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Playlists

Earl Sweatshirt Starter Pack

Earl Sweatshirt is one of the standout artists from the former Odd Future collective and one of my favorite rappers. Along with his peers Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean, Earl is an artist that I grew up with, who matured as I matured. His debut mixtape Earl was released in 2010 when he was 16 years old and characterized him as a crude teenager who, in spite of his often cringey subject matter, undoubtedly had tons of potential.

Like the rest of us, Earl has grown a lot in the last ten years. I have curated a playlist that displays his growth, starting from 2013’s Doris to 2018’s Some Rap Songs. One of the highlights is “Chum”, the lead single off of Doris and Earl’s most popular song. From his relationship with his estranged father to his stay in a Samoan boarding school for at-risk youth, this track dives into his headspace prior to the release of Doris. Another highlight from Doris is Hive featuring Vince Staples and Casey Veggies. Earl’s stone cold delivery, combined with a grimey bass line and a killer Vince Staples verse make it one of my favorite rap songs ever.

2015 saw Earl at perhaps his most reclusive with his album I Don’t Like S***, I Don’t Go Outside, an album rife with themes of anxiety and avoidance. The cloud rap-inspired single “Grief” exemplifies the paranoia he experienced during the recording of this album. The song “AM // Radio” featuring Wiki, with its laid back sample loop, takes a less abrasive approach to similar themes.

In 2018, Earl Sweatshirt released Some Rap Songs, which I consider to be his best work. It is the result of almost ten years of artistic growth, and when compared to his early work it really shows. Everything from his production sensibilities to lyrical content have gotten better with age.

One of my favorite things about Earl is his willingness to be honest with his fans. He explores corners of his psyche that can be downright painful to face, but does it all the same – all while sharing his findings with the world. 

 – DJ Mango

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Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Chart 9/1

Artist Record Label
1 CHELSEA GRIN “Bleeding Sun” [Single] Self-Released
2 FIT FOR A KING Annihilation [EP] Solid State
3 KATALEPSY Terra Mortuus Est Unique Leader
4 GUTTURAL SECRETE Nourishing The Spoil Rising Nemesis
5 DISENTOMB The Decaying Light Unique Leader
6 NECROT Mortal Tankcrimes
7 PIG DESTROYER The Octagonal Stairway [EP] Relapse
8 KATAKLYSM “Underneath the Scars” [Single] Nuclear Blast
9 WITHIN DESTRUCTION Yōkai Ultra Heavy
10 ACACIA STRAIN, THES low Decay Rise

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Weekly Charts

Afterhours Chart 9/1

Artist Record Label
1 AVALANCHES, THE “Wherever You Go” b/w “Reflecting Light” [Single] Astralwerks
2 CHRISTINE AND THE QUEENS La Vita Nuova [EP] Because/Capitol
3 CARIBOU Suddenly Merge
4 SASSY 009 KILL SASSY 009 Luft
5 KITTY Charm and Mirror [EP] Pretty Wavvy
6 COWGIRL CLUE Icebreaker Vada Vada
7 PARK HYE JIN How Can I [EP] Ninja Tune
8 GRIMES Miss Anthropocene 4AD/Beggars Group
9 BLOOD ORANGE Angel’s Pulse Domino
10 YVES TUMOR Heaven To A Tortured Mind Warp

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Weekly Charts

Underground Chart 9/1

Artist Record Label
1 AJANI JONES Black Power Ranger Ajani Jones
2 NESS HEADS “Pull Me Up” [Single] Ness Heads
3 CLOUDY NUEVE Sober Hella Clout
4 CONRADFRMDAAVES “Vintage and Adventurous” [Single] boutabagmusic
5 DOSOTAKU “We Chief That Rob Paulsen (prod. Josh Karbon)” [Single] Self-Released
6 SOLANGE When I Get Home Saint Records/Columbia
7 ZACARI Run Wild Run Free Top Dawg Entertainment
8 RICO NASTY “Time Flies” [Single] Sugar Trap
9 OPEN MIKE EAGLE What Happens When I Try To Relax P + C Auto Reverse
10 NONAME Room 25 Self-Released

Categories
Weekly Charts

Daytime Chart 9/1

Artist Record Label
1 BULLY SUGAREGG Sub Pop
2 GIRL FRIDAY Androgynous Mary Hardly Art
3 LOMELDA “Wonder” [Single] Double Double Whammy
4 DOUBLE GRAVE Goodbye Nowhere! Forged Artifacts
5 ILLUMINATI HOTTIES FREE I.H.: This Is Not The One You’ve Been Waiting For Self-Released
6 HOLY MOTORS Horse [Advance Tracks] Wharf Cat
7 NYALLAH Reflections [EP] Self-Released
8 BETHS, THE Jump Rope Gazers Carpark
9 STEVE LACYN Side 3qtr
10 KID FRANCESCOLI “Moon” [Single] Yotanka
11 BARTEES STRANGE Live Forever [Advance Tracks] Memory
12 JOJI Nectar [Advance Tracks] 88 rising
13 MARMAR OSO Love Don’t Cost A Thing Free The Lost/EMPIRE
14 FONTAINES DC A Hero’s Death Partisan
15 SOLANGE When I Get Home Saint Records/Columbia
16 AJANI JONES Black Power Ranger Ajani Jones
17 NESS HEADS “Pull Me Up” [Single] Ness Heads
18 LIME CORDIALE 14 Steps To A Better You Chugg/London Cowboys
19 KING GINO Infinity Tapes, Vol. 1 Callisto
20 BROCKHAMPTON Ginger Question Everything/RCA
21 JAYDA G Both Of Us/Are You Down [EP] Ninja Tune
22 DWY “Latchkey” [Single] Wilder
23 DOUG SHORTS Casual Encounter [EP] Daptone
24 CLOUDY NUEVE “Hostage” [Single] Self-Released
25 LOU PHELPS AND TONY STONE “Cinnamon Toast” [Single] Self-Released
26 BLUE HAWAII Open Reduction Internal Fixation Arbutus
27 AMINE Limbo Universal Republic
28 ETHEREAL “Yeh!” [Single] Easy
29 FELIXX “My Baby” [Single] Loud N Klear
30 BIG SEAN “Berzerk” [Single] aftermath

TOP ADDS
1 BARTEES STRANGE Live Forever [Advance Tracks] Memory
2 HOLY MOTORS Horse [Advance Tracks] Wharf Cat
3 GAMBLERS “Small World” [Single] Self-Released
4 SAD13 Haunted Painting [Advance Tracks] Wax Nine
5 ORACLE SISTERS Paris I [EP] 22Twenty
6 LISEL “Night And Day” b/w “Die Trying” [Single] Luminelle
7 WINTER Endless Space (Between You And I) Bar/None
8 CHAI, HINDS “United Girls Rock ‘N’ Roll Club” [Single] Heavenly/PIAS
9 DREAM NAILS Dream Nails Dine Alone
10 LEMON TWIGS, THE Songs For The General Public 4AD/Beggars Group

Categories
Music News and Interviews

My Concert Experiences

Before COVID, one of my favorite activities was seeing bands live. Now that I’m quarantining at home, I’m reflecting on my previous concert experiences. I made this TikTok to rate my different show experiences. I’ve also included a little bit more detail below in case you’re curious.

Mitski: 7/10

I gave this concert a 7/10 because the concert was incredibly cool. Mitski had just put out her third album, “Bury Me At Makeout Creek.” The songs she performed were emotional and it was a great show.

Mac Demarco: 3/10

This show was pretty decent, but while crowd-surfing, Mac Demarco kicked my Dad in the face and knocked off his glasses, which was not great.

Wavves: 1/10

This show was definitely not my favorite, the sound was really off and the band sounded a lot different live. I still enjoy their music but probably wouldn’t see the band live again.

Neutral Milk Hotel: 9/10

This show was part of NMH’s last tour. I really love the band, and their album “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea” is a quintessential indie favorite. A truly unforgettable experience.

Cults: 10/10

This was one of my first concerts and one of my best. It was at a venue in Charlotte during Halloween and I was lucky enough to be able to meet the band afterward.

Hope you enjoyed my video and description, let me know if you want to see a part two!

– Miranda

*Disclaimer: these are my own views and experiences, and don’t reflect the views of the WKNC station as a whole.*

Categories
Music News and Interviews

DJ Mango’s Vinyl Collection

Hey everyone! Between quarantine keeping everyone at home and moving into a new apartment, I’ve quite a lot of time to arrange my personal space. With so many records gathering dust in the corner of my room, I figured I would put some of my favorites on display! 

Nonagon Infinity by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Touted as the world’s first “infinitely looping” album, Nonagon Infinity consists of 9 tracks that seamlessly transition into each other, with the last looping into the first. On top of that it’s a fantastic, proggy psych-rock album with a metal twist. Plus, it’s got a really neat green and black pressing!

Plastic Beach by Gorillaz

This project finds the fictional members of Gorillaz on a tiny island made of plastic, the furthest point from any other landmass in the world, where Murdoc produced the album. It also features some of their best hits like “Stylo”, “On Melancholy Hill” and “Some Kind of Nature”.

Reign in Blood by Slayer

Celebrated as one of the most influential thrash metal albums of all time, Slayer laid the groundwork for generations to come with Reign in Blood. The first Slayer song I ever heard was “Raining Blood” when I played Guitar Hero 3 when I was 12.

What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye

A true classic in every sense of the word. In some ways, I think the times we live in are similar to the times Marvin lived through, such as the Vietnam War and the Watts Riots of 1965. The message of universal love in the face of injustice is just as important today as it was in 1971, when this album was released.

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel

After hearing this album for the first time, I was shocked to find it was released in 1998. To my ears, its sound is indicative of the 2000’s indie scene, only it came out the decade before. The album’s surreal lyrics and unique aesthetics lead to the immense cult following it now has.

Madvillainy by Madvillain

2004’s Madvillainy found emcee MF DOOM and producer Madlib at the height of their both creativity and evil powers. The result was one of the most unique and influential alternative hip-hop albums of all time.

Back to Black by Amy Winehouse

This album marked a tonal shift for Amy Winehouse: she traded the jazz/neo-soul sensibilities of 2003’s Frank for the doo-wop and classic soul found on Back to Black. It received praise for its dark portrayal of heartbreak and it is always in my rotation.

An Awesome Wave by Alt-J

Alt-J’s 2012 debut is an album that has defined my life since it was released. It’s a project that I find myself coming back to time and time again. Favorites include “Tessellate”, “Breezeblocks” and “Taro”.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill

This album is considered one of the greatest albums of all time by some, and for good reason. It effortlessly blends hip-hop, neo-soul, reggae, R&B, and soul while exploring themes of love, loss and faith. If you haven’t heard it yet (you’ve had 22 years to do so), please do yourself a favor and put it on. Fans of any genre can find something to love in this album.

That’s all! Do you collect vinyl? If so, what are some favorites from your collection?

– DJ Mango

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Playlists

Wholesome Lyrics

Why is it so hard to find songs, especially in rap, hip-hop, and r&b that don’t oversexualize womxn or refer to them in derogatory terms? Of course, female artists objectify men in their music as well, but the overarching pattern is male artists dominating these genres with those type of degrading lyrics. I have found that over the years I’ve become desensitized to it all and instead have chosen to focus on the sound of certain songs rather than the lyrics themselves. Though this works at times, I’m tired of hearing my sisters be called names that I would get in trouble for writing in this blog.

I started a playlist a couple of years ago called “songs that respect women and I can listen to without cringing.” I thought I’d share some of these wholesome songs that both sound AND feel good.

1. Blind Man – Xavier Ömar

Best Lyric: “I can love you with my eyes closed/ I don’t lose sight of your beauty/ ‘Cause your heart is fine gold, baby”

2. Spicy 103 FM – Junglepussy

Best Lyric: “Acting up caught you slipping tripping on banana peels/ Now your heart is at the f—— bottom of my six-inch heels.”

3. Consensual Seduction – Mick Jenkins

Best Lyric: “Your instruction is important, just (say it out loud)/ We can do the wait if you can’t more than whisper”

4. Philosopher – Iris Temple

Best Lyric: “Would you sit a while with me?/ We can sit in conversation and create the constellations/ Teach me something, can’t just leave me here alone”

5. Hope – Blood Orange (feat. Puff Daddy & Tei Shi)

Best Lyric: “Sometimes I ask myself, like/ You know, what is it going to take for me not to be afraid/ To be loved the way, like, I really wanna be loved?”

6. An Idea – IAMNOBODY (feat. Emmavie, Zacari, & Josh J)

Best Lyric: “While I’m right here, baby, for you/ I just thought I should let you know/ While this feeling’s so fresh and so smooth/ I never wanna let you go”

7. Girl – The Internet (feat, KAYTRANDA)

Best Lyric: “If I told you that you rock my world, I want you around me/ Would you let me call you my girl?”

8. Unrequited Love – Thundercat

Best Lyric: “I’ve been searching high and love, wondering where my feelings go/ Nothing fees the same, ‘cause there’s no one like you”

9. OKAGA, CA – Tyler, the Creator (feat. Alice Smith, Leon Ware, & Clem Creevy)

Best Lyric: “Let’s just run away from here, ‘cause it’s not/ Workin’ out on Earth, my dear/ What you really want girl?/ My heart stops pumpin’ blood when I see you/ But I try to play it cool because I like you (I really like you)”

10. Prototype – Outkast
Best Lyric: “I wanna say stank you, very much/ For picking me up and bringing me back to this world/ I think I’m in love again”

Take a listen!

– DJ butter

Categories
Music News and Interviews

JPEGMAFIA, Abdu Ali and Gender Nonconformity in Hip-Hop

JPEGMAFIA on the cover of his 2019 release All My Heroes Are Cornballs
Abdu Ali on the cover of their album Fiyah!!!

It is no secret that hip-hop values masculinity. The most popular rappers – even those who are not men – display traditionally masculine traits such as self-reliance, power, and aggressiveness (note I am not saying these traits are necessarily masculine, however, in a historical sense they have been presented as such). However, where there is an established norm there will undoubtedly be resistance to that norm. In this post, I will be exploring two artists who challenge the established norms of gender within the hip-hop genre.

Since his rise to popularity after the release of Veteran in 2018, JPEGMAFIA has become a favorite for hip-hop bloggers (whom he has no shortage of choice words for). People like to praise his experimental production choices and confrontational lyrics, but I don’t see many talking about the defiance of gender norms within his music. Nowhere is this more apparent than his 2019 release All My Heroes Are Cornballs. Though he makes some of the most aggressive music I’ve ever heard, Peggy appears notably vulnerable on this album. From wearing flowy silk clothing on the album’s cover to adopting a feminine persona in songs like “Jesus Forgive Me, I Am A Thot” and “Thot Tactics”, JPEGMAFIA has shown he is unconcerned with traditional constructions of masculinity.

JPEGMAFIA collaborator Abdu Ali is similarly unconcerned with gender conventions. As an unapologetically black and queer artist, they embody the masculine and feminine in a way that is both captivating and memorable. I had the privilege of seeing them live when they opened for Peggy at his 2019 A Tribute to Buttermilk Jesus show in New York. Their stage presence was unmatched – at one point, I remember they entered the crowd and had us all sit down before screaming at the top of our lungs. It was a truly visceral experience.

There you have it. This was by no means an exhaustive list of artists defying gender norms in hip-hop, only a few that I find the most exciting. The fact that even mainstream artists – such as Tyler, the Creator, Young Thug, Princess Nokia, and Lil Uzi Vert – are exploring these themes seems indicative of a shift in the culture, and who knows? Maybe one day we will see the dismantling of gender norms in hip-hop once and for all.

– DJ Mango

Categories
Music News and Interviews

Chip’s Guide to Surf Music

King of the Surf Guitar

Quarantine crazies got you down? Do you need a break? A getaway from the humdrum of everyday, normal life? Well here at WKNC we can’t offer you that, but we can offer some great music for when you finally do.

Surf music has always had a special place in my heart. It first arose in California in the early 60s, pioneered by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones. Their music was mostly instrumental with heavily reverbed guitar riffs, made to mimic the sounds of waves crashing on the beach. It is truly a visually descriptive style of music, perfect for transporting your mind to memories of summer. No matter where I am or what time of year it is, those upbeat melodies take me back to visions of cruising down a beach road. Top down, sun in my eyes, the wind rolls through my hair as I hear the waves crash onto white sand beaches. This is a feeling that comes with only a few artists, and I would like to share them here in an attempt to give you the same feeling that I hold so dear.

Miserlou, King of the Surf Guitar, Let’s Go Trippin’ by Dick Dale
Starting off the list hot and heavy, we have the three best songs ever made by Dick Dale. The fast paced intro to Miserlou emulates the chaos felt when a wave takes control of your surfboard as you first drop down. However, the next two songs are much more lighthearted. The female background chorus in King of the Surf Guitar chimes in perfectly with the strong riffs of guitar made throughout the song. Finally, the bouncy melody of Let’s Go Trippin’ is a perfect representative of the fun, upbeat style of Dick Dale’s music style.

Catamaran, Sandy, Ferus Gallery, Don’t You Forget It by Allah-Las
Allah-Las is a fairly old band that’s been producing pretty solid beach music for a while now. Theirs is much more relaxing and laid back than that of the early 60s style while still bringing that same summer feeling. Ferus Gallery is completely instrumental and probably the most reflective of their style of music, however the background harmonies on Catamaran and Sandy are unmatched.

 
Sol Del Sur (EP) by Surf Room
This EP by the band Surf Room represents a good transition of the surf music genre to surf rock, which is a little heavier but still captures the same energy given off by surf music. Sol Del Sur has a great rhythm and is by far my favorite song on the EP, however Summer’s Here is another great representation of the lighthearted, fun kind of music that makes up surf rock. 

Other great honorable mentions: Surf Rider (LP Version) by The Lively Ones, California Sun by The Rivieras, He’s a Doll by The Honey’s, Golden Earrings by The Hunters, and Bustin’ Surfboards by The Tornadoes.

-Chip