electronic

Alex Young

VibeRotation 22 by Alex Young

InTheRough returns to its VibeRotation playlist series.

This mix of music is about sound through the sentiments fall brings forth. ITR staff also remains committed to delivering new, familiar, and unfamiliar music.

Quickly turn up with A$AP Mob's new song called "Crazy Brazy," then tap into sonic senses with tracks like the one produced by Willow Smith, "Its NOT THAT BAD" by Los Angeles producer Kintaro, or "The Other" by another L.A. product, Saígo.

Enjoy new music in your life courtesy of VibeRotation 22 below.

Party in The 'Burgh by Alex Young

Via rbfaresh Snapchat

Via rbfaresh Snapchat

The bartender went to fetch my cold, canned Pabst Blue Ribbon. The walls started to rattle because the bass in the speakers from a Kid Cudi song, like "Girls" or "Burn Baby Burn," was so so heavy. I was a blurred figure in the mirror behind the bar because the bass really shook the establishment, Spirit Lodge, that much.

This was a brief moment away from the dance floor, which I did not leave all night unless to get more drink.

Credit goes to RB of FarESH Brand, the event's host, and DJs EYEJAY and Paizley. In her promotional Instagram post before the function, specifically called "Finesse," EYEJAY wrote "Pixburgh needs this!"

It was a party at Spirit. Pittsburgh rallied around the music, contemporary hip-hop, Jersey Club, and trap sounds boomed and drunken melodies rang out from everyone in the crowd. Couples, friends, locals, politicians, and popular figures found their rhythm together.

I looked to my left and rapper Mars Jackson stepped with pep, influenced by joy from his sister's wedding which occurred earlier in the day, and surely the spirits. Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" ran. "Nigga, we gon' be alright" praised the people on the dance floor. Everything was liberating and fun, turnt. Photographer and lifestyle icon Keep Pittsburgh Dope, wearing a Steelers, Rod Woodson T-shirt that read "Xplosive," stood atop a wooden block where the speakers sat. "Only real niggas keep you float, Only trill niggas I know," sang Travi$ Scott in his song "3500." When KPD was on the floor, grooving next to his business partner and friend Cody Baker, I said, "I'm fucking lit man." KPD, with a slight smirk on his face, replied, "Oh, we're already there."

EYEJAY and Paizley kept things exciting. "I know you got more," I shouted to them over the music. They did have more. Anthems played, and they exposed us to tunes perhaps unfamiliar to some people. In a toboggan hat fit to his head, denim jacket, and tie dye sweatshirt, Choo Jackson floated next to the DJs when they played his "Back From Texas" track. "What you need, what-what you need?" the speakers said. "Racks on racks on racks, racks, Maybachs on bachs on bachs on bachs on bachs," RB chanted the lyrics to Jay Z and Kanye West's "Gotta Have It." Youths loved the Lil Uzi Vert, and spoken word artist Grits Capone reacted kindly to the menacing "Red Opps" by Atlanta's 21 Savage.

We were all dancing circles around each other, and mean mugging at every bass hit and raw lyric from the musical artists we appreciated most.

Smiles were felt too because we partied as a community, we were nothing but ourselves and nobody looked at us differently (until I knocked a drink out of some lady's hand from my flailing dance move).

Most importantly, genuine experiences such as the one at Spirit Lodge on July 23 are happening with more frequency around Pittsburgh and that alone means more fun, happiness, and culture.

InTheRough - Run and Tell (Playlist) by Alex Young

+ Binge watching 'Game of Thrones' is suggested. The only takeaway is: do not walk through the forests alone.

+ You are sure you want to vote for Trump?

+ No respect from spraying bullets.

+ Do good business unless you want to fuck up a check or relationships.

+ Eating fruit can cause happiness.

+ "Trust your struggle," said Jace, part of Two-9 quintet, in his latest mixtape.

+ Who are you without a woman?

Aminé - Yeye (Lean Quatifah & Cautious Clay) by Alex Young

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District of Columbia is home to a collection of eclectic sounds and producers. Hard hitting trap, rhythmic house, 808s, pleasant electronics and chimes, and live instrumentations are fused into the musicianship of two specific D.C. producers.

Lean Quatifah and Cautious Clay, co-founders of Proper Vibes record label, display their talents today in the form of a remix. Both Lean and Cautious flip a Kaytrananda produced song by Portland, Ore. artist Aminé, "Yeye."

Listen to the D.C. duo's re-work below and explore Aminé's Calling Brio project here.

InTheRough Style - "Listen To The Kids, Bro!" (Playlist) by Alex Young

Photo by Alex Young

Photo by Alex Young

In an effort to represent the new age of hip-hop, R&B, soul, electronic-house and pop InTheRough Style delivers its latest playlist, "Listen To The Kids, Bro!" The collection of music, appearing on SoundCloud, draws inspiration from Kanye West's famous 2015 VMA Vanguard Speech. West says,

I’m confident. I believe in myself. We the millennials, bro. This is a new mentality. We’re not gonna control our kids with brands. We not gonna teach low self-esteem and hate to our kids. We gonna teach our kids that they can be something. We gonna teach our kids that they can stand up for theyself! We gonna teach our kids to believe in themselves!

While some found his declaration for presidential candidacy in the speech absurd, his words capture an "impossible is nothing" type attitude. When he exclaims, "Listen to the kids, bro!" it is a call to action for youths to do anything and everything they set their minds to.

Contemporary artists in the mix like Justin Bieber (Journals > Purpose), Choo Jackson, Mick Jenkins and Cal Scruby are testaments to the fact that millennials are self-made go-getters. Plus, thanks to platforms like SoundCloud and Bandcamp, more young artists are able to showcase their work to large audiences.

New flavors from lauded artists, like 50 Cent's "Too Rich," reminds the youngsters out there to respect their elders.

ITR also continues its spotlight on London rap including Piers James and Adian Coker. Both artists recently debuted projects, Green Screen In-Visible View - EP and Time Out of Mind - EP respectively.

Explore and enjoy new music under "Listen To The Kids, Bro!"