[16 To End 2016] Ninja Dom Edition

#1 – “Tangle Formations” by Explosions In The Sky from their seventh studio Album, The Wilderness.

  • The experimental post-rock band has moved past their days of scoring Friday Night Lights and set their sights on even more ambitious goals with a reinvented sound. The Wildnerness is as much of a conceptual and enjoyable journey as the previous projects, but with more structure and direction.
Explosions In The Sky
Tangle Formations

#2 – “Laputa (Taylor McFerrin Remix)” by Hiatus Kaiyote from their remix LP, Recalibrations Vol. 1.

  • After releasing one of my favorite projects from 2015, the Early Riser LP, McFerrin made another splash this past May by reimagining a track from Hiatus Kaiyote’s 2015 album Choose your Weapon.
Hiatus Kaiyote
Laputa (Taylor McFerrin Remix) (feat. Anderson .Paak)

#3 – “It’s A Memory Feat. Elohim and Mansions on the Moon (Amtrac Remix) by Fred Falke from his remix EP, It’s A Memory – the Remixes.

  • In an unsurprising turn of events, Amtrac has put together the most impressive EDM remix of 2016, fusing the elements laid out by Fred Falke with his own brand of wizardry to create a one-of-a-kind track.
Fred Falke
It’s A Memory ft. Elohim, Mansions On The Moon (Amtrac Remix)

#4 – “Earth Girls” by Jesse Boykins III from his mixtape, Bartholomew.

  • While the album has features from the likes of Noname, Little Simz, Willow Smith, Syd, Mick Jenkins and others, his best work is done on a solo piece, Earth Girls. I wrote about this song earlier this year here.
Jesse Boykins III
Earth Girls

#5 – “Nights” by Frank Ocean from his second studio album, Blonde.

  • While it took Frank 4 years to give us another album, he certainly delivered with Blonde. In releasing his 2016-version of “Pyramids”, Frank gives us a growing piece that stands up to any criticism lobbed his way.
Frank Ocean
Nights

#6 – “Ultralight Beam Feat. Kelly Price, Donnie Trumpet, Chance the Rapper, The-Dream and Kirk Franklin” by Kanye West from The Life of Pablo.

  • The introduction track from the most hyped release of 2016 also gave us the best hip hop verse of the year – in addition to the most diverse contributors to a single track. Another instant classic to go in Kanye’s hall of fame catalog.
Kanye West
Ultralight Beat (feat. Chance The Rapper)

#7 – “My True Name” by Bloc Party. from their fifth studio album, Hymns.

  • 4 years after the release of Four, and after a major band member shakeup no less, Bloc Party returned to the studio headed by Kele to deliver one last time with another intimate, topical record.
Bloc Party
My True Name

#8 – “With Me” by Lane 8 from his project, This Never Happened.

  • The Leipzig-based producer started out 2016 with “Midnight” and has been a beacon of consistency for the electronic music world. Each of his releases have been of superb quality, but “With Me” is the best of the bunch. I wrote about it earlier this year here.
Lane 8
With Me

#9 – “All Night Feat. Knox Fortune (Kaytranada Remix)” by Chance the Rapper from Kaytranada’s 0.001% mixtape.

  • In a year where Kaytranada finally got over the hump, graduating from blogospher fame to mainstrem musical fame, he took a victory lap of sorts in the latter months, giving us some of his best material yet. His remix to Chance’s “All Night” will be a mainstay in dance clubs for many months to come.
Chance The Rapper
All Night (feat. Knox Fortune) (Kaytranada Remix)

#10 – “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers.

  • Maggie Roger’s rise based on the strength of Alaska mirrored the same path Ryn Weaver took after her song Octahate became the flavor of the year in 2014. While Roger has not yet amassed the same following, her single is as impressive and minimalistic as one could hope for from a debut.
Maggie Rogers
Alaska

#11 – “Eva” by Punctual.

  • As an eclectic deep house track with samples and influences ranging from Indian pop to 80’s synth, Eva is as groundbreaking and novel today as it was the first few hundred times I listened to it.
Punctual
Eva

#12 – “Clementine Feat. Lex Famous” by Rambo V.

  • Claiming this song as “Soul House”, Rambo V set off the soundtrack to my summer with Clementine. This dreamy, fun-loving track grooves along fusing the line beautifully between future bass and house.
Rambo V
Clementine Ft. Lex Famous

#13 – “All Night Feat. Dornik” by SG Lewis.

  • SG Lewis released one of my early picks for song of the year, dropping All Night with Dornik in February. This track harnesses some of the emotion captured in his previous classic “Warm” while adding a more upbeat, poppy spin to the piece.
SG Lewis
All Night(ft. Dornik)

#14 – “Homemade” by Matthew Chaim.

  • Hailing from Montreal, this Canadian pop producer unleashed a catchy piece along with the help of Noah Barer and Cavewerk earlier this year. I wrote about the track previously here.
Matthew Chaim
Homemade (prod. Noah Barer & Cavewerk)

#15 – “Gettin’ it Done” by Ross From Friends.

  • As perhaps the best named artist from this group of sixteen, Ross from Friends also put together one of the best house tunes to come out in 2016. While injecting elements of 90’s R&B with a persistently building bassline, the song has elements that appeal to a wide range of aficionados.
Ross From Friends
Gettin’ It Done’

#16 – “The Look” by Halpe and Sophie Meiers.

  • My favorite track that maybe 2% of my friends have heard before. This vocalist has a handful of mesmerizing tracks, but pairing with Halpe pushes The Look into another category entirely.
halpe
The Look w/ sophie meiers
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[Soul] Frank Ocean – You Are Luhh (Aaliyah Tribute)

’Frank Ocean – You Are Luhh’

Although fans are still waiting patiently to hear any news or original material from Grammy-award winning singer/song-writer Frank Ocean, the west coast artist celebrated the late Aaliyah‘s birthday over the weekend with a cover to “At Your Best (You Are Love)”. Originally released from his Tumblr page, the Isley Brother‘s original gets a modernized touch. Ocean flexes a limited vocal range subtly hitting a variety of notes as he floats over the piano-led ballad. Similar to his last release “Memrise,” Ocean remains secretive about whether or not this is something that will be featured on an upcoming project or just another treat for fans to get into. Either way, music lovers can just rejoice in the fact that Ocean has not gone completely off the radar. Be sure to take a listen to the melodic track and stay posted for any new material to drop.

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The Ultimate Outkast Setlist (30+ Songs We Want To Hear On Their Comeback Tour)

With just one day remaining before the debut performance of Outkasts highly anticipated 40-stop reunion festival tour, we ninjas can not contain our excitement. To keep ourselves occupied as we impatiently wait for Coachella to kick off, we spent the last week putting together our dream setlist from the legendary hip-hop duo. For anyone who will be in attendance during Andre 3000 and Big Boi‘s marathon of a tour, this playlist should certainly prepare you for what promises to be an incredible string of shows. If you won’t be able to make it, we hope that this will be the next best thing.

We’ve also put these tracks in a SpottieOttiefy Playlist (we mean Spotify, in case you didn’t get our sly ninja joke) for those “ATLiens’ out there who want to listen to “GhettoMusick” when they “Git Up, Git Out” and explore “The Whole World.”

’UGK – International Players Anthem (Feat. Outkast)’
’Outkast – ATLiens’
’Outkast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’
’Outkast – Church’
’Outkast – Da Art of Storytellin (Pt. 1) ft. Slick Rick’
’Outkast – Ms. Jackson’
’Outkast – Players Ball’
’Outkast – Git Up Git Out (feat. Goodie Mob)’
’Outkast – Roses’
’Outkast – The Whole World (ft. Killer Mike)’
’Outkast – Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac)’
’Outkast – Elevators (Me and You)’
’Outkast – Aint No Thang’
’Jay Z – Poppin Tags ft. Big Boi, Killer Mike & Twista’
’Outkast – We Luv Deez Hoez’
’Outkast – Aquemini’
’Outkast – GhettoMusick’
’Outkast – So Fresh So Clean’
’Outkast – West Savannah’
’Frank Ocean – Pink Matter (Remix) ft. Big Boi & Andre 3000′
’Outkast – SpottieOttieDopaliscious’
’DJ UNK – Walk It Out (Remix) (feat. Andre 3000 Of Outkast & Jim Jones)’
’Outkast – Skew It On the Bar B (feat. Raekwon)’
’Cool Breeze – Watch For The Hook ft OutKast, Goodie Mob & Witchdoctor’
’The Purple Ribbon All Stars – Kryptonite (Featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike, Blackowned C Bone & Rock D The Legend)’
’Big Boi – Daddy Fat Sax’
’Big Boi – Royal Flush (feat. Andre 3000 & Raekwon)’
’Outkast – Return of the G’
’Outkast – Chonkyfire’
’Outkast – The Way You Move’
’Outkast – Rosa Parks’
’Outkast – B.O.B’
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Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 19]

March Madness has taken the nation by storm, and we here at TMN are no exception. In the quest for the perfect billion dollar bracket, all hearts have officially been left broken and shattered. No need to fret though, because we’ve got just the remedy here to heal your aching hearts and wounded egos. Getting in the spirit of the season, we’ve gone ahead and assembled our largest Sunday Night Soul yet (we really have gone mad). Gathering together 64 of the finest tunes we could get our hands on, this week’s collection is guaranteed to last you much longer than Duke’s tenure in the tourney.

Picking our favorites this week proved nearly as difficult as picking winners in this year’s competition. Oscar & The Wolf, The Night VI, AstronauticaVökVeronica Domingues, Freddy HefnerRoyce Wood Junior, and OBESØN lead the group of fresh new faces to our series, while BANKS, Mara HrubyKwabs, Keyshia Cole, Kyan, Jarell PerryJaymes Youngabhi//dijon, abstract youth, and Fortune return for outstanding performances of their own. Fans of remixes are sure to be pleased too, as XONA, MisterMack, Nanpa Noir, Swindle, KR$CHN, Joan of ART and OverDo$e headline a sensational group of producers. There’s something for everyone here, and just like this year’s Cinderella story, Dayton, at least one of these is bound to captivate your heart.

’BANKS – Are You That Somebody (Acoustic Cover) – BBC radio 1 Live Lounge w/ Phil and Alice’
’Daniela Andrade – Crazy In Love (Beyonce Cover)’
’Daeho – It Was You’
’Mara Hruby – Gone With The Wind’
’Conner Youngblood – Mercury’
’Kyan – Zoo’
’bAnoffee – Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis Cover)’
’Oscar & The Wolf – Undress’
’Mariami – Best Friend (Prod. Tito Tunes)’
’THE NIGHT VI – Sienna’
’Avery Storm – Party On The Roof Top’
’Jordan Rakei – All For Something (prod. esta.) (demo)’
’Simien fox –  Perfect (Prod. Strange Soul X TEME)’
’Astronautica – How It’s Gonna Be (feat. JMSN)’
’Vök – Tension’
’Xander Ghost – The Same’
’WithLoveXavier – Drake Medley’
’Jarell Perry – Own It’
’Veronica Domingues – I Get High (feat. C Flowz)’
’Yummy Bingham – Can We Stay ft Kardinal Offishall (Prod By Nyce Hitz)’
’Keyshia Cole – Next Time (Won’t Give My Heart Away)’
’Keyshia Cole – Rick James Ft. Juicy J’
’Freddy Hefner – See Saw – Produced By Burger Tyme’
’Ray J – Hey Love Feat. Tyga & French Montana’
’Verse Simmonds – Sexy Body REMIX Ft. Kid Ink & Eric Bellinger’
’Royce Wood Junior – Hardly’
’SAFIA – Paranoia, Ghosts & Other Sounds’
’Kyan – Stratosphere’
’Jaymes Young – Habits Of My Heart (Sufjan Stevens Remake)’
’Kwabs – Pray For Love’
’Jayne Rio – 100 MPH’
’Josh Record – For Your Love (Dot Major Remix)’
’The Weeknd – Twenty Eight (XONA REMIX)’
’XONA – DownTown’
’TVNE – deny.’
’Tech N9ne x Kendrick Lamar x ¡MAYDAY! x Kendall Morgan – Fragile (Joan Of ART Edit)’
’OBESØN – Hazy (Feat. Abigail Press)’
’Frank Ocean – Swim Good (Edit Juan w/ Jenny)’
’Alfa Mist & Tom Misch – Going Down’
’Tele Fresco – Lie To Me’
’Zara McFarlane – Open Heart (Swindle Remix)’
’Cosmic Quest – Water Winds (Feat. Molly Williams)’
’abhi//dijon – Let You Know’
’Usher – Climax (MisterMack Remix)’
’Duncan Gerow – Ciara + Joker = Body Party’
’NANPA NOIR – Millón (Download via Waxhole)’
’Brandy – I Wanna Be Down ( Real bootleg FINESE ▲ )’
’Elaquent – Yesssss. (Floetry Say Yes Remix)’
’aywy – Candy Ft. Fortune (Forthcoming on Play It Louder Vol.2)’
’How To Dress Well – Words I Don’t Remember (KR$CHN Bootleg)’
’Fortune – Would You’
’Sango – Me de Amor (Nikes Edit)’
’Radiohead – Reckoner (Go Yama Remx)’
’Ticklish x DJ Paypal – Bent Up’
’Erykah Badu – BUMP IT (DJ A1 REMIX)’
’Rudimental – Baby (AFTRHRS RMX)’
’M Phazes – I Don’t Wanna Fall In Love’
’Mike Posner – Please Don’t Go (kuma remix)’
’The Weeknd – Rolling Stone (Overdo$e edit)’
’Drake – Own It (DTWICE DE BEL AIR Edit)’
’HU₵₵I – Wings’
’R. Kelly – Every Position (Hasta Remix)’
’Chaos Kid – P a l m T r e e f e r’
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[NEW] Frank Ocean, Diplo, Mick Jones & Paul Simonon – Hero

Frank Ocean + Mick Jones + Paul Simonon + Diplo
HERO

With summer somewhere around the corner, Converse has decided to revive their “Three Artists. One Song.” series, which has given way to some pretty amazing gems in years past. To kick off this year’s compilation is an unlikely collaboration between Frank Ocean, Diplo, and The Clash‘s Mick Jones & Paul Simonon. Automatically disregard any banger alerts that sentence might have set off, because this is far from anything you probably expected.

“Hero” doesn’t draw its sound distinctly from any one of the artists represented here; rather, it’s a true collaboration that provides room for everyone to shine. Packing plenty of soul, the single begins with Ocean laying the groundwork over some rustic guitars. Hints of bass are scattered throughout until the song reaches a crescendo shortly after the one minute mark, where the trio really begin to rock out, before once again gently descending back to earth through the combined efforts of a children’s choir. It makes for a fascinatingly beautiful piece of music, and is a true testament to what can happen when exceptionally creative minds come together.

Grab the free download above from Converse, and stay tuned for more from the collaborative series in the coming months.

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Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 15]

Sunday is finally upon us, and while that signals the end of yet another (hopefully productive) weekend, at least we have some glorious soul to help make the transition a little bit easier. February is nearly over, and considering that it’s one of the more passionate months of the year, we’ve had plenty of content to work with over the last few weeks. This week’s lineup is no different, as it’s packed with stellar offerings from the likes of Chloe Martini, Matt Miller, Joe Kay, Mar, Estelle, Abrina, LIZ, Hasta, and many many more. Check out the diverse selection below, and let the music take over your soul.

’Demplz – This Time’
’Jeremy Passion – Desperately (original)’
’Nick Hakim – POUR ANOTHER’
’Johnny Rain – Something New Maybe?’
’PARTYNEXTDOOR – Persian Rugs (Joe Kay’s Slowed Edit)’
’Pheo – Real Old Cigar (Joe Kay’s Slowed & Roll One Edit)’
’Kaleem Taylor – Love me Back’
’Kwamie Liv – 5 AM’
’Låpsley – Station (Le Motel Remix)’
’Mar – A Simple Go’
’477 – Just Cruisin’ feat. Vocalatti’
’Rainy Milo – Bout You (Tall Black Guy Remix)’
’Aaliyah – Rock The Boat (Cookin Soul remix)’
’Byron The Aquarius – Galactic Soul Ft. Distant Starr X Byron The Aquarius X Gala Ga’
’Estelle – Anyway’
’Gemaine Edwards – Freaky’
’Roses Gabor Ft. Shola Ama – For You…’
’Melat – Golden (prod. by Jansport J)’
’Abrina – Blowin (feat. Jeremih)’
’Elevation Theory – Do It To Me feat: Sara Mia’
’Kehlani – Raw & True’
’Brandon Williams – Now I Know feat. Jesse Boykins III & Robert Glasper’
’Jamie Lewis – So Beautiful (Musiq Soulchild Bootleg)’
’Mar – Ode To Her’
’Illangelo x Rochelle Jordan – What The Fuss’
’Pandr Eyez – Heartbreaker’
’Tiyon Christian – Tears Run’
’Wes. – No Flowers’
’Chris Brown – Counterfeit Feat. Wiz Khalifa & Rihanna’
’KR$CHN X Jeffrey dè Soul – Time Ill Spent’
’Doddy – All Over Me’
’DYNOHUNTER – The Real Thing ft. Precious Hill’
’Ill Esha – Happiness Is Lonely’
’Austin Paul – L A D Y’
’Dunson – Cross Town Lovers (feat. John Legend) (Remix)’
’LIZ – Y2K (Prod. by Lido)’
’LIZ – Say U Would (Prod. by C.Z.)’
’Partynextdoor – Persian Rugs (Marvel Alexander Remix)’
’vaisle – you don’t have to go’
’KojackParalelo – Any Time!’
’Janelle Monáe – PrimeTime ft. Miguel (Chloe Martini Remix)’
’Sway Clarke II – I Don’t Need Much (GXNXVS Remix)’
’The Weeknd – Drunk In Love (aywy. & TVNE remix)’
’Blue Sky Black Death – Pyramids (Frank Ocean Bootleg)’
’Duncan Gerow – Ciara + 40 = Sorry’
’ΔGØLDWYN – Enough Said’
’Neenah – Special Kinda Love (Croup Remix)’
’NΞHZVIL – OVERDOSE  (Ciara ReFIX)’
’Patchley – Your Moves’
’Kyla La Grange – Cut Your Teeth (Hippie Sabotage Remix)’
’Cassie – Me & U (Dr. Fresch’s Let’s Go Home Remix)’
’Tom Richman – Dro Montana (Sweater Beats Remix)’
’Matt Miller – No Love’
’THE GTW – CALLING CARDS’
’Atlantic Connection – Memories (You & Me)’
’Lapalux – Without You (Imagined Herbal Flows Remix)’
’Wet – Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl (Branchez Remix)’
’YOUNG & SICK – GLASS’
’SevnthWonder – All U Need’
’✿ Harrison ✿ – Private Party Feat. Maddee’
’Jeremih – Birthday Sex (Hasta Remix)’
’Chris Brown – Fine China (Royal Refix)’
’Denitia & Sene – Go Too Far (ATR777 remix)’
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Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 7]

It’s the final Sunday of 2013, meaning it’s the perfect time to reflect fondly on the year that was and look forward to the year that will be. This week’s collection has exactly what you need to get in a contemplative mood, from sultry slow jams to upbeat numbers that’ll fit right in on your New Year’s Eve playlists. We couldn’t think of a better way to wrap the series up for the year than with supreme vocal talents like Frank Ocean, Elle Varner, August Alsina, and Chiara Noriko, as well as top notch producers like TOKiMONSTA, ESTA, Juan Cristobal, Ticklish, Sweater Beats, and many more. 2013 was a tremendous year for us, and the right time to strike up this series. We know 2014 will only supply us with even more breathtaking discoveries. In the meantime, make sure to press play on this latest edition of Sunday Night Soul, a fitting nightcap to conclude your year.

’Jordan Rakei – Imagine (Moods Remix)’
’Lonny Breaux (Frank Ocean) – Light Show’
’Kenny Lattimore – Heart Stops’
’Elle Varner – Rover Ft. Wale’
’K. Michelle – V.S.O.P. (Remix) feat. August Alsina’
’starRo – Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind (ft. Alcordo)’
’Beyonce & D’Angelo – Untitled Rocket (A JAYBeatz Mashup)’
’Aaliyah
One In A Million (Jansport J Remix)’
’Esta. – ForYou&HerToo & Janet (Juan Cristobal Remix)’
’Chiara Noriko – J Dilla Beat (Chiara Remix)’
’Chiara Noriko – Do It Big (Tyler, The Creator Beat)’
’Soulblime – PARTYNEXTDOOR (Soulblime Remix)’
’Drake – Too Much (El. Train Remix)’
’Ciara + Esta – Promise’
’suicideyear x outthepound – yo lovee’
’SANDERMÖLDER – LOVEHANGOVEREDIT (w/ Peedu Kass)’
’Sweater Beats – Do It For Me (ft. Erin Marshall)’
’Kelela – Do It Again (Druid Cloak Club Cosmos Bootleg)’
’Cyril Hahn – Perfect Form (Rey Ruccio Remix)’
’702 – Steelo (TOKiMONSTA Supa Remix)’
’Jarreau Vandal – Until The Dawn’
’SvanSikh – Lose Control’
’Mary J. Blige – I Am (Noïthingness Remix)’
’SWV vs Shackles
Rain On U & I (Reid Speed Mashup)’
’Jagged Edge – He Can’t Love You (Ticklish Reboot)’
’Baby Bash – Suga Suga (Ticklish Reboot)’
’Cosmo’s Midnight – Goodnight (feat. Polographia)’
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