I've spent Valentine's weekend shuttling between Northern Virginia and downtown Washington, D.C., to cover an international conference of high school students. (Long story, coming soon.)
I departed New York late Thursday night, just as the new Drake tape hit the Internet. Since I was busy lurking in suites and cafes for the past three days, I've only spent a couple hours with If You're Reading This It's Too Late; and I must admit that I've dedicated a greater share of my weekend downtime to Chance the Rapper and Kreayshawn. They're what Valentine's Day is all about.
New Orleans Bounce "A Nola Second Line (Brass Band Mix)"
Released: Feb. 8, 2015
"A moving party. A moving concert. A lot of people just expressing themselves." That's the intro description of a "second line," the proud NOLA tradition of dancing brass and outrageous pedestrian fashion. I listen to forget that outside, right now, it's eight degrees and windy.
Red Baraat "Bhangale" (Nick Catchdubs Remix)
Released: Feb. 12, 2015
Ten seconds in, the synth bari sax triplets hypnotized me. I'll be damned if I can translate the chant, but it's not like I'd need to; just let it ride. Red Baraat, a New York-based band born of bhangra and jazz, is funky enough on their own, so shouts to Nick Catchdubs for putting me on via this remix of "Bhangale." Peep Red Baraat's NPR Tiny Desk concert for additional amazement.
Drake "You and the 6"
Released: Feb. 12, 2015
As an epilogue for Drake's last album, Nothing Was The Same, If You're Reading This It's Too Late is dark and exhausted. "Energy," "10 Bands," and "6 Man" are the most obviously strained attempts to recast the magic of "Started From the Bottom" and "0 to 100," down to the identical hook and piano cadences. The stronger, somewhat fresher cuts are "Madonna," in which Drake promises the world, and "You and the 6," in which he vents to his mother ("I really hate using this tone with you, mama") and decompresses. "Look What You've Done" Drake is my favorite Drake, even when he's running on empty.
Kreayshawn "BE MINES 69" (Valentine's Mix)
Released: Feb. 13, 2015
DJ Kreayshawn, alter ego of rapper Kreayshawn, made a horrorcore Valentine's Day mix, complete with "Percolator" bass kicks and a loop of Drake stuttering "dick" again and again, at 80 reps per minute. The synth flute at 19:48 is the flutter of Trap Cupid's wings. "I think I'm in love," so it goes. "Please respond!"
Chance the Rapper and the Social Experiment "Lady Friend"
Released: Feb. 14, 2015
Can't let Makonnen do all the zonked-out lounge riffing now, can we? Chance and the Social Experiment dropped "Lady Friend" on Valentine's Day, which is ideal timing for a song about romantic inhibition and cautious optimism, lest we get ahead of ourselves and their expectations. Here Chance sings like the version of Wyclef that I actually miss.
