Tag: Recommended

Recommended Reads

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Summer may be over, but September and October offer some of the best weather both in my hometown of Lavallette and also out here in my new home of Southern California. Affectionately referred to as “indian summer” and “local summer”, these two months deliver beautiful weather with a fraction of the amount of people and clutter that come with it in the summer. Sometimes when the beach is quiet and the waves are flat, nothing is better than burying yourself in a good book. Here are 5 different types of literature perfect for a sunny September day.

Scar Tissue – Anthony Kiedis, Larry Sloman (Buy Here)

Probably one of the best autobiographies I’ve have read front to back, Scar Tissue takes you through the tumultuous life of lead Red Hot Chilli Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis. From the ups and downs, to the uppers and the downers, this book is a very real and raw look into one of the longest and craziest battles of substance abuse all while being on top of the world music wise. It also give insight into meanings of some of your favorite RHCP songs, which reminds you to play them a little more. This book had me reading multiple chapters and not taking more than a day in between reading it. One of the fastest times I’ve finished a book is from this great read.

Lord of the Flies – William Golding (Buy Here)

While this book does not have a spot on my bookshelf, I vividly remember reading it my freshman year of high school and genuinely really liking it. Something that was rare for an assigned reading, I kept coming back to read another chapter. I remember this was a summer reading project, and would come with me to the beach when the waves were absent. An interesting tale with many underlying lessons from an unlikely group of friends, if you have not read this classic, get to it ASAP. To be honest, I think I might need to grab a copy and crack it open just to enjoy it all over again.

Stoned Beyond Belief / F*ck, That’s Delicious – Action Bronson (Buy Here)

These two books come from one of my favorite and most imaginative rappers, Young Prosciutto AKA Bambambaklava AKA Bronsolino AKA Action Bronson. As whacky as his rhymes, these two books explore Bronson’s two loves in this world: cooking and kush. While the F*ck That’s Delicious to my understanding is more purely recipes, the Stoned Beyond Belief book delivers funny stories and meals made up around Action smoking like a chimney. It is a nicely made book with fine imagery and on top of all this mine is signed on the inside. Talk

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World (Buy Here)

I just picked this one up based off a recommendation from someone on some podcast (super vague, but I remember the person talking about it and more of Cal’s work and I was enticed enough to investigate). While only a few chapters in, this subject matter definitely hits home for me and I would bet most of you, as it seems as though screen time is only on the rise and walking away seems almost impossible. Cal breaks down and elaborates on how to declutter your digital life, and also pulls real life examples from people who have used his technique and learnings from the book to stray away from the screen. While I don’t know if I will be enacting his practices anytime soon or taking a social media break, it will be cool to look back on if I ever plan to.

A Good Magazine (Buy Here)

Every time I find myself in an airport, I will buy a magazine. Even if I have a new book or a magazine from the departing from CA flight, I use the extra time between boarding as an excuse to justify the 7-10 dollar purchase. I find I really like magazines purely for the fact of what you can do with one. You can skim it for the pictures, cherry-pick your articles, or just read it front to back. You also can immerse yourself in one of your passions by picking the right magazine. My go-to magazines are any of the few surf related publications left, GQ, Mens Health, and wildcards like Maxim, Forbes, or Wired.

Recently Released Roundup

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Here is what has been jamming in the headphones at work and slapping on the speakers in the CRV:

Upon finishing this, I noticed I didn’t mention The Plugs I met, by Benny the Butcher. So instead heres a video so you can learn more (it might be my most played of them all).

Revenge of the Dreamers 3 – Dreamville

With a star studded roster of both rappers and rhythm-ers, this album was bound to be good from the get go. Although I kind of wanted to dislike it to due to a pal of mine being one of Dreamvilles biggest fans. Nonetheless, this tape was jammed packed with heat from the first track. A hard-hitting beat + a feature from Dababy = happiness. Along with having multiple heater tracks that just slap (especially in the car) there are songs for just about any mood. As far as groups, this tape is up there for a cohesive, pleasing to the ear project. It also might have 2 of the better interludes I’ve heard in a while (Wells Fargo + 1993).

FAVS: The 1st 3 (Under the Sun, Down Bad, Lambotruck), Sleep deprived

 

BANDANA – Freddie Gibbs + Madlib

Freddie Gibbs absolutely bars out on this thing. I mean, at this point it is pretty expected you are just going to hear bone-crunching bars and gritty beats. Madlib teamed up with Gangsta Gibbs for the second rendition of a joint project, and the two again show their chemistry is unmatched. Last summer when Gibbs and Currrensy teamed up on Fetti, I was surprised at how well the two matched. It kind of just shows Gibbs can flex no matter whom he is paired up with. With a great string of lyrical features and a catchy Paak. Chorus, this thing is in constant rotation.

FAVS: Palmolive, Crime Pays, Cataracts

 

ERYS – Jaden Smith

Jaden Smith has always been an artist that has a couple songs that I really can jam to. Both this new album and SYRE have some awesome songs, and overall when you listen to them front to back put you in a musical scenery. ERYS was more of a chopped up and raw version, with gritty beats (one using the sound of him shaving his dreads) and wavy vocals. While I tend to cherry pick this project, the two ASAP featured songs and the Kid Cudi feature have been on constant repeat. I think I need to immerse myself in the album as a whole, but overall ERYS and SYRE both are a good listen.

FAVS: Chateau, On My Own, Ghost Remix, Summertime In Paris

 

Let’s Rock- The Black Keys

I am going to steal this from the pitchfork, but I believe it sums it up: the album title is called let’s rock, and that exactly what we are going to do. With just a classic black keys sound, this album has been a go to for the speaker on the beach. With enough melody coupled with hard guitar riffs, it makes for an enjoyable listen. Much like the Dreamville Tape, there is a varying amount of songs to compliment different moods and occasions, from mellowing out to amping up.

FAVS: Under The Gun, Shine A Little Light

 

OASIS – Bad Bunny + J Balvin

While I can’t entirely understand what is being said, this joint kind of just screams a summer vibe. From more poppy songs to deep trap hits, Bunny and Balvin cover all the bases on this dual project. This thing has to have Central and South America jumping, since they are the two biggest Latin stars at the moment.

FAVS: CUIDAO POR AHÍ, LA CANCIÓN

 

Perfect 10 – Mustard

Mustard has a pretty firm grasp on recruiting some of the hottest rappers to join his projects when they come around. I got to salute him always putting on the CA rappers to help blow up his fellow statesmen. This tape has a lot of different sounds and the beats are A1 as usual. Mustard pretty much does it all on his own, and just cherry picks the features as the icing on the cake. While I don’t love every song, some have been in heavy rotation. The album couldn’t end better than with the track Perfect Ten.

FAVS: On God, Baguettes in the Face, Ballin, Perfect Ten

 

Late Night Feelings – Mark Ronson

Mark Ronson enlists an all female crew for a slew of songs that can kick in the club or on the beach. While this is not my main genre of listen, I always tend to lean more towards female vocals on Edm type joints, so this is more up my alley in comparison to other albums in the genre. I don’t have as much to say on this one, since I don’t bump it nearly as much as the others. However, I threw it on shuffle for a beach day and the sounds complemented the sunshine perfectly.

FAVS: Find U Again, Truth, 2 AM

 

Bonus: Acid Rap – Chance The Rapper

Enough has already been said about this piece of work. As my favorite Chance project, this thing hits home with the nostalgia and also the fact I don’t have to switch to my apple music library just to play cocoa butter kisses.

FAVS: Cocoa Butter Kisses, NaNa, Favorite song

SK Level Delivers a Hot New Album

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Like a bullet from a gun it burns. The opening lyrics to grime MC Skepta’s new Album Ignorance Is Bliss (this is of course, if you admit the “big smoke” and “SK level” ad-libs). Skepta comes into this album 3 years post Konnichiwa, an album that was highly praised and surely leap frogged him into the artist he is today. It got him featured on big artist’s records like A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti. It got him matching tattoos with hip-hop mega star Drake. And surely also put him in the space were most people would use that album as the benchmark. Ignorance Is Bliss had to be better. The people have been waiting! While I can’t say I was ever the biggest Skepta fan, I always enjoyed his persona and his affinity with fashion much like some of my favorite rappers. This being said, I definitely was caught off guard with the dissatisfaction some listeners had with this album. This is for sure for me one of my favorite drops of 2019.

First of all, the production is bonkers. I can’t remember the last time I heard so much synth and electronic sound in an album when the artist still spits hard bars into the microphone. After listening to some interviews, it sounds as though Skeppy had his hands all over the project, especially in the production aspect. I always think some of the best and most unique beats come from artists that can chop it up. Names like Kanye, Andre 3stacks, Tyler the creator, J Cole, and the late Mac Miller come to mind as those who can spit but also take unique sounds and mash them up into beats. Like stated, the production on this thing is nuts. Some songs can definitely ring a little too loud, but much like any album certain songs require certain moods.

Speaking of moods, we get Skepta at his most vulnerable in this one. Talking about having a kid and growing up definitely make this album seem like Skepta is in a happy place as far as how he has matured and looks at life differently. It is interesting to think at one point his children will listen to this and wonder what their father really was like at this time in his life. Skep is at his most happy, but definitely confronts some of the trials and tribulations that led up to this point.

The features on this album go hard. Skeppy kept it diverse and cultured with the features, enlisting artists from all over the globe. The hooks are often very different form the verses, giving a good switch of energy from when Skepta has bar-ed you to death with heavy flows. My favorite outsource of talent has to be on Glow In The Dark with Lay-Z and Wizkid singing the chorus. It does help break up how unique Skepta’s voice is. Sometimes if you hear it for too long, it sounds monotonous and just a little too much accent (I get past it, but others find it a deterrent). The only feature missing was one from the guy A$AP (can we get another Praise The Lord?).

Coming in at a digestible 40 minutes, it is pretty easy to run this project back (turbo) and play the shit out of it. Some songs can mold into your favorite playlists, whereas I really enjoy either playing it front to back or on shuffle, just going in full SK level mode. The greaze is strong with this one. While I wonder why so much distaste is garnered to this project (not so much distaste, but few giving it as much praise as I), it makes sense if you hold him to the Konnichiwa standard. Having not dived as deep into that project, this is one album from Skepta that will stay in rotation for quite some time. It will definitely make me go back and bump more of his discography, and appreciate his total body of work. In this instance, ignorance is really bliss as far as my enjoyment of this album.

6 Must Haves for Summer 2019 at the Beach

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I’ve compiled a list of what I deem essential items for the incoming season: Summer. 

A Filled-to-the-Brim Hydroflask

(Yes I know it is missing in the photo.) Hydration is probably one of the most underrated aspects to living a healthy lifestyle. Whether it boils down to getting your daily 100 ounces of water to reduce inflammation and ensure peak physical performance, or just guzzling gallons after a big night out, water can be your best friend. Also, the single use plastic epidemic is getting scarily big. It is guaranteed when walking the beach you will stumble upon thousands of water bottle caps, and even just the full empty water bottle. Do your part and also ensure you can be your best self and invest in a reusable water bottle. Hydroflask makes one that is pleasing to the eye. I suggest getting the 32 oz Wide Mouth, since all you need is ~3 to hit your 100 ounces and get in the “bonus realm” (100+ ounces of water a day).

A (Soft) Surfboard

It is never to late to pick up surfing. All you need to do is try one surf lesson and you will realize how much fun can be had trying to learn something new that revolves around summer. After a couple of goes, you might want to try it by yourself, and if you have the bills purchase your very own surfboard. While there are levels in price to this item, a soft surfboard tends to tick all the boxes. Durable, check. Cheap(er), check. Stylish, check (depending on the brand). A soft surfboard is a board that everyone can learn on, and even the experienced fellow can have a go and grin from ear to ear. My preference might have a slight bias, but Catch Surf makes a damn good soft board, and cater to beginner and expert riders. My quiver consists of two, the 54 Special for fun in a small bundle (you can for sure rip on these) and the stand up boogie AKA the black ball battler (you can for sure rip on these, if your name is Kalani.)

A Good Pair of Sunnies

In a perfect world, the sun is shining all summer long. You need to protect your eyeballs. You need to also be looking A-1 at the beach, driving, or pretty much doing anything outdoors. You could flex these inside, but I wouldn’t recommend it (unless suffering from a >tier 3 hangover, but how about instead you scope this). This is a staple pair of sunnies. Whether it’s one old reliable all summer long, or a couple of styles to switch it up with, it’s hard to leave the house without these on. While I dabble in all brands, I found Otis Eyewear makes a pretty nice pair, both durable (glass lenses make them tough to scratch) and fashionable. The only downside to this item is it might run you a couple blue faces and they can be gone in an instant (deaths including dropping, sitting on, loosing, drowning). My personal favorite is the Winston.

A Stylish Sarong/Towel

Probably one of the most multi-functional items on the list is the sarong/towel. If you have ever frequented Coachella, you might have seen a bunch wrapped around people’s heads or necks, and then doubled in use as a matt to sit and listen to the sounds. These could be used also at the beach, in the same exact way. A very easy to fold and lightweight one works best, ensuring it will fit in your beach bag and be easy to tote around. The cherry on top for this one is you can get some pretty aesthetically pleasing ones, with fun and foreign patterns. I purchased 2 for Coachella and am anxious to get them some use at the beach. You can find them all over the place, mine are from Amazon.

A Gritty Grill

It’s getting to that time of the year where sunsets are as late as it was when you would cuddle up in bed and read a good book in those colder months. Little is more euphoric than grilling with some of ya mates with a blazing sunset in the background. You can potentially get some good Instagram content and are going to end up with a delicious meal. It’s for sure a win win. When it comes down to which grill, I have no idea. Ours is pretty average and in rougher shape, but that just adds character. Maybe a Traeger?

A Classic Beach Cruiser

Living in a beach community that ramps up in traffic over the summer has always been a blessing and a curse. While on one hand there are many new people to meet and it makes the town a little more exciting, the flip side of the coin is overcrowded roads and lines at coffee shops. Getting in the car can be a real drag when it is a beautiful day, and a normal 10 minute commute can turn to a 20 or 30 minute commute. A bike helps solve this problem, making it easy to move around in the crowded streets. Get some fresh air and take in some sunshine while moving from A to B. I always opted for the garage sale bike that needs a little bit of love, just for the culture. A little elbow grease it’ll be looking like new. I also did this since I never locked up my bike, and they tend to get stolen often.

BONUS: Half-Day Fridays

Maybe just a California bias, but these definitely don’t suck. When the sun is shining, nothing feels worse than being inside. Working can make it tough to get out and absorb some vitamin D, but with this awesome holiday(?) it makes sure everyone has an equal opportunity to earn a tan.