Musical legend Bad Bunny released his latest album, ‘YHLQMDLG’. It features fellow legend Daddy Yankee, Yaviah, Ñengo Flow, MORA, Jowell and Randy, Anuel AA, Myke Towers, Kendo Kaponi, Arcangel, Duki, and Pablo Chill-E. Stream the twenty-track LP in full below.
Lil Baby has dropped the Jon J-directed video for ‘Heatin Up featuring Gunna from his new album, ‘My Turn’, out today on Quality Control Music/Wolfpack Global/Motown Records/Capitol Music Group. Listen to the album, currently #1 on Apple Music below.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpsk-Evr8GM&h=315]
Baby has been one of the most dominant names in rap since he started and ‘My Turn sees him at the top of his game so far. In the past year, Baby has reached over eleven billion global streams, had five consecutive #1 songs at Urban radio (‘Yes Indeed’, ‘Drip Too Hard’ with Gunna, ‘Close Friends’, ‘Baby’ with DaBaby, and ‘Woah’), won his first ever award at the BET Awards for Best New Artist, earned a Grammy nomination with ‘Drip Too Hard’ for Best Rap/Sung Performance and had three Top 100 albums in 2019 alone. ‘Woah’ is RIAA certified platinum and ‘Sum 2 Prove’ is RIAA certified gold.
‘My Turn’ marks Baby’s first new project since 2018’s ‘Street Gossip’ and Baby calls it, “my best work to date.” The album also sees guest spots from Lil Wayne, Future, Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Uzi Vert, Moneybagg Yo, Rylo Rodriguez and 42 Dugg throughout. With such a rapid rise and a relentless stream of hits, it’s clear that Lil Baby is one of the greatest modern success stories in Hip-Hop.
Max B, who was once facing up to seventy-five years in person, is back with a twenty-six-track album called: Wave Pack. ‘Give Dem Hoes Up’ made me laugh.’Why You Do That’ is my top pick. ‘Give Dem Hoes Up’ made me laugh. Listen to the project, which appears to have unreleased music from last decade on it, below.
After recently wrapping a full run of European tour dates, Mac DeMarco is back to share the video for “Salad Days” single “Passing Out Pieces” in conjunction with the announcement of more upcoming tour dates. The video, directed by Mac’s bassist Pierce McGarry, sees Mac both giving and taking life and features appearances from his drummer Joe McMurrary as well as Alex Calder. It’s the first clip from Mac’s lauded new album “Salad Days,” but anyone that’s been keeping tabs on Mac for some time now knows to expect even more great and bizarre videos to come. Check out all of Mac’s upcoming tour dates, the “Passing Out Pieces” video and what the press has been saying about “Salad Days” below.
06-04 Dawson City, Yukon – SOVA
06-12 Brooklyn, NY – House of Vans ~
06-18 Sainte-Therese-De-Blainville, QC – Bar Le Cha Cha #
06-20 Toronto, ON – Opera House [NXNE] &
06-21 Toronto, ON – Dundas Square [NXNE] !
06-23 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue and 7th Street Entry #
06-24 Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre #
06-25 Saskatoon, SK – Amigos Cantina [Saskatachewan Jazz Festival] #
06-27 Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room #
06-28 Calgary, AB – Republik #
07-01 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre #
07-02 Victoria, BC – Sugar #
07-04 Trois-Riviere, Quebec – Trois-Rivières FestiVoix Festival
07-06 Ottawa, Ontario – Ottawa Bluesfest
07-08 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall $
07-09 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall #
07-10 Big Sur, CA – Loma Vista +
07-11 Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda %
07-14 Denver CO – Bluebird Theater +
07-15 Lincoln, NE – Vega +
07-16 St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House +
07-17 Columbus, OH – Skully’s *
07-18 Buffalo, NY – Tralf Music Hall *
07-19 Washington DC – 9:30 Club @
08-01 Montreal, QC – Osheaga Festival
08-02 Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon
08-03 Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon
08-08 Gothenburg, Sweden – Tradgam, Stay Out West Festival
08-09 Oslo, Norway – Oya Festival
08-10 Helsinki, Finland – Flow Festival
08-13 Tel Aviv, Israel – Barby
08-14 Hasselt, Belgium – Pukkelpop
08-15 Glanusk, UK – Green Man Festival
08-16 Saint-Malo, France – La Route du Rock
08-17 Hamburg, Germany – Dockville
08-18 Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
08-21 Parades De Coura, Portugal – Parades de Coura Festival
08-22 Paris, France – Rock En Seine
08-24 Los Angeles, CA – FYF Fest
08-30 Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot
10-04 Austin TX – Austin City Limits
10-11 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10-12 Miami, FL – MANA Wynwood (Mac solo show)
11-11 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
11-21 Berlin, Germany – Heimathafen Neukölln
11-23 Brighton, UK – Concorde 2
11-24 Leeds, UK – The Irish Centre
11-25 London, UK – The Forum
11-27 Lyon, France – Epicerie Moderne
11-28 Barcelona, Spain – Sala Apolo
11-29 Nimes, France – Paloma
11-30 Milan, Italy – Magnolia
12-01 Zurich, Switzerland – Clubraum Rote Fabrik
~ with Charles Bradley
(#) with Calvin Love, Meatbodies
+ with Calvin Love
^ with Meatbodies
& with Panache NXNE Showcase with Calvin Love, Saint Rich, Meatbodies
! with Spoon
$ with Calvin Love, Holy Shit
% with Calvin Love, Meatbodies, Holy Shit
@ with Delicate Steve, Calvin Love
* with Delicate Steve
For more Mac DeMarco, just click here.
Tuesday afternoon around 3PM, my Editor and I were still awaiting confirmation for SiriusXM’s exclusive listening party for Maxi Priest’s upcoming album, Easy To Love. Needless to say I was excited, and we received confirmation late Tuesday evening. The next day I had so much to do, I made sure to prepare myself early on before rushing out at 1PM to handle business and catch lunch with my bestie. By the time I arrived home at 4:45PM, I quickly freshened up and was back out the door in under 10 minutes, something that never happens, unless you don’t mind me going out with flip flops and a yellow blanket wrapped around my shoulders. Yes, I will leave the house in a blanket if I don’t have time to get ready (ask anyone that knows me). Did I mention I was late for my breakfast-turned-lunch date? This is just to give you an idea how determined I was to get to this event on time. I was ready early. The only downside was since I was without my phone charger all day, I noticed while heading out for the second time, that I only had 15% battery. I hurriedly grabbed my charger and rushed out the door.
I arrived at SiriusXM radio’s offices at 6PM sharp, and it was a pleasant mixture of people mingling and eating food catered by The Door restaurant, which is located no more than five minutes from my home in Queens. It was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and guests were dressed comfortably. In desperation I scoped the main sitting room for any outlets, and realized I was out of luck. I, then, went to grab a quick beverage and snack from the selections. The Door did the damn thing! Guests were served corn bread, rice and peas (or peas and rice depending on what part of the Caribbean you’re from), festival, beef and chicken mini patties, jerk chicken wings, and a tofu vegetarian mix. Since I’m partial to spicy cuisine, I have to say that the jerk wings were slammin’. I could go on about the food, but I won’t, after all, everyone was in attendance to see Maxi Priest.
After finishing up quickly, I finally found a charger in the ladies room foyer and managed to get my phone to 50% before they opened the press room for the event. I walked toward the press room with my Red Stripe in hand, but was told I could not enter with it and had no problem leaving it with the security. Seating was reserved for press, and once the door was closed we were enclosed in a sound proof bubble with a large audience on the other side of the glass. After a short time, Maxi Priest entered the press room, and so did his amazing aura of humility. He stood in front of us and gave the room an once-over with a wide, genuine smile. You could “feel” he was happy to be there and that he appreciated us all. In fact, so much that before we [the press] could welcome him, he applauded US. I was in awe already. His presence was a blessing, as not many people can walk into a room and do such a thing.
We then stood up, clapped, and welcomed him in turn. Once everyone settled in their seats, Maxi Priest and DJ Baby Face were formally introduced by Host Pat McKay. I have to say Pat was an amazing host. She asked all the questions fans would want to know and while Maxi’s answers were inevitably deep, she kept the evening light-hearted.
Maxi Priest started off the evening by sharing initially, he didn’t know what a listening party was. He then stated, “This is an experience that I’m hoping everyone will enjoy with me. Take that ride with me, with my brand new CD, and we can all enjoy it. You know, first and foremost I want to give thanks and praise unto the most high. Jah! Jah Bless, you understand, because we have to give thanks and praises every time, because without him nothing in this world is possible. Then, I want to say thank you to SiriusXM for allowing us to all gather here. At the end of the day, you know, we all need to support this thing, because this thing called Reggae Music is us. It’s our thing. It is us. We are the cog in the wheel, and we have to kind of like, start the roll so that the wheel rolls and we can all progress.” This intro was one of many highlights throughout the evening.
Another highlight was when he passionately says “All I bring to the table is love, and if anyone has a problem with that, they’ll have to take it up with God.” To which he asks, “Am I right?” Then asks “How unna sound so low?” Mi talk to my people dem and mi nah get a yay or a nay, am I speaking foreign?!” and everyone resounded with laughter, woops and other inaudible calls. “He wants us to turn up”, someone behind me commented. It was pure entertainment. This made me think of how times have changed since the Lovers Rock generation. I grew up listening to the music of that era, and it couldn’t be more different from the music we blast through our sound systems at gatherings, and parties today.
Lovers rock is a style of Reggae music largely popular from the 1960’s-70’s, distinct for its romantic style and content. Today we have Dancehall, Ragga, Reggaeton, and Reggae Fusion – an exciting mix of music genres with Reggae. We have come a long way. Although Reggae has changed drastically from what it was then, some argue that it has changed for the better since the genre has become more mainstream. Others argue that it changed for the worst because of its blatant sexualization and hardcore lyrics. Despite these views, it’s hard to deny the popularity of Reggae music, then and now. A few questions our host Pat asked were “What’s your favorite Lovers Rock Dennis tune? [Have you] ever used a Dennis Brown song to try and get close to a girl or did you ever sing a Dennis Brown song to impress somebody?” to which Maxi cites Dennis Brown to be his greatest inspiration and responds to our surprise and delight by breaking into a beautiful rendition of “Should I Have Faith” by Dennis Brown.
Another great question was “Who do you listen to today? Name one artist”, to which he was more hesitant to give an answer, explaining that he would rather not single out any artists, as they are all great and do great work but as Pat pressed him for specifics he named [to my delight] Reggae Artist Konshens. Pat also asked what inspired his new album “Easy To Love” and gave us a snippet of a conversation with popular artist Beres Hammond.
Beres’ advice: “We haffa bring back the thing where men and women dance together, with respect.” He goes on to say, “Beres is one of our treasures. You know, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with Beres from way back in the day and got a lot of his guidance as well, throughout this business. It’s actually him that inspired this album. He kept kind of vibin’ me and telling me ‘Boy ,you should do something with VP and them, and keep it grounded’. He’s actually the person that initiated this album. You know and I also want to big up VP, nuff respect for VP! That is the foundation, that is the home, you know when you look, that is the home that is left for our music.”
I agreed wholeheartedly with his sentiment. Throughout the night I had the pleasure of meeting various industry players, but my favorite among them was Pat from VP Records. She is amazing and adorable! Before Maxi arrived, Pat went around greeting guests and made sure everyone was comfortable and had what they needed. VP Records is a beacon in my community of Jamaica, Queens, enduring the test of time and still standing when all other record shops closed their doors after the digital age of music sharing and purchasing took over the industry. VP Records is the only record label that represents the full spectrum of Caribbean music, and that alone speaks for itself.
https://youtu.be/AN25cGQUPRI
In response to what he’s been doing to keep busy, Priest says he’s been living life and mentioned he just returned from doing a “massive stage show” in Trinidad and Tobago with Super Cat. Truly, Maxi Priest hasn’t missed a beat. If we haven’t heard much from him, it’s only because there is so much noise out there today, and simply because we haven’t really been listening. Maxi Priest discussed coming out of the box and his music not being boxed in to any race, color or creed and classifies himself as a “Worldlion” and his sound as “World music”.
Is Reggae in need of some love? Absolutely. Are we lacking some romance, some foreplay? Without a doubt. The listening was a success, and Maxi’s upcoming album is like a breath of fresh air. His voice is as smooth and infectious as ever and he hasn’t changed one bit. He’s still a lover, ready to sing to the ladies and spread his own brand of love… and yes, Maxi is “Easy To Love”. He also knows what the fans are missing and he supplies it with effortless authenticity. He doesn’t sound dated or forced, because he embodies the era, and years later, he is still the handsome, youthful man we know and love. I honestly believe Lovers Rock will never go out of style, as there is just something about the classics that no one can deny. Just the same, no one can deny Maxi Priest’s new album is just as good as the smooth tunes we jammed to growing up. I’m looking forward to supporting the movement and welcome the “Return of Lovers Rock!”
“Easy To Love” is available now for pre-order: Click this link to purchase. *Listening event by VP Records and The Jamaica Tourist Board for SiriusXM Radio.
For more Maxi Priest, just click here.
Odd Future’s Trash Talk are back with an announcement detailing the release of their fifth studio album, No Peace. Due May 27th via Odd Future Records, the band is sharing their lead single “Cloudkicker” along with album details (including its cover art created by legendary filmmaker and photographer AriMarcopoulos). Check out the new track, full album details, album pre-order link, and the band’s remaining tour dates with The Dillinger Escape Plan below.
No Peace is a promise and a threat. It’s the name of 32 minutes of recorded concussions delivered by Trash Talk on Odd Future Records. It is Hardcore Punk, it is Hardcore Hip-Hop, it’s a way of telling you to shut the fuck up if you’re try to pigeonhole it.
There’s a certain futility in trying to translate Trash Talk’s assault into adjectives. The only possible response when hearing No Peace is to start a mosh pit or crack someone in the ribs. You should probably seem them live, honestly. Lee Spielman incites the crowd like a Hun. The guitars and drums blister. The crowd becomes a melee. There will probably be blood. It’s like if Black Flag got pulled under the Timbo’s of M.O.P. If you got sent to the firing squad, middle fingers up, I would recommend that you play this.
No Peace is music for the sake of aggression. Recorded in New York City, this is the closest Trash Talk has come to capturing the chaos on wax. Legendary Hip-Hop producer Alchemist contributes two filthy beats that Trash Talk drag through the gutter, knuckles up. Drums like brass knuckles. A bonus track features King Krule and Wiki from Rat King spitting rain on soft skulls.
Trash Talk are as mad as anyone, so they snap back. They aren’t trying to tell lucid stories as much as vividly render emotions. It sounds like bone shards swirling in a hurricane. As The Fader said:
Pitchfork called their previous EP Awake, “thrilling and great,” giving it “Best New Music.”
The lyrics are an attempt to figure things out. Stitch the phrases together and it’s an almost universal indictment: “I’ve made mistakes…. I’m sick of it… It’s been that way for far too long… thought I’d leave a legacy after me… don’t ever forget this is what you chose… shaved my head, bit my tongue… crack rock… junked up passed out… crashed out on the overpass… traded in a dream now I need a needle to sleep.”
This isn’t some idle fixation for the edge. This captures the squalor and unpleasant scenes that occur outside of the band’s L.A. warehouse headquarters. Shit is real if you’re paying attention. No Peace will ensure you are. Bang it loud until your eardrums pop.
4/22 – Senator Theatre – Chico, CA
4/23 – DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
4/24 – Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA
4/25 – The Glass House – Pamona, CA
4/26 – Porters Pub – La Jolla, CA
* all dates with The Dillinger Escape Plan
For more Trash Talk, just click here.
On Tuesday evening, the team set out to attend Sage The Gemini’s album release party at Brother Jimmy’s in Union Square; eagerly anticipated the man of the night’s arrival with an alleged childhood friend. We’ll keep his name private.
If you’re not familiar with the artist, you’ve probably heard his music before. He is best known for his hit single “Gas Pedal” featuring fellow Californian and HBK Gang affiliate IamSu, which peaked at #29 on the Billboard 100, and “Red Nose”, which also peaked at #54 on the Hot 100, all of which can be found on his previously released EP “Gas Pedal” and his new album “Remember Me”.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8LUd51IuiA&h=315]
As recapped by my Music Manager, upon entering the room, he was greeted by a diverse audience. They were all supporting Sage The Gemini on his latest accomplishment, an album release, but with various intentions. In any event, the spacious room quickly filled up with supporters and free alcoholic drinks with the purchase of a Sage’s album kept the bartender busy, working triple-time. Heeding to comments of slightly watered-down mixed drinks, Yen (Music Manager) made the most of his time at the bar with few a shots of Patrón to jump start the experience.
As stated by the four team members who attended, the food was served in a Superbowl party style as a courtesy of Brother Jimmy’s BBQ and it was available to whoever was willing to indulge. Buckets of Brother Jimmy’s chicken wings and well-dressed nacho platters became an afterthought, as the people silently testified in agreement, plate by plate. Not only was the food really good but surprisingly to one of the team members, he won a raffle. Unluckily, he was outside making a phone call so he couldn’t claim it. If claimed, he was promised to attend an after party plus one with the recording artist “and more”, in which I am still not entirely clear on. I don’t think anyone was.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-YY5p0uq8&h=315]
“Remember Me” spun on repeat and the official videos of his more notable records “Gas Pedal” and “Red Nose” continuously played on the television screens. His music, full of heavy baselines, catchy hooks, and a mixture of West Coast undertones definitely reflected on the rhythmic movements of his audience. Besides the two notable tracks mentioned, that are getting heavy radio play, it was difficult to establish any connection to the remaining records on the album. We anticipated an attention-grabber or vibe-changing audio. It never came.
Unfortunately, this event definitely felt more like an industry after-work event as opposed to an album release or listening session, with the absence of the man of the hour, Sage The Gemini, appearing to his own celebration. However, with a full day consisting of an 106 & Park video debut, live Twitter feed interviews, and a variety of press and media scheduled events, we all know the label logistics can often interfere with and sometimes sabotage their own artist branding with lack luster events. We’re sure he’s a great guy. We just didn’t see him.
When I asked my other team members what they thought about the event in general, there were questions about who might have handled the event and later, there was suggestion that perhaps, interns handling the event.
“It was just… I don’t know. It was just an event. We went around the room, networked with everyone. That was basically the whole night. It wasn’t that good. I didn’t hate it, but it was kind of — bullshit, because he didn’t even show up,” one team member shared.
“One of his childhood friends was really anxious to see him,” another team member shared. “He hadn’t seen in years.”
We’d like to thank Peeps Out for inviting us and taking handling our requests.
Words by Richardine Bartee & Yen
For more Sage The Gemini, just click here.
On the day of her debut LP release, Mr Little Jeans is proud to release the video for single “Good Mistake” on NPR. The video was directed by Ian & Cooper who commented,
[quote]we fell in love with Good Mistake the first time we heard it. It has such a palpable mood and energy, and there’s something inherently cinematic about it. Monica was looking for something atmospheric and a little dark, and from there we came up with this abstract narrative about a hardened truck driver rediscovering his childhood over the course of a surreal night. We shot at a real truck stop in the desert between L.A. and Vegas-in pouring rain-which helped lend some grit to this strange world.[/quote]
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_2TR3p7Qkk&h=315]
April 3 – Popscene – San Francisco, CA
April 5 – Album Release Show, Bootleg Theater – Los Angeles, CA
Montreal’s current beat renaissance is a melting pot of hybrid sounds and aesthetics as diverse as the city itself. Yet for all of the exciting electronic producers this new scene has spawned, no one is as unique a personality as High Klassifed. Armed with a Louis bag full of 808s, a half-full bottle of Hennessy, and melodies as stratospheric as his high-top fade, High Klassifed makes his Fool’s Gold debut with the striking Palindroma EP. The four hypnotic tracks showcase High Klassified’s signature stew of post-trap drum programming and luxurious, dream-like synth lines, demanding repeat listens of the entire release. Come aboard and float away with Canada’s finest…
He’s been a featured performer on Boiler Room Montreal, Igloofest, RBMA Bass Camp and other high-profile bills and direct support for Chromeo, Lunice, and many more. He has also garnered acclaim from FACT, This Song Is Sick, Societe Perrier, Earmilk, Good Music All Day, Dancing Astronaut and collaborated with A-Trak and Lex Luger on the upcoming Low Pros EP.
Stream Palindroma via this link and order it on iTunes when you’re ready.
Miami, FL – Fool’s Gold Party @ Grand Central, March 28
NYC – Glasslands, April 24
Asheville, NC – Moogfest, April 27
Washington, DC – Trapitol Hill, May 17
San Francisco, CA – F8, May 24
For more High Klassified, just click here.
Brooklyn-born rapper and digital phenom Junglepussy (Shayna McHayle) just announced her self-released debut full-length album Satisfaction Guaranteed with REVOLT TV, along with a free download of her lead title track. The project is due out March 2014 and features 100% original production by Shy Guy, beatmaker for Le1f, Black Dave, Bodega Bamz, Tink, Grande Marshall, Haleek Maul and more. Junglepussy matches Shy Guy’s sleek, forward-thinking production punch-for-punch, delivering a feel-good, attitude-copping goldmine of wit and wisdom that is indeed Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Junglepussy hit the music scene hard last fall with her fierce look and smooth club bangers chock-full of unapologetic rhymes, quotable lines and trunk-rattling beats. The 21-year-old talent’s since been dropping singles and collaborating with fellow underground Hip-Hop luminaries Tink, Dai Burger, and Le1f. She just just opened for Theophilus London at Milk Studios NYFW party, and even Erykah Badu just tweeted about her racy and explosive music video “Cream Team”. Watch the teaser for the title track below:
When she’s not getting it live at parties or recording hits, the rapstress spends time with her Trinidadian and Jamaican parents in her native Brooklyn, along with balancing full courseload at FIT. Whatever she does, Junglepussy keeps it real with a flavor all her own, Satisfaction Guaranteed.
For more Junglepussy, just click here.