Musical update

But first, I finally know how to add stuff (ie. games) to my jailbroken ipod touch. After almost embarking on this uber convoluted way, I found a way that was super simple, literally one button. 

It's all good. Now I have to delete music off to make room for the games! Lol

Anyway, I'm excited because I've just discovered a new group that nobody else I know has heard of. They're originally from Ohio, US and have been around since 2003. Their sound is fresh in the hip hop world, distinctly chilled out and fusing jazz rhythms with faintly old skool beats. I found them while I was on a 9th Wonder/Common/Q-Tip/The Roots tangent. They have a new album called "Brooklynati" that I'll hopefully cop today if it's out. I have my doubts I'll find it seeing as it was only released in the US 2 days ago.

Call me late, but I'm discovering Kid Cudi now. Having only briefly heard of him via his hookup with a certain Kanye West on 808s' "Welcome to Heartbreak", I just started checking his 2008 mixtape released by West's label GOOD Music. 

Also (but wait, there's more!) found a side project composed of D'Angelo, Raphael Saadiq and Q-Tip! Mate, let me tell you. Fire. The production ability of that lineup alone is mindboggling, let alone the instrumentation and vocal talents. From what I've heard this is perfect for the evening. Apparently Common and Q-Tip are gonna collab together soon.

A new weblog called rockthedub is worth looking at. I'm digging the weekly downloadable playlists of the newest cuts, mixtapes and vids. Also, prohiphop and XXL are good to keep up with news. 

Currently listening to-

Kid Cudi

Tanya Morgan 

Lynwood Rose

Gotta find more- 

Little Brother

PS. Changed up the socks. No lesbian cloud for me. I want my money back.

Discovering hidden gems

On a whim, one day I decided to buy the DVD of "The Chris Rock Show" Seasons 1 & 2, which date back to 1997/98. While the comedic material is typical of American humour, sometimes hilarious, sometimes a chuckle, always loud, shouting and as subtle as a bulldozer moving fine china, the ridiculous lineup of RnB/hiphop musicians that played on the show is improbable in its depth, quality and taste. 

First up, the DJ/Musical Director that Rock signed up for his show was none other than Grandmaster Flash, one of the originators and innovators of the modern hiphop movement starting in the 80s, and an oft-cited inspiration or influence of modern day artists. Rock himself grew up listening to Grandmaster Flash, and Flash was the first person he signed to be on board his show.

But to the performing artists. The first artist to perform on the show was D'Angelo with Raphael Saadiq and ?uestlove (of the Roots). After that there was a slight misnomer with Cake performing "The Distance". But then, the following artists performed, in order WITHOUT skipping a single show:

-D'Angelo

-Cake

- Maxwell

-Erykah Badu

- Puff Daddy & Ma$e

- Wyclef Jean (only just having turned solo after the disbandment of the Fugees)

-KCi & Jojo

- Missy Elliott

-LL Cool J

-Busta Rhymes

-Bobby Brown

- Rakim

-Mary J Blige

- Usher

- Salt n Pepa

- LSG (featuring the renowned voices of Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill)

Remember this list of artists is compiled against the backdrop of 1997/98. All of them without exception are superstars of RnB, whether it be from the past (Bobby Brown, Rakim, LL Cool J) to present day superstars (Wyclef, Puff Daddy, Mary J., Usher, Busta, Maxwell...) Although Grandmaster Flash must have had a hand in the selections, but look how many of that list are now superstars of the present, back then only just getting established. People used to say Chris Rock's comedy was ahead of his time, but I figure his musical taste was ahead of its time.

While I'm at it, I can't believe the Roots are the in-house band for Jimmy Fallon on the Late Show. Fantastic! Love the Roots! I'm yet to watch a show seeing as I only realised this fact, but apparently they're going to cover lots of musical genres not just hiphop, to display their versatility. Should be an intriguing watch.