It’s been a busy few days for me. So much so that I haven’t had a chance to check the hotline to see if anyone has called and left a message about Black Music Month which means that you’ve still got a chance to call and tell me the first album that comes to mind when you think of Black music. 1-877-DONWILL
SHOWS
July 2 - I’m back at Milly’s with Parle for our second installment of the the summer series. If you didn’t make it out to the first one you got three more chances! Don’t play yourself, it’s free!
July 6 - Frankenstein’s Baby is back at Union Hall!
July 20 - Frankenstein’s Baby is back at Union Hall (again)
July 24 - I’m back at Friends & Lovers with Meka for Toast & Jams. The Juneteenth edition was an absolute VIBE. If you’re into late night parties this is the one for. you!
THE ALMANAC OF RAP
Flying Lotus is the latest guest on the show and we had pretty wide ranging conversation about his discography, filmography and the Low End Theory. The guy is fascinating. Did you know that Alice Coltrane is is aunt and he lived on her ashram for a while? Or that he produced two alarm sounds for the iPhone? Well you’ll learn about all of that and more in this episode.
You can listen to the episode here or at the youtube links above.
NEWS
Let’s see since last week I interviewed the Jungle Brothers and Maiya The Don and AZ cancelled on me. This week I’m gonna be doing a fireside chat at Conde Nast (it won’t be public, sorry!) and then heading to LA to do some BET award coverage for my show. I don’t know if that’s news or just ‘stuff that has happened’ but I kinda feel like they are one in the same?
I guess the biggest news is that I’m planning my return to Twitch. I am debating on what day to start but it looks like it will be Tuesday with the occasional Thursday thrown in for good measure. I’m still trying to figure out what time but more than likely 4-6. If you guys would like to hear the show you can find me at Twitch.tv/Donwill and I’ll be using this newsletter to keep you updated on when I’m streaming. I’m gonna try and archive the shows on Youtube as well.
VIDEOS
I bumped into Rapsody last week and told her I was hype for the new album and she was like “Oh you ain’t ready this one is DIFFERENT'“ and based on this video alone I see what she means. Mr Porter on all the beats too? Yeah… hell yeah.
I did not expect to see a new Big K.R.I.T. video and I am not mad about getting one!
Oh this is a JAM. I haven’t been keeping up with Dawn Richards but this got me feeling like I need to tap in.
I guess Conway and Whoo Kid got a tape coming. I like Conway as a rapper so I’ll definitely check it out. I can also hear stem separation software and I hate that for me.
Earthsignchels will draw Nicki Minaj comparisons because of how theatrical she sounds. That feels like where the comparisons will have to stop tho cus she is hitting on som e
The whole Roots Picnic show has been turned into a commercial for Cecred which effectively means that Beyonce has turned Jay into a beauty influencer.
How wild is this image? It feels like it should be AI but it’s not. The ‘Jay Z got a wig’ conspiracy theorists are scrambling to make sense of this. The video is a fun watch TBH. Hearing Beyonce narrate the video was kinda crazy as well.
ALBUMS
Whack’s Museum - Tierra Whack
- I ran this shit into the ground already. It’s good, really good.
Liquid Form - The Alchemist
- I had no idea this was out but it looks pretty good. Got 2 Chainz and G. Rap on it too.
The Gentlemen’s Club - YG
- YG knows how to pick beats. It’s always a moment in is projects where you think to yourself “this man absolutely listens to J Dilla”. The song Tiffany is kinda wild but I’m reserving opinions for now.
Self Deployed - Tef Poe
- I haven’t heard this album but Tef Poe and Otayo Dubb feels like a perfect match.
Saturday Night / Sunday Morning - PJ Morton
- Did I include this last week? I feel like I did but regardless this is gonna be a BANGER. I can sense it.
SONGS
Sunshine Galore - Scienze
- A feel good jam from the homie.
Rainbow - Gretchen Parlato & Robert Glasper
- Some jazzy vibes with a bounce to it
Breathe - Masego
- I vaguely remember haring this but I feel like it was sultry.
Better Than She Can - Chloe & Timbaland
- This is fun. I’m kinda excited about these two linking and hoping the AI stayed out of the sessions.
Pearl - Nate Smith, CARRTOONS & Kiefer
- more jazzy vibes with a bounce to it.
Looking fwd to your twitch sessions!
Are you saying you can hear the stem separating I’m doing too?