Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik Sun and Veggies.

I’ve been back up at University for the past week and a half for staff training and such. Those hours of monotonous droll and procession have been broken up only by weekly indulgences in the wide and wonderful world of music. Figured I mine as well throw some of the standouts from the past week out here for your enjoyment.

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik-Outkast.
The year is 1994, a group of kids from New York City calling themselves A Tribe have just made a serious name for themselves with the release of their second album. A singular fellow going by the name of Nasty is weaving New York truisms over grimey basement beats into one of hip-hop’s most classic albums while on the opposite coast some skinny, plaid draped kid with braided hair is sippin’ Gin & Juice all the way to eternal hip-hop fame. That was it, the golden age, ask just about anyone it never really got any better. Somehow amidst all of that glory and all of that greatness, one integral piece of the puzzle is always looked over. The brothers from ATL.

I’ve been driving around in my Jeep with Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik leaking from the windows for the past week and I can at this point say without a shadow of a doubt that I am convinced in my own mind that I was born and bred in Atlanta and grew up pushing Cadillac’s around my block from the age of 8. After listening almost nonstop for the past 72 hours, I will sit here right now and say that this is unquestionably one of THE best hip-hop albums created. Period. Go back and take a listen. Next thing you know you’ll be stumbling around at home in the suburbs trying to duplicate Big Boi’s Southern cool all whilst trying to “knock them off their feet like a Southern hustler’s ‘pose to do.” Seriously if you do anything today, go listen to this album.

Casey Veggies-Customized Greatly 2
If you’re from the L.A. area than there is a good chance that you’ve already heard about the squire making noise from the Left coast. Here is the quick rundown for those of you who are just now catching up…Sixteen years old.
Whether or not you are a fan of his music, you have to respect this sort of drive and ambition. The potential is undeniable. For a brother of 16 to be throwing together compliations of this level, with features from major players on the West Coast is a testament to work ethic along if nothing else.
Now don’t get me wrong at the same time. Little brother has bars upon bars for your listening enjoyment. Add that to some quality production from the family over on the West Coast and you would have to be stupid not to want to support. On another note, this kid’s whole movement makes a big statement about how things work on the other side of the country. You show me a youthful New York rapper who has co-signs from 10 other up and coming rappers in the game in addition to a plethora of “cool-guy” stores and establishments. I think it’s about time we started helping each other out rather than beating each other down East Coast. The music is good. The work ethic is inspiring. The potential for the future is scary. Download the tape HERE.

Empire of the Sun
So we are going to have to throw some sort of “pause” out there for the album art. It sort of looks like those crazy mystical shirts that people who play “Magic: The Gathering” would wear. Either that or a 4th grade girl’s lunch box who is obsessed with unicorns. Anyway, when you take a second to listen to their music and read over their site and press releases, you begin to realize why they present themselves this way. Quite simply, it works.
Throw away the MGMT comparisons and just let these two blokes live. Rusted soaring vocals play over a luscious backdrop of techno inspired driving rock beats that are nothing but immediately catchy and enjoyable. It’s interesting to see where this whole electro-pop thing is headed especially as it begins to catch more and more main stream acceptance. Anyway, if you enjoy a change of pace this will float your proverbial boat for a good deal of time.

That’s the run down for the moment. I held back from posting any Wu-Tang joints but it’s only a matter of time until those come into the discussion. I’m so beyond ready for New Wu.

Stay Safe-Phil.

August 27, 2009