It’s been a horrible month for musical passings. Rest in Peace, Chuck Brown and thank you for your endless contributions to funk, hip-hop and the go-go movement.

See Also :: Chuck Brown obituary, The Washington Post

Not just one of the funniest guys out there but one of the most talented vocally, Reggie Watts‘ lifelong journey through comedy and music has his star on the rise with no sign of hitting its apex. He took a few minutes with Funny or Die to send kind of a serious message to Skrillex about his thoughts on what’s happened with real dubstep since Skrillex came along.

Be sure to catch Reggie on his headlining spring tour at the following dates, including Bonnaroo 2012 and Rothbury:

5/16 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
5/17 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
5/19 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
5/20 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/21 Washington, DC 930 Club
5/23 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
5/24 New Orleans, LA Tiptina’s
5/26 Austin, TX Scottish Rite Theatre
5/29 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
5/30 Los Angeles, CA The Music Box
6/1 San Fransisco, CA The Independent
6/3 Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
6/4 Seattle, WA
6/7-10 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Comedy Tent
6/28 Rothbury, MI Rothbury Music Festival

With less and less frequency since the days of Public Enemy, Ice Cube and Poor Righteous Teachers has conscious, enlightened hip-hop crossed the line from encouraging self-awareness to developing a call to action. Today, R.A.P. Music (standing for ‘Rebellious African People’), the trill new release from Killer Mike, represents the sense of urgency to reach people with its message, addressing listeners of hip hop with a necessary force that feels directly descended from Ice Cube’s now-classic AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions to Hold Us Back.

With production from El-P, Killer Mike’s discontent steers the conversation towards real issues of growing up black in the American south. Effortlessly stringent and direct, Mike maintains his verbal assault on the track at 100 level across every note. Never soft spoken or half-committed, Killer Mike showcases his firm grasp on a range of lyrical styles that bridges the influence of classic street knowledge with deft Bomb Squad-like production values, lyrically calculating the toils and dire recognition of the struggle to survive in America’s inner cities.

Make no mistake, this record comes out h-a-r-d as it navigates Mike’s message: distrust of church and government (“Untitled (feat. Scar)”, the unending war of police vs. black youth (“Don’t Die”) and bubbling frustrations of black youth against elders in the church (“Ghetto Gospel”) — all issues that continue to plague the black community in our so-called “post-racial America”.

This song, “Reagan”, is a powerful indictment of the Reagan years that speaks for itself much more than anything I could tell you. Go get this, it’s out today. Killer Mike is out repping real hip-hop; R.A.P. Music has a message that needs delivering to a generation still lost and looking. Recognize.

That self-proclaimed “bad bitch from uptown” Azealia Banks is back up in the cut with a new track from her soon-to-be-released mixtape. With help-out on the production side from a couple of bad brothers (namely Nick Hook and Hudson Mohawke) this is yet another banger that can cross from the street to the club with ease.. Perhaps taking a cue from The Weeknd by trying to achieve a trifecta in 2012, Azealia will be releasing 1991 EP later this month, FANTASTIC this summer and Broke With Expensive Taste as her final mixtape of 2012.

Yeah Okay, You’re Right: So it’s less than a month away now, and we’ve not said a word about it (yo, things got hectic around here!), but we’re still very excited for the ‘roo. You probably already know what Bonnaroo is, but on the off-chance you’ve been hiding in a cave for the past 11 years, there’s a huge music festival that’s about to happen on a lovely farm in Manchester, Tennessee from June 7th through the 10th. For a long weekend, music fans flood the small Tennessee town and camp out so they can watch a variety of both new and established acts from around the world.

Last year was Bonnaroo’s tenth anniversary, a big event for any music festival, but there’s still a lot to get excited about for year 11. Of course, there are the headliners: Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a reunited Phish, live acts who consistently deliver great festival performances. But if that’s all you went for, you’d be missing out — there are more artists playing than you can shake a stick at (though we’re not sure who’s doing all this stick shaking, be careful you’ll put an eye out). Extremely special appearances dot the festival, too, like The Beach Boys with Brian Wilson and punk legends Bad Brains. Honestly, there’s so much music packed into this 4-day festival that we can’t even begin to sum it up, so click here and have a look.

::: Tune Into RooRadio 24/7 — Click Here!! :::

Even with all the great bands playing, Bonnaroo isn’t just music: on any given day at the Roo, there are plenty of stimulating, intriguing, exciting or down-right-hilarious things to do. Oh, hey, I notice you suddenly tuned in when I said ‘hilarious’ — ok, well, good because the air-conditioned comedy tent has returned, featuring Aziz Ansari, Steven Wright, Judah Friedlander, and many others. Also, making a new addition to the festival is the globalFEST tent. If the bands at This Tent, That Tent, The Other Tent, Which Stage and What Stage aren’t enough for you, you can check out live appearances from some of the best world music out there and get your international groove on. If you need to relax, you can chill out in the also air conditioned film tent (a necessity in the hot June sun) or head over to the Broo’ers Festival to enjoy a collection of beers from 20 different microbreweries.

Are you stoked for this yet? We haven’t even scratched the surface, and that’s one of the best parts of Bonnaroo: all the surprises that are always in store.

For 2012, Loudersoft will be bringing you the all-new Transmissions From Planet Louderoo, a compendium of daily recaps, photos and interesting soundbites collected from artists and festivalgoers, and we hope to run into you there (if you can find us). Ticket prices are already on the last tier, but think about it — $250 is a small price to pay for a full weekend of nonstop music and general craziness. (You can still get your tickets here, but hurry! It will definitely sell out.)

And look, we know times are iLL: if you can’t afford to go, or you’re just too busy this year, the good folks at Bonnaroo have partnered with YouTube to create Bonnaroo365, an ideal way to bring many of the performances and festivities to your computer screen. We’ve got to give the organizers props on this one for taking care of the many fans who can’t make it, and as a way of saying thanks for checking them out, they’re offering My Morning Jacket‘s Bonnaroo 2011 performance in it’s entirety until May 15th! Click here to check it out.

June is almost here, holy crap! We can’t wait to cover the music fest in all its sweaty glory, and if you’re just dying to go but can’t afford a ticket, you could always try to air guitar your way into 2 free VIP Passes, courtesy of My Morning Jacket!

Details:

::: Previous Loudersoft Bonnaroos :::

Bonnaroo 2007 | Bonnaroo 2008 | Bonnaroo 2009 | Bonnaroo 2010 | Bonnaroo 2011

Nearly a year ago, our friend The Recommender notified us of an up-and-coming band from Brooklyn called MS MR. Immediately, this unknown band impressed us as much as it did them. With vocal acrobatics on par of Florence & The Machine and an edgy dissimilarity, we stayed tuned and waited.

A few weeks back we got word of this song we’ve been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to share with you, ‘Hurricane’, and the indefinite wait is now over. We predict that this is going to be one of the best records of 2012, and this is merely the appetizer. Enjoy it and go check them out on tour with Marina & The Diamonds throughout July/August if they should be playing near you soon.

And check out this track, ‘Bones’ from their previous EP. They’re no fluke at all, get ready.

You know when you are just in a funk? Maybe you’re tired and hung over after a long weekend, feeling down and introspective, or just being straight up lazy.  Just in one of those moods that feel like they may never end.  And then there is that one track, possibly a new one or maybe a throwback, that just takes you out of it. The next thing you know you have listened to it eight times, your spirits are high, and the song becomes the sound track of the day; possibly the entire week. “Seconds,” by L.A.’s Ghost Loft was that track for me this weekend.

Despite the somewhat upbeat instrumental, this song tells the story of an obsessed lover begging for a secret affair and another shot of love: “Give me a second chance, just let go of the past / No one will ever know, no one will have to know…” This is one of those tracks that you know is going to be special after the first 15 seconds, but then when the vocals drop the vibe is taken to a whole other level. This smooth, futuristic R&B track delivers beautiful production values and immense energy in it’s few, but strong, 3 minutes.

Check out the track below, but I must advise you: the mysterious ‘baby I love you’ sample might get stuck in your head for a while.  Look out for more to come from Danny Choi, the mastermind behind Ghost Loft, by checking out his Soundcloud Page. Enjoy.

Ghost Loft – Seconds

Let’s get this out of the way: some of y’all really need to work on your PR game. You’re sending me tracks that slack and lack attack on the playback, but you’ve got this braggadocio thing you’re doing in your emails that makes me wanna laugh at your corniness. So while you’re out there gaming wacknastics, there’s a lot of good tracks coming in.

And that’s the thing, proof is always in the track. In the case of HawdWerk, what I initially thought might turn into a good laugh from the dude who wrote this turns out to be a solid West Covina jam. Of course, I’ve been having kind of a rough week, so I read this and readied myself for a jam I wasn’t gonna feel…

Let’s Roll is a laid back joint geared towards the ladies.
The song describes getting some private time with a girl you’ve been thinking about,
In a fashion the fella’s can relate too, and everyone can enjoy.

Admission of Guilt: It turns out that I judged this email unfairly. This isn’t a bad description at all, it actually accurately describes the track: it’s a total heater, and it’s right on time.

West Coast synths power the restrained beat, and HawdWerk’s flow comes down properly executed (“It seems like you ready/She don’t wanna hear R. Kelly/She said,’Play some Casey Veggies’”). Everything is smoothed out in just the right way, so lay back in the cut and enjoy.

So from now on, I pledge to work harder at keeping an open mind. As for this heater? I guess this is what it sounds like when HawdWerk pay off (oh shit). :: laughter :: applause ::

HawdWerk – Let’s Roll

Casiokids are one of several Scandinavian bands you can rely on for a synth drenched few minutes of hooks and beats usually laid over a heavier-than-pop skeleton. They are also one of several bands on the Moshi Moshi Music roster who I can rely on to consistently impress. Songs such as Finn Bikjenn and Fot i Hose have both racked up endless plays in my iTunes, but it this remix to their latest single which is getting worn nicely with repeat listens.

I love how delicately arranged this piece of electronica is, the 4 or 5 different lines of melody each morph and reform like a lava lamp with a strobe light flashing through its base. From start to finish almost every possible harmony has been made between the different parts but despite this constantly evolving structure there is an instantly recognisable fingerprint to the track which makes my ears prick up as the music it rolls from one headphone to another.

— Marcus

::: Casiokids – Kaskaden (Ben Butler & Mousepad Remix) :::

Future Unlimited recently swapped remixes with one of Los Angeles’ heroes of modernwave, The New Division. The New Division’s remix of Future Unlimited’s “Golden” came out a couple of weeks back & yesterday, TND released the first of two Future Unlimited remixes of “Violent” from their 2011 full-length, Shadows.

Enjoy, and click here to follow Future Unlimited on Twitter:

Follow @UNLTDfuture

Everyone is entitled to a guilty pleasure, right? I have no guiltier one than Toronto’s Dragonette & I really, really like their particularly bright, sugary electropop. So, fine — let the backlash begin. There aren’t many hard-working, trend-setting trios of Canadians such as Dragonette making music this infectious without sacrificing style or heart. Martina Sorbara lights up every frame the way she lights up a microphone. This video for “Let It Go” either successfully explains my fascination or will leave you confused as they flashdance their way through a hospital (a mental hospital?). Either way, I think this is an absolute banger from beginning to end.

If you haven’t already played this song over and over again about a dozen times, it’s your turn — the original and Laidback Luke remixes.

And lucky for you — Dragonette is on tour across the U.S. and Canada this summer with The Knocks!!

::: Dragonette Tour Dates :::

6/2: Mountain View, CA – Live 105 BFD @ Shoreline Amphitheater / Subsonic Dance Tent BUY TICKETS
6/16: Belleville, ON – Big Music Fest @ East Zwicks Park BUY TICKETS
6/22: Saskatoon, SK @ The Odeon BUY TICKETS
6/23: Winnipeg, MB @ Red River Exhibition – FREE SHOW w/ gate admission
7/6: Vancouver, BC @ Summer Playland Festival
7/7: Regina, SK @ Summer Invasion BUY TICKETS
9/12: New York, NY @ Webster Hall *
9/13: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
9/14: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *
9/15: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
9/18: Chicago, IL @ Metro *
9/19: Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *
9/20: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club *
9/21: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge*
9/24: San Diego, CA @ Belly Up *
9/25: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre *
9/28: Seattle, WA @ Neumos *

Stripped to the bone, Dave Dub serves it up to you in the most basic of packages, but what it serves is anything but basic. Tripped-out shit, right? And according to all known information. his forthcoming album The Treatment — due out 22 May — is ready to get at you with the same subtle, direct, no bullshittin’ or over-processed anything. Recorded on vintage SP-1200 and Ensoniq EPS, this is farm-to-table rap, y’all.

Good Hoodkeeping™? As clean as this sidewalk is? You already know.

First, an intro: gospeltruth here and I’m pumped for the opportunity to contribute to Loudersoft.

Now: Nothing has more impact on our musical lives than stuff that we grew up on. The hip-hop genre in particular is constantly progressing and thriving off of change, but lately we are seeing a lot of coming-of-age artists harking back to the music they grew up with in the 90’s.  And… let’s be honest, the 90’s were the shit.

The Raider Klan Mafia is a collective of artists that has garnered an impressive following with their throwback vibe, mostly off of the success of their leader, Miami rapper/producer SPACEGHOSTPURRP. Purrp (who recently signed a deal with 4AD) and his followers have a style that is heavily influenced by the supernatural and demonic early Three 6 Mafia days. They also draw from the Houston sound made famous by DJ Screw and UGK.

But let’s focus on the M: given their distinctively Memphis sound, it seems only right that the Raider Klan would have a member from the 901. Enter Ethelwulf, representing East Memphis for the Raider Klan. On some of his tracks Ethelwulf has a speedy delivery, reminiscent of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and his Bluff City forefather, Lord Infamous.

His song, “FLAW OF PERFECTION,” from the mixtape The Wolf Gang’s Rodolphe has been on repeat in my headphones for a week straight.  This short in-and-out track brilliantly samples the 90’s hit, “My Boo” by the Ghost Town DJ’s, and Ethewulf gets his Layzie Bone on and absolutely laces the track.  Listen and download the addicting track below. If you like what you hear, go get the mixtape, which includes Chopped N’ Screwed versions of all songs as well.

Ethelwulf – FLAW OF PERFECTION

{REQ FILLED}: Here’s that internationally-and-universally-informed intergalactic remix carrying the future’s past to the present you asked for. It’s marked and coming right at all of us on a Monday, filled with artists we ride for here — Seattle’s own Shabazz Palaces remixing a track by Philly mastermind Lushlife which features New York City’s own Heems. The proper title would have been murder on my feed, but it’s actual proper title is “Hale-Bopp was the Bedouins (Shabazz Palaces Remix feat the palaceer, fly guy Dai and Thadillac mixed by Blood in palaGlow)” and it just premiered on GvsB, too.

You can cop Lushlife’s Plateau Vision, out now on Western Vinyl.

How many blunts does it take? You’ll have to do your own research on that end, but beast after beast after beast makes appearance on this beat-driven, just-out-the-oven remix from Star Slinger. He gives proper justice to Darq E Freaker‘s collabo with DANNY BROWN and turns “Blueberry” inside out.

Unleash your freak factor, you best prepare.

Oh hell, here’s the video for the original track, too. Enjoy it.