The Heist World Tour - San Diego, December 4, 2013

From macklemore.com.

If you haven't heard these names at least once every week since last October, then you haven't been awake (or at least jammin'). Since The Heist album release party in October of 2012, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have been non-stop touring around the world. Last week, I finally was graced with a second chance to see them in San Diego, one of their last few stops in the states for The Heist tour...

Here's the back story:
I almost went to the release party when I was living in Washington, but I missed out because it sold out before I had the money to buy a ticket. That was NOT happening this time. Fate was on my side and I didn't even know it.
My options to see the duo were the much closer Staples Center or drive 3+ hours to San Diego to see the show there. My friend and I looked up the tickets and the Staples Center General Admission tickets were all gone and all that was left were nosebleeds that would cost me my left hand and dancing room (no dancing room is "so not in" at a M&RL concert... or any concert!). We checked the San Diego tickets: same price for General Admission, which was still available! We decided that it was totally worth the hassle and the price was worth the experience we had been craving. But we still didn't buy the tickets yet! We had to make sure our schedules worked out with it.
The DAY BEFORE the concert, we knew for sure we were around. Still... we would wait until the morning to buy the tickets. Remember how I said fate was on our side? There were still GA tickets! We were on it. Threw down the money (totaled to $69.60 with fees and day of pricing) and somehow got a crew together.
As recent college grads with jobs, we were trying to decide between being responsible and living life. We realized we could do both, and so we did.

LET THE SHOW BEGIN!
I have to admit, I was unimpressed and a little put off by the opening acts: Big K.R.I.T. and Talib Kweli. Their showmanship was lacking and their lyrics were shallow. Singing about rims, trunks, and other car parts (along with lady parts) was not making them a new fan or psyching me up for the concert. I expected Macklemore to choose a couple performers with a little more depth or creativity, and the ability to entertain and perform better. The most exciting person to watch was the DJ in the background with the red hat. Obviously this is just my opinion, and maybe I was just so ready for the main show.

LET THE SHOW BEGIN! Finally.

The curtain drops to display The Heist flag and "M&RL" in bright lights above, while Lewis' soulful instrumental song, "Bom Bom," was playing. After the song ended, the band entered the stage along with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis accompanied by confetti shooting out of cannons. "WORTH IT!" That was my immediate thought. (Actually... I'm pretty sure I yelled it.) All the driving, the money, the last minute planning. I made the decision that quickly. That wasn't the last time the cannons were used. Throughout the show, there was more confetti, fireworks, giant balloons, and even twenty foot flame pillars. I think sometimes artists get caught up in how much they can make from ticket prices, they neglect to make the whole show an unforgettable experience for the audience. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis know how to involve the audience. They make their shows participatory. You're not just watching a concert, or at a concert... you are IN the concert celebration. Even his "Thrift Shop" wardrobe came from an audience member who was wearing a skillfully thrifted quality fur coat.

Smells like R. Kelly's sheets.

After sweating buckets in it while rapping and dancing along to his grammy nominated song, he passed the coat back to the fan who will now most likely never wash it again (would you?!).

After a year on the road, featured artists still tour with M&RL and perform at every concert. Mary Lambert walked out on the stage to perform the inspirational "Same Love," which you could see light up the faces of the warm-hearted lesbian couple next to us, along with all the straight fans (because that's what it's all about: same love). The song connected the hearts, minds, and arms of everyone through the lyrics and music. Perhaps that is why it was nominated for the Grammy Song of the Year. Macklemore has fun with a lot of his music, but he also knows the impact he can make with it, and is not afraid to speak his mind and make a stand. He addresses equality, materialism, struggles with drug use and sobriety, and more. He doesn't just rap; he performs, entertains, teaches, and feels it all.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis made sure to share their thanks and love to all who were there and part of their journey to success. M&RL are do-it-yourself musicians. They started with nothing, never signed with a label, and let the fans make them successful. Through their teamwork, marketing, music videos, and relevant music, their popularity grew exponentially so quickly. After writing a master's paper about their team, I can go on and on (and on we go), so I will stop myself there. You get the point: THEY'RE SUPERSTARS.

To end the night with an encore set that doubled as a cardio workout, we danced and celebrated and danced some more. That's what Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are all about.

Yes, you read right: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have multiple nominations for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards! SEVEN if you're counting. Don't worry, you're not the only one who feels like a proud mother... their moms do too. Okay, okay... and me! 

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 56th Annual Grammy Nominations:

1. The Heist for Album of the Year

2. "Same Love (feat. Mary Lambert)" for Song of the Year

3. Best New Artist*

4. "Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz)" for Best Rap Performance*

5. "Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz)" for Best Rap Song*

6. The Heist for Best Rap Album*

7. "Can't Hold Us" for Best Music Video

*Edit: 2014 GRAMMY wins.

Check out more videos from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on their YouTube Channel.

Gotta have it? Download The Heist and more from iTunes here.

You Always Live Again

Y.A.L.A.

You always live again. This might be the new mantra of MIA's fourth studio album. Sounds like YOLO (You Only Live Once)? That's the point. MIA (Maya) still puts her two cents in about the slightly outdated, definitely overused phrase "YOLO!"

Is she a little late for that? Some might say yes, because of the delayed release of Matangi. But once you hear the song, you'll be happy you didn't YOLO yourself to death before it's release on November 5th. Y.A.L.A.'s catchy beats and chants will make you feel like you're running through the dirty streets of Bombay, barefoot and hyped up on whatever it is they smoke in India (yes, we all know Sri Lanka is not India, but they are neighbors).

Listen to "Y.A.L.A.":

While MIA maintains her signature cultural sounds of Sri Lanka, she follows the musical trends of today by incorporating more electronic pops and drags than before. Look back her 2008 major smash "Paper Planes," a perfect blend of traditional sounds (MIA's signature bells, vocal yips, and drums) and smooth beats. Compare it with the new release from Matangi, "Double Bubble Trouble," which maintains tradition, but also drops a sharp staccato-esque beat, something that can't be distinguished in her past work.

Unlike her album Maya (remember the controversial  "Born Free?"), MIA does not get as heavy with the lyrics and her messages. Although, you'll still find yourself shouting "Preach!" every once in a while. She does, however, get heavy with the beats.

I think it's safe to say that to "drop the bass" (a catch phrase used for electronica/dubstep music styles that have slowly integrated into modern dance and pop music), the music requires a certain sharpness. You can hear this similar style in "Matangi" as well. It sounds processed, like it was scrambled in the microwave. A bad thing? Definitely not! I've been told that only awesome things happen when you stick them in the microwave, especially this album. If you don't believe it, put a metal plate in your mom's microwave and watch the fireworks explode.

Listen to "Bring the Noize":

If it makes you want to hit the ground at the drop, it's relevant.

Check out some more of the favorites first:

Double Bubble Trouble

Bad Girls

Boom (Skit)

Exodus

To listen to more of Matangi, visit MIA's Matangi YouTube Channel.

Dig what you hear? Download the songs and/or album from iTunes here.

Hear the Beat

Welcome to my new music blog, The HeartBeat!

I have been thinking long and hard about what this site will be all about. So far, I have decided that I would like to:
  - Spotlight up and coming artists, or songs, worth knowing
  - Feature music from different regions of the world
  - Share interesting music interviews, stories, and news
  - And most importantly, make it easy for you to hear the beat by easy access to the music!

I hope you enjoy this blog, and the journey we will be taking, wherever it may lead!

- K.JOHN