Tag Archives: Danny Brown

[Hip-Hop] Danny Brown & Clams Casino – Worth It

Danny Brown & Clams Casino
Worth It

Outlandish Detroit emcee, Danny Brown, and pioneering producer Clams Casino are two artists who we’re always on the lookout for new music from. As of late, though, they’ve both been relatively quiet–Brown only appearing occasionally since the release of his phenomenal 2013 album Old and Clams popping up sparsely, but memorably, over the last two years. Thanks to the always-dope Adult Swim Singles series, though, we’ve got a brand new collab between the two living legends that perhaps also provides some insight into what’s been on their minds.

On “Worth It,” both artists prove that they haven’t lost a step as Clams Casino crafts eerie sonics built around bewildering percussion. Brown at first seems to be spitting typical, yet still impressive, boastful raps about the celebrity lifestyle but when the chorus hits he asks the question of whether the material rewards of fame are a gift or a curse. On social media and in interviews, Brown has alluded to his struggles with addiction as it relates to fame, which may partially be his reason for laying low, and this song definitely echoes some of those sentiments without losing site of his signature, bombastic delivery.

Listen to this powerful, thought-provoking cut and grab a free download above. Danny Brown is right in questioning America’s celebrity culture, but what is “Worth It” is touching the world with your music and that’s undeniably something both of these artists have succeeded in doing thus far.

Related items:

[Festival Review] Four Days In The Life of a Ninja at Movement Music Festival

movement

All photos copyright and courtesy of Matthew Reyer & Black Tuesday

Detroit’s fabled Movement Electronic Music Festival (formerly DEMF) was a visceral experience to say the least. From the sternum throttling bass kicks of the world’s loudest soundsystems designed exactly for all facets of dance music, the artificial crunch of plastic bottles and beer cans condensing beneath our feet in a warehouse basement at 5:00 a.m., to the general amounts of love from nearly every corner of the industry; we had an engaging and wonderful time. And with new owners Paxahau doing most everything in their ability to ensure a great Memorial Day Weekend, for the most part, the shows went off without a hitch.

Our team arrived late Friday night, and with still at least a couple of hours left in the evening to party before Movement’s official kick off the following afternoon, we headed to Detroit’s gritty warehouse district for an incredibly deep and storied lineup featuring both Moodyman and Theo Parrish taking us all to the Church of House through a vinyl only, eclectic set fusing neo-jazz, classic disco and plenty of contemporary house and techno without well… too much mixing really. It was certainly a throwback night in every sense, even an ode to Paradise Garage maestro Larry Levan style mixing. It was great to get back to our roots, stop being so damn critical, just enjoy a couple of dance music legends and set the stage for our weekend.

Read our entire Movement review after the jump!

Continue reading

Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Black Friday Mixtape Roundup (Free Downloads)

TMN Black Friday Mixtape Roundup

Black Friday is fucking weird, let’s just be honest. A day after showing “thanks” to their families, millions of Americans migrate to their local WalMart to fight over gifts their kids will forget about after a week. One great thing that does come from Black Friday every year, though, is a slew of new mixtapes from emcees who see the holiday as a perfect time to give their fans some free music. To help you ninjas navigate the countless releases, we’ve rounded up our 4 favorite mixtapes from Black Friday below. No waiting in line, no fatal fist fights over the latest version of FIFA, no stuffy, smelly crowds and, best of all, everything is free. Just scroll away, preview some tracks, read our thoughts and hit the Download button if you’re feeling it.  Continue reading

Related items:

[Hip-Hop/Electronic] Phantogram – Black Out Days (Remix) (feat. Danny Brown & Leo Justi)

Phantogram
Black Out Days remix ft. Danny Brown and Leo Justi

Given hip-hop’s influence on their sound, it comes as no surprise that emcees are drawn to the music of Phantogram. Aside from their work with Big Boi, the electro pop/rock duo have seen a number of rappers flip their songs into instrumentals–Ratking‘s take on “Fall in Love” is maybe the best example. Today, we get another stellar hip-hop re-work as Phantogram enlists Danny Brown and Brazilian producer Leo Justi to take on one of their many hits, “Black Out Days.”

Justi does an absolutely amazing job keeping the original in tact while picking up the tempo with 808-percussion and layering of portions of the vocals. At about the 1:45 mark, the beat takes a brief backseat as Danny Brown steps in. When the instrumental returns, the talented emcee hits his stride demonstrating his hard-hitting delivery. Lyrically, this might be one of our favorite verses from Brown so we recommend giving it a close listen. You can check out our interview with Phantogram here if you haven’t already.

Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Lucki Eck$ – Finesse (Prod. Skywlkr)

Lucki Eck$
Finesse (prod. SKYWLKR)

Last summer, Chi-town emcee Lucki Eck$ dropped his debut mixtape, Alternative Trap, a hazy, collection of songs that caught the attention of the hip-hop blogosphere and earned him a dedicated following. Although his brand of rhymes is not particularly original in subject matter, generally covering drug consumption/distribution and women, Lucki’s approach provides new layers of depth far more focused on his psyche than the boastful repetition that has become the rap industry standard.

Gearing up for his sophomore project, Body High, the young artist took to Twitter to release an early glimpse into the project. The appropriately titled “Finesse” features ethereal production from regular Danny Brown collaborator, Skywlkr, over which Eck$ spits his signature subtle, druggy delivery. Zone out to this one above and keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming mixtape due out on July 18th–you won’t want to sleep on Lucki.

Related items:

[Hip-Hop] ZMoney & Danny Brown – Jug & Finesse

ZMoney & Danny Brown
Jug & Finesse (prod. Jneal)

Just in time for the weekend, two of the midwest’s most ratchet, Chicago’s ZMoney and Detroit’s Danny Brown, have teamed up for an anthem of sorts titled “Jug & Finesse.”  With the assistance of a typically hard-hitting instrumental from Jneal, each rapper demonstrates their unique, yet contrasting, styles.

ZMoney, who’s Rich B4 Rap earned him a cosign from Drake, carries an unconventional trapped-out delivery that falls in line with the rise of artists like Young Thug. Danny, on the other hand, is in a league of his own with exceptional technical skills and an unmatchably strange energy. The two styles unite in an unexpectedly awesome way making for a Friday-worthy slap. Enjoy the stream and turn up above

[via P&P]

Related items:

[Remix] Portugal. The Man – Modern Jesus (Charli XCX Remix)

Portugal. The Man
Modern Jesus (Charli XCX Remix)

Alaskan alternative band Portugal. The Man released one of the strongest projects of the 2013 with Evil Friends and have continued to keep their fans engaged while on tour with some pretty unique remixes from the likes of Alt-J, Danny Brown and Mike D of the Beastie Boys. The latest re-work, posted to the band’s YouTube page this morning,  may be the best yet as the U.K.’s Charli XCX transforms PTM’s “Modern Jesus” into a minimal, airy electronic masterpiece.With drums that could easily originate from a rap instrumental, the verses gain a certain groove and smoothness working to compliment their content. Meanwhile, there is a distinct progression that culminates in a stellar closing to the song. Peep above or check out the video, which features a sketch being made over a picture of Charli, below.

Related items: