solo artist for years, makes several appearances throughout via forms of media. If you haven’t checked out the album yet, don't sleep.  Click the link below.
In the meantime, watch the video:



***UPDATE 06/20/2016- The Cavs won the championship! :-D

Related Post ::  Stream :: Jerreau of Fly Union releases his solo project ... "Never How You Plan"

CONGRATULATIONS : Deshauna Barber of D.C. brings home the Miss USA crown

image via NYMag

Another win for the city… and black women. Born in Georgia, 26 year old Deshauna Barber moved frequently due to her father’s military career. The moving settled when Barber went to Virginia State University.. eventually moving to the District of Columbia. Holding a platform at the contest for PTSD treatment for soldiers returning from deployments and suicide prevention in the Armed Forces, it comes as no surprise that she mentioned her military experience in the U.S. Army in her Q & A.
In which I might add, she answered each question thrown at her confidently, articulately, and with grace. Currently an IT analyst at the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and logistics commander at Fort Meade, I am proud to call 2016 Miss DC- Deshauna Barber…. the winner and crowned 2016 Miss USA!
With all love… congrats!!

image via USMag
s.o. to the DCist

Related Post :: Today's 'GOOGLE' banner design hails from DC high school student

Crybaby | Abra

No turning back now
...I wasted too many years of my life 


AWFUL Princess Abra announced her fan anticipated Princess EP will be released on July 15th and, in doing so, launched a new single from the EP. “Crybaby” is filled with emotional lyrics of a girl expressing herself to a guy who’s hurt her. Basically, in a nutshell, wondering how could he treat her such a way and the irony of complaints from him saying she’s a ‘crybaby’ when he’s the reason she cries. With the high energy of the 80's felt record, you’d never realize the lyrics have such depth until you actually start listening to them. You’d be too busy dancing. The masquerade was done well…
Listen below ::



Related Post ::  Video :: Slide Thru | Father x Stalin Majesty x Archibald SLIM

Monday, June 6, 2016

President Obama proclaims June 2016 as "African-American Music Appreciation Month"


In a couple months, we will sadly see President Obama's final term come to an end.  To add to the long list of accomplishments on his incredible resume, President Obama declared June 2016 as 'African-American Music Appreciation Month' on May 31st.

During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we honor the artists who, through this music, bring us together, show us a true reflection of ourselves, and inspire us to reach for the harmony that lies beyond our toughest struggles.

Songs by African-American musicians span the breadth of the human experience and resonate in every corner of our Nation -- animating our bodies, stimulating our imaginations, and nourishing our souls. In the ways they transform real stories about real people into art, these artists speak to universal human emotion and the restlessness that stirs within us all. African-American music helps us imagine a better world, and it offers hope that we will get there together.

To read his full President Proclamation statement on this, click HERE.

Lineup/Info :: The Roots Picnic NYC | October 1-2, 2016


Over the past nine years, the Roots Picnic has taken place in Philadelphia, PA.  After just hosting it there this past Saturday, it was announced today that the Picnic will now be taking on NYC for the very first time later this year.  Tickets go on sale Friday, June 10th @ 10AM. 

Pull Up | Dave East


Since releasing 'Hate Me Now', Dave East's career buzz has grown immensely.  With dropping countless loosies along the way, here's his current joint.  'Pull Up', produced by AutomatikBeatz, is a jam you're sure to hear in these northern streets this summer.  Also, be sure to check out the latest circulating tape.. Tales from the East HERE.  Listen below::  
fxck up out my face..nigha you ain't my homie.



Related Post :: Mixtape :: Hate Me Now | Dave East (Presented by DJ Drama)

{Watch} Trailer :: "VICK" ... a Bleacher Report Documentary on Michael Vick


via the Bleacher Report

Michael Vick has been through it all. The dual-threat playmaker was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft, set numerous quarterback rushing records, made four Pro Bowls and amassed a fortune playing football. Then it all disappeared. A dog-fighting scandal sent him from the gridiron to prison. Bleacher Report's exclusive "Vick" documentary looks back at the football star's life, and will debut July 11.

Watch the official trailer after the jump!

Video :: THat Part | Schoolboy Q x Kanye West

Me no conversate with the fake
....That part.



***Update from 05/16/2016 post. Video added. Album release date... July 8th.
According to Q, the album is now finished and turned in. Anxiously waiting.
 This here is wavy.  Listen below::


Related Post :: Video :: Groovy Tony | Schoolboy Q

Thursday, June 2, 2016

{Personal Post} PHOTOS :: Dreams of Triumph presents... 'A Night for the Dreamers' Sip x Shop

via DreamsofTriumph IG


Last month, when the weather had returned to cool, the holmes Val held a Sip and Shop event for his clothing brand, Dreams of Triumphs.  At 'A Night for the Dreamers', the atmosphere was boomin.  Open bar D'usse, D'usse cupcakes, cordial hosts, super fly clothes from the brand, Travis Scott tunes setting the mood, and many many people out to show love.  A packed house with no drama...but love.  It was a feel.  Throughout the night, I heard nothing but compliments and statements of how 'proud' they were of Val etc.  I can only imagine what that feels like.  To be honest, I would've been overwhelmed lol.. in a good way.  However, needless to say, we all enjoyed ourselves and the night was a success!  The event, also, featured art work from Rikasso.  
Check out a few of photos I was able to capture in the midst of the 'dream'...


{HEAT} Chance the Rapper shares his unreleased verses of Kanye's "Waves" and "Famous"


On Zane Lowe's Beats1 show, Chance shared a rarity in the sit-down studio session; specifically his unreleased verses for Kanye West's 'Waves' and 'Famous' tracks off Ye's latest album, The Life Of Pablo.  WHY weren't these kept!?  KILLED IT.  For those who know me personally, you already know what part(s) I went ham over.  Thanks to RapFavorites for uploading this specific part of the interview.  Listen/watch the unreleased gems below::    

{LISTEN} The Realest Black Conscious freestyle You’ll hear All Year :: Common's Freestyle on Sway in the Morning


I want to type commentary to this, but it would do absolutely no justice.  I just want you all to LISTEN.  Common freestyles over Milkbone’s “Keep it Real”… pun unintentional… but fittingly intended.  In-f**king-credible.  Press play ::


Visions. A quick share of my current thoughts.

I've practiced the art of chill and isolation for far too long.
In fact... I've unintentionally become a master.
Staying off 'the scene' is easy with the hand dealt.

However, a shuffle and new deal is exactly what I need... and a huge smile.


Stay tuned.

First Day Out tha Feds (Prod. by. MikeWillMadeIt) | Gucci Mane

You either wit me 
or against me
or you in my way...


Last Thursday, unexpectedly.. Gucci Mane was released from Prison early.  Rightfully so, he released a brand new track fittingly titled 'First Day Out tha Feds' the next day.  Bruh.  This instantly became my anthem for the entire memorial day weekend.  The rotation was serious and the snapchats (that were never posted) of me rapping the lyrics accompanied the fun too.  The way Gucci floats flawlessly over this track and his new appearance of a fit body has confirmed for sure that summer 16 will indeed.. be lit. 



Related Post :: Heart Attack | Gucci Mane x Young Thug

Related Post :: Gucci Comin Home | Bia

Lotto | Nightwave x Chippy Nonstop


I randomly stumbled across this dope production and it’s pretty catchy. It’s fun.  I dig the lyrics lol… and the statement about the reason for the song in which Nightwave told the FADER "'Lotto' is a track most girls will relate to if they've ever had to deal with a fuckboy!".  This collab worked!
If you're with me... it's like you won the lotto.  #YouBetterKnowIt.  
Listen below ::



Related Post :: Know What I Want (esta. Remix) | Kali Uchis


s.o. to the FADER

Phoebe Parke breaks down the Signs that you’re Subconsciously trying to Destroy yourself


A great read I viewed courtesy of my Twitter timeline.  Blogger Phoebe Parke created a post of 13 Signs that You're Subconsciously trying to Destroy Yourself.  I instantly became curious and clicked the link.  Oh man.  How applicable was this to my life!? I scored 11 out of the 13 listed.  Sigh.  I’m certainly aware of the 11 things I was doing, but reading it from someone else made me face them.  It was like reading an article about you that hit the nail on the head that you try to avoid.  At the same time while reading, it made me feel I should take a foot forward in changing this. Already, I’ve succeeded with two things today that I'll share. One, I was invited to something this evening that I really wanted to attend to show genuine support, you know? BUT.. .I am absolutely drained in every way possible. I need rest and have had a VERY busy week from sun up to sun down. I decided to choose me (which 9.8 times out of 10 I don’t do).. and stay home to rest with sending my worded regards of support. Also, I went on a walk earlier and did not take my wallet with me so I wouldn’t be tempted to buy any ice cream or other sweets on the way back that I use often for comfort food.


All I’ve done is genuinely lookout for others behind the scenes and forth with no underlying motive. Just genuine gestures from my heart.  While doing that for so long, I’ve forgotten to look out for myself.. which lead to this being the normalcy.  Unfortunately, when I looked up… I had nothing to show for all the deeds and time I invested into others to make sure they were good, but they all did. And now here I am… attempting to stray from the path of self destruction.  I will succeed.

Are you subconsciously destroying yourself? Take a gander below and see if you fit any of the bill::


1. You can see what you’re eating is harming your body, yet you still do it.

Even though you’ve seen the weight gain, the bad skin and the sluggishness, you just cover it up and say you’ll deal with it later.

2. You don’t take time out for yourself and you spend your downtime working.

Downtime should not be spent sending company tweets, drafting emails or writing blog posts, downtime should be spent resting or watching your favourite show (without live-tweeting it).

3. You’re always doing 10 things at once.

You don’t have to listen to the news while on the way to work, be on the phone giving advice while washing up or texting family while on your lunch break.

Dedicate an appropriate amount of time to each task and you will feel less overwhelmed.

4. You’ve stopped investing in yourself.

twoAM | SZA

I could have done better shit with my life
To waste no time on you
Got to move on cause you got me fucked up.


#SZAKnows.
While myself and thousands of other fans have been patiently waiting for SZA's new project, she releases a loosie to keep us weathered.  'twoAM' is a lovely revamp of PND's 'Come and See Me' from a different perspective.  Listen below:: 



Related Post ::  Video : Julia / (Tender) | SZA