Tag Archives: Odd Future

[Future/R&B] JAHKOY – Odd Future

JAHKOY
Odd Future

“Odd Future” is the latest original track from the Toronto vocalist JAHKOY. Produced by WondaGurl and Nova, this soulful R&B meets future concoction is the wind-down song you need to ease into the weekend. It has that Drake-esque vibe, a sort of mixture of sing-song and rap on top of an airy downtempo beat. For such a minimal production, it actually flows quite lively, and picks up at the end with a more upbeat percussion sequence that really concludes the track decorously.

JAHKOY has been continuously establishing as an act that can make it to the top. The artistry and vision are there, it’s just a matter of time before a ton of people start jumping ship to the JAHKOY ride. UMG Recordings released “Odd Future,” which means that it is up on iTunes for purchase. We got a copy, and we suggest you do too. Lastly, as stated on the artist’s Twitter, we can expect something soon by the name “TEMPTATIONS.” Be on the lookout!

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Traversing the Ego and Talking Musicianship with The Internet [TMN Exclusive Interview]

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On ‘Ego Death,’ The Internet have truly caught up to their initial vision just around the same time the rest of the music scene is striving to do the same.

The Internet
Special Affair

When The Internet, spearheaded by Syd the Kyd and Matt Martians, put out their first album Purple Naked Ladiesin 2011, they were already ahead of the curve.  With Syd on the mic and Matt on the boards, their debut favored jazz, neo-soul, N.E.R.D.-esque vibes tied together with silky R&B vocals and unique hip-hop-tinted lyricism. Their predilection for live instrumentation and extended jams–the type that could be heard on Matt Martian’s Jet Age of Tomorrow projects–led the duo to put together a 6-piece band that would help them catch up to their musical ambitions. The resulting project was their sophomore record, Feel Good, which progressed their sound with the help of that ensemble who brought a marked musicianship to match Matt and Syd’s executive direction.

With deeply collaborative albums like Kendrick Lamar‘s To Pimp a Butterfly and The Social Experiment‘s Surf both solidifying the reincarnation of funk, soul and live instrumentation in hip-hop and R&B, it’s clearer than ever just how innovative The Internet were with their undertakings. Their latest album, Ego Death, which is out now, continues that progression building off the rawness of their debut all the while incorporating the complexity of its predecessor. More than ever, it feels like The Internet, who describe the project as their most collaborative yet, have congealed into sonic bliss.

Musically, Ego Death finds itself in a place of minimalism, which is not to be confused with simplicity. There’s gorgeous jams through out on tracks like the Janelle Monae-featuring “Gabby,” moments of bounce on cuts like the Kaytranada-assisted “Girl” and bedroom anthems like “Special Affair.”  What ends up really bringing cohesion to the project are Syd’s captivating voice and the common theme encapsulated by the album’s title–an inner-conflict between a heightened ego and a broken one. On Ego Death, The Internet have truly caught up to their initial vision just around the same time the rest of the music scene is striving to do the same.

We were lucky enough to chat with Syd and Matt about the MySpace days, Odd Future and the making of Ego Death. Pick up your copy and read the full Q&A below. 

Ego Death

 iTunes || Spotify 

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TMN: What were your earliest musical memories, as far as what was playing around the house or anything that you were listening to growing up that you felt like has influenced your sound?

Matt: I think my very first memory was hearing my dad play stuff in the car all the time. My very first memory musically was The Commodores song called “Machine Gun.” It’s a song that has no lyrics or anything, it’s just a fucking jam–a jam-out Commodores song. And I remember I would always ask my dad to play it on repeat, and as a kid I didn’t know this wasn’t normal, but now that I’m older I realize that type of music is not something a normal five year old really grabs onto. Because I’ve never been a trained musician, but I’ve always known what sounded good and what not to do, which is kind of a gift in itself.

Syd: Me, I grew up listening to a lot of like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, India Arie, Musiq Soulchild and a lot of reggae like a lot of Maxi Priest, Steel Pulse, and Third World. Yeah, my dad is part of kind of a musical family, his brother is very involved in the music industry in Jamaica, and my mom is just like a huge fan of music. She still wants to be an engineer, like me.

TMN: So, building off of that, when did you guys first start making music?

Matt: I would say I started late; I was a late bloomer. I was 17 and it was like my first year of college. It got to the point where I got sick of waiting on my favorite bands to put music out. And I always felt like the good bands took forever to put music out and the trash bands would put music out every three years. So, it was like, you know, N.E.R.D. would come out with an album then you wouldn’t hear shit like, “Nigga I been waiting four years! I’m not gonna wait four years for twelve songs!” So, for me it was more like teach me how to fish, eat forever type of situation.

Syd: I took piano lessons as a kid and all that, but I didn’t start making music on my own until I was like 14 when my dad got me a laptop for school and it had Garage Band. I just started and I knew at that point that I wanted to do something involved in music, I just didn’t know what. Then I realized “oh a producer,” and then I realized “oh I’m not that good at this…” (Laughs). So I just started engineering instead just to stay involved one way or another and to make money.

TMN: So, I know Matt you had done some production work with Odd Future in general. Syd were you the first person to get in touch with Matt or was it through being a member of Odd Future yourself?

Syd: No, Matt was in Odd Future way before me, like years before me. Matt is an original member, he’s like one of the first members. I was a fan of his, because he had the Super 3. I was a fan of the Super 3 so I used to just message him like “Hey, give me advice on beats” and he used to give me advice.

Matt: Right. It’s kind of weird when I think about it now, like we’re best friends and we’re in a band together, because it really was like fate. So, me and Tyler (The Creator) linked up like a few years before I met Syd, this was on MySpace as well. The Internet is just the embodiment of both, and how a lot of our lives have changed because of it. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Internet. So, we basically connected through MySpace, bouncing ideas, then she got into Odd Future. I was already in Odd Future so we got even closer. It kind of happened organically, how it was supposed to happen. It was nothing forced, it was more so like we both had very similar interests, and we grew up from very similar backgrounds so it just makes a lot of sense.
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[Hip-Hop] Hodgy Beats – Dena Tape 2 (Mixtape)

Long-time Odd Future fans may remember Hodgy Beats‘s Dena Tape as one of the strongest projects to come out during the crew’s breakout years. Since that time, aside from a few solo releases, Hodgy has focused mainly on his collaborative MellowHigh and MellowHype projects with consistently solid results. Yesterday, Hodgy returned as a solo act in full force with Dena Tape 2. Keeping the vocal features to a minimum, Beats lets his quick-hitting, gritty delivery and lyrics take front and center over productions from Hit-BoyLeft BrainLakim, Marvel Alexander and more. Hodgy also holds his own over the instrumentals for Kendrick Lamar‘s “Sing About Me, I’m Dying for Thirst” and Outkast‘s “Aquemini.” This project definitely has a more cohesive feel than its predecessor displaying Hodgy’s growth artistically, both from a delivery perspective and content-wise. Give our favorite tracks a listen and, if you like what you hear, you can grab the whole mixtape for free at the link below:

Hodgy Beats – Dena Tape 2

’Hodgy Beats – Cudda Been’
’Hodgy Beats – Wild Boy’
’Hodgy Beats – Miyagi’s Prime’
’Hodgy Beats – New Balance Ft. Domo Genesis’
’Hodgy Beats – FREEALLMYNIGGAS’
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Charli XCX – You’re the One (The Internet Remix)

Although not as popular as their other Odd Future affiliates, The Internet graced the interwebs with a fresh new remix to the UK pop sensation Charli XCX’s hit “You’re The One”. Taking the already infectious single, the group members reworked the pop-heavy beat, infusing it with more funk and soul. Using heavy staccato key rips and synth bass tunes, the melodic and atmospheric vibe coupled with Charli’s soft and haunting vocals definitely make this an impressively addictive remix. Be sure to check it out below.

’Charli XCX – Youre The One (Internet REMIX)’
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[Hip-Hop] Earl Sweatshirt – Chum

Ever since his debut mixtape, EARL, and subsequent disappearance, the blogosphere has been eagerly anticipating some new music from Odd Future‘s Earl Sweatshirt. The talented eighteen year old LA-based emcee has re-emerged in the last half year or so with some quality features. Today, Earl blesses us with some new solo music and it most certainly does not disappoint.

Unafraid to confront his issues and insecurities, the protege spits with his apathetic and mischievous flow speaking completely candidly about his personal struggles and demonstrating maturity far beyond his years. The simple piano loop provides the perfect backdrop for this introspective and creative display of dark lyricism. Check out the long-awaited “Chum” below, a true testament to Earl’s potential as an artist.

’Earl Sweatshirt – Chum’
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[Hip-Hop] MellowHype – Decoy

MellowHype, consisting of Odd Future members Hodgy Beats and Left Brain, has quitely released some of the dopest hip-hop tracks in the last several years making their upcoming album, Numbers, one of the most anticipated among OFWGKTA fans. On their most recent release, “Decoy,” The LA-based artists hop on a trademark dark beat both delivering with their quick rhymes shuffling a wide rang of content through out.

“Decoy” marks the beginning of #MellowHypeWeek, so look out for new material from these dudes for the next few days. Stream and download the second impressive single below and make sure to check out Numbers when it drops on October 9th.

’MellowHype
Decoy’
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[Free Album] Domo Genesis & The Alchemist – No Idols

Domo Genesis, one of the stonier members of Odd Future, joins forces with veteran producer, The Alchemist, to bring us one of the most anticipated projects of the summer. The Alchemist’s heavy, but smooth, production fits well with the dark raps of the OF crew. With some assists from Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, the Creator, Domo proves his capabilities emerging as a one of the most exciting, up-and-coming lifestyle rappers. Check out three of the standout tracks below and download the whole album for free here: Domo Genesis & The Alchemist – No Idols.

’The Daily News Feat. Space Ghost Purp, Earl Sweatshirt & Action Bronson’
’The Feeling’
’No Idols Feat Tyler the Creator’
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