The World Needs More Blend Tapes Like This

L.A.-based DJ/producer Sean G, best known as one half of Donavan’s Yard (hosts of one of LA’s best parties who also graced the stage at Coachella) just dropped a new project called Dipping Lotus. A blend tape that blends Dipset raps over Flying Lotus‘ beats, all accompanied by trippy visuals provided by Liam Sweeny for @unnaturaltheatre.

This is a marriage we didn’t know we needed. It looks and sounds like something you would have stumbled upon while browsing Tumblr before it was acquired by Yahoo!. We haven’t experienced something that feels like this since Knxwledge was doing his MEEK blend tape series.

“Squalay Sirens,” “Last 2 Minute Report,” “Rambo’s Revenge,” and “Locked Garage” are the standouts, but it’s best to just let the whole project ride, preferably on a big screen with 3D glasses on or, if you got it like that, an Apple Vision Pro. Most of the half-hour trip is beautifully chaotic and pleasantly atmospheric. “Rambo’s Revenge,” with Max B and Jim Jones surfing over that Lotus instrumental, is the perfect example. I’m not exactly sure how it works, but it does.

Back in the day, you could go downtown in any major city and cop a bunch of blend tapes like this. DJs like Kid Capri would blend R&B vocals over hip-hop production to make something wholly original and new. As a matter of fact, Capri’s blend of Stephanie Mills‘ “Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)” and Eric B & Rakim’s “Impeach the President” back in 1989 is the gold standard that inspired an entire generation of artists and DJs.

The god Sean G on bringing the feeling back: “This is a project I’ve been wanting to work on for over a decade now. Both Dipset and Flying Lotus have such huge cult followings, but also completely different sounds. It kinda made no sense and all the sense in the world at the same time. It’s like the lyrics you yell and the beats you vibe to, but life is like that sometimes.”

Be sure to keep Sean on your radar, I’m sure he has more goodies like this in his bag.