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

• DJ Felli Fel! He’s got a hot new single called “Boomerang” featuring Akon, Pitbull and Jermaine Dupri.
• Taking her time on American Idol seriously, Jennifer Lopez is showing people how to make a hit with “Ven a Bailar (On The Floor)” featuring Pitbull.
• There’s some great songs on Billboard R&B Hip-Hop Songs (Edition 2 March 2011)

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

• New tracks from Ne-Yo include “Let’s Leave On The Lights,” “Love Victory” and “You’re A Star.”
• Darkchild produced “Speedin’” for Ciara.
• Two more new cuts from Trey Songz inlcude “Never Enough Time” (feat. Johnta Austin) and a remix of “Last Time.”
• Donald Glover is making a run at this Childish Gambino thing. His new song “The Longest Text Message” was apparently made over Thanksgiving while he was drunk.
• There’s a new mixtape from Eminem that features a lot of unreleased cuts from the Motor City emcee that have recently floated around the interwebs.
• Here’s another classic collection of songs from the dearly departed Nate Dogg.
• Alt-rock group Skysaw (formerly known as This) is “the latest vehicle for ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.” “No One Can Tell” is their new song, a “tightly constructe chunk of melodic rock music.”
• The Dirty Tees have a new song called “Let You Go” featuring Ashley Couse.
• Here we go — mashups. I love mashups! Vs5 is a new album from Robin Skouteris full of musical combinations that were not meant to be.
• Jalani’s “Paradise” is “something for the folks who rock headphones at work to use as an escape. If a beautiful Saturday afternoon had a soundtrack, this would definitely be on that CD.”
• “F.A.N.S.” is the new bonus track from Tech N9ne’s new album All 6s and 7s.
• The Future of R&B 39 has some hot songs from Cee-Lo Green, T-Pain, Trey Songz and more.
• Eminem Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf are Shady 2.0
• “50 Ways” is a new song from Eminem.
• Texas’ own Chamillionaire comes in over the “All Of The Lights” track.
• Evolve is a FreEP full of instrumentals. Cool!
• I don’t know why I have a good feeling about Covergirls from Aaries, a set of covers they’ve refactored with new arrangements and what not.
• Bobby Ray’s mad at … somebody, I don’t remember whom. Anyway, his new dis record “No Future” has a lot of heat.
• Sky Ferreira has an interesting sound, and she’s got a new EP called As If.
• People are all divided over the madness of Sucker Punch, but at least you can enjoy the soundtrack at least.
• Bei Major sampled James Blunt for his new song “Heavenly Beautiful”
• The world’s greatest Ghostface impersonator Action Bronson has a new song called “Jerk Chicken” alongside Maffew Ragazino.
• Screaming Bloody Murder is the new album from Sum 41.
• John Legend has a cover of Adele’s song “Rolling In The Deep” for your listening pleasure.
• “For The First Time” is a remix from The Script by 8Barz.
• Thin Lizzy vs. the Pixies in “The Boys Are Back In Heaven” by Phil Retrospector
• Common! “Follow Me” is an unreleased Be era track, albeit tagged.

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

• I don’t know what Porcelain Black is, I don’t know why Lil Wayne would sign this creation, but “This Is What Rock N Roll Looks Like” is the new cut from the artist. Whatever that means.
• Despite the fact Twista is on this track, an emcee who I find brilliant in every possible way, “What It Feel Like” by Lil B is likely to not make it work for me.
• Who are Nostalgia 77 and what’s their new song “Blue Shadow” featuring Josa Peit all about?
• “On The Low” from E-A Ski and Locksmith.
• There’s two new songs from Game called “Young Stunnas” featuring Birdman and “Lovebirds.”
• “Mr. Prescription” is another medical-themed song from Dr. Dre created after his collaboration with Swizzy.
• The Project Pat Chronicles … as it should be.
• “Count It Up” by Young Jeezy featuring Trae The Truth.
• Trae The Truth is also on board for “Gwap” by Rich Boy.
• Romanian hip hop? Why not? Autopsie is from SHUTZ/C.C.
• Will.i.am is all in for “Hot Wings” with Jamie Foxx.
• Who are Crystal Fighters and how did they get to do Plage complete at Abbey Road? No idea.
• Quit playing like some of you don’t want Taylor Swift Abbey Road Studios songs too.
• Here’s a whole big dose of Jadakiss, Welcome To My Hood is a new mix tape courtesy of Tapemasters, Inc.
• Fiddy! Don’t Call It A Comeback Vol. 1 is a collection of Curtis for you.
• Something similar from Lil Wayne, here’s Tear Drop Tune 4
• “Take U Home” by Snoop Dogg has Too $hort, Daz Dillinger and Kokane. He also took on the John Legend/Kanye West track “Eyez Closed” and here’s his album Doggumentary
• Apparently Kimberly Caldwell was a contestant on American Idol apparently, and she’s releasing an album called Without Regret it seems.
• Block Illegal is the new mix take from Slim Dunkin and D-Bo, presented by Trap-A-Holics and DJ Spinz.
• Something Big is a the new gospel album from Mary Mary.
• What did those American Idol people sing? Here are their studio recordings from this season’s top 11 contestants.

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): “Girls All Around The World” by Lloyd featuring Lil Wayne

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 …

Rest In Power, Nathaniel Hale

I’VE HEARD IT AND IT’S WORTH A LISTEN

• In case you’ve been living under a bus and didn’t hear, . In any case, some of his music has been collected in different places, like Street Kings Volume 6: R.I.P. Nate Dogg Edition and Best of Nate Dogg (RIP) (I liked the cover more, so I included it here).
• Tired of waiting for D’angelo to get his act together and drop some new music? You could check out Rudoo — a set of remixes from producyer Daru.
• Sorry about that last link for Pharoahe Monch’s W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) album, this one shouldn’t have all the label shout outs and all that.
• Original songs from Glee you say? Sign me up.

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

• Is Kelly Rowland’s “I’m Dat Chick” a response to Rihanna? Like I care.
• Despite the cover, Rhythm & Screw 4 actually has some decent songs on it, including cuts from Lloyd, Trey Songz, Miguel and Ne-Yo.
• Despite some linguistic choices I don’t agree with, J. Cole is impressing me with his lyrical dexterity and his production abilities. “The Good Son Part 1″ is an unreleased track that didn’t make his Friday Night Lights mix tape, but may see the light of dat one of these days. He also dropped “Killers” this last week.
• The new album from Panic At The Disco is called Vices and Virtues and after loving the first album and finding the second one rather “meh,” I’m curious to see if they got their mojo back.
• A new album from Canibus came out of nowhere, called Training Ops and including a song called “Tell The Truth” which disses — brace yourself — legendary Gangstarr beatmaker DJ Premier. Seriously. Who does that? I’ve gotta play this one …
• What’s that Premier already responded musically? Oh, is that the way it is? Okay …
• I loved “Fireflies,” so word out about the new Owl City single “Alligator Sky” featuring Shawn Chrystopher has me a little hyped up.
• Did I post the new album from Nicole Sherin … Schzhwe … crap, lemme copy paste this … “Scherzinger?” Did I? Anyway, here’s Killer Love
• Is The Bar Mitzvah an EP from backpack rap legend Planet Asia?
• Phase 3 has a new song called “Conscious” off their mixtape The Reason Why, and are described as having “a late 90s or 200 esq vibe, kind of like a Ruff Endz feel.”
• Missed this for St. Patrick’s Day, but here’s a mash up called
• Young Lloyd! The newly signed Universal crooner has two new songs called “Is It You” and “Don’t You Wanna Know?”
• I posted something about The Weeknd last week, and now their whole album House of Balloons is available.
• Field Mob pays tribute to “Keyshia Cole” on a track named after her.
• “Shades” is a new song by Keri Hilson, produced by Polow Da Don.
• Then “Joan of Arc” is a new single from Ryan Leslie off his upcoming album, Les is More.
• Camp Lo + Pete Rock have come together as 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s and their new song “Mic Check” (apologies to Aceyalone).
• Leona Lewis recorded “A Thousand Lights” for her 2009 album Echo, but it somehow didn’t make the cut.

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

• I’ve needed to beef up this section with stuff I ignore. Here’s the perfect start, stuff that I would never pay attention to: Charlie Sheen Meets Mel Gibson by Benja Styles & Jakk Frost … yeah.
• West Coast Lockdown Vol. 2 (House Party Edition) features dedications to ignorance like Too $hort’s “Blow The Whistle,” Dr. Dre & Kurupt on “Let’s Get High” and … wait, they have “Let’s Get Down” by Tony Toni Tone and DJ Quik? That’s pretty good. The rest of it, though, is kind of on that mess …
• Oh, a whole mix-tape of “freestyles” from Lloyd Banks … that’s great, thanks.
• Speaking of Lloyd Banks, he helps out Maino on “Yes Yes Y’all”
• I won’t play — I love lots of stuff from Trey Songz, but his “rap” edge is a little too DRS for me (did I go too far back on that one?) … but if you like it, his song “ShouldaBeenARapper” is probably right up your alley.
• Produce-a-palooza? Dr. Dre and Swizz Beatz have a song called “Chillin” that might suit your fancy, if lyrics aren’t that important. (confession: I haven’t heard it)
• In the “stuff I would never play category,” “You Like Me Better Rich” is from 50 Cent. Or, here’s “SMS Get The Message” too.
• Rick Ross recruited his new signee Wale (who is, to me, the poor man’s J. Cole) for a remix of his song RetroSuperFuture with Wiz Khalifa.
• Game drops a lot of songs. Here’s one now: “Keepin’ It Real”
• I don’t understand Red Cafe. Even in today’s watered down industry, he’s super mediocre. Anyway, here’s two new songs called “The Realest” and “Everyday’s A Weekend.”
• “The Ruler” is a new song by Rich Boy. You know, why not?
• Game has a tribute to the late Nate Dogg called “All Doggs Go To Heaven” because … well, he loves the west freaking coast.
• Drummer Travis Barker is making big moves with his new project, and on “Can A Drummer Get Some” has Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Swizz Beatz along side.
• Young Dro doesn’t need your pen — he said, “I Co-Sign Myself”
• Do you watch American Idol? Me neither, but here’s a lot of songs they sang, or something.
• I haven’t been enjoying Timbaland’s digital leak series called #TimbalandThursdays, and the idea of “All Y’all” with Attitude and Short Dawg doesn’t fill me with excitement either.
• Mobb Deep, “Love Y’all More” and what have you.
• Snoop Dogg wants you to “Choose” his new song, produced by Black Mob.
• Plies has a new mixtape called I F*** With The DJ … does that mean he gets down with the DJ, or he torments him? I don’t get it …
• Just because everybody was talking about it, here’s “Friday” by Rebecca Black, whoever that is.

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): “Hey Mr. DJ” by Zhane

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

• New music from Glee — need I say any more?
• If you’re not playing “Out Of My Head” by Lupe Fiasco feat. Trey Songz, then you’re out of your freaking mind. This is a hit … and not just because DJ Felli Fel literally played it five times in a row.

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

• Lupe Fiasco is the man of the hour, and he’s been performing “Stereo Sun” in concert, yet it didn’t make the album or any of the previous mixtapes.
• Actor Donald Glover rules as Troy on Community so will his Childish Gambino EP rock the party? It comes highly recommended.
• How about a mash up? “Lonely People Around The World” brings Daft Punk together with the Beatles.
• Jean Grae, Talib Kweli and … okay, I don’t know how Styles P ended up on “R.I.P.” (produced by Ski Beatz) but hey, rock on.
• What the what? A new song called “Don’t Get Clapped” … from EPMD? Cool — I’m glad that Erick’s getting himself ready for our joint keynote address for Blogworld 2012.
• Two new Trey Songz cuts? Here’s “When I See You” and “I Refuse”
• Usher + T-Pain? Yeah, no telling when “Next Contestant” was recorded, but here it is.
• Motivated is apparently a new album from T-Pain. Wait, what?
• Songwriter/producer Bei Major just dropped his new Throwback mixtape, dedicated to the music he enjoyed coming up.
• The Strokes keep dropping new songs from their upcoming album Angles including “Machu Picchu” and “Taken For A Fool.”
• Hot damn! New Les Nubians song, “Veullez Veiller Sur Vous” … okay, sorry, you’d have to audio capture it, but still!
• Alt rock fans might recognize The Kills and the new song from them is “DNA” …
• Completely new album from The RZA? Digital Bullet is all kinds of interesting.
• Time for another new cut from Jennifer Hudson (remember she didn’t win American Idol? Go with that) called “Gone” off her new album, I Remember Me.
• More Jane Grae? “Base For Your Face” is Lil B’s song, but Grae joins in as well as Phonte and production from 9th Wonder.
• I love Mateo’s voice, and if he wants to do a version of “Power” with Pusha T and Ab-Liva, well, that’s all right with me.
• One guy’s not waiting to cash in on that Glee momentum, and that’s Mark Morrison with his new single “Summer Rain”
• At least one of the links for F.A.M.E. — the new album from Chris Brown — still works.

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

• Femme Fatale is the new album by Britney Spears. You know, why not? Only click the first one, the other links have been whacked already.
• Do you watch American Idol? Me neither, but apparently here’s studio recordings of stuff they sang this season or something.
• A song by Gucci Mane called “24 Hours” … you know, why not?
• Why is Ron Artest making songs like “Peanut Butta” with YG, Ray J and DJ Paul? It’s hard to say. He makes unusual decisions.
• Lil Kim’s new mixtape Black Friday — is it sad, or frustrating? Hard to tell.
• Is “Wicked Games” by The Weeknd good? Some say so.
• If you were looking for a record that’s the polar opposite of what I like to hear, you’d probably pull up Houston Smokers Only as it revels in its ignorance.
• Ditto Strictly 4 Traps N Trunks 14
• My kid loves Selena Gomez, so okay, “Who Says” is her new song. Okay.

Two years ago today, my beautiful wife made me the luckiest man in the world when she agreed to be joined with me to create a family. She’s better than I deserve and she’s amazing in every way. Happy anniversary, love.

Watching (Hulu): The Colbert Report for February 17, 2011