Ain't Got No Soul

The feeling is gone.  I was sitting at home watching the NBA All-Star game skill events and I would have much better spent my time reading, playing a game or listening to music.  Each event was entirely devoid of any kind of excitement and just seemed like one big ho-hum party thrown by a bunch of snobs.  It was truly pathetic in every way.

Maybe it's the altered mind state caused by the economic climate?  Was it a result of the morose aftertaste left by the disaster in Haiti?  I'm certain those things affect the overall feel in some ways but I think it's predominantly that everything is soulless.

Raw emotion has taken a backseat to spectacle.  Celebrity today is just the duty of selling products.  Popular music is just a shell of what human expression through sound used to be.  It's all empty.  Of course, this is not news.  However, I was a bit taken aback by how obvious it was made by tonights events.  All of the history, all of the celebrity, all of the advertising, all of the money....it didn't equate to a real experience. 

We need more soul.  

Sean Price - "Shut the F*** Up"

 Kimbo Price is at it again!  This is that filthy, raw ass rap that none of these industry clowns are not "allowed" to do.  Sean Price has been unstoppable the last 5-6 years and he's still rolling full force.  Fix your ears for this one!

Click to Download/Listen

Janelle Monae - "Cold War"

 

Big ups to Janelle Monae!  She's FINALLY set a release date for The ArchAndroid album.  May 18th, Folks.  She left this letter to fans on her website:

Dearest Darlings,

I hope this message finds your hearts beating well. As I type this to you, I am sitting in my room, rubbing my feet through the grass, watching snow fall in Atlanta, sipping on Wonda-punch made last night, and listening to an EMOTION PICTURE entitled, "The ArchAndroid." I must admit, I am feeling very wild inside, and pleasantly distracted by the music from this album. 

I know that some of you may have been patiently waiting on a sign from me—hell, about anything. Especially new music. Well, to my truest supporters (both "new" and "been down") I will be releasing my album this May 18th, 2010, a follow up to "Metropolis, Suite I of IV: The Chase." :-) Yes, it is finished and yes, I am ready to give it to you.

I must admit once more, I have been very nervous/anxious, yet proud/excited to share it with you. You can imagine how overjoyed I am that you will finally hear what we’ve been working on for years. At Wondaland, we poured our hearts and minds into this until as they say in church, “all hearts and minds were clear.” 

The time has come. The time is now. 

Over the course of the next few months, The Mad Minds of The Wondaland Arts Society and I will be giving you samples of positive ions from this hand-crafted Emotion Picture. This is to prepare your palette for "The ArchAndroid." This week, we have decided to start you off with "Tightrope" and "Cold War." 

I hope these songs touch you like they've touched me. While listening to "Tightrope" you may want to move. You may feel compelled to dance. You may associate this song with an addictive dance and share it with your friends, family, and enemies. You may even get in touch more with your inner confidence. In fact, you MAY even want to slap somebody. Hopefully it helps you with your balance... life's balance. 

While listening to "Cold War," you may feel obligated or inclined to find your purpose. You may want to form a huge tribe to help fight against the many things that work against you being your true self, just the way you were uniquely designed. You may even begin to dance while thinking, with a furrowed brow. You may begin to feel an increased responsibility to helping others free themselves from depravity. 

You may have a unique experience with the songs, all your own. If any of these things happen, remember, it's ok. :-)

I pray you listen with an open spirit that’s ready to receive a new thing. I hope this music encourages your heart to love stronger, your feet to run faster, and your dreams to birth a new reality.

The songs are here:

www.janellemonae.com

Love forever,

Janelle Monáe

P.S. This music is yours now. Own it.

Donwload to Donate: 4 New Tracks

On the 19th of January I posted a download link to Download to Donate for Haiti, a compilation of songs to raise funds for the tragedy in Haiti.  E-mails went out today notifying those who downloaded the album that 4 new songs have been released to compliment the previous songs.  New songs are from Weezer, Metric, The Crystal Method and Jack Johnson.

Click here to download the new songs to complete your album.

Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi - "Tightrope"

I love this girl to death!  We're finally treated to a new song from her forthcoming ArchAndroid album.  No exact date for the album release yet but if you haven't heard Janelle before, definitely check out "Many Moons"  from 'Metropolis: The Chase Suite'.