Keeping It Fresh

Today I was feeling really inspired to go out there and find something new and fresh and exciting for you all. If I’m honest, I’ve been feeling a bit stale and stagnant on the “music discovery” front. But today’s song is definitely quite a banger but in the most laid back way possible. This song is dripping in swagger, provided by the beats which make up the song and the rappers who throw their bars on top.  Wiley is an English MC and rapper out of London and has released music under a variety of names, including Eskiboy. This song is actually a very interesting one because it provides some outlook on the nature of hip hop, grime, and riddim. In the song, Wiley takes the term which makes up the song title and gives it a different meaning. Instead of boasting outright as to what he is, who he is, and what kind of things he can buy, Wiley is able to be “Boasty” in a way that is tasteful. I found it quite entertaining to hear what Wiley was being boasty about. In one verse, he talk...

Today I have a song that blends two different worlds of music. And what school is that because today's artists come from two very different countries they bring very different aspects and qualities to this song. We've got one from France and one from Spain and while both of them may be on the pop side of music each country has a different version of pop. So let's get into it! This song is originally by an artist from France who goes by the name Maître Gims. This is actually the first song that I've heard by him and if this is just a taste of what the rest of his music is like I'm very excited to have the chance to explore his musical dossier. This song is the Franco Spanish version of the French original. Now given that the title translates to "the same" I think it's beautiful that this song has a version that combines two different languages, two different artists, and two different worlds of music. The artist who sings the Spanish verses is non...

Today we are continuing with the African themed music. But today's artist is a British-born Nigerian artist by the name of Maleek Berry. One of the reasons I find his music so intriguing is because despite growing up in England, Maleek Berry has been able to grab hold of that contagious Afro-pop energy, and has harnessed it to create music which is so rooted in his Nigerian roots. There are a lot of artists out there who are able to do that, but for some reason, it really struck me with Maleek Berry's work. Not only is the instrumentation and soundscape reminiscent of African pop, but he even sings in that pidgin style of speaking which is found in Nigeria. The first thing you tend to notice with Maleek Berry's music is the beat. He takes it straight from the world of Afrobeats, giving way to more traditional and African leaning percussion to set the tone of the song. He gets us prepared for the style and sound he is trying to accomplish, from those initial beats. And it...

Wow, it has been some time since my last post. It feels odd to not write for so long! But I'm back again today and have some really fun and interesting music for you. I know I have spent ample time discussing music from around the world, especially focusing on Indian, Korean, and Latin music. And a travesty for us all, I haven't spent a lot of time discussing music from Africa. Now, this seems such a shame since there is so much music today which has taken influence from African music. But this week, I wanted to talk specifically about artists who are from Africa and have gained their popularity there. And so, today I am starting with an artist out of Nigeria who goes by the name Mr. Eazi. Now I really wanted to talk about African artists, because this group represents up and coming artist. African music has been the source of inspiration for so many musical movements, and most notably, the Afrobeat movement. The profile of African artists has started to skyrocket within the...

Today I have some music for you by an artist all the way from Spain. And this is a bit of a nice detour, especially since much of the Spanish music I talk about is from Latin or South America. But I would like to introduce you to an artist who has brought the vibrancy and playfulness of Spain to the music world. Alvaro Soler is a wonderful singer-songwriter who really knows how to make the music feel free and alive. This song is his most famous song, but Alvaro Soler still remains a rather underground artist, especially here in the States. So there are two versions of this song- one in Spanish and one in Spanglish. But today, I want to talk just about the Spanish version of the song. There is this incredible richness to the way Alvaro Soler sings in Spanish, something that cannot be fully expressed in English words and verses. There is a specific energy and atmosphere which can only be captured by singing this song in the native language of Alvaro Soler, and that is what makes this ...

Today I want to continue with my discussion of the soundtrack for Black Panther. Like I mentioned in the previous post, Kendrick knocked this soundtrack out of the park, releasing a powerful album in the wake of the release of Marvel’s most revolutionary film. This soundtrack is a masterful tribute to the film, African American, and Black power, and is the album we have needed from the mainstream film world. Today’s track features California’s Vince Staples and the popular South African rapper, Yugen Blakrok. One of the things I absolutely love about Yugen Blakrok’s verses is the creativity and ingenuity found in them. There is African imagery, homages to other superheroes, and a wildly raw theme to her lines. Not only that, it feels as though this track is hers and features Vince Staples, not the other way around. Though her time on the track is shorter, she seems to dominate the entire song. She is bombastic, proud, and incredibly effective at getting her point across. And it is a...

Today I have a remix of a song by one of the most popular solo artists of the past few years. Ed Sheeran has developed quite a reputation for himself, of not only being a talented singer and songwriter, but of being a phenomenal aritst and musician. He is also one of the artists who seems to cross all boundaries. His music is often categorized as pop muic though he finds way to incorporate rapping into his work. For some songs, the delicate and beatiful instrumentation is set as a background to darker and and more melancholy lyrics. And though he is an English aritst, he has won an award for being the most influential artist in black music. It all goes to show that to Ed Sheeran, music is something that has no boundaries, no stereotypes, no definition tying it down. Now the thing I love about Ed Sheeran's music is that it has the ability to be interpreted and remixed in so many different ways, and this particular remix is done by Speaker of the House. I have to say that this is ...

It has been quite some time since I have sent some Spanish/Latin music this way, so today is all about those reggaeton beats. But this time around, it isn't the pumped-up dance music that I normally like to talk about. Today I have Latin music which airs more on the romantic side. Now this song does not have the long, drawn-out notes which accompany many romantic songs. This song still has a lively energy and a fun sound, while maintaining a sweetness which will make anyone blush. To start off with some introductions, this song is by the Colombian singer-songwriter, Sebastian Yatra. And his voice is absolutely beautiful. There are so many things I love about Latin singers. First of all, every singer has their own signature catchphrase. Whether it is a cool way to say their name or some kind of signature sound effect, you can often tell who has created a song based on these highly unique and identifying sounds. Second, Latin singers sing their lyrics with a plethora of romantic p...

Today I have the latest release by the DJ known as Jonas Blue. This DJ happens to be one of my favorite secrets, one of those artists who isn't as popular yet but is on the way to stardom. Why? Because every single track I have heard by Jonas Blue is euphoric. His music tends to be uplifting and hopeful with his music. Even when talking about something like a breakup, Jonas Blue somehow still makes it possible for us to feel good and full in our souls. This track is a bit different compared to the other work we have heard by Jonas Blue. While a lot of Jonas Blue's work is made to dominate our summer playlists, this track is a bit more heartfelt and soulful. In the track, Jonas Blue explores the idea of romance and falling in love. He takes on the journey that a passionate and fiery relationship can have- falling in love after the first date, being happy and in love, only to eventually leave each other heartbroken. And while this seems like a rather dreary topic, Jonas Blue ex...

As most of you know, I haven't been posting as frequently as I normally do. But I wanted to thank everyone who has stuck with this blog for as long as you have, and welcome all those who are new! I realized that we have made it to the close of five years, and have started the sixth year of this blog. It is crazy to imagine that five years ago I published my first post. And I am really proud of how far the blog has come along! I've even happier that I've been able to share so much music with so many of you readers, and am really grateful that you all have joined me on this ride! And now to the music at hand. I was recently introduced to an Austrian rapper by the name RAF Camora. I was immediately hooked to the song within the first few bars. The production of the track is phenomenal, and though I don't understand the lyrics, I do appreciate the lyrical style and rhythm. Stylistically, RAF Camora enters creates a soundscape that is starting to become popular within th...

Today I have some new music for you by the London-based electronic group that is filling the music-scape with amazing tracks. Rudimental has made its way into the European music scene and is slowly making their way to the US. But before they make it big here, I am happy that I get to talk about them because of how much their music is very different. Rudimental has not made a song that sounds like another. Each and every song has a completely different melody, tone, mood, and genre. From tropical sounds to electronic club music, to even some melancholy and soothing jams, Rudimental is not afraid to try things out and really explore. What makes it even better, is that they do an incredible job of it. Rudimental is one of the few artists who has managed to master every genre they decide to tackle, and each song that expresses a different genre has been one that I really enjoy. Now I know I have done a little bit of writing about them in the past so some of this may not be new to you...

Today we go round 2 with foreign music, with the artist of the day coming all the way from Spain. Alvaro Soler is one of the best breakout artists of last year, but no one really knows who he is here in the States. Alvaro Soler is a wonderful singer-songwriter who really knows how to make music feel free and alive. His themes tend to revolve around being happy go lucky and carefree and overall feel good. But he does it in a way that isn't "in your face" nor is it overly enthusiastic. He hits that sweet spot of being fun and exciting without being over the top. So there are two versions of this song- one in Spanish and one in Spanglish. But today, I want to talk just about the Spanish version of the song. There is this incredible richness to the way Alvaro Soler sings in Spanish, something that cannot be fully expressed in English words and verses. This song is so contagiously fun, full of this incredible energy and complete liveliness. There is also this constant sense ...

Today I have some music for you by a DJ who has really started to mix it up with what kind of music he produces. Calvin Harris became popular with his upbeat and energizing pop songs, only to then follow suit by going on a bit of a quiet streak. While the man was still playing a few shows here and there, his presence in the "new music" game was pretty limited and unnoticed. Until now! Calvin Harris has been very busy in the studio, and has given the world some very interesting and different R&B electronic music. The latest album by Calvin Harris marks a transition for the DJ and producer. He is switching from the pop oriented and stereotypical radio dance song, into something that is more of a summery serenade. We are starting to hear this evolution into something that is breezy and even a bit tropical. Somehow, the man still is able to maintain this ease in his sound. Nothing feels forced or engineered, rather, it feels organic and fluid. Something that Calvin Harris h...

Today I have some music for you by one of my favorite bands, 30 Seconds To Mars. Now this is a band I haven't blogged about in a while, and I am really excited to finally be able to talk about this song. This is one of the greatest songs I have ever had the pleasure of hearing from 30 Seconds To Mars. This is a song that is inspiring beyond measure. Jared Leto has always been a vision, but being able to hear that through the music he was written and composed is an entirely different experience. Now this song is a story, and the lyrics relay that story as well as the music video. What we have here is a film without dialogue. And I love the way Jared Leto makes his music and visuals mesh so beautifully that we feel incomplete with only one part. The band humanizes this song by creating the sensation that we are hearing them perform at a live show. We distinctly hear Jared Leto's smooth and powerful voice, but it is flanked by the chorus chanting along. It gives us the feeli...

Today I have some music for you that comes from Latin America. Yandel is one of the more popular artists from the world of reggaeton. This has to be one of my absolute favorite genres to come from the world of Latin music. There is an infectious and fun and sexy energy that comes with reggaeton. What is cool about reggaeton music is that the genre itself is a mix of so many musical styles an influences. We hear Caribbean influences as well as Spanish and American hip hop influences. In fact, much of reggaeton now is influenced by this idea of Latin American hip hop, and it has picked up momentum quickly. This style of music is also rooted in the Latin American beat groove called a tresillo. This beat pattern is standard for Latin American music, especially reggaeton. In fact, this tresillo beat is what makes Latin American music so easy to recognize. Lyrics aside, this tresillo is that beat that every Latin American song has which makes it so unique in comparison to the rest of the wor...

Today I have some music for you by the DJ known as Jonas Blue. I thought that on a cold wintery day like this, a little reminder of some sunshine and beach time would be welcome! And that is exactly what we get with Jonas Blue. This is a DJ that really pulls off that tropical and tiki kind of vibe. His musical style is definitely different yet similar to Kygo's which is really cool. With Kygo, we get that tropical house sound which is fun and soft and carefree. We hear that same kind of sound with Jonas Blue, however it is taken in a different direction. Instead of focusing more on the house part, Jonas Blue takes his music towards the tropical sound. He takes it in the direction of that Caribbean and Hawaiian kind of tropical sound, which is something unique and refreshing! Jonas Blue is actually a great introduction to the genre of tribal house. This is definitely similar to tropical house, however focuses more on live instrumentation rather than synths. These are the kinds of s...

Today I have some music for you by Mohombi. This song is just so damn catchy. This is one of those songs that makes you want to get up and dance. This song has an infectious energy to and it won't let you sit still. Mohombi has taken a great Latin and hip hop mix to make this song what it is. I think what makes this song even cooler for me is the fact that Mohombi is actually from Sweden, and this song could technically be classified as Swedish. That's right, I bet you didn't see that coming. But Mohombi is from Europe and more importantly, Sweden which adds this plot twist. Mohombi takes on those Latin and afrobeat and hip hop styled beats and is able to even nail down the accent when singing which makes this song sound absolutely phenomenal. Honestly, I think that in this song there is a very fine blend between Latin American and afrobeat sounds to the point where it can be a bit difficult to distinguish between the two. This song is such a great dancehall anthem which is...

Today I have some Bollywood music for you that comes from a weird era in Bollywood. This was a time when there was this desire to rapidly Westernize and be a little funky, and while this may have seemed cool at the time, it is very interesting to look back on and see. However, the music that came from this 4 year period is pretty freaking great. The dance music especially, was pretty much awesome. Now some of the things that made this music so much fun to listen to was the fact that there was so much energy to it. From high impact energy to the more semi chilled out energy, there was so much msuic that was just enjoyable to listen to. This song comes from the movie Kaal, one that I have never seen, but was one of my favorite songs of my early teens. Even now, I listen to this song and still love it because it is just such a great song to jam to. The beat is really smooth, something that you can definitely dance to, and weirdly enough I wouldn't mind hearing this at a club. The chor...

Today I have some music for you by an artist that is definitely not an underground artist, but is one whose music has been in my head for the past day now. I cannot deny the brilliance and greatness of this song, even though I believe that this artist is sometimes overly hyped. Drake is an artist who is known the world over as an artist who is super amazing and incredible and one of the greats. While I will definitely acknowledge that the guy is talented, I wouldn't go so far as to say he is one of the best rappers we have ever heard.That being said, I do enjoy his music and like that he has been able to take different directions with his music in terms of musicality and stylistic elements. This song is an EP that has come out and has become very popular. This song is pretty much everywhere and I have yet to get tired of it. This song is very different from what we have heard from Drake in the past. This song first of all, is him straight singing. No rapping, no wicked or funny rhy...

Today I have a remix of a song by one of the best solo artists of recent time. Ed Sheeran has the reputation of being a phenomenal artist. He is a talented singer and musician and is someone who seems to sing for the love of music. He is also one of the artists who seems to cross all boundaries. Though he is white, he won an award for being the most influential artist in black music. Now while a lot of that is stereotyping, it still goes to show that to him, music is something that has no boundaries, no stereotypes, no definition tying it down. Now the thing I love about Ed Sheeran's music is that it has the ability to be interpreted and remixed in so many different ways. Now this remix is done by Speaker of the House, and I have to say that this is one of my favorite remixes. This remix has this chill sound to it that makes it something you can listen to almost anytime. It has that laidback and slightly mellow sound that makes you feel really good inside but also calm and kind of ...