Its Tuesday an with that comes part two of my best of music 2010 list.
If you missed yesterdays list, I urge you to check it out HERE
Now lets get today underway, first up…
Chiddy (formerly known as Proto) from Philadelphia alternative (READ: good) hip hop duo “Chiddy Bang”, joins Eldee the Don in the #20 spot with their hit “My Guys Dem”.
This song is an anthem to the guys or “awon big boi’s”, this is the song you play when you go clubbing with the fella’s or just looking to have a good night with your bro’s. The song is over flowing with Swell (Chiddy’s new slang term for swagger). Its the definitive Entourage song. I remember blasting this song through New York with my cousin and his pals.
Eldee is a smart man, other Naija artists based in yankee would have probably shunned Chiddy but Eldee embraced him and they made an amazing song together. As time goes by the Naija contemporary music movement is getting closer and closer to mainstream yankee music, next thing you know we will have a song featuring Eldee and Yung Joc, oh wait……
Chiddy lays down some tight rhymes in this song. I’m particularly impressed with the fact that he can balance both his yankee and naija styles to form something unique.
I also have a funky dance to this song and no one will EVER see it.
You can listen to the song HERE
Modest Mouse has been around for a LONG time and I have always been a casual fan of them. Their album “The Moon & Antarctica” is generally considered one of their best efforts to date. I wouldn’t say I have a favorite song from the album, but “Gravity rides everything” is definitely a stand out song for me.
The song uses gravity as a metaphor for the events that happen in ones life. There are just some things you cant change no matter how much you try. No matter how much you jump, you will always fall down. It is what it is basically. Oddly enough the song isn’t all that depressing melody-wise. Its melancholic? yes but it also has this vibe to it. Its like catharsis. The song is telling you what it is and how you cant change it and why you must accept it and grow from there. Its somewhat enlightening actually. Lord knows how many times I have listened to this song while looking out of the window at the world I cant change. ah well…
Listen HERE
Oh boy!
Yesi, native of Ibadan, Oyo state is definitely one of the best naija rappers out now.
He is currently based in New York and the man is a representation of the modern day Nigerian dream. He is smart, young, talented and (legally) successful. The man has the world in the palm of his hands right now. He manages to balance being a rapper with his day time job at JP Morgan (I think?), just like he manages to perfectly balance his naija and yankee influences. Listening to his song, I hear so many references to both Ibadan and Nigerian-American lifestyle. The man truly is something else.
His lady friendly song “U got it” has become that one song that automatically plays in my head when I see a sexy girl:
“Omoge je ka soro”………”she’s so hypnotic, swear her booty’s wired on hydraulics, her body’s talking and I guess I’m hooked up on her phonics”.
The beat is raw, its exotic, its sexy. When ever I hear the song, I usually visualize one kind of out of this world “thick madam” walking/jiggling past me.
All that aside, its a great song, in a great mixtape. If you haven’t listened to Yesi yet, then I feel bad for you. The guy is made up of nothing but talent, and has passion for what he does. definitely a sensible role model.
Listen to his entire Break off mixtape HERE
You CAN NOT appreciate this song if you don’t listen to the entire album “We have the facts and we’re voting yes”, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the song.
Death Cab lead signer Ben Gibbard is an amazing song writer and story teller. It took me days to fully interpret what “We have the facts… ” is about. Basically the album tells the story of a girl Ben’s character met, starting with the opening song “Title Track” and ending with Scientist Studies, the album chronicles their entire relationship.
Scientist Studies acts as both an ending and a recap of the entire album.
*Spoilers*
The relationship ended badly, horribly actually. He killed her in the song before Scientist Studies called “No joy in mudville” and eventually himself in this song.
*Spoilers*
so why do I like this song so much? well I like a good story and this story/album had a well constructed ending and it also resonates with me in some ways.
This song is for those who have been in a relationship that was horrible. you went in expecting great things, you thought he or she was the love of your life, but all you got were “ broken hearts and new addictions”. This song is catharsis for those who have lost everything good and only gained bad things from a relationship. Its an emotional release.
I urge you to listen carefully to the entire album starting HERE
but you can listen to just Scientist Studies HERE
Abandoed Pools, oh how I’ve missed you.
Tommy Walter aka Abandoned Pools is an amazing singer, song writer and multi instrumentalist. The man can play pretty much anything, but as he stated himself, his first love will always be Bass.
Abandoned pools has been one of my favorite artists ever since I heard the opening song he contributed to the short lived animated comedy series CLONE HIGH. I decided to listen to all his other songs and I fell in love.
Listening to his songs is a pleasure for me. His albums “Humanistic” and “Armed to the Teeth” have been on repeat ever since I discovered the man. I always listen to an Abandoned Pools song at least thrice a week. Abandoned Pools has always been slightly underground so its rare to hear his songs on the radio. His two previous albums released in 2005 and 2005 are 5 whole years apart. His latest album is coming out early next year and I can not be more excited, I’m actually going to BUY it……WITH MONEY! I know right?
I should probably talk about the song “Legionnaire”. Its Abandoned Pools first new song in years. The very first time I listened to the song, I could already hear that signature Abandoned Pools sound. Its booming and grand in scale yet simple and straight to the point. It gives off this feeling of distress and bad-assery.
“The song gets its title from the Bible verse “we are legion; for we are many”. Its about purging yourself of your own personal demons” – Tommy Walter
Is this my favorite Abandoned Pools song? not particularly, but it is a great song.
I’m glad Abandoned pools is back and cant wait for the entire album, and hopefully a concert.
You can listen to Legionnaire and download it HERE
watch a video featureette with Tommy HERE
Listen to “The Remedy” from his first album HERE
or “Mercy Kiss” HERE
Alrighty folks, thats it for #20 – 16.
another diverse list of songs, each with their own unique and very personal value to me.
Join us on Wednesday for #15- 11
Have a great day!
