Royall Advertising

I recently began work interning for an Orlando based Advertising Agency called Royall Advertising. I know I'm usually posting music news, but I want to share my excitement with everybody, because this is truly a chance to get my foot in the door, learn about the industry and do what I love to do. Check out their website to see some of the exciting work they've been doing with local and national businesses.

Royall Advertising

Out

NM...F

New Music Friday!

So its supposed to be Tuesday. But I was busy. TGIF.

Three hot albums on my radar. I've already spoken my piece on Nas and Damian Marley's: Distant Relatives. The album is great and versatile. Two awesome guys making awesome music for a cause. Pick it up. Let's make a change.

Here is one of the more relaxing joints off the album.

Next is the new release Brothers by the Black Keys. Just what you'd expect. I'm really digging this tune:

Garage rock: Austin based Harlem sounds like a swinging party. Check out their album Hippies.

Here is a kwik list of some other songs you may enjoy:

Swoon-Chemical Brothers (ethereal sound, reminiscent of...something stellar)

Tigallo for Dolo-Little Brother (another great example of HIP HOP. Too bad this is the last album. Listen to the reasons why)

Blue Blood Blues-The Dead Weather (they don't call 'em supergroups for nothing)

The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade-The Joy Formidable (dumb name for a band, but some nice epic sounds)

***p.s. if you haven't yet, pick up Astro Coast by Surfer Blood. The whole album is great. The evolution of the Maui Wowee. Surf music for 2010. Gnarly.

Out.

M.I.A., M.I.A.?

I don't know if I'm feeling M.I.A.'s XXXO single. First off, I have to say I love M.I.A., and have since her first album. But this song just doesn't sound like her. Too much synth, not a clever enough construction. Almost poppy.

I love that M.I.A. makes music about her native Sri Lanka, blasting sounds unlike any producer. Her persona, "association" to the Tigers, hard hitting beats...they all add up to such a unique artist. I really do admire her.

So there is no way I'm going to let this affect my judgement of M.I.A., it just won't be my favorite song on the album. You can judge the new joint for yourself.

Out

Distant Relatives

On a much brighter note, what do you know...music.

A few quick facts.

-Nas and Damian Marley collaborate to bring a full length LP: Distant Relatives.

-Dedicated in heart and soul to Africa

-Intended to bring about change in the hearts of listeners

-Proceeds go to Africa, to build schools

-Lyrics are thought provoking, poetic and fresh

Not much needs to be said when two great voices like this come together. I'm sure you've heard "As You Enter", now take a look at these:

You see, these people are musicians. They choose to make music, not talk about themselves. They choose to give rather than keep. How refreshing.

Out

Thoughts

"People there's something you should be considerin', things could turn bitter when you don't use discipline."

Haven't posted in a bit. A lot of things have been on my mind about hip-hop. A lot of things have been happening as far as hip-hop. I will get some negative things off my chest later on, but I'll start with the brighter points. For instance, rather than focus on the loss, I'll focus on the life and rhymes of GURU, a true hip-hop mc, architect of thought provoking lyrics and all around artist. If you haven't heard of Gang Starr, go type it up on youtube now. Guru never really achieved Mass Appeal like the song said, but he surely was an inspiration, and listening to his lyrics fills people like me with hope. At a time when people were saying rap wasn't about anything but guns and violence, Guru was an exception. He gave lessons, told stories and rapped in his own unique style, behind hot beats. Even splitting from the group that gave him a name, he continued to pursue the music he had a passion for, questing for the essential sound from his soul with solo projects and collaborations, including Jazzmatazz.

"Just because I want to, it don't mean I will. And just because I'm angry, it don't mean I kill."

Today a song about Discipline would be laughed off the radio, but Guru provided knowledge to young people listening to his music, taking responsibility for the the blessings he earned. Many people don't value these things, and I think its a real shame that music like this isn't what's popular.

"Instead of preaching death in my songs, I breathe life."

Rap music today is a lyrical culture which prizes mechanic musicality, bartering for talent, self-indulgence, and the pursuit of ones desire not only to be recognized, but idolized. In a game where a rapper's worth is now judged by the cleverness of his punch lines, what can the music be called but a joke? Rap music isn't bad. But rappers today are solely concerned with glorifying their own made up legends, constructed by themselves and packaged for the mindless. When a new artist like Drake, isn't talking about himself and his entitlement, he doesn't have enough life experience to offer something interesting to say. We understand you worked very hard with little or no help to get to your fame. Once you've received the power you've sought, is this how you use it? To preach about...yourself? We understand you are famous and now people are after your money. You're so busy talking about how big you are that nobody really ever got the time to know you.

"I'm doin' me."

A few weeks back I watched Anderson Silva, an extremely popular and talented MMA fighter make a fool of himself, displaying the ugliness of pride for the association and millions of fans to see. Mocking his opponent, refusing to stand toe to toe, running around the ring just to prove his own self worth as opposed to the man looking him eye to eye, he made a mockery of the fortune he was given. He spit on his God given talent. He didn't give back to the fans, his opponent or God with a performance of his skills. Rather, like a child, he chose show everyone that he could do whatever he wanted, that he is better. That he does not value anything but himself. That he is an ugly person on the inside. He doesn't deserve what he's got.

You may see where I'm going with this, but I'll say it just to clarify. Musicians are doing the same thing, squandering their talents on their own fancies. They don't care to give back to young people with what they really need, a positive voice. And the excuses for their selfish behavior will never end, but blaming others for their own actions is a trademark of the generation as a whole, so why be accountable? So they continue to make music for themselves and only that.

In one song Wayne diagnoses the pitiful situation. Drop the World at one point reveals his struggle and pain, the ice he chooses to coat himself in...then reveals his blind, stubborn response to anyone who contradicts him, offensively giving off the power well beyond his means...

"So I pick the world up and I drop it on your fucking head. Yeah, I could die now rebirth motherfucker. Hop up in my spaceship and leave Earth motherfucker. I'm gone. Motherfucker, I'm gone."

I learn from these people. I learn to the best of my ability that I will keep the darker sides of myself from coming out with success. I have them. It is my choice not to spread them. Not to preach them. But many people see these characteristics and prize them. Emulate them. It's sad the amount of young people's lives will be ruined by this music, it truly is.

Instead of getting defensive, instead of justifying the music with the person's story, instead just listen and try to understand. As a generation, we all must grow up. These young men have been given way too much responsibility, way too fast, it is true. In the same situation, it is only their behavior that will inspire some to act differently, their choice to pursue the glory traded for a another's choice to be a man. For all his pride, at least Kanye took a stand. For all his anger at least Pac spoke his soul. For all the riches at least Big revealed his faults...

...for all the temptations, at least Guru had discipline.

The music is what I'm talking about. Your life is your choice, but you don't choose your audience, they choose you. They gave you what you have. Don't leave them by the wayside. You didn't ask for them, but you got them. They look up to you. Take care of them. Instead of satisfying the jealousy of a hater, satisfy the hunger of the kids who just need something to lift them up, your music. Giving back in the face of the overwhelming force telling you to take for yourself makes you not only an artist, but a hero.

RIP GURU 1966-2010

Music Trend of the Week: All Talk

Fuck singing...seriously. I am going to go to this PARTY and I am going to tell you EXACTLY what's going down, bitch. There will be boozing. And I will be alll up in that piece with all my hoes looking fly and wearing cool shit like glasses indoors. And after all that I'm gona wake up and do it all again. Lastly, DON'T EXPECT ME TO TELL ALL ABOUT IT WITH MELODIES AND SHIT! Talking's just fine. Who do you think I am, an artist?

Love, Kesha

It seems that Kesha has put beat talking on the map.

It's not just girls though. More and more peeps have decided that talking is the way to go. I'll admit, Tik Tok is a guilty pleasure. I think it's everyone's. Does this asshole deserve to make a ton of money off the song? No. But hell, I've seen my guy friends squeal when it came on the radio (not naming any names but...Gore and Spiller.)

About those other artists...even guys are jumping at this party.

As for the above artist, Uffie, you might say she sounds like a rip of Kesha. But hold the phone! Anyone who's copped that Justice album Cross knows that their song The Party (with like 27 R's and 52 T's...and featuring Uffie) came out like two years ago! Take a listen and see if you notice any similarities:

Come on you little gypsy...didn't think we were going to find out?

Now if you really want to be that girl who needs to play this song every night before you go out with your girls to 'just dance', fine. Be that girl. We don't like you anyway. Guys...own up to it. You listen to this song when it comes on the radio. Stop acting like you don't. Just don't do it with the windows down...

Does this type of music glamorize the act of being a drunken, sloppy whore? Yes it certainly does. Thankfully, a drunken sloppy whore who happens to have access to all the alcohol and fame she can shove in her ass will probably squander it before she can do any real damage. So...to conclude:

Kesha! She's got Amy Winehouse's vices, but none of her talent.

and...

Beat Talking! Talentless work, but damn if it isn't catchy.

It's like the sassy version of the vocoder box. But is it really something to worry about? Hopefully not. I don't think many more people are gona jump on this bandwagon. If they did...can you imagine the new types of battles over who came out first and so on? Nothing more than gossip on a beat. And that would suck.

Out.

Kwik List

You wana be cool? Huh? Is that what you want to do????

Here's a quick playlist for early 2o1o. Gotta have the right music.

Talamak-Toro y Moi

Karen-Chew Lips

Audience of One-Cold War Kids

Love Cry-Four Tet

Ambling Alp-Yeasayer

The Uncomfortable Truth-Nneka

Animal (Mark Ronson Remix)-Miike Snow

Fader-Temper Trap

C'mon-The Soft Pack

Oh My-Redman feat. Reggie

Rocket-Goldfrapp

Mystery Zone-Spoon

As We Enter-Damian Marley and Nas

Chasing Pirates-Norah Jones

Flickin'-Kidz In The Hall

The High Road-Broken Bells

Promises-The Morning Benders

Golden-Bear Hands

My Baby Left Me (Arms Remix)-Rox

Cranberry-The Ruby Suns

Kites-Geographer

Odessa-Caribou

Out