Must Do France

There's something utterly irresistible about French electro.

Age of the Indie

Young artists everywhere. Celebrate now. Do more. Mope less. We're watching.

Get Free

Diplo. Dirty Projectors on vocals. Major Lazer (still not sure who he is, too lazy to Google). But this is pure gold — that is, if hearing gold was possible.

Long Lost

When I tell folks I went to Indiana for school, they think corn fields. While that was 90% true, I spent most of my time absorbing culture and co-hosting bands such as Kansas Bible Company and the Kroodz crew in the basement/living room of my house. Here's a glimpse into the craziness less than a year ago.

Forget It's Me

Been a bit busy at work these days.

Figub Brazlevic: Word is Bond

I miss my old school hip-hop. Glad someone's takin' it back with a little mix of futuristic-new sprinkled within.

Demon Child

I've never really come out with this, but at one point during my college career, I had a run-in with a demon child from another world.

The backstory: Endless upon endless parties at a house reminiscent of the one falling apart in Fight Club. Aside from broken fixtures and a floor that smelled like hell, '666' and pentagrams began to litter our walls. This stemmed from an ongoing inside joke and a group of friends who found this type of stuff entertaining to poke fun at (mainly because we were in the middle of God's country, but also because they found it simply hilarious).

The event: After several months of this ongoing cycle of party + graffiti + more insane nonsense, I found myself awakened at night by heavy breathing by my bedside. This wasn't just normal breathing either. I'm talking distinct long deep breaths with 2-3 second pauses in between. It chills me to the bone 'til this day.

My body was facing upward, but I quickly realized I couldn't move anything. My eyes were closed shut as I felt a strong force binding my legs together. Still calm (at this point at least), I struggled to move my feet. No luck. This binding soon went up to my hands beside my body and pushed them together. This eventually eerie binding force soon moved to my neck (and this is when I started freaking out) and I began choking. No air. Sheer panic.

I somehow managed to force my eyes wide open and my gaze shifted towards the right side of my bed. There it was. A little girl with her mouth wide open, one hand out, commanding this awesome nonsense. Of course, I tried to scream, but I couldn't. Still, I managed to somehow break from her spell, and with any strength left in my body, took a swing at her demonous figure.

Yes, I punched a ghost in the face.

After that, all I can remember is silence and the sweat dripping from my face.

Back in the Days

I still can't believe VHS is considered 'retro' now. Must be the same feeling folks feel when they see young kids who don't know who MacGyver is.

Live Fast, Die Young

M.I.A. hits it out of the ballpark with this one.

The Classic Case of My Body

I beg to differ. All this leg shaking is money making!

Now With Extra WTF

Sometimes you just need to let loose and forget about all them taxes you need to do.

Do You Remember Me?

Good music should be recognized. Devonte Hynes, you da man.

The Story of Pai Mei

Wick-It the Instigator creates an instant classic. But then again, anything that has to do with the Shaolin or the Wu-Tang Clan deserves its rightful place on this blogoteque.

Once and For All

I hinted in every way imaginable, yet she still kept her distance. Her scent alone would permeate my memories and dreams. And after all these years, I decided that I'd tell her once and for all, "We're not friends, you and I. Not when I have this much love for you."

C2C Ya in 2012

Welcome to the new year. It's gonna be full of cray.

Expand the Kingdom

It's not often I post lyrics here, but this is probably one of my favorite songs of all time. I think it deserves a permanent spot here on the blog.

We travel like the wind across the rotten fruited plain
We travel like the blood that surrounds your brain
Atmosphere has landed demanding that we raise the curve
Expand the kingdom, all heads of the earth

Ay, yo, once in a great while
One has the heart to approach us
But usually comes up close
He didn't know who it was
The name travels further than the face
He did not recognize the profile
Only saw an emcee for him to waste
But no child
That ain't the case
Go find yourself a cause
I'll take advantage of your flaws
And climb into your drawers
Now did it damage your jaws
When it dropped
And hit the pavement in shock
That's why they keep me locked
Underneath the basement a lot
Lettin me out just to eat and shit
And every so often just to keep me fit
They give me a new emcee to rip
To pieces
Grip the neck
Release is out of the question
Maybe they'll let me out if i make a good impression
So please don't take it personal
When i flush me through your veins
Consider yourself a big part
Of that great emcee food chain
And take your spot in the circle with pride
Reps with dignity if you let em
And when they do, i respect em
Welcome the cure for your suffering
And tell them it's pure
No subtle hints or weak substances cuttin it
I chuckle when an ego and pride collide with judgement
Add that to your buzz
And the result is malfunction
No longer shall i listen to your babble
Too many comin off the deep end
With a steady stream of shallow
I have no remorse for those that drop
Someday i'll drop
Until then i'ma stay on top
Of heads like a bald spot

Ay, yo, we travel like the wind across the rotten fruited plain
We travel like the blood that surrounds your brain
Atmosphere has landed demanding that we raise the curve
Expand the kingdom, all heads of the earth
Ay, yo, we travel like the wind across the rotten fruited plain
We travel like the blood that surrounds your brain
Atmosphere has landed demanding that we raise the curve
So unravel your thoughts, and come across in a verse

Yo, sold my car
To the junk yard
Couldn't fuck with the insurance
Gave me forty bucks
Brought a bus card and
Lunch at Perkins
For fun i drain the essence
From the life forms of messes
Deal with daily stresses
And keep the mic warm with message
I've learned how to hide my keys
In a matter of arrogance and confidence
Contributing to my ego trips and accomplishments
"He's on some shit.."
No, not yet. i just follow my path
I don't eat my words as often as i swallow my laugh
Apollo is back
Landed on the foche
And everythings okay
According to the commercials for the Low-Fat Yoplait
And i no that there's no way
To say what you need to hear
So i take the long way through your brain
To put some flavor in your ear
Like using a cleaver on canteloupe
Leave your plans and hope on the shoulder with the
roadkill carcasses of no skill smartasses
Atmosphere coming through to the midst of entertainment
Plastic bag in hand to scoop up all the brain shit

We travel like the wind across the rotten fruited plain
We travel like the blood that surrounds your brain
Atmosphere has landed demanding that we raise the curve
Expand the kingdom, all heads of the earth

Tastes Like Animal Collective

Or Girl skate videos. Or Klondike bars. Or even L.A.

Until the World Burns

I subscribed to iTunes Match today. Starting my library from scratch. It's gonna be awesome.

It's a Euro-Thanksgiving

It's so light out. Gotta make it dancey. Gotta make it count.

A Beginner's Video Guide to Wu-Tang Clan

A coworker asked me to put together a short playlist to help introduce them to one of the my favorite hip-hop bands ever. Since their first instruction back in 1993, you've got roughly 300 albums, tons of books, video games, a fashion line and even a chess board - but there was once when I did not know the Wu.

For those unfamiliar, I feel these 5 songs (in descending order) are the perfect jumping point for any would-be Wu-Tang fan. Sure, ODB might be dead and they might be broke, touring only for extra cash for weed now, but when they were hot, they certainly knew how to deliver a swordpipe full of kick ass to the membrane.