Black Blondie is a local Minneapolis band that plays alternative/experimental/R&B music (that's a self-description off of myspace, folks).
Highlights: Lead singer Samahra's amazing vocals, snarly lyrics and riot grrl attitude. Drummer Kahlil Brewington's extremely effortless sounding rhythms that subtly push the songs forward, completely setting the tone of the songs blending perfectly with bassist Liz Draper and Tasha Baron's sexy keyboard/organ/synth parts she creates without using samples. The songs meander through genres, sometimes reminiscent of 60s motown, then shifting into 80s synth pop, sliding into eerie gritty ambient R&B.
Okay. I'm done exploring pitchfork-y descriptions of music.
I think Black Blondie are awesome, and you should check out their new CD "Do You Remember Who You Want to Be?" OR if you are free and able to get over to the Electric Fetus, they are playing live at the Electric Fetus tonight, May 14th at 6:30pm. You can also catch them next weekend at the Memory Lanes Block Party, right by Pi (rest in peace).
I'm not one to look into the cultural histories of music. If a song has an interesting beat, or intriguing lyrics, then I'm in--which is why this song caught my attention. It's electronic backdrop mixed in with hip-hop/rap vocals was hot, but it also made me wonder. It turns out that Roll Deep is the poster child of what seems like the latest evolution in music: grime.
Grime is a UK based form of music that grew out of house and trance. Like house and trance, grime relies on electronic sounds, and synths. Unlike house an trance, however, grime has a lower and slower bass line and is popularly produced by London's hip-hop and rap scene.
Now what's striking is the re-appropriation of culture happening here. Kenyon Farrow writes that house music originated in underground scenes of urban black Americans in the '70's. But through the 90's, Russell Simmons, and the other godfathers of modern day hip-hop stripped house of the soul that it was so characterized with, and replaced that with the now popular sounds of rap: intensified beats, bass, and rhymes. That sound was picked up in Europe, which was then restripped and refitted with a crooning female vocalist, and electronic beats and synths, which is what we hear in today's U.S. gay clubs--a space often less visited by our black gay brothers and sisters.
Grime appears to be yet another fold within this history of music. Black rap and hip-hop artists seem to be reclaiming house music to create yet another vein of artistic innovation. Even more interesting is the way this sort of cross-pollination of culture and ideas has spanned across so many identities: from poor urban African Americans, to middle class gay white men, to Western Europeans--identities that have not always socially or politically aligned with each other. It's just so interesting that we can find pleasure in the luxury of music across groups of different people--people who often times hate each other. Well, I suppose that's a different post.
I'm kind of into Kanye West's new stuff, from 808's and Heartbreak. It's such a departure for him, it's so stark. People have criticized him for singing instead of rapping, and for using weird vocal-distortion effects, but I really like it.
I think Kanye West is a total egomaniac, but he truly is an artist, and I can respect him for what he does. He makes me think of Peter Gabriel for some reason.
This video is pretty stunning. It makes me think of ancestors and blank canvasses and love and stuff. Oh yeahhhh.
I'm not lovin' you the way I wanted to What I had to do, had to run from you I'm in love with you but the vibe is wrong And that haunted me all the way home
So you never know, never never know Never know enough, 'til it's over, love 'Til we lose control, system overload Screamin', "No, no, no, n-no!?
I'm not lovin' you the way I wanted to See I wanna move but can't escape from you So I keep it low, keep a secret code So everybody else don't have to know
So keep your love locked down, your love locked down Keepin' your love locked down, your love locked down I keep your love locked down, your love locked down I keep your love locked down, you lose
I'm not lovin' you the way I wanted to I can't keep my cool, so I keep it true I got somethin' to lose, so I gotta move I can't keep myself and still keep you too
So I keep in mind when I'm on my own Somewhere far from home, in the danger zone How many times did I tell ya ?for it finally got through? You lose, you lose
I'm not lovin' you the way I wanted to See I had to go, see I had to move No more wastin' time, you can't wait for life We're just racin? time, where's the finish line?
So keep your love locked down, your love locked down Keepin' your love locked down, your love locked down I keep your love locked down, your love locked down I keep your love locked down, you lose
I'm not lovin' you the way I wanted to I bet no one knew, I got no one new Know I said I'm through, but got love for you But I'm not lovin' you the way I wanted to
Gotta keep it goin', keep the lovin' goin' Keep it on a roll, only God knows If I be with you, baby I'm confused You choose, you choose
I'm not lovin' you the way I wanted to Where I wanna go, I don't need you I've been down this road, too many times before I'm not lovin' you the way I wanted to
So keep your love locked down, your love locked down Keepin' your love locked down, your love locked down I keep your love locked down, your love locked down I keep your love locked down, you lose You lose, you lose, you lose, you lose
I didn't watch the Grammy's, and I'm actually a little sad after I found out about this performance, and Radiohead's performance. I guess that's what youtube is for, right? There's really not much to say about the song, other than MIA is a badass. It's a catchy song, I've had it stuck in my head since yesterday. The song was written by Jay-Z and TI, using a sample of MIA's song "Paper Planes," which I've included below "Swagger Like Us" as a bonus prize. I've heard rumors MIA is going to retire early. I do hope she takes time to be with her kid and all that, but I also hope she keeps making music. Hopefully the next few years we'll hear more from her.
Going against highlighting local musicians, I'm blogging about "Everywhere" on Common's newest album, Universal Mind Control.
I first fell in love with Common after hearing his song "Be (Intro)". It's one of those songs that I like to come home to after a stressful day dealing with what Staceyann Chin describes as "that bell hooksian urge to kill motherfuckers who say stupid shit to me." It's unbelievable how much Common can say about race, gender, and justice in a two and a half minute album introduction. And (despite some of the controversy surrounding one of his songs on interracial relationships) that's what I like most about Common--he believes music is a vehicle for change, and he lives it.
Common has been a vegetarian in support of animal rights. He has stood up against anti-gay lyrics after receiving criticism from some in the LGBT community. He was a notable supporter of Barack Obama in the "Yes We Can" ad campaign. And (a shameless plug for my organization), Common has worked with Campus Progress to speak about the intersection of hip-hop and the progressive youth movement at Clarion University's Hip-Hop Symposium. (oh, and he's sexy as hell).
Born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., Common was a celebrated underground rapper in the South Side of Chicago. He studied at Southern University of Baton Rouge, LA and Florida A&M University before breaking into the mainstream for his album, Be. (See details on his wiki page.)
With that said, it's a bit unfortunate that Universal Mind Control lost some of the activist flair that brought Common fame from his underground followers. "Everywhere" features Martina Topley-Bird, a British singer with Independiente Records in the same vein as Bjork. But I love "Everywhere" -- it has this indie pop feel with a hip-hop twist.
Enjoy! -Vincent
p.s., who else thought his cameo in Wanted with Angelina Jolie was a little awkward?
Lyrics:
Chorus: How did you know I've been waiting for this time to come? And though it tastes like forever, it may not stay long. Everywhere is summer. (x4)
A shaman since before my birth And I came down to rock the Earth. My mission condition: I give you, you listen. I'm syncing in time in parallel. In binary, no 3rd return. I'm planning intention. With all the redemption.
Chorus: How did you know I've been waiting for this time to come? And though it tastes like forever, it may not stay long. Everywhere is summer. (x4)
Common: No pop, no pop, no pop, no pop. We gon' do this thang till the sky just drop. Lock in to ya mind away we rock, In a rocket is the 87th astronaut. Top of the soul, dove and I got in a hole. At the moment they were sayin "It was outa control" Strap in to your mind Why eyes see some recline Youll see in time your season to shine. When the stadium is dark MCs are defined. Get ready, on your mark, put your feet on the line. The race is on to space beyond You gon' get there by doin what you want Sometimes the most famous feel all alone. So we drift to a place that we call our home. I was known as being spaced and outta my dome. now I know, its all Ive known.
Chorus: How did you know I've been waiting for this time to come? And though it tastes like forever, it may not stay long. Everywhere is summer. (x4)
My album of the day is The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill. Like many other teens at the time, I found out about Lauryn Hill via MTV (back when they actually played music videos most of the time) when she was still a part of The Fugees. Also, like many others, I became immediately obsessed with The Fugees and was really devastated when they split up. However, as soon as Lauryn Hill put forward her first solo album in 1998, it became a part of my daily routine...until I went to college. So, for a solid 4 years, I listened to this album pretty much every day of my life. It literally became the soundtrack to my high school career. But the weird thing is that I only remember sharing my love for this album with one friend, and that wasn't until my senior year of high school.
Some of my favorite tracks include Superstar; Every Ghetto, Every City; and Everything is Everything. I liked Doo Wop (That Thing), but that was also everyone else's favorite track when the album became popular...
Anyway, I'm sharing it with y'all now and I hope that it brings back some happy memories and you can think about what you were doing 10 years ago...before you had your ipod and macbook.
"You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got. Lookin' back, lookin' back, lookin' back..." - Every Ghetto, Every City by Lauryn Hill
The end. Love, Meggo.
I am including this youtube video for Can't Take My Eyes Off of You because I couldn't get it on the playlist player, but also because it was one of my favorite songs from the album! Enjoy :)
I'm sorry I didn't post anything last week. I was pretty overwhelmed and excited and thrilled about the election results, and nothing I was thinking of posting seemed quite appropriate. Anyways. This week I've got something a little different than I usually post about, from DJ Rekha, who you can see on the right.
This is the title/first track off of DJ Rekha's cd "Basement Bhangra" and it's appropriately called "Basement Bhangra Anthem." DJ Rekha was born in London, lived in New Delhi for three years, then moved to Queens. She pretty much spearheaded the bhangra movement in NYC, blending bhangra, hip-hop and dancehall to create some really addictive dance music. She regularly hosts "Basement Bhangra" parties in NYC, so if you're ever in that part of the world, check those out.
Bhangra is a style of South Asian pop music that originated in India and Pakistan, rooted in Punjabi traditions. An easy way to distinguish bhangra from other types of Indian pop music is that bhangra features insistent rhythms played on the dhol, a two sided drum.
he won. we did it! i'm still celebrating. i'm so excited to finally have a president that i am proud of and will be proud of and can trust. i am proud to say he is MY president.
OBAMA!!! OBAMA!!
this is MY America. YOUR america. OUR America.
there has been a lot of political tension on my campus surrounding the elections and it has been extremely frustrating and annoying, but the fact of the matter still remains. Obama is our president. no amount of bitching, whining, complaining, lamenting, etc. can change that fact and i am so freaking excited to have been a part of this movement for change. and it won't stop. we will keep moving and growing and learning and loving and things are going to get better.
WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!!
We Are The Ones :: Will.i.Am
(Obama, Obama)
We can change the world, na, na, na We can change the world I would like to see a cleaner earth for my child that I am bringing into the world very soon
(Obama, Obama) I think that it's time for change I want a better future for my children
(Obama, Obama) I would like out environment to be safe
Es es nuestro America Mi America Tu America
This is our America Mi America My America Tu America Your America America Nosotros
(Obama, Obama) Someone can actually make a difference in my generation
(Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama) I would like to see us in a world without fear Basically, I would just like the war to end I would like the rest of the world to think highly of our wonderful country
Thanks to Kim for pointing out that MTV has a new YouTube-ish website for searching for videos and interviews...
Here's another song by the Knux, two brothers out of New Orleans. These guys are so cool. I love hip-hop that is fast and fun and not about being a sociopath. So, here's the video for "Bang Bang." I love how the video references the early-80s movie "The Outsiders" and how the blonde chick looks like a Twin Peaks-era Lara Flynn Boyle.
The second video is the Knux talking about being labeled "hipster rap" by the hip-hop community... interesting stuff!
I used to be one of those people who answered the question of "What music do you like?" with "Everything but country and rap." Well, I've already blogged about a country-lite musician that I really like, Ryan Adams; so I decided to blog about a rapper that I've grown to really like also, Lupe Fiasco.
Lupe Fiasco is the stage name of Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, and he really kind of seems like the antithesis of everything I still dislike in typical popular rap music. He doesn't rap about cars or use a lot of violent imagery; in fact, he's said in interviews that he was initially turned off to hip-hop music because of these recurring themes.
Instead, he raps about nerdy things like skateboarding in "Kick, Push." I love its chill, laid-back feel, and Lupe Fiasco is changing my mind about rap.
Kick, Push:: Uh, what up ya'll (Soundtrack what's poppin') baby Ya'll ain't know I go by the name of Lupe Fiasco Representin' that 1st & 15 Yea And this one right here I dedicate this one right here To all my homies out there grindin' (ya know what I'm saying) Legally and Illegally Ha You know what I'm talkin' 'bout So, check it out
First got it when he was six Didn't know any tricks Matter fact First time he got on it he slipped Landed on his hip and bust his lip For a week he had to talk with a lisp Like this Now we can end the story right here But shorty didn't quit it was something in the air Yea He said it was somethin' so appealing He couldn't fight the feelin' Somethin' about it He knew he couldn't doubt it Couldn't understand it Brand it, since his first kickflip he land it Uh Labeled a misfit, abandoned Ca-kunk, ca-kunk, kunk His neighbors couldn't stand it, so He was banished to the park Started in the morning wouldn't stop till after dark Yea When he said it's getting late in here So "I'm sorry young man there's no skating here"
So we Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Coast And the way he roll just a rebel to the world with no place to go So we Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Coast So come and skate with me, just a rebel looking for a place to be So let's Kick, and Push, and Coast
Uh, uh ,uh My man got a lil older became a better roller (yea) No helmet, hellbent on killin' himself, was what his momma said But he was feelin' himself Got a lil more swagger in his style Met his girlfriend, she was clappin' in the crowd Love is what was happening to him now, uh He said I would marry you but I'm engaged to these aerials and varials And I don't think this board is strong enough to carry 2 She said bow I weigh 120 pounds, now Lemme make one thing clear I don't need to ride yours I got mine right here So she took him to a spot He didn't know about Somewhere in the apartment parking lot, she said I don't normally take dates in here Security came and said "I'm sorry there's no skating here"
So they Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Coast And the way they roll just lovers in the twine with no place to go So they Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Coast So come and skate with me, just a rebel looking for a place to be So let's Kick, and Push, and Coast
Yea uh, yea, yea Before he knew he had a crew That weren't no punk In they Spitfire shirts and SB Dunks They would Push, till they couldn't skate no more Office building, Li-B's weren't safe no more And it wasn't like they weren't getting chased no more Just the freedom is better than breathing they said (they said) And they escape route, they used to escape out When things got crazy they needed to break out (they'd head) To any place with stairs, any good grinds the world was theirs, uh And they four wheels would take them there Till the cops came and said "There's no skating here"
So they Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Coast And the way they roll just a rebels without a cause with no place to go So they Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Kick, Push Coast So come roll with me, just a rebel looking for a place to be So let's Kick and Push and Coast
BONUS SONG! Lupe raps about navigating mainstream hip-hop in "Dumb it Down:"
This Monday I'll give you some SWEDISH HIP-HOP. This is Timbuktu. I do not speak Swedish (nor do I even speak a passable Norwegian). My friends said that this song is sort of about... people wanting to live, but not wanting to die? Anyway. It's Swedish rap. Timbuktu.
This weekend, Dylan introduced me to Athens Boys Choir, and now I'm totally hooked. I looked up everything I could about this guy (he's a "single, white, _____") and downloaded a bunch of his stuff (which led me to watch all these videos of FtM guys describing their transitions...I fell into this big YouTube portal for about an hour and just now emerged from it).
Anyway, Athens Boys Choir is so cool! I'm putting up "WaHo," but you should also listen to "Fagette." <---- excellent! but NSFW!!!
So...I'm from Minnesota. Lots of great things are located in Minnesota and many really amazing people are from Minnesota. Here's some lists I made about the coolness of Minnesota:
Arts/Culture/Entertainment:
The Walker/Sculpture Gardens
The St. Paul Saints
The Guthrie
MPR
Little House on the Prairie
The Current
Prairie Home Companion
The Southern Theatre
The Fringe Festival
Orpheum Theatre
Weisman Art Museum
The University of Minnesota
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Gay Men's Chorus
Taste of Minnesota
Art-a-Whirl
Musicians/Bands/People:
Bob Dylan - musician
Jonny Lang - musician
Prince - musician
Cloud Cult - band
Fitzgerald - band
Mary Grandpre (the illustrator of all the American released Harry Potter books!)
Ellis - musician (originally from Texas, but great addition to Minnesota)
Mason Jennings - musician
Stuart Davis - musician
Hüsker Dü - band
Paul Wellstone - senator
F. Scott Fitzgerald - author
Judy Garland - actor
Garrison Keillor - author
Jessica Lange - actor
Roger Maris - baseball player
Winona Rider - actor
Josh Hartnett - actor
Kirby Puckett - baseball player
Charles Schulz (creator of Peanuts)
Kate Millet - feminist!
Laura Ingalls Wilder - author
Kent Hrbek - baseball player
Charles Lindbergh - aviator
Al Franken - comedian turned politician
T.R. Knight - actor
Nature/Animals:
Over 10,000 lakes
Some of the oldest rocks on the planet!
Iron Ranges
Waterfalls
Bluffs
Trees that regularly change colors with the seasons
SNOW!!!
Snowy Owls
Whitetail Deers
Elk
Moose
Bobcats
Red-Tailed Hawks
Bison
Timber Wolves (the animal, not the basketball team)
Bald Eagles
The Mississippi River
Miscellaneous:
Minnesota Nice
"Uff Da"
Potlucks
Hotdishes/Casserole
"Yeah, sure, youbetcha!"
bars (like rice crispy bars)
"It's a hoot!"
Hootenannies
Gayness per capita
Boundary Waters
Kare 11 News
Twin Cities Marathon
Movies:
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Grumpy Old Men
Grumpier Old Men
Mighty Ducks
Purple Rain
Mall Rats
Fargo (not technically in MN but lots of it was filmed in MN)
Juno
Places:
The Mayo Clinic
Farming Communities
Minneapolis/St. Paul
Lake Calhoun
The Basilica
Mall of America
The Townhouse
PI
Kafe 421
Mesa Pizza
Kitty Cat Klub
Al's Breakfast
Mythical Figures from Minnesota:
Jolly Green Giant
Minnehaha
Paul Bunyan
Poppin' Fresh
Betty Crocker
Rocky and Bullwinkle
Basically, I'm a little bit fixated on Minnesota and can't wait to move back...to get to partake in its greatness. And another group that I'd like to add to the list is Heiruspecs (High Roo Specs) - a hip hop/rap group out of St. Paul. These fellas are pretty amazing. These guys are the real deal. Everything about them is real. There are no pre-recorded back beats, sound effects, lame things...every sound they make is real, genuine, and honest. This group is so amazing that St. Paul Mayor, Chris Coleman, gave them a day - December 22. That's right. December 22 is Heiruspecs Day in St. Paul, MN.
I know that the majority of the music I listen to currently is very folkish...lesbionic...whatever. But I cannot deny that Heiruspecs are freakin awesome and they make my head bob and my feet tap...while simultaneously sitting still to listen carefully to their lyrics so I don't miss anything. When they perform, I want to listen. I want to pay attention - because the Hip Hop that they make is unlike the "Hip Hop" you will hear on the radio or in a dance club. It is Hip Hop with a mission and that mission is to take us back to the purpose of Hip Hop - to its roots...to what it was originally intended to be - but with a modern flare, naturally :)
So, sit back and enjoy the beats, rhymes, and stylings of these noteworthy Minnesotans.
The end.
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A Tiger Dancing::Heiruspecs
[Felix]
Rock your body to the bass drum, take some high hat
Stack the energy like a Lego set, read the liner
Peter's got my back, we can give you some of that
Guaranteed to blow the spot like a strip miner
You can find us in the basement
Workin' on that stomp your feet sound, stomp the beat down
Often we clown and "get around" like Tupac
But still find time to rip the shit wide open
Like one of Hulk Hogan's tank tops
You can't knock the hustle and hustle we will
No cheap trick, no frills and no thrills
Just straight forward head noddin' we provide y'all
Make other similar crews break apart like A Tribe Called
My Quest to find peace with streets through beats that won't cease
Is at the very least a beast
I feast on a break then I take my aim
They just look sort of good, they got Kournikova game
(call me)
[Muad'Dib]
Purpose to make kids nervous
Absurd curvature known to come free with any purchase
And it seems to work
I didn't mean to hurt your ego
Webelos scout, keep the kerchief
Wipe your peepers, it's Ebenezer Bleezer's freezer pleasers
I saw this video when I was home this weekend, watching mtvU with my brother. It's the Knux! It's zany! Whimsical! [insert jazz hands]
They are a pair of brother-DJs raised in New Orleans, displaced by Katrina, now settled in California. Their myspace profile describes their sound as "garage-hop."
Enjoy!
I couldn't find the lyrics online, but it must be about... coffee, right? Right?
I really love this song, commercial rap that it is. I'll just put that out there. My job puts me into contact with a lot of hip-hop and rap and most of it I strongly dislike because of its misogyny and materialism, but this song is exactly the opposite of those things. It's about a girl who gets sucked into prostitution, even though no one thought that could ever happen to her. It's about globalization and the destruction of the human spirit by way of greed. And it talks about how money "drive the world crazy," which is absolutely true. I hate money so much...
[Bonus points (but not a dub) for anyone who knows what a "dub" is! I learned that at work.]
Wyclef Jean and Akon are interesting rappers for me- they both come out of the refugee/immigrant experience. Wyclef is Haitian-American and Akon is Senegalese-American, and this is a big part of their music and identities. What other pop/hip-hop artists are out there talking about their identities like this? (I really don't know, please tell me.) I saw Akon (or Akorn as I am wont to call him) open for Gwen Stefani, and he is actually a really awesome performer live. I was pleasantly surprised.
Here's a home-made video of "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)." I like it better than the official one. (God Bless YouTube!) If you want the official one, set in a refugee camp (yes, a refugee camp), then go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4gM4KG-WBk
Lyrics:
[Intro:] [Niia] ah ah ah ah
[Wyclef Jean (Lil Wayne)] Some live for the bill Some kill for the bill She whine for the bill Grind for the bill (and she used to be the sweetest girl) Some steal for the bill, if they got to pay they bill (and she used to be the sweetest girl) Tonight Wyclef, Akon, Weezy on the bill
[Verse 1: (Wyclef Jean)] High school she was that girl that make me do the hula hoop around the gym (Just to get a peek again, she's a 10) High school she was That girl that make me do the hula hoop around the gym (Just to get a peek again, she's a 10) Never thought that she would come and work for the president Mr. George Washington (where my money at?) She thought he'd call (where my money at?) She had a good day, bad day, sunny day, rainy day All he wanna know is is (where my money at?) Closed legs don't get fed, go out there and make my bread All he wanna know is (where my money at?) She ended up in a road car, bruised up, scarred hard All he wanna know is (where my money at?) She thought he'd call (where my money at?)
[Chorus: Akon (x2)] See I'mma tell you like Wu told me Cash rules everything around me Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all) Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)
[Verse 2: (Akon)] Pimpin' got harder cos, hoes got smarter On the strip is something they don't wanna be a part of Rather be up in the club shakin' for some dub Then triple times the money and spending it like they wanna They got they mind on they money, money on they mind They got they finger on the trigger, hand on the nines See everyday they feel the struggle, but staying on they grind And ain't nobody takin' from us, and that's the bottom line
But I know there's a drop in the block You move slow You getting' pressure from cops you don't know not to lay low Because 25 to life is no joke To all my real gorillas thuggin' On top of corners every day strugglin' All the beautiful women getting' money Washin' them dollar bills like laundry
[Chorus: Akon (x2)] Cos' I'ma tell you like Wu told me Cash rules everything around me Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all) Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)
[Bridge: (Wyclef Jean)] Money, money-money-money Money, money-money-money It drives the world crazy
[Verse 3: (Lil Wayne)] [Niia] She used to be [Weezy] She used to be the sweetest girl
She used to be the sweetest girl ever Now she like sour ameretta She wears a dress to the T like the letter And if you make it rain she will be under the weather She used to run track back in high school Now she tricks off the track right by school She takes a loss cos she don't wanna see her child lose So respect her, I'll pay up for the time used And then she runs to the pastor And he tells her there will be a new chapter But she feels no different after And then she asks him... where my money at?
[Chorus: Akon (x2)] Cos' I'ma tell you like Wu told me Cash rules everything around me Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all) Singin' dollar dollar bill y'all (dollar, dollar bill y'all)
[Outro: (Wyclef Jean)] Some live for the bill Some kill for the bill (oh where my money at?) She whine for the bill Grind for the bill (oh where my money at?) Some steal for the bill, if they got to pay the bill (oh where my money at?) Tonight Wyclef, Akon, Weezy on the bill (oh) were my money at?
I'm tapping into my familial heritage, and celebrating all things Danish. Okay, so not really all things, just JUNIOR SENIOR. To be honest, I had to do research to provide any information about JUNIOR SENIOR. While I had heard their band name, I didn't know the music at all. Just the other day, I was introduced to the song Can I Get Get Get, and was immediately hooked! Apparently, this duo out of Denmark (Jesper Mortensen and Jeppe Laursen) has been rockin' the cool kids in Europe and Japan with their hip-hop/pop/synthy sound for years. Jesper and Jeppe (love the names) formed JUNIOR SENIOR in 1998, and released their first album in 2003. Their second, and most recent, album Hey Hey My My Yo Yo has been out abroad since 2005, but was just released in North America in August. So, now we folks over here in the U.S. can start catching up to the craze. I guess they had a kickin' U.S. Fall tour, featuring guest appearances from J.D. from Le Tigre and Peaches.
So back to the song. Love it! Featuring J.D.'s vocals with the band, this song is chock full of whole lot of '80s synth craziness, some cowbell, and super poppy vocals. It's feel good and hysterical! I need to hear this whole album. The music video for this tune is just as yummy. According to the note at the start of the video, it is a compilation of film clips that people sent to the band. Who knows how much of it really came from fans and how much they created (J.D. makes an appearance, I'm guessing this was planned), but regardless, the video rocks. Showing everyone from a long haired guy in a basement, to Japanese girls, to a young man in an alley, to groups of wildly dressed teenagers wearing fanny packs, the video makes me was to, uh, get get get to know know know know you better better baby. The obviously cheeky, over-the-top quality kind of makes me feel like I am being pulled into an '80s and early '90s music video black hole.
My verdict: this song is feel-good all the way. So much so, in fact, that it might almost be obnoxious if overused. But I love it! When used in moderation, I think this song will rock my world for a good long time. See what you think for yourself. Even if you hate the song, at least the video will be good for a laugh.
Lyrics: Can I Get Get Get Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby (4x)
A baby girl in those baby pants A come over here and take a second chance Take a second chance on me Cause I know you want to dance with me But you say, I don't do that kind of thing A say what, I don't do that kind of thing A why not, I don't do that kind of thing And you say, I don't do that kind of thing (okay)
Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better baby
A busy bee but I'm taking at ease A let's go home and throw away the key Away the key, are you coming with me So fancy free, but hey Out you say, I don't do that kind of thing And you say, I don't do that kind of thing A say what, I don't do that kind of thing Hey, I don't do that kind of thing
Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better baby
I know you wanna dance So come on and take a chance Take a second chance on me Cause I know you wanna dance
I know you wanna dance So come on and take a chance Take a second chance on me Cause I know you wanna dance
Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better baby
Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better better baby Can I get get get to know know know you better baby
M.I.A.'s new album Kala, without question, is awesome for shakin' your ass. Stellar for car dancing, amazing for cleaning dancing, perfect for cooking dancing, and effin' fabulous for show dancing - she was in Minneapolis last week at First Avenue. I saw the show, and as my friend John said, we "danced our faces off. I don't have a face anymore."
But there's more to M.I.A.'s music than ass shaking. Like Arular, her first album, Kala samples world music melodies, beats, and artists (for example "Mango Pickle Down River" features The Wilcannia Mob, a hip-hop group of 5 aboriginal boys from New South Wales, Australia). More significantly, she also incorporates the unveiled, confrontational twist of global political and social statements and themes. She samples on the unpredictable, sometimes volatile atmosphere of countries deemed "Third World", with her lyrics (from "World Town" - "Hands up!/Guns out!/Represent!/The World Town!") and her beats (please count the gun shot sounds - just try, or the sirens that are reminiscent of air raids). Anyone who has listened to her lyrics, read reviews, or heard an interview knows that M.I.A. has opinions, and isn't afraid to put 'em out there.
I'm going to highlight "$20", it was a hard choice between that and "Bamboo Banga" (that song makes me dance!). But I really love $20. Formally, I like the way it is mixed - the soaring, beautiful melodic vocals in the opening sequence and the chorus are in awesome contrast to heavy, rhythmic rapping on the verses, the dark, thick beats, and the omnipresent crashes/gunshot sounds. It's a little woozy, a little dizzying, and very kickass. Lyrically, she pulls in a whole lot. Read 'em, see what you think for yourself. They seem pretty accurate to the song, I tried my best to correct the errors I noticed, but if something seems really wrong, leave a comment and I'll fix it.
$20 War, war, war! Talkin' bout y'all's such a bore, I'd rather talk about moi!
Like do you know the cost of A.K.'s up in Africa? 20 dollars ain't shit to you, but that's how much they are So they gonna use the shit just to get by
Is those diamonds helpin' ya? Don't you like my bandanna? My stains hang low on my shirts like ayayay Monkey brains and banana I'll hit you with my antenna I put soap in my eye Make it red so I look raaa!
Ra ra So I woke up with my holy Koran and found out I like Cadillac So we shooting 'til the song is up Little boys are acting up Baby mothers are going crazy And the leaders all aroound Cracking up We goat rich, we fry Price of living in a shanty town Just seems very high We still like T.I. we still look fly Dancin' as we shootin' up, and lootin' just to get by.
With your feet on the air and your head on the ground Try this trick and spin it, yeah Your head'll collapse if there's nothing in it and you'll ask yourself: "Where is my mind?"
War, war, war! Who made me like this? Was it me and God in co-production? My devil's on speed dial every time I take the wrong direction.
All I want is one thing, and that is what you got. Sometimes I go lose my mind and then I feel numb.
There's 24 hours in a day I used to split it 8-8-8 8 work 8 sleep 8 for play Now I give it all it takes.
People on the Internet A new life for the intellect People judge me so hard coz I don't floss my titty set (?!) I was born out of dirt like I'm porn in a skirt I was a little girl who made good with all that blurt I put people on a map that never seen a map I show 'em somethin' that they've never seen and hope they make it back... _______________________________________ Here's a video of the song from a show in LA on 11/9/07 - not too bad a recording. I was really hoping for a Mpls recording, but YouTube did not provide.
I'm not super familiar with Northern State, other than they are hip-hop-ish and they are cool. My friend Kelly sent me the video for this song and she said it reminded her of me... was it the s'mores? the unicorns? or the super-gay rainbows and lightning bolts? Or maybe it's been all the shit we've had to go through just to ride the Friend-Ship together. Or it could be my ten-month journey to recovering from a identity-shattering breakup. After all the b.s. I went through, I didn't even know who I was anymore. I felt about 90 years old, and I finally had to admit to myself and my friends that I could no longer take care of myself. They pulled me up, dragged me out, introduced me to people, and made me laugh when all I wanted to do was die. I dedicated my life at that point to getting "better": I took the summer off, went camping, spent a week in DC, and really began to live for the first time in my life.
We don't have to leave the living room to have a good time- Everywhere we go- people want to know- We don't have to leave the living room to have a good time�K
Get ready, already, no time to waste No matter what we do it's still the case We're stuck in one place Like I'm standing on your shoelace We come face to face or Stand back to back We trick the train to stay on track
And we don't have to leave the living room to have a good time!
We going way out- now We gonna head down- now Singing hey now- Call when you're on my block at the end of your luck so-
we getting on we getting better already the truth be told you're know we're better already uh oh oh uh oh oh oh we getting on we getting better already
gotta get out of my own way so I could go my own way say what I wanna say on audio delay move my mouth and throw my voice retrace my steps, my choice, my plan begin again where we began
And we don't have to leave the living room to have a good time!
We going way out- now We gonna head down- now Singing hey now- Call when you're on my block at the end of your luck so-
we getting on we getting better already the truth be told you know we're better already uh oh oh uh oh oh oh we getting on we getting better already
Hey! Hey!
Deep water, deep cracks, deep holes and deep creases Deep sleeping dreams of broken pieces Pick them up and make them fit Quit or don't quit. Get even, some new shit can you believe in.
we getting on we getting better already the truth be told you know we're better already uh oh oh uh oh oh oh we getting on we getting better already (x2)
We don't have to leave the living room to have a good time- Everywhere we go- people want to know- We don't have to leave the living room to have a good time�K
