XV – Foreign Exchange Student
XV – Foreign Exchange Student (Ft. Miami Horror)
MMMMMMM NEW XV! Vizzy goes disco. And there's a synth solo. That is all.
Lupe Fiasco – What U Want (Ft. Kenna)
The unreleased cuts keep coming from Lupe Fiasco's Lasers, giving a further glimpse of what the album may have looked like before Atlantic shit all over it. This one's called "What U Want" and is a newer version of the track that was leaked a year ago. It also features everyone's favorite Kilimanjaro climbing musician, Kenna.
Lupe Fiasco – What U Want (Ft. Kenna)
Read More...Sharon Van Etten – All I Can
Those Who Dig didn't make it to SXSW this year. Maybe someday when I have money and time. I have to imagine the best thing that happened the entire festival was captured in this video, where Sharon Van Etten premiers a new song. You should all know by now we love love love Sharon and have even had the chance to talk to her. Her forthcoming new album, produced by The National's Aaron Dessner, has me salivating at the mouth in anticipation.
Read More...Lupe Fiasco – Stereo Sun
I'm a tad late on this one, but I couldn't pass up a new Lupe Fiasco tune. This seems to be a cut Lasers track, but I have to say it could have replaced a couple songs that made the album. Eric Turner provides a great hook and Lupe forgoes his usual lengthy verses and spits short phrases with straight-forward rhyme schemes.
Plus, ya know, I just love Lu.
Lupe Fiasco – Stereo Sun (Ft. Eric Turner)
Read More...XV – Awesome (Ft. Pusha T)
XV – Awesome (Ft. Pusha T)
Every day that an XV song leaks is a great fucking day. The latest is a remix of "Awesome" and it has fire-spitter and MC of the moment Pusha T laying down a verse. It's got the typical Vizzy positivity and bounce and, like usual, great rhymes and clutch pop (read: nerd) culture references. Super Saiyans and references to grammar always get me. I've said before that I'm a sucker for piano-led hip hop production. Maybe XV heard me (or read my tweets) and made this one for me. A boy can dream, right?
Bonus video after the jump!
Read More...Lupe Fiasco – Lasers
I feel like it's my moral duty to remind everyone that the four year wait for a new Lupe Fiasco album is over today. I've been spinning Lasers non-stop for the last week, and despite all the Atlantic bullshit behind it (that's a rant for another time – love ya, Lu!), it's really fucking good. Lupe's a man with a message and his thoughts on positivity, personal growth, and an end to hypocrisy still come through loud and clear. Society and the rap world both need this man so go buy the album and absorb it.
Read More...Gorilla Warfare Tactics – Premier EP
Gorilla Warfare Tactics' rise to prominence is just like their music: vintage. The boys have people talking through pure talent and hard work. No PR blasts, pandering, or famous friends. After dropping a few stellar tracks out of nowhere, they've already completed a debut EP, Premier, and it's one of the best debut hip hops albums I've heard in awhile.
Gorilla Warfare Tactics – Temptations
Gorilla Warfare Tactics – Dream Green
Read More...Thao + Mirah (ft. tUnE-YaRdS) – Eleven
Honestly I had kind of forgotten about Mirah. I was a big fan of C'mon Miracle in college, but haven't listened to anything from her since. I do love Thao though, and I'm a recent convert to tUnE-YaRdS' crazy productions, so this team-up is pretty overwhelming.
Thao & Mirah (ft. tUnE-YaRdS) – Eleven
Read More...Nyle – Dundiddit (ft. Fresh Daily & Mic-L)
Just came across the first track off of Nyle's mixtape Trailer, which drops on Friday. You may remember our man Nyle from his stellar reworking of Weezy's "Let the Beat Build" and it's single-take video. This new track keeps the percussion-section-heavy live beats and showcases a rawer side of Nyle's rhyming.
Nyle – Dundiddit (ft. Fresh Daily & Mic-L)
Read More...Lupe Fiasco – All Black Everything
Two surprises in one day! Our blogbro Pooch over at This Bonus Track put a new Lupe Fiasco track up a few hours ago, and hot damn. This is by far my favorite of the tracks I've heard from the upcoming Lasers. It's hook is heavy and orchestral and Lu is absolutely killing it. I'm short on time so that's all the commentary you get, sorry kids!
Lupe Fiasco – All Black Everything
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