This trailer is bonkers! The video is a bit out of sync with the audio but whatever. I cannot wait to see this movie.

*The only reason I don’t win is because I’m unmarried. If I ever get married, I’m walking down the aisle to “Bonita Applebum” (Instrumental).

If you are asking “Who is Adele?”,  it’s ok. 2008 and 2009 were big years for her. Her debut album 19 made quite a stir in the UK (where she is from), and the US as well. She won a couple of Grammys. You might have heard Chasing Pavements a lot in passing.

She’s definitely part of that crop of soulful British female singers that have been making waves stateside the past few years and to be 100% honest: SHE IS THE BEST ONE. Duffy’s voice is annoying.  Joss is trying way too hard with little impact vocally. Leona Lewis: no comment, and I really do love Amy Winehouse but I miss the sound she had on Frank. I wish she brought some of the jazz to Back in Black. Plus, Adele’s eyeliner game is better.

I mean Adele can be a little easy listening at times but her voice is so honest and her songwriting is mature. This new song is great. It’s bluesy, soulful and it’s a little gospel-like on my ears. If the new album is going to have this tone, it will be great!

If you need a little boom-bap with your pop/contemporary music, check Mick Boogie’s reworking of 19 with some beats reminiscent of the year Adele was born: 1988.

Just when I was mentioning the impact underground hip hop radio shows has had on my entire life (not just DJ-wise), I hear the disturbing news that WKCR, Columbia University’s radio station, is trying to end Squeeze Radio.

This cannot happen.  This show is an hip hop institution and consistently presents talented emerging artists in hip hop where other radio stations have failed. It is fun, fresh, entertaining, and informative and has remained consistent for 20 years. I owe nothing but gobs of gratitude to Stretch, Bob, and Sucio Smash(who couldn’t have been a better successor for the show) for shaping me into the music lover I am.  This show has lasted for GENERATIONS now and should continue.

If you feel as strongly as I do, please sign this petition and encourage others to do the same.

Gorillaz is a virtual concept band that originally had musicians playing the different “members” of the band and also included additional collaboration with other artists like Del the Funkee Homosapien. Damon Albern from Blur is the main songwriter and lends most of the lead vocals to the songs. The first album, Gorillaz, was pretty well received as an artsy blend of many genres from hip hop to rock to reggae and punk. Albern and Dan the Automator produced most of the album.

The second album, Demon Days, came out in 2005 won a grammy or two. That album was pretty dope. Danger Mouse took Dan the Automator’s place on a lot of the production and there were a lot more guest spots on it from artists such as Neneh Cherry, Roots Manuva, and a couple of choirs. “Dirty Harry”, featuring Imani/Bootie Brown from The Pharcyde was my absolute favorite jam. I remember it fondly because it was one of the songs I played pretty often when I first started DJing and someone would always ask me who did the track.

Plastic Beach seems pretty promising, with guest spots from the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Bobby Womack, Little Dragon, De La Soul, and others. Damon Albern did all of the production this time and from what I’ve heard so far, it doesn’t look like Danger Mouse will be missed on this one.

Here are a few tracks that have leaked so far:

Stylo (featuring Bobby Womack and Mos Def)
I love this track. I love the electronic/new wave sound to it and its got Bobby Womack on it! I was a bit dubious when I saw who the track featured before actually listening but its great. The video is also out and Bruce Willis is in it. (embedding is disabled! sorry!)

Stylo-Chiddy Bang Remix (courtesy of Above the Fold)
I figured I’d throw this one in for good measure, though I don’t really like it. Removing the best parts of the song to put your own verses in is kind of wack. I don’t know too much about Chiddy Bang other than that they dropped a mixtape late last year.I didn’t like that much either except for “Get Up In the Morning”, in which they flip Desmond Dekker’s “The Israelites”.

Superfast Jellyfish  (featuring De La Soul and Gruff Rhys)
This song is weirdly dope. It was confusing at first until I read a little bit about the concept behind the album and the name Plastic Beach. This song also has that same pep you get from hearing this classic  (which was sampled for this classic ). I dig it.

March 9th is just around the corner so don’t forget to buy it!

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I also want to send well wishes to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, who experienced a cardiac episode over the weekend which required some pretty complicated surgery. Rumors of his death were spreading so I’m very glad to hear that the surgery went well and he is expected to recover though he is still very much in serious condition. Its tough picking a favorite Gangstarr joint, so I’ll leave you with this one.

Hi!

The site slowness seems to be over (hopefully!) and I think I found a design to build upon so I’m back in business! Back to updating you about my upcoming gigs (I’ve had quite a few since my last update), and of course, post up and talk about one of my true loves, music!

Please bear with me. The site isn’t perfect and a lot of tweaks are forthcoming. In the meanwhile I’ll be posting at least every other day to share treats.

Glad to be back!

(DJ) Tara