The results are in, the secret Pigeons and Planes Illuminati Sub-Council of Music Judgment has convened, and a winner for the Questlove remix competition has been chosen!
1.
WINNER: The Wyld – “Questions”
Marrying Questo’s fat drum loop with wistful singing, plinking keys, and a sharp (albeit very short) verse about a relationship gone bad, The Wyld’s “Questions” left a strong impression on our ear drums. Even though “Questions” clocks in at just under two minutes, its sounds and structure suggest greater ambition and, as is, it’s certainly a nice testament to focused quality over quantity. You can listen to and download the track below and check out the slick video for “Full Circle,” from the Wyld’s upcoming album Preface, dropping on June 29th.
2.
HONORABLE MENTION: 19 year-old Connecticut-born emcee Dom McLennon’s “Recess” put a sparkling, nostalgic spin on Questo’s breakbeat with the help of a stellar sample (the Menahan Street Band’s cover of Cults’ “Go Outside”…woo that’s a lot of layers!) and a childhood favorite, Recess. Definitely worth a shot in your iTunes. Check it out below.
Dom McLennon – “Recess”
BEST USE OF PIGEONS: Beat maker Stephen Niday really took the “mention ‘pigeons’ or ‘planes'” direction to heart. Sampling M.I.A. (“I fly like paper, get high like planes”) and the sweet, sweet cooing of pigeons (as he says in the description, “Yes I went there”), Stephen definitely gets points for concept and execution–and it’s always nice to marry dope drums with a Marvin Gaye sample. Enjoy the new P&P theme music below.
Stephen Niday – “High Like Planes”
Many thanks to everyone who submitted–there were definitely some high quality remixes that didn’t make cut (can’t have too many honorable mentions, after all)–and it was exciting to hear from some of our very talented readers. Stay tuned for the next contest!
