Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Miles Meraki - High Definition



Hailing from one of the strongest collectives in music right now, Miles Meraki is definitely the Grammy Family's secret weapon. He has been quite secretive when it comes to his upcoming album Perfect becoming a bit enigmatic and dropping his music in an interesting way (see mxmeraki.us ). It seems to be all apart of a grander scheme and whether intentional or not, it is building my interest for the album. 

Getting to the track itself, Miles crafts something very unique with "High Definition" sampling Yuna's beautifully sung "Coffee" and if you know the track well, than the title of Miles' track resonates a bit more. The sample is definitely what makes the track. Miles masterfully constructs the production showing that you can make an "original" sound out of sampling. This is easily the best track from Miles yet, topping his previous "Imperfect". It may be a bit early to call but I'm confident that Perfect will be one of the best albums in 2014, from all the drops so far and just his verses on various GF tracks, I'm sure it will not disappoint. I haven't heard a song in a long time that had me excited for an artists' whole project but Miles did it with this one. Here's hoping the wait for Perfect isn't too long...

Mike of Doom - Hectic



As we wrap up the year 2013, Mike of Doom drops one of the hardest records of the year in "Hectic". Props to Doom for handling the raps and production. S/O GRZD

Vic Mensa - Suitcase ft Chance The Rapper



Two of the SAVEMONEY crew, Vic Mensa and Chance The Rapper come together for "Suitcase" no word on if this is from an upcoming project. I don't know why but this is easily one of my favorite verses from Chance, it's not necessarily what he says but how he says it (if that makes sense). Be sure to check out Chance's AcidRap or Vic's INNANETAPE if you haven't done so already.

Aceology - Movin' Out (Prod. MY$TIKAL)



Aceology becomes AceGawd and channels his inner Thug on his latest track "Movin' Out". Backed by some menacing production from MY$TIKAL, Ace absolutely goes in over the bass heavy instrumentation sending shots and calling out all foes. I don't know who pissed Ace off but ever since "OGAWD" dude has been deadly. GAWDBLE$$ coming soon...

Thursday, December 5, 2013

SIR E.U THE GREAT - For Swag People




Yesterday SIR E.U took to Twitter to recruit members for his new rap group Swag People and than unleashed the anthem "For Swag People". More on the track from the Hippo himself

"I wanna thank everyone for sticking with me through the very rigorous and tumultuous recruiting process and being true swagomalians until the end. this is our first annual inauguration (12/4/13) and the start to our legendary expeditions from here on out. Tonight, we dance."

Similar to "nikeboy$$$ilovethisbitch" and E.U, the track itself is hardly describable it is simply great. No word on if this is from his upcoming album Madagascar which is due out next year.

[Video] Toro Y Moi - Rose Quartz & Say That (Live Performance)



Toro Y Moi stopped by the Jimmy Kimmel Show last night and performed "Rose Quartz" and "Say That" off his latest album Anything In Return. If you haven't checked out the album yet, do so, it's my favorite non Rap album of the year.

[Video] Isaiah Rashad "Off Tha' Wall" With Mass Appeal



TDE's Isaiah Rashad chatted it up with the good folks over at Mass Appeal for their "Off Tha' Wall" interview segment.

SLK - Ride



SLK (pronounced Silk) is an alternative-soul singer based out of London, her debut single "Ride" is her introduction to the world. With some production courtesy of Embody, SLK croons over the dark melodic atmospheric vibe of the track and with a uniquely strong voice compared to today's light hush R&B princesses, SLK is sure to standout. 

Da Mafia 6ix - Murder On My Mind ft SpaceGhostPurrp, Bizzy Bone & Krayzie Bone



Da Mafia 6ix (DJ Paul, Gangsta Boo, Koopsta Knicca on this track) recently released their mixtape 6ix Commandments, which serves as the first full reunion of the group in years. One of the standout cuts from the tape is "Murder On My Mind" which features former Three Six Mafia rivals Bizzy & Krayzie from Bone Thugs N Harmony and SpaceGhostPurrp, who provides the dark instrumentation and hook for the track. Straight murder.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

[Video] A$AP Nast - Trillmatic ft Method Man



After the recent successes of A$AP Mob's Rocky and Ferg, Nast is the latest in the crew to get his shot and with "Trillmatic" it's a great start. By now I'm sure everyone is aware of the flack/criticism A$AP gets for being from New York but not having that "traditional" NY sound, Rocky being influenced mainly by Houston and Ferg by Ohio's Bone Thugs N Harmony. If anything Nast is the answer to those critiques definitely a old school New York track, straight rap, boom-bap and having a NY legend like Method on the track helps as well. Time will tell if Nast can be the next breakout star from the Mob, I don't necessarily think he can be the commercial success that Rocky and Ferg are but I think he'll find his niche.

[Video] Lupe Fiasco Talks Yeezus, Kendrick Lamar, Tetsuo & Youth, New Music & More



Lupe Fiasco stopped by Power 106 back in November for a great interview with Nikki Martinez. Lu shares his views on Yeezus and Kanye, Kendrick Lamar's Control verse, talks his new music and old and speaks on recent happenings with him and his new album Tetsuo & Youth.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Blu & Knxwledge - DRAGINBREFF



More Blu! Dammit! It seems like every few months Blu comes out the cut and drops greatness. There is always a common theme, one he grabs great production from a great underground producer (Knxwledge this time around) and secondly it's waaaaaay to short. How I wish this song could go on for a minute or two longer. Hopefully these two will do a project sometime in the near future or at least release more tracks, it seems likely as they used to be roommates that there has to be more in the stash. 

YG Hootie - Two Presidents ft Kendrick Lamar



Bricksquad Monopoly's YG Hootie (not to be confused with "My Nigga") links up with Kendrick Lamar for this standout track "Two Presidents" from the former's upcoming project Destroy & Rebuild. I know I've said this multiple times now but trap artists need to just grab Kendrick for all their lead singles because dude goes off and brings something out of them in return. 

For more evidence peep Kendrick's "Cartoon & Cereal" and Fredo's "Jealous". All hail King Kendrick.

Mac Miller - I Come In Peace



Mac Miller has been on point lyrically ever since dropping his sophomore album Watching Movies With The Sound Off and this random throwaway is no different. It's nice to hear Mac link back up with Big Jerm & P.Fish and take it back to Pittsburgh (something he touches on in the track) plus I've always liked Mac over soulful production. 

If you haven't peeped WMWTSO yet I highly recommend you do, it's definitely one of my favorites from 2013. 

Lil Durk - Dis Ain't What U Want (Remix) ft Rick Ross, French Montana & Meek Mill



Chiraq's Lil Durk tabs French Montana and MMG boss and lieutenant Rick Ross and Meek Mill for one of the best remixes of a commercial track I've heard in a long time. I slept on this track when it dropped but props to Durk for being able to grab some of Hip-Hop hottest artist to jump on his signature single.  

Sidenote: What's up with the Travis Scott ad-libs during French's verse?