Canadian electro-pop duo (and real-life married couple) New Look present their lead single Nap on the bow of their debut album...
Alter.Hip.Soul Artist: Logic
Logic is a relatively underground rapper but he’s surfacing fast with his clever wordplay and fast paced flow. He’s got that true hip hop swag...
Local Artist Check: Miracle
You Have probally heard of this young and upcoming rapper who goes by the name of "Miracle" or "Miracle the boy wonder".
No hiltop hood, but hes' also no "Fake Yank" rapper either...Miracle is just.... real.
Soulster Jesse Boykins III brings you his new EP "Way Of A Wayfarer" being released tomorrow. first track off it is “Back Home (Mermaids & Dragons)” produced by Gold Panda. Jesse describes as “The visions of a lover thru his travels, in search of his present self”.
Straight out the vault from Thurz comes a hard joint entitled "Kings Keep Marching" Produced by Sounwave. Reppin LA, Thurz and sounwave come correct on this track.
Fiiyah.
This track is defs my fave Rap track at the moment The video treatment goes to the first single of DJ Khaled's fifth studio album We The Best Forever due out on July 19, 2011.
So we all know Drakes influence on The Weeknd - but DRake is not the most gifted singer. On the other hand the weeknd's voice on point, the texture of it, is absurdly good. So, as you would imagine his version of Drake's latest is a little bit of a smash.
This should definitely heat up the anticipation for an official collaboration between these two Toronto natives. They should seriously contemplate doing a LP together. Golly Gosh, that would be goody good.
SBTRKT drops off his first official video for ‘Wildfire’ which features the lead singer from Little Dragon, Yukimi Nagano. Love the visuals, a great interpretation for such a brilliant tune.
Brian Mcknight is hitting the aussie shores this week with performances in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. He is bringing along a 16 piece band (mmmm yeh!) and guest supports from my favorite neo soul singer Dwele and local boy Barry Southgate.
Now, I've mentioned to people that I am attending this gig, and I was surprised to hear the responses: "Who's Brian Mcknight?" or "Is that, that 'Back at one' fella"?. This is just shameful folks....I mean how can you not know Brian McKnight!?
....well, never mind - School is in order.
Brian started off in 1992 releasing two albums for Mercury records, which "did not go so well". In 1997, BK followed his previous 2 albums with Anytime which sold over two million copies and was nominated for a Grammy. It was also his last album with Mercury Records; by 1998, McKnight had moved on to Motown Records. In 1999, McKnight released Back at One which sold over three million copies. Superhero from 2001 kicked off with the surprisingly rock title track while 2003's U Turn was a fairly straightforward and ballad-filled affair.
McKnight's vocal style draws from Stevie Wonder and Kenny Loggins. His music production sensibilities especially his penchant for piano based pop ballads, method of background vocal recording and melismatic voice inflections all draw heavily from previous soul singers. Brian McKnight also has the uncanny ability to mimic the vocals and style of other singers such as Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Prince.
A divorce and some time playing guard for the California ABA basketball team the Ontario Warriors kept McKnight out of the musical picture for a couple years before the lush Gemini from 2005 marked his return, then in 2009 with Evolution of a Man.
Now the Loverman is back on tour promoting his new LP "Just Me" which is set to release this year.
Now, that was that R&B lover guy....but "Who is Dwele?"
I can understand how the 'middleground' people don't know about Dwele. He is heavily underrated and underpromoted. Most mainstream folk only know him for his part in Kanye's 'Flashing Lights' - which does not give this 'soul star' any justice.
The smooth toned Dwele has been on my radar since his major label debut in 2003 (Subject). I, alongside a few millions across the world have been following him ever since. He is my "Headliner" for this gig - Grown folk music.
After listening to the stream of SBTRKT's album, I can’t wait to get my hands on the physical. One of the standout tracks with the great voice of Sampha is Hold On. Here is a live recording of ‘Hold On’ from a session they did couple of weeks back.
The Queen of Hip Hop Soul teams up with Pop Rap Princess Nicki Minaj on what is meant to be the single off her upcoming My Life II: The Journey Continues album.
I wasn't sure at first about this – but after a couple of spins, I must say that I quite like this. Not the greatest 'single' for her, but I like the direction shes going.
Nicki Minaj is all over the scene...What must Lil’ Kim be thinking? Ouch.
Gold Panda released this track via his soundcloud yesterday. ‘MPB’ is a mixed bag full of sounds, from a smooth electric groove throughout, to the surprising techno sounds added in. Its like Goldie just randomly kept plonking his hands on the keyboards and drum pads and ended up with a piece of art - Like those paintings the in the museums.
There is definitely alot to get your head around. Listen and Download below:
Upcoming rapper by the name of Yung Ram. Kid has got some skills, but obviously not in the name creating department....but we can overlook that for now - Check out his new track "Tonight" below:
We've heard the sound before, but not the artist as this is the first track from this Montreal Production team.
"It's Killing Me" has that '90s glitch influence, vocal manipulation that leans into atmospherics, dub beats and underlaying synth pads -- but it's about time the rule book got torn up.
There's an unhinged quality that haunts the track courtesy of a manipulated synth pad (which enters around the one-minute mark) that could potentially bridge the mid-heavy dubstep that has taken North American clubs by storm and the subtler, experimental garage-inspired beats that find prominence in the UK.
"It's Killing Me" isn't the redefinition of bass/future R&B, but it succeeds as a fresh and takes on the genre that falls neatly in between the tastes of clubbers and headphone junkies (2-step, postdub R&B??). - By Ian Schuman
If you havn't heard of this guy, get acquainted. The ILLZ is an upcoming emcee who is half dominican/lebanese from New Jersey. He's released 4 solo projects since 2009.
His newest track is "The Pursuit (ILL Tal Remix)" Produced by ILL Tal, off of the upcoming ILLZSENTIAL: The Essential ILLZ Collection due out July 6, 2011. The project is a special collection for fans and the perfect introduction for those that have to yet to lend a ear to the upcoming emcee. Check out the track below:
‘Wonderland’ is the first single off of H.A.S’ forthcoming EP entitled H.A.S (The Unconscious State) – it was produced by Sampha. Hope you got good speakers, this beat is nasty.
Here is an unreleased record from Alicia Keys called ‘Typewriter,’ recorded in 1997 back in Keys’ Harlem apartment. It’ll find a home on her upcoming 10th anniversary edition of her debut, due out June 28th.
So far, so good. Looks like Lloyd and Polow Da Don’s words are holding up as we speak - The album will be major good. His leaked tracks have been exceptionally good and if these are any indication of what’s to come on July 5th, best believe "King of Hearts" is surely a picker upper. It can be sampled here.
This track is real a treat. From the smooth sax, to Lloyd's sultry vocals, "Naked" is straight up 'sex'. Babies upon babies will be made with this track. Ha.
Adding on to the twitter feuds, here is some more from these two.
CB's arch nemesis Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean returned back to LA to perform @ the house of blues for their enthused OFWGKTA cult. After being riled up by the insane fans in attendance, who were heard screaming “f*ck Chris Brown,” the pair had a few words for the singer before getting into their collab, “She”.
Mac Miller was featured on the bill for the annual Governors Ball Music Festival in NYC yesterday. Check out Mac man below as he does his track “Donald Trump". Only if crowds in Aus were like this for Mr. Miller, he might actually do some shows here...one can only wish.
Here’s some fresh visuals from Ameer for his track “Just Listen” from his forthcoming project The Big Picture hosted by the well renowned DJ Don Cannon and Ace McClowd.
I seriously love mac miller. Kid gets better and better. Here, he takes a different approach to his music bringing a message to the track "Family First." The track was produced by Like from Pac Div and Mac sharing the mic with Hip Hop's supreme lyricst, Talib Kweli.
Keep your priorities in order - Fam First mate.
Rihanna, Ciara, Britney Spears and The Black Eyed Peas - What do they all have in common?
They all have ghost writers and Stacy Barthe is one of the few who is getting their own now.
Her new song produced by B.Carr which features the man of the moment Frank Ocean (was also a ghost writer) is really something. From the laidback, nu-R&B beat, to her vocals, lyrics and melodies – this is nice in everyway. Having Ocean on here is an added bonus.
You may have heard Emeli Sandé’s vocals featured on Wiley’s ‘Never Be Your Woman’(big fan of this) and Chipmunk’s ‘Diamond Rings’ (Not a fan at all) last year, but this British Soulstress can do more than just throw a hook. Inspired by artists such as Lauryn Hill, her own music is rich and diverse. Heaven, her debut single displays this along with her powerful voice.
Featuring a Trip-Hop beat and a band of lavish strings – Heaven reminds me of something strong from them good ol' 90s years.
So long story short, Gold Dust and the Odd Future’s front-man Tyler, The Creator have been at each other necks for the past two weeks, which was initially started when Chris tweeted (on June 2) what was apparently a subliminal [diss/shot] at the OFWGKTA.
“All this demonic music is wack as shit! I never claim to be no saint but by no means am I trying to promote death, violence,and destruction with my music!”
Hours ago, the beef ensued when the R&B singer tweeted this (below), which prompted Frank Ocean to reply with a jab of his very own [after.]
For the full twitter beef, including some of Tyler’s tweets, you can do yourselves a favor by heading over to Flex’s spot to check thescreen shots.
-Source: YK2
Chris Brown Needs to shut his gap, but his comments about Frank ocean are true. Before franky went "alt" - He was just plain old Lonny Breux, a talented writer and singer with lyrics and vocals similar to James Fauntleroy or Kevin Cossum. Its only because he is doing some other shit that is not the depreciating R&B, that the alt community has jumped on his d*ck.
Freddie Joachim is a very consistent producer of high quality hip hop beats. Driven by Soul and steered by plenty of influences, Freddie comes up with a piece of music containing many aspects to it - an 'inception' if you will. Listen and download below:
A new track off SBTRKT’s (self titled) debut album has erupted.
After SBTRKT's first single with Little Dragon’s Yukimi, it was evident that this guy was on another level. Check out/Download his new one below:
Is this politic saturday or something? Heres another track about the campaigns of the US government (not the first verse). The track was produced by Tae Beast and will appear on Kendrick's #Section80, due July 2.
40 years ago, Richard Nixon introduced the term War on Drugs and Saigon's new track talks about this campaign - trying to sends a positive message to the youth.
After all those leaks, Big Sean offers his full album as stream. Being one of the most anticipated LP's of the year thus far, it is evident below, that it might actually live up to the hype.
Hailing from Kansas City, Miles Bonny mixes just the right amount of classic, future and alternative Soul. Combine that with his Jazz influences and you arrive at his debut album Lumberjack Soul due out on June 24th.
Production comes the likes of from 74 Miles Away (who he collaborated with last year), DJ Day and Suff Daddy, with appearances from Fleur Earth and Ahu.
I just pre-purchased myself a copy, and you should do the same - Its a piece of art. The feel and texture of Lumberjack Soul is rich and quite complex. Bonny’s voice is defined and controlled as he floats effortlessly over the grooves found on this album. A Very nice addition to my personal collection.
Stream the Lumberjack Soul via the bandcamp player below…
Canadian up and comer Rochelle Jordan covers Drizzy’s latest, Marvins Room. Like Drake & The Weeknd, Rochelle is pushing a sound seemingly close to her Toronto pals. It’s been a long time since R&B was exciting, maybe this is the beginning of something strong - a "post-drake" sound R&B.
Her cover of ‘Marvin’s Room’ is really nice (alot better than Jojos), I like what she did with it. Love her voice.
ahh well here is something "Alternative" for your day.
British duo, Basement Jazz paired up with Metropole Orkest to recreate some of their biggest hits. The dutch orchestra and the Jaxx are kind'ove a perfect match.
I really dig the sounds offered by the orchestra, taking away the dancey element and letting the 60 symphony band shine and explore each track (Raindrops is my personal fave). It definitely works. Listen Below.
I posted this track couple of weeks ago, and now here is the offical video for Breakbot's Ruckazoid powered "Fantasy." Peep the video, maybe this is your fantasy?
OFWGKTA’s Frank Ocean drops the official video for (the best track off his Nostalgia/Ultra mixtape) ‘Novacane’. Directed by Nabil Elderkin, the clip portrays Mr. Ocean hallucinating about various things....Have a look-see.
I remember when Wynter was doing R&B....Despite having a great voice, It was nothing "exciting" to the R&B scene. I'm glad she is sticking to this Pop dance thing she has going. Works very well. Her album "With Music I Die" is catchy-good...Very well indeed.
Check out her 3rd single "Don't Stop Me" below:
This one is for the Mooseheads/Academy fiends. Download
Two producers, Teams & Star Slinger representing both sides of the Atlantic, battle it out and together produce some very sexy sounding disco-soul-funk. "Teams, waving the stars and stripes, goes head to head with UK's Star Slinger project. Anthologised from vinyl-sourced samples of “R&B and modern Soul classics”, the songs have been reorganised, re-envisioned and reworked into seemingly new compositions."
‘The Yes Strut’ in all it’s 80′s sex-synth glory is the first single taken from the EP – check the video above. I can not begin to tell you how much I love this.....but I will start. I Love this ALOT.
Yes! the French beatsmith Onra posted up a new track last night on his soundcloud called ‘Drop it on the one’. Despite the track being a demo, the permeating funk still seeps through – can never go wrong with this guy.
Rahsaan Patterson’s new single entitled ’6am’ is the second single from BLEUPHORIA, which hits stores July 19. Single now on iTunes. It was written by and features Lalah Hathaway.
This is what I crave - Soulful grooves with a sexy funk bassline covered in honey soaked vocals from both artists.
This is for the grown folk.
I am very late on this. My deepest apologies. However i felt this was too Fan-bloody-tastic to not post. I had heard of the original, but was unaware of the EP - so I was initially skeptical. After pressing play I wasn’t disappointed with any of the refixes. The Star Slinger remix is the real gem here (of course). It earns that instant rewind. however that does not understate any of the others - Listen to em all. Press play yo'!
Mysterious scottish producer, Beaumont offers his new track "Midnight". After some Googling, I could not find much by this guy...geez, these 21st century producers and their illusive nature.
The song combines a variety of mixed genre sounds. I guess I would call this an electro-soul R&B track which is modern but at the same time retro?.
The chilled vocals, the snares, the toy-ish keyboard all make this track quite sexy indeed – 80′s influences, Phil Colins vibe and all.
The track comes of Beaumont’s upcoming EP The Blush Response which can be pre-ordered @ iTunes.
Manchester Indie band, World Unite/Lucifer Youth Foundation AKA WU LYF are set to release their anticipated debut album ‘Go Tell Fire To The Mountain‘ on June 13th. Promotion of their album is done via video previews including the above video for ‘Dirt’, filmed mainly at the London student tuition fee protests and ensuing riots.
At first i didn't think the vocals were in english! - It was the mysterious dark organ and those tribal rock drums that dragged me in...but after the first minute I realised the rough, but rather soulful vocals from Ellery Roberts (lead singer) were extremely powerful.
Thoughts??
This is not alternative, hip-hop, or soul....but it sure is fiiiyah.
Reignited Neptunes sound with N.O.R.E riding the beat. No, it’s not 1999 again. This is brand new. With Lil’ Wayne on board too. Is this the beginning of that long awaited Neptunes produced LP?
This is for them hip-hop heads. Title track from Pete Rock & Smif N Wessun's upcoming album Monumental. The song also features Tyler Woods and vocals from Pete Rock. The album meanwhile, will drop on June 28 on Duck Down Music.
After dropping numerous tracks, two mixtapes and helping make some G.O.O.D. music, Roc Nation rapper J. Cole has begun to slowly detail his debut studio album. Calling it “really heavy — heavy in a good way” in an interview with Billboard. The album will reportedly be 14-15 tracks, with a Jay-Z collabo possibly making the final cut.
One of the few tangible pieces from the album, which hits stores this September (the one-year anniversary of Cole’s breakthrough mixtape The Warm Up) is the long-awaited first single, “Work Out”.
Now ain't this funny, his mixtapes and unreleased tracks have been about something 'real'...and now we receive the final product of his single - which is about doing "thangs". Is there an unwritten rule somewhere that states that a debut single can't be correlated with the Artists mixtapes...the industry does it again.
Anyway, at first listen you think this is just a club-type track as Cole drops a couple of cliche lines in the first verse. BUT as it keeps spinning, you realise its more. It’s clever lines mixed with a Heavy beat with a talk box-ed slice of slangin’ funk reminiscent of early ’90s - Sampling Kanye West’s “New Workout Plan”. It’ll get you sweatin’, but probably not from doing crunches.
As displayed here, Cole isn't all underground - he brings the truth, lyricism, the 'look' and those metaphors that the mainstream applaud. He's on next.
Alot of people disagree with me when I say J. Cole > Drake. You be the judge.
Cole World.
The Weeknd (pronounced ‘weakened’ and not ‘weekend’ for those misinformed) is looking to release two more mixtapes this year - so expect more music from him. Here is his most recent release, "The Birds (Part 1)". There is not much good R&B out there at the moment so Mr. Abel Tesfaye has come at the right time!
Drum beat and his vocals raises the intensity of this track. Have a squiz below:
While his murder remains unsolved, a man named Dexter Isaac has now admitted to shooting Tupac Shakur in 1994 after allegedly being paid $2,500 dollars by James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond inside Manhattan's Quad Studios in November of 1994. Isaac, who was a friend of Rosemond, is currently incarcerated for murder, robbery and other offenses. This surprising confession comes as a result of Henchman identifying Isaac in a statement, relating to Henchman's indictment for dealing numerous Kg of cocaine. Isaac told AllHipHop.com:
"I want to apologize to his family [Tupac Shakur] and for the mistake I did for that sucker [Jimmy Henchman]. I am trying to clean it up to give [Tupac and Biggie's] mothers some closure."
Dexter Isaac decided to confess to the robberies in order to prove Jimmy Henchman's involvement and to clear his conscience for the shooting. Due to the statute of limitations, Issac will not be prosecuted for the crime. Henchman is currently on the run from federal officials. Tomorrow would have been Tupac's 40th birthday.
R.I.P
By now you must of heard Chris Brown rapping on various songs...but did you ever think that he would put out a rap mixtape?...well, he hasn't yet - but he is thinking it.
Here, CB combines his rhymes with the great Hudson Mohawke's "Rising 5" instrumental - off his Butter LP (which was dope!).
"Real Hip Hop Sh*t #2"was previously recorded but now getting the video treatment. Being a HUGE follower of Hud-mo and have listened to this beat plenty of times, to me, CB kills it (not in the good way). The Chorus is mediocre and his rhymes do alright - but just not feeling it "mesh" right now.
Watch Above and drop a comment about whether you like CB's rhymes or not!
Reckon G.O.O.D. Music is on to something? After two tracks by Big Sean, one unreleased tune by Kanye, it is now up to CyHi Da Prince to present some new music off his upcoming Royal Flush 2 project. Again a beat my man No I.D and Kanye. Not a huge fan of CyHi, but the production on this is sweet - Sexy saxophone, smooth bass-line, chill beat and male vocal backing like the ol' Kanye tracks. Sean's flow is on point as well. Listen and Download below:
...yerp! something else with Big Sean. This time it's Kelly Rowland with her second single "Lay it on Me" from her new album Here I Am (what an original name ^^), due July 26. As the title suggests, both artists share some of their fantasies over a piano driven beat by Hit-Boy. Like I said before, i'm liking that Kelly has gone back to what she does best, this album looking good. - Propz to HT
So we've all pretty much heard Big Sean's "Finally Famous" album. Its being leaked/unleased/released all over the shop. Nevertheless I still post his stuff. The reason? two of my top rated hip-hop producers; No I.D and Exile...and oh, yeah that guy Lupe Fiasco. Sean's "Don't wait for me" is another relaxed joint to add to the LP. In stores June 28th.
Kanye freestyled this track at Facebook HQ an while ago now, finally, the full version reaches the blogpsphere…
I always had thoughts about how hypocritical rappers were about this issue. Have a listen below:
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Rathesh
