Author Archives: Ash El Gamal

[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 128: Smino, Kenny Beats & Airy Soundscapes

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Music Ninja Radio
Episode 128: Smino, Kenny Beats & Airy Soundscapes

Soundcloud || iTunes Podcast || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

This week’s episode kicks off with a selection of chilled-out new neo-soul, R&B and indie pop tracks before getting into a whole lotta new hip-hop and, finally, closing out with some ethereal electronic vibes. On the hip-hop front, highlights included samples from Smino‘s latest album, which is yet another testament to his incredible vocal range and unique delivery, the latest beautiful single from Earl Sweatshirt and a 5-song dedication to producer Kenny Beats who has been omnipresent as of late. After some hard-hitting rap, the end of the show is one large exhale featuring some beautiful electronic music from Televangel, Djrum and How to Dress Well among others.

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10 Highlights from Treasure Island Music Festival 2018 [Festival Review]

Music Ninja Radio
Episode #126: Treasure Island Retrospective + Preview

After a year-long hiatus and relocation, Treasure Island Music Festival has returned–this time taking place in Oakland’s Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. What has consistently been our favorite festival in the Bay was able to make the transition incredibly smooth retaining the aspects that have made it so successful–beautiful views and no overlapping sets. Check out our 10 favorite moments from this year’s festivities below and give a listen to our TI-dedicated episode of TMN Radio which includes all the artists in this roundup as well as some from previous years.  Continue reading

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 120: Pre-OSL & Discoveries

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Music Ninja Radio
Episode 120: Pre-OSL & Discoveries

Soundcloud || iTunes Podcast || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

This week’s episode features a collection of alt-pop, hip-hop and new house music with a sprinkle of some of the Outside Lands acts I was most excited for. Highlights include Moses Sumney‘s enveloping track which opened the show, HONEYMOAN‘s breezy single, Choker‘s emotive brand of experimental pop, Phony Ppl’s groovy return, Matthew Dear‘s beautiful, progressive anthem and a space disco masterpiece from Lindstrøm.

 

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 119: A Touch of Everythang

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Music Ninja Radio
Episode 119: A Touch of Everythang

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

After a fun 2-hour mix of house / techno music last week, this episode returns to the usual genre smorgasbord of TMN radio. There were some exciting brand new artists to the show including the versatile stylings of Omar Apollo, a psychedelic experience from Portland band Hosannas, a vibey hip-hop cut from the Bay’s own Agpworldtour and a beautifully disorienting selection from Lotic’s debut album, ‘Power’. On the flip side, a lot of our favorite regulars dropped new albums or singles. As far as albums, The Internet’s ‘Hive Mind’ and Tanukichan’s fuzzy debut ‘Sundays’ are my personal favorites while Blood Orange’s latest single stands out as a track with endless replay value.

To close out the show I put together a disco-tinged set of house tracks. The mix includes cuts from madcat’s flawless debut EP ‘Petite musique de chanvre’, Route 8’s latest hazy project ‘Come Home’ and Detroit Swindle’s new album ‘High Life.’

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 118: Barbara + Berlin Beats

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Music Ninja Radio
Episode 118: Barbara & Berlin Beats

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

In my first episode back following a 6-week hiatus in Berlin, we feature very special guest DJ Barbara all the way from NYC for an eclectic dance party coloring the first half of the show. For the second half of this episode, I mixed a number of experimental house and techno tracks I discovered while traveling making for a winding, unpredictable journey through out.

Also, want to shout out BFF’s Summer Sustainer program. As you may or may not know, Best Frequencies Forever is a community radio station run off the donations of its DJs and listeners. If you sign up to make a recurring donation, you can become a BFF Bestie–perks include a dope enamel pin, t-shirt, show tickets and even an exclusive monthly party. Support community radio! -Ash

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 110: Coachella Recap & New Stuff

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Music Ninja Radio
Episode 110: Coachella Recap & New Stuff

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

After a couple weeks off due to Coachella and a post-festival cold, I had a lot of show stories and music to share in this episode. Time is pretty evenly split here between Coachella favorites and brand new music from the last couple weeks.

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 109: Rainy Choonz

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Music Ninja Radio
Episode 109: Rainy Choonz

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

With rain coming down in SF, this week’s episode came together just at the right time. After a multiple year hiatus, The Music Ninja’s weekly Sunday Night Soul returned last weekend. To celebrate, I had Ninja Baseer put together the first couple segments with a mix of soulful, forward-leaning R&B tunes. After touching on the dissociative pysch rock of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s latest album, the remainder of the show was dedicated to hazy, lo-fi house. Anchored by a selection Ross From Friends stellar Brainfeeder debut, the last hour hits right in the late night feels.

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