Matador Nights » Matt Huntington

Favela on Blast: Diplo’s New Documentary on Baile Funk in Rio’s Slums

Matt Huntington — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:15:45 +0000

Still from the trailer for Favela on Blast

Extreme poverty, crime, violent drug gangs and their full fledged wars with the police: all of these negative connotations often overshadow the beauty of Rio’s so called slums, the favelas.

International DJ Producer phenom Diplo has been mining the sound of favela music (baile funk) for some time now. Given the equivalent of a ‘hood pass’ into the favelas, he’s had the chance to see and experience first hand the raw energy and charisma that make the favelas like no other place in the world.

Now, backed by his label Mad Decent, he and his partner Leandro HBL are giving us that insider’s glance with their new documentary, Favela on Blast. Assured to be a colorful journey exploring the people, culture and music of Rio’s neglected neighborhoods, this documentary will have you smiling, dancing and making the 2014 World Cup just one more excuse to visit Rio.

The trailer:

You can download the movie at favelaonblast.com for $5. It comes with a PDF with photos and information about the film’s concept, synopsis and producers.

Community Connection

If you’re interested in Diplo, maybe you want to know more. If so, hop on over to An Intro to the World of Diplo right here on MatadorNights.

Check out MatadorNetwork’s Brazil Focus Page for ideas about studying , eating, martial arts and news about Brazil.

#MusicMonday – An Intro to the World of Diplo

Matt Huntington — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:57:43 +0000

Photo: buffawhat

Thomas Wesley Pentz was a film student who used to skateboard, rock dread locks and work at Subway. Today he is recognized as one of digital music’s biggest pioneers. Matt Huntington takes us through his own personal Diplo journey.

Diplo, the international DJ/Producer with the moniker of a dinosaur, has a far from normal life. It didn’t take the world long to tune in to this guy from podunk, Edgewater, Florida, but for me Diplodocus’ music was a path of discovery, if you will.

The thing that really magnetized me about Arular, M.I.A.’s first album circa 2005, was the production. The beats behind her riley, rebellious vocals kind of blew my mind. I hadn’t ever really heard anything like it and I couldn’t stop listening. I remember peoples’ reactions when I would first play it for them. Some people hated it. Most loved it.

Though Diplo only touched a few of the tracks on Arular in actuality, his involvement in that album and the Piracy Funds Terrorism mixtape was enough to start turning heads. And enough for him to get romantically involved with M.I.A. for awhile…reason #37 guys wish they had his life.

Photo: caesarsbastian

The first time I heard his tracks on Arular it was kind of like a drug. So I kept looking for more and found the solo album, Florida, which actually came out the year before Arular. It was more intricate and focused than the favela and Miami bass inspired roller coaster tracks, and it showcased his chops. The track “Diplo Rhythm” (with Pantera Os Danadinhos, Sandra Melody & Vybz Cartel) has his signature flare recognized by most.

Then the singles and mash ups started popping up on iTunes in 2005, but you couldn’t find them in bulk enough to be satisfied. His 2006 remix of Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Gold Lion” was the jam of the year for all I cared. Same thing goes for “Young Folks Pussy” in 2007, though much sillier.

No one was really doing mash ups as cleanly and coolly as he was. As was the case with most of his music, I then found the Hollertronix Pre-Never Scared mix (not to be confused with the Hollertronix Never Scared mix, which is version 2.0) somewhere on the world wide web.

Made with Philly DJ and friend, Low Budget, whom he met at Temple while finishing college, it was the birth of the Hollertronix duo. You can hear his early influences in the mix. It’s as if he made it in his basement, and it’s full of dirty south raps, a bit of dancehall and other goodness reminiscent of early 2000.

Photo: rileyroxx

There are ten Hollertronix albums now, each with a set of outrageous mashups and featuring various DJs and associates. Hollertronix #10 is the first one to appear on iTunes. Most were strictly vinyl for a long time.

Diplo formed Mad Decent Records in 2006, and their mad decent radio mix #2 (free podcast) introduced me to Blaqstarr, New Orleans bounce, and the Baltimore club movement which has never calmed down. Now the label has a slew of unique artists signed, each from different corners of the world and putting out totally different sounds.

And though there was never a lull in his career, if it seemed there was at a time, the Pitchfork mixtape came out to hold me over in 2007. “I Like Turtles” is seventy minutes of pure joy, and the rest of the world had started to catch on at this point. In 2009 he released the aptly titled Decent Work For Decent Pay.

Photo: joseonederkid

No doubt he’s killing it off of Mad Decent and his world wide DJ appearances, however. His latest venture, Major Lazer, Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do, with friend and fellow production phenom, Switch, was no minor blip on the radar. Grammy nominated, ah hem.

The vault goes deeper. 2003 and 2004, the AEIOU mixtapes one and two with Triple Double are full of obscure, dusty soul and rhythm. Of course he got the invite from Fabric Live in London and blessed their 24th release in 2005.

The Santgold Top Ranking Dub Mixtape in 2007 is one of my favorites, and currently in heavy rotation is Free Gucci: The Best of the Cold War mixtape that is full of bangers.

The point of all this is that you should open up your ears and do some digging of your own…and that Subway makes winners.

Community Connection

Dig deeper for music with our picks for 50 music sites that matter. Free mixes by Ghostly Music and Atlas Sound will also do you well.

#MusicMonday – 50 Collaborations You’ve Got to Hear

Matt Huntington — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:05:08 +0000

If you’re looking for top notch examples of what happens when artists combine talent and sounds, look no further.

Anthrax and Public Enemy

Bring The Noise
Something about being at work for way too long right now but listening to this song makes everything ok.

Jurassic 5 and Nelly Furtado

Thin Line
I like that this happened before she blew up…Canadian Maneater.

Kylie Minogue & Nick Cave

Where The Wild Roses Grow
If you’ve ever fantasized about western romance.

Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat

Pursuit of Happiness
They are all on the moon.

MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend

Heartbreaker
I expected a train wreck but it’s really, really nice actually.

Santigold, Strokes, Pharrell (Converse)

My Drive Thru
I dance to this by myself. Frequently.

Dizzee Rascal + Calvin Harris

Dance Wiv Me and Holiday
If you fancy Brits.

Propeller Heads + Shirley Bassey

History Repeating
You might recognize her voice.

N.A.S.A. featuring David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip

Money DJ/producer duo, N.A.S.A., put together an entire of album of original tracks with a star studded line up. This is just a glimpse.

Massive Attack+Tracy Thorn

Protection and Better Things
You might cry.

Robert Plant and Alison Kraus

Raising Sand
It won 5 Grammys. You and your parents can agree on something to listen to.

Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Nothing Else Matters
This one made me cry.

George Michael and Aretha Franklin

Knew You Were Waiting for Me
Two queens of pop?

George Michael & Mary J Blige

As
Two queens of pop covering a king of pop (Stevie Wonder)?! Bad joke.

Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney

The Girl is Mine
“The doggone girl is mine.”

Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson

Scream
RIP MJ; Janet looks hot in the video. Wrong to say those things in the same sentence?

David Bowie and Queen

Under Pressure
Bowie’s first released collaboration, it debuted on Queen’s album and Vanilla Ice got rich off it.

David Bowie and Bing Crosby

Little Drummer Boy
What the hell did they talk about when they weren’t on set?

Mick Jagger and David Bowie

Dancing In The Street
I know what they talked about off set.

Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger

Walk And Don’t Look Back
Please check out Mick’s moves in this video.

Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg

My Medicine
These guys had plenty in common backstage too.

Beck & Charlotte Gainsbourg

Heaven Can Wait
Great artist + great artist = Great song.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Gainsbourg

Constipation Blues
Happens to everyone.

Loretta Lynn & Jack White

Portland, Oregon
Just cool.

Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash

Girl From The North Country Fair
Nothing to say here.

Jerry Garcia and David Grisman

Shady Grove
Phenomenal album.

Jimi Hendrix and BB King

Slow Blues
Album – The Kings Jam

Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate

Kala Djula
Two African musical legends on one album, In the Heart of the Moon

Toumani Diabaté & Björk

If you find a good recording of this please post a response with it.

Otis Redding and Carla Thomas

Tramp
I’d rather be “country” than a tramp.

Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach

God Give Me Strength
You’d be surprised how many people told me about this duo.

Pete Rock & C. L. Smooth

They Reminisce Over You
T.R.O.Y.

Amy Winehouse and Ghostface

You Know I’m No Good
He is way more well behaved than her.

Mark Ronson and Santogold

Pretty Green
Ronson’s album Version is full of these.

Nickodemus and Jay Rodriguez

Funky in the Middle
Shake a leg.

Kelis featuring Andre 3000

Millionaire
I say this to mom a lot…

Major Lazer

Pon de Floor
Super producer duo Diplo and Switch = Major Lazer. Vybz Kartel gets in on this one too.

Aerosmith and Run DMC

Walk This Way
Know it. Love it.

Brand New Heavies and Guru

It’s Gettin’ Hectic
Heavy Rhyme Experience was the mid 90’s jammer.

Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks

Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
American, feel good combo.

Beck and The Dust Brothers

Black Tambourine
Dust Brothers helped Beck craft his albums Odelay, Midnite Vultures and Guero. They can also take credit for Beastie Boys album Paul’s Boutique.

Jaylib

The Red
Madlib and J Dilla (RIP) combine as “Jaylib” to make the album “Champion of Sound.”

Madvillain

Accordion
Madlib and MF DOOM come together as “Madvillain,” album appropriately titled “Madvillainy.”

Madlib and Blue Note Records

Slims Return
Check out the video to get a glimpse of Madlib’s chops. Madlib remixes a load of classic Blue Note tunes, album titled Shades of Blue.

Dangermouse and MF Doom

The Mask
Album is called “The Mouse and The Mask”. This track is extra spicy courtesy of Ghostface.

Broken Bells

Vaporize
Dangermouse and James Mercer from The Shins create this new indie rock sound. Album out soon.

Black Keys featuring Raekwon

Stay Off The Fuckin Flowers
Damon Dash brings together the Black Keys and eleven mcs such as Mos Def, GZA and Jim Jones for project Blak Roc.

Black Lips and GZA

Stuff That Went Down at SXSW Last Year
Don’t get that last one confused with this one, because then you will just sound like a dork.

The Chemical Brothers and Fat Lip from Pharcyde

The Salmon Dance
What it do?

Cut Chemist feat. Hymnal

What’s the Altitude
Keep the beats + rhymes thing going.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

Summertime
That just happened!

Judgement Night Soundtrack

A compilation treasure chest that changed my little 6th grade life, it’s one of the first (and actually good) ventures into this rap + rock arena. Eat your heart out Linkin Park and Jay Z.

Hard to pick one track off the whole album, but Fallin’ with De La Soul and Teenage Fan Club. is definitely a fave.

Community Connection

Still on the hunt for more music? Try 30 Songs that Capture the Spirit of Travel.

#MusicMonday – Ghostly Music and The New Indie Revolution

Matt Huntington — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:54:21 +0000

Michna breaks out. Photo: ffg

Giant record labels are dead. Sorry, Jay Z. Def Jam is just not that cool any more.

The big, corporate labels are dinosaur fossils (insert big high five to the internet here) in an industry that is now thriving off the entrepreneurial efforts of the artists themselves. Successful are the labels that can figure out not only how to distribute their music in new and different ways, but also brand themselves.

One of these labels is on Ghostly International. A passport for flavor, Ghostly is a creative house where art and music live under the same roof. Their makeup and roster has a more unique range of tastes than the Baskin Robbins in Bangladesh.

To get a feeling for their artists and sounds, download the mixtape collaboration,Ghostly Swim, that they did for cartoon loonies Adult Swim.

Another ingenious way to spread their sounds, Ghostly released one of the coolest (and FREE?!) iPhone apps I have seen, Discovery. Simply set your music mood on their color wheel and you’re instantly streaming a mix of their artist catalog.

If you want to dive deeper, I urge you to check out two of my current label favorites, Michna and School of Seven Bells.

Michna’s album, Magic Monday, is a tightly knit piece of instrumental and electronic beat production. Throw on your headphones, press play, and this album will take you on little trip from start to finish.

School of Seven Bells is held together by the heavenly vocals of the two, sexy Deheza sisters and clean sound design of Benjamin Curtis. They got their name from a mythical group of pick pocketing, South American orphans. Another relaxing trip for your ears and mind.

All in all, not too shabby of an output from a label founded in 1999 by a 19 year old, right? We could all learn something from Ghostly.

#Musicmonday: We Make It Good Mix Series (Free Download!)

Matt Huntington — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:56:16 +0000

Looking for new tunes on this monday? Check out one of the best mixtape series around. Hands down.

Curators of goodness, the We Make It Good crew, teamed up with The FADER back in spring of 2008 to birth a mixtape series called, go figure, the “We Make It Good Mix Series.” Summoning renowned DJs and artists such as Pretty Titty, XXXchange, Blaqstarr and Sinden, they’re going strong on their tenth release. Each volume has a completely unique sound and style that provides a glimpse into the different artists’ genre and tastes.

One recent volume in heavy headphone rotation that’d I’d like to highlight is byPaul Devro of Mad Decent (Diplo’s label and brainchild).

Devro gets all Houston choppy and screwy-like with such tracks as Salems ”Trapador” then seamlessly bleeds into a Skream remix of Mad Decent’s Major Lazer flagship track “Hold the Line.” There are hints of pure gangster, international dance flavor and classic, hot reggae tracks like John Holt’s “Strange Things” and one my personal favs, “Under Mi Sleng Teng” by Wayne Smith, who sounds as Jamaican as John Wayne. If John Wayne road around 24/7 with blunts in his holsters preaching Jah, or just how much he loves smoking weed.

Download HERE and full track list below.

We Make it Good Intro
Salem – Trapdoor
Major Lazer – Hold The Line (Skream Remix)
Kelis – Awww Shit
John Holt – Strange Things
Plies – All Black
Fat Pimp – Check Me Out
DJ Nate – Free
DJ Vielo – Caps Angolano
Ethiopians – He’s No Rebel
Wayne Smith – Under Mi Sleng Teng
Boddhi Satva – Punch Koko + Secret Tamil Hornz
Kyla – Do You Mind (Crazy Cousins Remix) + Screwd
Deee-Lite – Applejuice Kissing
Crookers (Phra) – E.D.S.
Kantik – Punani Bubbling
Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley
Latino Be My Baby Outro

Go to the We Make It Good site to download all ten WMIG volumes with full track listings.

We Make It Good is a self-described “group of writers, curators, dreamers, and thinkers telling stories in spectacular ways through the varied mediums of film, music, art, and experience.” Check them out on Facebook if you like.

Community Connection

Need more? Check out last week’s #musicmonday mix by Atlas Sound, or our recent rundown of 8 Musicians Who Will Make You Rethink World Music. Also peep our list (with videos) of 30 Songs That Capture The Spirit Of Travel.

10 Music Blogs to Keep Your iPod Stacked with Fresh Beats

Matt Huntington — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:40:17 +0000

Photo by Thomas Purves

With free mixtapes, remixes, and underground music all over the web, the global music scene is more vibrant than ever. Keep your iPod fresh with these downloads.

Just like video killed the radio, MP3 might have killed the LP. Granted that doesn’t hold true for a lot of purists out there, but you have to wonder when iTunes recently exceeded over 5 billion downloads sold.

Either way you cut it, the web has done a lot of good for music too. Freeing artists from their labels, popularizing others that might otherwise have gone unnoticed and providing yet another resource for music heads to find their next favorite tracks.

Photo by fernando

Here are a few resources you might like. Use these tools wisely.

1. Peel program:

With Peel, add your favorite music blogs to the interface and each day the program will go through and literally “peel” (get it?) all the mp3s from your blogs onto one easy-to-use menu.

You can browse the music, listen to the tracks, and download the ones you like straight into your Itunes library. You can’t Peel every blog.

And you will find yourself sifting through a ton of tracks if you add several blogs, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, is it?

2. The Fader:

The Fader has expanded its magazine publication to a super, all-inclusive site where these arbiters of good taste have a little something for everyone. Videos, free music, and mixtape downloads, good articles on your favorite artists or the ones you just discovered you like: you can find all of these on the Fader. Check it every day!

3. Fully Fitted:

Contributors xxxchange, Pase Rock, Mr. Devlin and Darko are dope, full time artists who blog this site in their spare time when they aren’t killing it all around the world.

One of my favorite tracks is xxxchange and Darko’s remix of Kenna’s “Out of Control”. Dig on through older posts to download other great music. Learn more here.

Photo by ming2046

4. Mad Decent:

Mad Decent is Diplo’s label and this site is a home base of sorts. Go here to download some of his latest remixes, as well as other soulful, international burners that serve as inspiration for some Mad Decent tracks and muse for us normal folk.

5. The Hype Machine:

This site aggregates pretty much every MP3 that is posted on the web. Sign up for an account, pick the artists and/or blogs you want to keep an eye on watch the tracks stream in. Find out what you like, then go buy it!

6. Stereogum:

A oldie but goodie, Sterogum has been around for a minute. Broad tastes from Cut Copy to Flying Lotus keep me tuning in to snag a track here and there.

7. Gorilla Vs. Bear:

From new Sigur Ros to a J Dilla cut I had never heard….throw this one your Peel.

8. RCRDLBL:

This site releases exclusive tracks from emerging and established artists in a clean way. By clean I mean you can find some great stuff for free and not feel dirty about downloading it. It’s a good site model.

9. Mojo:

Mojo is an Itunes sharing program where you can dig through other users’ libraries and download anything you want straight into your library.

10. Other blogs that I have on my Peel:

Fluxblog, Certified Banger, Disco Workout, Big Stereo, Foe Weel and on and on and on. Start with one, and you will find others that you like.

There you go. Off and peeling new music. Now, while you’re out there discovering new tunes, what blogs do you recommend?