My definition of “Woke” is a state of perceived intellectual superiority one gains by reading Crave Online. I may be biased, but I guarantee that you will be more aware of the world around you and reach a higher state of consciousness if you peruse these fine pages of music, movies, and memes (among many other topics).
Also: The 12 Most Anticipated Albums In 2017
Case in point is my Spring Playlist with new works from some familiar names and fresh faces in the music world. Enjoy. Stay woke.
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.”
Kendrick Lamar dropping new music is the only thing that changes the internet’s conversation from President Trump. The Compton rapper’s latest track, “HUMBLE.”, came with an incendiary music video. Directed by Dave Meyers & the Little Homies (a group that includes Lamar himself), it features the hip-hop provocateur as a deity for the hood, taking shots on fake models to (allegedly) Big Sean.
Mura Masa and Charli XCX – “1 Night”
Young love. Steel drums. Sing-a-long chorus. This collaboration from two of of Britain’s breakout stars has all the makings of a spring anthem and the lovestruck video has Charile XCX in a mini-skirt doing Britney Spears for the multi-cultural generation.
Ninajirachi – “Pure Luck feat. Freya Staer”
Speaking of Mura Masa, the 20 year old DJ/producing wunderkind is already influencing a new generation of even younger artists. Ninajirachi is the moniker of 17-year-old Nina Wilson, a Sydney-based musician and producer, whose debut single, “Pure Luck (feat. Freya Staer)”, premiered on tastemaker Zane Lowe’s BEATS 1 show this week. Although she wears her influences on her leggings, the bouncy, ethereal guilty pleasure has all the makings of the next big Aussie thing.
Gorillaz – “Andromeda”
You never know what you’re going to get from Damon Albarn’s virtual reality band, much like the world today. The singles from Humanz, their first album in six years, have been unpredictable, from the political gospel preach of “Hallelujah Money” to the spacey, stoned-out bliss of “Saturnz Barz”. Their latest, “Andromeda” goes back to the London club scene of the ’80s with a dreamy dance beat that’s got soul.
TAPZ – “Run Don’t Run”
The New Zealand by way of Zimbabwe hip hop artist is already a sought after producer, who has written and produced tracks with the likes of 6LACK and Vic Mensa, and is now on the verge of breaking out as an artist in his own right. The scintillating track and music video are dark and intense that play out with a slow burn, showcasing a forward-thinking new genre that’s been dubbed “noir’n’b.”
Phantoms – “Need You Closer” feat. Hayley Kiyoko
Phantoms are America’s answer to Disclosure. The well-coiffed, perfectly-polished DJ/production duo are former child actors (take notes Corey Feldman) who have partnered up with a former teen acting contemporary, Haley Kiyoko (whom I recently interviewed at SXSW) for a streaming-friendly single off their self-titled, debut album out today.
