White Gutz - Dungeon Family

The Dungeon Family is a southern hip hop supergroup. Although the lineup has changed throughout the years, it originally included Outkast, Goodie Mob, and 10 or so other associated artists. This track has an a really unique sound to it, mainly due to the unusual, and diverse rapping styles of the many different group members. Despite it's unorthodox sound, it all comes together to create one hell of a track.

White Gutz - Dungeon Family

Katy on a Mission (Feat. Benga) - Katy B

Katy B, the dubstep songstress of the moment, released this record as the first single off her debut album, On a Mission, which dropped last summer. Benga co-wrote and produced the track, foreshadowing the work Katy B would go on to do with Magnetic Man. The song is definitely dubstep, but more like dubstep lite. It's got some commercial appeal, and it's songs like this that are going to bring the genre into the mainstream.

Katy on a Mission (Feat. Benga) - Katy B
*Removed by request

The Last Hope (Feat. Kardinall Offishall & Andreena Mill) - Drake

Another cut by my boy Drake, this one is laid back. Waaaay back. A staple in chill playlists in my library, Drake has some nice verses, and Kardinal Offishalls is (gasp) actually not too shabby. Love the vocal sample and Andreena Mill on the chorus.

The Last Hope (Feat. Kardinall Offishall & Andreena Mill) - Drake

Let's Go Swimming - Allo Darlin'

Straight from the vaults of DJ Keegan over at KPSU Radio in Portland, this is beautiful, sunny afternoon acoustic indie pop. Definitely more of a summer time song, but it's so infectious I just had to share.

Let's Go Swimming - Allo Darlin'

Check out DJ Keegan's radio show, Manter Banter, on Portland State's radio station, KPSU. It goes down every Monday from 4-5 PM.

Manter Banter Official Facebook Page

Listen to the station HERE.

Hero (Feat. Keri Hilson) - Nas

Although everyone is always up on Nas' old work, this is one of my favorite tracks by him. Polow Da Don's tinkling synths play over a fat kick drum, and with a catchy chorus and Keri Hilson's vocals, I'm still surprised that this wasn't a bigger hit when it came out. Although not lyrically Nas' best offering, he still offers some great insight into the direction hip hop and pop music are headed, and the pressure labels puts on artists to churn out radio hits instead of quality, heartfelt music.

Hero (Feat. Keri Hilson) - Nas

Where is My Mind (Bassnectar Remix) - The Pixies

So far on, I've posted on Bassnectar more than any other artist the blog. Is this because I'm obsessed? No, Bassnectar is a great producer, but there are a lot of other artists who I'd probably choose to listen to first. Maybe it's because I've seen him live, and he's an amazing performer. Or because I'm about to see him for the second time really soon. Or maybe that's just the way shit happens. You'll never know.

This is a great remix of an already wonderful song. If you don't think you know the original, go watch the ending of Fight Club, maybe that'll jog your memory. The song starts out just like the original, albeit maybe with a little extra bass, but around 1:10 it starts to build, and from then on it's Bassnectar time.

Where is My Mind (Bassnectar Remix) - The Pixies

Soldier of Luchini (Camp Lo X Rusko X The Temper Trap) - Mr. Physix

A friend showed me the original to this track a few weeks back and I was kinda diggin' it. At least until this song came along. Now I'm REALLY diggin' it, and I appreciate Rusko's original even more. Rusko gives The Temper Trap's track a hip hop feel, and Camp Lo drops some really nice verses as the perfect complement.

Soldier of Luchini (Camp Lo X Rusko X The Temper Trap) - Mr. Physix

Video! - Getting Nowhere (Feat. John Legend) - Magnetic Man

I was not a fan of the song until I saw this video. John Legend just hasn't been doing it for me lately, but I after watching the video, I like his vocals a lot more on this track. The video follows a new age version of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse (on BMX bikes?). Some of it comes off a little cheesy (see my parentheses from the previous sentence), but overall I think it's a really well done video. I think Legend's croonings of "Almost there, almost there, feel like we've been getting nowhere" reflect the way a lot of people see the world today. Constantly progressing, growing, consuming, but not really going anywhere. Food for thought.
Jingle Jams on the tip.

Tippin' From Such Great Heights - Dank Sinatra

An awesome mashup by a good friend of mine. "Such Great Heights" and the "Tipsy" beat, with some Lil Mama and Fiddy vocals? Ok I see you. And 1:52-2:13 is golden.

You can check out more of his work right here on his Tumblr.

Tippin' From Such Great Heights - Dank Sinatra

Shot Yourself in the Foot Again - Skream & Example

Speakers on blast for this one. I have been turning into a huge Skream fan lately, which is surprising, since I didn't used to like him all that much. But artists evolve, and when it comes to music I'm always ready to give a second chance. First impressions often don't stick when it comes to music. Example, who's been heavy on electronic vocals lately, is on the track. Skream gives us a heavy, but not too heavy bassline, and the whole thing fits together really well. This year is off to a good start.

Shot Yourself in the Foot Again (Extended Mix) - Skream & Example

Bieber Fever (Original Mix) - Revero & Matt Sayers

Ooooh oohoohooh oohoohooh oohoohoohooh.....Justin Bieber? Not quite, but let's just say the drop is in a way very similar to Duck Sauce's "Barbara Streisand". Don't let the name fool you, this song goes hard.

Bieber Fever (Original Mix) - Revero & Matt Sayers

Coachella 2011 Lineup

Get it while it's hot.

Still - jj

jj is a Swedish group, who's mainly known for their dreamy pop covers of popular hip hop songs. On their newest mixtape, Kills, the group includes a version of "Still Dre", and it is damn good. The beat is such a classic that I generally only enjoy the original, other rappers verses just don't do it for me. In this case though, there's not any rapping, only the wistful vocals of singer Elin Kastlander, which somehow fit perfectly over Dre's production.

Still - jj

You can nab the whole mixtape HERE.

Mississippi - Train

Throwback jam time. As far as lay-back-and-think-about-love/life/the universe songs go, this is one of my favorites. The gentle guitar, and especially the sax in the background, let me just drift off into another world. This one is near and dear, so I hope you guys like it as much as I do.

Mississippi - Train

Stop Me (Feat. Daniel Merriweather) - Mark Ronson

An old favorite of mine. I don't have much else by Ronson, but his past couple albums have been full of collabs with high profile artists like Ghostface Killah, Amy Winehouse, and Spank Rock. Soulful vocals by Merriweather and a block rockin' beat by Ronson make this song a great pick me up.

Stop Me (Feat. Daniel Merriweather) - Mark Ronson

Dynospectrum

Although Atmosphere and Rhymesayers Entertainment's profile in the hip hop scene has increased dramatically in the past few years, not many people know about a lot of their earlier work. Dynospectrum was the brainchild of label co-founder Musab (then known as Beyond). The group consisted of Musab, Slug, Swift, and I Self Devine, who were all members of the original Headshots crew. Production for their one and only album, aptly titled "The Dynospectrum", was handled by Ant. Lyrically the album is stunning, and each of the four emcees shine at different points. The production is raw and haunting, and in my opinion, it's some of Ant's best work. This is album is a must have for hip hop heads everywhere.

Southside Myth - Dynospectrum
Anything is Everything - Dynospectrum

Sure Thing - Miguel

Hands down my favorite song of the past two weeks. A song hasn't gotten this many plays in its first two weeks in my library in a very, very long time. More Miguel is yet to come.. the man is golden; I snag anything with his name on it. And how many people have their first video directed by Hype Williams? You've gotta have talent for that to happen.

Sure Thing - Miguel

Off the Clock EP - SuperFire

Seattle hip-hop group SuperFire released their latest EP, Off the Clock, back in November. Rapper PhilHarmonic has been a player in the NW hip hop scene for awhile, and has worked with both Sol and Scribes on a few of their respective projects. SuperFire sees him teaming up Elan Wright and a few other guys to create some great music. This EP is a huge leap from the few songs they had put out in the past few years. The production value has gone way up, they've got a couple of great guest appearances, and Phil and Elan's rhymes are clever and quick. All in all, this is a great EP, and I'm really excited to hear some more from this group.

These two tracks have been on seriously heavy rotation lately:
Feels So Good (Feat. Ray Dalton) - SuperFire

Go Back (Feat. Dave Armes) - SuperFire

Pick up the whole EP for free right HERE.

Oh, and make sure to check out their Facebook or Myspace for updates and more music.

Sex Sax - Drop The Lime

Another killer track from Drop the Lime. Yes, I know I'm on the late bus on this one, but it's just too good of a record to not post it. A sax drop, a harmonica drop... what will this guy think of next?

Sex Sax - Drop the Lime

VIDEO!: Man in a Raincoat - C-Villian

C-villain, a Eugene rapper originally from the bay area, has dropped the video for the first single off his upcoming album, A.D.D. The sample gives this one some smooth old-school vibes, and C-villain has got some serious lyrical talent. Be on the lookout for this guy.

Cloudlight - Eskmo

This is one of those songs that had to grow on me, but once I decided I liked it, I couldn't get enough. Not quite dubstep, but with a little bit of wobble, this is one crazy song. The video is what really made me fall in love with it though. Slow and lurching, but beautiful at the same time. To fully experience, lie down and listen with eyes closed, preferably on really nice headphones.

Cloudlight - Eskmo

Love Thing Part 2 (DJ Mehdi Remix) - Eli Escobar

A relatively new remix from producer Eli Escobar. This is a great electronic track with a definite disco feel. Some feel good, dance by yourself in your room music right here.

Live for the Funk on the tip.

Love Thing Part 2 (DJ Mehdi Remix)

Skylark Interabang!? - ::M∆DE::IN::HEIGHTS::

UPDATE: Nab the whole EP HERE.


Sabzi, who many may know as the DJ/producer for Blue Scholars and Common Market, has a new project out, known around the interweb as ::M∆DE::IN::HEIGHTS::. I was super excited when I first heard this, and it did not disappoint. Skylark Interbang!? is without a doubt the best record off the EP/mixtape. Sabzi has taken his sound to a whole new level, and definitely in a different direction, but the track still sounds like a his work, and the vocals are just beautiful. Can't wait to hear more from these group.


Skylark Interbang!? - ::M∆DE::IN::HEIGHTS::

United State of Pop 2010 (Don't Stop the Pop) - DJ Earworm

Near the end of every year, DJ Earworm puts out a song mashing up many of the hits from the previous year. This one isn't his best effort in my opinion, but I know a lot of people are gonna like this. It's always nice to reflect on the past, but 2011 is off to a great start, so let's keep it that way! Last year was a crazy one for music, with a lot of quality stuff put out, and I have a sneaking suspicion 2011 is only going to be better.

United State of Pop 2010 (Don't Stop The Pop) - DJ Earworm

G.O.O.D. Friday (Feat. Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean & Charlie Wilson) - Kanye West

The second of Kanye's G.O.O.D. Friday tracks I'm going to post; this one was my favorite until "Looking for Trouble" came out. It's still a ridiculous track though, with an awesome verses by Sean Don and Pusha. And the production? Too good. This has to be one of the best beats I've heard in a long time. It's going to be songs like this that 10 years from now will be this decades classic hip hop. I really can't stress enough how good this song is, so you probably should just go ahead and click that DL link.

G.O.O.D. Friday (Feat. Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean & Charlie Wilson) - Kanye West

Grin & Bear It (By LMNO) - The Beat Junkies

A classic mixtape from a classic crew. This is a cut by LMNO, with scratching by the World Famous Beat Junkies crew. The cut up piano sample sounds great, and the mixing by the Beat Junkies is top notch, as always. Hip hop doesn't get much better than this.

Grin & Bear It (By LMNO) - The Beat Junkies

Bromance (The Love You Seek) [Avicii's Extended Vocal Mix] - Tim Berg

The best way to describe this monster of a house track is epic. The synths lift you up into the stratosphere. The vocals are sublime. Tim Berg has remixed his own track under his pseudonym Avicii, laying down some amazing Amanda Wilson vocals over an already epic track. This is some next level shit right here. Avicii is a house music king in the making.

Bromance (The Love You Seek) [Avicii's Extended Vocal Mix] - Tim Berg

VIDEO! - I Just Had Sex (Feat. Akon) -The Lonely Island

I'm sure many of you have already seen this, but just in case you haven't... I've got to give it up to Samberg and crew, when the first Lonely Island tracks came out, I never thought they'd see the sort of success they have in the past few years. "I Just Had Sex" is a another catchy song, this time with Akon on the chorus. I'm gonna have to say that "I'm on a Boat" is a little better (it was nominated for a Grammy after all), but only marginally. Best part of the video? Jessica Alba and Blake Lively. Duh.



I Just Had Sex (Feat. Akon) - The Lonely Island
*Removed by request