Old Skool Joint(s) of the Week: Valentine's Edition

Look, I know this blog's been on life support lately (I mean we're halfway through February and we've only got one post all year, what is that shit?), but I think it's time to revive this with a theme post. Instead of sitting around hating on Valentine's Day, I thought it might be nice to just roll with it and throw up a few of the songs we all used to get down to back in the day. And by "get down to" I definitely mean "stand awkwardly against the wall to at school dance."

DL: Next - Wifey

Now I'm pretty sure no one uses the word "wifey" any more, but that doesn't mean that the message these boys are trying to get across is any less effective. I mean, "either braids or weave, skirt or jeans, you're still my queen"? That is some unconditional shit.

DL: Tyrese - Lately

Does Tyrese being part of this post need any explanation beyond the fact that I had pictures of him plastered all over my 8th grade agenda? Answer: No.

DL: Jagged Edge - Let's Get Married (Remix)

Now, I'm not really one for marriage, but if someone were to ever propose to me all they'd need to say is "meet me at the altar in your white dress. We ain't getting no younger, we might as well do this" and I'd be all up on that shit. I mean, I'd still say no, but I'd definitely appreciate the gesture.

DL: K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life

When you're listening to this one, just pretend Nelly never ever sampled that piano bit and you'll feel a lot better. Oh, you didn't remember that song even existed until I reminded you? You're welcome.

DL: Musiq Soulchild - Just Friends

Do I have a person history with this song, and is this person history the fact that a boy told me to listen to it when I was 14 as his way of telling me he was into me? No. Definitely not.

We Fail At Video Blogging

Oh hey, we didn't forget that we have a blog. We know it's sitting here without any new posts and we're sure our non-existent readers have been very worried about where we've been. Btw, we're fine, thanks for asking.

Anyway, the point of this post is that once upon a time (read: last september) we got this crazy idea that we should do a video blog. Originally, the plan was to pick posts off Yahoo Answers and come up with hilarious advice, but instead we kind of just wound up sitting in front of a camera for an hour talking about nothing at all. Below are 10 minutes that include us complaining about how much we hated little kids running around at church (it gets pretty heated. We talk about that shit for 5 whole minutes) and us sitting in awkward silence to an amazing soundtrack. I really think it'll be worth your time.

We Fail At Video Blogging from tothebeat on Vimeo.

In The Year 2009

2009 was honestly kind of a downer so I don’t have anything nostalgic or clever to say about it. I’m glad this bullshit is over so I’m just going to talk about the music. This year Kristine fell in love with Drake and J. Cole, and I learned to fucking hate Drake and started listening to Mos Def instead.

Song Artist of the Year:

BEYONCE

From Single Ladies, to Video Phone this year was all about Sasha Fierce. Although I should mention one Beyonce related highlight. When we saw her on tour back in Spring we were called out for being “really good singers” after we belted out an amazing off-key rendition of “Halo.” How embarrassing.




Honourable Mentions:

Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind
- I can’t think of another song that got killed by airplay faster than this one, but when it still the best song off that record. When Jay performed it we vibed so hard I think I threw my back out.
Jason Derulo - Whatcha Say
-This first time I heard this song on the radio I thought it was a joke. I still can't believe how big it got. My favourite thing about it is being able to relive the scene where Marissa shot Trey on the OC while I get my dance on.
Jada - American Cowboy
- This song was the soundtrack to Wilson's bachelor party, and then became the soundtrack to our Summer. It is also notable because insinuating that these fine ladies might not be the classiest is the only thing that got this blog any comments.
Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
- Gaga Ooh la la
Miike Snow - Animal
Kristine found it on Drake's blog. I was confused to have Drake's blog in my history.
Rihanna - Hard
Wale - World Tour
- Despite his album being criminally undershippped, we both went out and got this on release day. You hear that Wale? We love you. We almost even forgive you for skipping out on Jay's date here. So cheer the fuck up.
J. Cole - Lights Please
- Kristine is J. Cole's number one fan girl. As a result, I know more about him than anyone really should.
Asher Roth - I Love College
- Kristine also fell in love with Asher Roth this year. I was glad this affair was short lived.

In the Year 2008

2008 was a big mother fucking year (see: MOST AMAZING YEAR EVAR). Lady Gaga was orange, but still weird. While we didn't have as much love for her then as we do now, we still vibed to Just Dance, particularly when SAMANTHA RONSON PLAYED IT.

Lady Gaga - Just Dance

DL: JUST DANCE. GONNA BE OK. YOU KNOW HOW IT FUCKING GOES.

Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air

• I always thought it was funny that Jordin Sparks always seemed more into it when they sung this song together live. Chris Brown would just laugh. Word has it that Jordin had a crush on him. I'm sure she's fine with the fact that they never got to together now.

Chris Brown - Forever
Rihanna - Disturbia

• He was wrong for writing Disturbia.

MIA - Paper Planes
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up

Usher - Love In This Club

• With a beat made using Garage Band, Polow made ladies fall in love with Usher again, however, this song was A COMPLETE MISREPRESENTATION OF WHAT THE SHIT THAT WAS THAT ALBUM. FAIL. Please come correct this year Usher. Please.

Alicia Keys - No One
T.I. - Whatever You Like AND EVERY OTHER SONG ON THAT RECORD

• YOU REALLY THINK I WOULD FORGET ABOUT HIM JUST CUZ HE'S IN JAIL. OH, WAIT. #TIPISFREE. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.

Lindsay Lohan - Bossy

• When she still had a record deal.

Sean Kingston - Take You There

• He should have played Notorious B.I.G.

In the Year 2007

Riri's SOS won me over long before the good girl went bad. When Umbrella first leaked on the internet, I was on it like a mother fucker, and with the help of iTunes and last.fm, it became my most played song, probably ever. People questioned the amazingness of this Tricky Stewart The-Dream produced song, but when news first broke out about the Chris Brown/Rihanna scandal, the first question they asked was "Was it with an Umbrella?"

Song of the Year: Rihanna - Umbrella

DL: SAWRY, mediafire was being a bitch, YOU ALL KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE ANYWAY.

Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats

• The recent replaying of Carrie Underwood's Holiday Special definitely influenced the addition of this song to the list.

Timberland - The Way I are

• This song will never be the same (see: number 1)

Fall Out Boy - Thk Fr Th Mmrs
Beyonce feat. Shakira - Beautiful Liar

• An amazing video for an amazing song. Who knew they looked so much alike??

Gwen Stefani - 4 in the morning

Fergie - Glamorous

Plain White Ts - Hey There Delilah

• My dad liked this song.

Enrique Iglesias - Do You Know (The Ping Pong Song)

• I thought this song was the best song Enrique Iglesias ever made. I may have even been mildly attracted to him in this video.

In The Year 2006

In 2006 we finally turned 19, so what better song to represent this year that one that was played on every single dance floor in every single club on every single night in town?

Song of the Year:
Shakira feat. Wyclef - Hips Don't Lie

No download because I don't have a copy, and let's face it, this song is still freshly burned in all your brains so it's not like you need a reminder.


Honourable Mentions:

Fall Out Boy - Dance, Dance
- I'm not even going to pretend that I didn't I have a Fall Out Boy poster on my wall. And I'm not even going to pretend that it's not still there
All American Rejects - Move Along
-I'm pretty sure this song came out a while back, because I definitely remember streaming it on their MySpace every day before school to get me pumped to face the day
Beyonce - Irreplaceable
- If it weren't for that fucking Shakira this would have been the song of the year.
Paris Hilton - Stars Are Blind
- When Kristine was home on break from school Muchmusic played this video 5 times a night. I'm also not ashamed to admit that this was actually pretty catchy.
Ashlee Simpson - L. O. V. E.
Dixie Chicks - Not Ready To Make Nice
Nelly Furtado - Promiscuous
- I've never been as confused as I was the first time I saw Justin Timberlake make a cameo in a Nelly Furtado video.
Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
- Do you guys remember when Grey's Antomy was a good show? Weren't those good times?
Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
- This one is most notable for being the theme song to The Hills.
Corrine Baily Rae - Put Your Records On
KT Tunstall - Suddenly I See
Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body
Rihanna - S.O.S
Justin Timberlake feat. T. I. - My Love
THIS IS THE YEAR KRISTINE FELL IN LOVE WITH HIPSTER BULLSHIT BECAUSE OF GREY'S ANATOMY AND ONE TREE HILL AND THE OC
- Remember what I said in that last post about professionalism? Yeah. I'm sticking with it.

In The Year 2005

In 2005 we graduated highschool and both went off to university which put an entire country between us. It should be mentioned that this had no adverse effect on our friendship since all we do is talk on the fucking phone anyway. Music was a pretty big deal this year too, since it was the only thing keeping us from breaking down into tears on buses and in classrooms.

Song of the Year
Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone

I can't think of another song that came out this decade that did a better job of getting regular kids and hipsters to forget the bullshit and rock out together.

DL:Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone





Anything Gwen Stefani Released This Year
- It was too hard to narrow it down to one song. Everything she put out off her solo effort was amazing.
Ciara feat. Missy Elliot- 1 2 step
- I know it’s kind of weird, but this is honestly the song that helped me stop being a pretentious indie fuck and remember that I actually enjoyed hip hop.
DHT - Listen To Your Heart
- This song only made the list because I distinctly remember Kristine singing it over the phone is a bizarre British accent on more than one occasion.
Jennifer Lopez - Get Right
- The closest she came to a comeback. I swear we never taped this video off tv and learned the dance. I never bought the single. And our favourite wasn't Latina J. Lo.
Madonna - Hung Up
- Confessions is pretty much my favourite pop album of the 2000s. Jsyk.
Destiny's Child - Soldier
Everything Mariah Carey Released This Year
- Mariah Carey was back in a big way with The Emancipation of Mimi.
Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends
The Killers - Mister Brightside
Bloc Party - Helicopter
Missy Elliot - Lose Control
Gavin Degraw - I Don't Want To Be
- Kristine's dad knows who this person is, and in an effort to make him sound cool, he let her know. Also, something about One Tree Hill.
Tegan and Sara - Where Does The Good Go?
- Anyone who's ever come across me either in real life or on the internet if probably aware of the fact that I'm a huge Tegan and Sara fan. Thanks to the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack, and hell of a lot of other people were this year too.
Rilo Kiley - Portions for Foxes
Lindsay Lohan - Confessions Of A Broken Heart (Daughter to Father)
Stars - Your Ex Lover Is Dead
THIS WAS THE YEAR WE FELL IN LOVE WITH KANYE WEST!!!!!!!!
T.I!!!!
-That's how I wrote those points down while we were coming up with this list, and that's how I'm keeping them. We're all about professionalism on this blog no one reads.

In the Year 2004

Grade 11 SUCKED. Nothing happened. How do we better represent year that nothing happened, then by choosing an Evanescence song as our song of the year.

Evanescence - My Immortal

DL: SAWRY, we don't have one, 'cuz neither of us were willing to shell out $14.99 to buy an Evanescence CD.

Usher feat. Alicia Keys - My Boo

• Alicia Keys stepped away from her piano, ditched the braids, and stomped her foot in the middle of Times Square. Fun fact: SAMANTHA RONSON MAKES A CAMEO IN THIS VIDEO. We found that out this year and died.

Hey Ya - Outkast

• Polaroid announced that you shaking will not develop your pictures faster. Fun fact: The final batch of polaroid film was sold at Urban Outfitters. Obvs.

Britney - Toxic

Jojo - Leave (Get Out)

Keane - Somewhere Only We Know

Modest Mouse - Float On

Kelis - Milkshake

• Mean Girls changed the way I look at this song. As it should.

Twista - Slow Jams

• The first official appearance of 'Ye in my life. Also? first official appearance of Jamie Foxx on a song. I wish the latter never happened.

In the year 2003

In 2003, I slowly became a little less AZN, dyed my hair back to brown, became a little more Filipino, and bought 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.” It was my go to record when I was angry with my parents, and just wanted to freak them out with the sound of guns going off. This was also the year I decided it would be in my best interest to pursue a career in rap, and become Shady Aftermath’s first female rapper.

But don’t be mistaken, I took my first step into hipsterdom by proclaiming “You can’t put me in no box man!” and took Hilary Duff’s music seriously. I own all three of her CDs including one of her greatest hits.

Song of the Year: 50 Cent - In Da Club

DL: 50 Cent - In Da Club

The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

Evanescence - Bring Me To Life

• When I first found out that they were kind of a Christian rock group, I couldn’t help but die from laughter

Dido - White Flag

• -Favorite memory: my mom blasting this shit while she drove me to school (yes I was 16 and still getting driven everywhere. That fact remains and I’m 22. JEALOUS?)

Michelle Branch - Are You Happy Now?
Kelly Clarkson - Miss Independent
Fountains of Wayne - Stacy's Mom
Britney Feat. Madonna - Me Against the Music

• Probably my favorite Britney CD after Blackout. I promise I never tried to learn this dance more than.... 100 times.

Liz Phair - Why Can't I?

• Why couldn’t we NOT GET AWAY FROM THIS SONG THIS YEAR?

R. Kelly – Ignition

• This song will never be the same.

Good Charlotte - Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

• And look at them now.

Hilary Duff - So Yesterday
Linkin Park - Numb
Fabolous feat. Tamia - Into You
Chingy - Right Thurr

In The Year 2002

2002 was a big year for me. It was the year I threw on a pair of chucks, my lock and chain, and went to my first Warped Tour. It was the year I first started going to concerts on a regular basis, the year I got my first electric guitar, and most importantly, the year I became a ~punk~.

So who better to represent this very serious transition that the great Canadian Philosopher, Avril Lavigne?

Song of the Year:
Avril Lavigne - Complicated

DL: Avril Lavigne - Complicated

Honourable Mentions:

Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles
- This song I really only notable for me because I used to get really mad when people would confused her with Michelle Branch.
Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland - Dilemma
Sheryl Crow - Soak Up The Sun
- Kristine chose this because she couldn’t remember what year “The First Cut Is The Deepest” happened.
Eve Feat. Alicia Keys - Gangsta Lovin'
- Don’t you guys love it when Alicia tries to act so hard?
Fat Joe feat. Ashanti - What's Love
- The early 2000s were all about Ashanti collabos. We wanted to switch it up and pick one that didn’t feature Ja Rule.
Mary J. Blige - No More Drama
- Don’t even try to act like you didn’t cry in your room to this on your discman when you had a bad day.
Michelle Branch - Goodbye To You
- I should make it clear that my aforementioned rage at confusing her with Vanessa Carlton was because Michelle Branch was infinitely better.
Celine Dion - A New Day Has Come
- We’re Canadian. How could we not show Celine some love?
Eminem - Cleaning Out My Closet
Usher - You Don't Have To Call
Leanne Rhimes - Can't Fight The Moonlight
- Two Words: Coyote Ugly
P. Diddy - I Need A Girl (Part I)
Craig David - Seven Days
Cher - Song For The Lonely
Simple Plan - I'd Do Anything
- What? I told you I was a ~punk~

In The Year 2001

Ninth grade. Enough said.

Song of the Year:

Jennifer Lopez - I'm Real (Feat. Ja Rule)



DL: Jennifer Lopez - I'm Real

Honourable Mentions:
Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya & Missy Elliot - Lady Marmalade
Janet Jackson - All For You
Alicia Keys - Fallin'
- We miss those braids
Blu Cantrell - Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops)
Lil' Bow Wow - Puppy Love
-We both still know all the words to this one.
Eve Feat. Gwen Stefani - Let Me Blow Ya Mind
Lenny Kravitz - Again
Ricky Martin Feat. Christina Aguilera - Nobody Wants to be Lonely
O-Town - All or Nothing
- My 8th grade agenda was covered in pictures of O-Town. I'm only slightly embarrassed
S Club 7 - Never Had A Dream Come True
- This was the soundtrack to everyone's 8th/9th grade relationship.
Destiny's Child - Bootylicious
- You can look it up in the dictionary, fyi.
Outkast - Ms. Jackson
Joe - Stutter
Dream - He Loves You Not
City High - What Would You Do?
Missy Elliot - Get Ur Freak On
112 - Peaches and Cream
- We were both so hyped for this album. It's a real shame this was one of only two good songs on it. Kind of stopped buying cds for a while after that. Also, there was this girl in our homeroom who'd always say this was the song she was downloading. I kind of suspect she was lying.
Mya - Case of the Ex
Jagged Edge - Where the Party At?
- The day this became a 106 Old Skool Joint of the day I knew my youth was over.
Weezer - Island In The Sun
Backstreet Boys - The Call
Faith Hill - There You'll Be
- This song is on the list because we used it as the background music in our Neopets store. Don't act like you're not jealous. Also, it's here because I fucking hate Pearl Harbor.

In the Year 2000

After watching a few "Best Songs of the Decade" lists on TV, we felt the only way to close this year was to make one of our own. As we looked through the internets, we found that taking one song from each year would be harder than expected, particularly when looking at the first half of the decade, during which we were hormonal, ragey, angst-filled teenagers who really felt like music about love, life, and loss, really spoke to us. DUH.

The result? Yearly lists of songs (in no order) that we feel best represent that year, and, most importantly, us at the time. As you'll soon see, this is in no way some serious bidness shit, and, nor did we cry at any point in time while compiling this list (I'm not on my period). In fact, this is probably the most fun we've had over the phone in a long time.

2000: First year of high school. Enough said.

Song of the Year: Destiny's Child - Say My Name

DL: Destiny's Child - Say My Name

Honorable Mentions:

Aaliyah - Try Again

Toni Braxton - He Wasn't Man Enough For Me

• After Tahnee had broken up with her first skeezy high school boyfriend, he passed us during our school walk-a-thon, with a new girl on his back. At that point, I distinctly remember T, blasting this song and lip syncing the words. She claims to not remember this ever happening... but it remains my favourite “Tahnee-story” ever.

Melanie C - I Turn To You
Savage Garden - I Knew I Loved You
Papa Roach - Last Resort

• To this day, this is the song we both turn to, just before reaching the breaking point of school/life... Don’t get it twisted, suicide is not funny (to anyone else except us), but this somehow, this song makes it hilarious.

Pink - There You Go
Enrique - Could I Have This Kiss Forever (feat. Whitney Houston)
Santana - Maria Maria
Sisqo - Thong Song

• Tahnee’s eighth grade agenda consisted mostly of Sisqo and his silver head.

Jessica Simpson - I Want to Love You Forever

• Before Papa Joe talked about her boobs, before "chicken or fish", before Ashlee became more popular than her, all we knew about Jessica Simpson was that she was blond, could open her mouth really wide (pause).

Old Skool Joints: Roxbury Edition

This week's Old Skool Joint post is inspired by the failure that was my Thursday morning last week. After getting little sleep and spending a combined two hours on transit all for 20 minutes of class I threw myself down on the couch. I promised that I'd just take a little nap and then get right back to school work. This plan might have worked if I hadn't taken a minute to check what was on tv. I mean, how can anyone resist "A Night At the Roxbury"?

I caught the movie a few minutes before Will Ferrell goes to marry Molly Shannon, and it might be because I was a little delirious, or it might be because I'm right, but I decided that the sequence that follows is the greatest thing to happen in any SNL skit turned feature length motion picture. First, Chris Kattan busts up the ceremony by holding a boombox over his head, John Cusack style, and blasts "What is Love?"



Then (and I couldn't find a video) he and Will Ferrell re-enact that scene from Jerry MaGuire that we're all so familiar with, while Bruce Springsteen's "Secret Garden" softly plays in the background. Brilliant.

The point is, I think we should all take a few minutes to enjoy these songs. Preferably back to back for added comedic effect.

DL: Haddaway - What is Love? (m4a)
DL: Bruce Springsteen - Secret Garden

Old Skool Joint of the Week #13 (?)

Brandy and Monica - The Boy Is Mine

Since the last post on this blog was about two fabulous women getting together and collaborating, I figured I'd choose something that was along the same lines (though I wouldn't say these two are as fabulous as Beyonce or Gaga, but when I was 11 I had slightly different standards).

So let me take you all back 11 years (can you believe it's been that long?) to a time where Brandy and Monica were two of the hottest ladies in the R&B world. Naturally, they obviously had to be rivals and completely hate eachother. What better way to clear the air than to get together and record a track about how you're both in love with the same man?

Now, I don't know if anyone else spent hours at sleepovers working out routines with their childhood "bffs," but I know I sure as hell did. I always played the part of Brandy, partially because she was my favourite but mostly because at one point I had the braids.

So let's all take a few minutes to relive our past and enjoy the video (and make sure to note how 90s it is, from the decor, to the Jerry Springer on the tv, to the cameo by Mekhi Phifer):



DL: Brandy (Feat. Monica) - The Boy Is Mine

Tell 'em B.

Beyonce just announced to the world, what WhoWhatWear and I have known for months: exposed garters are on the come up. Also? they're trashy, AND bananas. Also? BEYONCE IS AMAZING.

If you're anything like me, and you've been obsessed with lingerie since you first grew a pair (for me, it was last month and I use the term "pair" loosely), you've probably been on the hunt for a dope garter belt to rock with your oversized cardigan/sweater/tshirt, sheer thigh highs, and ankle boots (not at all like a fucking hipster).


(see? no hipster bidness here)
Dior Haute Couture Spring 2009

Not exactly a look for everyone (ex: fail)... But there is no denying, homegirl looks bananas amazing in this one. I mean, no one chews gum quite like Beyonce can. To quote Lady Gaga, "Get 'em B".
DL: Beyonce - Video Phone (Extended Remix Feat. Lady Gaga)
Source: Style.com; onsmash.com

Old Skool Joint(s) of the Week

Ace of Base

If you are anything like me you've been jamming to Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" ever since the day the demo leaked (I promise this is relevant and not just an excuse to talk about Gaga). Assuming you were alive in the mid-90s and paid even the slightest attention to pop music you probably remember a little Swedish group called Ace of Base. Since everyone and their mama has pointed out the fact that "Alejandro" sounds a hell of a lot like an Ace of Base track, it felt like the the right time to revisit them.

I'm throwing up the video for "Beautiful Life" because it was their, um, most visually appealing and features one of my favourite uses of a green screen. I mean, they fly through a soccer field, a bar fight, and a night club, and it all looks so realistic! Everyone should be taking notes for their future recession-proof videos.




DL: Ace of Base - Beautiful Life
DL: Ace of Base - All That she Wants

What I'm Turning: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm so hard...

Clipse - Doorman

Let's be real, while Rihanna's new song, Hard, is not exactly an accurate description of the "edgy" little island girl (really, it's as if I sang that song), it's really the only word I can use to describe Clipse's new joint, Doorman.

I haven't loved a Pharrell or The Neptunes production in a while. Maybe Pharrell's been too caught up in the fashion game, and maybe Chad has been to busy being my only Filipino boyfriend, to really focus on producing good music --who knows. Irregardless, it seems like they might be back... because this is how you make a dope mother fucking song --producers, take note.

Granted, I'm not hard to please (ex: I spent a week listening/dancing to the entire New Boyz record), but I think even hip hop heads (like me) will agree this goes in. But if this shit, and Popular Demand (Popeye's), are any indication of what Till The Casket Drops as a whole, has in store for us on December 8 (I'm going to pretend Eyes on Me never happened), I might be making the frantic run to my local music store, and take part in the movement... because this song is unreal.

DL: Clipse - Doorman

The Greatest Music Video Of All Time

I didn't mean to push that GAP post down about 5 seconds after it was posted, but I just had to make sure everybody has had the opportunity to experience the glory that is Zapp and Roger's "Computer Love." In your face N'SYNC, these guys were singing about getting it on virtually YEARS before "Digital Get Down."

I Love Christmas at The Gap

I know it's not December yet, but I seen so many Christmas commercials on TV lately (what up with that America? ya'll ain't even had your Thanksgiving yet?), that I couldn't resist throwing up my favorite one from the Gap last year. Fun song, with some dope cameos by the Dixie Chicks and two of my boyfriends: Trey Songz and Romany Malco. Also, am I the only one who gets a Gap sweater at Christmas every year?

I really need to rip this shit, and play it when we decorate our tree next week (I'm filipino. We put it up early.)

DL: Dixie Chicks - I'm Not Ready to Make Nice

What We're Turning

Wale - "Attention Deficit"

I’ve been following Wale’s career for a while, ever since the now defunct Good Weather For Airstrike’s posted Nike Boots and I couldn’t get it out of my head. So to say I’ve been looking forward to this album might be a bit of an understatement. I had pretty high expectations too since Wale’s put out some seriously good tracks over the past four years that have all been leading up to this major label debut. I’m glad to say that when I listened to this record last mont… I mean today (because I would never ever download a leak because that’s obviously very very wrong) I was not disappointed.

It might be because I’m so sick of listening to hip-hop that’s been auto-tuned to death that Wale’s record feels so fresh, but either way I do think he’s brining something new to the table. He also touches on some serious issues on this record reminding all those fools out there that sometimes it’s okay to get emotional on a record. “Shades” and “Contemplate” stand out, and so does the laid back Hollywood story “90210” (Which he claimed was about Paris Hilton on his Twitter, but which we think might as well be about Lindsay Lohan. I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time he rapped about her). Now don’t get it twisted, he still brings the party on this record. If “Pretty Girls” or “World Tour” don't get you up out of your seat then I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you.

[She is 90210]

Including the iTunes only “My Sweetie” (which I think should have been an album cut) for your listening pleasure, but you really should get out there to support good music and pick this one up. If your store isn’t stocking it, demand that they do because this album deserves a chance to be heard.

DL: Wale - My Sweetie