DDoff Daily

DDoff's 55 Favorite Albums of 2011 + More

2011-12-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

Preface: I liked more than 55 albums this year, much more actually. If your favorite album is missing from this list, I'd love to hear about why I screwed up in the comments section. Looking forward to your feedback -- ddoff

55. Common The Dreamer, The Believer [Warner Bros.]

This Dec. 20 release missed the deadline of most year-end lists, which is too bad -- Common's ninth studio album brings the Chicago MC back to the boom-bap wheelhouse where he shines brightest. Executive producer No I.D.'s complete takeover offers fluidity throughout the set's twelve tracks, and some new, inspired fire from Common is a welcome flashback to the days of Respiration.

54. Lotus Lotus [SCI Fidelity]

Part experimental, part electronic, part jam -- it's hard to describe Lotus's music, but it sure is easy to enjoy it. This group takes SCI Fidelity's spaced-out sound and expands it in multiple directions; much like their label mates, the experience is delivered best live and direct. Check 'em out next time they come through town.

53. Cage the Elephant Thank You Happy Birthday [Jive]

The phrase "put the fun back into rock and roll" is overused, but there really isn't a better way to describe what Cage the Elephant brings to the table. This sophomore offering, packed with catchy head-nodders, makes me wish I was fifteen again. Fifteen, and much more rebellious than my fifteen-year-old self...

52. Tyler, The Creator Goblin [XL]

Was it something he said? I was surprised to see Goblin missing from so many year-end lists, especially considering some of these same publications were hyping Tyler and Odd Future beyond belief just a few months ago. Love him or hate him, it was hard to not follow Tyler's ongoing shenanigans; while I don't always agree with what he has to say (or worse, how he says it), the kid can straight-up spit, and I'm intrigued to hear what he and OFWGKTA create in the coming years.

51. Little Dragon Ritual Union [Peacefrog]

Little Dragon's dance-pop cornucopia can get a bit -- well, girly -- at times, but the jam-packed fun of this album is undeniable. (And while the SBTRKT album barely missed the Top-55 cut, LD's vocals on "Wildfire" made for one of the best all-around singles of the year.)

50. Active Child You Are All I See [Vagrant]

An album filled with lush arrangements over beautifully layered vocals that is moody, romantic, and orchestral all at once. Lead singer Pat Grossi's heavy falsetto is something that is best heard in small-to-medium doses -- but when it's on, it's on.

49. Yelawolf Radioactive [Shady/Interscope]

Yela didn't exactly make the cultural dent in hip-hop that I had predicted and hoped this year (his Trunk Muzik mixtape cracked #36 on last year's list); nonetheless, this was exactly the album I wanted and expected from the Alabaman party animal, and I'm optimistic that more folks will come around to Yelawolf's Southern-fried grit.

48. Game The R.E.D. Album [DGC/Interscope]

Anyone who thinks Game's game is over didn't hear his latest effort, a vicious comeback effort from one of the West's best. Overlooked was the always-welcomed production from one Dr. Dre, which was one of many highlights from this star-studded affair.

47. Charles Bradley No Time for Dreaming [Daptone]

Much like his label mate Sharon Jones, Bradley's big break came at a much later point in life than most performers; it's refreshing to see someone so purely passionate about his craft; he is a true servant to the art of soul. (Side-note: you must go see Charles Bradley show, and soon. You must.)

46. The Cool Kids When Fish Ride Bicycles [Green Label Sound]

The Cool Kids are a prime example of "when keeping it real goes wrong" (word to Dave Chappelle). The Chicago duo's buzz peaked sometime between 2007 and 2008 -- and they likely did well for themselves on the road -- but the fact that a full-length debut didn't drop until this year represents a slew of missed opportunities between then and now. Nonetheless, Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish haven't lost a step; the Kids' signature boom-bap breakbeats are always welcome to us hip-hop heads.

45. Washed Out Within and Without [Sub Pop]

Chillwave's wave hit quite the crest with Ernest Greene's full-length debut, an atmospheric and hazy adventure through various phases of electronica. With this release, Washed Out became a symbol and ambassador for this small-yet-passionate niche genre whose audience will only grow over time.

44. Fitz & the Tantrums Pickin' Up the Pieces [Dangerbird]

This modern take on Motown was technically released in late 2010, but I think it's safe for a 2011 list due to the Tantrums' steady growth popularity as the year progressed. Part of this gradual growth was due to Michael Fitzpatrick and company's constant presence on this summer's festival circuit, as they made for one of the better live acts at each blowout.

43. Christina Perri lovestrong. [Atlantic]

Perri's beautifully somber wails fall somewhere between the epic majesty of Amy Lee and the angry confidence of Alanis Morissette. In other words, Christina has joined a short list of musicians who can make anger and sadness sound so glorious.

42. The Head and the Heart The Head and the Heart [Sub Pop]

The Head and the Heart brought us mellow folk-pop that was quite prevalent in 2011, although few did it better than this Seattle-based crew. My pick for the year's "best album before you go to sleep."

41. Big Sean Finally Famous [G.O.O.D./Def Jam] and

40. Wiz Khalifa Rolling Papers [Rostrum/Atlantic]

The guilty pleasure of radio rap can be a love/hate relationship -- we love to bump it in our cars and at the clubs, but rarely do these so-called "ringtone rappers" make an album worthy of a start-to-finish listen. Sean and Wiz, both of whom already had stellar track records via years of respective mixtapes, offered us stellar exceptions to that rule.

39. Idle Warship Habits of the Heart [Blacksmith]

His Gutter Rainbows was another great effort to add to Talib Kweli's long list of accomplishments this year, but it was Kwe's collaborative project with Res that really set him apart this year. Idle Warship dared us to dive deep into its boundary-pushing explorations, and the high-energy opus delivered with a strong, funky blast to the eardrum.

38. Jamie Woon Mirrorwriting [Polydor UK] and

37. Alex Clare The Lateness of the Hour [Island UK]

These two Brits provided some of the year's best (and pastiest!) soul-pop -- much in the same vein as James Blake, albeit much more radio-friendly. From Woon's lush odes to new jack swing to Clare's rich, layered cover of "When Doves Cry," I'm disappointed these two didn't get into the hands (and ears) of more folks this year. Highly recommended for fans of Jamie Lidell, Robin Thicke, and any other white-boy who knows how to get down with the get-down.

36. Beastie Boys Hot Sauce Committee Part Two [Capitol]

This long-awaited release didn't exactly "make some noise" in the hip-hop community, but these middle-aged MCs continue to prove that they have a knack and appreciation for high-end, sonically-superior production. The album's second single, "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" (featuring Santigold), was one of the year's best and catchiest all-around songs.

35. Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures [Island]

Sooooo many reviews and tweets I read about this album went something like this: "I usually hate posthumous records, but this one is really great!" Um, baloney. We all love posthumous tributes (2Pac, Biggie, Selena, hello?). Having said that, this one was particularly special -- a classy tribute to an unfortunately missed talent. (And yes, I just indirectly likened Amy Winehouse to Selena.)

34. Cold War Kids Mine Is Yours [Downtown/Mercury],

33. TV on the Radio Nine Types of Light [Interscope], and

32. My Morning Jacket Circuital [ATO]

Three albums by three veteran acts who clearly know what they're doing. Especially under-appreciated was the Cold War Kids project -- the California quartet's buzz has surely dwindled, but CWK's third album might be its best. Bottom line: if you didn't know better than to listen to these on your own, I can't help you.

31. Mac Miller Blue Slide Park [Rostrum]

If you're out of college, you're probably a bit over-the-hill for most of Mac's subject matter; having said that, this party of a debut was one of hip-hop's most impressive releases, setting Miller apart from the inferior "frat-rap" scene to which he is often unfairly compared. Nobody earned their success as creatively and arduously as Miller and his Rostrum Records family, who became the first fully-independent label to take the #1 slot on the Billboard albums chart since 1995.

30. The Roots Undun [Def Jam]

The Roots' eleventh album was the group's most ambitious yet, which is really saying something. This concept album, whose street-tale narrative plays out from finish-to-start, is filled with poignant lyrical prowess and spectacular musicianship over a dark spectrum spanning multiple genres.

29. Fleet Foxes Helplessness Blues [Sub Pop]

With this gem of a second full-length, it's clear that these Seattle-based multi-instrumentalists are no fluke. Whether it's tight vocal harmonies or complex acoustic/electric compositions, it's safe to say these guys have the whole baroque-pop thing figured out.

28. Gary Clark Jr. The Bright Lights EP [Warner Bros.]

I'm always thrilled (okay, I'm always biased) when a member of Austin's blues scene jumps into the national spotlight, and Gary Clark's coming-out party was a long time coming for those of us who would catch him at open mike nights not too long ago. You can fully expect for Gary to hold a much higher spot on this list next year, when his full-length debut is released.

27. J. Cole Cole World - The Sideline Story [Roc Nation]

Jermaine Cole really has the whole package -- palpable swagger, lyricism both witty and thoughtful, and even a dash of heartthrob -- this major-label debut was a stellar culmination of his already-dope collection of mixtapes. It should be a nice, long career for this young star of Jay-Z's Roc Nation galaxy.

26. Maybach Music Group Self Made, Vol. 1 [Warner Bros.] and

25. Wale Ambition [Warner Bros.]

Wale's move to Rick Ross's MMG collective was a curious, if not questionable, move for the up-and-coming DC native, who was rightfully frustrated after his highly-anticipated Interscope debut didn't sell. Wale, however, managed to naturally fit between his new trio of counterparts. Ross, Meek Mill, Pill and Wale's sum-of-all-parts approach is some of the best of its kind since the Ruff Ryders days of the late '90s; the result (a #5 Billboard debut for the compilation and a #1 slot for Wale's Ambition) made for one of the better stories in music this year.

24. Middle Brother Middle Brother [Partisan]

Ready for an unexpected parallel? Much like Maybach Music's successful take on a "supergroup," this trio -- consisting of members from Dawes, Deer Tick and Delta Spirit -- fulfills the difficult task of paying homage to '70s California rock without cheesing it up.

23. G. Love Fixin' to Die [Brushfire]

G. Love's previous couple of albums were, let's face it, stale; his new effort, produced by the Avett brothers (yes, those Avett brother!), was a complete 180 from the past five years, and some of the Philadelphian's finest work to date.

22. Motopony Motopony [tinyOGRE]

And another Seattle-based band makes the list. This was my favorite "under-the-radar" release of the year, a laid-back collection of indie-pop with multiple standout tracks. Check out the album's second track, "King of Diamonds," and see if you fall in love, too.

21. The Decemberists The King Is Dead [Capitol/Rough Trade]

Portland's multi-talented multi-instrumentalists continue to release a superior brand of indie-folk, this effort being their most accessible to date. It's funny how a song like "This Is Why We Fight" can seem so conservative compared to 2009's The Hazards of Love concept album, yet so similar to 2005's The Crane Wife narrative; anyone who feels this crew has been "selling out" over the years, has just not been listening closely.

20. Booker T. Jones The Road from Memphis [Anti]

Backed by his trusty organ and a house band you might have heard elsewhere -- they're called The Roots -- Booker T. delivered a set that included instrumental covers from Gnarls Barkley to Lauryn Hill, and additional guest vocals from the likes of Yim Yames and Lou Reed. It might sound all over the place, but this legend molds it together in a way only he can.

19. Battles Gloss Drop [Warp]

If Brooklyn hipsterdom ever birthed a jam band, it's Battles. And I think you know I mean that as a good thing. We call a band "experimental rock" if we don't know what to call it, but I think we should just call this genre "Really Fun Music."

18. Wye Oak Civilian [Merge]

I played Beach House's Teen Dream during my morning commute more times than I could count in 2010. The airy alt-pop of Wye Oak replaced that spot in my day for 2011, and I must thank this duo for continually starting my days the right way.

17. The Black Keys El Camino [Nonesuch]

Danger Mouse and the Keys are really onto something here - this was the producer's third consecutive project behind the wheel, and I'm not even close to tired of it. This album goes bigger and glitzier than the Keys have ever gone, yet still hold true to the blues traditions they hold so dearly -- straddling a line that only they and Jack White have been able to do successfully this decade.

16. Stephen Marley Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life [Universal Republic]

This 39-year-old Marley brother is a production wizard who has spent most of his life away from the mic, this effort being only his second as a solo artist. But it's not just Stephen's production skills that sets him apart from his brothers: the hungry scratches of his voice also most closely resembles that of his father's. All of that aside, this is still an outstanding effort; the reggae genre is cursed with much of its work sounding too much alike, but rest assured that Revelation Part 1 is an album that stands alone in its greatness.

15. Bon Iver Bon Iver [Jagjaguwar]

The full-on hipster worship of Justin Vernon became a bit tiresome to me, but you can't say those skinny-jeaned bastards didn't have a point. An album that personified winter in the woods -- I'm not sure why that's important, but it sure sounded good. Everything about this album is great, except for the sax solo at the end. (Side-note to Bon Iver, Lady GaGa, and everyone else trying to bring the sax into contemporary music: just stop. If your name isn't Springsteen or Seger, you'll never figure out the sax because it belongs in their era. Put. Down. The. Sax.)

14. James Blake James Blake [ATLAS/A&M/Polydor]

I put Blake's 2010 set at #39 on my 2010 list, because I wasn't sure whether or not Blake's haunting electro-soul would be a short-lived fad. What I learned in 2011 was that it didn't matter if Blake's "success" was short-lived; I just wanted to hear more of it. (And like I said last year, I'm just a sucker for blue-eyed soul in any form.)

13. Ha Ha Tonka Death of a Decade [Bloodshot]

This Missouri outfit successfully filled the void left by last year's stampede of indie-folk bands including Mumford and Sons, Local Natives, and Ed Sharpe, who spent much of 2011 on the road. The recent wave of Americana has been an exciting ride that will likely hit even greater strides in 2012.

12. Drake Take Care [Young Money]

Drake's sophomore set showcases a superstar who is clearly still in his prime (unlike his boss; you might notice Tha Carter IV is absent from this list). Drizzy's radio-friendly balance of classic and new-school hip-hop is difficult to dismiss as "just another pop-rapper"; the sound and swagger of Take Care are simply undeniable.

11. Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi Rome [Parlophone/EMI]

Danger Mouse just seems to have a feel for the spaghetti western-inspired style that he replicates so deftly on this project, and I'm sure it's not the last we'll hear from him in this vein. Throw in some serious star power (with talent to boot) via Jack White and Norah Jones, and you've got an album whose accomplishments match its grandiose ambitions.

10. Frank Ocean nostalgia, Ultra [self-released]

"Genre-bending" doesn't even begin to describe this 24-year-old's thrill of a debut. The fact alone that Frank Ocean never raps, but is mostly associated with rap music, suggests that we may have not heard anything quite like him before. This release is the most intriguing and promising mixtape since Drake's So Far Gone, and I'm eager to hear what Frank will have for us in the new year.

9. Big K.R.I.T. Return of 4eva [self-released]

Krit's 2010 mixtape landed at #16 on last year's list, and the Mississippi MC continued to grow with his follow-up. As his Def Jam debut crawls its way out of the studio, one can't help but wonder if mainstream success will ultimately elude this blogosphere all-star; my hopes are high that hip-hop radio, especially in the South, will learn to embrace Big K.R.I.T. in a big way.

8. Foster the People Torches [Columbia]

For shame! Shame on all the hipsters who were buzzing about Foster The People in late 2010, only to dismiss them once middle America caught on to the group's infectious summer anthem. This album is, in a nutshell, what MGMT's second album should have sounded like -- airy indie-pop that lives in a space somewhere between dive bars and dance clubs. Did I become tired of "Pumped Up Kicks" as much as the next guy? Of course I did. Am I going to unfairly cast Foster the People away for creating, arguably, the catchiest tune on the planet since Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy"? Absolutely not.

7. Jay-Z & Kanye West Watch the Throne [Def Jam]

This wasn't always a Top-10 album for me, but the cultural transcendence of "N-Words in Paris" (and to a greater extent, the ubiquity of "cray") pushed this album forward for me as the year waned. While the braggadocio and hard-dicked bravado of "Otis" and "Paris" filled the airwaves, it was the introspective portions of this collaboration ("New Day," "Murder to Excellence") that really put this album in perspective and helped make it a complete body of work.

6. The Weeknd (Balloons Trilogy) [XO]

Abel Tesfaye's R-rated sexy is nothing new to hip-hop or R&B, but this artist's dark, experimental forays into other genres have set The Weeknd into a lane of its own. Each chapter in this trio of mixtapes -- released in an unannounced, flash-mob style via social media -- was an achievement of its own, and any artist who can put out three quality projects within a year deserves some serious recognition. Oh, and by the way: this kid is just 21.

5. Paul Simon So Beautiful or So What [Hear Music]

Whether you're a flower child who spun The Sounds of Silence in your bedroom, or an 80s baby whose parents rocked Graceland on family road trips -- Paul Simon's quiet, melodic energy has likely made its way into your life at one point or another. No one has ever questioned the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's chops as a songwriter, even in the twilight years of his illustrious career; what makes this feel-good story of an album stand out is that Simon sounds more spirited and vibrant than ever.

4. Kendrick Lamar Section.80 [Top Dawg Entertainment]

This mixtape was highly anticipated within the choosy, elitist circles of the hip-hop world; even so, nobody could have predicted such a well-constructed masterpiece from young Kendrick Lamar. The West Coast has struggled to find its next star since Game's 2005 debut, but this release (plus a verbal co-sign from Dr. Dre) has all-but secured Lamar's space as the heir to Cali's throne.

3. Adele 21 [XL/Columbia]

Shut up. Just shut up. I don't care how tired you are of her: this is a special piece of work and should be recognized as such. For every 50 Ke$has, the music industry tends to give us one pop act who is worthy of his or her fame -- clearly, Adele is that one.

2. The Civil Wars Barton Hollow [Sensibility]

The way the rest of the world seemed to fall in love with Mumford & Sons' concoction of traditional folk with rock 'n roll sensibilities, so have I fallen in love with The Civil Wars. John Paul White's steel (or acoustic) guitar licks over Joy White's sultry wails conveys a beautiful marriage of rock, blues and folk that is often imitated but rarely perfected.

1. tUnE-yArDs w h o k i l l [4AD]

This has all the makings of a "best album of the year" selection: complete originality, remarkable sustainability (it hasn't left my iPod's rotation since its April release), and a natural growth in appreciation/popularity built upon word-of-mouth. It was a joy to witness Merrill Garbus blossom from an obscure experimentalist into a viable rock star in 2011, and I look forward to bumping w h o k i l l deep into 2012 and beyond.

I created a Spotify playlist with a standout track from all 55 albums, you can take a look or listen by clicking here.

Bonus: I've recently become enamored with Florence + The Machine's cover of Drake and Rihanna's "Take Care." I decided to mash the two performances together; amended and extended versions below. Here's to a great 2012!

Drake + Florence - Take Care Mash-Ups by DDoff

Putting Out the (Arcade) Fire: Why it took me seven years to discover a great band

2011-02-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

I didn't listen to Arcade Fire until 2011.

There, I said it. Self-proclaimed "music experts" like myself are hard-pressed to admit when they missed the boat on critically-acclaimed artists, and stubborn to confess they like something when they aren't the first of their peers to hear it. If I told you that bullheadedness like this was above me, I'd be lying. But alas, here I am. Hi, I'm Jordan, and I'm not the coolest guy in the room. (Everyone say it with me: "Hi, Jordan.")

It's not like I hadn't heard of Arcade Fire. So, the important question here is simple: why did I -- the guy who must-must-must listen to everything -- continue to ignore such a universally-renown band? The answer, in part, is a combination of youth and ignorance (or as I'm likely to say when I'm older, ignorance and ignorance). My most important excuse, however, is simply a matter of bad timing. Cheap cop-out, you say? Hear me out for a second...

Let's be real here: I'm a hip-hop head, not a hipster. I'm pretty good at pretending I know a lot about Radiohead, but the truth is I'm not too familiar with many non-singles released pre-OK Computer (which came out, mind you, when I was 11). I do love rock music and was all over the big releases of the mid-to-late '90s (think Smashing Pumpkins, Beck, etc.), but my non-rap tastes in high school leaned more toward singer-songwriters and emo-punk (you know you liked it, too), not Björk and Portishead. I'm not apologizing; I was acting my age. Needless to say, a band like Arcade Fire was simply not on my radar when its debut album made its way into the ears of indie-heads in September 2004.

That debut, Funeral, dropped during my sophomore year in college (and if you had the band's self-released EP in 2003, congrats on out-cooling even more of us). Frankly, my musical intake was at an all-time low: my main concerns at the time were booze and buds, not rock and roll. WIth that in mind, turning me on to the next big thing in indie-rock was more distracting to me than it was exciting.

Once my alcohol tolerance reached fraternally-acceptable levels, I finally had time to get back to my passion for music discovery. I was introduced to The Decemberists sometime in 2005, and although it was a far cry from the typical music I consumed -- in-your-face MCs and/or sad-faced solo guitarists -- I was enamored from the get-go. At this point, most singer-songwriters failed to excite me (I truly believe this has a direct correlation with losing my virginity) and hip-hop was in a funk where we were still looking for the heir apparent to Jay-Z's throne (we learned soon enough that he never actually left it). Hence, there were musical mountains to climb and getting introduced to a group like The Decemberists couldn't have come at a better time. Who knows...maybe if Funeral came out a year later, I wouldn't be writing about this at all. Nonetheless, Arcade Fire arrived when they did and I missed out.

I have a semi-strict practice of starting with a band's first album, no matter when I discover the artist; so when Neon Bible (2007) and The Suburbs (2010) dropped, I was reluctant to dive in without hearing the debut first. Six-plus years and about 934 year-end lists later, I've finally sat down with Arcade Fire's catalog and can offer a thorough, no-BS opinion on it. Spoiler alert: I loved it.

Funeral

My initial thought after the first ten seconds of Funeral went something like this: "Wow, I think I'm gonna like this. Why was I so resistant before? Do I even need to write about this anymore? (nods head happily to the beat)." The first two tracks are different, yet seamless -- if this came out in the '70s, I'm willing to bet they would've just been one long opus of a rock opera. I learned quickly that this is a common practice for Arcade Fire, and it's an old-school technique that I welcome with open arms. I'll spare you the full-on review, but it's safe to say I really enjoyed this album. A couple of notes:

- When I got to "Wake Up" it sparked contradictory feelings -- the "oh, I DO know this band" sigh of relief, but also the MGMT-esque "this song was in countless commercials and they were still indie darlings?" sense of frustration. That's not to say I'm against bands using ads to promote themselves; quite the contrary (I'll save that for another post). Just a surprise to say the least.

- In my opinion, if you're not melodic you're nothing, which is why so many "left-of-center" acts are so lost on me. Funeral's melodies grow stronger as the album progresses, and the album's epic ending, "In the Backseat," sounds a lot like -- guess who -- The Decemberists! (See what I did there? Yeah, you did.)

Neon Bible

Is bigger always better? Not in the case of AF's sophomore album, in my opinion. (Oh, you thought this was going to be all-positive? Clearly you don't know how I work!)

The size of the band is more apparent on Neon Bible, but I don't see that as a good thing. The grandiose arrangements ("Black Mirror") and questionably-frequent use of organs ("The Invervention") is just too much for my liking. The Polyphonic Spree came and left not too long ago, and I don't miss them at all. Also, I'm not gonna lie: this French shit gets to me. (Wait, they're Canadian? Whoops. Guess I can't blame them there.)

One more gripe: why do so many bands try to become Springsteen on their second albums? Damn-the-man anthems like "Antichrist Television Blues" and "Windowsill" aren't bad, but they've been done countless times before and simply don't resonate with me -- unless they're from "The Boss," of course.

The sense of melody that I adored from Funeral begins to return on "Keep the Car Running," but the over-the-top nature of Neon Bible's over-the top nature is the reason it is now my least-favorite of the Arcade Fire trilogy.

The Suburbs

In a way, I'm glad I've experienced all three albums at the same time -- Neon Bible was not my style and it might have steered me away from checking out The Suburbs...and wow, what a mistake that would have been.

I really like this project because the band -- for lack of a better term -- chills the fuck out, at least by its own standards. It's the perfect recipe for a third album: if you're familiar with the band and like most of what you heard, The Suburbs retains the good (melody, cohesion) and drops the bad (using everything short of a monkey's farts as instrumentation). Read between the lines: essentially, I enjoyed this album because it sounds more like Funeral and less like Neon Bible.

You've read enough at this point (and kudos for sticking it out 'til the end!), so I'll leave it at that. I avoided a great band for no particular good reason, but I finally got around to it and now all you cool people can quit harassing me to check them out. For anyone who still isn't familiar with Arcade Fire's work, I highly suggest giving it a listen -- even Neon Bible. It's important to know your history when considering how an artist arrives at a particular juncture in its career. Now, can someone please pass me a hip-hop album...good riddance!

I'm back! DDoff's 2010 Recap

2010-12-30T11:19:00.000-08:00

"Ho, ho, homeboy!" - Antoine Dodson

Time flies when you're having fun. I love (love, love, love) to write about music. It's probably the second-most thing I'd like to do as a career. Fortunately, I'm doing the first-most thing I'd like to do...listen to music all day and NOT write about it...ha!

Not that I'm bragging, just explaining. The last post to make it onto DDoff Daily was my "Best of the First Half of 2009." Where have I been? Not important. All you need to know is I'm BACK, and back in big form. Hope you enjoy my year-end wrap-up, please share with your fellow music-obsessed friends...and pretty please, leave some comments for me. I'd love to hear your opinions.

STORY OF THE YEAR: B.o.B AND BRUNO MARS CONTROL THE RADIO

Sorry, folks -- if you were looking for the piece where Brooklyn Band X reached inexplicable new heights after adding a fourth guitarist who also does his own MPC loops, let me refer you to a different blog. Don't get me wrong, I love indie achievements just as much as the next guy. But I'm here to discuss success -- real, tangible success -- and there are already a million wannabes out there who sucked Arcade Fire's dick today -- so boom, there's my defense. Now, where was I...

These two had separately brushed closely with mainstream success: Mars as half of an A-list songwriting team, and Bobby Ray as a promising-yet-lost rookie, struggling to balance blog buzz with unseen pop sensibilities. It was their instantly-memorable collaboration "Nothin' On You" that catapulted the young stars into the stratosphere of pop culture...and the rest is history. With 9 Grammy nominations and countless Top 10 hits between the two of them, Bruno and Bobby's undeniable "it" factors suggest that both will enjoy plenty of personal successes for years to come. Neither will forget, however, that it was their fateful connection -- and by fateful, I mean "brilliantly concocted by Atlantic Records A&R" -- that led each of them to the promised land.

Honorable Mention: Kanye's G.O.O.D. Fridays

Who needs a major label? Mr. West's weekend takeovers were a loud-and-clear message that artists can do it all by themselves in today's Internet-friendly culture. With other relevant acts like Swizz Beatz following suit with their own DIY marketing plans, music is getting into the hands of its fans faster than ever. If they would only leak their songs on an online retail store...hint, hint!

I DON'T GET IT: 5 HYPED ARTISTS/ALBUMS THAT FAILED TO EXCITE ME

5. Janelle Monae's The ArchAndroid: Don't confuse being "different" with being original. Janelle can't decide who she is and I'm not patient enough to follow along her twisted journey.

4. M.I.A.'s MAYA: Or however you spell it. She could've piggybacked "Paper Planes" into superstardom but went the opposite direction, which wouldn't have been a problem if 90% of the album wasn't complete rubbish.

3. MGMT's Congratulations: See #4, then multiply it by a zillion. "Kids" and "Time to Pretend" were some of the best indie-pop records of the decade, and while their shift into psych-rock was somewhat admirable, they wasted a golden opportunity by switching gears.

2. Jay Electronica. Here come the haters! Of course his lyrics are sick, but his boring delivery can't hold my attention (I'm secretly praying to the hip-hop gods that I'm right about this one).

1. Waka Flocka Flame. No explanation necessary.

THE MAIN EVENT: THE 50 BEST ALBUMS OF 2010

50. Aloe Blacc Good Things (Stones Throw): My choice throwback soul record of the year. Aloe gained overdue notoriety for penning the theme to HBO's How to Make It in America, but his album contained far more than one catchy tune. Speaking of throwback soul, did y'all see Cody ChesnuTT is back?

49. Iration Time Bomb (Law); 48. The Holdup Confidence (Dub Rock): Many of y'all are aware of my soft spot for nu-reggae, and these are two of my favorite new acts from that world. Fans of Rebelution (or to my older readers, Sublime) will find no problem vibing to these laid-back jams.

47. Surfer Blood Astro Coast (Kanine): This whole Pavement-sounding subgenre isn't usually my thing, but you hipsters tricked me into liking it. Astro Coast didn't make many 2010 lists -- likely because the band's single "Swim" peaked in late 2009 --but this January release stayed in heavy rotation for me year-round.

46. Seu Jorge and Almaz Seu Jorge and Almaz (Now Again): It was a particularly weak year in the world music spectrum, but the Brazilian musician behind the soundtrack to Life Aquatic teamed up with a new trio and the results are quite special. Steve Zissou would surely approve. (My other favorite world album this year: Pacifika's Supermagique.)

45. Phantogram Eyelid Movies (Barsuk): More people would have appreciated this title if Beach House's album wasn't so damn good (more on that later). They technically have two lead singers, but Sarah Barthel's sultry delivery really steals the show in my eyes...or should I say eyelids?

44. Girl Talk All Day; 43. The White Panda Rematch (self-released): Mash-ups continue to dominate the dance scene, and it was up to someone to show the country that there's talent beyond Girl Talk...enter The White Panda, who are likely now playing at a frat house near you.

42. Onra Long Distance (All City Dublin): I'm not very familiar with Onra's work beyond this album...but what I do know, I adore. Long Distance is just a really fun retro-disco release. (Usually when I say "fun," it's a euphemism for "gay." And yes, that tendency holds true here.)

41. Free Energy Stuck on Nothing (DFA): Power-pop doesn't always have to be whiney and immature. Props to DFA for continuing their already-stellar track record. I hope this album gets into the hands of more impressionable teens, who will then overplay it to the point that I don't like it anymore.

40. Donnis Fashionably Late (Mixtape/Atlantic): Talk about an apt name for a mixtape: just when you thought Donnis might be falling off, he ends the year with not only a Reebok ad, but also an opening slot on Bruno Mars's tour. It should be an interesting 2011 for this streaky ATLien.

39. James Blake Klavierwerke (R&S): What can I say, I'm a full-on sucker for blue-eyed soul. Robin Thicke, Fink, Yoav, you name it...I've got every last album from mediocre white-boys who are blessed with silky vocals but cursed with...well, whiteness. James should be making plenty of stateside noise in 2011, and I will be listening with a pasty-cheeked smile.

38. Fistful of Mercy As I Call You Down (Hot Records)

Dhani Harrison's team-up with Joseph Arthur and Ben Harper had "overdone disaster" written all over it, but the trio's nine-track session turned out to be an understated gem of classic folk. And to those lucky enough to catch their live show...wow. Just wow.

37. LCD Soundystem This Is Happening (DFA): If you still weren't familiar with James Murphy's genius, the attention earned from this tour de force surely opened your eyes and ears. (Seriously, go read another blog if you still don't know about this album, you're wasting my time!)

36. Yelawolf Trunk Musik (Mixtape/DGC/Interscope): Maybe it's just my southern bias, but I truly believe there's room for this angry Alabaman to succeed. An ill-fitting tour with Wiz Khalifa probably hurt his momentum more than it helped (stoners don't mosh), but I see big things for Ol' Yeller in 2011.

35. Nas and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Distant Relatives (Universal Republic): Nas and Damian's partnership was a match made in rap-reggae heaven. Something tells me this won't be the duo's only album together. (Something also tells me Damian is still rolling with his loyal flag man.)

34. The Rescues Let Loose the Horses (Universal Republic): A completely overlooked piece of work -- The Rescues deserve much more shine than they received this year. If the album itself doesn't get you hooked, check out their cover of "Teenage Dream." Anyone who can make a Katy Perry song sound meaningful is a winner in my book.

33. Geographer Animal Shapes (Tricycle): San Francisco is obviously a top-notch city for live music, but I'll be honest: very few of us out here do a great job seeking out local talent. One exception to that rule is Geographer, who sold out Bay Area venues all year with its epic live shows (or so I've heard). Non-Californians, fear not: I've yet to see Geographer in person, but the band's studio work is plenty to enjoy (and hey, locals, I'll see you at the next show!).

32. Deluka You Are The Night (Vel/RCA): Cool new-new-wave band out of UK (heard this story before?). Dance-rock is a fun sound that too many bands leave behind once they reach success (see: Killers, The), but hopefully Deluka stays on its current course and keeps our dance floors rockin'.

32. Rusko O.M.G.! (Mad Decent): Rusko delivered dubstep to the masses, which is more than we can say about any other dubstep-friendly DJ/producer/what-have-you. They play "Da Cali Anthem" (not on this album, but Rusko nonetheless) during starting lineup announcements at every Warriors home game, and I shamelessly break my neck to it every time.

30. Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek Reflection Eternal: Revolutions Per Minute (Warner): Talib Kweli is my all-time favorite MC and I could write for hours about why this is a great record, but the fact of the matter remains that Kweli and Hi-Tek's long-awaited follow-up was exactly what their fans wanted and needed.

29. Band of Horses Infinite Arms (Brown/Fat Possum/Columbia); 28. The National High Violet (4AD); 27. Gorillaz Plastic Dream (Parlophone/Virgin):

Three well-deserved spots from three consistently-consistent acts.

26. P.T. Walkley Nice Guy Johnny [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Bathing Suit Music): I stumbled upon this soundtrack while watching the movie for which it scored. Nice Guy Johnny is a feel-good story about love and lust, and it's too bad the movie (and Walkley's mellow-yet-effective accompaniment ) sneaked past so many of us.

25. Freddie Gibbs Str8 Killa (Decon): Freddie Gibbs hates labels. So much so, he released a mixtape (Str8 Killa No Filla) containing six of the eight tracks from this EP, just days before Decon dropped it to the public. Whether or not Freddie makes a jump to the next level remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: gangsta rap ain't dead, homie.

24. The Constellations Southern Gothic (Virgin): Considering that the man behind the boards for this album was Animal Collective producer Ben Allen, I'm surprised more of you hipsters didn't get behind this. The Constellations began the year with hype, but ended 2010 all-but forgotten. I happened to really enjoy this, so here's a reminder that this band is still here.

23. Eminem Recovery (Aftermath/Interscope): Was it a perfect album? No. But Marshall packed more punch into Recovery than we'd seen since The Eminem Show, and it was more than enough to win back his longtime fans. Personally, I enjoyed Em's other 2010 works a tad more than what's on this album, but I'm not complaining: it's great to have The Real Slim Shady back.

22. Theophilus London I Want You (Mixtape): Name me another mixtape that features a Marvin Gaye cover. OK, you win...but name me another mixtape that features a Tweet cover! Gotcha there. Will Theo make the jump from Brooklyn hipster to New York City superstar? I'll be rooting for him.

21. Maximum Balloon Maximum Balloon (DGC/Interscope): TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek didn't want to call this his "solo project," so it got past many of the types of listeners who would enjoy it. With a who's who of indie-pop guest talent to boot, the album was a Pitchfork reader's wet dream.

20. Mansions on the Moon Paradise Falls (Illusive Media): Definitely one of my favorite new acts. With co-signs from Pharrell, Diplo and more, this young duo will get plenty of guidance throughout their journey to stardom in 2011.

19. J. Cole Friday Night Lights (Roc Nation): J. Cole was this year's Drake: loaded with talent, loaded with hype, loaded with great expectations for the year to come. Easy prediction: J. Cole's official full-length debut will be in my Top 10 of 2011.

18. The Dead Weather Sea of Cowards (Third Man/Warner): Year-end lists from washed-up senior writers at big 'zines will always include albums by old-fart legends (Robert Plant, Neil Young, etc.); mine will always include anything by Jack White. Put it this way: I will blindly follow Jack and his friends into any random band he chooses to create...he hasn't failed me yet.

17. Galactic Ya-Ka-May (Anti): I thought The Wire's David Simon would provide my fix for New Orleans flavor with his new HBO drama, Treme; instead, these jam band vets put together the most memorable post-Katrina Crescent City tribute I've seen to date. Word to Trombone Shorty and Allen Toussaint (both of whom are featured on this set).

16. Big K.R.I.T. K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (Mixtape): Bun B's Trill O.G. was awarded the famous "5 Mics" from The Source, but this Mississippian's mixtape was and is my favorite southern project of the year. K.R.I.T. recently signed with Def Jam, so expect plenty of southern spice in your speakers for 2011.

15. Mumford and Sons Sigh No More (Glassnote): Truthfully, I didn't listen to this album very often this year. But it's surely solid, and Mumford and Sons deserved every bit of success it so suddenly collected. Having said that, I'm still tired of people asking me if I've heard of them.

14. The Black Keys Brothers (Nonesuch): One of my all-time favorite bands continues to shell out great tunes. The Keys' flagship brand of Chicago blues never fails to impress, and the duo scored its biggest hit to date with "Tighten Up" (hat tip to Danger Mouse).

13. Rick Ross Teflon Don (Def Jam): We forgot Kobe was an alleged rapist when he won rings; we'll forget Tiger's a cheater when (not if, when) he wins his next green jacket; and we forgot that Rick Ross was a phony when he brought hit after hit (after hit) to the airwaves. "B.M.F." was a monster, and Ricky even showed his softer side on "Aston Martin Music."

12. Sleigh Bells Treats (Mom and Pop): Quite possibly the most fun album of 2010. This might be one of those albums that gets dated (and obnoxious) more quickly than most, but for now I will proudly turn "Infinite Guitars" up to 11 and rock out.

11. The Roots How I Got Over (Def Jam): Although I appreciated it, I didn't love Wake Up!, the Roots' collaborative effort with John Legend. The prolific crew's other set this year, however, marks some of its best work in years. Shouts to Joanna Newsom, who absolutely steals the show on "Right On."

10. Curren$y Pilot Talk (DD172); 9. Wiz Khalifa Kush & Orange Juice (Rostrum): These two carved a sweet-n-sticky new path in the stoner-rap lane, and even convinced me to listen to a white frat boy named Mac Miller. Moreover, their shared successes are paving the way for an unprecedented indie-rap revolution.

8. Drake Thank Me Later (Young Money/Cash Money): Even with its boss behind bars, this was Young Money's year, and its poster boy handled the reins with ease. By far the most anticipated title hip-hop title going into 2010, Drizzy -- with the help of his A-list friends, surely -- more than delivered on his official introduction.

7. Big Boi Sir Luscious Left Foot...The Son of Chico Dusty (Def Jam): Countless delays led to minimal expectations for the latest OutKast - er, Big Boi -- album. Maybe it was all that waiting that led us to believe he would bless us with anything but pure greatness. Big Boi knows himself and doesn't stray too far from his soul-funk path...which is just the way we like it.

6. Freelance Whales Weathervanes (Frenchkiss/Mom and Pop): It might seem curious to have a quirky rock quintet from Queens sandwiched between Big Boi and Cee Lo...but hey, it's my list and I'm sticking to it! Can't wait for more people to check these guys out, which is why it's my 6th-favorite album of the year.

5. Cee Lo Green The Lady Killer (Elektra): It started with an insanely catchy gimmick of a single, but it ended as perhaps the finest achievement in soul since Raphael Saadiq's Instant Vintage. Complete with a Band of Horses cover to boot, Cee Lo continues to surprise and amaze us and I'm eagerly awaiting his next unpredictable venture.

4. Beach House Teen Dream (Sub Pop): This duo's minimalistic folk-pop was the perfect album for my morning commute, and Teen Dream's dreamy hooks stayed in my head for days at a time. I'm not from the Sub Pop generation and subsequently don't have as much appreciation as I should for the label's historic roster, but clearly these guys still know what they're doing.

3. Local Natives Gorilla Manor (Frenchkiss): If anything stayed in my head longer than Beach House, it was Local Natives. Gorilla Manor probably got more plays on my iPod than anything else this year...so while #3 might seem high to some of you, that has to count for something.

2. Kid Cudi Man on the Moon, Vol. II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (G.O.O.D./Universal Republic): I saw plenty of sophomore sets on other year-end lists, but the level in which Scott Mescudi grew from first-to-second album reached far beyond his peers. Rager captures a stoner's melancholy in ways you have to hear (or smoke?) to believe.

1. Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Roc-a-fella/Def Jam): The only man who could one-up Cudi was, of course, his boss. I hate giving my top spot to such a popular candidate...but sometimes, when everyone from your generation is vibing to the same shit, it's just that good.

See y'all in 2011.

- ddoff

DDoff Daily's Best Albums of 2009 (So Far)

2009-07-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

No intro necessary, but please fill the comments field with your picks.

15. Manners, Passion Pit: Thanks to the group's hit single, "The Reeling," Passion Pit has become 2009's answer to 2008's MGMT, who was 2008's answer to 2007's Peter Bjorn and John. Am I sensing a pattern here? I worry that this band will disappear as quickly as it came (PB & J's sophomore album is actually a worthwhile listen, but do you care anymore?); in the meantime, I will keep rocking out to this impressive sophomore effort.

14. The Hazards of Love, The Decemberists: I'm not going to try to pretend I understand every moment of this rock opera, but I love it anyway. Colin Meloy and company did the unthinkable and topped The Crane Wife; to catch the live show and hear the album performed in chronological order was quite a treat.

13. BLACKsummers'night, Maxwell: Finally awake from his eight-year slumber, Maxwell proved that the nu-soul renaissance of the early 2000s was no fluke. This is baby-makin' music at its finest...D'Angelo, please follow suit and join the reunion party.

12. Back & Fourth, Pete Yorn: I found this album's sound to not be as "indie" as Yorn's reputation, and that's fine by me. Yorn's Americana-inspired effort is part-Counting Crows (the *good* Counting Crows), part-John Mayer (the *good* John Mayer), 100% awesome.

11. Above the Bones, Mishka and
10. Asa, Asa: Mellow guitar music seems to be a dime-a-dozen these days, but some international flavor helped turn these albums into iPod staples for my daily commute. If you're desperate for some chill-out tunes, these two are must-haves.

9. Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do, Major Lazer: While Mishka feeds the hunger for a laid-back, mellow reggae setting, Diplo and Switch's Major Lazer does the exact opposite. The duo's experimental dancehall disc is a balls-out party from start to finish, and deserved each bit of hype it received.

8. The Ecstatic, Mos Def: Thank goodness, we can put Mos on a "best-of" list again. Supporting this rapper/actor's music became hard to do after some sub-par efforts following Black on Both Sides, but The Ecstatic was a shot in the chest, reminding all of us why we love his work so much. Glad you're back on track, Mighty Mos.

7. Fondo, Vieux Farka Toure and
6. Welcome to Mali, Amadou & Mariam: One of the joys of the digital revolution is being able to hear music to which you might not have ever been exposed -- and these two fall under that umbrella. This might not be the place to start if you're unfamiliar with modern African music, but it's definitely the place to finish.

5. Keep It Hid, Dan Auerbach: Many dismissed this album as simply being a Black Keys side project, but it's much, much more than that. Auerbach's solo set borrows from the Keys' darkest, grittiest undertones, then takes it a few feet deeper. A truly overlooked album.

4. Troubadour, K'naan: Why this guy isn't multi-platinum by now is beyond me. I felt the same way about k-Os when I first heard his work, but the help of a major-label machine convinced me that K'naan's seamless combination of pop melodies and world-driven hip-hop was a recipe for success. This album is fun, plain and simple, and I'm still rooting for K'naan to take off and show the world how special he is.

3. A Matter of Time, Mike Posner & the Brain Trust: This Duke junior is giving hope to all you student-producers out there. What many older hip-hop fans don't yet understand is that today's hip-hop and pop markets are virtually inseparable (read: Asher Roth), so Posner's happy-go-lucky "urban pop" has a value much higher than label heads think. Posner might not ever convince the hip-hop community that he's the real deal, but he can rest assured that a writer/producer career is pretty much on lock for years to come.

2. Veckatimest, Grizzly Bear: I've decided that "hipster music" isn't anything more than very, very left-of-center pop music, and Grizzly Bear proves that point. Who could deny the straight-up CATCHINESS of "Two Weeks," much less the rest of the album? It still irks me that all these Brooklyn hipsters feel the need to come up with a weird title to prove how cool they are, but I'll let this one slide on account of tremendously special tunes.

1. So Far Gone, Drake: Surprise! (Hey, at least I didn't pick Animal Collective like every other damn blogger out there. But I digress...) Drake's mixtape is at the top of this list not only for its musical prowess, but also for how it changed the rules of the music industry altogether -- that might deserve its own post, so I'll leave it at that for now. I was taken aback by the "Best I Ever Had" video; for an artist with this much hype, a titty-infested cliche video was the LAST thing we needed from our so-called "next big thing." Nonetheless, the song has cemented itself as the official summer jam for 2009, and I'm very much looking forward to Drake's first proper release later this year.

Honorable Mentions and Other Notes:

- If you like singer/songwriters, Angel Taylor's debut might be the most overlooked album in your 2009 collection. The Colbie Caillat, girl-with-a-guitar sound has never been my thing, but there's something about Taylor's sympathy-arousing vulnerability that I find irresistible.

- Although I didn't like either albums as whole bodies of work, I've still got my eye on both Asher Roth and Chester French. The talent is too obvious to ignore, and I think the lack of label pressure on their respective sophomore sets will help us really see what they're all about.

- Love 'em or hate 'em, but Dave Matthews Band and Ben Harper (with Relentless7) both put out stellar albums this year. It's not easy having careers like these two men, and it's safe to call Dave and Ben living legends of our musical generation.

- It seems both Green Day and Eminem lost some of the shock value that made them such iconic artists (while I'm at it, same goes for Marilyn Manson...you probably didn't even know he dropped an album this year). The talent is still there, and I thought both 21st Century Breakdown and Relapse were both good, just not great.

The first half of 2009 brought us quite a bit of great music, but there's still so much to hear. There's a ton of already-released albums I've yet to give a proper listen, namely: The Dead Weather, Discovery, and Street Sweeper Social Club, so maybe you'll see one (or none) of them on my year-end list. A bevy of hip-hop debuts (Wale, Kid Cudi, The Cool Kids, B.o.B.), follow-ups (Eminem, Lupe Fiasco) and potential classics (some album called Blueprint 3) are all on my radar, and a couple more hipster-credible sets (Little Boots, Amanda Blank) should be interesting, too. See y'all in December -- ddoff

Michael Joseph Jackson: 08.29.1958 - 06.25.09

2009-06-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

Mixtape Triple-Post: J. Cole, Wale, B.o.B.

2009-06-22T14:28:00.001-07:00

We all know mixtapes are a dime-a-dozen these days, but there have been 3 significant releases over the past few days that all get the *official* DDoff Daily seal of approval. Please enjoy.

J. Cole - The Warm Up [click to download]

Wale and 9th Wonder - Back to the Feature [click to download]

B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray - The Mixtape [click to download]

3 Decades Old And Rising

2009-05-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

(Above: a comparison of age among today's hottest hip-hop acts. Click the image to zoom.)

"There's still a stubbornness, man. There's a lot of people who don't like me, don't understand. But then again, there's a lot that do. It's just gonna take some time. We're not gonna win everybody over right now. And there's a lot of people who only want to f--- with [DJ] Premier beats and the Black Milks — two very dope producers, by the way — but they're stubborn, you know? They won't be into a TV on the Radio record. They won't be into a Gaga feature. They want the boom-bap. But the boom-bap is still here, it's just evolved a little, you know what I'm saying?"

This quote by Wale (taken from this MTV News article) speaks for a new generation of hip-hop lovers who are ready for the game to evolve. Problem is, too many skeptics have become so comfortable with what defines hip-hop, that it has limited the genre from maturing properly with time.

According to Bakari Kitwana's book Hip Hop Generation, those who are truly part of hip-hop's birth and development were born between the years of 1965-1984. I barely missed the cut (he also said you have to be black), but all you 30-somethings are welcome to test me if you think I don't know my hip-hop. I dare you.

This older generation of hip-hop "purists" are quick to ignore what's going on with hip-hop as it continues to transform. If it's not making your head nod the same way KRS-One did in the '80s, or it's not as "gangsta" as Death Row in the '90s, it ain't shit to you. And that's cool with me. But please, generation before me, please: do not get in the way of what has the potential to be something special. Your generation got their own version of hip-hop, and now it's time to let us get ours.

Of the four original elements of hip hop culture (MCing, DJing, graffiti, and breakdancing), only one remains an *essential* part of the game anymore. Lyrical prowess will always be there. But these original elements grew tired. Then gangsta rap killed itself. Soon enough, "bling bling" went bankrupt. Remember when hip-hop was about having fun? That is exactly what this "new school" is trying to accomplish.

I used to judge what really defined "hip-hop" in terms of its lyrical "value." So much did I hold a distinction between the two genres that I organized them separately in my iTunes library. It used to be easy to organize: "hip-hop" contained conscious collections (Tribe, De La, and Mos Def), while "rap" held a potpourri of party anthems and gangsta classics (Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Ludacris). In recent years, however, it's become painfully difficult to define which is which. For example, where do I put the Cool Kids? The duo doesn't spit about anything remotely important, but clearly pays homage to its "b-boy" predecessors through its old-school production.

In an effort to find where the line is drawn, I've concluded that there is no line. Like what you like, take the music for what it is, and enjoy. There's too much good stuff out there to argue over what is or isn't "real hip-hop."

Most hip-hop heads fell in love with this music because it was something new, something different. Today's artists are doing that more than ever -- Wale with TV on the Radio, Izza Kizza with Colin Munroe, Kanye West with his flavors of the week -- is this so different than the so-called "groundbreaking" sound of Run-DMC and Aerosmith's "Walk This Way?" Getting in the way of this development goes against the very principles on which hip-hop was founded, and haters are too busy hating to recognize that.

In ten years or sooner, there will be a healthy array of "old-school rap" stations on the airwaves -- er, Internet -- because no genre can truly last forever. But the name "hip-hop" will never disappear, even for new music. To call an artist like Wale "not hip-hop" because a pop singer is on his hook, is 100% absurd. Longtime hip-hop fans, you have two options: come along for the ride, or get left behind. This ain't your uncle's hip-hop game anymore.

"There is NO such thing..."

2009-04-30T14:03:00.001-07:00

YN and the RapRadar team just posted a message from Jay-Z, which was written following an Arizona show that was co-headlined by himself, Kelly Clarkson, and Third Eye Blind:

"I thought that to be the oddest pairing EVER but, soon realized, it's what I've always professed..There is NO such thing as BLACK music or WHITE music only GOOD or BAD music..It's stupid cool to like things that are not like you, and that goes for outside of music.."

If DDoff Daily had a mission statement, this would be on page one.

B-boys, get your hip-hop on; hipsters, get your rave on; teeny boppers, let your ears bleed to that Disney Channel nonsense. Most importantly, DO YOU. If you like what you're hearing, isn't that all that matters?

Shouts to my cousins -- aka DDoffs #2 and #3 -- both of whom were lucky enough to attend last night's show in Tucson.

Remember the Name: Chris Mann

2009-04-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

Prologue: My sincerest apologies for the lack of posting, I've been traveling like crazy and have been too busy working (read: partying) to contribute to the blog. Thanks to all of you who continue to visit DDoff Daily, I continue to post new music on the right side on a frequent basis, and more writings are on the way...

In the meantime, take the time to check out up-and-comer Chris Mann. Dude is a classically trained opera singer who has decided to take a stab at pop stardom. If you liked the Fray's cover of Kanye West's "Heartless," this version will truly blow you away. In fact, it's more than just a cover; this is an all-out remake.

So enjoy this ditty for now, and check back in the coming days for more goodies.

You can follow Chris at twitter.com/iamchrismann.

(Obligatory Eminem Post)

2009-04-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

If you like the new Eminem single, "We Made You," that's fine by me. Your ears might need a checkup, but I'm happy for you.

If you're like me and aren't impressed, let me simply remind you that this is all part of Em and Dre's fool-proof formula that has yet to fail. A quick case study:

2000: The Marshall Mathers LP

First single: "The Real Slim Shady," a goofy ditty with countless pop culture references and subversive jabs.

Second single: "The Way I Am," a lashed-out screamer that spooked the hardest-of-hardcore junior high punks. A complete antithesis of the first single.

**Interesting fact: Both of these songs were recorded just hours before this album's deadline, when Jimmy Iovine wanted a "My Name Is" sequel to introduce the new album. Marshall wrote "The Way I Am" in response to these demands (evident in the lyrics: "I'm not gonna be able to top a 'My Name Is'"). Once he cooled off, "The Real Slim Shady" was born.

2002: The Eminem Show

First single: "Without Me," another silly track aimed at current chart-toppers, namely boy bands and Moby.

Second single: "Cleaning Out My Closet," an introspective journey through Em's troubled childhood and adolescence.

**Are we beginning to notice a pattern here? Read on.

2004: Encore

First single: "Just Lose It," complete with a Pee-Wee Herman imitation in the chorus. 'Nuff said.

Second single: "Like Toy Soldiers," where Em offers a truce to his lyrical enemies and mourns the death of best friend/partner Proof.

**Yes, "Encore/Curtains Down" was technically the second single from this album, but it was released simultaneously with "Just Lose It" as a street single for hip-hop radio (aka no video) and I am counting it as a "second first single." Em kept the solemness alive after "Like Toy Soldiers" with the sappy-go-lucky "Mockingbird."

2009: Relapse

First single: "We Made You"
Second single: TBD.

**Just like "Encore," "Crack a Bottle" was a street single and can't be counted as a proper single.

So there you have it. Marshall and Andre like to get the kids excited with the funny routine, then let the hip-hop heads take notice with the next joint. Be patient, true fans. The real music is on its way.

Why Asher Roth will NOT be a one-hit wonder

2009-03-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

I know what you're thinking: "Great, another white, 23-year-old hip-hop blogger is jumping on the Asher Roth bandwagon...big surprise."

Granted, your skepticism is warranted. "I Love College," after all, is a gimmick song. His nasal voice is also eerily similar to another white rapper you might have heard before (see left), so the kid's still got plenty to prove before he wins over fans, much less fans of "true hip-hop." (Those quotes are for a separate blog post, but I digress...)

Gimmick it might be, but give the guy some credit. The 21st-century college lifestyle hadn't yet been made into a song; Asher noticed and he NAILED it. As if my fellow recent college grads didn't miss college enough already, now I can simultaneously laugh and cry every time "College" comes on.

Thanks to some friends at Universal, I've spent the last week dissecting Asleep In The Bread Aisle (in stores 4/20 - duh), and have concluded just what this blog post's title says...Asher ain't going nowhere.

As a whole, I found Asleep to not necessarily be an outstanding body of work, but more of a testament to why this guy deserves so much hype -- a characteristic very similar to Lupe Fiasco's debut. The skills are there, no doubt about it. With that in mind, if our great white hope continues to mature in the ways Lupe did -- more consistent production and a more refined direction of "who he is" -- we should expect platinum plaques for years to come.

Roth's aptitude as a wordsmith is evident right off the bat with the album's opening track, "Lark on My Go-Cart," named for Asher's fantasy joyride with Lisa from Saved By The Bell. The track offers Eminem's humor, Aesop Rock's acerbity, and the quiet confidence of your funniest stoner friends, all rolled (no pun intended) into one. References to Cheetos and Teddy Ruxpin will keep the potheads happy and the 80s-babies listening, respectively. The album jumps immediately into cannabis cornucopia with "Blunt Cruisin'," an no-holds-barred ode to suburban blazing and avoiding the po-po. If only this song was around when I was 17!! These tracks offer something that has never been available to the masses: a hip-hop album by the white people, for the white people.

Here's the thing: Eminem is a great rapper, sure. His angry rage and resentment toward his past made it easy for parent-hating kids to easily relate. But his psychotic nature made it so that the rest of white America could never REALLY connect. Asher isn't trying to be anything except himself: a pale, scrawny, suburban MC, with a sense of humor that deserves your attention. Period.

For a number of reasons, I can't comment on specifics regarding the rest of the album. What I can tell you is this: this album is more than the frat house soundtrack that the skeptics are predicting. Asher spits (and spits well) on everything from partying to politics, chasing girls to chasing dreams, and everything in between. Knowing that they will never disappear, Roth approaches the Marshall Mathers comparisons head-on with an entire song dedicated to just why he is NOT that other guy. On a less serious yet more newsworthy note, the Michael Phelps fiasco has proven that Americans are less offended than ever by marijuana use...and I think this will only work in Roth's favor. So once your head clears up from all that 4/20 haze, go to your local record store...er, iTunes...and pick up Asleep In The Bread Aisle. A five-star album it isn't, but it surely leaves a lasting impression that keeps me itching for more.

Still can't get enough? Click here for DJ Semtex's 25-minute "Story of Asher Roth."

"Allen Iversooooon, Hakeem Olajuwooooon"

A letter to Amazon.com

2009-03-03T15:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Amazon.com,
Please stop letting the public think that digital music is worth less than it is.

Clearly we understand the difficulty in trying to compete with a monster like iTunes. So how do you try to keep up? You look at what iTunes promotes, then swiftly slash your prices on the exact same featured artists and try to play ball.

Exhibit A: Troubadour, by K'Naan. K'naan was relatively unknown before last week, when his major label debut dropped. iTunes was ahead of the game, making it a free Single of the Week and discounting the album to $7.99 to those who liked it.

You, Amazon, upon learning this, quickly discounted the album to a whopping $1.99. Two dollars! For a whole album! What a deal! If iTunes is selling it for 5 bucks more, I'd be a fool to buy it there, wouldn't I?

Exhibit B: No Line on the Horizon, by U2. Clearly the biggest album dropping this week, and by a long shot. And how does any business drive sales to its products? With great deals, of course! The album is available for just 4 bones on Amazon, compared to 10 at iTunes. And again, why waste the extra cash on iTunes? Seems like a no-brainer if you ask me (that is, if you're a big-enough tool to actually like the most overrated band of all time).

I could list countless examples but you get the point. But, Amazon, I warn you of the long-term repercussions of your actions.

What your customers probably don't realize, is that you are taking a massive hit by offering these albums for so low. The record labels give the same wholesale price to Amazon as they do to iTunes, Best Buy, or whomever -- and when you sell an album for 2 bucks, you're taking $2-3 in the red column with each purchase.

Amazon's logical explanation must be, "if people see these great deals, they'll come back and our customer base will keep growing." And Lord knows it needs to. But these "great deals" can't last forever if you want to stay alive. 2,000 sold K'Naan albums = a $6,000 loss. That will add up after awhile.

Moreover, you are catering to a larger problem: the idea that music is not worth as much as the price for which it is sold. Most people steal all their music these days, and the few that don't are barely willing to pay $10 for a CD. If you keep convincing a customer that an album is worth your $4, your $3, even just $2 -- but not $10 -- how is anybody supposed to profit from album sales? HOW?

Please stop the gimmick, before it's too late. A great album IS worth your $10. Plain and simple.

(I started to use the rest of this space to express my strong dislike for U2 - and specifically, that Pope-wannabe on your left - but I would've written for hours. Besides, I'm all about the love, I keep my Haterade in the fridge. I hope you enjoy whatever album you've bought most recently...especially if it's Troubadour, not No Line on the Horizon.)

Side-Note: How to Rob an Industry Hipster

2009-03-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

I called this a "side-note" since this isn't officially a post, but holy crap is this video post-worthy. Dude finds a way to diss every artist ever featured on DDoff Daily; a must-watch if you're a fan of the music that gets featured here on a daily (no pun intended) basis.

2009: The Year of the Early Adopter (Take 3)

2009-03-02T10:32:00.000-08:00

(Thanks to Mike for hooking me up with the "lost post." A new one is coming soon, I promise)

There's little doubt in my mind that you've heard this song before: "Day 'n' Nite," by Kid Cudi. Heck, you've probably also heard the remix a million times as well. Moreover, I'm willing to bet you've known about this track for six months, or even a year.

What's crazy is that this video is only five days old. But you know the song, because you're reading blogs like this one on a regular basis; you're interactive with your music, you want to know what's popping before it pops.

You, the eager listener, are what's known as an early adopter. DJs and industry folks are the tastemakers of popular music -- we hear it first, and if we like it, we'll let you know about it. The early adopters are second-in-line in this hierarchy of music discovery; they want to know what's out there as soon as possible, so that when you finally hear it on the radio, you can look cool and tell your friends, "oh, that song is old. I loved it...last year!"

Early adopters used to be few and far between...but with music blogs and social networking becoming more commonplace by the second, the gap between tastemaker and early adopter (and consequently, early adopter and casual listener) is shrinking at an exponentially rapid level.

As far as quality of music goes, I think this is a good thing. We can weed out the crap more quickly, enjoy what we like, and point our proverbial middle finger at the rest.

On the other hand, the ridiculous speed at which we get our information is killing our attention spans; we're less likely than ever to fully dissect a song for all it has to offer. We know 30% of the lyrics to 2,000 songs, instead of 100% of 200.

If you haven't seen or heard Kid Cudi's instant classic, you're a casual fan. We hope you enjoy the song, we really do! But to us, you're a wee bit behind.

Breaking down the Grammy Award for: Best New Artist

2009-02-16T16:46:00.001-08:00

The Grammy for Best New Artist, one of the most sought-after awards in music, is also considered by many to be a "kiss of death" or curse to one's career. Is this valid paranoia? Let's see how NARAS has fared over the past decade:

2009: ADELE
Other nominees: Duffy, Jonas Brothers, Lady Antebellum, Jazmine Sullivan
Grade: INCOMPLETE
Clearly it's too early to tell if the Grammy gods did well with this one, although I think they're gonna end up being right on. Duffy was over-hyped by her label, and the Jonas Brothers proved in their Grammy performance just how bad they really are. Jazmine and (especially) Lady Antebellum both have the potential for bright futures, so I look forward to seeing where this goes.

2008: AMY WINEHOUSE
Other nominees: Feist, Ledisi, Paramore, Taylor Swift
GRADE: C-
If Amy can get her act together, we can at least upgrade this to a "B." But there's no denying that Taylor Swift is a bona fide superstar already. Feist is great, but she can thank Apple for this nod. Ledisi is talented but she didn't stand a chance at winning; her loyal following will keep her in the business for a long time. Paramore will have a solid career if they can stop arguing.

2007: CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Other Nominees: James Blunt, Chris Brown, Imogen Heap, Corinne Bailey Rae
GRADE: A
If I wrote this before last weekend, I'd have to notch this as a "B," since Chris Brown has all the tools to be the next Usher and more. Looks like he really shot himself in the foot with his latest drama. Corinne is talented but she'll never be Carrie in terms of success; James was a one-hit wonder, and as for Imogen...sorry hipsters, you're not gonna win this battle.

2006: JOHN LEGEND
Other Nominees: Ciara, Fall Out Boy, Keane, Sugarland
GRADE: B+
Fall Out Boy is already on a downward spiral toward irrelevance, as is Ciara. Keane and Sugarland are great talents, but John Legend defines the term "critic's darling" and was made to win this award.

2005: MAROON 5
Other Nominees: Los Lonely Boys, Joss Stone, Kanye West, Gretchen Wilson
GRADE: B-
Kanye is a megastar, but Maroon 5 is arguably just as huge at this point. I was tempted to give this one an "incomplete," but M5 has proven to be worthy of this award, even with only two albums.

2004: EVANESCENCE
Other Nominees: 50 Cent, Fountains of Wayne, Heather Headley, Sean Paul
GRADE: C
A pretty weak year, in hindsight. Evanescence had their time in the spotlight, but it's hard to argue against 50's success.

2003: NORAH JONES
Other Nominees: Ashanti, Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne, John Mayer
GRADE: C+
I can see this being a controversial grade already. Sure, Norah had two huge albums... but for 7-time Grammy winner Mayer to NOT have this award seems silly in 2009.

2002: ALICIA KEYS
Other Nominees: India.Arie, Nelly Furtado, David Gray, Linkin Park
GRADE: A+
Perhaps the most talented bunch of the 2000s; but this is a no-brainer (sorry, Linkin Park). Those who dubbed Alicia as "all hype" back in the day are eating their words now.

2001: Shelby Lynne
Other Nominees: Brad Paisley, Papa Roach, Jill Scott, Sisqo
GRADE: D
The "D" isn't for picking a bad winner, but bad nominees altogether. Who got shunned? Nelly, Nickelback, and Dido, just to name a few. Contrary to the strong class of 2002, this is the weakest field from the new millennium. With respect to Ms. Scott, Paisley probably deserves the award. (My deepest apologies to fans of "Thong Song.")

2000: Christina Aguilera
Other Nominees: Macy Gray, Kid Rock, Britney Spears, Susan Tedeschi
GRADE: B+
Notice the three TRL nominees; this was a very interesting time in pop music. It seems laughable that Britney was even nominated, but even Kid Rock stood the test of time longer than any of us imagined. A hat tip to Ms. Tedeschi, but Christina takes the cake.

That's one D, four Cs, three Bs, and two As. Not as bad as I thought. But let's not forget about some huge mishaps from years past, including:

1998: Paula Cole over Erykah Badu
1992: Marc Cohn over Boyz II Men
1990: Milli Vanilli over Indigo Girls
1982: Sheena Easton over Luther Vandross
1981: Christopher Cross over The Pretenders
1977: Starland Vocal Band over Boston
1973: America over The Eagles

Hey, at least they were right about The Beatles.

It's Mixtape Season!

2009-02-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

Does each of these deserve its own post? Maybe, but probably not. I'm putting these in order of personal priority:

Drake - So Far Gone [click to download]

50 Cent - '90s and My Heart Is Broken [click to download]

Blu - HerFavoriteColo(u)r [click to download]

Jay Smooth: "Beyond Chris Brown and Rihanna"

2009-02-16T14:08:00.000-08:00

Very thought-provoking piece. Business as usual from Jay.

Click here for Brown's apology, and click here for how the incident might affect his career in the long run.

The Real: "Food Fighters"

2009-02-16T14:04:00.001-08:00

ItsTheReal Presents The Food Fighters from jeff on Vimeo.

You might notice I rarely post anything about petty "beefs," such as our current Curtis/Ricky debacle. This is a rare exception, and it will be for obvious reasons after you watch.

Charles Hamilton Mixtape x 2

2009-02-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the late post on this V-Day themed mixtape, but I was too busy doing REAL V-Day stuff to bother.

Check the vid for Chuck's take on the project, and download both new jawns below:

Charles Hamilton - Well This Isn't Awkward [click to download]

Charles Hamilton - My Brain Is Alive [click to download]

50 Cent: 90's & My Heart's Broken (Trailer)

2009-02-12T12:51:00.001-08:00

I'm usually the last one to post anything 50-related, but you know how I feel about mash-ups. Especially 90's R&B mash-ups. I'll put the hatred aside for this one.

Get it tomorrow at ThisIs50.com.

VIDEO: Evidence feat. Phonte, Blu and will.i.am - For Whom the Bell Tolls

2009-02-12T12:49:00.000-08:00

What a video. Great look for three of the game's most underrated.

New Q-Tip Mixtape

2009-02-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

Brought to you by J Period. Click here for the track list, and click here to download all 49 tracks (not a typo).

Santogold is now Santigold.

2009-02-11T12:16:00.000-08:00

She doesn't even give a reason why. Her real name IS Santi, but still...come on now.

No more booze at Bay to Breakers?!?!?!

2009-02-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

What a crock of shit this is. No word yet on whether or not they're banning nudity, too.

Weezy on Around The Horn

2009-02-11T10:12:00.001-08:00

Dude's got a future, if he ever decides to put down the purple.

VIDEO: Ludacris feat. Plies - Nasty Girl

2009-02-11T10:09:00.001-08:00

I forgot Luda was promoting an album. Guess that happens when you put one out the same day as Kanye.

VIDEO: Capone-n-Noreaga feat. Busta Rhymes and Ron Browz - "Rotate"

2009-02-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

This track is so--> 1998. Until they added a Ron Browz hook.

HILARMO ALERT: What are you doing here?

2009-02-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

WARSAW (Reuters) - A Polish man got the shock of his life when he visited a brothel and spotted his wife among the establishment's employees. Polish tabloid Super Express said the woman had been making some extra money on the side while telling her husband she worked at a store in a nearby town.

"I was dumfounded. I thought I was dreaming," the husband told the newspaper Wednesday.

The couple, married for 14 years, are now divorcing, the newspaper reported.

(Thanks to Evan for the tip)

Asher Roth goes through the Grammy gift-giving suite

2009-02-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

"All you have to do is get famous, then they just give you stuff."

A new interview with Talib Kweli...

2009-02-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

...is always post-worthy. Read it here.

The Real: Mood Muzak

2009-02-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

Mood Muzak from jeff on Vimeo.

Happy Valentine's Day from The Real. Especially hilar if you've EVER downloaded a song on LimeWire/Napster/not iTunes.

Grammy Recap

2009-02-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

I won't bore you with my gripes about the awards, but here's some good performance footage in case you missed out:

I'M ON A BOAT!

2009-02-09T13:06:00.000-08:00

The Lonely Island's album drops tomorrow, and includes this hilarmo little ditty.

VIDEO: Asher Roth - I Love College

2009-02-09T12:21:00.000-08:00

You already know. Get it here.

Romeo feat. Akon - Get Low Wit It

2009-02-06T14:47:00.001-08:00

I'm only posting this to emphasize why Romeo doesn't get any PT for USC hoops. Oh, you didn't know?

Shout-out to Kat, the world's most notorious video coordinator.

Lil Wayne does Letterman's Top 10

2009-02-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

Lil' Wayne presents Letterman's Top 10 List
by yardie4lifever2

Nat King Cole: Remixed

2009-02-06T10:42:00.000-08:00

Two new joints off Re:Generations, a forthcoming Nat King Cole remix project. Album hits stores on March 10.

My parents played "Unforgettable" pretty much on loop when I was a kid, so Nat's a permanent fixture in my music encyclopedia. Looking forward to this release very much.

Nat King Cole feat. Nas - The Game of Love [click to download]

Nat King Cole feat. The Roots - Walkin' My Baby Back Home [click to download]

Fashawn with Blu & Exile @ Mezzanine-SF (Do you see me?)

2009-02-06T10:36:00.001-08:00

Fashawn Live @ the Mezzanine (San Francisco, Ca) from Blogmedown.tv on Vimeo.

I'm the white dude in the back.

PS - if you want Fashawn's dope Higher Learning mixtape, click here.

Wayne meets Katie

2009-02-06T10:30:00.000-08:00

I watched this on TV, and have to give props to both Weezy and Ms. Couric for holding their respective grounds for this interview.

Pre-Grammy party in...Big D?!

2009-02-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

Dallas' own Play-N-Skillz threw what sounds like quite the fiesta at Plush last night. With Bun B, Travis McCoy, Slim Thug, Paul Wall and more in attendance, looks like Big D came to play! Read all about the par-lay (and Play-N-Skillz' Grammy nominations for Lil Wayne's "Got Money") by clicking here.

This is how I feel about Denny's FREE Grand Slam today.

2009-02-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Bennett for the pic. Speaking of which, check out his new mixtape right here:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Bonnaroo 2009 Lineup Announced

2009-02-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

Check it out here...what do y'all think? AKA use the comments field, cough cough!

VIDEO: Bangladesh - "Adidas"

2009-02-02T15:57:00.000-08:00

The producer of "A Milli" does a take on the "Diva" beat, which he also produced. Now that you know that, don't the two songs sound a lot alike?

Nas says he's on Detox

2009-02-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

"I did a joint. I think it's crazy," Nas says of working with Dre. "He's someone I'd love to do a whole album with one day. He's incredible. I think he's the best producer of all time."

Read the rest here.

VIDEO: K'Naan - Dreamer

2009-01-30T10:39:00.001-08:00

February 24. Drill it into your brain.

VIDEO: Lykke Li - Tonight

2009-01-29T12:01:00.001-08:00

Lykke gets her Sinead O'Connor on.

Lupe Fiasco wins USA Network's "Character Approved" Award

2009-01-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

Congrats, Wasalu.

VIDEO: Colin Munroe + Wale: Will I Stay

2009-01-29T11:34:00.001-08:00

To my LA and SF fam -- Wale is doing in-stores at HUF before his shows on Friday and Saturday. And if ya don't know, now ya know.

VIDEO: Ron Browz - Jumpin (Out the Window)

2009-01-29T11:32:00.001-08:00

If I told you somebody hired Ron Browz to single-handedly kill the AutoTune craze, would you believe me? Thought so.

VIDEO: Mavado - So Special

2009-01-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

New album on Feb. 24, no? Jah!

Jeezy ain't scared of O'Reilly!

2009-01-26T14:32:00.000-08:00

Anyone who's watched The O'Reilly Factor knows that Jeezy won't even be given a chance to plead his case, because Bill will be too busy talking over him instead of with him. Click here to see O'Reilly's whack-ass rant, and click here to see Jeezy's call to action.

SATURDAY: Wale in SF

2009-01-26T11:27:00.000-08:00

I'll be there, and suggest you do the same. In the meantime, check out this new remix he did of the "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes" joint, the original of which I posted last week. Looks like Wale and I read the same blogs, ha.

VIDEO: K'Naan - ABC's

2009-01-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

Straight. Fire. Period. The rest of the album is even better, trust.

Featuring Chubb Rock on the second verse.

VIDEO: The Cool Kids - Pennies

2009-01-26T11:14:00.001-08:00

Seeing that this is the song that comes on every time I play NBA 2K9, this jawn is forever embedded in my head.

The Real: "Late Meditation"

2009-01-26T11:13:00.001-08:00

Late Meditation from jeff on Vimeo.

Kanye's new moniker: Martin Louie The King Jr.

2009-01-26T10:17:00.001-08:00

A message from kwest on Vimeo.

Sometimes I think these celebs are just bored...

Say Hov, where's BP3?

2009-01-26T10:04:00.001-08:00

MTV's Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural - Celebrity News

For Texas fans: Hitler as Aggie Coach

2009-01-23T08:24:00.001-08:00

VIDEO: Ice Cube feat. Young Jeezy - I Got My Locs On

2009-01-22T16:03:00.001-08:00

When you bump this, bump it LOUD.

VIDEO: Animal Collective - My Girls

2009-01-22T16:01:00.001-08:00

The jury of DDoff Daily is still out on Animal Collective's new album, but this vid is a good sign.

Q-Tip on Conan

2009-01-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

Q-Tip - Conan O'Brien - 1/19/2009
by 3030fm

Performing "We Fight / We Love." Tip, you could have used Raphael on the hook for this show...

Blacksmith TV, Episode 3

2009-01-21T10:24:00.001-08:00

Blacksmith TV Episode 3 - "Rocking The Bells Pt. 1" from tunji balogun on Vimeo.

Check out Talib Kweli and manager Corey Smyth planning a Rock the Bells set, on the fly.

Shout-out to my boy Corey, Anjulie, and the Blacksmith fam... Damn Corey, you got your own show now?!

The Knux on Okayplayer TV

2009-01-21T10:20:00.000-08:00

The Knux on OkayplayerTV from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

I think The Knux's Remind Me in 3 Days was one of the most overlooked albums -- in any genre -- over the past few months. Give it a listen, please. Thank you.

Jay Smooth: Why I'm Happy, Why I'm Not Satisfied

2009-01-21T10:16:00.001-08:00

I think Jay Smooth could convert me to anything, as long as it came from his mouth.

B.o.B., Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth - Change Gonna Come

2009-01-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama "Change Gonna Come" feat B.o.B, Charles Hamilton and Asher Roth from TJ Chapman on Vimeo.

Happy Obama Day.

K'Naan: The Full Story (3-part series)

2009-01-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

Album drops Feb. 24.

The Game: Triple-Post

2009-01-19T10:33:00.001-08:00

Tagless = goodness.

The Game feat. Anthony Hamilton - Hustler's Dream [click to download]

The Game feat. Wyclef Jean and Damian Marley - Enemy [click to download]

The Game - Number One [click to download]

VIDEO: Young Jeezy feat. NaS - My President is Black

2009-01-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

Just in time. Happy MLK Day, folks. Am I the only one who has work today? You bet your ass I'm taking tomorrow off for the inauguraysh!

Ryan Leslie and Kid CuDi in the studio

2009-01-16T13:38:00.001-08:00

Ryan Leslie x Kid Cudi @ studio from Vernonmac on Vimeo.

Stick to the boards, Ryan. That beat is fresh though, yea?

Best commercial I've seen in AGES.

2009-01-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

Saw this over at PeepMyWords. Too funny.

VIDEO: Q-Tip feat. Amanda Diva - ManWomanBoogie

2009-01-16T10:20:00.001-08:00

Go get this album if you haven't already. Learn.

VIDEO: Slim Thug - I Run

2009-01-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

1. Call me crazy, but I'm loving the 80s-chorus trend in hip-hop over the past few years. "Sunglasses At Night," "Died In Your Arms," those were bangers. Watch out for Flo Rida's new single, he re-does "Right Round," the single drops any minute now. You know, the song from The Wedding Singer? The funniest part of this is I'm serious.

2. H-Town's skyline never looks this nice. Ever. That's gotta be CGI.

HILARMO ALERT: Kobe Bryant Ankle Insurance

2009-01-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry for two non-music posts in a row, but this is too funny.

Rick Reilly writes about beer pong

2009-01-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

Looks like old-man Reilly finally realized everyone reads Simmons now, not him. Way to appeal to the youth and call beirut a sport, buddy!

Click here for the piece. Props to Evan for the tip.

Wyclef Triple-Post

2009-01-14T15:47:00.001-08:00

First off, check out this 60 Minutes piece where 'Clef returns to Haiti. Parts two and three of the triple-post are below.

The Game feat. Wyclef Jean and Damian Marley - Enemy [click to download]

Wyclef Jean feat. Timbaland - War On Our Hands [click to download]

Busta Rhymes feat. T-Pain - Hustler's Anthem 2009

2009-01-14T14:30:00.001-08:00

Busta is one of very few emcees whose albums I get excited for, year after year. B.O.M.B. drops on Feb. 24.

Busta Rhymes feat. T-Pain - Hustler's Anthem 2009 [click to download]

elitaste.com's Top 10 Left Field Things of 2008

2009-01-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

Daniel Weisman lets us know his favorite unexpected events of last year (including #5, above). The whole article is here, but #9 is what stuck out to me:

9. The Power of the Blog (aka The Death of Gangster Rap)

I saw this one from a mile away so I’m not sure how left field it was for me but I think on a mainstream level, people were blindsided by this one. Just a year ago, many savvy individuals were still scratching their heads as to what exactly a blog was but thanks to Kanye and Perez Hilton, seems like having a blog is about as commonplace as an email address these days. Now if you don’t have a Twitter and Tumblr account, you are so 2007. From the time I started managing Wale, I told him to not chase radio and it’s been proven that although 30% of people still get their new music from radio, it’s no longer the be all end all of a music career. The internuts has shown and proved that people are getting sick of gun toting and trapping. Not sure what comes next; maybe just larger than life normal guys since glamorized hyperbolic tales of street life is no longer ironic, it’s just played out.

Santogold feat. Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat - Shove It (Remix)

2009-01-12T14:44:00.001-08:00

What? Aw yea.

Santogold feat. Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat - Shove It [click to download]

The Real: None of Your Queen Bee's Wax (+ Notorious Extended Trailer)

2009-01-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

None of Your Queen Bee's Wax from jeff on Vimeo.

VIDEO: Exile - We're All In Power

2009-01-12T10:40:00.001-08:00

Exile "Were All In Power" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

Crazy new vid from the hip-hop producer. Word is this is the first vid he's ever directed, pretty impressive!

Heads, Shoulders, Knees n Toes!

2009-01-12T10:17:00.000-08:00

Aww yea. This might blow the Stanky Legg out of the water. Click here for the mp3, props to the Discobelle fam for the find.

VIDEO: Colin Munroe - Piano Lessons

2009-01-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

Cool vid, featuring Joell Ortiz.

VIDEO: K'naan on VIMBY

2009-01-08T15:11:00.001-08:00

VIMBY - K'NAAN

Have I mentioned you need to peep this fool?

Do Da Stanky Legg (?)

2009-01-08T13:46:00.001-08:00

By Soulja Boy, er, the GS Boyz. Apparently they are Yung Joc's newest signing.

If this blows up, my faith in America's youth will get even smaller. Watch for my Stanky Legg impression during our next drunken encounter, though.

VIDEO: Fever Ray - "If I Had a Heart"

2009-01-06T13:46:00.001-08:00

New ish from Fever Ray (of The Knife). A bit too slow for me, but I'm sure the Swedes are already making countless dance mixes to liven this up.

HOT: Shady/Aftermath Double-Dose

2009-01-06T11:44:00.001-08:00

This deserves a post. Produced by Dre and originally intended for Eminem -- enjoy.

50 Cent - I Get It In [click to download]

BONUS: Finally, (what sounds like) the real version of Em's new single.

Eminem feat. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent - Crack a Bottle [click to download]

"Wale is the LeBron James of Rap"

2009-01-06T11:33:00.001-08:00

MTV Shows

...according to this MTV News piece, which also contains the above video.

"Wale is the LeBron James of rap. Other rappers, including Lil Wayne, have claimed that title, but think about it: Before James played one game in the NBA, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and ESPN broadcast his high school games. Wale has yet to release an album, but this is his second feature with MTV News.

James had various companies — including Nike — champing at the bit, waiting for him to graduate. Wale has appeared in ads for nearly every streetwear brand — including Nike — waiting for him to blow. They have both traveled the world, but they still rep their hometowns big-time (Cleveland Cavalier LeBron is from Akron, but it's close to Cleveland).

LeBron handled the pressure of being the "next big thing" better than anyone would have imagined, and Wale is taking it in stride as well."

Word.

VIDEO: XRABIT - Follow the Leader

2009-01-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

Follow The Leader - XRABIT & DMG$

Don't know much about this dude, except he's from London. Sounds like a mix of Dizzee Rascal and the Cool Kids. I liiiike.

DJ Earworm - The United States of Pop 2008

2009-01-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

Everyone seemed to love the 2007 version that I posted last year, so here's the new one from DJ Earworm. Download the mp3 for the mega-mash here.

VIDEO: Who's Next?

2009-01-05T15:26:00.000-08:00

MTV Shows

B.o.B., Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth, Wale, and Kid Cudi -- that's who!

MTV, wake up. Wale and B.o.B. were on DDoff Daily in January 2008.

What's "G"? Ask Weezy.

2009-01-05T15:21:00.001-08:00

You really have to be in the know to understand this is a Gatorade ad.

VIDEO: Kanye West "Street Lights" vs. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

2009-01-05T15:16:00.001-08:00

Kanye West - Street Lights (Fan-Made Music Video) Flipboitamidles from Benedict Tamidles on Vimeo.

Interesting concept. This movie is way cooler than Yes Man.

2008 Rap-Up (no typo)

2008-12-31T14:44:00.000-08:00

You know it's time to pop champagne and make some resolutions when Skillz releases his annual wrap-up:

Skillz - 2008 Rap-Up [click to download]

In other end-of-year news, check out Bootie USA and Culture Bully's best mash-ups of the year. Happy 2009, fam.

VIDEO: Statik Selektah feat. Bun B and Cory Mo - Get Out the Way

2008-12-31T14:36:00.001-08:00

Already.