New Music Tuesday #68
Amine, Arooj Aftab, Freddie Gibbs and a Playboi Carti album review
I’ve been DJ’ing a lot more these days and it’s forced me to hang out later than I am used to. Just last week I ended up doing a quick pop up set at Arooj Aftab’s birthday party jam session and then later in the week I got to pull in a few homies to help throw a pop-up party at Isola Brooklyn (Hannibal’s new spot).
When I say that I’ve been out late I’m talking getting home between 1am - 5am which is kinda crazy for me. Granted I’m usually awake anyway but there is just something different about being outside during those hours. And on top of that the gig adrenaline makes falling asleep when you finally get home hard and since I haven’t really been drinking I can’t even rely on the alcohol to knock me out.
With that said this week I’ll be continuing the trend of staying out late and if any of you are up to the challenge your opportunities to join me are listed below.
SHOWS
3/18 (Tonight!) I’ll be at Isola Brooklyn for Jean Grae’s Book Launch/Test Funeral. If you know Jean it’s gonna be epic with a few surprises. If you are in Brooklyn you should come and you should also pre-order In My Remaining Years as well. TICKETS
3/20 I’ll be back at Dick & Janes for another night of R&B vibes. They’ve got a great kitchen and really nice drinks so drop by if you’re in Bed-Stuy.
3/22 I’ll be making my solo debut at Bunton’s World Famous! If you’ve never been it’s a really fun room that rocks until 4am! If you’re looking for some classic Brooklyn vibes with a dance floor full of beautiful people singing along to your favorite songs this is where you need to be. Actually the last time I was there with Meka we recorded our set and you can listen here.
3/27 Survival of The Thickest Season 2 releases on Netflix and we need you to tell everyone you know to tune in when it does! I am featured in the episode where the gang goes to AfroPunk and I need yall to screen shot me when you see me! haha.
NEWS
Clyde Stubblefield is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and there is a petition going around to get him inducted. You can sign it here or watch the video below if you need some convincing (which you totally should not need cus this man is responsible for some of the most important breakbeats in hip hop and the literal creation of funk music… like the whole genre!) SIGN THE PETITION!
Little Simz is suing Inflo for failing to pay back a 2 million dollar loan and withholding funds (yikes) Jay Rock got arrested for something regarding an illegal weapon (sheesh) and Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill & Wyclef performed at Roberta Flack’s funeral (RIP).
I was gonna that it has been a slow week for pop acts but I just looked and saw that Lizzo, Lil Nas X and Playboi Carti all dropped albums or new music so it wasn’t that slow at all.
In honor of Carti dropping an album that I didn’t think I’d enjoy I forced myself to listen to it so you wouldn’t have to. The album is definitely not for me and if you’re reading this newsletter chances are it’s not for you either.
I Listened to Playboi Carti's Album So You Don't Have To
To say that I’m not a Playboi Carti fan would be a misnomer. I don’t even really know what his music sounds like. I kinda liked the song Magnolia that he dropped back when he used to look like Amine but a lot of time has passed and his careeer has evolved. He is a whole other person now and apparently that person is MUSIC.
Okay let’s get to the stuff that I actually want to share with you.
VIDEOS
JSWISS dropped a really fly video for one of my favorite songs off of his new album.
Steele linked up with Shabaam Sahdeeq and Louie Skaggs for what I think is a loosie cus Smiff-N-Wessun got an album out that they are actively promoting.
Amine dropped a new song and I really like it but I like his stuff in general. The video really helps bring it to life imo.
Glenn Lewis is a name i had not thought about in years but I just found out that he’s been doing these covers of songs on his Youtube page. He did a pretty stellar cover of Usher’s Superstar and it made me go see what else he did and I found this Karma Police cover which… I don’t know how I feel about. I am so used to Thom’s singing on this joint that hearing a person actually SANG on it feels kinda crazy. What do you guys think tho? Did he do a good job on this joint?
ALBUMS
I haven’t heard this album yet but I am betting it’s more than worth your time and money. Makaya McCraven is a sure shot!
Another album that I haven’t heard!. Lord Finesse is a legend tho so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this.
Guess what? Haven’t heard this either but Boldy and Chuck Strangers feels like a good pairing.
You thought I played this album? You trippin! I was too busy working to listen to anything this week! I did skim and Currensy and Harry Fraud always deliver when they link up
Have I heard this yet? Nope! But DJ OOOChild is part of the Make Jazz Trill Again crew (Melanie Charles, Zacchae'us Paul) and that should be enough to let you know that this album is more than likely going to be good.
No idea who these guys are but I saw Quelle’s name on the tracklist then skimmed a few tracks and yeah. It’s worth your attention.
I haven’t heard this either but Sonnyjim will always get a play out of me (when I have time to actually listen to new music lol)
SONGS
Lyric Jones linked up with the Playlist Retreat family to put together a cool new dance forward hip hop jam!
Being an artist on TDE is a heavy mantle to live up to but Ab-Soul has been on an absolute tear as of late.
I actually heard this song! It’s good!
I think this song came out a while ago and I missed it but I found it cus Gibbs also has a song on Youtube called The Big 2 that’s not on the other DSPs.
Arooj linked up with Khraungbin and this shit is jamming.
Oh man new HAIM. I don’t think I’ve ever openly professed my love for their music but just know that while I haven’t listened to much new music this week I did find time to play this song for about an hour on repeat LOL.
BONUS
Don Cusack turns 15 years old this month and I’m gonna spend some time this week tryin to dig up some behind the scenes stuff and telling a few stories about the album. I never talk about the record at all so who knows what kinda memories I’ll unlock once I finally do dig into it. With that said there is no bonus this week… well except for this post:
Glenn Lewis was the lead vocalist on 2017's The Playlist-Chasing Goosebumps from Jazzy Jeff's retreat (believe you been). It's a good album as well https://theplaylist.bandcamp.com/album/chasing-goosebumps