Podcasts That Make You Go: Ooh...
Last Updated on Monday, 09 November 2009 21:20 Written by Misha Stallworth Tuesday, 03 November 2009 15:43
WTF is BNB? Beyond knowing that it stands for Black N' Bing, I'm still not really sure. But what I do know is that the two podcasts by Niles Heron have been cleverly put together to make you feel like "Ooh Ahh" (c) Boyz II Men. His music knowledge is extensive and you wont always recognize the songs that are being played, however, it's still worth it. One is all about a lack of hip hop, because sometimes you know, that's necessary and the other takes you on a journey from kickin it old school to kickin it new school and back again. Expand your mind homie (what is high? what is learn? what is high-er learning?)
Part 1: Niles Heron's No Rap Allowed Podcast
Who of us has not complained about the state of hip hop at some point? Even if you like terrible artists like Gucci Mane and Jeezy at some point you've probably complained about Ron Brownz or Soulja Boy (I've exhausted my knowledge of mainstream rap with those examples...oh wait Drake, Jay-z, Lil Wayne, now I've exhausted it). So in strolls the sweet talkin, smooth walkin Niles Heron to give the people what they want. An interesting blend of indie, acoustic, jazz, soul, funk, stadium status--what you crave with a Dilla track to make it legit. Let me give an example for those of you who just had your mind blown. This man was able to blend The Beatles with a little John Mayer, and kill two birds with one stone with the John Mayer track being one where he's featured with Herbie Hancock. So what I just said was lyrics, instruments, arrangements; they aren't always together, they aren't always mutually exclusive--sometimes you get 1 out of 3, sometimes you get em all, sometimes you get something in between, every time you get greatness. Today this is my favorite, and yesterday this one was my favorite. In about a week, I think part one will be my favorite, but this week (and every week really), this is what I need. This is what the world needs.
"If you don't like it, sorry about your ears" -Niles Heron
"If you don't like it, you must be mildly retarded. And not like savant, genius retarded, just plain slow" -Misha LJ
Hey there motown and the 60s in general, I miss you.
I miss the way you made me feel. I miss the way my head bobbed and hips swung when you were upbeat; and the way your emotions were strong enough to make me cry.
Anyway, enough of the soft stuff. Episode two hits the 60s and some of the sounds of the 70s hard. Then it throws in some of the things the eras influenced, you know like everything. Little bit of current day hip hop, little bit of the 80s and some disco. Think the movie Reservoir Dogs and K-Billy's Super Sound of the Seventies but better because it's not only the 70s and because the "sound" of the 60s and 70s doesn't necessarily mean made in the 60s and 70s (church Mayer Hawthorne). And then think watching (or in this case hearing) evolution. I'm talking Smokie Robinson's falsettos, and The Beatles guitar, swirling with Dave Matthews and some subtle Daft Punk. Slaughterhouse kills it and some how, in some fantastic way Mr. Heron finds a way to bring us back to Prince and Gladys. Of course I'm leaving out much of what's on this podcast, because you know, you should be a cool kid and listen to it not just take my word for it--well really you should do both: take my word for it and listen to it yourself.
Music is about evolution. It started somewhere probably beating a stick on a rock, and evolved into percussion, strings, woodwinds and horns. You have to know the past to get to the future, otherwise you may just repeat the past.
Niles: Believe
Misha LJ: Word.
Both: Holla
-----About BNBBLACKNBLING is one of LA’s premiere lifestyle branding houses. Comprised of imaging specialists, digital composers and a host of talent coordinators, BLACKNBLING is known for capturing and creating history through imagery and sounds. The brand was created with the intent of shedding light on the visual and audio worlds of our generation, and bridges the gap between innovators and appreciators of the arts. About Niles HeronA writer as well as music connoisseur, Niles Heron resides in Los Angeles by way of Detroit. P.s.BNB, Niles Heron and me all #luvHex, you should too. Send hopes wishes, prayers, chants, and general positivity to him and his family.
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