Alright Gucci
DJ JAYCEEOH PRRESENTS: AVANT-GUCCI threw me so off when I spotted it. It’s a completely different mixtape cover I expected to see – from anybody. The cover took me back to Design History, I was thinking it could have been inspired by the cubist movement or African art. Anyway, the design is fitting and it kinda looks like Gucci, haha. It also reminded me of some African masks I was looking at a couple days ago..
Check it out after the jump.
Video: Another J. Cole x Elite joint, “Who Dat” @SOB’s
The hook had me rock’n from early! J. Cole x Elite put together another track with a mean hook and uncut thought provoking word play. I mean, it’s a simple hook, but it’s live… I’m think’n back to the early ’90s, anybody contest me, I wanna know some thoughts. J. Cole performs a new track entitled ‘Who Dat’ to a sold out SOB’s crowd last night. Footage courtesy of Hot97, who put on the show.
Also listen to Grown Simba off the Warm Up. Cole World put together another simple hook and still have you rock’n.
Drake – Over
I’m real late on this but I just touched down from the Bahamas. When I first heard the song I didn’t like it, and after a few listens I’m still not too fond of it. The drum infused song that he spits over anchors his voice in a interesting way. The chorus to the song is very harsh. Overall the song is an inconsistent mess in my eyes. The first debut song off his album “Thank me Later” was kind of disappointing as well. Especially after all of the hype he was built on. This must mean he’s saving the good songs for the album.
J. Cole > Drake, but that is for another time..
Video: Nothin’ On You – B.o.B x BTS footage
They shot the video on a white sound stage. I edited it on Final Cut Pro. Then they printed out over 3,000 frames onto paper. Then every frame was hand torn by a team of 8 people. From there we animated the frames, photographing each frame with a digital camera, and then imported it back into Final Cut Pro. The backgrounds are also paper collages we took digital stills of and keyed in after animation.
Behind the scene footage after the footage
It’s Surreal: Kanye speaks on nostalgia x opinion x creativity
Kanye gets real deep with this one. From where he’s been to where he’s at now, the need have an opinion and the need to create. ‘Ye makes a heart felt address on Alexander McQueen’s contribution to fashion, damn, that was a big blow. The only fact is “COMMON OPINION”.
I’m on the plane listening to the college dropout. It brings back so many memories. When we made it I had all 6 parents, 4 grandparents and my mom and dad. Now I have my dad and my grandfather.
Music is so nostalgic. Every song I listen to brings me back to when I first played them for my mom, when I first played from for Dame, when I first played them Jay, when I first played them for Kweli, when I first played them for my niggas back in Chi, when the album first came out, when I first called Ebro from Hot 97 and begged him to play through the wire, when DJ Pharris blew me up in the Chi.
We used to be the niggas rocking polo shirts, Louie back packs, paper denim jeans, and exclusive Adidas from Sporty LA. We were the underdogs. I never feel like I’m not the underdog. I never felt completely comfortable. I’m tormented by the need to create. With the loss of McQueen I feel like we lost one of those faces of modern creativity’s Mount Rushmore.
There were times that the only thing that kept me on this earth was the need and responsibility to create. Maybe McQueen felt his job was done because his last collection was the greatest of the decade. We are all so hurt. I know we’re selfish because he brought us so much joy and inspiration.
I know how it feels when the night demons come. We can’t let them control our hands and feet. Sometimes when it hurts so bad we have to just lay in the bed. Just lay in bed and don’t move please, I know how it feels. I wish McQueen could have just been still. Don’t let the psychiatrists give you their drugs because it slows down your wings. Society and public opinion can beat the wings off of angels. When god sees they can’t take it anymore he brings them back home.
During this new album process sometimes I turn the music up and drink and cry. When something sounds so amazing and ground breaking I’m reminded of why I live. I drink the pain of now 2 generations and breathe our melodies and messages. The music keeps us alive.
I was blessed with the opportunity to bring my and others dreams to life. It’s like performing magic or something. It’s surreal. We bring the unrealistic to reality. “Go hard, go hard, go hard” echoes in my dreams. When I wake up and brush my teeth and look in the mirror it’s like I see Michael and my mom and Malcolm. Who’s that African in the background mom? Oh he created the original layouts for the pyramids but was written out the history books and his MTV award was given to “aliens”.
There’s no such thing as fact anymore, only opinion. The closest thing we have to fact is “common opinion”. Everything is an opinion. The way you dress is an expression of your opinion. Your religious beliefs are your opinion. The music you turn up loud is your opinion. For most people it’s easier to just agree. For me the hardest thing is to ‘just’ agree and that is what sparks creativity, the feeling that something can be better, the feeling that something’s missing. The feeling that something’s needed.
Video: J. Cole @ The Loft
J. Cole is that dude! I can’t believe I missed him when he was in New Haven for the Yale Black Solidarity Conference. Believe we will be front lining for Cole at the next concert.
Curren$y – Smokee Robinson
So Curren$y relased his new mistape in honor of the New Orleans Saints. This was supposed to drop last night during the second qtr of the superbowl. The mixtape is hot, apperances from Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Fly Union, Nipsey Hussle and much more. Check it out
Mick Boogie x Busta Rhymes – Dillagence
In respect to Dilla’s b day, why not pay homage to the 2 greatest to ever grace this earth.
Video: How to Make It in America x KiD CuDi
“How to Make It in America follows two enterprising Brooklyn twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York’s competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Greenberg) and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam’s cousin Rene (Guzman), who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo (“Kid Cudi”), the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome”.
“How to Make It in America,” HBO’s new dollar and a dream series premieres February 14. I don’t know too much about the film, but a story about struggle, ambition, and determination plotted in Brooklyn, NY gains my attention and anticipation for something exciting.
Teaser after the jump.
Wyclef Jean & Fugees’ Pras Encourages Earthquake Aid To Haiti
Hip Hop artist Wyclef Jean and Pras is urging people to donate $5 to Jean’s Haitian charity, Yéle Haiti, by texting “YELE” to 501501. (The donation will be automatically charged to your cellphone bill.) His is one of many Haiti earthquake relief efforts underway. Pras says he’d be open to group reuniting for benefit concert.
The Haitian people were still desperately trying to recover from deadly hurricanes that hit 18 months ago before this latest devastating blow to the poorest and least prepared country in our hemisphere. The earthquake, the largest the Caribbean island has seen in more than 200 years, struck around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday. The epicenter was around 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, which according to reports was largely destroyed by the initial quake and a series of more than 30 aftershocks.
The earthquake was felt in several areas of Jamaica including: Liguanea, Barbican, UWI, Half-Way Tree, Heroes Circle, Kingston/St. Andrew, Seaforth, St. Thomas, Annotto Bay, St. Mary, Hope Bay, Portland. The last historic earthquake to hit Jamaica was June 1692, which sunk then the chief city of Jamaica, Port Royal. Boy!, these are the times and it makes you really think about the global warming issues and 2012. I don’t think 2012 is the end, but global warming is a big issue and should be among our concerns.
A Tsunami Watch was issued at 4:53 p.m. by the Pacific Warning Centre for Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Whilst none was issued for Jamaica, a Tsunami Advisory has been issued for the region.
Summit on the Summit
Lupe Fiasco and others trying to make a change for the better. Gotta thank Kara for finding this article.
CLIMBER BLOG: Lupe Fiasco
WHY I JOINED SOTSK
One of the most utopian and challenging phenomenon of man is the process of trying to realize the ideal. To sculpt the tangible from what is the ether of the mind. It manifests in the artistic mind as a vision and translates in the world via the specific talents of the artist as a song, a painting, a poem, a sculpture, a building, etc. The ambitious among us try and take a crack at it in every category. I think the category that best fits this trek is dance. Expressing oneself through the movement of one’s own body. An inaudible rhythm that silently screams a message to the audience. A public sacrifice of sorts. Putting ones own body directly in the firing line of critics, risking humiliation and to the extreme even creating enemies of friends and friends of strangers. All because of a dance. The steps of this dance in particular are simple enough, one foot in front of the other. The stage is a harsh and meandering, chaotic thing. The cast is a mix of Juilliard graduates, street trained, pop-lock champions and downright hopeless amateurs. The music is all natural thunderclaps and raindrop drumsticks upon cold plastic rooftops. But the message is the real star of the show. The underlying manifesto is one of awe inspiring pageantry fit for carnival in the streets of Brazil or the main drags of New Orleans. It’s classic and new, unchanging but full of progression. Alvin Alley meets The Court Waltz. A “dance macabre” and the unfortunate ones amongst the skeletons are ignorance and complacency. So What’s The Message?!?
Let’s Change The World For The Better.
Inspire a generation to aspire to activate its humanity. Inform the uninformed and more importantly those deemed “uninformable.” An open-ended challenge to this world, and the one that was before it, to dance to the beat of a different drummer. Motivate the wall flowers and the rhythm-less to dominate the middle of the dance hall with uncompromising confidence.
So there you have it. And the most poignant and at the same time the most hopelessly corny wrap I can think of to finish this off is…
May I have this dance?
Source via: Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro
NOIR
(Click the picture above to download and make your day better.)
Erick “Arc” Elliott presents “Noir.” In the midst of a game full of ’rappers’ who are more concerned with singing their verses or convincing us all that they are an alien from another planet, it’s refreshing to sit down and hear a tape full of nothing short of straight forward, heart felt, authentic rap. No gimmicks, no nonsense-just the voice of a hungry, 21 year old, MC from Flatbush Brooklyn relating his day to day to the listener over some beautiful original production from The Remedy + (!!) and Flash Frequency Music.
Personally, I love this composition! Download to see what I’m talking about. Make me happy knowing you made a good choice, haha.
Follow him on Twitter and check out TheLoveInUs.com
Source via: The Award Tour & NYSF
I Deserve To Be Here
Here is the long-awaited first single from Preme Da Prez, “I Deserve To Be Here,” featuring and produced by Kayla Bliss. Also, the “I Deserve To Be Here Mixtape” Will be available for download IMMEDIATELY after the song receives it 10.000th download. This is a real inspirational song about overcoming the odds – it’s a wonderful mix between real rap and R&B. I Deserve To Be Here is one of those songs you blast in ya car, hands in air – carefree. You have to listen to the song to understand where I’m coming from. Can we make this a trending topic on twitter people?!
Download I Deserve To Be Here here
Untitled (Radio Rip) – Talib Kweli Feat. Jay Electronica, J.Cole & Mos Def
This track go hard for real! Talib created something special with this track – bringing together some serious artists to body the beat. Keep It Surreal APPROVED!
Download “Untitled (Radio Rip)” – Talib Kweli Feat. Jay Electronica, J.Cole & Mos Def
Enemy of the State: A Love Story
What a great way to start off your Thanksgiving, and make it that much more memorable with the anticipated release of Lupe Fiasco’s new mixtape titled Enemy Of The State: A Love Story! The one track cassette style mixtape has a rock influence, and a more aggressive Lupe Fiasco flow. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Give thanks for the unreasonable happiness that is your life, and for all the people and things that make it so damn interesting.
Also as a special bonus, Lu’ is dropping another mixtape called Friend of the People on Christmas.
download Enemy of the State: A Love Story here
Blakroc Project week 1
11 artist who collaborated with the Black Keys x 11 days x 11 tracks. 11.27.2009. Photos by John Peets
More photos after the jump.
Video: “BK BK BK” Maino
When I see videos like this, it’s makes me proud to be from BROOKLYN USA! You may not like Maino or he may not be the best but he went in on this joint. When people say BK is a big place believe them, just take a look.
Lil Wayne: The Carter documentary
Just after hearing Wayne is preparing to do a bid in February for a past gun charge, it’s a pivotal time for QD3 to present the ‘The Carter” documentary. What better way is there to pay homage to a pop icon than Sundance? “Few will ever live the life of a true rock star, Wayne is one of the few.”
Through the Wire
COMING OUT IN NOVEMBER FROM MR.WEST. TITLED “THROUGH THE WIRE,” WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE SONGS RELEASE ON THE ALBUM. FROM HIM DROPPING OUT OF COLLEGE TO HIS ACCIDENT THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE FOREVER.
MORE FOTOS AFTER THE JUMP
D.W.S.T. Chapter 1: 2oz.
“Drunken words, Sober Thoughts” been out for a minute now, hard copies is moving and downloads are going up. Lut’s been grinding for a minute, I think y’all ought to take him seriously cause he’s no slump on the mic. I ‘been’ had D.W.S.T on the pod play, in addition to the the other three mixtapes [Cure 4 the Sickness, The Hangover, and the 80 Proof Mixtape], I don’t why I fronted and didn’t put it on the blog.
I knew this dude for a long ass time, download now!
success is a fertile soil for a weed called pride, but i’ll take a pull for a week long high. if i bag it up is the streets gon’ buy.
-Absolut’
Check him out @:
http://absothegreat.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/AbsoTheGreat
Basquiat in the Place to Be xPeter Relic
Source via: Waxpoetics
Ever since Jean-Michel Basquiat created the cover art to Rammellzee and K-Rob’s immortal 1983 Tartown single, “Beat Bop” (the theme to the movie Style Wars), his place in hip-hop’s hall of ball has been secure. But as a friend of Delicious Vinyl’s Matt Dike, Basquiat was also around during the creation of some of the early DV records, making the scene at Dike’s Santa Monica Blvd. apartment/studio, where he painted the studio’s bathroom door in his indelible graf-glyph style. Rapper Def Jef remembers meeting him.
Def Jef: It was early 1988, and I was recording my first album, Just a Poet with Soul. I had the singles done. One day, as we’re working, Matt Dike goes, “Hey, this friend of mine is coming up here, he’s kind of a pain in the ass, but don’t let him annoy you too bad.” Nothing annoyed me back then, because I was so happy. So Matt’s friend came in and said, “I’m Jean-Michel.” And I was like, “Hey, Jean, I’m Jef.” He sits on the floor and takes his backpack and dumps it out on the floor, and pens and paintbrushes and all type of shit falls out. It didn’t look like a painter’s backpack—it looked like a homeless dudes backpack! Twinkies and pennies and screws, and he fishes through all the shit and comes up with a sack of weed. He’s sitting there Indian style and rolls it up. We’re smoking and talking; I’m playing my music for him. He’s like, “You cool.”
I Hate OPBs
Here is the EP “I Hate OPBs(Other People’s Beats)”, sent directly from 810 himself, it’s the prelude to “Glass Half Full”. November 12th 2009, Hosted by 2dopeBoyz x DJ Booth x illRoots. 810 goes in over 5 tracks + shows y’all his freestyle game.
Download I Hate OPBs EP here.
Check out my dude @
http://www.810muzik.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/810musik
http://twitter.com/810musik
Chad Harris
Broccoli
Keep It Surreal we can talk about what we want, when we want, how we want. Bloggers keeping it real. Our purpose is to touch on topics from art, design and musiq to life and habitat. We try to give a shining light on all creatives, especially folks with aspirations of growing viral, as well as, already established folk in pop-culture. We’ll use this blog to explore a thing or two. Hopefully you’ll contribute.
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