"We Got the iPhone 5 and Ran to Instagram"

Like every year, my man @SkillzVa put a nice yearly rap up together summarizing the year that was. No need to window dress it with commentary, it does quite well speaking for itself. He does a great job of reporting, but still interjecting his opinion. Press play and follow the lyrics below...

Yo, let's get this thing crackin'
I'mma tell y'all right now, this whole song gon' be ratchet
Common threw a shot at Drake, but he ain't wanna catch it
Giants won the Super Bowl, plus that whole Kony madness
Linsanity had New York on fire like wasabi
And you couldn't go anywhere without hearing about Blue Ivy
Congrats to Jay and B for adding to they crew
I mean why was y'all so shocked, ain't that what married people do?
And I'm still in my hoodie cause this violence ain't stopping
Hope we see justice for the youngin' Trayvon Martin
And Nicki dissed the fans, bands a make 'em dance
We got that iPhone 5, and ran to Instagram
Brian Mcknight, dumbest song of the year
Let me show how your pussy works, but he ain't get no volunteers
Kim and Kanye, huh, had us all tripping
Yeah, Mary J. Blige was out here singing for chicken
Y'all slipping, man
Bath salt zombies was all over the tubes
Same sex marriages, yes, Obama would approve
Drake met Chris Brown with a bottle in between
D'Angelo came back, LeBron got that ring
Made shouts to D Wade, but I ain't need to see
That Chris Bosh facial, on national TV
We doubted it at first, but then couldn't change the channel
We all got caught up, Love and Hip Hop Atlanta
Man Scrappy put them paws on 'em, Joseline look fake
But don't act like at least one time you ain't make a Stevie J face
Katie left Tom, they say Kristen was a cheater
Snoop Lion, but I'm high and I'm riding with a ho named Kesha
NFL had sub refs and that call was lob-sided
Lil' Wayne won't come to NY, Frank Ocean came out the closet
And the gun laws gotta get right, cause people living a crazy life
I send prayers out to Aurora, cause it was a dark night on that night
Olympics here, and Gabby's hair had made such an impression
Ay Mitt! we ain't tryna hear that shit and now you in that 47
And now it's Chad and Evelyn, but Ev ain't saying nothing
Man these hoes be acting up and these niggas be headbutting 'em
Prince Harry go hard, Jersey Shore is over
Wayne had two seizures, Drake got one diploma
2 Chainz came up, Kendrick went ham
2Pac came back, oh, that was a hologram?
Chris and Rihanna, hooked right back up
You going to jail now, did y'all see that uppercut on that bus?
Man, y'all gone get this work, you know how I get down
Can I get a 'Opp-opp-opp-opp-oppan Gangnam Style''
First Big Bird then Elmo then Wyclef on that bike
Hey 'Clef I'd hate to tell you, but that's that shit we don't like
Music had no balance, we ain't know which way to go
Either it was really fast or really, really slow
Yo, Lance Armstrong took that chance all on his own
And them people told him you can take your ball and go home
Eddie Murphy dropped Rosci, gave that white girl a turn
Re-election for Barack, now we getting two terms
Everybody voted and stayed in line
Now Barack's doing it all at the same damn time
Chick-fil-A don't support gays, if you ask me they jumped the gun
But that was yesterday and I ain't gay
So, I'm about to get me a number one
Cassie loves Diddy, no Twinkies, man, they was gone
The Mayans killed us off, but if you hear this song then they was wrong
The Lakers got Howard, but Mike Brown got fired
And we ain't buy that fake beef between Nicki and Mariah
Yeah, that came in handy
Then the east coast got hit hard by a hurricane named Sandy
I love y'all and y'all love the song, and that there is no question
But I'm in the booth, it's hot as hell, I popped the molly, I'm sweating (wooh)
Hell yeah, we still here, this been a crazy year
Man, I still can't believe that Whitney ain't here
So RIP to the peeps we lost, I'm being sincere
But I'm wrapping up these rap ups, y'all, it's been ten years
I'm gracefully gone bow out, but still write them hits
@SkillzVa on Twitter, hit me up with them tweets
I fuck with y'all, I love y'all, man, thanks for joining my team
Goodbye to 2012, what up to 2013?
Ya bish

Stay safe tonight y'all and Happy New Year!...#BestMemories2012

Skillz - 2012 Rap Up

"I'm On That Good Kush and Alcohol"

When @liltunchi releases a new single, the blogosphere momentarily stops what it's doing to post it, no matter how good it is. That includes an initial tagged version of a track, which leaves the internet unsatisfied as a whole and very eager for the CDQ. Luckily for us, that whole cycle happened in one day, so we weren't left with a badly tagged taste in our mouths.

Once the CDQ drops, the real question then becomes whether the track is likeable or not. Keepin' it 100, I don't like the track at all. I know I'm going against my mantra of only posting tracks that I like, but exceptions are made when it has the buzz of a new Wayne single. Maybe it's because the made for strip club beats by @MikeWiLLMadeIt are getting a little tired, maybe it's because I still have no clue why @1future keeps getting features, maybe it's because @drake and @liltunchi bring absolutely no one liners. Tracks like this make me wonder if Hip Hop will ever evolve into a culture that doesn't need to refer to women as b*tches and hoes to be "cool." Sadly, it's still a big part of the culture and probably will be as long as people keep buying the records, going to the strip clubs and perpetuating the misogyny.

On the bring side, Wayne's new album I Am Not a Human Being II is set to drop on February 19th. I'm betting hoping that this will end up being a filler track amid stacked tracklist...#IANAHBII

Lil Wayne feat Drake, Future - Good Kush & Alcohol (prod by Mike Will)

"I Could Be the One To Make You Feel That Way"

Almost a year ago I posted an unfinished version of @avicii and @nickyromero's then titled song ID (F*** School). It would appear they finally put some vocals over the instrumental and are going to release it as a single titled I Could Be the One. This week they released a strangely entertaining video for the track (below)...

Between the video above and Avicii's video for Levels, I'm starting to appreciate the down-to-earthness of the characters in his videos. Using completely average looking people to tell quirky stories is different, especially in a day and age of the "video girl." I won't ruin it completely, but the twist at the end of the I Could Be the One video was pretty entertaining.

This track should be on any and every New Years Eve playlist if the crowd is under 30 years old. The instrumental in on the level of Levels, which should allow it to find it's way onto Top 40 radio in the US. Both Nick and Tim are great on their own, but nobody can mess with #NickTim.

Avicii vs Nicky Romero - I Could Be the One (Radio Edit)

Videos of the Week December 28th

You can definitely tell it's the holidays because there are little to no new videos being released by artists. As a result, this week is centered around Hip Hop interviews and getting different perspectives on upcoming releases (@bobatl) and even looking back to reflect on legendary battles like when @s_c_ and @DMX went to war with one another. I found it interesting that @kendricklamar shouted out @frank_ocean's Channel Orange as one of his favorites from 2012. I can't say I disagree with his opinion because Frank's album was in fact awesome.

I also learned that @krewella was a not just one person, it's a trio of two sisters (@krewellayasmine and @KrewellaJahan)and producer Kris "Rainman" Trindl. The sisters really aren't too difficult to look at and I'm impressed by their goal to have dudes singing to women vocals. The world needs more people breaking down stereotypes, it just so happens their music is so high energy they break different types of stereos too. Play on words a little forced? #SuckItImOnBreakToo

Krewella - Alive (Video)

Kendrick Lamar Google Play Interview Favorite 2012 Albums

Swizz Beatz Talks On Jay-Z vs DMX Battle

B.O.B. Talks Upcoming Rock Album With Sway in the Morning

Bangladesh - Christmas Time in the Hood (Video)

"Don't Trip We'll Get Back Up"

Crisp and on point are two adjectives that would be the foundation for trying to describe the production skills of @Chuckisdope. His beats are so fresh you'd think he harvested them straight from a garden of beats growing in the backyard. Other than the fact that Chuck sees @RetchyP & @HeirDash as his youngns, I really have no idea who they are. Still, they sound awesome on Four 12's and that's largely do to the dopeness of the beat. Check the newly minted visuals below...

No concrete release date on Chuck's upcoming album Convertibles, but word has it the album is done and is waiting to be released. If that's true, the beginning on 2013 may be better than expected...#ChuckisDope

Chuck Inglish feat Da$h & Retch - Four 12's

Mikey Posner Takes Us Back Home For the Holidays

Being around family is what it's all about during the holidays. For many that means going back to where they grew up or back home. That being said, it seems like @MikePosner has been Johnny on the spot when it comes to capturing the collective emotions of people of late. Between the Newtown shooting and his new track Back Home featuring @Chip216, he's been there to give us a free slice of perspective, which has been appreciated.

As a quick aside, I appreciate the home-made cover art whenever it is available. The image he provided showing on a boarding pass with Happy Holidays and the track name meshed well with the nostalgic feel of the track. It tells me he values design and get the impact of experience when it comes to music. Even better, rarely do we ever get a stripped down piano driven acoustic R&B/Hip Hop track. Well done Mr. Posner, thank you for sharing and Happy Holidays sir...#MidwestLove

Mike Posner feat King Chip - Back Home (Acoustic)

Merry Christmas Larry Lovestein Style

Usually on Christmas Day the last thing I'm thinking about is writing a post because I'm spending some quality time with the fam. It just so happens that in looking for something Christmas related to quick post tonight, I came across a new track by @macmiller featuring @ArianaGrande aka Nickelodeon star Cat Valentine. Evidently she recently released a single called Do You Love Me? featuring @SkysNuts and it will be on her debut studio album called Daydreamin' in early 2013. Not sure yet what her tie is with Mac, but it's an interesting collabo to say the least.

What's most entertaining about the track is Mac's alter ego @SweetLarryLove, who is an aspiring vocalist. Simply put, Ariana has an angelic voice and Mac is still a great rapper. Not sure if Larry is going to make it as a singer, but he did provide some entertainment value to me on Christmas day and that's about all I could ask for...#MerryChristmasYall

Mac Miller feat Ariana Grande - Baby's It's Cold Outside

"I Bet Your Mother Would Be Proud"

For reasons unbeknownst to me, @frank_ocean wrote a track for Tarentino's new movie Django Unchained, but the track was cut from the official tracklist.So, like all tracks that didn't make the cut, they were fed to the wolves online via twitter for everyone to get a bite...

django was ill without it. tmblr.co/ZRdVAyZys7Qh

— frank ocean (@frank_ocean) December 23, 2012

Still, since it's Christmas Eve, I can't help but post it due to the songs name being in close proximity to Christmas lore (Three Wise Men). It's a deep listen if you give it a chance and take the time to parse through Frank's wise words.

Happy Holidays to you and yours, may the time you spend with your friends and family over this holiday be meaningful and memorable...#HappyHolidays

Frank Ocean - Wise Man

"Anything is Better Than That 1 Train"

With @asvpxrocky's debut studio album on the horizon, there's a legitimate excitement building surrounding the release of his studio debut album LongLiveA$AP. F'in Problems made some waves on top 40 radio the past month and now Dat PMF let loose with a new cypher/freestyle featuring a whole gang of young artists. I'll put it this way, between @kendricklamar, @Yelawolf and @BIGKRIT, there's enough lyricism involved to power a small country.

Shout out to @Hit_Boy for the appropriately simple beat that allowed all artists involved to do their thing without taking the focus away. If you're curious, A$AP's debut is scheduled to hit shelves on January 15th. I'm anxiously awaiting that @BNNOfficial and @skrillex track on the album titled Wild For the Night. Chances are you'll see that at some point on this blog, stay tuned...#LongLiveASAP

A$AP Rocky feat Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T. - 1 Train

"If I Lose Myself Tonight, It'll Be You and I"

I know it's not just me noticing this, but this week especially it seems like every artist that hasn't dipped their toe in electronica yet, did so this week. From Childish Gambino to Lil Wayne/YMCMB and now @OneRepublic who managed to incorporate some upbeat synths into their usual ballad. With Ryan Tedder at the helm, you know you're going to get consistently well written and produced track with great vocals, but I like that they went outside their usual sound on If I Lose Myself.

Their new single isn't the only great thing that One Republic has done this week either. They managed to raise over $73,000 for Newtowns' victims families (as of Tuesday). Check their video below addressing the issue and asking folks to donate...

Kudos guys, that was a good message and I'm hoping that they did in some way ease the financial burden on those unfortunate families.

The track below is going to surface on One Republic's new Native album due out some time in early 2013. It's hard to argue against their consistency in churning out chart topping singles and their new one is no exception to that statement...#Quality

One Republic - If I Lose Myself

Videos of the Week December 21st

It doesn't get much better or more Christmas than hearing @BigBoi enthusiastically reading The Grinch with his unmistakable Southern drawl. It's another great example of why he comes off as someone who is an all around good dude and could care less what people think of him. To make my point clearer, could you picture @2chainz reading the grinch on video? #DoubtIt

In other videos there was a flurry of @NBCTheVoice appearances by the likes of @BrunoMars (performing When I Was Your Man) and @Rihanna (performing Diamonds). Simply put, @AliciaKeys's voice will never get old and neither will seeing her fine self in a form fitting dress. To close it out, why not throw in @bigsean's new video for his recent sing-along track Guap. That track is about as repeatable as it gets in Hip Hop...#SeeMeGettinGuapRightNow

Big Boi Reads The Grinch

Alicia Keys - Brand New Me (Video)

Bruno Mars Performing When I Was Your Man on NBC's The Voice

Rihanna Performs Diamonds on NBC's The Voice

Big Sean - Guap (Video)

Cash Money Signs an Electronic Duo From Australia

Let me get this straight, @BIRDMAN5STAR just signed an Australian electronic dance duo to Cash Money Records? If there ever was a sign of the Mayan Apocalypse, Baby signing the @staffordbros to be a part of YMCMB ranks up there. Most will probably hate because it's trail blazing move, but it's becoming abundantly clear where pop music is heading and by signing an electronic act, he's assuring himself of making more money, which is what you're supposed to do as a businessman, right?

While I'm at it, I'll compliment @CMilianOfficial for her extremely well delivered hook on Hello. Back in the day she was one of the biggest rising stars in R&B and in the past decade she's gotten a little lost in the shuffle despite signing on with the newly forward thinking Cash Money. Glad to see her fine self back on the scene.

As far as the track is concerned, it's a pretty likable pop dance track. If you're wondering whether @liltunchi sounds a little out of place on a dance anthem, it's no stranger than hearing him on @davidguetta's I Can Only Imagine or @itsKevinRudolf's Let it Rock. I'll keep saying it, but the hard drink that used to be Hip Hop has definitely reached maturity as a genre, which leaves it wide open to getting frequently mixed with everyone's favorite liqueur known as electronica...#DanceHop

Stafford Brothers feat Christina Milian & Lil Wayne - Hello (iTunes)

"Gambino Forever and Royalty is Do or Die"

You knew it was only a matter of time before Dubstep and Hip Hop would start hanging out more. With electronic music as a whole starting to gain some traction in American pop music and Hip Hop continuing to lead pop music, the two high energy genres simply can't be kept in two separate corners. Earlier this year, we saw @LupeFiasco collaborate with @bassnectar on Vava Voom, but Hip Hop/Dubstep collabos have been few and far between so far.

...which is why it's so awesome that two up and comers like @Fluxpavilion and @DonaldGlover got together on a new track together. The rumors of a new track came to live back in September when Flux debuted the track at Electric Zoo, but he's kept it under wraps until this week. I'll put it this way, it was well worth the wait. The opening verse from Donald fits well over the high energy synths, which give way to a drop that goes well beyond epic at the 1:05 mark.

The track is scheduled to surface on Flux's upcoming Blow The Roof EP, which will hit shelves on January 28th. From now on when I think of a best case scenario for blending Hip Hop and Dubstep, Do or Die will set the bar...and set it very high at that. #DubHop

Flux Pavilion feat Childish Gambino - Do or Die

Sandy Hook - "Let Us Move On"

"For this is short, And it will pass"

Now that it's been a few days and the news cycle is beginning to resemble normalcy, I felt like it was appropriate that I post the track below. If you're like me, you've used the Sandy Hook mass tragedy as a time to reflect on both personal and societal beliefs regarding everything from mental health to gun control. There's part of me that thinks we're doing something as a society to escalate the perceived acceptability of committing such an act because events like this just haven't happened in the past. The good news is, there's a lot of momentum as far as getting the ball rolling and attempting to eliminate partisan lines as far as helping to find a solution.

By no means does the track below mean that I'm suggesting people should get past the grieving stage. Moving on can be construed in a positive way that moves toward worthwhile change, which is where I have faith we're moving. The somber, emotional tone that @didoofficial and @kendricklamar establish on Let Us Move On seems appropriate and hopefully it's a reminder that we're all in this together on an emotional level. For those of you wanting to cop the track, check the iTunes link below and be on the look out for Dido's new album coming out in early March 2013. Feel free and follow along with the lyric video below too...


Dido feat Kendrick Lamar - Let Us Move On (iTunes)

"I Woke Up As Your Friend"

It's official, @rihanna and @chrisbrown have officially become the new Bobby and Whitney. If you swap the drug abuse in Bobby/Whitney's relationship for the domestic/emotional abuse in CB/Rihanna's they'd look like younger mirror images. What's most unnerving about it is how control in the relationship or lack thereof swings like a pendulum based on what day it is.

I bring this up because they're at it again in the media. The million dollar question seems to be how does a relationship end when it never officially restarted? Even better when a dude is trying to date another gorgeous women while hooking up with others, is it a good idea to post pictures saying how much you miss him, then give him an ultimatum demanding he choose you or the other woman? I don't have an answer to that, but what I do know is that much has been made of Ri Ri's sexual wizardry becoming folklore in Hip Hop circles. My question is, if Rihanna is able to put men under spells with her succubus ways, what does that make Chris Brown if he can both physically and mentally control her? Is it time we start giving CB credit for his relentlessly pimpin ways?

Relationship drama aside, I'm really digging Chris's upbeat new track featuring @djafrojack with the perfectly appropriate title As Your Friend. Wouldn't it be perfect if Rihanna recorded an alternate version of the track below and officially released it as a single? Wait a minute, that's already happening??? #IGiveUp

Chris Brown - As Your Friend (prod by Afrojack)

"We're Gonna Live We'll Never Die"

All I've gotta say is it's about time people started embracing this whole Mayan end of the world on Friday. End of the world, shut down the club music is how I'd describe @steveaoki and @AnggerDimas's new single Singularity. The track features some soothing vocals from @mynameiskay that offset the high intensity synths. Coincidentally, the track landed on Steve's new It's the End of the World as We Know It, which has some pretty awesome cover art (above).

Well, at least if the world is ending we'll have some pretty epic EDM to rage with. Wouldn't that be crazy of Dr. Dre all the sudden made his mythical Detox album available to stream on Friday? If that happened, I would probably start freaking out and believing all the crazy zealots out there. In all seriousness though, hopefully the date just gives people a good reason to go out and have a good time...but still wake up the next day...#Apocalypse

Steve Aoki & Angger Dimas feat My Name Is Kay - Singularity (iTunes)

Remembering Sandy Hook: "Maybe This Will Make Sense in Heaven"

Today we're all still watching the news trying to make sense of what happened yesterday at Sandy Hook elementary. It's really hard not to get sucked into the heart wrenching stories that are emerging from the families that had one more member just yesterday. It's like the kid who killed everyone morphed into a cyborg that's incapable of emotion for day and his internal circuits just flipped. Seeing the names of the deceased who are overwhelmingly female, it just doesn't make sense to anyone who is capable of having emotion.

The tragedy is something that hits everyone on the same level, regardless of whether everyone knows you and you're famous or nobody knows you outside of your town. I have a lot of respect for @MikePosner who decided to do his best to put a less somber tone to the madness with his song Heaven. Today he took to twitter and said the following:

Today makes no sense...God has blessed me with this gift and it felt wrong not to share it. I hope this song finds its way to proper ears

— Mike Posner (@MikePosner) December 15, 2012

He offered further explanation on his Soundcloud page saying:

I wanted to do SOMETHING for the families and I didn’t know what else to do. Ed Sheeran’s guitar played at the exact moment I heard about the tragedy. The song came out of me faster than any before. It felt wrong not to share it. I hope this finds its way to the proper ears at the proper time. God Bless you. I’m so grateful to be alive. Maybe this terrible day will make sense in Heaven.

The song below doesn't make sense of it all or even say anything profound that will make it all better. What it does communicate, though, is that everyone is in the same boat as far as trying to comprehend. I like that Mikey preached a message steeped in faith and offered a slice of positivity in saying that "maybe this will make sense in heaven." His upbeat two minute slice of good faith won't help us grieve or understand, but it does attempt to unify by putting us all in one big boat and for that he deserves credit...#PrayForNewton

Mike Posner - Heaven (Tribute to Sandy Hook)

Videos of the Week December 14

First and foremost, my thoughts and prayer go out to the families of the kids who lost their life today in Netwon, Connecticut. No music or entertainment could ever take away focus from something as truly despicable as what happened today. It's hard not to lose faith in mankind when acts like this occur, especially when something of this magnitude hasn't ever happened in the US before.

If you get to a point where you can let music and entertainment back into your life today, below are a few videos that I found entertaining this week. It's a little pop, a little Hip Hop, some reggae dance, house and even some new product placement brought to you by one of the kings of product placement, @s_c_. Tell people you care about you love 'em tonight, the world needs more love after days like today...#PrayForNewton

Skylar Grey feat Eminem - C'mon Let Me Ride (Video)

Major Lazer - Jah No Partial (Video)

Jay-Z Launches New D'USSE Cognac Line

The Cool Kids - Champions (Video)

Felix da Housecat feat Will.i.am - Burn the Disco Down (Video)

"She Know My Time Short But My Money Hella Long"

Slightly below the mainstream Hip Hop radar has been where @rockiefresh has been living for the past couple years. He's been one of those names that I've kept my eye out for because a couple of my friends whose musical opinion I trust spoke very highly of him. Nowadays he's far from a secret as he got snatched up by @rickyrozay's MMG label last summer. Before I tell you how I feel about him, feel free to form your own opinion of him based on the visuals below...

First off, solid move incorporating the DeLorean in the video for Nobody. You open up your audience base by factor of 100 when you introduce cult artifacts like that in an visually pleasing way.

As far as the track is concerned, it's a perfect example of how far Hip Hop has evolved as a genre. It's gotten to a point where artists feel comfortable producing a pop or electronic beat with a melodic hook while still coming hard on the verses. One of the best parts about the track is the sultry and emotional hook that @ClareMaguire chipped in. She deserves more dap for the success of the track, shame on the internet for not shouting her out on the feature.

Hook aside, the concoction of different sounds into a Hop Hop track is really interesting to me. For example, lyrically you just didn't hear a rapper calmly spitting bars like "Fresh n****a so you know I need a clean b***h, Who know I’m working ‘cause I wanna see my team rich" over a soft piano beat a couple of years ago. It took the likes of @Drake and @asvpxrocky to stylistically create a culture where it's cool to mix in things like harmony or a guitar riff or a synthesizer to hike up the aesthetic appeal and eliminate the roughness around the edges that Hip Hop had traditionally been marred with. It's not surprising to me one bit that Rockie has gotten a lot of his musical inspiration from the likes of pop/rock stars like @PatrickStump and @JoelMadden.

The track below is scheduled to surface on January 21st when his debut mixtape release for MMG titled Electric Highway drops. Based solely on the track below, the mixtape has gotten my attention and deserves a listen...#ElectricHighway

Rockie Fresh feat Claire Maguire - Nobody

"I'm Cruising Down Biscayne, Listenin' to 2 Chainz"

On more than one occasion I've written about how nice it would be to get a full studio album out of @shawnchrys. After a couple years, it's looking like that wish might come true with his new Lovestory LP due out February 12th. Not only is the album coming, it's *supposedly* executive produced by @Timbaland, which takes the excitement to another level. Back in July the video below of them working together in studio came out, which was the beginning of Biscayne (blvd)...

Listening carefully to the way Timbo talks about Shawn in intro below. I'm not sure he deserves the 2pac comparisons, but I agree, there is something special about the way he delivers stories on the mic. I would have endorsed Shawn Chrys by himself, but now that he's with Timbo, he's got a one way ticket to industry success coming up here in a few months. Well deserved in my opinion, dude has been on his solo independent grind for a while now...#PersistencePay$

Shawn Chrystopher - Biscayne (prod by Timbaland)

2pac and James Brown Get Unchained

Another month and another Tarentino movie with a Hip Hop flavored single off the soundtrack. First it was The Man with the Iron Fists, now it's Django Unchained, which is scheduled for a Christmas day release. Strictly based on cast, Django has a slight edge with Leo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L Jackson, Joseph Gordon Levitt > Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu (Iron Fists).

Looking at the tracklist for the soundtrack, it's an interesting mix of Hip Hop and situated movie songs. It's not everyday you see a James Brown/2pac mash up that's put together by 2pac's former engineer Claudio Cueni. The track samples Pac's track Untouchable and James's Brown's song The Payback. Mixed together it's about as random as you'd expect, but perfectly fitting for a Tarentino flick. Makes you wonder what it would have been like had they collaborated in their prime...#RIP

2pac feat James Brown - Unchained (The Payback/Untouchable)

"It's Funny How the Be-loved Become the Be-headed"

Never one to shy away from being different, @bigboi somehow found a way to inject a little Indie rock track into his new album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Before you go too far judging, let me make it really clear how much I like his new track Shoes for Running.

For starters, it features stellar verses from both Sir Lucious himself and also @bobatl, who managed to come through with a memorably witty verse.Obviously the @wavves feature and production credits being attributed to their lead singer Nathan Williams will stand out to any Hip Hop fan who listens to this track. I'm not very familiar with their music or style, but what I do know is that their noise rock mixed with Hip Hop is absolutely forward thinking and genius. It doesn't surprise me in the least bit that Big Boi is the one pushing the boundaries of Hip Hop, but that doesn't mean I'm not impressed by the outcome. His new album hits stores tomorrow and it almost deserves copping just for this track. I wish more Hip Hop artists had the vision or creativity or balls that Big Boi does because it's a breath of mountain fresh air...#IndieHipHopMarriage

Big Boi feat Wavves & B.O.B. - Shoes for Running (prod by Nathan Williams)
|iTunes

Bingo Players Are Outta There Mind

For those of you wondering who the @bingo_players are, you'll recognize their breakthrough single below...

Yea...those guys. They're another Dutch EDM act, further proving my point that European electronic music is simply on another level compared to the US. Their newest single isn't quite as catchy as Cry (Just a Little), but it's a solid progressive house track. The beginning of the track is a little rough around the edges, but it hits its stride after 30 seconds, giving way to a calming rhythm. It isn't until the 2:30 mark before the hook sets in and gives it the contemporary appeal needed to sell records. Overall, it's a pretty diverse mix of upbeat, club friendly electronics...#Bingo

Bingo Players - Outta My Mind (Original Mix)

"Maaaan Let's Get Medicated"

After a full lap around @RealWizKhalifa's new album O.N.I.F.C., I'll admit I wasn't blown away like I was when I first listened to Rolling Papers, but I also wasn't disappointed. There were at least two or three tracks on Rolling Papers that I liked more than the singles he released and I was able to find those same type of hidden gems on his new album, which is why I'm satisfied.

For me, it was a toss up between Medicated and Paperbond as my favorite hidden gem. The tie breaker ended up being the beat on the track below that I just couldn't get out of my head. It makes completely sense now that I noticed Danja was behind the boards and to be honest just seeing him on the track took it up a couple notches. Maybe I'm not speaking for the masses, but production credits are the first thing I look at when trying to negotiate an album for the first time. It's probably getting old hearing me preach my producer over artist rhetoric, but I'll hold firm on that until I find an artist (other than @Drake) that can churn out the type of no brainer quality that a producer like Danja does.

On a side note, it was interesting hearing @therealjuicyj rap over a non-strip club beat. It's been a while since I've heard him go in on a track that sounds softer than his usually music. He did his thing though, so no hatin' over here with respect to the legendary Triple Six member. In case you missed it, O.N.I.F.C just dropped this week and it's worth a listen...#ONIFC

Wiz Khalifa feat Chevy Woods & Juicy J - Medicated (prod by Danja)
|iTunes

VIdeos of the Week December 7th

I've always been a huge fan of any sort of high level musical interaction choreography with Hip Hop or electronic music. Maybe it's a soft spot of mine, maybe it's because it's so rarely done well. Either way, the Dubstep Christmas light display video sets the bar extremely high for that specific genre. When you watch, make sure and fast forward a minute or so to the Skrillex part because that's when it gets taken to another level.

In other videos, the one minute BTS video of @SkylarGrey's new video with @Eminem is about as entertaining as it could be in sixty seconds. Yes, the authentic trailer trash in the video does the most winning, but hearing Eminem jokingly get defensive about growing up in a trailer park is pretty entertaining too. Growing up in a trailer park is just about as sad as paying $1 million for an erased hard drive that doesn't have your music on it. I did a post about a year ago on the story and it couldn't have come to a worse end for @ryanleslie. It's a double edged sword when you do your best to not back up your music in multiple places to avoid leaks, but when it's left on one hard drive and that gets stolen, it's even more heartbreaking.

On a lighter note, how bout some Christmas music to get in the holiday spirit? #HellYea

Dubstep Christmas Lights

Skylar Grey ft. Eminem – Cmon Let Me Ride (Behind The Scenes)

R Les Breaks Down on Stage After Being Sued for $1 Million

Karmin & Coach - Sleight Ride (Video)

Cee-Lo feat Christina Aguilera - Baby It's Cold Outside (Video)

"You Know I Love You Like Cooked Food, I'ma Good Dude"

Just in case you weren't tired of me posting a new @thegame track every other day, here's a new legit single off his upcoming album Jesus Piece. This one is about as star studded as it gets with @myfabolouslife, @liltunchi, @bigsean and @Jeremih chipping cameo verses and a hook. Chances are you recognize the universal D'Angelo sample from Lady (below)...

My only wish is that Fab could have chipped in a full 16 instead of a few bars trailing off at the end. Still there's enough swag on the verses to fill a couple 64 ounce big gulps. Even better, Jeremih provides just enough R&B on the hook to bridge the gap between the soulful sample and Hip Hop track. Word on the streets is that Game's new album is living up to the hype, but it's early...#JesusPiece

Game Ft. Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Fabolous & Jeremih - All That (Lady)
|iTunes

Europe is Still the Center of EDM

Like most worthwhile EDM creations, here comes another great progressive house anthem out of the Netherlands. I know you're thinking here comes another Afrojack banger, but not so fast! Enter @hardwell, who is much more well-known in Europe, but that's probably just because it's the epicenter for dance music and the US is only starting to catch on.

Apollo follows the tried and true formula of attention grabbing synths with angelic vocals from (token lady with a great voice). In just so happens this time to be @AmbaShepherd and you better believe she left a memorable mark on the track. I can't say for sure whether a full scale release is on the horizon for Hardwell, but that matters to me none because every now and then singles are just as noteworthy in my eyes...#StudioAlbumsAreOverrated

Hardwell feat Amba Shepherd - Apollo (Original mix)

Here Comes the King Snoop Lion

About a month ago I had an industry executive tell me that @SnoopLion was going to win Reggae album of the year with Reincarnated. I can't say I'm 100% sold on the hype yet, but his new single below is a huge step in the right direction. As a general rule of thumb, you can't go wrong when you involve @majorlazer and, more specifically @diplo. Here Comes the King is proof that simple can do well, especially when you're able to get a authentic hook from a great up and coming vocalist like @AngelaHunte.

Word on the streets is that Reincarnated is supposed to hit stores February 2013. We'll see if all that weed Snoop done smoked over the past few decades has actually turned him Jamaican...#SnoopLion

Snoop Lion feat Angela Hunte - Here Comes the King (prod by Major Lazer)

"She Hates Me, But I'ma Make Her Love Me"

Somehow @ducidni managed to transpose his melancholy vibe into @BigBoi's new album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. In a very determined way, both talented storytellers weave together a heartfelt, easily accessible tale about doing someone wrong and then doing what you can to get back to even ground.

What I like most about the track is the slow Cudi-style beat that invites you into the lyrics. I can't quite pin down the element of the beat that draws me into the story, but it's engaging. I'm biased because I have the utmost respect for both artists, but I'm impressed by what they were able to create together. Tracks like this that are very different from what Big Boi would usually put on an album make me hopeful that I'll be pleasantly surprised when his new album drops in a week. Check the video below for some inspiration...#ViciousLies

Big Boi feat Kid Cudi - She Hates Me
|iTunes

Game & Texas Go Rollin Rollin Rollin

Although it doesn't initially come off as a typical Texas Hip Hop anthem, @thegame did a solid job recruiting Houston's finest on his latest #SundayService installation. For those of you counting at home, this is the sixth throwaway track he's let loose in preparation for his new studio album Jesus Piece that is scheduled to drop on December 11th. In listening to the track, I've surmised that @KanyeWest was behind the beat (sounds like his style, plus he didn't drop a verse and was part of the features => deductive reasoning). The hook is about as simple as it gets, which gives it sort of an unfinished, freestyle sound.

Don't get it twisted though, this fits in quite well with the Texas copyrighted slab sound. In other words, it's only a matter of time before it gets a proper screwed and chopped treatment. Rollin' didn't make the final track list of Jesus Piece, but there are probably a good amount of folks that wish it would have made the bonus track cut. With a little over a week left til Game's album drops, I'm getting a little anxious looking at the stacked list of cameos he has. My only question is, can Game drop a great album without big name production. We shall see soon enough...#NoDrDre

Game feat. Kanye West, Trae The Truth, Z-Ro, Paul Wall & Slim Thug - Rollin

"Boi Check the Resume, It's Risky Business in the A"

Sir Lucious Left Foot is back again with a hype new single off his upcoming album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. The sample comes from his previous single Shutterbug and features cameos from @tip and @Ludacris. The track is loud, heavy and the verses are no different, sporting high octane bars from all three ATLiens.

@BigBoi's new album is scheduled to hit stores on December 11th. It will be his second straight solo album since the Outkast group hiatus that may have been more beef ridden than we all thought. I say that because of the sincere lyrical apology from Andre 3000 on T.I.'s new track Sorry. To summarize, Three Stacks apologized for being awkward, opting not to tour and even said he hopes it didn't cause he and Big Boi to lose any fans. In a recent interview at Hot 97, Big Boi responded by saying he should "apologize for turning down $1 million dollars a night (to perform)." My only thought on all this back and forth is that I hope they are able to somehow to back together to make great music again...especially since they're both back to making music and being featured on other artist's singles...#OutkastReunion

Big Boi feat T.I. & Ludacris - In The A

Videos of the Week November 30th

Definitely an off the wall week for videos and for good reason as Hip Hop has dominated posts this week. Partly as a way to mix it up and keep a healthy dose of variety, there's a full spectrum of choices below. If you're not one of the 1.5 million people who have viewed @realPaulVlahos's Family Guy remix of @ChrisBrown's (twitter shut down) Look at Me Now, you need to check that out. Dude nails Peter, Cleveland, Stewie and Herbert to a T and does it with creative lyrics and a fast pace.

The other really awesome video is @Skrillex's Scary Monster's and Nice Sprites on piano. If you're like me, you're thinking how in the hell could Dubstep sound good on piano? My only answer is, you'd be surprised. Don't sleep on that Rolling Stones featuring @flo_tweet concert video of Gimme Shelter either. I'm not the biggest Stones fan, but there's something about seeing Florench Welch and Mick Jagger sharing a mic on stage that resonates with me...#TalentGalore

Family Guy Rap Chris Brown's Look at Me Now (Paul Vlahos)

will i am feat Britney Spears - Scream & Shout (Video)

What Skrillex Would Sound Like on Piano

B.o.B. ft. Playboy Tre – Just A Sign (Video)

Florence Welch Performs Gimme Shelter with the Rolling Stones

Eminem & Skylar Ride Bikes - "My Wheels Spoke to Her"

It doesn't get more winning than combining @AlexDaKid, @SkylarGrey and @Eminem on a track together. Sure, Eminem's Freddie Mercury impression is downright comical, but it sets the tone on C'mon Let Me Ride. For all of you who missed the Queen reference, the "I want to ride my bicycle sample came from their song Bicycle Race. I can promise you one thing, the original track isn't have as suggestive as the new lyric video for Skylar's version of the track...

I'm digging this edgy pop vibe Skylar gives off on the track. The addictive Alex da Kid beat screams bubble gum pop, but you better believe both Skylar and Eminem use some grown up language throughout the track.

Honestly I'm a little bummed for Skylar that the lead single (below) off her upcoming album Don't Look Down leaked two weeks early. For all of you with patience (crickets), C'mon Let Me Ride will hit iTunes on December 11th. Only time will tell if I can get over the corniness of this track...#MightBeTooPopForMe

Skylar Grey feat Eminem - C'mon Let Me Ride (prod by Alex da Kid)
|iTunes

"She Can Get the Lay Up...All Night"

First off, shame on me for missing the original version of the track below by @MeekMill. I really don't have a good answer for why the @KaneBeatz produced track slipped through the cracks. For those of you that missed it like me, the original version of Lay Up was on Meek's debut album Dreams and Nightmares.

This one reeks of an unofficial remix because Meek Mill isn't even on the track. Still I keep finding myself singing the @TreySongz hook and vibing out to the pristine Kane beat. No joke, if water hitting crystals needed an instrumental, I'd suggest this one because it's so damn clean. I'm just saddened that it took @s_c_'s cameo verse to get my attention...#MyBad

Rick Ross feat Jay-Z & Trey Songz - Lay Up (Remix) (prod by Kane Beatz)
|iTunes

"My Life, My Life Makes Me Wanna Run Away"

Wow...just when you thought @50cent had turned 100% businessman, he comes back with a vengeance with a dope new single featuring @eminem and @adamlevine. The track is produced by Grammy award winning producer @SymbolycOne and was supposed be on @drdre's legendary Detox. As a bonus, fiddy shot a video for My Life and decided to release it on iTunes today...

The beat really reminds me of Naughty by Nature's OPP or Mobb Deep's Throw Your Hands with the hard, rolling percussive clap on the beat. Sure it helps too the Eminem drops a thorough 16 on the track, but I'm going to venture a guess that this will move some units on iTunes because of the Adam Levine hook. You know what they say, by hook or by crook...#StreetKingImmortal

50 Cent feat Eminem & Adam Levine - My Life (prod by Symbolyc One)
|iTunes

Deadmau5 Takes a Trip to Arcadia

Every now and again, @deadmau5 releases a track for fun via his Soundcloud name "fuckmylife." His newest free-lease is an easy listening EDM instrumental titled Arcadia. The whole track stays relatively monotone, so if you're expecting either vocals or any sort of change in tempo or epic drop, this one might not be your favorite. Nonetheless, it's still a soothing reminder of the type of awesomeness Joel Zimmerman is capable of putting together with ease...#EDMGenius

deadmau5 - Arcadia