Ten Artsy Weirdos You Should Know

All 10 artists ready to #YouTubeNchill in playlist form.

1.  Blossom  - "Black Magic Woman" 2016  (Prod. by Fountaine)  Another gem from Portland's EYRST crew; the label founded by NBA player and musician, Martell Webster. I love that they make videos like "Signing-Blossom" to help us get to know what they're all about. Blossom and the many other ladies that are coming out of their shells show more originality and innovation than most of the males that are dominating the industry (in their minds anyway).




2. SassyBlack - "New Boo" 2016  SEATTLE MUSIC  SassyBlack is one of my favorite people to follow on ALL social media because she has such a positive outlook on life AND she meets all kinds of interesting people. Formerly of THEESatisfaction, she's been efficiently grinding as a solo artist and even appeared on HBO's Vinyl as one of the Queens of R+B, Ruth Brown.




3. Lizzo - "Good As Hell" 2016  This is an awesome song with great visuals and a damn good message for EVERYONE; Lizzo's doing everything right (further proof in this NPR interview). The Minneapolis artist released her "Coconut Oil" EP on her new label, Atlantic Records, last October and is currently taking the show on the road (see you at The Crocodile on January 28).




4. Kari Faux - "Fantasy" 2016  This video gets a Lizzy Award (impetus of yet another idea) for Most Creative Music Video. I love how the visuals perfectly complement the song and show you what is likely a very raw look into the artist's soul. Kari Faux released her debut mixtape, Laugh Now, Die Later, in 2014 and moved from her hometown of Little Rock, AR to LA soon after. The release caught the attention of Pitchfork, and Childish Gambino which helped launch her into a world with stellar music video budgets.




5. Joyce Wrice - "Do You Love Me?" 2016 (Prod. by Mndsgn)  Joyce Wrice and Stone Throw's Mndsgn know the secret formula to authentically creating the eighties vibe. I learned the most about the artist from this LA Weekly article and will happily follow her on all her social media sites to see when I'll be able to see her live for the first time.




6. The Last Artful, Dodgr - "Squadron" 2016 PORTLAND MUSIC  The Last Artful, Dodgr has been grinding hard enough to appear on Sway's Universe. Thanks to the help of Portland's EYRST  crew and many years of steady grind, @TheLastArtful has captured the attention of those who can help multiply YouTube views and beyond.




7. DoNormaal - "Dime" 2016  (Prod. by Brakebill)  SEATTLE MUSIC  The rise of DoNormaal is a beautiful thing to witness and Seattle has been infinitely blessed by her presence. Those who've met Christy are instantly captivated by her spirit and become devoted fans from that moment on. Visuals for her work are coming our way at a steadier pace as she gears up to show us how far ahead of the game she truly is. At this pace, it's inevitable that DoNormaal will continue to be a driving force for positive change in this universe.

DoNormaal – Dime (prod. Brakebill) from Leena Joshi on Vimeo.


8. Guayaba - "Black Trash/White House" 2016  SEATTLE MUSIC  (Prod. by Luna God) Guayaba's Black Trash/White House EP is so rad that I don't even care that there aren't any music videos yet. Shoutout Guayaba for her continued evolution and to Luna God for being one of the most active producers in Seattle. I learned a lot about Guayaba from this writeup from Jetspace Magazine  and this animated interview with Seattle Weekly.




9.  Sa-Roc - "I Come In Peace" 2016  Sa-Roc is one of the latest additions to the Rhymesayers crew, which is a damn good crew to roll with. She's new to me but has an impressive thirteen albums under her belt already (according to the label's bio). Her recent Metamorpheus EP is her first release with the Rhymesayers team which I hope will get her added to the lineup for Soundset 2017.




10. Erykah Badu Performs For The New York Times + Answers Questions" 2016  The YouTube title needs some work but Badu is so far ahead of the rest of us with her self love, she already has a "gold floss" tooth chain. I felt the need to include her on this list because neither my Dad or my Stepmom have ever heard of her; Badu's music can fill the gaps in your soul so I'd hate for anyone (paying attention or not) to miss out on the healing.

Ten More Music Videos with Bridges

HERE's the link to ALL the bridge music videos on a YouTube playlist. #YouTubeNchill


1. Mat Randol - "North Of Nowhere (Short Film)" 2016  PORTLAND MUSIC One of the many gems of the Portland scene. The Greater NW Music website does a great job of covering both Seattle and Portland artists; check em.




2. Nas - "Nas Is Like" 1999  When I had the pleasure of seeing Nas perform at Moore Theater in Seattle, he was alone onstage with his DJ... as it should be.




3. Grynch x Wizdom x Fearce Vill - "My City's Filthy" 2014 (Produced by D-Sane) SEATTLE MUSIC This city really is filthy.




4. Homeboy Sandman - "Stroll" 2014  He can do no wrong in my eyes; I even love that he has Lice. The project combines artists from two of my favorite record labels; Rhymesayers x Stones Throw. Kindness For Weakness is one of my favorite albums of the year; "Eyes" is the cut.




5. Black Coffee - "Come With Me" feat. Mque 2016  Black Coffee was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Music Awards back in June.




6. Grimes - "REALiTi" 2015  She is doing a great job of owning it these days. I love this.




7. Wizdumb feat. Silas Blak - "Rap Class" 2015  SEATTLE MUSIC This Silas Blak verse though.




8. M.I.A. - "Sunshowers" 2005  Treehouse bridge for the win.




9. Show + AG - "Next Level" (DJ Premier Remix) 1995  This remains to be one of the best songs I've ever heard.




10. Kaytranada feat. Syd - "You're The One" 2016  My heart swells with warm thoughts for all parties involved in the making of this song and video, thank you for making music!

Outer Spacecruise AKA Ten More Outer Space Videos

*The Outer Spacecruise photo-collage above is my first venture into Photoshop. Check the bottom of the post for the link to the full Outer Spacecruise YouTube playlist.

1. Sun Ra - "Space Is The Place" 1974  Sun Ra is pretty much the King of Outer Space videos and one of the most interesting people to bless this planet with their existence. Most Applicable Quote: "The outer space beings are my brothers. They sent me here. They already know my music." -Sun Ra  @SunRaUniverse




2. Lady Moon + The Eclipse - "Roller Coaster" 2016  I am 90% on board with this song because the song's most roller coaster-like moments stress me out. That said, I've taken the space video bait and have started diving into Lady Moon + The Eclipse's catalog to see what they're all about.  @lmelove




3. Alabama Shakes - "Sound + Color" 2015  Is this a metaphor for being trapped in your own mind or a just a take on some epic space movies? #DeepThoughts Whatever it is intended to be, I love it. @Alabama_Shakes




4. L'Orange + Kool Keith - "The Green Ray" 2015  I'm loving all things L'Orange these days but have yet to see him live. His current label, Mello Music Group was recently dubbed The Most Successful New Indie Rap Label Of This Decade by Forbes magazine. That's a damn good look for this Rise Of The Underground thing we have going.  @LOrangeMusic  @Ultraman7000




When I saw Kool Keith at Neumos in 2014, he had a disappointing sad crew of cell phone checking squad on stage left (not pictured). He's got enough presence to be alone up there, time to leave the squad in the green rooms Keith. I took this shitty photo at the show which I included in my short lived Rap Hands (blurry hands) Instagram collection.

5. DJ Shadow - "The Mountain Will Fall" 2016  I'm so glad that DJ Shadow is evolving with his music because it's keeping him passionate about his craft. "Nobody Speak," the track from his new album featuring Run The Jewels is most definitely the cut. They recently shared how the collaboration came about with the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, here's the link.  @djshadow



This October 3, The Mountain Will Fall Tour will be coming through The Showbox in Seattle, WA. One of my current jobs in the music industry happens to be Hospitality Coordinator at The Showbox and Showbox SoDo so 10/3/16 will be a pretty great day for me as I've been a fan since the Endtroducing tour brought him to La Luna in Portland as support of Jeru The Damaja in 1997.

6. Batida - "Céu" feat. Frànçois + The Atlas Mountains 2016  "Angolan-Portuguese producer Batida aka Pedro Coquenão has been a busy man lately, releasing an album with Konono N°1 and fighting for social justice and the freedom of 16 detained young activists in Angola." - Okay Africa

Much love goes out to Okay Africa/Okay Player and all the services they provide to the community. Their website has been a consistent source of inspiration and interesting music throughout the seven years I've been sharing music on this website.  @BatidaOfficial




7. The Internet feat. Kaytranada - "Girl" 2015  The Ego Death album made hearts flutter upon its release and stands firm as one of the best albums of 2015. I can still remember the eyes lit up with joy response I got from a few other music nerds when I asked them if they heard it yet.  @intanetz




8. Michael Jackson + Janet Jackson - "Scream" 1995  In an era when some were using helicopters and yachts to show off their baller status, the Jacksons took it to the next level and went universal. The $7 million video  remains to be totally wicked.  @JanetJackson




9. Shabazz Palaces - "Motion Sickness" 2014 (SEATTLE MUSIC)  While the members of Shabazz Palaces do reside in Seattle, their music has transcended the boundaries of our city and have created their own Black Constellation. I love that they opened for Radiohead in LA, someone is very smart. @shabazzpalaces

10. Slick Devious feat. Janet Earth - "Hollow Planets" 2016 (PORTLAND MUSIC) The color of the fake barf(?) is what makes it for me. Slick Devious came up to Seattle last February with Grape God, we should probably have him back soon. Check out his multiple mediums of visual art here.  @SlickDevious




*Here's the link to the Outer Spacecruise YouTube Playlist as it is today. It will be constantly evolving...like Bowie.

Ten Great Low Budget Music Videos

I decided to add a link to a YouTube playlist for each list because I just got a Smart TV and I'd rather watch music videos than television. Adding YouTube playlist links to previous lists will be another new long term project. TEN GREAT LOW BUDGET VIDEOS YOUTUBE  PLAYLIST

1. Taylar Elizza Beth - "Daisies" 2016  SEATTLE MUSIC  Can't say enough good things about this woman and her video debut. With one video she's been able to show us what she's all about and leave us wanting more in a way that a strictly Soundcloud release cannot. I have no doubt "Fresh Cut Flowers" will be worth waiting for. @taylizzabeth




2. DoNormaal - "Let That Thing Go" 2015 (Prod. by Roach Carter)  SEATTLE MUSIC  Her beauty and talent shines from the inside out. DoNormaal's progression as an artist is a beautiful thing to witness. Here's hoping a new DoNormaal album is coming soon. @donormaalright 




3. The Last Artful, Dodgr - "Pestilent Intestines" 2013  PORTLAND MUSIC  Since The Last Artful, Dodgr released this low-budget gem, she's been working with the uber-interesting EYRST crew and making some big moves including being named one of the "5 Female MC's Leading The Charge" by Milk Studios. It would be in your best interest to follow @TheLastArtful on Twitter.




4. Stevo The Weirdo - "LUNCHTIME X LIKE ME REMIX" 2016  PORTLAND MUSIC  I haven't yet delved into Stevo The Weirdo's catalog but this song is dope. I get infinite inspiration from the goldmine of great music in the Pacific Northwest. @StevoTheWeirdo




5. Able Fader - "The Wind And Rain" 2015  SEATTLE MUSIC Can't say enough great things about this dude. He is a true professional in everything he does (Graphic Design, DJ, Producer, Sound Engineer, Father, etc.) and a joy to work with. @AbleFader




6. Macklemore feat. XP "Brad Pitt's Cousin" 2016  SEATTLE MUSIC  The adventures of Macklemore and his crew are not low-budget, they still made this video on an iPhone. This song is not that tight but I love how they're showing us what we can do with the tools we already have. I'd love to work for this crew because they understand that music can be used as a tool for social change.  @Macklemore




7. DonMonique - "Kendall, Kylie, Miley" 2015  I've never followed the moves of Kendall, Kylie, or Miley but DonMonique seems coo. Here's a video about the Brooklyn artist via Noisey.  @DONMON1QUE




8. Jorja Smith - "Where Did I Go?" 2016  This UK artist further proves that one great low-budget video is all you need to capture the attention of the world. The simplicity of the video shows us that she doesn't need flashy gimmicks because her "Personal Sunlight" alone can carry the video. I've been overplaying this song since I first heard it a few days ago. @JorjaSmith




9. DoNormaal - "Standing" 2015 (Prod. by Brakebill)  SEATTLE MUSIC  She's amazing because she's being herself 100%. One of my favorite DoNormaal moments was when she performed with Nu Era at their "Armadilla Lexus" Release Party at Sunset Tavern. @donormaalright




10. Lady Leshurr - "Queen's Speech Ep. 4" 2015  I'd love to see my girl Z3LLi make videos like this. It's simple and low-budget but showcases the personality of the artists well. The rap/walk multitask is a classic music video skill...I sense a new list coming on. @LadyLeshurr




*Use what you've got! If you or one of your friends has a smartphone, you can make a music video. A YouTube presence is vital if an artist wants to be taken seriously. The only thing holding you back is yourself.

Ten Music Videos With Special Effects Part VI

All 60 Music Videos With Special Effects are on a YouTube playlist ready to be YouTubeN'Chilled.

1. Nao - "Fool To Love" 2016  I first discovered now via "So Good" with A.K. Paul last year and I overplayed the shit out of that song too. Nao is doing it right. This latest instantly infectious track from the East London artist has helped me to work on my car dancing over the last few days. Thanks Nao!




2. Flying Lotus - "Phantasm" 2012  I just learned from FlyLo's impressive Wikipedia page that he is an ex Stones Throw intern which has always sounded like an amazing idea to me. My Brainfeeder shirt is one of my favorites because it actually fits AND because I truly appreciate the efforts Flying Lotus has put into his label.

Flying Lotus (feat. Laura Darlington) - Phantasm from The Bow on Vimeo.

Plus, how cool is this press photo.

3. Vivians (Mndsgn + Koreatown Oddity) - "The Shaw (In The 90's)" 2015  I'm a sucker for all the 90s nostalgia videos and this one is no exception. Watch "Flip And Rewind" by Rashida Jones for another example. Mndsgn of Vivians was affiliated with Stones Throw but is now on Akashik Records, I fux with them.




4. Mick Jenkins - "P's + Q's" 2015  This is reminiscent of the Spike Jonze video for "Drop" in the best way. I do prefer "Drop" over this track but the visuals could not be better. I was seeking out a "Making The Video" type thing but found this instead. Mick Jenkins has been killin it since before I first got hip around "The Roots" in 2013.





5. ABRA - "Fruit" 2015  I'm not a huge Awful Records fan but this is fire. I've been overplaying this song since I first discovered it...too late, just a few days ago. Fortunately, it's never too late for a new favorite song.




6. bryson, the alien - "2heavy" 2016  PORTLAND MUSIC  There's so much good music in Portland, it's always worth a road trip. This was likely a pretty low-budget video (this is a rad thing) but the special effects take it to the next level. Here's his Twitter; follow him so you can see what he does next.




7. Aesop Rock - "Rings" 2016  Aesop Rock has had his game stepped up for decades. Click here to see how many YouTube videos it takes to launch an album Rhymesayers style (AKA the right way). This video is amazing and so are the efforts of Aesop Rock. You should probably buy his new album The Impossible Kid.



Here's a picture of me and him taken just after his recent show in Bellingham before I realized that I gave him poor service as a fill-in promoter rep because I was too nervous to be myself. My mom saw this photo and thought he must be my new tall and handsome boyfriend because I look so happy in this photo; I was very sad to disappoint her.

8. Massive Attack feat. Young Fathers - "Voodoo In My Blood" 2016  With all the SIFF heads in town, you'd think we'd have more videos from local artists like this. Hmmm....scheming. My sister Ingrid would say this is a "problem song."




9. Oshun feat. Proda - "Protect Your Self" 2016  Found these ladies via Team Backpack and have been watching out for them ever since. This video got them on NPR's radar, if they weren't already. Hope to see them in Seattle soon!




10. Ripley Snell feat. Grape God - "Timeless" 2013 (Prod. by Neill Von Tally) PORTLAND MUSIC  Theses two are some of the most unique and interesting people I've ever met. I recently booked a show in Portland for Grape God and Ripley Snell as Wine + Coffee, DoNormaal, OCnotes (w/ Rik Rude + Astro King Phoenix), Raven Matthews, and Snugsworth at The Know. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Fortunately, these cats are time travelers so we'll be able to relive the evening.

From upper left to right (Ripley Snell, OCnotes, Rik Rude, Skelli Skel) Bottom left to right (Northern Draw + Grape God) 

Sadly not pictured below because I was too busy living in the moment for once are DoNormaal, Raven Matthews, Astro King Phoenix, and Snugsworth.

The first five lists of Special Effects videos can be reached via the links below.

Feb 7, 2013  This list is from when I was still too shy to use my voice but the songs are great!

May 22, 2013  Part 2 includes En Vogue's Sesame Street video "Adventure." Straight fire.

November 20, 2013  I had finally learned about HTML from my former ReignCity team and could finally use YouTube properly in Part 3.

August 27, 2014  My favorite self-quote from Part 4 is "I wonder if this is what it feels like to be Thom Yorke." 

January 20, 2015  In which I use a Beavis & Butthead meme that says "Yes! Tool!" Part 5

Ten Great Short Film Music Videos

Here's a link to a YouTube playlist with 12 Short Film-style Music Videos. 

1. Onry Ozzborn - "duofilm" 2016 (SEATTLE MUSIC) Congratulations to Onry on the successful Visual Album Debut at Nectar 2/13/16 for this project! It's wonderful to see people putting in huge efforts to do something unique. The following are his words on the video and the March 25 Fake Four release of "duo":

"DUO is an album I created of calculated duets with some good friends of mine (hence the album title), + duofilm is visual version of the album edited down to a 15min viewing.
Almost every guest off the album participated in duofilm such as Aesop Rock, Kimya Dawson, P.O.S, Nathan Quiroga of Iska Dhaaf, Terra Lopez of Sister Crayon, Rob Sonic, etc, bringing forth a very diverse sitting filled with variety + depth."

The Album Release party for "duo" is April 7 at Nectar Lounge with Homeboy Sandman, Blueprint, Divide The Poet, What Have May, Mr. Hill, and Special Surprise Guests (I'll give you one guess). Onry is straight killin it.

2. M.I.A. - "Born Free" 2010  M.I.A. is a Queen On This Earth because she dares to be her true authentic self and share it with all of us in such an unfiltered manner. She's definitely found a way to channel her inner Bowie. Props.



Do yourself a favor and go to the only place you can leave with everything you want, money being no object...the library. Her self-titled book is there waiting for you to check out for free.

3. Alexandre Francisco Diaphra - Blackbook Of The Beats 2015  This was another great international Okay Player find. I've included a small portion of the YouTube credits for some background info on the artist.

A multifaceted artist from Guinea-Bissau, based in Lisbon: rapper, poet, edutainer & beatmaker, creating music based on improvisation in which he blends his psychedelic, black music, afro ancestral influences and love for the non-quantized beats in the same way as with experimental jazz, mixed contemporary and urban styles. Last year Diaphra wons the 3rd place at the 1st International Poetry Slam in Rio de Janeiro (Flupp).

4. Thundercat - "Them Changes" 2015  Thundercat and the Brainfeeder crew managed to fit a whole story in their three and a half minute video for "Them Changes."



Thundercat is part of Flying Lotus' WOKE Supergroup with Shabazz Palaces; which may end up being one of the most exciting musical endeavors we've seen in awhile. Even Thundercat is stoked on it.




5. Florence + The Machine - "Queen Of Peace / Long And Last" 2015  She has quite the flair for drama doesn't she? I'm down with Florence, her creative vision and efforts are inspiring. I'm not in love with this song in the least but still think the project is coo. "Cosmic Love" still goes.




6. ASM (A State Of Mind) feat. DOOM as King Dumile - "Masking" 2015  It's been suggested via the artist's website that we  "Imagine a Quentin Tarantino movie set in ancient Greece and scored by Ennio Morricone and A Tribe Called Quest" with DOOM in it. I'm in. ASM is touring in Europe over the next few months. I hope he makes it to Seattle someday soon.




7. Grape God - "Open: A Flexistential Crisis" 2015 (PORTLAND MUSIC) During his October 19, 2015 performance at Home Slice in The Crocodile Back Bar (my monthly local Hip Hop showcase) he painted, percolated coffee, burned his own scent of candles, and was all around totally awesome. Ripley Snell and Skelli Skel were part of the time travel magic as well.



Grape God is one of the most unique and talented time travelers I've ever met. He recently released a one track jazz album and painting that he made on Valentine's Day. All hail Grape God. #444




8. ZHU X AlunaGeorge - "Automatic" 2015  I was blessed to see London artists, AlunaGeorge, at The Crocodile on October 18, 2015; it was whoa. My master plan includes immersing myself fully in UK music scene for a bit when the time is right. I'm still working on the music bridge that will get me there.




9. Flying Lotus - "FUCKKKYOU" 2016  Flying Lotus rightfully got mad props for this one...

*Official Selection Sundance 2016
*World Premiere Sundance Next Fest 2015
*Official Selection AFI Fest 2015
*Official Selection Fantastic Fest 2015
*Winner Zubroffka International Short Film Fest 2015
*Official Selection Zinema Zombie Fest 2015
*Official Selection Shivers Genre Film Festival 2015
*Official Selection Bogotá Short Film Festival 2015
*Official Selection HollyShorts 2016
*Official Selection Twister Alley Film Festival 2015
*Official Selection Madeira Micro Film Festival 2015

With the ability to travel in time, a lonely girl finds love and comfort by connecting with her past self. Eventually faced with rejection she struggles with her identity and gender, and as time folds onto itself only one of them can remain.

Director | Producer | Editor - Eddie Alcazar
Composer | Sound Design - Flying Lotus
Producer - Javier Lovato
Cinematography - Danny Hiele
Cast - Jesse Sullivan | Charles Baker




10. Mike Larry Draw - "Similar Contrast" 2015  This video stars the multi-talented Araless of Black Magic Noize, Vaughn illa, and Z3LLI from my hometown of Seattle. The video is so good that I didn't realize I wasn't into the music itself until I watched it again. Side note, Vaughn illa is not this evil in real life, not even a little bit.

Ten Music Videos With Shadows Or Silhouettes

1. Neka + Kahlo - "Mayweather" 2015  Two of Portland's most interesting people (up there with Grape God of course). I booked them at  The Crocodile Back Bar on Sunday, July 26 for a show with Astro King Phoenix, Wes Guy, and Fountaine. It was amazing.

So many great events last night in Seattle. We had Neka & Kahlo, Astro King Phoenix, Fountaine, & Wes Guy in the Back Bar; it was dope!

A photo posted by Liz (@206liz) on Jul 27, 2015 at 10:53am PDT

2. Dam Funk - "We Continue" 2015  STONES THROW I would love to go on a spacecruise with these dudes. Dam Funk coming through with another great message.





3. Oddisee - "Belong To The World" 2015  My team at ReignCity is bringing Oddisee and The Good Compny Band to The Crocodile on November 7. He is a cool ass dude.




4. Akua Naru - "The World Is Listening" (prod. by JR + Ph7) 2010  This reminds me of the Canary Sing video for "Freak Show" in the best way. These are some down ass chicks.




5. J'Von + Ackryte - "Tasia" 2013  J'Von is one of my favorite producers and also one of my favorite artists to work with. For a good time, follow his Soundcloud.




He's also an amazing visual artist. I fully hijacked this photo from his Facebook page.

6. Nu Era - "Cops" 2014  Andrew Savoie of Nu Era and myself host a monthly Local Hip Hop Showcase at The Crocodile Back Bar called Home Slice. Come through, the pizza is bomb and the people are even better.




7. Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams - "Get Lucky" 2013  These are some relevant mother-f***ers. This song made the world happy, what could be better than that?




8. Jaden Smith - "Scarface" 2015 Not that he needs it, but, I wholeheartedly cosign Jaden Smith. He's an intelligent 17 year old actor, musician, and fashion designer #props. I hope to see him at The Crocodile someday soon.




9. SBTRKT feat. Ezra Koenig - "New Dorp, New York" 2014  Haven't seen SBTRKT live yet, that day will be awesome. His self titled album released on Young Turks is a classic.




10. The Good Sin feat. Alisha Roney - "Eye 2 Eye" 2012 (Produced by Justo) (SEATTLE MUSIC)  Breaking stuff in reverse and road trips are totally awesome, they obviously know what's up.





*BONUS* It felt weird to leave out the legendary DJ Shadow, so I'll just leave this here.

DJ Shadow - "Live! In Tune And On Time" 2004