Teenage Love

Hip Hop outfit Automatic turn back the clock and reflect on the ups and downs of teenage love.

In The Middle Of a Lovesick Lullaby

This new single from TV On The Radio is getting it done for me at the moment. Apologies for posting two break-up/unrequited love themed songs in a row, i'll get back on track with some happily ever after lovey dovey business soon enough!

I'll Not Let Hate Be The One.

Rapper Intuition takes Jessica Lea Mayfield's beautiful Our Hearts Are Wrong and adds a cheeky (unauthorised) verse to it. The result? The perfect soundtrack for when all that love stuff gets a bit complicated.

By The Power Vested In Me...

Killer new mix from one of our favourite DJs, DJ Magneto. Valentines Day may have come and gone but as you know we're about the love 24-7/365 over here at the Themes For Young Lovers HQ. Soul/Reggae lovers rock is the order of the day here and as per usual with Magneto this is another TFYL sure shot.

DJ Magneto - By The Power Vested In Me Mix Download

Peep the comments for the full track listing.

I Got The Feeling You Should Be My Baby

Can't get enough of this tune and film clip from Hip Hop duo Grieves & Budo. They'll have an album dropping later this year on the ever reliable Rhymesayers label.

Cosmo Baker's Love Break Three

Love Break Three - The Heart's Final Chapter by cosmobaker

peep the comments for the track listing

Hanging Out For You

image via kicksoncards

Inside My Love

Minnie Riperton- Inside My Love (Disco Tech Edit) by Disco Tech

Dubstep For Young Lovers

Luvstep 2 Teaser from flufftronix on Vimeo.

Great teaser vid for the 2nd installment of Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix's Luvstep series which will be released on Valentine's Day this year. Check the Luvstep site for the down low and be sure to download volume 1 while you're there.

Throw My Cards On The Table

Mara Hruby "Is This Love" from slick jackson on Vimeo.

Tonight Is Your Night

Priceless moment with Danny & Arnie in the 1988 classic Twins

Now Give Me Just The Kicks Just For Kicks

Yeah sure it's a bit cheesy but it's equal parts clever and Shad who drops in to say hi is my fave emcee doing the rounds at the moment.

:)

Peeps need to smile more. Love'll help you do it.

You Make Me Smile - Aloe Blacc

When I See You Smile - Aldo Vanucci

Moonlight Lovin'

They don't make em like they used to. Epic.

Isaac Hayes - Moonlight Lovin' (special edit) by (((Belabouche)))

DJ Neil Armstrong on love jams, fumbling with pantalones & crying to Lionel Richie tunes.

When he's not busy touring the world as a spokesperson for Adidas, DJing at exclusive parties & launches, making ridiculously good mixtapes* & sharing the stage with the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce & Puff Daddy, nice guy and humble music fan Neil Armstrong is being a good sport and answering the Themes For Young Lovers questions.

*Be sure to check for his love themed mixtape joints - Warmfuzzy (Themes For Young Lovers All-Timer!), Smoove & Bittersweeet

Name - DJ Neil Armstrong

A/S/L - Older than I look/Male/NYC born and raised

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Debarge - I Like It


Lenny Williams - I Love You


Heatwave - Always Forever

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Ya know, come to think of it... I don’t really play music when that situation is going on?? I’m too busy fumbling with the pantalones....

What is your fave romantic film of all time? When Harry Met Sally, Or
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

Bittersweeet Audio Clip

Or if someone else has -

The Softies - Winter Pageant

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding?

Stevie Wonder - All I do

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? Michael Jackson.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I got a bunch of those ...

Journey - Open Arms


Ambrosia - Biggest Part Of Me


REO Speedwagon -I Can’t Fight This Feeling


Lionel Richie - Hello... sniff!

Bonus Vid - A Day In The Life Of Neil

I'm Not Ready To Kiss & Hug

I'd foolishly forgotten how good The Numero Group releases were, but I was reminded when I broke the seal on my double LP copy of the incredible Home Schooled - The ABCs of Kid Soul comp on the weekend and rediscovered this absolute gem of a tune above.

All of their releases are quality and are well worth checking out. I guarantee you it'll be some of the best music you've never heard.

Josie Styles Borrows a Cup Of Brown Sugar From Your Favourite Rapper's Favourite Rapper

I'm going to have a new partner in crime soon at the Themes For Young Lovers HQ.. helping me with content and adding a female touch around the place will be Josie Styles.

When I first approached Josie about helping me out with the blog she started running off at the mouth about all these BIG name artists that she was going to get onboard and at the time I was like 'yeah whatevs'... Well pass me a knife and fork so I can eat my words and make way for the first of hopefully many question sessions that Josie Styles will bring to the table - Maccy

Being one of the world's better cunninglinguists, I am not sure how may people would consider Talib Kweli Greene as a 'ladies man' (especially in comparison to his partner in Black Star rhyming, Mos Def). He only ever does one or 2 love joints per album eg Talk to You (lil darlin'), Never Been in Love, Brown Sugar (raw), Hot Thing and then waxes superb lyrical consciousness in his quicksilver-tongued style (sounds a bit porn related to me!) for the most part.

I was first taken by Kwe's sexy croons on "Brown Skin Lady" from the Black Star album. He came correct on that joint, with ill wordplay and vivid imagery, and of course, anyone who makes reference to Tony Rebel's "Fresh Vegetable" wins me over in a jiffy! "Coppertone? Oh you copyright infringement"!!!

Having spent a bit of time in the USA with Kweli, I can tell you folks that he really is a gentleman and has exceptional taste in music. This is reflected in the artists and producers he chooses to work with and the tunes he drops during his DJ sets (every MC wants to be a DJ right?!)

Aside from completing a relentless worldwide touring schedule, running the Blacksmith Music label (along with CEO Corey Smyth), and helping look after his two children, Talib recently 'rekindled' his Reflection Eternal partnership with producer Hi-Tek. In May 2010 they released RPM, the follow up album to the 2000 debut release Train of Thought. There's a 'love' jawn on that in the form of "Midnight Hour" with UK pop darling, Estelle. Peep the video below and check out Kweli's dapper threads, proving himself to be every bit the quintessential ladies man.

Oh, one thing (and I'm sorry ladies) I should have said before, Kweli is technically 'off the market' after marrying his fiance DJ EQUE last year... now for the saixxy time! - Josie Styles

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Can I by Eddie Kendricks
Waiting In Van by Bob Marley
Sometimes by Bilal

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo?

What is your fave romantic film of all time?

Love and Basketball

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?


What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding?
I Believe (When I Fall In Love) by Stevie Wonder

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years?

The Isley Brothers

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?

Loving You by Minnie Ripperton

Over the years Talib himself has layed down some killer themes for young lovers business, here are a few choice picks -

Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek) feat Estelle - Midnight Hour

Talib Kweli - Hot Thing

Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def) - Brown Skin Lady

The Mayor Of Love Town

Mayer Hawthorne won this blogs heart last year when he delivered an entire albums worth of themes for young lovers on the instant classic 'A Strange Arrangement'. Over the course of the past 12 or so months he's kept himself busy by touring the world and also making videos to accompany every track on his debut record, or at least that's what it seems like.

If you're yet to experience what Mr Hawthorne is all about, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of his album and peep the great vids below.

Mayer Hawthorne - Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'

Mayer Hawthorne - One Track Mind

Ol' Dirty Bastard Does The Beatles

It's So Hard To Keep These Thoughts Polite.

Hip Hop music to watch girls by from Cool Calm Pete circa 2008... What's another word for pirate treasure?

Gitty Up Baby! - Cool Calm Pete