A new chamber in music was revealed this past week when Dr. Dre and Snoop’s Coachella show included a hologram performance of the late, great Tupac Shakur. Now, holograms shows aren’t new, but for hip-hop music, a Tupac hologram is iconic. If you haven’t seen it yet, you definitely should check it out here.
It just gave me the chills to watch a life-size spiritual version of Pac performing “Hail Mary” and “2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted” with Snoop. It makes me wonder: Could we soon see a spiritual version of Biggie doing “Warning?”
And, sadly, we lost music icon Dick Clark this week. As a child, I literally thought HE invented New Year’s Eve. American Bandstand, The American Music Awards — are things he made for us to enjoy and celebrate music. Salute to you Mr. Dick Clark.
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The new generation of hip hop acts is led by a pirate-style swashbuckling crew from Harlem: A$AP and their front man Rocky. Watching these guys at shows reminds me of the days when The Wu Tang Clan or M.O.P. used to Mobb Deep on the stage, fighting everybody from the soundman to drunken party goers. But A$AP Rocky’s music is digital dope. This week, his new track, “Goldie,” produced by Hit Boy, reeked into the blogosphere like smoke coming from Snoop Dogg’s dressing room. Fans of Rocky know his wordplay is that New York fly sh*t while his delivery is influenced heavily by the south. The track “Goldie” really captures the essence of all that. Enjoy.
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B.o.B is a musical genius. He is also a great business man that loves to play with words. Peep his new track “Ray Bands.” After taking the adidas campaign and making it look super fresh worldwide, I’m sure the eyewear gurus at Ray Bans will get the hint when they hear this new track (if they haven’t already). This record will most definitely resonate with clubs. The beat is courtesy of Lil C and of Bobby “Ray Bands” himself. His new album, Strange Clouds, which drops in a few weeks, should have enough heat for the hot summer.
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Damian Marley is fan of dubstep? Who would of thought, until a new record surfaced this week featuring Jr Gong himself alongside Dub Step king Skrillex called “Make It Bun Dem.” To some, Marley’s style is a mixture of progressive reggae and dancehall. We’ve seen his work in hip-hop with artist like Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. But this “fiyyah mashup” with hard hitting Dub rhythms only shows the true creative boundaries that Marley is willing to push it to. Skrillex is an innovator of sound and style and should have won The Best New Artist award at the Grammys. This song is going to be HUGE Mc’Big. Expect hip-hop remixes shortly.
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Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa are the real Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. Before hip hop’s latest Cheech n Chong burst on to the scene the Steel Town was know for Steelers and Pirates. It’s cool that their styles are different too. Wiz is a pop star while Mac relishes in his fame from the so-called underground. Wiz is doing big things on the major label while Mac prefers to make Indie moves. Ahh, but they both keep the same circle of MCs as homies. Case in point? Mac’s new song with Curren$y “Cold” produced by Chuck Inglish. Be on the look out for that Wiz and Mac Miller Under The Influence of Music Tour smoking this summer in a city near you.
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I love Asher Roth’s Southern Cali kushed out flow. It’s super lazy, like waking up at 3:30pm in Malibu with nothing to do. On the other hand, Meek Mill’s rhyme style is similar to 5pm rush hour traffic on the Ben Franklin Bridge. So the two of them together on the same track had to be crazy. Peep this new track “Party Girl.” Producer Oren Yoel samples Eddie Murphy’s classic (yes, that Eddie Murphy used to sing) “Party All The Time.” Asher’s patented ‘half step slow’ wordplay is a contrast to Meek’s speed shifting vocal delivery. But that’s what make this must hear music. Until we read again.
“Music is the soundtrack to life”…Dick Clark
Brandon ‘TNT’ West
Music Exec / Industry Insider/ The Andy Rooney of Hip Hop Culture
Holla at him @tnt718
