The-Dream, “Roc”
https://www.youtube.com/v/Oudnd-Y0Cl4?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
Is it weird that The-Dream uses the spelling of the word “rock” so closely associated with his former Def Jam boss Jay-Z? Yes, sort of. In response, Jay-Z should make a song about how good he is at doing sex.
Rick Ross feat. Wale and Meek Mill, “Bag of Money”
https://www.youtube.com/v/v3UDNbdNmIc?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
Ross’s new mixtape Rich Forever dropped today, and it is star studded: Drake, John Legend, Nas, Diddy, Kelly Rowland, plus some Boi-1da and Lex Luger beats. Very exciting! Less awesome: the fact that the existence of this mixtape is explained by the fact that Rozay was supposed to drop his new album, God Forgives, I Don’t, around this time, but ended up pushing it back because of the multiple seizures he suffered a few months back. Can we get some confirmation that our dude’s health situation is being monitored closely? Maybe a primary care physician can be drafted into Maybach Music Group?
Mod Sun, G-Eazy, Meta, “Rapping A$$ Rappers”
https://www.youtube.com/v/k-XJApRn3M4?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
I’ve never heard of any of these guys before, and I’m not really sure how I came across this song, but the phrase “rapping ass rappers” is one I’ve been using and enjoying for years, and I feel that my new friends Mod Sun, G-Eazy, and Meta did it justice.
Scissor Sisters vs. Krystal Pepsy, “Shady Love”
https://www.youtube.com/v/UXtmHRen1hc?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
Krystal Pepsy is a penname for Azealia Banks, the adorable 20-year-old Harlemite quickly becoming the internet’s favorite rapper. She also just started beef with recently fallen blog-hero Kreayshawn: “”@KREAYSHAWN you’re a dumb bitch. And you can’t rap. I’ll sit on your face. … Fall back slut.” What’s not to love?
Katy Perry, “Bullet”
https://www.youtube.com/v/qYm6FO1PkYA?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
This is the original demo version of a track Katy Perry recorded for country star Jessie James. At one point, KP says “Why do you think they call me Jessie James?” Just a bit of comic relief in a time of darkness for our gurl.
Justin Bieber and Jaden Smith, “Happy New Year”
https://www.youtube.com/v/jYZD2xNTuSA?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
Has 2012 already let you down?! Clearly, you haven’t heard this song.
Thom Yorke, “Stuck Together”
https://www.youtube.com/v/HmurNrsa-90?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
“Twist”
https://www.youtube.com/v/HmurNrsa-90?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
A couple of new spooky instrumentals from Yorkey. Good for instantly adding an element of desperation and doom to, say, your gardening experience.
A$AP Rocky, “Pretty Flacko”
https://www.youtube.com/v/3bztHkuu4rU?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
Whatever else happens in the ascendant A$AP Rocky’s career, he’s already cemented himself, this early on, as the rapper most closely associated with the use of the word ‘pretty’ as a positive descriptor.
Gangrene, “Vodka & Ayahuasca”
Just watch this video (that I’m having a hard time embedding for some reason). I have absolutely nothing to add.
Kool A.D., “Flying Thru the Air Inna Airplane”
https://www.youtube.com/v/SI4rOU1LQyM?version=3&feature=player_detailpage
Das Racist’s Kool A.D. just dropped the solo mixtape The Palm Wine Drinkard, and it is Lil B-level weird. And, although I never understood the appeal with Lil B, I love this: “Flying thru the air inna airplane / watching TV in an airplane / taking a nap in a airplane / sitting in a hotel, watching TV / now I’m flying in an airplane,” and on and on. On the one hand, he’s dutifully recreating the numbing mundanity of the life of a touring musician. On the other, he’s lost his goddamned mind.