The Hickey Underworld

AMAZING video from a great Belgian band, The Hickey Underworld.

Pay attention!

This is what music videos should be made of. And the songs that accompany them.

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Just in case you were wondering, we still make music.

It's not all politics!

Well, in this case it kind of is...

I wrote this song about how people of colour are struggling all over the world, and there is no difference between the systematic prejudice people face in America, and the deep colonialism in Africa. Just because it's sunny in one place and muggy in the other doesn't change the circumstance.

The original is a thrasher. When we play it live it really bangs. We tried to keep a fair compromise between a song you can dance to and still hear the words. And keep the groove in the forefront.

However, I've been doing tons of remixes of this song, and I stumbled across some grand ideas today and I've laid out a semi-electro/dancehall banger for everybody to enjoy. Even if you don't care about the plights of others.

Just get down anyways.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6239209111287882/

-Jahmal

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An open letter to my MP.

The following is related to the current protests happening in major cities all around the world. The country of Sri Lanka (Neil's mother's homeland) is in the middle of a civil war. We don't concern ourselves with BS politics. We just want peace. Contact your member of congress or MP. Call somebody you voted for and tell them to help out.

---

Hello MP,

I'm writing this message as a concerned citizen. I have been watching the Sri Lankan protests unfold for the past few weeks, and have heard the voices of the Sri Lankan community, and also the voices of the general populace.

I am surprised and outraged by the response of so many Canadians. Things like "Go back to Sri Lanka and protest!" And other comments filled with rage and ignorance.

As you know, we all have the right to legally protest. It's what makes this democracy run. It's what makes this country the place it is. The fact that many have come here to express their disagreement with the powers that be, or speak out against groups with power who are abusing it.

Now while the protests have reached a boiling point, where the safety of other citizens is at risk, nothing has been done by the Harper government to reach out to the government of Sri Lanka to provide peace keeping troops to the area. To help the government come to some sort of peaceful solution. What we are seeing in that country is tantamount to genocide. We need peace all over this world. And helping Sri Lanka is something within reach.

So I implore you, as a by-partisan citizen. PLEASE urge parliament to SAVE these people. It is part of being Canadian. To help and be a country of peace in this world. Certainly, we are adults and understand that the world isn't butterflies and rainbows, but I do know that love exists, and if we can't show compassion for our fellow man, we do not only fail to uphold the euphoric ideals of Canadian culture, but we fail to be human beings.

Sincerely,

Jahmal p. Tonge

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I liked that MGMT record. What I have for them though is sheer and unabashed haterism. I'm fully jealous of them, and not ashamed to admit it. What could be better than having a full on pop single without having to put the member of the music business in your mouth?

But, they are thieves.

Right?

Wait, I'm not the first person to cop this am I?

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Le Le Breakfast

The homie Skeet put me on this months ago. I bought it on iTunes and it's been on steady blast since.

Strange how I wrote a whole sentence in colloquial semi-urban speak.

Video:

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Crappy Crap to add to the CRAP you already bought.

1st piece of crap:

The great thing about this shite product is that you can just hang yourself one time if the mood strikes.

2nd piece of crap:

SEE A DOCTOR. They can blast those nasty things of in two seconds. Are you really gonna be the tool walking around in socks that don't cover the most important part of your feet? The real reason socks exist? Come on.

3rd piece of crap:

Because the most important thing in a fire is to make sure you get out on a step ladder that costs $19.99... JUMP YOU STUPID COW!

4th piece of crap:

I would actually love to see somebody use this. You know those clowns who try to carry on mountains of things onto the plane and clog up the aisles while you're trying to board? Imagine this jackass walking down the aisle with this sex ramp. Hitting you in the head as he bumps and jostles every single aisle. Oh... I want to see somebody with this thing so I can push their heads into it repeatedly.

6th piece of crap:

You're just an idiot to waste $40 on a drum noise making mousepad. Even if it just a grown ups version of a kids toy that says 'moo' and 'quack'.

Next time you are flying over the skys of America, never forget. It's the greatest country in the world. They've got lots of money to buy things. ^^^ That's what we do with it.

-J

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Weekend Update

It is with great pleasure I write to you this evening.

We wanted to give you all a Quick update.

-Jimmy Kimmel w/MSTRKRFT!
Watch Jahmal this Wednesday, March 18th performing beside super talented DJs MSTRKRFT live on the Jimmy Kimmel show (check your local listings for showtime in your area).

-Steamwhistle does it RIGHT.
Whether it will be a triumphant return or a happy moment is totally up to you. Both positive, but the onus is on you to come out and make the Carps return to Toronto the former. Completely tremendous. Be there April 17th at the Phoenix in Toronto to see the Carps along with electro-funk wizards Woodhands. This is like the Boat in 2006... Just alot bigger. Hope to see you there!

-Steeltown!
The economy is bricks right now. That's fine though. The Carps will be recession busting rock all over the hard hit city of Hamilton April 18th. Come out, and bring all of your friends. Hamilton loves The Carps. The shows are always packed. And The Carps love hamilton. Bring all of your McMaster friends and buy them a drink to ease the pain that there will be NO jobs when they graduate.

With love we send you best wishes. And your support means new music. And new love.
Thanks.

-Carps

Oh, did we mention we will in the studio starting April? That full length you asked for? Your patience will be rewarded with aural riches much beyond your comprehension.

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Preaching War

A small tale of War.

War is a worthless exercise. 

There's a little boy in Afghanistan that will join the Taliban and become brainwashed because of this war we are waging against ideals.

Tell the Christians we are killing the Muslims to make it ok.

Tell the rich man we are killing for oil to make it ok.

Tell the young boy we are defending North America so he can live while they die. To make it ok.

They tell me to stop preaching. But every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and man gets up on a podium, and he stands there bellowing down to ignorant ears that they need to "FIGHT! Fight God's war!" And that Israel must win, that Jihad is the only way, and that Jesus needs to be glorified at the cost of the blood of others.

So if they stand and preach every week, who is preaching for the middle? Who is preaching for genuine peace? Real love? The kind of life that goes beyond the bullshite of religion and politics.

You can tune out the preaching if you want. But you need to remember that everything they do affects us too. We need peace and love. That is the only way to make a greener earth and a peaceful earth and a loving planet.

If we don't say it, who will?

-Jahmal

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Valentine's Day Check Up.

Most mainstream hip hop, I don't need to tell you why it's garbage. I know, she got a fat arse and you're in the club poppin' bottles of "bubb".

And underground head hip hop is the same ol'. Rife with dudes trying to rail on the mainstream scene for being "sell outs to the game" and "real hip hop will neva eva die" knowing full well, if any of them were given the chance to make Lil Wayne money, they'd sell their souls faster than the devil could even get a shot at buying it.

Yea, we get it.

So when I enjoy hip hop it's because it attempts to transcend all of that. It's simply about songs. No unnecessary baggage and non sense. It's music in it's own right. Enough so that our parents can't say there was a lack of effort.

And with all that said, I hope you'll check out my good friend KJ. He's an amazing Producer/MC from Toronto and if I dig it, I'm going to be rude and assume you'd like to take a listen.

KJ - Check Up (Prod. Dylon)

Stay safe. Happy Valentines Day. Love you all. Make sure you don't buy a damn thing. The economy doesn't deserve it after the way we've been treated.

-J

Song hosted courtesy of HipHopCanada.com

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We Kill You, King of the Forest.

The new We Kill You stuff is being cogitated and crafted. And so far, it's amazing. Starting with this brand new sculpt for King Of The Forest.

The new sculpt from WKY is destined to be a future collectible for certain. The kind of detail and artistic possibilites that this dunny presents are endless. And I'm looking forward to getting one to put in a glass case. But WKY just needs to hurry up and slap some paint on them!

King of the forest you say? Whodatis?

"Born in the year 1823 into the Royal Deciduous Family, the King was given the name Hickory Bitternut III. His family was responsible for making sure the balance was kept in the sacred peaceful bond between nature, critter and human. In the early 1900's a deadly disease had struck the Bitternut forest forcing all trees and animals to flee so as not to get sick. Hickory was the only survivor of the R.D.F and thus was crowned king, though he never really felt fit for the job.

As years went by, more and more animals started to move to the new kingdom and they all had stories to tell of why they had to flee their home land. One day a chipmunk arrived after traveling hundreds of miles on the back of a fox. He was very sick and died in the branches of Hickory, but not before telling him that it was the humans in their machines that had broken the sacred bond and were the reason for all the disease and suffering. Infuriated by this, the King held a meeting with all the other leaders of the forest to let them know that bond had been broken and humans were no longer to be trusted.

Today, the King still watches over the animals and plants of the forest and keeps the balance of nature in check. He is slowly fighting back at the humans and their machines to make sure that they don't destroy the little bit of forest that is left!"

The one thing I will always love about We Kill You, is that there is no pretense. No BS. It's just cool art. More info can be found at www.wekillyou.net

-J

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