@TheRingOfDOOM 0006: An Intergalactic Love Story With A Happy Ending

I love the idea of @TheRingOfDOOM interacting with the characters in the Street Art so I made up a legend about the characters in the two prominent D*Face murals. The other murals in the neighborhood just happen to corroborate their story.

@TheRingOfDOOM 0005: San Francisco Spacecruise

In which our hero pays tribute in the Hip Hop section, learns about a human who can recreate the landscape of other planets, and gets in a San Francisco skate session.

@TheRingOfDOOM 0004: Hoverboard Skypark For Alien Types

I made this...



Follow @TheRingOfDOOM on Instagram to see what we're up to today.

@TheRingOfDOOM 0003: A Trip To Haight-Ashbury

I'm learning a ton while making these videos for @TheRingOfDOOM on my iPhoneSE and have infinite ideas for future shenanigans. In this one our hero meets Eddie The Eight-Headed Mink Snake AND Madonna in the Amoeba SF alley while on a trip down Haight Street. Thank you to Grape God, Slick Devious, Heems, DJ Shadow, En Vogue, and Gang Starr for letting(uh...no) me borrow your music (please know it is because I love you).

I'm currently road tripping across the country selling random items on eBay, including this eight headed mink that I FAILED to sell. I'm trying to use what I've got to build an empire (lofty goals I know) and thanks to my lack of eBay skills; I have some really weird shit traveling with me that I will get to use as costars in the series. If I make Eddie the Eight-Headed Mink Snake internet famous, maybe I can actually sell him on eBay?

In this video you'll hear Grape God using #444 in 2014, three years before Jay-Z. 

The New Hotness Vol. 9

I had started to photoshop all the New Hotness artists into a photo but Ish as a baby goat(?) is too priceless. 

1. Taylar Elizza Beth - "Live On KEXP" 2017  Taylar is no stranger to this website. I cannot wait to hear the album with Khris P she clued us into in the interview portion of the video; those two together is whoa.




2. Stas Thee Boss - "S'Women" 2017  SEATTLE MUSIC  Stas Thee Boss is kicking ass at life right now and I have no doubt that she is just getting going. Mad props are due for Street Sounds and all the rest. The Album Release Party is October 23 at Barboza with Porter Ray, JusMoni, Jay Stone, and Queens D. Light. I'm guessing she picked out this dope ass lineup herself... like a boss.




3. Specs Wizard x Silas Blak x Able Fader - "Bona Fides" 2017  SEATTLE MUSIC  It's great to see this crew finalize a project together, here's hoping we see a full album very soon. Hit the links to see what they've been up to with their solo projects.



Watch Able Fader's Voyage Of The Thubba series, you will not regret it.




4. OCnotes - "Doug Morris" 2017  Stay on your grind Otis, I believe in you. A note from the artist himself on the project...

OCnotes presents "Doug Morris" 

A meditative journey to the outer reaches of your creative imagination & temporary self. 

An extraterrestrial being is sent to planet Earth unable to speak the languages or communicate with anyone. It only understands the language of sound & has exceptional expertise in all forms of music. It doesnt know why it is there, but understands that when it does this thing these beings call "music" the beings transform and begin to glow and increase in body temperature. They move about in organized patterns & make strange noises with their vessels. 

In the search for its purpose, the reason for this mission, our extraterrestrial being faces the ups & downs of Earth life while transforming the planet itself with its extraordinary musical abilities. 
A new perspective of the present re-interpreted through this modern vessel. 

Here for you, the listener, is an audio visual presentation best experienced through headphones or on sound systems with a balanced frequency range. 

Film Release Summer 2018






5. Paint Soup (Grape God, Slick Devious, + Skelli Skel) - "Paint Soup 3" 2017  PORTLAND MUSIC  Let's get these dudes some bread, if you've ever seen them perform live... you know they deserve at least that. #444




6. Indian Agent - "Life Keeps On Spinning" 2017  This is the first single from their upcoming album, Meditations In The Key Of Red, due out October 13 on Homeskillet Records. These are some seriously high quality humans... for a peek into what they're all about, check out their bio here and check out this article about the release from the URB magazine site. Silver Jackson's Homeskillet Records has exactly the type of roster I hope to have on my own label someday... when I materialize the fundage (although my label would be mostly women).




7. Sa-Roc - "The Reckoning" 2017  RHYMESAYERS  I had the pleasure of spending six weeks in a van with this woman and have no doubt she will take over the universe as only she can.




8. Ear Dr.Umz The MetroGnome - "Nick Johnson EP" 2014  SEATTLE MUSIC  Ear Dr.Umz has recently released his Nick Johnson EP on vinyl and you should definitely buy it while you have the chance.




9. Kiefer - "aaaa" 2017  I can't say enough nice things about Kiefer; after seeing him perform with Mndsgn, I was hooked. His latest album, Kickinit Alone is available however you want to ingest it. Follow him on Soundcloud for more gems.




10. MF DOOM - "The Missing Notebook Rhymes" 2017  Adult Swim is releasing one MF DOOM song per week from The Missing Notebook Rhymes. I love seeing these two ridiculously talented teams work together and aim to grind hard enough to be right up there with them.










11. Shabazz Palaces - "Shine A Light" feat. Thadillac 2017  Shabazz Palaces prove once again that they are on a completely different plane than the rest of us... this is a really good thing. Ish as a slimy baby goat may be the best part of this whole post.




12. Araless - "Intertwine" 2017  SEATTLE MUSIC  "Intertwine" was most definitely inspired by Araless' wonderful lady, Melanie, who also stars in this video. Shout out to them for being a great team.




13. Wizdumb - "Bust Tha Format" & "Shadows" 2017  SEATTLE MUSIC  At first listen my favorites are "So Clear" with Specs Wizard and "Suckaz" with Comel 15... listen to it, you will not regret it.







14. Thundercat - "Tokyo" 2017  BRAINFEEDER  Thundercat's tribute to Tokyo is pretty awesome, I better go to Tokyo myself to make sure he got the vibe right. I also added it to the collection of Music Videos With Cats... if you're into that sort of thing.




15. Jorja Smith X Preditah - "On My Mind" 2017  I've been a Jorja Smith fan since "Where Did I Go?" and have been ever since. Can't wait to see what she does next.




16. Rainwater Conglomerate - "The EP" 2017  If you're only going to pick one track from Rainwater Conglomerate to see what they're all about, listen to "Here & There." Billy Blaze amazes me. The crew is selling shirts on Amazon.





17. Musab + Ink Well Present MInk - "Resources" 2017  RHYMESAYERS  As someone with an unused history degree, I highly support this message. Fun fact, Musab is one of the founding members of Rhymesayers Entertainment.




18. Grieves - "What It Dew" 2017  RHYMESAYERS  This is my favorite Grieves video so far, props to the whole team for their efforts! Go see Grieves on tour with Dem Atlas, they are awesome.




19. Myke Bogan - "Pool Party" 2017  PORTLAND MUSIC  The visuals for the first single from Pool Party, "Take The Night Off" featuring Blossom were on The New Hotness Vol. 8. Myke Bogan, formerly of Pac Div with Like, is now part of the Eyrst crew... who of course, I also love.




20. BINKBEATS - "Little Nerves" feat. Niels Broos 2017  This is the first original BINKBEATS track I've heard, his cover of Madlib + Erykah Badu's "The Healer" and "J Dilla Mixtape" had me hooked instantly.



I'd like to note that BINKBEATS and Dax Edword AKA Diogenes have a doppelganger thing going. They're both ridiculously talented musicians and I sincerely hope to see them share a stage one day.

Photo stolen with love from Seattle Weekly.

Joey Bada$$ + Schoolboy Q LIVE at WaMu Theater in Seattle, WA feat. @theringofdoom

Joey Bada$$ manages to be simultaneously wise beyond his years and a youthful spirit that crowds literally faint for. A Joey Bada$$ performance is a must have experience for anyone who thinks Hip Hop is dead. Schoolboy Q is aight too, @theringofdoom approves.

Ten Animated Music Videos Part V

Hey! I made you this photoshop collage of images from each of the videos on the list; all images are blatantly hijacked (I'll gladly remove the artist's image if they ask). I've also made you a YouTube playlist of all 50 of the animated videos I've featured on the website so far. I started making the YouTube playlists because I prefer music videos to television.


1. Ripley Snell - "Underworld Series" - [GTA V Short Film / Music Video] 2016  Ripley Snell and the Eyrst crew of Portland are the most interesting movement of art since Stones Throw and Brainfeeder. I've been fortunate to book him in Seattle with Grape God as Wine + Coffee for a Home Slice at The Crocodile Back Bar. One of my favorite things I've ever done was to set up a show in Portland at The Know with Wine + Coffee, DoNormaal, OCnotes, Raven Matthews, and Snugsworth.




2. Shabazz Palaces - "Forerunner Foray" 2015  SEATTLE MUSIC  These guys are light years beyond the label Seattle Music; so much so that typing it above almost felt like an insult. That said, their presence in our city is a blessing to us all. I'm confident the Black Constellation's legacy will be comparable to that of the legendary supercrew, Soulquarians. It is already to those who are paying attention.




3. BOOTS - "C.U.R.E." 2015  This video is a cinematic masterpiece. I haven't found another Boots song that I like yet but I'll keep checking back in because the video below is that awesome.




4. J'Von - "potato (animated short)" 2016  SEATTLE MUSIC  "a short animation featuring catman going thru stuff, i think idk. drawn, colored, animated, edited, produced, written, & scored by j'von." -J'Von's YouTube Credits

J'Von has been grinding away solo at these Catman based videos lately and the results made it all the way to FADER. In addition to the many talents listed above, J'Von is always on time. #hesthatclassy




5. Wiki - "3 Stories" (Produced by Kaytranada) 2016  I had the pleasure of working with both of these artists in the last few months at music venues in Seattle. Peep some of the footage in the video compilation I made. I've watched this video at least a dozen times; the Letter Racer team nailed it and Kaytranada and Wiki are at the top of their game.




6. Big Grams | Adult Swim - "Born To Shine" feat. Run The Jewels + "Run For Your Life" 2016  I love everything about Big Grams and this animated video is no exception. Plus, it's always a good idea to work with Run The Jewels; I'm hoping to do that myself someday. Adult Swim does a great job of keeping their finger on the pulse of the underground (and mainstream); that is not a compliment I give lightly.




7. Thundercat - "Song For The Dead" 2016  A huge thank you to the entire Brainfeeder team for blessing us with so much great art and inspiration.




8. Samiyam x Earl Sweatshirt - "Mirror" 2016  These two also did a "What's In My Bag" with the Amoeba team, check it out here. Earl Sweatshirt has managed to be that dude since before his mom made him quit rapping to finish high school.




9. MF DOOM - "GAS DRAWLS" 2016 (Video) This song originally appeared on the Operation: Doomsday album in 1999 and remains to inspire people to this very day. According to Rappcats, where I found this gem,"Animator Dustooned created a video for 'Gas Drawls,' taking inspiration from Doom’s album artwork, including much of Jason Jason illustrations for MM Food and the Metalface version of Operation Doomsday. The animation was created independently, and got the Doom stamp of approval just last week."



I can completely relate to Dustooned's inspiration because I have recently started an Instagram (@theringofdoom ) to document the adventures of my MF DOOM ring and have many plans to continue. It all started because I wanted to learn more about stop motion, iMovie, Reddit, Instagram, clay, fossils, petrified wood, and keeping it weird. TheRingOfDoom's Instagram is a story that can be read from the first post to the most current. The two of us are headed to Europe in December to investigate the street art and underground music communities...stay tuned.

10. Fashawn - "Confess" 2015  This video reminds me of Marley Marl's "The Symphony" in the best way; I it posted previously on a list of videos featuring fringe. Fashawn has been making great decisions with the people he surrounds himself with. When I saw him last, he was touring with Exile, Grandmaster of the MPC and the mega-talented video gawd Punit Dhesi.

Ten Music Videos With Kissing

10 Kissing Music Videos Playlist is here.

1. Disclosure feat. Eliza Doolittle - "You And Me" (Flume Remix) 2014  I actually think they went a little overboard with the kissing on this one but the song is awesome. It was one of the many songs I knew I loved in the first 1 minute and 4 seconds. My intro to Disclosure was "White Noise" featuring AlunaGeorge and I've been on board ever since. For Flume, the song that caught me was "Left Alone" featuring Chet Faker.




2. Bjork - "Mutual Core" 2012   Bjork is Queen of the Keep Iceland Weird committee in the best possible way. The almost unlistenable song and creepy visuals in this single from her Biophilia album make it an all around uncomfortable video to watch. Don't get me wrong, I have loved Bjork since before I Mod Podged the Post album art on my journal in 1995; but, her new music is a little hard to digest. A+ for effort and for staying true to her inner weirdo.




3. The Weeknd - "Often" 2014  Even though all of The Weeknd songs sound the same to me, there are only 3 songs that I have overplayed as of yet. "Can't Feel My Face," "The Zone," and "The Morning." He's just meh to me in general, but I would love to see other artists work as hard as he has for a sustainable music career.




4. Shura - "Touch" 2014  Love the song but the video makes me feel like a Peeping Tom. Shura has a Shuraverse on her website that is so high tech that it doesn't load half the time. Have yet to find any other Shura songs that I like.



The final product of Talib Kweli's remix is pretty weak. It feels like a concocted label collaboration to me, but maybe Kweli simply liked the song as much as I did?




5. BADBADNOTGOOD + Ghostface Killah feat. DOOM - "Ray Gun" 2015  This is a truly epic trio of artists. Masks, robots, spaceships, subtitles, cars, fur, birds, special effects, food, lasers, cops; this video has everything. I love that Left Brain is the lead actor in this; he doesn't tip his bartenders though so he'll never be that classy.




6. Odesza feat Zyra - "Say My Name" 2014  I'm down with Odesza but I have yet to feel the urge to spend time with their music. The duo met at WWU and quickly made Bellingham, WA a new hub of the Electronic music scene. Pretty sweet trick actually.




7. Prof - "Motel" 2015  Best dimples, promo, and socks in the game. He's been working his ass off under the guise of almost constant shenanigans for over a decade. With the priceless backing of Rhymesayers, he's making a huge mark on the music community.



My former ReignCity team had the pleasure of hosting Prof's "Liability Tour" at Nectar Lounge November 17, 2015 with Nacho Picasso and Slow Dance. Here's a few of the photos I found on my phone the next day.

8. The Flavr Blue - "Hearts Racing" 2014  SEATTLE MUSIC  All three members of The Flavr Blue are pushing themselves to be the best humans they can be. Mad respect to Hollis, Parker, and Lace for their commitment to their craft and for being all around awesome people.




9.  Snakehips feat. Tinashe + Chance The Rapper - "All My Friends" 2015  We never actually see what these people are waiting in line for which is actually perfect for the song. This video for my first exposure to Snakehips would have been perfect in the short Rotating Cameras list. I've listened to this song too much but I'm coo with it.




10. Kwamie Liv - "Higher" 2015  This video documents the course of a relationship, The Cure's Wild Mood Swings album did that too. I first heard Kwamie Liv in the single "5 AM" a few years back but haven't seen her in Seattle yet.

NowFutur - "Origins Of The Villain"

I found "Origins Of The Villain" on Rappcats last March and we immediately became homies. We went on road trips together, cooked fabulous meals, chilled out and looked at art books, took long walks in the woods, and did all kinds of fun things together. OOTV disappeared from Soundcloud for awhile which really put a damper on our relationship. I'm very happy to say that "Origins Of The Villain" and I have been seeing each other again. OOTV had to take some personal time to get tracked out and find some new artwork; pretty sure it's been hijacked by someone but I love OOTV anyway. I can no longer keep our relationship undocumented, let's make this official.

Relationship Status: In A Long-Term Relationship with "Origins Of The Villain"

ORIGINS OF THE VILLAIN from NOw FUTUR on Vimeo.

A word on the video from the creators, I'll forgive the "ALL CAPS" this time because it's so Madvillainy:

A VIDEO AND AUDIO TRIBUTE WE DID FOR MF DOOM FLIPPING HIS BEATS RE-CREATING THEM USING ORIGINAL SAMPLES AND ADDING VIDEOS TO IT 
WE'VE PLAYED THIS LIVE AS AN OPENING ACT FOR MF DOOM 
MIXED ASSEMBLED AND EDITED BY SIMS, MASS + ALAN the G
artwork by Julien Sens

Swoon.

Ten Great Non-Music Videos

1. Ten Hundred - "Reincarnated" 2014  It's great to see P Smoov working so hard for his art. I also love how well he and his lady collaborate on her fashion website, The Damsel In The Dress.




2. Bob Burnquist - "Dreamland" 2013  It's really too bad the music sucks because this is a rad video. Shoulda went with Wu-Tang.




3. Hangin Tuff! Episode #4 Featuring La Luz - 2014  Bobbi Rich kills it with her Hangin Tuff series and La Luz are some of Seattle's most talented and interesting musicians.




4. 7 Slaps In The Sack Episode 1: Gifted Gab 2014   It's great seeing people put their ideas into action, like Miss Casey Carter, Gifted Gab, and Carrick Wenke.




5. The Sand Animation of Kseniya Simonova from Ukraine's Got Talent 2009  Hats off to this lady for getting way outside of the sandbox with her art.




6. MF Doom Lecture from Madrid - 2011  One hour and 39 minutes of Doom!




7. DJ Shadow + Quannum MCs Live on Radio 1 Breezeblock 2003  I have this recorded to minidisc if anyone needs to borrow it. One of the founding members of Quannum Projects, DJ Shadow, will be here in Seattle on October 8 with Cut Chemist to play the Renegades of Rhythm Tour at The Neptune Theater. It's the same night as our ReignCity Yasiin Bey/ Mos Def show at The Showbox. What a rad dilemma.




8. Flying Lotus - "The Birth Of Captain Murphy" 2014  There is currently a petition circling to get the birth of Flying Lotus' alter-ego turned into a series.




9. Drunk History - "Sylvia Robinson Creates A Rap Group" 2014  A teaser for the best Drunk History ever about the making of "Rapper's Delight."




10. Inside Bjork 2003  She's got a lot of "quirk." I will hopefully be attending her Biophilia Tour November 1 at The Neptune Theater.

Ten Music Videos featuring Abandoned Buildings

1. L'Orange and Stik Figa - "Smoke Rings" 2013  *L'Orange is one of my new favorite super-producers. The City Under The City and The Orchid Days are both instant classics.




2. The Doppelgangaz - "Suppository" 2011  *These guys are bout that cloak life.




3. Reks - "This Or That" (Produced by Statik Selektah) 2011  *Not to be confused with Wreckx-n-Effect, this song is way less exciting than "Rumpshaker."




4. Tim Cross and Burger - "Lacoste" 2014  *I love the abandoned roller coaster location.




5. Tech N9ne feat. Kendrick Lamar, ¡MAYDAY!, and Kendall Morgan - "Fragile" 2014  *Never thought I would like a TechN9ne song, isn't he a juggalo?




6. Blossom feat. Jehst - "Dusk" 2013  *Blossom is part of Berlin and London-based, Project Mooncircle. Jehst is a 16 year veteran of the UK Hip Hop Scene and can be found drinking tea in some of his music videos. Jehst also appears on Eight Music Videos with Animals, Ten Music Videos with Bridges, and Eastbound And Down Sampled.




7. MADlines - "The Weapon" 2014  *Seattle's BeanOne on the production. MADlines was previously featured on Ten Music Videos with Backwards Scenes as half of the duo Canary Sing with Hollis of The Flavr Blue.




8. Dilated Peoples - "Good As Gone" 2014  *They will be at The Showbox on July 9 with Jurassic 5 and The World Famous Beat Junkies, I am so there.




9. Dag Savage (Exile + Johaz) - "The Beginning" 2014  *This video also qualifies for Ten Music Videos featuring Record Stores.




10. NehruvuanDOOM (Bishop Nehru + MF DOOM) - "Darkness" 2014  *I have high hopes for the NehruvianDOOM album. This video should probably be in Eight Music Videos with Special Effect Twins.



*Abandoned buildings are some Hip Hop shit.

Ten Music Videos with Steps

1. Cris Prolific feat. Phat Kat - "To My Man J Dilla" 2011  *Another ode to Dilla.



You may remember Phat Kat from this song; I know I do.




2. Lil Kim feat. Lil Cease and The Notorious B.I.G. - "Crush On You" 1997  *In this video, we're talking about dance steps. Hardcore was definitely the best Lil Kim album.




3. Pusha T feat. Kendrick Lamar - "Nosetalgia" 2013  *Somebody should count how many steps they take, I'm not gonna do it, but, someone should. Kendrick has the smoothest and most nonchalant entrance ever. Still not a big Pusha T fan.




4. RJD2 - "Her Majesty's Socialist Request" 2013  *Whoa. This video is intense.




5. Step Brothers - "Step Masters" 2013  *I really hope there is a Step Brothers tour. I want to get them to sign this poster.

Alchemist and Evidence are f**king awesome. They both win.




6. Tricky feat. Nneka - "Nothing Matters" 2013  *The False Idols album is incredible.




7. Mic Flont, Gabriel Teodros, Ka.lil, and Jillthy - "Just Another Day" 2103  *Seattle music.




8. MF Doom - "Doomsday" 1999  *I had to get the Doom Ring.

9. Chromeo feat. Toro Y Moi - "Come Alive" 2014  *Yes! It's Mannequin, the 2014 version.




10. Del The Funky Homosapien - "Wrong Place" 1993  *More than 20 years of great music.



A photo I took of Deltron 3030 at The Showbox on November 17, 2013.

Ten Great Madlib Productions

1. Declaime feat. Quasimoto - "Don't Trip" 2001  *You will be glad you heard this.

2. Quasimoto - "Shroomusic" 2005 *Quasimoto is the animated and voice altered Madlib alter-ego.

3. Quasimoto - "Astro Travellin" 2000  *In this song we get to understand Madlib's views on marijuana.

4. Madvillain - "Figaro" (Madlib's Stones Throw 101 Remix) 2004  *Beat nasty face.

5. Madvillain - "Curls" 2003  *This is the B-side to "All Caps" which can be found in the original Ten Animated Music Videos.

6. Mos Def feat. Slick Rick - "Auditorium" 2009 (Produced by Madlib)  *I believe this is one of the best songs on the album.

7. Erykah Badu - "The Healer" 2008 (Produced by Madlib)  *Amazing song.

8. Madlib - "Pyramids" 2006  *This is from Beat Konducta Vol 1-2: Movie Scenes (this is not the real music video).

9. Madlib the Beat Konducta - "Get It Right" 2007  *This is from Beat Konducta Vol 3-4: Beat Konducta in India.

10. Madlib - "Slim's Return" 2003  *This is from the Shades Of Blue album.

Ten Great Songs Without Music Videos

1. Dirty Sanchez feat. Capital STEEZ and Rokamouth - "Maxwell" 2013  This song never gets old.




2. Jai Paul - "Jasmine" 2012  Jai Paul pulled off the rare feat of internet stardom with a Soundcloud single.




3. Banks - "Before I Ever Met You" 2013




4. Wanderhouse - "Sugar" 2013  




5. Capital STEEZ (Produced By MF Doom) - "Chicago" 2012  I'm so glad these two made time to work together.




6. Pillowfight - "Used To Think" 2012  Pillowfight is Dan The Automator and Emily Wells.




7. Zebra Safari feat. Goofy Mane - "Never" 2013  This is a remix of a Perfume Genius song.



8. Common - "Thisisme" 1994  The definition of a banger.



9. Joey Bada$$ - "Don't Quit Your Day Job" 2013  This Lil B Diss song samples Janet Jackson's "That's The Way Love Goes." I still have the VHS I recorded the MTV World Premiere of the Janet video. It blew my 14 year old mind.



10. Erykah Badu (Produced By Madlib) - "The Healer" 2008  The live version and the Binkbeats version make up the difference.