Tag Archives: Kendrick Lamar

[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 76: Gorillaz, GoldLink & K-Dot

C7J78ZWVsAALqsYMusic Ninja Radio is a podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  every Friday from 4-6PM PST. 

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Music Ninja Radio #76: Gorillaz, GoldLink & K-Dot

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Last week was a massive one for new music with both Gorillaz and Kendrick Lamar announcing upcoming albums. Episode #76 includes singles from both alongside a diverse mix of genres spanning electro-soul, indie pop, far out hip-hop and forward-thinking house. Other personal favorites from this episode include a dreamy remix from Conrad Clifton, summer-ready cuts from GoldLink‘s new album, Nite Jewel‘s effortless latest single & Djemba Djemba‘s future house take on Jnthn Stein.

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[15 To End 2015] Ninja Ash’s Best of the Year

When you listen to music as much as I do, your song selections and life experiences become inseparable–each impacting the other in both conscious and subconscious ways. That relationship embodies the uniquely subjective nature of music. You can listen to a song ten times and think nothing of it but then hear it in the right context or headspace and everything just clicks. As such, any effort of making an objective “best of” list proves a fruitless task. So rather than attempt that Sisyphean task, my ’15 To End 2015′ captures the songs that meant the most to me this year: ones that soundtracked my best memories, comforted me at my lowest points or simply possessed endless replay value. Peep my favorites of 2015 below. Hopefully they’ll take on a life of their own in your music collection.

’Beach House – Space Song’

A trip to psychedelic space land–just close your eyes and absorb.

’The Internet – Under Control’

A fresh and endlessly relatable take on R&B from Syd & co.

’Thundercat – ‘Them Changes”

Built on the same Isley Brothers drum sample as “Today Was a Good Day,” this funk-injected jam crescendos a year full of nostalgia for the era of Parliament, James Brown & Sly Stone.

’Main Attrakionz – Ain’t No Other Way’

Feel good Bay Area hip-hop for and from the soul.

’Raury – Forbidden Knowledge (feat. Big K.R.I.T.)’

An absolute lyrical gem from a young artist with wisdom well beyond his years.

’Kendrick Lamar – These Walls (feat. Thundercat, Bilal & Anna Wise)’

My most played song from my favorite album of the year: ‘To Pimp A Butterfly.’

’Jamie xx – I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)(feat. Young Thug & Popcaan)’
It’s hard to pick a favorite song from Jamie xx’s ‘In Colour’ but this summer anthem flipped pretentious listeners on their heads while showcasing the merits of melodic emcees.

’Shamir – In For The Kill’

The danciest track from the year’s most pioneering pop vocalist.

’Mura Masa – Lovesick Fuck’

In 2015 Mura Masa continued to prove his dominance in the realm of emotional future bass. This is easily my most played track of the year.

’Big Wild – Aftergold’

‘Aftergold’ captures Big Wild’s genuinely organic approach to electronic music–one full of sonic plot twists and playful melodies.

’Lane 8 – Loving You ft. Lulu James’

Lane 8’s compositions shaped my year and “Loving You,” the opener of his debut album, brings to mind feelings of excitement and new beginnings.

’Kenton Slash Demon – Harpe’

The capacity for emotional power within an instrumental composition should never be underestimated–‘Harpe’ proves that.

’Tame Impala – Let It Happen (Soulwax Remix)’

The magnificence of Tame Impala and the rare emergence of Soulwax combine for infinite grooves.

’Billy Kenny – I Eat Beats (Ardalan Remix)’

This song is single-handedly responsible for piquing my interest in tech-house.

’Sonny Fodera & Gene Farris – We Work It’

I listened to this every time I worked it in 2015.

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14 Unforgettable Sets from Outside Lands 2015 [Festival Review]

CoverIt’s been nearly a week since we first stepped into Golden Gate Park for Outside Lands, but with the return to the daily grind it feels like even longer for most of us. This year’s festival, yet another record-breaking one by attendance, featured all the amenities that make OSL special–amazing food, craft beers, a star-studded comedy lineup, the beautiful backdrop of Hellman Hollow and of course a top-notch bill of musical performances. With its rapid expansion came some growing pains as well, though, and our main gripe was the inaccessibility of the Heineken House, which featured some great DJs, due to overcrowding. At the same time, the greater depth of the lineup made the previously overlooked Panhandle stage the place to be and when the crowd came together at shows, the energy was unbelievable.

In the stupor that follows music festivals, it can be easy to allow your precious experiences to fade in the rearview of your memory bank, but there will always be sets that you’ll never forget. We’ve recounted 14 sets that have been stuck in our minds all week and also tried something a bit new with this review by asking random fans to review our favorite sets. If you were in attendance this year, we hope this brings you back and, if not, it might just make you want to check out OSL next year.

All images by Ninja Dominic Powell. All writing, unless otherwise noted, by Ash.

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[Festival Review] Life on the Incline: Sasquatch!, the Gorge and the Hill’s Eternal Serenity

17496069434_2c6a933028_oThere’s nothing quite like the sensation of sitting sideways atop the slope of the Gorge Amphitheater’s hill at Sasquatch! Music Festival overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Add entrancing music to a background that no picture or piece of art could ever do justice; and, at that intersection, you’ll find the happy place Squatchers look forward to all year. The so-far-past picturesque backdrop sets the tone for the festival but, with arguably one of its best lineups yet, was a far cry from Sasquatch’s only attraction this year. Rather, the main stage’s slope served as the much-needed anchor after a dance party at the Chupacabra tent or Big Foot stage—a place to lie, head up or down, and absorb the collective consciousness of thousands of equally inspired concertgoers.

Music festivals have become such chaotic events and Sasquatch! is, certainly not an exception, but it’s that same comfort felt on the hill that permeates throughout the entire campground. No matter what you’re going through or how you’re feeling, the hill will take your emotional state to serenity, where it belongs.

18009447496_4d9cd9882f_oWords, photos and songs really can’t do justice to just how incredible the Squatch is but we’ve done our best to recap, from our perspective, the musical highlights from the 4 days. For those of you who were there, we hope this brings you back even if just a little bit and for those who weren’t, well, you’re going to want to be there next year after peeping our recap.

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[NEW] Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly (Album Stream)

In a strange turn of events, Kendrick Lamar‘s highly anticipated album is now available on Spotify and iTunes.  Top Dawg Entertainment label boss Anthony Tiffith sent out a few tweets after the album mysteriously appeared suggesting that the surprise drop was a mistake. Accident or not, though, it’s really great to hear what Kendrick’s been working on since his instant classic debut studio album. While Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City told the story of a young Kendrick, To Pimp A Butterfly sees a composed, mature and confident Lamar delivering organic funk & soul-inspired new age hip-hop. Although we’ll want some more time with it, we’re loving what we’ve heard thus far. Check out the Spotify stream below or head to iTunes to pick up a digital copy. It will be interesting to see how this rollout unfolds as more information on what actually happened becomes available. Regardless, we’re more than excited about the new music. Continue reading

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[NEW] Kendrick Lamar – King Kunta

Kendrick Lamar
King Kunta

With Kendrick Lamar‘s sophomore album release around the corner, the anticipation, speculation and hype is at an all time high. Today, we get another glimpse into the project with “King Kunta,” an ode to the P-Funk era. Over a groovy bassline, King Kendrick delivers a gritty empowering message with a James Brown-esque cadence. In the closing chapter of George Clinton‘s memoir, he talks about working with Kendrick Lamar. “King Kunta” likely emerged from those sessions with its distinct Parliament/Funkadelic sound. Give this one a listen above–To Pimp A Butterfly drops on March 23rd. Check out what Clinton had to say about Lamar below:

George Clinton: The other day I did a session with the rapper Kendrick Lamar. Even before I met him I was laughing at “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” which had the same silly-serious tone we tried for in Funkadelic. He came down to Tallahassee to record with me, and it was beautiful…He acts like he’s about fifty with all his theories. When I met Sly Stone, he knew of P-Funk because he heard those records himself, as they came out. When I met Rakim, he knew of P-Funk because he listened to his brother’s records. With Kendrick, it was his parents’ records. He didn’t just know the hits. He knew the deepest of the deep cuts. When you talk about your old work with a young man with an old mind, the work feels less old. We talked about my old songs and they were renewed. When the past comes rushing into the present that way, I can see clearly that artwork is a living thing. Younger artists teach me that I taught them. That’s why I’m grateful to Kendrick Lamar, and to anyone who is carrying on the P-Funk tradition.
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[New] Kendrick Lamar – i

Kendrick Lamar
i

After two long years, the wait is finally over for some new Kendrick Lamar to hit your eardrums. Remaining relatively quiet in the music scene, the west coast emcee seemed to have taken a backseat to let his Top Dawg brethren quietly take over the music scene. Schoolboy Q saw his debut, Oxymoron, receive top praises, Isaiah Rashad has made a name for himself with his EP Cilvia Demo, and SZA delivered some chill vibes with her solo project Z. Now that the music scene is more familiar with the crew, Lamar steps back into the spotlight with a long-awaited single for our listening enjoyments.

The track “i” is an uplifting anthem that is sonically a little something different from the rap star. Introduced by a boasting soundbite, a Rahki-produced guitar heavy Isley Brothers “That Lady” sample drops flipping the beat. K-dot quickly jumps on the track spitting some quick-tongued bars about self-love and acceptance. The momentum and positive message do not let up throughout ending with a smooth transition into a jazz, 70’s classic rhythm and vibe. The track definitely invokes the feel of some old-school, but takes a couple listens to fully grow on you.

Kendrick’s follow-up to good kid, M.A.A.D. city is set to drop later this year and is rumored to feature production from Dr. Dre and a lot of in-house production from the TDE camp. This much-anticipated single is now available for purchase on iTunes.

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