Just in case it’s gotten by you unnoticed, my most recent theme seems to be loving those in your life just the way they are. I recently found this cover of Bruno Mars’ song, Just The Way You Are on YouTube, and this man’s voice is incredible. Matt Beilis, if you have not heard of him, has one of those voices that makes you stop and listen. His debut album, Can’t Help But Wonder, was released this June.

A description of his sound reads, “a place where soul and hip-hop grooves meet the electricity of a rock band. One might call Matt an Elton John Legend or a Maroon Folds 5.”

I like what you’re preaching, Dwele! A woman with beauty, substance… and no stank attitude.

In his documentary, Hip Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes, Filmmaker and self-described “Hip Hop Head,” Byron Hurt, takes an in-depth look at masculinity and manhood in the world of rap and hip-hop. I’m a bit late coming onto this, since it was released back in 06, but we just watched a clip from it last night in my Dialogues on Race group. In the film, Hurt explores the industry of hip hop, where creative genius collides with misogyny, violence and homophobia, exposing the complex intersections of culture and commerce. Are the media and music industries really to blame for this? Where do we place the responsibility… on the artists, the listeners, society as a whole? I think it’s a little bit of everyone really. I think, though I may be generalizing, that this is an issue many hip-hop fans struggle with. At least, I know I do.

Hurt says…

“The more I grew and the more I learned about sexism and violence and homophobia, the more those lyrics became unacceptable to me,” he says. “And I began to become more conflicted about the music that I loved.”

The film comes in 6 parts. I highly suggest you watch the whole thing…

Also, if you want a rough brush up on your hip-hop history, take a look at this Timeline of Hip-Hop.

Drake recently said on the subject of his song “Find Your Love” that he tries to make something that transcends, and that, he believes, is the key to music. Hmm, I would have to agree. Transcendence is the goal!

On another note, I do think Drake should stick to rhyming and steer away from any creative “movement” with Kanye for the future. Find Your Love… not on my favorites list, and the video? …… yeah. Can’t win em all Drizzy.

With a mixtape!! A Place Called Stardom is the name of it (Download it after the jump). He teamed up Mick Boogie and DJBooth.net for this long awaited compilation.

tabi Bonney – the Great produced by The Alchemist from tabi Bonney on Vimeo.

I can’t believe this is Tabi’s first mixtape ever….. craziness. This also got me thinking about my favorite track he’s put out, but I couldn’t decide between ‘Baby’ and ‘Peanut Butter Slow Jam’ with Raheem DeVaughn. Anywho, don’t miss this mixtape! I’m posting it before I’ve even listened to it. How excited am I…

Download A Place Called Stardom mixtape here.

I’ve been a fan of J. Cole on the mic for a minute now. Miguel Jontel on the other hand…. I’ve only recently been crushing on his voice since I heard ‘Sure Thing’ a little while back. … It’s one of my favorite songs. Peep the video for that here. This isn’t him dancing in the video, but I’m still feeling the choreography.

Clearly I’m not talking about the heavy metal Ronnie James. “Dio” is the alias of the 21-year-old Dutch rapper Diorno Braaf. Even though I don’t understand Dutch, I can still enjoy his sound and the videos! I was watching the video on the making of his track “Cool,” and Dutch sounds like such a bazaar language. (Check out my original post on Nederhop – hip hop of the Netherlands). Born in Amsterdam in 1988, Diorno was Influenced by Notorious BIG, Jay-Z and Eminem, and eventually started to write songs and rap in 2004. Check out some of his videos after the jump.
Visit his website here at diomusic.nl.

Dio feat. Jayh – Cool from Opslaan Als on Vimeo.

Dio – Cool Remix ft. Jayh, Ado’nis, KV & Kempi from Dux-Deluxe on Vimeo.

Dio & The Madd – Baby from Opslaan Als on Vimeo.

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Click on the picture above to download B.O.B.’s May 25th Mixtape, the title of which is also the release date of his album. Be sure to check it out.

Robin Thicke – Slow Down

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Download.

Robin Thicke samples one of my favorite Counting Crows songs, Colorblind, on his new track, Slow Down. Even though I can’t say this with entire confidence (since I have never seen Robin Thicke perform life), I don’t know if he could come close to their live performances. I’ve seen the Counting Crows twice in concert, and they always blow me away. Their energy is just so amazing.

Check out the original here…

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Counting Crows

KiD CuDi “cudderisback” – Directed by Jason Goldwatch – DatNewCudi.com from DP on Vimeo.

It’s all fun and games in Cudi’s “documentary” for his track, Cudderisback. While on the road in Boston, he decided to shoot a little music video in the hotel. Can you recognize the bouncy melody from somewhere? It’s Vampire Weekend’s “Ottoman.”

Video Breakdown: Cudi displays his lip-syncing skills to his own music as well as his abundance of weed. Way to cut down expenses for the shoot… well, that is depending on how much that weed cost.