N.E.R.D. Nothing Album Cover

thekeenone - "Legal Drug Addict"

thekeenone - "Legal Drug Addict"
Produced by DJ Starscream
Video directed by Jon Buch
http://www.keen.tv

Grab Getaway if you haven't already.
Album bumps front to back.

Big Boi - "Fo Yo Sorrows" (Video)

Big Boi f. Too Short & George Clinton - "Fo Yo Sorrows" (Video)
Produced by Organized Noize

Big Boi, a purveyor of consistency, was responsible for releasing two of my favorite rap tunes of '09 with "Fo Yo Sorrows" and "Shine Blockas." In '08, he released "Royal Flush." Batting a thou, Daddy Fatacksacks has fans impatiently waiting for his solo LP, Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, which at the moment has a March 23rd release date.

Big Boi f. Gucci Mane - "Shine Blockas"
Produced by Cutmaster Swiff

Notorious B.I.G. - Rap Phenomenon

Biggie would've killed the mixtape era.
(Click image to download. 192kbps 95MB)

"Throw down some ice for the nicest emcee!" - Biggie

Related links:
EHR Potent Quotables

The Dark Esquire - "Situations" (Video)

Under the new pseudonym The Dark Esquire, BCR, of Dumbwaiters' fame, recently branched out to work on his solo project. Moving away from his rock band roots, Dark Esquire's musical direction is geared more towards the synth-pop early disco sound. If this first single is any indication of what's to come, we're in for a treat. This is house party pegged pants popped collar (pre frat boy adoption of course) dance music.

Related links:
Chromeo - "Night by Night" (Video)
Electric Haze Records 2009 Year End Mix

Lo-Fi-Fnk - "Marchin' In" (Video)

Video/Visual by: Mattias Erik Johansson and Isak Martinsson
Production company: Ofokus and Black Neon

Lo-Fi-Fnk, consisting of Leonard Drougge and August Hellsing, is a Swedish electro pop band. "Marchin' In" is the first single on the follow-up to their 2006 debut, Boylife.


(mp3 via Disco Dust)

This track reminds me of trips to McDonald's and 7-11 after a long day of lounging at the ocean front with my uncles and cousins. Seriously, old man winter, we've enjoyed your company but I think it's time for you to leave.

Related links:
Helsinki 78-82 - "Cruising" (Video)
The Dark Esquire - "Situations" (Video)
Electric Haze Records 2009 Year End Mix

Helsinki 78-82 - "Cruising" (Video)

Directed by Miika Saksi
Concept by Nenolan Isäntä
Produced by Flatlight Films

"This is what we call Big City House music, when you’re cruising the streets at night with the top down - no words needed. In a manner Michael Mann would be proud of."
- Top Billin Music

Related links:
Broken Bells (Danger Mouse x The Shins' James Mercer)

Hang 'Em High Photography Exhibit

(click image to enlarge)

Support your local artists!

Commonwealth Presents
Hang 'Em High Photography Exhibit
(March 6th - April 3rd)
featuring:
Darrell Bryant
Liz Carney
Charles Harmon
Jeff Ocampo
Richard Perkins
& Howard Tarpey

^ Hit the links for a preview.

Commonwealth
717 W. 21st Street
Norfolk, VA 23517
757.622.3372

Related links:
Merkley???'s Photoshop Goodness (NSFW)
RIP Shawn Mortensen (1966-2009)
Notte Sento: Short film made with 4500+ still photos
Most Controversial Magazine Covers of All Time

EHR Potent Quotables #1

As a hip hop fan, I feel like there's a certain time and place for everything. I'm not one to complain about the state of hip hop or harp on the arbitrary idea that there's a difference between rap and hip hop. In reality, is it really that serious? It's 2010. We have so many avenues at our disposal to discover music. The music that you prefer is out there so stop spending so much time worrying about someone else's taste and find it yourself.

With that said, I enjoy beat driven call and response and often labeled "dumbed down" music just as much as the next man. Lil Boosie and Diddy albums* get plenty of burn over here. But as much as I like yelling "O leeeeh do it," I will always have a place in my heart for headphone music and verses that require the rewind button. As a tribute to emcees who catch wreck, we'll be spotlighting a verse each week titled "EHR Potent Quotables."

Off The Pretty Toney Album, this track became an instant classic upon first listen. The beat's frantic pace creates a type of tight rope tension that leaves little room for error. With the recent Winter Olympics still fresh, it actually reminds me of the short track speed skate relay with each rapper feeding off the other.

Ghost, Jada and even the fairly unknown Comp completely own this beat to the point that I couldn't imagine hearing anyone else on it. Though I eventually decided to go with Jadakiss' verse, either of these three are more than worthy of the EHR Potent Quotables designation.

Ghostface Killah f. Jadakiss & Comp - "Run"
Produced by RZA

"It's Task Force Tuesday, the NARCS is in the black car,
I got five hundred, hundred packs in my backyard,
Clear twelve twelves that look like stuff shells,
I'm cutting n***** throats on the sales while they puff L's,
Don't leave nothing unbagged, shave everything,
I learned from the O.G.'s to save everything,
They come by one more time, they gon' hop out,
They two deep and one is a b****, she getting knocked out,
Then I can get rid of the pack,
but I just copped this pretty chrome thing
so I'm dipping with that,
Down-shifting on 'em like I got gears on me,
Besides that, I got about 5 years on me,
Scared to death, running like I got bears on me,
My Timb's start feeling like they Nike Air's on me,
It's hard for me to slow down, it's like I'm on the thruway,
My belt's in the crib on the floor by my two-way,
Now I'm trying to hold my hammer up and my pants too,
If they don't kill me, they gon' give me a number I can't do,
Rather it be the streets than jail where I die at,
And I'm asthmatic so I'm looking for somewhere to hide at,
But they too close, and I got this new toast,
Imagine if I would've let off a shot or two,
you know what I gotta do"
- Jadakiss (via A-Z Lyrics)

*Both Superbad and Press Play were quality (4/5) albums btw.

Related links:
EHR Potent Quotables
Welcome to Virginia (Nottz Tribute)

Weezer - "Kids" & "Poker Face" (Live Cover)

Even though they shouldn't be taken seriously, I know a lot of folks dislike covers. I, however, am a huge proponent of them, especially when they're unexpected. I'm also extremely lenient when it comes to their quality. Weezer's "Poker Face" rendition is a perfect example. Though obviously terrible, I still found it highly amusing. So amusing that I had to find the mp3.


(mp3 via Pretty Much Amazing)

Also, I'm in the process of compiling a list of my favorite covers for a post this month and I could use some suggestions. Post your faves.

Related links:
Chester French - Jacques Jams Vol. 1 Mixtape
Broken Bells (Danger Mouse x The Shins' James Mercer)