Yoh yoh yoh, this track is blowing up on the local charts rights now, and with good reason. Kwesta brings us a banger that combines an old school kwaito vibe with a new school future bass twist - laced with his signature gravelly voice that locks in the groove potential. Assisted by Cassper Nyovest with an equally potent verse, Ngud' is a feel good track set to remain on repeat on the Supersonic playlist for a long time. uSwag 9000. (download)
The polarizing new album from Kanye West was truly something unexpected from the mad genius, an album which doesn't have anything for the radio, nor anything for the clubs, nor anything for a casual listen on a Sunday afternoon, but rather a dark journey into the artist's manic vision. The album has an extremely dark tone, with a combination of seemingly bizarre influences ranging from industrial rock to acid house and techno to dancehall and other eclectic sounds.
The controversially-titled Yeezus is Kanye's most experimental and unorthodox release yet, and features the rapper at his most aggressive and dangerous. Filled with as many racially charged political statements as filthy lines about bad bitches, lyrically he takes the ironic position of "anti-celebrity" and music's king of controversy. However, whereas many contemporary artists try to create shock value for it's own sake, Kanye actually has the skills and motives to back it up. He claimed to not really care about selling records anymore, just releasing music that we can enjoy, and while I can safely say that most people will probably not enjoy this music, I know that I do (but then again, I am a giant fan of Kanye).
In all honesty, you have to listen to this album 3 or 4 times before it stops becoming such a jarring assault on the ears, but once you do you can really appreciate it for what it is. And what it is is Kanye's Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy turned even more dark and twisted, where he travels uncharted sonic territory in search of his own sanity, trying to escape the tabloids and the fame but never truly being able to anyway. It is an album which only Kanye West could have ever made, and it's tenacious 'anti-pop' attitude makes for some really hard-hitting music that throws traditional structure and musicality out the window in what could start a new movement in hip hop. Say what you want about Mr West and his massive ego, but he is still on the forefront of his genre and a musical force to be reckoned with in any capacity.
BONUS TRACK:
Check out this super fresh hard-hitting remix from French producer DJ Snake of New Slaves that takes Kanye's epic banging beat and turns it into a fricking bananas trap/bass dancefloor smasher, free download too! Thanks DJ Snake! Cobra venom on this one dude, will definitely destroy those Hampton houses and spouses and blouses.
Getting local today with South African alternative Afrikaans rap group Bittereinder. I am a bit late with posting this one but give me a break, I only checked it the other day. It's the music video for their latest single off their most recent album Dinkdansmasjien (Think-Dance-Machine). The track is called Kwaad Naas (how South African people pronounce "quite nice") and has a very bouncy crunchy and infectious electro beat, quite lekker if you ask me, but that's because it's produced by beat-wizard Peach Van Pletzen aka Yesterday's Pupil (blogged about in Feb) who makes up one third of Bittereinder. The song also features a rap from none other than lead singer of South African indie band Desmond and the Tutus, Shane Durrant. Love the video, love the track, love the lyrics, love local, kiff my bru's. Tshek it out my chinas:
Mr West recently tweeted the date June 18th, and in doing so revealed the release date of his next album to the public in rather unspectacular fashion, but nevertheless its exciting news for Kanye fans! It seems that Mr West has kept the production of this album very quiet as June 18th is relatively close. I suppose he wants to keep it's content a secret which is cool and mysterious. But then again, album release dates are "announced" all the time so don't take my (or rather his) word for it. Rumour has it he has worked with the likes of the mighty Daft Punk once again on this album, amongst other guests, exciting! Most often one can always expect great things from the this musical maverick, and let's hope he avoids the mistakes of 2012's supremely average G.O.O.D Music group compilation, Kanye is far better solo without the likes of 2 Chainz and other idiotically-named untalented rappers. While you wait patiently, here is a Kanye classic and an all-time favourite tune here at SuperSonic SpeakerBox.
Kanye has been busy creating hype for his next album this past week and weekend, performing new songs from the album on Saturday Night Live and revealing it's title, Yeezus. Kanye seems to have a serious god-complex these days. Anywho, the always innovative and ever-unpredictable Mr West debuted the single New Slaves by projecting a video for it simultaneously on walls in 66 different locations around the US and other places in the world. It seems that June 18th is not such an unbelievable release date after all! Also, the album artwork for Yeezus has also been revealed, no comment from me.
Check out a vid of one of the projections of the New Slaves premiere that took place:
The moment that all Cudder fans have been waiting for has arrived! The release of Kid Cudi's 3rd album (excluding his alt-rock side project WZRD). Much like his second album Man On The Moon II, I found it somewhat bizzare and difficult to listen to the first time, but after multiple listens it really starts to grow on you like moss grows on a rock in a moist jungle.
This time around it is evident that the Kid has been hanging with producers and bands like MGMT and Ratatat because he now produced the album himself. Although he is new to the production scheme of things, it doesnt really show, as he manages to make some quality beats. Fans would be delighted to hear that he is clearly back on drugs again, as can be heard in the experimentality of sounds and of course the multiple references to dropping acid and such in the lyrics. Other topics covered lyrically include how much the Wizard doesnt care about what the haters say, how out of his mind he is, how much he loves his fam, friends and fans, the struggles of fame, fortune and loneliness, and of course having a good time with the bitches (naturally).
The overall sound of the album is relatively dark and futuristic, but as I mentioned earlier he really has an interesting sonic style as a producer, an amalgamation of his influences from psychadellic alternative rock to classic hip hop, with some spacey samples and a selection of well chosen guest features, and a couple of instrumental beats thrown in too, really cool in the author's opinion. People always seem to complain that he will never be able to top his first hit album with it's more easily accessible sounds and catchy melodies and hooks, but you have to admire that the Cudder is always experimenting with new sounds and styles, always coming up with something new and unique. That is what makes Kid Cudi one of the freshest names in modern hip hop and that won't change.
My top tracks from the album include the King Chip collaboration Just What I Am (blogged about in Febuary), King Wizard, Brothers featuring King Chip & A$AP Rocky, New York City Rage Fest, Beez featuring RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, Immortal, Burn Baby Burn and finally Afterwards (Bring Yo Friends) featuring King Chip and (strangely) Michael Bolton. The latter song for me is something really special and strange, with a duration of 9 minutes, it is an outer space after party with an wicked beat that progresses and transports you to the strange planet that Mr Mescudi resides on. At first the Michael Bolton vocals seem really weird, I mean, it's friggin Michael Bolton, but when you forget who it is you realise that they sound perfect on the track.
Overall the Cudder has managed to impress once again with an impressive, innovative, experimental and (appropriately) dope album. Definitely worth a listen for any self-respecting Kid Cudi fan.
I''m usually not a fan of Tyler, I find his music far too nihilistic, dark and apathetic. But having said that, you can't deny that the man is talented, his creative output in terms of music, video and even design has a very specific aesthetic that is quite avant-garde and always pushing boundaries if nothing else. He has just released his third album, Wolf, and although I have not (and probably won't) listen to it, he released a single called IFHY and accompanying video for the song featuring Pharrell that really piqued my interest. Personally his most pallet-able track to date, I really love the angst and raw lyrics as well as the sparse booming Pharrell beat, but most of all I love the video. Directed by Tyler himself, it is yet another showcase of his off-the-wall creative talent and multiple personalities and his signature "fucked-up-ness". Check it out below, awesome stuff.
One of SuperSonic SpeakerBox's favourite MC's, Lupe Fiasco, has just dropped a brand new track on us like a net on top of a frightened bear. After releasing his highly anticipated 4th album Food & Liquor 2 at the end of last year, which I was personally rather disappointed by, with only a handful of standout singles that left the rest of the album sounding mediocre, not typical of the high standards set by Lupe in his previous three critically aclaimed records. Nevertheless Lupe's lyrical content and magnificently conceptualised raps were on point as always, and the album was nominated in the Best Rap album category at the Grammy awards (not that we care). Anyways the album was planned to be released in two parts, leaving us hoping for more Fiasco fire with the release of the other half. But alas, that has now been cancelled, and a new album has been announced for this year called Tetsuo & Youth. The genius that is Lupe is always toying with the idea of quitting music, but with a creativity and talent as tremendous as his he simply cant seem to resist making more cerebral rap music for our ears and minds, and we're not complaining.
I digress, the point of this post is that he has released a new track called Light Blue. Not quite sure if it will be on the new album, but I quite like the sound of it. The beat is quite tight, electronic, bassy and head-bounce inducing. The lyrics will pass over the head of the average ignoramus hip hop fan, but that's exactly how we like it. Mr Fiasco, never stop making the intelligent and infectious hip hop that you do so well!
Top down chillin'. Ideal for some new tunes. There were a few tunes that were on repeat for this week.
Mac Miller feat Kendrick lamar and Iman Omari - Fight The Feeling
Mac Miller makes some of the laid back hip-hop I've ever heard. And it's sick! Fight the Feeling is off his independent mixtape Macadelic released in March 2012. Produced by Iman Omari who also lays down the hook and Kendrick with another verse. I don't even need to talk about Kendrick's mad skills. Overall, sick track besides for the porno part at the end (good heavens!)
Easily one of the beautiful and well produced progressive house/trance tracks I've ever heard. BT has been around forever and you can hear it in his production quality. Skylarking is almost 11 minutes long and it's a masterpiece. And that's the end of that.
Dinka and Leventina , two Swiss Dj's have taken their classic progressive track from 2010 and turned it into a track suitable for 2013. Its absolutely crazy!
Gabe - Downer (Original Mix)
This one is for all the deep house fans. This sick organ based deep house track has been played many times in the last week. You definitely have to turn the bass up for this one!
Happy Valentine's Day! To all you silky smooth slick-talkers, wannabe Romeos, desperate Juliets, undercover lovers and hopeless romantics, Supersonic Speakerbox wishes you love and happiness and peace in the galaxy. To celebrate this most romantic of days on the calender, we're posting the only Valentine's Day song even worth listening to, Happy Valentine's Day by Outkast, a funky number from way back in 2003 from their number 1 album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Enjoy and remember to stank me later!
Whatsup young homies. I've been rather quiet on SSSB so far but things are about to change. 2012 was a great year for music and with difficulty I've chosen my top 5 in no particular order. Give them a listen!
Skeleton Key by Pleasurekraft feat. Green Velvet
Pleasurekraft has a habit of making catchy tunes that you can't seem to get out of your head. Remember Tarantula? Personally I think Skeleton Key is his best work to date. This bouncy tech track with a massive bassline had me listening to it the whole year. The vocals sound like they come from a 1970's pimp daddy and the drop comes out of nowhere to smash you in the brain! Pleasurekraft feat. Green Velvet - Skeleton Key (Original Mix) [Great Stuff] Money Trees by Kendrick Lamar feat. Anna Wise & Jay Rock
If you enjoy hip hop and you havent heard this track by now then your life is a lie. Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid m.A.A.d City is a classic record and Money Trees is definitely the best song on the album. SSSB think this may be the best hip hop track of the year. Kendrick has one of the best flows I've heard and Anna Wise and Jay Rock make this track even better. It has an infectious hook over a beat that samples Beach House's track Silver Soul. That's just how I feel, Ya Bish! Money Trees - Kendrick Lamar
Buzz Killington by Paul Thomas (Funkagenda Remix)
Dubstep is certainly not my favourite genre of dance music. To me 95% of it is noise, but some of it is pure gold. Buzz Killington is pure gold. Funkagenda normally sticks to the tech/progressive side of things but came out with this smashing melodic dubstep track. It took me a while to get into it but it's without a doubt one of the my all time favourites. The build up is huge and the drop is even bigger. Below is a preview. Massive! Paul Thomas - Buzz Killington [Funkagenda Remix] [FF013] by Funkagenda
Adam Freeland - We Want Your Soul (Klangkarussell Remix)
Deep house over the last few years has grown massively in South Africa and there's some amazing deep house that's being produced at the moment. This track's vocals have an ideological undertone about the government and corporations that feed us information that inevitably leads to them controlling us. This an amazing track. Take a listen. We Want Your Soul (Klangkarussell Remix) by Klangkarussell
Giuseppe Ottaviani feat. Betsie Larkin - Toys
If anyone went to watch Dash Berlin Godskitchen in South Africa last year you will remember that he opened with his own mashup of Toys and By The Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was an unbelievable moment that I will never forget. This track is pure trance magic. Its near impossible to find this mashup but the original is just as good. Turn it up! Giuseppe Ottaviani & Betsie Larkin - Toys
Tozz
The Cudder is back with the latest single off his upcoming album Indicud, his much anticipated third album, set for release in March this year. The Kid is talented, an innovator, and has his own unique flow. The new single is straight stoner rap (if there is such a genre) and we love it that way.
The slow booming beat is mesmerising and laid back and the perfect accompaniment for Cudi's dope flow (excuse the pun). The track is pretty much about getting high and Cudi's inner turmoil, and could easily have been from his previous album judging by the return to a similar sound. He also shares the track with fellow rapper King Chip (previously Chip Tha Ripper, I'm guessing his real name is Chip, and he'll probably change his name to Simba Chip on the next Cudi album), but chip-jokes aside, his verse is really tight on the beat and his style is quite similar to Mescudi's, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
The music video is really great, and directed by Scott Mescudi himself. Loving the trippy video effects and the slow rolling in the Cadillac in outer space, you really get the effect of being high when you watch it, so I think they achieved their goal. Not quite sure about the golden frame though, perhaps Cudi is trying to say it's a work of art, I'll let you decide for yourself.
