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Archive for Hip-Hop
Sonny Knight at Lyn Lake Street Festival 2014
Posted in Concert Reviews, Culture, Life Perspectives from T.S. Niebeling, Local Love, Media, Mind Inversion Exclusive with tags "Hey Girl", 2014, 89.3 the current, American Soul, Art Fest, city pages, concert, Festival, funk, Hip-Hop, June 8th, live, live performance, Lyn Lake Street Fest 2014, Lyn Lake Street Festival, Lyn Lake Street Festival 2014, magazine, Microbrew, minneapolis, MN, MPLS, Open Streets, photography, photos, r&b, Sonny Knight, Sonny Knight and the Lakers, soul, Summer, Sunday, Terry Scott Niebeling, The Current, twin cities, Twin Cities Events, uptown, Visual, Vita.mn on Thursday, June 12, 2014 by TSN
… Sonny Knight was, and is great. He came across as the kind of guy who comes from bygone era, while effectively staying relevant. His music has life. He utilized three backup singers and a full band, he was doing it right. At the peak of the numbers in the crowd, Sonny rocked the stage like a champion. The best song of the day was “Hey Girl”, naturally, but even less familiar songs moved those in attendance. From behind the performers looking out, one could see raw excitement, and the power which Sonny sustained. His set was charged and intimate, and precisely electric. It was a pleasant and unexpected surprise, having never seen him before.
Sonny played for some time, and then the show was over. The crowd was pleased. I exited the stage at about the same time in hopes of having a one-on-one conversation with the artist. I ran around back as he was being mobbed by fans and snapped at with cameras. He took time for the adoration and with a broad smile he vanished. Sonny was something; to me, he seemed like a classic soul singer from the distant past, yet he was thriving in 2014. I wondered where his time machine was parked. Searching, I found nothing…
For the full story coming soon, check: www.dirtyterry.com
The Streets, Computers And Blues
Posted in Album Review, Life Perspectives from T.S. Niebeling, Media with tags Brixton, England, entertainment, grime, Hip-Hop, Lock the Locks, london, Mike Skinner, Music, Original Pirate Material, Rap, sound, Sound System Banger, the streets on Friday, June 29, 2012 by TSNMike Skinner is one of my favorite artists hands down. Why? Basically, because Mike Skinner (The Streets) is unique, original, and you can follow his paper trail to where he is today. He started at the bottom and worked his way to the top of the food chain. Incredible. We can actually see an artist evolve from a garage type setup, to a studio, to a super-studio facilitated album.
Evolution of The Streets is apparent and refreshing.
The Streets have done 5 albums, all of which are different, all of which are excellent, and all of which are incredibly interesting, conceptually, and aesthetically. I prefer Original Pirate Material, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, and The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.
I now agree that Computer and Blues is up there with the best of their albums.
With only 3 days of non-stop listening, I prefer this album to the others. This album is fresh, relevant and very personal. The Streets’ last album is a sound-system banger and an artistic send off for Skinner. I feel he wants to end on a good note, and I appreciate the respect for fans and music. So many bands milk it to the very last drop and fizzle out while pumping out shit. I respect The Streets and Mike Skinner; however, I hope sometime soon he can pull a reunion tour so I can catch the music live.
Apparently, he wanted to do 5 albums, that’s what his contract was about, and that’s it. He has stated in interviews that he was satisfied with this decision because he wanted to find more time to spend with his family.
Dan gave me this album, mentioning that at first he did not dig it as much as the other albums. This seems to be the case with most of The Streets albums for me, there is definitely a first listen and blah. After a bit of thinking the album is thrown back into the mix and listened to over and over again. Always a cult classic and a heavy listen. Since Original Pirate Material I have been a Streets fan. Most all of their albums to date are inspiring, completely original and massively progressive.
One thing I take away from The Streets is they make music that sounds like The Streets, they are not ripping off, copy-catting to hit the charts up, or going trendy. The Streets just transpire and it comes out sounding amazing. I love The Streets and the music they make, and the inspiration they flood the speakers with.
***
For days I have been listening to this album on repeat and I was trying to get a perspective and give you something in detail, but after listening I feel this CD deserves a listen. Lyrics are spot on, the songwriting is out of this world. The beats are heavy when needed, also, soft and chill when necessary. I found my roommates awesome sound set up and took full advantage of it. This Streets album is worth a buy, and definitely a good listen. Streets fans won’t regret Computer and Blues and it is on par with, if not better than all his previous albums but Original Pirate Material. You deserve to listen to this album on a really good sounds system. The positive message is solid and the beats are innovative. Mike Skinner did create a sound system banger, and an artsy bon voyage. Cheers! This Streets album has me with a smile on my face.
Artist Interview: Prof.
Posted in Interviews, News with tags Another Exoneration, Hip-Hop, midwest, minneapolis, Proejct Gampo, Prof, The Warehouse on Thursday, February 2, 2012 by TSN
Ah… Yes, so for some time now I have been digging on Prof. (musically and creatively); he’s a South-Side Minneapolis native (Powderhorn represent!), who makes music that is of quality production-wise, catchy lyrically, and it has an easy way of relating to, even with some delusions of grandeur and vulgar hyperboles. Prof.’s imagination is over the top, and hard to overlook, but his sense of humor is something to be admired in an age of all seriousness. His music is an escape from a world of frowns and disapproval. Continue reading
Copywrite, “Rest in Power”
Posted in Downloads, Media with tags Copywrite, God Save the King, Hip-Hop, MHz, The High Exhaulted on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 by Tim Althaus
I’m so blown away by this effort by Copywrite that I don’t even know what to say. The former MHz member, Columbus Ohio native, and frequent Rjd2 collaborator is back with his new album God Save the King dropping on February 28th. “Rest in Power” won’t be making an appearance on the official tracklisting, but this cut is beyond incredible; I haven’t heard Copywrite sound this hungry since he released The High Exhaulted back in 2002. If you like hardcore raw lyricism with witty punchlines, then this track is definitely for you.
Download: Copywrite, “Rest in Power”
Video: Madlib & Freddie Gibbs, “Thuggin”
Posted in Media, Video with tags Freddie Gibbs, Hip-Hop, Madlib, Stones Throw, Thuggin' EP on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 by Tim AlthausIt’s about time Gangsta Gibbs & Madlib dropped some visuals from their collaborative EP; they released a teaser last week, but I’m usually not too big on posting those. I woke up this morning to a Facebook wall post from one of my musical comrades, and needless to say I was very surprised that it was the video for “Thuggin”. This is one of the most gutter tracks I’ve heard in a long time. Madlib’s beat full of sequential strings is relatively simple, but it gives Freddie Gibbs the perfect canvas to spray blood, sweat and tears on. I can not wait to hear more material from these two; it’s blatantly obvious that they are a deadly duo.
Music Discovery: Scarlet Monk AnnaBella
Posted in Album Stream, Music Discovery with tags Adad, AnnaBella, downtempo, Flutter, Global Vortex Records, Hip-Hop, Scarlet Monk on Monday, January 16, 2012 by Eric Gilardi
If the cover art on Scarlet Monk’s debut album AnnaBella doesn’t seductively make you take your clothes off her voice will definitely make you strip down and make your own cover art. Her elegant sultry voice is blended with such laid back and subtle beats that it will make you feel like you are in a martini lounge sipping on a dirty one. AnnaBella is an album that will keep you wondering what she has in store for you next. In the track “Flutter” ADaD adds a smooth flow to give the album a true hip-hip element. If you like downtempo music I suggest you head over to the Global Vortex site, give her album a listen and you just might discover what you have been missing.
It is highly recommended that you listen to this album with someone you are passionate with or want to be passionate with.
M.i, “Crawl Back” (From The Coldplay Sessions)
Posted in Audio, Media, Video with tags Coldplay Sessions, Hip-Hop, Jack Johnson Sessions, M.i, Prep Time, texas on Monday, January 16, 2012 by Tim Althaus
Austin, Texas native M.i dropped some new heat from his upcoming mixtape The Coldplay Sessions which is slated to drop on February 7th of next month. The Coldplay Sessions will be a follow-up to his last two mixtapes The Jack Johnson Sessions and Prep Time, both of which are fantastic releases; in fact, Prep Time was on of my top five favorite mixtapes last year. “Crawl Back” gives the listeners everything that they’ve become accustomed to hearing when listening to M.i: beautiful soul sample based beats and M.i’s signature laid back flow.The thing that impresses me most is that M.i does all of his own production, mixing and arranging on The Coldplay Sessions. The tape will contain fourteen brand new tracks that contain sample flips from Coldplay songs, and M.i will be putting his own spin on each cut.
Download: M.i, “Crawl Back”
Many of you may recall that M.i won a contest put on by the people of HipHopDX and Crooks & Castles to be featured on an exclusive beat created by the Grammy Award winning production collective The J.U.S.T.I.C.E League. His entry, “Maybe I” was a certified heat rock, and it can be viewed below.
Common Performs “Celebrate” on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Posted in Media, Video with tags Chicago, Common, Hip-Hop, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, No I.D., The Dreamer/The Believer, The Roots on Friday, January 13, 2012 by Tim Althaus
Common recently dropped by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon to perform his most recent single “Celebrate” off his latest album The Dreamer/The Believer; as usual, the Roots did an amazing job of bringing the instrumentals put forth by No I.D. to life. “Celebrate” is by far my favorite track off of The Dreamer/The Believer; to me, it’s the epitome of a feel-good song, and furthermore, it’s the type of track that makes me proud to be a fan of Hip-Hop.
Even though The Dreamer/The Believer was a late entry into the releases of 2011, it was arguably one of the best albums of the year, and I haven’t stopped listening to it since I got my hands on it; the album truly takes me back to the days of Like Water for Chocolate. The chemistry displayed between Common and No I.D. is unreal.
Spotted @HipHopDX
Dr. Dre and Monster Cable Call it Quits for “Beats By Dre”
Posted in News with tags Dr. Dre, Electronics, Hip-Hop, Jimmy Iovine, Monster Cable on Friday, January 13, 2012 by Tim Althaus
It’s a sad day for the world of electronics and Hip-Hop. It has been reported that Monster Cable will no longer be pairing with Dr. Dre after this year is over; apparently, the people at Monster Cable don’t think that they are getting enough return on their investment. From the figures I’ve read, Beats accounted for 53% of the headphone market in 2011; I can honestly say that I purchased a pair of the ear buds in 2011, and I will never think of headphones the same. According to Jimmy Iovine, the split is mutual, and the whole plan all along was to have a five year contract.
Maybe since Dr. Dre is going to lose one form of cash flow, he might actually think about putting out Detox next year… I can’t believe I actually said that; we all know Detox is coming out in 2049.
