New Artist

The young hip-hop duo Chiddy Bang sprinted onto the scene early this year with a fresh fusion of sounds, grabbing samples from interesting places: Radiohead, Passion Pit, Sufjan Stevens, and MGMT.  Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege and Xaphoon Jones are just 19 years old, but their youth isn’t wasted on them. Their unique sound, rhymes, and energy can go head to head with any alternative hip-hop group out there.  The Swelly Express Mixtape included the breakthrough hit “Opposite of Adults (Kids)” which tops the pile of MGMT-sampling songs out there. If you haven’t heard it, crank the volume and take a listen:

Chiddy Bang – Opposite of Adults (Kids)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

But things aren’t all wonderful in the swelly world.  If you’re like us, you’ve been wondering about their official debut album initially promised by the end of August.  Sadly, Chiddy Bang has just announced that they will not release The Swelly Life until early 2011.  But dry some of those tears.  They will be releasing The Preview next month which will include tracks old and new, with Pharell Williams, Q-Tip, and Darwin Deez jumping into the mix.  Drop date Oct 11 (UK) and Oct 12 (USA) on EMI Music.  But don’t take our word for it, read their email statement below.

Continue Reading

All Delighted People EP

On August 20th, 2010, the elusive and illustrious Sufjan Stevens released an 8-song EP.  His label, Asthmatic Kitty, reports that “the EP, All Delighted People, is built around two different versions of Sufjan’s long-form epic ballad “All Delighted People,” a dramatic homage to the Apocalypse, existential ennui, and Paul Simon’s “Sounds of Silence.”  Of course that only makes sense to Mr. Stevens himself, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.  After a full listen through the first word that comes to mind is intriguing.  This is a must listen for any Sufjan fan.

Currently All Delighted People is only available in digital format at Sufjan’s bandcamp site.  The hour long EP can be purchased for a whopping $5 or streamed here free.  Expect the physical CD or double LP later this year.