Tag: 2015

[EDM Origins / Feature: MAJOR LAZER] Snoop Lion & Major Lazer – No Guns Allowed (ft. Cori B. & Drake) [Shelco Garcia, Teenwolf x Diplo RMX] // Video for Major Lazer’s “Lean On”


Today we’re featuring two great songs from the iconic EDM duo that is Major Lazer (currently Diplo and DJs Jillionaire and Walshy Fire). The first is a throwback remix of one of Lazer’s top sleeper hits, “No Guns Allowed” originally by Snoop Lion (Snoop Dogg). Featuring Snoop’s daughter Cori B. (Cori Broadus) and Drake, this remix turns the song into a dancefloor filler with a positive vibe and message with a feel of the islands and reggae music. Many have hailed the original song and it’s video as a positive message to youth and society on the harms and dangers of gunplay and firearm possession. Take a listen above and see what you think.

Next, Major Lazer‘s smash-hit single of the summer, Lean On gets a music video. Now while it is a rare find that a music video will come out and just BE EVERYTHING a fan, or the artist wanted to show/convey, the video for Lean On lands somewhere in-between “this is what I would’ve expected” and “okay, that’s cool”

Namely, I sort of expected an Indian/Desi/Bollywood/Slumdog Millionaire kind of tilt as the song undeniably has an Asian or “foreign” feel to it. Its depiction in the video comes across as both expected and unusual. This expectedness is simple, but apparent. When my mind is starting to meld into the video and take in the sights of Indian culture, I am quickly reminded I am watching an EDM music video each time I see MO singing or Diplo trying to dance. Don’t get me wrong they are both very talented but their presence in the video just feels a bit…out of place.

Nevertheless, I expected a bit more in the way of Indian dance routines, but I do like where they went with the video. You can tell everyone on the set had fun and that they probably had a chill time making it. Check it out above and let us know what you think!

[New ATL Hip-Hop / Rap:] Rich Homie Quan – Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh) // [Jersey Southern Rap:] Fetty Wap – Trap Queen (Remix feat. Azealia Banks, Gucci Mane & Quavo of the MIGOS)


Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh) – Rich Homie Quan

Our first feature is the music video for Atlanta-based Rapper, Rich Homie Quan’s “Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh)“, a popular rap track with a simplistic, keyboard/GameBoy sounding electric rhythm chord that repeats throughout the beat. Quan’s “ooh, ooh, ooh” he sings during the song is characteristic of Southern Hip-Hop in being catchy and authentic, and not necessarily having to be related to trapping or other illegal activities, it’s simply there for fun. Rich Homie Quan has been blowing up on the scene lately since I first heard of him through music promoter and manager of Sy Ari Da Kid and K. Camp, a fellow GSU grad, Diana Schweinbeck. She owns her own record label and promoting firm and hosts hip-hop industry mixer events at the Sledge Lounge off Buford Highway in Doraville. I attended one of the mixers when I was first starting out DJing and doing music journalism (see: article where I covered a night she hosted of indie ATL rappers; pics) NEXT UP! (BELOW!! Trap Queen Remix!!!)

Trap Queen (Remix feat. Azealia Banks, Gucci Mane & Quavo of the MIGOS)

Let me ask you something, in the past month or two can you count the number of times you have heard “HEY WASSUP HELLO?!?!” (skip paragraph to bottom for feature/to skip opinion), yeah I can’t either, regardless it’s not necessarily a bad thing, though this song is everywhere and is drilled into my and many others’ heads (a la Little Einstein’s Remix, Nasty “Freestyle”) I believe our society is getting used to a song being the hot shit and being played nonstop for a month or so, maybe that’s how it’s always been, maybe that’s how it’ll always be, who knows amirite?

Trap Queen’s remix featuring the saucy, eclectic female rapper Azalea Banks, known for rapping over a variety of styles of music, particularly electronic and dance music, as well as rap. ATL’s own Gucci Mane & Quavo of the MIGOS join Banks in a smash remix of Fetty Wap’s hit song. (more Azealia & remixes below, check it!)

Singing the “hey, wassup hello” line Banks delivers from the get-go. Gucci’s verse is not bad either and Quavo’s is also on point.

212 (feat. Lazy Jay) – Azealia Banks (Music Video)

212 (Futurist Remix featuring Lazy Jay)
https://youtu.be/pdyyMZKHHts

212 (Tommie Sunshine Remix featuring Lazy Jay)
https://youtu.be/38LZiGUO–Y

[Notable lyrics from Banks]

What you gon’ do when I appear?!
Wh-wh-when I premiere…
Bitch, the end of your lives’are there!
The shit been mine, mine!

Hey! I can be the answer
I’m ready to dance when the vamp up
And when I hit that dip, get your camera
You could see I been that bitch since the Pamper

Quavo, as well as all the members of the MIGOS, were recently arrested after a concert at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia when they were found in possession of several different drugs and firearms. They were recently featured in YouTube’s 2015 Music Awards for their single “One Time“.

Azealia Banks, another favorite songstress of mine, has several DJ-friendly cuts influenced by electronic dance music. Take Tommie Sunshine’s remix of her banger “212“ (also remixed by trap DJ, DJ Sliink as well as producer D-Bass).

[Throwbacks] [Intelligent/Meaningful Hip-Hop] Kanye West – Eyez Closed (feat. Snoop Dogg & John Legend) & Jaylib – Survival Test (J Dilla) // [Reggae / Punk / Summer:] Slightly Stoopid – The Fruits [Legalize Them]


Hey there cool kids, I’ve got some new throwbacks for ya today. First off we start in the genre of “real” meaningful hip-hop as I like to call it. You could say it’s as opposed to, whatever you think it is, everyone’s “definitions” of real hip-hop is different, regardless this soulful, never-realeased rare track from Kanye West featuring Snoop Dogg & John Legend is a perfect song to bring back for Summer2k15. With production from Kanye himself, the beat, melody and sample in the chorus are make an irresistibly groove-inducing song.

Next, though still dance-able, but much more conscious: this song could be seen as for dancers like b-boys, as a head-banger for the whip that increases your hardness as you vibe at the light and people think you’re a badass, or even just one you sit there not-moving still, taking in the rawness and lyrical prowess of Jaylib, the combination of underground hip-hop group Madlib and deceased, super-producer, J Dilla.

A tribal-sounding horn, hard beats and kicks accompanied by booming bass and a flute-like arpeggio make this a perfect listen (or beat to freestyle over, see the instrumental).

Finally to wrap up our series of summer-suitable throwbacks we have the absolutely chill, “Hey man, just be easy” relaxation inducing single “The Fruits” from Californian psychedelic rock / reggae band Slightly Stoopid. “The Fruits” is a great listen with its calming sounds that remind one of the ocean, the carefree rhythm and vocals the lead singer provides and its borderline no sensemaking, yet easily understandable lyrics emphasizing being free and happy in life. Check it out above!

[Future Trap / Prog. Dance:] Sevyn Streeter – Don’t Kill the Fun [ARULE Remix] / & / [Rap / Smooth Hip-Hop:] Young Thug – Flava (feat. Rich Homie Quan & Birdman)


Check out ARULE’s amazing remix of Sevyn Streeter’s “Don’t Kill the Fun” featuring Chris Brown. Combining elements of trap, future house and dance music this remix is club and dance ready and one of the more expertly polished remixes of Streeter’s single. You can download it for free on the Soundcloud page.

Second, we have Young Thug’s “Flava” featuring fellow rappers Rich Homie Quan & Birdman off the Rich Gang: The Tour Part I EP. This track has just the right amount of hip-hop sound combined with a pinch of futuristic, chilled-out spacey sounds alongside a smooth echoing piano chord. Check out the Official video above.

[NEW Future Trap / Future House:] Cash Fargo – Undo Your Love // [Future Chillwave / Progressive House:] Class X – Away (Original Mix)


We’ve got two new Future classics for you today from EDM artists, DJs and producer Cash Fargo along with Class-X.
Our first is Los Angeles producer, Fargo’s “Undo Your Love“, a transfixing smooth blend of house-y male vocals, much akin to Disclosure or Tchami, but with that indie, fresh, hipster feel (and I mean that in the best way possible). If songs like this are indicative of Cash Fargo’s work and overall sound, it’s safe to say we can expect him to be a rising name in the alternative EDM scene, slated to appear at alternative EDM venues and festivals (if he is not already).

If you’re looking for something a bit trappier Fargo’s remix of Future’s “Covered ‘N Money” is great as well (see below:)

Next up (link below) is the chillwave progressive-house mélange of sounds in Netherlands DJ, Class-X’s “Away“. With simply beautiful, relaxing piano arpeggios and a back-beat with elements grounded in house, but flirting between the lines of sounds more characteristic of Trance. Give the song a listen below and download it for free on Class-X’s Soundcloud.

[NEW FUTURE CHILL:] Mikos Da Gawd – Sparagus (with Tito Tunes) // KRS – Make Her Dance (Bandz A Make Her Dance Future Chill Remix)


https://soundcloud.com/mikos-da-gawd/09-sparagus-w-tito-tunes

Got some new future music for everybody out there. First we are highlighting the simply dreamy, serotonin-inducing aural roller-coaster ride that is “Sparagus” coming from EDM artists Mikos Da Gawd with help from Tito Tunes. Let your mind go for a ride as you mellow out to this future chillwave track.

https://soundcloud.com/producedbykrs/gtd

Next up is an amazingly chill re-work of popular rap/trap hit “Bandz A Make Her Dance” originally by Juicy J. For this incredibly chill remix we highlight EDM artists KDS who has turned the trap banger anthem into a relaxed afternoon, bass-heavy future wave single. Chill is an understatement here and the use and variety of samples used is refreshing. Don’t sleep on this! Thumbs up all around here!!

[New Mix:] Deeper Cuts [Vol. 2] [EDM Origins: Dance/Trance/House] – SoundCloud


New mix and FREE DOWNLOAD  “Deeper Cuts [Vol. 2] [EDM Origins: Dance/Trance/House]” by iLLUMiИUS on SoundCloud. Featuring artists such as Not Ferris, Kaskade, Skylar Grey, Tears for Fears and Eric Prydz