December Mix 2011

Toast to a great year of music!

Leaving 2011 with bang! Hip Hop is alive and breathing well. The internet has done wonders for independent artist. No longer is radio and TV the main source for new music. Artists are able to succeed and strive through hard work, innovative marketing, and of course opportunity. It's no longer filthy rich white men in suites, who give two shits about the genre, deciding what music the masses are subject to. Although we have this freedom to stray away from the same 40 radio hits, there is still much work to be done before the music industry is truly an equal playing ground. But enough of my two cents, now on to December...

First off, this song has to be the hardest shit since "Niggaz in Paris".

"So the most you'll get from is cab money hahaaha"

With production from the mastermind behind "Black & Yellow", you know Cardo is bound to lace Phil Ade with a beat that knocks so hard that heads turn wherever you drive. M.O.B. was so 2000 & late... (no homo). Another random stand out, and which proves that Kendrick Lamar can hop on any track and make it classic certified, is "Rossi Wine (Free My Mind)".

"I'm out cheaaa!!"

Give this track a few spins and you'll be sippin' wine out of a red plastic cup in no time.

While the December mix is filled with independent artist making their way up the success ladder, several major labels had huge releases. Warner Bro's put out Common's much needed come back album, The Dreamer, The Believer, and Def Jam released The Roots' first concept album, Undun, which is argued to be one of their best pieces of work. Other notable artists found on this playlist are The Kid Daytona, Naledge, Danny Brown, El Prez and just about everyone else on here. 2011 was a great year for Hip Hop; can't wait to see what 2012 brings! (*fingers crossed for that Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole project*)

Download December Mix 2011

November Mix 2011

God damn this month had releases! I tried my best to keep the mix short but I even ended up leaving projects out because there was just too much music this November. I guess that's where I got this whole HipHopSurplus concept from though. Regardless, this month had some pretty outstanding music. Besides the mainstream artists such as Wale and Drake (I'm sure you can tell how I feel about his album by the picture above) releasing their sophomore efforts, other new commers such as Freddie Gibbs, Pac Div, & ASAP Rocky dropped exceptional pieces of work that were 100x's better than that of the radio established rappers.

The youngin' Chuuwee also dropped some classic material with his Watching the Throne project and I'll even admit that the comedian/actor, Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino), left me surprised with his solid CAMP album. Last but not least, Mac Miller made it into the hip hop history books by accomplishing a #1 album on Billboard with his Blue Slide Park release. Not to say that no rapper has landed #1 on Billboard before, but the 19 year old did this without a major record deal; the last artist/group to achieve this was the Dogg Pound back in '95. Independent, young enough to be charged with underage drinking, and white... Props!

Download November Mix 2011

Statik Selektah - Live and Let Live ft. Lecrae (Video)

Never heard of Lecrae but this song is cool... Dope editing on the video as well. Off Statik Selektah's Population Control.

Download Live and Let Live

Black Milk - Black and Brown ft. Danny Brown (Video)

Even though it's been over a year since Black Milk dropped Album of the Year, "Black and Brown" still goes... These two actually have a project they're working on together. Should be pretty dope. Black Milk never disappoints.

Phil Ade - You're The One (Video) + PhilAdeFridays#2

“Ohh that’s your best friend? Ok that’s all great / Don’t worry she’s in good hands, All State”

My favorite track off Phil Ade's A Different World gets the visual treatment. Crazy how his producer, Sunny Norway, cooks up an amazing beat from that sample in the beginning. Phil's also currently working on his second PhilAdeFriday project set to release in the near future. He has about 7 tracks done so far, with him rapping over other artist's beats such as Dom Kennedy's Dream to Me, Dr. Dre's Still Dre, and J Dilla's Won't Do. Below are two other tracks with original instrumentals meant for the DC native that will also be found on PhilAdeFriday2.

Download Let It Shine

Download No Place Like Home

Kid Cudi - To Da Top

Old unreleased Cudder > New Cudder. His next album, titled WZRD, is set to drop January 30th (Scott's Birthday) and is supposably profanity free. First drugs, now bad words?

Download To Da Top

Must Have Music: Shyheim - On And On

With all this hype going on over The X Factor's Astro, I thought it was only fair to bring back a classic Lil G from the 90's . This youngin' went through all the ills that ghettos bring about and even served time in the penal system eventually. Not surprising, since he supposably spent his juvenile year's living with Wu-Tang's Raekwon. Life as a shorty shouldn't be so ruff...

Download On and On

The Roots - Make My (Music Video)

December 6th is the date. I don't know what the rest of the album sounds like but I already know it's a runner up for album of the year.

DOM KENNEDY - When I Come Around (Music Video)

Just another rapper reinforcing the fact that west coast rap is the shieeet. While DOM KENNEDY has a flow influenced by generations of G-Funk, the man is holdin' it down and innovating a sound that makes that style of music contemporary.

My brother's favorite line: "You ain't my wife, please I'm errrbody's type, girl I got what errrbody like!" hahah I hate to say it, but the man's got SWAG.

Download When I Come Around

Young Guru Speaks on New Marketing Strategies

Young Guru is one smart dude. If you're considering becoming an artist in the future, you must watch this video. Times are changing and new marketing strategies are necessary. Young Guru explains the importance of gaining a loyal fan base in order to deal with piracy (not to toot my own horn, but I alone came up with this concept on a 15 page report on music piracy spring of 2011). The producer also talks about J. Cole's success amongst other things. And if you wonder how album's leak, the man also explains that towards the end.

Mayer Hawthorn - The Walk (Video)

If y'all haven't picked up on Mayer Hawthorn just yet, I suggest you do; especially if you're down with oldies. It's nice to see artist bring back that feel good soul music. Awesome video too! Seems like it should be Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie firing at each other though. Hawthorn's How Do You Do is in stores now.

Download The Walk

K. Sparks - Sunshine (Video)

This is one of the two tracks from K. Sparks that I'm down with. This song made its debut back in 2009 before I picked up this blogging hobby and just barely got the visual treatment. Better late than never.

Download Sunshine

The Kid Daytona - Fly Lullaby (prod. 9th Wonder)

My favorite track off The Interlude and my pick for one of my prior monthly mixes, provides us with some visuals for this classic. 90's hip hop sound right here (this actually samples an interlude of Pete and Cl's Main Ingredient (1994)). Funny how the songs I chose for these monthly mixes end up getting videos... Music industry here I come!

Dee-1 - Uncle Tom

The man behind one of my picks for the August Mix delivers us with some hilarious Hiii Powered music/visuals. Dee-1 looks just like the homie Jamal haha!

October Mix 2011

There's been better mixes... Still has its gems though. Murs, People Under The Stairs, Statik Selektah, Nas (Unreleased), The Roots, etc. Happy Halloween!

Download October Mix11

Not a song that's on the mix, as you can tell its 1000 times better than anything to drop in the last 10 years, but just a throwback I thought was suitable for this time of year. Most definitely in my top 5 favorite albums of all time.

Uplifting Women in Hip Hop

So I'm actually doing a presentation on misogyny in hip hop music for one my classes this semester. Just so I don't leave my class mates thinking all rap music is extremely sexist I decided to make a short playlist of hip hop songs in which women are portrayed in a better light. Enjoy!

Download Anit-misogyny Mix

Club Paradise Tour

Good look for Kendrick. Hopefully the tour adds some more stops and Kendrick gets the exposure he deserves. Also October's Very Own is now November's Very Own. Take Care is pushed back to November 15th due to sample clearing issues. As for ASAP Rocky, Purple Swag!
Still don't get it but he's building up a pretty solid buzz and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up on next year's freshman class (XXL).

Blu - The Greatest Guest Features [4-Disc]

This is for all of you who recognize Blu's exceptional talent on the mic. This is a 4 disc compilation of all of Blu's features, ranging from features on several underground cats that not even I've heard about, to the LA native rapping over Dilla beats. Reminds me why this individual takes one of my fingers every time the conversation of top 5 comes up.

Download The Greatest Guest Features [4-Disc]

Kids These Days - Clear Eyes (video)

of Kids These Days - Clear Eyes from Elephilms on Vimeo.

These are some talented kids from Chicago. Reminds of the kick back hip hop jazz I was all about back in the day. While we all wish we had perfect luxurious lives, this track brings us back to reality and somehow makes me appreciate our endeavors.

Download Clear Eyes

Wale - Ambition Singles

Here are several tracks that are suppose to land on Wale's next album, Ambition, set to hit the shelves November 1st. These tracks are ok... Wale's really making his way into the mainstream but I kind've hope the rest of album sounds better. Don't dumb it down too much Wale. Lotus Flower Bomb is a panty dropper!

Tats On My Arm ft. Rick Ross

Best Night Ever ft. Kevin Cossom & Rick Ross

Lotus Flower Bomb ft. Miguel

Chuuwee - Dolla Bill Cosby

Really diggin' this Chuuwee dude. Flow is nice! Can't wait to see what he does on Statik's Population Control (October 25th).

Download Dolla Bill Cosby

September Mix 2011

"Vwasssup J. Cole!!!" no big deal

With a bunch of dope releases this month, it's only fair I provide y'all with something to ride to. Cole World: The Sideline Story probably has to be my most anticipated album, ever, and I must say, classic! It's nice to see an artist you've followed since day one come out on top and transition into the mainstream successfully (with a few minor tweaks to his artistic integrity). Cole's debut is projected to sell 250K in the first week so if you still haven't, go out and cop yourself a copy of a runner up for 2011's album of the year. Other September releases include: Phonte, 9th Wonder, Evidence, Tiron & Ayomari, etc. Enjoy!

Download September Mix 2011

Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks (DJ Reflex Remix) f. Kendrick Lamar

Feel good remix for the weekend! Kendrick destroy's everything he gets on... Although this track isn't being pushed much, it's something he can probably use to gain additional fans who don't quite understand Kendrick just yet. Like Jim Slice said, "dude's ahead of his time".

Download Pumped Up Kicks (DJ Reflex Remix) f. Kendrick Lamar

Statik Selektah - Labour Day

Look out for Statik Selektah's upcoming album, Population Control, dropping sometime before 2012!

Download Labour Day

Hopsin - Ill Mind of Hopsin 4

If this dude weren't such a loppy ass weirdo, I'd probably listen to him a little more. Regardless, his flow is nice and his shots are pretty legit. Word of advice Hopsin: Quit dressing like a chick! Acting like a bitch only got Tyler Perry famous! <--- Name the rapper who drops that shit!

Common on the Daily Show

The Daily Show

Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

On his road to promoting his recent self-biography, One Day It'll All Make Sense, Common stops by the Daily Show to shows his appreciation to John Stuart for ridiculing Bill O'Rilley and the rest of the Fox News Network. The book is on the shelves now so go out and learn some more about arguably the best conscious rappers dead or alive.

Denzil Porter - Kanye West (Video)

Another random emcee I've just barely heard about. I'm a sucker for piano beats so you know i had to give this one a listen. Witty lyrics with a proper title.

Download Kanye West

Maffew Ragazino - Back Sheep (Video)

Skip to the 1:50 mark for some fresh lyricism. Download can be found on one of my previous "Random Singles" posts.

Panty Droppers: Tiron & Ayomoari - The Neighbors

So far September has started slow with all the good releases toward the end of the month. The only thing keeping me alive at this point is Tiron and Ayomari's A Sucker For Pumps, which dropped this last Tuesday, and must I say, "This shit is DOOOOPE!!!". It might not be a classic but most definitely an album worth storing in your Ipod. Coincidentally, the main track I listen to of ASFP is "The Neighbors".

Let me just explain real quick what "Panty Droppers" means. PD's are defined as songs that make a female instantly forget all her trials and tribulations and realize that the true meaning to life is love; therefore, she drops her undergarments and you know the rest. "The Neighbors" is a song about playing music louder so the next door neighbors can't listen to your ruckus. The beat alone breathes and exhales Nag Champa...

Download The Neighbors

Jay-Z - In My Lifetime (Remix)

Sorry, but this isn't some new Hov. Instead it's that classic Jay, so I don't really know why I'm apologizing in the first place. With the Entourage series finale airing the other day, I thought it would be proper to post up one of the many dope songs used for the ending credits (for an episode from an earlier season). This song reminds me why Hov is considered as one of the best to ever do it.

Download In My Lifetime (remix)

Blakrock 2 Trailer

The Black Keys + Dope Hip Hop = Blakroc. Second project on it's way!

Off Blakrock's first project

Download What You Do To Me ft. Jim Jones, Billy Danze (of MOP), and Nicole Wray

Must Have Music: Masta Ace - Conflict (Original) ft. Guru (prod. Dj Premier)

"Possibly

Nigga, you might try stoppin' me

But Obviously

Boy, you ain't thinkin' properly

My philosophy

Is to keep this shit popin' B

Showin' you stupid fuckers, how true hip hop should be"

- R.I.P. Guru

'Nough Said...

Download Conflict ft. Guru

Even if you don't instantly like what you hear in these posts, make sure to download these songs. You will thank me later!

Chuuwee - French Inhale

Gotta give credit to the youngin' on his grind. Chuuwee is one of the few aspiring emcee's I wouldn't mind getting my business partner Jimmy Haze to work with. In fact, he's set to appear on Statik Selektah's next album, Population Control, so we should probably make moves sooner than later. Low budget video but the french inhale in rewind is good enough for me.

Download French Inhale

Crate Diggin': Curtis Mayfield - Give Me Your Love

I was inspired to start up this "Crate Diggin" segment once again because of Wale's latest music video (posted below). The legendary musician this time around, who was sampled, was none other than Curtis Mayfield. This classic song, which has been sampled time after time, is off The Super Fly (Soundtrack) (1972). Know your history!

Listen to original and download Give Me Your Love

As for Wale's Video... It's good too see one of the underground emcee's, we all saw grow as an artist, finally get the shine he deserves. Also good to know he's getting it in with the video vixens. I'm sure his X girl is regretting shit now. Off MMG's last group album, Self Made Vol. 1.

Download That Way