Damn. That bass could kill a man.
Miguel is back and serving up some serious Gaye-ness.
New LP drops February 27th.

photos courtesy of b. akerlund

2012 

Find more G-Side on the mixtape here. 

With unreleased and under-the-radar productions by Jake One, TeeCee8400, Sam Frank, Block Beattaz, & Big K.R.I.T., and appearances by Cassie, Young L, Jadakiss, G-SIDE, Kush Kloud Klan, Azealia Banks, GLC, Frank Ocean, Monica, and Mya (YES! Mya), it’ll be hard to sit still. Setting the stage with newcomer Emeli Sande’s “Heaven” and ending things off on a less bombastic note with Rich Kidz’s hilariously flat “Why Us”, the palette’s broad yet distinctly S&M. Intended to induce road rage, cause 9 car pileups and hydroplane bitches – there’s a track for every mood. Grimey, gutter, galactic, pulsating, percolating, symphonic, and streetwise - Last Cab To Midtown plays on Dirty Money‘s Last Train To Paris eclecticism… without all the release date delays. ‘Cause we wanna get there already, MF! The meter ain’t stoppin’ anytime soon.

Sample the intro below via the soundcloud widget… 

…click the link below to download the .zip file…

Smoke & Mirrors presents…
The Blog Made Me Do It, Vol. 5: Last Cab To Midtown
 An MH Mixtape

…view tracklist after the jump…

1 Um.azing (Intro) / Heaven – Emeli Sande
2  Where You From? – Phil Ade (Feat. Fat Trel)
3 Same Reason – Young L
4 Rain Dance – Freeway
5 Atmosphere – G-SIDE (Feat. PH)
6 Fuck You Too – Planet VI (Feat. 2 Chainz & Jarren Benson)
7 Pixelated People – Jess Mills
8 Almost There – Kush Kloud Klan (Feat. Rihanna)
9 Jacuzzi (Lost In The Vapors) – Chiddy Bang
10 Liquorice – Azealia Banks
11 24 Eight – G-SIDE
12 Fone Sex (Interlude)
13 Ain’t My Business – Ty$ (Feat. Problem & TeeCee8400)
14 I Ain’t Trying 2 Hear It – Dirtbag (Feat. Monica)
15 Give Me Your Love – Square Off
16 Sweet Love – Juvenile (Feat. Mannie Fresh)
17 Yoko (Remix) – Big K.R.I.T. (Feat. Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, & Berner)
18 I Ball – GLC
19 Oh Me – Young L (Feat. Imogen Heap)
20 Thirsty – Cassie
21 Louis V Bag – Vado (Feat. The Weeknd)
22 Reppin’ Ma City (Interlude) – Bobby Brackins (Feat. Mann)
23 Mess Up My Hair – Mya
24 Always Come Back – Square Off (Feat. The-Dream)
25 Hooked On You – Square Off (Feat. Remo)
26 Best Seller – Frank Ocean
27 Gone Away – Joe (Feat. Pharrell)
28 In The Streets – Jadakiss
29 Make Your Move – Teyana Taylor (Feat. Wale)
30 Get Me Down (Interlude) – Blawan
31 Bedroom Swag – Ron Browz (Feat. Maino)
32 Fast Car – PRGz
33 Devilish Things – Crishan
34 Sing A Lil’ Song, Pt. 2 – Bei Maejor
35 We Wrong – Marcus Manchild (Feat. Slim Thug)
36 All Over The Place (Interlude) – DJ Sober
37 Satellites – A.Dd+
38 Back Der – Brianna
39 Fuck It, I’m Gone… – Tinie Tempah (Feat. J.Warner)
40 Why Us (Outro) – Rich Kidz (Feat. Rich Lady)
41 Lighters Up (Finale) – Sterling Simms

I do not work for anyone featured. These tracks were not recorded for this compilation. I do not claim ownership for any track, only the collection. For promotional use only, support the artists. Cover design courtesy of Jackson Moad. 

…..

View last year’s track list here and this past year’s best albums here.
50 to 1 – GO!

50 “Lovely” – John West (Feat. Pusha T)
49 “Only Wanna Give It To You” – Elle Varner (Feat. J.Cole)
48  ”Rumour Has It” – Adele
47 “Motivation” – Kelly Rowland
46 “Nasty” – Nas
45 “Rolex” – Terius Nash
44 “Dust” – Frank Ocean
43 “Trouble” – Bei Maejor (Feat. J.Cole)
42 “Be The One” – Lloyd (Feat. Trey Songz & Young Jeezy)
41 “Why I Love You” – Kanye West & Jay-Z (Feat. Mr. Hudson)
40 ”End of Time” – Beyonce
39 “That’s My Bitch” – Kanye West & Jay-Z
38 “Lay It On Me” – Kelly Rowland (Feat. Big Sean)
37 ”High” – Big Sean (Feat. Wiz Khalifa & Chiddy)
36 “212″ – Azaelia Banks
35 “Tony Montana” — Future (Feat. Drake)
34 “Best Luv Song” – T-Pain (Feat. Chris Brown)
33 “Blue Sky” – Common
32 “1977 (Miss You Still)” – Terius Nash
31 “Big Girl Big City” – Bei Maejor
30 “Lift Off” – Kanye West & Jay-Z (Feat. Beyonce)
29 “Practice” – Drake
28 “Otis” – Kanye West & Jay-Z
27 “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay” – Big Sean (Feat. Kanye West)
26 “Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj (Feat. Ester Dean)
25 “Rotation” – Big K.R.I.T.
24 “Gas” – Kush Kloud Klan
23 “Songs For Women” – Frank Ocean
22 “Lighters Up” – Sterling Simms
21 “I’m On One” – DJ Khaled (Feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil’ Wayne)
20 “The Party and The After Party” – The Weeknd
19 “Earthquake” – Labrinth (Feat. Tinie Tempah)
18 “Freaks and Geeks” – Childish Gambino
17 ”Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
16 “No Church In The Wind” – Kanye West & Jay-Z
(Feat. Frank Ocean & The-Dream)
15 “Ghetto” – Terius Nash (Feat. Big Sean)
14 “Headlines” – Drake
13 “ADHD” – Kendrick Lamar
12 “Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)” – Lloyd (Feat. Andre 3000 & Lil’ Wayne)
11 “Celebration” – Black Rob
10 “Who You Are” – Jessie J
09 “Look At Me Now” – Chris Brown (Feat. Busta Rhymes & Lil’ Wayne)
08 “Love Crimes” – Frank Ocean
07 “Long Gone” – Terius Nash
06 “Marvin’s Room” – Drake
05 “Sutphin Boulevard” – Blood Orange
04 “Call Your Girlfriend” – Robyn
03 “Atmosphere” – G-SIDE (Feat. PH)
02 “Another Naive Individual Glorifying Greed & Encouraging Racism” – Big K.R.I.T.
01 “Swim Good” – Frank Ocean

Find more Miss Jackson on the blog here.

In today’s #Occupy landscape, independent Huntsville, Alabama rap duo G-Side might make the most relevant hip-hop music out there. Have a listen to iSLAND, their latest LP 

While Clova still cuts hair for cash on the side (while listening to himself on NPR, naturally), he admits, he’d still like to go “major” someday. And that day may come sooner than later, if iSLAND is any indication. Hit up Interview Magazine to read my full chat with the working half of underground hip-hop’s best-kept secret…

See more Rihanna/Simpsons similarities here.

Rest in Peace
Heavy D
1967 – 2011

Listen to DJ Marley Marl’s Heavy D Tribute here…

The overweight lover’s in da house… no longer.

2002

2007

2011 AIR HORNS!!!!!
WORLD PREMIERE: “Lay It On Me” (Feat. Big Sean) 

Best Sean line: Call the dick curiosity ’cause it killed da cat

Imagine Blink 182 going urban. You wouldn’t necessarily take this blog for one (too much) into what the white boys like. But when white boys have that certain percentage of swag – enough to elevate them into soul-worthy categories such as R&B, hip-hop, and the like –  expect ‘em to get a mention. I am the little white boy that could, after all. And T.Mills, who hails from Riverside, CA, has got just that – a swagger that positions his SUM 41-like pop-punk brashness into a slot almost entirely unheard of until now – punk-hop…? Rock-rap never flew further than the meager successes of Papa Roach and P.O.D. back in the TRL days, so considering as much, T.Mills is something of a risk for rock and rap listeners… but, what does it for Mills is his ‘tudey tatts (reminiscent of Lil’ Wayne and Wiz Khalifa) split with his high school dropout delivery. I chat with the hip-hop startup exclusively below…

MH: What’s your name stand for?
TM: My name is Travis Tatum Mills.
MH: Is there an artist or band most people would be shocked to know you listen to?
TM: Queen.
MH: Since Smoke & Mirrors epitomizes the unlikely intersections between hip-hop and high fashion, is there a specific designer that you’d outfit your honey’s in?
TM:  I don’t necessarily have a favorite designer for women but a girl must have good style. They can shop vintage and still look sexy. Mix it up ladies!
MH: You have a ton of ink… and you speak about hooking up with a girl with a neck tattoo in your first single. Have you actually ever dated a chick with a neck tatt?
TM: Haha yes! When I was 16.
MH: What’s next for you tatt-wise?
TM:  I need to finish my chest asap, so, when my schedule allows, I’ll get around to it. Im finishing up my leg right now, too.
MH: Is there a certain R&B chick you’d like to have on your next hook?
TM:  I actually have a new song called “Yesterday” that has something to do with Janet Jackson. Without saying too much… I’ve said too much.

1995

2003, pt. I

2003, pt. II

2011

The 25-year-old former model turned Sean “Diddy” Combs protege told us that when it comes to choosing outfits, “The first thing that I go for is structure. Then color and texture. Something that fits well, but, also fits my personality. I started as a model, so, fashion’s very important to me. I read a lot of magazines, I’m very aware.” And we could tell. She arrived in a dress by Brian that isn’t even available to the public yet. “It’s a perk,” she laughed. Find more on Paper here.

Listen to a snippet of Cassie‘s first single, “King of Hearts,”
off her sophomore album below.

Below read about my (very brief) encounter with Ms. Minaj via Paper …

We’ll be honest — there’s not many people we’d get trampled to talk to, but last night Nicki Minaj was the exception. Only five minutes to showtime at the Betsey Johnson show (for which Minaj was much of the collection’s basis — both musically and aesthetically), the eccentric female emcee caused pure pandemonium when she took her seat beside Lynn Yaegar and Olympic skater/fashion plate Johnny Weir. “Back up,” security screamed at the crush of journalists who descended on Minaj, but that didn’t stop us from shoving our tape recorder higher into the sky.

First, on our list of questions, who the hell does her wigs and where does that person get their inspiration? “My great friend Terrence Davidson does all my wigs. Lately I’ve been feeling very Harajuku! Especially the colors, the light blue –  I love [the style]. I hope to keep it this way for a bit.” Another journalist shoving into my thigh got the next question, asking Ms. Minaj what style tips she’d recommend. “Do whatever the fuck you want,” she replied gracefully. We got the next dig, wondering when the last time she visited her hometown of Baisley, Queens happened to be. “You know, I was actually in Queens just yesterday. But not Baisley, we just passed by there.”

The short-but-satisfying responses didn’t come quick enough for the inching crowd gathered affront her bodyguards because what came next resulted in everyone with interview and photo access to evacuate the front row. “She’s done, she’s had enough publicity, people! Go to your seats.” And that was that. Short, bittersweet, but totally worth a broken ego and bruised thigh.

Below find some snapshots from backstage at Betsey Johnson’s S/S ’12 show

WORLD PREMIERE: “Long Gone” – Terius Nash

If you haven’t downloaded ’1977′ yet… you’re missing out.
Read my take on The-Dream’s visual shortcomings over at Interview now 

Find below my Alexander Wang After-Party report for Paper Magazine…

We’re still trying to piece together last night’s debauchery at Alexander Wang‘s after-party — and there’s some definite gaps. Did we really see Cathy Horyn at the notoriously rowdy fete yukking it up with Bryan Boy? (Yes.) Or male models doing jello shots? (Uh-huh.) We’re still a bit piece-y on whether or not we actually saw some journalists doing keg stands, but, we know this much is true: after braving a massive queue and having our cab searched due to the terror threat, we had the best time (as expected) at the downtown designer’s latest party on the Pier. In attendance was Wang muse, actress, and style star, Zoe Kravitz, who with boyfriend Penn Badgley, agreed that “New Yorkers don’t get to experience house parties like most do, so, it’s really cool that he did this.”

Indeed, the vibe was total frat party bar mitzvah (if there were such a thing) with giveaways and trashy Playboy pinups scattered throughout. The large space was filled with fridges full of 40 oz.s, bathtubs stuffed with ice and Budweiser tall-boys, and couches with blow-up dolls and Playstation consoles. Even legendary hip-hop mogul, Russell Simmons, who’s been to his share of fashion parties, admitted that: “No one throws a fashion party like this!”

The dance floor, lit in blacklights, provided enough space for the 1,000-some guests to get down to the sounds of DJ Jesse Marco. We caught Jourdan Dunn raving with glow sticks to Big Sean‘s “Dance (Ass)” while onlookers munched on hamburgers and hot dogs. Other guests included models Karlie Kloss, Jamie Burke, Miles Garber, and Miles McMillan, who looked fresher than most considering their week’s crammed schedule. At the Kanon Vodka (curated by Apotheke) bar, Kate Lanphear and newly-appointed Chanel milliner, Gigi Burris, buzzed about a potential Justin Bieber appearance. “I heard it was Justin Bieber [who was performing tonight], but, I don’t know,” Lanphear explained.

But, in the end, it was Tyler the Creator and the Odd Future gang, who were the night’s special guests, performing a set that got somewhat of a mixed reaction. There were people that rushed to the front of the stage and then those that called it a night. We overheard several guests asking, “Who is screaming?” and, “Aren’t these the guys that GLAAD hates?” Perhaps not the best choice for a party that’s attendance leaned heavily gay, but, hey… to think that we were under the same roof as Ms. Horyn, blow-up dolls and Mr. Creator, possible the strangest mix we can think of, made it all surreally OK.

Last night, we braved the “DRIZZY!”-screaming throngs of Drake fans outside the 5th avenue Versace boutique, where the 24-year-old Torontonian TV star-turned-emcee was guest DJing at Fashion’s Night Out. Our eardrums are still paying for it. Of course, the evening was completely worth it, insanity and all, and the former PAPER cover star was kind enough to chat with us about his eagerly anticipated sophomore effort, Take Care, to be released on his birthday, October 24th.

It’s been one year since Drake and his major label debut LP, Thank Me Later, changed the hip-hop soundscape entirely. Just listen to the melodically submerged, moody sounds currently flooding R&B (Frank Ocean) and hip-hop (Kid Cudi, Big Sean) and it’s relatively simple to identify its root. “It’s Toronto. One hundred percent,” says Drake modestly when we ask if he’s played a hand in R&B’s resurgence. “I wouldn’t say I created it, it’s just the sound of my city. Same for [Abel Tesfaye of] The Weeknd. He’s just out there writing music, making music that comes from the most beautiful city in the world. Why wouldn’t it sound beautiful, you know?”

Mixtape track, “Marvin’s Room,” has been creating internet buzz for Take Care thanks to the slew other artists revamping and covering it. Early-aughts tween pop-star JoJo had one of the most popular, in which she, for the first time, delved into adult territory. And Drake took note. “In JoJo’s case, she actually took the time to write really potent new lyrics,” he says. “It was really shocking, I think, for her audience since throughout her career she’s been kind of stereotyped as this teen pop star and then she comes out with this different kind of substance. It’s very rare that people take your song and do it over like that.”

His connection to Versace, you ask? “I’m a huge Versace fan,” he declares. “I love the history: the class, the regal sort of feel; there’s just something about it that possesses this characteristic that I think I stand for, too, something that my mother and her friends instilled in me growing up in Forest Hill. I grew up seeing women in Versace, the women of class around me. So, I was just floored when they asked me to do this. For me personally, it’s one of the most exciting calls I’ve gotten in a while.”

Fans of the emcee’s Degrassi days will be excited to learn that he’s interested in returning to his previous trade. “As soon as I submit this album, I’m in the process of signing with an agency and starting my acting up again.”

Atlanta rap trio, Kush Kloud Klan, may have just released their first major mixtape (hosted by DJ Ill Will) this past week, but their sound is already ringing in the ears of hip-hop-heads in a big way. Partially due to their controversial name (imagine #KKK trending on Twitter), Outkast stylings and production by Soundz, and their similar tasting flow to two of my favorite indie ‘Bama groups, G-Side and Paper Route Gangstaz, they’re poised to strike hard and fast. The 13-track set is already one of the best of the year. Download their buzzed-about, sax-laden mixtape (featuring appearances by Jazze Pha, Rock City, and a slinky “Skin” Rihanna sample) for free here. Remember where you heard it first MF.

“I hate to have to crash your wedding… with this shit,” The-Dream sings on “Wedding Crasher,” one of the 11 new songs from his first-ever free album (for all intents and purposes, it’s a mixtape—but don’t tell him that), released under his “government name,” Terius Nash, which dropped today via his official site. His label’s not happy, since although 

Read the rest of my ’1977′ post on Interview Mag now…
and download the free album here before it’s too late. 

World Premiere: “ADHD” – Kendrick Lamar

As the third single to Kendrick Lamar’s debut, Section.80, “ADHD” is the newbie’s magnum opus thus far. It’s a morose, foggy generational commentary. What’s disguised as a drug anthem turns out to be more of an introspective thought-provoker. Listen closely – the Compton-bred rapper likes to play with hip-hop lingo and turn it on its head. It’s about damn time visionary hip-hop sounded so good.