New Music Tuesday #84
Clipse, Open Mike Eagle, Clyde Stubblefield and Tyler, The Creator
Give The Drummer Some has about two more day to meet it’s crowdfunding goal and it is only 69% funded. It’s a film about Clyde Stubblefield and if you don’t know about him or his contribution to music just know that he is arguably the most influential drummer in the history of funk/hip hop. He’s the Funky Drummer that the James Brown song was named for and is the most sampled drummer in hip hop.
They’ve shot over 20 interviews that include names like Anderson Paak, George Clinton, Questlove and Bootsy Collins and need to make at least 80% their goal to get the funds to finish the film. So if you are reading this and can spare anything please go donate at this link here.
SHOWS
7/19 - I’m back at Franklin Park and you should be there too!
7/21 - I’m back at Frankenstein’s Baby and you shoudl be there too!
NEWS
The biggest news of the week is that Clipse have returned with their first album in 13 years. If you’re wondering why I didn’t type ‘The’ in front it’s because Malice said that it’s just Clipse and I’m gonna respect that. And speaking of Malice his expressions in these interviews are KILLING me. If you haven’t been watching the interviews just imagine this guy sitting next to Pusha T and chiming in with a pastoral tone whenever he does decide to speak.
They are basically the rap media stimulus package right now and are giving us a good old fashioned roll out complete with print interviews. They are also practicing a bit of discernment in who they talk to which is refreshing to see, like if they talk to Adin Ross or No Jumper or something I’d be shocked.
The other thing to understand is that the landscape for rap journalism is HELL. The outlets are all but gone or forced to become content aggregators and don’t really get the chance to produce exciting pieces anymore. So them being discerning is even more important than ever because it’s signaling who the authorities in the space really are. (I just REALLY hope they don’t show up on Shultz’s shit show or some goofy shit. I got faith!)
This means that I have consumed SO MUCH CLIPSE CONTENT because not only is everyone’s interview style different but Malice is basically blooming and getting his thoughts together as he get’s comfortable with being back in publicity mode and sharing his thoughts.
Malice is not all sneers and side eyes tho. Like this moment from that same Genius interview pictured above when Pusha T made him break character.
However if i had to point you to one piece of content (aside from the GQ interview) I would say just watch the Tiny Desk. They perform some of the new material and then run through some classics. The set ends with Daru banging out the beat to Grindin on the desk which is PEAK rap shit.
The other cool thing about this album is that they are 48 (Pusha T) and 53 (Malice) which does a lot to derail the ‘aging out of being a dope rapper’ narrative. Like I know it’s not true but the larger audience buys into it and Andre’s sidequests don’t really do anything to convince them otherwise.
Okay I think that’s most of my thoughts on their album…
Oh yeah.. it’s DOPE!
The polar opposite of this is that Popeye’s made an AI diss track to McDonald’s for bringing their McChicken Wrap back.
Apparently this video was done by same guy who was behind the Timbaland troll response video. I genuinely hate this. Everything about it. I hate that someone got paid to make it. I hate that it looks somewhat believable and sounds passable. I hate that this feels like the final frontier for creativity at the moment.
I need to take some time with my opnion so that I can fully articulate it but I also genuinely dislike most major applications of AI art. It is upsetting every time I see it and I don’t expect that to change until I see something that I don’t know is AI and then I’ll probably be even MORE upset.
MUSIC
Open Mike Eagle’s album dropped and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a song about his phone getting ran over by a car and it legit made me laugh as hard as some of my favorite comedians. He’s on tour now too so go see him live and buy the vinyl from the merch booth.
I have not heard this album but I Jane makes jams so I am going to listen.
Mocky is always fun to listen to
Kokoroko’s never disappoints
SINGLES
JSWISS, Marcus Strickland, Ben Williams, Chad Selph and Marcus Gilmore have formed a supergroup and this is their first offering from their upcoming EP. They’ll also be touring later in the year so I’d suggest tapping into their website to see about those dates.
New 14KT!
New Evidence!
New shit from SHIRT!
Stacy Epps and Madlib are always a killer combo.
Kaytranada really does not miss.
Amber Mark dropped off this vibey ass jam.
A Dijon feature is enough to get a listen out of me.
BONUS
Getting this newsletter done has been kicking my ass lately. I am not going to stop but it might change a little bit! How? I have no idea because I haven’t had time to rethink it but know that I am actively trying to figure it out.