Aside from the simple fact that they make great music, my favorite thing about Quadron is that Coco O.‘s live vocals sound near identical to her recorded work. Which, as you’d imagine, always makes for a great performance. This was the case with their debut on The Late Show with David Letterman, last night. Let Coco’s sultry voice pull you in with this live performance of “Hey Love.” Quadron’s sophomore album, Avalanche, is out now.

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Yesterday, NBC did a story on a new addition to The Muppets named Alex, whose father is in jail. Exploring new territory for the Sesame Street crew, Alex is the first character to have an incarcerated parent and while he won’t be a regular on Sesame Street the TV show, he will be featured in an online toolkit designed to help parents talk to their kids about imprisonment.

While it may seem surprising to hear about such heavy subject matter from the classic early morning’s kids programming, Sesame Street has a long history of tackling “tough topics” like death, divorce, and deployment in an effort to help young kids understand what’s going on around them–in fact, The Muppets took a trip to Rikers this Sunday to help some families celebrate Father’s Day!

Even though Sesame Street characters used to really creep me out, there’s some kind of genius at work here. Hopefully, this will add to their record of helping kids cope with complicated circumstances and maybe Alex will get a regular spot on the Street. But perhaps more importantly, hopefully soon fewer kids will need to follow Alex’s model and the dudes in DC will start to make moves to stop mass incarceration. For now, you can direct any tots you know to Sesame Street for support and you might even see one of your favorite rhymers on the show.

Shouts to NBC.

The post Incarcerated Fuzzfaces: Sesame Street Addresses The Prison Epidemic appeared first on Okayplayer.

DJ Evil Dee commands the 1s and 2s for a super cypher featuring Buckshot, Steele, Talib Kweli, Skyzoo, Joey Bada$$ and Kirk Knight. The freestyle session for Boiler Room‘s Rap Life series is a 10-minute rhyme fest featuring Duck Down and Rawkus vets passing the baton to the Pro Era MCs. Joey Bad and Kirk Knight attack the mic and represent for Brooklyn in a room full of hometown heavyweights. Check the footage below for the full Boiler Room cypher.

The post DJ Evil Dee x Talib Kweli, Buckshot, Joey Bada$$ & More In Boiler Room Cypher appeared first on Okayplayer.

Seattle-based Shabazz Palaces released the visuals for “An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum” off their 2011 LP Black Up yesterday, delivering a generally menacing vibe. Something about the harsh juxtaposition between the setting and the characters matched with the droning background vocals makes for a haunting three minutes and 15 seconds—check out what our partners at Okayafrica had to say about it and hit the link to click through for the video.

Nearly two years after the release of Shabazz Palaces‘ heralded debut Black Up, Ishmael and Tendai drop their latest video for the album cut “An Echo from the Hosts that Profess Infinitum.” The visuals here move with the track — images distort in unison with the kick of the bass drum — while the black-and-white scenes pan through cinematic shots of sword-wielding assassins in a coastal paradise. Watch the video for Shabazz Palaces‘ “An Echo from the Hosts that Profess Infinitum” below. Lookout for the molotovs.

>>>Watch Shabazz Palaces — “An Echo From The Hosts…” (via Okayafrica)

The post Okayafrica Video: Shabazz Palaces – “An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum” appeared first on Okayplayer.

Kanye West‘s American Psycho inspired trailer for Yeezus recently surfaced on his website following a public projection several days ago. The trailer finds Scott Disick assuming the role of Patrick Bateman to reprise a scene from the classic film with E!‘s Jonathan Cheban; in this case the pair debates the musical accomplishments of Kanye West instead of Huey Lewis. The promo trailer sprang from a rewrite provided by American Psycho writer Bret Easton Ellis. According to a recent tweet from Ellis, the final product was much shorter than the script he provided.

Scott Disick’s Dream Comes True in the promo that I originally wrote for Kanye’s new record but not a lot was used: http://t.co/VBDMK698bL

— Bret Easton Ellis (@BretEastonEllis) June 18, 2013

Fans of American Psycho have also begun to respond, expressing disappointment in the reenactment and what many consider the obvious lack of chops between the two actors. This news follows the recent leak of Yeezus and the official sale of the album, which dropped today. Check the footage below for the full trailer. Purchase Kanye West’s new LP Yeezus via iTunes.

The post Kanye Presents ‘American Psycho’ Inspired Short Film appeared first on Okayplayer.

Madlib produced “Misunderstood” for M.E.D.‘s Bang Ya Head 3, which dropped in 2011. “Misunderstood” makes a surprising return in video form as the score to a laid back hood narrative directed by Talib Zaid. The visual is heavily populated by the markers of everyday life as M.E.D. moves from the liquor store to the front lawn outlining his past mistakes and present dreams. Madlib breathes a little more life into his forthcoming LP Yessir Whatever as he discusses the return of Quasimoto in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. Madlib takes the opportunity to answer lingering questions about the status of the next Madvillainy record, his work with Freddie Gibbs – an MC he compares to Tupac and his feelings about Thundercat and Flying Lotus. He also touches on his plans for the Madlib Invazion label and recent forays into Zambian rock with Yasiin Bey during the rare interview. While Madlib is often described as a man of few words, he is a bottomless pit of projects. Check M.E.D.’s video for “Misunderstood” produced by Madlib below. Scroll down to read Madlib’s thoughts ahead of Yessir Whatever.

Will the Madvillain sequel ever see the light of day?
I handed all the beats to Doom years ago, but ever since he’s been in Europe, he’s been hard to get a hold of. I feel it probably won’t happen, but you never know. I can’t sit and wait on that. I did my part.

You recently started your own label, Madlib Invazion. Do you see that as mainly a place to release your music, or will you be releasing music from other artists as well?
Both. I’m going to release records from Kan Kick. A couple of singing artists. That’s all I’ve found so far. I want to work with Stones Throw and also do my own thing. Stones Throw already has a lot of artists, so it makes sense to be able to release my other stuff on the side.

How is MadGibbs coming?
It’s done. It sounds good. Gibbs killed his parts. So did Earl Sweatshirt and Danny Brown on the guest verses.

What was it about Freddie Gibbs that made you want to work with him?
It’s hard to really explain in words. I look at him as a new version of 2Pac. He does musically a lot of the stuff that I try to do as a producer. He’s capable of doing everything, but he’s interested in being original and not sounding like all the other stuff on the radio.

Do you ever read press about yourself?
Sometimes. I don’t take it to heart when people say I’m great or when I’m bad.

There’s a Woody Allen quote where he says that he doesn’t go to the Oscars because if he believes them when they say he’s great, he has to believe them when they say he’s terrible.
I love Woody Allen. That’s exactly how I feel.

Have you been making a lot of jazz lately?
Oh, definitely. I can’t stop. I’m going to put out some more of it soon on Stones Throw. I have tons of stuff I’m holding onto, a bunch of different types of music. I made an electronic record in the vein of Cluster. I was programming synthesizers and drum machines and that sort of thing.

Have you been paying attention to Thundercat and Flying Lotus and the way they’re reinventing jazz fusion?
It’s dope. I hope a lot of people pay attention and really listen. There’s a lot of trendy people out there, and I hope they listen to what they’re doing.. We have different types of sounds in that I do all of it myself, but it’s dope that they’re making original jazz.

You only put out a few records last year. What led to the slowdown in the schedule?
I’ve been taking it easy and trying to figure out a different route. I’m trying to make more money with less hands in the pot. I’m almost 40, you know. At one point, I took a year off just to listen to music and really digest it. I listened to everything you could imagine. Lately, I’ve been working as much as I usually have . . . probably more so than I usually do. There will be a lot of music coming out before you know it.

You’re making an album with Mos Def that’s inspired by Zambian rock from the 1970s. How did that come about?
We’ve been working on it for a long time. I’ve got a lot of unreleased tracks with him, and when he comes to L.A., we link up. I showed him all the Zambian stuff from the group Witch that [Now-Again Records' Eothen "Egon" Alapatt] released on Now-Again. Mos loved it. I have another album, too, full of all Indian Bollywood sampling stuff that I did with Mos. We’ll hopefully put out an album of that later.

You’re kind of like Ornette Coleman. You’re still alive making music, but we only hear a fraction of it and most of it was recorded years ago.
Haha. I wish that I was Ornette Coleman. My whole thing is that I make music regardless. Regardless of everything around me, I’ll always make music.

>>>Read the full interview with Madlib via Rolling Stone

The post M.E.D. x Madlib – “Misunderstood” + Madlib Talks New Quasimoto & LP w/ Yasiin Bey! appeared first on Okayplayer.

Last night, on the eve of his sophomore album’s release, J. Cole showed up to FunkMaster Flex‘s radio show with something to prove. Spittin’ like he was tryna get a record deal, Cole goes in with round after round of freestyles. Starting off with the “Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuthing Ta Fuck Wit” beat: ”This music’s about weapons, so anyone that’s into reppin’ get a Colin Kaepernick bullet straight to the chest, tryna make an impression, so if I aim to the left and you can’t make the reception, ya man’ll catch a great interception, I’m nice nigga, coulda dropped the album like twice nigga.” From there, Cole proceeds to go in over the “Blood Money” and “Ill Bomb” beats, respectively. Born Sinner is in stores now, you should check the new hilarious Big Ghost Review, stream it, then cop it (in that order).

The post J. Cole Freestyle on Funkmaster Flex appeared first on Okayplayer.

?uestlove stopped by Sway In The Morning to break down his brand new book Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According To Questlove, which drops today. During his chat with Sway and Heather B. ?uesto breaks down the evolution of The Roots, their move to late night television and their arrival as pop culture icons some 20 years after their entrance into the entertainment industry. ?uesto also takes time to break down Jimmy Fallon‘s love of Boogie Down Productions – from the obscure to their obvious classics – and beatboxes for Heather B. as she drops a bit of her verse from BDP’s “7 Dee Jays.” Check the footage below for ?uestlove’s full interview on Sway In The Morning. Purchase ?uestlove’s Mo’ Meta Blues via iTunes. Scroll down to read an excerpt from Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According To Questlove.

>>>Read An Excerpt Of “Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According To Questlove” Here

The post ?uestlove Talks ‘Mo’ Meta Blues’ On Sway In The Morning appeared first on Okayplayer.

Dave Chappelle is back! The elusive comedian will return to the stage this summer as part of Funny or Die’s Oddball Comedy & Curiosity tour. Outside of a handful of impromptu appearances at the Comedy Cellar in NY this past February, Chappelle has stayed away from major public performances for years. The traveling festival will include New Zeleand’s musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords and comedians such as Al Madrigal, Brody Stevens, Chris D’Elia, Demetri Martin, Hannibal Buress, Jim Jefferies, John Mulaney, and Kristen Schaal. Expect ”two stages, street performers, vendors, psychics, freaks, tasty treats and more.” While comedy has gained popularity as an inclusion in into major music festivals , this is the first time that Live Nation has promoted a comedy festival of this size. Head to the ODDBALL Festival’s official website for ticket information and find full tour dates plus a promotional trailer below.

FUNNY OR DIE PRESENTS THE ODDBALL COMEDY & CURIOSITY FESTIVAL

DATE CITY VENUE

Fri 23-Aug Austin, TX austin360 Amphitheater

Sat 24-Aug Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Sun 25-Aug Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion

Fri 30-Aug Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion

Sat 31 Aug Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheater

Sun 1-Sep Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre

Fri 6-Sep Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center

Sat 7-Sep Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center

Sun 8-Sep Mansfield, MA Comcast Center

Fri 13-Sep Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

Sun 15-Sep Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Fri 20-Sep Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheater

Sun 22-Sep Phoenix, AZ Desert Sky Pavilion

The post Dave Chappelle To Headline Funny or Die’s ODDBALL Comedy Tour appeared first on Okayplayer.

Brooklyn MC Nitty Scott drops the video for her single “Flower Child” featuring Kendrick Lamar – track from her EP The BoomBox Diaries Vol. 1. The video – the byproduct of a successful Kickstarter campaign – is a blooming ode to the bohemian aesthetic directed by Anthony Sylvester. The footage plays well with the laid back track as Nitty Scott traverses a concrete landscape enlivened by her flowery presence and bright attire. Kendrick Lamar makes an appearance on the track, but does not surface in the video for “Flower Child.” Check the summer-ready footage below. Stay tuned for Nitty Scott’s forthcoming LP The Art Of Chill, dropping soon.

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