COMME des GARCONS

New wallets from COMME des GARCONS. These bad boys are major.

MAKE IT SO...

The ever-eclectic Daedelus is back with "Make It So" featuring Michael Johnson, the first video from his forthcoming album Love To Make Music To on Ninja Tune (set to drop on July 15th). I'm really feelin' this joint and can't wait to hear what the rest of the record has in store.

WELCOME...

Also out this week courtesy of Stones Throw is Welcome, the debut long-player from electro beatsmith James Pants. Mr. Pants covers a variety of styles on his first offering including 80's soul, electro boogie, early rap, and new wave.



Oh yeah, did I mention he's a one man band? Dude plays nearly everything heard on Welcome himself. To sample his electro steez, check out "Crystal Lite" featuring Deon Davis below.

THEN WHAT HAPPENED?

Lyrical whiz J-Live returns today with his 4th full length Then What Happened? on BBE. Easily one of the most talented emcees in the game, J has enlisted a slew of hot producers to complement his dazzling wordplay including Dj Jazzy Jeff, Oddisee, Dj Spinna, Nicolay, and more. True school hip-hop at it's finest.

STARLITE...

One of my favorite joints from 2006, here is Panacea with "Starlite" from their Rawkus debut Ink Is My Drink. The hotness.

NoDoz: KiD CuDi

Bringing up the caboose on "NoDoz Week" is KiD CuDi from Cleveland, OH. CuDi specializes in cross-genre feel good hip-hop records that speak to the people. He's quoted as saying...

"People like records they can relate to, even if you can’t relate to something I speak about, you’ll at least understand my mind, I won’t lose anyone. Even if they haven’t walked in my shoes, they’ll feel me for me.”



Get to know CuDi yourself. Check out his first single "Day 'N' Nite" courtesy of Fool's Gold. Also, be on the lookout for his new mixtape A KiD Named CuDi sponsored by the good folks at 10.Deep. It should be dropping any day now...

VIDEO GAME JUNKIE...

NoDoz alumni Flying Lotus discusses how he got started making music and runs down his list of favorite vintage video games. Courtesy of XLR8R TV.

NoDoz: DéBRUIT

Instrumental hip-hop/IDM is my thing. I can't deny it. I love me some headphone music. Today's NoDoz'r, DéBruit, an electro-beatmaker outta France fits this category nicely.

DéBruit makes blunted beats layered with hyper edits that tend to shift rhythmic gears when you least expect it. Fans of Dabrye, Flying Lotus, and Ghislain Poirier will undoubtedly approve. For a sample, check out "Pointy" from his Coupé Décalé LP courtesy of Musique Large.

NoDoz: THE COOL KIDS

Next up on NoDoz is the CHI-town duo of Mikey Rocks & Chuck Inglish, better known as The Cool Kids. The hype machine on this twosome has been working overtime for the past year and up until today they didn't even have a record out!

However, that all changes today as The Bake Sale is now available at iTunes (in stores June 10th) courtesy of Chocolate Industries. The Cool Kids are known in equal measure for their hipster fashion and their minimalist approach to throwback rap. Peep the video for lead single "Black Mags" for a taste of both. Straight 80's rawness.

NoDoz: KELPE

This week is all about NoDoz. First up is London beatsmith Kelpe. Kelpe, born Kel McKeown, makes instrumental hip-hop with an underwater theme that recalls the wistful melodies of Boards of Canada and the folktronic pastiche of Four Tet.



Kelpe's latest album, Ex-Aquarium, continues to explore the world of watery beats as he seamlessly blends moody synthesizers, haunting melodies, and crisp drum work. For a taste of Kelpe's aquatic goodness, check out "Yippee Space Ghost (Sidversion)" below.

PARIS, TOKYO...

Weekend video strike. Here's Lupe Fiasco with "Paris, Tokyo". Great summer time vibe on this one. FNF up!

DAYVAN COWBOY...

Definitely a favorite of mine for "at work listening", here's Boards of Canada with the title track from their 2005 release Dayvan Cowboy. This record is sublime.

GOING ON...

Another hot video from Gnarls Barkley. Here's "Going On", one of the standout tracks from The Odd Couple.

CACTUS + UBIQ = ILIS

Japanese brand Cactus teams up with Ubiq to deliver the Ilis. Not too shabby.

THE IN CROWD...

Naledge & Double-O, known together as Kidz In the Hall are back with their sophomore effort The In Crowd on Duck Down Records. Peep the video for hit single "Drivin' Down the Block (Low End Theory)" below. You gotta love the Masta Ace tribute.

FANCY FOOTWORK...

The Chromeo boys are back with a new video for the title track from their 2007 runaway smash Fancy Footwork. The video pays homage to a cinematic classic, The Big Lebowski.

NIKE REJUVEN8...

Nike introduces the Rejuven8. It's like the Presto reborn. Clean.

NoDoz: SHAD

The second installment of NoDoz profiles Shad, an up and coming emcee/producer based out of Toronto. His sophomore album The Old Prince, dropped late last year and received high praise from both press and fellow artists alike.



Shad displays an obvious affection for Native Tongues era hip-hop in both his rhyme style and production taste. Soulful beats abound, complementing his laid back, easy going flow.

Fans of Blu, Talib Kweli, and Common meet your new favorite indie emcee. Check out the video for "I Don't Like To" below.

THE CRAFT: edIT

Edward Ma, also known as edIT, the self proclaimed "professional crowd slayer" talks about how he got started making music and his personal creative process. If you don't already own it, go out an buy Certified Air Raid Material. It dropped last year on Alpha Pup and it's crazy nice.

30...

SLB 23...

A true classic returns. Etnies and In4mation come together for the re-release of an iconic skate shoe, the SLB 23. Sal breaks down the new design in the video below. I'm all over these.

1976...

Reaching back to 2004, here's Rjd2 with "1976" from his sophomore release Since We Last Spoke.

MATHS + ENGLISH...

Rounding out the releases for this week is UK grime standout Dizzee Rascal with Maths + English on Def Jux. This record was actually released overseas in 2007 but didn't get stateside release until this week.

SOME CALL ME...JIM

This week marks the return of Jamie Lidell as he drops his much anticipated sophomore release, Jim. What to expect from the new record? More of the same; meticulous production, great song writing, soulful melodies, and infectious hooks. The feel good record for 2008 has arrived.