Blind I | The Boutique Music Blog | Quality Over Quantity.

OH HAPPY DAY!

Yesterday, Lil’ Wayne started his 1 year sentence on Rikers Island (NEW YORK STAND UP….wait, bad time?) after being convicted on gun charges stemming from an arrest here on July 22, 2007. That’s my birthday! It was like a gift from the NYPD, whodathunkit?

Wayne has had one of the more interesting careers in Hip-Hop, as far as the genre’s megastars go. Two years older than myself, he’s arguably the most significant rapper of our generation (before you choke on the letters ‘J’ and ‘Z’, please be reminded that being born in 1969 qualifies one for a different generation), a fact I personally find depressing. Wayne’s been on Hip-Hop’s radar since 1997 when he was a marginal member of the marginal Hot Boyz. Somehow, to the complete shock of many (well, me at least), Wayne released some mixtapes that forced people to view him as a credible rapper. In the past five years, we’ve watched dude take a drug addled ride to the top of the charts, bringing along motley crew of scallywags and awkwardly cast clique members (Wheelchair Jimmy, stand the fuck up). He’s done more guest appearances in the past two years than some rappers will in an entire career. He’s been both a hipster darling and a hood staple. He had enough sons in one year to start an R&B group.

And now he’s going to jail. And I can’t help but to be a little glad.

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TOUR DATES: DRAKE X K-OS X FRANCIS AND THE LIGHTS

Drake’s first headlining gig, the Campus Consciousness Tour, starts April 6th and hits 22 cities all the way until May 8th. Who’d Drake choose to rock with him? Well no other than fellow Canadian K-Os and Blind I Spotlight Artists Francis and the Lights. Based upon the cities they’re visiting they plan to make a killing off the college crowds and spread a bit of environmental information along the way. Good cause, good music, good deal. Hit the jump for the dates.
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SONNYMOON – GOLDEN AGE

I absolutely LOVE finding new amazing music from unknown artists. That’s the reason we created Blind I. I present to you Sonnymoon, a great new band from Boston, MA. who’s got a super dee duper ill sound that i see as kin to Little Dragon, r&b Drake, Feist, a little Dap Kings circa Winehouse’s Back To Black…..Incredible. I don’t even know which song to have ya’ll check out! They even have a flip of Houstatlantavegas on here. Enough talking, check out “Run Away” and then change your life.

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TEASER: JAY ELECTRONICA – DEAR MOLESKINE (ALTERNATE)

Alternate visuals for Jay Electronica’s soon-to-drop-joint “Dear Moleskine” trip to Nepal. Everyone’s talking about Drake’s album not living up to the hype, I hope Jay doesn’t fall into that same category. Blasphemy, I know, but which one would be more disappointing if it was weak?

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YAY OR NAY: JR MINT

Here’s a new artist that’s worth getting your opinion on – JR Mint. From Toronto, the growing hot-spot for musical talent in the last year or so – Melanie Fiona, KJ, and of course Drake to name a few – this guy has a style that evolved from a battle rap background to a pretty flavorful delivery over more album-like, conceptual tracks. I’m interested to see what the Blind I faithful think about his style. Check out the title track from his latest project, Magnificent Road, and then hit the jump to download his project and vote…Yay or Nay? Partake…

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VIDEO: KID CUDI X RATATAT – PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Here’s the visual for Kid Cudi x Ratatat’s “Pursuit Of Happiness“, directed by Josh Hartnett and co-featuring Drake in damn near all the video. I suppose this could serve as an alternate visual to their Grammy Nominations as well. I think I counted like 4 black girls and 45 white ones in this vid, I don’t know if that’s good or bad but it’s definitely different for a rap video.

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ALICIA KEYS – PUT IT IN A LOVE SONG (F/ BEYONCÉ) + UNTHINKABLE (F/ DRAKE)

Alicia Keys aka Wifey #7 has a new album coming out on the 15th. She knows she’s money. Get it? She collaborates with Mrs. Carter for Put It In A Love Song, and then with Aubrey for Unthinkable. Think her album’s gonna be dope? I would take that bet and say yes. Partake!

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2010 GRAMMY NOMINEES

All year long we’ve been making our projections about who would be nabbing all the Grammy nominations. Now, The Recording Academy has revealed their list. Check it out and let us know what you think. Don’t you wonder who the Hell is actually on these voting committees?

Agree? Disagree? Which songs/albums made your personal soundtrack? Who was slept on? Over-hyped?

DO Tell.

List after the jump.

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LUPE FIASCO – SAY SOMETHING + ALL THE WAY TURNT UP (FREESTYLES)

Amidst the jokers and fakers, Lupe Fiasco has remained the truth in the booth. His talent displayed on tracks is often effortless, and these two new freestyles, “Say Something” over thew new Timbaland x Drake track, and “All The Way Turnt Up” are no exceptions. I for one can’t wait until We Are Lasers drops, but until then Chicagoans have something to look forward to this weekend, because Lupe is performing on Halloween at the Congress Theatre. Indulge in the two new freestyles!

Lupe Fiasco – Say Something (Freestyle) (DL)

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Lupe Fiasco – All The Way Turnt Up (Freestyle) (DL)

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SOME DRAKE LOOSIES

Here’s some new Wheelchair Jimmy for you Drake stans. This dude is still pretty good, but that flow of his is getting more boring every time I hear a new track. With that said, he’s still better than 98% of everything else out right now. Here’s Say Something (off Timbaland’s Shock Value II), Believe It Or Not (featuring Gucci Mane), Beautiful Music (just a reference track), and as a bonus Play Ball (featuring Soulja Boy). FYI I think the Soulja Boy track is TRASH but the Drake verse is aiight. Partake you monkeyyyyyys….

Drake – Say Something (Download)

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Drake – Believe It Or Not (Feat. Gucci Mane) (Download)

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Drake – Beautiful Music (Download)

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Drake – Play Ball (feat. Soulja Boy) (Download)

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