Saturday, February 26, 2011

OFWGFTA


Odd Future is a hip-hop collective based out of California who are everything that the rap industry is not. That is where a lot of their appeal comes from, though. A lot of the subject matter is darker, almost a la a 90's Eminem at times, but their delivery is definitely up to par with other young artists. Tyler, The Creator is the originator of the Odd Future clique.

Impressively enough, all of his music and videos are produced and directed by him. After being introduced to his music, I took the time to research some of Tyler and OFWGFTA's back catalog and I was impressed by the music as well as the message.

He recently released a video for his new song Yonkers, and made the Odd Future television debut on Jimmy Fallon with Hodgy Beats not long ago, wiling out and performing the song Sandwiches. The Yonkers video is wild, with an obscurely dark side, but it is done incredibly well. The attention the video has received is just evidence of the potential Tyler has to really break out. He recently signed to XL Recordings for a one album deal, keeping full creative control of Goblin, due out in April. Check out the video and links for a couple songs below.



Saturday, February 19, 2011

Rock Life, Every Night

This video had me captivated for the whole five-plus. The use of the flashing lights and colors throughout the video was pretty epic. I have to admit that I didn't know what to expect when the video first began, but I must say I am not disappointed with what Kanye West and Hype Williams put together. The visual for the song, off Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, also features appearences from Rihanna and KiD CuDi.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Word Around Town


Dr. Dre's young co-sign strikes again. This time, Kendrick Lamar recruited the help of Gucci Mane on the hook to revisit a former track. Through his lyrics, Kendrick addresses the materialism of life on the track Vanity Slave Pt. 2, embracing the positives and the negatives.
"Found my swag, but lost my roof."
-Gucci Mane
Speaking of Gucci, I am looking forward to hearing the work that he is supposedly doing with Wiz. In other relevant collab news, we can expect a project featuring both Kendrick and my man J. Cole, who is said to both produce and rap on the mixtape.

That's Really Raw


I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't a sucker for a smooth Pharrell hook. That's exactly what P creatively gives us on a new track from Tyga that he fully laces with a bumping Neptune track. The rapper, hailing from Compton, peppered the track with a few other Cali rappers, and he couldn't have chosen better. The Game and Snoop give this Young Money rapper's track a harder sound that we might not be used to from the dude who came out with Coconut Juice.

Perfectionists

Say what you will about Rick Ross, but over the past 2-3 years the guy has been one of the most consistent rappers out there. Trilla had jams, Deeper Than Rap was a step up, and Teflon Don essentially sealed the deal that the man is one of the hottest rappers in the game. Although his flow has undoubtedly improved, the one area where he consistently outshines the competition is beat-selection. With "Perfectionists," it's no different... The Alchemist steps behind the boards and laces Ross with an absolute heater. Rozay and Meek Mill trade bars over what I think is probably the dopest song out right now.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

For The Ladies


I guess I'm just in one of those moods. Check out the awesome J. Cole track off his most recent mixtape, Friday Night Lights. I can't wait for this kids debut album, due out later this year. The song features a verse from none other than Drizzy Drake, and you can check out the video below, as well.

In The Morning

Train Lights

I definitely deserve a late pass with Gilbere Forte', but if the kid keeps releasing music like this, I will absolutely put more time into his music. "Train Lights" is one of the best songs I've heard in 2011, thanks in large part to the production supplied by Bink!, one of Roc-A-Fella's go-to producers back in the day. Bink! produced three songs on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, and most recently produced Kanye's song, "Devil In A New Dress," and Rick Ross' song, "Cigar Music." That said, Gilbere holds it down on the track and spits some dope lines.

For more info, check out his twitter page here.

Gilbere Forte'- "Train Lights" (prod. by Bink!) [props to 2dopeboyz.com for the DL link]

Throwback: DJ Kay Slay- "Too Much For Me"


Back in 2003, Kay Slay teamed up with NYC-based rapper Loon & Amerie to release a single called "Too Much For Me," off of his compilation album Streetsweeper Vol. 1. The song was hot, but it went way under the radar and a lot of people missed it for one reason or another. I remember seeing it on MTV (back when they used to play music videos), and thinkin' that the song was hot (and it didn't hurt that Amerie was lookin real nice in the video). If you've never seen it, check it out- there's a good chance you'll find yourself humming it for the rest of the day.


Happy Belated Valentine's Day


Considering the holiday, I decided it would be a perfect time to revisit some great music. If you haven't heard it, U-N-I's A Love Supreme 2.0 is an excellent combination of RO Blvd's hard=hitting, progressive beats and Y-O and Thurz's delivery that has an almost old-school appeal.


Saturday, February 12, 2011

RIP


Travis Barker just killed another track. While I am looking forward to Watch The Throne, the single H.A.M just never did it for me. I felt like it was missing something but with Travis gives the track a new energy by throwing down his drums over the original. While I still can't say I enjoyed it more than That's My Bitch, it's definitely an improvement.

She In The Mood For Jet Infused Music


The JETS and Taylor Gang link up once again on a (2)dopeboyz production. The track has Ski Beatz on the boards and McKenzie Eddy on vocals. Her hook is almost hypnotizing and it mentally prepares you for Wiz and Curren$y's verses. The song is the single to her A Prelude mixtape, but was originally featured on Pilot Talk. Check out the footage from the "Making Of" below.




Kick, Push, Coast


I don't know how I haven't heard this track before, but it's a great example of a young Drake. He still has the skill, but it's interesting to note his sound before the Young Money touch.

I couldn't pass up a remix of a classic Lupe track that could hold me over until the release of his album LASERS on March 8th. Is it to much to ask what a current-day collab between these two artists would sound like?

Friday, February 04, 2011

Label Politics

For a while, I had been anticipating Big Boi's first solo album, Sir Luscious Leftfoot. With that said, I was more than disappointed to hear that the album would not feature any songs with Andre 3000 as originally planned, including Royal Flush with Raekwon.

Sadly, Big Boi recently signed with Def Jam for his solo album, and Jive Records refused to let any of the Three Stacks features recorded to make it to the final album.

Big Boi, being the man he is, wouldn't let a great track like Lookin' 4 Ya be taken away from the fans. Even though he was blocked from having this track on the album, he let light of day anyways. The track is dope and also features Sleepy Brown on the chorus. Peep the song below, and you can check out the album tracklist here.


Unexplainable

Sometimes it amazes me to see some of the features different artists can pull off. There are artists like Yo Gotti that don't really do much for me. Impressively though, he was able to pull three of the biggest young rappers in the game right now over his Look In The Mirror Remix.

Wale comes in first for a couple of sick bars preceding Yo's verse. J. Cole and Wiz Khalifa tear it up next and their verses flow together pretty well. Overall, it's not an awesome or unique song that has me posting this, but what a couple of features can do for a track that I probably wouldn't give the time of day otherwise.

Yadidimean


At this point I guess it could be considered a guilty pleasure, but I do love me some E-40. There is something about his unorthodox delivery that I feel because you will never hear him sounding like any other artist. Combine that with his endless Bay Area slang game and somehow me makes the most complex lines just flow off his tongue.

I haven't heard much of his (two) new album(s), Revenue Retrievin' (Day Shift/Night Shift), but it seems like it's not up to the caliber of some of his older material. I became a fan when I was introduced to him sometime before My Ghetto Report Card was released because I remember my anticipation for that album. To this day, I still keep it in rotation.

On that note, one track I did enjoy off the Day Shift featured both Too Short and surprisingly 50 Cent.

Hola Hovito

I recently came across a remixed version of Jay-Z's Song Cry. DJ Green Lantern created the remix track that uses Chris Brown's Deuces track and chorus along with Hov's lyrics. The two songs work well together, and it sort of gives Song Cry a different feel.

Make It Rain


Not a big fan of Travis Porter, but I can't say I've listened to much of their music. One thing I have heard often is their instrumental to the track Make It Rain.

Some of my favorite young rappers brought their talents to the track. Wale, B.o.B and Chip Tha Ripper all take the track to the next level. I'm working on getting a version with all three of the artists on one track, but for now, you can enjoy each of them separately.



I'm The King


As you may have read in previous posts on AYGP, The Game is set to release his next album, The R.E.D. Album, sometime this year. Many of supposed tracks have been leaked, and failed to create the kind of buzz I'm sure The Game was hoping for, so the album has been wrought with delays.

With some time until the release, he has released a two-disk mixtape with DJ Skee called Purp & Patron, as well as The Hangover. While I have yet to listen to them in their entirety, one of the tracks I'm The King does it for me, and could be the first single to the actual album.

The Games lyricism sounds effortless. He works the track well, gives us a nice little hook, and I definitely enjoyed the overall product.

I'm The King



I Wish A Tiger Would


If Pac Div wasn't enough, U-N-I have been bringing the heat over on the West Coast as well. I recently revisited A Love Supreme 2.0 which I recommend if you want a taste of what this duo can do. Y-O and Thurz bring us some a little bit of storytelling chronicling addiction in their newest release Muddy Jane.

The track is set to appear on their upcoming mixtape, Kings Keep Marching, out February 15th. While this track is definitely on a more serious tip, I'm sure we can expect plenty of bounce from their next release.

Muddy Jane (ft. BJ Da Chicago Kid)

Damn If I Lose


I don't remember the last time I liked a track with Jim Jones (see: We Fly High), but for some strange reason I don't mind him on this recent Lloyd Banks track.

When he started his comeback to the spotlight with Beamer, Benz, or Bentley I was seriously skeptical. Still rocking the raspy voice, one guest verse on Christian Dior Denim Flow and a Start It Up I might just be convinced.

Fly Like The Wind (ft. Jim Jones)

Shady 2.0


If there is one thing I need more in my life, it's a bit of Slaughterhouse. Thankfully that is something I can expect with their recent official signing to Shady Records alongside Yelawolf, a match that was made in hip-hop heaven.

I can not explain how much I enjoy seeing these four talented lyricists team up and absolutely demolish tracks. The combination of these very different artists over a wild piano track by Mr. Porter works well even without any sort of hook on the track Sun Doobie. The tracks Put Some Money On It with the LOX and Back On The Scene have also been leaked and are definitely not to be ignored.

The group is set to release their Slaughterhouse EP February 8th.

Sun Doobie

Have You Feeling So Thirsty


Sticking to the West Coast kick, some of you may have heard of the producer and artist Terrace Martin. He's worked with the likes of Snoop Dogg and recently collaborated with two other young talents in the industry.

First is Kendrick Lamar, the kid with the Dr. Dre co-sign, who sounds at home over the beat. The second goes by the name CyHi. The most recent G.O.O.D. Music signee has made his appearance on plenty of recent Kanye tracks. While at times he leaves me unimpressed, this track shows a bit of his potential.

Definitely a track I'll be playing before heading out this weekend.

Thirsty

See The Options Really Open


Finally got a bit of new music from the West Coast group Pac Div. This beat is out of control and the track is definitely something I've had in rotation lately. This will have to hold me over until the release of their newest mixtape Mania!. All of this will eventually lead up to the release of their debut album, Grown Kid Syndrome, where I hope they really come with it.

Your Fucking Song


I Can Only Make Only Hits


With late last years release of MBDTF, we have all been exposed to a ton of Kanye. The man has been releasing music left and right for the majority of November and December. He teased the fans with the G.O.O.D. Friday releases, giving out three of the best tracks off his album before it was even released. When his album dropped it quickly became one of my favorites of the year.

I recently came across the track Eyes Closed featuring easily one of my favorite artists John Legend. Since we didn't see this on MBDTF, I have to assume it's a leftover. Some of you might remember a few lines from the G.O.O.D. Music cypher performed for the BET Rewards. Regardless, I'm glad the track got to see the light of day. Kanye really brought it lyrically, and showed us a softer side with on the first verse

Eyes Closed

G.O.O.D. Music Cypher

This The Top, Oh Yeah, The Tippy


With his album, Rolling Papers, coming up, there has been a whole lot of Wiz being released. One of my favorite recent tracks is one that wont appear on the album. I have to admit that the autotune is a bit over the top at times, but Big Screen is a hypnotizing track that didn't end up making the Flight School mixtape. The melodic track is everything you would expect from Young Khalifa Man.

“Got me drinking out the bottle, Living for today aint thinking about tomorrow”

Big Screen

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Throwback: Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See


Busta Rhymes has been making some recent contributions to hip-hop, most notably on Chris Breezy's Look At Me Now track, where Chris tries his hand at rapping. Busta starts his verse by telling Chris "let me show you how to keep the dice rolling when your doing that thing over there."

It's amazing the resilience you see in older rappers like Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z for example. Busta is still spitting in the same fashion he was in 1997 when When Disaster Strikes dropped. The track Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See was the lead single off the album eventually was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Solo Rap Performance.

The sampling for the song came from Sweet Green Fields by Seals & Crofts and is transformed into the tribal-centric video that was inspired by Eddie Murphy's Coming To America.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

2011 Music Festivals: Ultra Music Festival

If there is one music festival to attend this year, Ultra is it. There are few events like it in the world- almost every top electronic DJ will be there. With five different stages, and headliners like Tiesto, Deadmau5, David Guetta, Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Moby, Kaskade, Laidback Luke, and many others, this year's show is sure to be one of the best festivals of the year. The party goes from March 25th-27th in Miami, and you can check out the full lineup here.

However, the one drawback of this year's show is that it is not happening the same week as Winter Music Conference. In the past, WMC worked in conjunction with Ultra so when ultra was over, WMC would host various DJs at clubs such as Mansion, Liv, and Space, among others. Some DJs have voiced their displeasure about this, most notably Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastien Ingrosso, a.k.a Swedish House Mafia. Rather than play at Ultra this year, they've decided to host their own 12-hour long show called the Masquerade Motel, alongside Calvin Harris, Duck Sauce (A-Trak & Armand Van Helden), Dirty South, Pete Tong, Max Vangeli, and an21. It's sure to be an incredible experience, and the mafia never fails to entertain.