Video + Happy Friday

Below is a NSFW video, so please don’t watch at work or around your parents, re: language.

But this is basically how I’m feeling right now that it’s Friday.  Hype AF.  Tyler, The Creator and A$AP Rocky are really just doing their thing in the recording studio, as they rap over a remix to Kanye West’s ‘Freestyle 4’ from The Life of Pablo.

Tyler is rapping up a storm, while A$AP contributes some wild ad libs.

Check it out for yourself below, and while it is inappropriate language-wise, I’m pretty sure it will hype you up for the weekend, as well.

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Kanye, KDot, & Klub Kuche

I promise the title above will make more sense once you’ve read this piece in its entirety.

KANYE | Well now that The Life of Pablo is finally available on Tidal, all is good in the world.  JK.  Ye has been going on multiple Twitter rants and is now claiming the album will forever be ONLY on Tidal and will never be available for sale.  Well he did Tweet it’s on kanywest.com, but still.  And I read that the version currently on Tidal isn’t even the finished one.  Who knows.  But aside from that nonsense, I REALLY LIKE TLOP.  I don’t want to get into too much detail about my thoughts on it – want to save that for its own post – but let’s just say, for me, it’s up there with 808s and MBDTF.  Each song makes me want to dance.  And if you know me, then you know I like it.

Kanye premiered the album on Thursday at a SOLD OUT Madison Square Garden.  He also debuted his Yeezy Season 3 fashion collection.  I plugged in my headphones at work and live streamed the EXPERIENCE – yes I’m calling it an experience because it was – on my phone.  From the first track he played (‘Ultralight Beam’) to the finale, it was one of the best things I’ve heard and seen, musically, in a while.  Kanye was SO happy and proud, his family and fellow artists were there supporting him, Anna freaking Wintour was there supporting him, and one of his models even shed a tear while standing as still as a statue on that massive block.  What other artist can you say has done that before?  Not just selling out MSG for a listening party, but having live streamed the album for his fans to watch from all over the world.  Pretty dope if you ask me.  Screenshots below.

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KENDRICK | Saturday morning, Parker and I ventured to the city of Compton to watch Mr. Kendrick Lamar receive the key to the city.  MAJOR.  Aja Brown, the Compton mayor, presented Kendrick with the highly-deserved honor.  What does it mean to get the key to the city?  I think it’s more symbolic than anything, but it is given to someone the city looks up to, to someone who is making a difference in their hometown, and is an inspiration for all, working to better their city.  The crowd wasn’t too big for the ceremony.  Real 92.3 was there to supply the music, teachers and city officials spoke before Kendrick, congratulating him, explaining the impact he has on Compton.  One of my favorites was seeing Compton’s dance team perform to some of his songs and then into Lil Wayne’s ‘A Milli.’  That was sick.

Read this article and check out dope pictures from Complex’s very own Andres Tardio here.

KLUB KUCHE | On Sunday, two of my roommates, Megan and Rachel, ran in the LA Marathon.  Instead of each running the full 26.2, they registered for a charity relay where they each ran 13 miles.  Wally and I had to show our support and of course pump up the crowd.  We ventured to Santa Monica around mile 22 to dance our pants off.  Not actually off, but we did dance a lot.  We then got some much needed foods at Wurstkuche in Venice and let’s just say it escalated pretty quickly.  Watch the video below to see for yourself.  But most importantly, I’m so proud of Meg and Ray Ray for running the marathon!  And proud of everyone else too.  I know I couldn’t (or even wouldn’t) want to run in a marathon, so props to all.  Super inspiring!

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As promised…

Here are the overdue updates I’ve been meaning to write about.  We’re going to try to keep this short and sweet since there’s SO much happening in the hip-hop world.

First and most importantly, on Saturday, January 30, Drake hosted OVO Sound Radio and finally gave us a drop date for Views From the 6.  Well, it’s not an actual date, but the album will drop in April.  And it makes complete sense.  Toronto’s area code is 416 (close to that Pittsburgh 412 ya heard).  April being the 4th month and the year being 20(16).  It makes ALL the sense, and I’m actually a little disappointed in myself that I didn’t figure it out.  Maybe it will drop on April 16th?  I’m still thinking some new music will come out this weekend during All-Star Weekend.  Don’t even get me startd on how upset I am I’m not there.  Moving on to the next piece of news.

YEEZY-WIZ TWITTER DRAMA | This celeb beef was some real Twitter fingers action.  Kanye went on quite the rant about Wiz Khalifa.  It all stemmed from Kanye changing his album title from SWISH to Waves, which prompted Wiz to Tweet out a photo of Max B, the original ‘Wavy Daddy.’  Cue the Tweets.  Drama is all I can say.  I was actually laughing reading them, but it was all a bit much.  I also managed to screen shot all of Ye’s Tweets, and thank goodness I did because he deleted them.  I’ll have to dedicate a post to just those sometime in the near future.  Cut to present.  Kanye and Wiz had a phone call, made up, and all is good.

EVOL | Future blessed us with ANOTHA ONE.  Not much longer after Purple Reign, which dropped in January, the Atlanta rapper released another project titled EVOL, which is ‘love’ spelled backwards.  I haven’t listened to either of the projects as much as I should have, but if you listen to one song, you absolutely must listen to ‘Run Up’ on Purple Reign.  Seriously fire.

‘DOWN IN THE DM’ REMIX | Listen to this raunchy yet lit remix to Yo Gotti’s club banger featuring Nicki Minaj here.  Let’s just say I listened to this on my way to work, and it definitely woke me up.  Nicki goes hard in this.  Love it.

RIHANNA – ANTI | Okay, this should actually get its own post.  What a dang good album.  The overall sound and lyrics of ANTI are incredible.  The flow from beginning to end.  Brilliant.  Comparing this album to others by Rihanna, this is by far her most mature piece of work.  If you’re an avid RiRi fan, I’m sure you’ll agree.  I encourage you to listen!  I promise it’s not a peppy pop album you’ll get sick of.  And listen to ‘Love on the Brain.’  That straight up doesn’t even sound like Rihanna, but has more of  a Beyonce and Macy Gray feel.  So good.  Listen, yinz!

FLINT CRISIS | Detroit native Big Sean donated $50,000 to support the Flint water crisis.  While some of you think he should have given more, it’s obviously way more than I’m sure you’ve given.  I don’t want to get into that discussion now,  but let’s just give a round of applause to the Sean Don for donating to this town in time of need.  Props!

Happy Friday!  Lots of exciting things week, so check back early next for a post!  And until then, I’ll be waiting for Ye to drop his album.

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YEEZY SEASON IS HERE

Don’t have Tidal but want to listen to The Life Of Pablo?  I got you. Listen here

ALBUM COVER

TLOP Cover

KanyeTweetedTLOP

UPDATE:  Kanye is an actual genius.  Much thanks to Twitter and my little bro Anth for showing me this!  It all makes SO much sense.  Each of the phases of Picasso’s art seem to be inspiration for his past albums.

Picasso 3

Picasso 1 Picasso 2

Honestly, I’m so pumped.  I knew I’d be excited about the release of his album, but I didn’t think I’d be THIS excited.  I think because Kanye has been so active on Twitter leading up to today and you can see how excited he is about the project and his Yeezy Season 3 collection, it has made everyone including myself pretty hype.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to snag a pair of tickets to watch the premiere of T.L.O.P. and his collection at the local Lakewood movie theater (sold out and I guess I have to be at work).  However I do have Tidal and you should get it, well at least the free trial – that’s what I have – because Ye is streaming it for ALL Tidal users at 4pmEST/1pmPST.  Needless to say I’ll be taking my lunch break during that time.

Last night I read the following article on on Twitter about the album so far.  HOT 97’s Ebro Darden was lucky enough to get an invite to last night’s NYC listening party.

HNHH PABLO

Now let’s discuss the album title.  What was first So Help Me God then to SWISH turned to Waves and now we are given T.L.O.P.  We learned what this meant yesterday – The Life of Pablo.  Now, this can definitely change again.  What is the significance of this title?  I don’t really know.  He does refer to a Pablo in ‘No More Parties in LA.’

Pablo

I sort of think it has to do with him referring to himself as a very hard worker.  But in Kanye’s brain, it could mean something totally off the wall.  It could also be referring to Pablo Picasso.

I cannot wait to listen to this album in full from start to finish.  Peep the tracklist below that he tweeted yesterday.

TLOP tracklist

Not going to lie though, not sure how it’s going to beat My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy or 808s & Heartbreak, which is probably one of my favorite albums ever.  Yes, more than a Drake album.  But I do have high hopes for this T.L.O.P.  I hope it lives up to the hype Kanye has created around it.

I really just wish I could be on the East Coast right now for two reasons:

1.  To be at Madison Square Garden (SOLD OUT) to watch Kanye premiere this shit.  EVERYONE will be there.  Even Lamar freaking Odom who basically came back from the dead just landed late last night from LA.

2. To be in Toronto for All-Star Weekend where it’s basically the most crucial time to be part of Drake ANYTHING.  His hometown.  All-Star Weekend.  Views From the 6 posters and ads are plastered ALL over the place.  Drake will be hosting mad parties.  And again EVERYONE will be there.   I cannot.

Okay, done throwing myself a pity party.

If you’re a Kanye fan and aren’t able to make it to a movie theater, I encourage you to sign up for the free trial of Tidal so you can be the first to listen to T.L.O.P.  And if you aren’t a Kanye fan, well then I feel bad for you.

Follow me on Twitter (@ergense) for Tweets about Kanye and probably a few about Drake.

Have a good one, yinz.  And thank you for reading!

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REMIX: Miguel ft. Travi$ Scott – ‘Waves’

Yooooo, now this is a banger.  I already love Miguel’s song ‘Waves,’ but with the addition of Travy for a remix… fire.  EVERYONE is on a wave right now.  Last night Kanye had Twitter LIT.  He changed the name of his album SWISH to Waves.  So dang excited for this one.

KanyeTweeted

WAVES

But anywho, listen to that ‘Waves’ remix below!

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Miley, Kanye, & Travi$?!

So this remix of Kanye’s ‘Black Skinhead’ was just leaked and was recorded after the 2013 VMA’s.  Miley exited the stage and went with Kanye to the studio to record it.  The track opens with Miley, Kanye had the same verses, and there are overlays of Travi$’ voice.

I dig it.

Listen here!  Hopefully it won’t get taken down!

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GOOD MONDAYS

I know it’s Tuesday, but Kanye gave us new music yesterday, so I have to share even though I hope yinz have already listened to it.

New Kanye x Kendrick below!

And although the song is called ‘No More Parties in LA,’ I have to apologize to Mr. West because there was definitely a party in LA on Saturday.  Birthday post coming soon!

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Serge’s Selections 1.11.16

While this playlist only has 10 songs (it will grow), they are 100% the tracks I’ve been listening to on repeat, and I suggest you do the same.  From new Kanye to DJ Mustard and The Weeknd and more, I guarantee you’ll be vibing out to these songs just like me.

Yesterday, I also attended a networking event for millennial women and the lovely Karen Civil was the keynote speaker.  Can’t wait to share info about that with you and why you should definitely be following KC on all social media, as well as why you need to buy her book!

Happy Monday, yinz!

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Listen here! #KanyeWest GOOD Friday Update!

Final version here!!

It is a G.O.O.D. Friday for sure!

While I don’t have the song ‘Real Friends’ here just yet, #KanyeTweeted saying there was an issue with the loop of the song, but he’ll put it back out shortly, I want to have this post ready for yinz to easily access his new song.

He also previewed a snippet of a new song featuring freaking Kendrick Lamar.  If that’s not an ultimate collab, I truly do not know what is.  Well, unless Drake and Usher hopped on a track together. The song is called ‘No More Parties in LA.’

According to Ye’s deleted Tweets, ‘No More Parties in LA’ was produced by Madlib with the intro produced by Ye himself.  And ‘Real Friends’ was also produced by the Chi-Town rapper.  Featuring a sample from Ghostface Killah’s ‘Mighty Healthy’ that Kanye also used on ‘New God Flow’ with Pusha T, the same sample appears to be heard on ‘No More LA Parties.’

If G.O.O.D. Friday’s do in fact start again, I will be a pretty happy camper.  In 2010, Kanye released a new song every Friday leading up to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  And I’ll tell you right now, that is one of my favorite albums, so I’m hoping for the best with this series, as well.

So sit tight, and check back for the songs!

Nice Weekend

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