"Put Your Filthy Hands All Over Me"

It's going to be tough, but I'm going to try really hard limit my excitement and refrain from littering this post with !!! and 😀🙃😃. It's not just the fact that Justin Timberlake put out a new single today and has a new album (Man of the Woods) on the way. Yes, that's dope, but it doesn't take away from the holy triumvirate that is Justin Timberlake/Timbaland/Danjahandz that reconvened on his new track below.

Filthy lives up to its name with a grimy, wobbly, new-age funk beat that will immediately grab your attention and stand out as different. The vibe is best described as what you'd hope for if Daft Punk and Pharrell put together a dance track. The futuristic I, Robot style choreographed dancing robot video seems apropos for the futuristic funk vibe of the track. The beat breakdown around the 3:45 mark is trademark Timbo and Danja too. You feel like you're listing to a new beat, but they blend it with the original instrumental so well that it's clean af. Man...if Justin's new album is going to be filled with exciting new tracks like this one, 2018 is going to be a fun year...#Filthy



Justin Timberlake - Filthy (prod by Timbaland and Danjahandz)

Videos of the Week October 28th

I'll be honest I was pushed and pulled a lot of different directions this week when putting together this week's top five. I say that because this week ran the full gauntlet of emotions from playful to sad and serious to funny to whimsical and eventually landing on downright outlandish. Starting with The Chainsmokers new video for Closer with Halsey, we got to get another dose of on screen chemistry between Halsey and Drew. Really cool to see the guys portray such a nostalgic story through the video.

Then, the top five took a turn for the serious with Macklemore's gripping video for Drug Dealer. At this point we've all been touched at some point by the opioid epedemic in America, so it's about time we start shining the light on legal drug companies to highlight their contribution to the mess. Kudos for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for taking the issue head on. I included the Zeds Dead video because this week needed a dose of playful claymation to blend with the other vastly different moods. Different moods like silly when Fallon and Timberlake went back to Camp Winnipesaukee to sing everyone's favorite Alanis Morissette song. And to end on a completely outlandish note, I had to give my buddy John Bradford some love in the top five this week for his role in Juicy J and Wiz Khalifa's new Bossed Up video. For those wondering, he was the accountant who grabs the manila folder from Juicy J at the 19 second mark. It's the most odd, yet stereotypical rap video mixing corporate accountant team shenanigans and strip club scenes. Who knows how the concept came to be, but love to JB for doing his part as a straight edged accountant that gets quickly turnt up...#BossedUp
The Chainsmokers feat Halsey - Closer (Video)

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat Ariana Deboo - Drug Dealer (Video)

Zeds Ded feat Rivers Cuomo & Pusha T - Too Young (Video)

Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake Sing "Ironic" at Camp Winnipesaukee

Juicy J & Wiz Khalifa - Bossed Up (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week May 20th

Wow...now that's what I call a week's worth of videos. You could say all angles from funny, to entertaining, to happy to downright quirky were covered. Starting with Drake's SNL monologue, where he did everything he could to be self-depricating and still managed to throw in a Rihanna impression. In the land of storytelling, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis won the day with their video for dance off. The Idris Alba cameo gave the video some gravitas, but the creative settings and types of dancing in the video should not be overlooked.

Covering a completely different angle of the spectrum was The Lonely Island and Fallon's Tonight Show Crew doing a schoolhouse version of I'm on a Boat. Was it me or did they get dangerously close to cursing more than a few times? And that Joy of Land book, dunce cap part cracked me up. Sticking with Fallon, he hosted an odd mish mash of talent in game of Catch Phrase for all of us to enjoy. Was it me or did Bryce Harper come off a bit rough around the edges? And how competitive can you be at a game of Catch Phrase Gigi Hadid? Needless to say, there was some emotion poured into that game. And last, but probably first was J Timberlake's video for his new uplifting Can't Stop the Feeling single. Anyone who can assemble that diverse of a group of people to dance like no one is looking deserves a lot of credit in my book...#CantStopTheFeeling
Drake More Than a Meme Monologue on SNL

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat Idris Alba - Dance Off (Video)

The Lonely Island & Fallon Perform I'm on a Boat with Classroom Instruments

Catch Phrase with Andy Samberg, Gigi Hadid, and Bryce Harper on Fallon

Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop the Feeling (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

"I Got That Sunshine in My Pocket"

Despite the fact that Justin Timberlake's releases have been few and far between the past few years, it hasn't changed the fact that every new single of his is a must listen to me. When it comes to boy band alumni, he sets the bar for solo success. His combination of incredible vocals, funk-filled rhythms, and just generally likable personality make it impossible not to root for him.

If you need yet another example of why that last statement is a fact, check out his in-studio/celebrity cameo video for his new single Can't Stop the Feeling. Sure, he could have just had his team make a quick lyric video to promote it, but no, he hand-crafted the experience of listening to the track. In the video, there's nary a mention of the track surfacing on the upcoming soundtrack for the new Dreamworks movie, Trolls, but if you close you eyes and listen, it fits every preconceived notion of a feel-good, animated movie track. The song delivers fun wrapped in happiness, which is a hard thing to hate...#CantStopTheFeeling

"I'ma Keep Runnin' and Runnin', I'ma Champion"

There's always a place for meaningful, emotional music in this hood of the internet. No matter if you're a household name or an up and comer, if you pour your soul into your music, I'll leave the light on for you. It's their first time being featured on this blog, but you might remember Moosh & Twist from previous favorites like How We Do or All That I Know with Hoodie Allen. Reppin' Philly to the fullest, they remind me a lot of Chiddy Bang on the mic. Just two really talented lyricists that have a lot of chemistry together.

Speaking of chemistry, their new single Champion is about all you need to hear to understand what I mean. In the words of my former strength coach, "if this doesn't get your pee hot, you've got something wrong." Leaning on a sample from T.I. and Justin Timberlake's Dead and Gone, there's a steady mainline of inspiration that flows throughout the entire track. It has that "can't be stopped" type of vibe, which would fit nicely on an intense cardio playlist if you're looking for a new addition. If you liked their Living Out Loud debut a few years back, this should conjure up plenty excitement for a 2016 follow up...#Champion

Videos of the Week February 20th

To be completely honest, I probably could have used this whole post recapping SNL's 40th Anniversary and after party. In the interest of time and under the assumption that you've probably already seen it, I focused on the Jimmy Fallon related portions that include the opening dance with Justin Timberlake and the recap of a surreal afterparty. As a side note, I still can't believe Jay Z thought David Wells was Curt Schilling...smh.

In actual music related things this week, Madeon released the futuristic visuals for his new single with Passion Pit. Timeflies also let loose a new ode to sexting with their raunchy NSFW video. I appreciate the creativity of the subject, but the old folks in the office setting was a little over the top. Last and definitely not least, Low Pros (A-Trak & Lex Luger) released a slammin' new virtual reality video for Who Wanna Play. I've slept on the duo for too long, their brand of Trap is downright awesome...#LowPros
Madeon feat Passion Pit - Pay No Mind (Video)

Fallon Recapping the SNL 40 After Party

Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake Open SNL's 40th Anniversary Special

Low Pros feat Que - Who Wanna Play (Video)

Timeflies feat Angel Haze - NSFW (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week December 19th

Definitely an EDM heavy top five this week with Avicii's The Nights video leading the way. The video is a great anecdote for how music videos can be great tools for increasing excitement about song. The unbridled, live life to the fullest vibe of the song fits like a glove with the extreme sports driven visuals. In comparison, Madeon's new video for You're On is a bit more of a futuristic story. The mix of special effects and subtle branding make for an intriguing story.

For those who need a dose of crazy, you'll enjoy the fun mix of tribal and Hip Hop dancing in Skrillex's new video for Dirty Vibe. If you want some interesting content that will give you a bit more background on Zedd. It's crazy how these behind the scenes documentaries are about the only way we can see just how talented some of these EDM artists are. Last but definitely not least is another Jimmy Fallon/Justin Timberlake skit. This time they are teenage kids at summer camp who just want to sing a little Third Eye Blind. That's all I got y'all catch ya on the flip side after Christmas...#TheNights
Avicii - The Nights (Video)

Madeon feat Kyan - You're On (Video)

Skrillex With Diplo, CL, & G-Dragon – Dirty Vibe (Video)

Zedd Moment of Clarity Documentary

Camp Winnipesaukee w/ Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake

Photo Credit: YouTube

A Resurrected MJ Makes Love Feel Good With JT

I'll admit, there's a part of me that is a little uneasy with posthumous music releases. The motives tend to be sketchy and run dangerously close to exploitation. Still, I can't help but get excited when I hear people talk about 2pac, Aaliyah and Michael Jackson tracks because there really aren't very many good substitutes for their talents.

With all that being said, MJ's new one with Justin Timberlake is so grown and sexy that your parents may even like it more than you. It's as if they channeled their inner Earth, Wind & Fire when they injected Justin's influence into a song that was originally recorded back in 1983. Despite being fully aged, it came off seamless enough to get me excited for MJ's upcoming album Xscape, due out on May 13th. Man do I miss the King of Pop...#LoveNeverFeltSoGood

Videos of the Week November 1st

Anytime Justin Timberlake makes a video, it's a big deal. That didn't change a bit this time around because Riley Keough also starred in the video for TKO. For those of you at home who aren't familiar with who she is, you may know her better Lisa Marie Presley's daughter or Elvis's granddaughter. The video definitely did a solid job of selling the lyrics through the visuals of a love story gone way wrong. Like the Drake quote, "Sometimes the hottest love has the coldest end..."

Aside from that cinematic gem, Game put together a chill video for All That with Jeremih and Big Sean. Lil Wayne was unexpectedly absent from the video, which was odd. If you're in the mood for some EDM, give the Major Lazer and Krewella a look. Oh and this just in Drake is big time, so big time that The Raptors now have him on payroll. You'll see why below...#Raptors
Justin Timberlake - TKO

Game ft. Big Sean, Lil Wayne, Jeremih & Fabolous – All That (Lady) (Video)

Major Lazer - Jet Blue Jet (feat. Leftside, GTA, Razz & Biggy)

Drake Toronto Raptors Promo

Krewella Performs Live For the Night on Good Morning America

Photo Credit: YouTube

"Girl if Sex is Contest Then You're Coming in First"

Now that JT's album has been made available for steaming on iTunes, it's time to take a dive into it. The track that stood out to me on first glance of the features/producers was Cabaret with Drake and Timbaland. I know big surprise right? Chalked full of Timbaland ad libs, a solid Drizzy verse, and characteristically playful verses and hook from Justin, it's got what you want in a future single. For those of you at home chomping at the bit, The 20/20 Experience Part 2 of 2 hits iTunes in a week. Simply put, combine the talents of JT with beats sprinkled in by Timbo and you've got yourself a release that is going to move some units and make a whole lotta people happy...#Cabaret

Justin Timberlake feat Drake - Cabaret (prod by Timbaland)

"Girl You Knock Me Out, With a TKO"

With the second part of Justin's 20/20 Experience on the horizon, it seems like the perfect time for a Timbaland produced single to ramp up the buzz. TKO is exactly what you'd expect from the duo with enough quirky percussion and smooth vocals to carry the track. Even better the hook finds a way to embed itself earworm style, so good luck shaking this one after a few listens.

Oh and if you're one of the many who are on board with JT's upcoming 20/20 Experience Tour, you'll be excited to preview the experience below...

Everybody has been through a bad breakup or two, so the track below should resonate with quite a few people. Nobody likes someone who swings after the bell and after the whistle blows...unless the end result is marrying Jessica Biel. Lucky bastard...#TKO

Justin Timberlake - TKO (prod by Timbaland)

Videos of the Week September 13th

While everyone was raving over the new Eminem Berzerk video featuring the legendary Rick Rubin (no he's not one of the Robertsons on Duck Dynasty, even though he looks like it), I'm steady getting excited about Drake's new album after his last two singles went back to his unique mix of singing and rapping. If you're not as excited about Drake, though, you'll be hard pressed to not smile when you watch 4 year old producer KJ. My comment to my friend Travis who shared it with me was, "Little man is like a mini-araabmuzik. Get the kid an MPC!" The icing on the cake for me this week was the Timberlake and Fallon late night skit showing the Evolution of Endzone Dancing. Anytime those two get on stage together, it's more than worth your time watching...#ThankYouNoteFriday
Eminem - Berzerk (Video)

Drake - Nothing Was the Same (Album Trailer)

Justin Timberlake & Jimmy Fallon - The Evolution of Endzone Dancing

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - White Walls (Video)

KJ the 4 Year Old Producer
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Ellie Goulding Covers the Hell Out of Justin's Mirrors

Man just when you thought Justin Timberlake couldn't be topped at his own ballad, here comes Ellie Goulding outta nowhere. Whoever at BBC One was instrumental in making this happens deserves an extraordinary amount of dap. For added benefit, check the in-studio video below of the performance...oh and mind the three backup singers who helped it out...
The definition of a cover is taking a great song and making it your own. While I wouldn't say Ellie transformed it into something magical, she sure as hell put her stamp on his with her angelic voice. Now we get to wait for Justin to either react in admiration or call her up for a collabo. Selfishly I hope we get the latter...#Mirror

Found at Fistintheair.com

Ellie Goulding - Mirrors (Justin Timberlake cover)

Videos of the Week August 29th

I'm gonna put it right out there and state that if Jay Z's Holy Grail video doesn't win some sort of video of the year award, there's a problem. I not only appreciate the dark aesthetic the video captures, the screwing and chopping for effect does a great job of defamiliarizing you with a song you already know very well. That's not easy to do in video and I'll take it a step further in saying that most artists wouldn't even try to undertake that ambitious of a task.

In other news, Big Sean snaps a kids neck then gets hacked to death in Fall Out Boy's new video for The Mighty Fall. I was a little underwhelmed at the simplicity of Daft Punk's video, but the Bingo Players made up for that lack of creativity with their new video. Seeing the Made in America trailer really makes me miss Philly. So many great shows every week, such a great city...#PhillyLove
Jay-Z feat Justin Timberlake - Holy Grail (Video)

Fall Out Boy feat Big Sean - The Mighty Fall (Video)

Daft Punk feat Pharrell - Lose Yourself to Dance (Video)

Bingo Players - Buzzcut (Video)

Jay-Z Made in America Tour (Trailer)


Photo credit: Facebook

Videos of the Week August 2nd

Tough call on top video this week, but if I had a vote it would be between Krewella, JT and Avicii. I'm glad that the world is finally catching on to Avicii's Newgrass to the tune of a top 5 iTunes showing. If you haven't caught on to Krewella yet, you should probably hop on that bandwagon before it's full. They make fun music. Period. If you'r in need of a Hip Hop video fix, worry not Jay Sean and Nelly have you covered...assist to Nicki for the twerking...#Twerk
Krewella - Live For the Night (Video)

Justin Timberlake - Take Back the Night (Video)

Avicii feat Aloe Blacc - Wake Me Up (Video)

Jay Sean feat Rick Ross - Mars (Video)

Nelly feat Nicki Minaj - Get Like Me (Video)

Photo credit: YouTube

Videos of the Week July 12th

Hip Hop dominated this week's videos with Flo Rida and B.O.B. releasing visuals for their new singles. The more I listen to Bobby Ray's Headband, the more the whistling embeds itself into my brain. Dap is in order for the up and coming DJ Mustard for cookin' up that beat.

In other news, I'm putting it on my bucket list to attend Electric Zoo in NYC at some point. All you really need to know is Avicii is headlining with Benni Benassi and Knife Party. Oh and if you don't get pumped up hearing John Harrison's monologue from Star Trek: Into The Darkness over Derrick Rose highlights, then something is wrong with you...#Vengeance
Flo Rida feat Future - Tell Me When You're Ready (Video)

B.O.B. feat 2 Chainz - Headband (Video)

Justin Timberlake - Tunnel Vision (Video)

Electric Zoo Trailer

Derrick Rose Vengeance

"Sippin' From the Cup Til it Runeth Over, Holy Grail"

Now that Magna Carta Holy Grail has gone platinum before release and found it's way into Salisbury Cathedral in England right next to the part of the original Magna Carta. Talk about taking creative promotion to another level!

Between Kanye debuting his videos around the world on buildings and Jiggaman taking his album title metaphor to a level not previously reached, it makes you wonder what limits the duo will go to in 2014 when Watch the Throne 2 drops.

As far as the lead track is concerned, between the production by Timbaland, writing by The Dream, vocals by Justin Timberlake and Nirvana lyric sample, it's a lot to take in. JT damn near steals the show with his 1:20 min lead in and memorable hook. It's a buttoned-up track that has a distinct beginning, middle and end, which exhibits a level of sophistication that most artists would be lucky to reach. While the reviews range from lukewarm to critical to impressed by it's lyrical depth, it sounds like Magna Carta is at the very least struggling to live up to the massive hype that came before it. Maybe it's because people are a little uneasy with the way he released it through Samsung, maybe it's the lack of lead time or singles, maybe it's because of the almost daily release of song lyrics prior to people being able to hear the songs. Either way, this is going to be a trail blazing type of event because nobody has ever released an album the way he's doing it with Magna Carta. As a reminder, for non-Samsung users, MCHG hits iTunes on Monday...#MCHG

Jay-z feat Justin Timberlake - Holy Grail (prod by The Dream & Timbaland)

Videos of the Week March 22nd

Admittedly, I'm a little Timberlake heavy this week, but deservedly so, he's awesome. Considering he's estimated to sell between 850,000-900,000 records the first week that The 20/20 Experience hits shelves, it's pretty clear there is a gaping hole in American R&B music right now that needs to be filled. He's more than doing his part, but there's plenty of capacity for more.

By far, the coolest video of the week was watching Kendrick Lamar's extremely humbling experience of hearing Jigga hop on his remix for BDKMV. Not only did his closest friends keep it under lock and key for a week before they showed him, they filmed his reaction, which was priceless. Like you can tell as the verse builds he's awestruck by it all and the best he could come up with was "that's grimy." Really cool to watch and see how much he clearly respects those who came before him...#BDKMV
History of Rap 4 By Justin Timberlake & Jimmy Fallon

Justin Timberlake - Mirrors (Video)

Kendrick Lamar Reacts to Jay-Z's Verse on BDKMV

Wiz Khalifa feat Akon – Let It Go (Video)

Sean Kingston feat Chris Brown & Wiz Khalifa - Beat It (Video)

Videos of the Week March 15th

Not gonna lie, there was an entertainingly diverse mix of videos that came across the radar this week. It's hard to top @jtimberlake performing Mirrors live on @nbcsnl, but the production value of @Pitbull's pop hit Feel This Moment with @TheRealXtina. I'll give the most creative award to @reeltalk6788 for attempting an ASL translation of Started From the Bottom. If you asked me which was the funniest video of the week, that award goes to @JeffGordonWeb for the hilarious, white-knuckle test drive he took a poor used car salesman on. All I can say is bravo @PepsiMAX for the edgy situational humor...#GordonTestDrive
Pitbull feat Christina Aguilera - Feel This Moment (Video)

Justin Timberlake - Mirrors (Live on SNL)

Pepsi MAX & Jeff Gordon Present: "Test Drive"

Drake's Started From the Bottom in Sign Language

Big K.R.I.T. - R.E.M. (Video)

Videos of the Week February 15th

It's been a while since there has been a week where I had to make cuts because there were so many entertaining choices. I did my best to mix in some booty drums, @skullcandy and eye candy (@KateUpton) with some new well put together music videos. Not saying one bit that booty drums isn't music, but if you ask the lady second from the night whether or not it was music, I'm betting she'd give you a frosty gaze.

I wish there were more in studio collaborations like what @MikePosner, @chuckisdope, @asherroth, @ilovetmills, and @Chip216 did on the @drake inspired Started From the Bottom (Remix). Maybe I'm a nerd, but it's cool seeing artists behind closed doors when they're actually making music. It provides an added element of reality that most music can't convey through sound. In other news, the early indications are that @jtimberlake and @s_c_ might take over the world this summer...#2020Experience

Kate Upton in Take a Supermodel to Work With Big Boi & Stevie Johnson)Mike Posner feat Asher Roth, T.Mills, Chuck Inglish & King Chip – Started From The Bottom (Remix)(Video)

Justin Timberlake feat Jay-Z - Suit & Tie (Video)

Spanish Band Patax's Music Is Everywhere Campaign

Drake - Started From the Bottom (Video)