It baffles me how closed-knit the music industry can be for us here in the States. How does Avicii’s music video for the remix to his alter-ego’s single “Bromance,” have seven million YouTube plays and Top 20 status in multiple countries, yet I didn’t even know about either incarnation of this Swedish hitmaker – as an artist, in general – until last week? Aside from his music being crack, this video – if you can even call it that – is so far above the norm it would make Dire Straits proud.

Essentially a short film fit lengthwise for the Swede’s specific single, this perfectly laid-out visual finds a highly-sedated individual awaking in the middle of a field, just as he realizes he’s running late for an extremely important event. All the while, the back-story of the night before weaves in and out, providing insight into this gent’s headache and leading up to a punchline-ending that will leave you throwing your arms up in surprise at the completely off-guard twist.

Aside from actually finding this gem in the first place, the best part is that the video is so good it stands alone, whether you like the song or not.

Shout out Totoro for the heads up.

Previously: Avicii – “ID (Levels)”

More music from Medina, who continues to impress. This is only the second song I’ve heard from the Newark native, but with the latest song/video for his new EP’s title-cut, “The Love That Hate Made,” he’s definitely two for two. Read the rest of this entry »

Well isn’t this a pleasant little surprise. New York’s dopest crooner/rapper is back with another unexpected EP, Figure 8. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s got to be difficult for Donald Glover to be taken seriously as a rapper. He’s one of the most hilarious guys on television right now as Troy on Community. But Childish Gambino is a talented spitter. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve spoken about 7even:Thirty a few times before and I can’t overstate how insanely brilliant and talented this guy is. It’s been quite vexing recently to hear crappy, gimmicky music get confused as “creative” when it’s just a loud distraction to cover up the fact that these artists aren’t really that good on the mic. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re interested in seeing someone sprinting full-on from dysfunctional folks dressed in decorated cardboard boxes, then we highly suggest you check out Hoodie Allen’s new music video for “You Are Not A Robot.” Packed full of funnies and properly-placed pen etiquette, the well-executed, low-budget visual finds the Long Island MC steering clear of short-circuited androids looking to turn him into another replication and is pretty darn good for being his first official video. Read the rest of this entry »

We’re a little late on posting Skewby’s new music video for “Sunny” – the MC’s well-timed, viral Valentine’s Day present to fans – but considering the theme, I think he’ll forgive us. Centered around the Hallmark holiday every good guy loathes, the clever concept behind this slick visual from Skewb’s highly-slept-on More Or Less LP shows the Memphis tiger going above and beyond for a lady friend, only to be let down when their schedules can’t coexist. Read the rest of this entry »

With an infinite amount of artists to discover and only 24 hours in a day, it becomes extremely hard to keep up. One song, music video and overall experience we missed this past summer is Breakbot’s “Baby I’m Yours.” For his first single from Ed Banger Records, this bearded, one-man dance factory from France enlisted Parisian soul singer Irfane for a recorded romp resembling both Earth, Wind & Fire and Empire Of The Sun. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever since starting my day job last February, my work homeboy and I have continually had water cooler conversations about Jon Connor. Since he’s from his hometown and I’d seen the Flint, MI native perform locally a number of times, we stumbled upon our affinity for Conner’s Buick City brand of inspirational bangers during casual lunch conversation. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re into homicidal rampages, you’d probably dig Hopsin’s video for “You Are My Enemy.” If viewing blunt forced trauma isn’t necessarily your bag, though, close your eyes and hear witness to this Cali rhymeslayer verbally cross name after name off his heartbroken hitlist. Lock the doors and pull your loved ones close, because the intensity throughout this piano-laden massacre might make you second-guess….well, everything.

The rest of the uncut and x-rated can be found on Hop’s recently released album, Raw, which is available as we speak at all your local psych wards.

Writing about new artists can be frustrating at times. It wears on me when I really believe in them and take the time to tell you all about my belief in these artists then they quickly fall off the face of the earth, resting on their laurels. It’s good to know that I don’t have that problem with Dee-1. Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes our creativity can get the best of us. In the case of Mr. Chief’s rather elaborate and out there music video concept for “Can’t Stand It,” the 313-repping MC took the idea of a true Hip-Hop artist burying his cherished microphone for good – in this case Guilty Simpson – then having a creature unearth and sell it for a few measly bucks. Sounds nifty, right? Read the rest of this entry »

A few months ago, when director Derek Pike was brainstorming up ideas for the video to Joell Ortiz & Novel’s everyman anthem, “Night Train,” the former NYU student didn’t have to get too elaborate on his storyboard. As visual as the BX Slaughterhouse member spits, the blueprint was right there in the bars. Read the rest of this entry »

It always amazes me how – with so many outlets for an artist to catch on – certain talents can still fly under the radar. Case in point, that crazy lookin’ sumb*tch staring at you, named Hopsin. Read the rest of this entry »

Let’s forgive LexiconDon. See, it appears this LA-based electropop brigade snagged some of MGMT’s swag by clearly swiping the refrain from “Electric Feel” and retooling it into their own female-focused fornication-inducer, “Student Body.” Read the rest of this entry »