Jay Electronica’s performance of “…because he broke the rules” at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards 2008
I realize that in some senses UK has overall better taste in music right now than we do, healing and I’m happy that Jay got out there to do his thing, but seriously, somebody back home needs to give this dude a chance.
Here’s a joint that never quite made it to Below The Heavens. Pretty interesting concept behind the video – I mean, it may all be centered around passing around a joint (stay in school and off drugs, kids), but the message itself is a good look. Recommended – and if you’ve forgotten where you first heard Blu, you might want to check the Mixtape Show archive for more Blu and refresh your memory.
And some good news – sounds like I’ve got some more giveaways coming up soon. As always, Facebook group members get first crack, so jump on that. Also check the official Mixtape Show Facebook page.
Actually, speaking of Facebook, here’s an ad I caught yesterday:
Not because of the taste, neuropathologist but because it was my first solid meal in a week and a half. This also means that I can talk again.
Anyway, order I’ll probably address this in audio form later, healthful but I just wanted to put people up on some new updates to the site/show:
Pop-Out Player.
One minor annoyance on the site has always been that if you’re listening to the show on the show player and then click any link – the comment link, say, then the page reloads and you have to start over again. This isn’t so fun if you’re on a slow connection.
So, there’s a tiny pop-out bar just above and below the show player over there on the right. Click that (try it here now), and you should get a small window containing the last 20 or so episodes. You can jam on that while you check the site, or hell, just open it up and browse the rest of the net.
Embeddable Episode Player.
Okay, this I’m excited about. I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time, and really just now got around to putting it together. If you look just below the “cover art” for any episode, you’ll see a tiny box with an embed code, like this:
embed this episode in your myspace/blog/whatev:
Click anywhere in that box, go to Edit → Copy, and then paste wherever you like. Myspace bulletin, profile, blog, forum, whatever. You’ll get something that looks like the following:
easy way to put your friends up on Jay/Labratz/Iain/Suburb/Brothertron, whatever.
Subscribing.
Not to beat this into your heads, but you are subscribed, right? Good. Now sneak onto your friend’s computer and make sure they have a steady stream of good music flowing into their inbox. Click here for the rundown (opens in same page).
Oh, bonus because a couple people asked for it – if anyone wants the site background for use on their very own desktop (!) :
have at it. Heavily influenced by my friend Elliott G’s line, Ultra Vitalence (dig Elliott in the middle, you’ll see what I mean),
which got a nice writeup recently in the URB blog, courtesy of my other good friend Jolie.
That’s It.
Okay, yeah, that’s about it, really. I’ve tested stuff somewhat, but if you use IE, god bless you there might be some bugs I don’t know about. Let me know if things are or are not working.
In an open letter to the record industry posted by Jack Davey of J*Davey on her blog:
“the age old model is failing . as an industry based on faithful consumers you have lost your connection with the people who matter most : the PEOPLE . you have yet to show them that you are with the changing times & able to adapt to something new . you are proving that you are too afraid to promote good music . you would rather let the monotonous drone of what is today’s music remain unbalanced by substance . you would rather watch more legendary artists abandon you for direct deals with itunes & touring companies .“[emphasis mine, dosageread the rest here.]
Pretty much recommended reading for anyone who listens to digital music in any form. The game isn’t changing – it already changed. And she’s not the only one who feels like this, therapist either – Saul Williams pulled a Radiohead for his latest release (and is doing very well with it, from what I hear), Labratz (hear them on the show here) went straight online on theirs ($8.99 for the full album, damn), I think Suburb is doing something similar, and real talk? We don’t need the industry, the industry needs us.
Switching gears only slightly:
Are you one of those waiting for Jay Electronica’s Act II? There’s a few snippets in here.
“I make music, and I just want you to have it.”
Jay Electronica on the infamous Giles Peterson’s podcast. A lot of insight into Jay’s background in New Orleans and artistic drive. This is damn near an hour long, and some of the tracks will already be familiar to Mixtape Show listeners, but there’s some new snippets in here and it’s overall a very worthwhile listen if you got a minute.
Sneak peek: Act II is coming, and it will be free. Act III will be a commercial release but the proceeds will go to the displaced families of the Magnolia projects in New Orleans. And he’ll continue to put free material out here.
It seems like every rappidy rap site did some sort of best-of wrap-up lists for 2007.
I’d love to do that sort of thing, store but real talk? I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning, much less remember what I was doing last January. So now that the euphoria of the new year has passed, I figured I’d talk about some stuff I liked.
So here we go, open thread. What impressed/depressed you this last year? I’ll get us started and keep it positive:
RAPS.
I’ve got to say, producerwise? I really really think Suburb is the bizness. I’m trying to con him into giving me some more of his stuff for a future episode. We’ll see how that works. For now, though, you can grab a few exclusive tunes over at sweeney kovar, who was kind enough to let me write a bit on the subject at his site. the man himself
Jay Electronica. GOVERNMENT PLANT. This dude popped up on the internet out of nowhere (well, unless you’re FMWJ, nowhere), and stole the hearts of millions. Then he announced that he was dropping a new project on Xmas (which I was patiently waiting for, and fully planned to make an episode of), and then the 25th rolls around, and…
poof. Nothing. Facebook account is deleted, his myspace account points to some white dude with a camera, and really ladies and gentlemen this is smoke and mirrors and theatrics at its finest. Not even so much as a “hey guise brb lol”. where you at?
From what I hear this is standard procedure for the dude, but I’m not too mad at him. I can wait.
Speaking of Jay, can’t forget about the producer behind some of his joints – Sol Messiah and his new group, The Labratz (I need to remember to ask Sol about the name). You maybe haven’t heard it yet – I just got it, but it’s bananas.
Think Atlanta, think classic Goodie Mobb, think classic Outkast, and then think next level. Watch this site for more, very soon.
Have I mentioned that Dam Funk is also killing it with this analog funk boogie sound? I can’t even describe it, just go listen.
Plus he can really wear a Cosby sweater.
More importantly – what were you bumping in 07?
BLOGS.
So Sweeney Kovar’s jumpoff. It’s quite often spectacular. If you’re not already reading that, you should do so – especially if you find yourself curious about what’s really good in the LA beat scene. Plus he takes some nice pictures.
You know what, I’m not going to get into a blog list thing here. If you have found any good ones, tell everyone in the comments.
TV.
I don’t have one, do you? What’s good on the telly nowadays?
JAWNS.
Mad Anthony of NYC has some pretty dope stuff. Apparently there are like no pictures of any of it anywhere, though. Man, I need a camera.
Elliott G of Ultra Vitalence has put together a pretty wild line of stuff. I got this purple jacket with the Spongebob lining. Bananas.
And I have to thank Elliot “with one t” F for the Hong Kong connection with those like 10 shirts he brought back. Remember the “Tangerine” shirt from the first video podcast? I got like 4 more flavors – Plum Cake is probably the favorite. No watermelon, unfortunately.
Plus I got the powder blue Filas.
What have you been flossing? (SC, that Eazy-E outfit doesn’t count.)
VIDEOGAMES.
You know I stay on these games. Aside from the NBA 2K8 whose soundtrack makes it the business, we’ll start this off with Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for the DS. A little easy, but fun.
Then we got the throwback: Kickmaster for the 8-bit nintendo. Made by the same people that put together Werewolf. You know I get down with the NES.
Ghosteo got himself a PS3, and introduced me to Ninja Gaiden Sigma. I’m what, halfway through? It’s all about that Lunar staff, I stay chopping zombies. I coulda done without the overly developed female though.
Until I get back to Ghosteo’s, though, I got that Final Fantasy 4 for the DS.
They upgraded the graphics, but left the music alone, which is definitely a good thing. Not sure when it comes out stateside.
What have you been playing?
PARTIES.
Are you in southern Cali? Then you need to be on board when the Do-Over starts up again in 08. Runs from like 2pm to well past midnight, it’s free, and all your favorite artists are known to run through there. If they’re on Stones’ Throw, they’re there – plus many many more – and kids know how to party.
Pure Filth. Dubstep will probably never break into the quote unquote mainstream, and if that’s what it takes for parties like Pure Filth to stay good, I’m fine with that. Epic soundsystem, perfect basement venue, way too many rewinds, and the MC – again, epic. Going to these joints was like going to church. Unfortunately the venue was torn down and their soundsystem was stolen from their U-Haul after the final party (did I mention that it was epic?). I hear they’re gearing up for 08 again, though.
What was good in your city though?
YOU.
You all pretty much made my 07 kinda dope. So thank you.
Your turn: share your best (or worst!) of 07. On the podcast front, plenty coming down the pipeline. Just wait.
