The Playlist: Jay-Z / Toro Y Moi / Disclosure / Kanye West

Jay-Z - December 4th (Sourface Remix)



Toro Y Moi - So Many Details (Remix Feat. Hodgy Beats)



Disclosure - Latch



Kanye West - White Dress

G.O.O.D. Music “Cruel Summer” Commercial.

For what seems like an age, the G.O.O.D album is almost here. There's a huge amount of anticipation for Cruel Summer to be avaliable but personally I've got mixed reactions on what I've heard. Nevertheless, it will definitely be worth a listen, and I'm liking the look of this 'commercial'.

The Playlist.

It's been a while...

The Notorious B.I.G. - Machine Gun Funk [Woody Remix]



Frank Ocean - Lost



Nas vs Massive Attack



Pusha T & Kanye West -- New God Flow



SBTRKT - Gloss



Shad - It Ain't Over



Flying Lotus - Between Friends (Feat Earl Sweatshirt And Captain Murphy)



Nas feat Amy Winehouse – Cherry Wine



Bat For Lashes - Laura

Kanye West & Jay-Z: No Church In The Wild.

Almost anything that comes from the hands, mouths and minds of Kanye and Jay-Z needs to be recognised and I was lucky enough to experience this first hand last week. I finally got to see the two of them live at London's O2, and wow. Just WOW. It was an incredible night, such energy, such experience, such skill. It was truly one of the best gigs I've ever been too, and my respect for the two grew even higher.



A few of the images from their latest video, No Church In The Wild (featuring Frank Ocean) were displayed on huge screens as Ye and Hov stood and stared accompanied by "What a wonderful world" in the background. Epic stuff. However saying that, I feel that this is the weakest from WTT yet. That's not to say it's bad, these boys set the bar high - it doesn't get much higher - it just doesn't quite work with the song or as a video for me, and that's a shame. Nevertheless it is still a good video and director Romain Gavras did a good job. But that's just it, it's good, when we all expect greatness.

Kanye West: Lost In The World.

Remember when Kanye West released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy? Yeah, long time ago. For me, it was without doubt one of the best albums I've ever heard. Big words. Well, he has finally got around to releasing some visuals for one of the more surprising tracks on the album, Lost In The World, in which he teams up with Bon Iver.



Kanye got Ruth Hogban in to direct the video, which as most Kanye West videos now do, make very little sense but instead are to be interrupted as an art form. As in a few other videos, Kanye doesn't make eye contact with the camera as he is seen strutting his stuff from a birds-eye view. Together with some girl dancing very aggressively in over-sized t-shirts, it makes quite a video.

Jay-Z and Kanye West - Niggas In Paris

It's only just February and it looks like the best music video of the year is already upon us.

This is PERFECT. The filming, the production, the editing, the imagery. Perfect.

But did we really expect anything else?

Albums Of The Year: 2011

Most of this year’s top albums lists have already been release and whilst everyone is looking towards Pitchfork for the most comprehensive and critically acclaimed list, there will be a large percentage of the music loving community eagerly anticipated Village Boy’s top list. Possibly.

Putting this list together made me realise a couple of things. 1. What an incredible year of music it has been across all genres, the fact that almost all of these albums are debut albums makes you realise that music is in a healthy state no matter what LMFAO and Pitbull try to do to it. And secondly, how much my music taste has changed, I've got TWO R&B albums in there. There's hip-hop, indie, rock, dance, acoustic, it makes my iTunes a happy place to be.

So here's my 21 favourite albums of the year. Feel free to point out ones I've missed, which order they should be in or how completely right I am...


21. Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter And Melancholy Jam

Favourite track - Cash And Carry Me Home


20. Twin Atlantic - Free

Favourite track - Free


19. Everything Everything - Man Alive

Favourite track - Come Alive Diana


18. James Vincent McMorrow - Early In The Morning

Favourite track - We Don't Eat


17. The Weeknd - House Of Balloons

Favourite track - High For This


16. Frank Ocean - Nostaligia Ultra

Favourite track - Swim Good


15. Apollo Brown - Clouds

Favourite track - Never In A Million Years


14. Wild Beasts - Smother

Favourite track - Albatross


13. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Favourite track - Reunion


12. Ben Howard - Every Kingdom

Favourite track - The Fear


11. The Black Keys - El Camino

Favourite track - Gold On The Ceiling


10. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?

Favourite track - All In White


9. J Cole - Cole World: Sideline Story

Favourite track - Sideline Story


8. Foo Fighters  - Wasting Light

Favourite track - Bridge Burning


7. SBTRKT - SBTRKT

Favourite track - Wildfire


6. Yuck - Yuck

Favourite track - Holing Out


5. Jamie XX & Gil Scott Heron - We're New Here

Favourite track - NY Is Killing Me


4. Drake - Take Care

Favourite track - Marvin's Room



3. Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix

Favourite track - Lights Out, Words Gone



2. Jay Z and Kanye West - Watch The Throne

Favourite track - Murder To Excellence

1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Favourite track - Towers

Kanye West: Watch The Throne: Behind The Scenes.

It is no secret that Kanye West is not short of self-confidence and self-belief. Some brand him as arrogant and big-headed. Myself? I like to refer to him as a genius. Yeah sure he comes across as a bit of an asshole sometimes, but is that a bad thing? So many artists are forced into moulds these days - here to please and sell, but Kanye has refused this at every stage of his career. Everything thing he puts out, his music, the clothes he wears, the words he speaks, is exactly the way he wants it. The man works hard, he doesn't work towards perfection, perfection is just a step along the way. He is provocative, some people love him, some hate him, but isn't that how all the greats are seen? Think about Ali, he boasted, he provoked, screamed and shouted in your face, yet he is considered one of the greatest men to have ever lived. Now maybe it's a bit premature to compare Kanye to Ali, but he's definitely on his way. Definitely.

Kanye West has now started to release behind the scenes videos of the Watch The Throne tour with Jay Z, an exciting and rare chance to see two greats at work. I speak of icons and West's ascendency in that direction, but surely Jay Z has just about cemented himself there? He may not be considered the greatest rapper now, but he is so much bigger than his flow and lyrics, as tight as they may be. Jay Z almost single-handedly brought hip hop and it's culture to the front of society and pop-culture. He was a voice for millions of black youths who were caught in the circles of poverty and drugs, he stepped away from that world and made an empire. An empire that is not just measured in millions of dollars, but in influence and penetration through-out the world. Hip hop and the rest of the world has to acknowledge and appreciate that.

Jay-Z & Kanye West: Otis

After months of hype Watch The Throne finally bust its way into our ears this weekend. Many have voiced their varied opinions on the album, does it live up to the hype? For me? Yes. Just.

Now here's the first video, from the first official track that we heard, Otis. It's far from a revolutionary video, but it's simply Jay and Kanye having a laugh and enjoying rapping with each other. Oh yeah, and they torn up a $500,000 Maybach and threw it all back together in the wrong, but still awesome, way. I suppose it's a good job that they are donating it to charity, there's only so much flashing the cash a rapper can do, even if it is Hov and Ye.

And Aziz Ansari is in there too for some reason.

Rap History: The Making Of.

A few posts ago you saw pictures of Kanye West and Jay-Z at work on their album Watch The Throne. Well it just got a little better, there's a video.



This video truly goes behind the scenes and shows the real workings of the operation. It's not a polished video showing Ye and Hov creating wonderful beats and rhyming straight off the cuff. Sure, there's some of that, but it also features the beginning and development of their relationships, Kanye giving Jay a present and even Jay-Z having writers block. Yes, Jay-Z getting writers block. It shows the process, the realness, of creating a piece of rap history.

Music Monday 60.

Oh, Music Monday number 60, nice to see you there. This week is a little bit of a comeback special, I guess.

Kanye West & Jay-Z - Otis



Hopefully this video will stay online, especially as this is quickly becoming my morning anthem. Now I firmly believe that Watch The Throne will have better than this to come, but Otis another level than the pretty absurd H.A.M. Featuring Otis Redding, the track has that warm, old-school soul feel, the kind that goes back to Kanye's earlier stuff. It's going to be seriously interesting to hear what this album sounds like as a whole. CAN'T WAIT.

Blink 182 - Up All Night



Yep. Blink 182 are back. Finally. For a band that means so much to people of my age and had so much to do with the formulation of a generations music taste, it's good to hear them back. Whilst perhaps not being the most talented of bands, they lead the pop-rock movement for teens either sides of the Atlantic. As these fans have grown into young adults there will inevitably be many opinions and even sceptitism flying around. Mixed reviews, to say the least, is what Up All Night has received so far, "too Angels and Airways" has been a common comment. But I like it. It's just good to hear them back.

Jack's Mannequin - My Racing Thoughts



It's always a good feeling when you know of a truly talented individual and they still feel like a secret to you and maybe a few friends of yours. Now, I'm not saying that Jack's Mannequin are unknown, far from it, but especially in the UK they are hardly mainstream. Andrew McMahon is a talent, end of. Despite surving cancer and the break up of the very good Something Corporate, he is on his third album with Jack's Mannequin (I strongly suggest you check out SC and his previous JM albums). Having exhausted his past work, it so good to hear new sounds from another band that were a big part of my music taste making.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie



In a week of comebacks, RHCP were probably the most anticipated. And to me, they were the biggest let down. I can't say I'm the biggest Chillis fan, but I have got some love for them, but this track just doesn't do it for me. But maybe that's just me.

Icons At Work: Jay-Z & Kanye West.

I have long held the belief that the term 'icon' is quickly becoming retired. For me, at icon has to have an awe about them, a certainly Godliness that can't be touched. It's easy to reel off icons that had this, Marilyn Monroe, Steve McQueen, Michael Jackson, I could go on. Those that become most iconic are often that those pass before their time, see the above list.

So with today's media intrusion, celebrity-obsessed culture and the likes of Twitter, are there still these untouchable icons?

It's difficult to think of any icons that are still with us. Nelson Mandela? Prince? David Beckham even? I think icons will now be made in their retirement, looking back on a life or body or work is the only real will to get an uninhibited view of the person. When the hype has died, the marketing teams have moved on, and you see what they did, how they changed the world, is when you can truly say you witnessed an icon.

Now to contradict myself and perhaps speak prematurely, I think that Jay Z and Kanye West will become icons, if they are not already. They have the talent, they have that certain Godly status about them (Kanye certainly believes he does anyways) and they have changed society and their industry, Jay-Z definitely so. So this collection of photos gives a rare insight into their world, into their process of creating their collaboration album, Watch The Throne. Who knows, it could be one of the most iconic albums of our time.

Kanye & GOOD Music Does SXSW.

There are some gigs in life that you would pay serious money to get into. Whether it's your favourite artist, the sheer quality of the live performance they offer, or even just the atmosphere. The best gigs combine all of this, my most recent was certainly Coldplay was Glastonbury.

When Kanye West and his GOOD Music family took to the stage at SXSQ festival, it was certainly something that was not to be missed. However if you are on the wrong side of the Atlantic, it had to be missed. But never fear, the good people at Vevo (yes, Vevo, the folks that everyone curses at for taking over Youtube) supported the event and have put together was quality iPhone-free highlights for all to enjoy.

From a pretty epic beginning, single handedly managed by Mos Def, through to the incredible Dark Fantasy with Bon Iver, to the still bizarre H.A.M with Jay Z, then to some wonderful sounds by John Legend with some solo performances by Big Sean, Kid Cudi and Pusha T, indulge yourself in an evening of GOOD Music.















G.O.O.D Music is Good Music.

Music Monday 56.

Kanye West - Mama's Boyfriend



Remember when Kanye decided to get up on a table at Facebook's HQ and sing? Well that song was Mama's Boyfriend and never actually made it on to MBDTF. Which is all well, because listening to the finished version, it never would have worked. I really harks back to some old-school, College Dropout type stuff, where Kanye's songs are much more autobiographical. You really do never know where Kanye is going next, I love it.

Givers - Up Up Up



Well what a delightful piece of indie pop we have here in our ears. I'm not going to sit here and sit their clear influencers or sound-alikes, it's so negative that new bands are instantly compared to others. It's nice to just enjoy something new and fresh. And sounds don't get much fresher than this.

Diplo & Skrillex - Amplifire



Ok I'll ignore that this track probably has one of the best titles of all-time (a bit Kanye of me there). But I won't ignore the huge DJ Shadow sample at the start and then the ridiculous dub bass beats that follow. I've got a lot of time for these two producers and this shows why.


Going to leave it there this week, I'm not going to post songs for the sake of it, always quality over quantity. Check out all of last week's posts, some cool stuff in there.

Music Monday 55.

Some new songs from some huge artists that we haven't heard from in a while, and with them headlining Glastonbury Festival this year, I'm very excited.

Beyonce ft Andre 3000 - Party



Yep Beyonce is back. And so is Andre 3000. And I don't think Kanye ever leaves us who produces the first single from Beyonce's fourth album. Now I'm far from a huge Beyonce fan, and an R&B fan in general, but can't deny the force of the women. And from everyone I've spoken to Beyonce is the most anticipated artists of Glastonbury. This song is a lovely bit of old-school R&B, that I can actually enjoy. Kanye did a fine job on it, apart from talking about a swag-sauce called 'swagu'. Weird. And it's good to hear Andre back on it, still strong. Terribly named track though.

Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall



Another lame track title. But it's good to see Coldplay back too. Again, I'm not a huge Coldplay fan, but they've produced some massive songs and been really important to British music. So I guess I'm a little bit of a fan. I don't think this is anything particularly fresh and original from the band, but still good to hear something new.

Jamie XX - Far Nearer



And now for somebody who isn't headlining Glastonbury but is nevertheless a very special artists. I'm pretty sure this a new track, I had not heard it before this week that's for sure. I love that Jamie is always pushing himself and the music he ceates, he needs to be admired for that. Every track and project he works on seems to have classic Jamie XX traits to it, but it always so completely different to the last. Love this latest piece.

Deadmau5 - Kick, Push n' Snuff



Really wanted to end this week's post on a high. Love this track, had it on repeat all week. Lupe Fiasco's Kick Push was one of my favourite tracks as a teenager, and was part of my initial hip hop love, and now this Deadmau5 mix has taken it to a whole new level. It's just massive. End of.

Kanye West: MONSTER.

With My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Kanye West provided us with a feast for our ears. A beautiful, dark, twisted, fantastical feast. With his 30 minute film, Runaway, the feast was truly visual, a beautiful piece of art. All Of The Lights was a sensational music video. Now comes his latest visual piece, Monster. The darkest song on the album deserved one hell of a dark video:



Featuring an incredible performance from Nicki Minaj, as well as appearances from Jay Z and Rick Ross, and a lot of dead white girls. It's a shame that the video has to start by asking the audience not to be offended and to appreciate it as a piece of dark, because it really is a special piece.

Kanye West X Coachella Festival.

Say whatever you want about Kanye West, and most do, you cannot deny his talent and the dedication he has to showing off his talents. Last night at Coachella festival he went all out. Not that I was there of course, put the numerous Twitpics and these videos show more than prove it. The show involved Kanye hovering over the crowd on a shining platform and even got Bon Iver to join in on the fun. Shame the quality isn't great, but I'll keep my eyeout for some HDs. This should do you for now.











This one gets a bit emotional.

Music Monday 47.

Kid Cudi - Capcom



Yes! Something new from Cudi! MOTM2 was a bit of let down, let's be honest, which is a shame for a man with so much talent and depth, maybe too much depth. He's promised to step away from the dark for his new work, whether he means it or not is another matter, and you can definitely see this in this track. He seems to go happy sing a long chorus, dark and speedy verse, not 100% if it works, but so good to hear something new.

Childish Gambino - Break (All Of The Lights Remix)



The ever ambitious Childish Gambino takes on Kanye's monster track All Of The Lights and he succeeds, boy does he succeed. He strips back the original track, adds in some acoustic guitar and then just goes for it. I still think it sounds a little strange when he goes hard and aggressive, he just seems too nice for that, nevertheless, he did Kanye proud.

Fleet Foxes — Montezuma



Now for a chance of pace my lovely listeners, here's the latest track from Fleet Foxes' new album Helplessness Blues. It's beautiful. You can imagine this being played in a church. Sit back and enjoy.

Volcano Choir - Blue Ni Ni



With strong rumors of a new Bon Iver album due out in June, it's good to see Justin Vernon still has to time to put out new material with his band Volcano Choir. It's as transfixing and melodic as you would expect, some familiar riffs in there, yet it sounds completely new. And completely awesome.

Koan Sound - Wide Open



I can't say too much about this band, because I know absolutely nothing. But I really like their instrumental, semi-dub, semi-electro vibes. I've got a feeling this is going to be a perfect band for the summer months.

Music Monday 44.

A bit late in the day but seeing as we lean into the night it seems appropriate that this week's post is very dance orientated.

Kanye West - All Of The Lights Remix (featuring Lil Wayne, Drake and Big Sean)



This should be huge, Lil Wayne, Drake and Big Sean (Kanye's new tip) giving their own account over Kanye's All Of The Lights. But it's just not. It's not terrible, it just feels a bit rushed and half-arsed which is a massive shame. Still, it's worth a listen and had to be included.

SBTRKT - Look at Stars ft Sampha



The latest offering from Sbtrkt is really cool, and I think cool is the right word to describe it. It's laid-back and intriguing and comes with a cool video, I can imagine this being amazing outside at the summer festivals. Can't wait.

Nero - Guilt



Another big dance song for the summer festivals. If this track, and past musical adventures, are anything to go by, Nero will be everywhere this summer much to everyone's pleasure.

Justice - Civilization



If you've seen the new Adidas advert, they you would have heard the much anticipated comeback single from French DJ's Justice. This is not the full version by any stretch but it'll do me for now, I'm excited.

SebastiAn - Embody



Yes another dance song, but why the hell not? Another highly anticipated track this time from SebastiAn. Love the song, love the video.

The Legend Of The Black Mumba.

When Nike decided to get together the likes of Kobe Bryant, Robert Rodriguez, Danny Trejo Bruce Willis and Kanye West, something epic and over the top seemed destined to happen. This short film depicts Bryant in his brand spanking Black Mumba shoes fighting the forces of evil and most notably, The Boss: Kanye West (I imagine Kanye put himself forward for this role). The budget for this short must have been ridiclous, some next level advertising.




I think they just about get away with the cheesy end line.