The Chuckness

Did anyone else go through a borderline unhealthy phase of listening to The Format? Sophomore year of college, right around the time they released their album Interventions & Lullabies, I became hooked. Since then, the lead singer from The Format has joined forces with members of Steel Train and Anathallo to create what we have here, known as “fun.” You all heard their release with Janelle Monae a few weeks ago, and they’ve followed that up with an equally addictive release in “One Foot”. This one was produced by Emile (who’s worked closely with Kid Cudi in his early career), and … Continue reading →

Last week we were given an initial listen to Miike Snow’s next glimpse off of their sophomore album, and this week we have the official “film accompaniment”. It’s not a music video, it’s a film accompaniment. Don’t get it twisted. The best comment on the YouTube page? “I like the part when he ran.” Tweet

It’s been a big 2011 for Skizzy Mars. The young kid from NYC stole my attention as soon as my ears got a hold of “Profound”, and he’s kept it coming for the majority of the year. His remix of Foster The People’s “Houdini” was a landmark for him, and garnered a ton of praise across the blogosphere. Here we have a little release in celebration of him hitting 10,000 Facebook fans. In his own words: “I was in the studio last night when I realized I had just hit 10,000 fans. I’ve been writing a bunch of music recently … Continue reading →

Mikey Mike. Anybody recognize the name? The dude out of Salisbury, MD has been producing for a bit now, but just hasn’t been given the full recognition that he deserves. The two of us share a mutual friend (DJ B-Rob himself), and he’s kept me in the loop with his production skills of late. When I say that Mikey’s been producing for a bit, I don’t mean he’s just sitting in his bedroom dicking around on an MPC — I mean he has legitimately produced a ton of beats for artists you’ve heard of. Wale’s Back To The Feature mixtape? Check … Continue reading →

Cris Cab is back in Boston right before Christmas, set to play a show on Friday, 12/23 at The Brighton Music Hall. The kid’s just returned from a national tour opening for O.A.R., and is about to begin another tour with everyone’s favorite Jewish rapper, Matisyahu. Needless to say, he’s built an incredible buzz for himself in a short period of time. Let’s cut to the chase: we have a pair of tickets to give away to his Boston show, because that’s what we do. HOW TO ENTER: 1. “Like” The Chuckness on Facebook. 2. Write on our wall, and … Continue reading →

Here’s another track off Common’s upcoming album The Dreamer, The Believer. This project’s shaping up to be something serious: with “Blue Sky” and “Celebrate” alone I was sold, but add on “The Believer” and “Raw”, and it looks like it’s on another level. The album hits shelves next Tuesday, December 20th. Vibe with the premiere. Tweet

I first got word of Carousel back in September, through their addictive, electro-infused indie track “Games”. The trio out of San Francisco is back with “The Thrill”, and it’s more of the same. Which, in this case, is great news. If you’re into the sound, check out their recently released EP titled 26 Allston over here. Tweet

XV’s back on the grind (not sure if he’s ever not on the grind), with this new release via his Soundcloud the other day. DJ Tech-Neek handles the production with a little sped-up soulful sample, and it fits the Wichita-native’s style perfectly. In other news, you might have heard XV’s “Awesome” in the background of Verizon commercials nation-wide — just the beginning of what’s to come. His debut album is due out in early 2012, so keep your eyes peeled. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download: XV – Chaka Shao Khan Tweet

I’m working with virtually nothing in the information department on this one. All I know is that Harriet is the spawn of a former member of PAPA, and their track “Halloween To Me” treated me right this past summer. “I Slept With All Your Mothers” has this bizarre, almost Christmas-like feel, except for the fact that they’re singing about sleeping with a bunch of Moms. This write-up is going nowhere…just hit play below. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download: Harriet – I Slept With All Your Mothers [via Neon Gold Records] Tweet

After his random mixtape drop the other week, here’s a new cut from Lupe, as he goes in over a track from the Drive soundtrack. Not only is that movie unbelievably well-done, but the soundtrack is arguably the best of the year. Just wild 80′s inspired jams like Kavinsky’s “Nightcall” that I’ve never come across before. Lupe’s remix is below. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download: Lupe Fiasco – American Terrorist III Tweet