[Mashup Masterminds] The Hood Internet

Every time the word Mashup Masterminds pops in my head (the few times it does) I can only think of The Hood Internet. The Chicago-based duo specializes in mashups of hip-hop (from the mainstream to the underground) with indie rock…. and they are quite GOOD! The blogophere not only loves them for shining a light into indie music but amount of quality mash ups they put out every week is short of amazing. Their latest wonder is the fusion of M.I.A.’s sharp witty vocals with the calming melow pop tunes of Vampire Weekend. Enjoy!

The Hood Internet -Giving Up The Sunshowers (M.I.A. Vs Vampire Weekend)

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The Hood Internet – The XX Gon’ Give It To Ya (DMX Vs The XX)

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The Hood Internet – None Shall Get Up Get Out (Aesop Rock Vs. The Rosebuds Mash-Up)

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And two of my 2009 Favorite

The Hood Internet – Comfortable Up Here (Lil Wayne Vs Royksopp Mashup), Remix

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The Hood Internet – Make The Loop Say Aye (OJ Da Juiceman Vs Discovery)

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[Sources:1, 2, 3]

[Indie/Acoustic] Toy Horses are not just for kids

The incredible high of a music junkie when he/she is listening to something that blows them away is almost as addicting as the next drug. When I started the blog last year and didn’t receive many emails suggestions I had to rely on music services like last.fm and thesixtyone.com to discover new music. One of the most impressive and proudest songs I discovered was Toy Horses‘ “But What About The Future”. A song full of childish references with themes about staying young and making these moments “last forever”. Incredably melodic, clever, and pretty damn funny.

“But What About The Future” – Toy Horses

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It had been a while since I heard anything else from Toy Horses until the band was kind enough to send me a twitter shout out on my Birthday last Friday the 26th. Included in their message was a link to a video they had recorded for their song Oh Violet. The video along with the mp3 they hooked us up with was one of the best (non-alcoholic) presents I received that day! Oh Violet has a larger than life, Coldplay-like feel to it yet its charming melodies and honest lyrics give it a very genuine sound. Although the video does not really have much else going, I wanted to include it in this post because it proves that these guys are in it for the right reasons.

Toy Horses – Oh Violet

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Video Info:
Recorded in Nashville in August 2009 this song ‘Oh Violet’ is from the début album of British band Toy Horses. This filming (of Adam’s acoustic guitar take) took place in Creative Workshops recording studio where the clock stopped ticking in about 1973. It’s owned by Buzz Cason former backing singer to a certain Mr. E. Presley, not the sort of place you’d expect a Welsh indie band to haunt but the results were superb! Playing with Toy Horses on this track are Ken Coomer (former Wilco and Uncle Tupelo drummer) and Tim Marks (Taylor Swift’s bass player).

Toy Horses can be seen at SXSW in March 2010 and will be touring the UK in the summer to promote their self titled début album.

Bonus: Toy Horses- Damage Done

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[Leak] Gorillaz – Superfast Jellyfish (Feat. Gruff Rhys And De La Soul)

Can’t say I was a fan of Stylo, unless you are talking about Alex Metric’s remix. For me, it just didnt have that catchy punch the Gorillaz are known for. I have been having a couple of doubts concerning their third Gorillaz studio album Plastic Beach, but thanks to listening to this song, all my doubts are gone! Superfast Jellyfish features Welsh musician Gruff Rhys and Long Island, New York influential hip-hop group De La Soul….. yes.. De La Soul.. same guys from “Feel Good Inc” of their Demon Days record.

The band’s third studio album, titled Plastic Beach, will be released on 3 March 2010 in Japan, 8 March 2010 in the United Kingdom and 9 March 2010 in the United States

Gorillaz – Superfast Jellyfish (Feat. Gruff Rhys And De La Soul) (Radio Rip)

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[via]

[Hip/Electro/Hop] Pretty Lights' Shinny Beats

Already starting 2008 and especially throughout 09 a lot of hip/hop has been influenced by the synthesized melodies of electronic music. From Kanye sampling Daft Punk to Lil’ Jon’s unashamed use of heavy auto-tune, hip/hop artists have started to adopt a lot of electronic elements. However, nothing really has sound as natural fusing these two different worlds as Colorado’s own Dj/Producer Derek Vincent Smith, Pretty Lights. The soulful instrumentation paired with an electronically aggressive bassline that is perfectly balanced to not overpower the groovy vocals, creates a compound capable of keeping your booty shakin through the night.

Where others have failed to keep both Hip/Hop and Electro fans happy, often leaving one in the dark, Pretty Lights’s future shines bright.

Pretty Lights – I Can See It In Your Face

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[via]

Fenech Soler – Stop And Stare + Hollywood (Fenech-Soler Remix)

Marina And The Diamonds – Hollywood (Fenech-Soler Remix)

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Fenech Soler – Stop And Stare [removed by request]

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[Question:] Where Is Your Mind Today?

Life can go pretty fast, with school work and trying to have a a “decent” party life… things definitely seem crammed up lately. However, 2009 was extremely exiting because I was able to launch The Music Ninja and slowly but surely its been sneaking around the web to bring you the best music possible. In 2010, probably around June.. This site will go through a pretty big change in terms of layout and functionality, I will try to keep it somewhat the same as now but Music Ninja readers will definitely have a better experience. There is some talks of starting a podcast (talks between me and myself lol) and a couple of few things I am not ready to share just yet… I know sorry to be a fucking tease but I promise it will be worth the wait.

So my mind is on the future, on making 2010 the best year yet and on connecting with the people I care the most, the fans of this site. If you have a few seconds to spare, share with us where is your mind today? What are you expecting this year? Looking forward to any specific band release? and maybe tell us what would you like to see more of on the site?

Click here to comment and enjoy this sweet remix of the Pixies Where is My Mind by Bassnectar.

Pixies – Where is my mind (Bassnectar Remix)

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Subtle Dance/Disco Electromagnificent Melodies

There comes a time in a man’s life where he has to settle down a bit. I am going through a phase of liking more softer dance electro songs than the usual CRAZY ELECTRO SONGS I am known for posting in the past. This obviously does not mean I will stop posting the craziest ear bleeding frequency stretching bass beats… but I am now appreciating the groovy disco dance tunes A LOT MORE. Thanks to my music blogger friend nashvillenights.com that let me grab my favorite songs.

Phoenix – Fences (Def Starr Remix)

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Volta Cab – Clarissa

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Cassette Kids – Spin (Russ Chimes Big House Remix)

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The XX – Crystalised (Popular Damage Assimilation)

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LBCK – Start

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Justin Faust – Holdin’ On (Moullinex Remix)

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Tape Deck Bros – Science Fiction

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If you like ANY of the tunes below.. be sure to check Nashville Nights. Honorable mentions go to deathelectro.com and discodust.blogspot.com as I got a couple of tracks from them too.. these guys have too much electro grooviness! Stay Groovy and please comment if you would like to hear more songs like these.

[Hilarious] Raaaaaaaandy – AAAAAAAANGRY

Hip-hop comedian Raaaaaaaandy (aka “Parks and Recreation” star Aziz Ansari) and TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek have a rap mixtape on the way. And according to this first introductory track, no MC is safe from their wrath. There are eight A’s in “AAAAAAAANGRY” for a reason. – Pitchfork

Raaaaaaaandy – AAAAAAAANGRY

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Dont know who Randy Is? Let this introduce you: