Smart & Angry

It’s coming around that time for me to start putting together my 2011 year end list of music. Yet before I even get around to doing that, I would like to first get a few more projects from last year. Which somehow I completely neglected for reasons being :

a) I just wasn't up on them
b) slipped my mind while I was organizing the lists last year.
c) I was overwhelmed at the task of writing about 102 songs 20 albums, and other matters.
d) all of the above

Either way, I come to bring justice back to these overlooked projects which this year have still captivated my ears a plenty.  So without further delay, here are a few jawns that missed my list year.

Danny!-And I Love H.E.R/Where is Danny?
Bobojojo introduced me last year to South Carolina artist Danny!(Govement name  Danny Swain) in a major way . Sending me dudes whole current catalog, and giving me all the background information I needed on him(including info on Mr Oct Very Own Aubery Drake leaving him off of Thank Me Now[Drakes fakeness is a post for another day]). My verdict on his music: Though I can’t get down with a lot of his earlier works, his last 5 years have been quite impressive.  And I Love H.E.R(2008) and 2009(leaked)/2011(officially released)Where is Danny? are bangers. He is definitely in his own lane, and his quirkiness is a much needed attribute in today's hip-hop world.

Earl Sweatshirt-Couch
Nothing this year that has required as many playbacks as missing the OFWGKTA members 2010 release Couch. Yeah it’s offensive as hell, but who in high school didn’t have a clever friend that was able to shock you a bit here in there in clever ways(most likely wasn’t the Homecoming King either). When you move past the shock value though, one thing is apparent for sure: the kid has got  some major skills on the mic. Though a short in running time, it  works as a complete work. This would of easily been in my top five last year for sure if I would of been on the up & up. And no, I am not saying ___ Earl !. 

Das Racist- Sit Down, Man(download here)
This is one of those groups you either love or hate. They do have a lot of hipster sensibilities  in their music, but dudes can rhyme. This project  is a good display of all what they bring to the table. Which includes a lot of satire, cynicism, and  jokes(check the Lil Wayne like song below). Pretty sure your friend with the fixed gear bike has played this for you already,  which is a great alternative to Beruit and Animal Collective if you ask me.

Terrece Martin- Here my Dear(download here)
It’s Terrace not Terrance  by the way! One of my favorite up & coming producers/artist produced this gem for the grown folks last year. Inspired by Marvin Gaye’s album of the same title, the project explores relationships and love(groundbreaking right?) while boasting solid features from artist such as Snoop Dogg, Murs, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick  Lamar, Thurz & YO{formally of U-N-I}), Charlie Wilson, Kurupt and others this is definitely something that should be  on your iPod. Especially when you’re trying to getting your romance on.

Jazmine Sullivan-Love Me, Back
Don’t know how I left this off the list last year. This songwriter/vocalist impressed me so much with her first album, that it often had me standing up like I was up in Sunday worship service while listening. The second album only improves on what we were given a small glimpse on the first. Great vocal performances by her, and solid soul without sounding dated as well.  In a world where R&B has been invaded by rap and electronica, it’s good to hear someone sticking to the blueprint.

Strong Arm Steady- In Search of Stoney Jackson

My homey (shout-out to KP!) always swears by Strong Arm Steady. I personally have never been that huge of a fan of the (now)trio. Phil Da Agnoy has always been interesting to me before he joined,   Mitchy Slick is cool, Krondon has moments, but as a collective... nothing to write home about. That is until this Madlib produced album surfaced towards the end of last year. Madlib in my opinon is one of the top 5 beat-makers alive today. Yet, because of the release this year,  I was confused on to what album was which. Madlib is a beast, and if you know anything about his quirky, dusty productions, you know that there is no way you can come with your usual flow to his backdrops. Which pushes the usually calculated SAS crew,  above their usual west coast braggado.

-Justa

So Tyga's new Mixtape is titled "Black Thoughts" and he is trying to promoted it today.

As you see here with the bad photoshop of Huey and the oversaturated Hip-hop collage poster put together for the mixtape, he is trying to convey a deep conscious theme. However, leave it to the classiness of the internet to add to the consciousness.

Lesson: this is what happens when you take 2 seconds to think about your product and slap together something with photoshop. Read some non-fiction books and try to be more creative with your product.

Madlib and Guilty Simpson - The Paper

Wale - center of attention

Vampire Weekend - Cousins