In Defense Of A Culture

IAM – Live from Egypt (French rap)

leif — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:50:18 +0000

Most of you who know me well know that I love two things more than most things: music and speaking french. I became proficient at the latter through the music I found when researching a trip to France in 2005 and 2006. My love for hip-hop music brought me a popular group called IAM, a rap crew from Marseilles, France. They reminded me of Wu-Tang Clan from the US (whom they have worked with) bceause they all have a different style, identity, and their subject matter is usually about something meaningful.

I guess I missed the boat on this not being from France, but they celebrated their 20 year anniversary of a group in Egypt in 2008 in front of some pyramids, with a complete live band and plenty guests. Some of the most beautiful hip hop I’ve seen performed. Check out everything I could find on YouTube below…

A warm Sunday night in Minneapolis.

leif — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 02:29:35 +0000

Not many good things happened today. But that’s okay. Why? Because music exists. I might be a little narrow-banded with my music tastes sometimes and this is no exception.

I give you some of the most recent videos from Stars/Memphis and a beautiful video using a song from Stars. Enjoy, please.

Update. Back Again. Some Music. Hi.

leif — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:03:39 +0000

Whoops. Didn’t blog for a few months. Nothing personal, internet. I promise. Still love you like we just met.

What have I been doing? Here’s a little list:

Soundset Festival
Atmosphere – The Family Sign
Blueprint – Adventures In Counter Culture
Face Candy – Waste Age Teen Land
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Gonna Eat That?
Grieves – Together/Apart

That’s what. FIVE albums and a 20,000+ person rap festival. Things have slowed down now while we prepare for the (absolutely incredible) new album from Dilated Peoples member Evidence.

Gots a fresh lady. @sallytherose …yes, we only talk in twitter terms. She speaks French and has bright green eyes.

Here are some things that I like a lot right now:

My favorite band on earth, Stars, released The Bedroom Demos, the sessions that led to their classic In Our Bedroom After The War album.

AnimalsBeingDicks.com

Action Bronson. Often called “The White Ghostface” (which makes sense if you close your eyes and listen to him rap), he’s from Queens and cooks a lot. Peep this stuff:
“Shiraz”

“Action In The Kitchen: Seared Ahi Tuna” (it’s a cooking show…kinda great)

That’s it for now y’all. Catch you later.

Buck 65 on La Blogotheque

leif — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:39:28 +0000

I posted this on twitter the other day, and just can’t stop watching these. I’ve always been into Buck but have never gotten the chance to see him live, though we were in the same room this past fall for some more unfortunate reasons. Regardless, I’ve never really taken the time to delve into his discography. That was a mistake. Everyone pokes fun at me for loving Canadian musicians – but just like there must be something in the water in Minneapolis, there must also be something special in the Canadian air that can spawn talent like this and countless others.

Enjoy these two live videos shot and produced in a way that only La Blogotheque can seem to make work. Incredible website – I’ve gotten lost for hours in their sea of music.

Buck 65 | Part 1 (Gee Whiz) | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Buck 65 | Part 2 (Paper Airplane / Cold Steel Drum) | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Hail Mary Mallon – New Album and “Smock”

leif — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:57:33 +0000

Well, I haven’t blawged for over a month. Indie rap is busy in Minneapolis. We just dropped a new Atmosphere album, a new Blueprint album, and new albums announcements/singles for Face Candy and Hail Mary Mallon. Oh, and Soundset is in less than 40 days. No sweat.

Meanwhile, on the internet, Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, and DJ Big Wiz have been dropping little tidbits on Youtube for a couple years regarding their project Hail Mary Mallon. Ever heard of Typhoid? Google Typhoid Mary. There you go.

Here’s the first single and the best rapping-in-a-car video yet.
Ladies and Gents, “Smock”! Please click Mary below and buy the song!

Atmosphere – “She’s Enough”

leif — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:16:29 +0000

In the classic, romantic style that he can pull off no matter what album, Slug raps about his lady. A solid song with an interesting beat that might even make ME want to dance. In my top 3 off of the new album.

Atmosphere – She’s Enough by rhymesayers

Atmosphere & Dr. Ralph Borka – It’s Family Therapy time y’all.

leif — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:53:50 +0000

Atmosphere agreed to be part of Dr. Ralph Borka‘s Family & Group Therapy Video Series. Dr. Ralph Borka has worked with individuals, couples, families, groups and businesses for more than 25 years. His video series demonstrates a psychotherapy approach using cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Check out Dr. Borka’s website to see Atmosphere get in touch with their feelings and bring their family a little closer.

New Video – Blueprint – “So Alive”

leif — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:30:27 +0000

SO GOOD. Love this video and the track, especially the remixes. Hit all the links below for the goodies. Boom.

Blueprint dropped the single “So Alive” earlier this week off of his upcoming album Adventures In Counter-Culture, and now MTVu brings you the official video, part of 31 premieres in 31 days for MTV’s Indie Music Month.

Check it out!

Director/Produced/Edited: Maria Juranic
DP: Trevor Tweener
Rent The Sky Films

Buy the single and remixes now: iTunes So Alive EP w/ Deluxe Digital Booklet | Amazon | Vinyl from Fifth Element (limited hand numbered red vinyl 12″)

Pre-order Adventures In Counter-Culture now from Fifth Element Online!

NEW Music: Blueprint – “So Alive”

leif — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:38:08 +0000

Well, it’s almost April 5th. In just over a month Adventures In Counter Culture will be in stores and available online damn near everywhere. Check out the latest single from Print along with three incredible remixes! Pre-order the album at Fifth Element now!

Blueprint – “So Alive” single with remixes by rhymesayers

Welcome To Minnesota Tour Photo Wrap-Up

leif — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:38:53 +0000

My dude Joshua Schave hopped in the tour bus and shot lots of pictures over five days in Minnesota. Check out the shots of Atmosphere, Prof, Los Nativos, Mr. Gene Poole, and DJ Abilities.