Users
DOWNLOAD: Donnis - Bout That Life (feat. Juicy J) (prod. Gods Paparazzi)
.jpg)
This life, the one that Donnis and Juicy J depict on this new track "Bout That Life," is pretty misogynist, drug-addled and obsessed with being a pimp in the traditional sense. Maybe not the best strategy for a healthy American society, but, man, it's a lot of fun. The beat rumbles like a bomb got dropped down the street and both rappers praise "chicks on poles," "blowing green" and "sippin' lean." Uh, yup.
PREMIERE: Michael Francis - Her Song (prod. Black The Beast)
Michael Francis is gearing up to release his debut album the Cold Heart Chronicles LP, and now the New Jersey native gives fans an official introduction to the project with “Her Song.” Produced by Back The Beast and originally recorded in 2009, the serene, swooning, sentimental track marks the beginning of a love story that Francis weaves intricately throughout the album.
MIXTAPE: Curren$y - Here EP
The restless life of Curren$y – it's a wonderful thing. Not content with releasing a legitimate handful of quality releases in 2011, New Orleans' favorite Spitta returns strong with a five-song freebie entitled Here that was dropped during the Super Bowl with no warning or advanced promotion whatsoever. It's a short one – only 16 minutes – but it's certainly a nice hit of the good stuff.
PRIMER: The New L.A.
(Photo: Kendrick Lamar)
When West Coast hip-hop emerged like an uzi-laden storm in the late '80s and early '90s, it posed an interesting dichotomy for the genre. At once violent, hardcore and nihilistic, the actual musical elements produced by Dr. Dre and his brethren were slow, poppy and created a near-irresistible party element.
Then, you know the story. Artists got older. Hits got rarer. Leading lights like Dr. Dre continued to produce and A&R major artists like Eminem and 50 Cent, while his partner-in-crime Snoop Dogg became a multimedia sensation and expanded his musical world through relationships with The Neptunes and Master P.
Really, it took the Internet – with its flat distribution and rewarding attitude towards experimentation – to bring the West Coast back in full. Now, the Los Angeles area in particular is undergoing a major renaissance. New artists like Kendrick Lamar are master lyricists, while Tyler, The Creator and his Odd Future crew take a wide musical palate and shock value to refreshing heights. Tyga, a part of Young Money, brings ignorance and strip club swagger to a new level, while Nipsey Hussle and Game take a more retro, weed-laden gangsta course that clearly carries-on the lineage of Dre, Snoop, Tupac and Death Row Records.
DOWNLOAD: Shigeto - Huron River Drive
.jpg)
(Photo: Tim Saccenti)
"Huron River Drive" by Shigeto immediately envelops you with electric piano warmth and the wispy clip of galloping jazz drums. When the bass finally drops, everything fills out towards a unique take on modern jazz as well as electronic composition and stoned-out instrumental hip-hop. His new 12-inch is out now via Ghostly.
STREAM: Big K.R.I.T. - Boobie Miles
"Boobie Miles," the first single from Big K.R.I.T.'s upcoming 4evaNaDay mixtape, is in that vein of hip-hop where the production is so smooth that you'll be disappointed you don't own a convertible. Of course, there's much more than that. The Mississippi rapper details the sacrifices on his path to music stardom, preaching relentless dedication and a commitment to winning above all else. Hear more February 20.
DOWNLOAD: BBU - The Hood (feat. GLC)
.jpg)
If you’re not familiar with BBU’s body of work just yet – listen up and hang tight until February 14 when the four-man, Chicago-based group releases their new mixtape Bell Hooks, presented by Mad Decent and mixed by DJ Benzi. Their latest single “The Hood,” features a verse from fellow Chitown rapper GLC and, as usual, finds the conscious crew tackling a worthwhile topic. The bars take issue with the negative reactions that stuffier folks may have to slang words. And here we thought that everyone was down with the urban dictionary.
MIXTAPE: Diplo Presents FKi - Transformers N The Hood
I hadn't heard of FKi (Fuckin' Kickin' It) before this morning, but this mixtape Transformers N The Hood (both hosted and produced by Diplo) is a bass-heavy monster for your next night out. Pay special attention to the Iggy Azalea collaboration "I Think She Ready."
DOWNLOAD MIXTAPE: FKi - Transformers N The Hood
