Thursday, July 30, 2020

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" by DMX

Song: Ruff Ryders' Anthem (prod. by a teenaged Swizz Beatz)
Artist: DMX
Album: It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998)
Commentary: An acquaintance referenced this on Facebook and I'd never heard it or of it. It's dope though. Definitely an earworm. "Stop! Drop! Shut 'em down, open up shop!"

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Tuesday, July 28, 2020

"The Roving Cowboy / 阿瓦尔古丽" by Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn

Song: The Roving Cowboy / Avarguli (阿瓦尔古丽)
Artist: Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn
Album: self-titled (2020)
Commentary: You know how I try to appreciate various folk music traditions from around the world? Well, this album merges two of them beautifully. They blend "material from the hills of Appalachia to the prairies of Xinjiang region." I wish there were more of this -- so many folk musics, so little time (and collaboration!) There is a weird thing where it seems like Wu Fei is appropriating Uyghur music as a Han woman from Beijing?

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Monday, July 27, 2020

"Carbon 7 (161)" by Jlin

Song: Carbon 7 (161)
Artist: Jlin
Album: Black Origami (2017)
Commentary: Jlin is a very talented and interesting artist. I keep an eye on her work.

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Sunday, July 26, 2020

Claude Cormier M'y’s choreography to Kyle Edward's remix of Fun's "We Are Young"

Song: "We Are Young" (Jersey Club remix)
Artist: originally by Fun and featuring Janelle Monáe, remixed by Kyle Edwards & Dj Smallz 732; choreographed by Claude Cormier M'y
Commentary: This is all about the video. I have rewatched this so many times. The choreography is impeccable and the dancers are magnificent (even just watch their faces at the turning point!!). No spoilers, but watch the whole thing.

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Saturday, July 25, 2020

"NYC Cops" by Heems

Song: NYC Cops
Artist: Heems (Himanshu of Das Racist)
Album: Stroked: A Tribute to [The Strokes’ 2001 album] Is This It (2011)
Commentary: I've liked this song since it came out in 2011, but it's been in my head and heart a lot lately. A heavy listen, but an important chronicle of New York City's police murders
#BlackLivesMatter

You can also read this weblog commentary on the song.
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