Latest Hip/Hop Posts

[Electro/Hip-Hop] K.Flay – Hail Mary (Feat. Danny Brown) (Prod. Felix Cartal)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 8, 2013

K.Flay
Hail Mary (ft. Danny Brown)

It’s Monday, which probably means it’s now time to atone for some of your more inappropriate escapades from the past weekend. California femcee K.Flay recognizes that, although she’s not about to admit to being a sinner. Hoping to relive some of the memories she made (and presumably forgot), K.Flay pulls off a delicate balancing act between sultry vocals and provocative lyrics over some opaque and buzzing production from Felix Cartal. Meanwhile, Danny Brown continues on his recent rampage of absolutely murdering guest verses. By now, you should all be familiar with the Detroit spitter’s frenzied, and almost deranged style. While Danny definitely makes his presence known, he doesn’t take anything away from K.Flay, who certainly holds her own. If you’re interested in hearing more from the young female emcee, check out her recently released West Ghost tape. While this particular song isn’t a part of that project, you can still grab the free download below.

[Hip-Hop] Yasiin Bey – The Light Is Not Afraid of The Dark (Prod. Kanye West)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 6, 2013

Yasiin Bey
The Light Is Not Afraid Of The Dark

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A short while ago, we showed you a video of a live performance where Yasiin Bey unearthed a collaboration he created with Kanye West a few years back. At the time, we drooled at the prospects of the song potentially seeing the light of day (no pun intended). Well, it looks like Mighty Mos decided to oblige our wishes, and released the song in its full, uninhibited glory. Although Mos joined Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint back in 2010, we really haven’t heard anything from the pair since, so forgive us for getting so easily ecstatic over the team-up, even if this was recorded way back in 2006. The song provides us with a glimpse into the past, and reminds us where both of their careers stood at the time, while also showing us how far they’ve come since. Seven years later, the song still sounds surprisingly refreshing. We’re pretty confident Yasiin could’ve gotten away with releasing this as a new single, but we’re thankful that he put it up as a free stream for all of us to enjoy instead. Look out for more Yasiin Bey when his collaborative album with Mannie Fresh, OMFGOD, drops later this year.

Hip/Hop

[Hip-Hop] Big Sean – Switch Up (Feat. Common) (Prod. Million $ Mano, No I.D. & Rob Kinelski )

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 5, 2013

Big Sean
Switch Up (Ft. Common)

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Looks like it’s going to be a G.O.O.D. Friday today. Big Sean teams up with his former G.O.O.D. Music castmate Common, for his dope new single, “Switch Up.” Contrary to what the title implies, it’s business as usual for Sean as the two have some fun over a dope, banging beat courtesy of Million $ Mano, No I.D., and Rob Kinelski. Sean’s sophomore effort, Hall of Fame, is on its way soon, while the single will available for purchase on iTunes tonight.

Hip/Hop

[Chill] James Blake – Take a Fall For Me ft RZA

Posted by tylercole - April 5, 2013

James Blake
Take a Fall for Me ft RZA

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This week’s a busy one for UK native James Blake. His Big Boi-sampling “Everyday I Ran” surfaced just yesterday, and now he’s back with another track for your listening enjoyment titled “Take a Fall for Me”. The producer/ singer has always experimented with new synths and sounds so it is no surprise that he collaborates with legendary emcee RZA for this new single. The haunting vocals and airy production make for a nice background to the spoken work poetry by the the Wu-Tang lyricist. It is not known yet whether this will be on any upcoming effort but take a listen to the smooth track below.

[Hip-Hop] Joey Bada$$ – Day in the Life

Posted by tylercole - April 5, 2013

Joey Bada$$
"Day In The Life" (Prod. By Harry Fraud)

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NYC emcee Joey Bada$$ is back again with another dope track for your listening enjoyment. The single “Day in the Life” has the young spitter flexing his lyrical prowess over some Harry Fraud production. The smooth jazz influenced drums, keys, and horns make for a nice throwback beat for the 2013 Freshman class rapper to dominate. This track is impressive and can be heard on Peter Rosenberg‘s upcoming New York Renaissance mixtape, dropping later this year.

Hip/Hop

[Hip-Hop] Danny Brown – Express Yourself (Prod. Trampy)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 4, 2013

Danny Brown
Express Yourself (Prod. by Trampy)

Soundcloud

We all know Danny Brown has no problems at all when it comes to expressing himself. With his newest single, he’s encouraging us all to follow suit, although this is mostly aimed at the ladies. The Detroit rapper gives credit to Diplo/Major Lazer as his primary source of inspiration for this one. For those keeping score, Diplo released an EP and single with the same name, around this time last year. Danny definitely does Diplo proud over a minimalistic, trapped-out beat from the adequately named, Trampy. It doesn’t seem like this one will make it onto Danny’s upcoming Old album, but if he’s looking for a radio-friendly single, he could do far worse.

Hip/Hop
Trap

The Hip-Hop Dojo [Vol. 3]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 4, 2013

What up y’all? The Hip-Hop Dojo is back for round 3 and ready to bring you an onslaught of new hip-hop music. This week was dominated by Harry Fraud and Peter Rosenberg. With Rosenberg dropping his New York Renaissance mixtape today, we were provided with a slew of great releases from some of The Big Apple’s best and brightest young emcees. The intro to the tape, is also the first collaboration between Joey Bada$$ and Harry Fraud. “Day In The Life” showcases that throwback flow that Joey and his Pro Era crew have been perfecting since they first entered the game. On the next track from the compilation, Queens collective, World’s Fair, revive the gritty spirit of the ’96 Knicks, harkening back to the heated rivalry between two of the NBA’s toughest squads of the late 90′s. The last single from the tape is Action Bronson‘s “Compliments 2 The Chef” where he spits a few bars about his favorite subject: exquisite food. Anyone else think a remix with Raekwon is in order for this one?

Speaking of New York, we’ve included a nice little project from Jay Shell that all you hip-hop heads will definitely enjoy. Taking quotes from various rap songs about specific spots in NYC, Jay Shell then posted those quotes as signs around the city in the exact locations mentioned. It’s a pretty neat idea that really connects you with the artists and the meaning behind their lyrics. Check out the video after the playlist.

Before we even get to New York though, we have to travel through Chicago. While Martin $ky tries to capture his memories in the form of a “Polaroid,” SaveMoney‘s Sterling Hayes recruits D2G and Kembe X to reflect on some of their own. We then take a brief detour to the Southwest, to visit a “Church” in “West Texas” as Austin native M.I and Blu reveal their struggles with faith. Next up, we have a great new track from California’s Audio Push, who sample the most badass quote of all time, from the greatest show on television, Breaking Bad.

Our next two tracks may have the illest beats to be featured on here this week. The first of these comes in the form of Smith‘s “Don Sh*t”. Smith, who may want to consider using with a more distinctive moniker, absolutely murders the Woodro Skillson (now that’s an awesome name) produced cut alongside Maffew Ragazino. Following that up, we have a dope, chilled-out track from Al-Fatir , where he describes to us the life of a “Man From The Sky.” We also have “Bubble Gum Blues,” a Mac Miller produced cut that features Top Dawg’s Ab-Soul trading bars with Young Money’s Short Dawg. Making his third appearance in the Dojo, is King Chip, with the grimy new track, “Heinous.” At this point, we might as well just give him a key to the building. We’ll have to see if he keeps his streak going next week.

As we approach the home stretch, we decided to take a turn a more “fun” approach towards the remainder of our selections. Wale‘s freestyle over the group’s “Sight of the Sun” definitely fits the bill, and is a refreshing break from the MMG dynamic we’ve been hearing from the DMV native lately. Sol‘s “Dope” is a light and airy track that definitely lives up to its name. Next up, we have Outasight‘s “Remember Me” which is a smooth leftover from his debut album, Nights Like These. Finally, we wrap things up with a two-for-one with Honors English‘s “Insanity Plea Pt. 1 & 2.” Honors English describes life as an artist with integrity and consequently, an outsider looking in. What originally sold me on the track is the incredible lyrics video, which is definitely a must watch.

I hope you guys enjoyed the third edition of The Hip-Hop Dojo. As always, send all submissions and suggestions over to baseer@themusicninja.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALL THE FREE TRACKS

Martin $ky
Polaroid

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Sterling Hayes
Retrospect ft. D2G x Kembe X (prod. Antydote)

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Joey Bada$$
Day In The Life (Prod. By Harry Fraud)

Soundcloud

Worlds Fair
96 Knicks !!

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M.I
Church West Texas (ft. Blu)

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