The Midweek Mixdown // Resurrected Edition // 19.10.2016

Tonight Halifax Pop Explosion kicks off in Halifax, and before we get consumed by the fest for the next few days, here is a quick impromptu Midweek Mixdown to get you through to the weekend. Enjoy the killer jams!

“Giant” – Banks and Steelz

Take the lead singer of Interpol (Paul Banks), add in a key member of the Wu-Tang Clan (RZA), and you have a pairing that may seem unusual at first glance; however, just press play. You’ll find that the velocity of RZA’s verbal barrage pairs perfectly with the ethereal nature of Banks’ hook. This is one track that will not cause drowsiness.

“Nobody Speak” – DJ Shadow w/ Run the Jewels

With all the smack being talked about 2016 and its overall terribleness, there are artists such as DJ Shadow who are staging their comeback. Shadow dropped his latest release The Mountain Will Fall earlier this year, and on that album is this collaboration with Run The Jewels. The video reminds me of those Fatboy Slim (or more recently DJ Snake with Lil Jon) videos, that are somewhat absurdist in their delivery. The weight that Killer Mike brings to the vocals and messaging is unrelenting and unapologetic. This might be the song of the year with the Political Circus that’s ongoing south of the border.

“Channel Halifax” – Wordburglar

Much like another local emcee (Classified), Wordburglar has penned a love letter to Halifax, and if you’re a Haligoon that has set up shop on the other side of the country (or world for that matter), this will satiate your case of homesickness. If there was a track that might elevate Wordburglar’s stature to the masses, this will be it. If Mike Savage and the team down at city hall needed a catchy tune with which to sell our fine city, this would serve that need quite well.

“In Search of a Dream” – The Search

https://youtu.be/UJQSSg1tUl0

Local emcee Quake Matthews has reunited with his pal and collaborator Kayo to officially form The Search, and yes while the name of their hip-hop union is somewhat generic, their music is anything but. Kayo’s potent flow paired with Quake’s extensive vocabulary and razor sharp delivery makes for an engaging sound that fuses a modern sound with old school rap. If you’re in town on Friday night, check out The Search at Reflections as part of the Halifax Pop Explosion (#HPX2016).

About the author

Trev

A proud and over-caffeinated husband, father, runner and writer. I've written for the local weekly The Coast for over a decade and have since taken to creating and writing for HAFILAX for even longer. I hope you enjoy the musings of a guy who has loved music for the better part of 4 decades, and has an album of concert tickets to show for it.

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