Hip-Hop Roundup // Chiddy Bang, Kid Cudi, Wale, & DOOM

As you know I am not a big “hip-hopper,” or whatevs, but there are definitely a few acts I have been keeping an intrigued eye on. My fluctuating interest, combined with that fact that the majority the hip-hop I encounter is headed for the radio, has led me to this kind of digest format. There are a gazillion other sites/stations/channels you can get more hip-hop from but I’ll probably stick to this unless something just floors me enough to give it its own post. Read on homie…

Chiddy Bang – Kids ft. MGMT

You may have caught last weeks post on these Philly college freshmen and their mind-blowing jams. Well a few days ago they dropped “Kids” and I was pretty let down. First of all, I already had an MGMT cover/remix roundup a few weeks ago, so nice timing guy! But seriously, although their “Kids” has grown on me since I started writing this post it doesn’t feel as thrilling as their first 5 tracks. Is this the blogosphere version of the sophomore slump? I’m I harshing what would otherwise be a fly mellow? Dunno anymore…

Kid Cudi – Switchin Lanes

We all know Kid Cudi from my Heads Up ’09 mix and this past week has seen a glut of material from Kanye’s protege. Tidbits have been leaking here and there, including “Switchin Lanes” which I brushed off as a bore at first listen. Then last week Cudi dropped his free The ’09 Mix which gave me a whole new appreciation for the song which is now growing on me like mad.

Kid Cudi – She Came Along

The real jaw dropper is “She Came Along,” Cudi’s twanged out, sunset-on-a-horse, jam that gave me no pause in loving it. I really hope Cudi  goes further down this innovative boundary-pushing trail, and less snooze-fest of “Sky May Fall” (The ’09 Mix) or “The Prayer” (a KiD Named CuDi mix). Other standouts on The ’09 Mix are “Dat New New (VIKING remix)” and “Ask About Me remix” but since both are remixes I won’t pin their awesomeness on Cudi…yet. Seriously, go get The ’09 Mix, it’s not perfect but its solid. And free.

Kid Cudi – I Poke Her Face (feat. Kanye West, Common & A-Trak)

Kid Cudi samples Lady Gaga? Two TBE favs together on one track? Add two more hip-hop heavyweights and a DJ extraordinaire? Umm, yes please! Soooo, why is this song not very remarkable? With so many big names this should sound like a slam-jammer where they really threw down the gloves. Instead it sounds like it was handled with kid gloves….. oh, hahaha, I get it.

Wale – Chillin’ ft. Lady Gaga

OK, Lady Gaga again, but you would never know it by her cringe-inducing M.I.A.-biting vocals. I love Lady Gaga whole thing she has going on so I am not sure why she would want to toy with her already tenuous legitimacy. Oh well, luckily Wale’s heat and the pure-pop banging production make this FUN in caps. I had heard about Wale (wah-lay) and his legendary mix-tapes for a while now but “Chillin’” was the first track I had actually connected to. With some web-sleuthing I came across this piece of 2007 flashback fantastic-ness.

Wale – W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.

While it’s easy to ride on the production of everyone’s favorite Jackson sampling, Frenchie produced, track Wale really brings it with his lyrics. In 3 minutes and 49 seconds he lays down personality and style to spare and I’m on board. His apology to Mark Ronson for “offend(ing) your sister’s dear friend” is especially funny. Wale’s debut LP Attention: Defecit drops this summer and the hype kinda couldn’t be bigger. I wonder who is gonna come out on top, Wale or Cudi?

DOOM – Gazzillion Ear (Thom Yorke remix)

DOOM, a.k.a. MF Doom, is an ol’ school rapper I have been hearing about for years. His solo work, as well as collaborations with Danger Mouse, Ghostface Killah, and Gorillaz, have made him a familiar name of whom I know almost no music. Well leave it to a Thom Yorke remix to shove his music down the throat of every indie kid with T1 Internet. I can’t say I am in love with this track but the ominous, haunted-house layers Yorke adds sure make you stop and listen. DOOM’s latest LP (and the home of “Gazillion Ear”) Born Like This is out now and although it has got some good reviews I haven’t listened to it. I have a feeling like its for real hip-hop cats and that means not me.

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So how was that? Too “urban” for your palette? Want more rhymes and boasts? Are you feeling this Roundup style? Not that I am gonna change a damn thing based on your opinion but nonetheless, I am curious what it is…

Written by: Brandon on April 9, 2009.

Tagged as: chiddy bang, common, doom, kanye west, kid kudi, lady gaga, thom yorke, wale