This heat just can’t be beat so I guess it’s time for some sun worship.  I’m currently trying to get training rides in for a bike trip to Montreal on the horizon, so I avoid the outdoors at my own peril really, time to acclimatize.  At least I’m heading north, to a land of salted meat and very serious bagels.  It’s also the land of the largest jazz festival in the world.  Unfortunately the concert calendar for the festival does not have much in the way of free activities, certainly not on the days when I’ll be in town, but who knows, perhaps a fete de la musique type air will overcome the city and music will be everywhere I turn, here’s to hope.  Oh, and did you know that the CAD is stronger than the USD again, lame-o.  At least I hear that Montreal is cheap, I have fond memories of going there as a 12 year old and copping some Led Zepplin records for $2-3 a pop, and visiting my first head shop (!).

That’s not happening until later though, let’s talk about here, right now, huh…ahem, Kanye’s new official video for Monster is currently occupying his website’s homepage and I can think of worse ways to spend six minutes, the Nicki Minaj payoff at the end is well worth staring at Rick Ross’ fat ass/how fucking unreal is it that Rick Ross is such a MJRPLYR in the rap game these days?  Dude went from DJ Khaled clan-track also ran to headlining Summerjam, crazeee.

This weekend, my southern brethren, is Bonnaroo weekend.  This marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, 5 of which I’ve attended - twice as a camper and then 3 times as a security guard.  This weekend though, I’ll be spinning my wheels up here in NYC heading to some of those free shows I mentioned yesterday. To mark the occassion online discount-designer clearing house, Jackthreads has put together a Bonnaroo Collection complete with $290 Big Boi shoes and a $50 Girl Talk wrist watch.

What else…Kreayshawn inked a deal with Columbia that is likely worth a cool million. At least she won’t be spending that money on stupid designer clothing right (sorry Jackthreads^)? I’m pulling for Kreayshawn and her White Girl Mob to come through with a string of west coast bangers.  Interesting to see that she sees video production as part of the deal, does this mean that she’ll be directing swagged out videos for the whole stable of Columbia recording artists? Oh, and have I mentioned yet that I think I’m in love with her? Guess I need to catch her when she’s not being an occasional lesbian.

Ok, and now for some music type stuff:

I thought that with a name like Basstronaut, I’d be in for some wobble heavy dub/bass garble, but no, it’s nothing like that, think Beirut/Jeffrey Butzer instead, some good laid back-but-thoughtful tunage (via Friends from Far):

brasstronaut - hearts trompet by Covert PR brasstronaut - requiem for a scene by Covert PR Brasstronaut - Old World Lies by Friends From Far

And for some more ridiculous type shit check out his mega mashup by DJ BAHLER -“Meant to Fade” (Joywave x Empire of the Sun x Skrillex x David Guetta x Lil Jon)

And finally, the south is strong with this one - Big K.R.I.T. featuring Ludacris and Bun B - Country Shit.  I really want one of those “Listen to U.G.K.” T-shirts that KRIT wears in the video, that’s some good ass advice there (via Soul Culture).