April Mix

R.I.P. Keith Edward Elam (July 17, 1961 - April 19, 2010)

I swear these mixes make my months go by faster. Didn't realize it was the end of the month already. Anyways, this month was not so big on releases and I had to dig a little deeper to put together a mellow, but solid mix. The April Mix is filled with (all but about 3 tracks) pretty laid back music to zone out to, so this month's mix is perfect to study for finals to. Which reminds me to apologize in advanced for yet another slow month of blogging. May is filled with final projects and exams so don't expect much out of me for the next few weeks. But then again summer time is right around the corner!

Download April Mix

Stalley Joins MMG

Now this bit of news left me puzzled. The Ohio emcee does not sound like something Rick Ross would want on his Maybach Music team. Stalley raps over mellow beats with intellectual subject matter; on the other hand, Rick Ross' lyrics consist of owning the most expensive luxuries and being a "boss." Not to say I don't enjoy Ross' music, I just don't really see how Stalley will fit in. Either way, trading in your old beat up Lincoln for a brand new Maybach is one good ass look. Maybach Music Group is now Rick Ross, Pill, Meek Mill, Wale, and Stalley.

Download Lincoln Way Nights (rmx) f. Rick Ross

Ab Soul - LongTerm: Mentality

The Black Hippy dropped his last installment of the Long-Term series earlier this month. With the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and Murs on the features, Ab-Soul left his fans with a solid project.

LongTerm: Mentality

has replay value but not necessarily a project I would consider a potential classic in (ironically) the long run. Still another album to add on to TDE's list of work.

Moscato ft Kendrick Lamar

Freddie Gibbs Signs to CTE

A few weeks back, Freddie Gibbs declared at a show in Chicago that he was finally signing the dotted line to a label by the name of CTE. This same label's main bread winner is Young Jeezy, so I don't really know how to feel about Gibbs' decision. Although it is considered the smart decision for his career, Young Jeezy blows has the potential to turn Gibbs' music into crap. But then again, the 2010 freshman declared to stay true to his roots and produce nothing but that real hip hop. We'll just have to wait and see.

Currensy & Alchemist - Covert Coup (FreEP)

Spitta over gangta' ass beats? Shit... This project had me at "hello." J.E.T.S. N*gguuuh!!!

Download Covert Coup (FreEP)

XV - Zero Heros (Mixtape)

The nerd from Kansas drops yet another freelease. This project is actually his first under Warner Brothers management and has the presence of crossover appeal. Although the beats/hooks may sound more and more like something off the radio, the rookie stays true to his style and gives us the XV we knew back from Please, Hold (2009).

Download Zero Heroes

Kendrick Lamar - Hiii Power (prod. J. Cole)

First single off Section.80! K. Dot comes with that Huey Freeman flow on this one. Assisted by Cole with the beat. Just to show you that Jermain is not only a nice lyricist, but also great on the boards as well. They're project together is going to be groundbreaking. If you're in LA this weekend make sure to check out Kendrick Lamar's show tonight.

Download Hiii Power

Skywalkin' (420 mix)

I know I’ve been slackin’ on posts this month, but this play list is a must. Don’t know what else to say but enjoy and have a great 420!

Download Sky Walkin' (420)

Common - Follow Me (Prod. Kanye West)

Some unreleased Kanye produce Common? Sure why not!? I'll always respect Kanye West for giving underground emcees (Common, Kweli, Mos Def, etc) the shine they deserve. On the other hand, Common's last album was a tragedy.

Download Follow Me

Elzhi - Verbal Intercourse Pt 2

Slum Village member, Elzhi, raps about the ills of the music industry on this one. This is supposably the bonus track off his next mixtape, Elmatic. Although this track is no Raekwon Verbal Intercourse, the track is still something that will naturally be on repeat for the real hip hop fan.

Download Verbal Intercourse 2

Throwback Thursday - Special Ed, Buckshot, & Masta Ace - Crooklyn Dodgers

This is actually the first of three "Crooklyn Dodgers" songs ever made. The original first three up to bat were Special Ed, Buckshot, and Masta Ace; all Brooklyn representatives. I'll leave the second one for another thursday, for it is another classic. Off the 1994 "Crooklyn" soundtrack.

Download Crooklyn Dodgers

Busta Rhymes - I Knock You Out f. Notorious B.I.G.

Now this is some straight classic hip hop. Obviously Biggies verse is from back in the day, but it even sounds like Busta's old shit too. Either way, nice short little track with some of hip hop's dopest veterans. Now if only Busta would continue in this direction instead of what he's been doing lately.

Download I knock You Out Ft. Biggie

Phil Ade - Whatchu Want Phil (vi

Another one of Phil Ade's weekly releases thats worth the post. His steez gives me flashbacks of better days when you didn't have to settle for whatever plays (Dollar and a Dream). Man I really hope this guy doesn't go unoticed. It would've made morse sense to have Phil on last months cover of XXL, rather than the other clowns they chose. Maybe next year...

Download Whatchu Want Phil

Mobb Deep - Dog Shit ft. Nas (Prod Alchemist)

Yeaaaa!!! Just by reading the title you know this post is download worthy. Prodigy has been on a roll with that G-shit ever since he was released.

Download Dog Shit ft. Nas