Author Archives: Baseer Ahmad

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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Event

Lollapalooza 2016 – Must See Acts [TMN EDITORS’ PICKS]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - July 28, 2016

lola

If you’re from Chicago, then you know that Lollapalooza is one of the biggest–if not the biggest–weekends of the year. There’s nothing else comparable to being able to see all your favorite artists in the heart of the city, sandwiched between Lake Michigan and the scenic downtown skyline. This year’s Lollapalooza is even more special than usual, considering that the festival will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. In honor of that, an extra day(!) has been added to the lineup, making it one of the most packed, can’t miss events of the year. Because of that, I’m sure the choices of who to see can be a bit overwhelming. Of course, that’s where we come in to help. On the next few pages, we’ve highlighted some of our picks to help guide your decision-making process and possibly influence you to check out some new talent. No matter who you end up choosing, make sure to have fun and be safe out there guys!

(P.S. Even if you won’t be partaking in the festivities this year, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to join in on the fun. The beauty of Lollapalooza is that all your favorite artists are gathered in one location, so chances are there’s another gig in the city you’ll want to be at. You can check out the full list of aftershows over at Do312.)

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Mayowa – Fight This Feeling (Prod. Milo Mills) [TMN EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - June 22, 2016

(Credit: Malika Favre)

Mayowa
Fight This Feeling (Prod. Milo Mills)

Soundcloud

It’s been a while since we last heard from Mayowa (slightly over a year in fact), and a lot has changed in that time. For starters, he’s since opted to use his full first name, adding the “wa” onto Mayo in an effort to get back to his Nigerian roots. Also, after an extended stay in the City of Angels, the Chicago native is back to turn things up in his hometown. Despite the long hiatus, Mayowa is picking up right where he left off, reuniting with frequent collaborator Milo Mills for a bouncy new cut titled “Fight This Feeling”.

Aside from being the potential song of the summer, the genre-bending single also serves as an ode to independent women everywhere, with Mayowa expressing his admiration for one lady in particular, while also urging her to toss out all her inhibitions. Featuring a sample of “Moments of Love” by Art Of Noise, the track itself blends together an eclectic mix of hip-hop, R&B and future bass, as the talented rapper/singer constantly shifts gears throughout–which makes sense when you consider his main goal with his music:

I enjoy stepping outside of my comfort zone and experimenting with different styles. I don’t want to be held in the box of just ‘hip-hop.’

As we mentioned, Mayowa recently made his return back to Chicago, and in order to celebrate his homecoming he’s putting together a show this Friday at Home Bar called “Lituation”, which promises to be a lit situation. If you’re in town make sure to snag some tickets for the show right here.

[Giveaway] Indy 500 Snake Pit w/ Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Zeds Dead & DJ Mustard – 5/29 @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 29, 2016

Hundred Waters – Show Me Love (Skrillex Remix) ft. Chance The Rapper, Moses Sumney, Robin Hannibal

Soundcloud

Martin Garrix – Now That I’ve Found You (feat. John & Michel)

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Zeds Dead – Back Home (feat. Freddie Gibbs)

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DJ MUSTARD – Whole Lotta Lovin

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Racing fans, start your engines! If your need for speed runs as deep as your love for EDM, there’s no better place for you to spend your Memorial Day Weekend than the Indy 500 Snake Pit with Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Zeds Dead & DJ Mustard. Our friends over at React Presents have provided us with the distinct opportunity to give away TWO tickets to this very special event during the landmark 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 29th, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Here’s how to apply; just fill in your first and last name, and enter your email address in the form below. It’s really that simple. The show is intended for audiences of all ages, but you must have a valid photo ID with you on the day of the event to redeem your prize.

All entries must be in before May 9th, when the winner will be notified by email and provided with ticket vouchers that they will have to take to the event and exchange for wristbands. The vouchers are good for entry to the speedway and will provide them with instructions on how to redeem the tickets. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the race.

For more details and info on The Indy 500 Snake Pit, go here. If you would like to purchase tickets yourself, make sure to head over to the official event page, and follow React Presents on Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud to keep up with all the latest news and announcements as well as hear what they’re listening to at the moment.

Check out the teaser video below, and don’t forget to enter for your chance to win!

ENTER GIVEAWAY TO WIN TIX FOR THE INDY 500 SNAKE PIT

First & Last Name
First Last
Your e-mail*

The Code’s Music Ninja Mix [TMN EXCLUSIVE]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 23, 2016

The Code
The Code's Music Ninja Mix

Soundcloud

Although The Code‘s residency here at The Music Ninja might be over, the mysterious duo were still kind enough to drop off another little surprise for all their fans. While their own music is generally steeped in a darker, edgier soundscape, here they’ve cooked together a sultry mix of upbeat R&B and pop jams for your enjoyment. As you can see from the tracklist below, the mix features a diverse selection of artists, meaning there’s something for just about everyone here. It also makes for a perfect listen any time of the day, from the moment you wake up to the moment you decide to rest your head back down on your pillow–and everything in between. Why not hit play and kick your Saturday off the right way? We promise your toes will be tapping before you even realize what’s happening.

TRACKLIST

Daniel Johns – Aerial Love (Memeb Remix)

Set Mo – Chasing Forever ft. ALPHAMAMA (Jafunk Remix)

AlunaGeorge – I’m In Control

Jessica Sutta – Forever

Kygo – Stay (ft. Maty Noyes)

Years & Years – Shine

Zayn Malik – Like I Would

Disclosure – Omen (Dillon Francis Remix)

Justin Bieber – Been You

Majid Jordan – Something About You

Rudimental – Rumour Mill ft. Anne-Marie & Will Heard

Tinie Tempah – Girls Like ft. Zara Larsson

Pia Mia – Touch

Jeremih – Oui

Bryson Tiller – Self Righteous

Drake – How About Now

Phazz – About Her

[Trap/R&B] Falcons & Ekali – I Won’t Lie feat. Vanessa Elisha

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 1, 2016

Falcons & Ekali
I Won't Lie feat. Vanessa Elisha

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We won’t lie, this latest offering from Falcons, Ekali and Vanessa Elisha is an international collaboration of epic proportions. “I Won’t Lie” is the epitome of style and substance. What seems like a party jam on the surface is undermined by a darker message behind it, as the desperate songstress vexingly struggles with all the doubts surrounding her relationship, forcing her to sputter into utter madness. It still makes for a pretty killer break down though, comprised of hypnotic pan flutes and ingratiating trap snares, with Vanessa’s seductive vocals coiling around the beat beautifully. Kick your weekend off the right way and make sure to grab a free download of this one as soon as possible.

[Video] Vanessa Elisha – Out of Time (Prod. XXYYXX)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - March 17, 2016

Vanessa Elisha
Out of Time (prodby. XXYYXX)

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Australian songstress Vanessa Elisha has been on our radar for a few years now, so we’re definitely proud to see her reach yet another milestone in her career with the release of her first ever music video for her recent single “Out of Time”. The addicting tune–which has been in steady rotation ever since it dropped back in November–finds the vocalist pairing with producer XXYYXX as she despondently dwells upon being painfully separated from her significant other. Trapped in an inescapable glass container, the forlorn lover earnestly croons about her agonizing feelings of isolation and her desire to escape before the clock ultimately ticks down to zero. Unfortunately, her surroundings only grow darker and grim over time, as her vision gets cloudier and the box is shrouded in mist. By the end it seems like she learns to accept her circumstances, but we decided to ask the songwriter herself about the song’s somber message and harrowing visuals to see what she had to say:

Conceptually, we really wanted to capture the feeling of isolation. It was all about embodying the lyrics, “running out of time”. For me, the box is the physicalisation of the loneliness or anxiety someone feels when they are about to be left alone for a long period of time. It could represent something different to everyone who watches it, that’s what I love about interpretation.

Peep the ominous Matt Earl-directed visuals below and if you’re feeling the single make sure to grab yourself a copy from iTunes. Stay tuned for more from Vanessa as she continues to prep her upcoming EP, set to drop later this year.