The Originators

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Audio: Asher Roth – Outside

Audio: Big K.R.I.T. “Yeah Dats Me”

Over the weekend, Big K.R.I.T. delivered the next leak from his forthcoming Live From The Underground (dropping June 5th)–except ‘leak’ makes it sound like helium escaping from a balloon and this joint feels more like a leather-upholstered two-by-four upside your head. You might want to black out that date, other rappers. This album is gonna be a tough one to compete with.

Audio: Kendrick Lamar “War Is My Love”

When doing these themed songs meant for soundtracks, video games, commercials etc. it’s always a little tricky making music that is good enough to stand on its’ own outside of the product it’s endorsing. Kendrick Lamar is the latest rapper to make an attempt with his new song “War Is My Love” which is featured in Tom Clancy’s video game Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (dropping tomorrow). While I can definitely rock to this while in the trenches about to snipe out the enemy in a first-person shooter styled game, I don’t know if I’d give it much burn outside of that (though I may just be setting the bar too high after his last two songs).

“When I recorded ‘War Is My Love,’ I did my best to put myself in the shoes of the Ghosts from the video game and capture that feeling of being willing to wage war and do whatever it takes to claim victory and when I started really getting into the game, I thought it actually matched perfectly.”

Video: Frank Ocean Previews New Song “Summer Remains”

With his right hand to God, left hand holding the jewels, Frank Ocean debuts a work in progress tentatively titled “Summer Remains.” In a possible nod to youtube piano covers, Ocean documents his first stab at the new composition–chords somehow reminiscent of Prince/Sinead O’Connor‘s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” modified with Frank’s distinctive mix of vulnerability and attitude–in a demo tape/home movie style and signs off with ”just at home f**kin around, no judging.” I am gonna ignore those instructions straight from the door and judge it to be potentially pretty dope. Find a screencap of the lyrics-sheet at Ocean’s tumblr.

Audio: Oh No “3 Dollars” Feat. DOOM

Oh No recruits the Metal Face Villain DOOM for this album cut “3 Dollars.” Despite what the song title may imply, joints like this are priceless (though we’re giving it to you for the price of free). Brief, swift, and deadly get all 1:28 below. OhNomite will be out June 5th via Five Day Weekend – Cop the “3 Dollars” 5″ single via Stones Throw. Artwork by Jeff Jank and Charles Munka.

Audio: Rhettmatic – Excerpts From The SP1200 Volume 1 (1994-1998)

First of all, happy belated bday to the homie Rhettmatic, who brought in another 365 by giving the fans a gift. Rhett teamed with FWMJ and RappersIKnow to release Excerpts From The SP1200. With this volume 1 release, we get loose beats Rhett created on his SP between the years ’94 and ’98. Says the Beat Junkie of the sounds you’re hearing “What you hear is straight, raw, gritty, 12-bit texture, mono SP1200 beats with the ringy tone samples & smacking drum sounds.” If you’re a lover of that raw 90s boom bap sound head over the jump and check this one. Also read Rhett’s words on the history of the vintage drum machine sampler and how he fell in love with it.

Ah yes, the E-MU SP-1200…..the vintage drum machine sampler that has been used on a lot of classic Hip Hop albums. I remember when i first got my SP back in 1991, when they reissued the SP1200 with the black finish. The original version had grey finish; i bought mine for $2000…..that was a lot of me back in the day. This machine was made popular by producers such as Marley Marl, Dr. Dre, Dj Muggs, Large Professor, Q-Tip, Madlib, & of course Pete Rock….i was inspired to get one because all of my favorite producers during the late 80′s & early 90′s were using this to make all the classic Hip Hop songs that we all know & loved so well. My first official SP1200 beat on wax was the Key-Kool & Rhettmatic’s “E=MC5″ song with Ras Kass, LMNO, Meen Green, & Voodoo…..

So now, what you hear right now is some of old stash of SP1200 Beats that were made from 1994-1998. I actually recorded the beats straight from the SP1200, without any additional mixing…..just straight arrangement, & added scratches & sound effects to keep a little things interesting. What you hear is straight, raw, gritty, 12-bit texture, mono SP1200 beats with the ringy tone samples & smacking drum sounds. I hope you enjoy listening to them (& hopefully you’re not making fun of them) while walking down memory lane with me. Who knows, if the response is positive, i might put out more beats to listen….& maybe actually make some new ones too!

Video: MCA & Beastie Boys Honored By New York State Senate

In a turn of events that might have shocked his younger self, Adam Yauch BKA MCA of seminal Brooklyn hip-hop outfit The Beastie Boys was honored by the New York State Senate today for his contributions as an outstanding citizen of the 5 boroughs and champion of humanist causes. The NYSS framed it’s admiration in the form of the following resolution which simply by virtue of containing the line:

is already the best senate resolution ever. Watch Senator Squadron kick it live above.

The Originators ‘Vinyl Font’ Crew-Neck Now Available Online & at The Originators LA

CLICK TO PURCHASE

LA: Beat Junkies 20 Year Anniversary @ The Echoplex Sat., June 30th

The Amazing Spider-Man 3D 4-Minute Preview

Looking forward to the upcoming Spider-Man film? Hate movie surprises? Got four minutes? Then you might want to check out this “super preview,” of The Amazing Spider-Man, currently slated for a theater release on July 3. Rather than simply show four minutes of a single scene, this preview combines the main elements of several previously shown trailers and fleshes them out without (hopefully) revealing too much into the plot. We’d rather wait until July to learn the secret behind Peter Parker’s family, and find the true origins of Spider-Man.

Audio: Curren$y Feat. 2 Chainz – Capitol

Curren$y gives us the 2 Chainz feature from his upcoming album The Stoned Immaculate in stores June 5th.

June Release Date For Kanye West’s Air Yeezy 2 Sneaker Revealed

Kanye West’s anticipated Air Yeezy 2 sneaker has been a hot topic ever since he was spotted wearing them in the Kobe Bryant/Robert Rodriguez online short, “The Black Mamba.” While official imagery hit the Internet in March, an official release date has yet to be revealed.

While Nike has yet to confirm the date, sources say the June date is it. Stay tuned…

Video: The Hulk vs. Superman – DOPE Animated Fight

With the blockbuster “The Avengers” taking over theaters the past few weekends, interest in superheros has increased on the Internet, reviving a series of animated fan-made clips of The Hulk fighting Superman, which began in late 2010.

Apparently, from the videos’ descriptions, it’s an on-going project.

This is a continuation of the Intro scene I made six months ago. Hulk and Superman are in the desert and the fight begins. This is a work in progress and there is more battle scenes to come, this is just the first part. There will probably be two or three sequences to follow this, but I’m doing it in parts because it takes forever to get it done and I want share as it’s being completed. I’m open to suggestions and ideas from anyone, so let me know what you’d like to see in fight scenes to come. When all the scenes are done I plan to combine them together into one epic fight.

This is the second part to my ongoing animation project, a tribute project to Superman and The Incredible Hulk. As you’ll notice, the models and overall look has evolved and will continue to do so in future sequences. I’m already working on a new look for the Hulk on the next one. I got professional help this time in the music and sound design department, provided by the talented Francois Gratecap, which has made the whole project that much better. So my thanks to him.

The video is very impressive. We enjoyed it. Who will win the battle in the end? Tell us what you think?

Disco Legend Donna Summer Dead at 63

Disco legend Donna Summer passed away Thursday morning (May 17), succumbing to a long battle with cancer. She was 63 years old.

Summer released her last album, Crayons, in 2008. She also performed on “American Idol” that year with its top female contestants.