Let's not forget Dreamville rapper J. Cole kickstarted the proliferation of hip hop albums that have been released over the past several months with his late 2014 project, Forest Hills Drive. Although currently on tour, J. Cole is continuing to promote his LP with a new music video for the track "G.O.M.D." Directed by Lawrence Lamont, the visuals for this track provide a historical, yet fictional reminder of the prolonged fight for racial equality. Check out the narrative above.
Valued: A Speaker for the Music Enthusiast /
val·ue (ˈvalyo͞o), noun. the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth or, usefulness of something.
Source: Google
Welcome to a new component of InTheRough. Whether it be the shoes we wear, the coffee (or tea) we drink, or the books we read, consumers place a value on the products we buy and the activities we engage in every single day. Rooted in aesthetic and functionality, Valued is merely the illustration of the essentials we at InTheRough and fellow creatives alike rely upon in our Goods-filled endeavors.
The desire to listen and discover music also stimulates a curiosity to understand the way in which it is heard. The medium in which music is perceived is just as important as the actual activity itself. Great speakers, whether they be in your home, car, headphones, or on-the-go, execute an audial presence that encompasses the full range of human hearing. The "better sounding" speakers are those that not only consider execution but the synthesis of material and design; science and art.
For young or traveling audiophiles, portability is key. A functional speaker that carries high quality, high fidelity sound in a work space, apartment, dorm room, or even outdoors is the goal. The Bose Soundlink Mini Bluetooth Speaker is intriguing in its design while packing the clarity and volume to entertain the necessary vibes of large group settings or relaxing Sunday afternoons. While great sounding speakers can come at an expensive price, audiophiles can find well executed models at a wide price range. If you are in the market for speakers, the Soundlink Mini can be purchased here and don't forget to check out the accompanying visuals.
Wale featuring Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign - The Summer League /
DC's poster boy Wale is preparing to drop his fourth studio album, The Album About Nothing, a week from tomorrow. Today brings us a preview of the work to come as his single "The Summer League" featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Kanye West has surfaced. Listen to the groups encouraging pleasantries below and pick up Wale's The Album About Nothing on March 31 on iTunes.
VibeRotation 15 /
InTheRough's VibeRotation playlists continue with number 15. The newest member to the collection carries a contemporary theme as it features music released mostly within the last three months. It pays homage to one of 2015's early projects, Joey Bada$$'s B4.DA.$$ with a track that deserves more air time, same story for Drake's "Madonna". West Coast styles flow throughout playlist highlighted by a new track from Jhené Aiko that released yesterday. Atlanta group Two-9 and Timbaland signee, Tink appear as I have certainly joined their fan clubs, especially after listening to B4FRVR and browsing the young lady's ample catalog. Some house influences are sprinkled in as well. Give VibeRotation 15 a spin below and be sure to follow ITR on SoundCloud!
K-Swiss + Diplo + You = "The Board" /
K-Swiss, the brand synonymous with the game of tennis, and DJ Diplo are collaborating on a new project entitled, "The Board". The world renowned DJ who has worked with many of today's mega-stars will lead a collective of 100 creative and connected people who will help redefine the K-Swiss brand. Members accepted to The Board will gain access to experts in design, branding, marketing, and business as they traverse a six-week curriculum program. The experts will educate members of The Board who will then be tasked with applying their creativity and new knowledge to the K-Swiss brand in areas such as sneaker design, brand positioning, and other business development opportunities. It will be interesting to see who is actually selected to become a part of this endeavor as well as how much power they will have in terms of the direction of the company, but I do applaud K-Swiss for creating an interesting solution to an image problem that has nagged the heritage brand for years. Check out the video for the program below.