"Dreamin","The Vent" & "Children of The World" - Big KRIT

How many of you have heard (or believe) the complaint that there is just no good new hip-hop anymore? I'm sure most of us would agree that there certainly is an overabundance of lack-luster rap nowadays. Especially coming from mainstream sources. In my opinion, though, a handful of artists in the past few years still have me holding on to my love for hip-hop. The problem is that it is sometimes hard to find the gems that represent the best of what the genre has been and could be.

I had the idea for this site while talking about this with my buddy Evan out in Oakland. He's the guy I always talk to when I need something new to nod my head to, so I was not surprised I absolutely love his first recommendation for AudioIn-AudioOut, Big K.R.I.T.

Big K.R.I.T. (King Remembered in Time) is an MC and producer hailing from Meridian, Mississippi. He was a featured artist in this years XXL Freshman Class and, following the significant critical acclaim he received for the content and quality of his mix-tape, "Return4Eva", K.R.I.T. was recently signed to Def Jam. His highly anticipated first full studio album, "Live From the Underground" is due to be released at the end of the month.

K.R.I.T.'s content and production (which he does himself) create thought provoking tracks with heavy, sparse beats that accentuate rhymes deep on lyrical imagery of the struggles and aspirations of life in the American South. Nothing but true poetry here, a sterling example of how at its best hip-hop can be artistically complex and emotionally powerful. I heard these songs for the first time a few weeks ago and have had them on a consistent repeat cycle ever since. Love 'em.

If you fancy yourself a fan of great hip-hop and quality lyricism I would like to know if you agree. Or not. Either way, take a minute or two to listen to (and hopefully enjoy) something new.

"Percumajor" & "Pon de Floor"- Major Lazer, "Hold Yuh"- Gyptian (Major Lazer remix),

This weekend I'll be enjoying myself at the North Coast Festival at Union Park, here in sweltering hot Chicago. This will be only the second iteration of this event and features an impressive line-up of mostly electronic or hip-hop influenced groups (http://www.northcoastfestival.com/). Main acts include David Guetta, Wiz Khalifa, Thievery Corporation, and Fatboy Slim. The groups I'm most excited for are Little Dragon (see earlier blog post), Common, and Major Lazer.



Major Lazer, a collaborative project from DJ's Diplo & Switch, highlights dancehall reggae beats and vocals, with noticeable hints of house, soca, oldies, jazz and R&B. The result? High-energy, thumping, musical party starters. Perfect for a huge crowd of overexposed, under-hydrated, sweaty festival-goers who want nothing more than to dance their faces off.

The group has produced a wonderful mixtape called "Lazerproof" with La Roux, and a full length album in 2009 called "Guns don't Kill People...Lazers Do". For the album the duo moved to Jamaica, to immerse themselves in the many sub genres of the dancehall world. I have often argued that there is no better type of music to get people groovin' than dancehall. After checking out these songs I hope you not only agree, but join me on the floor come Saturday afternoon.

This track, "Pon de Floor" has one of the strangest, raunchiest, and entertaining videos I have ever seen. If you want an example of the Jamaican dance style, "stabbin", go on the internet and find it. Below is the track.





This Major Lazer remix was the first thing I heard from the duo. I loved it, and promptly went out and bought the original song by Gyptian as well. Check out both below.

"Treme" - John Boutte; "After Mardi Gras" - Lucia Macarelli & Steve Earl

I always loved me some New Orleans Jazz. I grew up listening to folks like Louis Armstrong, Jelly-Roll Morton, and Wynton Marsalis. But beyond jazz, I really had no knowledge of New Orleans music or the incredible role music plays in that city's history and culture. For that reason I've really been loving HBO's series, "Treme". The writers (also responsible for the best tv show of all time, 'The Wire') do a wonderful job of seamlessly infusing a crazy- wide variety of New Orleans music into an intense drama about a city recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The impressive thing is that the music is not a backdrop to the story, its an integral part of it, showing the inseparable nature of music and life in New Orleans. A great success of the show is that it has brought new attention to great acts from the Crescent City and elsewhere. Those worth checking out include Trombone Shorty, Kermit Ruffin, Lucia Macarelli, John Boutte, & the Hot 8 Brass Band. The music runs the gamut from poignant to uplifting and includes jazz, brass bands, hip-hop, dixieland, singer/songwriter, R&B, and more. Most can be found online on individual artist albums or on soundtrack albums from the show. Take a look.

Season 2 Music Videos

Season 3 should start at the beginning of next year, I believe, so keep your eyes and ears pealed.

"Like Eating Grass" - Bloc Party & "Nike Boots" - Wale

I'm chillin' here packing, about to head to the airport for a little trip. I have been enjoying a little mix I made full of tracks for just this occasion. The playlist is called "pumped while packing". Its working, so I figured you folks may be interested. Bloc Party is one of my new favorites. So. Much. Energy. Their lead singers voice sounds so earnest. And their drummer...Damn. I mean seriously. Check his sick skills at 2:53 in "Like Eating Glass". And Wale. Oh how I love thee. Anyone that actually shout-outs Montgomery County (Bethesda! WHAT WHAT!) in a killer hip-hop song gets my undying respect. I would write so much more about both these songs, but I have a plane to catch :-)

"Block After Block" & "Yeah Yeah" - Matt and Kim

Another great rec from my buddy Erin. Way to go, man. Thanks for the dose of levity to my day. Matt and Kim are a dance-punk duo from NYC. Though I have just heard of them myself, they have been around since '98 and have three choice albums out. As you can tell from the wide and toothy grins that seem perpetually smacked onto their faces, Matt and Kim really appear to be enjoying themselves. Their videos certainly convey as much. They seem to go with schemes that resemble ideas I used to have a pre-teen. You know, the ones you roll your eyes at now because you are too "mature" to do that sort of thing anymore (but you secretly know would be a freakin' BLAST! Like having a food fight like in "Yeah Yeah" or playing tag through New York). Anyways, their music is peppy, their videos are fun to watch. Not a bad thing for a rainy Tuesday afternoon. P.S. Both my pre-teen self and current self would have a serious thing for Kim. So. Damn. Cute.

Winner!! :: "Good Day" - Ice Cube :: Best early 90's throw-back hip-hop

Your votes are in, and it was a close race (see poll to the right). Victorious by 1 vote was "Good Day" by Ice cube. While many of you mentioned that the competition was fierce, and the full Ice Cube catalog does not quite compare to the likes of Tupac, Tribe, or Pharcyde, it seems this track holds a special place in the annals of hip-hop history.

According to the source of all sources (Wikipedia!!), Ice Cube commented on the concept behind the song stating, "The inspiration was my life at the time ... I was at the top of the rap game. It was the summer of ’92 and I was in a hotel room, really in a state of euphoria. I had all the money I had dreamed of. I was in a good frame of mind. And I remember thinking, ‘Okay, there’s been the riots, people know I will deal with that. That’s a given. But I rap all this gangsta stuff – what about all the good days I had?" While the original version blew my mind with that Isley Brothers "Footsteps in the Dark" sample, my good friend Tijana reminded me how awesome the "Good Day (Remix)" is. So, in honor of the winning track, here is the remix for y'all (courtesy of my Bootlegs and B-sides CD from 1994 !!) And here is the Isley Brothers hit used on the original:

"Tricky Turtle", "Get Your Regal On", & "Lost & Lookin' (Remix)" - Blockhead

If y'all are not into super-chilled-out instrumental hip-hop already, prepare to change your mind. I present to you Blockhead (AKA Tony Simon), a NYC-based producer who came to prominence in the indie/underground hip-hop scene in the 90's, most noticeably due to his collaboration with MC Aesop Rock. Since then Blockhead has focused his energy on solo instrumental albums which showcase his skills at weaving together obscure horn riffs, analog sounds, and soulful vocal samples into lo-fi tapestries of head-nodding goodness. The results of his work seem so mellow and simple, but a second listen reveal the complexity of his craft. Yes, I may seem to be on his jock (musically speaking, that is), and this isn't far from the truth. But my appreciation for Tony's music stems from the fact that I actually have become friends with the guy. He was smart enough to start dating a wonderful and long-time friend of mine (well played, sir) so now I get to crash on their couch when I visit NYC. Beyond his work, the guy is a very cool and gracious dude. He has a disturbingly funny sense of humor and is unassuming in his celebrity, both of which I appreciate. Oh, and he is super fun to talk music with. Tony, if you are reading this don't get a big head. Im just fluffing you up so you will accept hosting me on my next visit so we can do that whole dancing-and-drinking-til-5.am.-eating-pizza-passing-out-on-your-couch once again. Alright, about this "Get Your Regal On" track...Have you ever had one of those wonderful days where you are strutting around your city/town, feelin' good, sun shining down on your back, walking tall? Ever wish you had a soundtrack for your life at that moment? Well, I'll be damned if this isn't one of the best songs for that moment that I have heard. As a final note, I highly recommend you check out the "Lost & Looking (Remix)" track found here:::: http://www.myspace.com/theblockishot

Throw-back 90's Hip-hop:: Vote on your favorite in our latest poll (to the right)

Remember the early 90's? Good times. I had one of those shaved-underneath haircuts, wore ridiculously huge baggy jean-shorts, and pretended I knew how to skate. I also used to play sick to skip school, order Domino's, watch Jean-Claude Van Damme movies, and memorize tons of hip-hop lyrics. Below you will find a few of my favorites from that era. If you are anything like me, most should be familiar. I am sure some of you even take deep pride in knowing them word for word. This is both awesome and impressive. To be true, I fell in love with my wife again that night in 2007 when she (somewhat disturbingly) revealed she knew every line to "Gimme that Nut" by Eazy-E during a campfire sing-along. This was truly a time of great, great, music... Here is the full version of the song.

"Twice" - Little Dragon

My friend Alicia recently said, "I often hear people say that there is no good music out today. That's only true if you're listening solely to FM radio. You may have to dig, but well-crafted, heart-skipping, soulful, original, thoughtful, sexy, foot-thumping, emotion-provoking, head-nodding music is definitely out there! To say it doesn't exist is outrageous, in my opinion". Her suggestion to check out Little Dragon most certainly backs up this statement. A vehicle for the haunting vocals of Swedish-Japanese singer Yukimi Nagano,the groups music is ultra-hybrid blend of acoustic jazz, soul, hip hop, & synth-heavy rhythm and blues. "Twice" is a fantastic example of how Little Dragon can fuse these influences into a passionate, finely crafted, intriguing piece of music. Sit back and enjoy.