Flying Lotus & Killer Mike go ‘Swimming’ for Adult Swim

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Though you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise, Adult Swim and Kia Motors’ decision to enlist Flying Lotus for its “8 Singles 8 Weeks” promotion doesn’t solely stem from a carpet-bagging desire to brand themselves as cool and cutting edge.

After all, Adult Swim, the Cartoon Network block of late-night programming, was one of the white-hot Lotus’ first champions, selecting his tunes to be the bumper music between shows and tabbing him to remix Gucci Mane for its “ATL RMX” project. But the decision to pair him up with former Dungeon Family associate Killer Mike for “Swimming” might be the company’s most savvy move yet.

Contributing a woozy, punch-drunk banger that sounds inspired by the second half of “Stankonia,” Lotus reveals his versatility. Anyone expecting harps and the jazz jones evidenced on “Cosmogramma” will be surprised by the track’s undulating synths and 808 claps that meld with Killer Mike’s gruff rasp. While the Grand Hustle-signed rapper is perhaps best known for his bristling anger and unwavering conscience, he switches up his style with the rare loverman ballad, bragging about “swimming in women.” It’s the ideal soundtrack to accompany the realities expressed in this article (although finding a “Fendi Freak” could get pretty expensive in this still-stagnant economy).

Also recommended: snagging Madvillain’s contribution to “Week Two” of the series.

-- Jeff Weiss

Download:

MP3: Killer Mike (prod. by Flying Lotus) -- “Swimming”

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