Somehow I forgot to post this video here last year. I think after Palestine and moving my brain went alesewhere but here is a video of some of my favorite art books. Check it out! Note: I define art books as mostly pictoral books exploring various generes of art such as photography, fashion design, illustration, animation, filmmaking, cooking, dance, public art, and more. its not everyone’s cup of tea as far as “art books” go, but its my absolute jam. A mix of styles, interests, and disciplies. Enjoy.
Fellow hip hop fans, what blog, radio show, video, or journalist outlet that regularly talks about hip hop culture would you like to see address what is happening in Palestine, The Sudan, Congo? I mean, there are hip hop artists making songs about this shit!
Shout to Hard Knock Radio who I’ve heard speak on it , who else? #hiphopculture #hiphopmusic #hiphopjournalism I’ve seen The Breakfast club have on Marc Lamont Hill who is outspoken in his support for Palestinian rights. But I’ve also seen them have on a pro-israeli speaker. At this point, with a budget in the literal millions to market and shape public opinion from US controlled outlets to super bowl ads-we’ve heard enough disnformation from Israel. Not nearly enough Palestinian voices. What about Sudanese or Congo MC’s? We havent heard much highlighting of them either.
Some blogs to consider, some of which who’ve touched on it, but many who have not: Complex, Hip Hop DX, Thizzler, WaxPoetics, Rap Radar, Drink Champs, Okay Player, World Star, Hot 97, Dead End Hip Hop, 247 Hip hop, who else? I’m talking about radio, blogs, Podcasts, Influencer pages, etc.
My Point: Hip hop fans could argue that cats dont know enough about what is happening to speak on it. You could argue that the industry has squeezed activism or political threat out of hip hop. But, for those who see what is happening with these wars, climate change, gentrification, etc I think we owe it to uplift. Highlight knowledge, game, news, critical thought, and hip hop artists who are speaking on it whether they’re 16 or 56 so at least newer generations can be aware of what is happening. I mean, we who are from inner cities and places of income inequality are the ones who birthed this culture. Are artists scared of speaking out? Are there none left who will speak up?
My fam Pele Durian Funk of the Trust Your Struggle Collective just made this mix of songs in support of Palestine this past week. It features a roster of MC’s from various backgrounds.
Loose Ends (UK) – Hanging on a string 1984 Always loved Loose Ends and this classic track from them.
Welcome welcome. Here is a new post with some of my favorite synths, mostly across soul, jazz, funk, hip hop, and rock. I didn’t always know that I loved synths, I just like good music. But after hearing some chatter about synths in general and some of the machines created to make the sounds, I thought I’d share some of my favorites, not the best synths ever. This is totally subjective. Enjoy.
Little Dragon (Sweden) - A Place to belong (2007)
This is the first Little Dragon song I heard from my boy Miguel. Fonky.
We Are King (Minneapolis/LA) – The Greatest (2015) Agggh, one of the illest soul groups of recent to write and produce w/ synths!!
Squarepusher (UK) – Plaistow Flex Out (2001) Was turned on to Squarepusher by my homie and drummer Valentino
Pink Floyd (UK) – On the Run (1973) Always loved this Pink Floyd album!
Kool & The Gang (Jersey City) – Summer Madness (1974) Classic joint from a classic jazz, rock, soul band.
What is this?
This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.
Satoshi & Makoto (Japan) – Crepuscule Leger (2017) New! Don’t know much about these cats, but I dig it.
Jneiro Jarel (Philadelphia) – Soul Starr (2005) Discovered Jeniro aka Dr Who Dat? at the record store and became an instant fan.
Björk (Iceland) – Hyperballad (1995) Heard Bjork through one of my best friends in the 90s and was blown away
Zion I w/ Mikos da Gawd (Oakland) – Saving Souls (2016) RIP Zumbi, this is one of countless synth flavored Zion I songs
Did you miss the last installment of this series?
Stuff I’ve been listening to 23: More Jazz Stuff I’ve been listening to 22: Instrumentals Stuff I’ve been listening to 21:Raps Stuff I’ve been listening to 17:Soul Stuff I’ve been listening to 19: UK Artists
Sexual Harassment (Midwest US) – I need a freak (1983) House party track tried and true. First heard it as a child.
Discovered the guys through the Stranger Things soundtrack which was both old and new, simple, yet amazing! Reminds me of 80s movies and that was the point! Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you’re not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations……
Just got hip to this producer via YouTube and love the beats she makes. Lots of different styes from this multidisciplinary artist. Her first EP is up on Bandcamp and you can follow her channel here.
Dig this? Check out the last post I made about JAZZ i’m listening to.
Wha gwan? I got hip to this group through my mom who loves “The New Birth”. This group “The Nite Liters” is an off shoot or sub group of the New Birth and its the band I believe. Anyway, dig it. LINK . If you’re new. Every year I share some music that I love from many genres. The core is Black music. Take a listen to these instrumentals and beats! The Nite Liters – KJee (Louisville, 1970)
Slept on this album. I dig this beat. Alchemist has so many bangers across his career. Link to listen.
The Alchemist – No Window Tints (FETTI) (Los Angeles, 2018)
Don’t know much about Peruvian Pysch or the hisory of cumbia, but I love this instrumental version of “Botecito” by Los Orientales de Paramonga. I wrote about this song back in 2014 here on the Muphoric Sounds blog.
Los Orientales de Paramong- Botecito (Paramonga Peru, 1972)
This entire LP is headphones/ ride out music. One half of the Stuyvesants, brother Allmos made this dope album. Aromas is my favorite song off this.
Allmos- Aromas Naturalle (Portland, 2017)
Kokoroko is an amazing band lead by trumpeter Sheila Maurice Grey from the UK and I love their mix of jazz, high life, funk, and everything in between.
Kokoroko-Age of Ascent(United Kingdon, 2022)
Love this dude DJ Harrison. First heard him via Ivan Ave from Oslo. He’s a multi-instrumentalist from Richmond Virginia and is also a member of Butcher Brown. His bandcamp is full of incredible beat tapes like this. Pen Eyes 9 is my favorite.
DJ Harrison- Pen Eyes 9(Richmond,VA, 2021)
This whole LP is fire. Jahari Massamba Unitis drummer/producer Karriem Riggins and producer Madlib. Merde is my favorite track from the album.
Jahari Massamba Unite – Merde (Detroit/ Los Angeles, 2020)
Kiefer is such a dope musician. His work as a producer and jazz pianist is instantly recognizable when you hear it. Peep his catalogue.
Kiefer – Superheo (Los Angeles, 2021)
This is a dope cut from vibraphonist and vocalist Roy Ayers. Produced for the 70s Blaxploitation flick Coffy starring Pam Grier. Fans of Hieroglyphics will recognize this one from Casual’s first LP.
Roy Ayers – Brawlin Broads( Los Angeles, 1973)
I became familiar with “The Putbacks” through Hiatus Kaiyote and I dig the way they play alone and with other artists. This is my favorite track from this album.
The Putbacks – Hold on (Melbourne, 2018)
I grew up listening to this band and I love Sade. If you go back and listen, the band included an instrumental song on most of the Sade albums including their solo Sweetback album. Siempre Hay Esperanza is dope but this is my favorite.
Sade – Mermaid (United Kingdom, 1992)
Georgia Anne Muldrow, the producer and vocalist has a ton of records under her belt including an album by Elzhi entirely produced by her, and several instrumental LPs such as Vweto 2. This is my favorite from that album.
Georgia Anne Muldrow- Bass Attack Rap (Los Angeles, 2019)
If I were a producer I would add an 808 and some drums to this interlude produced by Lianne La Havas and Geo. Its my 2nd favorite track on this album. But as it stands, I would listen on repeat for days.
Lianne La Havas – Out of your mind (London, 2020)
That’s it, there are so many more like this snippet from Oddisee’s new material but thats it for today. If you like discovering new music check out some of these other posts I’ve made over the past few years. Remember, even though you may have a sweet spot for a specific era or period, there’s always great music to be discovered and appreciated. Some of its old, and some is brand new! The best way to hear that new new is through your local favorite DJ. Playlists are great too, but hug a human through your speaker.
Yo, brother Nomi aka “Power Struggle” (Beatrock, Odd Jobs, Kill the Vultures). Bro is an educator, musician, and organizer who not only writes about the struggles of working class people and does it with incredible hip hop songs. Nomi is from Minneapolis but he’s been in the Bay for nearly 20 years and a comrade in this work to make art from the heart and simultaneously speak about the struggle for liberation whether it be specifically about Pinays, People of color, the Filipino diaspora, or young men of color.
What up tho? This is not a playlist of all time greatest rap songs, my favorite rappers, or even the best raps to come out in the past 6 years. These are just a few songs that I remember playing over and over by various MCs. Mostly in the US and the UK.
Every year I upload a bunch of songs or podcasts that I’m listening to. Because music is such a big inspiration for me as an artist I do this pretty frequently. Theres so much music coming out compared to when I was a teen. I’d say DJs are still the best way to hear the good shit. Going to festivals is good. So is checking out playlists on streaming services.
Some folks I’d like to mention that you might have passed up because they’re got enough buzz are Freddie Gibbs x Alchemist–Babies & Fools,Nipsey Hussle-Double Up, Nas-Speechless, annnnd, what are you listening to rhyme wise? Like, you play it on REPEAT type shit.
