I know I'm a bit late with this, but if you actually read this blog you've put up with far worse.
1. Wavves
I know I should've already loved the music of Nathan Williams based on The Fader's recommendation, but it was a bit too experimental for me until he hooked up with members of Jay Reatard's band (may Jay rest in peace) and dropped King of the Beach, which I put on the playlist at WVMM and rocked regularly on The Fox and the Hound Show. Psychedelic surf punk never sounded so good.
2. Chiddy Bang
Another artist I probably should have been up on, considering their origins in Philly's college party scene and flair for indie-dance samples, Chiddy came into my life when I helped some friends push for his inclusion in this year's SAB concert schedule. Since then, I've seen him put on a great live show [review here], spun the crap out of The Preview EP on The Fox and the Hound, and been mildly obsessed with the way Air Swell helps recontextualize music I loved in England for American hip-hop heads.
3. Nicki Minaj
I am a converted hater. I used to think Nicki was just playing Kim to Wayne's Biggie, ghostwriting and all, and then I heard "Monster". One of two songs that redeemed the over-appreciated My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, it did so almost solely on the wings of a verse twice the length and twice the quality of any guest verse done all year. Fortunately, this conversion experience opened me up to exploring the depth of Nicki's schizophrenic output, a journey I have enjoyed immensely. Download Kingdom's "Nicki-centric" edit here.
4. The Dirty Heads
One of the first artists Jared introduced me to when we kicked off The Fox and the Hound Show this fall, The Dirty Heads became one of the most frequently played, both on the show and in our apartment. This is the sound of Sublime for a new generation, stamped with approval by an opening slot on the Sublime with Rome tour.
5. Paper Route
I've been hearing good things about Paper Route for a while, and finally caught them live at Purple Door, where they got the folk crowd at the Gallery Stage dancing to a compelling concoction of propulsive electronic beats, organic instrumentation, and dueling vocals. Hopefully the unfortunate departure of founding member Andy Smith will not hinder their Universal Motown follow-up too much.
6. The Wiyos
When I pulled the Wiyos' Broken Land Bell off the shelf in the studio at the V, Jared had no idea one of he and his dad's favorite bands was playing B-sides the next day. His enthusiasm was infectious, and for once a live act not only lived up to, but exceeded the hype. Their vaudevillian antics had me convinced I was hearing the best bits of my grandparents' record collection performed live [show review here].
7. Aaron Lee Martin
The soulful folk this singer-songwriter plays proved both a complement and a contrast to the mournful message that brought him to Messiah-mountaintop removal coal mining awareness. He was our first live performance on The Fox and the Hound [review here], and has been performing on record ever since.
8. Jamie Kent & the Options
A cheery blend of blues and pop that overcame circumstances and drew a decent crowd on a Tuesday night at Messiah [review here], Jamie Kent & the Options bring infectious hooks that match their infectious good humor. I'm trying to talk B-sides into bringing them back for a more official show next semester.
9. The New Division
Wearing their influences proudly on their sleeves, The New Division's nostalgic electronica has even been recognized by the snobs at Pitchfork. I will be seeing them live for the first time in the near future, and I'm pretty psyched about it. Look forward to the release of their EP The Rookie on the 11th. [edit: went to the release show, review here]
10. The Drastics
There is nothing like reggae to blast away the cold of winter with recorded summer warmth, and The Drastics play every variety of reggae very, very well. Since their phenomenal show at Messiah [review here], their endless free mixtapes and the inclusion of "Good Time Tonight" in DJ sets both on-air and at parties with The Fox and the Hound has not failed to warm my heart and loosen my limbs.
Showing posts with label Chiddy Bang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chiddy Bang. Show all posts
12/25/10
Show Review: Chiddy Bang & Kingsfoil
On November 13, I got to see a blog-hyped artist that actually was everything they were cracked up to be. Philly's own Chiddy Bang-former Drexel students Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege and Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin-have been pumping out tracks sampling MGMT, Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding, and a bunch of other names likely to be found on this blog and elsewhere, eventually getting signed by a major label after exposure on Pretty Much Amazing.
Live, Chiddy raps and Xaph plays a drum kit (which they ask the venue to provide, evidently). They did a set of old and new material, focusing heavily on the recently released EP The Preview, the only collection of Chiddy Bang material actually for sale. The others, mixtapes The Swelly Express and Air Swell, are available for free download [hint: click the titles]. "Pass Out", from the latter tape, was definitely a crowd favorite, probably because of the number of students who have spent time in England for study abroad and love Tinie Tempah. Lead single "Opposite of Adults", which samples MGMT's "Kids", got the biggest reaction, as expected. Interaction between songs was generally limited to the usual hip-hop hype-man antics, with the exception of an impressive freestyle method involving writing ideas from the crowd on paper plates and then handing them to Chiddy one after the other as he goes in.
Local stalwarts Kingsfoil opened after SAB agonized for weeks over the choice and ended up too late to do anything more in-genre (like my suggestions Brite Futures or B.Reith). They remind me for some reason of a cross between Bon Jovi and Switchfoot. The Swinging Bridge got an interview with them here (Chiddy said no interviews).
There was some controversy after the show, as memebers of Chiddy's entourage were racially profiled by local police and accused of smoking marijuana. No proof was found, but their car was impounded and the whole crew had to come back the next day to pick it up and pay a fine for smoking tobacco in a non-smoking area (i.e. Messiah campus). SAB's explanation (and lead-up article in the Bridge) can be found here.
Live, Chiddy raps and Xaph plays a drum kit (which they ask the venue to provide, evidently). They did a set of old and new material, focusing heavily on the recently released EP The Preview, the only collection of Chiddy Bang material actually for sale. The others, mixtapes The Swelly Express and Air Swell, are available for free download [hint: click the titles]. "Pass Out", from the latter tape, was definitely a crowd favorite, probably because of the number of students who have spent time in England for study abroad and love Tinie Tempah. Lead single "Opposite of Adults", which samples MGMT's "Kids", got the biggest reaction, as expected. Interaction between songs was generally limited to the usual hip-hop hype-man antics, with the exception of an impressive freestyle method involving writing ideas from the crowd on paper plates and then handing them to Chiddy one after the other as he goes in.
Local stalwarts Kingsfoil opened after SAB agonized for weeks over the choice and ended up too late to do anything more in-genre (like my suggestions Brite Futures or B.Reith). They remind me for some reason of a cross between Bon Jovi and Switchfoot. The Swinging Bridge got an interview with them here (Chiddy said no interviews).
There was some controversy after the show, as memebers of Chiddy's entourage were racially profiled by local police and accused of smoking marijuana. No proof was found, but their car was impounded and the whole crew had to come back the next day to pick it up and pay a fine for smoking tobacco in a non-smoking area (i.e. Messiah campus). SAB's explanation (and lead-up article in the Bridge) can be found here.
Merry Christmas: The Best Dance Tracks of 2010
My criteria: I must have actually played this out at least once this year and it must have come out this year. Other than that it is purely subjective.
Originals:
1. Magic - B.O.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo
I've been following B.O.B. ever since I heard his dark, Beatles-sampling club anthem "Lonely People" a couple years ago, so when he not only blew up but dropped a single this addictive featuring Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, I lost my mind.
2. All I Do Is Win - DJ Khaled featuring Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, and T-Pain
My love of T-Pain overcame my hatred of Khaled on this one, helped along by an insane Luda verse and a way-too-easy pause right before the hook to build dancefloor anticipation. Rick Ross keeps pace on his big year, and Snoop builds on his new strategy of dropping great albums no one listens to while keeping in the spotlight with throwaway guest verses.
3. F*** You - Cee-Lo Green
Watching the eccentric Cee-Lo come into his own over the years with Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley has been fun, and Motown-inspired production and a catchy Bruno Mars-penned hook provide the perfect counterpoint to his vocal. Post-breakup sendoffs should not sound this epic.
4. Blah Blah Blah - Ke$ha feat. 3oh!3
The two most-annoying-to-type artists in America convinced me with their domination of dancefloors in the UK. My Warped-Tour-kids-who-party friends put me up on 3oh!3 back in the day, and I've bumped every Benny Blanco beat since Bangers & Cash. Plus, it's interesting hearing hip-hop's overt gender roles flipped for once.
5. W.T.P. - Eminem
The concession to old Eminem on the recovered Eminem's album, this song is an anthem that will unfortunately never be a hit. Lines like "if your bellybutton's not an innie then I'm outtie" remind us why we liked Eminem in the first place while we warm up for what is sure to be an epic white trash party.
Remixes:
1. Forever [Nero Remix] - Drake featuring Eminem, Kanye West, and Lil' Wayne
One of the definitive posse cuts gets the dubstep-lite treatment, switching up the order to get Em's return to form in earlier. The only way this could have been better is the inclusion of Kardinal's verse from the original mixtape version. It does manage to squeeze in the ubiquitous Degrassi star, the most infamous tweeter, and everyone's favorite recently released convict.
2. Bottoms Up [Emynd Atlanta Bass Remix] - Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj
Gotta get Nicki in here somewhere, and where better than on a party anthem that needed a bump up in tempo. Trey has had a big year (notice him farther down) and I always love Emynd's work; I spent my 21st birthday at his monthly The Bounce putting a few too many bottoms up. Trey & Nicki "Bottoms Up (Emynd Atlanta Bass Remix)" by Emynd
3. Last Night [Kolstrom Remix] - Peter Bjorn and John
A kid I met in Paris who was also spending a semester abroad in England picked up more than just a taste of dubstep; he got the skills for it too. Whenever I want explain dubstep to someone, I play Caspa, Rusko, Flying Lotus, Skream, and this. It helps out that almost no one has heard it, so they're all shocked when the huge drop comes in on an otherwise mellow PB&J track.
Peter Bjorn and John - Last Night (Kolstrom Remix) by kolstrom
4. Dancing with the DJ [Chiddy Bang Remix] - The Knocks
I came across this prepping for the KNO Clothing launch party, and I love the indie disco feel of the O.G. Knocks track, Chiddy, and his take on it. Chiddy has been everywhere this year (including a show at Messiah), with spot on production and remixing by Xaphoon Jones. I'd love to include "Pass Out" but I haven't dropped it live yet so it doesn't fit the criteria.
Chiddy Bang - Dancing With The DJ (Remix) f/ The Knocks by Pretty Much Amazing
5. Say Ah [Emynd Edit featuring Reef the Lost Cauze] - Trey Songz
Trey again, this time with my favorite underground rapper, Reef the Lost Cauze, courtesy of Emynd (again). This song was just a bit too catchy, got overplayed, and then the opportunity to showcase some local Philly talent let me bring it back into sets. Emynd does a great job cleaning it up, at least compared to the version on Reef's recent Raiders of the Lost Art tape. Trey Songz "Say Ah" (Emynd Edit ft Reef The Lost Cauze" by Emynd
Originals:
1. Magic - B.O.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo
I've been following B.O.B. ever since I heard his dark, Beatles-sampling club anthem "Lonely People" a couple years ago, so when he not only blew up but dropped a single this addictive featuring Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, I lost my mind.
2. All I Do Is Win - DJ Khaled featuring Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, and T-Pain
My love of T-Pain overcame my hatred of Khaled on this one, helped along by an insane Luda verse and a way-too-easy pause right before the hook to build dancefloor anticipation. Rick Ross keeps pace on his big year, and Snoop builds on his new strategy of dropping great albums no one listens to while keeping in the spotlight with throwaway guest verses.
3. F*** You - Cee-Lo Green
Watching the eccentric Cee-Lo come into his own over the years with Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley has been fun, and Motown-inspired production and a catchy Bruno Mars-penned hook provide the perfect counterpoint to his vocal. Post-breakup sendoffs should not sound this epic.
4. Blah Blah Blah - Ke$ha feat. 3oh!3
The two most-annoying-to-type artists in America convinced me with their domination of dancefloors in the UK. My Warped-Tour-kids-who-party friends put me up on 3oh!3 back in the day, and I've bumped every Benny Blanco beat since Bangers & Cash. Plus, it's interesting hearing hip-hop's overt gender roles flipped for once.
5. W.T.P. - Eminem
The concession to old Eminem on the recovered Eminem's album, this song is an anthem that will unfortunately never be a hit. Lines like "if your bellybutton's not an innie then I'm outtie" remind us why we liked Eminem in the first place while we warm up for what is sure to be an epic white trash party.
Remixes:
1. Forever [Nero Remix] - Drake featuring Eminem, Kanye West, and Lil' Wayne
One of the definitive posse cuts gets the dubstep-lite treatment, switching up the order to get Em's return to form in earlier. The only way this could have been better is the inclusion of Kardinal's verse from the original mixtape version. It does manage to squeeze in the ubiquitous Degrassi star, the most infamous tweeter, and everyone's favorite recently released convict.
2. Bottoms Up [Emynd Atlanta Bass Remix] - Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj
Gotta get Nicki in here somewhere, and where better than on a party anthem that needed a bump up in tempo. Trey has had a big year (notice him farther down) and I always love Emynd's work; I spent my 21st birthday at his monthly The Bounce putting a few too many bottoms up. Trey & Nicki "Bottoms Up (Emynd Atlanta Bass Remix)" by Emynd
3. Last Night [Kolstrom Remix] - Peter Bjorn and John
A kid I met in Paris who was also spending a semester abroad in England picked up more than just a taste of dubstep; he got the skills for it too. Whenever I want explain dubstep to someone, I play Caspa, Rusko, Flying Lotus, Skream, and this. It helps out that almost no one has heard it, so they're all shocked when the huge drop comes in on an otherwise mellow PB&J track.
Peter Bjorn and John - Last Night (Kolstrom Remix) by kolstrom
4. Dancing with the DJ [Chiddy Bang Remix] - The Knocks
I came across this prepping for the KNO Clothing launch party, and I love the indie disco feel of the O.G. Knocks track, Chiddy, and his take on it. Chiddy has been everywhere this year (including a show at Messiah), with spot on production and remixing by Xaphoon Jones. I'd love to include "Pass Out" but I haven't dropped it live yet so it doesn't fit the criteria.
Chiddy Bang - Dancing With The DJ (Remix) f/ The Knocks by Pretty Much Amazing
5. Say Ah [Emynd Edit featuring Reef the Lost Cauze] - Trey Songz
Trey again, this time with my favorite underground rapper, Reef the Lost Cauze, courtesy of Emynd (again). This song was just a bit too catchy, got overplayed, and then the opportunity to showcase some local Philly talent let me bring it back into sets. Emynd does a great job cleaning it up, at least compared to the version on Reef's recent Raiders of the Lost Art tape. Trey Songz "Say Ah" (Emynd Edit ft Reef The Lost Cauze" by Emynd
12/22/10
DJ News: KNO Clothing Launch Party
My friend Liz DeJesus, aka DJ DeJesus, was tapped to provide the music for the launch of KNO Clothing. KNO is the brainchild of two Messiah graduates who want to help the homeless. Basically, you buy a t-shirt or hoodie and 50% of the cost is either donated to homeless shelters or used to provide direct aid, like warm clothing, to local homeless people. They wanted some hipster music Liz didn't have, so she asked Jared (The Hound) and I to come along. Between presentations by the founders and a formerly homeless man, we pumped out jams by Phoenix, Passion Pit, Chiddy Bang, and LCD Soundsystem while the guests socialized, ate delicious food courtesy of venue Passage to India Restaurant, and watched as the KNO line was modeled by various friends of the company. We threw together this special "Foxy Jesus" edit of Matt & Kim's "Daylight" and the Ninjasonik rap version for the occasion that got a pretty good crowd response.Matt & Kim - Daylight [Foxy Jesus Rap Mix][feat. Ninjasonik] by thefoxandthehound
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