Foreign Policy Meets Rap

" Some of the greatest minds in national security have turned their attention to a classic problem: When there is one dominant power, the rest of the world tries to challenge it"

Rapper Feud Mirrors World Politics

NPR did a fun interview with Marc Lynch about his article on The Game vs. Jay-Z beef that oringally appeared in Foreign Policy. You can read his whole piece, along with plenty of hyperlink sources over here. Lynch is a professor at George Washington University, so his take isn't completely wack, nor wacky, and at the very least it's generated plenty of online discussion.

Also, be sure to check out Egon, of Stones Throw fame, music series called Funk Archaeology.

Cassette Art

Really fresh art from iri5, Erika Iris Simmons. She uses cassette tapes for her work called "Ghost in the Machine." She says "The idea comes from a philosopher's (Ryle) description of how your spirit lives in your body. I imagine we are all, like cassettes, thoughts wrapped up in awkward packaging."

Tom Waits;


Michael Jackson;

Fresh Videos

The Dead Weather

"New short film "Treat Me Like Your Mother" for The Dead Weather directed by Jonathan Glazer. The Dead Weather is: Alison Mosshart, Jack White, Jack Lawrence and Dean
Fertita."

Pretty Kick-Ass video. Interested in hearing the album. Check their website for more info.

Mr. Hudson

The stars are aligning for Mr. Hudson to go Supernova. He's nearly unknown stateside, unless you were able to get hold of his first album "A Tale of Two Cities." It made my Top Albums of 2007 list, and I used to play him during Push Play's radio days. He gained quite a following on myspace back then, and even caught the attention of Kanye West who signed him to his label.

MR HUDSON [FEAT KANYE WEST] - SUPERNOVA from MrHudson on Vimeo.

Superproducer

Summer time in Alaska has been really wonderful and full of good weather unlike the previous year, which kind of explains my absence. A whole lot of good bike riding and chilling with friends.

Music producer Gonzales has released these hilarious web episodes called SUPERPRODUCER. Here's episode 1, and as of this post he's up to episode 3.

SUPERPRODUCER E01 D.O.V.E.
Uploaded by gonzales. - See the latest featured music videos.

PS22 Chorus

I'd like to think I'm a sponge for all things pop-culture and internet-hype, but somethings slip by from time to time. I feel like why didn't anyone tell me about the greatest thing EVER...Probably more my fault for not listening, but when Hasselhoff is up on the most awesome coolest thing EVER, you feel like you're out of touch..*sigh*

PS22 choir in Staten Island have been generating plenty of internet buzz for the cover versions, which at times are way better than the original. Formed in the year 2000, they are an ever-changing group of 5th graders from a public elementary school in New York City. They even appeared on Passion Pit's latest album. Here's the Fader video of the kids in the studio with Passion Pit;



You can follow all of their clippings and videos at the blog; http://www.ps22chorus.blogspot.com/

Bonus; Don't Stop Believing

Zooey Deschanel; Fabric of My Life (cover)

I usually don't pay attention to internet ads, but Zooey Deschanel covering "Cotton: The Fabric of My Life" caught my eye and made me go "for real?" I must of missed it when it made the blog rounds, but its pretty delightful. Listen to over here.

Going To Africa

Frank from Voodoofunk lived in West Africa in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. He traveled and collected many hard to find records from this region and surrounding areas. He's a DJ and has posted some of his mixes on his blog. Also, check his link section for more blogs spreading knowledge of Funky Africa. The following extended documentary trailer looks awesome, and let's hope for a proper release some time soon.

"Take Me Away Fast" Trailer from Leigh Iacobucci on Vimeo.

Hip House

(via Struggle Inc's blog)

Still Bill Documentary Trailer

I really want to see the Bill Whithers documentary. Trailer does a good job of teasing.

Weezer Covers MGMT & Gaga

glenjamn's youtube account is one of the best youtube accounts EVER. I'm a big fan. Frequent updates, so fresh, quality, quality, and more quality. I'm jealous but super glad that he uploads his dope videos. Fans of DJ AM, Daft Punk, and good DJs, you need check the videos.

Yeah, Nudity!

I'm a sucker for nudity. The first video is from a French electro group Make The Girl Dance. Ironically, found via hypebeast (a site known for sneakers and cool clothes, as opposed to the opposite; nudity). Most people may have seen the second video or at the very least heard of the band Matt & Kim. They were brave enough to march down Times Square and start stripping down to their birthday suits. Do check them out live if you get a chance. You will have an awesome time, I promise.

Make The Girl Dance "Baby Baby Baby" ( official video )
by placeblancherec

Phoenix Covering Air = 2 French, Make It More Right

Head over here for Air's Playground Love covered by Phoenix. So Good!

Me Likey; Coeur de Pirate - Comme des enfants

Coeur de Pirate || Comme des enfants from Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.

Me Likey; Pilar Diaz - "Piñata"

Mayer Hawthorne is The Truth (Re-Edit, Updated Vid)

Mayer Hawthorne has a new single and here's a simple video for the song. My first introduction to Mayer Hawthorn was through DJ Addverse. After bar hours closed, the bartenders and workers would request some tunes as they shut down. Mainly, the music was pretty chill, but not in that martini lounge setting way. More like The Doors and soul music. Each time Mayer would play, your lips come together and go "oooo." Then when I found out the vinyl is heart-shaped, color-red and he's a white dude who's NOT dead(!)..omg, where has he been all my life?. Soul music for REAL.

plus, Stones Throw record owner, Peanut Butter Wolf is good creepy;

Phoenix - Lisztomania (brat pack mashup)

This makes me wish summer was already here, instead of spring break-up. I can't wait for the French band that sings in English Phoenix's 1901 to come out. I might be setting my expectations too high, but I think it could be the summer album for 2009.

John Lennon's Jukebox

"In the mid-60s, John Lennon purchased a portable Discomatic jukebox that held forty 45 rpm records. The records in that jukebox are the focus of this documentary that examines John Lennon’s musical taste and the influences on the Beatles. ..."

Michel Gondrey

Today, director Michel Gondrey has launched his official website. Nothing really of interest, unless you want to buy stuff, which is kind of lame coming from a guy who's last film was all about do-it-yourself. Movies ain't cheap, eh? Mr. Gondry recently did a guest DJ stint on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Some of the past shows on "Mornings..." are viewable, and I recommend checking out Raphael Saadiq's stripped down acoustic set.