OnCue – Can’t Wait (Brenton Duvall Remix)
“got a heart that’s about the size of a giant’s
right now I’m flying, gravity defying
from these years of trying, becoming self reliant
find a wrinkle in my theory you can go grab the iron, (i swear)”
You’re going to tell me you relate better to “Watch the Throne”? I don’t know, I just thought lyrics meant something; more specifically, words. Don’t waste them on fillers with the sole purpose of simply occupying the thirty seconds that separate each hook, maybe while adding a clever punchline worth repeating here and there. Unless it’s made for the party, then lyrics, unfortunately, don’t mean shit. Let’s be serious, all that really matters in that case is bass and snare. (side-note, think about the rappers whose only biggest strengths are their bass, snare, and “club” jams…make sense?) But I know you’re not partying 24/7. If you are, well again, I just don’t relate. And don’t lie, neither do you.
I feel like a lot of already rich established rappers only know how to rap about the money they spend. Now, that may or may not be their own fault. That literally might be the only thing that makes them happy they are familiar with at this point in their life (wait a couple of years and I bet more than a couple will be trying to get back in the game after going broke…btw, Antoine Walker/basketball = N.O.R.E/rap, right?). But why does that interest people so much more than real life, like the stuff that they can actually relate to? I mean, I like hearing stories from all walks of life, but the shit some of these dudes rap about is more fiction than reality, even for them. It’s the movie Scarface written and performed through verse 500 thousand different (yet completely the same) ways. The money and all that garbage about how it somehow makes me give more-a-fuck about you? That’s just a waste of words. Just like some of the super rich’s use of money…
Quick tangent: conservative republicans criticize government and democrats for “wasteful spending” all the time. It’s one of their go-to moves. First of all, that’s clearly a matter of opinion. I would much rather “waste” our tax money on programs that at least attempt to invest in the American people, as opposed to watch these ridiculously rich CEOs and politicians waste their money on their 8th or 9th car, or 4th or 5th home. Seriously, there is a certain point where money and the objects purchased literally cannot increase one’s happiness anymore. None of that is gonna get you to self-actualization (see Maslow), and if you haven’t been able to make some friends and feel confident with that kind of cash, then you really have some problems. It’s also worth mentioning that at this point these people have already secured the physiological and safety needs for multiple generations to come, while their slow growth investments pretty much allow them to increase their wealth indefinitely. So when you look at it like that, what’s more wasteful to you, investing in millions of people whose basic needs are in jeopardy or buying multiple yachts in desperate hope to fill up some emptiness?
….Anyway, outside of wasting the gift of speech (and money), I guess I just don’t understand the time and energy we spend envying the rich and famous. If they were so happy they wouldn’t spend so much time searching for it in tags, bottles and strippers. Believe that. Personally, I prefer the not-yet-made-it type dudes and their story of hopeful ascension from the passion that still drives their craft.
Check out Brenton Duvall’s tantalizing remix of OnCue’s “Can’t Wait”. Told you dude has good taste.
[A]typical Tuesday: Grouplove & Xaphoon Jones, Nicky Blitz & Brenton Duvall + Lana Del Rey & Count Ninjula
You know the drill, atypical jams to make your Tuesday a little less typical. I could probably categorize this weekly post as “remixes to chill indie/electro shit I found on The Hype Machine,” but that seems a little long-winded. Plus, if you follow the Funk, you can tell why jams like these are out of the ordinary. It’s a necessary change of pace though, for me at least. This seems somewhat contradicting to say since a lot of the music I share that isn’t rap is in some form of a more uptempo remix, but it’s still the mellow backdrop and vocals that really catch my ear. And then it’s really just the added drum and bass that make it awesome.
You may recognize this first one from yesterday’s Mashup Monday post. DJ 21azy used it as the canvas to which he painted his Biggie & Skizzy rhymes over. Me and Xaphoon are totally on the same page when it comes to vibratory appreciation and tolerance, at least in terms of this song. Love the piano most of all, of course. And if you didn’t know, Xaphoon Jones is the beats behind Chiddy Bang (pictured above).
Grouplove – Colours (Xaphoon Jones Mega Edit) (right click, “save as” to dl) or @ Hulkshare
Brenton Duvall has good taste and makes good jams with it. Nuff said. Well, that and this Nicky dude (pictured above) seems pretty legit.
Nicky Blitz – Summer Sinner (Brenton Duvall Remix) (right click, “save as” to dl) or @ Hulkshare
More good vibrations in this next one. May be better described as dark vibrations. Regardless, diggin it. And “Count Ninjula”? Really? Well done, dude. One more thing; Google image Lana Del Rey (above). Tell me you’re not intrigued….
Lana Del Rey – Blue Jeans (Count Ninjula Remix) (right click, “save as” to dl) or @ Hulkshare
And just in case you haven’t been up on Florence, check out her and The Machine’s live interpretation of the soon to be radio hit of the year, “Take Care” by Drake. Shout out to Flo for the flow. Holding down Drake pretty well. Did ’em justice plus some, girl.
It’s my birthday, I get high if I want to
can’t deny that I want you, but I’ll lie if I have to
‘cause you don’t say you love me to your friends when they ask you
even though we both know that you do, you do
Florence + The Machine – Take Care (Drake Cover) (right click, “save as” to dl) or @ Hulkshare
Mashup Monday: D.veloped (2pac // Beastie Boys) & Brenton Duvall (Notorious B.I.G. // Phil Collins)
Life has always been described as a story as it involves various plots, conflicts, settings, characters, and themes. Some are tragedies, some comedies, and some a combination. But what if you look at life like a mashup. A bunch of different elements all scrambled together to form “your life.” Now, talented mashup artists know how to put together what seem like totally different musical elements, all the while creating a harmonious combination of music in the end. Now if one element is way off, it can ruin the whole mashup. You know when it’s off too, because shit just doesn’t sound/feel right.
Now look at life. You got a lot of different things going on in life. Maybe school or work, family, friends and relationships, hobbies and pastimes, all mixed in with your spiritual and moral self image. Now if these elements don’t fit well together, even just one, you’re finished product isn’t gonna be all that it could be. Especially if something like work, often the most prevalent element in your life since you spend the most time doing it, doesn’t fit, you’re gonna end up with a shitty mashup. I don’t want to look back at the mashup I created and have regrets about the beat I used, or the vocals I added. I just want that shit to be beautiful, and natural, like music.
(MP3): D.veloped – 2 Soul 4 Your Mom (Tupac // Beatie Boys // unknown, but my new favorite, instrumental)
(MP3): Brenton Duvall – Some Other Party in Paradise (Notorious B.I.G. // Phil Collins)
Best of….The Funk’s First Half of 2011: Top 10 Rap Remix/Mashups
My bad for not getting this one up before the weekend festivities, cuz this one’s got some cool ass jams. I don’t know how often people actually come to the funk, or if the regulars make it back through all my posts they’ve missed, so these “Best of the funk” posts are meant to bring everyone back up to speed. Again, in case you didn’t know, I love the remix. The remix can bring to life to a jam that never took a breath or bring back one that was previously deceased. The remix can also shed light upon the dark or bring about new enlightenment upon the confused. But most importantly, the remix can bring two different genres, and therefore groups of people with different tastes, together into one perfectly harmonious physical entity; the peaceful type of harmony that only music can accomplish.
This group of remix/mashups is particularly special because not only does is combine all of my favorite musical elements, it’s also kind of representative of my make up in the musical form. Take that Pac joint for example. Afterall, it’s #1 for a reason. By the kid’s standards these days, Pac was one of the hardest dudes to walk the earth. But you always knew there was more to Pac than just the thug, and that’s because he shared real emotions in his music. That didn’t make him any less “hard” though, it just made him real; a humanizing effect that most of these rappers are scared to reveal because the character they personify is much safer. But I digress. I was actually just talking about these songs having two types of styles or sides to them; one kinda gansgta and one kinda soft and peaceful.
10. Adele ft Childish Gambino – Rolling in the Deep (Jamie xx Remix)
9. The Hood Internet – Go Hahahaha (Das Racist vs Cults)
8. Brenton Duvall ft Tayib Ali – Pretty Little Penthouse
7. Wick-it The Instigator – Follow The One (Big Boi vs The Black Keys)
6. Kid Cudi – Falling Star (R3K)
5. Planet Asia ft Blabbwona & Pep Love – Soundclash (DJ Duke Remix)
4. Adele ft Jay-Z & Biggie – Rolling in the Deep (Voodoo Farm Remix)
3. The Hood Internet – Slow John (Lil Wayne/Rick Ross vs Com Truise)
2. Emancipator ft Nas – Nevergreen (Made U Look)
1. Mother Earth & Young Church – Skinny Pain (2pac vs Birdie)
Brenton Duvall – Time For What You Want (Biggie // Semisonic)
Not in the mood for writing much lately, but I don’t wanna leave you without any new jams just cuz I got other shit on the mind. Looks like “Closing Time” is becoming a recent trend. Dude Brenton knows how to bring the heat…doesn’t hurt when you throw in some B.I.G. to do most the heavy liftin.
Brenton Duvall – Time For What You Want (Biggie // Semisonic)
It’s Your Wifey’s Favorite Blogger! Music from Diddy/Dirty Money, Ciara, The Dream, YG, Brenton Duvall, Lil Wayne, Passion Pit, Bruno Mars + Reggae
So I use to download these DJ Ill Will R&B mixtapes and dude’s tag line was always (is still) “It’s your wifey’s favorite DJ!” Looking back (or reading back) it’s really not that funny, but he just said it in a really funny hype voice, and shit has always stuck with me. I guess that’s the point of a tag line though. Well done sir. My point is, I’ve never actually had a “wifey” that liked R&B music more than me….wait, let me start over. My point is, while these songs may be more ear pleasing to my female followers than most other songs I regularly post, that does NOT mean the fellas can’t enjoy some music to dance/juke/cuddle/poke to…too.
I rarely post songs I don’t like a lot. Almost never post a song I don’t like at all, unless it’s a huge name and I feel as though I should give my opinion. However, you may find a couple female friendly songs in this post that aren’t totally up to my liking. These next two jams off Diddy & Dirty Money’s “Last Train to Paris” definitely do not fall into that category. This some heat right here.
Dirty Money – I Hate that You Love Me (right click, save as to download)
Dirty Money – Ass on the Floor (ft Swizz Beats) (right click, save as to download)
First of all this Ciara remix is nasty. Wayyyy better than the original, imo. Of course I’m diggin the piano. Ride it girl. And then this Dream shit has been out a while, but just in case you missed it. No wonder these two get along so well. I would also like to share that before curiosity quickly turned into disgust, I spent a day exploring the wonders of chatroulette. In one of maybe 4 conversations I had, I came across this dude and I could hear “Yamaha” playing in the background. Of course I recognized it and gave him shit right away for bumping The Dream in his dorm room while chatrouletting (?). But I actually ended up bullshitting with him for like 20 minutes bout music and basketball while he smoked a blunt and got ready to go out to the club…ohhhh college.
Ciara ft The Dream – Ride (dj.dstar Remix)(right click, save as to download)
The Dream – Yamaha (right click, save as to download)
What’s funny is I think girls actually do really like this YG song. I’m not surprised though, I went to college. Small chance they may just not listen to the words though. Stupid shit like this takes some time to win me over…..I think I’m breaking though. (Side note – I just took another look for the dirty version and one of the first results was dude from thisis50 going off,“how the hell is it a g-mix if all I can find on the internet is clean versions.” ha.
YG ft Ty$, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg – Toot it & Boot it (G-Mix) (right click, save as to download)
I still think passion pit sucks, but here’s a couple quality remixes for your ears and possibly your body.
Brenton Duvall (Lil Wayne & Trina vs Passion Pit) – Ambien (Sleepy Trip) (right click, save as to download)
Bruno Mars – Grenade (Passion Pit Remix) (right click, save as to download)
Absolute classics up next on the scroll. You’re especially gonna like this lil Reggae tangent I’m about to go on if you’re planning on going somewhere warm soon…or just if you like good music. mmm mmm. boom boom.
Gyptian – Hold Yuh (Major Lazor Remix) (right click, save as to download)
Gyptian – Hold Yuh (right click, save as to download)
Serani – No Games (right click, save as to download)
Collie Buddz ft Paul Wall – What A Feeling (right click, save as to download)
Collie Buddz – Playback (right click, save as to download)
Brenton Duvall (Potomac Boys Club) – Lights! (Ellie Goulding vs Waka/Wale)
Got a new name not to ignore; Brenton Duvall. Mash ups are a great way to find common taste levels in DJs/Producers. Now, I love Wale (he even makes waka flocka tolerable), and Ellie is the shit, so I’m all over this one. Actually, I posted that “Lights! (WIRED Dubstep remix)” a couple weeks ago. Along with that, I just posted a list of mash ups by The White Panda including one called, “Stereo Hands,” that also uses Waka’s, “No Hands.” Only reason I like WP’s version more than this one, is cuz they come in with Wale rappin’, “she said look ma, no hands” right off the bat! I love Wale’s cadence in his words at the beginning of that verse….but that whole verse is pretty nasty.
"I'm a bad muh'fucker, go and ask some motherfuckers A young handsome motherfucker I sling that wood I just nunchuck 'em"
My point is they are both dope mash ups, but one way to distinguish them is by the verses they chose to share, and how the share them. Now, Waka and Roscoe are both garbage, but that being said, Roscoe over Waka Flocka alllll day in this one. But I’m just bein nit picky now. Dude obviously likes Wale, because he’s got him on another mash up with lyrics from Weezy (“Let it Rock”), Wale (“World Tour”) and Dr. Dre (“Forgot about Dre”), over a sick-nasty, piano dominated instrumental I think he may have created himself (?). Dope though……don’t forget to pay respects to the samples.
Brenton Duvall – Lights! (Potomac Boys Club Remix) (right click, save as to download)
Brenton Duvall – World Tour (Weezy vs Wale vs Dre) (right click, save as to download)
Wale ft Jazmine Sullivan – World Tour (right click, save as to download)
AND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT :
Brenton Duvall ft Tayyib Ali – Pretty Little Penthouse (right click, save as to download)
Underground Appreciation Post
Honestly, i think the hardest thing to get into if you’re not a big hip hop fan is underground rap. mostly because the beats are very chill, simple, and made to accentuate the lyrics. These are not always the most pleasing to the ears, especially to the typical music listener. But I understand, its hard to really get into a song if you don’t like the beat. Here’s the solution. I don’t know about you, but i could listen to this shit all day, regardless of the content. DJ Juke does a number on this onetime lyrical record, and turns it into a head-nodding lyrical banger. Gotta love the DJs
Planet Asia ft Blabbwona & Pep Love – Soundclash (DJ Juke Remix)
Heres another good example of what a Remix makeover can do for a track. Producer Brenton Duvall mixes this Tayyib Ali record over his original instrumental featuring MJ’s PYT. Good shit for sure.
Brenton Duvall ft Tayyib Ali – Pretty Little Penthouse
This one’s more of the traditional underground style. All about the lyrics. The very beginning of this song, the lyrics really got to me, thinking in terms of hoop dreams. But fairly quickly I realized it was a much deeper story than that. This is a really good introspective look at some negative aspects of our cultures preoccupation with fashion and brand names. Most notably, Nikes. For me, I liked whatever I thought was cool, and more importantly, what my parents would buy for me. Didn’t even own any Jordans until I was in college.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – Wings
Here’s a couple of my favorites:
Pippen’s Nike Air Uptempo
Nike Air Penny’s II
And of course AI and Rebook’s Question
White Men Can't Funk 