If you could have been anywhere this week it should have been in Austin, Texas for the 2012 South By Southwest Music Festival. Gone are the days of showing up in Austin, finding last minute accommodations and gassing or “crashing” your way to free passes. Oh no. SXSW is a big name with big businesses and major sponsors, and you’d better be invited. Some previous performers have become frustrated with the event, as they feel it has gotten away from its original purpose: indie-artist exposure. But with artist like Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and T.I. rubbing shoulders with The Airplane Boys, Killa Kyleon and Action Bronson it’s hard to argue anything negative. In most cases, bigger is better, and everything is big in Texas, right?
Hot, new music surfaced from Nas this week. The Godson is known for disappearing and reappearing with a crazy new song.“The Don” is that NYC-five-alarm-fiyyah starter. Producer Salaam Remi and Nas go together like saltfish and ackee, so it’s no surprise to see his magic on this record. What’s pretty cool is that this beat originated from the late Heavy D. With the help of Remi, Da Internz and, of course, the vocal talents of Nas, “The Don” is born. Only time will tell if we can expect an album in 2012. With the negative press surrounding Nas and The IRS plus his monthly bill to his baby mama Kelis, I’m sure Son is back to work.
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Big K.R.I.T.’s freshman album on Def Jam has to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2012. I mean it’s taken forever. Speaking of 4Eva: K.R.I.T. has released a few critically acclaimed mixtapes, but 4eva N A Day and Return of 4eva gave fans a taste of what’s to come on the album. To coincide with his SXSW performances this week, he released the track “Believe” which features David Banner. K.R.I.T. is known for sampling and chopping up classic funk records to rhyme over. “Believe” is a dope Jodeci loop layered over a nice snare that K-Ci & JoJo would approve.
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I’ve always wondered if Frank Ocean ever met the original Billy Ocean (The 80’s singer of the classic Caribbean Queen), or did he just jack his stage name and run with it. Anyway, Frank Ocean is the coolest, weirdest, most futuristic R&B singer with the smoothest, silkiest voice. His current single, “Thinking About You, is a smash that your girlfriend probably knows every word to. So with his new song, “White,” we get another peep inside the mindset (and songbook) of the Odd Future singer. It’s a beautiful acoustic ballad that probably was recorded after Ocean smoked some of that “Novacane” he once sang about. As you listen, enjoy it, and don’t be afraid to ask yourself “What is he singing about?”
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SONG.
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The song “Time of Your Life” has given new artist Kid Ink that mainstream smash that he’s been chasing. Make no mistake though, if you live on the west coast or been to his live show, you already know Ink has been that next dude about to blow for a minute. Never one to forget his core fans, The Kid dropped “Neva Gave A Fuk” this week to the blogosphere and club DJs. Shout out to DJ Invasion on the track. Neva Gave is another example of Kid’s swagged out verbal dexterity over a trunk rattling 808-drum kit. That Cali new fly shit that is winning, winning, winning!
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I’m not usually into exposing remixes because they’re usually just recycled beats with overused and oversaturated rappers that you’re tired of hearing from. But then there are exceptions. This Machine Gun Kelly “Wild Boy (Remix)” is so crazy and full of energy, it’s almost scary. Now Machine Gun Kelly has enough energy for an Iranian nuke by himself, but then you add 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Mystikal, French Montana and Yo Gotti…this track is officially the 2012 riot starter in any club. Worrrd to Marley Marl: this is the new “Symphony,” at least for 2012. According to those in attendance, when MGK performed this in Austin during SXSW this week, he threw a little person off of a balcony. Crazy! Needless to say, beware of this track coming out of car in a hood near you!
Brandon ‘TNT’ West
Music Exec / Industry Insider/ The Andy Rooney of Hip Hop Culture
Holla at him @tnt718
