One mean solar day ago, The Weekend popped up everywhere around the digital globules after being featured on Drizzy ‘Big Up The Massive Man’ Drake’s blog, October’s Very Own, not too long after they were featured on a coupleof differentplatforms. The Fader asked themselves the accurate question, “How did we miss this?”. Good question, but I’m glad we’re in the loop now: these guys are goooood.
The Weekend, a duo consisting of Abel Tesfaye and Jeremy Rose from Toronto, are a part of the She’s So Lovely Crew: there is not much to be found on these talented cats yet – they’re described here as “A brotherhood of musicians, writers, photographers, these kids are full-blown artists and they continually fuck my mind”, and it seems like all of them are teaming up to set up an online magazine.
The point of this article however, is the music they’ve uploaded to their YouTube account over the last couple of months. The Weekend’s ‘What You Need‘ blows minds: a super slow jam to be played out very loud, preferably on your headphones. It might be the smoothest R&B tune I’ve heard in ages. While you’re there, listen to their tracks ‘Loft Music‘and ‘The Morning‘. Their tracks are very nicely produced, on some parts even sounding as if Samiyam helped them out, and the vocals are so catchy The-Dream is going to lose sleep over them. Take a look at their channel for more good things such as Omari Shakir’s ‘Like a Book‘, Nique’s track ft. Tha Daredevil ‘Old School‘, not to mention Rick Ross and Pinky swaggin’ out to’Bad Bitch‘.
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?
