On February 16th, 2011, America got it’s first official bombardment of Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, and like the Drake album, nothing was the same. To this day, it’s one of the most electrifying TV performances I’ve ever seen.

I distinctly remember my first time hearing “Sandwiches,” the hypnotic and anarchistic anthem from Tyler the Creator and his ragtag crew of misfits and rappers. I was in the height of my teenage rebellion, and stumbling through the internet for music that met my feelings, caught my attention, and could help me find my way.

I found Tyler the Creator’s Bastard on the indie music site Stereogum and heard something unforgettable. I heard unapologetic, brash, rough-around-the-edges rap music, penned by a musician who not only went against the grain of the norm, broke any and all barriers and boundaries in his way.

The songs “Sandwiches,” “Radical,” “Orange Juice,” “VCR,” and so many more are carved into my mind, as were the letters OFWGKTA into my desks at school. I was ready to break barriers and smash through walls of my own, and Tyler was the soundtrack of the movement. 

I owe apologies to my parents for blasting these songs at unreasonable volumes at unprecedented hours. I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Tyler the Creator and the members of Odd Future for showing me that I can be different, I can be angry, and I can be accepted. Because at the end of the day, what’s life without a little rebellion.

Is there anything better than Arcade Fire? Maybe, just maybe, Arcade Fire being covered by Father John Misty. 

In his signature croon, Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty takes us on a joyride through “The Suburbs.” It’s a breezy yet heartfelt rendition that sounds like Summertime. 

The rap tag team champions of the world, Run the Jewels, have four classic albums, countless bangers, and now, a strain of weed of their own. 

It’s called “Ooh, LaLa” and if it’s anything like their music, it hits hard and can fight fascism. 

The strain is being released by popular rap-weed producer COOKIES, and it’ll be released soon.

Self care comes in many different forms. It can be a bubble bath, or a meditation session, or picking up the guitar and strumming that thing hard.

When it comes to mental health, turns out one of the best things you can do is pick up guitar and play sad indie songs in your bedroom. 

A new study says that playing an instrument boosts mental health by 89%, especially in feelings of purpose and happiness.

Read more about the study here

The sunsets on Grant Park, or the sounds of Tame Impala, rolling across the Indio Polo Grounds of Coachella have nothing on the experience of a digital festival.

Music festivals no longer take place on sprawling fields or tucked away in the Woods of Eau Claire- they take place on your couch next to your Goldendoodle and a plate of Totino’s Pizza Rolls. 

Lollapalooza 2020 is the latest digital festival, and it kicks off this Thursday.

The festival will feature 150+ acts, including full performances from past performers, including Paul McCartney, Metallica, The Cure, OutKast, LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire, Lorde, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tyler the Creator, Run the Jewels, ASAP Rocky, Chance the Rapper, Tenacious D, Cypress Hill, Jane’s Addiction, Alabama Shakes, Tove Lo, Portugal. the Man, Kehlani, LL Cool J, Princess Nokia, Polo G, and many more.

It’ll also feature the first performance by punk rock pioneers Porno For Pyros in 26 years, as well as appearances by Michelle Obama and a tribute to David Bowie with pianist Mike Garson.

Stay tuned for all of our coverage of the festival, and we’ll see you in the cyber pits!

Baby, don’t pull me closer, because the CDC and Dr. Anthony Fauci recommends a social-distancing protocol of at least 6 feet apart.

As it turns out, the only thing more dangerous than being a chainsmoker, is attending a Chainsmokers concert during a pandemic.

For the intensely reasonable price of $25,000, socialites in the Hamptons were able to hear songs their favorite songs from the radio station! Price of admission included as much overpriced liquor as fans can guzzle, a light show, and a whole bunch of Covid. 

The idea of the concert was ridiculous, and the execution definitely left a lot to be desired.

Online meme generators, FuckJerry, threw a party to coincide with their new tequila brand release. Like I said, the very concept of this show was ridiculous from the jump. Add on the fact that radio-ready DJs, The Chainsmokers, were booked to perform. Allegedly the attendees were expected to socially distance themselves, but footage and photos reveal a little less than 6′ distance between fans.

There is very little about this concert that is cool, or a good idea. But at least a bunch of white people got to spend too much money to potentially catch Covid. Oh wait, that’s the antithesis of cool, because it’s going to keep us all from attending real concerts for longer.

Biz Markie, an essential thread in the COOGI sweater of OG hip hop, has been hospitalized for the past 2 weeks due to complications with Diabetes.

The “Just a Friend” rapper has been battling Type II Diabetes for years, and in a 2014 interview shares the severity of his disease, “[Doctors] said I could lose my feet. They said I could lose body parts. A lot of things could happen.”

Markie’s family says that he is being cared for and they expect a positive result from his treatments. 

We here at YCV believe that we should take time to enjoy the music we love, the people we care for, and the short time that we’re alive.

Too often, life passes us by- pushing, kicking, speeding by as it does. We experience almost everything in this existence- passion, pain, love, joy, heartbreak, and euphoria. We don’t appreciate the ones that we have till they’re gone and we rarely tell our friends and family we love them enough. 

So, on this Monday morning, we extend our thoughts to the Biz, and think about life a bit. Before we go about the rest of our days, let’s all sing together:

“You, you got what I need
But you say he’s just a friend
And you say he’s just a friend, oh baby
You got what I need
But you say he’s just a friend
But you say he’s just a friend, oh baby
You got what I need
But you say he’s just a friend
But you say he’s just a friend”

“Who’s Gonna Save My Soul Now?”

Something about that line carves my heart into tiny pieces. The song, by hip-hop supergroup Gnarls Barkley, is one of their more lowkey hits, but it’s a banger nonetheless. 

The crew, comprised of Cee Lo Green and Dangermouse, are most well-known for their unstoppable anthem, “Crazy,” which by the way, still goes absolutely crazy. However, the duo have an arsenal of equally, if not more, catchy rhymes and rhythms to send chills down your spine.

Their “From the Basement” show is another newly released edition from Radiohead super-producer, Nigel Godrich. Gnarls Barkley opened with the slow building, almost power ballad-y song “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul?” which sounds like the kind of song a cowboy would listen to as he rides into town for a duel against his dark-hat enemy, Gruff McQuade. 

They closed their set with a crooning version of “Crazy” that is sure to blow your brain out of your cranium. The pipes on Cee Lo soar, as Dangermouse quietly lays down the soulful blues. It’s almost better than the original. Does that make me crazy? 

There’s a lot of bad in the world right now. Lot of a negativity. It’s basically wet garbage inside a dumpster on fire everywhere we look. But there is some good out there. Most of it can be found in this fantastic interview between 3 comedic geniuses.

Andy Samberg, SNL alum, 1/3 of The Lonely Island, and the man who brought us Dick in A Box, is on a press tour through Zoom to promote his new movie ‘Palm Springs.’ (Be sure to check back tomorrow for our review of the film.)

Samberg sat down with the Bodega Boys, Desus and Mero, to chop it up about some fantastic topics, including, but not limited to: ‘Palm Springs’, being a dad, his favorite SNL guests, and HIP HOP HIP HOP REAL HIP HOP!

The Champagne Supernova (Mero) and The Human Dr. Bronner’s Label (Dilute! Dilute! Dilute!) (Desus) are true American/Jamaican/Domincan treasures. They’ve been quite literally the only beacons of hot takes and ridiculous humor through the Coronavirus crisis, and this interview is just another feature in their cap, which could take off and fly at this point.

Be sure to listen to the Bodega Boys podcast, go watch ‘Palm Springs’ on Hulu, and try and find some time today to laugh. It’s good for you!