Be Cool

Be Cool http://becoolent.com/blog For the gorgeous and bourgeois, the cerebral and cool ... Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:24:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 For the gorgeous and bourgeois, the cerebral and cool ... no New Mixtape: Nicki Minaj “Barbie World” http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/18/new-mixtape-nicki-minaj-barbie-world/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/18/new-mixtape-nicki-minaj-barbie-world/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:12:02 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1986 ]]> http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/18/new-mixtape-nicki-minaj-barbie-world/feed/ 1 <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/nicki-minaj-barbie-world1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1987" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="It's Barbie, bitch!" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/nicki-minaj-barbie-world1.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="320" /></a>Look, I’m a <a href="http://twitter.com/nickiminaj" target="_blank">Nicki Minaj</a> fan. Sure, she’s riding the Lil Kim train a lil too hard, and sure, she can go overboard with the Wayneisms. But the woman can spit, simple and plain. I don’t understand how people can continue to deny this. After dropping one of last year’s hottest mixtapes with Beam Me Up, Scotty, Nicki the Ninja has returned with Barbie World, a new collection of tunes to keep us satiated until she drops her debut album. The track listing is as after the jump. <ol> <li>Barbie World Intro</li> <li>I Love You</li> <li>Girlfriend</li> <li>Fuck U Silly</li> <li>Mi Casa</li> <li>Out My Face</li> <li>Saxon Full Song</li> <li>Get Your Paper Up</li> <li>Little Freak</li> <li>Knckout</li> <li>Shake It For Daddy</li> <li>Take It Off</li> <li>Sex In Crazy Places</li> <li>Grinding Getting Money</li> <li>Ponytail</li> <li>The Cipher</li> <li>Fuck The B.S.</li> <li>Streets Is Watching</li> <li>Finale</li> <li>Roger That</li> <li>Bedrock</li> <li>Getting Paid</li> <li>Dang A Lang</li> </ol> Take a listen to the song “Fuck U Silly” featuring Cassie. Is Barbie World as epic as Beam Me Up, Scotty? Who knows. There’s a little too much material from the lackluster We Are Young Money album on here for my tastes. But you can <a href="http://becoolent.com/media/Nicki_Minaj-Barbie_World_The_Mixtape-2010.rar" target="_blank">download Barbie World here</a>. Let me know what you think. [<a href="http://becoolent.com/media/Nicki_Minaj-Barbie_World_The_Mixtape-2010.rar" target="_blank">Nicki Minaj "Barbie World" Download</a>] <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/07/lil-wayne-on-fire/" title="Lil Wayne “On Fire”">Lil Wayne “On Fire”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/new-music-lil-wayne-x-eminem-drop-the-world/" title="New Music: Lil Wayne x Eminem “Drop the World”">New Music: Lil Wayne x Eminem “Drop the World”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/11/26/lupe-fiasco-enemy-of-the-state-a-love-story-mixtape/" title="Lupe Fiasco “Enemy of the State: A Love Story” Mixtape">Lupe Fiasco “Enemy of the State: A Love Story” Mixtape</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/08/26/new-music-drake-x-lil-wayne-x-kanye-west-x-eminem-forever/" title="New Music: Drake x Lil Wayne [...] Look, I’m a Nicki Minaj fan. Sure, she’s riding the Lil Kim train a lil too hard, and sure, she can go overboard with the Wayneisms. But the woman can spit, simple and plain. I don’t understand how people can continue to deny [...] Brian Grosz and The Bad Idea Cover Spinal Tap http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/06/brian-grosz-the-bad-idea-cover-spinal-tap/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/06/brian-grosz-the-bad-idea-cover-spinal-tap/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:00:16 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1890 http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/06/brian-grosz-the-bad-idea-cover-spinal-tap/feed/ 1 <a href="http://www.lapdanceacademy.com/tap/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/briangroszTAP.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1891" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="briangroszTAP" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/briangroszTAP.jpg" alt="Brian Grosz and The Bad Idea" width="200" height="200" /></a>Lap Dance Academy has an all new set of Spinal Tap cover-songs from Brian Grosz & The Bad Idea, available for free download. They speak on it much, much better than I ever could: <blockquote>The delta-blues back-porch stomp of “Gimme Some Money” and the weepy piano/guitar arrangement of “Lick My Love Pump” come packaged in an homage to Andy Warhol and Tap bassist Derek Smalls’ unfortunate run-in with airport security. Originally released on the <a href="http://www.coverville.com/" target="_blank">Coverville.com</a> Unhenged Spinal Tap tribute album (the first-ever tribute to Tap, released in honor of the 25th anniversary of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088258/" target="_blank">the film</a>), Lapdance Academy is proud to re-release Grosz’s version of “Gimme Some Money” paired with a previously unreleased version of the D-minor piano ballad, “Lick My Love Pump,” featuring a guest vocal appearance from world-renowned tattoo journalist, <a href="http://www.needlesandsins.com/" target="_blank">Marisa Kakoulas</a>. It’s the saddest of all keys in the perfect package—just pray that your package doesn’t set off the metal detector at LAX.</blockquote> Check out “Gimme Some Money” below, then head over to Lap Dance Academy and download the tunes. [<a href="http://www.lapdanceacademy.com/tap/" target="_blank">Lap Dance Academy</a>] <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/08/01/sex-and-the-city-2-casting-call/" title="“Sex and The City 2″ Casting Call">“Sex and The City 2″ Casting Call</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/08/14/calmly-we-walk-through-this-aprils-day/" title="Calmly We Walk Through This April’s Day">Calmly We Walk Through This April’s Day</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/04/drake-baby-come-with-me/" title="Drake “Baby Come With Me”">Drake “Baby Come With Me”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/02/22/vh1-save-the-music-benefit-featuring-diego-paulo/" title="VH1 Save the Music Benefit Featuring Diego Paulo">VH1 Save the Music Benefit Featuring Diego Paulo</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/11/25/drink-ace-hotel-lobby-bar/" title="Drink: Ace Hotel Lobby Bar">Drink: Ace Hotel Lobby Bar</a></li></ul> Lap Dance Academy has an all new set of Spinal Tap cover-songs from Brian Grosz & The Bad Idea, available for free download. They speak on it much, much better than I ever could: The delta-blues back-porch stomp of “Gimme Some [...] Drake “Baby Come With Me” http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/04/drake-baby-come-with-me/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/04/drake-baby-come-with-me/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:00:04 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1857 http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/04/drake-baby-come-with-me/feed/ 0 <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/drake.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1858" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="drake" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/drake.jpg" alt="Heartbreak Drake" width="264" height="342" /></a>You people just can’t get enough of Drake, can you? Yesterday, <a href="http://globalgrind.com/channel/music/content/1265126/DRAKE-quotBaby-Come-With-Mequot/" target="_blank">Global Grind</a> posted a snippet of what may or may not be a new Drizzy track produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League entitled “Baby Come With Me.” Astute listeners will note that the first few bars are identical to the beginning bars of his classic verse on the ode to tenderloin tenderonis, “Every Girl.” Is this a new song? Or an old jam that wasn’t meant for mass consumption? Who knows, but the snippet’s below for your listening pleasure. Love the Evil Empire tag on the song. So vulgar. Hip-hop’s current golden boy is slated to release his debut album Thank Me Later in March 2010. [<a href="http://globalgrind.com/channel/music/content/1265126/DRAKE-quotBaby-Come-With-Mequot/" target="_blank">Global Grind</a>] <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/27/hotel-944-at-miamis-eden-roc-during-superbowl-weekend/" title="Hotel 944 at Miami’s Eden Roc During Superbowl Weekend">Hotel 944 at Miami’s Eden Roc During Superbowl Weekend</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-in-stores-today/" title="Alicia Keys “The Element of Freedom” In Stores Today">Alicia Keys “The Element of Freedom” In Stores Today</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/14/video-kid-cudi-x-mgmt-x-ratatat-pursuit-of-happiness/" title="Video: Kid Cudi x MGMT x Ratatat “Pursuit Of Happiness”">Video: Kid Cudi x MGMT x Ratatat “Pursuit Of Happiness”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/11/24/thanksgiving-eve-bash-at-4040-club-with-wyclef-and-drake/" title="Thanksgiving Eve Bash at 40/40 Club with Wyclef and Drake">Thanksgiving Eve Bash at 40/40 Club with Wyclef and Drake</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/08/26/new-music-drake-x-lil-wayne-x-kanye-west-x-eminem-forever/" title="New Music: Drake x Lil Wayne x Kanye West x Eminem “Forever”">New Music: Drake x Lil Wayne x Kanye West x Eminem “Forever”</a></li></ul> You people just can’t get enough of Drake, can you? Yesterday, Global Grind posted a snippet of what may or may not be a new Drizzy track produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League entitled “Baby Come With Me.” Astute listeners will note [...] New Music: Timbaland x Justin Timberlake x Flawless “Carry Out (Part 2)” http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/29/new-music-timbaland-x-justin-timberlake-x-flawless-carry-out-part-2/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/29/new-music-timbaland-x-justin-timberlake-x-flawless-carry-out-part-2/#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:07:14 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1806 http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/29/new-music-timbaland-x-justin-timberlake-x-flawless-carry-out-part-2/feed/ 0 <img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1809" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="flawless" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/flawless.jpg" alt="Flawless" width="200" height="168" />The man who made it once again cool to wear your sunglasses in the club is now out to shock you. Hip-pop artist <a href="http://www.myspace.com/flawlesshippop" target="_blank">Flawless</a> joins super-producer Timbaland and pop music prince Justin Timberlake on the remix to “Carry Out,” the latest single from Timbaland’s solo studio album, Shock Value II. Take a listen below. Flawless hosts the mixtape Fresh Joints, Vol. 1: The Takeover, which drops in February 2010 to coincide with his upcoming UK tour. In the meantime, you can download “Carry Out (Part 2)” via the link below. Shouts to <a href="http://twitter.com/jcoop84" target="_blank">J. Coop</a> of Impressive Music for the link. [<a href="http://usershare.net/fmoiuu7btak1" target="_blank">"Carry Out (Part 2)" Download</a>] <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/03/02/back-in-da-days-vol-6-with-dj-chela-at-deity/" title="Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity">Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/03/02/toby-performing-live-at-air-conditioned-supper-club/" title="Toby Performing Live at Air Conditioned Supper Club">Toby Performing Live at Air Conditioned Supper Club</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/02/01/ticket-stub-the-mc-faceman-live-at-amber-village/" title="Ticket Stub: The MC Faceman Live at Amber Village">Ticket Stub: The MC Faceman Live at Amber Village</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/28/the-mc-faceman-live-at-amber-village/" title="The MC Faceman Live at Amber Village">The MC Faceman Live at Amber Village</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/28/dj-dummy-does-deity/" title="DJ Dummy Does Deity">DJ Dummy Does Deity</a></li></ul> The man who made it once again cool to wear your sunglasses in the club is now out to shock you. Hip-pop artist Flawless joins super-producer Timbaland and pop music prince Justin Timberlake on the remix to “Carry Out,” the latest [...] Jay Fingers Raps? LOL! http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/24/jay-fingers-raps-lol/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/24/jay-fingers-raps-lol/#comments Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:07 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1717 http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/24/jay-fingers-raps-lol/feed/ 2 <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/NLMTcover.jpg"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-1738" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="NLMTcover" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/NLMTcover-399x400.jpg" alt="" width="319" height="320" /></a>Since it’s the season of gift giving, I thought I’d give a very special present to all of my friends, fans, readers, and anyone else fortunate enough to stumble upon this area of Teh Internets. I am going to share my classic hip-hop mixtape Never Lost My Touch. Some of you are probably surprised. Some are rolling your eyes. But make no mistake, there’s a good number of you nodding your head and wistfully smiling in remembrance. Before I get to the music, let me give a little history lesson. Like every other young black man in America, I once had the crazy idea that I was a dope rapper. Well, maybe not dope, but I figured I had a decent enough command of words and love of music that I could do it. I could make it work. So, back in 2005, I began writing and recording the songs on this album. Never Lost My Touch, or NLMT for short, did two things for me: First, it served as a response to all the negativity I was facing at that period in my life. I wasn’t doing too well—financially or emotionally—and the very people I thought had my back were the very ones persecuting me. These were people who thought my efforts and ideas were lame, futile, stupid. These were not the imaginary haters that so many rappers rage against in their music. These people were real, and I knew their faces and heard the things they said about me. So this enabled me to not only speak back directly to them, but to also show them what I could accomplish even at the lowest point in my life. Second, this album really helped my popularity as a party promoter skyrocket. I pressed up about 1000 copies—and when I say I did it, I mean I actually sat down with a stack of CDs and a duplicator and burned each CD by myself. I even printed the info on each CD and put them in each jewel case. The only thing I didn’t do was design the CD insert, and that was what came out wrong, of all things. As you can see above, the insert is a complete jack of the classic Chronic cover. That wasn’t my intent, and that isn’t what I’d asked my guy to do. Ah well. It was certainly eye-catching, and I would leave copies of NLMT on the bars and tables of the clubs I promoted. Within weeks, my phone wouldn’t stop ringing, my inbox was filling up at an exponential rate, and the ladies … well, the ladies were a lot friendlier. Never Lost My Touch made its debut Memorial Weekend 2006. If you were in Miami around that time, you probably heard something off this disc, for real. They even played a few songs in the clubs I was working in at the time (RIP Suite Lounge & Snatch Rock n’ Roll Bar and Lounge). I’m not going to delude myself into thinking I’m a great rapper. But I am very proud of NLMT. Not only did I basically hold down the entire album by myself, save a sole assist from my boy Esquire, but I produced every track on here. That’s right. I got down with ProTools, Reason, a MIDI keyboard, and did the damn thing. Chopped every sample. Sequenced every track. Programmed every drum. And mixed it to the best of my capabilities. And it was [...] Since it’s the season of gift giving, I thought I’d give a very special present to all of my friends, fans, readers, and anyone else fortunate enough to stumble upon this area of Teh Internets. I am going to share my classic hip-hop [...] New Music: W-I-Z “Hypnotics” http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/new-music-w-i-z-hypnotics/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/new-music-w-i-z-hypnotics/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:32:50 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1633 http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/new-music-w-i-z-hypnotics/feed/ 1 <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/hitwizmiami.jpg"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-1634" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="hitwizmiami" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/hitwizmiami-400x300.jpg" alt="hitwizmiami" width="320" height="240" /></a>W-I-Z never strays too far from his comfort zone. For years, the Miami-based producer/MC has been spitting viciously fluid battle raps, punishing imaginary opponents with verbal assaults reminiscent of Canibus, pre-Wyclef. His instrumentals are as quirky as he is, typically composed of heavy 808 drums, hollow snares, and an electrofunk sensibility informed by groups like Kraftwerk, Afrika Bambaataa, and Mantronix. That’s why it’s surprising, and a maybe a little bit refreshing, to hear this latest gem from the Fearless Soulz factory. From its introductory horns and histrionic vocals, “Hypnotics” segues into a high energy soul sample punctuated by caffeinated snares and kicks. After a quick Johnny Kemp shout-out, W-I-Z launches into his verses, nimbly riding the beat with effortless aplomb. Though the song has an undeniable club and radio friendly vibe, W-I-Z remains subversive as ever with tongue-in-cheek lyrics detailing an encounter with a scheming, unscrupulous female. Despite the female’s best attempts to get over, W-I-Z isn’t fazed. It’s just a game: “I wasn’t trump tight that night/But I had four and a possible/Despite that, I quit/And dipped/With a joker/Instead of lettin’ the queen ride, I/Should’ve stayed and played poker/That’s the devil fo’ ya.” Putting a unique spin on a familiar topic, “Hypnotics” proves W-I-Z has the ability to step outside the lyrical arena and still deliver a knockout blow. Here’s to hoping his upcoming debut album has more of the same. [<a href="http://www.myspace.com/wizmusiconline" target="_blank">W-I-Z @ MySpace</a>] [<a href="http://www.facebook.com/WizMusicOnline" target="_blank">W-I-Z @ Facebook</a>] [<a href="http://twitter.com/hitwiz" target="_blank">W-I-Z @ Twitter</a>] <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/02/09/one-small-thing-film-premiere/" title="One Small Thing Film Premiere">One Small Thing Film Premiere</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/24/jay-fingers-raps-lol/" title="Jay Fingers Raps? LOL!">Jay Fingers Raps? LOL!</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/07/new-music-baysiqly-success/" title="New Music: Baysiqly “Success”">New Music: Baysiqly “Success”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/02/one-small-thing-trailer-debuts-online/" title="“One Small Thing” Trailer Debuts Online">“One Small Thing” Trailer Debuts Online</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/03/02/back-in-da-days-vol-6-with-dj-chela-at-deity/" title="Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity">Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity</a></li></ul> W-I-Z never strays too far from his comfort zone. For years, the Miami-based producer/MC has been spitting viciously fluid battle raps, punishing imaginary opponents with verbal assaults reminiscent of Canibus, pre-Wyclef. His instrumentals are as [...] New Music: Lil Wayne x Eminem “Drop the World” http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/new-music-lil-wayne-x-eminem-drop-the-world/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/new-music-lil-wayne-x-eminem-drop-the-world/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:00:58 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1645 http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/new-music-lil-wayne-x-eminem-drop-the-world/feed/ 0 <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/eminem-wayne.jpg"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-1650" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="eminem-wayne" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/eminem-wayne-400x315.jpg" alt="eminem-wayne" width="280" height="221" /></a> Weezy F.’s dream has come true. The long-awaited collab with Maniacal Marshall has hit Teh Interwebs. Both rip it and thankfully there’s not a drop of Autotune. No lengthy dissertation. Just listen. Yeah, I liked “On Fire” and I like this one, too. Rebirth is shaping up to be alright in my book. “Drop the World” was produced by ChaseNCashe and HitBoy of The Surf Kids. <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/07/lil-wayne-on-fire/" title="Lil Wayne “On Fire”">Lil Wayne “On Fire”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/08/26/new-music-drake-x-lil-wayne-x-kanye-west-x-eminem-forever/" title="New Music: Drake x Lil Wayne x Kanye West x Eminem “Forever”">New Music: Drake x Lil Wayne x Kanye West x Eminem “Forever”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/18/new-mixtape-nicki-minaj-barbie-world/" title="New Mixtape: Nicki Minaj “Barbie World”">New Mixtape: Nicki Minaj “Barbie World”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/03/02/back-in-da-days-vol-6-with-dj-chela-at-deity/" title="Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity">Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/03/02/toby-performing-live-at-air-conditioned-supper-club/" title="Toby Performing Live at Air Conditioned Supper Club">Toby Performing Live at Air Conditioned Supper Club</a></li></ul> Weezy F.’s dream has come true. The long-awaited collab with Maniacal Marshall has hit Teh Interwebs. Both rip it and thankfully there’s not a drop of Autotune. No lengthy dissertation. Just listen. Yeah, I liked “On Fire” [...] Alicia Keys “The Element of Freedom” In Stores Today http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-in-stores-today/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-in-stores-today/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:52:38 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1640 http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-in-stores-today/feed/ 0 <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-cover.jpg"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-1641" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-cover" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-cover-400x400.jpg" alt="alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-cover" width="240" height="240" /></a>Twelve-time Grammy award winner Alicia Keys releases her fourth studio album The Element of Freedom. It’s the follow-up to 2007’s enormously successful As I Am, filled with love anthems and featuring a thematic throughline of finding freedom and balance. The Element of Freedom contains the singles “Doesn’t Mean Anything” and “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart,” as well as collaborations with Beyoncé Knowles, hip-hop’s golden boy Drake, and “Empire State of Mind Part II,” <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/11/24/music-alicia-keys-empire-state-of-mind-part-ii/" target="_blank">the sequel to the inescapable chart-topping collab with Jay-Z</a>. You can peep “Unthinkable (I’m Ready)” below. [<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Element-Freedom-Alicia-Keys/dp/B002R0F3Q2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260863125&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Element of Freedom @ Amazon</a>] <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/02/21/alicia-keys-freedom-tour-begins-this-month/" title="Alicia Keys Freedom Tour Begins This Month">Alicia Keys Freedom Tour Begins This Month</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/11/24/music-alicia-keys-empire-state-of-mind-part-ii/" title="Music: Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind (Part II)”">Music: Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind (Part II)”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/27/hotel-944-at-miamis-eden-roc-during-superbowl-weekend/" title="Hotel 944 at Miami’s Eden Roc During Superbowl Weekend">Hotel 944 at Miami’s Eden Roc During Superbowl Weekend</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/04/drake-baby-come-with-me/" title="Drake “Baby Come With Me”">Drake “Baby Come With Me”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/14/video-kid-cudi-x-mgmt-x-ratatat-pursuit-of-happiness/" title="Video: Kid Cudi x MGMT x Ratatat “Pursuit Of Happiness”">Video: Kid Cudi x MGMT x Ratatat “Pursuit Of Happiness”</a></li></ul> Twelve-time Grammy award winner Alicia Keys releases her fourth studio album The Element of Freedom. It’s the follow-up to 2007’s enormously successful As I Am, filled with love anthems and featuring a thematic throughline of finding [...] New Music: Sade “Soldier of Love” http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/08/new-music-sade-soldier-of-love/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/08/new-music-sade-soldier-of-love/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:15:45 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1557 http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/08/new-music-sade-soldier-of-love/feed/ 0 Incredible. <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/sade-soldieroflove.jpg"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-1559" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="sade-soldieroflove" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/sade-soldieroflove-400x400.jpg" alt="sade-soldieroflove" width="320" height="320" /></a>Ladies and gentlemen, the first new single from Sade in nearly a decade has finally been released and—wow!— it is nothing short of awesome. It’s the title track from her highly anticipated upcoming album Soldier Of Love, due February 8, 2010. But of course you didn’t come here to read my pitiful ramblings, you came to check the track out. Go ‘head and press play. I love it. I love her. To pre-order the Soldier of Love album now, simply click <a href="http://sade.skyroo.com/se/view/music/index.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Propers to [<a href="http://www.soulculture.co.uk/" target="_blank">Soul Culture</a>] <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/07/dj-les-boogie-at-moes-in-brooklyn-this-wednesday/" title="DJ Les Boogie at Moe’s in Brooklyn This Wednesday">DJ Les Boogie at Moe’s in Brooklyn This Wednesday</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/03/02/back-in-da-days-vol-6-with-dj-chela-at-deity/" title="Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity">Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/01/06/dj-erika-hamilton-at-tillmans-tonight/" title="DJ Erika Hamilton at Tillman’s Tonight">DJ Erika Hamilton at Tillman’s Tonight</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/01/throwback-video-freddie-jackson-me-and-mrs-jones/" title="Throwback Video: Freddie Jackson “Me and Mrs. Jones”">Throwback Video: Freddie Jackson “Me and Mrs. Jones”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/11/24/new-sade-album-soldier-of-love-in-2010/" title="New Sade Album “Soldier of Love” in 2010">New Sade Album “Soldier of Love” in 2010</a></li></ul> Incredible. Ladies and gentlemen, the first new single from Sade in nearly a decade has finally been released and—wow!— it is nothing short of awesome. It’s the title track from her highly anticipated upcoming album Soldier Of Love, due [...] New Music: Baysiqly “Success” http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/07/new-music-baysiqly-success/ http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/07/new-music-baysiqly-success/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:00:32 +0000 Jay Fingers http://becoolent.com/blog/?p=1530 http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/07/new-music-baysiqly-success/feed/ 0 <a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/successsingle.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1531" style="border: 4px solid black;" title="successsingle" src="http://becoolent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/successsingle.jpg" alt="successsingle" width="360" height="360" /></a>Basically, this MC is no “one-hit wonder.” South Florida artist <a href="http://twitter.com/bsiqly" target="_blank">Baysiqly</a> took listeners on a journey with his recent hit, “Space Music,” eschewing the goon aesthetic typically associated with his stomping grounds and defying expectations of what Miami rappers have to offer the game. So it only makes sense that any follow-up effort would continue along the same trajectory as “Space Music,” and I’m happy to report that is indeed the case with his new song, “Success.” Like its predecessor, “Success” is a left-of-center track that’s still very much accessible and will help cement Baysiqly as one of the more compelling voices emerging from the 305 hip-hop scene. Once again, production is handled by Little Havana maestro <a href="http://www.myspace.com/er305" target="_blank">E.R.</a>, who manages to mix strings & hard-hitting drums with interstellar beeps to create a soundscape for Baysiqly’s verbal jabs and uppercuts. With an abundance of boxing references and metaphors in his lyrics, it becomes evident that Baysiqly is gunning for the proverbial championship and it’s going to be mighty hard to get him against the ropes. Haters, doubters, sucker MCs — “Success” is a verbal KO. You can download “Success” <a href="http://limelinx.com/files/69be733b4dc0551d0423676633fa2914" target="_blank">here</a>. Look for Baysiqly’s No Gimmicks EP to be released before the end of the year. [<a href="http://limelinx.com/files/69be733b4dc0551d0423676633fa2914" target="_blank">Baysiqly - "Success" Download</a>] [<a href="http://twitter.com/bsiqly" target="_blank">Baysiqly @ Twitter</a>] [<a href="http://twitter.com/er305" target="_blank">E.R. @ Twitter</a>] <h2 class="related_post_title">Check Out These Cool Posts</h2><ul class="related_post"><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/24/jay-fingers-raps-lol/" title="Jay Fingers Raps? LOL!">Jay Fingers Raps? LOL!</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2009/12/15/new-music-w-i-z-hypnotics/" title="New Music: W-I-Z “Hypnotics”">New Music: W-I-Z “Hypnotics”</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/03/02/back-in-da-days-vol-6-with-dj-chela-at-deity/" title="Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity">Back in Da Days Vol. 6 With DJ Chela at Deity</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/03/02/toby-performing-live-at-air-conditioned-supper-club/" title="Toby Performing Live at Air Conditioned Supper Club">Toby Performing Live at Air Conditioned Supper Club</a></li><li><a href="http://becoolent.com/blog/2010/02/09/one-small-thing-film-premiere/" title="One Small Thing Film [...] Basically, this MC is no “one-hit wonder.” South Florida artist Baysiqly took listeners on a journey with his recent hit, “Space Music,” eschewing the goon aesthetic typically associated with his stomping grounds and defying [...]