Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 22]

While most of the ninja team spent the weekend melting away under the desert sun at Coachella, the rest of us here at TMN have been hard at work to ensure that you have the latest and greatest tunes the internet has to offer. While FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out for those who don’t know) is inevitable while our eyes our glued to the live stream on YouTube, we’ve managed to keep ourselves relatively busy by scouring the net for the most serenely sublime tracks we could find. Although we expected a bit of a slowdown in output this week with the advent of festival season, we instead were surprised to stumble upon an overwhelming amount of material while assembling this magnificent playlist.

We can’t safely say we’ve covered everything here, but we’re fairly certain we’ve found the best of the best. Those include selections from Tin Gardens, D.R.A.M., Submotion Orchestra, Iman Europe, Tiara Thomas, Raleigh Ritchie, Betty Who, Bayou, Telescope Thieves, Joey Solo, XONA, WLYN, Falcons, Lido, Maryann, JENI, CompSci, woodini and Kwabs. Of course there’s plenty of other gems hidden below, but you’ll need to sift through to find them for yourself.

’Tin Gardens – Leave Slow’
’Slime ft. George Maple – Sonnet’
’May – Soul (FloFilz Remix)’
’Sye Elaine Spence – Is This Love’
’Moses Sumney – Plastic’
’Royal Auditorium – Selfless’
’D.R.A.M. – Feet In The Water w/ Sunny & Gabe’
’Midé – Wait For You Ft. Bianca Rose’
’Taylor McFerrin – The Antidote (feat. Nai Palm)’
’Submotion Orchestra – All Yours’
’IAMNOBODI – Try Me (feat. Ego Ella May)’
’Iman Europe – Kneva Know (prod. Zikomo)’
’Aaron “Ab” Abernathy – In Love/Near’
’Elle Varner – Little Do You Know’
’Tiffany Evans – Just Something To Say’
’Melo B Jones – Shoulda Woulda Coulda (prod. by Žiga Murko)’
’Maribelle Anes – Lips Lock (Prod. by Maribelle Anes)’
’August Alsina – Get Ya Money feat. Fabolous’
’Tiara Thomas – You Do’
’Math Allen – Get Out The Way (Prod. By The Ambassadors)’
’1 O.A.K. – Slide Thru Ft. P Lo (Prod. by Hyperspace Music)’
’Rome Fortune – Come & Get It (Prod. DunDeal)’
’SoMo – We Can Make Love’
’Raleigh Ritchie – The Chased’
’Betty Who – Lovin Start’
’Rizzo – Flush’
’MNEK – Every Little Word’
’Fantastic Mr Fox feat. Denai Moore – On My Own’
’HUNTAR – EXPECTATIONS (FTSE’S X X X – PECTATIONS MIX)’
’b a y o u – Airlock’
’THROWING SHADE – SWEET TOOTH (from the ’19 JEWELS’ EP – out on 19 May via No Pain In Pop)’
’K A I Z E N – The Doin”
’Telescope Thieves – Svns (feat. Nori)’
’Grand Beach – Swim Good ft. S. Carey & Daniela Andrade’
’Jon B – Calling On You ( J LOUIS ) remix’
’Jansport J – Teresa’s Prototype’
’John Legend – GreenLight (Iman Omari Flip)’
’Melo Zed – About (her)’
’Joey Solo – Christina (Out now on Play It Louder Vol.2)’
’kenji – True’
’kenji – If You’re Lost’
’WithLoveXavier – Better (Prod. XONA)’
’This Girl – Radio Roman (XONA Remix)’
’kwok. – I Got’
’WYLN – Changes’
’Duncan Gerow – Tinashe + Esta = Vulnerable’
’Ciara – Body Party (Kwok Remix)’
’Cassie
Me & U (Altisko Rework)’
’XONA – Doin U Right’
’Jalen Jenkins – For Me’
’PARTYNEXTDOOR – West District’
’PARTYNEXTDOOR – Persian Rugs (Falcons Bootleg)’
’Drake – Too Much (GXNXVS Remix) (Feat. Sampha)’
’Drake – Bria’s Interlude (SAVON Bootleg)’
’Poetic Justice – Kendrick Lamar (Ft Drake)(XONA Remix)’
’PlueStarfox – We Be All Night (DERP)’
’Yung Lean – Gatorade (Lido Remix)’
’Maryann – You And Me (Prod By N8 The Gr8)’
’JENI – Drunk In Luv (JENI SUK REFIX)’
’Miley Cyrus – Adore You (CompSci Remix)’
’Marvin Gaye – I’ve Got My Music (KidBeat Refix)’
’Jhene Aiko – My Afternoon Dream ( Telescope Thieves Edit)’
’J Rican – Prototype Body (StarRo X Jeftuz MashUp)’
’Raheem Devaughn – Woman (Layzie Edit)’
’Duncan Gerow – Usher + DJ Clue = My Way’
’Zedd – Find You (Sci Fi Scheme Remix)’
’MTBRD – Who Babe (Flamingosis Remix)’
’Mitch Murder – Mirage (SevnthWonder Remix)’
’noï – Injunction’
’The Weeknd – 28 (ALEXSANDER REMAKE)’
’2K2レイス – get it shawty’
’YUNG LEAN – GATORADE (DOLPHIN TEARS Lido EDIT)’
’Tinashe – 2 On Ft Schoolboy Q (woodini Remix) – DL in description’
’Fluke Nukes – NaNa’
’MellowMaswel – Always (Unmastered)’
’Kwabs – Something Right’
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Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 13]

Valentine’s Day is this Friday, and depending on your situation, that last statement probably elicited some very different reactions. For most of you out there (we hope), you’ve had this date circled on your calendars for weeks now, and have already got the perfect day planned right down to the last detail, while others undoubtably are panicking at the prospect of  having only five days to throw something together. Finally, there’s those of you who have now come to the crushing realization that–like our friend Dawson James Van Der Beek above–you’re destined to lead a sad and lonely life, and will most likely spend that day drowning your sorrows in a heart shaped box of assorted Russell Stover chocolates. Regardless of what category you fall under, we guarantee that we’ve got the perfect playlist here to make your special day that much more special.  From puppy love to heartache, contributions from Oceaán, Gallant, Jamie Lewis, K-Young, Aches, vaisle, Giraffage, Genius and salute have you covered, and are sure to help power the soundtrack for whatever the night’s festivities may hold for you.

’Låpsley – Painter (valentine)’
’lapalux – without you (bsd.u rework)’
’Kelela – The High (Prod by Gifted & Blessed)’
’Palmistry – Vapore’
’Oceaán – To Lose’
’Gallant – Forfeit (prod. Felix Snow)’
’SHIVUM SHARMA  – ONLY YOU’
’Alfa Mist – Stay Here’
’Jarrell Perry – Black Valentine’
’Jamie Isaac – She Dried’
’Ed Thomas – Away’
’SLK – Be (Prod Embody)’
’The Weeknd x Hucci – Cashmere Mornings (aywy)’
’DearKarma – Deception’
’Jalen Jenkins – Come Around (Prod. by Jalen)’
’Soulblime – Wildfire (SBTRKT Ft. Drake & Little Dragon Cover)’
’Christian Joseph – Stay The Night (Hayley Williams x Zedd R&B Cover)’
’Tink – Money Ova Everything’
’Jamie Lewis – Just Friends feat Dubzy Snazz Produced R Kay (Musiq Soulchild Bootleg)’
’Childish Gambino – I’d Die Without You (P.M. Dawn Cover)’
’Alice Jemima – Bloodsport (Raleigh Ritchie Cover)’
’K. Michelle – I Don’t Believe’
’Kenya Eugene – You are My World’
’Noel Gourdin – Can’t Wait Ft. Avery Sunshine’
’Jhene Aiko – Everything Must Go (New Version)’
’Angel Taylor – Weak’
’BOY/FRIEND – Theme Song (Prod. MNTN)’
’Wande Coal – Plan B’
’Pleasure P – Letter To My Ex’
’K Young – Don’t Ever Leave Me (prod. by Composer)’
’Eric Bellinger – SAME OL Feat. Jon B’
’Rashad
First Move’
’Lonny Bereal – Things I Would Say’
’Ciara Ft. Future – Anytime’
’Katt Rockell – PUSHIN’
’Sevyn Streeter – Wicked’
’starRo – Seduction (FREE DL)’
’Extro – After The Fact’
’Aches – Her’
’vaisle – more for less’
’Giraffage – I Luv Your Girl’
’Dreamclub – Tamia (Dreamclub)’
’K∪⌥ – Baby When We’re.. (Next ReFIX)’
’Aaliyah x Mr. Carmack – If Your Girl Was Humble (aywy)’
’Cherish – killa (Rmonik remix)’
’Sevnth Wonder – Fall 4 U’
’G R A D E S vs Brandy – I Wanna Be Down’
’Mar – Man / Woman (Genius Vision)’
’John Hart
Who Booty ft IamSu (Jeftuz Remix)’
’Kid Ink – Show Me (ft. Chris Brown) (esta. remix)’
’LAKIM – Need Want
’Sweater Beats & B. Lewis – Giving Up On U’
’Alex Mills – Forever Young (Axel Kacoutié Remix)’
’Brian Folk – IXCU (Circle Work Forthcoming on Shimmy Records)’
’Ginuwine – Pony (salute Remix)’
’Giraffage – Falsetto’
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The Hip-Hop Dojo [Vol. 9]

Now, I’m no meteorologist, but based on this week’s Hip-Hop Dojo, it seems fair to say that we have a scorching hot summer ahead of us. The ninth edition of The Hip-Hop Dojo is jam packed with promising young talent primed to take over the game. The beginning of summer also indicates the start of mixtape season, which is what really makes this week’s selection truly special. Just about every track collected here was specifically chosen from a stellar project that recently dropped. While we can only share one gem from each artist, definitely make an effort to check out the rest of their material.

We start things off with the trunk rattling “Tangerine” by former Cool KidChuck Inglish. Reviving many of the same production values we came to appreciate from his singles with Sir Michael Rocks years ago, “Tangerine” is a guaranteed banger that’ll be a mainstay in your playlist as you cruise around in your whip this summer. Next up, we’d like to give a warm welcome to 16 year-old hip-hop phenom, Jalen Jenkins. While we don’t know much about the New York native, we do know he’s incredibly talented. Take one listen to “Shroomies” and you’ll be immediately enthralled with the fledgling artist. If you’re still not convinced however, check out Jalen’s full Bipolar project to get a further grasp of his abilities. We bridge the age gap as we cross over to our third selection, Prodigy‘s “Dough Pildin.” Produced by The Alchemist, “Pildin,” is presumably all about the Mobb Deep member’s desire to stack his cash up ala The Joker in The Dark Knight (though he might not end up burning up his funds quite so literally).

Chicago is the location of our next two tracks. While Alex Wiley and Freddie Gibbs “creep” around the city hatching schemes for taking over the world (actually I might be confusing them with Pinky & The Brain), Tokyo Shawn leaves us all wondering when the SAVEMONEY crew will finally get the recognition they deserve. We then shift our attention over to the West Coast where Casey Veggies focuses on counting his days, and his paper, all while weaving slick rhymes over a sample of Usher‘s “What Happened To U.” Up next, we’ve got New Yorkers, Da YoungFellaz with their single, “Fuck Rap.” For two guys who apparently have beef with the art, they’re awfully good at it.

Next on the queue we’ve got another youngster, 17 year-old Jon Waltz. The Memphis native is already drawing comparisons to Drake, and it’s easy to see why. Waltz is able to strike a careful balance between witty lyricism and an effortlessly catchy chorus on “Bang.” If you’re interested in hearing more from Jon, make sure to check out his Airways Blvd. EP. Following that up is the emotionally heavy “Clarissa (I Used To Love Her)” by Houston’s Anti-Lilly. Although the name might lead you to this to be an ode to the Common classic, Lilly’s “Clarissa” is actually a heart-wrenching tale of a love-struck drug dealer. While Anti-Lilly is left patching up a broken heart, Emilio Rojas is out breaking some more as he struggles with women who can get too attached after just one encounter.

KasFlow leads off our next section, providing us with one of the more impressive lyrical ditties of the week with his track, “Frozen Food Section.” For a guy born in 1994, KasFlow really understands how to capture the essence of the era through his music. Check out some more dope material from him on his Schema mixtape. Somebody contact Rhymesayers Entertainment and alert them about this dude named Dust. On “TEL AVIV III” the Portland rapper pieces together a laidback number with voice inflection that sounds like a cross somewhere between Slug and Brother Ali. Dust’s new project, Dust vs. The Operator is available for free on his Bandcamp page right now. Cam Meekins and Brandun DeShay bring us the cure for the common headache with their mellow collaboration, “Advil.”  We haven’t heard from either of them in quite awhile, so this one was a nice “2 for 1” special. Mike Stud tries to overcome a few “Bad Habits” alongside Kinetics and One Love with this euphoric new piece from his album, Relief.  Toronto emcee Coleman Hell invites you to chill with him while he counts his “Beer Cans.” I have no idea how he plans to amass a fortune from them, so I’ll leave the explanations up to him. Check out Coleman’s excellent Stark Raving as well. A frequent visitor to The Hip-Hop Dojo, M.i recently dropped his new mixtape Pushing Keyes. The project features stand out tracks we’ve highlighted before like “Church West Texas” and “Nothing You Can Do” as well as this new tune, the chilled-out “Hi.” It’s a nice change of pace from what we’ve heard from the Houston native, and should be one that’ll be a fixture in our rotation for months to come.

The title of “Most Charming Song of The Week” easily goes to Rally for his feel-good single, “Maybe That’s Why.” Featuring a keen sample of Norah Jones‘ “Don’t Know Why,” the pleasant melody is one that promises to instantly melt all your troubles away and keep a smile plastered on your face for the rest of the day. Coming in with a short little number is Tallahassee collective After The Smoke. While the song is light on the rap, it’s just as addicting as their previous hits. Our next summer “Groov” comes courtesy of Brothers From Another and Asher Roth. Grooving out is exactly what you’ll be doing as you jam out to this awesome tune. Our next track comes from fun-loving California trio Drop City Yacht Club. Formerly known as The Freshmen, the group decided it was time to grow up and graduate from their previous moniker as they pursue a life of lavish luxury on the open sea (at least that’s what we assume a newly formed yacht club would do). For fans worried about the change though, don’t be, as they’re still up to their previous antics as they ride the “Pipeline” with THURZ (of U-N-I fame). We keeps thing in California (Coachella to be precise) with Connor Evans and Shawn Chrystopher as they try to score with some “Hipsters and PrimaDonnas.” What is it with rappers using James Blake samples? Despite the recent trend becoming a little too rampant for our tastes, it’s impossible for us to resist the inherent charm behind each song. Adrian Lau’s “All A Game” might exhibit the unique use of Blake’s “Retrograde” to date, and we’re certainly thankful for it.

We hand the keys over to two of the game’s most talented wordsmiths, Jon Connor and Talib Kweli, who implore you to “Rise Up” to your feet as they spit vicious bars on their recent collaboration. Following that performance up is the hardworking Syler who proves it’s worth sacrificing a little sleep if it helps accomplish your goals (we hope making The Hip-Hop Dojo was one of them.) Up next, we have our pump-up anthem of the week in “Bet They See Me Now” by Kwame Darko (I wonder if he’s aware he’s named after two of the biggest busts in NBA history). We hope Kwame experiences more success in the rap game than either of those aforementioned individuals ever did playing basketball. We begin to wrap things  up with “Make It Home” a new collaboration between Hoodie Allen and Kina Grannis. Conceived and recorded in a 24 hour span, “Make It Home” is possibly the strongest material we’ve heard from the former Google employee in a long time. Maybe he should start using that method for all of his recordings? Last but not least, we have “Chasing Rainbows” from Marc Goone. Goone recently dropped his I Am Not A Lobster OK mixtape, which compiles all the music Marc’s released since last year’s Halfway to Nowhere, which had an exceedingly better name.

We hope you guys enjoyed our ninth edition of The Hip-Hop Dojo as much as we did. We’d like to take the time out to thank all the talented artists who sent in their submissions for this week’s playlist. As always, you can send all of your submissions/suggestions to baseer@themusicninja.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALL THE FREE TRACKS

’Chuck Inglish – Tangerine (Feat. Aston Matthews & Kashflow)’
’Jalen Jenkins – Shroomies (Prod. By Mr. Carmack)’
’Prodigy – Dough Pildin (Produced by Alchemist)’
’Alex Wiley – Creepin featuring Freddie Gibbs’
’Tokyo Shawn – Wonder (prod. M&C)’
’Casey Veggies – Money Don’t Buy Time’
’Da YoungFellaz – F*ck Rap (feat. Rich iCoast)’
’Jon Waltz – Bang (Left My Home) (Prod. Zayd)’
’Anti Lilly – Clarissa (I Used To Love Her)’
’Emilio Rojas – Did It Again’
’KasFlow – Frozen Food Section (Feat. M. Wise) (Prod. By DJ DailyBread)’
’dust – TEL AVIV III’
’Cam Meekins – Advil (feat. Brandun Deshay)’
’Mike Stud – Bad Habits (Ft. Kinetics & One Love)”
’Coleman Hell – Beer Cans’
’M.i – Hi (ft Porche Harris)’
’Rally & Don Cruso – Maybe That’s Why (ft. ADOMS)’
’After The Smoke – Come and Leave’
’Brothers From Another – Groov Feat. Asher Roth’
’Drop City Yacht Club – Pipeline ft. THURZ’
’Connor Evans – Hipsters & PrimaDonnas (ft. Shawn Chrystopher)’
’Adrian Lau – All A Game’
’Jon Connor – Rise Up Feat. Talib Kweli’
’Syler – Dusk Till Dawn (feat. DJ JS1 & Nitty Scott, MC)’
’Kwame Darko – Bet They See Me Now’
’Hoodie Allen – Make It Home (feat. Kina Grannis)’
’Marc Goone – Chasing Rainbows ft. Gloria Kim’
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