Madcon

Norway’s hottest export, Madcon, offers up their playlists to us in this exclusive feature…

A Taste:

Queens of the Stone Age, Raphael Saadiq, Frankie Valli

“You could say we’re very animated people,” laughs Madcon’s Yosef Wolde-Mariam. “We like messing around, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. To me, that’s important, especially in hip hop. It’s ridiculous how serious most rappers take themselves. Having to hold your pose and your cap a certain way seems like too much work [Laughs]. Fuck that.”

The platinum-selling Norwegian cosmic R&B maestros are certainly having fun—even when they’re sad.

On a bumpin’ 21st century update of Frankie Valli’s take-me-back anthem, “Beggin’”, Madcon wind and weave intelligent rhymes over a spacey groove. An emotional hook takes hold, and the duo effectively launches soul into outer space.

While prepping their U.S. debut, Madcon’s Yosef and Tshawe Baqwa sat down with us to discuss “Beggin’” and share their playlists in this exclusive feature. What they’re rockin’ may surprise you…

Check out Madcon’s playlists below!

Yosef Wolde-Mariam’s Playlist:

1. Frankie Valli — “Beggin’”

“When we heard the 2008 version of that song, we were blown away. I felt the message of the song—’Don’t be too proud to beg.’ Valli was in that moment when it happened. The message of the song is ‘be honest,’ but in this macho culture, it’s hard. Let’s say you’re chilling with your boys and your girlfriend just broke up with you. Your boys will ask, ‘What happened?’ You’ll tell them, ‘I was tired; I just dumped her.’ Be honest about it. If that’s what you feel, that’s what you feel. Don’t be afraid to say it.”
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Saliva

Saliva drummer Paul Crosby opens up his iTunes and shares his playlist with us in this exclusive feature

A Taste:

Hollywood Undead, Killswitch Engage, Halestorm

Saliva drummer Paul Crosby was on a brief break from the road, but that didn’t stop him from providing ARTISTdirect.com with his Top 5 playlist. Saliva issued their fifth album for Island, Cinco Diablo, at the tail end of last year. 2009 sees the band remaining on tour. After the break, they will appear this spring on the resurrected Sno Core® tour as a featured attraction. Here’s what Crosby is rocking and not surprisingly, it’s mostly rock and metal.

Paul is totally proud of what’s rocking his world when he’s not rocking yours!

Paul Crosby’s Playlist:

1. Hollywood Undead

2. Halestorm

“They have a new album coming out on Atlantic. We just got off tour with them and Shinedown, so I’ve been listening to them.”
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