[Video] Bruno Mars' Super Bowl Performance
To tell the truth, it's been all Janet and Justin's fault. If you're in your mid-twenties or below at the moment, then a good percentage of the Super Bowl halftime shows have been set on tape delay and toned down to just above audible, with movements highly scrutinized. Two years ago, the NFL tried to fine M.I.A. for her middle finger at the end of her performance. That and a general sense of boredom that has perpetuated the half time show of the year's biggest contest since Justin Timberlake stripped Janet Jackson's left breast bare for the world to see.
Last night though, Bruno Mars put on one hell of a performance, playing on the 50s/60s-esque aesthetic complete with a dancing backing band and footwork that James Brown would grin at. Aside from an odd inclusion of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who performed only "Give It Away," as Flea and Anthony Kiedis flexed their manliness over Mars by forgoing shirts in the frigid New York night. Alas, though, Mars was entertaining from beginning to end as he held the tempo in his hand throughout, ending the performance with a rousing take of "Just The Way You Are," which was preceded by a dedication from military members to their families. While the game was less of a contest than many would have liked, Bruno Mars made sure they were entertained in between. Watch the whole thing, streaming below.
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Sidewalk Chalk: "Grocery List"
Sidewalk Chalk is a band that has been making noise for a minute, but really stepped things up lately. The 8-piece multi-genre act, who was selected as Chicago's "Most Outstanding Group" in 2012 by the Chicago Music Awards, has been preparing for the release of its next project, Leaves. They have been building some serious buzz, first with their lead single, "There She Goes" and yesterday with their follow-up single, "Grocery List", debuted on Revive Music.
Blending genres is a practice found today in disciplines from EDM to rock and everything in between, and for Sidewalk Chalk the mix of different styles and aesthetics continues to mesh together into one of the most refreshing sounds out today. Check out the latest from Sidewalk Chalk, streaming here below, and be sure to pick up Leaves, due out February 25.
If you're in New York City or Chicago, Sidewalk Chalk will be playing a pair of album release shows in both locales on February 21 and 22, respectively.
ProbCause & The O'My's: "One of a Kind"
Chicago natives ProbCause & The O'My's teamed up to drop some heat in the midst of one of the city's record-breaking cold spell with their collaborative effort, "One of a Kind." ProbCause, who will continue to build on a successful 2013 by re-joining dance duo Cherub on tour in March, shows his full range with this latest track, tearing off a measured, rapid-fire verse over the soulful, horn-laden backing of The O'My's. Maceo Haymes, owner of one of the more delightfully soulful voices around, takes the reigns halfway in, crooning his way through the rest of the track. Collaborations like this are a big part of the reason this scene is on the up and up. Listen and download the track below.
Catch ProbCause live in Chicago on February 28 at Schuba's. Tix.
MED, Blu, D?M-FunK: "Peroxide" (Prod. Madlib)
A couple weeks ago I posted the star-studded first single off the Madlib-produced upcoming project, The Buzz, bearing the same name as the release. Today, the squad of Madlib, Blu, MED and D?M-FunK get together for the B-side to The Buzz (Available on vinyl, here.), titled "Peroxide", originally due out tomorrow. The release marks the first time all of these artists have been featured together on vinyl and buying the throwback medium will get you a bonus beat, as well as several a capella tracks and instrumentals. Check the second half of the project, "Peroxide" here below.
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[Video] Klassik: "Boogie"
Avant-garde hip-hop artist Klassik has been making moves in his native Milwaukee for some time now, establishing a uniquely soulful, creative musical aesthetics that mirrors his locale and earned him the distinction as Wisconsin Area Music Industry’s 2013 Hip Hop Artist of the Year. Today, we get his video for the lead single, "Boogie", off his upcoming project release for Young Rising Phenom, due out December 13. The track uses a Michael Jackson sample of "Blame it on the Boogie" for a funk-filled 80s-esque dancey hip-hop number that will have you tapping your feet and bobbing your head. It's fun watching this creative new breed of artists pull from so many other genres to create hip-hop music these days and the saxophone-playing Klassik may be doing so better than most right now. Check out the video for "Boogie", below.
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[Video] Sampha: "Too Much"
For many, Sampha's scene-stealing appearance on Drake's Late Night With Jimmy Fallon performance was the first time they had heard from the singer. Nonetheless, since then he has been able to build up a nice buzz and will release the original version of "Too Much" through Young Turks as a single. To push the record, Sampha shot a video which you can peep below.
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MED, Blu, Mayer Hawthorne & Madlib: "The Buzz"
This super funky collaboration is, in fact, real. MED got together with the soulful trio of Blu, Madlib and Detroit's own Mayer Hawthorne to craft "The Buzz". With a beat perfectly suited for everyone involved as Hawthorne lays the hooks between which Blu, MED and Madlib do their thing. The track will make even the greyest of Fall days seems a bit more hopeful. Check out the track below and keep an eye out for the single dropping November 26 with D?M-FunK‘s “Peroxide” on the B-side. Pick up "The Buzz" via Stones Throw.
Lili K: "Something Special"
Who's your something special? Sultry soul songstress Lili K shares with us a song about her personal "Something Special." Taking Rockie Fresh's "Something Special" off of his Electric Highway, Lili leaves her own stamp on the song's instrumental with production and mixing help from The Upper Classmen and Elton Cheung at Classick Studios. Burn "Something Special" on to a CD, walk over to your loved one's house, and hold a boombox over your head to show them they're your own something special.