Serge’s Selections 10.26.15

Happy Monday, yinz!

I feel like I haven’t done ‘Serge’s Selections’ in a while, so let’s start that back up.

What did I do this weekend?  It was pretty chill – my three roommates were up north running their butts off for the Ragnar Relay.  Two hundred miles from San Fransico to Napa!  They’re pretty epic.  So I laid low, stayed in Long Beach, went to a beach bonfire, and was productive for my upcoming trip home.  Oh, and I made a YouTube channel with someone I think you’ll all really like.  So stay tuned for that.

And I’m super pumped for this week because one of my dearest friends from Westminster, Jamie, is getting married!  So excited to be part of her special day. ❤  And it’s a short work week for me, so thank you, Jaim.

jamie lee

Back to the ‘Selections.’  I wish I could tell you I listened to some new music this past weekend, but considering it was Drake’s birthday on Saturday, that’s all I listened to.

I do have a Miguel video for you to watch if you haven’t already seen it.  Off his latest album Wildheart, he released the visuals for ‘Waves.’  SUCH a good song.  And the video is so vibrant, upbeat, and wild… just like Miguel.  J. Cole and Wale make cameos in it as well, just for a hot second, but still!  Dope to see other artists supporting one another.

And here is the video for Travi$ Scott’s hit ‘Antidote.’  While this video came out in the middle of September, I truly cannot stop listening to this song, so just thought I’d pass along the vid incase you haven’t watched.  The video truly takes place at the night show.  Watch below.

One more.  I heard this yesterday on the radio for the first time in a (very) long time.  The Kanye West remix to Lil Wayne’s ‘Lollipop.’  So good.  Please listen if you haven’t – it’s a banger.

That’s all for today.  Have a good one!

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Happy Friday!

Before we get into any music news or celebrity happenings, please take my words of advice…

BACK UP YOUR CELL PHONE!

I’ve been without a phone for the past week – I have a new one now (thanks, mom!) – but not one picture of the past four years of my life in California is on there.  That was over 5,000 pictures and more than 300 videos.  Do you know how many concerts, memories, celebs, that were documented?!  Oh well.  I just keep telling myself there are way worse things that could happen (which there definitely are) and now I’ll just have to do more epic shit.  Excuse my French, but it’s true.

On to the Weekly Wrap-Up…

Adele Releases New Single + Visuals

Adele is back (praise!) with her newest single, ‘Hello,’ off of her upcoming album 25.  Not only is there a new song for us to listen to, but there is a video, as well!  Dang, does she have some pipes.

Watch the quite heartbreaking but powerful video below.

 

Kendrick Lamar Performs With National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center

How dope is this!  Kendrick Lamar, just a young boy from Compton, performed at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra.  This is so great.  He performed songs off of To Pimp a Butterfly on Tuesday during this monumental event.

Thanks to Peter Hutchins for catching this footage!  Below is K. Dot’s performance of ‘Alright.’

You Used To Call Me On My…

We can’t forget about the real highlight of the week – the Internet’s reaction to Drake’s music video for ‘Hotline Bling.’

Below are some of the best ones.

Speaking of Drake, his birthday is tomorrow!  Wahoo!  And happy birthday to Derek and belated birthday to Maria. 🙂

Have a great Friday, yinz!

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NEW: Kanye Gives us Two Songs!

Okay, well not entirely new, butttttt….

First we have a different take on the 808s hit ‘Say You Will,’ followed by a different version of The Weeknd’s ‘Tell Your Friends,’ which was actually produced by Yeezus.

I’m listening now, so you should too.

Enjoy!  And it looks like this is a new SoundCloud account from Ye.

I’m also still waiting for that ‘Hotline Bling’ video to drop…

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Lineup:  Power 106 Announces Cali Christmas Stars!

Christmas came early!  The lineup for Power 106’s 2015 #CaliChristmas was announced this morning at 7:20am on #TheCruzShow.

CaliChristmas2015

While the lineup may seem smaller compared to previous years, I feel these are some high-profile artists.  Quality vs. quantity, ya dig!  And who knows the special guests they will bring out!  I mean, Pharrell can bring out Snoop to ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot,’ Wiz may bring out Rae Sremmurd for ‘Burn Slow,’ and I’m hoping so much that Dej Loaf brings out fellow Detroit native Big Sean to perform ‘Back Up.’  Those are just my predictions. 🙂

Great job again, Power!  I have always looked forward to Cali Christmas since my first time attending in 2011 – also the very first time I saw Drake perform.  All the feels.

Presale tickets go on sale this Thursday at 10AM.  Get the password by downloading the free Where Hip Hop Lives app here.

Happy Monday!

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Video:  ‘Hotline Bling’ – Drake

It’s here!  On Instagram yesterday, Drake confirmed the release date for the much-anticipated ‘Hotline Bling’ music video.  He replaced the text on the single’s original artwork with today’s date of October 19. He announced at the beginning of the month at Austin City Limits that the video was going to be dropping soon, so you know that I am too excited it’s finally here.

This song is by far his biggest hit of the year, getting him so close to scoring that No. 1 title on the charts.  Drizzy has yet to accomplish this task – the single is currently at the No. 2 spot, but he took to Instagram last week writing that if this single reaches No. 1. during his birthday month of October, “it will be the biggest moment of my career to date.”

There have been so many memes, parodies, and covers of ‘Hotline Bling,’ which goes to show its popularity.  I even hear people humming the beat or singing the song who I never thought would be whistling to a Drake song – I love it!

The video is currently only available via Apple Music.  I just watched it, and daaang.  It is Drake being as Drake as he can possibly be with his dance moves, and I love every second of it.  Never thought I’d see a music video of Drake dancing throughout basically the whole thing.  He just went up quite a few points in my book – if he could even go up any higher.   Lots of memes will be created from this – just a feeling.

Watch it here on the big screen!

You used to call me on my…

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Weekly Wrap-Up 10.16.15

Chris Brown gives us the cover art for royalty 

CB royalty cover artChris Brown has released the artwork for his upcoming album titled Royalty, named after his adorable baby girl.  Even you CB haters out there have to admit the photo is pretty darn cute.  Chris has truly been channeling his inner-father with most of his social media posts being dedicated to Royalty.  I’m anxious to hear the album because one, it’s a Chris Brown album, but mainly because I think the overall tone to the album will be different than past pieces of work put out by him.

Royalty arrives November 27, which also happens to be Black Friday, and will feature his most recent singles ‘Liquor’ and ‘Zero.’

 

tracklisting for ty dolla $ign’s debut album

Ty Dolla $ign has finally given us the tracklisting for his debut album, Free TC.  He announced theFree-TC 16-tracks during a phone call to his brother who is in jail and is who the album is named after.  He also just graced us with a surprise mixtape, Airplane Mode, which I must admit I haven’t listened to yet, but my little bro, Anthony, said it was decent.  I’ll be sure to check that out this weekend.  I have always liked Ty’s music from the beat to the sound of his voice.  Peep the tracklisting below – lots of features!  The album drops on November 13.

 

FREE TC TRACKLISTING

1. “L.A.” feat. Kendrick Lamar, Brandy, and James Fauntleroy
2. “Saved” feat. E-40
3. “Straight Up” feat. Jagged Edge
4. “Solid” feat. Babyface
5. “Horses in the Stable”
6. “Know Ya” feat. Trey Songz (prod. Metro Boomin and DJ Spinz)
7. “Credit” feat. Sevyn Streeter
8. “Miracle/Wherever” feat. Big TC and D-Loc
9. “Guard Down” feat. Kanye West and Diddy (prod. by Hit-Boy)
10. “Sitting Pretty” feat. Wiz Khalifa (prod. by Benny Blanco)
11. “When I See Ya” feat. Fetty Wap (prod. by Cardo)
12. “Blasé” feat. Future and Rae Sremmurd
13. “Only Right” feat. YG, Joe Moses, and TeeCee4800
14. “Bring It Out of Me” (prod. by Stargate)
15. “Actress” feat. R. Kelly
16. “Finale” feat. SA-RA and PJ

 

Speaking of November 13…

bieber purposeMr. Justin Bieber will also be dropping his next album on the same day, titled Purpose.  While the official track titles have yet to be released, the album includes contributions from Nas, Travi$ Scott and Ed Sheeran, with production credits given to Skrillex and Diplo.  More special guests will be announced soon.

The next single, ‘Sorry,’ will be released on October 23, so keep your eyes and ears open for that one.  The album is currently available on iTunes for pre-ordering.

That’s all for this week.  My friends and I will be giving my roommate Kylie a proper send-off back to the East Coast, seeing as this is her last weekend in LA! #Sad, but #sergesselfiestick will be in full effect, so stay tuned for a post.

Have a great one, and happy Friday!

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Happy Burshday to you!

Happy 37th birthday to this smoke show and dancer of a man!

I know someone should be singing ‘happy birthday’ to him, but this gives me life, and if one of you lovely readers wouldn’t mind posting this on my Facebook wall for my birthday *cough January 19 cough* that would be nice.

Reasons why I love Usher:

  • He can dance.
  • He can sing.
  • He’s easy on the eye.
  • Have you seen him shirtless?
  • He was one of the first artists I really connected with on an R&B level back when My Way was released in 1997.
  • I did my first ever hip-hop dance to his hit song ‘Yeah.’
  • He has his own nonprofit, Usher’s New Look, helping youth ‘find a path to leadership and help them make career choices that match their passion.’
  • He has given all of us ample music to pregame to.
  • Michael Jackson (RIP!) was and probably still is one of his biggest influences.
  • He has also perfected the moonwalk.  Again, thank you MJ.
  • He dated a member of TLC.
  • He provided me with an opportunity to win a pair of tickets to his ‘UR Experience Tour’ via another Twitter contest, thanks to RevoltTV.
  • His concerts is pure entertainment from beginning to end.
  • He looked right at me during TWO tapings of The Voice.
  • And did I mention he can dance?

I know this list will only continue to grow, and I look forward to see what he will do next!

Oh, and happy National Dessert Day!  Maybe I will bake a birthday cake tonight in Ursher’s honor.

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‘The Hills’ Remix x2!

Woah!  I was not expecting this.  Both Eminem and Nicki Minaj have put out remixes to The Weeknd’s ‘The Hills.’

For now, you can only listen to them through Apple Music. I’m not at home right now, but I just purchased the tracks on iTunes, and I really like what I’m hearing so far.

‘The Hills’ Remixes here!

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Feel Good Friday For Reals

Aside from being a little under the weather, I am in quite high spirits today.  Not sure why, but it’s just a good day and it’s Friday.  Here’s some music news for yinz!

‘Digital dash’

Major congratulations is in order for Mr. Drizzy Drake.  According to SoundScan, a music information and sales tracking system, Drake has scored the top-selling digital album for the first three quarters of 2015 with his If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late album with 951,000 in sales.  And I have to let the people know this is more than Taylor Swift’s 1989 digital album sales, which are 809,000.  She does however have the top-selling physical album, but we are talking digital here, so move along.  Again, congrats to The Boy!

Digital Sales 2015


miguel ‘simple things’ remix ft. chris brown x future

Holy smokes.  I ‘world premiered’ this remix in my car this morning on my way to work.  It gave me life!  Miguel’s sweet, sweet voice with Chris Brown’s added serenade and a splash of Future’s trap sound is the perfect mix.  And I don’t know why I haven’t wished for this mix of artists before.  Listen below!


the game’s the documentary 2 out now!

While I don’t typically listen to The Game on a regular basis, I do peep his music every once in a while.  I’ve also seen him perform at the House of Blues in LA, which is now closed (sad face), and let’s just say everyone was on 1.  He also brought out Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, so that was dope.  I digress.  I started listening to the album on my way into work, and from what I can hear, it sounds like a pretty solid piece of work.  Lots of features and epic beats.  I really dig the Kendrick track, ‘On Me,’ and ‘Don’t Trip’ featuring Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and will.i.am.  Game is also putting out The Documentary 2.5, which will be released October 16.  Stream it below!


for the record…

drake-serena-0-1

Drake and Serena are not engaged.  There was some speculation, not enough to have convinced me it was true, but these reports are false.  A rep close to Drake told TMZ that the ‘rumor is completely untrue.’  Phew!  You can read more deets about it here.

Have a good one, yinz!

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