Chiddy Bang

Chiddy Bang is a hip hop act from Philadelphia consisting of frontman Proto and producer/keyboardist Xaphoon Jones, along with drummer Zach Sewall and vocalist/guitarist Pat Braz. Oh, and they're also awesome. The newest in huge-white-fanbase rap, they have that hipster charm that make The Cool Kids so appealing, and I imagine they most likely get hated on by Gucci Mane fans. Either way, these first year college students (that's in the American sense - university) have created a beautiful marriage between engaging depth of content and mature, widely influenced production. You can download "Swelly Express," the mixtape they released some time last year; it's completely free and can be found here. Also, the new video for their single "Opposite of Adults," which both samples and improves MGMT's "Kids" is available to watch on youtube any time you like. I have however cut out the middle man and provided it for you right here:



The whole superimposed head effect works really well, I'm sure you'll agree, and if you want to see them live, they're supporting Hockey (odd, I know) in London, Manchester and Glasgow between the 24th and 26th February 2010.

Melt! Festival 2009

Earlier this year, when all the festival tickets started to burst the internet floodgates, I had to make an important decision. Did I want to opt for the matching lads-on-tour polo shirts, extortionate ticket prices, and comparatively weak line-up of Benicassim? Or did I want to get my snob on and find something a little less "bait" but inherently more enjoyable?

Naturally, I went with the more pretentious option and settled on Melt! festival, which, although supposedly just outside Berlin, is in fact about 2 hours away on the train. However, the journey is completely worth it because the arena is bonkers. Whoever thought of putting stages, tents and some food stalls in a disused industrial site is a genius. The snappily named "Ferropolis" - or "Iron City" - is an old German ironworks, and is covered in enormous cranes and rusty old machinery which are all illuminated at night. Epic.

Also, you really can't go wrong with an £80 ticket, especially when it includes Röyksopp, Aphex Twin, Rex the Dog, Skream & Benga, Simian Mobile Disco, Boy8Bit, Phoenix, Erol Alkan & Boys Noize, Diplo, MSTRKRFT, Patrick Wolf, Brodinski, Tiga, Passion Pit... I won't even go on, there were just so many impressive names.

Anyway, again, I lost a lot of photos on the ruined film, so here is some of what I managed to salvage from the other rolls.

Upper Clapton Dance Video

I think the song's been around for a while, but Professor Green has just put the video for his super serious "Upper Clapton Dance" up on Youtube, to coincide with the song's release on itunes music store in early July. I really like the song, and the video is extra fly, even if it does make me want to never leave my house again.

Jamie Foxx Vs. Arrested Development

I love this mix of Jamie Foxx's "Blame it," courtesy of DJ Fabian. The beat from "People Everyday" really improves the song in my eyes.

MP3:Blame it on the People (DJ Fabian Mix) - Jamie Foxx Vs. Arrested Development

Its got a really summery feel and I think its going to be a favourite of mine for the holidays.

Saturday Cool Kids Extravaganza

I've been listening to The Cool Kids all afternoon, so I thought I'd post these tracks, both of which have been out for a while. I know Maroon 5 might not help me rack up my street cred points, but in December they released "Call and Response: The Remix Album," and The Cool Kids have given "Harder to Breathe" a good going over. I haven't fully decided how much I like it, but I'm definitely enjoying elements of it. The beat has that trademark stripped-down quality that I love in TCK, but I think there's a little too much of the original vocals at the beginning. I suppose that's because it was produced for a Maroon 5 album, but it would be nice to hear a few more Cool Kids lyrics. In addition, since summer's on the way, and it's just such a good song, listen to this remix of "Delivery Man" as well, then try and tell me you don't love it.

MP3: Maroon 5 - Harder to Breathe (The Cool Kids Remix)

MP3: The Cool Kids - Delivery Man (9th Wonder Remix)

Also, just for good measure, here's a really good hip hop tune from Sims and Mike Mictlan of Doomtree, a rap collective from Minneapolis. It has all the eloquence of Aesop Rock with an epic beat change at the chorus. Totally dope.

MP3: Sims - Slow Burn feat. Mike Mictlan

The Streets - Blinded by the Lights (Nero Dubstep Remix)

I heard this for the first time when Skream dropped it during his set at (wait for it) The Works in Kingston on Sunday. Haven't been there in a very long while, understandably. But clearly they're catching onto the whole "everybody likes dubstep" thing, so they put on an easter special with Skream and Benga. This song was the highlight for me, but I can't find an audio file anywhere, so youtube will have to do. It's a lot.

Kitsuné Maison 7 & Fall/Winter '09 Collection

Kitsuné have released this nice little video, which lets you preview both the upcoming Kitsuné Maison 7 Compilation, and their Fall/Winter '09 Collection, all at the same time! Very generous of them, what else could you possibly want?