Snoh Aalegra “Bad Things” (Live, Stripped)

All-new today from the Swedish singer is this artsy, well-executed stripped down live version of “Bad Things” — Snoh‘s well-received collab with Chicago’s own Common. Her voice and delivery really shined on this one with a new, complimentary live sound behind her compared to that of the studio version I’m too familiar with.

Not only that, but I also stumbled upon Hypetrak‘s new follow-around sit-down with Snoh Aalegra as they were on set for the “Emotional” video and the viewing party with cameos by No I.D. and Baron Davis to name a couple. More importantly, this may be the first interview you’ve seen with Snoh and I resonate with her vibe even more after being a fan of the music first.

Finally, joining that video below is the new visuals for Vince Staples “Senorita” which features Snoh and Future as well. These went deep, so be sure to stay tuned into the twist ending at the very end.

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Snoh Aalegra “Emotional”

Snoh Aalegra was one of my favorite new artists of 2014 and she has continued to impress into the new year with her only release — the official single produced by RZA, “Emotional”.

The music video naturally follows and Snoh plays the emotional spectrum part wonderfully as she bounces around a large, empty swimming pool. The black and white aesthetic really works as the video follows Snoh in other scenes along the railroad tracks in front of downtown L.A. for instance. Plus, the long hair is all over the place and the fashion on point to further represent the song. Here’s her comment on the video, which by the way, makes me enjoy the song even more.

*Tibs Fav.

This song is about heartbreak and frustration, of desperately wanting to love and to be loved back. I recently got out of a four year relationship and that’s been really rough. In this video, I’m letting all my emotions out.

h/t BlackBook

Snoh Aalegra talks “Bad Things”, Cocaine 80s, more

Snoh Aalegra is one of my favorite new artists of 2014 and her newly released There Will Be Sunshine EP has gems from beginning to end.

One of those gems is “Bad Things”, which features a verse from Common. She shares the organic story of how that song came together to DJ Booth, in the process quelling any notion that Common was merely reciprocating a feature for Snoh’s help on Nobody’s Smiling.

The lead-single off There Will Be Sunshine was “Bad Things,” which featured a verse from Common. It’s pretty remarkable to have an emcee like Common on the lead single off your debut. How did that come about?

“That was amazing! He was recording his album with No I.D. at the same time as me, but I was in Sweden. I went to visit my family while No I.D. was working on the beat and finessing it. What I heard was Common walked in the room, heard the the beat and my lyrics and said, “I love this!” and he wanted to jump on it, right there. So it just kind of happened you know. They called me and said ‘Oh by the way, Common jumped on your song…just so you know.’ I love how it happened. A lot of people assume, that because I work with NO I.D., I would have a lot of features, but I always want them to happen organically. I don’t want to call in any favors; I don’t believe it will turn out the right way. I want to do it if the person I’m doing a feature with really wants it; then there is good chemistry.”

I just love her approach to collaborations, first and foremost. In a music industry filled with politics, I think it’s important for artists on the rise to stay true to themselves and not reach for a name-collaboration unless, like Snoh says above, the person doing the feature really wants it. The authenticity will shine through and given how much “Bad Things” has been in my rotation this month, Snoh and Common is just another example.

The interview touched on a variety of topics so the full read is worth the click. One more excerpt to reel you in is her answer about Cocaine 80s, and probably the clearest, most up-to-date description of the collective.

You also managed a feature from Cocaine 80’s. I know James and No I.D. are the faces of Cocaine 80’s, but it’s more of a collective. Can you shed some light on what exactly ‘featuring Cocaine 80’s’ means?

“Cocaine 80’s is No I.D., James Fauntleroy, and Steve Wyreman. I know Common used to be a part of it, but I’m not sure if he still is anymore. They do features with so many artists and they did a lot with Common so he was almost like a part of it. But No I.D., James and Steve, the guitarist are the core members. They are so amazing! On my song, it was those three. No I.D. on the beat, James singing and Steve playing guitar on the outro.”

Once again, There Will Be Sunshine is a must-listen and in the top-tier of projects, not only in R&B, but in all of music for me in 2014.

Snoh Aalegra ‘There Will Be Sunshine EP’

Swedish singer Snoh Aalegra is one of my favorite new artists of 2014, impacting in recent weeks with a variety of previews and loose tracks, her feature on Common’s Nobody’s Smiling, and culminating in the release of her debut EP this week, There Will Be Sunshine. She releases the project through her new home at Epic Records, and with No I.D. producing for her, she’s got some great, close co-signs for the start of her career.

There Will Be Sunshine is a cohesive 6-track project with nods to her Stockholm home for the definitive intro and a part 2 as the outro. “Bad Things” is the track that follows, an ear-catching single that should appeal to hip hop heads with Common on board for a slick feature verse. The video dropped yesterday and is brought back below for, perhaps, your proper audio/visual introduction to Snoh Aalegra.

I was intrigued by the 3 tracks after the previously released “Bad Things” — all first listens for me and they far from disappointed. “Paradise” is a gripping and surprisingly motivating track that I’ve found myself playing on near-repeat levels since I copped the EP on iTunes yesterday. “You Already Know” is equally as replayable and acts as Snoh’s breakup fallout record. The title track follows and is perhaps the most obvious No I.D. classic sound in the production. Though I enjoy the previous 2 records more, “There Will Be Sunshine” is perhaps the most catchy. The EP concludes with James Fauntleroy harmonizing in a seamless and cozy outro that’s at perfect length.

As a whole, the EP is at the perfect length too. A quick listen that transforms your mood and focus to the music itself with Snoh’s wonderfully grasping vocals and visual storytelling or the pleasing production acting as the base for good background music. From here, I hope for more videos, especially for a “Paradise” or “You Already Know”. Surely, there will be more sunshine for Snoh Aalegra as she kickstarts her career with this impressive EP. Get in tune and listen below!

h/t Hunger TV on the premiere + accompanying interview

Snoh Aalegra f/ Common “Bad Things”

You’ve most likely noticed Snoh Aalegra‘s name pop up on Gowhere since the end of summer. Every new release from the Swedish singer signed to No I.D. has caught my ear and even made an appearance in my preseason NBA Awards. Oddly enough, I never really thought to see what she looks like. I merely google searched for as much background as I could find, but it was simply that I liked her music, voice, and production for what it was.

As such, the new “Bad Things” video today is my, and probably yours, first look at Snoh Aalegra. She rocks long brown hair and striking, chiseled features showcasing various different outfits, representative of the many “versions of her” she sings about. Diggin’ that style and look amidst the overall grainy, dark aesthetic of the video. If the sultry Snoh doesn’t reel you in with her captivating looks and vocals, Common should at the very least with his slick guest verse, appearing in the video under one of the coolest effects: the rainbow.

All in all, the “Bad Things” video comes as correct as the song and is the current single for Snoh Aalegra’s debut EP, There Will Be Sunshine, which dropped in full yesterday! You can stream the 6 tracks in its entirety below as well and be on the lookout later today for my full review.

*Tibs Fav. (above and below)