Tag: 2015

[EDM & Hip-Hop] [Trap EDM/Rap:] Mike Fresh & Quavo – Soul Food (Hydrabadd Remix) // [Unsigned Hype] [Underground Rap:] RealWillHill – Fix You Need (feat. Zip K & Seiko)

Check out an awesome Future Trap remix of Quavo & Mike Fresh’ “Soul Food” and more underground rap


[EDM Origins]
Mike Fresh & Quavo – Soul Food (Hydrabadd Remix)

Our EDM Origins picks for today highlight some groundbreaking songs in the genres of trap, future bass and house that really pioneered around 2012 and more thoroughly permeated the scene by 2015.

Georgia producers and DJ duo, Hydrabadd’s remix of Mike Fresh and Quavo (of Migos fame)’s “Soul Food” is a trap-heavy, head banging mix full of futuristic synths and raw street rap. The booming, unrelenting bass and dance-ready BPM of the remix make for quite the club banger and a certainly respectable track on its own.

If anything, trap EDM has been a movement for years now, but its fusion with future house music really began to soar after smash disc-jockey, DJ Snake released “Turn Down for What” and his remix of AlunaGeorge, “You Know You Like It (DJ Snake Remix)” which became heavy hits in the music world. Other artists credited with pioneering and furthering the Future House movement include Tchami, Rustie, Minnesota, Village, Kaytranada, and marshmello among many others.

[Hip-Hop] [Unsigned Hype & Underground]

RealWillHill – Fix You Need (feat. Zip K & Seiko) [prod. FR23SH]

Our second post is a smooth ride on the waves of underground hip-hop sounds and flows. Producer RealWillHill’s “Fix You Need” featuring Zip K & Seiko is a pleasant joyride of authentic rap flavor. The saxophone riffs serve to complement the lackadaisical, yet determined to make you move feelings of the song.

Be sure to check out more from RealWillHill and the other artists below:

RealWIllHill Soundcloud:

[Hip-Hop/Rap] [Trap] Dougie F – On Right Now

Check out this chill trap track from New Jersey rapper Dougie F. A definite banger for 2016!


[Hip-Hop/Rap] [Real Trap]
Dougie F – On Right Now (Produced by Dez Wright)


I’m so faded man, my feet off the ground,
I swear, I’m the man in my town
Everywhere I go they stop and stare me down,
Everywhere I go they stop and stare me down!

Sorry for being a little late posting this as I’ve been busy. New Jersey rapper Dougie F’s “On Right Now,” is a shining example of why we shouldn’t give up on today’s generation of rap. With a heavy trap beat, catchy snares and hooks, and an overall dark, heavy feel, that still comes across as party rap. Impressive.

Also featured are semi-freestyled lyrics that…*gasp actually make sense. Okay, so they might not be Nas or Tech N9ne bars, but Dougie’s realness is certainly perceivable, and far above most current radio rap. If nothing else the song sounds great and you can tell Dougie had a good time recording it; all elements that make up good music.

Check out more from Dougie F on his social media sites:

Soundcloud

Facebook

Website

[Real Hip-Hop/Rap:] Erykah Badu – Trill Friends (Kanye West Real Friends Remix)

Erykah Badu’s take on Kanye West’s “Real Friends” is a classic banger that addresses today’s notions of friendships and relationships.


[Real Hip-Hop & Rap]
Erykah Badu – Trill Friends (Kanye West Real Friends Remix)

Homeboys, and some of them we wish we never knew at all…
Homegirls, and some of them we wish we never knew at all…

R&B goddess and hip-hop‘s ephemeral, ‘realest b*tch in the game’s’ take on Kanye West’s “Real Friends” puts a sweet, touching spin on the calming head-banger. With an instrumental beat characteristic of Kanye himself, as a producer; Badu raps and sings over a prominent 4-bar loop of the song to make a point about friends. The repeating hook (and even elements of the original song) have a very J Dilla or No I.D. feel in being different and unique, but still clearly hip-hop.

According to Badu, these days we use the word “friends” far too loosely and ambiguously which results in most of us having homeboys and homegirls that we wish we never knew at all. “Real Friends” are a problem that have plagued humans since existence. Who are our real friends? How do we feel when our so-called homeboys and homegirls turn out not to be our friends? In this Internet age, it’s common for us not to have any friends, except online or through social media, or to think we have friends then catch them slighting us on social media, or not having our back online.

Who do you consider your “friends”, your “real friends”, your “homeboys/girls”? A psychologist once told me that he thought we should do away with the word “friends” altogether. He claimed the increased rates of “falling out” with friends is due to our own high expectations we set for people who are our “friends”. When they don’t live up to these expectations we feel disappointed (if a friend doesn’t like and comment on ALL your posts, or is usually in tug with you everywhere but in one instance you can’t find them/count on them).

We have to remember that friends are simply that, friends. Of course some of us have certain friends we can count on more than others, but in general when we start placing them on pedestals or expect them to always have our back we being searching for and expecting someone who goes beyond a “friend”. Think about that as you go about your day.

Kanye West’s Original Song:

[Festival Dance / Big Room:] Kaskade & CID – Us // [Dancehall // Jersey Bounce:] Ayo Jay feat. Fetty Wap – Your Number (Mvntana Remix)

We’ve got two smash singles for you to check out today. New festival EDM from Kaskade and Jersey House from Mvntana.


Festival Style Dance / Future Big Room
Kaskade & CID – Us

“Us” Official Music Video

We are the start of something new

And they don’t need to know about you,
’bout me, ’bout us,
‘Bout you, ’bout me, ’bout us

Just in time for the warmer weather, perfect for Spring and Summer EDM fests, one of my favorite house producers, Kaskade, has released a music video for his single “Us” made in collaboration with CID. The music video follows a family in the Philippines throughout their day, taking an observational look at universal, albeit basic human interactions and emotions.

The song definitely channels massive energy with its minimalistic build-up into a bass-blasting ride through heavy synth waves and chords. “Us” is sure to be a club and festival favorite and it is great to see Kaskade still coming out with material all-the-while changing up his musical styles, and doing so successfully. This song will hopefully be one of many future Big-Room hits to come.

Dancehall / Jersey House
Ayo Jay feat. Fetty Wap – Your Number (Mvtana & Lil E Remix)

Melvitto on the beat
Just wanna tell you a story ’bout dis girl wey I just meet
She looking fly, yeah she lookin’neat
Ya boy looking like money, right from my head down to my feet but,

She dey smile at mi,
I dun really know what it mean…

This song has been in heavy rotation the past week or so on all my music-enabled devices. Producer Mvntana‘s massive remix of Ayo Jay’s “Your Number.” Transforming the floor-filling dancehall number, featuring Fetty Wap, the remix combines the original’s dancehall and reggae vibes and melds it with bass-bumping Jersey House.

The result is an insanely catchy high-energy dance track doing the hot 2013 single justice, well worth checking out. You can listen to the original and watch its music video below the remix above. Learn more about the artists below:

Ayo Jay:
Youtube

Mvntana:
Soundcloud
Youtube
Twitter

Lil E:
Soundcloud
Twitter
Instagram

[Post-Dubstep / Bass] Flux Pavilion & Matthew Koma – Emotional (Virtual Riot Remix) // [Smooth Beats from ‘Art in Melodies’ Collective:] KA-YU – Flowers & J-Mac – Morning Sunshine

Check out our selections today: a high energy post-dubstep track from Flux & Matthew Koma remixed by Virtual Riot. As well as some “Nujabes/J-Dilla” style mellow beats and flows from two of ‘Art in Melodies’ producers.


[Dubstep:] Flux Pavilion & Matthew Koma – Emotional (Virtual Riot Remix)

Length, it’s a pity
watching your pretty smile, so warm
And I am already half-way
out the door…

Check out this massively dope remix of Flux Pavilion and Matthew Koma’s “Emotional” remixed by Virtual Riot. The result is a high-energy, yet atmospherical vocal dubstep track with bass wobbles and Koma’s sped up vocals. A combination sure to get you emotional (Sorry, had to). You can download the track for free from its Soundcloud page and check out more from the artists and remixer.

Flux Pavillion
-One of the pioneers of today’s dubstep music, Joshua Steele a.k.a. Flux Pavilion has countless original tracks and remixes featuring the biggest names in EDM, such as Skrillex, Childish Gambino, Riff Raff, Yellow Claw and many more.
Flux Pavilion Soundcloud
Flux Pavilion Facebook
Flux Pavilion Twitter

Matthew Koma
–One of EDM’s most popular male vocalists, Matthew Koma has been featured with many artists in the electronic scene. He is most popularly known for his vocals in Zedd’s “Spectrum” and his work with Far East Movement on “Ain’t Coming Down”.

Matthew Koma Soundcloud
Matthew Koma Facebook
Matthew Koma Twitter

Virtual Riot
–German DJ and producer Virtual Riot is a popular rising DJ who had released several albums, EPs and remixes by the time he was 20 (in 2015), his songs have reached the top of Beatport’s EDM charts, he has over 200,000 subscribers on Youtube and over 120,000 followers on Soundcloud. This young producer is definitely one to look out for as with the momentum he is going, he is surely set to become a staple artist at EDM music fests and dance-rave tours growing increasingly popular in the US and Europe.

Virtual Riot Soundcloud
Virtual Riot Youtube

[Mellow Hip-Hop Beats:] KA-YU – Flowers

Next up is a very interesting instrumental track coming from beat producer KA-YU, “Flowers” is a calming joyride through hip-hop, latin flavored tropical beats and sounds. The result is a very chill track great for meditating or getting work done or to simply drift off into for some moments.

[Sophisticated Beats:] J-Mac – Morning Sunshine
[/embed]https://soundcloud.com/jemaque/morning-sunshine][/embed]

Producer J-Mac’s most recent track “Morning Sunshine” continues the chilled out vibe over smooth beats and vocals from our first post. Perfect for relaxing with a book in the sunlight, a picnic at a local park, or as the soundtrack to a posh art gallery, “Morning Sunshine” is calming, uplifting, jazzy and just downright sophisticated.

Dutch producers Ka-Yu & J-Mac’s sounds’ are very reminiscent of Nujabes, D’jango (some have said in comments), a little Dilla, or really any other insanely good beat producers. Take some time to mellow out to this beat and check out more from KA-YU and J-Mac below. Both artists hail from the Art in Melodies Collective group of DJs and producers.

Beats by Ka-Yu Soundcloud
Ka-Yu’s Facebook
Beats by Ka-Yu’s Twitter

J-Mac Soundcloud
J-Mac Facebook
J-Mac Instagram
J-Mac Twitter

[Throwback Hip-Hop Jams:] Kanye West – Slow Jamz (ft. Twista & Jamie Foxx) // KiD CuDi – Pillow Talk & Cleveland is the Reason

We explore some classic throwback rap from the mid-00s to 10s featuring Kid Cudi and Kanye West.


Throwback Jamz [Hip-Hop]
Slow Jamz – Kanye West feat. Twista & Jamie Foxx

She say she want some Marvin Gaye,
some Luther Vandross, a little Anita
will definitely set this party of right!
Say she want some Ready For the World…

[Chill Hip-Hop]
Pillow Talk – KiD CuDi

So don’t be shy, I ain’t going nowhere, I’m here for the night
So move closer, bring your body to mine, let me hold you right
Don’t be mad, I ain’t going nowhere, I’mma sleep here by your side

[Check out more similar-sounding songs from both artists at the bottom of this page]

In today’s Throwback Jams post we’ll be revisiting two classic hip-hop/rap tracks from two of the most influential names in current hip-hop music. The first is the timeless classic and one of media mogul, Kanye West‘s breakout singles “Slow Jamz” with back-up from the none-other than legendary performers Twista and Jamie Foxx.

This soulful staple of the genre samples the iconic Luther Vandross’ “A House is Not a Home”. Twista delivers sonically pleasing, rapidly spoken verses, characteristic of his masterful lyrical delivery on “Overnight Celebrity” which came out around the same time. Jamie Foxx channels R&B legends of the past with his back, and foreground singing. Slow Jamz – 5/5

Next up from none other than the “Moon Man” himself, one of his more mellow and chilled-out tracks, but nonetheless an aural masterpiece. Kid Cudi’s “Pillow Talk” exemplifies everything that was right about the “more than just different” rapper out of Shaker Heights, Ohio who came across as that “weird kid in high school who was also talented.” The song features dreamy soundscapes and vocals mixed with playful, hip lyrics (I know you think I’m shady, but….I ain’t gon’ fuckin’ bounce, fuckin’ bounce). Check it out and relax with some of the spacey music Cudi is well known for.

Ever since the first Cudi song I heard, “Heaven At Nite” through a friend of mine, I knew Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi in the real world) was going to soon be a household name. In fact, coincidentally, a girl I met at a bar here in Atlanta a few weeks back from Ohio tole me she went to Shaker Heights High School with Cudi, was in the same class year and even attended a few parties that he was at.

This source found out of pure serendipity, told me that Mescudi rolled with a big group of friends back then, and most kids at the school thought he was cool. Mescudi was labeled weird and a “stoner kid” in those days.

“Everyone knew that Scotty smoked, in fact him and his friends would always try to get me [and my girls] to come smoke with them…I knew he rapped and did music but never imagined he’d be famous” -Gina

Kid Cudi – Cleveland is the Reason

Little Brother – I See Now (feat. Kanye West)

Kid Cudi – Just What I Am (ft. King Chip)

[Future Bass House / Funk:] Autolaser & Father Dude – About Face // [Future Ambient Chill:] Calvin Harris & Disciples – How Deep is Your Love? (Liva K Remix)

Check out two absolutely jammin’ Future House/Bass cuts fresh off the musical cutting block…!


[Future Bass / Funk House]
Autolater & Father Dude – About Face

Don’t about face
we’re 25,000 miles away
that’s my distance from you…

[Future Ambient Chill]
Calvin Harris & Disciples – How Deep is Your Love? (Liva K Remix)

How deep is your love?
Is it like the ocean?
Pull me closer…
How deep is your love?
Is it like Nirvana?
Hit me harder…
how deep is your love

New Future House, Bass & Ambient Music:

We’ve got two atmospherically deep future tunes for you in this post, delving deeper into one of EDM’s fastest-growing, widely appreciated genre subsets: Future House. Our first comes to us from Autolaser & Father Dude in their Future Bass tune “About Face” admirably combining elements of funk and house music. The progression of synths blend smoothly creating a wavy line of synth chords in the instrumental breaks, very reminiscent of one of Future House’s pioneers, Minnesota.

The second a deep ambient-house track complete with calming melodic rhythms and synths, female vocals, chants through a vocoder (“so tell me how deep is your love can it go deeper”), and entrancing saxophone riffs. “How Deep is Your Love (Liva K Remix)” originally by Calvin Harris & Disciples gets some majestic remix treatment from Liva K. This remix channels sounds of the ocean and a very Latin House vibe with the perfect amount of ambience.

Liva K is a popular name among the house circuit with several hit tracks and remixes including a remix of fellow house vocalist, Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”.

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