Mardi Gras!

Today is Mardi Gras so I decided to find some party tunes to soundtrack the day.  Since New Orleans is ground zero for Fat Tuesday celebraging, I scoured Soundcloud and Bandcamp for some awesome artists straight out of The Big Easy.  Specifically, I focused on the NOLA Bounce scene.  Bounce music is characterized by frenetic, high energy hip-hop beats that are made to get you moving.  The instrumentals are often built around the famous "Triggaman" beat from The Showboys' "Drag Rap".

You'll hear that sample during Gypsyphonic Disko's "Hey Pockey Phonic" around the :50 mark.  It should be obvious by then, though, that a lot more instrumentation goes into these Bounce jams than just samples.
Gypsyphonic Disko - "Hey Pockey Phonic"

I've featured Nicky Da B before on his track with Diplo, so his style of furious, in-your-face rapping and specific instructions on how to contort your body should feel familiar.
Nicky Da B - Beating Down Yo Block (Produced By J-DAWG)

Finally, we've got "Hide & Go Seek" by The Honorable South which is a re-imagining of a song of the same name by Bunker Hill.  This group has features of Bounce in their music, but they also incorporate elements of electro-rock, funk, jazz, and soul.

The city of New Orleans has long been a hotbed for cultural mixing and their music is no exception.  The energy and diversity in these songs should do the trick to get things shaking this Mardi Gras.  Enjoy!

PUYL Favorite Song: Diplo - Express Yourself (ft. Nicky Da B)

Superproducer Diplo introduced this banger to the world in 2012.  It isn't just a song; it's also an instruction manual and a full blown movement.  Diplo provides a furious array of claps and rubbing whomps while NOLA bounce artist Nicky Da B explains exactly how you should 'express yourself'.  It's very specific.  Usually, expression is intentionally open ended, but the focus here is mainly rear ended.  They led a contest where people from around the world submitted creative photographs of individuals expressing themselves.  Even months after the contest was over, fans are still finding it hard to contain all their expressions.  It has turned into the biggest movement since planking (sorry).

Download: Diplo - Express Yourself (ft. Nicky Da B)