Rapology.org

Elizabeth Goodman of Rolling Stone did a much better job of reviewing Santogold than I will. The blog, which I developed for rollingstone.com, is worth following. It’s focused on breaking artists in the music industry. Despite Rolling Stone’s orientation towards mainstream pop culture, the writers for this blog have a good pulse on the underground.

My own 2 cents:
* Santi is very experimental with her voice. I think of Tori Amos and Erykah Badu when I hear it.
* Maybe their sound is a bit like MIA, but it is much more menacing. 

The music:
You’ll Find a Way
Creator - Freq nasty + Santogold
Shove it

I’ve been meaning to post for a while, but most of the month of August was devoted to preparing for Burning Man. This was my 9th year on the playa, and certainly the best time I’ve had there. Someone set the man on fire during a lunar eclipse Monday night. There were maybe 2k people awake for it and definitely the most intimate burn I’ve experienced. I thought this was the perfect thing to shake up the festival a bit and I hope that BMorg doesn’t try to prosecute to the fullest extent. Depending on what they do, I may or may not go back again. I’ve enjoyed watching the festival evolve over the last decade, and feel that it just keeps getting better.

I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive about the new Kanye West album after hearing the first few singles and not loving them. Generally, I’ve taken to everything he’s released immediately and love everything he’s produced. Stronger and Can’t tell me Nothin’ were, in my opinion, bad introductions to this album. When I heard them, I was afraid Kanye West had shifted into the category of mastubatory rappers who like to talk about how badass they are.

After giving Graduation a few listens, I love it. I wasn’t stunned like I was with the new Common album the first time through, and there are definitely tracks I don’t like. Regardless, I think kanye west has done it again and pulled of another solid release! My favorite lyric is “Everything I’m not made me everything I am”. It resonates very much with me and where I’m at with my life.

I’m going to focus on his new release in this post, and perhaps do a followup with my favorites from other albums, and the production work he’s done over the years.

Good Morning (intro)
Champion
I Wonder
Homecoming

Many of you may know of Will.i.am from the Black Eyes Peas. Discovering that he produced my two favorite tracks on the new talib kweli album motivated me to do some research into his other work. You can download both of those tracks, Say Something and Hot Thing, from my Talib Kweli post on June 28th. His impressive portfolio also includes work with Nas, Common, Lupe Fiasco, John Legend, Macy Gray, Amerie and Rihanna. I’m saving the Nas track “hip hop is dead” for another post I’ve got in the works.

A Dream - common
Colors - common
Gotta Work - amerie
Save Room - john legend

I’ve been a fan of the Black Eyed Peas since Elephunk was released, and after listening to will.i.am’s other production work, I’ve realized how instrumental he has been in developing their sound. I’m in awe of his talent.

Some of my favorite Black Eyed Peas tracks:

Hands Up
Like That
Weekends

Ah, Timbaland. You love him, even if you don’t know it.

Originally I was going to write about his new solo album, which is so bad it doesn’t dignify a song post, and rant about how he should stick to production.  Instead of all that negativity, I decided I’d emphasize on his successful and influential career as producer extraordinnaire.

His contributions to the music industry are legendary, collaborating with artists such as Missy Elliot, Jay-Z, Nas and Justin Timberlake.  He has a signature style that permeates through all of his work, and you’ll know he’s there with the occassional “uhn” or “freaky-freaky-freaky.”   It is likely that you have heard all of these songs before, but try listening to them side by side.  Once you get a feel for his style, you’ll be able to identify it in songs you’ve never heard before.

Work It - Missy Elliot
We Need a Resolution - Aaliyah
Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake
Dirt Off Your Shoulder Jay-Z
Indian Flute Song - Timbaland & Magoo

I always save the best for last.  On April 9th, Bjork’s new Single Earth Intruders,  produced by his one and only, will be released.  I used my voodoo powers on the Internets to snag it a few days early.

Earth Intruders - Bjork