Posts Tagged ‘Fashawn’

Posted at January 3, 2012 by Comments Off

Hot video – Yo Gotti “Single”

Even though Yo Gotti sounds like he's dying at the beginning of "Single," I still like it. Is Yo Gotti more clever than your average rapper? "Single" carries the double meaning of his record execs saying he needs a hit single, AND everyone being single for the night. The irony is, of course, that the song is catchy, and it is a single. As such, it reminds me of Danny Brown's song "Radio Song" off XXX, which basically talked about how people thought a radio hit was needed, yet it was catchy enough to hear on the radio. And then Fashawn and J. Cole also had that track "Nothin' For The Radio," which, again, I did hear on the radio because it was also that great. But I digress. In keeping with the cocaine theme of his rapping career (ie the seven installments of his Cocaine Muzik mixtape series from 2008 and 2011) there's a lot of white in here, and as usual, Mr. Boomtown gives us everything we could ask for in a video. Rappers, hoes throwing their inhibitions away, gambling, and a splashy mansion decked out in all white. Me, personally, I don't really do white because it gets dirty immediately, but to each his own. Sure, this isn't the most groundbreaking song of Yo Gotti's catalog, even with a guy who sort of resembles The-Dream, but it's remarkable to me that he'll be releasing Live From The Kitchen next week, or January 10th, in case your mathematics are worse than mine. It's been years in the making, and I'm super excited for it to drop. Cop that.

Hot video – Fashawn “Skating Down The Block”

"Skating Down The Block" is the first single off Champagne and Styrofoam Cups, which is set to drop in March. These past few weeks have been stupid crazy for me with my bosses/parents being gone, but I also realized that for a good few days, there haven't been many music videos that I had even wanted to post. Fortunately, my thoughts changed after I went back and watched "Skating Down The Block." Fashawn makes some really great music, and "Skating Down The Block" is no exception. Also, I have a black hat that looks identical to the one that that girl is wearing. Just saying. I was also impressed that Fashawn mentioned Frank Ocean, Rage Against the Machine, and Hillary Clinton in one song. That shit is impressive. It would be highly, highly remiss of me to mention Hillary Clinton without mentioning the Hillary Clinton Hair Clip Incident, which was just her wearing her expensive suit that she accessorized with that classy hair clip to some important meetings at the UN. Uhh...yeah, anyway, Champagne & Styrofoam Cups should be good.

Posted at December 11, 2011 by Comments Off
Category : Music Videos
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Hot song – Notes To Self w. Fashawn “Mr. Polite”

So I'm back at work (I was at home all day yesterday sick with a cold and bored out of my mind) and my dad leaves, and is like, "I'm leaving! Stay off Facebook!" While my first thought was "he knows what Facebook is?," I realized that I hadn't even wasted a bunch of time on the site that sucks you in like sinking sand. Wanna argue that it's useless? Read this great article from The Madbury Club. So what did I do? Go on Facebook, duh. And then I saw this new Fashawn track with an artist(s?) I've never heard of, Notes To Self. So I guess I can't say that Facebook is completely useless. I'm definitely feeling this song. Like, first listen, and I thought it was hot. Plus, "Mr. Polite" is really catchy, and honestly, sounds like it could have been on EV's Cats & Dogs. I say that for a couple reasons: one, the production reminds me of a lot of Cats & Dogs, especially with the scratches, and two, that Fash and Ev (FashEV? Nawwww) work together. I don't really understand the significance of the artwork, but that's neither here nor there. Mr. Polite with Fashawn by NotestoSelf "Mr. Polite" is produced by Bronze One (of NTS) for Course of Study and Bookworm (of Beatface) for Jigsaa, and I guess they also go by BOOK & BRONZE for Heart on Sleeve? This is what I'm reading on the Soundcloud page, anyhow. And here's Bronze's background on how "Mr. Polite" came to be (again, from the Soundcloud page): I text EV like "when you in town next, I see your ...

Posted at November 11, 2011 by Comments Off
Category : Songs
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Hot video – Evidence & Fashawn “Same Folks”

Evidence is one of my favorite rappers. Ever. I recently realized this last March, when I had the pleasure of catching Fashawn's first headlining tour, The Higher Learning Tour. I wonder if this track resulted from their time spent together on the road. I rather enjoy their chemistry together, as exemplified in both the song and the video, with them going back and forth and building off each other. Cats & Dogs drops on September 27th (is it September 27th yet?) and "Same Folks" is a free download you get when you preorder the album. I immediately preordered that, as Cats & Dogs is one of my most highly anticipated albums of the year. I'm more excited for it than the general public seemed to be for Watch The Throne. Get like me. Preorder Cats & Dogs here.

Posted at August 09, 2011 by 1 Comment
Category : Music Videos
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Hot video – Fashawn “Down That Road”

I really, really like the visual treatment that "Down That Road" received. What a nice, complimentary video for one of my favorite tracks off Higher Learning 2. What else can I even say? Sam Hook kills it on the hook (yeah yeah pun intended) and Fashawn is hella cool. Read my interview with him here, but in the meantime, enjoy this video.

Posted at May 29, 2011 by Comments Off
Category : Music Videos
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Concert review – Talib Kweli, Fashawn and Grynch on the Gutter Rainbows Tour in Seattle

The Gutter Rainbows Tour kicked off in Seattle last night, but before heading over there, I went to Easy Street Records for Talib's in-store signing. Good move on my part, and I got to purchase a hard copy of Gutter Rainbows (previously it was for digital download only) and I was able to meet him! Talib was pretty soft spoken and very nice, so of course that encouraged me to ramble about how I really respect and admire both him and his music for being so politically outspoken. He probably gets that all the time...but he was still nice enough to take a picture with me.Anyway, I left for the concert, and after driving around for a good ten minutes, and paying way too much to park in a lot, and then of course being hassled by a homeless lady, I arrived at my destination: Showbox at the Market. Everything was fine until I tried to get into the bar because the bouncer didn't think it was me on my ID. Here's a spoiler alert for you, my dear reader--I look like myself on my ID...because I'm me. Unmistakably so, I'm me. The thing that made me even more mad was without fail, this happens at the Market every time I go. At least I didn't have to sign my name five times on a notepad like last time. I completely understand that they have a job to do, but damn. And not to mention, I arrived at the end of Grynch's set, which I wasn't happy about, either.I was thinking that it was kind of like deja vu with Grynch and Fashawn on the same bill, but it didn't ...

Posted at March 31, 2011 by Comments Off
Category : Concert Reviews
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Tha Blog is Hot presents…an exclusive interview with FASHAWN!

On the last Sunday of February, I walked into the Westin looking like a hot mess (nothing new there) after braving one of the coldest, rainiest, and windiest nights I've been out in Seattle in a while so I could meet up with California emcee Fashawn. While on the road for The Higher Learning Tour, they decided to spend one of their rare days off in Seattle. This is Fashawn's first headlining tour, and after seeing him in concert (read my review here), I can confidently say that it won't be his last. Even before I met Fashawn, I assumed he must be pretty cool if he was willing to chop it up with me on one of his days off. My suspicions were further strengthened as he burst into spontaneous rap while we walked into the lobby. We sat down at the table, and then he tried to tell me that he was really shy. Me, being gullible, was like "oh, ok," so he quickly explained that he actually has a really dry sense of humor. Finally, someone who is on my level, and understands me, and speaks my language! We chatted about his day off in Seattle, his latest mixtape, the Simpsons, and you know I had to ask what his favorite book is. You better read on to see what else we talked about, though! Julie: So have you enjoyed your time in Seattle today? Fashawn: Definitely, I had one of the most interesting days. Julie: Homeless encounters? Fashawn: No, no. It started off, I woke up here because we did a show in Boise, Idaho so we didn’t even sleep there, we just did the show and proceeded to move..and I woke up and I was in Seattle and we walked in, as soon as we walked in, a guy at the front was ...

Posted at March 07, 2011 by 3 Comments
Category : Interviews
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Concert review – Fashawn, Evidence & Curt@!n$ on the Higher Learning Tour in Seattle

The Higher Learning Tour rolled through Seattle, and you can bet your girl was there to check it out. In fact, it turned out to be one of the more fun concerts that I have ever been to. While Nectar Lounge wasn't anywhere near capacity, that meant that I wasn't getting my ass beat by aggressive concert goers! I was able to just chill out and dance around (despite being hit on frequently by questionable characters, but to be fair that happens very frequently). I was impressed with the live show of each artist, and just had an overall fun time. Keep in mind, I say that as one of the few people who wasn't high and I still had a fabulous time!Before the show started, Evidence and Curt@!n$ were just hanging out by the merchandise table before they went on (yes, I still feel special about getting to meet them). I decided to wear my grey leather jacket after reading Curt@!n$' Complex Magazine style section contribution (which you can read on his blog), and the "fashion genius" himself told me that he had noticed my jacket, and that he liked it (!!!!!!!!!). I must be doing something right (*brushes off shoulder*).Keep reading my review and see some pictures (most of my pictures sucked, but it's the memories that are more important anyway)Fellow Ballard resident Grynch kicked the show off with lots of energy, and it basically just snowballed from there. He performed his new-ish song "Mr. Rogers," produced by Jake One, which is inspired by Ballard. He closed with "My Volvo," which was fitting because I've been driving my mom's Volvo lately.

Posted at March 04, 2011 by Comments Off
Category : Concert Reviews
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Mixtape review – Fashawn’s Higher Learning 2

I could have guessed that I would like this mixtape because the cover artwork is clever and dope, and it is hosted by DJ Ill Will and DJ Rockstar, whose projects I typically tend to like. And, yes, Fashawn doesn't disappoint, either.Higher Learning 2 might start off slow with that "We Are The Champions" song, but don't let that trick you because at the :36 mark of the first track, off he goes. While most, if not all, the songs are of quality, I especially like "Weed Nap" with GLC, the J Cole produced and featured song "Not for the Radio," the deeper "Catch Me When I Fall," and his version of "Higher" (Kanye's "Dark Fantasy"). I also appreciate the multitude of meanings that "Higher" can take: higher from smoking, higher (learning) from education, higher or better than the rest, etc. We all how much I love puns and clever wordplay. I think also that Fashawn did an excellent job of thematically tying this tape together. If you're paying attention while listening, you will notice that all of the songs somehow relate to the "Higher Learning" theme, even if they do so subtly. Normally, I'm not a fan of skits, but I think they add to the tape in this case. Most mxtapes I listen to don't seem so unified, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but that is one of the elements that makes Higher Learning 2 stand out, in my humble opinion.Higher Learning 2 dropped yesterday (download here) and make sure you check out his tour dates.

Posted at February 17, 2011 by 1 Comment
Category : Mixtape Reviews
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