Starring: New York City

Duck Sauce (the collaboration between the DJs Armand Van Helden and A-Trak)have recently released the video for the first single off their upcoming October release titled 'Barbra Streisand'. It's hard to pick all of the cameo appearances but it is quite clear that these two guys have many friends in high places. I spotted Questlove, DJ Premier, Santogold, Pharrell, Kanye, Chromeo, and even a cameo by A-Trak himself as a 15 year old winning a DMC title in 1997. I'm sure I missed a whole lot more significant cameo appearances but it's so fun that it's guaranteed I'm gonna watch it many times over... Enjoy

'New York is the place of opportunities'

R. Hunter

Das Ist Gut

'we're not joking, just joking we are joking, just joking we're not joking'

You know when a comedic actor totally switches up his style and stars in a dramatic movie and makes you sit up and realise that this guy can act and should be taken seriously... well Das Racist seem to be the hip hop version of Jim Carrey from the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with this latest release. The trio from Brooklyn, who have recently released a song named 'Combination Pizza Hut And Taco Bell', seemed destined for the 'joke rapper' label. Despite the fact that their new album 'Sit Down, Man' still retains some of the good humoured rapping style it actually stands up as a quality hip hop album. With some great production, some solid featuring artists, and lyrics laden with social commentary this is good music that doesn't take itself too seriously. You can listen to some of my favourite tracks below... Enjoy

Das Racist - Hahaha Jk_

Das Racist - Fashion Party feat. Chairlift


Das Racist - Rappin 2 U feat. Lakutis (this track uses a great and obscure sample from a Japanese artist Minmi used on a compilation CD for the cult Japanese anime show Samurai Champloo... you can check out the original here)


R. Hunter

Ra Ra Remix

Ra Ra Riot released their sophomore album, The Orchard, this year and to be honest it's nothing to write home about. A little too pop orientated and fluffy for my liking. However, this RAC mix of their first single 'Boy' is a definite improvement on the original, and if you are looking for a tasty little pop treat then this one is for you... Enjoy

Ra Ra Riot - Boy (RAC mix)


R. Hunter

I hope I'm the first to tell you about...

Twin Shadow

This guy just seems to encapsulate the essential 'hipster' vibe that is running wild in Brooklyn at the moment. I can imagine him spending an equal amount of time on his moustache and his hair in front of the mirror every morning before slipping into a just-a-little-too-small sized plain white t-shirt and driving down Bedford Ave in a hotted up classic automobile. That being said, his album is intruigingly good and he sure has the new-generation business savvy to sell his music and tickets to his live shows (he is currently selling his debut album for $1 to those people that are lucky enough to live in the US here).

His sound isn't exactly fresh and unique but it's solid. At times his arrangements can sound very similar to Hot Chip, and at other times Twin Shadow seems to be attempting to channel Morrissey (especially on the track 'Slow'), but as I said before it is a solid first release that is reluctant to be conform to just one genre. You can listen to my favourite track off his debut album, titled 'Forget', below... Enjoy.

Twin Shadow - Castles In The Snow


www.myspace.com/thetwinshadow

R. Hunter