Tag: Theophilus London

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Music

Theophilus London – No Particular One

The only thing that matters to me at this point is family. The unconditional, deep love I have for my brother, my sister and my parents is the feeling I want to have with anyone who gets to spend more than 20 minutes with me outside of a professional environment…

If I could be born again, I live my life through my son
And tell him never have a friend, Just family
Reincarnated I’ll show him the time that I waited to get paid,
Tell him never be afraid” – Jay Z

The concept of family is being strategically challenged these days because at it’s core is the power of the clan, concentration of energy, unity, cohesion and strength. You don’t go to war with your friend, you go to war with your brother because blood runs thicker. I turned 30 this year and as I look toward the future these are the type of thoughts that come to my mind. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t some weird isolationist thing, in the future the whole world will feel like the connection we all have as family but at the moment with all the race baiting politics etc we’re not even close.

Theophilus London’s highly overlooked bonus track ‘No Particular One’ makes me think of this in relation to the girls in my life…

I don’t have, no particular one. I don’t see, no particular one…

As my instinct for concentrated love and cohesion between a group of people grows it’s hard to relate to most girls still having daddy issues or trying to figure out if they want to stay with the boyfriend they’re cheating on. The concept of family is perhaps the most powerful force there is against any sort of oppression. That’s why it’s being redefined these days to mean something else or not mean anything at all.

As a guy it’s interesting to start thinking about these things. First and foremost because if you hold such a high standard for everyone you meet you’re probably not going to get to know anyone. Secondly, boys will be boys which makes it harder to step away from the scene or only focus on the important stuff.

We are human… after all
Much in common. After all…” – Daft Punk

Deeply rooted ambition makes you seek the highest truths because you want to build real, lasting and solid things. It makes you be introspective and form a deep bond and connection with yourself that begins to dictate your actions. Prior to how I feel now, I would let the outside world dictate my inner thoughts and actions but that’s not the truth.

No I still don’t have, no-no I still don’t have, no particular one…”

And it’s all good, kicking it with girls about real shit isn’t exactly a problem. I mean these days I find myself speaking like this to everyone I meet and I can feel it bringing me closer and close to manifesting a world where the bond and strength of family is the driving force and it’s a beautiful thing. In the mean time I don’t have no particular one and as I search for the one, as a young ambitious uptown kid from the Space Age living and doing his this in the city of Angles that’s not the worst thing that could be happening. Enjoy.

Theophilus London – No Particular One

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Music

Amadou & Miriam – Nebe Miri (feat. Theophilus London)

When I woke up this morning, I had two thoughts. They were so prominent that I haven’t been able to shake them since, like when you wake up with a song stuck in your head and can’t get rid of it. The word “idol” popped into my head. I have no idea why. I wasn’t even dreaming about anyone that I idolize, which led to my second thought: doubt. Doubt in those that I idolize. I guess it’s something that I think about a lot in passing. I find myself often wondering what it is that constitutes an idol, for me, and why I’ve chosen to place them on that pedestal at this particular moment in life. It’s not like there’s a checklist in my head of things that a person must do in order to be an idol. They just kind of assume the role, and more often than not, offer some sort of educational reassurance. But that’s where doubt entered my mind this morning, where I suddenly for no particular reason, began to wonder if my idols had flaws, which would then leave room for doubt. My doubt in their ability to fulfill their duty as an idol.

This is what happens to my head on Mondays, more often than not. I get inside and sometimes can’t get out, and that’s okay. I think that for the purpose of idols and doubt, on this Monday, I’ve concluded that I have to sometimes be wary of those that I look up to. Because if I’m not, then I end up investing too much faith in something that is just as flawed as I am, if not more. The only difference is that they’ve conquered certain things in life that I have yet to conquer, and that’s why they assume to greater role in my mind. I think we tend to idolize people that do things that are not too far out of our reach, because we know that maybe one day we too will be able to do the same if not, more.

I thought this song was appropriate for today because I like the duality between Amadou & Miriam, two musicians who are respected and loved in the music scene, and Theophilus London, a newer artist with a lot to learn from. Both types of musicians are valuable and worth following, be it for technique, musicality, ethic, or whatever.

Amadou & Miriam – Nebe Miri (feat. Theophilus London)

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Music

Jimmy Edgar – Hot Raw Sex (ft. Theophilus London)

This song screams fashion week, OH YES it does, and that’s half the reason why it is blatantly appropriate to post on what is probably going to be the start of a crazy glamorized weekend filled with beautiful people and YES, “Hot Raw Sex”!  This is a weekend I wait for every year in NYC but sadly I am in LA right now, but for good reason so I can’t really complain.  This track is everything a model wants to walk down the runway too, not only does this electronic/ funk track bring out the smooth sexy strides and subtle bounce of each striking curve of the body but you mix in Theophilus London (who by the way had a great show at the Rose Bar last night at the Gramercy Hotel), I swear every time I hear his voice its like a mix of Frank Ocean and Kid Cudi, perfect runway music if you ask me.

Jimmy Edgar, taking it up a notch, this guy knows what he is doing, not only has he been experimenting with drums and tape recordings all his life but he is also a photographer which makes so much sense why some of his tracks make me think “tricked out runway show”.

Jimmy Edgar is the self proclaimed poster child of Sound Couture.”

“Hot Raw Sex“, I mean how could this title not jump start your Friday morning, I know what you’re thinking about, and yes I know what I am thinking about, so let us tip our hats to Jimmy Edgar and Theophilus London for giving us some fashion panty droppin’ madness to give us all the anthem for our weekend, enjoy!

Jimmy Edgar – Hot Raw Sex (ft. Theophilus London)

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Music

Theophilus London – Love Is More Red (feat. Sade)

Late night train rides. There’s really no better time for a serenade and a beat drop. Theophilus keeps it on the level in this track off his very free mixtape, Rose Island Vol. 1. A great deal of his other work is brighter and just a touch sweeter on life. Love Is More Red doesn’t hit those sentimental notes and instead straight keeps it real. London spits lyrics about trials and hardships both in love and money.

They say love is like a battlefield,
But if that was real we’d never see the sun, sun
The thought of lookin’ in your eyes, how that must feel
But it never will, trust it got me numb, numb… 
 
Still waiting for love to come,
Turn it all around.
Still waiting for love to come,
Turn it all around.”

Meanwhile, Sade sneaks in all smooth, operating some Soldier of Love all over this track. She plays this proud counterpart to Theophilus’ heartache. The two voices spill over salient guitar riffs and combative snares, evoking the gladiatorial arena that is love. We’ve all felt the invasive extraction of love. It can cut so deep sometimes alter huge pieces of our being. But we all keep searching, from within and without, soldiering on to the bitter end. Raise a glass and keep fighting.

Theophilus London – Love Is More Red (feat. Sade)

Sade – Soldier of Love

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Music

Theophilus London – Lighthouse (JJ Remix)

It’s not every night that you find yourself sitting on a rooftop in Fort Greene looking out on the Manhattan skyline with a bunch of jazz bros, talking and appreciating good music. But on the nights that this happens, it’s easy to get lifted off into a sublime state of euphoria. Last night I felt this extreme euphoria as I listened to people talking about the current state of music. There was such a positive energy present where everyone talking felt a deep connection to one another and to music in some way. There was so much praise for today’s music, for the products that we’re constantly subject to. It’s why blogs like this exist, after all.

Theophilus London is amongst those that I truly respect as a modern day musician who embodies the right ideals of quality creation. The music he’s created has truly set a high standard for good music and it’s something that is hard not to appreciate. It’s also a great thing to see a musician who interacts daily with his fans via Twitter, which is something I wish more artists would take advantage of. It says a lot about their character and what they value when it comes to their craft.

The JJ remix of Lighthouse is perfect in every sense. There’s a mellow build up that has me feeling bubbly all the way, and I can’t even begin to explain the release of energy that happens when the beat drops. It’s not an intense drop though, it’s just easy, holding your hand the whole way. Sometimes I listen to myself say things like this and feel like you guys have no idea what I’m talking about, but when you hear the track I think you’ll understand.

I’m including Big Spender as a bonus because that’s one of my favorite tracks off the album. It’s got so much energy and the sample is beautiful and classy. You just want to play it in those big headphones when you’re walking down the street and strut your stuff as you pretend to smack the air with one hand and hold a butt with the other.

Happy weekending!

Theophilus London – Lighthouse (JJ Remix)

BONUS:

Theophilus London – Big Spender ft. A$AP Rocky

 

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Music

Theophilus London – Dancing (Feat. Marvin Gaye)

This is definitely a party banger Theophilus pulled out of his pocket, and couldn’t be more perfect for you party animals on this Friday!  Throw in a Marvin Gaye sample, the guy who created love songs that literally made girls gasp and run to the bathroom, ya it’s no joke, he had some kind of magic in that voice and in those lyrics, I like to call him the “master of love.”  Twist up the “master of love” with Theophilus who is turning heads with his “Brooklyn Swag”, and with his ability to capture you with so many style ranges, from pop, soul, R&B, and electro, I don’t know about you but he blows my mind and I am always ready for a good time.  It would make sense that he is blowing charts and turning heads left and right, when your main influences are two of the best, Michael Jackson and Prince, those are like the great Ninjas or Gods of music!

This track is from Theophilus’ new Mixtape Rose Island Vol. 1 which is available for a Free Download, thank you TL and Warner Bros.!

Theophilus recorded most of Rose Island during Christmas in his NYC studio. TL returned to his roots with the goal of getting back to the basics for the recording of Rose Island Vol. 1. In typical TL fashion, there’s something for everyone on Rose Island Vol. 1 which is filled with hip hop bangers, electronic club tracks, sing along anthems and, of course, a couple slow jams for the ladies.

Rose Island is an imaginary place in TL’s head where he goes when he needs to escape reality and time. Some of the mix tape highlights include A$AP Rocky, Big Boi, upcoming Producer Lunice, and many more. He also Covers Pharrell Willams “Take it off’ and reworks Wang Chung’s classic ‘Dance Hall Days’.”

I have no doubt that you all are gonna want to ditch work and start your Friday grabbin’ your ladies or your gentlemen and dancin’ your pants off.  Just do it, you only live once so why not live in the moment.  Anyways press play and let your weekend begin, enjoy!

Theophilus London – Dancing (Feat. Marvin Gaye)

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Music

Et Musique Pour Tous @ Cabarete Beach (Dominican Republic)

That’s right folks, Kev and I are headed back to the Dominican Republic tomorrow to play at Cabarete Beach after a performance that same night from Brooklyns own Dynasty Electric – fresh. If this is anything like our other parties in DR we’ll be at the Viva Whindam Resort from 10PM Saturday night till an unknown time the next day. For all our DR readers make sure to get in touch with me or someone from ShaveUrLegz.com if you want to go.

I’m so grateful for these opportunities, my life has been a non stop dream so far and only my favorite Weezy line can describe how I  feel…

If I die today, it’d be a holiday…” 

I leave on a red eye in the morning and as usual my day is stacked with things to do before our departure. That said, I‘ll leave you guys with the latest and greatest mixtape from our homies over at ShaveUrLegz, enjoy.

I Spy (Metronomy Remix) – Get Cape Wear Cape Fly

I Stand Alone (Gigamesh Sunlight Remix) – Theophilus London

Weekend – Class Actress

Madder Red (Hermanos Inglesos Remix) – Yeasayer

Getaways – Big Talk

When The Night Falls (Chromeo Cover) – Mayer Hawthorne

The Wall (Shook Remix) – Louis La Roche

Oh Bauer – Jeans Team

Paradise Circus (Gui Boratto Remix) – Massive Attack

Video Games – Lana Del Rey

Categories
Music

Theophilus London – I Stand Alone (Official Video)

Are you into me?!
You never talk anymore! All you do is sing!!!”

My anthem right now…

Theophilus London – I Stand Alone

Categories
Music

Theophilus London – Girls Girls $

Money. Girls.

It is Friday right? Take it off.

Theophilus London – Girls Girls $

Categories
Music Remixes

Fly Boys: Theophilus London et Sonic Relief

Greetings from sunny Dominican Republic, where the sun is hot, the mangos are fresh, the people drive badly and party like bosses. I’ve been here a couple of days now and there are two guys whose music I cannot get out of my mind: Theophilus London and Sonic Relief.

Theophilus London is a little more established at this point of course, with his official debut album, Timez Are Weird These Days, dropping last week. I was listening to the full album with some friends and, although I hate to categorize, we all agreed that London was “the lovechild of Hip-Hop, Funk, a hint of the Kid Cudi voice and… very very nice shoes.” The whole album just makes you feel fresh, so it was hard to pick a tune to share with you all. I finally decided on this RAC mix of London’s “Why Even Try”.  Though the lyrics are reminiscent of an ugly heartbreak, the tune is perfect to pick you up on Wednesday morning.

Though based in Brooklyn, Theophilus London was born in Trinidad; when I found this out I immediately thought of another Caribbean-born/City-based producer and musician from Puerto Rico that I met a few weeks ago in New York.

Sonic Relief is Caleb Calloway, Jamrock Dillon and Martin “Phoenix Charles”. They are preparing to release their first EP, The Usual Relief, by the end of the Summer. I sat with Caleb and Martin last week at the SAE Institute Studios on Midtown to hear what they were working on. Their style and thematics remind me of London’s work: lyrics inspired by some good ol’ heartbreak, and well-mixed beats with bad boy flare. Right now, the only track available is called “Blacked Out.” Dyme-A-Duzin, Caleb, and Su Bviley manage to create a scene in this song where each rapper is a different character in a party scene: ‘The Drunk, The Superstar, and The Creep’. I’m also sharing with you all a preview of Sonic Relief’s “Yourself,” a track they where working on while I was there. The song centers on a “shroomed-out”, jetsetting girl who, for some reason, won’t escape this guy’s mind.

What is it about the Caribbean/City clash that produces these talented and suave musicians? The heat? The confidence? The grime? The style? The fact that they can dance? Decide for yourself…

Theophilus London – Why Even Try (RAC Mix)

Sonic Relief – Blacked Out (Feat. Dyme-A-Duzing & Su Bviley)

Bonus: Sonic Relief – Yourself (Snippet)

-Julia

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