Latest Hip/Hop Posts

[Electronic Soul] Tom Misch – Crazy Dream

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - June 7, 2016

Tom Misch
Crazy Dream (feat. Loyle Carner)

Tom Misch is the epitome of cool. We don’t mean the contrived and aloof kind of cool, but the calm and collected type that can create some of the smoothest music out right now. “Crazy Dream” explores the hip-hop side of Tom’s production, allowing for Loyle Carner to fire off his effortless verses between catchy choruses.

Not only is this song another solid release in a long list of great Tom Misch creations, but it also is the second single off of his upcoming Reverie EP that’s due out on July 15th. It goes without saying that we’re eagerly awaiting the rest of this project and will be repeatedly enjoying “Crazy Dream” until then. Finish off your day right with this slick track.

Saturday Selection Vol. 9

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - June 5, 2016

This weeks has been something else, and I’m still catching up after being at Governors Ball this weekend. We’re primed and ready for another slick collection of new tunes, from Louis Futon to the first cut off of midnight’s new EP, so go ahead and jump right into it. Enjoy!

O R I O N – Gold Dust ft. Cammie Robinson

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This song is from a little while ago, but it was new to us and instantly caught our ears. O R I O N put together a beautiful brain-melter with “Gold Dust”, and the sparse, but angelic vocals of Cammie Robinson are the icing on the cake. The innate feeling of escapism creeps out throughout the tune, and you’ll want to go explore the world as it plays. Enjoy this one on a bright and day. You’ll feel absolutely wonderful.

SWIMS – Bedrooms

Soundcloud

SWIMS is an exciting new duo that combines the best of trap, R&B, and electronic music into a breezy and ethereal creation. Optimized for complete relaxation, “Bedrooms” stands as a strong debut for these two. It’s a serenade with all the right trappings. It hits all the right spots. Soak this one in with a special someone tonight.

midnight – Native America (feat. The Internet)

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The combination of midnight and The Internet is impossible to be apathetic about. Touching on the marred past of the United States, these talented people describe the constant push for the best life available in a seductive fashion that gives the message a new appearance. We’ve been hooked on midnight ever since his XXI Labors EP, and seeing him work with The Internet to deliver such a powerful message only solidifies our admiration of his work. Find some time to really sit and reflect on these lyrics.

Goldlink – Unique (Louis Futon Remix)

Soundcloud

This one is simply fun. That’s no surprise, coming from Louis Futon. He decided to return to his earlier remix roots by flipping this Goldlink and Anderson Paak original into absolutely irresistible scorcher of a dance tune. We’re not even sure what the best part of it is, but there is one thing we know for sure. It’s ALL great. Kick off the shift into warm weather with this one.

The Geek x Vrv – Coming Up’ Feat Kellylee Evans & Atom

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So much soul. The Geek x Vrv never fails to bring out the best funk, hip-hop, and soul crossovers with their material, and “Coming Up” is a vibrant new addition to their stellar sound. Featuring a fourth of C2C and the striking singing of Kellylee Evans, this song triumphs on its 90s rap atmosphere and style that’s revamped and repurposed into a more modern sound. You can’t NOT bob your head. We’re making sure to keep the double negative there just so you know we MEAN it. Throw this tune on when you just want to groove.

[Electronic] MODEL 86 – MONO

Posted by Hank - June 3, 2016

MODEL 86
MONO

Soundcloud

MODEL 86 is an intriguing new artist on our radar. His latest track is called, “Mono” and sees the London-based producer blends hip-hop, electronic and world elements effortlessly. This makes for an extremely dynamic listen.

After playing through this one, you might wish you had discovered MODEL 86 sooner. Going back through his catalog, we’re really feeling his other releases as well. Peep this electronic song Holdin’ from a month ago for another taste of the MODEL 86 sound.

But “MONO” is the latest greatest and it might be the perfect out-there addition to your music rotation. There are some cool pitch-bend vocal samples, but hopefully we’ll get to hear a rapper on it at some point too. A few wild bars would really top this one off. If you like the beat, you will want to keep an eye on MODEL 86.

[Event Review] Project Pabst: Denver

Posted by Matthew Bloss - May 27, 2016

While the influx of major brands into all sectors of independent art over the past decade or so has certainly seen a large swath of fans and critics let out a collective groan; it is events like Project Pabst that at least let us know that some corporations are putting their efforts in the right places. Last Saturday, a pair of us Ninjas set out into one of Denver’s most diversely beautiful neighborhoods, The Five Points/RiNo Arts District (which was conveniently also this writer’s own hood) to enjoy one of the more eclectically diverse days of music we’ve consumed in the Centennial State in years.

We arrived fresh on a sweltering afternoon just in time to see Brooklyn synth-pop outfit Small Black, who if you’ve followed us for some time, know we have developed quite the soft spot for -especially after playing our Halloween TMN Showcase last year. The four-piece paced the day wonderfully, ranging their sound from wistful electro-indie-pop, to chillwave, to lofi 80’s pop, and all of those murky spaces in between. After running through a slate of singles off of last year’s LP Best Blues, Small Black arced their set brilliantly, landing upon their shining star “No Stranger” to wrap up an hour-long set.

Check out the rest of our Project Pabst: Denver review after the jump!

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[Artist Residency] um.. drops “Music We Like” on Spotify

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 26, 2016

For our next portion of um..’s Residency, we’re shining a spotlight on their recently released Spotify playlist, which is aptly titled “Music We Like.” If you’re expecting to hear a handful of only experimental, industrial, and heavy bass tracks, you’re in for quite the surprise. The collection definitely has some of those scattered throughout, but also includes some RnB, mainstream rap, jazz, and even some classical.

We asked them to talk to us about a few of their selections, which they, of course, responded in a way we would only expect from Ben and Dylan.

Tennyson – For You : This song is good to listen to when you’re good for listening to this song.

X&G – Whiplash ft. Josh Pan : This song is tight. When you listen you can tell it’s tight.

Rae Sremmurd – No Flex Zone : When you’re trying to get in the zone but you can’t flex. That’s how you know.

Howard Shore – Concerning Hobbits : 5/7 perfect song. I shore hope he doesn’t like jokes about oranges.

Caspa – Well Ard ft. The Others : If you real and you know it raise your fist. Put it down now, you real.

After you’re done checking this out, head over to SoundCloud and peep their latest release.

[Hip-Hop] Joey Purp – GIRLS @ (ft. Chance the Rapper)

Posted by Sara Natkins - May 23, 2016

Joey Purp
GIRLS @ Ft. Chance the Rapper

Soundcloud

Happy Monday ninjas! We’re sure many of you are still trying to get yourselves in gear for the start of a new week, but allow us to expedite that process for you with Joey Purp’s latest, “Girls @” which features the oh so familiar vocals of Chance The Rapper.

Before we dive into the nitty gritty of the tracks awesomeness, we must forewarn you that this one deserves some quality sound system love. But regardless of how good the speakers, “Girls @” is unarguably going to get your body grooving and your blood pumping.

Fostering an undeniably irresistible beat that seamlessly molds around the flow of Joey and Chances’ lyrics, this release is going to become your go-to “get into the party mood” jam. You’ll also probably find that “Girls @” is going to be your latest song addiction. In other words, it’s the track that is going to be put on repeat for 2 weeks straight while you insist that the driver must forfeit the aux cord for you because it is just that damn good.

Hip/Hop

Mix Fox – How We Roll Music Video [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Tyler Trew - May 21, 2016

On June 22nd, XXL magazine will be issuing a Freshman edition that is going to highlight some up and coming talent. One of those emcees that will be featured is Mix Fox. We have the pleasure of hosting Mix Fox’s newest project, an official music video for his single “How We Roll,” as a premiere in the dojo.

“How We Roll” has been released by Soundlink Records and is currently available on iTunes. With the song we get a shaded, minimalist beat whose vibe sets the tone for a low-key party track. Nothing is over-the-top with this tasteful instrumental, and Mix Fox’s rhymes are fast and ferocious. With the music video, instead of getting a first-person point of view, we follow the front of Mix Fox as he performs the song throughout a house party. It’s an interesting flip that makes for a cool visual counterpart. There’s also a guy in a banana costume following the rapper around with a boombox, so you know it’s good. Check it out below, and get ready for more work soon from Mix Fox.