Written by lupethefiasco on Sunday, 10 of August , 2008 at 9:47 pm
Words and pictures by Tristan and Willie.
Yesterday we headed down to the middle of nowhere to catch Rock The Bells in Los Angeles. We would first like to say that it was a monumental day for The Tape, as it was the first time we had enough press credentials to receive press passes. We would also like to take a moment to thank LeToya Jackson and TC for being awesome. Huge post with pictures and videos after the jump.
Written by caz4mack on Sunday, 25 of May , 2008 at 9:49 pm
This guy shot us an email a few weeks back, with some tracks that I really dug. He then sent us a cd which I got lazy with, so my apologies with this late post. He has some very interesting music. I’d call it a mix of Beck inspired vocals, a lot of funk, some electro flair, while still being super poppy. He has an Album entitled “Babies Dream Big.”
Check out these tracks, and let us know what you think. Also check out his myspace.
Written by lupethefiasco on Thursday, 22 of May , 2008 at 8:53 pm
I have decided it’s summer. Sometimes it is 100 degrees out, therefore it is summer. Therefore school is over. Not technically, but school should be over. Anyways, I have decided to put together a little summer mix of some summer-ish songs. Some of these have nothing to do with summer, but I like them so who gives a shit?
That was my fat man with mustache approves picture. Anyways the tracklist goes like this:
The Bloody Beetroots- We Are From Venice (La Serenissima)
The Roots- Rising Up (Featuring Wale & Chrisette Michele)
Usher- Love In This Club (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Izza Kizza- Walk The Dawg (Feat. Missy Elliot)
Spank Rock & Benny Blanco- Pu$$y
Coldplay- Violet Hill
Lupe Fiasco- Go Baby (feat. Gemstones)
Ratatat- Shiller
Flo-Rida- Low Low Low (B.Cause Bad For Me Rework)
Tokyo Police Club- Your English Is Good
The Cool Kids- A Little Bit Cooler
Santogold- I’m A Lady (feat. Trouble Andrew)
Jay-Z (Feat. Beyonce)- Pray
Mickey Factz- K-1 Attack (Feat. Nakim)
M.I.A. (Feat. Battles & Akon)- Boyz (Diplo Remix)
Wale- W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.
Written by pistachionut on Thursday, 8 of May , 2008 at 4:20 pm
Some new music that has been surfacing the internet the past week or so. My server isn’t working quite right so all links will be from mediafire… Sorry.
From the recently released new album “Rising Down” here is “Rising Up” with a fantastic verse from Wale. This song is so incredible catchy, and is just so upbeat.
Next is “1,000,000″ by Nine Inch Nails. I’ve decided to give these guys a chance ever since it was announced that they were headlining Lolla. Trent Reznor is an amazing producer (Niggy Tardust) and he does a great job with the vocals on their new free album. Head over to their website to get the album. It’s free, so why not?
I have always been a Coldplay fan, even if they are sort of resented by the indie culture. For example in the words of Asher Kaplan “They aren’t hip enough for my Ipod.” That basically says it all. Anyways, here is their new FREE single entitled “Violet Hill.”
Next we have an incredibly catchy T.I. song entitled “No Matter What.” This song is basically T.I. talking about all of his troubles, and how he’s going to rise above it. T.I.’s lyrics are never anything special but once in a while you get an amazing beat (What You Know). This beat on the other hand, is decent and catchy.
Last is a song coming from our friend Mickey Factz. This is the first single from his new leak entitled “The Leak Vol. 2.” This song is called “Overdose On Life” and features two members of Gym Class Heroes.
Written by lupethefiasco on Sunday, 4 of May , 2008 at 2:37 pm
I am going to the Mets Dodgers game tomorrow (let’s go Mets!) so I am anticipating me having no time to do this tomorrow. So once again, GMM on Sunday. This week has no theme, just a few songs that tickle my guilt radar.
Let’s begin with “Ghost Ride It” by Mistah Fab. This song is all about Ghost riding the whip. The chorus happens to be to the Ghostbusters theme, which makes it so epic.
Last we have “Reptilia” by The Strokes. I guess this song appears guilty to me because it’s the strokes song everyone knows… And that pisses my hipster half off. When a band makes great music, and people emphasize one song more than any other, it gets me angry. But it is a great song, therefore: Guilty.
Written by lupethefiasco on Saturday, 3 of May , 2008 at 12:01 am
It’s not good, its gold… Santogold. That is Santogold’s RCRD LBL quote, and after hearing this album it is quite accurate. Although she does sound similar to M.I.A. she is a much better vocalist, and her songs are more catchy.
L.E.S. Artistes
One of the few early released singles, is an extremely catchy pop song with a fantastic video. Most of you already have this track, and if you’re like me it has climbed to the top of your Itunes most played.
You’ll Find A Way
This song takes a sort of odd direction from the rest of the album. It has sort of a punk/reggae beat. Her voice is sort of annoying on this track, but the chorus makes up for it with a catchy hook.
Shove It (Feat. Spank Rock)
Possibly my favorite song on the album, Spank Rock makes everything better. A cheesy synth line in this song fits perfectly, with this reggae handclapping beat.
Say Aha
This track has a fantastic chorus that has yet another catchy hook. This song adds another great layer with a horn section.
Creator (vs. Switch and FreQ Nasty)
I feel this is where Santi gets most of her M.I.A. comparisons. Although she does have a similar voice in this song, I don’t think M.I.A. would ever attempt to sing over a beat quite as all over the place as this one.
My Superman
This track starts out with an “Ay ay ay” that gets the listeners attention. Santi is whinely singing over a slow drum and bass track as she slowly builds up her voice for more “Ay ay ay’s.” Overall, a solid track to start out with.
Lights Out
This song starts out a little too Ashlee Simpson for me and ends up a little too cheesy for me. I’m sure some people will find it catchy, it’s just not for me.
Starstruck
Santogold proves to me on this track that she can entertain over a simple beat. It seems a little cool kids esque, which most can’t pull off because of its simplicity. I never would have expected this from her, just because her beats seem to be a little more manic, but she proves that she can rely on her voice as well as the beat.
Unstoppable
This song pisses me off, not a fan.
I’m A Lady (feat. Trouble Andrew)
I really enjoy this song. Santogold’s voice is really soothing on this track as she gently sings over a real laid back beat. She shows off her voice in this chorus, as it sounds straight up powerful.
Anne
This song sounds very M.I.A. to me. It has a simple Indian esque beat to it, that fits M.I.A. better than Santogold. Santogold holds her own, it’s just that this track really doesn’t grab my attention whatsoever.
You’ll Find A Way (Switch and Sinden Remix)
I always thought remixes should be saved for b-sides and such, but there isn’t much to complain about in this track. This could really turn out to be a club banger.
Written by lupethefiasco on Sunday, 27 of April , 2008 at 12:51 pm
Coming a day early!! Wooooooooooooooooooo. I’ve avoided a Monday night dilemma between doing this and my homework by posting it now. This weeks theme is classic rock remixes.
We’re going to start off with possibly the greatest remix ever, Night Facilities remix of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” The remix sounds pretty average, but then the horns come in and it becomes amazing just like that. Not a lot of people have the balls to remix a Johnny Cash song so whoever you are Night Facilities, I salute you. Johnny Cash- Ring Of Fire (Night Facilities Remix)
Next is a remix by our good friends RAC. They are remixing The Who’s “Baba O Riley.” The remix brings the song to a whole new level. This remix just makes me so happy for some reason or other. Maybe it’s the huge guitar chords, or the whip like noises… But this remix is awesome.
Next we have a remix from one of the Palmsout Remix Sundays. It is another fantastic remix and it’s a Guns ‘N’ Roses remix by DJ Donna Summer, entitled “Sweet Assed Child O Mine.” Enjoy…
Written by lupethefiasco on Thursday, 24 of April , 2008 at 10:17 pm
A few nights ago I attended Kanye West’s Glow In The Dark Tour at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The night started off amazing and fluctuated down and up after Lupe. Lupe probably had the best introduction to a show I’ve ever seen in my life. The video was just posted under “Glow In The Dark Video,” I urge you to check it out. Anyways, I’m going to do a quick review of each performer, then give you guys my two favorite songs that they each performed.
First we have my hero, Lupe Fiasco. Lupe lived up to my extremely high expectations and then some. Enough so, for me to pursue tickets for the June show… Anyways, I would have much preferred for Lupe to play longer than 30 minutes, but what are you going to do? He came out to thematic opera music, and proceeded to explode all over Justice’s “Let There Be Light.” He only played three songs from Food and Liquor, which were “Kick, Push”, “I Gotcha”, and my personal favorite “Daydreamin’.” “Daydreamin’” is always one of my favorites because he puts a ridiculous amount of energy into it. All of his songs are exploding with his energy, but he takes “Daydreamin’” to a whole new level.* From the new album, I especially loved his shortened version of “Fighters.” About everyone of his songs was shortened, but I assume that was at Kanye’s request. Anyways, there is something about “Fighters” that gets me every time I listen.
I also gave you guys “Go Go Gadget Flow” because there was a fun little call and response during the show. Or using my favorite saying ever, just for shits and giggles.
******
Next we have N.E.R.D. While they may not have been great, they were really entertaining. Pharrell doesn’t have a fantastic voice, but it’s good enough to not be criticized. The most disappointing part of their set was the lack of “Maybe.” That is by far my favorite N.E.R.D. song. Anyways, they played quite a few numbers from their new disc “Seeing Sounds” out soon.
I give you “Everyone Nose” and “She Wants To Move”, my two favorites from that evening.
Let’s keep it nice… I don’t like Rihanna. I only caught a few songs, and wandered around trying to find a hot dog for the rest. Don’t worry it was successful! That was probably my favorite part of her set, oh yeah and “Umbrella” was alright. Fun to phrase it in one word. Anyways, no mp3’s for you Rihanna fans, sorry.
Last but not least (because of Rihanna) we have Sir. Ego West. Kanye’s Ego (yes it deserves a capital ‘E’) was on full display. Not only was his spaceship robot friend Jane telling him he was the brightest star on the universe, during the entire show he was complaining to his light man “Mark” about who knows what. He shoved his band behind the backdrop, so the stage was all for himself; and he had the houselights go down as soon as a celebrity was spotted in the crowd. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved his set… But his ego and arrogance made me enjoy it a little bit less. He seems like a perfectly pleasant man, but if he had just not played Journey during his set, I would have enjoyed him a tad more. Anyways my two favorites were “Homecoming” and “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” Well actually, my favorite was “Touch The Sky” because Lupe came out, but that’s not even fair. If Lupe was on the side drinking a cup of water while Kanye listened to Journey (he actually did), it would have been my favorite.
HILARIOUS MENTION: Kanye decided it would be awesome to accidentally do the same verse twice in “All Falls Down.”
KANYE RECOGNITION MENTION: Kanye really doesn’t deserve all the shit I gave him in this review. He is a great entertainer and performer, but his arrogance makes me angry. Especially when he puts the most talented artist on the bill, performing first for a mere 30 minutes.
NEW IDEA MENTION: Lupe Fiasco’s Glow In The Dark Tour
Written by lupethefiasco on Wednesday, 23 of April , 2008 at 8:07 pm
I attended The Glow In The Dark Tour in L.A. a few nights ago, and while a review is coming soon… I have a fantastic video for you all to watch. It was probably the highlight of my night, even though it was the very first song of the very first act of the night.
Written by lupethefiasco on Wednesday, 16 of April , 2008 at 7:51 pm
Yes folks Kanye West’s Glow In The Dark Tour kicks off tonight in Seattle. I personally think it’s going to be the greatest tour of 2008 with N.E.R.D., Rihanna, and Lupe F-ing Fiasco… I can’t wait to go when they come to L.A. Anyways, what better way to get everyone excited for the tour than tons of mp3’s, videos, and pictures.
I am praying an extreme amount that the newly formed Child Rebel Soldier will encore with this song.
Hopefully Kanye will bring Lupe out for “Touch The Sky.” This is one of my favorite Kanye songs, and the set is supposed to be insane looking during this song*.
Next we have “Hey Mama” by Kanye West, but a studio version of the one he performed at the Grammy’s. This will probably be the low point of the show, not because it’s a bad song (in fact it’s fantastic), it will just be so sad.
Our last Kanye choice for tonight is his medley of “Stronger” and “Good Life” on SNL. I’ve seen a few videos of the live version of “Stronger”, and I have a feeling it’s going to be life changing.
The tape is a project conceived by Gabriel Gutierrez (gzabriel), Macklin Casnoff (caz4mack), Tristan Rodman(pistachionut), Asher Kaplan (ashkap) and Willie Schube (lupethefiasco).
All songs featured on this blog are for promotional use only. If you dig a track, go out and buy it! If your song is featured on this blog and you would like it taken down, or if you would like to have your song featured just click the contact form below.
