Dubbel Dutch has put his hand to yet another remix of an RnB hit, this time melding the young Mishon’s ‘Excuse Me Mama’ with a dancehall/reggaeton inspired beat. While you’re at it, check out the latest uploads onto Dubbel Dutch’s soundcloud. Watch out for Dubbel Dutch’s next Mixpak release coming soon.
‘G Like Me’, Sinden’s collaboration with southern rap outfit, G-Side, will be dropping next week on Mad Decent. Mixpak’s own Melé features on the release with this spaced-out bass-filled remix:
UKG meets 90s R’n'B is often a dream combination – you only have to hear the 702 and Brandy & Monica garage remixes to confirm that. 1Xtra’s DJ Q goes straight in for the Brandy classic, ‘Best Friend’, for this one (so far there’s no details of a release, but here’s to hoping it makes a white label soon). Make sure you sit on a backwards chair for the full effect.
Vybz may be on lock down, but the first single from the Mixpak released Kingston Story album, Go Go Wine is still in full effect. After featuring a few remixes not long back, two more great versions have appeared: A7′s treatment of Ce’cile’s classic dancehall tune, ‘Hot Like We’, and Obeyah‘s mash-up with John Legend’s version of ‘Rolling In The Deep’. Keep ‘em coming!
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Andy goes H.A.M. on his remix of Lethal Bizzle’s powerhouse grime track “Pow 2011.” The remix maintains the heaviness of Bizzle’s original cut but with the slick synth burbles and layered percussive complexity that’s coming to define Petr’s sound. Andy’s released an EP and two new tracks in under a month, and with that is starting to gain a reputation as not only one of the youngest producers out right now, but also one of the most prolific. It’s hard to keep up; kid is ridiculous! This track is available for free download at Andy Petr’s Soundcloud.
We received over 60 entries for our Look Pon Me Remix Contest and it was very hard to narrow it down to three winners—in the end we decided to declare a three-way tie for third place. Entries came in from around the world and the winners rep Great Britian, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. Take a listen to some fresh talent!
1st Place
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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?
The big news these days at Mixpak headquarters is the growing success of Sticky and Natalie Storm’s single “Look Pon Me.” In the UK, the Look Pon Me video has been added to the official playlist on MTV receiving over 35 plays in the last few weeks. That gives Natalie the distinction of being only the second Caribbean artist currently playlisted by MTV UK (maybe you’ve heard of the other…Rhianna?). Not bad exposure for a small label like Mixpak and, if anything, it speaks to how good this track is.
Anyhow, with all the success, we’ve had a number of folks ask about the “Look Pon Me” acapella and after talking with the lawyers and getting the green light, we’ve decided give you the chance to remix this UK-Funky-meets-Jamaica hit.
3. Name your remix Natalie Storm – Look Pon Me (with your remixer name) and then upload your remix to the Mixpak Sound Cloud drop box, adding “Look Pon Me Remix Contest” in the tags.
4. The winners will be selected by Mixpak and streamed on our site.
Prizes:
1st Place: A custom Natalie Storm dubplate, where she works your production/DJ name into a track for use in your clubs sets, sound clashes and on your mixtapes. You will also win the complete Mixpak vinyl discography and a Mixpak Artist Series T-Shirt of your choice.