yes it is quite lovely in my atmosphere...

This post is the *official* interstate 8 space/stars/sky/martians/future/robots post. I figure, if so many hip-hoppers are taking this "I'm from outer space" angle, I might as well do a little chronicle of the (unexplained) phenomena, word to Fox Mulder. Honestly, not all these tracks fit the theme exactly but they do all contain lines stating their not-from-earthiness.

Ced Hughes - Polite Rap Song

This is the source of the title quote, and is one of my favorite Ced Hughes songs, which is actually saying a lot considering What Up Tho?! is one of my favorite mixtapes. Anyways, despite the atmospheric lyric, I'm posting this song because it has what I refer to as the "moment." For any song to be good, or worth listening to over-and-over again, it has to have that moment that makes you really notice it. Sometimes, the moment doesn't actually happen, but the song teases you the whole time with brief glimpses and never actually hits it (example: Gnarls Barkley - Open Book). Anyways, for me the moment when the beat swings up and Ced jumps in for the third verse is the reason I keep listening to this song. Check it out.

David Bowie - Space Oddity

A classic space song detailing the happenings in the mind of Major Tom as he experiences outer space. Probably one of the earliest really popular space-y songs.

K-Os - Mirror In the Sky

From Atlantis: Hymns for Disco. I honestly can't say if this truly fits the space theme, but this song is awesome and the whole album is awesome, and his new album YES! is awesome, so buy it (like I did).

B.o.B. - Starship Strobelite

The adventures of Spaceman BoB as he searches for a Strobelite honey. Just a very entertaining song all around.

KiD CuDi - Embrace the Martian (Round Table Knights remix)

I honestly wasn't a big fan of Embrace the Martian when I first heard it on A KiD Named CuDi, but this remix has changed all that. Usually, I'm not a big fan of CuDi remixes because they usually focus on Day N Nite and they pretty much always make it worse, so this is a refreshing chance to catch a CuDi remix that actually improves on the original.

KiD CuDi - Sky Might Fall prod. Kanye West

The early version of the CuDi single, great production by Mr. West, sorta makes me wonder what could've been if the KiD from Cleveland had done all the vocals for 808's. Beatwise, this song fits right in with Kanye's production on that album and of course KiD CuDi shows his skills on here. I'm certain that the album, when it comes, will be one of the best of the year.

Drake - I'm Still Fly

This is an amazing use of the Big Tymers song, and Drake puts down some very solid lyrics. Great moment a couple minutes in when he "wastes" some lines, if you're not looking for Drake's lady-killers like Best I Ever Had, this should fit right in your library.

U-N-I - Hey Neighbor

Alright just get on the spaceship and go. A pretty dope song from the Cali-based duo U-N-I, from Before There Was Love, the prelude mixtape to their album, A Love Supreme. This song and Night Nurse are my current favorites from them, and both the mixtape and album are definitely worth a listen.

I had sorta hoped that I could showcase a little bit of hip-hop history regarding the outer space theme, but I seem to have completely missed that target. Oh well, good music all around anyways.

I come in peace, but I need y'all rockin with meeeee, pleeeeease, embrace the martian, and this is how it sounds...

"and at the end of it all, its you"

In case you forgot, The Renaissance was possibly the best rap album of last year. Here's a couple reminders to check it out if you haven't yet, plus some extra random tracks.

Q-Tip - Official [zshare]

Q-Tip - You [zshare]

Both these songs are great, as expected Q-Tip holds it down lyrically but where this album really stands out is the production. Every beat on this album is absolutely incredible, and there's really no better music to just throw on and relax, or to put on the iPod when you're walking around on these sunny spring days.

Q-Tip - Gettin' Up Megamix [zshare]

A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario (original demo unreleased) [zshare]

A couple bonus tracks, a very dope remix of Gettin' Up and a true gem in the original demo of ATCQ's hit Scenario, not great sound quality but the pure joy of listening to the rough draft of a hip-hop classic like this should be enough for you.

QuESt - Sky Might Fall remix ft. Nero [zshare]

As I've pointed out before, QuESt is dope, and Nero is pretty solid too. This definitely gives the leaked CuDi version a run for its money.

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - And they thought that was hell [zshare]

From Del's recently released album Funk Man available for free on the internets, this song is definitely nice.

Aceyalone - Mr. Outsider [zshare]

Aceyalone - Anywhere You Go [zshare]

Aceyalone - Deep and Wide [zshare]

Three great songs from Aceyalone's classic album All Balls Don't Bounce, probably one of my top 5 hip-hop albums ever. I remember playing NFL 2K5 with my friend Jim back in 2004/2005 and they had "Deep and Wide" on their jukebox thing, and you could customize soundtracks so we made a soundtrack that was just "Deep and Wide" and it would repeat for hours while we played.

Mr. Lif - Pull Out Your Cut [zshare]

RJD2 - Clean Living [zshare]

These two songs were the only others on the NFL 2K5 soundtrack that got any play. 2K5 has a special spot in my heart as not only the greatest football video game ever, but also for having the best game soundtrack ever, and introducing me to some classic underground hip-hop, thank you 2K Sports. Sadly, it was so good that Madden had to buy exclusive rights to the NFL and video game football has sucked ever since. It actually took me a long time to eventually hunt down all three of those songs from the game, so I hope you appreciate what I'm doing for you.

The New Lyricists (Unofficial Mixtape)

I've been sitting on this idea for a while, but I needed enough songs to make it worthwhile. Needless to say, I've got the tracks I needed and here it is: a little compilation I threw together of tracks from Wale, Skyzoo and Young Chris. These dudes absolutely rip every track, check it out.

I'm way too lazy to photoshop any "art" for this mixtape, and I honestly couldn't care less.

Tracklist:

1. Skyzoo - Lyrically Inclined ft. Wale
2. Wale - The Cyphr ft. Young Chris, Freeway & Beanie Sigel
3. Young Chris - Searchin' ft. Wale
4. Wale - 5 Minutes ft. Skyzoo
5. Skyzoo - Do Remember ft. Young Chris
6. Young Chris - Large ft. Wale
7. Skyzoo - Freshfest ft. Wale
8. Wale - Whole Time ft. Young Chris
9. Wale - Nightlife ft. Young Chris & Tre of UCB
10. Wale - No Better Love (Live) ft. Young Chris
11. Young Chris - Searching Remix ft. Wale, Bun-B & QuESt
12. Wale - The Hacksaw Jim Duggan ft. Skyzoo
13. Wale - The Cyphr (Live) ft. Freeway & Young Chris

Download untagged version: The New Lyricists unofficial mixtape
Download it tagged as an album: The New Lyricists unofficial mixtape

"back in my go mode, back in the go-go"

I'll be honest, there's nothing really inspiring this post linking these songs together other than the fact that I just want to post them (and the Wale concert last night). In that respect, I'm gonna give you a couple go-go songs, but other than that this is all random.

Jimi Hendrix - Midnight [zshare]

I don't really think I need to explain a Jimi Hendrix song, but nevertheless I'll say that this song is an incredible showcase of his skill.

Jimi Hendrix - Star Spangled Banner live @ Woodstock [zshare]
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower [zshare]

If you know anything about Hendrix and Vietnam and Woodstock and Bob Dylan, these songs not only are brilliant but show the incredible social power of music and the incredible talent of Jimi to cover a Dylan song (Watchtower) and make it more popular than the original. I forget who it was but some famous artist said after Jimi performed at Woodstock he didn't want to touch a guitar for a year. That's ballin.

Go-Go time:

The Northeast Groovers - Aquaboogie (by Parliament Funk) Live [zshare]

Not *quite* a cover in the strictest sense of the word, but I guess it's an interpolation? Anyways, from a live performance in 1993, this is pretty cool if you like drums. What more can I say? Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop.

The Northeast Groovers - Represent (by A Tribe Called Quest) Live [zshare]
The Northeast Groovers - Sadie (by the Spinners) Live [zshare]

A couple more live performances from that 1993 show, covering one of my favorite Tribe songs and a great classic by the Spinners you may recognize as the sample for 2pac's "Dear Mama"

The Northeast Groovers - You Got me (by the Roots) Live [zshare]

As far as I can tell, Go-Go bands don't have songs unless they're doing covers, so here's another go-go version of a great song. Right now I actually don't know if this is really a cover or if they're just playing but I'm calling it that because I've got nothing else to call it.

[/Go-Go]

Diz Gibran - Truly Yours ft. BJ the Chicago Kid [zshare]

I don't know if I've posted this before, but I'm posting it anyway because he just released a new free mixtape, Soon You'll Understand, available on the internets via google search.

Kanye West - Amazing (live on VH1 Storytellers) [zshare]
Kanye West - See You In My Nightmares (Live on VH1 Storytellers) [zshare]

The whole VH1 performance by Kanye was amazing, if you're down with 808's and Heartbreak, and these two performances are definitely better than the album versions. I've cut off most of the talking/interlude parts, leaving just the music.

KiD CuDi - Sky Might Fall [zshare]
KiD CuDi - Look Up in Da Stars ft. Wale [zshare]

A couple recent tracks by Dat Kid from Cleveland, both are pretty good, I'm glad he didn't actually retire.

QuESt - Bigger Than World remix [zshare]

Why not, I like this song. QuESt is pretty dope, keep an eye out for him.

Wale - The Feature Heavy Song ft Bun B & Pusha T [zshare]

In honor of the Wale show last night, I bring you the final piece in this posting puzzle, also known as "Back in the Go-Go," this song is from Wale's Mixtape About Nothing, one of the best hip-hop releases of last year, without a doubt. Featuring two rap heavyweights in the legendary Underground King Bun-B and Pusha T representing the Clipse, how can you doubt this?

"I do it for the capital, Wale Ovechkin"

Teenage Wildlife

[Teenage Wildlife by Cecily Brown]

Doing things a little differently this time.
First: Posting. Now that's a new concept around here.
Second: Decided to do a theme post. The theme is Cecily Brown. And more specifically Teenage Wildlife.





Iron & Wine: The Sea and the Rhythm [zshare]

This was the first song that came to mind. Sad that I didn't discover it till late last year.
With lines like "Our hands they seek the end of afternoons" and "Your hands they move like waves over me. Beneath the moon, tonight, we're the sea" how can this song not be beautiful? S.Beam does a great job at keeping this song [about sex] intimate, romantic. I wish I was in my car in Chicago right now, driving home at 4a, blasting this song with the windows down.


Lauryn Hill: When It Hurts So Bad [zshare]

I've been listening to a lot of L.Hill lately. I love this song so much. Though it makes me so sad sometimes. "I loved real, real hard once." This definitely fits the Teenage Wildlife theme. Figuring out what love is and isn't... the hard way. Listen.


Air: Playground Love [zshare]

Taken from the Virgin Suicides soundtrack [Watch it!]. Obsession, passion, fear, confusion, playground love.


Amy Whinehouse: Love is a Losing Game (Original Demo) [zshare]

Okay. Okay. Yeah I know. Who likes Amy Whinehouse, right?
And yeah, her racist remarks? I know. Did you see/like Apocalypo? Watch Seinfeld? Inspired by Gandhi's teachings? blah blah et cetera. Getting off topic...
I've always glanced over A.Whinehouse. I didn't like Rehab or the other popular tunes she's managed to pump out. But scanning the interwebs I came across this song and it wasn't at all what I expected. The acoustic guitar makes her voice sound so sincere and callous. It's quite nice.


Jihae: Do I Move You? [zshare]

A beautiful trip hop cover of a great Nina Simone song. I was a little apprehensive about it until I heard the horns blend blending into the sensual feedback, ambiance, and drum machine within the first 20sec of the track. Probably a little too mature for teenage love but the passion is there. "When I touch you do you quiver?"


The Stylistics: Betcha By Golly, Wow [zshare]

No explanation needed. Can't you hear it in his voice? Come now.


Anthony Hamilton: Charlene [zshare]

"Come on home to me, Charlene."
Another heartbreaker. Usual ending to teenage romance.
And the last track to this post.
A.Hamilton's voice is so great. I just wish he made 'better' songs, chose better collaborations, and not be so predictable. Sorry for being so hard on ya, boy. I'm just saying is all.
Oh! Trust me. That is not the case with "Charlene."

I know it's crowded at the top, cuz I'm on the tip...

...And that's as high up at the top that a brother can get

So, this post has inadvertently turned into The Roots post, but I've still got a few random goodies to throw in. For those of you that don't know, that picture (cover of The Tipping Point) is Black Thought recreating this mugshot of Malcolm Little before he became Malcolm X. In my mind, that's brilliant album art.

On to the music...

The Roots - Please Don't Go demo

I don't know the story behind this song but it's tagged as demo so I might guess it's pretty old. My favorite part of this song is that Black Thought sings the hook, a lot of people don't know that Black Thought can actually sing in addition to rap. There was a rumor going around that he was gonna release a Gnarls Barkley style album with Danger Mouse, but who knows if that'll actually happen.

The Roots - Lovely, Love my Family

This song was performed by The Roots on Yo Gabba Gabba, and every time I hear it I'm reminded of Questo rockin out for the entertainment of small children and I laugh uncontrollably.

Cradle Orchestra - Live Forever ft. Black Thought

This song is really good. The music is great and Black Thought, as usual, delivers a stellar lyrical performance. Cradle Orchestra are a Japanese group and I don't know what project this song is from but hopefully we hear some more from them soon.

Other tracks:

Fashawn - Sunday Morning (K-Os remix)

Originally a K-Os song, Fashawn jumps on Sunday Morning and does it well. I was highly skeptical of this song at first because K-Os' version is so good I didn't think someone could do this and make it worthwhile at all, but Fashawn does, so give him credit.

Idle Warship - Try It On

One of Talib Kweli's many side projects, Idle Warship brings us this track which I actually can't remember at all what it sounds like but I remember that it's cool, so check it out.

Santogold - Shuv It Remix ft. Three 6 Mafia & Project Pat

This remix is amazing, to say the least. For some reason, Three 6 Mafia remixes that get them out of their dirty south sound and into something new usually turn out really well.

Jean Grae - This World

One of the best recent lyrical performances I've heard from an MC of any gender, hands down. Plus the sample is amazing and the beat is pure fire.

B.o.B. - Don't Break My Heart

B.o.B. flips "Build Me Up Buttercup" for this love song, continuing his tradition of bringing hope to the future of hip-hop.

All songs are mp3 uploaded to zshare

Rukus ft. Soulbrotha - I'm Nigerian

Nigerian Coat of Arms

Soulbrotha just hit me up with this new track from him and Rukus. As you might be able to guess, the hook samples A Milli, but despite my hatred for that song this beat is nice and the track overall is pretty dope. Check it out...

Rukus ft. Soulbrotha - I'm Nigerian [sharebee mp3]

Previously: Soulbrotha - Twittersong

Her morning elegance...

What a beautiful, refreshing music video. Enjoy.

Oren Lavie: Her Morning Elegance [zshare]