VA$HTIE is strikingly beautiful.

Let’s get that out of the way so we can move on.

It’s not the beauty of what’s outside, but what’s inside & how she manifests it into her work that makes her astounding. Director, designer, artist, party promoter, hustler. Name it, she does that. She’s one of those individuals able to leave an indelible mark on each thing she touches, reshaping it with her keen eye for style. That’s why when I thought of creating this segment, she was one of the first people I asked to contribute and was delighted when she agreed to take part…otherwise what other fucking reason would I have to strike up a conversation with her? Now, we share our affinity for Portishead!

Sidebar: In typical artistic fashion, Va$h said “fuck yo coloring book,” going well past the ten tracks we asked for LOL. We <3 her tremendously and grant her an E+ for effort.

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Rakim – “Don’t Sweat The Technique”

If I could have a theme song that played around me constantly, it would be this song. It feels timeless and universal. Rakim is legend and the beat makes me want to get up and dance like Rosie Perez in the intro to Do The Right Thing.

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Nas – “New York State of Mind”

This song and this entire album exudes such a powerful era in New York City: the music, the culture, the fashion. This song perfectly captures it all. I was only a kid in Albany when Illmatic came out and all it did was fuel my obsession of moving to “The City” even more (and possibly find a boy that look just like Nasir). Illmatic goes on my TOP 5 ALBUM list without question. It feels dirty, young, pure and real…so magnetic. New York’s updated anthem feels overly jolly, clean and Starbucks-y. Where’s the beauty in that? I miss the old New York.

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Deee-Lite – “Power Of Love”

Don’t let their seemingly one-hit wonder “Groove Is In The Heart” confuse you – they had hits for days. Their sound was so ahead of it’s time and Lady Miss Kier sang like a black girl in a white girls body. The group were 90′s-styled hippies, insistent on racial equality as they were composed of a mix of ethnicities and they pro-earth (they were one of the first to have eco-friendly CD packaging). It was Hip-Hop, it was rave, it was soul. It was universal. How I miss the 90′s.

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Depeche Mode – “Policy Of Truth”

I’ll never know if I would have fallen in love with Depeche Mode the way I did at such an early age, if it hadn’t been for my older sister bumping it on her little boombox. Aside from great music production and a unique electronic sound, the writing is superb — “There’ll be times when my crimes will seem almost unforgivable. I give in to sin, because you have to make this life livable. But when you think I’ve had enough from your sea of love, I’ll take more than another river full. And I’ll make it all worthwhile…I’ll make your heart smile.”

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Clipse – “Pussy”

I’ve always loved the style of Clipse and although I love almost everything in their catalog, this song takes the cake with the line: “I ain’t into fat-lipping, I’m into gat-gripping…” Just those simple sarcastic nuances that separate them from the rest.

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ESG – “UFO”

This band was a sister group that formed in the South Bronx in the early 80′s. They’re sound is revered around the world by similarly styled musicians for their post-punk, disco, Hip-Hop and dance punk sound. Little did anyone know when they emerged that they were just a young, Black sister group that was formed after their parents bought them instruments to keep them off the street…only to create new wave, funk masterpieces. This song goes down in history and contains no lyrics.

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Theophilus London – “Humdrum Town”

Aside from Theophilus being a friend and a fellow Trinidadian, he’s an extremely talented kid from Brooklyn who’s musical influences range from Jay-Z, The Smiths and Machel Montano. This track makes me feel like I’m watching a movie, perfect for a soundtrack. His whole mixtape (This Carming Mixtape) was on repeat last year and his new one coming up – I Want You – is even more epic! (I’m also featured on a song; it’s my first!)

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Biggie – “Juicy”

Clichéd? Yes. But, in 2010 this might be the only song that still allows HOOD FOLKS to own any space when it comes on. Despite the “all encompassing” vibe that Hip-Hop allows (frat kids singing to A Tribe Called Quest or valley girls getting crunk to Lil’ Wayne) suburbanites and rich kids alike get the side-eye for busting out in “And my whole crew is loungin’, Celebratin’ every day, no more public housin’…“.

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Buju Banton – “Batty Rider”

The funny thing about reggae and dancehall music is that, you can be an upstanding and composed human being at any other time of the day…but as soon as a dancehall record starts to play, a sexual dance explosions starts to occur. I could be hosting one of my parties with Q-Tip at SANTOS, busy keeping things in order, and as soon as this song comes on I stop everything and assume the “Dutty Wine” position and go dance with my friends. It’s like being under a spell that I can’t control. No matter how American I am, I guess it’s just in my blood. Guaranteed, this song will sweat out perms and create couples, even for just one night.

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Amanda Blank – “DJ”

Amanda is part of the New School of folks coming up. She’s been making music for a minute now and finally dropped a full album, entitled I Love You. The first time I heard this song I was in the midst of a tumultuous relationship that was perfectly expressed through the lyrics of this track. When I heard it, I couldn’t believe how perfectly the words resounded my situation that I played it until infinity. “How could he say that He loves me unconditionally? But still put so many rules and restrictions on me? He told me, “No one’s gonna love you as much as I do, But I can’t be the man that you need me to.” Oh,”Killing me softly.”

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The Charmels – “I’ll Never Grow Old”

It’s a shame that “singers” today are created in a laboratory, becoming stars due to the labors of their power team rather than their talents. Just listening to this song gives me the chills. The beat is so hard and the vocals are haunting, it’s no wonder it’s been sampled by some great people. “No fire is too hot, no snow is too cold. Youth will never leave me, I’ll never grow old“! Damn, damn, damn.

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The Smiths – “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out”

I know, I know. But look, you knew this list would be odd because it’s me…so just accept it! I love THE SMITHS and had a hard time deciding on this one. Their sound can equally please and sadden me, it’s depressing as it is enlightening. It taps into this part of people that happily self-inflicts depression, which I guess stems from my misunderstood youth. Not to mention, this song is so romantic and beautiful with lyrics like “And if a double decker bus crashes into us, to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die. And if a 10 ton truck kills the both of us, to die by your side, well the pleasure the privilege is mine.” It’s the British white boys version of Biggie’s “I swear to God I hope we fucking die together.”

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Portishead – “Machine Gun”

Portishead’s trip-hop, jazz sound has been a favorite of mine for years. Their recent album Third showcased some unbelievable production, heavy beats that one could listen to prior to an assassination. I usually get visuals when I listen to music, but I could make a whole movie inspired by just one of their albums.

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Serge Gainsbourg – “Requiem pour un con (BOF Le Pacha)”

This song is entirely in French set against some slowed down sleek African-styled drums. It seems to just drip elegantly out of my speakers. Although I don’t speak a lick of French and Serge could be reciting the telephone book for all I know, I still love this song. A French friend recently told me the song is dedicated to the man Jane Birkin left him for and apparently it’s not nice. Either way, the song is still perfect for a romantic evening.

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Gil Scott-Heron – “Home Is Where The Hatred Is”

You ever imagine yourself in another time period and who you know you would have dated? For me, I think back to this time and know I would have swooned over Gil. He’s so deep and so broken, women just eat that up! His music not only gave pleasurable listening it also captures life at a burgeoning time…real life portraiture. Listening to his music makes me feel like I’m witnessing life through his eyes. I can’t think of anything more powerful than that.

Keep up with Va$htie by locking in the following url’s: Va$htie.com, VioletteNewYork.com & Twitter.com/KingVashtie.