If you haven’t been exposed to and/or scarred by Die Anwoord already, get ready (and possibly I’m sorry). These guys have been the rawest, filthiest hip/hop group for the past two years or so, and they keep on impressing/ horrifying us. Their recent banger hit “I Fink U Freaky” keeps the grunge-rap going with a beat that I personally think is out of this world. The production and playing around with a constantly speeding up tempo really helps to make it a great dance song as well as showcase Ninja’s (they guy’s) insane flow. Seriously this guy is one of the most solid rappers I have heard in a while. I don’t know if it’s the accent that makes him sound so cool, but whatever it is it’s working. The music video as always adds a scary and confusing feel to the song and also has some pretty insane dancers in their raw posse.

Die Antwoord’s second studio album entitled Ten$ion dropped earlier last month and I would highly recommend obtaining it in whatever fashion you usually get music. It’s collection of a unique sound that is becoming rarer and rarer in today’s popular music scene. Luckily these guys are getting pretty big (watch their performance on Letterman if you haven’t already), so hopefully we can expect much more from Ninja and Yolandi Visser (the scary pale girl).

I know, I know. This song came out a MONTH ago… But I really don’t think enough credit was given to this gem of a Nicki Minaj track. It’s got a little bit of everything in it. The part you can sing with driving in the car. The part you can rage to. Even the part you can’t sing in front of your mother (but I feel like that’s not the best way to differentiate Nicki Minaj songs). I can’t tell you how many time’s I’ve had to playback the “higher than a motherf*****” beat drop. I’ve never had a Nicki song fill me with so much adrenaline (except for maybe Moment 4 Life with Drake, but you probably already thought that too). Regardless of which part you’ll enjoy the most, I highly encourage you to download/bootleg/listen to this song immediately.

“Starships” is one of the few confirmed songs off of Nicki’s upcoming second full album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. I’m sure I speak for most of the popular music connoisseurs in saying that I’m pretty excited for this next album. And if every song is as multifaceted and bumpin’ as “Starships,” I’ll buy it opening day.

If you couldn’t tell, I am border lining on obsession with Nicki. Seriously, I would do dark and sick things to marry Nicki Minaj. She would probably eat me though… That said, I’m in no way a fan of this recent alternate person Roman Zolanski  that Ms. Minaj recently introduced at the Grammy’s this year (Youtube it if you javen’t seen it, it’s bizarre). Happy Listening, and join me in forcing Nicki to have only one pretty, pink persona. Cheers.

TAOS is from Menomena’s most recent release, Mines (2010, Barsuk Records).  They hail from Portland, OR and their namesake is a combination of the words men and phenomena (not this, which is awesome and what I thought they were named after for a while).  They are in the final stages of recording their new album and with any luck they’ll be out in Colorado sometime in the not-so-distant future.  If you liked their sound, be sure to check out their Blogotheque take-away show, which has amazing dancing and clapping children who happened to walk by as they were playing.

I like artists whose name doubles as an description for their music. Fun. does just that. Their music is fun. Think 30 Seconds to Mars with more poppy talent and less suck (I’m talking to you Jared Leto). “Some Nights” could easily be the anthem of Fun.’s new album Some Nights (the fact that it’s the title song should be justification enough). With it’s strong drums and flailing vocals, you’ll be in a better mood before the first minute of the song passes.  I’m smiling just thinking about the song, really.

Some Nights (the album, not the song) is a great album. Hands down. You may notice a bit more hip-hop-y beats than their previous album Aim and Ignite (another solid album if you have not already listened). Turns out one of the big influences of the album was none other than Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.Even though their not quite on Yeezy’s swagger status, Fun. gives us yet another reason to wake up every morning with a smile and jam out to our favorite tunes with an embarrassing dance. Happy Listening.

UK duo Death in Vegas is one of those bands that you know will create an exponentially different sound with every new album. Dare I say Trans-Love Energies (2011) is the best they’ve produced to date. Ladies and gents, let your ears feast upon this minimalist techno delight. (Before you make any snap decisions, be sure to listen the whole song through.)

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