the notorious xx is a mashup project that pairs the music of Notorious B.I.G. with the debut album of The xx, xx. It was released on the web March 25, 2010 and at a San Francisco listening party.[1] Since its release, the album received one million downloads,[2] press from thousands of blogs and magazines, including New York Magazine[3] and LA Weekly,[4] and The Guardian called it "the best mashup album of 2010".[5]
| the notorious xx | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Remix album by | |
| Released | March 25, 2010 |
| Label | Self-released |
| Producer | Charlie Kubal |
Reception edit
Overall, the album was received very well. Fans voted several of the songs to the top of The Hype Machine's[6] popular chart, New York Magazine called it "really great stuff,"[3] Sputnik labeled it "a combination that is sublime,"[7] and The Guardian noted that it "works amazingly well...impressive.".[8] Members of The xx also mentioned enjoying the album in a number of interviews,[9] and it received attention from NPR, music critic Sasha Frere-Jones of The New Yorker, and Marc Jacobs,[10] among others.
Additionally, there is a video for "juicy-r" that pairs footage from the original videos for Juicy and VCR.
Controversy and takedown edit
On April 6, 2010 wait what received a takedown request from Warner Music Group.[2] After receiving advice from Girl Talk, Elizabeth Stark, the EFF, and Lawrence Lessig,[11] he complied and removed official download links from his site.
Tracks edit
| No. | Title | Music | Vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "dead wrong intro" | ""Intro" (from xx, 2009) | "Dead Wrong" (from Born Again, 1999) | 3:57 |
| 2. | "juicy-r" | "VCR" (from xx, 2009) | "Juicy" (from Ready to Die, 1994) | 3:56 |
| 3. | "it's all about the crystalizabeths" | "Crystalised" (from xx, 2009) | "It's All About the Benjamins" (from No Way Out, 1997) | 4:33 |
| 4. | "islands is the limit" | "Islands" (from xx, 2009) | "Sky's the Limit" (from Life After Death, 1997) | 3:03 |
| 5. | "one more chance for a heart to skip a beat" | "Heart Skipped a Beat" (from xx, 2009) | "One More Chance" (from Ready to Die, 1994) | 4:44 |
| 6. | "suicidal fantasy" | "Fantasy" (from xx, 2009) | "Suicidal Thoughts" (from Ready to Die, 1994) | 2:50 |
| 7. | "everyday shelter" | "Shelter" (from xx, 2009) | "Everyday Struggle" (from Ready to Die, 1994) | 3:32 |
| 8. | "basic hypnosis" | "Basic Space" (from xx, 2009) | "Hypnotize" (from Life After Death, 1997) | 3:05 |
| 9. | "infinite victory" | "Infinity" (from xx, 2009) | "Victory'" (from No Way Out, 1997) | 4:28 |
| 10. | "the curious incident of big poppa in the nighttime" | "Night Time" (from xx, 2009) | "Big Poppa" (from Ready to Die, 1994) | 3:48 |
| 11. | "mo stars mo problems" | "Stars" (from xx, 2009) | "Mo Money Mo Problems" (from Life After Death, 1997) | 4:17 |
References edit
- ^ Kubal, Charlie. "Album Release Party: wait what - the notorious xx (biggie vs. the xx)". Facebook Event. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ a b Fernandes, Sanjay (Apr 16, 2010). "Interview: Part 1 with 90.7 FM SYN Melbourne, Australia - Beaten (4.16.10)". 90.7 SYN Australia. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ a b Zimmerman, Edith (30 March 2010). "Hear, Download The Notorious xx, an Album-Length Mash-Up of Biggie and The xx". New York Magazine. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ Turner, Gustavo. "Things We Like: Notorious B.I.G. + The XX: The Mash-up Has Landed!". LA Weekly. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ Salmon, Chris (16 September 2010). "Shuffler.fm: the best since Spotify". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ "Hype Machine: wait what".
- ^ Greer, Nick. "wait what – the notorious xx". Sputnikmusic.
- ^ Salmon, Chris (8 April 2010). "Click to download: Notorious B.I.G. meets the xx". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "wait what - an introduction to real life". Soundcloud.
- ^ Jacobs, Marc. "Marc Jacobs Tweet".
- ^ "wait what site".