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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