RobinThicke-4TheRestOfMyLife Audio Player DOWNLOAD MP3 RobinThicke-4TheRestOfMyLife.mp3 Summary: #Summer2013 is a recap of the songs that made the summer of 2013 one of the best ever. May there be true love for the rest of my life. Blurred Lines wasn’t the only this song that was a hit, “Give It 2 U (ft. Kendrick Lamar)” got on the charts, and I absolutely hated it. One other song on the album however that I really liked and is this one. About Artist: Robin Thick, flamboyant R&B singer extrodinaire. About Song: Blurred Lines the album, was actually a pretty good album, though I didn’t like the Give it 2 You (ft. Kendrick) single. This song is one of my favs from the album and it is based the relationship Robin Thicke had to his future wife whom he knew when he was a kid growing up. Favorite Part:
The song is a great love song about budding young love and wanting to be with someone for the rest of your life, sigh.
I like the harmonies and most of the verses (except the basketball in the park part). The breakdown at 3:05 is nice.
RobinThicke-BlurredLinesftTIPharrell Audio Player DOWNLOAD MP3 RobinThicke-BlurredLinesftTIPharrell.mp3 Summary: #Summer2013 is a recap of the songs that made the summer of 2013 one of the best ever. The radio’s official song of the summer. The catchiest rape song you ever did hear. About Artist: Robin Thicke is an R&B singer who, while being relatively famous, broke through big time with this smash hit. Pharrell, fresh off of the Daft Punk hits, keeps it goin with this even bigger one. T.I. is a souther rapper who’s currently gunnin for a comeback. About Song: First I want to say I posted this song to Facebook on March 21st. A month later on June 22 it snagged billboard’s number 1 spot and stayed there for 12 weeks making him the fist summer season number 1 by a lead solo male since 2004 (remember Usher’s Confession pt 2? lol)
When I first saw the video I loved the song and thought the video was cool. However as soon as the song made it big the video and song received a barrage of criticism as a song that demeans women and encourages rape. I couldn’t agree more but the song is still catchy and I still like the stylization of the video. I do feel very conflicted however and want to give shout outs to 2 of the best responses to the song… Blurred Lines [Feminist Parody] – “Defined Lines” VIDEO From the mouths of rapists: The lyrics of Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines
But it wasn’t only this song that was a hit “Give It 2 U (ft. Kendrick Lamar)” hit the chart, and I absolutely hated it. One other song on the album however that I really liked and is worth posting is 4 The Rest Of My Life.
Favorite Part:
The song is just so catchy. The walking baseline is awesome and Robin w/ Pharrellls vocals/harmonies are awesome.
“Baby, can you breathe I got this from Jamaica
It always works for me Dakota to Decatur” 3:14
Wale-GullibleftCeeLo Audio Player DOWNLOAD MP3 Wale-GullibleftCeeLo.mp3 Summary: A laid back jazzy Waletrack. About Artist: Wale is a DC area rapper and has been one of my favorite rappers that I’ve followed over the years. Cee-Lo Green now needs no introduction but has been in the game for years first as a part of Goodie Mob and then as the duo Gnarls Barkley. About Song: This song comes off of Wale’s recently released third album “The Gifted”. The Gifted is a prettys solid album from top to bottom and is something I’ve been putting on in the background while I work. This probably won’t be the last song from the album that I post here. Favorite Part: The trumpets and band in the back brings a really nice sound but it’s the message that Wale brings to the song that I like.
In the beginning he raps about technology and government surveillance, as well as mass marketing…
“What if they told you this music was bogus?
The government run it, they controllin’ the culture
Would you believe that? If you read that?
What if they told you the iPhone was tapped?
They see all of your browsin’ and know you via your apps
And Twitter and Instagram is really like middle men
And internet soldiers, everybody was carrying Macs” (0:19-0:36)
I like Cee Lo in the chorus but again it’s music married with the content of the lyrics that I like. For example in the smooth bridge…
“TV killed the radio
And then the internet slit the television throat” (1:56)
TalibKweli-ComeHereftMiguel Audio Player DOWNLOAD MP3 TalibKweli-ComeHereftMiguel.mp3 Summary: This song is so suave. It makes me smile big and brings out my inner hopeless romantic. About Artist: Talib Kweli is a critically acclaimed rapper who’s been around the block. He makes up half of Blackstar along with Mos Def, and is a hip hop legend in his own right. Miguel is the red hot R&B singer who’s been on so many amazing tracks recently (more to come on the blog). Sean C & LV are a production duo from New York affiliated with Diddy. About Song: This song is the third single off of Talib Kweli’s 5th studio album Prisoner of Conscious which was release in May 2013. The song to me sounds like it samples Marvin Gaye’s Mercy Mercy Me. Favorite Part: I love the chorus of this song. Miguel sounds soooo good, and the hook just gets stuck in your head. Talib Kweli adds his own real talk rapping to this love song which makes it a truly complete song. This song spoke to me the moment I heard it for the first time.
DOWNLOAD MP3 TonyWilliams-AnotherYouRemixftKingChipFreddieGibbsKanyeWest.mp3 Summary: Quality Slow Jam. About Artist: The World Famous Tony Williams is an R&B singer songwriter from the midwest. He first made it big recording vocals for songs on Kanye West’s debut album College Dropout (2004) including I’ll Fly Away, and Spaceship. He’s since contributed to songs on each of Kanye’s subsequent albums though is never listed as a featured artist even on songs where he is prominently featured like Roses. Listening to Tony Williams’ material you can see how much of an impact he had on the sound of Kanye West’s early albums. On Tony Williams mixtape Finding Dakota Grey (2010) is one of my favorite mixtape projects of all time. One of the songs from that tape was on gregshiphop back in 2010 here (Tony Williams – Nightmares). King Chip, formerly Chip tha Ripper, is a favorite artist of mine from Cleveland Ohio. Chip has yet to break through into the big time but he has his own style and plenty of talent. Here are 6 Chip songs that have been on gregshiphop before. I don’t know too much about Freddie Gibbs butI know he has quite a following and has been around for years now. His style is a little more the gangsta but he too is not without rapping talent. Kanye West is Kanye West. This song was producted by Bink! who produced songs on the Jay-Z’s original Blueprint, and did Kanye West’s Devil In A New Dress. About Song: This song is originally off of Tony Williams debut album King or the Fool (2012). This remix adds verses by King Chip and Freddie Gibbs.
Favorite Part: I like the whole slow jam vibe that Tony Williams brings to the song but there are also a couple parts in particular I also really lik.
King Chip’s first verse sounds so smooth (0:40) and his second verse (2:50) is just as good.
I like the musical piano breakdown at 3:50.
And then Kanye just comes in at the end with his old school care free style.
DOWNLOAD MP3 Miguel-HowManyDrinksRemixftKendrickLamar.mp3 Summary: Sometimes I just want to be romantic. (Note: getting a woman drunk at the bar so you can take her home isn’t actually romantic) About Artist: Miguel is an R&B singer from LA. While he’s been around since 2007 he’s only recently gained noteriety. He’s done a couple track wile Wale and J. Cole that I also really like. Kendrick Lamar is a staple on this blog so you probably already know all about the Compton native. About Song: This song is the third single off of Miguel’s second and highly acclaimed album Kaleidoscope Dream.
Favorite Part: Miguel’s voice just makes me melt. He even makes getting girls drunk at the bar sound romantic. Kendrick’s verse is just icing on the cake.
I like in chorus when Miguel sings “back of mind I’m hoping you say 2 or 3”
DOWNLOAD MP3 JustinTimberlake-PusherLoveGirl.mp3 Summary: Watch out! Justin Timberlake is sweeping the nation (again) About Artist: Justin Timberlake… ya you know him. If you really live under a rock you can check out his wikipedia page below. The entire 20/20 Experience (Justin Timberlake’s new album) was produced by legendary and hip hop producer heavyweight Timbaland. Timbaland got start as a hip hop producer in the mid 90s and has worked with Everyone! He also produced JT’s last mega hit album FutureSex/LoveSounds. About Song: This is the first track off of the 20/20 Experience (and it certainly won’t be the last that I post here. Favorite Part: Just a solid track that encapsulates the FutureSex and now 20/20 sound.
Timbaland’s production on the whole album is fcking awesome.
As a bonus below is a lyric video (much better that the ‘real’ video) for the first single off of the 20/20 experience Suite & Tie which also features Jay-Z. The song is alright but This video really adds the style and flare to it.
DOWNLOAD MP3 JaredEvan-ProCreateftActionBronson.mp3 Summary: A little friday afternoon slow jam about love and sensuality. Lets make some music. About Artist: (copied from a previous post) I don’t know much about Jared Evan. I’d never heard of him before but apparently he’s a singer/songwriter from New York. Apparently his debut EP The 4th Chapter came out in 2012 and is definitely something I’m gonna go check out. You can read Jared Evan’s Wikipedia article here for more info. Lil Fame is half of the longtime famed hip hop duo M.O.P. who have been making music since the mid 90s. Statik Selektah is one of my favorite producers. The musicality and vibe he brings to his music really matches my taste and I always try to check out projects he’s been involved in. Check out more Statik Selektah from gregshiphop (mainly from this EP 1982 that I was obsessed with for a bit). About Song: This song was one of the singles from the just released collaboration album between Statik Selektah and Jared Evan titled Boom Bap & Blues. Favorite Part: I really like the chorus, especially at the little breakdown parts like
“We could put it all on tape, right here
Why don’t we just procreate, what we hear”
(at 0:52)
I also really like the second verse starting with
“put the plug in the socket,
you know I’m gonna rock it,
lets level out this EQ…”
(1:39) Other:
DOWNLOAD MP3 JaredEvan-UmaThurmanftLilFame.mp3 Summary: A little jazzy hip hop / R&B. About Artist: I don’t know much about Jared Evan. I’d never heard of him before but apparently he’s a singer/songwriter from New York. Apparently his debut EP The 4th Chapter came out in 2012 and is definitely something I’m gonna go check out. You can read Jared Evan’s Wikipedia article here for more info. Lil Fame is half of the longtime famed hip hop duo M.O.P. who have been making music since the mid 90s. Statik Selektah is one of my favorite producers. The musicality and vibe he brings to his music really matches my taste and I always try to check out projects he’s been involved in. Check out more Statik Selektah from gregshiphop (mainly from this EP 1982 that I was obsessed with for a bit). About Song: This song was one of the singles from the just released collaboration album between Statik Selektah and Jared Evan titled Boom Bap & Blues. I can’t say enough about this LP. I would post almost every track from the LP on this blog, in fact I just might. You can listen to the entire album on Jared Evan’s official website and on soundcloud (links at the bottom of the post). Favorite Part: I LOVE STATIK SLEKTAH’S SOUND! The soulfulness, jazzy old school kinda sound just sounds soooo nice. If you like this track at all you NEED to check out the rest of Boom Bap & Blues.
I’ve really been into music like this and Jose James, and the Robert Glasper’s Black Radio, so check those two out if you like this kinda music.
DOWNLOAD MP3 SelahSue-PleaseftCeeLoGreen.mp3 Summary: Soulful duet with the wonderful voice of Cee-Lo Green and Amy Winehouse sound-a-like Selah Sue About Artist: Selah Sue is a Belgium musician who found crossover American success with her song Raggamuffin as well This World (which I also like). Cee-Lo Green on the other hand is one of my favorite musicians. I guy who brings soul to everything he does he is quite famous as a solo artist at this point but has also put out music as part of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley. Cee-Lo Green probably reached his pop popularity with his song Fuck You but he’s also had wild creativity and lasting integrity in the songs he puts out. About Song: This song is off of Selah Sue debut 2011 self titled album. Favorite Part: I do like the sound of Selah Sue’s voice on this song but Cee-Lo’s magical voice is what really draws me to this song. Of course I’m a sucker for vocal harmonies so the duet factor doesn’t hurt either.
DOWNLOAD MP3 Saigon-WomenAreTheNewDogs.mp3 Summary: This song is basically a cover/remix of Saigon’s What the Lovers Do. This song is off of Saigon’s 2012 mixtape Warning Shots 3: One Foot In The Grave. About Artist: Saigon has had a troubled on again off again career. Once extremely hyped conflict between his jail hardened personality and his label pretty much ended was could have been a huge career. Still much respected Saigon has also done some side acting gigs as he continues to put out music. His biggest project to date was The Greatest Story Never Told, which this song samples heavily. The chorus is sung by Jovan Dais though I don’t know who he is. Favorite Part: Despite the fact that “I think it’s [NOT] safe to say women are the new dogs”, I really like the hook. Also despite the bad wording it’s nice to hear a song about women gettin theirs.
DOWNLOAD MP3 BigKRIT-PorchlightftAnthonyHamilton.mp3 Summary: This is a sweet R&B song song from Big K.RI.T.’s debit album Live from the Underground About Artist: K.R.I.T. is a southern rapper who gained popularity after hist critically acclaimed 2010 mixtape K.R.I.T. Wuz Here. K.R.I.T. was then named one of XXL’s freshman of the year in 2011 with his second acclaimed mixtape Return of 4Eva. Later 2011 Live from the Underground was Released. Of course the hook is sung by Anthony Hamilton who is a staple of contemporary R&B/Soul singing (I’m a big fan of that sweet sweet voice) Favorite Part: I just like the smooth vibe of this song
DOWNLOAD MP3 CyHiThePrynce-Dance.mp3 Summary: Fun song with a track by JUSTICE League About Artist: CyHi the Pryne is one of the newer singees to Kanye’s GOOD Music label. He’s from Atlanta and while this song doesn’t show it, he’s has some really clever rhymes. About Song: This song is of CyHi’s most recent mixtape Royal Flush 2. I really like this mixtape (you can download it free here) so if you’re looking for some new music definitely check it out. This song was produced by JUSTICE League which is an awesome group of producers. Favorite Part:
I really like CyHi but the JUSTICE Leagaue track is the best part of the song Other: CyHi the Prynce Wikipedia J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League Wikipedia Download Royal Flush 2
DOWNLOAD MP3 Tyga-RemindedftAdele.mp3 Summary: Something Soft About Artist: Tyga runs with lil Wayne’s Young Money but he’s not really the reason this song is up here. I will say that Tyga is one of the more talented members of Young Money but this song is really made by the involvement of Adele. Now I actually don’t know hardley antying about Adele except that outside of Hip Hop she is huge. She’s won at least one grammy and the white mainstream really love her. About Song: This song is a single off of Tyga’s upcoming mixtape Black Thought 2, which is due out April 12th. Favorite Part:
Adele on the hook, I love her voice, but I really like melody and rhythm of it. I especially like how her voice kinda slides in the line I hate to turn out up out of the blue uninvited Other: Tyga Wikipedia Adele Wikipedia
RobinThicke-4TheRestOfMyLife Audio Player
