Click here to view the embedded video.

Within the spoken word community, poets like to bash the rappers who went on Def Poetry Jam and spit their song verses acapella.  And yes, most of the time they were pretty wack.  However, I’ve always had a silent respect for Kanye West‘s contribution to spoken word.  From putting on J. Ivy and Malik Yusef, to bringing vocal emphases to emceeing that were once reserved for spoken word, Yeezy may sound better over beats – but at the same time his verses translate off beat much better than most rappers out there.

These videos of Kanye’s visit to the Facebook headquarters tickles my heart because of how low-fi they are.  They remind me of our college gigs where we ended up in noisy student unions tripping over folding chairs and competing with the sound of the coffee grinder.  During those moments, our discouraged selves would dream of the day we’d hit auditoriums with hi-def sound and lighting.  To see Kanye go from the Glow in the Dark tour to spitting off-mic on top of a lunchtable is quite humbling.  Sometimes with the Word, doing it this up close and personal is more effective than any performance at Madison Square could ever be.  This is talent.

More after the jump.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Last week Kanye dropped “Power,” the first leak from his new album Good Ass Job.  I’m still deciding whether or not I like it, as goes the tradition of my relationship with Ye’s first singles.  Definitely earning him some points is the fact that the track features Dwele, who has been involved in some of my favorite Yeezy joints.  Let’s go through them, shall we?

Kanye West ft. Dwele “Power”

Kanye West ft. Dwele “Flashing Lights”

Dwele ft. Kanye West “Hold on (Remix)”

Have a good ass day.

Not to ruin the ending but what’s good with Drake and Kanye having videos where their woman kills them…?

If you know me then you know I hate vodka. HATE IT.  Spit it out like a cold sore, I do.  But I really can’t be mad at the dope video content that Absolut keeps coming out with!!  Above is NY-Z, a mini-doc about Jay-Z’s return to Madison Square Garden last September 11 in celebration of The Blueprint 3.  Given that Fade to Black is one of my favorite films ever, this goodie is an easy favorite.  Another disgustingly wonderful corporate venture is Spike Jonze’s I’m Here, a robot love story.

So yeah.  One of my favorite musicians and one of my favorite filmmakers, both in full support of Absolut Vodka.  Hmmm, maybe I should give their alcoholic beverage another try!  Yeeeeeeeahhhhhhh roighhhhhhht.  I’d rather eat squidbrains.

aweoifjawe;fwlifjo;rjes;ojf;eroigje;orjfaeo;ofijaew;oifj!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We just got invited to be official artists in SXSW, one of the largest music conferences in the country!  Okay, I know hundreds of bands get accepted every year, but being that only a handful of hip-hop acts are accepted, it’s an absolute honor to be among that…I guess going last year under the radar and walking around like a bunch of lost ducklings paid off!

Last year featured a slew of artists across the board, including Janelle Monáe, Kid Cudi, Ebony Bones, Keelay and Zaire, Kanye West, Big Boi, Blue Scholars…hell, even Third Eye Blind!

For a virtually unknown group with no label backing, being invited to SXSW is a big deal.  Thank you to everyone who’s ever come to a show or downloaded a song, every college organizer who’s ever booked us, and all the fam and friends we’ve met throughout the world.  We’re still building from the ground up, and these small victories are definitely appreciated wholeheartedly.

SXSW’s music conference takes place March 17-21, 2010.  SEE YOU IN AUSTIN!!!!!!!!!

Apologies to anyone who came here last night and saw this new Kanye West x Spike Jonze film “We Were Once a Fairytale” with my caption just reading “Hella tight.” But after coming back from watching Where the Emo Things Are, pretty much anything directed by Spike that doesn’t feature manic-suicidal monsters crying for 90 minutes could be considered “Hella tight.” Fortunately, this one only features  manic-suicidal monster crying for 2 minutes! Unless you consider Kanye a monster.  Either way, even a film where he wakes up after accidentally making love to a couch, and then commits seppuku, is less of a downer than Where the Depressed Things Are.

And amidst realizing that I might have just spoiled two Spike Jonze films for you right now, all I can really say in everyone’s defense is that Kanye, along with Max, Carol, and the rest of the monsters of Where the Wrist-Slitting Things Are, just need to listen to our song “The HereNow.” Because if he did, he would understand that lying in an embryo position on the bathroom floor is very Glenn Beck of him, which is the opposite of what anyone should be, ever.  He would understand that it’s about existing with the freaky hairless cat inside of him, and to realize that he is quite blessed to exist in a world where he and Weezy can have pretty sustainable singing careers.  Eddie Murphy wasn’t so fortunate.

So watch the film above.  It’s still hella tight.  And then if you’re considering watching Where The Nobody Loves Me Things Are, click HERE and save yourself 12 bucks.

Now that we’re starting to settle into our new abode I’ve been finally left with an ounce of time to check out some of the musics that I’ve been missing out on this summer.  One of my favorite findings is actually a band that’s pretty huge in the UK already, Noisettes.  The lead singer Shingai Shoniwa‘s voice is rich and smokey, and will probably strike a similar chord as Brit-counterparts Amy Winehouse and Adele.  But as Nico (who’s probably taken an even bigger liking to these guys) puts it, it’s great to hear a black-woman-sounding singer who’s actually a black woman singer.  Wait, am I allowed to say that?  I’m quoting Nico.  DON’T BLAME THE TRANSLATOR!!!

Check out the doooooope Kanye x Noisettes mashup mixtape Wild Young Heartbreak recently dropped by Mick Boogie and Terry Urban.  Been playing nonstop.

[Mick Boogie & Terry Urban present Noisettes x Kanye West "Wild Young Heartbreak"]

Damn…I go downstairs to brush my teeth and the next thing I know I’m the late lame kid trailing behind all the other bloggity blogs.  Takes me back to middle school P.E..

[Jay-Z ft. Kanye & Rihanna "Run This Town"]

Whaaaaaat this is so cleeeeeeeeean!  Kanye’s been one of our main inspirations for the live production that we’re piecing together for iB4the1.  Last year his Glow in the Dark tour stretched the imaginations of hip-hop fans across the globe, and this year he’s going even crazier (in all ways possible, but in the good way).

More via Kanye’s Blog

Here’s the mock-up that he posted a few days ago made out of gum wrapper:

Is it just me or does the new stage plot look hella like the Ivory Tower from Neverending Story?

Fresh regardless.  Can’t wait to see it.