Best Playlist on my iPod; The REAL Playlist of Addiction

I made a playlist on my iPod of all of the songs I love, and I can’t stop listening to it. I’ve written about most of them, but I’m just putting them all on one post for fun. The playlist is always on shuffle, and is generally amazing. It’s also an iMix on iTunes, so if you search “Totally fly Flying Kites”, it should be there!

1. “That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Ting’s- Is it possible to have a sexual attraction to a song? I think it is.
2. “Ottoman” by Vampire Weekend
3. “Time to Pretend” by MGMT
4. “Womanizer” by Britney Spears- I think I’m the only person in America who hasn’t gotten tired of this song.
5. “Human” by The Killers
6. “Give it 2 Me” by Madge (Madonna, deary)- So, she’s as old as Methuselah. Doesn’t mean she can’t serve up a hell of a dance tune. Queen of pop + Pharell = Earth Shattering.
7. “No More Gas” mixed by DJ Earworm
8. “One of the Boys” by Katy Perry
9. “Happy Together” remade by The Flobots – The bad sound quality and weird keyboards in this song tend to give me remission, but I still love it!
10. “Untouched” by The Veronicas
11. “United State of Pop” mixed by DJ Earworm- DJ Earworm rocks my world, because not only does he give away his mixes for free on his website, but his mixes also integrate many different genres and are incredibly daring and bold.
12. “Bassment Party” by The Cool Kids
13. “Xavia” by The Submarines
14. “Circus” by Britney Spears
15. “Middle Management” by Bishop Allen- This song is so upbeat and sweet, I can’t help but listen to it!
    
16. “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse- Incredibly awesome song, which has been used on numerous TV shows, including most of my favorites. Includes an ingenius beat.
17. “Dynamo of Volition” by Jason Mraz
18. “‘After Hours” by We Are Scientists- I was originally introduced to this song through Akiva Schriver’s amusing video for it, but I came to love it through the “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” soundtrack.
19. “Make it Mine” by Jason Mraz
20. “Butterfly” by Jason Mraz- This song is kind of dirty in an unconventional way, but I love the addictive melody and the amazing guitar licks.
    
21. “Mudhouse/Gypsy MC” by Jason Mraz- I recently titled a note on Facebook “I’d like to give a shout out to all my VIP’s”. I love this song.
    
22. “Electric Feel” by MGMT- I love this song because I was kind of scared by the video at first, then I listened to the song and I said “Wait, this is totally my life”.

IMPORTANT NOTE: On iTunes, DJ Earworm’s mixes and “Happy Together” by the Flobots are not included. DJ Earworms mixes are available, free from source right here, and the Flobots cover is found here.

Playlist of Addiction

1. “Miracle?” by Kristoff Krane- This unexpected rap song really got to me. It’s so inspirational, and it really is the cure to rap songs being too intense instead of being spiritual and, more importantly, meaningful. The acoustics really pull the song together, with the hip-hop beat fitting in with the rest of the melody of the song. I am very surprised and impressed by this song, and urge you to listen to it.
2. “Far Far” by Yael Naim- This is an amazing song. It’s incredibly relaxing and very whimsical.
3. “Money Maker” by Ludacris- The song that keeps coming back to haunt me. It’s so inappropriate, but it’s such a great song, and it’s so well produced! I know, I’m horrible.
4. “Cult of Dionysus” by The Orion Experience- The only reason I’m putting this on this week’s playlist is because we’ve been studying mythology in my World Literature class, and this song is so perfect.
5. “The Reason” by Hoobastank- Reason number one I love this song: it doesn’t sound like Hoobastank! If you took the time to listen to Hoobastank’s amazing album accompanying this song (The Reason), then you’ll know that Hoobastank was more alternarock than anything! It would seem like thesewere the type of guys who wouldn’t apologise for anything! Reason number two I love this song: it is the perfect apology. Very cute song.

LISTEN TO THIS: The Cool Kids

I know I don’t usually post hip hop, mainly because it tends to be so mainstream. However, I’ll bring The Cool Kids to light today, since the group has some of the sickest beats I’ve ever heard. With influences like The Ohio Players, NERD, The Isley Brothers and other great musicians, the rap group from Illinois definitely sets the bar high for other rap groups. With songs like “A Little Bit Cooler”, the group explains that they don’t really need to look like the typical rap superstars to be the best. They’re definitely a group to look out for.

VID OF THE DAY: This song is so addicting

I have fallen in love with this song. I don’t like Nelly, DEFINITELY don’t like Fergie, but love this song.

VID OF THE DAY: Past+Present=These kids

There are many reasons I’ve loved this vid, and this song, but I just think it’s so funny that these kids really self-produced this video- there’s great lighting, the sound quality is amazing, and does anyone else think the kids look just like Kanye, Lupe, and Pharrell? I don’t think it’s me!

LISTEN TO THIS: Sinik

Sinik is a French rapper. His song with James Blunt is pretty darn fantabulous. Need I say more?

Music Industry = Irresponsibility

Within the past year, hip-hop and rap artists have been arrested for weapon possessions and gang affiliations more times than Paris Hilton has drunk Champagne. Just recently, not only has Remy Ma has been convicted of first-degree assault, attempted coercion, and criminal possession of a weapon, but, coincidentally, rapper T.I. has plead guilty to federal weapons charges. Honestly, all of these arrests have only supported stereotypes of Black musicians, and, more importantly, African-Americans in general. Why is it presumed that I am violent because of the color of my skin? More importantly, why are so many powerful black people, specifically in the rap and hip-hop industries, involved with such shady business? Though it is true that many rap and hip-hop artists gain greater credibility by referencing violence, most other musicians, in general, opt to stay away from the topic of violence and still sell millions of albums. This lets me believe that to be in the music industry, you can have a successful career while maintaining a respectable lifestyle. If I had the power to change anything in the music industry, it would be the violence and corruption associated with it. However, I don’t have the power; the musicians have the power. Since, as we all know, with great power comes great responsibility, I believe that one of the many responsibilities of musicians is to guide others through their song. Quite frankly, I don’t think many of them are really responsible.