The HighLife

Are you sitting comfortably?  Now let's begin.  Or more so, close out 2009.  It's seems that everyone is really eager to throw out 2009 with the bath water.  I personally beg to differ.  A common malady of our current web 2.0 generation is ridiculously short memory spans, and if some of us were to actually consider the entirety of '09 we'd find something to cheer about.  So here's my thanks to 09.  The year that connected all of us much closer than we are even yet to realize; giving way to the rise of social media, unreal NYC all night dance parties, the disco ball at Santos party House, pastel colored sunglasses, the most ridiculous Bonnaroo ever, Pretty Lights, Phish coming back, the most amazing concert i've ever been to with The Roots and Antibalas @ the Red Bull Soundclash, rocking out underneath the McGrath Bridge, free Chester French and Wale concert in Harvard Square, Jesse Dee, The Bodega Girls, Show Dem Camp, Blackjoy, Shepard Fairey at the ICA, dance parties at the ICA... i could keep going but it'd take too long.  So if you're of the opinion that this year wasn't that great, you probably weren't trying hard enough. 





As we proceed into the new year, the Highlife crew would like to thank you all for your support.  This enterprise has been a leap of faith from the beginning, and it wouldn't be possible without all of you out there.  The scary thing about leaps of faith is that you don't how or if you'll land.  But you have to jump anyway.  That said, our resolution for 2010 is to make the impossible possible.  Keep watching this space.

Jumpoff On Point 2009


Happy New Year!!!

{Lagos}
Perspective.  An artist without perspective is like a writer without content.  The more of it one has the fuller understanding they have of any subject, which in turn allows them to present truth as it is, unadulterated.  Whether it be art, humanity, philosophy, whatever.  This jet-setting London based artist is blessed as such, and it's evident in the scope of his work.  Like he says, "my friend, clear your mind of can't".  If the sum of our lives are in our experiences, his tally is soaring.  Pay close attention to MrMadeofCodes. In other words Tenne Fatona. 


{NYC}

{Tokyo}

{Jerusalem}

{Ghana}

{Lagos}

{Ibiza}

{California}

{somewhere in Africa}




Interplanetarians.com

Man versus the Machine.  Machine versus man.  Where does one end and the other begin.  Who serves what, what serves whom.  Atrophy and Rebirth. Light and Dark.  Finding beauty where the masses don't is where this artist operates.  This is the art of Andre Hester.


SUBmerSIBLE 

MELLOW.

An artist with a penchant for attention to detail has a profound way of  producing thought provoking work.  This isn't the first time this artist has been featured on THL (+), but that was only just a preview.  Welcome to the Daniel Szymanowski show.



















dansz.com

It seems I'm in a Tar Heel state mood...  Aside from a select few artists, the art of storytelling has mostly been neglected not only by hiphop but by most genres of music in general.  It's one thing to write a song that is layered in meaning and abstract in delivery, but it's even more revealing to tell a story that is real and uncompromising.  It's exactly the latter sort of storytelling that makes this North Carolina native so intriguing.  The first signee to RocNation, he's released two mixtapes since last year, The Come Up and The Warm Up, and they're both sick!  Simply not your average hiphop.  Definitely check out the ode to his home state, "Carolina on my Mind" from The Come Up, but most especially the crazy good "Dreams" from The Warm Up.  That's it for now but keep in mind, if he's only just warming up y'all better be ready for game time.  This is J. Cole.

Simplicity is simply not that simple.  It's one of the hardest things to acheive in the world; anyone can be complex.  The work of this New England-based North Carolina native, like the artist himself, is unassuming.  On the level it's quite direct, but deeper observation reveals a complexity that's only acheived through a high level of introspection and understanding of aesthetics.  Get to know Heyward Hart.

heywardhart.com

In theaters January 15th.  The man just doesn't make bad movies.  Period.



p.s. in the meantime, you really should go see Sherlock Holmes

Merry merry y'all.  Here's one of a few presents we've got for you before the year is out.   Think of them as essentials for heading into the new year.  First off, a couple of guaranteed party starters by a duo of really talented dudes from Norway.  These are the Albino Superstars.

Team Disco

+ Louder Version

My Girls

What it is people.  While were on the topic of haunting music that you can't get out of your head (thank you Corey!).  Here are a couple that will most definitely percolate around your cranium for a while.  Plus some images that will certainly do the same.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side

{image/mrmadeofcodes}
Where is Lloyd?  This song is probably about two years old now, but for whatever reason each time i hear it again it always seems like the first time hearing it.  The remix is also just as persistent, but the original "oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh g-g-g-get it shawty" gets me everytime.  Get yours.  Lloyd - Get it Shawty



B-Side

{image/mrmadeofcodes}
I dare you to listen to this and not get it stuck in your head.  Pick one, the verse, the chorus, the beat; it will stay with you.  Whatever your feelings may be about The Dutchess, just remember that the "the girl can't help it."  Fergie - Clumsy



That'll do it today.  Try to keep your mind positive, regardless of what finds its way into your head.  Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.