Okayplayer

Dilla Tributes from Primeridian, Robert Glasper + More

by Eddie "STATS" on February 8, 2012 NEWS

As mentioned, every day is Dilla Day ’round here, but of course yesterday’s birthday celebrations for the late, great James “J Dilla” Yancey brought tributes from some of the best in the business. Two that caught our ear came from our homies at Revivalist, who posted a series of live covers, tributes and variations on ... Read more

Audio: Stacy Barthe “No Strings Attached”

by Eddie "STATS" on February 7, 2012 NEWS

Brooklyn native and Grammy-winning songwriter Stacy Barthe is back with some sex on the beach, musically speaking. Her new 9-track EP (short album, really) In the InBetween just hit iTunes, featuring production from our guy Supa Dups among others. If the wicked reggae edge of “No Strings Attached” (is that Khan on guitar? sounds like ... Read more

Audio: Add-2 “Going, Going, Gone (prod. 9th Wonder)” feat. Deejay Juice

by shamz on February 7, 2012 NEWS

We still don’t have a release date on Add-2‘s new project, Save.Our.Souls, but he keeps his hot streak going today with this new jawn, “Going, Going, Gone.” For his latest cut, the Windy City emcee hooks up with 9th Wonder, with songstress Deejay Juice assisting on the vocals. “Rhyming over 9th Wonder’s trademark classic soulful ... Read more

Audio: Jesse Boykins III “The Perfect Blues” [Demo]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 6, 2012 NEWS

Ill new music from Jesse Boykins III, a product of collaboration with young German producer Gora Sou via the Red Bull Music Academy in Madrid. Comes in like an M.I.A.-ish stab at a dancehall riddim, which JB3 floats above in some type of emotional hovercraft until the whole thing resolves into a tough moombaton/steppers tempo. ... Read more

Audio: James Blake x D’Angelo “Left & Right”

by Eddie "STATS" on February 6, 2012 NEWS

Speaking of weird James Blake vs. Okayplayer family collaborations, this disturbed JB dub of D’Angelo‘s classic foot-stomper “Left & Right” just appeared online today, after Blake debuted during a guest DJ set on BBC’s Radio1 over the weekend. Turns out we are not the only people amped about the return of the d’angelous one. And ... Read more

Curren$y – Here – [EP]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 6, 2012 NEWS

While the rest of the world was watching the SuperBowl last night Curren$y was clearly smoking a super-bowl, promising to drop a new EP (titled Here, as in ‘I’ve arrived’) around 4:20 (!), then apparently forgetting where he put his twitter-machine, eventually tweeting it out at 6:33–and then realizing he forgot to include the ... Read more

Audio: Exile “Oh Word (Keep On Rising)” feat. Fashawn

by shamz on February 6, 2012 NEWS

From a Fresno O.G. to the head of Grizzly City’s new class, Fashawn joins Exile in rhyme on this new joint “Oh Word ( Keep On Rising)” (Exile on the beat too). Fun little joint right here (aside from Ex’s horrible singing on the hook haha). Look for Exile’s music video for “Kelpto” next week, ... Read more

Audio: J1 “Slang Talk” (from Starship 27, Vol. 2)

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

You may have read our Rest-In-Power wishes towards the recently departed Master Blazter drummer Javon “J1″ Coleman (see his last known performance on video here) but if you never got the chance to see Dam-Funk & MB perform live, you may not have known what dude was all about. That stops now. To get an idea, ... Read more

Audio: THEESatisfaction “QueenS”

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

Though brand new on the scene, Seattle duo THEESatisfaction already have some heavy cosignors on their lease on life: the only guests featured on Shabazz Palaces‘ SubPop release Black Up, they are also working on a short film with OKP’s favorite filmmaker/writer-at-large dream hampton. Besides rapping and harmonizing in a Pointer Sisters-y way, members Stas ... Read more

Audio: Stalley “God’s Child”

by shamz on February 3, 2012 NEWS

Stalley comes through with another warm up jawn to hold us down as we wait for Savage Journey to The American Dream. Listen to the Block Beattaz produced joint “God’s Child,” which serves as the third song in the Ohio emcee’s series, Songy by Me, Stalley. This is good, but “Cash and My Cutty” is ... Read more

Audio: Trae Tha Truth “I’m On 2.0″ feat. VA

by shamz on February 3, 2012 NEWS

I applauded H-Town emcee Trae The Truth for somehow getting Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi, Wale, and Wiz Khalifa all on the same track (and in the video as well, for that matter), for what culminated into a very strong posse cut. Today, Trae comes right back with version 2.0 with a handful of emcees that ... Read more

Audio: J Dilla “Clap Your Hands” [Unreleased Bling47 Freestyle]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 2, 2012 NEWS

In addition to compiling our OKP D’Angelo Live mixtape Sam Champ put me up on the launch of the new site from Bling47, which Detroiters and other slum villagers will recognize as a front organization for the nefarious activities Waajeed from Platinum Pied Pipers. Along with some cool videos Waajeed threw up a few straight-to-cassette ... Read more

News

OKP News: John Legend Develops New TV Series for Showtime

by Eddie "STATS" on February 8, 2012 NEWS

According to deadline, okayplayer-for-life John Legend is teaming up with director Jesse Dylan (son of folk/rock legend Bob Dylan) to develop a new music-focused TV series for the Showtime cable channel. The pair have already taped a special at famous Los Angeles recording studio EastWest, which featured Faith Hill and rapper B.O.B.–performing a duet on “Son of ... Read more

LargeUp TV: Mr. Vegas Unplugged Live at Miss Lily’s

by Eddie "STATS" on February 8, 2012 NEWS

Even if you’re not a reggae fan, you’ve probably sung along to a Mr. Vegas dancehall tune like “Heads High”; the introspective “Hot F*k” or maybe his Major Lazer collabo “Can’t Stop Now.” But even the more 45-literate amongst us could be forgiven if we didn’t know that dude can sing, and I mean actually ... Read more

Video: The Black Keys “Gold On The Ceiling”

by Eddie "STATS" on February 7, 2012 NEWS

The Black Keys debuted their new video on MTV which is basically them travelling around playing live shows and being badass, and acting like they are not the biggest rockstars in the world right now. Pretty dope. Get El Camino on iTunes now. Read more

Video: El Da Sensei “Everyday in the Streets” (Illmind Remix) f/ Tame One + DJ Kaos [of The Artifacts]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 7, 2012 NEWS

Here’s the difference between NY and New Jersey. Most rap veterans from the 5 boroughs look like they made just enough money off of royalties and Rock The Bells performances to afford a crib where they can store their sneaker collection and sit around all day eating cereal, maybe go back to school, get their ... Read more

Video: First Serve, “Must B The Music” [Plug 1 + 2 of De La]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 7, 2012 NEWS

The 2nd serving of goodness from First Serve AKA Plugs 1 & 2 AKA Pos & Dove AKA 2/3rds of De La Soul AKA I can’t stop saying AKA. A straightforward flip of the disco era/b-boy classic of the same name from Secret Weapon, “Must B The Music” finds the Plugs in fine form and ... Read more

NYC: ?uestlove & DJ Cassidy Present Rock/Freak (2/15)

by shamz on February 7, 2012 NEWS

Alright, let’s try this again. So the last Rock/Freak party had to be postponed because ?uestlove was working on this right here (I’d say it was a success). But we promise you it’s going down for real next week. The Mighty Afro and DJ Cassidy reunite to bring back one of the hottest parties in ... Read more

Video: The Park “These Are The Days”

by shamz on February 7, 2012 NEWS

The Bay Area’s own, and one of my favorite bands doin it, The Park, return today with some brand new visuals. Initially gaining respect with past work with the likes of Big K.R.I.T., Grillade, Donwill, Jesse Boykins III, Freddie Gibbs, Alice Russell, and more, The Park have really shined on their own with these last ... Read more

Video: BJ The Chicago Kid “#ImJusSayin (Chicago Winter Version)”

by shamz on February 7, 2012 NEWS

A week from today soul crooner, BJ The Chicago Kid, will be blessing the masses with his highly anticipated project, Pineapple Now-Laters. While we wait, he hits us with this quick bonus joint “#ImJusSayin (Chicago Winter Version).” Video directed by Davy Greenberg. Read more

Video: Jay-Z, NaS + Alicia Keys Live At Carnegie Hall

by Eddie "STATS" on February 7, 2012 NEWS

Everybody here in NYC is still buzzing about last night’s sold-out show at Carnegie Hall, featuring Jay-Z, Nas and Alicia Keys all getting their tux on for a triumphant joint performance backed by Questlove & the Illadelphonics, all to raise funds for scholarships via the Shawn Carter Foundation and United Way. Among other highlights, Jay performed ... Read more

Large Up Video: Ziggy Marley X Bob Dylan “Blowin’ in The Wind

by Eddie "STATS" on February 6, 2012 NEWS

Today is Bob Marley‘s birthday and in anticipation of the big day, Bob’s eldest son Ziggy performed on David Letterman Friday Night, paying an oddly fitting tribute to the fallen icon with a rendition of perhaps the most famous tune of that other Bob (Dylan). Ziggy’s cover of “Blowing in the Wind” (above) is part of a ... Read more

Video: Flo Rida X The Roots “Good Feeling” Live on Jimmy Fallon

by Eddie "STATS" on February 6, 2012 NEWS

2122611313 by YardieGoals Man, I was prepared to really strap myself in with this one, put the hater-blockers over my eyes and start ducking rotten tomatoes and flung bottles from the comments section but this is actually pretty dope. I might have to put the goggles down and get out my ratty rag…aaaarrrrrgh, my eye! ... Read more

NYC: Rahzel, James Blake, Lou Reed + More Live At Tibet House Benefit [2/13]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 6, 2012 NEWS

One week from today, on Monday February 13th, the annual Philip Glass-curated benefit concert for Tibet House will be taking place at Carnegie Hall (heard of it?). Along with his art/rockstar homies Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, Glass will be joined by OKP favorites James Blake, Das Racist and Rahzel of the Legendary Roots Crew (heard of ‘em?). Since ... Read more