SPRING BREAK POST #1: New Black Eyed Peas

Hey kids, I'm on spring break and that means that I have a lot of time on my hands and that means I'm going to try and get something cool posted everyday this week. To start off the spring break festivities, I've got some brand new Black Eyed Peas. "Boom Boom Pow" is everything spring break should be, it's fun, dancy and full of synths. Check it out, be safe and come back tomorrow for part two of my spring break blog-o-thon!

Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow

Drake - So Far Gone Mixtape

So I don't do a whole lot of 'next big thing' posts, but this guy may be 'the next big thing'. This mixtape dropped early last month but I wasn't able to find it until a few days ago, and after hearing the hype, listening to the tape, believing the hype, I have decided it's my turn to perpetuate the hype. First and foremost, this is probably the most polished sounding mixtape I've ever heard. Although it is a rap album it's packed with R&B, indie pop and electronic influences. It sounds like Drake heard Kanye's 808s & Heartbreak and instead of dismissing it (as so many have) he decided to use it's aesthetic to start reconstructing how we define hip hop music. Drake even raps over the lead of track of 808s, "Say You Will". But at the same time, it isn't all doom, gloom and heartbreak. Although the first handful of tracks move a little slower and somber, by the time the tape is finished Drake has proven himself to be a dynamic new voice within the hip-hop community with a knock out combination of hip-hop egotism, heartfelt honesty and innovative, poetic lyricism. And oh yeah, the boy can sing too. So Far Gone features a really solid, if not puzzling guest list with mixtape essentials like Lil Wayne and Trey Songz as well as indie popsters Peter Bjorn & John and the artist formerly known as Santogold. Enough rambling. This mixtape is brilliant. Anyone who appreciates hip-hop, indie and electronic music should take notice of this album. This shit is, for lack of a better term, fresh.

Download Drake's So Far Gone mixtape.

Shout out to my buddy Kia for the tip!

Lil Wayne's "Prom Queen" Music Video

Ok, so I know that this puts me in the minority, but I'll say it: I like Lil Wayne's "Prom Queen". I know it's weird, I know he can't sing, and I know the lyrics are ridiculous but that's why I like listening to Lil Wayne. Also, "Prom Queen" is disturbingly catchy. Anyhow, the official music video was just released and it features a nerded out Weezy in a John Hughesian high school. "Prom Queen" is the lead single off of Lil Wayne's forthcoming rock(?) album Rebirth, due May 19th. Rebirth, which is rumored to have collaborations with Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne(?) was originally scheduled to be released on April 7th but was recently pushed back. Let's hope that this isn't a repeat of the seemingly endless delays that preceded last year's Tha Carter III.

NEW GREEN DAY!! "21st Century Breakdown"

I really don't like having to put my headphones on to listen to music while I'm in class, but it's a new Green Day song and...ya know...I really wanted to hear it right now. Patience has never been my strong suit. I don't have the time to write much about it right now, but after a distracted, one-ear-bud, mid-class listen, I like what I hear. It's on the pop-y side, but I've never minded that side of Green Day. Check it out for yourself.

Listen to "21st Century Breakdown" here.

Thnx to PMA.