Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Revolt TV.

Something pretty dope is brewing up. It's something that I feel like we've all wanted and felt that the world needed. It's a revolution. Not just any revolution, but one that WE will control and curate. It gives young innovators and tastemakers the chance to showcase how we see our culture presently and how things should change. Revolt is a new TV Network that will be launching soon, that focuses on music and the culture around it.

This movement is being headed by Diddy, who is someone we've grown up looking up to and has managed to stay relevant in music and culture all these years. It's dope that he sees that something just isn't right when it comes to music and culture nowadays and that he's coming to us for the answers. Revolt is incorporating the work all creators and innovators, such as videographers, music artists, graphic artists, fashion designers, and more. So in a sense, there's no Revolt without us.

I'm excited about this. Like I'm all over it and I hope that Revolt accomplishes what it's out to do and really let's the true leaders of this culture shine. People are kinda on the fence about it right now, but Revolt won't be what you want it to be if you don't become a part of it. If you think like months from now and after their big launch that Revolt ain't shit, it will be our own faults. So I'm with it and I'm ready for this movement to get on and poppin'! Been waiting for something like this for too long.

Here are some videos they have released to spread the word-and they are actually really dope!

Revolution Is Here
State Of Music
Authenticity (w/ Vinny Chase)
Be a part of the revolution and keep up with Revolt at:
revolt.tv
twitter.com/revolttv
revolttv.tumblr.com
youtube.com/revolttv
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Where Art Thou?

Bruh. I know. I haven't blogged since April and it's almost June. This is a problem. Not only for me because there has been so much I wanted to post about for y'all and the itch to write has been too real. But also because, you need to know about some dope music to rock with, especially now that summer has slapped us in the face and is here! So yeah, we need to fix this. And I know you all have some questions for my ass and I'm here to answer them.

1. WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN, ES?
Bruh, working. And not just at my 9-5 but at a dope internship and of course with my team, 1990. Also, my internet access has been extremely limited for weeks-but I'm hoping to change that by the end of this week.

2.Where's all this new dopeness you were talking about?
In my email. And if it's truly dope as hell, no matter how late I am on it, I'll post it. Dopeness never expires.

3.So... what's good with No Shade this year?
No Shade is going to happen. That's a given. When and how is still up in the air. And the concept might change just a little. Still gotta meet with some people and see how we're gonna do it. But No Shade will happen whether the blog gods like it or not.

4. Ok, and what about WeAreDope?
That's on hold. Because I want to make it bigger and better-I need time. But trust me, it will be worth the wait.

I hope I answered those main questions some of you may have. And if you have any more for me, hit me up on Twitter at: twitter.com/thegirlEs (follow me too!) or email me at Es@thegirltheycalles.com!

Also, I'm looking for some writers/bloggers/editors/whatever you want to call yourselves. So if interested, let me know!

Es loves you!
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Why Don't We Fall In Love.

We re-visit the year of 2002 in a funky way with the release of Canadian producer, Kaytranada's take on Amerie's deubt hit, Why Don't We Fall In Love! First off, this is one of my favorite songs of all time, so of course I'm going to blog this. And I've been slowly but surely getting hip to Kaytranada's work and he is truly dope. A lot of his production has elements to it that are retro and would probably get our parents to jig a little yet it's refreshing and futuristic almost which turns us up. And he creates these "editions" or remixes to some of the songs we fuckin' love. With this mix though, Kaytranada earns major respect points from me. Salute, bruh. Oh and by the way, yes I freakin' love this mix! Check it out and fall in love again! ...I need Amerie to come back in the game too. Shooo, Kelis coming back, why not Amerie?!

For more Kaytranada, check out:
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Friday, April 26, 2013

Mars Vs Pluto.

Ever wonder what it sounds like in the space between Mars and Pluto?! Well thanks to the ATL's own DJ Genesis and his latest mix, Mars Vs Pluto Vol.2, we now have a pretty dope idea of it. Genesis fuses sounds from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Kenna, SBTRKT, Major Lazer, Gucci Mane, and many more into this dope mix that would make anyone want to turn up on a few planets. Apparently, I caught wind of this as he re-release but dopeness is dopeness whenever, so who cares. Been able to catch Genesis live a few times while he was performing with Trinidad Jame$ and before T.Jame$' sets, he goes in. He knows how to make the most indie pop shit and the most ratchet shit sound like a match made in heaven and I love it. I think it would awesome if NASA astronauts went on space missions blasting this in a spaceship... am I being to literally now? Sorry, but that would be dope. Check out the mix and enjoy! Word to Greedmont Park too!

For more DJ Genesis, check out:
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Purple Haus.

After the ongoing success of his EP, Vice Haus, ATL's own ForteBowie teamed up with Chopstars rep, Slim K for the Chopped, Not Slopped version of the EP now titled Purple Haus! Purple Haus features chopped and screwed versions of all 7 tracks on the EP and includes bonuses such as Something About #Bowie favorite, Impala and the fan favorite loose track, Sephora's Song II

Before, I wasn't the biggest fan of chopped and screwed music, it just didn't appeal to me. After Purple Haus though, I'm all over the web looking for C&S versions of my favorite music. Slim K went HAM! How he added Drake's Trust Issues into Sephora's Song II and the amazing fusion of Take'em To Church and If I Die-like it's just magically. Slim K is talented af and he brought out a completely different kind of dopeness in Forte's music. Whether you're into C&S music or not or not even a ForteBowie fan (which would be silly of you not to be), you're definitely going to want to walk through the doors of Purple Haus. Thank Es Later.  1990 in this hoe!

For more ForteBowie and Slim K, check out:
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Nasty.

A 2013 XXL Freshmen and recent Def Jam signee, Logic drops visuals for his new single, Nasty! Track is produced by Don Cannon and video is done by GRVTY. Nasty is off his upcoming project, Welcome To Forever! Talk about starting from the bottom, now he's here! Logic has his name in everyone's mouth! Whether it's praise or jokes, more people are watching the DMV emcee and seeing what he has to offer. When I saw the cover of XXL's Freshmen issue, I had to do a double take! I was like "Trinidad?! Ayeee! ...Q and Soulo-yes bitch! ...Wait. What?-LOGICCCCC!!!" I was like a proud mama seeing him on the cover. I'm excited for the success he has had thus far and the success he will have in the near future. Especially after headlining a 32 city tour starting in Atlanta on May 14th! This dude is blowing up and he deserves it. Welcome To Forever drops 5.7.13! Check out the video and enjoy!

Also check out Logic's take on Outkast's Ms. Jackson beat titled, Roll Call!

For tickets for the VMG: Welcome To Forever tour, click here!

For more Logic, check out:
https://twitter.com/Logic301
http://www.facebook.com/MindOfLogic
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Words From A King.

A king in his own right, TN emcee Jimmy Astro releases the visuals to his song, Words From A King! Song is from his latest offering, The Birthday Tape. The video depicts Jimmy and some friends previewing the track in a chill loft. Really cool, impromptu footage to go along with a dope track. The atmosphere they were chilling in matched the vibe of the track well. Take two minutes of your time and vibe out with King Jimmy. Enjoy!

Check out Jimmy Astro's The Birthday Tape here!
For more Jimmy Astro, check out:
twitter.com/SirJimmyIsDope
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

The Mile High Club.

Somewhere in the small state of Delaware, something epic has happened and it's all thanks to K.Rivers, Aris Sparks, Sam Shep, and Kyon Martin also known as UMG! The collective recently released their project, The Mile High Club! Throughout the project, they guide us through the life and times of four aspiring emcees coming from a land where it may seem like nothing happens. Musically, TMHC is diverse in the vibes of the tracks but it's all really dope Hip Hop to enjoy. I really mess with the samples used in many of the songs- classic records. Each emcee was able to showcase their unique styles while still meshing well together as a group. I really enjoyed this record and it makes me want to go to Delaware for a weekend and chill with UMG. Definitely check it out people! Also be sure to check out the video for their song, Cherly Miller ft. Bobby Rrie, off the project below. Enjoy!

UMG-Cheryl Miller
Rating:
UMG's The Mile High Club
8.8/10 dope points

For more UMG, check out:
http://themhc.tumblr.com/
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Long Day.

The weeks between the close of spring semester and the beginning of summer vacation feel like they are filled with long days and VA's own, Phil The Thrill feels our pain with his new track, Long Day. On this Wymmetimme produced track, Phil tells us about one of his long days as a aspiring artist. I love the sample in the hook and the production is really dope. Also love that Phil took a storyteller role on this track, which makes him truly relatable. Long Day makes you feel like you're chilling with Phil and he's just telling you about his yesterday in a causal conversation. Phil is gearing up for the release of two projects, sleepLESS and Barely Awake II, this year, so look out for those. Lay back and unwind with Phil as you check out Long Day. Enjoy!

For more Phil The Thrill, check out:

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Fortified MC.

In the midst of all the party music that we will soon be hit with this summer, we still need some dope lyricism in our lives and that's where J.Nolan comes in with his latest single and visual, Fortified MC! Track is produced by Frontier and the video is directed by ThePEST. This is J.Nolan first offering off his forthcoming project, Distinction. Fortified MC is high energy track with crazy lyricism from J! He went off and let the people that he is not an emcee you want to look over. I'm excited for this next project from him cause I feel like he is going to have some crazy heat on there for the people. Distinction coming to us in June! Press play and enjoy!

Listen/Download: J.Nolan-Fortified MC

For more J.Nolan, check out:
http://soundcloud.com/manifestmovement
http://twitter.com/J_Nolan
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Event: Downtown Festival [NYC]

New York based, Downtown Records is holding their Downtown Festival in seven different cities and they're kicking it off at home in NYC! On May 10th & 11th, the festival will takeover the city's Lower Eastside hitting well known venues like Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, Element, and more! Festival will feature some of the hottest artists out including Black Hippy, Ratking, Inc., Kilo Kish, Earl Sweatshirt, and many more!

This is a great way to kick off the summer festival season-and damn, NYC is lucky! One day and Two day passes are available now!!!


For more info, check out:

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Young & Beautiful.

As we all anticipate the release of Baz Luhrmann's take on literary classic, The Great Gatsby, elegant yet trill songstress Lana Del Rey releases her song, Young & Beautiful, from the film's soundtrack. This song is dope!!! Lana is like the perfect artist to feature on the soundtrack of this movie. She is almost a modern take on a classic 60's singer herself. Lyrically, the song is beautiful and the production is epic without being overwhelming. Say what you want, but gotta admit Lana is the truth! I was going to see the movie either way, but this song for some reason makes me want to see it even more! Check it out and enjoy!
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Jerk Ribs.

After a long hiatus from music, Kelis is back with randomly released single titled Jerk Ribs (Call On Me)! It's produced by Dave Sitek, who's label Federal Prism, Kelis just signed to. Apparently this is the first release of a ton of new music we'll be getting from her this year, and when I say a ton, I mean she's getting ready to drop two albums. Jerk Ribs has a completely different feel from the electronic/experimental music she was making before. It appears that she making music that is more mature and features more live instruments than computer sounds and effects.

 I'm a big Kelis fan, especially of her first album, Kaleidoscope, but I have to admit she fell of musically for some years. I think if she continues in this lane of just feel good music that really shows off her unique voice, she can get old fans to mess with her again and even gain some new ones. Now, multiple blogs have titled this song Call On Me, but according to Kelis' official twitter and the soundcloud that the song is on, it's called Jerk Ribs. So I guess we can call it either of the two. *shrugs* Kelis is back!!! Enjoy!
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Squid.

When it comes to the music industry, the youth is on the rise and it appears that we are making some pretty epic art right now. For example, take 15 year old ATLien, Izzy Jone$. The artist/producer released his latest body of work, Squid, this month. The project tells an almost fairytale-like story of a king, his queen, and their experience with love, betrayal, and salvation. In other words, it's Izzy's creative take on his journey into the industry. Project is all Izzy too. No features and production is solely done by him. 

When I read that Izzy Jone$ was 15 years old, I have to admit, I almost didn't bother listening to the project. But Izzy has proven that age truly isn't anything but a number. Squid is one of the most solid I've heard thus far this year. I love the concept behind the project and Izzy executed it well. 

He is a diverse artist that pulls inspirations from various sources. I could list all the artists he sounds like to me, but this post would turn into a four paged letter. His rapping is easy going yet energetic and I love the hints of singing he throws into the songs every now and then. I've listened to this project about 5 times now because I'm just truly trying to grasp the entire experience he has delivered to us. Jone$ has an enormous amount of potential and he evolves fast in his artistry. Did I mention this is like his 12th project out?! So yeah, Jone$' grind is real. People, give the kid an opportunity to turn you into a believer. It'll be worth it. Enjoy!

Rating:
Izzy Jone$' Squid  album
8.5/ 10 dope points

For more Izzy Jone$, check out:
'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Monday, April 22, 2013

Q.U.E.E.N.

One of our wildest dreams have come true with the latest release from Janelle Monae featuring Erykah Badu titled Q.U.E.E.N! This song... bruh. It's so feel good yet powerful. These two amazing women are goddesses but they definitely gave us queens an anthem. And I couldn't help but laugh at some of the lyrics because I know I would be a damn lie if I didn't admit that I twerk in the mirror and act a fool often. Janelle and Erykah mesh so well together. Sonically, they sound amazing together. And big up to Janelle and that verse she spit at the end! She went off in such a intricate way-dopeness! I'm loving this. We need more dopeness like this out. Check it out people!
'Always More, Never Less'-Es