A Cosmic Safari: Praktikos Shares Self-released "Chillactic" ßeat Tape, Vol. 1 Ahead of Forthcoming Departure EP (Ambient Instrumental Hip-Hop)

"Born and raised in the culturally-diverse Bay Area, Haseeb Naweed (aka Praktikos) is an Electronic music producer presenting a unique blend of atmospheric beats, often featuring deep uplifting melodies and soulful female vocals," Praktikos wrote within an email sent about two months ago; quickly likening his "ambient, downtempo, chill hip-hop style beats with a relaxing uplifting spacey vibe" to The Witzard's recently covered Jenova 7 & Eddie Shinn's A Cosmic Safari album, which initially prompted him to email me his music. "His latest release, Chillactic [Beat Tape, Vol. 1] is a 10-track instrumental catalog of ambient chilled hip-hop beats, providing listeners with an intimate introduction to his work... Influences range from Nujabes, Flying Lotus, Bonobo, and many pioneers of the chill-out/electronica sound (Carbon Based Lifeforms, [Paul] Oakenfold, Enigma)," Naweed continued. Praktikos is currently finishing up recording a 5-track EP titled Departure, which will be released this upcoming November 21st. He's also actively working on a "new Bloodsport project coming soon... featuring samples from the film and soundtrack."

Praktokos' Chillactic Beat Tape (Vol. 1) is self-described by the artist himself as "a 10-track instrumental collection featuring a unique blend of ambient spacey Hip-Hop beats. Perfect for freestyling, contemplation, or just kicking back after a long day;" it's fittingly tagged on Bandcamp as "experimental hip-hop, instrumental hip-hop, rap, ambient, beat tape, beattapes, chill beats, chill hop, downtempo, instrumental, Oakland" and within its download file, contains a handy Leasing Rights PDF, so that artists can freely re-use its beats on their own personal projects. While listening to Chillactic's 10 contained tracks, I readily hear influence drawn from J Dilla, Brainfeeder mastermind Flying Lotus, and Enigma, as well as an almost Radiohead or Aphex Twin-esque sense of tediously planned self-destructiveness... akin to Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke's critically-acclaimed sporadic work with Stones Throw-affiliated masked villainous emcee, DOOM. Chillactic is currently available to stream at either Soundcloud or within the 3-minute "demo reel" player below, as well as for purchase from Praktikos' Bandcamp page for a reasonably-priced $7.99 (or more). His next project, the proper follow-up to Chillactic Beat Tape (Vol. 1), Departure EP is currently planned for a November 21st release.

"Let Me Shine for You:" Lindsay Lohan for Playboy (Winter 2011-12 Leak)

Lindsay Lohan essentially embodies exactly "What NOT to Do In Hollywood :" Fame, fortune, success... sex, drugs & Rock "N" Roll . Within a fairly short period of time, Lohan somehow managed to obtain a plentiful helping of POWER @ a very young age. This gradual rise-downfall was captured on film; Between 1998-2010, she portrayed a wide array of roles across the silver screen in movies including: Mean Girls, Bobby , Herbie Fully Loaded , Georgia Rule, Machete , and Freaky Friday . Between rapid-paced film shoots, Lindsay Lohan also found time to record 2 Pop Rock albums for Casablanca , Speak (2004) and A Litter More Personal-Raw (2005). Needless to say, Lindsay Lohan has gotten roped up in a lot of troubles and woes with the law over the last 3-5 years... a vicious cycle of drugs, arrest, court, rehab, "daddy issues," jail time [Repeat]. That's the pure basics of it - But Google that shit for additional info, if necessary. Towards the end of...

[W]reckless, Topless American Youth: Lana del Rey - "Born 2 Die" (Britney Spears Birthday 30)

Lana del Rey [Lizzy Grant] effectively became 2011's "It Girl" with the release of her phenomenal debut single, "Video Games" (Stranger) . Like many struggling singer-songwriters, Grant has been signed, dropped, and significantly changed her public image since bursting onto the scene (2009). With that said, it can be assumed that Lana del Rey has collected just as many "haters" as she has avid supporters. To be perfectly honest, the only other artist I can think of that made this much commotion... garnered so much wide-spread buzz/hate and critical acclaim -- right out of the gates -- with just one track is Britney Spears . And maybe in this post- Mike musical era, that's the true synthesis of Pop Culture: Britney Lynn Spears . After months of repeated teasing and speculation, Lana del Rey 's major label debut, Born 2 Die will [finally] be released this coming Jan. 30-31, 2012. Pitchfork reports that it will feature "Off to The Ra...

Liberty Bell Cracked In 1/2: Ween - "Freedom of '76" (Gene Ween's Final Send-Off)

Chocolate & Cheese (1994) was one of the first albums I bought with my own money. I was in some sort of BMG Music Club , where you'd buy 5 CD's and then get 10 for "FREE." It was all sent through mail order and you picked the titles from some special booklet. I'm almost positive that Chocolate & Cheese's side boob-baring album cover was what initially drew me in... mind you, I was 12-15 and the zany Ween logo/middle finger CD graphic really didn't hurt either. Honestly, I forget how I really felt about it @ the time, but a few years later, my older cousin Josh told me that Ween were this BIG college "jam band." CKY did some sort pf 93.3 radio takeover to promote their new album and played "Freedom of '76" late that night on air. Needless to say, I re-visited Chocolate & Cheese @ about 20-something this go 'round and I fucking loved it! Ween were really weird, yet talented... almost too talented. I can vaguel...

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