Beth Ditto

Beth Ditto is a big girl with an even bigger voice.

Yesterday, the Gossip frontwoman released a self-titled solo EP.  Listen to the electropop track "I Wrote The Book" below.

Beth Ditto - I Wrote The Book by dynmk

And for good measure, here she is with the rest of  Gossip in the video for Heavy Cross.  The video's a little gauche for my tastes, but Beth's doing her own thing, so you gotta respect that.

Gossip - Heavy Cross from Popbytes on Vimeo.


*BONUS FUN FACT*: Some doctors have been quoted as saying that they consider her to be a danger to public health because her self-love, despite her heft, is "normalizing public obesity".  No bullshit.

Yeah.

New Lupe Fiasco!

Lupe Fiasco is the greatest thing to happen to hip-hop in the last decade.  There.  I said it.  I mean, come on.  What other rapper has written a concept album, let alone one as deep and insightful as "The Cool"?

Anyway, Lu announced his new album, the once titled "LupEND", now retitled "Lasers" is dropping March 8 and gave us two new tracks to celebrate.  Listen.

"The Show Goes On" is slated to be the first single from the album.
Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On by Hypetrak

"S.L.R. (Super Lupe Rap)" comes with a pretty funny story.  In this month's XXL magazine, Soulja Boy (who is the embodiment of everything that's wrong with the world and the musical Antichrist) was quoted saying "I don't want to be super-Lupe-Fiasco-lyrical and niggas don't know what the fuck I'm talking about."  This is Lupe's rebuttal.
Lupe Fiasco - Super Lupe Rap (Produced by Soundtrakk) by Hypetrak

Hot shit.  While we're at it, check out the other three tracks that were dropped a few months back.  Also fire.

 Lupe Fiasco - I'm Beaming by cartelradio

 Lupe Fiasco - Go To Sleep by drewboat

 Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos - Shining Down by tuneintoting

K. West Presents: Runaway

I'm sorry that I post about Kanye West all the time, but come on.  Whether you like him or not, you can't deny that what the guy has been doing is pretty innovative.  This film is probably the most interesting yet.  Say what you want about the video itself (which I love, by the way), at the very least we get a preview of the new album.

Enjoy.

Serpico

Recently I watched Pacino's 1973 corrupt cop flick Serpico.  The film is impeccable.  That part was no surprise. The 70's had Pacino at his best, long before Scent Of A Woman killed his career by turning him into a living caricature of himself, but I digress.  What did surprise me was how great the character's style was and how natural and cool the normally suit-and-tied Pacino looked in it.

None of the clothes look like costumes.  Nothing is perfectly fitted and it's all a little worn.  It just looks so genuine.  It's perfect. 

I can't say I'm not a little inspired.

"Denial Jewelry"

A few days ago, I posted a quote from my friend Jacob in which he used the term "denial jewelry".  I realized that this expression was lost on just about everyone but the two of us, so go read his blog post from yesterday here for a little clarity.  And while you're at it, read through his past posts.  He's got a really nice take on things.

Good Ass Job

This past weekend, Saturday Night Live's musical guest was the always incredible Kanye West, which is the best thing to happen to that show in years.  Needless to say, Ye killed it.

...why exactly did everyone freak out when he said he was the artist of our generation?

You may have heard the buzz in the past week about a couple of unfinished tracks from Kanye's next album that have been leaked.  Just this morning, Kanye made a few big announcements regarding said album.  First and foremost, the album will be title My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (I personally prefer the working title Good Ass Job, but whatever) and if his cryptic tweets are to be believed, it's dropping on November 22.  The album will include a few of the G.O.O.D. Friday tracks, and the first single will be the completed version of "All Of The Lights", one of the previously mentioned leaked tracks.

Shit just got live.

Here's the unfinished version of "All Of The Lights" thats been floating around the internet.  Supposedly once it's done it will blow our minds.  I don't doubt it.

Kanye West - All of the Lights by The Grandiose Co

Banksy

Banksy is a quasi-anonymous street artist and another of my personal heroes.

"Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place.  Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place."

Donald Glover

This man is officially my new hero.

You may recognize Donald Glover as that guy from Derrick Comedy, makers of the "Bro Rape" sketch (if not, do yourself a favor and check out the link) or from his role on NBCs "Community".  He also wrote for 30 Rock fresh out of NYU, wrote and starred in a movie called The Mystery Team, and does some pretty hilarious stand up.

Jokes.com
Donald Glover - Rude Midget
comedians.comedycentral.com
Big Lake A New Comedy from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Oh yeah, he's also a rapper--and a dope one at that.  Think Drake with less cameos, a less underwhelming album, and an admittedly weird voice and moniker.  You can check out Childish Gambino's (told you so) album "Culdesac" here.

 Got This Money (Runner Mix) UNMASTERED by Childish Gambino

And on top of that, the dude's got some serious style.

Do I have a man crush?  Maybe.  But what can I say, I appreciate talented people and this dude's got the Midas touch.