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Monthly Archives: December 2009
Enter: The Plug One 2000s
This is an introduction to a failed project that will, over the next few months, provide a measure of redemption. The Plug One 2000s was originally conceived to document some of the changes that took place in hip hop culture … Continue reading
Posted in Greatest Hits, Plug One 2000s, Plug One 50, Reviews, Superlists
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Gonjasufi’s “A Sufi And A Killer”
The Low End Theory scene in Los Angeles has produced a lot of new artists and sounds in recent months, some of it outstanding and, unfortunately, much of it derivative and mediocre. Then there’s Gonjasufi. First appearing on the 2007 … Continue reading
2Mex’s “Back”
This video is seven minutes long…too long. But it has some impressive shots of the Los Alamitos Race Course, and hey, it’s 2Mex (with beats by Deeskee). Hopefully it’s a teaser for his forthcoming Strange Famous album. Directed by Ryan … Continue reading
Christmas in Sactown
Last week, I stumbled upon one of the biggest vinyl finds ever. In a September post (which previewed an “Untitled Collector’s Blog” that has yet to appear), I wrote about a warehouse in Rancho Cordova that sold records for a … Continue reading
Coolzey’s “Look”
You’ve seen him on the undercard for dozens of indie-rap shows and wondered, “Who’s that white dude?” Now watch him cavort with Mexican wrestlers and buxom women. Directed by Jonathon Narducci and Brian Morrow. Taken from The Honey, which drops … Continue reading
Collective Efforts’ “Crazy Things”
Here’s some ATL flavor from Collective Efforts, which is part of Sound Tribe Sector 9’s camp. Their new album, Freezing World, drops February 16 on 1320 Records. Directed by Matt Ackerman and Chris Watson of Green Leather Sofa Productions.
The Plug One 50 2009: Top 30 Tracks
While the Plug One 50’s top 20 albums list is designed to be authoritative (or at least highly opinionated), the top 30 tracks list tends to be a mishmash of random favorites. These are a few songs that caught my … Continue reading
Posted in Plug One 50, Reviews, Superlists
Tagged Aceyalone, Antipop Consortium, Asher Roth, Buckshot, Busdriver, Cage, Cam'ron, Clipse, Del the Funky Homosapien, Dorian Concept, Drake, Eminem, Filastine, Hudson Mohawke, J Dilla, Kero One, KRS-One, MF Doom, Mos Def, Pill, Raekwon, Sa-Ra, Tanya Morgan, The Clonius, The Roots, Themselves, Theophilus London
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The Plug One 50 2009: Top 20 Albums
This year’s crop of hip hop albums was an improvement over last year. But it didn’t come from the artists expected to dominate. Around this time in 2008, everyone was buzzing about the “new school” of blog-hyped rappers. They injected … Continue reading
Posted in Plug One 50, Reviews, Superlists
Tagged Aceyalone, Antipop Consortium, Brother Ali, Busdriver, Dorian Concept, Finale, Jneiro Jarel, Khujo Goodie, Madlib, MF Doom, Mike Slott, Mos Def, Mr. Lif, Nosaj Thing, P.O.S., Polyphonic, Raekwon, Sa-Ra, Serengeti, Shafiq Husayn, Tanya Morgan, Willie Isz, Zion-I
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Review: Mos Def, “The Ecstatic”
(Note: This review was originally posted on Vibe.com before the company was liquidated and sold to new owners. It is no longer available on the website, so I decided to re-post it here.) Mos Def, The Ecstatic Downtown Records What’s … Continue reading
Review: Asher Roth, “Asleep In The Bread Aisle”
(Note: This review was originally posted on Vibe.com before the company was liquidated and sold to new owners. It is no longer available on the website, so I decided to re-post it here.) Asher Roth, Asleep in the Bread Aisle … Continue reading
Review: K’naan, “Troubadour”
(Note: This review was originally posted on Vibe.com before the company was liquidated and sold to new owners. It is no longer available on the website, so I decided to re-post it here.) K’naan, Troubadour A&M/Octone “I hope you’ve got … Continue reading
Coming soon: The Plug One 50 returns!
Tomorrow, I’ll enter the retrospective phase of the year with my fourth annual roundup of the year’s best releases. I’ll count down the year’s best albums, singles, and a few other surprises. After that comes the Plug One 2000s, a … Continue reading
I.B.E.’s “Make The Road By Walkin'”
Decent conscious rap by Minneapolis’ I.B.E. (Intelligent Black Enterprise), with Rhymesayers’ Toki Wright on a second-verse assist. Directed by Stevie Kane of One Light Collective. Taken from I.B.E.’s The Feel mixtape, which you can download here.
Georgia Anne Muldrow’s “Roses”
Georgia Anne Muldrow’s best song to date gets an excellent treatment. It honors her homey, down-to-Earth vibe while adding graphic elements that make for a very nice clip. Directed by Ogechi. Taken from Umsindo. Props to Frolab.com for the link.
The Wrap Up – December 14, 2009
As the days get shorter, the news gets slower: Giant magazine bites the dust, moves to online (nymag.com) Pioneering social network Friendster changes owners, shifts focus to Asia (reuters.com) 2010 Grammy Award nominations announced (grammy.com) RIP Monty Stark from Stark … Continue reading
Posted in News, The Wrap Up
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Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness”
Kid Cudi plus Mick Boogie, Drake, Consequence, socialite Daphne Guinness and members of MGMT and Ratatat equals a champagne-soaked NYE-style party. Directed by Brody Baker of KnowMore Productions (the same guy behind Animal Collective’s drippy “My Girls” clip). From Man … Continue reading
Mos Def’s “Supermagic”
Artist of the year candidate appropriates a one-cam strategy to unique (if slightly annoying) effect. Apologies for the OnSmash.com linkage, I didn’t look for a non-site-affiliated clip this time. Directed by Dribblez & Weirdcore. Taken from The Ecstatic.
Dam-Funk’s “Mirrors”
Dam-Funk brings the funk to a few needy souls. But will the white kids listen? Look out for a cameo by Nite Jewel. Directed by Henry DeMaio. From Toeachizown, in stores now.
Rita J’s “No Regrets”
From the All Natural family of artists. Check for the shot of Tone B. Nimble in the vinyl stacks. Filmed by Corey Fuentes and edited by Konee Rok. From Artist Workshop, in stores now.
Dessa’s “A Badly Broken Code”
Earlier this year, I included Minneapolis singer/rapper/poet Dessa on a list of ten dope MCs (not the ten best, as I mistakenly wrote, just ten good ones). I included her on the strength of a few appearances on Doomtree’s self-titled … Continue reading