Chiddy Bang, What’s Next On The Menu?

I was listening to Chiddy Bang’s Breakfast album on my way home from work as a conscious effort to escape my typical hump-day foolhardiness. After committing half my day to corporate America, I tend to listen to “fun” bass-thumping music because it helps to recalibrate my mental system back to normality. As I was singing along to Chiddy Bang’s Baby Roulette at a red light…“My looooooove is super-size ain’t no happy meeealll…” I happened to turn my head to the right only to see a gentleman staring at me with a big grin on his face. All this time I thought my car was a judgment free music booth. Regardless, I smiled back and I really wanted to say, “Yes, the music in my car is as fun as you imagine it to be.”

I tend to blog about current music albums, if I’m not blogging about other things, but some albums can be chronologically old(er) but can be timeless pieces and thus, they should receive the same level of recognition. When Breakfast came out in February of 2012, I desperately wanted to write about it because I absolutely loved the fun, fresh and carefree sound of the entire album. However, I was consumed with traveling and trying to wrap up my PhD. I still love the album today just as much as I did last year so, it’s never too late to talk about it. Better late than never right?? That’s right. The album still feels so damn spankin’ new and fresh enough for just about any music palette.   

So how did I hear about Chiddy Bang? Well…once upon a time during one of my late night procrastinations in graduate school, I came across Chiddy’s  (Chidera Anamege) nine hour free-style rap. This dude rapped for over nine hours straight. I mean seriously….  over nine hours of stutter-free free-style. I guess I listened, for an hour, not only because I was trying to escape the reality of my academic shackles but I was exceedingly entertained by his knack for rhyming and clever play on words. Ahh…the guilty pleasures of procrastination. Mr. Chiddy never ran out of words. Needless to say, he broke the Guinness Book of Records for the longest free-style rap in 2011. I put my research skills to good use and learned that this young artist and Noah Beresin were a duo and together they are called Chiddy Bang.

Fast forward to 2012, I purchased their Breakfast album because I was curious and my intuition subtly hinted that I would like it.  My intuition did not fail me.  Breakfast is a compilation of 14 songs and from this album they released “Mind Your Manners” as a single.  This single is one of my favorite songs on the album along with Whatever We Want, Happening, Baby Roulette and Handclaps and Guitars. Breakfast is unquestionably a pick-me-upper type of album.  That’s what breakfast is for right? Trust me, you will love the album and you can thank me later!

Chiddy Bang is simply a fantastic duo. Their flow and style is a witty and clever mix of different sounds spun together to form great hip-hop beats. I really hope they continue their upward progression in the industry because they still have a whole lot more to offer. CHIDDY BANG WHAT’S NEXT? Do tell…because I am still waiting for lunch and dinner… and maybe some snacks in between.

Talib Kweli - Prisoner of Conscious Album Review

Let's talk Kweli...

TALIB KWELI IS ONE SMART GUY. Anyone who knows anything about Kweli would say, “Of course, he is a lyrically conscious artist!” Well duh, but Kweli’s ability is beyond that! Let me explain…

Music trend is like fashion, it comes and it goes. As a result of this cycle, artists often attempt to follow the current trend in order to sustain their careers and stay relevant. As you can imagine, trying to keep up with a certain identity or style that is not true to one’s nature can become arduous over time.  Most artists either end up looking pretentious or they fall of the hamster wheel never to be heard of again.

This balancing act between staying current and true to one’s style can be challenging particularly for hip-hop artists entering the music industry who might really have the intent to deliver positive messages but end up with songs like “tip drill”.  When staying current conflicts with an artist’s natural style, mindful listeners can oftentimes pick up on it, especially if the artist has extreme lyrically conflicting songs.

Needless to say, artists have every right to experiment and re-invent themselves and sometimes the evolution can be exciting. One must ask, why is it that some artists have mastered the balancing act between staying current in the industry and maintaining their unique style?  I personally think the key is versatility and fluidity whilst remaining fundamentally grounded… like water.  It must be easier said than done when money is added to the equation.  The reason I say Talib Kweli is smart is because he gets it!  This thought crossed my mind as I listened to his latest album, Prisoner of Conscious on my morning drive to work. The album is extremely versatile. His collaborations range from Miguel, Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Kendrick Lamar to Seu Jorge…. I mean seriously… the album goes from a little R&B, to trunk banger to a Portuguese love song yet, the entire album coalesced together to form a deeply beautiful and consistent blend!  

Kweli has been in the music industry for a very long time and he has managed to hold his guns, stay in his lane and stay relevant. Can I get a round of applause? Prisoner of Conscious is truly a well-produced album and it almost feels like filé mignon for the ears compared to some of the current mainstream hip-hop…. which I would classify as Taco Bell meat, sounds great but it's really seasoned trash. I digress….

Thank-you Mr. Kweli for delivering hot beats and thoughtful lyrics from Get By, Ms. Hill to It Only Gets Better.  Maintaining personal style and taste in the music industry can be extremely challenging. Money talks, raps and sings and that’s all there is to it. Artists who have chosen to remain consistent in the face of forceful mainstream current might have done so at some expense and only a handful have managed to stay afloat… these artists are indeed in the “Upper Echelon”.

LAURA MVULA

LAURA MVULA. Oh my gosh. This lady can sing. A few weeks ago, my dear friend Mary sent me a link to Perez Hilton’s website with the note, “Check this out I think you might like her.” The link contained Mvula’s video to her single Green Garden.  I watched this striking dark-skinned lady, well- fitted in a white dress, stroll towards my iPad screen. The video was so beautifully directed and she sang like it was the way she spoke - naturally and effortlessly.

After listening to Green Garden, let’s just say “might like her” was a bit of an understatement. It didn’t take much to convince me that I was just about to add another gem to my music list! I purchased her album titled “Sing to the Moon” and it has been on repeat for the last week. Mvula’s voice is beautiful and authentic. Her album is a compilation of soulful ballads with themes ranging from love, hope, happiness to self-empowerment. One particular song titled Father, Father had a more serious and emotional prominence. In this song she sings directly to (her) father and (her) brother. This song ends, and the heart sighs knowing that the song might have more meaning than what meets the ear.

I hate to compare, but if I had to classify her voice, she would be an unflawed mix of Billy Holiday, soulful Lauryn Hill (with a British accent) and Nina Simone. Because of her British background, naturally, people will compare her to the likes of Adele and Amy Winehouse. I will be unflinchingly bold, to compare them to the likes of her.

Mvula’s appearance does not fit the conventional image of current western pop-stars, which makes her pop...no pun intended. She is beautiful in her own right, as every woman should be. It is quite refreshing and encouraging for young females to see other female artists who confidently remain true to their natural appearance. Beauty comes in all forms and she reminds us of that. With a weaveless head and clothed body, Mvula’s powerful yet soulful voice is a force to be reckoned with. Watch out now!

The Progress...

Dear Readers,

It has been a while hasn't it? I have always found the excuse "I was too busy" to be pathetic and eye-roll worthy, so I will not use it.  While living in the real world and doing real world things,  I have also been working on compiling an art portfolio which I plan to share on this blog as the creations unfold. In the meantime and in between time, I will resume my random thoughts. I have a great post in mind that I just can't wait to write about!! Stay tuned.

Work in progress.

Regina Spektor

REGINA SPEKTOR IS THE BOMB-DIGGITY! Yes I said it! And if you don’t know who she is, you better find out.

A few years ago I was listening to VH1 one early morning as I was fighting the forces of sleep. A song came on, and it actually woke me up. ::GASP:: I sat up from my bed and watched the music video like a square-eyed five year old. I was so captivated by the voice and the storyline of the song. The video was engaging and colorful but I was waiting for the ending just so I could see the name of the artist. Her name was Regina Spektor and the video was for the song titled “Fidelity”.

Of course, I purchased her album, Begin to Hope, back in 2006. Till this very day, I still listen to the album along with everything she has produced including Soviet Kitsch, which she released in 2004.

What stands out about Regina’s music is her ability to tell short stories in a very charming and engaging way. Her charismatic nature is heard in her delivery. Her songs can play out in your head like a mini movie or musical. I just love it!  Regina’s style is very eclectic but unlike many artists who fall into the same category, she does not have a depressing tone. Spare me the blues oh goodness gracious!! Although, a few of her stories may be a little heavy on the heart, like her latest song titled How, but it’s never a "kill-joy". Regina’s music cannot be described as mainstream but it fits almost any mood. Her music is timeless.

One of my favorite songs from Far (2009) album is titled Wallet. In this song Regina sings about finding a wallet. She describes the contents of the wallet, and how she intrusively learns about a stranger before returning the wallet to a local Blockbuster. Random right? She presents the storyline in a short but imaginative two-and-a-half minute ballad. My reaction to her lyrics often ranges from:

“Did she say what I think she said?” (Mainly in reference to Soviet Kitsch)

“Wow, that is so true.”

Or

“ Oh, I get it!”

Her latest album, “What We saw From The Cheap Seats” (released in May 2012) is another great combination of melodic tales. Regina is one consistent artist. Her rendition of Nina Simone’s “Misunderstood” was delivered in a Regina-sort-of-way. Most hip-hop artists including Lil’ Wayne (or lil Tunichi… whatever works) and Common have sampled this one particular song but none of them have changed the delivery of the main chorus quite like she did in “Oh Marcello”. I could go on and on about the songs I love from her last 3 albums but it would be much too long to enumerate.

I have great respect for THE SPEKTOR. This Russian born New Yorker is naturally talented and as a trained pianist, singer and songwriter, Regina seems to have a good understand of the science behind music. Her work is refreshingly unique. As long as she keeps up with her art, I will continue to buy her work.

 I have been meaning to blog about this for a very looooong time! Glad I finally got it out of my system. Peace at last.

Art on Apparel

I HAVE received a few requests to print my doodles on t-shirts. Well, now we have! The prints are also available on iPhone cases (multiple versions), tote bags and hoodies...whatever strikes your fancy! The t-shirts are available in both male and female sizes. You can find these items at www.society6.com/Ifeanyi

I am new to this marketing thing but I have had some great support! Please feel free to let me know what you would like to see in the future or what you currently fancy.