From CSNW:

As you all know, Kanye’s Yeezus is in stores and iTunes as of (yesterday), and you know that we been running this #WhereAreYouYeezy campaign all week giving away all of his albums, so we decided to give you guys just a little bit more by giving you guys a full project to listen to as well. For those that have heard it it’s very different from the sample and drum infused Kanye that we are used to, so we went in and made a nice little mix that want that real Kanye sound, mixing samples, drums and some other gems produced by Ye. Appearances from Mase, Common, T.I., The-Dream, 2 Chainz, Pharrell Williams, Rick Ross, Drake, 88-Keys, Dwele, GLC, Consequence, Marvin Gaye, Young Jeezy, Q-Tip and many many more.

The post Kanye West – WhereAreYouYeezy Mixtape FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD appeared first on soulhead.

After reading Questlove’s roller skating encounter, we were on a hunt for more stories and encounters with Prince.  We are happy we found this engaging discussion with people who’s opinions matter.  For those of you who are true Prince nerds like us, you will eat this up.  For those of you who are not already converts to the Purple way, this will get you one step closer.

From OkayPlayer’s YouTube Channel:

In celebration of his recently released book, “I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became An Icon,” author Touré held a panel discussion on Prince this evening in New York with special guests ?uestlove, Alan Leeds and Danyel Smith.

The post Touré, ?uestlove, Alan Leeds and Danyel Smith Talk about Prince appeared first on soulhead.

This is an amazing story that we had to share with everyone.  The Roots’ Questlove, who is promoting his new book, Mo Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove, shares the intimate details of a celebrity filled adventure culminating in an amazing encounter with the purple one himself, Prince.   Much like the famous Dave Chappelle segment featuring Charlie Murphy, this story includes a Murphy (Eddie) and some pretty amazing twists and turns.  Enjoy!

From Slate.com’s BrowBeat cultural blog:

The following is an excerpt from Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Ben Greenman, out now from Grand Central Publishing.

I got a text from Prince’s assistant. That’s how things go in the Prince universe: You get a pre‑message saying that a phone message is coming later. But this time, the message said something different. It said that there was going to be a roller‑skating party that night, for Valentine’s Day, and that I should bring some cool people.I was puzzled. What did Prince mean by “cool,” exactly? I wasn’t sure if he was trusting me with the word or with the concept. I texted back: “Cool?” It turned out they meant the people who were already with me: Mos, Talib, Jill, Erykah, Common. I started to line people up in my mind and called them to give them the news. I thought they would do backflips: a party with Prince? To my amazement, most of them weren’t up for it. Jill came backstage and told me that she was tired. Talib said that he needed to be in bed before midnight. I ran into Alan Leeds, who led me to Raphael’s dressing room, where Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy were sitting and talking. I went to my same pitch: “Hey, guys, want to go roller‑skating with Prince?”“Right,” Alan said. “I’ll be in the grave before I’m in skates.”“Right,” Chris said. “Like I’m skating with these knees.”“Right,” Raphael said. “I’m too old for that shit.”

I was confused and a little depressed. How good were these peo­ple’s lives that they could pass on Prince’s roller‑skating party? Only one man was brave enough—visionary enough—to see what lay before us, and that was Eddie Murphy. “This is historical,” he said. “For starters, I need to see if Prince can roller‑skate. I’m a comedian, and honestly, what’s funnier than that?”

Prince’s assistant texted me directions to a rink in Glenside, way out in the middle of nowhere. It was around one in the morning by the time we drove out there, and the place was empty, a bare rink, and I started to worry that I had the wrong place, or that I had been punked. Maybe Alan and Chris were in on the joke. Maybe they were all somewhere laughing. Then I saw DJ Rashida and some of her friends skating. “Hey,” I said.

“Hey there,” she said. They were so happy to see us that I started to feel bad that I hadn’t brought more people. “No,” she said. “Don’t worry about it. Prince likes to keep things intimate. A dozen people is a big crowd to him.” That may have been true, but it was crazy for her to say, as a DJ, and just as crazy for me, as a DJ, to hear. Do you know how hard it is to entertain a crowd that small?The rink staff was professional, if a little nonplussed. “He’s pay­ing for us to stay open,” one guy told me. “Let’s make the best of it. What’s your shoe size?”

My girlfriend and I skated for about an hour. No Prince, no noth­ing, and the longer we went, the stranger it seemed. Was he com­ing? Was he up in the rafters, laughing? It was a strange setup, to say the least. Someone was putting down cash to keep the kid behind the snack bar there, watching the pizza bake under the heat lamp. He should have been home studying for his spelling test.

Around two in the morning we were ready to go. Still no Prince, and the anthropological benefit of watching this strange half‑attended all‑skate was wearing off. Suddenly, Eddie came in.

“Hey,” he said. “I have an idea. Maybe don’t take those skates off just yet.”

And there he came, Prince, followed by a Princely entourage: his wife, Manuela; Larry Graham; some kids. I didn’t recognize the kids but they were a familiar type—show‑biz small‑fry, like I was all those years ago, when my father took me down to the green room to meet KISS.

Prince was carrying a big briefcase in his hand, and he was acting all mysterious, like it contained the glowing substance from Pulp Fic­tion or something. He made like he was going to open it, then stopped, then started again. Then he walked toward me.

“Where’s your phone?”

“What?” I said.

“Yeah, right, what?” he said. “I know you have it, Ahmir. Where is it?”

I thought maybe he wanted to make a phone call. I admit now that’s not a plausible reading of the situation, but it was all so surreal. “It’s here,” I said.

He took it from me and turned it over in his hand. “Your coat is in coat check?”

“Yeah.”

“Put this with it.”

“Why? You think I’m going to record something?”

“Check the phone.”

“What about him?” I pointed at Eddie. “You’re not going to take his phone? He’ll tell everyone.”

Eddie put up his hands. “Hey, man, I don’t know what you’re talk­ing about. My phone’s in the car.”

Read the conclusion at Slate.com

While we are in the mood, peep this interview where Questlove talks Prince and more:

The post “The Time I Went Roller-Skating With Prince” by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson + Questlove Interview about Prince appeared first on soulhead.

It is very rare today that we get a real look at how people were grooving back in the day.   For years, community radio has been an important outlet for up and coming artists.  This was particularly true for hip hop, which did not have as many outlets on radio outside of community, college or AM stations.   Los Angeles, California’s KDAY 1580 AM was one of the most influential and helped usher in a new generation of music that would become widely embraced Worldwide.

Earlier today, we were pleased to get the inside scoop from LA based soulhead (and friend to the site), Lawrence Gilliam, who posted a really great 4-part Top 10 radio show from the mid 1980′s, which was hosted by Lisa Canning who has worked on Dancing With The Stars among other TV appearances.

Here is a recap of the top 10 list:
10. You Ain’t Fresh – Boogie Boys
9. The Show Stoppa – Super Nature (Salt N Peppa)
8. Curiosity – The Jets
7. Don’t Say No Tonight – Eugene Wilde
6. Object of My Desire – Starpoint
5. Love Bizarre – Sheila E
4. My Radio – LL Cool J
3. Wait for Love – Luther Vandross
2. La Di Da Di – Slick Rick
1. The Dream Team is in the House – LA Dream Team

For those of you who were in high school around this time can really appreciate the trip down memory lane. For those of you who weren’t around yet, peep the technique and enjoy the show!

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

The post KDAY 1580AM 1985 Campus Top 10 Show Dorsey High School Hosted by Lisa Canning [RADIO SHOW] + FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD appeared first on soulhead.

A few months back, the entire soulhead.com crew went to Hank’s Bar to check out a new band of young cats (no, really young like pre-teens) from Brooklyn, NY called Unlocking the Truth.  Like many, I had seen the videos and YouTube and was really interested in hearing them live.  A friend of the site, Brian Grosz, had told us about the show and we headed over to the show after a Nets game.

Whether you like metal or not, these kids are a sight to see and a sonic boom to behold.  I use the term “kid” loosely because they are really rocking like touring veterans.  The riffs and the arrangement were simply amazing for musicians of any age.  And frankly, their form of metal is super soulful!

Again, these guys are so talented that you have to appreciate the skill and the passion it takes to create music from scratch despite being teased by your peers and misunderstood by many in the community in which you live.

Growing up, I felt much of the same feelings as these young men feel.  Sure, I loved soul music, but also really dug the grittiness of hard rock and even metal…yes, METAL!  So, when I watched this video and read the accompanying story, I had to represent for all of those young brothers out there trying to do something different.  Let the haters hate and you just keep on steppin to the beat of your own drum!  Kudos to Malcolm, Alec and Jarad for Unlocking The Truth!

Here is another great performance:

The post Unlocking the Truth – Mini Documentary + Commentary by Ron Worthy appeared first on soulhead.

With Jon Stewart on sabbatical, many would have expected The Daily Show to be less entertaining. Sure, we dig the quick British wit of stand-in host John Oliver, but frankly, we didn’t expect him to be bringing the soul like this.  Check out soul legend Mavis Staples as she performs a couple tracks from her forthcoming LP, One True Vine. Enjoy!
More from the Daily Show:

Mavis Staples is a celebrated R&B and gospel singer, actress, and civil rights activist. Her latest album is “One True Vine” (2013). Staples’ career began in 1950 in Chicago with her family group, The Staple Singers, which performed in churches and on a weekly radio show before hitting the road in 1957. Her father played guitar in the group and after he established a friendship with Rev. Martin Luther King, The Staple Singers’ music played a crucial role in the civil rights movement. In the early 1970s, the group landed two No. 1 singles at the top of the charts, “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do It Again.” Since then, Staples has forged a successful solo career. Her albums include “Oh What a Feeling” (1979), “Mavis Staples” (1984), and “We’ll Never Turn Back” (2009). In 2001 she partnered with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy to create the album “You Are Not Alone.” The two performed at the 2010 Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. Staples has received honoray doctorates from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and Columbia College Chicago.

Can You Get To That

I Like The Things About Me

The post Soul Music Legend Mavis Staples Performs on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on June 12, 2013 appeared first on soulhead.

Artist: Melanie Charles & The Journey
Title: Introducing Melanie Charles & The Journey
Hood: Brooklyn, NY
Genre(s): Soul, Jazz
Label: Independent
Released: April 23, 2010
Social: Facebook Twitter
We were very fortunate to see this awesome singer with an incredibly powerful gift perform recently. Melanie Charles is a force to be reckoned with. Check out this really solid album. We need more music like this.

BUY

The post Introducing Melanie Charles & The Journey FULL ALBUM STREAM appeared first on soulhead.

We are really happy to bring you this amazing film from the Blaxploitation era of movies.  While some critics did not fully appreciate the content of these films, the impact to the Black community was undeniable.   Black Caesar, which stars Fred Williamson, also featured an incredible movie soundtrack by soul funk legend James Brown and included classics like “The Boss” and “Mama Feelgood” performed by Lyn Collins.  This one will have you movin’ and groovin’. Enjoy!

Black Caesar Movie Soundtrack Cover

Movie Synopsis:
In 1965, after having spent a few years in prison, a young man returns to his Harlem neighborhood willing to start their own business. Soon will become part of the mafia and will for years to control the black neighborhood. In that walked will be able to collect old debts that have left him marked.

The post Black Caesar (1973) FULL MOVIE featuring Soundtrack by James Brown appeared first on soulhead.

Brash, bold, and mostly brilliant, Kanye West’s sixth studio, Yeezus, ranks among his best work to date. It’s sure to be his most divisive album yet, even more so than the equally awesome 808s & Heartbreaks, and that’s okay. It’s not an album that’s easily digestible, especially after only one listen. It’s an album that pulsates with a dark energy and revels in its own vainglorious nihilism.

Working with an array of producers that include French electronic duo Daft Punk, Wu-Tang leader RZA, Travi$ Scott, Mike Dean, and the legendary Rick Rubin, and borrowing from a range of influences such as industrial, electro, dancehall, and soul, Yeezus pushes hip-hop way past its usual boundaries. Of course, that’s par for the course for any West album, but Yeezus takes it further.

The album opens with “On Sight,” an hilariously profane rant punctuated by video game blips, skittish hi-hats, and an outré vocal choir sample. “Black Skinhead,” one of the albums two buzz singles, has an almost stadium rock feel to it thanks to bouncy, energetic drums that recall Gary Glitter’s “Rock & Roll, Part 2.” “Blood on the Leaves” blends vocals from Nina Simone’s cover of “Strange Fruit” with a gangsta horn sample to form the sound bed of this indictment of former lovers and groupies.

“I Am A God” is ‘Ye at his megalomaniacal worst, which means it’s completely awesome. Over rumbling bass and epileptic synths, West rhymes about his own magnificence with complete impunity, regaling us with a conversation he had with Jesus about stacking millions. Working in a genre in which artists typically exalt their own supposed greatness, “I Am A God” raises the bar for narcissism.

But the album’s best song is “New Slaves,” a minimalist harangue against two of society’s worst ills, racism and consumerism. Here, West unapologetically steps into the role he’s generally known for—The Angry Black Man. He wilds out alright, telling us, “You see there’s leaders and there’s followers/But I’d rather be a dick than a swallower.” Damn. Odd Future crooner Frank Ocean lends his vocals to the song’s denouement.

There are few guests on the album, and, thankfully, they mostly play the background, allowing West to dominate the proceedings. Chi-town drill rapper Chief Keef slurs alongside Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon on the woozy “Hold My Liquor”; King L delivers impressive bars on the emergency siren thump of “Send It Up”; and former GOOD Musician Kid Cudi shows up on the 808s-esque “Guilt Trip.” And for anyone looking for College Dropout-era Kanye, the closest you’ll get is the chipmunk soul of “Bound 2,” which features smooth yet powerful vocals from Uncle Charlie Wilson.

While Yeezy’s lyricism hasn’t improved much, he does sneak in quite a few gems throughout the album. Prepare for tweets and status updates along the lines of “Hurry up with my damn croissants” and “I keep it 300 like the Romans/300 bitches/Where the Trojans?”

Sonically, however, Yeezus finds West and his collaborators taking chances and exploring heretofore uncharted territory. With its amalgam of sounds and styles, Yeezus is a near masterpiece and it certainly lives up to all the pre-release hype. It’s hard to imagine we’ll hear a more daring album in any genre of music this year.

Rating: A

Best Tracks

“New Slaves” (Live on SNL)

“Black Skinhead” (Live on SNL)

“I Am A God” (Live at Governors Ball 2013)

“On Sight” (Live at Governors Ball 2013)

“Blood on the Leaves”

The post Kanye West — Yeezus Album Review by Jay Fingers appeared first on soulhead.

We began this Saturday by thinking of some great movies with equally great soundtracks. One that immediately came to mind was the iconic early 90′s hip-hop movie, Juice, which featured one of the late rap legend Tupac Shakur‘s best performances. Playing the intense “Bishop” character, Shakur made even the most conservative critics stand up and take notice.  The soundtrack also garnered critical acclaim and included contributions by urban music legends like Naughty by Nature, Too Short, Erik B. and Rakim, and Aaron Hall amongst many others.   Enjoy!

Check out the Rotten Tomatoes Review:

Cinematographer Ernest R. Dickerson directed and co-wrote this crime drama about a group of friends who get involved in a robbery. Bishop (Tupac Shakur), Q (Omar Epps), Raheem (Khalil Kain), and Steel (Jermaine Hopkins) are four Harlem friends who spend their days skipping school, getting in fights, and casually shoplifting. The only member of the group who has plans for the future is Q, who dreams of becoming a deejay. But one day Bishop happens to see James Cagney in White Heat and the film inspires him to buy a gun. His plan is to rob a corner store and split the money. Everyone goes along with the plan except for Q, who is competing that night in a deejay contest. At the club, Q is a rousing success, but he spies the stern faces of his friends through the cheering crowd and realizes that he has to go along with the robbery, which goes completely wrong. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

The post Juice (1992) Starring Tupac Shakur [FULL MOVIE] appeared first on soulhead.