illist90skd
life and times of a 80sbby, 90skd and 12man
January 23, 2012
ill: “Feel Like A Woman” Elle Varner ft. Bei Major
Fresh off the mixtape which dropped today is my early contender for favorite track. Elle gets all sexy as she exudes on a relaxed reggae beat how she never knew the difference between a boy and a man until she met me. Peep the track below. It also features Bei Major.
“Feel Like A Woman”
January 20, 2012
ill: “Signs of Rain” Luke James
While the powers that be have spent the last decade or so trying to save hip-hop, its elder companion, R&B, has been suffering a slow and dreadful decline. With everyone trying to recapture early 90s house/techno craze (I’m talking to you Usher & Rihanna) the art of hearty vocals and love stories have been replaced with fuck sessions and airy ass falsettos.
Don’t get me wrong, the few aspiring newcomers that injected the genre with it’s first shot of innovation since The Dream receive my utmost support. Rochelle Jordan is beautifully talented; The Weeknd’s rock&B wave is stellar; and, Frank Ocean’s songwriting is incredible for one his age. Not to mention Rico Love putting in work on the boards. But the need for true R&B – vocals, lyrics, love - is needed.
I search for new music drops every day and get hype when I come upon quality rhythm & blues. This week’s diamond in the rough is Luke James and his #Luke EP. Formally apart of a R&B duo, Luke seems to be readying more music for the 2012, and what’s presented on this 9-track offering is promising.
Standout track right now is the mysteriously arranged “Signs of Rain.” I like songs that play with minor keys, and this one supplies a different feel.
January 19, 2012
illarious: “Shit Bougie Black Girls Say”
Another one spun from the original one. Hilariously true. I’ve heard/read things like this on twitter several times.
January 18, 2012
illTheMaking : “His Pain” BJ the Chicago Kid (ft. Kendrick Lamar)
Reminiscing on the message of Lauryn Hill’s “Superstar,” I find myself questioning the motivation behind artist’s music a lot today. Especially hip-hop. What began as an actual alternative to violent demise and despair at the hands of the inner city, and transformed into a balanced voice for those unheard, is now a manufactured soulless noise, mostly littered with the same capitalist goals which sought to cripple its constituents. What used to be common place is now harder to find.
But oh what joy one discovers when a diamond is found in the rough. Today’s gem is BJ the Chicago Kid’s full-blown testimony on “His Pain.” The soulful hymn laments on the unconditional grace we experience everyday, despite the sins and valleys we go through. The storms that may cloud our faith, and the single ray of light that keeps hope alive.
Hallelujah.
Stay on the look out for BJ’s debut Pineapple Now-Laters Feb 14th.
