Potholes In My Blog: Dudley Perkins – “Lung Specialist” [Video]

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1. Dudley Perkins – “Lung Specialist” [Video]
2. eMC (Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline, Stricklin) – “Spun A Web”
3. AWKWORD – World View
4. Ibn Inglor – “BELIEF”
5. Tiny Hearts – Snow Cold Video
6. ScHoolboy Q – “Break The Bank” [Video]
7. Lucki Eck$ – “BOOMIN’” [Video]
8. Curtis Williams – “Saturday Night” [Video]
9. Best Downloads Of The Week (2/21/14)
10. Pharrell’s Album To Feature Daft Punk, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake & Miley Cyrus

Dudley Perkins – “Lung Specialist” [Video] Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:51 AM PST Odes to marijuana are commonplace in the rap game, which makes a track like “Lung Specialist” hard to differentiate. With that said, this dripping bit of hip-hop finds a way to capture a refreshing essence, as Dudley Perkins calls on MP the MC to assist him. “Lung Specialist” has also received the visual treatment today, thanks to the trippy doings of Ruff Mercy and Patchy Keys, with additional animation from Ewen Farr. Watch the video above. Dr. Stokley is out now.

eMC (Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline, Stricklin) – “Spun A Web” Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:47 AM PST eMC’s collaborative efforts came and went, and it was unclear whether or not they’d ever reunite. Today, we catch wind of a new track from Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline and Stricklin, as they liberate “Spun A Web”. Produced by David E Beats, the song is a beautiful take on four unique stories. And while “Spun A Web” won’t land on any upcoming project, eMC’s notes that there is an EP on the way. Stream the track above.

AWKWORD – World View Posted: 23 Feb 2014 10:32 PM PST AWKWORD – World View Variation Music: 2014 World View's album cover recalls Rawkus Records' Soundbombing II, and speaking of it, this year is actually the album's 15th anniversary. Not only is Soundbombing II a classic, but it also served as a collective peak of what the since-fallen label represented. Rawkus' mantra included “screw Bad Boy and the shiny suit era”, “New York underground hip-hop is the only hip-hop”, and “if you're a Bad Boy convert who's just got put on to the greatness of Company Flow, that's OK too”. Soundbombing II's strength was putting that rebellious ethos in an accessible package—well-done raps and aggressive beats. AWKWORD should have an easier time being accessible, because his goals are more wholesome. World View is being billed as hip-hop's "first-ever 100% for-charity global hip-hop project" (we'll take his word for it), and proceeds from its sale will go to Guns 4 Cameras — a nonprofit working to end gun violence. As you'd expect, the album touches on social issues ranging from fracking (and how many hip-hop songs touch on that?), sexual assault, the radio and suicide. "But is World View worth a listen?" Well, maybe a few. It's hard to judge it by the merits of a regular album because AWKWORD wasn't trying to make that. World View is part social work, and an artist's intention does play a factor. The 19-song project does have its trappings even by that criterion. Think about it: If a robbery occurred 100 miles away from you — a strong-armed one — would you bat an eye? What about if it was one at knifepoint on your block? See the difference? World View's trapping is how at times it feels too caught up in its idealism to be bothered with connecting to the audience. It's decent, but having a crew of rappers just rapping at you isn't that engrossing. To be fair, it's tough to get the audience interested when it comes to socially conscious hip-hop because of its reputation for being self-righteous. That's not AWKWORD at all. He actually comes across as a likeable guy on songs like "Got Class", where he plays an everyman looking for the right mate, but still wouldn't turn away pussy if it fell on his lap. However, there are just too many voices on this album to gain a meaningful connection with his. There are solid verses, but it's almost a guarantee you're not going to remember a lot of them within a month's time. Not The Incomparable Shakespeare's narrative on "Bars and Hooks" or Joell Ortiz's silent determination on the album-ending "Go!" If anything stands out, it's some of the production. The always-reliable Harry Fraud delivers on the titanic "The People's Champion" and the brooding violins and awkward keys on Numonics' "Melting Pot" makes for an addicting, tense atmosphere. Duds like Tranzformer's overly percussive "Metal Music" are in very little supply. World View does shine when it's struck by grounded reality instead of being quixotic. "Rape" particularly hits because it gives a face to the victims and an image to match the circumstance. Perspective doesn't only make the details horrific; it's gripping: "Promise you’ll love it, just trust this when I poke it in/Stop the blood clot crying, you know, that you’re broken in”. "Penny", a narrative about a failed relationship, isn't spectacular by any means, but it does serve its purpose as a "failed love" story sort of track. "I said I’m a starving artist, and you’re supposed to get me/But evidently what I represent is a bit sketchy", AWKWORD raps. But too often on World View, it's the messenger rather than the message that's unintentionally sketchy. 3 out of 5 stars 3 out of 5 You can buy World View and support a charitable cause via Bandcamp.

Ibn Inglor – “BELIEF” Posted: 22 Feb 2014 12:46 PM PST Chicago’s introverted intellectual Ibn Inglor is back, joining forces with producer APEX MARTIN for “BELIEF”, a dual single that properly introduces forthcoming projects from both artists: MARTIN readies for the release of EOT (End of Time), while Inglor finally returns with new music after a five month gap to signal the impending arrival of NW2 (New Wave 2). “I’m on to something” -Ibn Inglor complex interview? i got that by myself— Ibn Inglor (@IbnInglor) February 22, 2014 Armed by MARTIN’s electro-drizzled, scream-sampling backdrop, Ibn reminds his listeners (who, if they’re like me, have awaited more music from this guy with much anticipation) in a raspy tone that he’s progressed and succeeded all on his own. It’s true: no over-saturated, glorified team of “publicists” and wannabe managers surrounds him. Yet another young up-and-comer is carving his own lane, and he’s reaping the benefits. Stream “BELIEF” above.

Tiny Hearts – Snow Cold Video Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:59 PM PST Though we’re a little late, the Potholes team will always show love to the trio of Tiny Hearts. “Snow Cold” is their latest video from their fantastic Stay EP (I wrote about it here, back in October). While their first two videos took a more evocative surreal art house approach, their third video opts for the minimal and abstract. Always open for interpretation, click to watch Dede and “driver” in a black Mercury Cougar create the visuals to a great song. Also know more Tiny Hearts music is on the way.

ScHoolboy Q – “Break The Bank” [Video] Posted: 21 Feb 2014 05:10 PM PST Sorrowful and bright; sweet and dangerous; dark yet colorful. For an artist as complex and multi-voiced as ScHoolboy Q, the presence of so many juxtapositions would only make sense in his new visual for previously released Oxymoron single “Break The Bank”. A dusty piano room, dimly lit by the rays of an intruding sun, kicks off a journey through greatly varying environments and themes. Without the help of yet another superb video directed by Jason Goldwatch, “Break The Bank” was one of my personal favorite songs to have come out in recent months. Yet, I now cannot even imagine the song existing without its cinematic companion. Watch “Break The Bank” below.

Lucki Eck$ – “BOOMIN’” [Video] Posted: 21 Feb 2014 01:32 PM PST “BOOMIN’”, the newest release from one of Chicago’s finest artists, serves as a sort of premeditative public statement: nobody does it better. Walking through a world that appears detached, dark and distant, Lucki Eck$ is alone and excelling because of it. For all of the high-quality music that his home city supplies, no peer – pal nor competitor – occupies a similar sonic realm quite like Lucki. In fact, no other artist anywhere on our radar matches Eck$ in the lane that he continues to carve for himself. Airy atmospherics have come to act as a trademark for the teenager’s music, often crafted by equally talented and sonically guiding producer Plu2o Nash. Distinctive in its loosely drifting haze, “BOOMIN’” (along with Lucki’s catalog) does not fails to impress. Director Jimmy Regular and videographer Jake Gaza aid to push the vision of Eck$ and Nash further, playing with elements of space and movement. I’m a bit excited by this one, if it wasn’t obvious. Watch “BOOMIN’” below.

Curtis Williams – “Saturday Night” [Video] Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:37 PM PST Some things are never too late. More than six months after the release of his well-received mixtape Half Forgotten Daydreams, Two-9′s Curtis Williams came through with a stellar set of visuals for the memorable track, “Saturday Night”. Emphatic vocal samples underly a synth-and-bass-driven backdrop orchestrated by Childish Major; somehow, Williams’ light delivery – complete with tongue-in-cheek lyrics -enables him to take the song to an even higher level of quality. As for the video, director Artemus Jenkins captures the debauchery enjoyed by Curtis and co. with apparent ease. Some unique special effects and good ol’ humor make for an overall entertaining release. Watch “Saturday Night” below.

Best Downloads Of The Week (2/21/14) Posted: 21 Feb 2014 10:17 AM PST We know, we missed a week of best downloads, but we are back at it with a ton of excellent releases. On top of that, this was a pretty interesting week for music news. Leading the way was Pharrell’s surprise announcement of his upcoming album G I R L. On top of that, Bret Easton Ellis said he wrote a film for Kanye West, Bonnaroo announced their festival lineup and Red Bull Music Academy released a feature-length documentary. Check out the top singles from the week: Kendrick Lamar – "m.A.A.d City" (James Blake Harmonimix) Vince Staples – "Nate" F. James Fauntleroy P. Scoop DeVille X – "Feel More" Sisyphus (Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux & Serengeti) – "Alcohol" Fashawn – "Ladies" Onra- "Gonna Make You Mine" Navigate to the second page to check out this week’s finest downloads.

Pharrell’s Album To Feature Daft Punk, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake & Miley Cyrus Posted: 21 Feb 2014 06:37 AM PST Earlier this week, Pharrell announced he’d be dropping an album at the beginning of March. That album, G I R L, is now set with a track listing and list of features. And as far as guests go, Pharrell doesn’t seem to be taking any risks. He’s called on some of music’s biggest names in Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Daft Punk and Alicia Keys to help him with the album, which we have only heard one single from. That single being “Happy”. [via] Oh, and you can bid on Pharrell’s hat on eBay. G I R L is set to drop March 3. G I R L Track Listing: 01 Marilyn Monroe 02 Brand New [ft. Justin Timberlake] 03 Hunter 04 Gush 05 Happy 06 Come Get It [ft. Miley Cyrus] 07 Gust of Wind [ft. Daft Punk] 08 Lost Queen 09 Freq 10 I Know Who You Are [ft. Alicia Keys] 11 It Girl