WHAT IS #MUSICMONDAY?

Every week, I post a lot of links to free music you can download. Why? Why the hell not? I’m not hosting the links, I didn’t upload ‘em, I have no legal liability and I’m helping promote the artists. Essentially, I’m a g******ed hero! Enjoy!

Sometimes I rant about musical stuff (stay tuned at the end of this blog for a note about that) — that goes at the end. The music is divided into three categories …

I’VE HEARD IT AND IT’S WORTH A LISTEN

"... we're kind of like rock stars ..."

• I love the show Glee — that’s not a surprise. I also love the show The Sing-Off despite being forced to watch Ryan Secrest’s less impressive cousin Nick somebody. So when those two things come together? Yay. The real Dalton Academy Warblers are the Beelzebubs from season one of The Sing-Off. Here’s a taste of what they sound like. Yay! Oh, here’s two more songs while we’re here.
• If you have Pink Friday you’ve likely already heard “Girls Fall Like Dominoes” but it’s pretty catchy.
• There are 153 songs o Hot R&N March 2011 … if you can’t find something to like in there, you’re not trying very hard.
• Holy crap this is a bungload of great classic hip hop … The Coup, Hieroglyphics, Ultramagnetic, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Lord Finesse, even Talib Kweli’s last one … wow.

I SUSPECT THIS IS WORTH HEARING, BUT I’M TOO BUSY TO HAVE LISTENED TO IT

'... I blame society!'

• I’m loving Owl City’s “Alligator Sky” with Shawn Chrystopher, so when I saw that they had a new song called “Galaxies” I rushed to download it. Yay!
• Keeping it alt-rock for a minute, OneRepublic lead singer Ryan Tedder has a new song called “The World I Knew”
• Underground hip hop from AG (from Digging In The Crates, but also from Showbiz and AG), “Marvin Berri” produced by Mike the Martyr.
• The artwork on “Moodswings” by Thr33zy McFly (produced by Tha Adjiktivz) is why I’m posting it. I liked it. Only one piece of art could have beaten it to get showcased here.
• “The Story” by King is described as “Super throwback sound. Like Parliament Funk when the smoke clears and they’re hit with some sunlight.” Sold.
• “End To The Lies” by Jane’s Addiction is free … if you’ll sign up for their newsletter. Seems legit …
• The new album from The Foo Fighters is called Wasting Light (Proper) and the buzz is already pretty good.
• French hip hop? Why not? We Luv New-York is from Faf Larage and Akhenaton.
• The James Pants remix of “Seven” by Tyler the Creator has horns that are allegedly “porn.” Sold.
• Who is Zeroh G7 and what’s Elliot Blaqbird you ask? “Abstract hip hop” apparently. Get it.
• Oh no they didn’t! Grand Theft Music is the new albu, by Tain. For fans of Tommy Vercetti, Vic Vance and Carl Johnson, apparently.
• Def Squad! Here’s El Nino from the supergroup.
• Dev has joined Donnis on the track “Ring My Bell” produced by Syience.
• What the what? “The Moon & The Sky” from Sade featuring Jay-Z? Done.
• MArsha Ambrosius? Busta Rhymes? “Far Away” — done.
• “Santiago” is the new single from UK indie pop band The Kabeedies.
• “Think About It”
• Pete Rock and Camp Lo have come together to create 80 Blocks From Tiffany’s
• People are really talking about this Jacob Lusk kid, so maybe the top 9 iTunes live performances from this season of American Idol might be okay. Maybe.
• Mo-Mentous is a new dose of “jazzy Hip-Hop/Instrumental Hip-Hop/Electronica” from Mono X Monkey.
• Heemy Taught Me is the new mixtape from Raheem DeVaughn to keep people ready for his new upcoming fourth studio album, A Place Called Loveland.
• “Righteous Way” is the new song from Boston’s own EdO.G.
• “Make Some Noise” from the Beastie Boys … wait, what? New Beasties? Check that out!

I PROBABLY WOULDN’T LIKE IT, BUT MANY PEOPLE WOULD

Ginuwine is alive?

• The discography of 50 Cent (1998-2009).
• Despite the fact that the Lloyd-flavored “Feelin’ Myself” is amazing, Nipsey Hu$$le isn’t really my kind of sound. In any case, he dropped “Tha Mansion” after hitting 109,000 Twitter followers.
• “C.O.P.S. (Criping On Public Streets)” by 40 Glocc. Sure.
• The Target exclusive of Jim Jones new album Capo has a lot of extra tracks.
• Mack 10 and G. Malone, Money Music for the west coast gangsta rap afficiondos.
• I can’t type nor pronounce the names of this Russian hip hop but … well, here it is.
• “Only One” is a new song from Game featuring Chris Brown.
• “Girls Cry” is a new single from Cam’ron and Vado.
• Ginuwine is still alive? Here’s an unreleased Timbaland production called “Love To Hate from 2009.
• Three alt-rock bands called Middle Brother, Papercuts and The Naked and Fanous have new MP3s to download.

Will that hold you? Cool, see you next week.

Oh. Almost forgot. With the launch of Komplicated.com, this column full of music downloads will be moving over there. Maybe getting parsed out over the week. Brace yourselves. Lots of cool stuff going on over there, more news before the May 1st launch.

Don’t forget that late additions and exclusive extras end up on the mobile version of this blog.

Playing (Music): “Who Can It Be Now?” by Men At Work

WHAT IS #MUSICMONDAY?

Every week, I post a lot of links to free music you can download. Why? Why the hell not? I’m not hosting the links, I didn’t upload ‘em, I have no legal liability and I’m helping promote the artists. Essentially, I’m a g******ed hero! Enjoy!

Sometimes I rant about musical stuff — that goes at the end. The music is divided into three categories …

I’VE HEARD IT AND IT’S WORTH A LISTEN

• Lots of great songs on R&B April Hits including another club banger from Pitbull, Chris Brown and Busta’s hot joint, that cut from Jennifer Lopez that I linked last week, even some stuff from Sade and Marsha Ambrosius … great stuff.
• Speaking of great compilations, go on and download the Billboard Hot 40 including that Katy Perry song with Kanye, Nicki Minaj’s heater that’s rocking the charts with Drake, Dr. Dre, Adele, Lupe Fiasco, Bruno Mars and so on.

I SUSPECT THIS IS WORTH HEARING, BUT I’M TOO BUSY TO HAVE LISTENED TO IT

• Common. Kanye West. “Follow Me” — just download it.
• Janelle Monae. A whole set live from SXSW. Stop playing.
• Fans of the Duck Down Brooklyn sound will appreciate this almost unlabeled 1992 mixtape from Black Moon’s Buckwild.
• You might have heard that Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim have a war of whorishness, er, words going on. Anyway, here’s the latest salvo from the Harajaku Barbie (what does that mean) called “Real Pimpin’” (and not “Tragedy” as some outlets reported).
• “How The Gods Chill” remix by Sean Price, featuring Meyhem Lauren and Roc Marciano. Honestly, I just liked the name.
• I liked this one big single from Hollywood Undead, so their new album American Tragedy is surely worth a listen.
• Oh, mash ups. I love ‘em. Here’s a double pack from a DJ called Faroff which puts Cee-Lo Green and the Temptations together with “Mashed Girl” and Lady Gaga vs. the Raspoutine Smoked Band called “Lady Gagarin” … okay, no idea what the last one was. Anyhoo, there’s also Mash Up Your Bootz Vol. 46 — a whole album full of mash ups.
• Here’s a lot of instrumentals from DJ Don Cannon.
• Xaphoon Jones is one half of the group Chiddy Bang and Mixtape Vol. 2 is his new solo project.
• Miguel rocked “All I Want Is You” so I’m surely checking for “You Know”
• New Lady Gaga? “Judas” — don’t play like you don’t want it.
• “Pieces of Me” is a new song from Ledisi. I know, no download, I’m sorry.
• 9th Wonder has produced “My Life” by Von Pea of Tanya Morgan.
• “Tha Bizness” is a new song from Tha Bizness featuring Clinton Sparks.
• “Flying High” is the new song form Honors English featuring TL Cross and Lupe Fiasco, a horn-heavy track produced by Needlz.
• Did you check that Tron: Legacy soundtrack? You may have liked “The Game Has Changed” from Pharrell.
• John Legend has been doing some interesting covers, and here’s “Rolling In The Deep,” a remix of an Edwin van Cleef cut.
• Clay Hillman produced the highly recommended “Malcolm X” by Rickie Jacobs featuring Artic.
• Dirty Vegas? They’re not just for Mitsubishi commercials any more with the “Changes” In Flagranti remix.
• “You Are A Tourist” is a new song from Death Cab from Cutie.
• Simple Plan has dropped “Can’t Keep My Hands Off You” from their upcoming new album.
• I liked the Mixmasters Inc. mixtape with “Empire State of Mind” and “Forever” acoustic versions, so Love & Stadiums from Krucial Noise (that sounds familiar) is something I wanna hear.
• How the hell did Donald Glover drop another mixtape already? I Do Not Talk is fresh from Childish Gambino.
• Pitbull! “Nasty Girl” is another one for the dance floor alongside Wynter Gordon.
• “Still On The Hustle” by Neek the Exotic and Large Professor … in hip hop, dude, you had me at Large Professor!
• That J-Lo reign just won’t let up! “I’m Into You” has the dancing queen alongside Lil Wayne.
• “Who Are You Now” teams up Lupe Fiasco and B.o.B … apparently Cee-Lo or Janelle Monae were slated to join up, but that didn’t work out.
• More from Brooklyn’s Boot Camp? Monsta Mondays from Rock has him dropping “Multiply” alongside General Steele, Top Dog, Louisville Sluggah and Doc Holiday.
• You should hurry up if you wanna download “War of the Roses” by Blaqstarr (not Black Star) featuring Talib Kweli.

I PROBABLY WOULDN’T LIKE IT, BUT MANY PEOPLE WOULD

I just like this image

• Mac Miller, On and On and Beyond EP.
• Greatest Hits With A Twist is fro DMX. It looks like they’re all remixes of his songs. Okay.
• I don’t know what to think of Believe in H.O.P.E. Wright from Compton native H.O.P.E.
• Contact is new smooth jazz from Boney James.
• Translation Lost by Dela … I honestly just liked the cover, which I posted here.
• Here’s two new songs from Redlight Boogie (who’s apparently Dutch, of all things) called “Heatrock” featuring Sean P. and “Welcome Me” featuring Rock (from Heltah Skeltah).
• People liked Tyga on “Deuces” with Chris Brown, but Hypnotized is a new song from him.
• “Revenge of the Barracuda” is new album full of street hop from WC.
• Coathanga Strangla is the new album from Brotha Lynch Hung.
• Heavy Metal Kings from Ill Bill and Vinnie Paz. Okay.
• Bone Brothers 4 is from Cleveland’s own Bizzy Bone and Layzie Bone.
• I can’t even type the title, but here’s some new Russian rap music for you.
• I shocked a woman while DJing once by saying I didn’t like 50 Cent, but it’s true. Anyway, “I’m All Turnt Up” is a new song from him.
• “Celebrate” is a new song from T.I.
• Trae the Truth is back with “Push the Button” featuring Wyclef Jean.
• Nick Cannon can’t hear people complaining about him over the sound of his new song “Hot Sh**” and all of Mariah Carey’s money.
• The Belle Brigade lit up SXSW and then brought home “Sweet Louise” as a new folk-rock single. It’ll take an email address, but you can download this song for free.
• More studio recordings from American Idol for you.
• Martina McBride, “Teenage Daughters” … that country sound.
• “Booty Work” by T-Pain feat. Joe Galaxy. For the strippers, you know.

Will that hold you? Cool, see you next week.

Don’t forget that late additions and exclusive extras end up on the mobile version of this blog.

Playing (Music): “Living Better Now” by Jamie Foxx feat. Rick Ross

This one’s been stewing a while. Here goes …

- Never buy the sugar free muffins. Even for a dollar and a half less, they’re not worth it. Go for the sugar, it’s worth it. Gak!

- Without looking at the screen, I’ve mixed up Rihanna and Justin Bieber no fewer than three times when playing music from my “Download everything and just let it fly” playlist. Included there was the first time I heard “What’s My Name?”

- The very few times I’ve gone on vacation (extraordinarily rare, because there truly is no rest for the wicked), I took the most valuable things in the house with me. Computers, family, hard drives. I never know what I might need on the road, and I can’t guard things when I’m away. I just stopped carrying everything valuable with me everywhere I went about eight or nine years ago. I followed the advice of one of my elders, “leave home as if you expect to never return.” I’ve got more reasons to return now. Still, the goodies always go with me if I’m gone any longer than a day or so, often go with me in pieces every day (my game consoles are ancient, so no worries there), and I’m considerably better prepared to defend what matters in person than I would be fortifying a position I’m leaving.

- It took me a while to come to it, since I thought they were a wash at first, but Nicki Minaj > Drake. That girl is freaking talented, no matter how much surgery she’s had or what words she uses that I wish she wouldn’t. It kind of helps if you only hear her songs and never actually see her. Kind of like Lady Gaga.

- If you’ve forgotten, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is really, really terrible in the funniest possible way. The repeated stock footage, the simplistic plots, the goofy looks on everybody’s face, even the relentlessly racist episode where He-Man’s a gladiator. We really were much more innocent back then — you couldn’t mix weaponry and goofiness this way these days, let alone have a little female “starchild” riding on Battlecat’s saddle in front of a muscleman’s hairy panties. One night while my wife was having a “sister circle” (i.e. “lots of women in my living room talking loudly while I turn up the sound on my headphones”) I sat and watched in as a kind of counter-programming. Hilarious stuff, unintentionally.

- Speaking of, did you notice that King Randor from MOTU looks a lot like Burger King? I’m just saying.

- Theophilus London > Kid Cudi.

- Most people I know who’ve bought a smartphone say, “I hate this thing” within a year (including my wife, my barber and my home boy in Oakland). I’m a little more than half way to the one year mark on my N900 and I love it more than I did when I got it. I couldn’t FTP back then. I don’t know if I’d installed Abiword for dealing with the .doc crowd. I hadn’t replaced my iPod with this as an MP3 player (better with MussOrgSky), nor started watching any video files on it. I was still doing most of my blogs on a computer, didn’t count my steps with the pedometer, didn’t use it as an Apple Remote, didn’t track my wife’s menstrual cycles with Maegirls, didn’t live by TouchSearch (set to Google/Wikipedia/Google Maps) or enjoyed the free GPS for life mapping on the phone’s native software. I can’t believe how amazing this is. The only thing that could change my mind is if Nokia made an even fresher smartphone running their Intel/AMD collaboration MeeGo and upped the storage space (yes, I’m running into storage problems even at 48GB … blame the MP3s and videos).

Right.

Watching (Hulu) Burn Notice, “Hot Property