I need a late pass for this.  Pardon me, I’m gonna post it anyway, even though all the underground hip hop heads (NERDS!) are already super-gassed about this dude and probably will tell me this song is mad old.  It originally leaked to the internet last fall, but recently became available on Itunes this summer so go cop it after you preview it above.  Jay Electronica “Exhibit A (Transformations)”, produced by Just Blaze.  Dope raps (real shit).  Dope beat (hard shit).  It’s refreshing to hear a rap song like this, with banging drums, cool samples, and smart lyrics.  I like his voice on this track too, and how he pronounces his words.  Jay’s from New Orleans (though he’s led a rather nomadic life as an adult), has a baby with Erykah Badu, and is cool with Nas.  Seems like an interesting guy, and I really dig this song, though I haven’t heard anything else from him this hot.  I’m curious to see what else he comes out with next.  Scroll through his Nah Right archives for more….peace…

*UPDATE*

Check out this video of Jay spitting a really ill live verse over a super sick beat out on tour in Vermont of all places.  Dude is nice, I can’t front.  I feel his laidback delivery on this, and that Polo shirt is fly too…

Vince Vaughn is probably still my favorite movie star on the planet.  I’ve been hearing about his new movie Couples Retreat with long time collaborator Jon Favreau (top, 2nd from left) for a while now, and I finally saw the preview last night when my wife and I went to catch Funny People in White Plains (which was excellent by the way).  Check it out, it looks like loads of fun, and it has a cool cast…

I really wanted to do a Best of Vince Vaughn post, but I can’t find the scenes I’m looking for on Youtube.  Feel free to leave your favorite Double V movie moments in the comments section…

Couples Retreat Official Website

Mayer Hawthorne’s debut album A Strange Arrangement supposedly leaked a couple weeks ago online, but for the life of me I can’t find it anywhere (I needs that asap)!  This is definitely the release I am most looking forward to copping.  Everything I’ve heard so far from it is dope.  I’ll be first on line 9/9/09 when it comes out (friends honor I’m gonna buy it even if I get a hold of the leak).  Here’s the new video for his cover of “Maybe So, Maybe No”, filmed in sunny California.  Fun video…

For more Mayer Hawthorne click HERE

Here is the new Arctic Monkeys video (and artwork) for their first single, “Crying Lightning”.  Humbug, their third album, is due out later this month.  I hear it strays a bit from the sound of their first two releases.  I’m hoping for the best, because I love this band and I want to see them continue to succeed.  Enjoy the video, it’s cool.  They’re on a boat!

Monkey Business

 

“I’m in the 90’s right now!!!!”  That’s what Funkmaster Flex shouts out every weeknight at 9pm on Hot 97.  It’s a treat for me, because I’m usually just leaving work when he starts dropping bombs to classic hip hop cuts from the best decade of hip hop.  Unfortunately, I’m starting to hear him play alot of the same stuff over and over again, which sucks because there are a ton of great songs (and videos) from that era that get forgotten about.  So here at Westcheddar, I’m gonna start giving them some much needed burn, since that’s all I’ve really been listening to lately.  Welcome to the first installment of my 90’s Grab Bag.  Strictly throwback hip hop videos.  Enjoy…

Showbiz and A.G. “Next Level”

The Nonce “Mix Tapes”

Kool G. Rap “It’s A Shame”

AZ and Nas “Mo Money, Mo Murder (Homocide)”

Outkast “Benz or Beamer”

I’ll probably do this once a month from now on so stay tuned.  Hit me with your requests.  Peace…

I just stumbled across this fairly new Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings song called “Inspiration Information” from some Dark Was The Night compilation, and I am posting it because, well, it’s dope.  It’s actually a remake of an old song originally done by Shuggie Otis.  Check the new version above, and the old version below.  I like the new version myself, but it’s always good to give props to the creator…

Peace folks…

This might be the dopest collabo track of the year.  The beat is ill, and I love the way they flipped the Lady Gaga sample.  This is pure hip hop.  Check out the video for Kid Cudi featuring Kanye West and Common “Make Her Say”.  It’s fresh…

I’ve had a couple friends tell me to check out the Dirty Projectors recently, so I did.  I didn’t listened to the whole album yet, so I’m no expert, but I’m a big fan of this song “Stillness is the Move”.  The video is cool too.  This is definitely some next shit.  I’ll let the music and visuals speak for themselves on this one.  Enjoy.

Fleet Foxes lead singer Robin Pecknold (above) gave a solo performance in Seattle, his band’s backyard, this past weekend at Neumo’s.  His set was filled with Fleet Foxes cuts, a bunch of covers, and even some new material.  For more on the performance, which included special appearances by Pecknold’s bandmates and even his sister (below), click HERE.  And here’s the direct link to the audio from the show:

Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes live at Neumo’s in Seattle 7/11/09

More Westcheddar posts on Fleet Foxes HERE and HERE.  They rule.

Damn Fifty!  Another mixtape in less than a month?!?!?!?!?  This one is banging too, though I’m not sure yet if it’s better than WAR ANGEL.  Download it asap, after you listen to one of the fly cuts from it, “Funny How Time Flies”…

DOWNLOAD 50 CENT FOREVER KING MIXTAPE