J. Cole - Truy Yours EP

Looks like my favorite rapper is gearing up to drop his sophomore album, Born Sinner. In preparation to get his fans ready, J. Cole has graced us with this 5 track EP. Along with the 5 dope tracks, he has written this small note to the music hungry consumers:

It’s time.

I appreciate you giving me the time I needed to grow, experiment, and find the direction for my 2nd album.. And I have.
Along the way I’ve recorded at least 4 albums worth of material, lots of it being unfinished demo versions waiting to be polished up, some of them are great songs and important stories that just won’t make the album (either they don’t fit Sonically, don’t fit Theme, or there’s just not enough space) .

Tonight, I want to give you a few of these songs because you deserve them. It’s hard as fuck for me to keep all this music from you for so long, so I know it’s been hard for you to wait. Thank you for your patience. Vibe out to these songs in their raw form, no polish.. just a lot of my soul..

The wait is over.

Truly Yours,
Born Sinner

PS- 1st single coming this week. The album is hands down my best work yet. Can’t wait to share.


Unlike all them fair weather fans out there (*cough* SAM! *cough*), I support my boy Jermain no matter what he does. Listen to this interview and tell me this man let the limelight get to him.

Rockie Fresh - Driving 88 (Mixtape)

This is the second mixtape that I've download from the Chicago based rapper, Rockie Fresh. Much like the prior post, the main reason I even looked into Rockie Fresh was because of a Phil Ade feature, which actually ended up making my 'best of' for that month. His first mixtape, The Other Side, was OK but definitely nothing that had real replay value for me (besides "Living" and a couple of other tracks). This time around, Rockie Fresh has definitely stepped up his game, but still not what I consider a force to be reckoned with. Both his lyrics and beat selection have improved, and he has kept his wise feature selection on Driving 88 by lending verses to Cassey Veggies, King Louie and Phil Ade. Yet still, his style just doesn't do it for me at times. His flow is the same from bar to bar, which allows the listener to tune out easily. His music is relaxing and calm enough to read or write a paper to. Although Rockie Fresh is far from something one would play to get his day going, he is still definitely a solid artist with possibilities of a profitable career in the music industry. Expect to hear some of Driving 88 on this months mix.

Download Driving 88 (Mixtape)

Luke Christopher - Building Skies (Album)

So I'm sure you remember this dude from his Social Network video, which gained him his initial wave of fans. Mr. Christopher has made it his goal to get up off the ground in 2012 and has started off the year strong with this free Building Skies project, which dropped earlier this week. The (supposedly) Burroughs Graduate, has shown his lyrical abilities through genuine verses about everyday struggles and always remaining real to his friends/fans regardless of where fame takes him. The young emcee/producer is talented and is guaranteed bright future ahead of him.

Download Building Skies (Album)

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]

Big K.R.I.T. - Last King 2 (God's Machine) (Mixtape)

Country Boy K.R.I.T. shows once again why he deserves that XXL Freshman cover. Until his commercial debut, Live From The Underground (Sept 23, along with Cole, 9th, Phonte, etc.), he's blessed us with another mixtape to keep his fans entertained. Great mix with a bunch of unreleased tracks and also tracks which he has been featured on.

Download Last King 2 (God’s Machine) (Mixtape)

J. Cole - Any Given Sunday #1 (FreEP)

So if you haven't been following Cole lately, he threw out his idea of dropping a mixtape before the album drops in late september, and instead decided to just let lose a few new tracks every now and then until Cole World: The Sideline Story hits the shelves. This is his first installment of Any Given Sunday, a series of Free EPs, which he will, by the title of the project, most likely drop every Sunday until September 27th hits. Only two new songs on this one but still great additions to my list of Cole classics.

Download Any Given Sunday #1

CyHi Da Prince - Royal Flush 2 (Mixtape)

Solid project by the G.O.O.D. Music team member/2011 XXL Freshman. Good new era hip hop beats laced with clever rhymes, provided by Cyhi and his wise selection of features. A lot of attempts to simulate a mainstream sound but no real successes. Although the song with Trey Songz is not bad. Either way, Royal Flush 2 is a worthy download, even if you aren't a fan of Mr. West or his squad.

Download Royal Flush 2

Skeme - The Statement (Mixtape)

Yet another solid G to add to the west coast/Los Angeles roster. His first mixtape made it onto last year's October Mix and this new project will most definitely find it's way onto May Mix. Keep up the good work bruh!

Download The Statement

eLZhi - ELmatic (Mixtape)

Normally I view these Illmatic tributes as disrespectful (for trying to remake a flawless classic), but I actually enjoyed this one. Slum Village member, Elzhi does a solid job in remaking Nas' 1994 debut. The cool thing about the project is the beats are all re-done by Will Sessions, a group of producers who play live instruments. Check the "Making of Elmatic" to see what I mean.

Download Elmatic

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

Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4Eva (Mixtape)

After a few delays, Big K.R.I.T.'s Return of 4Eva has finally arrived. Like Kendrick Lamar, country boy K.R.I.T. made the 2011 freshman list due to his deep and inspiring lyrics. Like J. Cole, the up and coming artist produces his own beats, which shows the emcee/producer has twice the talent than most of these clowns out today. Good luck K.R.I.T.! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Download Return of 4Eva

Pusha T - Fear of God (Mixtape)

Pusha T, half of Clipse, dropped the long awaited Fear of God Mixtape today. Not sure what all the hype is over this mixtape, but I only scanned through the tracks before posting it up. I'm sure the G.O.O.D. Music rep did a solid job.

Download Fear of God Mixtape

Mac Miller - Best Day Ever (Mixtape)

Fuck it... I'll admit it. The loppy looking white dude makes solid music. Mac Miller just dropped Best Day Ever a few days back giving him a head start on the rest of the freshmen. Good luck Mac.

Download Best Day Ever

Dom Kennedy - The Original Dom Kennedy

Dom's just another thug on the west coast roster. He dropped this free project a few days back without notice. <-- Gansta'. He's one of the up and coming artist who got gipped out of the freshman list. A dope thing about this project (besides the fact it's straight hood) is that each individual track has it's own artwork.

Download The Original Dom Kennedy

Rapper Big Pooh - FatBoyFresh Vol. 1: For Members Only (Mixtape)

On the topic of Little Brother, Rapper Big Pooh is dropping an EP titled, FatBoyFresh Vol. 1: For Members Only (April 5th). In order to promote this project, Pooh gives a taste of what to expect by putting out this free project. The mixTAPE is just one track through so you can't necessarily skip tracks. But the whole project slaps, so there's no need to touch that skip button. HHS certified!

Download FatBoyFresh Vol. 1: For Members Only (Mixtape)

Bonus

Download Jungle (off Big Pooh's debut, Sleepers (2005))

Childish Gambino - EP

Now this is a trip. Troy from "Community" not only acts but raps too and this is his latest offering. Surprisingly the EP is somewhat dope (or it might just have to do with me being fan of the show). Anyways if Mos Def can act (and he does it well), then why cant Donald Glover rap?

Download EP

Pac Div - Mania! (Mixtape)

3rd project from the LA trio. These guys consistently put out solid material and have a sound that ranges through several styles of hip hop. Can't wait for their up and coming album, Grown Kid Syndrome.

Out

Download Mania! (Mixtape)

Chip Tha Ripper - Gift Raps (FreEP)

Kudi's buddy, Chip, released Gift Raps on the 1st. The project is almost entirely produced by Chuck English (Of Cool Kids) and definitely some of Chip's better work.

The Bio

Download Gift Raps (FreEP)

OverDoz - Live For, Die For (Album)

I downloaded this free album earlier this month and it slowly, but surely, grew on me. By far the best project to come out this month. Overdoz is a south central (LA) trio who's style is unlike anything thats come out recently. They got that west coast G-funk feel and the mixtape features artists such as Kendrick, Dom Kennedy, and Skeme. Definitely looking forward to seeing some more Overdoz. HHS Certified!

Download Live For, Die For (Album)