Monday, March 31, 2014

Posthumous Michael Jackson album 'Xscape' coming in May


So remember when I relayed some information back in September about Timbaland getting the go ahead from L.A. Reid to produce a posthumous Michael Jackson album? Well here it comes.

Epic Records announced May 13 will be the release date for Xscape, an album of eight previously recorded songs selected by L.A. Reid to be "contemporized" by an acclaimed production panel, including Timbaland. The album title comes from a song written and produced by Michael Jackson and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. "Xscape" will reportedly be the only song to be "contemporized" by Jerkins, who originally recorded the record in the studio with Michael. 



Giving someone like Timbaland full reign over unreleased Mike vocals and arrangements is extremely dangerous because of the timelessness. If you need any help believing just hit the jump and peep the snippet that leaked a couple of months ago from "Slave To The Rhythm", said to be featured on Xscape:



- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

[NEW MUSIC] SZA feat. Chance the Rapper - "Childs Play"


Check out the new drop from TDE’s eclectic female vocalist, which will appear on her upcoming Z EP dropping April 8. Not only does this one feature a typically witty verse from Acid Rap‘s Chance the Rapper, but production comes from XXYYYXX. If you’re familiar than you’ll recognize the beat from one of their fantastic sample concoctions, “About You”. Hit the jump for a listen.
- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

[NEW MUSIC] Chance The Rapper- "Home Studio (Back Up In This Bitch)"


Chano back with more heat. BACK UP IN THIS BITCH.

-L. Reels @L_Reels919

Sunday, March 23, 2014

[NEW MUSIC] Jay Z x Jay Electronica - "We Made It"


I can't believe this. Jay Electronica has released more music this month than the last two years combined. Hov joins his veteran Roc Nation signee to attack the Soulja Boy x Drake remix, and as you might expect, it's murder. Hit the jump for  this Sunday blessing.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

Saturday, March 15, 2014

[NEW MUSIC] Jay Electronica feat. LaTonya Givens - "Better in Tune With The Infinite"


Ladies and gentlemen, this is spectacular on so many levels. For the record, my boy Lawrence put y'all onto the preview video for Act II: Patents of Nobility last July, which features this exact vocalist. I can only hope that this might finally mean the album is coming. On this you'll hear the voices of Elijah Muhammad and Professor Marvel from 'The Wizard of Oz', followed by one of the best rappers alive in my opinion -- the prophet. Enjoy.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

Friday, March 14, 2014

Juicy J & Project Pat - #NeverSobertour in NYC [VIDEOS + REVIEW]


Every event has it's own theme, and this one was pretty simple: party has hard as you need to.

Juicy J and Project Pat made their stop on the Never Sober Tour at Irving Plaza in New York City on Wednesday night, calling together an adamant, widespread fan base that doesn't mind turning up on a week night. Without my photographer/videographer, I arrived about a half hour after the doors opened, early enough to make customary rounds of interaction with my fellow audience members. In my section was about seven white guys, (one of which was from Memphis and had never seen Juicy J live before, the other six in casual business attire) a 19-year-old kid who forgot his fake, and several girls. Word got around that Travis Scott would not be opening as previously scheduled, which seemed to be a general let down, especially for yours truly. Hit the jump for my candid timeline of the Never Sober Tour in New York on Monday night, which included free sneaker giveaways, girls twerking on stage, (two) fans passing out, mosh pit shoving contests, Juicy sharing champagne with the audience, and much more.

The night started with a set from Vinny Cha$e and friends, all of whom were loaded with their own reefer ammunition, adding to an already fumed atmosphere. Most notable was their set for Cha$e's "Biggie & Jordans", which was on his Golden Army mixtape from 2012.

                                  

Next up was Project Pat, who kicked off his set with one of his Memphis anthems, "North North", which was featured on his Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' mixtape all the way back in 2001.

                                  

Juicy J hit the stage around 10:30 and kicked off with the first cut on his Stay Trippy album, "Stop It":

                                  

Change of scenery for "All I Blow is Loud":

                                           

Thumbing through "So Much Money":

                                         

I think the consensus would be that this was the most anticipated segment of Juicy's set, going Three 6 Mafia and directing us as the choir singing "Stay Fly", followed by his verse a cappella and a segue into the hysteric, indisputable "Slob on my Knob":

                                          

Okay, an argument could be made for "A Zip And A Double Cup" too:

        

Or, obviously, "Bandz A Make Her Dance":

                                         

Finally, Juicy takes an intermission to quench the thirst of a fan in the front row, with champagne: 

                             

Other key highlights from Monday night were the sneaker giveaways: both Project Pat and Juicy J threw out shoeboxes of new Jordan sneakers into the crowd. Juicy eventually threw in a pair of Yeezy's as well. Sometimes finding a good party can be difficult. Look no further than the Never Sober Tour. 

Grade: B-

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)



Monday, March 10, 2014

WATCH: SZA - "Babylon" [VIDEO]


The 23-year-old TDE singer just announced the release date of her new project Zwhich will drop April 8, the second of her trio series which started with S last year. 

Along with the announcement of the EP came her official video for the lead single, "Babylon", produced by DJ Dahi. The visuals were directed by APLUS.FILMZ, providing the kind of cleansing, ambient concept that comes with not just this record, but just about all of SZA's music. Hit the jump to check out the video for "Babylon", plus a link to her project last year, S.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

                

Download S here

[NEW MUSIC] Frank Ocean, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, & Diplo - "Hero"


Thanks to Converse's "Three Artists, One Song" series, which delivered a collaboration of Andre 3000, Gorillaz, and James Murphy last year, we have some new Frank Ocean. Here he joins up with The Clash's Mick Jones and Paul Simonon, still soulful and abstract as ever, but masterfully blended with the punk-ish influences of his English collaborators. Hit the jump for a listen.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

Saturday, March 8, 2014

[NEW MUSIC] Marsha Ambrosius - 'FVCK&LOVE' EP


Reportedly preluding her Friends & Lovers album due later this year, Marsha Ambrosius drops this six-track EP of sensual texture and concept. Ambrosius herself is credited on production on the "Seduction Interlude" and "Take It", plus contributions from Da Internz, Eric Hudson, and Stacey Barthe. Hit the jump for a listen with the option to download, which I would recommend.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly) 

Friday, March 7, 2014