New Video: Quadron-Slippin
By leather | July 28, 2010
Director: Walter Robot
Quadron - Official Slippin Video from Plug Research on Vimeo.
Topics: Music, Video | No Comments »
Win an autographed copy of Black Sheep’s “From the Black Pool of Genius”
By Syoke | July 2, 2010
Black Sheep released From the Black Pool of Genius this past Tuesday and it’s a keeper! I have to admit, I wasn’t in love with the highly anticipated Native Tongues “Birds of a Feather” track at first listen, but once I heard the entire album, I couldn’t help but enjoy the way the album flows and how Dres’s flow fortifies the album. Leather managed to snag an autographed copy of the album to give away to one of our lucky readers. Entering is easier than a drunken ASU sorority gal! The first person to send me an email with the subject line “Black Sheep” to be_leather@yahoo.com will win a copy of the album. And if you aren’t the winner still check out “From the Black Pool of Genium” and any number of hits from Black Sheep’s back catalog!
Topics: Giveaways, Music | No Comments »
Free Download: Von Pea - So Motivational: The Most Skullduggery Of Mixtapes
By leather | July 2, 2010
Um…its Tanya Morgan…well 1/3 of it…so you know its fire. This is a teaser for Von Pea’s solor album Pea’s Gotta Have It in stores Labor Day 2010.
Click here to download/stream.
1. Scorpio (intro) 02:14
2. Show em Up (feat. Che Grand) 03:03
3. Faded (feat. The Lessondary) 03:20
4. Cantstandya (w/ Sene) 03:00
5. Lookin Fly (feat. Donwill & Trackademicks) 03:25
6. Somethin To Do 02:39
7. I Dont Know (w/ Danny! & Stephanie Mae) 03:20
8. And Rollerskates! (2010) (feat. ABNG) 03:33
9. Fancy Nancy 04:12
10. Food Stamps 00:49
11. Something Better (w/ XV & Donwill) 03:10
12. Year of The Other (w/ Max Mega & Justin Battle) 03:02
13. Jump In 01:44
14. Sellin Outro (w/ Willi Dudat) 04:03
Topics: Downloads, Music | No Comments »
New Video: Gorillaz-Journey to Plastic Beach
By leather | July 1, 2010
This isn’t really a video as much as it is a short film. If you’ve got 15 minutes to kill you’ll catch the trailer for the album, their music video for “Stylo,” and other visual treats.
Topics: Music, Video | No Comments »
RIP Michael Jackson
By leather | June 25, 2010
I still remember what I was doing when I learned that Michael Jackson died. I was on Facebook (yes, shame the devil) and folks were going crazy in their updates with news that Michael Jackson had a heart attack and died. What happened next was a mad dash between People.com and TMZ.com to see if it was actually true. I kept pressing F5 hoping that an outlet would confirm that it was a hoax. When it was finally confirmed, I was frozen with disbelief. Driving home, I turned on the radio, knowing that all stations would only be playing Michael Jackson. I was almost home when “Remember the Time” came on and I burst into tears. I came to the realization that a part of my childhood was gone forever. I almost felt partially responsible for it. I knew I was guilty of a Michael Jackson joke here and there and I felt the ridicule and the scrutiny that the media placed on him contributed to him untimely death.
All that said, it made me realize that you don’t know what you have until its gone. The song above represents so much of what Michael Jackson’s music meant to me. He always appealed to the better part of people encouraging them to do better and reach higher; “just one more step.” ”We’re Almost There” is one of my favorite MJ tracks of all time. Its moving, inspiring, romantic and dramatic at the same time. Knowing that music today can’t even offer half of that emotion, makes me miss him even more. The world may never know another performer with that much talent and influence. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
After the jump download my “Mini Michael Jackson Mega Mix” with some of my favorite tracks from Michael Jackson. I posted it last year and it got a great response. For all those that missed the boat, just Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: NEWS | 1 Comment »
LA: 6/26 SOULNIC at Griffith Park
By leather | June 25, 2010
The official soul dance music picnic of Los Angeles.
featuring soul shaking sets from DJ’s…
GARTH TRINIDAD
(89.9FM KCRW)
DRACK MUSE
(EXTRA MILD SAUCE)
DERRICK WIZE
(EXTRA MILD SAUCE)
DJ LIFE
(BABY POWDER CHRONICLES)
A-SKI
(UNIQUE 74)
DORIAN MISSICK
BBQ Grills and families are welcome
from the 5 freeway, exit on “Zoo Drive” then follow the signs to Crystal Springs Drive.
Saturday June 26, 2010
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
All Ages
Cover: FREE
Music: Deep House, Nu Jazz, Soul
Click here for more information
Topics: Events, Lifestyle, Los Angeles | No Comments »
Leather talks to: Quadron
By leather | June 23, 2010
Quadron has me ‘under their pressure.’ When I first glanced at their album cover, I knew that I was in for something special. What I got was more than special. The Danish duo’s self-titled debut is mysterious, sexy, sophisticated, and raw. Coco O.’s sultry vocals compliment Robin Hannibal’s decadent instrumentals like strawberries and cheesecake. The pair first met 5 years ago, when Coco O. was only 16. Robin invited her to perform with his musical collective, the Boom Clap Bachelors, after hearing her striking voice. Fast forward to the present day, where their soulful sound is catching the ears of everyone from Pharrell Williams to Gilles Peterson. Leather had the opportunity to rap a taste with Coco O. & Robin Hannibal to learn about their artistic process, favorite songs, and which of them is a closet R. Kelly fan. Enjoy!
Tell me about your album cover. Who is the mind behind that? When I saw it, I didn’t know what it was but I knew that I liked it.
Robin Hannibal: That’s what you always hope for in an album cover that it can stand alone. I think that was also the idea of the art director she made it that it had to be mystic. It doesn’t necessarily have to show the music, but it’s so beautiful and interesting that you want to check it out. We had tons of ideas and she came up with that idea, asked us about it and we liked it. The girl is the daughter of the photographer’s colleague.
How many songs did you guys record for the album?
Coco O.: Everything on the album!
R: Can you imagine that? The 12 songs that we made all made it on the album.
Out of all the songs which one is most personal to you?
R: We write all of our songs together. Because it’s a collaboration most of our songs are 3rd person lyrics. Even though its being told from the “I” [point of view] it’s often about a character that we explore and delve into; so its probably easier for us to answer regarding the music. Like what affects me emotionally when I hear the music. With that said, I would say for me it’s “Far Cry.” Every time I hear Coco perform it I always get goose bumps. There’s one point in that song where she always moves me. I always get it at that point.
C: I would say “Day” maybe, but its like a kid you don’t want to leave anybody out! (laughs)
On your album you didn’t collaborate much with other people. The only other person you worked with was Owusu. Was there a reason behind that?
R: I think that was because we had so much that we wanted to do between the two of us so we ended up doing most of it. We had an idea of what we wanted to do and it just worked out that way. It wasn’t that we wanted to exclude everyone else. Actually the two tracks that we recorded with [Owusu] were earlier productions that we worked on further. So we weren’t really collaborating with him either. We pretty much just did everything between the two us.
Why do you think that Europeans are more receptive to alternative & non-stream forms of music than Americans?
C: I think we have a thing in Europe where people suppress their egos. I think in America you are much more exposed and expressive so you don’t judge the kind of music where people want to show themselves off. I think Europeans try to be introverted, different and interesting. They are always trying to be on top of what’s interesting and different. So different that people might not always understand it but it’s very different and that’s what makes it popular.
R: To continue with that, I think that here it’s more about “the game.” You instantly feel like it’s about making it and getting to a certain point. In Europe it’s about that too, but it’s more about making it the right way and making it the trendy way. It’s about distancing yourself from others and showcasing your individuality.
You both have a unique style. How would you each describe your personal style?
R: I would day David Lynch meets prep boy.
C: I would say Sade meets the Cosby Family. (laughs)
What would be something that people would be surprised to find in your music collections?
C: Titanic Soundtrack
R: R. Kelly.
Which albums?
R: All of them!
You guys are signed to Plug Research. How long has it been and how are you enjoying it so far?
C: It’s been under a year. We signed before the new year.
R: We signed on my birthday, December 21st or like the day before maybe! So far it’s been amazing. Getting that offer from a label that has such a great history and amazing artists, it was like the biggest pat on the back that you can imagine.
Last question: Erykah or Lauryn
R: Whoa!
C: Lauryn. Sorry Erykah, but Lauryn.
R: Yeah me too.
Topics: Interviews, Music | No Comments »
Uncle Luke Calls His Illegitimate Kids “Sperm Donations”
By leather | June 23, 2010
This fertile ass NEGRO is full of shit!
Topics: Comedy, Entertainment, Music, Video | No Comments »
Why I Love Etsy: Brass Africa Earrings
By leather | June 23, 2010
One of the main reasons I love Etsy so much is that its like a shopping genie. You can put “whatever you want” in the search box and “whatever you want” will show up in 5 different styles, sold 10 different merchants. That type of access could be dangerous for a gal like me. I’ve been looking for some cute Africa earrings lately. Melody Ehsani sells some amazing ones, but at the end of the day I am my mother’s daughter and will always be on the hunt for a better deal. I found these brass gems on Etsy for a fraction of the price ($39). They are a bit more universal and low-key than the Ehsani joints. What’s even better is that the seller can custom make any country for you as a pair of earrings. With the World Cup in full swing, you might want to represent your country before they get eliminated (shout out to Nigeria 
).
To find these earrings on Etsy click here.
Topics: Fashion, Shopping | 1 Comment »
New Music: Aloe Blacc-Femme Fatale
By leather | June 23, 2010
A nice laid back track from West Coast’s own Aloe Blacc. This is the 2nd single from his upcoming album Good Things. If you’re asking yourself who Aloe Blacc is, then you might want to familiarize yourself with this track, the theme from How to Make It in America. Of course, Aloe has been around long before that but its a nice introduction . The 7″ vinyl of “Femme Fatale” is available on Stones Throw Records now.
Side Note: As much as I love Aloe’s vocals, his MC skills are on point! I might almost prefer him rapping. Thats just me though.
Topics: Downloads, Music | No Comments »