King avriel bares all on "180" | New Music
As we prepare for the release of her eagerly anticipated project Thesis to materialise, King avriel delivers the last and most personal single to date, "180".Read more
Cam'ron - "You Know This" | New Music
Killa Cam had a relatively quiet 2012, but having closed out the year with a solid guest appearance on Wiz Khalifa's O.N.I.F.C. album, Harlem's king of the double entendre opens 2013 with some new music of his own, a track entitled "You Know This", which premiered on Power 105 last night (December 3rd).Read more
Listen to Skrillex's new 3-track EP: 'The Reason (Leaving)'
Whilst many music fans think dubstep producer Skrillex makes EDM that's 80% aggression, 20% wobble and 0% melody, he's started 2013 with a little reminder of why he's still well respected by many of his music-making peers, dropping a little three-track EP that rejects brostep in favour of a multi-layered, more UK-oriented sound. Read more
Kid Ink f/ Wale, Meek Mill - "Bad Ass" | New Music
After making a name for himself with last year's mixtape Rocketshipshawty and the independently-released album Up & Away, it was inevitable that LA-hailing rapper Kid Ink would sign to a major eventually. RCA Records is the label he's decided to align with, and to celebrate a new year filled with major label $$$ and major label prospects, Kid Ink drops his debut single, a Devin Cruise-produced track entitled "Bad Ass". Read more
Mac Miller f/ Ab-Soul - "All The Time" (prod. by Chuck Inglish) | New Music
Mac Miller and Ab-Soul are two rappers with a big year (or years) ahead of them, and whilst they might appeal to different kinds of rap fans, it's interesting to hear the prodigal pair get on a record together.
"All The Time" is the record, and it's available as a free download, courtesy of former Cool Kids producer Chuck Inglish, who laced the track with his magic touch. Apparently it comes from a collection of tracks made when the duo linked up to work on Mac's sophomore album, and came from sessions spent by the pool, under the sun. It's certainly got that vibe to it, with Solo providing some vocals that sound almost like an imitation of vintage singsong 3-Stacks and Mac sounding super-chilled throughout.
Relax to that leisurely sound below and download the track here:
Angel Haze - "On The Edge" (Azealia Banks Diss) | New Music
I've always been a firm believer that hip hop needs more dope female emcees, and it irks me when people forget the relative lack of women's voices and herald someone as "the next big femcee"- as if you can only have one rapper represent the fairer sex.
Anyway, if you were one of those fans casting your vote for the most captivating female emcee of the moment, I'm sure Angel Haze and Azealia Banks would both be somewhere on your ballot paper, and apparently there's isn't room for both of their powerful personalities to peacefully co-exist, as their rivalry has turned into open hostility. It's Haze who fires the first shot, challenging Banks to answer back with laughter, Biggie vocal samples and a Diplo-style beat.
Listen and count the hits landed below:
Brandy - "How High" | New Music
Some Brand new Brandy for the Christmas season? Thank you RnB Jesus and your scarlet robed assistant Santa.Read more
Chip f/ Meek Mill - "Pizza Boy" | New Music
Ever since he unveiled the tracklist a few weeks ago, one of the most anticipated cuts from Chip's (formerly known as Chipmunk) London Boy mixtape has definitely been the North Londoner's collaboration with Maybach Music Group's Philly rhyme animal Meek Mill "Pizza Boy".Read more
Raekwon - "Never Can Say Goodbye" | New Music
After whetting our appetites with a gritty freestyle over Biggie's classic "Who Shot Ya" instrumental, Raekwon's continues to gear up for the January release of his Lost Jewelry EP by unleashing a new track from the project, titled "Never Can Say Goodbye".Read more
JoJo - 'Agápē' [Mixtape] | Stream/Download
Earlier this week, serially underrated R&B star JoJo made her new tape/album Agápē available for streaming, and now the sultry singing talent returns to release the project in full as a free download.
The 13-track album, which you can listen to below, should demonstrate the next stage in the evolution of JoJo's sound. Since her early breakthrough as a teenage sensation, she's had more than her fair share of ups and downs (I'm looking at you, major labels) but here, aided by her contemporaries Elijah Blake and The Backpackkids, she's able to vent with mature melodies and well-crafted lyrics.
Have a listen below and download the project here.
[For all those who were wondering, Agápē means unconditional love in Greek.]
Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson - "Parkour" | New Music
After dropping off their dope collaborative album Dice Game in early November, the rugged Detroit duo of Apollo Brown and Guilty Simpson return to release a new freebie for loyal fans.Read more
Charli XCX - "You (Ha Ha Ha)" | New Music
With her debut album slated for a February 2013 release, the quirky and extremely talented Charli XCX brings us her new single, "You", which puts her own spin on the opening track from electronic producer Gold Panda's 2010 release Lucky Shiner.
If the original was defined by its jittery, hypnotic sound, in particular that addictive Indian vocal sample, the new track, which premiered on BBC Radio 1 last night (December 17th), sees Charli add her own pop punch to the track, creating a punchy, emotive number. Extra keys, a bass breakdown and various other instrumental touches all make a difference, but the vocals make this rework interesting, as Charli channels a darker vision of Gwen Stefani in her chorus, singing "You, you lied, hahaha, I was right!" so that the laughter flows into her closing exclamation.
It's juvenile and smart at the same time, so whilst I recommend that you check out the original here, have a listen to Charli's version, and stay posted for more news from the British synthpop sensation.
T.I. - 'Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head' | Album Stream
T.I. must be feeling generous today. Having just dropped his eighth studio album Trouble Man: Heavy is The Head earlier this morning, Tip decides to let fans stream the new LP in its entirety.
The album, which borrows its title from Marvin Gaye, features guest appearances from the likes of Andre 3000, R.Kelly, Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky and many more, not to mention production from No I.D., Pharrell, DJ Toomp, T-Minus, Cardiak and various other big name beatmakers.
Peep the tracklist below, then scroll down to stream the project via YouTube. Make sure you head over to iTunes to support the Kang by securing your own copy.
Tracklist: T.I. - Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head
1. The Introduction
2. G Season f. Meek Mill
3. Trap Back Jumpin’
4. Wildside f. A$AP Rocky
5. Ball f. Lil Wayne
6. Sorry f. André 3000
7. Can You Learn f. R. Kelly
8. Go Get It
9. Guns and Roses f. Pink
10. The Way We Ride
11. Cruisin’
12. Addresses
13. Hello f. Cee-Lo Green
14. Who Want Some
15. Wonderful Life f. Akon
16. Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7QaGTOrbDI&feature=share&list=PLH4mBaEe3SpMGrLmbDkieKaj2y9VNMPHT
Iggy Azalea - "Boss Lady" | New Music
Here's a brand new track from Grand Hustle's female star Iggy Azalea, titled "Boss Lady", and set to appear on NYC media personality Simone "The Boss Lady" Amelia's forthcoming, ladies-helmed rap compilation Woman on Top.
After appearing alongside other star ladies on 'Vh1 Divas' over the weekend, Azalea asserts herself as a female boss in her own right here, as she drops some big, brazen verses and an even bossier hook over Southern flavoured production. Whilst I'm still not 100% sold on the Australian rapper's delivery, her and her strong accent seem made for manoeuvring around bass heavy beats like this one, and I could listen to "Boss Lady" multiple times.
Have a listen for yourself below, and be sure to look out for Woman on Top, which drops on Christmas Eve (December 24th). Azalea's own debut album The New Classic should drop some time in the new year.
T.I. f/ Kendrick Lamar, B.o.B. & Kris Stephens - "Memories Back Then" | New Music
With Trouble Man impacting tomorrow (December 18th), the man wearing the crown, aka The Kang, drops a dope collaborative joint which didn't make it onto the project, via Sway.
"Memories Back Then" sees T.I. rapping about old flames alongside fellow ATLien B.o.B and Kendrick Lamar over a slowed down, Gotye-sampling beat, and it's a nostalgic, head-nodding look back at teenage life and love. All three lyricists deliver intricate and detailed verses, and with Atlanta-based, Maryland-hailing singer-songwriter Kris Stephens lacing the track with her nostalgic vocals, you'll be left wondering why this didn't make it onto the album.
Have a listen for yourself below:
Mac Miller aka Larry Fisherman - "Doodling In The Key of C Sharp" | New Music
Mac Miller's alter-egos have been pretty productive of late. Recently his more jazzy self Larry Lovestein dropped a short, five-track EP entitled You and now Mac's released a new loosie under his production pseudonym, Larry Fisherman.
The track, entitled "Doodling In The Key of C Sharp" and recorded at 6.26 in the morning, is a four-minute experimental jam, which a drunk Mac says was inspired by his (or Larry's) discovery that he enjoyed playing the piano. The cynical rhymes sound a bit like an Earl rip-off to me, but they're worth a listen all the same, providing a free-flowing insight into a jaded mind and fitting the off-kilter production well. Apparently he recorded this in one take, so you can't knock the hustle.
Listen for yourself below: