A still.grimey endorsement: Danny Brown

I have been meaning to post something about Danny Brown for quite a while now.  He is, in my opinion, the most creative and versatile of the latest crop of talented emcees that have gained the necessary notoriety to make it to my headphones (Curren$y, Big K.R.I.T., Freddie Gibbs, etc.). Danny Brown came to my attention via the omniscient Jeff Weiss's blog, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

In my opinion, the most striking thing about Brown is his capacity to base an entire song on a theme that doesn't include cars, women or money.  On his most recent release, The Hybrid, he dedicates an entire track to food stamps ("Thank God") and another to his views on prescription pills ("Generation Rx").  He has an affinity for Adderall, and attributes much of the writing from The Hybrid to the procrastinatoRx's best friend.  I sincerely hope any and all who read this post give Danny Brown a chance.  Passion of the Weiss, who shares a similar respect for his work, provides an interview and several downloads that may very well whet your appetite for more.  You should also check out Brown's Blog for an inside look at this eclectic genius.

Here's Danny Brown's "Shootin' Moves" from The Hybrid
 
"Sittin' in the old school, smokin' on some Goku.  Buds like Dragonballs, tequila with the lime juice."

A Quick Thank You.

Before I get into my typical charade of writing some ego-maniacal bull once a quarter, I must give credit where credit is due. My dear friend, and [primary] still.grimey contributor JAM, or fuck it, let's just call him by his god given name: James Adam Mahady, has single handedly held this once shit stain of a blog above water for several months.
On top of that, the music he's been putting up, and the analysis to go along with it is enough to put you and your favorite blogger to shame. Don't think so? Well I suggest you pull your head out of your ass and go read something, anything, he wrote again.

(Go ahead, I'll wait for you...back? And I was right, right? Great, let's get back at it)

Now considering I would wager a good amount that several newspapers and magazines (yes, kids these things still exist...) would love to have him on their staff, because, you know, his prose would give most established writers a half mast at the bare minimum (I would include the ladies here, too, but let's be real, JAM tends to fair on the chauvanistic side of the equation, from time to time), I feel incredibly fortunate to be apart of this venture with him.

Oh and did I forget to mention he's doing this all while teaching English in Spain? Meanwhile I'm sticking to my routine of weekend of Friday benders, Saturday hangovers (with the privalege of going to school where the football team ranks #1 in the nation), and the other days in the library. Advantage: Mahady.


James Adam Mahady aka JAM: A Glorious Man

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JOTW: Temptations

Tupac has never been my favorite rapper. There was a time, I must admit, that I stated plainly that I didn't like his music at all, and that Biggie was far and away the superior emcee. Although I still believe strongly in the latter, I have warmed up considerably to Pac's opus within the last several years. I hope you all enjoy this song and music video as much as I do. "Temptations" oozes sex with the candid ease of Ginuine's "Pony," and still manages to make white suburbanites like me feel hard* as fuck when we rap along.

"I wanna take you to the movies, and the park. Find a spot where you can do me, in the dark"

*This is ebonics for "makes me feel like a tough guy," it has nothing to do with inspiring myself and other white nerds that enjoy this song to pop boners. Though now that I think about it, that would be a pretty awesome alternative to Viagra when my libido fades.

Cinnamon Girl - Prince versus Neil

Prince Rogers Nelson and Neil Young may very well represent polar aspects of my musical portfolio: a skinny, omnisexual, half-black, falsetto crooner with an appetite for dance and fornication, and a neanderthal like Canadian with a penchant for flannel and farm life. At different moments in time, I have considered one or the other to be my favorite artist, and they are forever present in my top 5, a fluctuating mixture of stalwart classics and musical infatuations. I would have to credit the eclectic musical taste of my parents for this baffling combination, as I was heavily exposed to both artists throughout my youth.

Now to the Jams at Hand. The other day as I was making a pass through my iTunes, I was struck by a desire to listen to "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil. As the search completed, I was reminded of the super dope song by Prince, off of Musicology, of the same name, which according to Wikipedia has nothing to do with Neil's version. Nonetheless, I have decided to pit the two against each other. The preference is decided by each listener on a personal basis; I am making no attempt to endorse one in particular at this juncture. Prince hits you with a dance hall ready, politically conscious jam, and, true to form, provides a catchy chorus to further encourage the boogie. Neil's jam is chock full of heavy guitar and a likewise catchy, simple chorus.

Prince

VS

Neil