Logikalinskey here to break down the top five songs that I’ve been listening to this week. When it comes to music, there’s definitely a “mood factor” that is involved with what I’m listening to. The weather in Orlando this week has been phenomenal which definitely had a more “uplifting” effect on a couple of my picks for the week. My selections are all over the place which is something I love and hope that you can respect as I hope that we are all lovers of different genres of music. Let’s get it started.
Kanye West feat. Lloyd Banks, Pusha T, John Legend, Ryan Leslie, Kid Cudi
As soon as the distortion comes in, you know it’s about to become a problem. Kanye’s had a lot of success with his GOOD Friday idea and he nailed it out of the park with this edition. Every artist adds their own personal touch to the hypnotizing beat. Is this a re-emergence of Lloyd Banks also? The first of two features with Kanye West (Start It Up being the second), it’s great to hear the forgotten G-Unit member sounding energized and spittin’ like it’s the Workout series. It’s refreshing to hear. Coming off the heals of his explicit Complex interviews, Cudi ends the track with his eerie singing making it sound like this track was made just for him.
Download: Christian Dior Denim Flow
Wiz Khalifa – Good Dank
It’s definitely the year of Mr. Khalifa. The Rookie Of The Year (I know he’s been out for years, but 2010 was that breakout year) released the best Hip-Hop mixtape of the year with Kush and OJ. Agree or disagree, there’s no denying that he’s now made his stamp into our culture. My favorite song off of Kush and OJ changes almost weekly and for this week, Good Dank is definitely doing it for me. The extremely laid back beat, the slowed down flow, the guitar backdrop, everything about it feels as if it’s the perfect music for “rollin’ up those paper planes.” Wiz is going to be performing in Orlando on November 4th at Club Firestone and I’m hoping this song is an interlude for the middle of the show. For a chance to win tickets to the show, check out our contest.
The Mars Volta – Meccamputechture
I don’t think there’s a “Like” category when it comes to The Mars Volta. You either love them or hate them. There can’t be a middle ground with such an emotionally charged band. I fall on the former and absolutely love the band and have for many years. I’m not going to lie, however. It took me A LOT of listening to fully understand and grasp what I was hearing. Progressive rock or whatever category that you can try and throw them in, they’re not. They’ve far surpassed what you’d expect from any musical arrangement of musicians. Meccamputechture is off of their album Amputechture, which is considered by many to be one of their “worst” releases. Right behind Frances The Mute, it’s easily my favorite. The experimentation they use and how this song ends right at the beginning is full out mind blowing. Instrumentation, musicianship and purveyors of pushing the limits, The Mars Volta continue to break the boundaries of what a Rock group can do.
Joe Budden – State Of You
Escape Route is by far my favorite release from Joey and this is one of my favorite songs from the album. Emo Joe as I like to call him is at his best when speaking about real life issues that he’s going through. It’s these issues that many of his fans are able to relate to with how Budden words together his songs. A master at the craft of “rapping” (Top 10, disagree? Let me know!),
Budden says:
I got a audience, they just got me hatin’ this shit
Or is it how I view life, and how vacant it is
Watch me and see a horrible movie, bad reviews
Scattered views with a cold heart, wrong attitude
I ain’t got a thing in common with these rapper dudes.
Really?….No, really?! Sheesh…Tell me, please. What other rappers are able to drag themselves to their deepest lows, take those horrible feelings and put it on paper and actually hit the record button? It’s Budden’s mastery at the craft which makes his Mood Muzik series such a success and receive that love from his fans.
Justin Timberlake – Summer Love/Set The Mood (Prelude)
I know it’s fall, I don’t care. This shit is perfect all year ’round. Not much to really say about this one, I just think Timberlake needs to start recording for a new album seeing as how Futuresex/Lovesound is one of the best R&B/Pop records of the past decade. Yep, I said it.I’m posting this more for the first part of the song but that doesn’t mean I’m not a fan of the second either. Ladies….*Wink*.
Download: Summer Love/Set The Mood (Prelude)
