I know we all miss Lauryn but somebody's gotta say it. Before you flood the comments on this site calling me a "hater" among other things hear me out. I'm not taking anything away from Nicki Minaj.
Read MoreAmanda Blank's cover of Vanity 6's "Makeup" brings clarity to an otherwise muddy original. Download the song featuring Corinne Stevie.
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Like I said in my post for Best Albums of 2009, the quality of music in 2009 was amazing. Narrowing down a list of hundreds of songs to just 34 was tough. But here they are, our favorite songs of 2009.
34. Theophilus London- Humdrum Town
The hook for Chris Cornells’ “Part Of Me” starts with “That Bitch Ain’t a Part of me.” From that moment on you know this is a song worth hearing.
33. Chris Cornell – Part of Me
The hook for Chris Cornells’ “Part Of Me” starts with “That Bitch Ain’t a Part of me.” From that moment on you know this is a song worth hearing.
32. Anjulie – Boom
While Nelly Furtado is doing whatever she’s doing now Anjulie has quitely stepped into her shoes. “Boom” is a smokey track that’s bound to be stuck in your head after hearing it once.
31. FatGums x Bambu – Strapped
FatGums and Bambu make a great duo. Their song “Strapped,” which features a creative vocal sample from Biggie is a standout track for 2009.
30. Melanie Fiona – Give It To Me Right
Melanie Fiona’s “Give It To Me Right” took me by surprise. The sample is so recognizable I didn’t think anyone could make a dope track out of it. Leave it to this vocalist to do just that. It has all the sass and punch to make Beyonce blush.
30. Pet Shop Boys – More Than A Dream
Pet Shop Boys still can make a credible dance-pop song after all these years. “More Than A Dream” should have been a single from their album Yes.
29. Muse – Uprising
Muse frontman Matt Bellamy knows exactly how to take angst and make an anthem out of it. It helps that his voice is as pure as water. “Uprising” is one of the best rock joints of 2009.
28. Tom Foolery – Close Up
I first heard this joint on Bangladesh’s mixtape Passport Music and it’s quickly become a favorite. The track is dope and finds Foolery, who I think is a rapper, outcrooning R&B dudes like Trey Songz, Usher & Drake. Oops. Anyways, this is a pretty dope jam.
27.Black Eyed Peas – Meet Me Halfway
will.i.am is a pop genius and this song proves it. “Meet Me Halfway” is a pop jam that finds Fergie channeling the best of Cyndi Lauper and Madonna.
26. N*E*R*D feat Santigold -Soldier
A N*E*R*D and Santigold collaboration is inevitable and after hearing “Soldier” undeniable.
25. Shannel feat Lil’ Wayne – Play in my Band
Shannel is Lil’ Wayne’s other female artist, and in my opinion, she’s alot doper than Nicki Minaj. Her track “Play in my Band” has the edginess Rihanna tries to have in her new music.
24. Amon Tobin/Ms. Jade – Better Get That
Most people have never heard of Ms. Jade or this song. But it’s doper than dope! Ms. Jade is a beast on the mic and Amon Tobin is a beast on the beats.
23. Q-Tip feat Lil’ Wayne, Raekwon & Busta Rhymes – Renaissance Rap (Remix)
I love hearing emcees eat a beat with the hunger of a homeless man. Q-Tip’s remix of “Renaissance Rap” finds Lil’ Wayne, Busta & Raekwon lyrically demolishing a track.
22. GotDion – Yer Dumb (I’m Fly)
GotDion is a producer/rapper from VA and has promise. If this track “Yer Dumb (I’m Fly)” is any indication, we hope to hear more from him.
21. Gucci Mane feat Plies – Wasted
Gucci Mane is catchy and this song is undeniable.
20. J*DaVeY- Duh, Duh, Duh
Though some people don’t like J*DaVeY doing something this pop, I love it. It’s catchy and fun.
19. Ben Carson – Temptation
Ben Carson is bringing back black rock! “Temptation” finds itself in rotation at least once a day in my home.
18. Jay-Z- Venus Vs. Mars
While Blueprint 3 was an utter disappointment it had it’s two moments. This song was one of them. Makes me reminiscence on days when Jay was the master of wordplay.
17. Imogen Heap – 2 – 1
It’s Imogen Heap, what else is there to say?
16. Major Lazer – Pod de floor’ feat. VYBZ Kartel
I could make a separate list for best beats of 2009 and this would be number one. Major Lazer and VYBZ Kartel bought it with this track.
15. Kid Cudi – Heart of a Lion
This is my theme song of 2009! Kid Cudi knows how to make anthems.
14. La Roux- Colorless Color
This song is a mix of Depeche Mode and Duran Duran, two of my favorite 80′s bands. La Roux’s voice and lyrics make the track that much more enjoyable.
13. Drake feat Trey Songz & Lil’ Wayne – Successful
It took me a while to get into Drake. I’m still not there, but this song is undeniable, whether it’s Trey Songz’ catchy hook or Wayne’s sick but short verse at the end “Successful” is a dope song.
12. Shakira feat Wyclef Jean – Spy
Wyclef needs to make an entire album with Shakira. I swear when these two get into the studio they make magic, and “Spy” is no different.
11. Peaches – Lose You
Who knew Peaches could get soft? “Lose You” is pseudo-ballad that Madonna would have killed to sing.
10. Dirty Money feat The Notorious B.I.G. – Angels
Leave it to Diddy to still be reaping off the success of Biggie. But I can’t deny, “Angels” is a dope track. It’s always refreshing to hear Biggie’s voice, and over this old Jigga beat, this is a winner.
09. Lil’ Wayne – Run This Town (Freestyle)
Wayne is the best rapper alive and this song is proof.
08. Blac Waldo – Kanye West is Dead
Kanye has become a punchline–again. And Blac Waldo has capitalized off it. This song is crazy.
07. Rihanna feat Young Jeezy – Hard
If Rihanna were really hard Chris Brown would be on Diane Sawyer saying “Eff Love.” But, this track is crazy regardless. And Jeezy kills his verse, subliminal shots at Gucci Mane and all.
06. Noisettes- Never Forget You
Until Amy Winehouse comes out with a new album Noisettes will have to do. “Never Forget You” is one of my favorite tracks of their albumWild Young Hearts.
05. Lady GaGa- Bad Romance
Lady GaGa is a free bitch baby! “Bad Romance” gets props for adding everything into one song and still being dope! This is art pop!
04. Amanda Blank feat Santigold – A Love Song
Amanda Blank has been an Art Nouveau favorite for a while now. I’ve been bumping this song since a snippet appeared on the Santigold and Diplo mixtape a while back. The full and finished version is just as good.
03. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Runaway
The voice, the lyrics, the beat, it’s all haunting yet alluring. Yeah Yeah Yeahs have a winner with this song.
02. Janalle Monae- Come Alive
Janelle Monae tries her best James Brown impression on this song and it works. Who else is making music like this? Nobody. I doubt Miss Monae could ever be duplicated.
01. Basement Jaxx feat Maleka, Kelis & Chipmunk- Scars
From the time this song starts its epic. Everything about this song is perfect, the beat, the lyrics, the features! Basement Jaxx prove they are geniuses at dark pop!
Lady GaGa, N*E*R*D, Kid Cudi, Wale, Madonna & More all on one mixtape? Only Art Nouveau could bring it to you. Download October’s Best, Tracklisting and link after the jump.
Times are hard. Getting your business exposure can be even harder in these tough times. At Art Nouveau Magazine we believe exposure shouldn’t cost you an arm, leg and then some. That’s why we’re offering advertisements in our Winter 2009 issue, which will be released Dec 1st, for as low as $150.
Matt and Kim, Brooklyn’s twin prime ministers of awesome, visited the Black Cat on Wednesday night with Secretary of Sensual Aural Panic Amanda Blank.
If you hate Amanda Blank, you have every desire to lock every hipster in the universe in an Urban Outfitters, soak it in kerosene, light a match, and walk away giggling.
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In what was a big week for hipster centric acts on U Street this week, the Santigold tour, with opening acts Trouble Andrew and Amanda Blank hit the 9:30 Club on Wednesday evening. TV on the Radio and Passion Pit also hit DC last week, so for the pink t-shirt and purple sneaker American Apparel set it was nothing but a good time, and the concert approached manic levels, but was not completely successful in reaching them, leaving a solid show, and a good time had by all, but not by any means a showstopping event.
Amanda Blank might like you better if you slept with her at least that’s what she says in her new single “Might Like You Better.” The Philly emcee recently released the track online recently. The funky party song is reminiscent of frequent collaborator Spank Rock and even has a tinge of Madonna influence. The song is first single from her debut album I Love You due out in stores July 14th. In the meantime check out the song below. What do you think?
When Amanda Blank takes the stage you can’t help buy to become a spectator encased in total awe. Her shows captivate from beginning to end. Her super charged charisma is so undeniably infectious, and engaging that it commands attention, just as much as her voice grabs you from first syllable to last bar spit. You can’t help but to smile and nod your head when you hear her.
Amanda’s strong, sexy, and fun perspectives provide a refreshing sense of humor that usually has been killed of by the music industry by now; for me they helped to balance out the depressing shit of the day with good feelings. When I first heard the Philly native’s music I was more or less like,’Wow, she really makes me want to move.’ And after reading some of her lyrics, I had to come to grips that even a black guy could blush.
Many artists front like their style is totally original, as though they’re not the summation of all their life influences. But Miss Blank’s mash-up, ultra eclectic style (artistically, and personally) is portrayed in such a carefree, unpretentious manner that sets her apart from so many plastic pop mc’s. While the mainstream is slowly coming around to this somewhat underground musical fushion, best believe that exposure isn’t holding back Amanda Blank from making great, uncompromising music. You can tell homegirl is destined to rock audiences by the thousands.
Recently I had the privilege of interviewing Amanda about her projects, and her outlooks on this growing Blank popularity.
ANM: Where are you from, and tell me a brief bio of your upbringing?
Blank: I’m from Philly! Born and bred. I grew up pretty typical to Philadelphia in a row home on a block full of kids. I loved it. The area I grew up in is this real funny neighborhood, it’s like half hippies and community gardens, and half beauty shops and block parties. Super, super diverse in it’s culture.
ANM: Currently, how is life for you? Where are you?
Blank: I’m still living in Philly although I split most of my time in New York while I finish up my record. Life is good. I feel like I don’t get to see my friends as much lately (the closest thing I get to quality time is riding the train to New York with Spankrock!) so that kinda bums me out, but this life is still pretty good to me none the less.
ANM: What projects are you working on?
Blank: I’m trying to finish this album! I swear I’ll finish it before I die…I have to!!
ANM: How did you get noticed?
Blank: I got noticed when Spankrock asked me to perform with him. It’s funny cause, in the beginning, I don’t think either one of us were getting noticed! But he was really going for it and because we were so tight and had so much fun traveling and doing shows together, he kept me around. I guess I kinda stuck out, cause this “scene” that we’re apart of, didn’t really exist at the time, so the support was really just our friends. I guess I stuck out to the strangers because there weren’t any girls really up there rapping like that. And cause I’m white.
ANM: With your music being a mash up of different genres and styles, what is it that really defines you and why?
Blank: Oh man….this is gonna sound so trite, but I don’t really think there’s one thing that specifically defines me. That’s what I think is so great about making music right now, though. With everyone’s tastes being so varied, you have a lot more freedom when you’re trying to be creative. I don’t typically worry about if my crowd will understand it or get it; if it’s too left field, or too pop. I just worry if it’s good enough or not.
ANM: What are some of the artists that you’ve worked with throughout your career thus far?….who’s been the most influential to you?
Blank: Well, I’ve worked with Naeem (Spankrock) and xxxchange. Plastic Little, Santogold, Diplo, MIA, Dave Sitek, Eli Escobar, Sam Spiegel….oh! and Sizzla Kalanji. I would say that the people who have been the most influential would be Spankrock and Xxxchange, because they have really been so supportive from the beginning and we’ve been with each other through all of this so far. They’ve really championed me and helped me get comfortable finding my own way and I’ve seen them, as well, grow to be these incredible artists…that’s really inspiring I must say. (On a side note….working with sizzla was NUTS! and changed my life in a totally different way, but that’s a whole nother story. I came back from Jamaica a new lady).
ANM: How often do you tour, and what’s your favorite city so far?
Blank: I do shows pretty randomly. I split my time between the rap stuff and being in a band, Sweatheart, so everything I do is in spurts and really scattered. I love touring with Sweatheart as well as Spankrock. We truly are the luckiest people that we get to tour with all our bffs. Hmmmm….I just got back from Australia a few months ago and really loved Sydney; And I think I’ll always have a little soft spot in my heart for Paris!
ANM: Why do you think that your sound, stage persona, and style of dress is so widely accepted and liked?
Blank: I’m not sure. Sometimes I think I tow the line between being either reeeeally relatable or totally unrelatable. Which is sort of bizarre, but I’ve always been drawn to people and women and music and art like that. Actually, I think most people are drawn to that…wow this is a really tough question to answer!
ANM: What is it that you hope to leave with your audience after they’ve heard your music?
Blank: Oh god…..anything but indifference.
ANM: Anything lastly you’d like to add?
Blank: Hi mom! (She loves Art Nouveau Magazine!)
For everything Amanda Blank please visit http://www.myspace.com/amandablank
