Tracks sampling The Weeknd’s “Crew Love” blockbuster with Drake have flooded the interwebs non-stop since it was released – and it’s great. The melody and hook were so powerful, but it lacked a little something. Thankfully people like Newark’s Saucy P have been there to push it places it didn’t go. Using a sped up loop of the vocals, P drops giant unrelenting bass drums on top of it bolstered by some popping percussion and scratchy, fuzzy syncopation. He made his name through the Jersey Club scene, and you can hear the influence in this track. But it defies solid categorization, living on that bleeding edge tip. Enjoy the exclusive download. (Gif by Maffyeww.)
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Now that Drake made OG Ron C’s names even more famous by incorporating his chopped and screwed version of Marvin Room in the actual video for the song, Chopped and Screwed is back. Sonora has been making wonderful blissed out zouk, reggaeton, moombahton business for a while. The Texan decided to try his hand at re-crafting this Madonna classic. The result is something that is more than a sizzurp drenched cover, the song has been allowed to linger in spaces that were not there before. The lack of words is highlighted by the drums, which add some toughness to such a light track.
Freddie Gibbs recently dropped his new project, Str8 Killa EP, and the young rapper has been heralded as the future of gangsta rap by several tastemakers. All hyperboles aside, after listening to the EP, I have to agree that Gibbs is going to make a lot of noise in 2010. The collection features 21 tracks of dope music (pardon the pun), including a cocaine-themed reworking of an old Whispers song called ‘Slanging Rocks’. Hosted by producer Statik Selektah, the project boasts guest appearances from Jay Rock, Bun B, Pill and more. To download the EP, click HERE or cop it via iTunes.
Check out Gibbs’ “National Anthem” video:
Compton rapper Game drops another mixtape before his anticipated LP R.E.D. (due Aug. 24). Game wanted to give folks a little taste of the album before it hit the streets: “Brake Lights is like an appetizer to the R.E.D. Album,” Game spits. “I know a lot of people been waiting on R.E.D., so I wanted to put out something to hold them over while I finish up my album.”
Washington, D.C. transplant (by way of Africa) Wale is back with another Seinfeld-themed mixtape More About Nothing, the sequel to 2008′s About Nothing. Some of the guests on the project include Wiz Khalifa, Avery Storm and Daniel Merriweather.
You might remember the nasal-voiced rapper STS (aka Sugar Tongue Slim) on “Hustla” or “Right On” (featuring Joanna Newsom) from The Roots’ classic LP How I Got Over. The Philly-native, Atlanta-bred MC just dropped a free mixtape called The Sole Music EP, which showcases his nimble rhyme skills.
Co-signed by Black Thought, STS is tapped as the next rapper you should look out for. If you don’t believe me, peep this track: Is You With Me?
Lately, the weather has been acting odd. One week, the weather is warm and sunny, then the following week, it’s cold and windy with fall-like temperatures. But there’s nothing odd about producer Oddisee’s instrumental LP Odd Spring. This is the Washington, D.C. native’s fourth and final installment of his season-themed series, which includes Odd Summer, Odd Winter and Odd Autumn LPs. Odd Spring is free for downloading. Peep this banging track from the collection:
Speaking of weather, Nashville, Tennessee is completely under water due to overflown rivers after several days of record-breaking rainfall hit the city earlier this month. Nashville native Young Buck recorded a song recounting the disaster and how citizens are coping in its aftermath. If you want to help the people of Nashville with either a monetary donation or volunteer your services, visit the Red Cross website – Middle Tennessee Red Cross.
Although she is not known for her lyrical skills, R&B’s rising superstar Janelle Monae is being dubbed the “Lauryn Hill reincarnate” with her new track “Neon Valley Street.” The song is indeed beautiful and infectious. Her debut LP, The ArchAndroid, is in stores Tuesday (May 18).
Next up, London rapper Dizzee Rascal is making some crazy noise with the chaotic track “Heavy” (featuring Chase Status). Fair warning: this is not your atypical rap song. The lyrics are hard and fast. Plus, there’s enough feedback on the track to make your ears bleed. Not as club-friendly as “Dirtee Disco,” but more in line with Dizzee’s grime style. Dizzee’s new LP Dirtee Disco hits stores on May 24.
Are you ready to rock? Check out Bronx, N.Y. rapper Mickey Factz’s video for “Alpha,” his club-ready, body-rocking anthem. Pump your fists and let’s get alpha!
In dancehall/reggae news, Mavado is catching some heat for his involvement in Drake’s new video for “Find Your Love.” Apparently, Jamaica’s acting Minister of Tourism Edmund Barlett feels that the clip portrays the island in a negative light. In the clip, Drake plays a foreigner who falls in love with a woman who is the trophy wife of the town’s bad guy Puffy (played by Mavado). It’s a story about forbidden love in a town that can be unforgivable to outsiders.
The Minister of Tourism may have a point. Jamaica is beautiful island with its fair-share of problems, buy they don’t need to be associated with guns and thugs in a popular music video. Right? But, on the flip side, it’s just a Drake video. It’s entertainment. Right?
What do you guys think?
In other news, Nas and Damian Marley’s collaborative LP Distant Relatives dropped their album on Tuesday (May 18). The duo explore their musical roots on the album, which has garnered ravereviews, so far. One of the standout tracks from the LP is the somber “Patience.”
Finally, New York rapper Nutso dropped a new video for “My Hood,” his tribute to his hometown of Queens. The clip features Queens rap legends Mic Geronimo and Royal Flush. Props to producer Reef for flipping the Teddy Pendergrass sample.
The “Beat Goes On” is a column where we feature the hottest rap tracks from around the world. So without further ado . . .
New Orleans rapper Jay Electronica goes bi-coastal and teams up with Diddy for his street-certified banger “The Ghost of Christopher Wallace.” Jay Elect says the track is a tribute to his idol, the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. and for his contributions to hip-hop. While the “Exhibit C” rapper’s verses are clearly braggadocios, Diddy is on some outlandish bully talk at the end of the song. Jay says the track (produced by newcomer Quincey Tones) is still unfinished with more to come. Oh boy!
After spending seven years in prison on sexual battery charges, former No Limit soldier Mystikal is back and is still lyrically sharp as ever. The New Orleans native has the Internet going nuts over his boastful single, “I’ont Like You.” Mystikal’s rapid-fire delivery and southern growl are still intact. The song is a little profane, but it’s not far from his “unpredictable” songs with No Limit Records from back in the days. Whatever serving time in prison did to Mystikal, it certainly didn’t affect his lyrical bravado — not one bit.
Next, we head to Detroit and find that Eminem is a new man. The inspirational song “Not Afraid” is from his forthcoming LP Recovery (due June 22). Eminem doesn’t sound like a pill-popping maniac on this track. Instead we get the introspective Marshall Mathers (his real name) who is ready to step out of the darkness and embrace a promising life for him and his daughter, Hailey. Time will only tell if fans are ready to embrace a sober and mature Eminem. Peep the track:
Over in Jamaica, we see that reggae crooner Gyptian is making power moves on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart with his piano-driven ballad, “Hold Yuh.” The romantic track jumped 9 spots from 51-42 last week. And I can attest that this song will probably be one of the hottest jams of the summer. I was at a barbecue recently and when this song came on the radio, all the fly girls were winding and grinding to it. Check out this remix featuring rap-chick Nicki Minaj.
Another track that will definitely appeal to the ladies is the new one by Toronto rapper-singer Drake. The Kanye West-produced track is the second single from his debut LP Thank Me Later, which hits stores June 15.
Hold up! Drake is not the only Canuck rapper making noise up north.
Check out Toronto emcee Keysha’s track “Hollywood Floss” with the cool sample of Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick’s “La-Di-Da-Di.” It’s fresh like a million bucks.
Fellow T.O. rapper Eternia is back with the “It’s Funny” (Remix), featuring California lyricist Rass Kass.
Finally, check out the “Revenge” video by rap duo Scorsese & Ceaza Leon, two Canadians emcees who call themselves “The Write Brothers” because they pen their own rhymes and spit “fly”-ass lyrics. Get It?
