Another day, another song that inspires punches in the air from Chicago's King Louie. The beat sounds like one of those joints you put over sleeping babies with some added gunshots (aka old Gucci Mane mixtapes). Louie clears it out with some supreme confidence and violent punchlines. This is his first official single after inking a deal with Epic, so expect more soon.
Freddie Gibbs: still tough, and with the addition of ATL trailblazers Young Jeezy and T.I., he has all the makings of a gargantuan banger on his hands. "Pull Up," a Lil C-produced cut off Gibbs' upcoming Baby Face Killa Gangsta Grillz tape, files-down his rough edges towards mainstream viability with a club-ready beat and heavy-hitting lineup.
Mixtape master of old 50 Cent is trying to resurrect the whole 'aggressive content' style that made him a household name and Vitamin Water baron. One strategy? Going back to his mixtape roots and collaborating, here for the first time, with DJ Drama. The Lost Tape also features Eminem ("Murder One), Snoop Dogg ("Remain Calm"), 2 Chainz ("Riot (Remix)") and even some production araabMUZIK.
Seattle artist Katie Kate knows how to tack a mood on the wall. "Houses," a track with beautiful simplicity, rides a lethargic march with an airy beat and two-tone chords pinging around the mix. Her vocals provide more rhythm plus a sweet melody that will echo in your head after the song ends.
I won't even pretend to be unbiased on this one. The first time I heard Daughn Gibson's "Tiffany Lou," I was so transfixed that I listened to it about 30 times in a row. It's a haunting mixture of sparse electronics and country yearning that my head says shouldn't work but it comes across as an amazing world unto itself. His debut LP, All Hell, just might be my favorite debut album of the year so far.
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Vicious and operatic, Pusha T dropped a new one called "Exodus 23:1" while hanging out with his boss Kanye West in Cannes. The track, while enjoyable on its own, has been making waves for its clear attack on Drake. "Contract all fucked/ Explain up, I guess that means you all fucked up," he raps. "You signed to one nigga that signed to another nigga that's signed to three niggas/ Now that's bad luck." Game on!
One of my favorite genres isn't as simple as 'rock' or 'dance.' It can take any form, really, as long as it's about drifting, getting away and exploring the darker side of this fine country of ours. Yes, I'm a sucker for songs about rambling, trains, making peace with God, murders, rivers and pretty much anything timeless, American, on the open road and having nothing to do with Drake. (Love you Drizzy!)
Here's a special playlist of some favorites from the obvious (Hank Williams and The Allman Brothers' very different songs called "Ramblin' Man") to dusty spiritual classics (Mississippi Fred McDowell, Blind Willie Johnson) and some that are just perfect for getting in the car and going who-knows-where (Bob Dylan, Skip James, Elvis Presley, Townes Van Zant).
Whether your trip is mental or you're really running away, this one should come in handy.
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In hip-hop, there's nothing like a great organic relationship between a single rapper and producer. And that's certainly the deal with Little Rock rapper SL Jones and the always-fantastic DJ Burn One, who went from experimenting on a few tracks to a full-blown collaborative mixtape. The 12-track Paraphernalia is like spending the day at a barbecue. There's soulful lyricism and the sort of stoned throwback organic funk at which Burn One excels. It's free! Rock it!
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