Watch: A Crazy Thing Called Love - @taywalker

I first found Tay Walker listening to him perform Karma on Black & Sexy's web show, The Number. After that I didn't even know I had already heard of him.

He's a frequent collaborator with The Internet and Syd. In fact Karma has two versions. The one featuring The Internet is featured on our Sub-R&B: The Fall Edition playlist coming in at track nine. Tay Walker was the kind of artist that required further digging. In my research I've found this new gem. A Crazy Thing Called Love dropped in June and the video is super cinematic. Don't get this confused with the classic Queen record. This is what true R&B sounds like. Music used to be about love and Tay is no stranger. I'll let Tay tell his own story and we'll be sure to keep him in our radar from now on. Check out the video for A Crazy Thing Called Love after the break.

In My Ears: Editor's Picks week of 12-6-15

Throwback Jawn: Unbreakable - Michael Jackson featuring The Notorious B.I.G

I woke up early this morning and put my phone on shuffle. The King of Pop is always a wonderful way to start your day. I promise you're favorite has drawn some kind of influence from this man. Everyone will always debate Thriller and Off the Wall being Michael's best albums. That's no debate but my favorite (there's a difference between the best and favorite) has definitely got to be his 2001 offering, Invincible. Not gonna recap the whole album but the first track featured a posthumous verse from Biggie himself. Come on, just not fair. Listen to Unbreakable by Michael (not Janet this time) Jackson below.



Song on Repeat: Tink - Treat Me Like Somebody

Throughout the week I found myself listening to a friend's freestyle to this so much I went back and listened to the original. Over, and over, and over. It also doesn't help my ex covered this in a poem she performed a little while ago. Feel free to call me a sap, I am one. Now, for those of you wondering why Tink was featured on XXL's freshman list this year listen and see why below, Treat Me Like Somebody.



Under the Radar: Syd - Smile More

Last week Syd the Kid of The Internet dropped some music on her own. It's always fire hearing from her. In Smile More she really shows off her jazzy voice in this one. I can see myself 40 years old dancing with my wife in our living room to this. Listen for yourself below. Oh sidebar, shoutouts to the Internet's Ego Death with the Grammy nod this year, well deserved.



Projects of the Week:  BUSH - Snoop Dogg (Lion, whatever) & Alina Baraz & Galimatias - Urbana Flora

Earlier this year when we interviewed Joe College we spoke a little off camera about our favorite projects of the year thus far. He mentioned this one by Snoop I think a lot of people missed out on. Start to finish BUSH is pretty dope. My favorite track is California Roll which enlists the talents of Pharell and Stevie Wonder. Nothing but net. This week I also took the time to listen to Alina Baraz. You're probably asking who is that. It's okay, I was too. I don't know much about her but her project with Galimatias is an awesome listen. This one was a referral by a friend who knows my ear well. We sat in her apartment and listened while sipping some vino. Anyone who knows me knows I like new age R&B with a synth and bouncy production. It's almost eerie. This needs to be listened to through speakers not headphones. Let me know what you think. Listen to California Roll and Urbana Flora in it's entirety below.

In My Ears: Editor's Picks Week of 10-4-15

In My Ears: Week of October 4th, 2015

It's been a long time since I've really broke down what's filled the space between my ears. I've always enjoyed writing this segment so here goes.

Album of the Week:

Ego Death - The Internet

I really struggled here because I spent a lot of time listening to Jay Rock's project 90059 in the gym working out or for writing the review I wrote earlier this week. I've really only listened to one other complete project. This week's album of the week is Ego Death by Odd Future's own, The Internet. Jams like Gabby featuring Janelle Monae, For the World with James Fauntleroy and the Kaytranada produced lead single Girl can attest to why this should also be in your speakers too. Stream Ego Death on Spotify below.



Songs on Repeat:

That One - Teedra Moses featuring Anthony Hamilton & Israel - Chance the Rapper featuring Noname Gypsy

Teedra Moses, you might know her name from Be Your Girl. Kaytranada made an incredible house synth remix to that original track but Teedra Moses is more than  just that. That One features an assist from Anthony Hamilton. Their two soulful but unique voices make beautiful music together. Listen to That One below.

Chance & Noname at Trillectro '15

I was a month late getting to this one. I know it happens, it's possible for me to miss out on something dope so bear with me. I figure if I missed out on this someone else did too for lack of promo or any other reason. Anyways, it's always great hearing Chance and Noname on a track together. They trade bars over a simplistic boom bap beat. At times it seems like they are just rambling, they're not. Listen for yourself below.


Throwback Jawn:

Rebirth of a Slick (Cool Like Dat) - Digible Planets

This week's throwback is thanks to Michael Gribbroek. You're wondering who on Earth is that (doesn't matter if it's not in bold), but he is my music professor. He assigned a project talking about jazz influence in other contemporary music. Perhaps this Digible Planets classic isn't exactly contemporary but the live bass, drums, brass section, and saxophone make for an amazing sound. To this day, "They be to Rap what Key be to Lock." Watch the video below.



Indie Track:

The Dungeon - Loaf Muzik

Loaf Muzik at Black Bear Bar BK

I always sing praises of this New York based collective if you're around. Together the hip-hop quartet consisting of Kidaf, Shadow the Great, Oso Dope, and Shine Sinatra lay waste to tracks with impeccable flow, lyrics, and sheer energy. Seeing them live is also a great show experience. They just dropped a project titled Live From the Dungeon earlier this week. It's safe to say an editorial is coming soon. In the meantime listen to track one, The Dungeon below.

Listen: Girl - @intanetz (Prod by @Kaytranda)

Kaytranada links up with Odd Future's The Internet to make a beautiful piece of work, Girl.

He debuted the track part of an interview with BBC radio you can listen to here. "Girl you better know your worth, anything you want is yours." Syd the Kyd reminds women to love themselves a little more, a message that needs to be heard more in my opinion. They do it in such a groovy manner. Hope you enjoy below.