Baby Flow

Children are oftentimes more coherent than adults. Peep this baby freestyling in the UK. He's a beast. The gestures, the facial expressions, his hand resting on homie's soldier. I tell you, the boy is making all types of perfect sense. It's our adult sensibilities that can't grasp his perfection.

I.CAN'T.STOP.WATCHING.

Today

Scale it Back

DJ Shadow has just released The Less You Know, The Better. His site is also hosting a competition for the best remix of the song "Scale it Back" featuring Little Dragon. For some reason, I just adored the illustrations for the track. Had to share:

And of course, enjoy the video:

I Want to Sing Like This

I had the opportunity to see this woman sing at Lake Sebu. She is one of the most well known T'Boli singers around. Her voice is amazing. I wish I could just sit and learn from her and sing, sing, sing like this.

Rani Mukerji

I can't stop listening to this song off Blue Scholars' Cinematropolis!!!

"She got her hands in the air
Holding most of the sky
Still got time to stay fly...

...Don't need to flaunt,
Don't need to hide
Brown skinned lady
Let your darkness just shine!

...so many love songs,
but you never heard this."
-Blue Scholars

Twice

"Twice I turn my back on you
I fell flat on my face but didn't loose
Tell me where would I go
Tell me what led you on I’d love to know

Was it the blue night
Gone fragile
Was it both men
In wonder steady gone under
Was it the light ways
So frightening
Was it two wills
One mirror holding us dearer now"

Funding and Support from the People

Yo! Respect to the Blue Scholars for this project called Cinemetropolis. In their effort to release their new record in true independent fashion, "No record label. No marketing and distribution deal. No middlemen. No bullsh*t," the Blue Scholars signed their record to the people enlisting the support of fans through the medium of Kickstarter. Depending on the amount invested, backers were promised advanced digital copies of the album, an actual cd copy, vinyl record, etc.

What I love about the project to sign to the people is that it gives the consumer the opportunity to give what we can and/or value the work and contributions of the Blues Scholars for what we think it's worth. So, if we feel the quality of their work (based on past experience) is worth more than a $12 cd, then we can give $50 instead. Sure, there's compensation, but there's absolutely an opportunity for choice and some self determination through this model.

And does it work? Hell yeah, it works. Out of a fundraising goal of $25,000, the Blue Scholars made more than $60,000 off the project. It's a testament to their artistry, intelligence and loyal fan base. Definitely a great teaching and learning experience from the Blue Scholars...as usual.

He Won't Go

Amazing song off Adele's new record

Immigraniada -Gogol Bordello

So crazy, but so ill at the same time!!

"To hell with your double standards...we comin' rougher every time!"

Gogol Bordello "Immigraniada" from Isaiah Seret on Vimeo.

Lisa Ono -Dahil Sayo

Wow. This version of Dahil Sayo is pretty dope if you like Bossa Nova. Love it.

Blue Scholars "Cinematropolis" Project

There are so many reasons why I love the Blue Scholars, and now I have one more reason to respect their work. This year, they'll be completing a project called Cinematropolis and instead of going through the conventional record label route, they're calling the people to make a deal with them instead. We pledge to the project and make it happen as a community. Geo describes it in the video below and you can read more about it at the Cinematropolis Kickstarter Page. Good stuff. Great stuff.

Loving You is Killing Me and Lil Limbs

Was reading Today's Love on Colorlines and thoroughly enjoyed this video from Aloe Blacc. The limbs of the baby dancing in this video are soooo small and precious. Dope music and fun video!! Peep!!

Western Identity vs. The Drums

Totally stole this from Chucky's Archival Blog. Reminds me of the Tribal Tour:

"As horrified witnesses of ecstatic ritual, Europeans may have learned very little about the peoples they visited (and often destroyed in the process) - their deities and traditions, their cultures and worldview. But they did learn, or imaginatively construct, something centrally important about themselves: that the essence of the Western mind, and particularly the Western male, upper-class mind, was its ability to resist the contagious rhythm of the drums, to wall itself up in a fortress of ego and rationality against the seductive wildness of the world."

– Barbara Ehrenreich, Dancing in the Streets

A Luv Supreme -7Samurai

I'm finished. I just listened to A Luv Supreme by 7Samurai (2005) for the 80th time and I'm just done. You need these tracks in your life, particularly Marvin. They do an amazing job of mixing two of my favorite sounds on this compilation -Classic Soul and Latin Rhythms/Samba. I'm in love.

So Far To Go Winner

Earlier in 2010 The J Dilla Foundation announced an art contest in honor of Dilla's lifetime and work called So Far To Go. I heard about the contest through my homie Pro Blak who entered one of his gorgeous paintings. The artists were recently chosen and while Pro Blak didn't win I had to share the first place piece by Joe Buck. It's TIGHT! (Peep a larger image on the website above.)

Commas, Late Mornin', and Favela Gyal

This entry contains three completely different points of topic.

1. I use way too many commas in my writing. I've had a feeling that's the way I was, but as I read and re-read my writing I'm like, "Really Biba? All those commas?"

2. Late Mornin' by Q-Tip -mmmmm, feels good.

3. Favela Gyal by 7 Samurai feat. McCoppa is a PRRRRROOOBBLEEM.

You've Been Flirting Again

Two songs for you today! Love this Bjork joint's violins -so sweet it pulls on your blood.

Lovely, Lovely

Me'Shell!!

Check this tight interview with Me'Shell as well. Love!

Should've Been There

This joint makes me wanna get up and dance...think I might just do that...tahtah!

Still 27

Was sending a friend some music and started listening to 27 by the Blue Scholars. As I'm still in my 27th year, I thought this was a perfect song for this year!!

"On my 27th round trip around the sun

Counting every blessing, reminiscing on the drum

But not for a second forgetting where I'm from

Others grip the gun, my weapon is my tongue."