You Won't Take What I Have And Make It All Wrong

Do you watch Mad Men? In the mash-up below, audio and visuals from Peggy Olson and Peter Campbell's best interactions are pieced together really well, and the creator used one of my favorite artists for the background music...

The artist, Louque, has a sound that is eclectic and tangy, and his '04 release So Long mixes funk, soul, trip-hop, reggae and r&b into what he calls "faya." 

Listen to more of Louque's songs HERE. 

And FYI- Christina Hendricks (who plays Joan on the show) is my new girl crush.

Boz, this might be my Rihanna.

Since Mad Men is set in the early '60s, you constantly find yourself noticing how much things have changed since then. The role of women in the home, the workforce, and society. Race relations. The seriousness of alcoholism. And they're always smoking at the office- you could never do that now so openly. But buried beneath all these changes, there's one cultural practice that didn't seem to evolve as much as one might think: saving face. For instance, some of these characters literally live double lives just to prevent their personal issues from getting scrutinized by their peers. The private life and the public life were two separate entities, and social interaction was more of a strategic art than a natural, friendly act. How much has that changed?

I bring this up because someone recently told me that the future of blogging was to have blog authors get more personal. But he didn't mean we should just be allowing you to take a glimpse inside our homes- he meant that we should be giving you the key to the front door and let you take an intentional, good look around. If you're someone who's deeply immersed in the online world, then his suggestion to take privacy public is probably not a new idea to you- blogs are like reality TV, they're at their best when something real is being captured. 

Because I'm such a private person, I constantly battle with how much personal information to release over the internet. But this a music blog that also has a running dialogue with culture, so even though it's extremely blogger-cliche of me to say, I truly believe that our lives have some useful stories worth sharing. Unfortunately for me, something about being too open around the campfire makes me very uncomfortable. Maybe it's fear: If I reveal who I am -flaws and all- people might judge or pigeonhole me, so like the characters on Mad Men, I play it safe. Should I relax and spill all my secrets, or make like Betty Draper and keep it buttoned up? 

I posted this Lily Allen song in April when it was rumored to be called "I Don't Know." I think I like "The Fear" better as a title... and it certainly speaks volumes to this topic:

"I don't know what's right and what's real anymore... 

I've been taken over by the fear."

Sorry Baby, But I Gotta Do What I Gotta

People are so creative. The video below was made by duo Sniper Twins, who, instead of rapping and singing about stacking paper, are on that computer braggadocio with "Stack The Memory."

The hook is wavy, no? And they shot some of it at Tekserve- hilarious. Thanks to Mr. Jones for sending this my way weeks ago... I should have posted it earlier.

In the next clip, NY Magazine interviews a guy who took trash bags and made really impressive inflatable street art.

I want to commission him to make me a Zilla :)

And with his bright ideas from a few months ago, I'm not surprised that Mick Boogie dabbled with another good readymade project on this one...

"Adele’s album 19 set trends and created influence in the pop, rock and international worlds. But what would happen if the vocals and instruments of 19 were combined with the hip-hop sensibilities of the late 1980s, considered by many hip-hop’s golden age?"

Love songs and hip hop history: We are the mash-up generation.

Download 1988 HERE.

Speaking of love, it's likely that you've seen this already, but my appreciation for N*E*R*D continues to grow with their video for "Sooner or Later":

They turn a love song into a metaphor for the economic crisis... I guess money just broke up with us :( If you want more, watch them perform the song (and others) live at Roseland.

And this might be 2 years after 1988, but Special Ed's "The Mission" used to be my jammy jam.

This is a mission, not a smalltime thing.

I didn't have cable growing up, but my brother and I had some episodes of Yo! MTV Raps on VHS.

I was 6 when I first saw that video.

Gotta find those tapes...

I'm On The Right Path To Who I'm Gonna Be At Last

After running into 9th at the Highline show last Tuesday, I decided it was necessary to attend the Jean Grae in-store he'd be performing at on the following day...

In the PictoBrowser below, click the tabs to view my photos from Fat Beats:

They were there to promote the Jeanius album's re-release(s), and it felt really good to be among hip hop heads. I've said it before; Jean Grae is not only the best female MC in the industry, but she's up there with most males who rhyme as well. I felt horrible for missing her 11/30 Highline show, so I couldn't skip this intimate performance.

Footy via AnalectsBlog. 

They have more great footage on the Fat Beats blog, so if you want to see Jean performing alongside Talib Kweli and 9th, I suggested you go there. They were both signing albums after, but the line was crazy long, so I'll just support via Amazon- as you should. Thanks to Ls and Cani8a for coming with me!

That same night, 

10.Deep hosted their holiday party at Element...

KiD CuDi throwing me a deuce...

Disappointed at first, I'm now kind of glad the flash wasn't on.

Ahhh, con flash. Much better.

He ended up performing at the party too...

Hollywood Holt was hammer-, uh, having fun. (I'm not a fan.)

But how adorable are these three?!?...

Asher Roth in attendence...

Thanks to Boz y Brenda for the bracelets :)

"Dont Rush Me":

Rock Star, Bitch... Kurt Cobain Sh*t

The live performance is becoming more and more important for up and coming artists. As the music industry evolves and is further aligned with the digital world, what an artist does on stage can help separate them from the competition. Everyone has a Myspace page and a Youtube channel and a Twitter account. But during a live performance, the exclusive eyes, ears, and opinions go beyond the spectators in the venue; fans and critics can now see footage of artist's shows right after they end. One solid performance in the right city -with the right tastemakers- will have the blogs, magazines, and radio hosts buzzing like they were there in person. Luckily, Wale knows this. And how he executed last week's show at Highline made me realize that I might be a jaded NYC resident.

Unfortunately, I missed Colin Munroe's set, 

but I made it in time for KiD CuDi's...

He was joined by Capo to perform "Day N Nite":

I love how he goes into the "Crookers Remix" instrumental at the end, trying to get everyone to merge into a more electro lane. And trust, it wasn't the first or last genre-blending move of the night.

Peter Rosenberg and Mark Ronson 

entertained the crowd between acts...

But out the gate, Wale was full of that energetic, DC swag.

The crowd ate it up, proving that they were clearly there for him.

Chrisette Michelle joined Wale to perform their record with 

The Roots, "Rising Up."

After her, Clipse's own Pusha T joined him to perform "Back In The Go Go"

"That fly sh*t I been on..."

Each show, Wale takes time out to recognize historic Go Go band UCB, and in turn, educates the audience on DC music and culture. In the video below, you can catch a piece of that night's Go Go music lesson:

Embodying "regional" (DMV) celebrity: 

Wale with Tre, Mike and Marcus of UCB.

After the lesson, Freeway came out to represent for the Roc...

Wale didn't seem to mind.

And shortly after, Young Chris joined them on stage:

Along with Leo DiCaprio, the Roc was definitely in the building to support...

Hov amongst the spectators (and virtually impossible to photograph!)

Still, it appears as though The Dynasty is thoroughly intact.

Continuing the genre-crossing theme of the evening,

Wale performed "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.," and then transitioned into Nirvana's 

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," testing the crowds ability to summon their inner rocker:

Overall, it worked.

Hip Hop, Electronica, Pop, Go Go, and Rock music, all under one roof...

And all there for this "Folarin" dude - via the Allido magician, of course.

"Name Wale, don't say Wall-E!"

Many thanks to Mjeema and JZ for the ticket! XO

Pin The Tail On The Donkey

Late to post about it, but JD and I went to see Jim Jones perform at Mercury Lounge two weeks ago. I'm a sucker for Capo's bafoonery, so I looked forward to the intimacy of the small venue, and my company. 

Juelz made an appearance... along with most of Byrdgang - sans Cam.

Mr. Santana got to showcase his artist, Starr...

I had heard a few of her tracks in early '08, and she can definitely sing. 

To his credit, Jim put verses on two great songs this year - "Electric Feel" and "Day N Nite" - and he took time out to perform both at the show.

Sa-Ra opened for him...

I was a fan of their funky vibe, but seeing them do their thing live?!? 

Those dudes are pretty wild...

Although Pitchfork is notorious for being overly critical, I'd unfortunately have to agree with their thoughts on SA-RA. Word to the wise: If you want to be misogynistic, at least make it big first, so that when you do it, we give you a pass...

Like Puffy, with his portable harem; I'm sure you've seen his 007esque I Am King ad on TV, in cabs, and on billboards:

A bit more tasteful, Dolce & Gabanna use Miles Davis' "Nuit Sur Les Champs-Elysées" in their ad for men's fragrance, The One (below). I had just left the room, and it was the music from this commercial that made me go back and look at the TV:

Luckily for me, A Time To Kill was a great book, and Matthew McConaughey playing the lead in the '96 film didn't bother me then, and this shirtless ad doesn't bother me now. Oww.

Lastly, and to prove I'm not completely boy crazy, here's Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle TV ad with Keira Knightley. Joss Stone covers Nat King Cole's song "L-O-V-E":

It's a good look for the british songstress, whose voice is always recognizable. Speaking of which... Joss, where are you?!? The game needs you!

I Want To Help You... If You'll Let Me

You know you love Podzilla.

You may have heard The Asteroids Galaxy Tour in the new iPod touch commercial:

Beyond that, the rest of the songs should speak for themselves...

Cold War Kids rule. Freekey uses One Republic's "Apologize" melody. Lily Allen covers Britney Spears- "I got your crazy." Wale and Brother Ali unite. Snow Patrol get intense. And Lykke joins Kanye on a track. 

Looks like Lacezilla, the civilized monster, has struck again.

Can't Stop Havin' These Visions...

Fred Hart, a student at University of Arizona (Fine Arts) made a series of song covers for Kanye's 808s and Heartbreak. They blew me away and I had to post my favorites:

Amazing. Truly. And there are more!
Jacked from Boz (thank you!), via GWHH.

It's The Law: Diminishing Returns

In 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono released a song called 

"Woman Is The N*gger of the World."

Australia's innocent-looking Ben Lee recently covered the record (as a B-Side for a single off his upcoming album) and made a video for it:

He discussed the implications of the song on his blog:

"Of course, back when it was released, and still now, many people are unable to get past the use of the 'N' word in the title to look at what the song is really saying. In the late 1970's, the Chairman of the Black Caucas, Congressman Ron Dellums, did much to shed light on this subject by saying:

'If you define 'nigger' as someone whose lifestyle is defined by others, whose opportunities are defined by others, whose role in society is defined by others, then good news, you don't have to be black to be a nigger in this society. Most of the people in America are niggers.'

The song is not just about women, or black people, or any other oppressed group. It's about all of us, trying to find a way of living our lives in an authentic manner in a world that seems intent on compromising our basic integrity."

I have to admit, this is all pretty wild to me since I had never heard the song before today. The argument is that women are forced into gender roles that keep them imprisoned... they give and give, but ultimately, they get nothing in return, SMH. Watch John and Yoko talk about the song and perform it on the Dick Cavett show...

"Would you two menaces to society do your number?" LOL

What do we think about this?

 Women's issues? Social hierarchy? The definition of slavery?

The evolution of the N-word? Using it for artistic/cultural expression?

Ben Lee's album is called The Rebirth of Venus, 

and he also posted the letter that Yoko wrote to him.

Sounds like he's sticking up for the ladies, huh? That kind of reminds me of a song I'm currently OBSESSED with... Cold War Kids "Every Man I Fall For," sung from a female's perspective. 

I cannot wait for a bitter female vocalist to cover this.