Thanks to Peter for the inadvertent tip. New Star Slinger remix of a totally silly H-Town song. Watch the original video and laugh, and then listen to the remix and get down witchyobadself.
I came across this Glitch Mob music video/art project a few weeks back, and I'm really glad I've finally gotten around to posting it. I suppose most people would consider this a music video, but what I've read has said this was more a multi-medium project, and that the song was created specifically to be filmed along with the lights as more of a comprehensive art piece (albeit only for the video). With fat electronic bass, aggresive synths and a slightly hip hop feel, the audio portion of the video is pretty typical Glitch Mob, and even though the lights show is spectacular, I like that I can enjoy listening to the song by itself as well.
Burial's classic click and clack 808 kick, spun with Kieran Hebden's (aka Four Tet's) sample based MPD christ pose, with a Thom Yorke lilting vocal track dressed across the top of the track like a ragged curtain. It's excellent. It's incredible. It's three artists pushing each other toward greater heights while still grounding each other in recognizable style. This is the true definition of musical collaboration.
Debuting today, Chip Tha Ripper has a brand new music video out. Shot with a 90's-era production vibe, Chip drops lines and trades flow with interspersed analog VCR video clips and close-ups of Tha Ripper meandering through a local bodega. Peep it below.
I'm a little surprised I haven't done another J. Cole post sooner; I really can't emphasize enough how much I like this dudes raps and production. It's difficult for me to find a J. Cole song I don't like, so here's a little wrap-up of what the man's been up to lately.
J. Cole - Killers
Cole describes life as a young man scared and on the run after killing a man. He apologizes to his mother, telling her how sorry he is and about what his life could have been like. His delivery is raw and emotional, the simple production fits perfectly.
New video from Snoop! This is some back in the day Snoop flow, and I'm loving it! Even the visuals feel like a music video circa- the early '90s, not 2011 (and in a good way). I've been really disappointed with Snoop's last two albums, but most of the stuff I've been hearing from Doggumentary, besides "Wet" has been really good. Tha Dogg is back ladies and gentleman, prepare yourself.
Well hot damn, Big K.R.I.T. just made my night. Krit Wuz Here was probably the best mixtape of the year last year (debate it in the comments if you disagree, or show some love!), and now the man himself has decided to release what was originally going to be a full album for free on his website. Big features from Ludacris, Bun B, David Banner & more. Gooooooo get it. #realhiphop
Update: As I'm listening, standout tracks are the two singles, "Dreamin'" and "American Rapstar", as well as "Another Naive Individual Glorifying Greed and Ecouraging Racism" [See what he did there?] and "Free My Soul".
Just posted this morning on WSHH.com (World Star Hip Hop), Lil B's latest song "Illusions of Grandeur" is an emotional confession of past sins and present revelations, set to a sweeping Enya-esque instrumental track with muted drums and beautiful sung vocal samples, courtesy of Imogen Heap. It's a gorgeous song, reaching a transcendence that rap rarely aspires to and even more rarely accomplishes. "One time to lose it all, you never learn you never fail, you never walk you never crawl." ~ Lil B the Based God
A mere 19 years old, Koreless evokes the emotional side of dance music with a panache and flair little seen in the world electronic scene. His songs have a transcendent feeling associated with them, silky vocal samples warped and looped over ambient haze and the pop pop of complex natural drum tracks. It's dubstep for lonely souls, a sunset silhouetted through the smog of a city, a quiet last cigarette under a street light, a first kiss. It's pure cleanliness of production that makes Koreless stand out among not only the UK-beat scene, but the world in general. Check out his Jacques Greene Remix if you missed it, and catch a listen to his stellar track "Maria" below. Happy Friday everybody.
A little old, but I just came across this song today, and I'm in love a wittle ickle bit. The offbeat, smooth as molasses bass groove makes me melt into a puddle every time the pattern starts over. Definitely worth a listen and a download.
Amazing track with a totally silly video. Soulful UK ex-chef Alex Clare has a Diplo and Switch produced track out, and it's riggity rad. The song is awesome, groovy funk guitar lines hanging out behind the bowling alley with huge dubbed-out, blunted Diplo bass drops. It's a lovely combination. The video is cool too, if not more than a little ridiculous. It consists mainly of emotional close ups of Alex singing into the camera in an emotional voice, interspersed with intense clips of two dudes in blacked out fencing gear beating the shit out of each other with sticks. The meaning is unintelligible, but its definitely cool to watch. Enjoy.
Former UNC Tar Heel basketball player Terrance Petree played point guard, averaged around 2 points per game, is 6'1" and weighs in at 165. What is less well known is TP's talent on the mic. A free mixtape went up on DJBooth.net today, and it's awesome. 9th Wonder produced the project, along with beats from several other collaborators, such as Khrysis, Eric G, and Amp. The whole album bumps hard as a whole. Great pre-game, pre-work, inspirational go-hard hip hop. Cop it fo' FREE here ---> TP - TP Is My Hero (prod. by 9th Wonder)
Everybody, say hello to my future wife, Natalie Portman. Yes, I know she's "married" and has a "child" on the way, but these are just minor roadblocks. We will be getting married someday. Why do I bring this up now? On their new record, "So Easy", Tha Breeze claim to have hit up Natalie Portman the night before they recorded the track. Which is totally believable. Just like I believe that someday, wedding bells will ring as she walks down the isle toward me. It's gonna happen. Have a little faith.
On a more serious note (or maybe it's a less serious note?), "So Easy" grabs a nice Commodores sample to compliment the sparse drum track and breezy (ha, see what I did there?) verses. This is a feel-good, sunny day, livin'-is-easy track from Tha Breeze, a hip hop duo out of Eugene, OR.
Tha Breeze is Trent Jones on the boards, and Teddy Hein on the mic. Check 'em out right over here on Facebook for more info and some older songs.
We've got a brand new Benzi mixtape for ya, just in time for spring break. Benzi, as usual, has the party jam game on lock with this tape, which showcases artists on the Moodswing 360 label. Yeah, half the lyrics on this tape will probably make you gag, but since the only time you'll listen to to this tape is doing kegstands on the lawn over spring break, it probably doesn't matter much.
Click on the arrow right beneath the "info" button to download the party version (one long mp3) directly from the Soundcloud player.
If you want the tracked out version, hit up the link at the bottom of the post.
This. Looks. So. Good. I want it right about... now. Since that's not possible, I guess I'll have to stick with this coffee sippin' hip hop track, which, theoretically, would go along perfectly with a latte just like this one. This is a song off of Brooklyn-based coffee hop group Hoyt Latte's January EP, one of twelve EPs they plan on releasing this year. In case you hadn't guessed based on the name of the EP, they'll be releasing one each month.
Go take a look at their Bandcamp for free downloads of both the EPs they've released so far, as well as their introductory mixtape.
I never expected much from Tyga, seeing as "Coconut Juice" was the first song I ever heard by him. I've been hearing some consistently good verses from him lately though, and his production has come a little more towards the classic hip hop sound I enjoy. I'm excited to see what he's got in store.
Some new Lupe, and word is this was cut from Lasers. I purposely haven't touched on the topic of "Lasers" so far, so this is going to be the one and only time I do it. The number of times I have flip flopped on how I felt about the album before it came out, and since the it's come out is countless. However, I've recently made my final decision. Drumroll please.....
This is another one of those "I can't believe I'm actually posting this" moments. I don't want to talk about the fact that I'm posting an LMFAO song. The only reason I'm posting this is for the DOPE ass instrumental. I think I want to make an edit of this song that keeps the hype phrases right before the drop, as well as the chorus, but cuts out all the terrible verses in between. If I can find an instrumental and acapella, I will definitely do it and get it up here. Until now, just rage to this version and pretend it's not LMFAO.
The Dropping Gems crew, based out of Portland, OR, recently released a 21-track compilation disk of all new material "that expresses everything we love about experimental electronic hip-hop-inspired music today. We went to those we trust: friends, family, and artists from all corners of the U.S. who push boundaries and infuse their work with heart and soul. Gem Drops brings together a diverse array of styles, but remains focused on spotlighting the kind of future-sound sensibility that makes modern music worth listening to."
The disk is available on the Dropping Gems bandcamp page, complete with a name-your-price option. However, all proceeds from the sale of "Gem Drops" benefits the American Cancer Institute and their continuing research into a cure. It's a great cause, with an added bonus of a hand-made, hand-decorated physical CD for anyone who donates $15 or more. Be sure to include shipping information in your order if you decide to go this route.
The comp disc features Shigeto, Devonwho, Juj, Connie Hawkins, and Sumsun, among numerous others. It's a rad collection of music, and proves that beat heads are capable of more altruistic endeavors than smoking blunts and listening to J Dilla.
Brooklyn-based producer Zach Saginaw aka Shigeto recently dropped an EP of stellar remixes from his Ghostly International debut album "Full Circle". Samiyam, Take, Mike Slott and Om Unit provide tracks, among other excellent company from the world's premier electronica scene. The album begins with a new Shigeto track, a tribal bass voodoo shouting banger entitled "Sacrificial". Grab a listen below.
Pretty Lights released a remixtape recently, with a bunch of unreleased remixes that he'd been playing at live shows for the past year or so, and this is one of the best of the bunch. Derek takes Biggie's "Juicy" acapella, drops it over the "Empire State of Mind" beat with Key's chorus and adds in a few very subtle womps and some bass. It's the song he's been closing his shows with, and it never fails to get the crowd moving like crazy. Having seen this track firsthand at a Pretty Lights show last year, it definitely has some sentimental value, but anyone who enjoys at least one of these two songs (which is everyone, right?) will love this.
Head on on over to Pretty Lights Music to grab the rest of the remix pack, or any of Pretty Light's other work (It's all free)!
Throwback off of Drake's stepping stone to success, So FarGone. God, he's so damn smooth. This song drips steez.
"Don't know why it happens every time we alone / But here we are again and I swear I'm in my zone / So I'ma sip this drink till that motherfucker gone / Than you go get undressed and we gon' get it on"
I swore to myself I'd never post Lil' B on this blog. Although I do love swag, I can't stand listening to the self-proclaimed BASEDgod shouting it over every single beat he gets on. Oh and who the fuck wants to be Ellen Degeneres? Or Paris Hilton. Lil' B is one interesting dude. Despite my promise, this record is too good to deny posting. You've got my interest B, now keep it up and you'll have yourself a new fan. Anyway, you know 9th Wonder goes in on the beat, with a sexy sample and booming drums (AKA he's get some bass for your face). Lil' B lays down a nice verse, and it turns out he actually has a lot more to say than just "swag". Plus, you know Phonte and and Jean are doin' their thing.
Let me introduce you to the best dubstep mix you've never heard. On Valentines Day 2010, producers Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix dropped their first Luvstep mix, and they've done it again this year. I haven't decided which one I like better yet, but I think I'm just going to pretend they're one long, continuous mix so I don't have too. Honestly, they could be the same mix; Dirty South Joe and Fluff did a great job of sticking to the same sort of tracks on this second mix. This is really melodic, chilled out dubstep. Everyone loves a good face melter once in awhile, but this is the dubstep that I really love.
UK producer Gold Panda dropped a new EP on Ghostly International beginning of this last month. The title track "Marriage" is a house-music get down viewed from a cruising altitude of 20,000 feet, and the stellar Star Slinger, Baths, Halls, and Forest Swords remixes filling out the rest of the album solidify the vibe of the EP while also expanding the overall context of the sound. One track viewed from five different angles, Star Slinger's bassy groove versus Bath's pastoral echoes versus Forest Sword's entire restructuring of the song with sung children's choir vocal samples. It's a fabulous body of music, and one that is definitely worth picking up on vinyl, if they ever get around to pressing it. Check out the Ghostly International store to pick up the digital release.
Chris Brown on a song called "Real Hip Hop Shit"? I'm intrigued. Chris Brown rapping on a song called "Real Hip Hop Shit"? And he goes in for the entire song, not just the half-rap, half-singing he usually does? Now I'm really intrigued. I don't think it's half bad. What about you guys?
Can't tell you guys how much I like this record. I've been bumping it for a year or so now, and it's honestly one of the best mashups/remixes I've ever heard. A lush piano loop, great verses, and a bangin' chorus (albeit all of the lyrics are recycled, but I hadn't heard a couple of the verses before I got this) make this one a must-have addition for your iTunes. GET IT. NOW.
Brooklyn-based MC Beans is out of his fucking mind. This is hip-hop, i guess, but its more unexpected than anything else. Beans is the style master of his own style. His Cut Chemist-esque attack on the mic is unparalleled, and certainly interesting to listen to. His latest album "End it All" is out on Anticon records, and features a host of production contributors, with heads like Nobody, Four Tet, and Tobacco banging out beats.
"..the landscape of NY has changed w/ more things we don't need like more MC's or another Duane Reade scratch and sniff your whole aura is flora most rappers bore me rotten like a dead skunk orgy or a girl jus laying there these weak fucks is lame spit on her back and pretend I came ...."
Yes, those are speakers. Oh, and yes, this is the car you should be bumping this next song in. Anything less, and the speakers really won't do it justice.
So do you guys remember that one time, where Dr. Dre came out with one of the best hip hop albums of all time? And remember that time when "Xxplosive" (and every other song on that record, for that matter) was a cut? Producer Million $ Mano does. Here, he pulls the same sample (Soul Mann & the Brothers cover of "Bumpy's Lament" by Isaac Hayes) that "Xxplosive" uses and flips it and makes it his own. Freddie Gibbs owns this beat, and his smooth flow just feels right over the soulful production.
"I take a blunt to the face / And then I turn up the bass"
Burial's classic click and clack 808 kick, spun with Kieran Hebden's (aka Four Tet's) sample based MPD christ pose, with a Thom Yorke lilting vocal track dressed across the top of the track like a ragged curtain. It's excellent. It's incredible. It's three artists pushing each other toward greater heights while still grounding each other in recognizable style. This is the true definition of musical collaboration.
Just posted this morning on WSHH.com (World Star Hip Hop), Lil B's latest song "Illusions of Grandeur" is an emotional confession of past sins and present revelations, set to a sweeping Enya-esque instrumental track with muted drums and beautiful sung vocal samples, courtesy of Imogen Heap. It's a gorgeous song, reaching a transcendence that rap rarely aspires to and even more rarely accomplishes. "One time to lose it all, you never learn you never fail, you never walk you never crawl." ~ Lil B the Based God
A mere 19 years old, Koreless evokes the emotional side of dance music with a panache and flair little seen in the world electronic scene. His songs have a transcendent feeling associated with them, silky vocal samples warped and looped over ambient haze and the pop pop of complex natural drum tracks. It's dubstep for lonely souls, a sunset silhouetted through the smog of a city, a quiet last cigarette under a street light, a first kiss. It's pure cleanliness of production that makes Koreless stand out among not only the UK-beat scene, but the world in general. Check out his Jacques Greene Remix if you missed it, and catch a listen to his stellar track "Maria" below. Happy Friday everybody.
