[caption id=”attachment_2613” align=”aligncenter” width=”558” caption=”Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys”][/caption]

In this webisode of The Blakroc Sessions, we get an in-depth look into Mos Def and his recording practices. Be sure to watch from about 6:09 to the very end — Mos Def lays down some absurd vocals. We also get a brief glimpse of the mastermind behind the Blakroc project, Jim Jones.

I’m not gonna lie — I’m in love with this project and am eagerly counting down the days until it comes out. It’s going to be amazing.

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In the first webisode of The Blakroc Sessions, we are introduced to a few of the major players in the hybrid hip-hop/rock project. These include Dame Dash of Roc-A-Fella records, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, and MC/actor Mos Def. We are also given a glimpse into the Keys’ sick Brooklyn studio where Blackroc will be recorded.

Be sure to check out the end of the clip, where Auerbach plays his track for Mos Def outside on the street. Mos Def goes on to harmonize over the beat and it sounds like he’s going to come up with some sick lines. Watch it now!

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In our second installment of Remix Fridays, we’ve got some old stuff and some new stuff. From Biggie and Tupac, to Vampire Weekend and Imogen Heap, everything is pretty tight. I’ve had all of these remixes in constant rotation over the last 7 days or so. Check ‘em out:

[audio:remix-friday-2/amilliremix.mp3 |titles=A Milli (Toy Selectah Remix) |artists=Lil’ Wayne]
[audio:remix-friday-2/Biggie vs Tupac vs The xx - Runnin With The xx (Quix vs Elliot Blend).mp3]
[audio:remix-friday-2/Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (Enigma Remix).mp3]
[audio:remix-friday-2/Kid CuDi - Embrace the Martian (Crookers Remix).mp3]
[audio:remix-friday-2/Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of (Sebastian’s Late Night Laptop Edit).mp3]
[audio:remix-friday-2/Vampire Weekend - Ottoman (Redlight Remix).mp3]

[caption id=”attachment_2594” align=”aligncenter” width=”558” caption=”Mos Def and The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach”][/caption]

Ohio blues-rock duo The Black Keys are currently hard at work on a hip-hop/rock side project known as Blakroc. The idea for the hybrid project actually came about after rapper Jim Jones and Roc-A-Fella records co-founder Dame Dash approached them. Featured on the upcoming album are some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Mos Def, Wu-Tang’s RZA & Raekwon, Q-Tip, Ludacris, Pharoahe Monch, and more. They’ve been producing a series of weekly webisodes that have been generating a ton of hype.

Take a look at the teaser and tell me that this isn’t awesome:

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[caption id=”attachment_2587” align=”aligncenter” width=”565” caption=”Devendra Banhart and Animal Collective”][/caption]

It’s been a good past two weeks for Phoenix. First they performed on The Tonight Show, then they were featured in a Cadillac commercial, and finally they were remixed by Friendly Fires. Now, two new Phoenix remixes have surfaced. The first is by Neighbours and avant-folk singer/songwriter Devendra Banhart, while the second is by none other than Animal Collective.

The combination of Neighbours and Devendra Banhart put a unique spin on their edit of “Rome,” and manage to turn it into something sadder than the original song. You’re definitely not going to want include this in your workout playlist. Animal Collective’s remix, however, sounds exactly like what one of their songs should sound like - twangy, echoy, and downright weird. There are tons of fade-ins, fade-outs, and looping. It definitely has more liveliness than the remix of “Rome.” Check ‘em out.

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