Looking for some fresh hip-hop for those sweltering Summer days? Look no further. For best results, bump these at the beach or a barbecue, and if you’re in the car, keep the windows down and the volume up.
Another banger courtesy of the Black Hippy crew, “Illuminate” can be found on Control System, the new Ab-Soul album that dropped this month. Featuring the crucial K. Dot guest appearance, “Illuminate” feels like an instant classic, especially when that drum kicks in. 2012 is Black Hippy’s year, and so far, they haven’t disappointed.
I almost like the original better than the result. You gotta listen to them both.
Also, is Willie Evans Jr. a rapper I should have heard of? I kind of dig it.
To many hip-hop fans, even the die hard ones, Coolio is exclusively remembered for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” his 1995 smash hit that created some serious drama with Weird Al Yankovic. This song was obscenely popular, and because Coolio couldn’t duplicate its success, it’s easy to call him a one-hit wonder. However, “Too Hot,” a timeless cut from the Gangsta’s Paradise album, proves that there’s more to Coolio than meets the eye.
Danny Brown, AKA Pitchfork’s favorite rapper, continues to impress fans and critics alike. He’s a mysterious dude who kind of sounds like Pharoahe Monch, and apparently 50 Cent didn’t sign him simply because he looks goofy as fuck. Regardless, Brown continues to hold his own, and “Grown Up,” his latest offering, might be his best song yet.
This is what I’m vibin to right now. The sample was kind of hard to track down but I’m the guy that does the dirty work for y’all so check it:
Okaaaay so I haven’t been posting on here for a minute. But I’m back baby! And I got the perfect occasion for it too: a new Nas track. I’m not one to exaggerate but this shit is the best Nas track he’s released in a loong time. Check it.
A classic West Coast cut from Tha Dogg Pound, “Let’s Play House” pretty much gets everything right. Surprise interjections from Dre & Snoop? Check. Smooth verses from Kurupt & Daz? Check. A Nate Dogg hook? Of course. This shit makes me wish it was 1995 all over again.
Just found this gem and thought I’d share it with y’all. This video embodies hip-hop in its peak era, and it features many bonafide legends in their early days. Enjoy.
Fresh off his highly publicized $3,000,000 deal with Sony, A$AP Rocky is riding high. The pretty motherfucker has toured relentlessly in the past few months, and he’s set to release LongLiveA$AP, his first studio album, later this year. “Goldie,” the album’s first single, dropped earlier today. It slaps. His last mixtape set the bar high, but if “Goldie” is any indication, LongLiveA$AP could be even better. Album quality aside, it’s safe to say that Rocky has a long future of get-getting his dick licked ahead of him.