Just stumbled across this collection of sick remixes that was released the other day from Team Teamwork, thanks to my girl Courtney. It’s so good, that I couldn’t wait around for Mixtape Mondays — I had to post it now in time for the weekend. The Good-ass Remixes Vol. 1 is the second release by Team Teamwork. Their first was The Ocarina of Rhyme, which was a mash-up album featuring hip-hop and the soundtrack of the video game classic The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time.
On The Good-ass Remixes Vol. 1, Team Teamwork mixes and mashes T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye, Nas, Talib Kweli, UGK, Slim Thug, Ghostface, Outkast, and others with the likes of Sigur Rós, Iron & Wine, Elliott Smith, M83, Múm and more. The result is wonderfully danceable and catchy. I’d consider Team Teamwork to be like The Hood Internet‘s hot sister. The group is relatively unknown at the moment, but I would not be surprised at all to see them playing at Coachella or Bonnaroo in a few years time.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This week, I feel like showing some love to the up-and-coming rap genius Wiz Khalifa. Originally hailing from Pittsburgh, the 21-year old Wiz Khalifa has already shared the stage with the likes of Ghostface Killah, Styles P, Lupe Fiasco, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Cham, Little Brother, Clipse, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Lil Scrappy, Mario, T.I., Nas, and Rich Boy. Back in 2008, his hit single “Say Yeah” dropped to critical acclaim. I remember I had that track on repeat for days. Khalifa’s version of “Say Yeah” was even mashed-up in the song “Don’t Stop” off of Feed the Animals by Girl Talk. [read more…]
It’s on like Donkey Kong.
You wanted that fast buck
Now I gotta light that ass up.
Thus spake Ice Cube in the single “Now I Gotta Wet’Cha” from his 1992 album The Predator. It’s an excellent album, both danceable and grim, courtesy of Ice Cube and DJ Muggs’ typical sound—loping beats, P-Funk horns, Sly and the Family Stone guitar jangles, and nasty lyrics. This is not the Cube who gave us the 2007 family laff riot Are We Done Yet? No, this is the Cube of N.W.A., the Cube of “Fuck Tha Police,” and the Cube of these lyrics from “It Was a Good Day”: [read more…]
For this week’s Mixtape Monday, we’re stepping back in five years time to 2003 for Ninth Wonder’s classic mixtape, called God’s Stepson. Every track on the album is a remix of a corresponding track from “God’s Son,” NaS’ seminal release from 2002.
Fans of MURS might recognize Ninth Wonder’s name, since Ninth produced beats for MURS’ 2004 LP MURS 3:15: The 9th Edition. Ninth Wonder also produced a song on the Viva La Hova mixtape, which (coincidentally) was featured on last week’s Mixtape Monday.
Like a lot of Ninth Wonder’s other releases (like “Freak these Tales,” with MURS) this album contains many samples from classic soul recordings. One of the best stand-alone samples comes at the beginning of “The Cross,” which samples “Beautiful Man of Mine” by Phyllis Hyman. All of Ninth’s samples enhance the original recordings of each song, especially the “Ether” remix, which features an amazing sample from “Hey, What’s That You Say” by Brother to Brother. The original recording of Ether (NaS’ infamous diatribe against Jay-Z) is a great song in its own right, but Ninth Wonder’s sample choice and production really transform it from a energetic battle rap into a much more nuanced assault on Jay-Z’s character and accomplishments. Many of the other tracks perform similar acts of transformation, like the upbeat Thugz Mansion that falls somewhere between the original track and the later acoustic recording from Better Dayz. [read more…]
Vinyl album covers are like fine works of art. They are an expression of artistic intent. They have defined entire generations. They have reshaped the world. It’s too bad that many vinyl owners shove their LP’s into a cabinet or drawer, never to see the light of day again. There is hope, though. A new trend, aptly known as sleeveface, has begun to take the internet by storm. In order to create a great sleeveface, you simply take an album cover and position it in a way that causes an illusion. If you throw in a dash of creativity, the results can be incredible. Without further ado, here are 39 awesome examples of sleeveface. [read more…]
On Thursday, October 30th, Chicago’s own Wilco performed on The Colbert Report. Wilco is just one of the many musical guests that Stephen Colbert has managed to snag in the last several years. Wilco is in good company; a few previous guests include Rush, The Decemberists, Apples in Stereo, R.E.M., Feist, Peter Frampton, The Roots, and Nas. After their appearance on The Colbert Report, Wilco headed to Madison, Wisconsin where they are scheduled to perform a Concert for Change later today. Wilco is also giving away a free copy of their cover of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” featuring Fleet Foxes. In order to download it, you need to pledge to vote. [read more…]
