Hip-Hop, Videos | Thoughts On Drake, “Started From The Bottom” [Video]
Posted by jeffwbaird on February 10, 2013
http://vimeo.com/59303531
Drake’s awareness of the divide between the substantive hip-hop of the underground scene he came up in and that of the mainstream (which he’s currently immersed in) has always fascinated me, and his success is largely due to how he’s been able to perform so well in both realms. But his ideals are changing fast. I fear that we may never get another record as honest, introspective, and meditative as So Far Gone. His first two LP’s highlighted his complexity as an artist as he produced ultimately thoughtful records, inter-spiced with pop jams that didn’t fit the rest of the album’s tone — a trend that is replicated in the majority of major releases in the present day. But with the release of “Started From the Bottom,” Drake has finally given us a single that harshly abandons his beloved idiosyncrasies and fortes—a record where his delivery is so determined to be gruff that it is unceasingly stagnant and unimaginative.
When he was starting out, he knew that in order to gain credibility he had to provide something different, so he presented himself as a beacon of honesty, and as a genuine storyteller—which, for the most part—he lived up to originally. But while he wanted to unite a passionate fan-base around this self-image, he also wanted to attract consumers of pop radio and commercial hip-hop, and it’s no secret that gangsta hip-hop has dominated the mainstream for the past two decades. Drake’s concerns have become less about his originality, and in reality, have turned to the opposite—fitting the portfolio of a hip-hop artist that has led to respect and stardom for much of the current genre-toppers. With his third album, we may finally receive the Drake that told Kate Couric that Lil Wayne was the “voice of our generation,” and whom seems more interested in what the hip-hop community thinks of his childhood than making music he can be proud of.
Drake’s new album is slated to come out this year, and I’ll be waiting to see what kind of a move he makes on his new single, but from where I stand, “Started From the Bottom” is a bold step in the wrong direction. The direction I’ve feared he’s been heading in for quite some time.
Progressive House | Paul Oakenfold & Project 46 ft. Daphne – Higher
Posted by Middy on February 8, 2013
Paul Oakenfold made his fame with heart facing, high bpm acid, psytrance, but also had the ability to successfully cross over into more mainstream genres with more of his album material. With “Higher” we see him do just that and work with Canadian producer & Dj duo Project 46 on this melodic, uplifting big room track. Daphne’s vocals are the icing on the cake for this sublime melody put together by Paul Oakenfold and Project 46.
Free Download: Paul Oakenfold & Project 46 ft. Daphne – Higher
Hip-Hop, RnB | Justin Bieber – ALAYLM (Rendition) by SoMo
Posted by J_Salzer on January 1, 2013
Every week I see a new Joseph SoMo video. And every week I’m left speechless, and if you know me, that is a rare feat. This week, SoMo covers Justin Bieber’s hit song, As Long As You Love Me, and turns it into an emotionally charged, passionate ballad. When Justin Bieber sings it, you can tell it is a commercial, mainstream sound, but when Joseph SoMo sings it, you can feel the true meaning behind the song. Often my opinion on a song changes after hearing a Joseph SoMo cover, in this case because he puts much more emphasis on the lyrics and story of the song. Enjoy this weeks SoMo Sunday, sorry it’s on a Tuesday. Happy New Year from Fresh New Tracks.
Cover, Hip-Hop, Rap, RnB, Videos | A$AP Rocky – F*ckin’ Problems (Rendition) by SoMo
Posted by J_Salzer on December 9, 2012
I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word f*ck said as many times by one person in a span of 4 minutes than in the video above. Although, the ugliness of the word is cancelled out by Joseph SoMo’s beautiful voice. For this week’s “SoMo Sunday,” SoMo takes on one of the more…explicit rap songs of 2012. He transforms it into something smooth and soulful as per usual. I’ve come to expect terrific covers from SoMo, even with YouTube making it possible for everyone and their Mac-Book-owning-mother to cover a mainstream song, Joseph SoMo finds a way to stand out.
Electronic | Brian Kramer – All Will be Lost (Mix)
Posted by Juicebox on November 26, 2012
After a brief hiatus in the studio to work on his original material, Brian Kramer is back at it again with a brand new mix to debut his up and coming mixtape entitled, “All Will be Lost.” What we love so much about Brian Kramer is that he doesn’t need to throw in the mainstream house bangers in his mixes to create a great mix. The guy has been DJing for over 6 years and it shows. Appreciate how well this entire project was mixed and recognize real talent when you hear it. The mix features six brand new bootlegs that he plans on releasing in the upcoming month so keep your eyes peeled for that. As a little bonus, we’ve included one of his previous bootlegs below that is 100% worth downloading.
Mixtapes | RAC – Solé Fixtape Vol. 3
Posted by Juicebox on September 18, 2012
The boys over at Sole Bicycles are back at it again with their third installment of their signature “fixtapes,” teaming up with the Portland DJ Duo known as, RAC. RAC creates a fresh, funky mix with a wide variety of tracks that mesh almost too well. Appreciate the approach they took with this one as it features tracks that stray from the mainstream norm of big room synth’s everyone and their grandmother are slapping together these days. Download the mix, check out the bikes here, and as Solé puts it…”Vibe with us as you ride off into the future.”
Alternative, Videos | Adam Jensen – Lost Without You
Posted by A on September 4, 2012
“I forgot to be myself while you were busy being you.”
Rock music has its eccentrics, and it has its pop stars. As the genre has been pushed further and further out of the mainstream, it seems to have little room for authentic artists that split the difference. Boston based Adam Jensen, the self-proclaimed “poster child for the revival of the musician in the traditional sense” aims to fill that void under the tutelage of Buddy Allen Management.
Perhaps known best for elevating New England’s “Mission Hill” to a position of considerable notoriety, Adam Jensen has opened for the likes of Bon Jovi, Kid Rock, and more. In fact, Jensen recently performed his critically acclaimed “Lost Without You” single on Fox 17 in Nashville. Written by Adam Jensen, Rob Thomas, and Dave Harris, “Lost Without You” details the rise and fall of a relationship that’s palpable as it is powerful, leaving the listener wanting more.
Be sure to follow Adam Jensen on his journey as he continues to make waves in the blogosphere through his social media sites below.
FACEBOOK // TWITTER // SOUNDCLOUD