The Stepkids - Shadows On Behalf

Pink Floyd meets Motown?

Jackie Chain – Parked Outside (feat. Bun B & Big K.R.I.T.)

Jackie Chain’s been on the edge of my radar for a lil bit now, and with Big KRIT on production, I had to check this one out.

While it ain’t nothin too special, it’s got a classic cruisin beat, so get your burn on and hit the streets speakers on high!

Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana

I dunno what it is, I’ve been gettin this song stuck in my head for a season or two now. That crazy guitar has just been doin’ it for me{{1}} [[1]]Hella air guitarin’![[1]] (check the solo @ 02:25).

But of course, what really gives me the goose-peemples is Michael’s outstanding vocals. Though I can’t say I ever had to worry about a Diana of my own, I know that when that day comes (soon? haha), I’ll be desperately trying to lip-sync Jackson’s crooning in an effort to keep that bad, bad person away!

Seeing this video also reminds me that I gotta step up my concert going game, lest my favorite performers—I dunno—die or something right before their big comeback tour. Say what you will about the man; he put everything he had in his music, and we’re all better for it. While I haven’t been following recent events, too closely, I just hope that The King is in a better place.

Someone once told me that this song is about Princess Diana, a long time friend of Michael’s. Somehow, I don’t think so. What do ya’ll think?

Common – I Used to Love H.E.R.

Remember when Common (Sense) didn’t shill for yuppie white clothing brands? No? Well, I don’t blame ya.

Sorry brah, you’ll never live that one down{{1}}

[[1]]But I guess I’m happy you’re gettin paid, even this late into the game.[[1]]

Bone Thugs N Harmony – Thuggish Ruggish Bone (Featuring Shatasha Williams)

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I miss old school Bone. If you haven’t already, whatever you do, don’t listen to their newest album. Trust me.

XV - The Kick (prod. by DJ Tech-Neek)

I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.

What? XV’s return to the game? Naw, not really.

He’s cool, don’t get me wrong, but the “Kid with the Green Backpack” hasn’t really stood out to me amongst the crowd of twitterappers . What I’m talking about is Inception music–specifically the track, “Time“–being used as the basis for a dope beat; Shoutouts to DJ Tech-Neek for laying it down.

Nonetheless, XV, does style on top of Zimmer’s brooding orchestra. Now that the Kansas native is “back in the stu“, I’ll have to give him some more playtime.

BONUS: I like the track, but I love this video:

El Guincho — Bombay

The awesome steel drums of this dance track have been lifting my spirits for a few months now. But it wasn’t until recently that I saw the video… and man am I glad that I have.

A videoclip montage that alternates between provacative imagery and—for lack of a better term—weird shit, that I can only describe it all as Hipster Kitsch con boobies via the isles of Spain. Thanks El Guincho for reminding me that for every dope song, there is—or at least should be—a dope music video.

Now, anyone wanna translate for me?

Street Fighter Slaps

Playlist

1. GHOST – Sonic Boom
2. Lupe Fiasco – Fireman (Yoga Flame)
3. Turbo – Gigaton Punch [Video] (<-- Must See!)
4. Talib Kweli & Oh No – Take U 4 A Ryde
5. José the Bronx Rican – Spittin’ Narcissism (Vega Stage) [Video]

As anyone who knows me can tell you, I loves me my Street Fighter.

But it’s not just the button mashing & pummeling of one’s opponent into the ground{{1}} [[1]]With subsequent shit talking, of course[[1]] that drew me in: the music & sfx that accompanies the World Warriors is fuckin’ timeless—After all, Guile’s theme goes with everything. {{2}}
[[2]]Yes, everything. [[2]]

And I’m not alone in holding the Street Fighter series to a high acoustic bar: as the MCs from the “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis” era grow older, they’ve been incorporating their own nostalgia of Fighting in the Street into their own beats and rhymes.

To me, It’s not a game, it’s a way of life—”Yoga Flame!”, “SHORYUKEN!” & many other SF SFX are in my daily vocabulary, helping me express emotions and feelings that mere adjectives & metaphors can’t even touch. {{3}} So when times get tough, when it comes down to the line, all imma hear in my head is:

YOU WIN…PERFECT!

[[3]]When something epically bad happens: UWAUGH UWAUGH! [[3]]

BONUS: Cheerleading – Vega Don’t (My ridiculous homeboys’ acapella of Claw’s stage).

“Yeesssss! Awwwesome!” <-- My exact words when I found this in my inbox. Now there's some visuals to match the "Prototype" {{1}} samplin', Pharcyde soundin' beat. Enjoy!
[[1]]I didn't know this Dre track had a video until late last year. If you know me, then you'd know that I lurves it. Unfortunately, it’s impossible(?) to find on teh internets. =( [[1]]

With a hook sounding like it’s straight ripped from Mane, LAlien-by-way-of-Oakland Kreayshawn’s Gucci Gucci is a good representation of where cali rap has been going recently, for better of for worse. {{1}}

Now google that, groupies follow me like Twitter / I’m rollin up my catnip & shittin in your litter
Why you lookin bitter? I be lookin better, the type of bitch that make you wish that you ain’t never met her

White ppls appropriating & comin up these days, eh? Whatever the case is, I’m down for it. It’s nice seein’ people have fun with the game. Les go Odd Future; Hella catchy!

[[1]]…swag…! [[1]]