Happy Halloweed! Enjoy this seasonally appropriate set of beats!

A$AP Rocky just dropped Live Love A$AP

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EDIT: The link I originally posted is down. Fortunately, it's also available through hulkshare here. 

Grittiness

MIT professor, Sherry Turkle, speaking to The New York Times: “The technology which looked so good 15 to 20 years ago now looks like it helps us miss out on the complexities and grittiness and ups and downs of what real life has to offer.”

Globule Warm-Dream (A Piece of Advice)

Radiate the calm of the ooze you inhabit.
Worry only about its textural qualia:
Vivid. Viscous. All-encompassing
In its benevolent absorption.

Senior Living by Röyksopp

Listen, then read.

The Rain by Jacques Morel
[Track by Lil Boosie]

Fans of hip-hop take "realness" more seriously than any group since folk aficionados in the 60s. Sure, alternative and indie culture have placed value on "alternative-ness" and "indie cred" but that seems more intimately related to the connection between an artist and his work. In hip-hop, the connection is between the artist's work and the lifestyle he engages in after leaving the studio. While we forgive, from time to time, rappers for embellishing their stories for dramatic effect, the ideal is lyrics as a perfect reflection of life. This brings me to the consequences of this pressure. I was wikipedia browsing today and came across Lil Boosie's entry. It made me take a good, hard look at what I, as a consumer of art, am encouraging in the real world. We want real rap, and that means we want rappers to be real criminals. Will this change my tastes? Nope. I'm just saying, shit's real.

Personal life

Lil Boosie is married to Walnita Decuir-Hatch. The couple has three children: Torrence Hatch, Jr., Ivyana Hatch, and Tarlaysia Hatch. His mother is Jacquelyn Hatch.^[3] Shortly after Bad Azz was released, Boosie announced that he had diabetes.^[1] On October 22, 2008, Boosie was arrested after East Baton Rouge sheriff's deputies found marijuana, another unidentified drug, and a gun in Boosie's car. Boosie pled guilty to third-degree possession of marijuana on September 22, 2009 and was sentenced to two years in prison the next day.^[4] Judge James Moore doubled the sentence on November 10 after finding Boosie had violated probation while awaiting sentencing. Between his plea and sentencing, Boosie was electronically monitored and placed under house arrest.^[5]

 

Murder charge

On June 17, 2010 Lil Boosie was indicted on federal charges on first-degree murder of Terry Boyd.^[6] He also faces charges for three counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics (Schedule II-Codeine, Schedule I-Ecstasy and Schedule I-Marijuana), three counts of "conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute narcotics", and two counts of "conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal institution".^[6] He has stated that he is innocent of these charges.^[7] District attorney Hillar Moore stated that the killing seemed to be "over turf". If convicted, Lil Boosie may face the death penalty. Prosecutors have stated that they believe the rapper may have been involved in at least five other murders.^[8] On June 28, Lil Boosie entered a not-guilty plea in a Louisiana court room. While Boosie's defense addressed the fact that the rapper has several ongoing cases, they emphasized that he is not a murderer.^[9]

Truth

Going to school is like swallowing rocks.
We are graded on how little we appear to choke.
The harder the class, the bigger the rock.

Another new track from Take Care

Drake - Make Me Proud Feat. Nicki Minaj by octobersveryown

 

I'm "Thinking About You," Frank Ocean

 I was just listening to the latest single from Odd Future affiliate Frank Ocean. Obviously, he's blown up in a huge way this year. What I love most about him (after his incredible music, of course) is that he's remained dedicated to his aesthetic throughout this, and never compromised the quality of his work for a quick buck. I mean, at this point in his career, no one couldn't blame him for just cashing in. He spent years languishing in Def Jam's stable, waiting for a chance to just release a record. Now, he's singing hooks for Jay-Z and Kanye West. Anyway, I'm just saying this to convince you to download the song I've been listening to. It's called "Thinking of You," and it's available for free download  here.

Earwigs and lipstick

The pleasurable sensation
Of eggshells between teeth
Can only be explained
Through the experience itself.
So we can know with certainty
That either God is not omniscient
Or that He, at least for a time,
Possessed a pair of teeth.

Royksopp's Tracks of the Moment - Free Download!

In This Shirt (WAV)
In This Shirt (MP3)

Shores of Easy (WAV)
Shores of Easy (MP3)


I highly recommend downloading the WAV format for these songs. The MP3s are both 160kbps, which is just no good at all. Also, unlike FLAC files, these WAVs can be easily converted into 320kbps MP3s or M4As using iTunes. So, I provided the links just in case you don't have the space on your computer to download the lossless tracks.

On a less technical note, Royksopp is just incredible, and you should do yourself a favor and get these tracks. Then, get everything else they have ever done. It's a good idea, just sayin.

Taking the plunge

Talib Kweli performance at Occupy Wallstreet

Last week, Jeff Mangum, a.k.a. Neutral Milk Hotel, performed a free show for Occupy Wall St. protesters. (Check that video out here.) Now, Talib Kweli has too. He performs a new track "Distraction," and "Thieves in the Night."  Then, before leaving, he gave this short speech: 
"I'm at a loss for words. But even me being at a loss for words, is amplified. They want to know what the endgame is? This is the endgame. You doing your job, everybody here with a camera, everybody here with a smartphone, everybody here with a voice. Do your job, and spread the word. For the people who are sleeping here, you inspire us. If you are inspired by them, make it grow. This is the endgame. It's about growth now. We have to grow. And that's the point. I love y'all."


Talib Kweli at Occupy Wall Street from Eddie Pages on Vimeo.

That is a cool picture.

Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel) played a sing-along set for Occupy Wall Street Protesters

Well, Radiohead may have bailed on a show in New York for Occupy Wall Street, but the protesters got to see something rarer - A show from Jeff Magnum. I'm jealous! But also, they all deserved it.

Watch live streaming video from globalrevolution at livestream.com

New Drake Video: "Headlines."

I feel like Drake doesn't mind being pigeonholed as a emcee for women. They buy an astonishing number of his records and throw hundreds of bras on stage at his shows. Let me just say, though, he is more than a sex symbol. Drake is a phenomenal rapper, and Take Care ranks high on my list of most anticipated fall releases. For some evidence, check out the video for "Headlines" (also, there's a free mp3 download right here).  Try not to smile when he says, "Listen to you expressin all them feelings. / Soap opera niggas sound like All My Children." 

Drake ~ Headlines (Official Video) from OctobersVeryOwn on Vimeo.

Look for Take Care when it drops on October 24th.

This new track by Danny Brown Samples Brian Eno

Awesome. On this new track, Danny Brown raps over a track that samples St. Elmo's Fire from the Brian Eno record Another Green World. Listen to it here, right click the link and select "save as" to download it.
Danny Brown - Brown Eyes