(3/10) Expanding your Music Vocabulary

So my second post is about: Expanding your Music Vocab (LOL sorry about the dramatiks)... but I truly believe that constantly expanding what we listen to is good for the soul. Get out of your Rap/Pop/R&B mode and branch out!

So, here are some of my favorite musicians I have recently discovered within the last year. These artists are truly amazing to me! They are different, they take chances, and have unique sounds. They're undefined!... and I've always felt that the best music is undefined. Try them on for size:

Theophilus London- A rapper like you've never heard before. The fact that Theo samples tracks is the only traditional thing about his stance as a rapper... but don't expect to have heard the originals. I've seen this guy more than a few times and he blows me away. Download This Charming Mixtape and prepare to be hooked.

Website: http://theophiluslondon.wordpress.com/

Be's Pick: "TNT"

Janelle Monae- Imagine if you had a blender and you added the following: a little Erykah Badu, a little Prince, a lot of Andre 3000, and just a pinch of Lauryn Hill then poured Count Bassie on top... You would get something like Jane (recipe subjective of course). An eclectic sound with a little old and a little new. Her live performances are unforgettable as well.

Website: http://www.jmonae.com/

Be's Pick(s): "Lettin' Go" and "You Are My Everything"

Santigold- aka SantOgold is one of my new favorites as well! For those of you who don't know, she's sort of like a black MIA with the swag of Brooklyn, NY behind her. You may have heard her sampled by Drake and Weezy in "Unstoppable" or on "Brooklyn We Go Hard (Remix) with Jay Z, Lil Kim, etc. Love this gurl's music. So creative and innovative!

Website: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17316664/artist_to_watch_santogold

Be's Pick: Shove It

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Also, look up MGMT, Passion Pit,

and Heart's Revolution

if you got some time on your hands.

Oh! and for a one-stop shop

for a free playlist featuring more of this fresh/urban/undefined music, Click Here for 22 free songs sponsored by Nylon Mag!

*On side: Heart's Revolution and Passion Pit (respectively). Pics taken by moi at the Diesel Music Tour