From NEW BREED to the SECOND LINE
Dawn Richard is back with her new album Second Line, her first album with Merge Records and her first new album since 2019’s New Breed. As “a movement to bring pioneering Black women in electronic music to the forefront.” Dawn continues to push forward with breaking down the barriers placed keeping Black artists in one genre. With her previous work Blackheart & Redemption, Dawn has explored Dance and Electronic sounds. Fast forward to 2021, Dawn continues showcasing her New Orleans influences - An Electro Revival.
On Second Line, Dawn Richard’s introduces alter-ego ‘King Creole' — an “assassin of stereotypes, a Black girl from the South at a crossroads in her artistic career.” The album shines as an ode to the Second Line — a New Orleans tradition of celebration usually at a funeral with a parade. The bulk of the album includes uptempo dance styled rhythms, preceded by the single “Bussifame”.
Dawn Richard - Bussifame [VIDEO]
Ahead of the album drop, Dawn shared, “Pilot (A lude)” “Jacuzzi,” “FiveOhFour" (A lude) with accompanying visuals and “Mornin | Streetlights”. Second Line is available now from Merge Records. Available in stores (CD & Vinyl), plus on all streaming platforms.
Having sat with the album, 1 day after the release. It’s definitely hard to pick a Top 3. You just have to play the whole album and run it back. And these interludes need to be longer but in true Dawn Richard fashion, the interludes is going to slap.
CURRENT FAVORITES - NOSTALGIA, JACUZZI, STREETLIGHTS, PERFECT STORM — yeah the whole thing. The run from “Le Petit Morte (a lude)” to “Selfish (Outro)”, PRESSURE!
Just go purchase and watch that Boomerang video.
Teyana Taylor - Gonna Love Me / You're All I Need (ELSVNATE MIX)
Finally got around to putting this mix together after mixing it in a set several times before. Same vibe from both songs; Teyana Taylor’s “Gonna Love Me” and Method Man’s “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By” featuring Mary J. Blige – so why not bring them together. Especially with Method Man Verzuz Redman happening.
Doja Cat and SZA in new “Kiss Me More” video
Doja Cat’s latest offering, the SZA-assisted single “Kiss Me More” takes the pair to their own distant world. The video has already racked up over 13 million views since its release. Press play on the video below.
Kiss Me More is set to appear on Doja’s forthcoming project.
KiD CuDi performs on SNL in a dress
Kid Cudi’s appearance on “Saturday Night Live” where he paid tribute to former Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain; sent the Internet into a frenzy when he came onstage in a floral pattern custom Off-White dress equipped with sturdy spaghetti straps.
KiD CuDi performed “Sad People” as the crowd applauded his performance. Earlier in the night, he wore an olive green cardigan over a T-shirt with the late comedian Chris Farley on it. Fans realized Cudi’s wardrobe choices were actually part of a well thought out plan to honor one of his favorite musicians, who commit suicide 28 years ago on April 5.
Cobain wore the green cardigan during Nirvana’s MTV “Unplugged” and he wore a similar dress during a concert. Cudi revealed that the dress is part of an upcoming Off-White collection he’s curating.
Watch KiD CuDi’s performance below.
Miguel releases new EP ‘Art Dealer Chic 4’
Following the release of the first three installments of Art Dealer Chic on all streaming platforms. Miguel returns with new records, adding to the Art Dealer Chic releases. With the releases being added to streaming platforms, it’s the perfect way to reintroduce his old hits to new fans who are late to the party.
Art Dealer Chic 1, 2, and 3 was released preceding Miguel’s sophomore album Kaleidoscope Dream in 2012. With Art Dealer Chic 4, hopefully the trend continues leading up to his next studio album.
DVSN "HALLUCINATIONS" ELSVNATE MIX
One of my favorite DVSN records just happened to on the mixing floor for me. Couldn’t get it out of the Deck and proceeded with mixing it a few times. But here’s the first of the batch of mixes. See if you can figure out the second song.
Ashanti & Keyshia Cole VERZUZ Breakdown
Following two COVID-19-related postponements, Ashanti and Keyshia Cole finally sat down for their VERZUZ battle. The battle, which was originally scheduled for December 12, was first postponed after Ashanti tested positive for the virus. The second delay still seems unclear but was stated to be in response to rising COVID numbers in the nation, as well as the recent events at the Capitol in Washington D.C.
The battle started with concerns again as the 8PM start time saw neither Ashanti or Keyshia Cole show, as both artist’s DJs continued to mix records back and forth. The visual feed looked great as well as the sound. Ashanti finally appeared a little after 9 and said the delay was due to technical difficulties. As everyone waited for Keyshia Cole, Ashanti held us over by playing a few of her records and assuring Keyshia Cole was on the way. Keyshia Cole finally appeared around 9:30, clearly upset and went right to starting the battle with no word on what caused her delay.
VERZUZ BREAKDOWN
Round 1: Keyshia Cole: I Changed My Mind / Ashanti: Happy
Round 2: Keyshia Cole: I Should Have Cheated / Ashanti: The Way That I Love You
Round 3: Keyshia Cole: Enough of No Love [ft. Lil Wayne] / Ashanti: Don’t Leave Me Alone
Round 4: Keyshia Cole: Shoulda Let You Go [ft. Amina] / Ashanti: Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
Round 5: Keyshia Cole: I Remember / Lloyd: Southside [ft. Ashanti]
Round 6: Keyshia Cole: Last Night / Jennifer Lopez: Ain’t It Funny Remix [ft. Ja Rule and Cadillac Tah] (co-written by Ashanti)
Round 7: Keyshia Cole: Playa Cardz Right [ft. Tupac Shakur] / Tupac Shakur: Pac’s Life [ft. T.I. and Ashanti]
Round 8: Keyshia Cole: Love / Ashanti: Rain on Me
Round 9: Keyshia Cole: Trust and Believe / Charli Baltimore, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita: Down 4 You
Round 10: Keyshia Cole: You’ve Changed / Ashanti: Runaway
Round 11: Keyshia Cole: Heaven Sent / Ashanti: Baby
BREAK
Round 12: Ashanti: Only U / Keyshia Cole: Brand New
Round 13: Fat Joe: What’s Luv? [ft. Ja Rule and Ashanti] / Keyshia Cole: Trust [ft. Monica]
Round 14: Fabolous: Into You [ft. Ashanti] / Jaheim: I’ve Changed [ft. Keyshia Cole]
Round 15: Ashanti: Movies / Sean Paul: Give It Up 2 Me [ft. Keyshia Cole]
Round 16: Ja Rule: Mesmerize [ft. Ashanti] / Keyshia Cole: Let It Go [ft. Missy Elliott & Lil’ Kim]
Round 17: Ashanti: Foolish / Keyshia Cole: Never [ft. Eve]
Round 18: Ashanti: Breakup 2 Makeup / Keyshia Cole: You Complete Me
Round 19: Ashanti: Don’t Let Me / Keyshia Cole: You [ft. Remy Ma & French Montana]
Round 20: Ja Rule: Always on Time [ft. Ashanti] / Keyshia Cole: I Don’t Wanna Be
ELUSIVE REVIEW
With the VERZUZ starting late and the energy shift once Keyshia Cole entered, major records hit differently. Records that were definite wins for Keyshia, didn't flow or go over as well during the battle as I thought. The order of the tracks may have shifted points that I had for Keyshia Cole. Overall, Ashanti’s energy, singing along and the beginning definitely put Ashanti’s expected win over the edge.
ELUSIVE SCORECARD
ROUND 1 - KEYSHIA COLE
Keyshia’s breakout record against a big Ashanti record, which I love but not my favorite. Not what I would’ve started the battle with. Although if Ashanti had mixed in the Happy Remix, It would have gone to her.
ROUND 2 - ASHANTI
Keyshia should have saved I Should Have Cheated. Felt it was too early and it didn't hit like expected as one of her bigger records. Ashanti choosing The Way That I Love You was a great answer as I expected Rain On Me to go against I Should Have Cheated
ROUND 3 - ASHANTI
While I love the Enough of No Love track - only recently got in to it. Don’t Leave Me Alone is a fan favorite and one of my favorite Ashanti records. Sucks it didn’t get the treatment and rollout it deserved when it released due to the Murder Inc issues.
ROUND 4 - ALMOST TIE BUT ASHANTI
This was a hard one. Although including the Rock Wit U Remix, slightly gives Ashanti the edge but both strong songs.
ROUND 5 - KEYSHIA COLE
ROUND 6 - ASHANTI
Love the Diddy record but Ashanti’s Ain’t It Funny is fire and (I guess for J.Lo) - still gets played more to this day for me.
ROUND 7 - ???
Not a fan of either of these Pac posthumous Records. I guess Ashanti’s record but neither. Different songs could have been used here.
ROUND 8 - ASHANTI
Almost tie. Love is classic Keyshia Cole. Rain on me overall is bigger than Ashanti.
ROUND 9 - ASHANTI
Down 4 U feels like summer and so nostalgic. Trust and Believe always feels like a throw away with Tamar’s Love & War In existence, though it’s a great record.
ROUND 10 - ASHANTI
Another round where other songs could’ve gone. Going with Runaway
ROUND 11 - KEYSHIA COLE
Yeah - nothing was beating Heaven Sent. Though Baby was a great follow.
ROUND 12 - ASHANTI
… and nothing was beating Only U
AND THE REST OF THE BATTLE FELT RUSHED WHICH I DON’T UNDERSTAND. IF INSTAGRAM WOULD HAVE SHUT DOWN THE FEED. OR IF THE FEED WOULD HAVE CONTINUED ON APPLE MUSIC IF THEY WENT OVER
ROUND 13 - KEYSHIA COLE
ROUND 14 - ???? / KEYSHIA COLE
Great Fab record but when Tamia’s version exists, it’s kinda hard to give it a win. I don’t really love the Jahiem/Keyshia record but lets give Keyshia a point … maybe. Ashanti should have mixed in Fabolous - Ashanti Record.
ROUND 15 - KEYSHIA COLE
ROUND 16 - TIE
Great Records. (This should’ve started the battle and set the tone)
ROUND 17 - ASHANTI
Loved Keyshia playing Never but its Foolish. and the addition of Unfoolish. Hands down point for Ashanti
ROUND 18 - ASHANTI
Breakup 2 Makeup - Like “Don’t Leave Me Alone” another missed opportunity with whatever was going on behind the scenes at Murder Inc. A Favorite off of the album. The Mary J Blige influence. Right there with Mesmerized and Rock With U as far as nostalgia and feeling like Summer. Also, great song choice for Keyshia Cole
ROUND 19 - KEYSHIA COLE
It’s the Remy feature that put Keyshia over the edge for the point. Underated record. Even against another great Ashanti record.
ROUND 20 - ASHANTI
Would’ve gone with Keyshia if she went with I Just Want It To Be Over. but a new record against one of Ashanti’s first records, make it an automatic point for Ashanti. Would’ve loved to see Always on Time mixed with Leaving (but she slid that in while we waited for Keyshia)
SO THE SCORE CARD
ASHANTI (12 - 8) KEYSHIA COLE
DAWN RICHARD "RENEGADE" ELSVNATE MX
EXTENDING MIXING WITH THE ADDITION OF LEARNING THE DJING PLATFORM HAS BROUGHT OUT SOME DOPE ACCIDENTS AND SOME MORE REFINED MIXING. WHAT STARTED WITH BLOW MIXED WITH DAMAGED BROUGHT ME TO RENEGADE. SIMPLE BUT DOPE.
