Anderson .Paak: Come Down

“And you talking all that shit, now come on

You gonna have to back it up”

If you are a writer...every line, every word, syllable and flow matters to you.  You want them to hear it all.  To quote one of the greats:

“INHAAALE, my rhyme is kinda fat reminiscent of a whale” –Q Tip

Enter Anderson .Paak…yes, the “new ” R&B artist.  Have you listened to his songs?!?!?! His words!?!?! This brother got bars!!! What’s amazing is that everything...from the sound to the lyrics have purpose…cause it is.  He has a catalogue to prove it.  This brother is gifted.

Now, if you’re a casual listener…you’ll still love him.  Beats are fiyah.  1st and last bars of every verse are iron clad…but just hear me when I say “sit with the songs for a while”

It does something to you. The Production/Musicianship is so thorough.  Lyrics are shady…yes, oh yes! He meant to do you dirty like that!

“Can't see her with this pitch black Gucci frames on

Let me take these bitches off

Let me get the full scope, hold up

Huh, full screen, HD, let me take another picture”

Just…listen.  But if you listen, sit.  Cause this shit will hit you hard.  I prefer his album “Venice” but “Malibu” is a great follow up.  You can’t really be disappointed with an artist that takes his sound this seriously.  He’s authentically fresh.  It’s surreal.  Do me a favor though.  Don't say he sounds like anyone.  When you realize how long he’s been doing this on stage it can make you wonder if he's influenced others but...I digress.  C'mon sun.  He’s not new.  He’s just new to you.  N’ that’s cool.  Just stay a while.  Inhale.

“Whoa, cool beans, cool beans

That's a whole lot of reefer

Let me help you with the pre-roll”

From the album "Malibu". Out Now! iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/malibu/id1065681363&app=itunes Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/4VFG1DOuTeDMBjBLZT7hCK Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=Malibu Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Anderson_Paak_Malibu?id=B562fkkr2nawzqrty3v5vr2x7fe OBE / Steel Wool / Art Club / EMPIRE

The Roots: The next movement #TBT

17 years ago I picked up an album that changed my life.  The second song almost made me never pick up a microphone.  I'm serious.  I was always interested in rhyming but kept it as just free-styling in the beginning because... with an MC like Black Thought... What more can I say?  I can ramble on about what The Roots Crew means to me.  As for Black Thought or "Mr. Thought" if you recognize the precision of his rhymes, he is in my top five.

"The Dalai Lama of the mic, the prime minister Thought
This directed to whoever in listening range
Yo the whole state of things in the world bout to change
Black rain fallin from the sky look strange
The ghetto is red hot, we steppin on flames"

I know I already had a #TBT for the day but it wouldn't feel right if I didn't play this album all week and post it today.   There's a level of excellence I put into EVERYTHING I do that's inspired by this album and this song specifically. 

"I'm like a faucet, monopoly's the object
There ain't no way to cut this tap, you got ta get wet
Your head is throbbin and I ain't said shit yet"

You know how some people say the often used phrase "Where do I begin"?  For me, when it comes to The Roots, it's "When should I finish"?  But I won't hold you.  I hope you love this song as much as I do.  17 years...The Roots is still head and shoulders above the rest.

"You theatrical as a Broadway play, this ain't Rent
One hundred percent, straight out the Basement"

Roman Gianarthur: I-69

I’ll tell you a little secret.  Finding good music is like…birds of a feather.  They flock together.  If you like one artist, do yourself a favor and check out who they align themselves with musically.   Enter Roman Gianarthur.

He’s been out for some time but people are now taking notice thanks to a recent Janelle Monae Tour and Jidenna song.  All great performers but lately this song has me on cloud 9 during the day.  Side note – anyone who is highly sexual will love the content delivered in a class way since no one will automatically assume you’re a perv

Everyone’s music taste is different, and tone means a lot to me when I’m digging an artist.   Roman Gianarthur has a voice I don’t expect to get tired of anytime soon.

The Wondaland Arts Society http://romangianarthur.tumblr.com/ www.wondaland.com