Summer Party Choons

Here it is, my Summer Party Choons electro-house mix. A variety of my top spring/summer tracks, this mix is built on club energy. Bump at max decibels and revel in the power of electronic music.

DJ STACKS "Summer Party Choons" Tracklist

B.o.B - Nothin' On You Feat. Bruno Mars & Bei Maejor (VILLAINS Remix)

The Cataracs - Like A G6 Feat. Far East Movement

David Guetta - Gettin' Over You Feat. Fergie & LMFAO (Sidney Sampson Remix)

Ke$ha - Blah Blah Blah (Skeet Skeet & PeaceTreaty's Rave Rave Rave Remix)

Michael Mind - Ride Like The Wind (2008 Klaas Remix)

Deadmau5 - Some Chords

Rihanna - Rude Boy (Debauched's Fashionably Late Remix)

Rihanna - Rude Boy (Rude Crew Remix)

Tiesto & Diplo - C'Mon

Miike Snow - Silvia (Savage Skulls & Tony Senghore Remix)

Crookers - We Love Animals Feat. Soulwax & Mixhell (Tom Starr Remix)

Deadmau5 - Arguru

PLAY/DOWNLOAD (Right-click "Save Link As...")

There are a couple throwbacks in there, but enjoy and stay posted for future mixes.

- Stacks

The Women Of Summer

Now that summer is finally in full bloom, I figured a new mix would be in order, given my lack of commitment to maintaining the frequency of my posts.

In the past few weeks I have found several amazing remixes of tracks that for me, embody the essence of the summer season. Interestingly enough, all of them feature females (imagine that...) on the mic. This mix is a collection of my current favorites, both (relatively) old and new, especially those tracks that are equally energizing and chill.

DJ STACKS "The Women Of Summer" Tracklist

Edward Maya Feat. Alicia - Stereo Love

Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets (Bright Light Bright Light Boys Remix)

Marina & The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Clock Opera Remix)

Kaskade & Seamus Haji - So Far Away Feat. Haley

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Monarchy 'The Horse Head Nebular' Remix)

Medina - You & I (Deadmau5 Remix)

PLAY/DOWNLOAD (Right-click "Save Link As...")

I mixed these tracks for a more relaxing groove atmosphere, but fear not, a summer party mix is slated for completion in the next couple days so stay tuned. As always, I'm looking for new music to complete my summer soundtrack and would love some suggestions. In the meantime, bump this to your hearts content and revel in these lovely ladies' vocals.

- Dr. Stackworth

Back from Hiatus

Rather shamefully, it's been a minute since I posted anything new. I've finally graduated college, been interviewing for some jobs, and as usual, producing new instrumentals and scouring the Internet for some hot, new material. In the several months since my previous post I've come across new singles and mixtapes, a few of which I'm excited to share.

First, a new joint by ATL's Donnis. Fueled by a punchy string section and various buzzy synths, Donnis' braggadocio is on point on this one.



Second, another sample of CuDi's originality featuring one of my favorites in Chip Tha Ripper. Really happy to see that despite CuDi's mainstream successes, he's maintained his true Cleveland ties...

Lastly, I gotta put in a plug for two mixtapes I've been obsessed with:

Theophilus London's I Want You Mixtape
Major Lazer and La Roux Present: Lazerproof

I had the chance to see Theo open for Miike Snow this past semester at school and although most of the crowd was unfamiliar with his electro-centric hip-hop, he had amazing stage presence in what was a supremely passionate performance. Follow the link to download the mixtape, courtesy of THE FADER. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Theophilus London I Want You Mixtape

And as for the Major Lazer-La Roux collabo, if you liked "Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do," well, you'll definitely find this mixtape as energetic and original as their album. Props to Mad Decent for hosting this craziness.



This should give y'all some early summer tuneage to bump, and I promise not to be such a ghost from now on. Enjoy.

Yours in music,

Stacks.

2 NEW BEATS

Over the past week I've been on a curious fix of The-Dream, The Lox, and assorted Ski Beatz productions. These inspirations fueled a new beat of mine, a hybrid between classic NY styles and more modern, hip-pop synth elements. The result is "New Stack City." Here are three tracks in particular that shaped the construction of my new tracks. Check 'em out:

#1. The-Dream Feat. Kanye West - "Walking on the Moon"


#2. The Lox - "Let's Start Rap Over"


#3. Jay-Z - "Dead Presidents II" (Prod. by Ski Beatz)


So after dieting on these tracks (as well as others), this is what I arrived at:

"New Stack City" - Prod. by StackBeats


Also, for a little extra taste, here is a sneak peek of another beat I threw together in an hour or so last week. Not necessarily the same inspiration as above, but equally focused on alternating synth layers, odd drums combos, etc.

"Escape From Earth" - Prod. by StackBeats


It's been a while since I've posted or shared any of my originals, but as always comments and feedback are appreciated as this is a work is progress. Thanks.

Animal Collective - "Brother Sport"

Definitely one of the more exotic, ambitious and original albums of 2009, Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion hosted some beautifully arranged tracks like "My Girls," "Daily Routine," and this track, "Brother Sport." This video is simply bizarre. Then again it's Animal Collective so I'm not too surprised.



And I had to throw in the video for "My Girls," perhaps my favorite track on the album. I'm not sure the exact effects used in producing these two videos, but the concepts are visually mind-boggling.

Weezy Behind Bars

Well the day has arrived. Lil Wayne is off to the pen. This is a definite downer for many hip hop heads, but I'm going to remain optimistic. Here's my theory:

1. Prison is brutal. Never been, never gonna go, but regardless it's safe to assume Wayne will receive some pretty quality treatment inside (celebrities always seem to do OK).

2. Being "sober" is prison will clear his head. True, a sober Lil Wayne may not be the creative, lyrical craftsman as when under the influence of:

a) marijuana
b) alcohol
c) cough syrup
d) all of the above

But I'm anticipating Wayne's prison term as a reconstructive, reflective period that is sure to churn out some deeply introspective s**t. Think street braggadocio meets prison hardness, a la "Playing with Fire" off Tha Carter III:



I'll admit I'm a fan of Wayne's stream-of-consciousness, "absence-of-narrative-quality" approach but I'm also hoping this changes. His punchlines are unique, often hilarious, but there's usually no story, no dramatic quality like NaS or Biggie. My reasoning is Eminem created Relapse "sober," therefore, I expect something similar to evolve from the demented mind of Dwayne Carter.

Here's a video of Lil Wayne's final time before reporting to prison. A bit slow to develop, but altogether pretty amusing. Plus, for serious Wayne fans, there's a sentimental "goodbye" from Young Money's finest as he pulls away from the studio in his Bugati.



Wayne: good luck inside. And remember what the dudes at Broken Cool had to say here: 8 Things Lil' Wayne Should Deny While In Prison.

Stacks Out.

The Mind Behind the Music

The one good thing that came from the Grammys? Well, I guess, this might be it. Common and NaS give some brief explanation as to the emotion behind their music, as well as addressing violent lyrics as a bi-product of emotion, not necessarily "the hip-hop image." No, it won't end the ceaseless debate on the relationship between hip-hop, violence, misogyny, yada yada yada, but it's satisfying to know these artists are actually conscious of what they're producing and can intelligently verbalize their logic. I applaud you Common and NaS.