Lollapalooza 2016: Our Top Takeaways [Event Review]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - August 12, 2016

lolla-1

As with any music festival, after Lollapalooza is over, it always takes us a few days to digest everything and snap back to reality. For locals, the festival serves as an escape within our own city. For outsiders, it provides them with a completely unique way to experience Chicago. The magic of Lollapalooza is simply unmatched, and despite a weather scare early on, Lollapalooza 2016 turned out to be just as memorable as years past. This year in particular will most likely stick out in the minds of many as it marked the 25th anniversary of the festival. Because of this, much of the weekend was filled with nostalgia as artists reflected on some of their past memories of playing the festival or of their ambitions to take the stage in Grant Park while growing up. For the first time ever, this year also added an additional day of festivities, kicking things off early on Thursday to commemorate the festival’s legacy. On the next few pages we’ve broken down some of our lasting impressions from Lolla 2016.

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[15 to End 2015] Ninja Dom’s Best of the Year

Posted by Dominic Powell - December 30, 2015

As a sweeping generalization, 2015 will go down as a year dominated by collectives. Future Classic, Hegemon, Moving Castle, Soulection, HW&W, Wedidit, Monstercat, and French Express pooled their talents together to commandeer the music scene this year. The technical aspects commonly associated with “Future” crept into the DNA of producers, becoming a topical theme across genres from the most obscure to the most mainstream.

In particular, and as one of the most recent additions to the TMN staff, it has been quite a journey both as a contributor and music fan since early April. Without the collaboration of the entire staff – the guidance of editors and advice of my fellow writers – year one as a ninja would not have been possible. Along the way I’ve covered tours, shot music festivals, and met some of my favorite artists, who have graciously exposed me to their own intricate webs of sound. That being said, below is my best effort to reduce thousands of great tracks released this calendar year down to a manageable number. Enjoy the tracks below, in order of release date, and see you all next year!

’Oceaán – Veritas (Young & Sicks Mixed Feelings)’
Stream Only
Although it has nearly been removed from all channels of the internet, this remix of Veritas is a fluid tune, incorporating contrasting techniques in a way that set it apart this year.

’OBESØN – Mon Amour’
Download
This is both my favorite song ever and the answer to the hypothetical question “if you could only listen to one song for the rest of time…”

’San Holo – We Rise’
Buy
Deserving of a spot on all lists, this has been the de facto party-starter and pregame anthem since it’s release in February.

’Alison Wonderland – Run’
Buy
The title track from AW’s debut album taps into the talents of fellow producers Djemba Djemba and AWE in creating this hooky, electronic masterpiece.

’Mura Masa – When U Need Me’
Buy
For an artist focused on quality over quantity, this is Mura Masa’s greatest creation to date.

’DIVERSA – Burning House’
Buy
Burning House is the most powerful release of Diversa’s, serving as a benchmark for the current wave of Drum & Bass producers to measure up against.

’Jamie xx – The Rest is Noise’
Buy
Jamie XX has been graced with near unanimous approval of his album In Colour; The Rest is Noise incorporates his most polished elements in a lengthy rainbow-colored instrumental.

’Tory Lanez – Acting Like (Prod. by Shlohmo)’
Soundcloud
Another up and coming artist out of the blooming Toronto hip-hop scene, Tory Lanez, enlists the help of Shlohmo in putting together this dark, rhythmic jam.

’Golden Vessel – Borrowed Time (ft. Tiana Khasi)’
Buy
Melbourne locals Golden Vessel and Tiana Khasi teamed up to create one of the most enchanting and soulful pieces of the year, bar none.

’Thundercat – ‘Them Changes”
Buy
As the most groovy track of the summer season, this was also an introduction and revival of the nostalgia-pumping funk genre, which used to dominate the charts.

’Tame Impala – The Moment’
Buy
Parker shows off his adaptability on this one; in cutting the downtrodden lyrical content against a synth-driven bridge full of cheery guitar riffs and rhythmic hand claps, the single is inextricably linked with the bridge in fellow Australian band Pond’s recent release, “Medicine Hat”.

’Moi Je – Fais Rien (PETIT BISCUIT Remix)’
Buy
Although the title literally means ‘do nothing’, it is nearly impossible to hear this remix by Petit Biscuit and not be tempted to move by the upbeat tempo.

’Khai – Do You Go Up’
Buy
This bubbly, minimalist tune is carried on the strength of its hook and the catchy vocals of its creator.

’SevnthWonder – Maria I’m Drunk (Ft. Deverano) (Travis Scott Cover)’
Buy
As the most notable track by the best up and comer out of 2015, this remix displays a vision and creativity beyond SevnthWonder’s years.

’Finding Hope – Wonder’
Buy
With roots in the ambient genre, down-tempo is the most calming style of music. The deep, pleasant reverie continues through Wonder and does not end until the close of the song.

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[Electronic] Snakehips x Tory Lanez – Dímelo (Ganz Flip)

Posted by Dominic Powell - December 25, 2015
Snakehips x Tory Lanez
Dimelo (GANZ Flip)
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Merry Christmas to all the Ninjas out there! Today we come bearing gifts.

Early yesterday morning longtime favorite and friend of TMN, Jordy Saämena, released his latest work of art. In our exclusive interview with Ganz and his management team this past summer, Saämena referenced a desire to move away from his signature flip-style. In addition to producing more original works, he also noted his intentions to grow the newly minted collective The Hard Headed with up and coming producers out of The Netherlands.

In taking a momentary step away from those longterm plans, Ganz unexpectedly dropped another flip to end 2015 with an electronica-fueled bang. By sampling one of the most popular hip-hop tracks of the year, he turns Tory Lanez’ “Dímelo” into a club-raving anthem.

The Dímelo flip is a blend of two of the more notable breakout artists this year, combining the smooth rhyming vocals of rising star Tory Lanez with the dynamic technical aspects of previous Ganz works. Take the advice of the TMN staff and add this one to the snowboarding playlist. Happy holidays!

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[NEW] Ed Sheeran – Say It (Tory Lanez Cover)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - September 19, 2015
Tory Lanez
Say It (Ed Sheeran Cover)
Soundcloud

Well, this was unexpected.  Apparently Ed Sheeran had the day off today, so he decided to use his free time to record an acoustic cover of Tory Lanez‘s hit single, “Say It”. The British recording artist is no stranger to rap covers, and just as he did previously with Fetty Wap‘s “Trap Queen” earlier this year, Sheeran puts his own spin on the R&B jam, giving it a unique charm all its own. As for Tory, this is a great look for the Toronto crooner and should help the up-and-coming emcee expand his growing fan base even more. Just as we emphasized yesterday, this might be your last chance to hop on the Tory Lanez bandwagon before there’s no more room left. Stream the tune above, and let us know your thoughts on how it compares to the original.

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[Video] Tory Lanez – B.L.O.W.

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - September 18, 2015
Tory Lanez
B.L.O.W.
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In case you hadn’t already caught on yet, this is your last chance to hop on the Tory Lanez bandwagon before he gets ready to “B.L.O.W.” As part of his Fargo Fridays series, Tory dropped some visuals for a brand new number that promises to be yet another hit for the tireless emcee. Produced by frequent running mate Play Picasso and Sergio R, the trap infused banger follows previously well received singles “Initiation” and “Say It“, the latter of which recently hit #1 on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.  The single is already available for purchase on iTunes, so make sure to grab yourself a copy to hold you over until Tory’s proper major label debut drops via Benny Blanco‘s Mad Love imprint on Interscope Records next year.

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[R&B] Tory Lanez – Say It (Prod. Pop Wansel)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - July 31, 2015
Tory Lanez
Say It
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After teasing us with a snippet of “Say It” late last week, Tory Lanez has come through with the unabridged version of his latest single as promised. It’s barely been a month since the release of Cruel Intentions, Tory’s collaborative EP with the WEDIDIT collective, but the Toronto native is already gearing up for another full length release set to drop through Benny Blanco‘s Mad Love imprint. The fresh new tune is rooted in old school R&B, as Tory once again shows off his singing chops over an instrumental that utilizes a sample of Brownstone‘s “If You Love Me”  to perfection. The song is a bit more mellow and relaxed than Tory’s typical output, but we’re not complaining. We trust that you’ll find this one in your rotation way past the end of summer.

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[NEW] Tory Lanez x WeDidIt – Cruel Intentions EP

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - June 26, 2015

After weeks of eager anticipation, we finally have our hands on the latest project from Tory Lanez, as he teams up with the WeDidIt Collective for this brand new 5 track EP. As expected, most of the production is handled by heavyweights from the WeDidIt roster, including Shlohmo, RL Grime and D33J along with additional production from Baauer and frequent collaborator Play Picasso, who Tory once told us was his 40. At this point, we feel like we’ve said just about everything we can about Tory’s tremendous talent, but it still amazes us to see how much growth he’s shown in just the past couple of years. Cruel Intentions serves as an incredibly polished follow-up to last year’s Lost Cause mixtape, building on the same moody aesthetic that the Toronto native has established in much of his previous work. Tory’s ability to alternate seamlessly between rapping and singing has almost become second nature at this point, so it should be no surprise that he’s basically got the formula down to a science on Cruel Intentions.

Stream the full project below, and simply enter your email address at the following link to snag a FREE copy for yourself.

’Tory Lanez – Acting Like (Prod. by Shlohmo) – Tory Lanez’
Soundcloud
’Tory Lanez – In For It (Prod. by RL Grime) – Tory Lanez’
Soundcloud
’Tory Lanez – N.I.N.A (Prod. by Baauer) – Tory Lanez’
Buy
’Tory Lanez – Fallback (Prod. by Play Picasso) – Tory Lanez’
Buy
’Tory Lanez – Honda Civic (Prod. by D33J) – Tory Lanez’
Buy
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