Cris Cab covers Kanye West’s ‘All of the Lights’
Cris Cab hails from Miami and writes reggae-flavored pop tunes, but he’s probably still most known for his covers, which is how I came across him. If I hadn’t been too busy doing nothing useful last week, I might’ve posted Cris Cab’s reinterpretation of “All of the Lights” on Kanye’s birthday. Since I didn’t, it’s here now, because this song has been stuck in my head for last hour.
The original tracks from Cris Cab are fairly infectious as well. Blogs keep trying to tell me his song “Good Girls” should be a summer anthem, but I like the groove of “No Hatred” more. You can get both on his debut EP, “Foreward,” now available on iTunes.
Shia LaBeouf Directs Video for Kid Cudi’s ‘Marijuana’
After Shia LaBeouf directed Cage’s music video for “I Never Knew You” in 2009, it’s not too surprising that he’s trying his hand at more. It’s not even that surprising that he ended up running around with Kid Cudi since Cage does appear on Cudi’s latest album, Man in the Moon II.
In 2010, it was rumored that the music video for the song — “Maniac” — might be directed by LaBeouf. Because that was back in November, I forgot about it. A few months feels more like an entire era when it comes to online buzz, but it looks like the trio are still spending time together, smoking weed more than creating anything, but let’s take it one step at a time.
The video for “Marijuana” looks like a Flipcam diary more than anything. It’s the kind of lazy, intimate vibe that words best for a song about a favorite, lazy recreational drug. There’s nothing hugely engaging about it except for the small sense of voyeurism, but I’m still curious to see how a dark video for “Maniac” may get realized.
[via thedailywhat]
Panic at the Disco’s Release New Video for “Ready to Go (Get Me Out of My Mind)”
When I first head the song “Ready to Go” on Panic! at the Disco’s new album,Vices & Virtues, my mind went to this John Hughes movie tribute place. There’s something very 80s teenage joy about the tone of the song. I knew the music video wouldn’t be anything like, but it is everything I could’ve possibly wanted instead: dancing! References to musicals! Lead singer Brendon Urie finally getting to be shot from a canon! (He wanted that one real bad.)
I’m not usually into director Shane Drake’s style, but I’m living for this music video today.
The Beastie Boys’ “Make Some Noise” Video Is A Famous People Party
The Beastie Boys’ new video for “Make Some Noise” is packed with recognizable white people that I tend to like. Elijah Wood, Seth Rogen, and Danny McBride step in for the real rappers, and then stumble through a neighborhood full of famous cameos.
Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise - Free Music Videos - Top Songs
Somehow, it was the appearance of Ted Danson that suckered me into really laughing first. After that, it was the unexpected appearance of Orlando Bloom as the homeless dude and/or crack addict trying to wash your car windshield for a few bucks.
I don’t care what else he’s done, I still never expect Orlando Bloom to do anything that isn’t a period film. (Though, this presumably takes place in the ’80s, so maybe it counts.) More importantly, I never expect Ted Danson to be a famous friend you call to make a cameo in your music video.
Donald Glover Releases “Break (AOTL)” and Only Mentions Whores Twice
As part of the preparation for his upcoming “I AM DONALD” tour, Donald Glover released a new Childish Gambino track today. It’s called “Break (AOTL).”
Break (AOTL) by Childish Gambino
More than once I’ve tried to write up something extensive about Donald Glover and his Childish Gambino persona to no avail. The main point, though, is that I’m constantly conflicted because I really enjoy his style, think he’s got some clever rhymes, and yet there’s generally so much nerd revenge misogyny among them that I’m exhausted before I have the chance to just be excited.
On “Break (AOTL)” Donald manages to talk about having sex with plenty women without also calling them bitches and hos every second. So there’s that, at least. However, I still think his most compelling moments here are the ones that discuss his struggle with perpetually being an ‘in the middle’ entertainer in this industry: If he appeals to white audiences, does that mean he can’t appeal to black? (The media tells him he can’t.) Is he setting new standards for multiltasking entertainers or struggling to live up to the hype? (Something he goes back and forth on during various tracks.)
Plus, this version of Kanye West’s “All of the Lights” instrumental once again takes advantage of Glover’s ability to sample and revamp recognizable beats, giving them a special Childish Gambino flavor.
So can we hurry up and get past this thing where Donald Glover says he loves girls, and then dumps on them within the same three minutes? I want to love the music and pass it on without caveats. Hopefully this is a step in that general direction, and then Donald Glover will be as excellent in this arena as he already is everywhere else.
Download link for “Break (AOTL)” right here.
