SZA - Childs Play ft Chance The Rapper

Songstress SZA liberates "Childs Play" featuring Chance The Rapper, who was rumored to have material with TDE's leading lady earlier this year. Although I've heard multiple artists use XXYYXX's "About You" and am actually tired of hearing it, I have to admit this take on it is pretty refreshing. With additional production from Dae One, SZA's smokey mesmerizing voice sounds amazing and Chance cleans up the end of the track with a few nice bars. All in all a short track to get the blogs buzzing and wanting more. Z drops April 8th.  

The Alchemist & Budgie - The G Code ft Action Bronson, Domo Genesis & Blu

The Alchemist has been a busy man over the last couple of years collaborating with artists and producers, most recently Lord Steppington with Evidence. Next on deck is The Good Book a project that will feature purely gospel samples with London producer Budgie. The two grab Action Bronson, Domo Genesis and Blu for "The G Code" the latest single from the project. All bars, no hook.

Gucci Mane - Shine ft Young Thug & Waka Flocka Flame

Despite currently being behind bars Gucci Mane has been steadily releasing tracks and remixes to keep his name out there, most recently with "Shine" a track featuring his current protege Young Thug and his former Waka Flocka Flame. Both Flocka and Thug bring their respective energies to the track while Guwop does what he does best. Be sure to check out Gucci and Thugger's upcoming collaborative project Young Thugga Mane La Flare which is set to drop April 1st.

Asher Roth - Fast Life ft Vic Mensa

With Asher Roth's sophomore album RetroHash now available for pre-order and with a release date of April 22nd it seems we'll finally get the follow up to his 2009 debut Asleep in the Bread Aisle. "Fast Life" the second single from Ash features Chicago's Vic Mensa who sounds right at home over the Blended Babies production, as both emcees spitting verses about getting caught up in the fast life (as you probably guessed).  

Johny Locus - Room 209

It's been a minute since we've heard from SNB's Johny Locus who has been in the cut since dropping his last project Point Blank but today marks his return. On "Room 209" Locus paints a picture of a live function and may have inadvertently created the unofficial anthem for Delaware State. I've stated it before but I think it's necessary to again, Johny is almost untouchable when it comes to his flow, few rappers I know can do what homie does.  

UGLYFRANK - BOBBY HILL EP

Tacoma, Washington's UGLYFRANK from the ILLFIGHTYOU collective recently dropped his solo debut project BOBBY HILL EP with the duration coming in a little bit under 30 minutes it's a nice introduction to Frank and a solid debut all together. Check it out below: 

King Rose' - SZA

The man formally known as Loui J becomes the beast King Rose' on his latest release "SZA", absolute bars, one of my personal favorites of 2014. Rappers pay attention this is how you really build anticipation and hype. Look for his upcoming project Pushing My Luck to drop later this year I know I will. Kx3 shit.

Blu - The West

LA's own Blu makes his return to the rap scene with the first single "The West" off his upcoming double album Good To Be Home which is set to drop May 20th. As I always say when it comes to Blu the more material the better, I just hope the double album will be Below the Heavens or No York! quality.

93' Bandits - Got Dammit

Got Dammit! Got Dammit! It's the 93' Bandits, the newly formed sub group of SNB members Steezy Grizzlies and Rashad Stark. The duo makes their presence known with the debut single "Got Dammit" which features production from ATF's Quazar Makeinu. Both Steezy and Rashad flow well and their great track chemistry is noticeable but the star of the show has to be the infectious hook, this is definitely a joint that would make a crowd rock at a show. Expect the duo's first project Bandit Shit sometime later this year.

YG - Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin) ft Kendrick Lamar

YG takes it back to the old school and channels his inner Eazy E and grabs West Coast king Kendrick Lamar for "Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin)" a standout cut from the former's debut album My Krazy Life.

Louseph Bruise Em' - Overboard ft Kendall Elijah

Louseph Bruise Em' has never been afraid to step out and experiment when it comes to his music but his latest drop "Overboard" just might be his most unconventional. Backed by some melancholy production from frequent collaborator Steve Dreez, Lou and Kool Klux Klan's Kendall Elijah speak on love lost and moving on. Be sure to keep a lookout for Lou's Give Me Happy which drops later this year.

Ciscero - PS1

Ciscero drops off a new track entitled "PS1" and keeps it chill over the laid back production and channels his inner Dom Kennedy, which is pretty impressive because I've heard another rappers try intentionally to mimic Dom's flow and end up sounding stupid. Intentional or not, kudos to Cis for creating another dope track. This is random but I love the oxymoron used on this joint. Anyway, stay tuned for Ciscero's upcoming project Kids Wear Crowns which is due out sometime this year.

Sidenote: Check out his video for "All I Need Is Soul" and his track "Winter's Song". 

[Video] Dyme-A-Dunzin - White Girl

Brooklyn's Dyme-A-Dunzin drops some neat visuals for his track "White Girl" from his upcoming project Hip Hope. Nice rhymes, dope beat and a smooth transition.

[Mixtape] Al Hostile - The Finer Thangz

Al Hostile from Maryland based rap group 3rdiiiUth sent me his debut mixtape The Finer Thangz sometime last month and I finally got around to listening to it today. Just when I think I've found all of the talented artists from the DMV area I always end up hearing another. I'll admit I haven't heard too much of Al or 3rdiiiUth's material aside from a few tracks on SoundCloud but I'll definitely check them out in the future. 

I said I'd stop doing reviews a couple of months ago but I do want to go into detail a bit more on why I like this project. First off I enjoyed the laid back vibe of the tape it makes for an easy listen and in my opinion increases the replay value, I feel like I could throw this on in the crib, car or even at a kickback. Secondly, the production which plays into the whole vibe I was talking about is nice, Al sounds right at home on every track. Lastly, Al himself, as far as rhymes go his is one of the most polished I've heard from the area and I don't know exactly how long he has been rapping but this is a great start for establishing an identity out of his group. 

To wrap this up I highly recommend you check out The Finer Thangz, with the duration of the tape being right under 40 minutes it isn't too long or too short. It's a cool listen the whole way through, props to Al for being to create a cohesive project that doesn't drag on unnecessarily (unlike this write up) and standing out in an area so rich with talent. 

On a related note here is another track Al sent me yesterday entitled "(In)Sight" featuring Kasey Jones and some ill production from the homie Steezy Grizzlies.

[Video] Mass Appeal's "Video Print" with Isaiah Rashad

Isaiah Rashad links back up with the good people over at Mass Appeal for their "Video Print" series in which he discusses what he was doing before signing with TDE, his producers' and his own progression, Cilvia and more. Cilvia Demo now available on iTunes.

Re-Drop: Isaiah Rashad "Off Tha Wall" with Mass Appeal