K’naan - Is Anybody Out There? (feat. Nelly Furtado)
One of my favorite MCs is back with an EP called More Beautiful Than Silence, released yesterday and immediately available to stream over at Hilly Dilly (who I owe my last two posts to). I’ve been a big fan of the dusty footed philosopher for a long time and you may not realize this, but I have a big voice crush on Nelly Furtado as well. The whole release is pretty solid, so go grab it!
Tech N9ne - Unfair (feat. Ces Cru & Krizz Kaliko)
I honestly think Tech N9ne is the most underrated lyricist and rapper alive right now.
I first caught wind of him two years ago, only to find he’s flat out prolific. He’s put out 14 studio releases since ‘99 and he turned 30 this week. I feel as if he’s the rapper that rappers love, and his newest release isn’t for everyone but it’s definitely reminiscent of the heyday of rap music; it’s almost as if his measured commercial success gives him more room than most other artists can be afforded and the result is really special.
// http://www.therealtechn9ne.com/
// download
The Five One - Monsters Mutants Vampires
Rare I listen to a tune in my inbox within the week that I get it…but this crew has a highly anticipated album dropping soon, and this is the second single from that record. It’s an insightful blend of sounds…a little Nas, a little Gorillaz, and a little of that band that’s playing live behind the tiki bar on the remote island you’re vacationing on. This looks to be a big year for The Five One.
Theophilus London - Last Name London
Loving this track to death. Theo L has just announced his full length coming in July and done so with this freebie (you pay with a tweet) electo-pop-rap jam that’s got summer written all over it. This guy is flat out killing it…reminds me of the energy coming out of Kid CuDi early on.
Voodoo Farm - Roll Up (Wiz Khalifa & Tupac Remix)
Liam’s back with a gritty mashup of one of hip hop’s newest kings and (in my humble opinion) the genre’s Godfather. As is becoming his calling card, he’s put another video together, this time an intimate view into a couple’s ups and downs. Liam actually told me he cooked this up (track + video) two days and there’s really no question that this particular Wiz tune is better as a banger (sorry Wiz).
Carlton Zeus - Sharpie Solo
I find it hard to believe that I can’t really find anyone talking about this guy. His mixtape from January is not just solid, but it’s free. I love this trend of musicians putting out mixtapes to share their sensibilities, because you get a feel for where their original music comes from, and where it might go. This guy’s got it…expecting big things.
Big ups to @mondosalvo for hunting this.
Big K.R.I.T. - American Rapstar
This rapper put himself on the ‘expect big things’ roster in a matter of months just over a year ago, and his first studio album is due in a few days. He’s got the southern traditional rap thing about him and calls Pimp C a forefather, Wiz Khalifa a friend, and himself the King. If this tune’s any indication he may get some mainstream notoriety out of this album which could make him the next big Southern Rapper.
Lupe Fiasco - I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now (feat. MDMA)
The new Lupe album, LASERS, is getting slammed by critics. Interestingly, it’s getting slammed by Lupe himself; he’s had a heavily covered string of disputes with his label Atlantic Records who shelved this release for over two years because it wasn’t commercial enough. It’s a pretty shallow, pop-chart facing album, and it seems Lupe doesn’t even like it. There’s a good synopsis here, if you’re interested…if you just like listenable music I do recommend checking out the album, because despite the drama it’s definitely worth a listen.
Raujika - Tell Them I Love You (feat. Nieve)
Nieve’s a hip hop artist in LA who’s been putting out some great music lately, but I can’t stop listening to his collaboration with Raujika, whom is a bit of a mystery beyond having released a free album which I’m really digging. Check this out…jazzy hip hop is always tasty.
Dilated Peoples feat. Kanye West - This Way
I’m throwing full credit on this post to Nathan at This Bonus Track, who posted this relic earlier this week and wouldn’t have crossed my radar (maybe ever again) otherwise. I’m posting it for the Kanye lovers/haters because let’s admit it, he’s easy/hard to hate. Also, I’m willing to best a lot of people missed this SEVEN years ago, a collab with a popular underground hip-hop crew.
