The Rise and Rise of Lupe
When I first heard Lupe Fiasco was planning to retire after his yet to be finished third album, I wasn’t disappointed at all.
Lupe is unmistakably one of the freshest rappers around who has taken the likes of Jay-Z and Kanye West by storm and taken the ‘backpack rap’ troop to new heights.
So why I am not disappointed?
Because he’s delivered. He’s delivered his musical message, portrayed himself through style and grace and toured the world to sell out crowds. So unlike others who keep pushing out vague albums and videos that get tackier and tackier, Lupe doesn’t need to milk the cow unnecessarily.
We’ve all heard our fair share of rap retirement stories but Fiasco seems sincere.
Let’s bath in his glory and listen to some good ol’ Lupe.
Lupe Fiasco – Little Weapon
Lupe Fiasco – Happy Industries
Lupe Fiasco – Comin’ From Where I’m From
More Wood For The Fire
Right then, tickets in hand for Friendly Fires gig at the Forum so what better way to celebrate than a little Frankie Knuckles track covered by the boys themselves?
Featured on the Ministry of Sound: Uncovered compilation this cover fits Friendly Fires almost too perfectly.
This band are in for big things – they’re with the best label (XL Recordings) for musical freedom which is why they’ve been able to do what they’ve done so far. Imagine the catastrophe if they were to be signed to someone like Universal or EMI.
Don’t do it boys.
Friendly Fires – Your Love (Frankie Knuckles cover)
Friendly Fires – In The Hospital
Chiddy Bang – Kids ft. MGMT
Who?
Philly based group Chiddy Bang are bringing some seriously good vibes with this little cover – it seems like along with Asher Roth we’re getting a nice taste of college rap for the early Spring.
PMA scooped these boys early on – they seem to be keen on the covers previously doing Radiohead’s ‘Because’ – What’s next I wonder??
What?
Class A remix of MGMT’s Kids – it’s hip-hop take on the track is refreshing after all the electro-remixes (which we love all the same).
Chiddy Bang – Kids feat MGMT
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Chiddy shout out Pretty Much Amazing at the start of the track – It’s a great blog so check it out.
Jay-Z – American Boy (Live at Glastonbury)
Unforgettable show -- Best Rapper Alive?
Aeroplanes, Paris, Skeletons and Lykke Li!
We’ve gathered some great remixes of Friendly Fires that you may or may not have heard before – regardless I think they need to be on the blog for the sake of good music.
I don’t think the boys from St. Albans expected to be received so well – 2009 will be very special year for them – Last year they played all the major festivals but not at any great time and not too the biggest audiences either. This year they’re going to be playing the night spots on the hottest stages and I’ll be there for every single one.
I know bands don’t often play their remixes live on stage but can someone persuade them to get Au Revoir Simone on stage for a collaboration?!
Friendly Fires – Skeleton Boy (Air France Remix)
Friendly Fires – Paris (Aeroplane Remix ft. Au Revoir Simone)
Friendly Fires – Im Good, Im Gone (Lykke Li cover)
Buy
Black & Gold
The Ladies of the industry have come out of the wood-work recently to cover one of the biggest commercial songs of last year.
Sam Sparro’s Black & Gold was played to death on British radio during the Spring/Summer of 2008 and apart from it’s religious connotations it was actually a pretty good song.
Both Adele and Katy Perry have performed their own version of the song and they both bring something very different to the table.
Adele – Black & Gold
Katy Perry – Black & Gold
It’s not the first time Katy Perry’s covered a song – MGMT got the treatment during a Radio 1 Live Lounge Session.
Katy Perry – Electric Feel
Let’s not forget Russ Chimes’ remix…
Sam Sparro – Black & Gold (Russ Chimes mix)
