| the single life: issue twenty two |

// Chris Brown f. Joelle James - Leave The Club //

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Is it just me, or is Chris Brown the R&B version of Lil' Wayne? All these mixtapes are extras leaking in the last year or so have kept the once-villified star steadily in our sights. Of course, non of this would matter if the stuff he was putting out sucked. Thankfully though, a lot of it is top notch material. "Leave The Club" is a smooth jam featuring sweet-singing YouTube sensation Joelle James, whom Brown recently signed to his CBE sub-label. The pair have some nice chemistry and they make great use of another excellent Justice League production.

// J. Cole - Be (Freestyle) //

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Acknowledging he didn't mean to compete with Jay-Z and Kanye's Throne drop, J. Cole decided it would be safe to put out a quick 3-track download for his fans via his Twitter. Going in on Common's classic BE intro, Cole definitely does his thing. Best line: "Cole got delivery, bitch - you got Digiorno's." #niceee If you missed him last time he was in town, check him out @ The Vogue theatre on August 23rd.

// Big Sean f. Rick Ross & Pusha T - 100 Keys //

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Continuing his staggering rise to pop music prominence, Big Sean is giving us a surprisingly solid debut with Finally Famous. Backed by impressive guests and top tier production, the Detroit-bred rapper really is doing it big. While many of the tracks from the album are winners, my pick comes from the Deluxe Edition. The energy of the synths and the flawless timing of the piano riffs in the hook are irresistable. This is a different type of hustle anthem. It's not trap music or another DJ Khaled street banger, and I actually like that. A nod to WrighTrax for the beat is also well-deserved.

// XV - Foreign Exchange Student //

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I was a bit late getting to this, but I've recently been getting solid replay value out of XV's latest mixtape, Zero Heroes. The diverse rapper from Kansas has been b-u-s-y in the last 5 years. He's put out 16 mixtapes and 1 LP. If it wasn't obvious just from the album art, XV isn't afraid to mix it up and draw from various sources and genres. One of my favourite tracks from Zero Heroes is "Foreign Exchange Student." Sampling Miami Horror's "Holidays," Vizzy oozes about a girl who kills it in Black Ops, listens to The Pixies (religiously), and dresses her ass off to boot. Yeah, that'd be nice. Keep your eyes open for XV's new album coming sometime later this year.

// Elle Varner f. J. Cole - Only Wanna Give It To You //

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For a while, it was killing me that I couldn't figure out with 90's R&B track this reminded me of. Then it hit me: Groove Theory - Tell Me. What a classic throwback. (It makes me want to go on an Amel Larrieux DL spree!) R&B newcomer Elle Varner packs a bit more punch than Ms. Larrieux, and I would consider her new single with J. Cole a hit. The track is turning heads for its old school vibe. Get it on your summer playlist, pronto.

 // Big K.R.I.T. f. Yelawolf - Happy Birthday Hip-Hop //

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A early gift of rapper/producer Big K.R.I.T.'s soon-to-be released mixtape, Last King 2: God's Machine, "Happy Birthday Hip-Hop" is an ultra cool summer joint. Joined by Yelawolf, the two southern rappers toast hip hop over a jazzy piano-laden beat. The instrumental feels so good - I'll give God's Machine a serious listen if the rest of it sounds anything like this. Even with the DJ tags at the beginning, do not sleep on this! It's too sick.

// Washed Out - A Dedication //

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I've been a fan of Washed Out for years, and I was really happy to see his recently released Within and Without get such a positive reception. Boasting dreamy arrangements and surprising depth, the album really is a treat to behold. "A Dedication" ends the masterwork with a plodding, methodical clinic on nostalgic music-making. I never ever bothering to decipher the lyrics - all you need to do is just put it on and lay around for an hour or two. Best served on lazy summer afternoons.

// Pusha T f. Tyler, The Creator - Trouble On My Mind //

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Pusha's back, this time teaming with fiendish rap enigma Tyler, The Creator. Making a team of "hipsters, felons and thugs," Pusha's Re-Up fam shot the video alongside members of Tyler's OFWGKTA crew. The grimey beat complements both rappers in entirely different ways, but still manages to find balance. Still on the fence about Tyler's antics, I regrettably give him top marks for outshining Pusha. "Trouble On My Mind" will appear on Pusha's upcoming 9-track EP titled Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray.

// Gardens & Villa - Black Hills //

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Equipped with a wide-ranging array of sounds, California's Gardens & Villa recently made a decent splash with their self-titled debut album. My favourite track so far is the synth-heavy single, "Black Hills." Lead singer Adam Rasmussen's whimsical falsetto grows on you in a way not unlike that of Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes. I'd recommend their album for a good listen or two - you'll find at least one or two tracks to keep. Gardens & Villa will be making a stop in Seattle on October 11th @ The Sunset.

// Lloyd - Naked //

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At first I thought this song was kind of corny, but it grew on me. It's a rare successful attempt at something new for the grown and sexy. It's not old Barry White, but Lloyd takes a pretty good shot at creating something sexy without it coming across as sleazy or lame. (see: whatever song that was about him missing that pussy. Seriously, what was that garbage?)

| best of 2010: 29 - 20 |

29. Lil’ Wayne f. Drake – Right Above It

As hip-hop continues to be dominated by punch-line rap, it should come as no surprise that Young Money honcho Lil’ Wayne and top protégé Drake continued to feast like kings throughout 2010. While some may think the emphasis on one-liners takes away from storytelling and actual rhyming, no one can dispute the fact that these two are the leaders of the pack. “Right Above It” is boastful, but still has a positive tone to it. Weezy’s hook is almost like a call to all Young Money fans (of which there are plenty these days), smartly milking the cult-like following the fledgling label has earned over the past few years. This kind of “you’re either with us or against us” philosophy isn’t new by any means, but it sure is a powerful tool when used properly (see: The Miami Heat).

28. Lupe Fiasco – I’m Beaming

If you can’t tell, I’ve got a jones for positive rap. As long as rap exists, there will always be a market for the hard, dark, grimy aspects of hip-hop culture. What we should celebrate is artists who want to change the game and help it evolve. While he doesn’t always hit the mark with his highly-opinionated lyrics, Lupe Fiasco should be applauded for using his voice to create change. His forthcoming album, L.A.S.E.R.S. is an acronym for “Love Always Shines Everytime, Remember 2 Smile.” On the single, “I’m Beaming,” the Chicago-bred emcee bangs a drum for today’s young dreamers, imploring them shed their dark futures and join him in the metaphoric spotlight. Whatever your calling is, Fiasco empowers you to march to the beat of your own drum.

27. Big Boi f. Yelawolf – You Ain’t No DJ

On an album chock-full of winners, I could not possibly ignore “You Ain’t No DJ.” The ATL hip-hop ambassador teamed up with Yelawolf to basically talk shit to wannabe emcees and DJ’s, trading verses seamlessly and scorching the competition. The off-kilter Andre-3000 production is a perfect platform for the two unconventional emcees. As the words fly like expertly-thrown daggers, the condescending tone is ironically welcome. The difference this and some bum rapper’s diss track is that Big Boi’s pedigree commands respect. It’s no coincidence that no one dared to respond to this track. “You Ain’t No DJ” is the first and last shot fired. It’s a one punch knockout made possible by lyrical acrobatics and a history of excellence on both the street and mainstream levels.

26. Arcade Fire – We Used To Wait

There’s a good chance Arcade Fire’s “We Used To Wait” wouldn’t have made it this high (or at all) on this countdown if it weren’t for the brilliant music video. Whether by streaming concerts for free online, or being the first to stage a music video website built on HTML 5, Arcade Fire stayed on top of emerging online trends to push their popularity to wild heights. Each strike of the piano is instantly given life as you see the opening scene of the music video – the character (yourself) literally running home. It hits on many levels: nostalgia, loathing of adulthood, regret, etc. “We Used to Wait” is also on the tamer end of Arcade Fire’s musical spectrum, which is a nice departure from their normally-raucous sound.

25. Kanye West f. John Legend – Blame Game

As My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is Kanye’s most intimate work to date, no other song on the album is more personal than “Blame Game.” Magic always seems to happen when Kanye and long-time collaborator John Legend jump on a track together. The content reminds me much of one of my all-time favourites by Eminem, “Love You More.” The volatile nature of Kanye’s high-profile romances (i.e. Amber Rose) no doubt provided plenty of fodder for him to tell this tale. Legend’s piano accompaniment is heart-touching: delicate, sombre, and almost mournful. Chris Rock appears to lighten the mood for the final 2:30 of the track. His presence isn’t all that important aside from adding insult to injury for Yeezy’s former flame. Yeah, Yeezy’s enormous ego taught you.

24. Quadron – Baby Be Mine (Cover)

When covering any of Michael Jackson’s classics, one must be sure to provide an interesting twist. If done in the same style as the original, the song dies a quick and furious death as soon as anyone with a shred of music intelligence identifies it as a shitty imitation. I was mildly interested when I saw that Danish electro-soul duo Quadron had tried their hand at MJ. I read the description and saw that the response was actually quite favourable. Whereas MJ’s “Baby Be Mine” was funky and up-tempo, Quadron brings things to a slow crawl. Replacing MJ’s charisma is Coco’s subdued yearning. The song’s transformation is remarkable – almost to the point where the connection between the two isn’t readily apparent. A spoken piece from the King of Pop creeps in just before the end of the song as a nice homage to the fallen icon. A must-have.

23. Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina – Stereo Love

This is a bit of a cheater pick because the song actually came out in Europe during Summer 2009. The dance anthem didn’t hit North American shores until early 2010 (which is when most of us finally heard about it), so here it is. “Stereo Love” is the first single from Romanian musician/producer/DJ Edward Maya. This collaboration with DJ/singer Vika Jigulina has turned into a global hit, spending a record 52 weeks atop the European Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was also re-released in Canada as a cover New Brunswick’s Mia Martina replacing Jigulina. Though popular, Maya never the Mia Martina version and openly debunked it on his webpage. If you have a problem with Vika Jigulina’s accent, then the Mia Martina version might be a better pick. My vote goes to the original.

22. Janelle Monae – Say You’ll Go

How Janelle Monae can generate such huge sound from such a tiny package never ceases to amaze me. In 2010, the petite siren finally broke into the mainstream with The ArchAndroid. Combining a unique musicality and enough vocal chops to fill a football stadium, Monae’s album was more than satisfying for her fans and was spot-on in displaying her diverse artistic repertoire. Much like most of the album, “Say You’ll Go” is spectacular in every sense of the word. Theatrical and extravagant in composition, it even manages to incorporate “Claire de Lune,” which caught me by surprise. Classy, dramatic pop courtesy of an out-of-this-world talent.

21. T.I. f. Kanye West & Kid Cudi – Welcome to the World

Thanks to his latest incarceration, T.I. finds his role diminished on what was easily the best song off No Mercy. “Welcome to the World” is a splash of cold water to face of those living life through rose-coloured glasses. T.I. and Kanye relate their stories of the street life and the dark side of celebrity while Kanye and Cudi caution obsessed females on the hook. “If you’re lookin for real love, it ain’t here my dear,” groans Cudi. T.I. rips his verse, filling his bars with series of visceral, stuttering rhymes aimed at pretty much anyone in his way. Kanye spends his words on the subject of gossipmongers and conspiracies against – what else? – Black people.  

20. Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea

No one personifies “delicate” more than Corinne Bailey Rae. Even looking at her wiry frame, you feel like tossing her a Whopper or two. Sure, she has decent pipes, but what makes her unique is her ability to drop down to that whisper-quiet level and draw us into the song. “The Sea” seems to be about cheating, and the feelings of foolishness and disbelief that accompany the moment you realize the truth. The crushing defeat is penned as beautifully as one could ever imagine. Bailey Rae proves once again and soulful doesn’t necessarily mean louder.

| best of 2010: 39 - 30 |

39. Martin Solveig f. Dragonette – Hello

Martin Solveig has been putting out top tier work as a DJ and producer for the better part of the last decade. Since 2002, his star has risen steadily thanks to the his DJ residency at Paris’ famed Les Bains Douche and a stream of hits on the European circuit. It doesn’t hurt to have superstar friends as well, as evidenced by Bob Sinclar’s major spot in the video for “Hello.” With vocals being provided by one-time collaborator Martina Sorbara of Dragonette, “Hello” is an instantly addictive dance hit. A standard boom boom clap intro sets the table before giving way to a stompy piano loop that will surely tattoo itself on your brain. The lyrics are sassy, uncomplicated, and easily committed to memory. It has already peaked at #1 in many countries and will surely receive heavy rotation well into 2011.

38. The Backbeats – Landslide (Cover)

I was a sucker for The Sing-Off, which wrapped up its second season in December. While I don’t disagree with Committed taking the crown, The Backbeats were full value all season long. Lead vocalist Joanna Jones wowed me pretty much every time she took the mic. Her lead on the group’s cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” on the show’s finale was something to behold, and was routinely boosted as one of the best if not the best performance of the season. The L.A.-based supergroup put together an amazing arrangement and knocked this one out of the park. The studio version lacks some of the lustre of the live performance, but is still a must have.

37. Kanye West f. RZA, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz & Cyhi the Prynce – So Appalled

I know a lot of people find this song is pretty ridiculous (no pun intended), but I still haven’t gotten sick of it despite how many times I’ve listened to it over the past few months. The beat is downright treacherous, plodding as the stacked cast of emcees lace the track with their stories of “what appalling means to me.” Jay-Z took a little heat for his MC Hammer jab, but I love everything about “So Appalled.” The hook is a like a street credo: “Life can be sometimes ridiculous.” Not just ridiculous, but fucking ridiculous. We all know the saying, “when it rains, it pours.” For all those times when it’s pouring, you can’t help but just give in and admit that life is screwing you large. “One hand in the air, if you don’t really care.”

36. B-Roc (of The Knocks) – Glad I Got Nothin’ On You (D. Gookin x BOB)

The Knocks have now appeared on the list a couple of times, and we now focus on one-half of the production duo. B-Roc has gained a modest amount of internet love for a few blend/mash-up albums he’s done in the last couple of years. The most recent, The Transplant II, was a joy to listen to. While it loses steam at certain points, it’s a very strong effort on the whole. Even better, B-Roc released – for free download – an album featuring many of the Transplant II tracks broken up into individual tracks. My favourite is a mashup of D. Gookin’s “Glad I Met You” and B.o.B & Bruno Mars’ “Nothin’ On You.” Listening to it just makes me look forward to the summer and good times.

35. Yelawolf f. Gucci Mane – Wanna Party

Something about this song makes me think this is one sketchy party. Yelawolf teams up with chronic law-runner Gucci Mane to have some fun with what sounds like a team of top notch hoes. As far as imagery goes, the crystal-clear vision of a semi-conscious female appears every time the words, “I just wanna partyyy...” separate the rappers’ verses. Whenever this hook drops, my girlfriend always glares at me and says “God, who talks like that?” I definitely haven't shown her the video. It’s no secret that I think Yelawolf is on the verge of huge things in the rap game. “Wanna Party” is the one track that whets my appetite the most when I think about what 2011 could have in store for the Shady signee. Exacting and almost mechanical in his delivery, it seems almost as if there’s no way Yelawolf can’t be the next great white hype.

34. Robyn – Indestructible (Acoustic Version)

2010 was a ginormous year for Swedish pop superstar, Robyn. Well-documented was her bolt to fame in the late 90’s with “Show Me Love.” It’s been a few years, and while she’s pretty well fell off the North American radar, she continues to be huge in Europe. As the global music landscape shifts more towards electro/synth-heavy pop, Robyn has been recognized as a leading voice in the genre. Despite this, I’ve chosen to go with the acoustic cut of “Indestructible,” from Body Talk 2. Sometimes masked by the buzzing synths that dominate her music, her voice is actually pretty nice. This version of the song also features some classy string passages, which I’m always a sucker for. 

33. Corinne Bailey Rae – Paris Nights, New York Mornings

I’ve never met a person who’s heard CBR who didn’t like her. I oozed about her on last year’s countdown, and here I am doing it again. The only difference this time is that I’m highlighting the fabulously up-tempo “Paris Nights, New York Mornings” instead of the heartbreaking “I’d Do It All Again.” The song transitions quickly, as Corinne sings about a blissfully infatuous love. Even as the song picks up pace, it (thankfully) never feels like a full-on headbanger. Instead, it culminates into explosions of colour, once again showcasing the delicate but deliberate nature of Bailey Rae’s artistry.

32. Nipsey Hussle f. Lloyd – Feelin’ Myself

A relative unknown until the splashy “Feelin’ Myself” dropped early last summer, Nipsey Hussle just might become a name worth remembering. The Lloyd-assisted track didn’t get as much love on the charts as it probably should have, but I found appreciation in it for being oddly uplifting. Considering a lot of the bragging that goes on in rap takes a very different tone, at least “Feelin’ Myself” feels like a “reach for the stars!” lesson in goal-making. Throw this on and give yourself a good look in the mirror. Now puff that chest out and conquer your life. Yeah, I got all that from Nipsey Hussle, accidental life mentor extraordinaire. 

31. Jai Paul – BTSTU

Another longlister for BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll, Jai Paul makes this list for his refined work on his single “BTSTU.” Although the track made waves in 2010, word is that he’s actually been shopping it as a demo for years. I would describe “BTSTU” as weird. Paul incorporates a multitude of influences here, from hip-hop to electronica to just plain odd. After a few listens, though, you’ll find yourself clapping to the beat. This is one of the few artists on this list who have virtually no other material of note to compare to... I hope he’s got more of this up his sleeve though.

30. Toro Y Moi – New Beat

Everyone love a little disco right? “New Beat” is simply one of the most danceable tracks I heard all of last year. True to his style, though, Toro Y Moi keeps things casual with his dream-like vocals. There will be no rumble at the discotheque as long as this track is spinning, but hearing it almost makes me want to have a dance-off with someone. It’s amusing to me that something sounding so much like it was plucked from the lost crates of a retired roller rink DJ would be called “New Beat,” but it doesn’t really matter what the song is called when it makes you move like this.

| keepin yo b*tch entertained |

// Yelawolf f. Gucci Mane - Wanna Party //



yela smashed his cipher at the BET Awards, and this video is a fine platform to set up his upcoming debut album. I can't wait to see where his career goes.

| sneak peek: you ain't no dj |

Slowly becoming one of my favourites off Sir Lucious... behind the scenes at the video shoot.


Video courtesy: Maurice Garland

| the single life: issue six |

// KiD CuDi - Mojo So Dope // *HOT!*

I've always liked Cudi, but this is probably the first time I felt comforted by the sound of his voice. It never really occured to me how much I dig that grizzly monotone of his. Props to Cudi's longtime production mate, Emile. Keep this one on repeat, kids... 

// DL //

// Yelawolf f. Gucci Mane - Wanna Party //

I'll be the first to admit, sometimes I'm just late to the party. Such is the case when it comes to Alabama-based rapper Yelawolf. I finally got on board after hearing him on Big Boi's "Ain't No DJ". Now guesting on tracks with some of rap's biggest acts, Yela is now focused on getting in with his idol: Eminem. Look for his debut, Trunk Muzik, dropping this year.

// DL //

// T.I. f. Lil' Wayne - Yeah //

Off T.I.'s recently-released Fuck A Mixtape. It's always nice to hear Weezy without the autotune. He does it well, but I'll take his original sound over that any day. There's a throwback quality to this track, and I love it. Two kings doin their thing..


// DL //

// Usher f. Jay-Z & Ester Dean - Hot Toddy // *HOT!*



I have no idea what a "Hot Toddy" is, but this collabo is unstoppable. Also consider that Ester Dean's vocals are just a reference for Ciara, who's to fill the female part on the final release. HUGE track for the clubs but still a solid choice for a house party. Welcome back, Ursh.

// DL // 

// Nelly - Tippin' in the Club (Clean) //

Vintage! Love him or hate him, the guy can still make a hit record. It's very unlikely he'll ever drum up another "Dilemma", but he's in good shape if his next album, Nelly 5.0, sounds more or less like this. Kind of a lame-duck album title, but you know it'll sell just fine.

// DL //

// Natalia Kills - Zombie (Kleerup Remix) //

As we continue in the era of electro-pop, it looks like we can expect to see many more newcomers like Natalia Kills taking their shot at stardom. The protege of BEP's will.i.am, the brunette stunner's single, "Zombie" recently got a little love from Kleerup. Which is better: the original or the remix?

// DL //

// KiD CuDi f. Kanye West - Erase Me //

A nod to Weezer? I'm not crazy about this song, but it showcases how dynamic Cudi is. Right now, he's the best at changing gears and never losing stride. Kanye's just alright on this one.

// DL //

// Jens Lekman - The End of the World is Bigger Than Love //

I was wild about Lekman's 2007 album, Night Falls Over Kortedala. The Swedish singer's "The Opposite of Hallelujah" is a classic, in my opinion. Here is the lead single from his yet-to-be-release album.

// DL //

// Ludacris - How Low (DJ Philistine Shine On Remix) //

I yawned over Battle of the Sexes, but this remix from smalltime DJ Philistine puts an interesting spin on the lead single "How Low". It's basically a mashup with a remix of Sunloverz' "Shine On". Not a bad idea to throw this on a party playlist.


// DL //

// J. Cole - Problems //

The promising young member of Jay-Z's Roc Nation label, J. Cole has been hard at work releasing street singles and prepping his first studio album, Cole World. Lyrically, he's consistently solid, and I like how addresses some real issues in this song. J. Cole is definitely one to keep an eye on.

// DL //