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Here, master of remixes and recent G.O.O.D. Music-signee Hudson Mohawke gives us his take on Disclosure's AlunaGeorge collabo "White Noise," completing some kind of mythic UK electronic trifecta. HudMo does his thing, updating Disclosure's light, poppy sound and increasing its density for a meatier, house-ier setting around Aluna's playful vocals. Stream the remix below and revisit the original.
Experimental R&B heavyweights Shlohmo and How To Dress Well bring us the slippery "Don't Say No" in anticipation of Shlohmo's upcoming Laid Out EP and tour. The track finds both artists at their best as How To Dress Well's Tom Krell snakes his characteristic quavering vocal treatment over tender, mounting beats from Shlohmo.
With his sure-to-be-astounding acting stint in Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers all wrapped-up, Gucci Mane is back in the rap game with the sequel to 2012's excellent Trap God mixtape. On Trap God 2, we get some of Gucci's most coherent verses in recent memory and solid showings from collaborators like Waka Flocka, Lil Wayne, Young Scooter and Lil Dolph. There are even a few R&B collabos for the ladies, because Gucci loves you – always has, always will.
Lady lovin' Antwon delivered on his Valentine's promise with In Dark Denim, and this one epitomizes the San Jose rapper's clever basement update on a '90s feel. Not as much full of love songs as it's full of tongue-in-cheek parodies of love, rap and rapping, In Dark Denim is equal parts fun and heavy. And apart from a few choice features it's mainly an all-Antwon affair with production from the likes of Cities Aviv, DJ Bad Slorp and Teams.
Mixtape Download: Antwon - In Dark Denim [Mediafire]
With "Never Have To Worry" araabMUZIK ratchets-up the anticipation for his upcoming For Professional Use Only mixtape, further demonstrating his ability to deliver in whatever genre he pleases. So far, everything we've seen off the album has had a distinct flavor, ranging from straight EDM to more traditional hip-hop. "Never Have To Worry" falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, banging hard with driving synths and catchy vocal samples.
In case you missed it, at Sunday's Grammys Rihanna performed a stellar, redeeming (remember that SNL catastrophe?) rendition of "Stay." The gut-wrenching ballad – written and assisted by Mikky Ekko, who we first introduced via Ryan Hemsworth's excellent remix of Ekko's "Pull Me Down" - was made all the more powerful by RiRi's live interpretation, with cues taken from air-traffic controllers, professional flag-dancers and Mayor Bloomberg's sign language interpreter. The visuals for the track find Rihanna back doing what she does best: being beautiful and not moving much – this time in a bathtub!
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Kilo Kish has dropped her latest project K+ – a collaborative experiment in creative transparency. Featuring contributions from Earl Sweatshirt, Childish Gambino, SBTRKT, The Internet, A$AP Ferg, Flatbush Zombies, Star Slinger and Vince Staples, K+ represents Kilo's attempt to elevate process to the level of product (and the product is dope). Stream Kilo's ASAP Ferg collabo below, and then head over to her website for the download.
Mixtape Download: Kilo Kish - K+ [Kilo Kish]
Here, Boston-based DJ and producer Durkin reworks "We Can Roll" by fellow Bostonians Bad Rabbits. Expanding the original's anthemic, synth-driven, post-R&B sound for the club, Durkin’s remix sets its powerful vocals against a retro, space-age backdrop of drum machines and sparkles.
Last we heard from Harlem’s Black Dave, he was providing a “Little Bit Mo" with an assist from Flatbush Zombies' Meech over a dark, dank beat courtesy of Shy Beatz. On “Muthafuck! My Enemies,” Dave continues to exhibit commendable production taste with a choice selection from Muta Beats. And he holds his own, flexing lyrical hubris against the somewhat unforgiving backdrop. Look out for an upcoming video from “Purple Swag” director Jason Ano.
San Jose’s Antwon has had the kind of Internet-based come-up saga that’s increasingly become the standard for independent artists. With a steady stream of well-received freebies, including his most recent End Of Earth album, Antwon operates within a natural synthesis of genres and possesses a powerful, guttural delivery that could be attributed to his roots in San Jose’s hardcore scene.
Last week, he played his first shows in New York, appearing first at Public Assembly in a supporting role for Trinidad James and Hot Sugar and then headlining at Santos Party House with openers Weekend Money and Cities Aviv. The latter was a legitimate coming-out party that found Antwon delivering with the kind of intensity that makes 25-year-old streetwear nerds and 16-year-olds with weird piercings lose their shit with equal vigor.
I caught up with Antwon before the show to talk about his upcoming In Dark Denim album, Rick Ross comparisons, *~ the internet~*, feminism and more.
