Childish Gambino – Freaks and Geeks
“An elephant never forgets, so my dick remembers everything” This has got some really dirty lyrics, you wouldn’t think it looking at dude. I was impressed so I did my research: Childish Gambino is the rap ego of Donald Glover, who’s on the surprisingly funny show Community. A very talented cat indeed (he also produces the music himself), check out his blog for more of his stuff. Download link
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Throwback Thursday – The Notorious B.I.G. – Things Done Changed
“Because the streets is a short stop/Either you slingin crack rock or you got a wicked jumpshot” The raw opening track off Biggie’s debut album Ready to Die, an album that also carries his biggest hit Juicy. A serious track about the violence in the streets and the drug game, where guns rather than fists settle beef… Biggie laments “Back in the days, our parents used to take care of us/Look at em now, they even fuckin scared of us.” The wicked horns in beat comes from a sample of Main Ingredient’s Summer Breeze, a light and chill track flipped upside down into the compelling “Things Done Changed”. Download link
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Lloyd Banks feat. Jim Jones – Fly Like the Wind
I was never a huge Lloyd Banks fan, I have a hard time understanding his raspy voice. But he’s put up some big releases lately, and I’ve grown to appreciate his work. Jim Jones is probably my least favorite member of The Diplomats (aka Dipset) but he did just release a pretty cool version of La Roux’s In For the Kill. Plus this beat is coooolllddd…. download link
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The Knocks – Blackout (Xaphoon Jones remix)
Celebrating the post blackout attempts to put together the night… Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang fame does a great remix of The Knocks (who I imagine will blow up soon enough). Featuring bass that just roams and vocals you’re sure to sing along to.. Download link
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Freeway feat. Mac Miller – PA
Here’s a little consolation prize for Steelers fans…A dope string-laced track produced by Statik Selektah featuring Philly born Freeway (most famous beard in rap) and Pittsburgh native Mac Miller. Speaking of the Super Bowl, I honestly think Wayne’s release of Green and Yellow contributed to the Packers victory – y’know some of those players had to be blasting that joint in their headphones before the game. Either way, this track’s a reminder to stay reppin your spot. Download link
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Throwback Thursday – Gang Starr – Code of the Streets
“Cause in the life they’re living you can’t half step” I could do a whole month straight of throwbacks just using DJ Premier beats. Premier’s sound captures the essence of hip-hop unlike any other producer, past or present. These are simple, sample based beats devoid of added instrumentation yet exude a realness and an authenticity that a cat with a synthesizer could not hope to recreate. It’s the sound of rap, of raw reality. Guru, the rapper in the Gang Starr duo, passed from cancer early last year. Download link
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Killer Mike – Ready Set Go (Feat. T.I.)
Featuring a fire “Speaking in Tounges” type beat. Killer Mike is a slept on cat, he usually shows up with a dope verse and a slick flow (he outshines Jay-Z on “Flip Flop Rock”). This one dropped mid-way last year, but never really got much attention, per usual.
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Throwback Thursday – Black Rob – Whoa
Featuring one of the sickest string samples ever. Hip-hop often gets a lot of slack for sampling other music, but it’s not always as blatant as Puffy jacking Sting’s entire track. The sample in “Whoa” comes from David McWilliams – Days of Pearly Spencer (cue around 35 seconds)… now listen to that and tell me you could have flipped that in to Black Rob’s joint. That’s like whoa…
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