My Definition of Cool: M.I.A.

Showing posts with label M.I.A.. Show all posts

Monday, January 16, 2017

Eleven Music Videos featuring Parking Garages

Here's the full list in YouTube playlist form. #YouTubeNchill

1. Zelli feat. Feezable The Germ - "Solid" 2017 SEATTLE MUSIC It's beautiful to see Zelli stepping her game up, I can't wait to see what she does next. "Solid" is the title track from her latest EP, released in August 2016. The video was created by the mega-talented A.K. Romero; Seattle is oozing with talent.

2. M.I.A. - "Bring The Noize" 2013 One of the reasons I think we all love M.I.A. is because she dares to be different. It's funny how we often hide the gifts that make us unique to better fit in. M.I.A. likely had to overcome some

3. Graves 33 - "Waiting For Never" 2012 SEATTLE MUSIC Graves 33 works his ass off making music, graphic design, woodburning, videography, and taking care of his family.

4. Deltron 3030 - "City Rising From The Ashes" (Video 2) 2013 The original version of this video can be found on my list of Music Videos w/ Projectors. It amazes me how little attention this album got, I guess people were too distracted by all the mainstream garbage as usual. Fortunately, I was able to see them perform twice during the tour to promote the album. The second version of the video got one-sixth the attention of the original...lesson learned.

5. Paul White feat. Trim - "Get Your Head Round This" 2014 I still can't figure out how I feel about Paul White's music, it seems like most of his songs are missing something. This song is definitely unique and more creative than most of the garbage you'll hear on the radio. His work ethic and creativity will keep me listening/watching. He just released a free beat tape on Bandcamp so you can hear for yourself how he's progressed.

6. Homeboy Sandman - "America The Beautiful" 2015 Yet another gem from Homeboy Sandman, can't wait to hear the new material he's working on with Aesop Rock as the duo Lice.

7. Emily Wells - "Mama's Gonna Give You Love" 2012 This is an incredible performance, one of the many that earned her the opportunity to work with one of my personal favorites, Dan The Automator, on their Pillowfight side project. The lead single from that project appeared on my compilation of music videos with Leg Shots.

8. Silas Blak - "Yeah Yeah" 2015 SEATTLE MUSIC Walking around the neighborhood videos do a great job of showcasing the natural talent of the artist. Silas Blak is oozing with natural talent...the Cabin Games crew gets it. Do yourself a favor and check out his "Editorials: (wartunes)" album, available on his Bandcamp page.

9. Lady Leshurr - "Queen's Speech Ep. 1" 2015 Much respect to Lady Leshurr for owning her queenliness. The six installments of her Queen's Speech series got me hooked.

10. Massive Attack - "Angel" 1998 Massive Attack is timeless. I love the theory that Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja is Banksy...even though he says it's not true.

11. Radiohead - "Daydreaming" 2016 See how Thom Yorke has the courage to walk through every doorway he comes to, that is how you make shit happen for yourself. I see metaphors for kicking ass at life everywhere these days and I'm okay with it...that said, some doorways are not worth the energy.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

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!

Friday, February 26, 2016

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.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Ten Music Videos with Horses Part Deux

Here's a link to a YouTube playlist with 21 Horse Videos for your viewing pleasure.

1. Intelligent Hoodlum - "The Posse (Shoot 'Em Up)" 1993 This is the first track on the Posse Soundtrack. I have a VHS tape with Intelligent Hoodlum performing this song Live on BET (and many other early 90's music videos), it's one of my most prized possessions.

2. Future Islands - "Seasons (Waiting On You)" 2014 This song rules. I can't wait to hear the Madlib/Future Islands dude (Samuel Herring) collaboration.

3. Laid Back - "White Horse" 1983 There isn't a horse in this video, but, I figure the name is good enough. The chick in this video is probably trying to cross her eyes because she can't believe how much the singer of Laid Back looks like a cat.

4. The Good Sin - "Promise Me" 2014 (with Additional Vox by Tay Sean) (SEATTLE MUSIC) Another gem of the Seattle music scene, this city is rad.

5. Londonbeat - "I've Been Thinking About You" 1990 The version of this video that contains horses is "blocked in your country on copyright grounds." (Le Sigh) This is a rad song though so I'm leaving it here dammit.

6. Ra Scion and Vox Mod - "Fixed" 2014 (SEATTLE MUSIC) They have a ton of music video skill points.

7. TĀLĀ - "Serbia" 2014 This chick is kind of a badass. FYI, she's from London, not Serbia.

8. Dark Time Sunshine feat. Child Actor - "Valiant" 2012 (SEATTLE MUSIC) A falcon and a horse for the win.

9. Falco - "Rock Me Amadeus" 1985 Eighties perfection.

10. M.I.A. - "Broader Than A Border" 2015 In a disturbing turn of events, M.I.A. has released her new video exclusively on Apple Music so I can't embed it. Bummer dude, but naturally since M.I.A. is so f***ing amazing, it's worth linking to. "Broader Than A Border" via Apple Music

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Ten Music Videos with Green Screen Backgrounds

1. M.I.A. - "Galang" 2007 *She is radical.

2. Neneh Cherry - "Buffalo Stance" 1988 *It's hard not to sing aloud the part of the chorus that starts at 0:51, for me, maybe not you guys.

3. The Streets - "Let's Push Things Forward" 2002 *I don't love this song but the whole British rapper thing makes me like it.

4. The B-52's - "Roam" 1990 *This song and video are kind of painful to watch, I wouldn't recommend watching it except for the nostalgia factor. I don't think I would ever listen to this song for listening pleasure. I find myself questioning whether or not this category should just have nine songs.

5. 3rd Bass - "The Gas Face" 1989 *MC Serch was a turtleneck rapper.

6. Theophilus London - "I Stand Alone" 2011 *Dang, this song isn't that cool at all. The green screen action is the best part.

7. De La Soul - "Eye Know" 1989 *This song samples Steely Dan, how cool is that?

8. Monie Love - "Grandpa's Party" 1990 *Afrika Bambaataa has a cameo in this video.

9. Holy Balm - "Holy Balm Theme" 2012 *I saw this Australian band recently at the Jewelbox Theater. They were so incredible I bought the album. Their awesomeness isn't that obvious in this video or song. They have a tumblr.

10. Deee-Lite - "Groove Is In The Heart" 1990 *I saw one of the Deee-Lite djs at the Power Plant near the viaduct in the late 1990s. I had a mini raver phase in that era, but, someone told me once that I looked like I was dancing to Hip Hop (they did not think that was cool).

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Ten Music Videos With Rappers Behind Fences

1. Dyme-A-Duzin feat. Joey Bada$$, Capital STEEZ, and CJ Fly - "Swank Sinatra" 2012 *I get to see a few of these guys at Neumos on March 24, it's a must go.