De La Soul’s Plug 1 and Plug 2 give us First Serve, a hip-hop duo from Queens. They recently released Pushin’ Aside, Pushin’ Along. Their debut album, due to drop April 2nd on Duck Down Music, has been described as, “the story of two dreamers in a basement struggling to start their musical career.” This track has that classic hip-hop feel to it, with quips, skits and best of all, a beat to nod your head to.

And as another teaser for the upcoming album, the duo introduced their first music video from the upcoming album. Must B The Music can be seen below. You can also follow First Serve at wearefirstserve.tumblr.com.

A week or two ago, we introduced Better Days, a painfully honest track from up-and-coming Los Angeles based emcee Azad Right. Today, he dropped Growing Apart, which uses a sample from fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar.

First and foremost: Azad was a stranger to me before I heard Better Days earlier this month, but I feel like I’ve learned more and more about this dude every day since. One reason being is that Azad doesn’t hide his true feelings or emotions in his music, something lost in today’s hip-hop. From life, love, heartbreak and all the way back, he puts it all on the line.

Download it, play it, share it, do something with it. And – follow Azad on Twitter to get all his latest music and show information at @AzadRight.

Azad Right – Growing Apart ft. AHE and Jhene AikoDownload audio file (Azad Right – Growing Apart ft AHE and Jhene Aiko.mp3)

F.A.Q. released a remix of Gramitik’s Itz Over from Street Bangerz Volume One this week. The slow, soulful instrumental makes me want to do what Gramitik admits is one of his favorite things to do: smoke weed. Not normally a fan of tracks with no lyrics or verses, but this smooth rendition caught me off guard and before I knew it I was clicking replay. As for my disdain for remixes, dare I say, “Itz Over”?

Download: Gramatik – Itz Over (F.A.Q Remix)Download audio file (gramatik-itz-over-f-a-q-remix.mp3)

South African hip hop trio Die Antwoord (Afrikaans for “The Answer”) first appeared on the scene in 2009 with their debut album $O$. They became a viral phenomenon after the release of the video for the album’s first single “Enter The Ninja”, teaming up with cinematographer Rob Malpage. With the first video the band introduced themselves, their music, and their Zef style to the masses… and got so many  hits to the Die Antwoord website that the host couldn’t handle it and the site was shut down. The band became a sensational internet meme that boosted their sales and got them signed to Interscope records. It’s been about two years since they’ve released anything new and the world can’t help but wonder what they’ve been up to.

Ten$ion is the answer.

Recently the band has left Interscope records after refusing to succumb to a more generic sound and release anything “wack”. Die Antwoord’s sophomore effort is set for release February 7th on the band’s own Zef Imprint, which begs the question: what could they have been doing that even Lady Gaga‘s label (Interscope) couldn’t handle it? I have had the opportunity to preview the album, and am actually really happy that the band stayed true to their roots. Instead of transforming their sound into something more marketable to the American hip hop market, Ten$ion feels almost like a continuation of $O$ with only minor changes.

As the album starts it is immediately clear that the group has put enormous effort in maintaining the energy and momentum they found through $O$ while simultaneously maturing their sound. Each song moves flawlessly from track to track, skits included, and never falters in delivery. The band has elected to include nine actual songs on this record, which means that every song earned its placement in the track listing, and every one is as over the top as its predecessor. Songs like “I Fink U Freeky” and “U Make A Ninja Wanna Fuck” are prime candidates for singles and make this record shine like Ninja’s jewelry. Considering DJ Hi-Tek’s hard hitting beats, Yo-Landi Vi$$er’s creepy vocal melodies, and Ninja’s incredible flow, Ten$ion is unforgettable… and damn catchy.

Die Antwoord ‘Fok Julle Naaiers’ Music Video from Ross Garrett on Vimeo.

Ten$ion is out 2/7 on ZEF Records.

It is no surprise that we didn’t fully support M.I.A. previous releases. As she continues to evolve her music, there were certain things that just didn’t click for us. HOWEVER, we couldn’t be happier to hear the new single “Bad Girls”, produced by Danja (american megaproducer who has worked with Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Björk and Britney Spears among many others).

“Bad Girls” is a more controlled song from M.I.A., compared to her previous work that will be available tomorrow January 31st. Featuring attitude filled lyrics and a middle eastern instrumentation and beat that is much more “consumable” (mainstream). Pitchfork Reports that M.I.A. is currently working on her fourth full-length LP, which is set for release this summer. She’s also heavily rumored to appear during this Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show alongside Madonna to perform their collaborative new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’”.

M.I.A. Will release Bad Girls Tomorrow on Interscope Records

Season 5 Episode 4. WOW. What I love about Californication? Hilarity right from the start. Without giving too much away, Hank gets a surprise visit form a lovely (and equally mentally crazy) friend from New York. Lets get right to the soundtracks featured on “Waiting For The Miracle”.

Marcy and Stu’s dinner party Song 1
Aceite de Coco by Juan Carranza

Marcy & Stu’s dinner party song #2
Andalucia by Johannes Linstead

Charles at the Malibar on his date
Rebel Rebel by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

Marcy & Stu’s dinner party song #3 when Carrie gets upset and leaves
Gypsy Street by Andrew Oye

End of the episode while Hank & Karen sit outside Karen’s house and have a bittersweet heart to heart
Faithfully by Clem Snide

Did I read that right? Tupac Shakur and Pink Floyd in the same title of the song? Ok, I was intrigued but extremely skeptical. Leave it to the guys of Capital Cities to turn me into a believer. Their interpretation of Breath, from Pink FLoyd’s infamous The Dark Side of the Moon album, is surprisingly refreshing. With a cleaner instrumentation, brighter melodies and pitch perfect vocals, Capital Cities pays tribute to a classic in the most honorable way. Not to mention Tupac lends a couple of verses increasing the awesomeness of the track. Is it just me or every time I hear Tupac I can’t help but to think about the famous skit from Dave Chappelle?

A chill and modern rendition of a classic with a beautiful and welcoming twist. You can download more music from Capital Cities off their facebook.

Breathe (Pink Floyd cover).mp3Download audio file (Breathe (Pink Floyd cover).mp3)

Just 4 days from Cris Cab mixtape release of “Echo Boom” and we already have another preview of what is to come on January 31st. The young Miami native has gotten Mavado and new friend Wyclef to help with the song “Rihanna’s Gun”. Not going to far into the reggae spectrum, Cris Cab still creates a laid back, summer song.

Echo Boom will be available everywhere January 31, presented by Billionaire Boys Club

Cris Cab – Rihanna’s Gun ft. Mavado & WyclefDownload audio file (rihannas-gun-ft-mavado-wyclef.mp3)

Continuing with the genre bending contributions forever trending, we bring you a smooth hip/hop track featuring the mellow vocals British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and the lyrical talent of Yelawolf, who was recently featured alongside fellow rapper Eminem on the cover XXL. This is the first released track of their collaborative EP “Slumdon Bridge” being released in a few weeks.

Download: Ed Sheeran & Yelawolf – You Don’t Know (For Fuck’s Sake)
Download audio file (ed-sheeran-x-yelawolf-you-dont.mp3)

There is nothing more enjoyable than seeing absolute pioneers in their genre come together for a collaboration. Our favorite UK dubstep produer, Rusko is joining forces with one of the most popular west coast groups in hip/hop, Cypress Hill.

Dubstep has been able to absorb many genres to create completely new nuances. While many artists have tried to jump on the dubstep bandwagon and failed (Korn comes to mind), there are still promising acts that with its collective genius protect them from ever failing. We can’t think of a better collab.

“I think dubstep is a natural progression of hip-hop,” says Sen Dog. “Especially the way that we formulated it with Rusko, there’s definitely some roughness to it.” With the release of the 5-track EP combining the devastating beats of Rusko alongside Cypress Hills signature sound, ‘Cypress x Rusko‘ not only shows incredible promise, but it pushes to genres two step further.

‘Cypress x Rusko’ will be released in April

Download audio file (Cypress x Rusko — Cypress x Rusko – Roll It_ Light It.mp3)