Just a Beard and His Thoughts

[foxandtwigs]

Hood Shit hoopla: Cashy Kesh / Heavy Toter

Toro y Moi be known’. Thanks to them and soundcloud I have been introduced to Cashy Kesh. 

I really didn’t know what to expect when I first caught a look at that album cover but, I figured anyone that shows respect to the Cash Money/No Limit is alright in my book. The Miami based rapper put together a dope 4 track EP with a nice balance of flow and solid production . To be honest I’ve had his Priceless EP on repeat all day and I wouldn’t be surprised if he were the next Miami rapper to shine. This shit goes. 

PS: Here’s a bonus of my personal favorite track on the EP, "Da Kid"

[aoctaviusw]

RZA and Friends 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak on a panel with Bobby Digital (RZA) and Adisa Banjoko owner of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation in front of 300 plus St. Louis Public School students. Very humbled to share my story in front of those who I personally admire, our youth/future. 

[foxandtwigs]

Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar / Never Catch Me

Perfection. It’s the only word that came to mind when watching/listenig to what FlyLo, Kendrick and Director Hiro Murai have created for us in “Never Catch Me.

*Opens Youtube again and watches for the 231134 time*

*Shakes head in disbelief*

Fucking. Perfect.

[foxandtwigs]

Action Bronson / Easy Rider

I have yet to see a video that I didn’t think was fucking incredible from Action Bronson and “Easy Rider” is no exception. Bronson on Acid = Greatness. 

-Mike

[foxandtwigs]

'BE FREE' #STL . Pray for #Ferguson . 

I was in St. Louis on the day. What struck me wasn’t that there was a police shooting in Missouri; it was the fact that i wasn’t surprised. After thought, that tugged at my heart. Why be accustomed to unfortunate fate at the cost of the law? I haven’t spoken up much about the still-growing controversy and catastrophe that occurred on August 9th in Ferguson, MO when an unarmed teen was gunned down by a very armed officer. However, when I say ‘haven’t spoken up’, I don’t mean by mouth; I’m simply referring to the social media. However, I still consider that to be slightly slacking on my half due to the fact that a voice needs to be heard everywhere. We.Are.Tired. I give much respect to the non-slackers. Especially to our high-profiled faces of the media. Prime example: J.Cole. I saw a picture of J.Cole dressed casually and with a much lower-profile than usual (even though he doesn’t seem like the flashy type anyway). But it was good to see. I mean I believe it’s how it should be. As Talib Kweli said on Twitter: “Artists who make money off the community are obligated to be there when the community is being brutalized.”  And I could tell and feel that J.Cole was not there for the nod. He was there for the same reason that I was wanting to be there; and I’m sure Talib all the same. Strictly for the people and the cause at hand. And then he goes and releases this. “Be Free”………

*hands you a tissue*

- Jhonna

#PrayForFerguson

#PrayForOurPeople

[foxandtwigs]

Sylvan Esso - “Dress”

I FINALLY got my hands on my Sylvan Esso album! It’s always a good feeling to own the physical copy of a solid album. and this album is sooooooooo solid. I could see this duo live a thousand times. Until that day, I will pleasantly succumb to this video of them performing my favorite song from the album, “Dress”. 

Buy their self titled album here. 

- Jhonna (@Twigsdom)

[foxandtwigs]

Free Download: Shlohmo & Jeremih "No More" EP

To be honest I haven’t heard it yet but, if this 6 track EP is anything like their previous work on “Bo Peep” and “No More” (which are included on the album) then this should good be smooth listening experience. Click the link, enter your email and enjoy the the album

- Mike

[foxandtwigs]

Rae Sremmurd ft. Nicki Minaj / No Flex Zone (Remix)

The remix to the anthem of the year has arrived. Nicki Minaj teams up with the young bucks from Atlanta, Rae Sremmurd and continues her streak of solid features. When did she get dope again?

[foxandtwigs]

#NOFLEXZONE - (THIS SHOULD BE EVERYBODY’S SHIT RIGHT NOW!)

Rae Sremmurd - 2 brothers from Mississippi got me wishing I had some Willy Wonka candy and could shrink myself and hop in this f*cking fun ass video!!!

[twigs-the-beard]

THEY KNOOOOWWW BETTER!

[foxandtwigs]

JUDE. / Jaded

Hats off to the folks at Pigeons & Planes for always finding new and extremely creative artist. Thanks to them we’ve been introduced to this new duo from West Palm Beach, FL., JUDE. Their first single "Crystals" is at over 50k plays and is amazing. Their newest single just released a couple days ago “Jaded” (which you can hear above) is somehow even better. Their sound is incredible and I know we all hope to hear more from this tandem in the future.

-Mike

[foxandtwigs]

British Soul: Juliette Ashby

I’ve been on a secret roll lately with lucky finds. During one of my couch meltdowns where I indulge in shameless reality TV, I heard a snippet of a song with such a captivating, soulful voice coming from an already noticeably talented woman. Juliette Ashby was the name associated. Me being the Google queen that I am, I went for the search and ended up on a much-needed dream quest…falling upon jammin’ live performances, cool facts (Amy Winehouse, her best friend, hand-picked Juliette herself), and even more reggae-soul spirits and melodies.

Not long after, Juliette randomly finds me on Twitter (she must have felt all of my vibes from my dream quest)…..and as she said herself:

Can you say…’Instant girl crush’ ??!!!!

Anyway, check out a live performance from Juliette and band at the Servant Jazz Qtrs  in London of the song that first caught my eye "Over and Over". Juliette’s forthcoming debut album Bittersweet can be preordered right chea.

[foxandtwigs]

The Hics / All We’ll Know

Oh how you’ve been missed. The Hics have returned to bless us with a musical work of art in the name of “All We’ll Know”. I’ve seriously sat at this laptop for 15 minutes listening to the song on repeat trying to gather words that can properly describe how beautiful this is but, I come up empty. For those not familiar this British group please refer to our original entry on them thanking 2013 for introducing us to this ridiculously talented crew… Hey Hics, y’all are fucking awesome I hope you all know that. 

- Mike

[girlsdressingcuteforwork]

I really love when Sabrina sends me pics of her work outfits. She’s so cute!! #gdcfw

[foxandtwigs]

Visit Original Link

Something Dope You (Or just I) May Have Missed: Young Thug / 2 Cups Stuffed

I have this feeling that I might have been the only person to have never heard of this song until now. Im Still upset no one had brought this to my attention but all is forgiven. Slowly but surely Young Thug is winning me over. From “Danny Glover” to “The Blanguage” to “Treasure” and now this? I’m guessing this pretty much makes me an actual fan of his at this point right? Thank you Thugger, “2 Cups Stuffed” is what I like to call… Perfection.

-Mike

[foxandtwigs]

Banks / Goddess

We might be a couple days late but, here’s Banks first single off her new album Goddess expected to be released September 9th. The style hasn’t changed on the new track, Banks continues to seductively hypnotize us with her voice and sound. Best part is we wouldn’t want it any other way. Man, I love this woman.

- Mike

[foxandtwigs]

The Sounds of Coachella 2014: RL Grime “Because of You”

Now that I’m almost completely off of my post Coachella depression, I feel like there are some things I have to share with you all.

One of my favorite performances of the weekend, RL Grime completely killed it. Grime is the trap alter ego of world famous dj Clockwork, is quickly gaining the same notoriety for his Trap work. His remixes of "Love Sosa" and "Mercy" hadthe place in complete mayhem. There was never a dull moment or even a drop off in the hype. His only negative… Bringing out Big Sean. At that point it didn’t matter anymore though. 

My only mistake was that I was too close to the stage to escape the madness. These young kids can bounce and jump for 45 minutes straight, I on the other hand can’t. I need room to put my hands on my knees and take in some fresh air or call a time out and get a breather on the bench. Witness the mayhem.

If you really can’t hear the quality of the song amid the heavy bass and the crowd screaming “Hey!” to the beat, Check out “Because of You” here.

[foxandtwigs]

The Sights… Thank You, Coachella