B.o.B is having a phenomenal year. In May, the Atlanta rapper dropped his debut solo LP B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which features arguably the biggest song of 2010 – “Nothing On You” (Featuring Bruno Mars). For his hard work, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences nominated him for five Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.
But B.o.B is not resting on his laurels. He just released his new mixtape No Genre, which boasts new songs and a slew of guest features from Bun B, Cyhi da Prince, T.I. and Young Dro. It’s safe to say that B.o.B is in “Beast Mode” right now. Check out the mixtape below:
Young Money rapper Tyga has dropped a new mixtape called Well Done. A few standout tracks include his version of Wiz Khalifa’s anthem “Black and Yellow,” as well as “B.M.F.” (by Rick Ross) and “Hard in the Paint” (by Waka Flocka Flame). Tyga’s rap ballad “Wonder Woman” (featuring Chris Brown) is getting some traction on the Internet.
There aren’t a lot of mixtapes being released by R&B artists nowadays, but Chrisette Michele is breaking that mold with her mixtape Love Thy Brother. The collection boasts some new songs, many of which were leftovers from her upcoming full-length LP Let Freedom Reign (due Nov. 30). Standout tracks include “Aston Martin Music 2,” “Total Praise,” “Freedom” and more. Chrisette’s brother, Lem Payne, co-produced the mixtape. For more info on the mixtape, click HERE.
Rap fans rejoiced when Cam’Ron and Jim Jones settled their longtime beef and announced that Dipset (Cam, Jim, Freekey Zekey and Juelz Santana) would reunite for one more album. The Capo Life mixtape is a preview of what the Dipset movement is going to sound like in the future. Cam’Ron sounds rejuvenated on the banging track “Baby Mamma” (Featuring Snoop Dogg) and Julez teams up with his former boss on “Salute.” The Kanye West diss song “Runaway” is also on here, as well.
Young Scolla is an up-and-coming Detroit rhyme-slinger inspired by fellow Motor City spitters Slum Village, Phat Kat, Black Milk, Eminem and the late J Dilla. His new mixtape Built For More: Journey To Tears & Triumphs is a preview to his forthcoming LP Tears & Triumphs. On the 12-track collection, Young Scolla raps about his experiences in the music industry and his personal struggles outside of the rap game. For Scolla, life has been filled with tears and triumphs. This is not your average “boasting-and-bragging” mixtape. Take a listen:
Rapper CyHi da Prince is the newest signee on Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label. The Decatur, Ga. native has released his mixtape Royal Flush, which maybe one of the best mixtapes of 2010. The collection is a showcase of CyHi’s lyrical prowess – from street bravado rhymes to introspective thoughts. “I’ve done some things in a negative light,” said CyHi about content on his mixtape. “But I want to show the transition from when you go from a street thug to an actual prince.” Song highlights include “So Original,” “Can’t Wait,” “Hero” and the rap ballad “Can’t Find Love.” “My style is real hip-hop,” says CyHi. “But I bring the Atlanta swag on top of that.”
When you think of rap artists from Compton, Calif., names like N.W.A., the Game, DJ Quik, King Tee, Coolio and others come to mind. Well, now you can add Kendrick Lamar to that distinguished list.
The 22-year-old rapper has been making a lot of noise on the Internet with his stellar MP3-released songs. His new full-bodied project O(verly) D(edicated) is the most anticipated mixtape of the summer. You can officially cop the tape via iTunes. You need more incentives? Check out a few tracks below:
Rapper Joell Ortiz closes out the summer season with a hot new project of previously unreleased music. His Farewell Summer EP boasts stellar productions from DJ Premier, Statik Selektah and Don Cannon, as well as guest appearances from Sheek Louch, Talib Kweli, Brother Ali and Jean Grae. Check out a track from the EP below:
In support of John Legend & the Roots’ soulful new album Wake Up! (in stores Sept. 21), DJ/producer J. Period has created a special mixtape called Wake Up! Radio. Unfortunately, the tape won’t be released until November. But here is the first leak from the project called “Our Generation” (J. Period Remix) featuring John, the Roots and a reunited Pete Rock & CL Smooth. The song marks the first time Pete and CL have collaborated together on a song in seven years. The tune is a cover of the Ernie Hines’ classic of the same name, which, Pete Rock & CL Smooth sampled for their 1992 single, “Straighten It Out.” The track is available for download at Jperiod.com.
Naughty By Nature are legends in the rap game who still continued to tour all over the world while they rep their home state of New Jersey. The trio is dropping a free mixtape on Sept. 20 called Garden State Greats. The collection boasts songs from up-and-coming N.J. rappers and six new tracks from NBN. Below is the first single from the mixtape. Check it out:
It’s been long time, I shouldn’t have left you, without some dope mixtapes to listen to . . .
Hitmaker Jermaine Dupri has a new mixtape out called I Think I’m Berry Gordy, which is named after the legendary Motown Records founder. On the mixtape, Jermaine spits a freestyle over Rick Ross’ infamous track “B.M.F,” as well as Kanye West’s “Power” and Chris Brown’s “Deuces.”
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation signee J. Cole flips the cover art and title of Nas’ classic LP Illmatic for his new freestyle song called “Villematic.” The North Carolina rapper goes in over Kanye West’s just-released “Devil in a New Dress” tune. According to reports, J.Cole was so inspired by Yeezy’s track that he now plans to record a full mixtape.
Miami rapper Plies teamed up with DJ Scream for his latest mixtape titled You Need People Like Me. This mixtape isn’t for everybody. There are a lot of crappy foolish rap songs on here. But a few standout joints include the somber “Boosie” and the socially-conscious track “Why U Hate.”
Sedgwick & Cedar Present Planet Rock – Paris is one of the best mixtapes of 2010. For those who don’t know, Sedgwick & Cedar is the New York address of the birthplace of hip-hop and its founder DJ Kool Herc. (Recently, the building, in which Kool Herc would spin back-to-school parties there, was saved by developers after years of financial turmoil.)
For this mixtape, S&C tapped famed DJ Just Dizle from Paris to seamlessly mix old-school rap classics. The 28-song compilation features gems from LL Cool J, Davy DMX, Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC, Fantasy Three, Disco Four, Jazzy Jay and more (Track List). This is a tremendous hip-hop mixtape. Unfortunately, you can’t download it. But you can stream it below:
Fashawn is a rapper from Fresno, California, who has been putting in major work in 2010. His new mixtape Grizzly City 3 (hosted by DJ Skee) represents the quality music he’s been dropping within the past year or so. The 18-song compilation boasts guest appearances from Ron Artest, Dirty Money, Lil Wayne and Grafik. Standout tracks include the reflective “Remember the Times,” the jazzy “Desperado” and the cautionary track “California Streets.”
It’s been a longtime since we’ve heard anything new from OutKast. Well, you can all rejoice because Big Boi’s is set to drop his debut LP Sir Lucious Left Foot, the Son of Chico Dusty on July 6. Judging by the music previously released, Chico Dusty may go down as a classic rap album. The video for his single “Shutterbugg” is visually stunning. The amazing clip features Big Boi, whose loses head, Keri Hilson and a adult-sized muppets as Boi’s backing band. Not your average rap video, that’s for sure. In addition, Big Boi dropped a hot joint last week called “General Patton” that is a certified street banger. Get ready, y’all, Big Boi is bringing the heat this summer.
Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots also are bringing some heat later this month with their 11th disc, How I Got Over (due June 22). If you know anything about the Roots, you know that these guys are simply the best hip-hop band in the world. Their new single “Doin’ It Again” has the band sampling John Legend’s vocals from his 2006 ballad “Again.” The song is short and sweet with Black Thought rhyming about the band’s determination to keep bringing quality music to the masses . . . again and again and again. The Roots’ How I Got Over is the must-have album of the summer.
Detroit rap duo Slum Village are one of the most venerable groups in hip-hop. In July 2009, SV lost one of their founding members Titus “Baatin” Glover. After a year of mourning, SV’s remaining members T3 and Elzhi will finally drop their long-awaited album Villa Manifesto on July 29. If you fell asleep on their 4-song EP last year, DO NOT miss out on their full-length album. The late and great producer J Dilla is featured on five tracks and Little Brother makes a cameo on it, as well. SV’s first single, “Faster” (Featuring Colin Munroe) is smooth track with the trio reciting romantic come-ons to the lovely ladies of summer. The song is perfect for cruising in your car while you head to beach.
I know this is a music column, but I have to throw in my 2 cents regarding the new A-Team movie, which hits theaters this Friday (June 11). First, I’m a HUGE fan of the popular ’80s television series, so I was excited about seeing the show on the big screen. But now after watching the trailer and a few preview clips from the A-Team flick, I’m kinda disappointed.
First, Ice Cube should have played B.A. Baracus. As for the rest of the cast, I can’t picture them being “the A-Team.” I pictured George Clooney as Hannibal, Jim Carrey as Murdock, and, well, Bradley Cooper as Face. I hope the film succeeds at the box office, but I’m a little worried. I don’t want this movie to tarnish what I love about the TV show. Hollywood loves to remake nostalgic television shows into movies — for better (The X-Files) and for worse (The Honeymooners).
Mr. T recently spoke out about the A-Team movie, claiming that the movie is too violent and not kid-friendly. “People die in the film and there’s plenty of sex but when we did it, no one got hurt and it was all played for fun and family entertainment,” Mr. T told the Guardian.
The one thing I do like about The A-Team movie is its theme song, which was remixed to perfection by producer Just Blaze. He shot a video explaining how he flipped the theme song for the movie. The end result is an exciting club-friendly joint that Mr. T would surely approve:
New York rhyme-slinger Iron Solomon is not household name, but he’s infamous for lyrically beating down competitors at freestyle-battle contests. His impressive rhyming skills have won him respect among many of his rap peers including the great DMC of Run-DMC fame. Solomon was able to get DMC to rap on the hook of his new single, “Sucker MC’s.” Although DMC has lost his great baritone voice, it’s good to hear him raising hell on a track. Check it out:
LMNO & Kev Brown recently dropped their second collaborative album called Selective Hearing Part II, in which the music was inspired by the late and great James Brown. The video for the duo’s latest single, “Ya Know,” features old performance clips of the Godfather of Soul with LMNO and Kev Brown showing the musical connection between J.B. and hip-hop.
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?
