pharrell

We posted the rough version of this song wayyy back in July but Pharrell finally finished it and now this is the CDQ. This version utilizes AutoTune and is a different variation than the original post and I like the direction Pharrell took this especially for an animated movie soundtrack. As for the movie, I’m not sure I will be checking out but from the previews I have seen it looks like it could live up to expectations. Shouts to HHnM for the link and for lacing us with this mastered version.

Download: Pharrell – “Despicable Me”

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So first we post this song. Then Lupe gets pissed, rants on his blog and threatens legal action against whoever leaked it, so we accordingly took it down. Now Atlantic Records is giving the OK, and we get to re-post the song. Yes, you read that right. I can go on about how I feel about this, but one little acronym encapsulates all I’m feeling: smh. Drama aside, there is no doubt that this song is great, better than “Shining Down” even. The spacey Neptunes beat, which kicks into full effect after the sung intro, provides the right backdrop for Wasalu to bring the cool, and the hook is definitely catchy. Under normal conditions, I wouldn’t post a download link for an album song, but since 2DBz did just that immediately after mentioning the Atlantic Records situation, I assume it’s fine. Grab it after the jump.

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Kid Cudi – Solo Dolo (Executive Producer, Kanye West; Co-Executive Producer, Emile Haynie)

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Best does not always mean biggest, and this instrumental proves just that. Kanye and his co-producers helped make the movie/play concept of Man On The Moon: The End Of Day come to life by offering the perfect backdrops to Kid Cudi’s lyrics. The beat behind “Solo Dolo” captures the eerie loneliness in the words with its pizzicato minor triad looping through the verses leading into the full sound of the strings section in the chorus. Even the reverb is perfect, allowing notes to resonate through otherwise silent moments. Kanye and Emile prove that the producers should never steal the show but rather build the stage upon which the show is acted out.

Read and listen to the full list of honorable mentions for this category after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

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Since “Big Dreams”, I’ve been feeling every new track these guys have been dropping in anticipation of their upcoming album. There is honestly not much that can be said about this track other than it’s got nice rhymes on a nice beat. No one drops the ball here, and the piano loop with the synth-like horns gives the song a good bounce. Seriously, that’s all I got for this lol. Just go listen and download already!!!!

Download: Clipse – “Popular Demand (Popeyes)” feat. Pharrell & Cam’ron

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Wale fires two new tracks at us today and both have big named feature artists. The Rihanna joint (above) was by far my favorite even though it actually is a Rihanna sample. It is from the DJ Haze & DJ Capcom’s tape Leaders of the New School and the tagless version will be on his album Attention: Deficit which is out Nov. 3rd. Grab download for “Contemplate” and the Pharrell produced and assisted cut “Inhibitions (Let Loose)” below the break.

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The Clipse release a video from their upcoming video Til the Casket Drops and it is good (pun intended). Pharrell provides the hook for the chorus and really gets his R&B on. I have always liked his singing, especially for a rapper/producer, but this is the best I can remember it. Not to mention that The Clipse + Pharrell/Neptunes beats = one of my favorite combinations in all of hip-hop. They really create such a distinct overall sound together and Clipse’s hard verses contrast the smooth and spacey beats that the Neptunes provide for them. I think I might just put this album on my most anticipated projects list to the right.

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Finally here is the CD quality version of this track, there was a lower quality version circulating around that isn’t exactly like this version and naturally the CDQ is better. The beat is crazy, I was loving it the first time it came out and almost posted it solely because of that but held back (I think haha) for this version. I also am loving the KAWS artwork that they have been getting on all their singles, nothing like getting one of the best artists to do your artwork. I have heard mixed reviews on this track but I see where they are going with the radio friendly hook and am not mad at it.