#MusicMondays 12-28-09
Posted by WEKetchum | Filed under music
Today’s installment of #MusicMondays features a hometown hero that scored a national record deal, one of hip-hop’s new definitive voices holding his own alongside one of his idols, and a seminal hip-hop band giving back to the fans that helped them reach their highest level of success. For more, read below.
Lil Wayne feat. Eminem
“Drop The World”
Between the first couple leaks and a seemingly infinite set of pushbacks, interest in Lil Wayne’s Rebirth album seems to dwindle more every day. But the leak of “Drop The World,” which features Eminem, should turn a few heads. Over a rock-heavy backdrop, Weezy and Em, who is one of Wayne’s idols, speak about how their confidence perseveres despite life’s struggles. This song succeeds for two reasons. 1.) It’s a conceptual song, instead of the down-the-line nature of songs like the super collaboration of Wayne, Kanye West, Drake and Eminem on “Forever.” 2.) The song captures Lil Wayne’s and Eminem’s similarities - emotionally-driven lyrics - with their differences, which are Wayne’s charismatic, screechy delivery and the sporadic-yet-precise flow that made fans love Eminem early in his career.
To hear “Drop The World,” click here.
Mike Posner
One Foot Out The Door
A lot has changed for Mike Posner since he dropped his first mixtape, A Matter Of Time, in February. Less than a year after that tape hit #1 in iTunes U’s free downloads, the Southfield, Mich. native scored a deal with J Records (home to the likes of Alicia Keys), and he rocks packed out shows between taking classes during his senior year at Duke University. So his latest mixtape may flaunt appearances by national acts like Bun B, Kid Cudi and Saigon, and songs like “Don’t Trust Me” feature an increased confidence, but One Foot Out The Door still keeps the essence of Mike Posner’s appeal. His unmistakable airy voice, infectious melodies and choruses, and robust production. Remakes of John Mayer’s “I Don’t Trust Myself” and Soulja Boy’s “Kiss Me Through The Phone” excel with their creative new approaches; “Red Button” and “Traveling Man” are destined for radio success with their poppy, carefree feel; and his chemistry with friend Big Sean is further cemented through highlights “Speed of Sound” and “Bring Me Down,” the latter also featuring a great cameo from Freddie Gibbs. This disc wasn’t covered much during its release, so give yourself this mixtape as a late Christmas present if you haven’t already.
To download One Foot Out The Door, click here.
The Roots
Late Night w/Jimmy Fallon Sandwiches (Free EP)
It’s impossible to genuinely hate on The Roots. The Philadelphia hip-hop band has paid dues for over a decade with albums and live gigs that have garnered more critical acclaim than they have record sales. It’s good to see that despite the crew catching its “big break” by landing a gig as the house band of NBC’s “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” they still haven’t forgotten the fans that got them there. Drummer/band leader ?uestlove has dropped 22 “sandwiches,” which are the fun songs that the group plays during commercials and breaks between air times on the show, and web site All The Way Live posted a .zip file of all of the mp3s. The songs have a raw, carefree feel that should serve as perfect background music to studying, cleaning, or any other leisure activity. But as any person that has had the pleasure of seeing The Roots perform live would know, nothing beats the real thing.
To download Late Night w/Jimmy Fallon Sandwiches (Free EP) , click here.
Related posts:
- #MusicMondays - Michigan Hip-Hop 2010 Preview (Part 2)
- #MusicMondays 1-4-2010: Late Christmas Edition
- Urbane #MusicMondays 12-7-09
- #MusicMonday - Michigan Hip-Hop 2010 Preview (Part 1)
- Urbane #MusicMondays 12-14-09
Tags: Big Sean, Eminem, Jimmy Fallon, Lil Wayne, Mike Posner, The Roots
