Latest Hip/Hop Posts

The Music Ninja Residency Mix 001: AObeats [TMN EXCLUSIVE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - June 2, 2015
themusicninja
The Music Ninja Residency Mix 001: AObeats
Soundcloud

As we wind down out of May and into June, we still have a few more treats from our spotlight on the musical collective that’s seemingly everywhere lately. Today’s content comes via Moving Castle member AObeats, who you’ve probably become accustomed to here on TMN.

This Massachussets-based musician is most known for his sublte fusion of future bass, trap, R&B, and Hip Hop. The beats are fresh and the lyrics are memorable, having previously remixed acts like Trey Songz, Lil Kim, Ashanti, and TLC.

TRACKLIST

AObeats – ???
Soysauce – Broken Record (ID Remix)
Dub Phizix – Bounce (Jinmenusagi Remix)
Gucci Mane – My Chain (AObeats & Brad Ford Flip)
J-Status – Roll feat. Rihanna & Shontelle
Oliver – Light Years Away vs. Trinidad James – All Gold Everything
Sophia Grace – Best Friends (Young Luxenberg Edit)
Twista – GIve it Up feat. Pharrell
Lorenzo x Kelis – Hooch
Catt Moop – Nova
Trey Songz – Slow Motion (AObeats Remix)
A-Trak feat. Andrew Wyatt – Push (E.A.S.Y Remix)
Migos – Bando (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)
AObeats – Miss U So Bad
Murphy – Headache
Annabel Jones – Magnetic (AObeats Remix)

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[NEW] Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment – Surf

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - May 29, 2015
Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment
Wanna Be Cool
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It’s here! After months’ worth of eager anticipation, Surf has finally arrived. Though initially advertised as a follow-up to Chance The Rapper‘s 2013 mixtape, Acid Rap, it was later revealed that Surf would be a new project led by Donnie Trumpet and his band The Social Experiment, with Chance playing more of a supporting role. Leading up to its release today, details were still pretty sparse, so it’s not surprising that the album was released without any fair warning, which seems to be a common trend these days. None of the features are listed on iTunes, but we promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the guests who appear throughout the record.

We’re still in the process of listening ourselves, so we haven’t had a chance to fully evaluate the project, but so far we’d say it’s lived up to the hype. Take a listen to one of the early tracks below, and make sure to head to iTunes to grab yourself a FREE copy.

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[Hip Hop] Azad Right – Mend My Heart (Freestyle)

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 28, 2015
Azad Right
Mend My Heart
Download

One of our favorite Los Angeles-based hip-hop acts somehow flew under our radar last month with a fresh new freestyle, courtesy of DJBooth.net, and it’s simply pure fire and finesse. We only wish we would have caught it earlier.

We had the opportunity to catch Azad Right and his freestyling abilities down in Austin during SXSW, and we have to admit we were pretty damn stoked to see something put on record. The backdrop is perfect for Right’s style, laid-back and nostalgic, providing the perfect accentuation to the casual, liquid flow we’ve come to know and love from this up and coming lyricist.

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[Hip-Hop] Daye Jack – Trapped In Love

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 28, 2015
Daye Jack
Trapped In Love
Soundcloud

At this point, it wouldn’t be fair to label Daye Jack simply a rapper. On his latest release, the multi-talented, Atlanta-bred artist shows once again that he’s an absolute creative force. “Trapped in Love” plays off the idea of the “trap,” normally used to refer to the inescapable cycle of drug-dealing for disadvantaged youth, applying the concept to a similarly constricting romance. The beat, crafted by Matthew Engst, combines 808-laden trap production with bouncy synths setting the tone for the simile. Meanwhile, Jack spits aggressive bars that reflect a trap delivery but, rather than speaking on hood experiences, recalls the feeling of getting caught up in love. Jack keeps the track dynamic and interesting through out alternating between a venomous, hard-hitting delivery and an airy crooning chorus. “Trapped in Love” truly pushes boundaries and will be featured on Jack’s forthcoming Soul Glitch, due out June 30th.

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[Hip-Hop] Main Attrakionz – Ain’t No Other Way

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 28, 2015
Main Attrakionz
Ain't No Other Way
Stream Only

Oakland duo Main Attrakionz blew up seemingly out of nowhere back in 2011 pioneering “Cloud Rap”–a unique brand of hip-hop that combines airy beats with equally weightless rap styles. Lyrically, it’s not what you’d categorize as verbose but it’s overwhelmingly positive, melodic and genuine making for a completely novel listening experience.

The sub-genre has had an enormous influence on rap music since that time with acts like A$AP Rocky, who was featured on their 808s & Dark Grapes II breakout mixtape, Danny Brown and Gucci Mane all taking notice of the alluring aesthetic. In fact, the track “Leaf,” a standout from Rocky’s debut mixtape, was originally featured on 808s & Dark Grapes II under the title “Take 1.” After releasing a solid debut album in 2012 with Bossalinis & Fooliyones, the rappers behind MA, Squadda B and Mondre M.A.N., have been relatively quiet honing their craft after a somewhat unexpected and hasty rise to notoriety.

After a lengthy hiatus as Main Attrakionz, during which time they continued releasing music under their Green Ova label, the duo returned last week with the first single, and accompanying visuals, for their upcoming project, 808s & Dark Grapes III. “Ain’t No Other Way” proves that Main Attrakionz have been hard at work perfecting their supremely ethereal sound. Among rappers, you’d be hard-pressed to find any as low-key, humble and unassuming, while simultaneously enormously influential, as Main Attrakionz. See for yourself in the Kreayshawn–directed video below and keep your eye out for 808s and Dark Grapes III due out June 30th.

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[Hip-Hop] Mick Jenkins – P’s & Q’s (prod. Kaytranada)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 28, 2015
MICK JENKINS
P's & Q's [Prod. by Kaytranada]
Soundcloud

Amidst an always overcrowded landscape of emcees, Mick Jenkins has consistently stood out as a messiah of sorts for the rap game. The Chicago emcee’s debut mixtape, The Water(s), was an incredibly cohesive and thoughtful piece of work that displayed a level of lyrical depth years beyond his peers. So, it’s little surprise that when he teams up with one of the most forward-thinking producers in the game, Kaytranada, the results are mind-blowing. Their last collab, “The Rain,” was one of the best hip-hop tracks of last year.

Yesterday, Jenkins presented his latest single “P’s & Q’s” continuing his evolution into a thought-leader to be reckoned with. Kaytranada crafts an instrumental that, although still maintains his future bounce style, is driven by a smooth looping guitar lick. As always, Jenkins sticks to his motifs spitting bars that play off the letters of the song’s title. It’s not just a gimmick, though, Mick truly ties the narrative together spewing knowledge about being genuine and true to yourself while engulfed by deterrents.

The accompanying visuals, directed by Nathan Smith, couldn’t be a better fit for the message of the song as Mick stays calm amidst a chaotic whirlwind that surrounds him. That sense of inner peace through disaster seems to be a theme found through out Jenkins music and we’d highly recommend dropping everything you’re doing to watch the moving video in fullscreen below. Jenkins follow-up to The Water(s) is coming sooner than you think and it’s definitely on the top of our list of hip-hop projects to look out for.

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[Hip-Hop] Two Fresh ft. Towkio & Joey Purp – Getting Throwed

Posted by Ivan Chung - May 21, 2015
TWO FRESH.
Gettin Throwed Ft. Towkio & Joey Purp
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Talk about a heavenly match. LA-based production duo Two Fresh just teamed up with Towkio and Joey Purp of SaveMoney crew for this fresh new hit “Getting Throwed”. It’s one of those tracks that’ll pump you up a few notches without getting overly excited. The totally smooth beat fuels the chill vibe that goes with the slurry verses, making this a perfect company for cruising in your car or a late night work grind. The keys fill in for the fresh melodies to add onto the downtempo approach of the track.

Released via Next Wave, “Getting Throwed” is added to the label’s diverse caliber. Make sure to grab this as a free download if you feel this tune!

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