A Taste:

The Beatles, Bob Marley, Leadbelly, Howlin’ Wolf

So what makes someone country?

Just ask acclaimed artist Ryan Bingham—”It’s not the hat and the boots. It’s about your story and where you come from.”

Crazy Heart is quite the story. Jeff Bridges gives the performance of a lifetime as hard drinkin’ down-n-out country singer Bad Blake. Bingham pops up in his backing band adding some real country cred to the flick. The real life country artist definitely had quite the experience with Crazy Heart.

Ryan Bingham sat down in this exclusive interview with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino about what’s on his playlist. Check out Ryan’s playlist below and don’t miss Crazy Heart.

Ryan Bingham’s Playlist:

1. The Beatles

2. Bob Marley

3. Leadbelly

4. Howlin’ Wolf

5. The Rolling Stones

6. Kris Kristofferson

I listen to a lot of old blues—Lead Belly, Howlin Wolf—as well as The Rolling Stones, Kris Kristofferson. I mix it up quite a bit.

—Rick Florino
01.04.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…

A Taste:

Bob Marley, Eminem, Method Man & Redman

Twista has a need for speed.

On his latest album, Category F5, the Chicago MC fires off rhymes at lightspeed, turning verses on a dime. However, he still manages to get soulful at the same time and that combination of lyrical fire and raw passion makes for one of the most epic hip hop releases on 2009. He’s about to tear through them game once more with this storm.

In order to get inside Twista’s head we conducted this exclusive playlist interview with him.

Check out Twista’s playlist below and pick up Category F5 now.

Twista’s Playlist:

1. Bob Marley — Legends

To be honest, I can’t stop listening to this.

2. Dustys

We’ve been bumping some Dustys here and there.

3. Drake

I like Drake.

4. Eminem — Relapse

We’re bumping this a lot in the car right now.

5. Method Man & Redman — Blackout! 2

I love this CD. It’s crazy!

6. Robin Thicke — The Evolution of Robin Thicke

7. Gnarls Barkley — St. Elsewhere

I’m still bumping this!

—Rick Florino
07.26.09

A Taste:

Q-Tip, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan

“Vegas is the best way to ruin your life with your friends,” laughs Justin Bartha.

After filming The Hangover in Sin City, Bartha would know best. In the film, which happens to be the funniest comedy so far this year, Bartha’s Doug goes to Vegas with the boys for one last hurrah two nights before his wedding. However, after a legendary night of debauchery, he’s missing and his three best pals have no clue what happened. That’s when the real fun begins.

Each actor in the film, Bartha, Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis has his own style of comedy, but the blend is beyond tasty when they come together.

Bartha continues, “We all hit it off right away. It’s like Stanivlovsky up in this piece [Laughs]. Everyone’s doing his own thing, and the mix is just perfect.”

Bartha opened up his iTunes and gave us an exclusive look at what he’s spinning. Check out his playlist below and make sure to catch The Hangover in theaters everywhere on June 5!

Justin Bartha’s Playlist:

1. Q-Tip — The Renaissance

I like the new Q-Tip album. It’s a good one!

2. Phoenix — Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

The new Phoenix record is really good too.

3. Bob Dylan

I’m always listening to Bob Dylan.

4. Bob Marley

I like anyone named Bob [Laughs]. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get to sing a song in the movie. Mike Tyson, Ed and Zach all sing songs [Laughs].

—Rick Florino
06.01.09

A Taste:

Mac Dre, Frankie J, Bob Marley

“That don’t hurt?” Baby Bash asks a scantily clad girl writhing upside down on a stripper poll at the video shoot for his infectious new single, “That’s How I Go.”

The girl is hanging upside down on the pole, and Bash can’t help but ask if the position is painful. However, despite the gaggle of exotic dancers on set, Bash’s new video isn’t taking place at a gentleman’s club. Instead, the locale is simply a fitness studio in Los Angeles that happens to have a few stripper poles. If you live in L.A., that’s not at all surprising. Regardless, the vibrant video follows Bash as he goes from a tattoo shop to the fitness studio, chased by the paparazzi and the aforementioned, surprisingly acrobatic dancers.

Bash is a vision of modern swagger. Donning a dapper white hat, blue plaid sweater vest and a light aqua polo shirt, he looks chill but dignified. There’s a bevy of people gathered around the shoot too, including Bash’s longtime friend and collaborator, Frankie J. Frankie glances at the same “flexible” young lady and jokes, “That’s some raw talent!”

Amidst all the laughs, lights, talent and strippers, Baby Bash took some time to give us an exclusive look at his playlist. He opened up his iTunes and allowed us to peek inside. The enigmatic, charismatic and friendly Bash even let us dig into his catering!

Check out what Baby Bash is spinning below and be on the lookout for his fantastic “That’s How I Go” video featuring Mario and Lil Jon.There’s no doubt that Bash’s next full-length album will be another unforgettable concoction of hip hop and pop, but for now, here’s what he’s cranking!

Baby Bash’s Playlist:

1. Mac Dre

2. Frankie J

“Frankie is amazing. I’ve got some new music that he and I recorded on my iPod. They’re cool songs that we just finished, and I know they’re going to be hits.”

3. Bob Marley

4. Paula Deanda

“Paula’s got some really nice songs. I also just did a few with her that are great.”

5. Baby Bash

“I’ve got a ton of instrumentals on my playlist because I constantly write music, whether it be for me or for other people. This way, I can constantly write lyrics and get the songs out there quickly!”

—Rick Florino
02.11.09