Evidence – Falling Down (Video)

Evidence & RSE put out a new set of visuals for the West Coast debut RSE album, Cats & Dogs.

Rick Ross, Wale & Meek Mill – Bag Of Money

The MMG (No not MelloMusic Group) train keeps on rolling. This time with a single that is due out on the labels Self Made Vol. 2. Also from what I'm hearing West Coast spitter Nipsey Hussle is expected to sign. Here's to hoping he gets a few tracks on SMVII.

MeLo-X: Drake & The Weeknd's Crew Love (live re-edit)

This is just pretty fucking amazing. MeLo-X drops a live performance, live rechops and editing of Drake and The Weeknd's Crew Love joint. Not much needs to be said, just watch the video and you'll see how crazy this is.

Frank Ocean - Voodoo (unfinished single)

This is some smooth ass shit right here from Frank Ocean. It's rather short and sort of ends abruptly, so I'm assuming it's unfinished. Either way Frank stays letting us know he's working.

Sample Flippage: Drake meets Jon B

This one isn't that unknown or rare. Just cool to hear. I've never really been that much of an Aubery fan. But this was one of the few songs I liked off his album. And being a huge Jon B fan growing up, it made it that much more memorable.

Chuuwee - Watching the Throne (video)

Chuuwee stays killing it. Make sure you grab Watching the Throne, now.

DJ Burn One - Where There's Smoke (Instrumentals)

So I was hoping for another instrumental project in the same vein as Ashtray, this isn't quite that....but beggers can't be choosers, this will suffice. Where There's Smoke is a compilation of various beats the AWESOME Burn One has done over the last year and some change for an array of artist. Stream and download below.



Download:Where there's Smoke

¡Mayday! - Death March

I'm still a bit on the fence with the Miami crew ¡Mayday!. But I'm not going to front this single Death March is pretty nice, and with them gearing up to release their Strange Music debut, I'm looking forward to checking it out.




also here goes the trailer for their Take Us to your Leader album with is due out March 27th.

Joe Budden - No Church in the Wild

Joey lets loose a banger over the Watch the Throne duo's cut, with the same title. This is dope.

Schoolboy Q - NigHtmare on Figg St. (video)

TDE rep, Schoolboy Q isn't allowing the dust to settle as he unleashes yet another video. This time for one of my favorite songs off his Habits & Contradiction album. 

Scolla ft. Phil Ade & Gerald Walker - The Jones

I'm not super familiar with Scolla, but I know the name. And I kinda feel like I may have been sleeping on Phil Ade. But I like Gerald Walker, so I peeped this joint. And HOT DAMN am I glad I did. I have a strange feeling this song will be getting a ton of rotation in the next few weeks...

DOWNLOAD: Scolla ft. Phil Ade & Gerald Walker - The Jones.mp3

Emilio Rojas - Breaking Point (Mixtape)

I been waiting on this one for a couple a months now... Finally Emilio drops off his latest effort via Billionaire Boys Club and DJ Green Lantern. This dude has been left off of XXL's Freshmen List every year, and it's pissed me off every year. He may or may not be signing/affiliated with Maybach Music. Whatever the case may be, this joint has no rap features, and Emilio is here to show and prove this time. Do not sleep on homie...

DOWNLOAD: Emilio Rojas - Breaking Point

The Ting Tings - Hang It Up

Say what you want to. I dont care. The Ting Tings are cool. And I dig this shit. The drums are like BOOM BOOM BOOM and shit. And that chick is british with her little british accent and whatnot. And then she's all like "mother fucker" and all that. And I mean she needs to get the hair out of her eyes and shit, but like, you can kinda tell that shes kinda cute and shit, and with the little shorts and shit. You know. And dont call her Stacy cause thats not her name. But word. Their album Sounds From Nowheresville, will be out in February and shit. At least internationally. Who knows about the U.S. No one really cares about us anyway.

DOWNLOAD: The Ting Tings - Hang It Up.mp3

Stalley - City Of 30,000 Wolves x Harsh Ave

Stalley just started up a new "series" entitled, Songs By Me, Stalley, yesterday in which he will be dropping a new joint every day for the next who-knows-how-many days. All of this is promotion for his upcoming Savage Journey To The American Dream project. I dont know that I'll be posting up his new song every day, but at least every few, I'll drop off whatever hasnt been put up yet. (If you wanna follow daily, just hit Stalley's Soundcloud.) Today is day 2, so below you will find two freeverses by Stalley. One of which features DJ Khaled shouting? I just never though I'd hear Khaled shouting out "BLUE COLLAR GANG! OHIO!" haha. And Harsh Ave features production by Ski Beatz.

Stalley ft. DJ Khaled - City Of 30,000 Wolves


Stalley - Harsh Ave (prod. by Ski Beatz)

Mr. SOS - Hallways & Doorways

Cool new joint from QN5's Mr. SOS. (Substantial just confirmed that SOS is no longer with QN5, which is kinda what I thought since his last album dropped without any push from QN5.) Production is by Abeo Rzo, and this track will be featured on SOS's upcoming album, Trains Never Get Sidetracked.

ASAP Rocky - Wassup (Video)

Scarface ASAP Rocky drops off the latest set of visuals from his awesome mixtape, LiveLoveASAP, which dropped late last year. Drink it up.

Action Bronson & Statik Selektah - Strictly Business (Part 1 & 2)

Bronson goes in over one of my favorite Boyz II Men joints. Statik makes it happen. The upcoming project is, New Jack City: Chopped & Screwed.

DOWNLOAD: Action Bronson - Strictly Business Part 1 & 2.mp3

Chip Tha Ripper - Tell Ya Friends (Mixtape)

Ohio's own Chip tha Ripper lets go of a new jawn. Tell your friends...

DOWNLOAD: Chip Tha Ripper - Tell Ya Friends

Logic - Young Sinatra III (Video)

The man responsible for one of my Honorable Mentions of 2011 drops off some brand new visuals. If you havent heard his latest tape, Young Sinatra, give it a listen here.

Saigon - Warning Shots 3 (Mixtape)

New Saigiddy. I'm just saying, I like Saigon, but last years album was just ok. I've only listened to "Women Are The New Dogs" from this tape, and I didnt care for it. But I'm still willing to give the full project a listen. I mean, he did put out "Purple," among many others. So we know he's capable of making dope music...

DOWNLOAD: Saigon - Warning Shots 3

• 1.Intro ft. Just Blaze
• 2.BBB (Real Niggas Never Die)
• 3.I Am 4 Real
• 4.Hungry
• 5.Yeah Yeah
• 6.Bring Me Down Pt.3 feat. Joe Budden
• 7.Say Yes
• 8.Come Again 2012
• 9.Women Are The New Dogs feat. Jovan Dais
• 10.Kinky
• 11.When Did U Get Hot
• 12.Moscato Flow Skit
• 13.Cutdabullshit, Cutdabullshit
• 14.Another Man Down feat. Lil Fame
• 15.WFKR Talk Radio Skit
• 16.War And Chaos
• 17.Where To Find Me Ft. Quan
• 18.Learning As We Go Along feat. Rough
• 19.Mr. Cool (That Ain't Cool)
  

Schoolboy Q - Hands on the Wheel Ft A$AP Rocky (Video)

The TDE spitter Schoolboy Q keeps the train rolling and unleashes some visuals to just one of the MANY awesome songs off of his Habits & Contradiction. If you haven't checked that out yet, your slacking. Get on that shit.

Chuuwee & Sundown – The Millennium Falcon ep.1 (Mixtape)

Chuuwee & Sundown, the emcee/producer of Actual Proof link up to deliver us this free mixtape. When is Chuuwee not working?


Download: The Millennium Falcon ep.1

K'Naan ft. Nas - Nothing To Lose

Remember when I told you K'Naan was in the studio working on a new album? Well, that new album (or actually EP) will be dropping digitally next tuesday, Jan. 24th, and is entitled, More Beautiful Than Silence. It's a 5 track EP, featuring Nas and Nelly Furtado. I dont know if there is a full length coming after? But the banner at his website, while advertising this upcoming EP, still also says, "IN THE STUDIO NOW!" leading me to believe that there is more on the way. But anyways, check out the first single below, featuring Nas. I kinda love it, and then the chorus comes in, and I'm not so sure how I feel, but then the chorus ends and I love it again. It is what it is...

DOWNLOAD: K'naan ft. Nas - Nothing To Lose.mp3


More Beautiful Than Silence track list:
1. Is Anybody Out There (ft. Nelly Furtado)
2. Nothing to Lose (ft. Nas)
3. More Beautiful Than Silence
4. Better
5. Coming To America

Heems (of Das Racist) - Nehru Jackets (Mixtape)

1/3rd of Das Racist drops off a brand new collection of music. If you're a fan of Das Racist (or not), I'm told this is great. I havent listened to it yet, as I am currently catching up on some Stand Up Comedy on Spotify, but I plan to listen too. So yeah. DOWNLOAD IT. Oh, this shit features Action Bronson, Childish Gambino, Despot, Fat Tony, Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, etc. Umm... Hang on and let me upload this to hulkshare, since it was upped to MegaUpload, which is down...

DOWNLOAD: Heems - Nehru Jackets

1. Thug Handles
2. Bad, Bad, Bad
3. Alien Gonzalez
4. Nehru Jackets Interlude
5. Choorhay Lare f. Lovedeep Singh & Pawan
6. SWATE
7. NYC Cops
8. You Have to Ride the Wave f. Danny Brown & Mr. Muthafuckin Exquire
9. Mike Finito Raps Too
10. Womyn
11. Bangles f. Fat Tony & Big Baby Gandhi
12. Ravi Shankar PSA
13. It’s The Drug I’m Needing
14. Coca Cola Freestyle
15 Chakklo f. Ravi EAH Singh & Lovedeep Singh
16. Jason Bourne
17. Desi Shoegaze Taiko
18. I Want It Bad (Liquid Heart)
19. Juveniles Detained At Guantanamo Bay
20. Kate Boosh f. Despot & Kool AD
21. What Do I Do When I’m Alone
22. Computers
23. Yo What’s Good New York f. Action Bronson, Lakutis & Kool AD
24. Womyn 2
25. Tu Nach f. Duggla Don

8Ball & MJG ft. Big K.R.I.T. - We Buy Gold

8Ball and MJG are two of the illest. And Krit can do no wrong. This song is awesome. It will be featured on 8Ball's upcoming tape, Premro. And Krit's new tape entitled, 4evaNaDay, is slated for February 20th. Lets hope it stays there... Cause this shit is crazy dope...



DOWNLOAD: 8Ball & MJG ft. Big K.R.I.T. - We Buy Gold.mp3

Blue Sky Black Death - 13

Young God of Blue Sky Black Death put this little ambient diddly out today. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Grip Plyaz - Died (in yo pussy)

Grip Plyaz lets loose his first single from Purp, Wind, & Fire. This shit is dope haha.

Bodega Bamz – 100 Keeps It f. Smoke DZA & Willie The Kid

Not quite sure exactly who Bodega Bamz are. But if this heater is a sign of what they plan on doing on their upcoming Sidewalk Exec EP then count me in. This single features some well knowns in Smoke Dza & Willie the Kid...it's a heater.

Sean Born - Bullshit (Ft Hasaan Mackey) Prod Kev Brown

Mello Music Group is already engaged in trying to repeat their success from 2011. First on deck is, Sean Born's Behind the Scale which is due out Feb 7th. Feel free to pre order it here. For now, you can also get geeked up for its release by checking out the first single that features, Hasaan Mackey and is produced by Kev Brown.

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Seeds (Prod Madlib)

So the psyche-soul songstress Georgia Anne Muldrow has linked up with super producer & Ox native, Madlib, for not only this new single, but an entire album that will be fully produced by Lord Quas himself. It marks the first time that Mrs. Muldrow will collaborate with any producer other than her long time partner, Duddley Perkins & the first time LIB will work with a female vocalist for the entirety of a project. The record, also titled Seeds is due out March 27th & I'm fucking excited. For now you can pick up this single to hold you over.

Ab-Soul - Black Lip Bastard

Top Dawg's Under Dog drops off a new joint today... I swear it's like TDE has a cycle down. Every time one member drops an album, the next member starts dropping songs for his upcoming joint. Anyways, Ab-Soul is easily the most slept on member of Top Dawg, even though his last album, Longterm Mentality is crazy dope.. So as he prepares for another album, quit sleeping and get on the bandwagon now...

DOWNLOAD: Ab-Soul - Black Lip Bastard.mp3

1982 (Termanology & Statik Selektah) - Rap & Bitches

Term takes a line from Drake's "Under Ground Kings" (see how the picture all connects?), and Statik turns it into a beat... Shit's dope though. Two of my favorite things too...

DOWNLOAD: 1982 - Rap & Bitches.mp3

BJ The Chicago Kid ft. Kendrick Lamar - His Pain

Doooooope smooth new joint from BJ and Kendrick. BJ's upcoming album, Pineapple Now-N-Laters, is coming soon. I'm super excited for it too. BJ is quickly becoming one of my favorite new singers... Him, Jhene Aiko, and Jesse Boykins III. Word...

DOWNLOAD: BJ The Chicago Kid ft. Kendrick Lamar - His Pain.mp3

Schoolboy Q ft. Dom Kennedy & Curren$y - Grooveline Pt. 1 (Cookin' Soul Remix)

If you havent heard Q's new album, you need to get on that immediately. Definitely some dope shit on there. In other news, Cookin Soul just recently grabbed this smooth laid back joint by Q, Dom and Spitta, and simply added some drums. It's a small touch up, but it turns this into one of my favorite songs on the album...

DOWNLOAD: SchoolBoy Q ft. Dom Kennedy & Curren$y - Grooveline (Cookin Soul Remix).mp3

Lee Bannon - Nightshift (Video)

Lee Bannon Remixes The Weeknd (Live) from Erick Lee on Vimeo.

Lee Bannon has most definitely become one of my favorite producers over the last year and some change... Here goes some visuals of the Sac Town producer's live preformance of Nightshift which is on his Gnarlon Bando’s Midnight Noir tape.

MadGibbs (Freddie Gibbs & Madlib) – Thuggin’ (Video)

Gibbs been putting in work out here in So Cal for a minute, he's basically honorary rep now...and in doing so, has enabled him to link up with OX native, Madlib to do an EP entitled Thuggin'. Here goes the first set of visuals from that, same titled, EP.

Schoolboy Q - Habits & Contradiction (album)

This is already shaping up to be a really good weekend. First we get that Nacho joint. Now I wake up to Schoolboy Q's Habits & Contradictions to cure my hangover. It features The Alchemist, Curren$y, Dom Kennedy, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar & more. Make sure you pick this up.






Purchase: Habits & Contradictions

Flatbush Zombies - Thug Waffle

Discuss.

DOWNLOAD: Flatbush Zombies - Thug Waffle.mp3

Nacho Picasso & BlueSkyBlackDeath - Lord of the Fly (Album)

The dude's that brought you one of my favorite albums from last year are back. Seattle's Nacho Picasso and Blue Sky Black Death released For the Glory last year pretty much out of nowhere, and it took a lot of people by surprise and how ill it was. If it ain't broke why fix it? The production duo of Young God & Kingston link up with Nacho yet again to release Lord of the Fly , a 13 track end to end burner. Grab this folks!



Download: Hulkshare | Bandcamp

and because it wouldn't be right if these guys didn't release this with a video....here goes the first of many.

MED - War & Love (Ft Ohno & Prod by Alchemist)

Some new visuals from MED's Classic album. This has him teaming up with the Gangrene duo.

Rza - Shock Me

Missing that old school Bobby Digital? Me too. Fortunately someone unearthed this gem.

Ronvé - He Speaks So Well (Album)

Here goes one of those times when I come across something dope really late. This time it comes in the form on an emcee/producer from Georgia ,by way of Queens, Ronvé. I don't have much info other than that...but this record is worth the listen, there's quite a few joints on this. Plus it's free.

Hodgy Beats - BLKN (Prod. Thelonious Martin)

Maybe it's just me, but as of late it has seemed that the OFWKGTA wave has gone somewhat stagnant. I've been on board with saying that Hodgey Beats (aside from EARL) was the most easily accessible and most improved emcee out the camp. This laid back stoner anthem proves just that. This joint is produced by Thelonious Martin. If you haven't had time to check him out, do so immediately.

Brother Ali - Sweet (Potato Pie)

Keeping the RSE train rolling, Brother Ali is currently in full album preparation mode. He just unleashed this track over Common's Sweet joint. This is a pretty witty way to break down the ABSOLUTELY CORNY beef between two of Hip Hop's downy soft rappers.

I Self Devine - Sweat Equity (Video)

I Self Devine and RSE release some visuals to Sweat Equity one of the many bangers off of LA State of Mind.

Uh Oh - Lost In My Own Mind (Beat Tape)

The homie Uh Oh drops off a brand new collection of 15 instrumental joints for your listening pleasure. Or your aspiring rapping careers. Download with the link here, since his bandcamp downloads are all used up. But you can still stream it on bandcamp if you wanna listen before you download.

DOWNLOAD: Uh Oh - Lost In My Own Mind

Jay-Z - Glory

As Jay & Beyonce welcome their new baby girl into the world, Jay drops off some thoughts and feelings over Neptunes production.

DOWNLOAD: Jay-Z - Glory.mp3

Eliza Doolittle - The Morning (The Weeknd Cover)

So, if youre not familiar with Eliza Doolittle...Well, actually, youre probably in the majority. She's a British singer, who debuted a couple songs over here in the states during the past few years. And despite them being pretty good, none of them really caught on much. But she's started getting some press again recently due to this little ditty up top. She covers one of The Weeknd's House Of Balloons joints. And I can dig it...

Chuuwee & Sundown – Carbonite f. Drique London & Carbin

Sacramento's own, Chuuwee teams up with Sundown of Actual Proof for a joint tape, due out January 21st. Here goes the first single.

Apollo Brown & OC Announce Mello Music Album

I rarely post news on here unless its accompanied by some sort of track or dope promo video. But in this case, the news got my pumped enough to feel it needed its own post. Mello Music dominated 2011...looks like they're attempting a repeat.

Apollo Brown has been locked away the last 6 months working on an amazing emcee/producer collaboration with the legendary OC. After trips back and forth between Detroit and NY, the album is in the final stages of mastering. Being that they're friends and each a big fan of the other, the album was fluid in the making. The project was conceptualized in New York and then completely recorded in Detroit. The duo decided to keep the album pure Apollo & OC with no features at all. Each of the 16 songs have a different concept and feel with an overall sound that is straight to the point Hip-Hop, no gimmicks. Trophies will be released on Mello Music Group March 27th.

Sample Flippage: Qwel & Maker meets Little Ben & The Cheers

I got this awesome LP in the mail the other day. Numero Group Presents: Eccentric Soul: The Nickel & Penny Labels and a tune by Little Ben & The Cheers caught my attention. It's been sampled by Maker and spat upon by Qwel of Galapagos4 fame. Check it out.






Support both Artist:
Numero Group: Eccentric Soul: The Nickel & Penny Labels| Qwel & Maker - So Be It

I Self Devine - LA State of Mind (mixtape) +news

Rhymesayers Entertainment is proud to announce the release of I Self Devine's second official studio album The Sounds Of Low Class America due May 8th, 2012. The album paints a narrative of those who carry the nation on their shoulders every day and the struggles they endure.

The release will be prefaced by I Self's Culture Series, four free digital mixtapes, that drop each month from January through April. To celebrate each release, I Self Devine will perform each mixtape live, front to back at First Avenue's 7th Street Entry with a collection of special guests from around the Twin Cities.

The first mix in the series, LA State Of Mind drops this Thursday and each subsequent mix will be available on the first Thursday of each month. The fourth and final mix will be available for free download exclusively from Fifth Element with the pre-order of The Sounds Of Low Class America.

Well over six years ago, Minnesota's (a Left Coast Transplant) I Self Devine released his debut solo album, Self Destruction. The album was heavily underrated and under appreciated. The Micranauts emcee had delivered an album that was outstanding and somehow it had went under the radar. Since then he's divided his time between activism, community empowerment, & popping up on guest spots sporadically. When the news reached me that, not only would he be releasing another solo album, but he'd be promoting it by releasing FOUR mixtapes leading up to its release, I was ecstatic. The first mixtape is titled LA State of Mind, a nod to the fact that ISD was born and raised here in So Cal. Now having had the time to spin the record front to back a few times, I'm blown away by it. For one, the "mixtape" is absolutely amazing from the outset. Then there's the fact that this is only the beginning. This is barely scratching the surface of what RSE and ISD have in store. This is tape one of FOUR. And all of those are comprised of songs that DIDN'T make the cut for the album. Yes folk, 2012 has started off RIGHT.





Download: LA State of Mind

Rick Ross - Rich Forever (Mixtape)

New tape from Rozay. Because God Forgives, I Don't got pushed back and shit. You know the drill. ROZAY.

DOWNLOAD: Rick Ross - Rich Forever

1. Holy Ghost feat. Diddy
2. High Definition
3. MMG Untouchable
4. Yella Diamonds
5. Fuck Em feat. 2 Chainz & Wale
6. London Skit
7. Rich Forever feat. John Legend
8. Triple Beam Dreams feat. Nas
9. Mine Games feat. Kelly Rowland
10. New Bugatti feat. Diddy
11. Keys To The Crib feat. Styles P
12. Last Breath feat. Meek Mill & Birdman
13. I Sweat To God
14. Off The Boat feat. French Montana
15. King Of Diamonds
16. Ring Ring feat. Future
17. MMG The World Is Ours feat. Pharrell, Meek Mill & Stalley
18. Party Heart feat. Stalley & 2 Chainz
19. Stay Schemin feat. Drake & French Montana

Phonte - Dance In The Reign (Video)

Here goes a video from an album that I actually loved from front to back. Go get it. Charity Starts At Home. Phontigallo.

Mac Miller - Of The Soul (Video)

Mac Miller lets go of some smooth new visuals for one of the good songs off his debut album, Blue Slide Park. If you havent heard the album yet, listen to like half of it. That half is good. Dont listen to the other half. Blue Slide Park would have been a great EP.

Brother Ali - Writer's Block (prod. by Jake One)

New visuals and audio (below) for the new Jake One produced single, by everyone's favorite albino rapper (sorry Krondon). Mourning In America & Dreaming In Color is coming soon...

DOWNLOAD: Brother Ali - Writer's Block

MellowHype - 45

New joint that Hodgy let off today on tumblr. Who knows whether this will be on Numbers or not. But they say Numbers is coming early 2012... Here's to hoping...

DOWNLOAD: Mellowhype - 45.mp3

The Milk Crate Presents: The Dead Poet's Top Albums Of 2011

It's been an extremely busy year for me, one that has made me feel like a dude is getting too old for this shit...haha. I remember Kannon and I were trying to put one of these list together last year and I believe the year before. Both times, they for whatever reason didn't get finished. But I remember thinking that their wasn't really that many albums in those years, that I felt were going to be favorites of mine years down the Road. I really feel like this year was one of the better years in hip hop that I can remember. Some of the albums in the back of my list will probably surpass the others over time. It was a crazy year of really good project, and honestly there is still a lot that I haven't heard yet from 2011. So if there's something that wasn't on here that you feel I should've showed love to, feel free to let me know. But Remember bitches...this is my opinion. I don't want anyone emailing me some cry baby bullshit. Man up. Ok here we go.

20. Pharoahe Monch - W.A.R. (We Are Renegades): Pharoahe is one of those rare artist that can, seemingly, do no wrong. Everyone of his solo releases has been an end to end burner, thats a statement that I'll stand behind any day. W.A.R. was no exception, Pharoahe has a formula that works and he held to it.

19. Rittz - White Jesus: I find myself gravitating to anything DJ Burn One puts his stamp on. The guy's got an ear for talent that has yet to fail me. With that said, this time he came through with flying colors. Rittz, the yelawolf & burn one protege, pretty much came out of no where to deliver a rapid fire trunk rattling album. It comes off like a Dungeon Family meets 98 Three Six Mafia record, and I loved it.



18. Qwazaar & Batsauce - Bat Meets Blaine: If you've followed the Chicago Underground scene and/or Galapagos4, you for sure know of Qwazaar. If you haven't then, your doing yourself a huge disservice. Qwa is as well rounded as your going to get. Blessed with one of the best deliveries your ever going to hear, he effortlessly breezes over the boom bapish drum programming that Batsauce provides on; Bat Meets Blaine. This was the Duo's second release in 2011 and they came out about two months apart. Both projects were excellent, with this LP being the better of the two. Bat Meets Blaine to me was a great return to the sound that Qwazaar's group, Typical Cats left off with back with their first release in 2001.



17. Casual -The Hierophant: Casual's Hierophant kind of came out of no where for me. I've been a huge Casual fan over the years...but as time keeps spinning, you eventually stop checking for certain artist. Then Bam I get this in my inbox, and was pleasantly surprised at how well put together this album is (aside from the lol cover). Production and Emceeing was all on par with the old school hiero imperium sound that got me to purchase everything they released back in the day.



16. Kendrick Lamar - Section 80: I'm sure some will be tempted to throw out my entire list, with this placement, but fuck you it's my list. I've sort of always been on the fence with Kendrick Lamar. In one instance he'll do something incredible, then in another, he'll over stretch his boundaries in attempt to be different and it'll come off like an epic failure. In the case of this record, it is for sure my favorite album from him, and may have been liked a lot more, if he hadn't leaked the bulk of the heaters months prior to its release.

15. Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day in Hell: Gibbs is one consistent mother fucker. He also understands how to generate just the right amount of buzz for his record with out releasing all the highlight songs before his projects come out. In all honesty, leading up to the release of Cold Day in Hell, I had reached the point that I really wasn't looking forward to this record. The few songs that he had put out leading up to it, just weren't attention grabbing to me. I had all but accepted that his signing with Jeezyy would hurt his sound. I was thankfully way off in that assessment. Cold Day in Hell has it all, much like all of Gibbs projects.



14. Danny Brown - XXX: Off an initial listen, your probably going to either despise or swear by Danny Brown. I really haven't met anyone that has been luke warm with their opinion of the Motown spitter. So goes the story of win I first put on his "30" record from his XXX tape. The track knocked me on my ass. Prior to it, I really had been sleeping on Danny. Delving into the tape, I quickly found a unpolished/raw sound that seemingly had no father to the style.



13. Blu & Exile – Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them: Had this came out a bit earlier, I'd more than likely had placed it in a way better position. Truth be told, I was honestly expecting to hate this record. Blu has probably pissed me off more than any emcee in the last few years. He's shown that he's got the ability to be one of my favorite emcees, but then decided to take his sound in to directions that induce cringe heavy reactions. I'd all but given up on him when, he decided to let loose this, Exile produced record. It was originally recorded in 2009 and for whatever reason stayed in the vaults till now. The album is pretty remarkable. Exile and Blu have proven yet again that they are a duo that compliments each other perfectly.

12. DJ Quik - The Book of David: Book of David came out at about just the right time out here in So Cal. The weather was warm with just the right amount of ocean breeze, to make for optimal ride around conditions. All that was needed was a sound track to roll the windows down and just cruise around. DJ Quik has been one of the most underrated artist for the better part of 15 years. He just outright makes great records. The Book of David didn't deviate from what we've come to expect from a DJ Quik record...and it works, as usual.



11. Timbo King - From Babylon To T1mbuk2: Timbo's a throw back to what we all loved from the late 90's Wu Affiliate movement. Him and Hell Razah have always stayed on point and taken pride in everything that they've been apart of. So it should've been no surprise at how well this record was put together. Push play and your instantly back in 1998, a time for me that was at the apex of the Wu Affiliates putting in work.

10. Nacho Picasso - For the Glory: From out of no where came, Nacho Picasso's For the Glory. The bulk of the production was handled by Blue Sky Black Death, which most likely is what drew everyone into the record. But by the time the first track was finished, your left feeling like Nacho's wit, humor, and pen skills is equal to the stellar production. They also decided to do a video for pretty much every song, which added to the hype train. Honestly the hype this was getting was just. The album is pretty fucking awesome.



9. Curren$y & Alchemist - Covert Coup: I'm sure I wasn't the only one that scratched his head, when hearing that these two were gearing up to release a project together. I'm a fan of both, but bringing them together just seemed like a strange combination that hand the capability of being a huge fail. It never felt so good to be wrong. The two hit the ground running as soon as play was pushed and didn't let up to the last kick hit.

8. MakeShift - King Choosey: I had no clue who Makeshift was prior to hearing this album. He handled the bulk of the production by himself, which made for a really cohesive feel to the record. There were a couple over used samples that he flipped, but despite of that, this album was one of the most enjoyable projects that I've heard this past year. It had the feel of an early 90's west coast underground. Which goes to show why I personally enjoyed it so much. Be sure to check it out.



7. Black Milk & Danny Brown - Black and Brown: Again Danny Brown isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, But this is probably the most easily accessible he'll get. Black Milk crafted some dirty heat all over this album. Him and Danny Brown went in on everything they spit on. Some were complaining about how short the project was, I for one, felt it help compliment the record. Either way, to me, this was one of the best projects that was released this past year. It also points to the fact that Danny Brown is the emcee of the year. No one came close to putting in the work he did.



6. DTMD - Makin' Dollas: Right off the bat, I felt this would go down as my favorite album of the
year. It got played a slight bit less over the last month, which is the reason it didn't go down as that best record of the year for me. However, that's not to take anything away from it. The Maryland duo's sound is reminiscent of those good ole' slum village days from 2000. Which at times seems like way more than 12 years ago.



5. Killer Mike - PL3DGE: This release hit like a ton of bricks. Killer Mike has quietly been putting out awesome projects consistently for a long time. That trend not only continued, but he took it to another level with the release of The PL3DGE. The versatility of Mike Biga is what shined through with this project. And with him & El-P linking up to drop a full length in 2012, you can probably pen in Killer Mike to be in the Top 5 again next year.



4. Asap Rocky - LiveLoveAsap: The kid came from no where. He had a couple joints blow the fuck up the second they were released. The crazy thing is, that prior to Pesso's, Purple Swag, & Wassup very very few heads could say they knew that ASAP Rocky was in fact NOT Aesop Rock. The meteoric rise that this kid experienced was pretty amazing. I feel like it was even more incredible than the offwgkta movement, that seems to have finally died down. He had a lot of hype and a lot of pressure that no one could have blamed the kid if he had dropped a dud. But he took that pressure in stride and released one of the best albums of the year. 2012 should be a huge year for Asap Rocky.



3. KD - G Fluid: The homie Blast from SteadyBloggin' put me on to KD. The bulk of the production was handled by DJ Burn One. This record has easily got the most spins from me out of any album on this list. The country blues/soul feel on production is stellar. KD ties everything together and point blank created an incredible album. I look forward to hearing what he comes up with in the following year.



2. Big K.R.I.T. - ReturnOf4Eva: K.R.I.T.'s ability to create an album is something to marvel at. From top to bottom he is bogged down with the full workload and has yet to fumble. Take a moment to ponder that............The fucking kid produces everything, then comes up with those catchy hooks and verses. ReturnOf4Eva is a work of art. Soulful dirty south chops, interweaved with 808 kicks and snares, all over deep and dirty bass lines that often knock the books off my shelves. You'd be hard pressed finding a song you didn't enjoy on this. The first time I spun the record from back to back, there was a few songs that I liked a little less than the rest. I recently put the record back in rotation and find myself loving those "lesser tracks" now a lot more than the other ones. Its just one of those albums that you'll be able to cruise to ten years from now. I am very confident that this is going to be this generations ATLiens. Take that shit to the bank suckas.



1. Hassaan Mackey & Apollo Brown - Daily Bread: Before this came out, I was relatively unfamiliar with Hassaan Mackey. I gained interest in the project by being a huge Apollo Brown fan. I wasn't really expecting anything. Maybe a few bangers. Maybe a few duds. Maybe some cool features. I would've been happy with that. You push play on this, and your going to be blown away at how effortlessly the sound takes you back to the 90's. From the mpc swing like feel on the drums and chops to the laid back, yet gutter delivery that Hassaan is utilizing. To me this record is perfect. Not a song that I can't sit through and not a beat I wish went to a different emcee.



Honorable Mentions:

2chainz - TRUe REALigion
Action Bronson - Dr. Lecter
Marq Spekt & Kno - Machete Vision
Evidence - Cats and Dogs
Malcolm & Martin - Life doesn't frighten me
Chuuwee - Watching the Throne
Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire - Lost in Translation
A.Dd+ - WHEN PIGS FLY
Chuuwee x Jonathan Lowell - Be Cool
Open Mike Eagle - Rappers will Die of Natural Causes
Focus - Music of the Misinterpreted
Fabulous - The Soul Tape
CunninLynguists - Oneirology
Edo G - A Face In The Crowd
Hail Mary Mallon - Are You Gonna Eat That?




Non-Hip Hop:

Fathers Children - Who's Gonna Save The World
The Weeknd - House of Balloons, Thursday, Echoes of Silence
Willie Wright: Telling The Truth
Frank Ocean - Nostalgia Ultra
Eccentric Soul: The Nickel & Penny Labels
Stone Coal White: S/T
Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio
Blood Orange - Coastal Grooves
The Dream - 1977


Instrumental Projects:

40 Winks - It's The Trip
Dirty Art Club - Heavy Starch
Apollo Brown - Clouds
Lee Bannon - BTB2 Circus Cuts Deluxe
Ricky Eat Acid - Haunt U Forever
Trebles and Blues - The Blue Note

The Milk Crate Presents: Kannon's Top Albums Of 2011

Another year gone by, another chance to celebrate the music that we've enjoyed. The format is simple: The Dead Poet and I will be posting our favorite 20 hip hop albums of the year 2011, in order, from #20 to #1. Told you it was simple. Poet wrote a bunch of stuff, and I didnt, so I'm gonna do some quick 1-2 sentence breakdowns while I write these out... Also, wtf @ the last 2 months spawning soooo much dope music? Anyways... Nick Jones has opinions, and these are them...

20. J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story
While not a bad album, I was in the majority of Cole fans who found this album to just be lacking a little bit in comparison to his past work. That joint with Missy was dope as shit though...

19. Jay Rock - Follow Me Home
This album has bounced around from like #14, to off my list entirely. But all in all, I couldnt bring myself to leave it off the list. What I liked about this album the most was it's diversity. It had some classic West Coast sounding joints, some soulful jazzy type shit, and even a radio friendly pop song with Chris Brown. Plus, "Hood Gone Love It" was my summer anthem this year...

18. Black Milk & Danny Brown - Black & Brown
This one took me some time to warm up to, but I cant deny that its a great body of work. Danny Brown in general has taken some warming up to, but if he can manage to continue making the type of music he created with Black Milk, I'll keep listening...

17. Curren$y & Alchemist - Covert Coup
I've been a huge Spitta fan for quite a while now, but once Pilot Talk 2 dropped I kinda started to lose interest. But Spitta linked up with Alchemist to produce that perfect sound for him. This is easily in my top 3 Curren$y projects ever...

16. Ab-Soul - Longterm Mentality
Honestly, I slept on Ab for a while. He just doesnt seem to outshine any of his Black Hippy brethren on their songs, and as a result has garnered the least amount of interest. But there's something about letting him just go off on a beat by himself for 3-4 minutes that seems to bring out the best in him. This album came out back in like April or something, and it took me until November to listen to it, but it was easily my sleeper of the year.

15. Dom Kennedy - From The West Side With Love Vol. 2
This album just has that feel good, chillin, party, barbecuing vibe to it from front to back. I had always liked Dom, but this was the first time I listened to an album of his, and then couldnt stop listening to it for like a month straight...

14. Pharoahe Monch - W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)
There is just something about these soulful beats and that flow of his that make me happy for the world of hip hop. Everything from reflective joints, political joints, to lyrical karate with Jean Grae and Royce Da 5'9"... This album is just awesome. Monch is just awesome.

13. CunninLynguists - Oneirology
CunninLynguists might just be one of the most consistent groups ever. I'm not convinced that theyve ever put out a bad album, and this one is no exception. And the acoustic version of "Looking Back"? SON. It still gives me chills. So good.

12. Asher Roth - Pabst & Jazz
Asher usually seems to be hit or miss with me. I absolutely hated that joint he released this year with Akon. But when "More Cowbell" came out, I'm pretty sure I played it 35 times a day, for a few weeks straight. Fortunately for Asher, he's dropped the label, and dropped a project that was "hit" all the way through.

11. Action Bronson & Statik Selektah - Well Done
I was late to the Action Bronson party. The first time I saw his name, it was in an article comparing him to Ghostface Killah, and from that moment, I couldnt get past the comparison. I grabbed the Well Done project with every intention to get around to it "eventually." Once I did, I played it 3 times all the way through. I was blown away by how dope it was. "Rainmaker" is my jammy jam...

10. ASAP Rocky - LiveLoveASAP
I'm actually listening to this right now, while I write these. Rocky was another one that took me a minute to get in to. I wanted to hate "Purple Swag" so much. But I was fortunate to come to terms with my interest in him the week before this project dropped, and I was glad I did. His style is crazy dope, and fresh. It's the perfect mesh of East Coast flow with Southern tendencies...

09. David Dallas - The Rose Tint
The newest signee to Duck Down records, David Dallas' American debut is dope as shit. His joint with Freddie Gibbs pulled me in, and that "Life Is..." joint sealed the deal. Crazy good album from front to back. Oh, and he's from New Zealand... I still dont know if thats helps or hinders...

08. The Roots - Undun
The Roots are my favorite hip hop act ever. Period. And this album is just more of a reason why. They so seamlessly weave through genres and styles within the same songs. And Dice Raw just might be one of the most slept on emcees in the game. My only complaint about this album was that it was a little short...

07. Big K.R.I.T. - Return Of 4eva
For some reason I keep forgetting how incredible this album is. I'm convinced that if Krit were around 8-9 years ago, he would have been in Dungeon Fam, and he would have been the biggest artist in the world. I'm thrilled to see him getting so much recognition amongst his peers, and can only hope the rest of the world gets familiar quickly.

06. Stalley - Lincoln Way Nights
This album came out in January, and still has just as much replay value to me as it did the day it came out. This is the only album I've ever heard where my favorite song changed every time I listened to it. From that "Assassin" joint, to "Monkey Ish," to "Sound of Silence." Stalley's whole style is cool. I'm excited to see more of him now that MMG picked him up...

05. Fly.Union - The Greater Than Club
Iye and Swiffa have produced some of my favorite beats this year on this album. And I dont mean to take away from their rapping, but Jerreau is the illest emcee in the crew by a long shot. His style is so simple, but intricate, and his lyrics so personal, it's just too hard to not love this album. I know it didnt get a lot of press, but it got a lot of spins from me...

04. Phonte - Charity Starts At Home
I dont think there is anyone I get more excited about in music right now. He is easily in my top 5 lyricists in music. And with his last few projects (Foreign Exchange, Zo! And Tigallo, etc) all being vocal albums, it was wonderful to hear him take to rapping again.

03. Wale - Ambition
I've only seen a couple other people's top albums lists, but I've been shocked at the fact that I havent seen this album on one yet. Say what you will about "Wale sold out," or whatever, but this album is crazy dope from front to back. I literally listened to this album, in its entirety, every day for 2 weeks when it came out. And if you really think Wale sold out, you havent heard "Chain Music" enough times yet...

02. Drake - Take Care
This album is the reason I stopped listening to the Wale album every day. Admittedly, the album starts out a little slow for me ("Shot For Me" is easily my least favorite song on the album), Drake is lyrically one of the illest in the game right now. From the gritty sounds on "Crew Love," to the raw honesty in "Look What You've Done." And 40 is on the top of his game right now too. And say what you will about singin' ass rappers, but Drake can hold his own in either court...

01. Kendrick Lamar - Section 80
I can't stop listening to Kendrick Lamar. I download every song that he's got so much as a guest spot on. His style is something so original and different from what everyone else is doing right now. And I dare anyone to listen to "ADHD" without chanting along with him during the hook. I coughed up my $8 at midnight on itunes the day this album came out. And I'm pretty much still listening to it at least once every other week. There is not a bad song on the album, and the variance of styles between songs like "Tammy's Song" and "Ronald Regan Era" are incredibly to witness, and executed with perfection. He's received co-signs from Dre, Snoop, Pharrell, RZA, and almost everyone that you respect in music. As much time as I took re-arranging this list of mine, Section 80 never moved from the #1 position...

Honorable Mentions (Alphabetically):
Big Sean - Finally Famous
Blu & Exile - Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them
Chuuwee - Watching The Throne
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
Killer Mike - Pl3dge
Logic - Young Sinatra
MellowHype - BlackenedWhite
Murs & Ski Beatz - Love & Rockets Vol. 1
Nickelus F - Faces
Schoolboy Q - Setbacks


And just for fun, here are my top 5 non hip hop albums of the year:
05. James Blake - James Blake
04. Foster The People - Torches
03. The Weeknd - Balloon Trilogy (House Of Balloons / Thursday / Echoes Of Silence)
02. Florence And The Machine - Ceremonials
01. Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, ULTRA