Shadrach- What We All Want

Nice track off of Shadrach Kabango's 2007 release, The Old Prince.

*Shadrach Kabango- What We All Want

Murs- I'm Innocent

Always some positive hip-hop coming from Murs. This song is off his latest album, Murs For President.

*Murs- I'm Innocent

Wilco- Sky Blue Sky

Just A few tracks from Wilco's most recent album, Sky Blue Sky (2008).

*Wilco- Walken

*Wilco- Impossible Germany

*Wilco- Hate It Here

DJ Quik- Balance & Options

A few years back I lost/broke/lent out (?) my favorite DJ Quik album, Balance & Options (2000). Due to how great of an album it is, I figured it was about time to go re-purchase. It is safe to say that this album's production epitomizes West Coast boogie rap. Quik beats are so unique, especially for the era of rap (gangster) he came up in. Here are some of the stand out tracks.

*DJ Quik- Pitch In On A Party

*DJ Quik- We Came To Play (ft. AMG)

*DJ Quik- Sexuality

*DJ Quik- I Don't Wanna Party With You

The Roots- Mick Seedy

Few random tracks from one of the best groups alive. They are saving Jimmy Fallon from massive failure right about now.

*The Roots- Star (pointro)

*The Roots- Respond React

*The Roots- Stay Cool

Ray L.- You Can Bring Me Flowers

My favorite Ray Lamontagne song. Off of his studio release, Till The Sun Turns Black (2006)

*Ray Lamontagne- You Can Bring Me Flowers

Jupiter One- Platform Moon

Good tune off of Jupiter One's self titled album from 2008.

*Jupiter One- Platform Moon

Talib Kweli- Mick Seedy

Just a few random Talib Kweli songs. Always a good listen.

*Talib Kweli (ft. Norah Jones)- Soon The New Day

*Talib Kweli (ft. Res)- We Got The Beat

*Talib Kweli- (ft. UGK)- Country Cousins

J Dilla- Jay Stay Paid

Although J Dilla is no longer alive, as the title of his new album would suggest, Jay Stay Paid. It's unbelievable how he continues to spread his (elite) musical creations without actually being here in face. He was such a influential producer in so many ways, that it goes beyond what anyone can even comprehend. Here are a few tracks off of the new album, Jay Stay Paid, that dropped today.

GO BUY THIS ALBUM & CONTINUE TO SUPPORT REAL HIP-HOP!

*J Dilla (ft. Black Thought)- Reality TV

*J Dilla (ft. DOOM)- Firewood Drum Stix

*J Dilla (ft. Blu)- Smoke

Gnarls Barkley- The Last Time

Although every Gnarls Barkley song hits the spot, this one in particular is my personal favorite. There is never a bad time for some Gnarls.

*Gnarls Barkley- The Last Time

The Script- The End Where I Begin

The Script is a three piece rock/pop band out of Dublin, Ireland. Currently residing in London, they released their self titled album in March of this year. Here is my favorite track off of it.

*The Script- The End Where I Begin

Tanya Morgan- Brooklynati

Just a couple more songs off of Tanya Morgan's new album Brooklynati. Blu & Von Pea on the same track? Please.

As mentioned before this album is really really good. I would recommend purchasing it.

*Tanya Morgan- Blu Morgan (ft. Blu)

*Tanya Morgan- On Our Way

Blu- Below The Heavens

Was gone for a week or so on a semi-vacation. Back now. Here's some old Blu.. Because Blu is always neccessary. Off Below The Heavens (2007).

*Blu- The Narrow Path

*Blu- Simply Amazin'

*Blu- No Greater Love

Spacehog- In The Meantime

In the Meantime is one of my favorite singles from the 90's. Off of Spacehog's studio album, Resident Alien (1995).

*Spacehog- in The Meantime

Kweli & Hi-Tek- Reflection Eternal

Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek's Reflection Eternal (2002) did more for me than any hip-hop album ever has. I had just moved to new surroundings at 18 years old and didn't know but more than 2 people in the city of sin. For a moment there, in my mind, it was surreal. All I had was a bunch of new scenery & people to meet, a 89' Civic with really loud speakers and this album to rock. It ended up being kind of like my own soundtrack. I remember burning just endless amounts and handing them out to anyone who was open to new hip hop.

Nonetheless, it still to this day goes down as my favorite hip-hop album of all time (Of course Blu's Below The Heavens is a very close second, if not 1A & 1B).. Here are some respective tracks off of it.

*Reflection Eternal- Memories Live

*Reflection Eternal- Good Mourning

*Reflection Eternal- Too Late

*Reflection Eternal- This Means You (ft. Mos Def)

*Reflection Eternal- Eternalists

*Reflection Eternal- Name Of The Game

Foals- Olympic Airways

Sticking with the foreign pop, Foals is a indie rock band from Oxford, England. The single below is off their album Antidotes (2008).

*Foals- Olympic Airways

Cut Copy- Lights & Music

Cut Copy is a Electro-Pop group from Melbourne, Australia. Came across them due to mass amounts of hours indulging in FIFA. The song below is off their album In Ghost Colours (2008).

*Cut Copy- Lights & Music

Tanya Morgan- Brooklynati

Tanya Morgan is FUCKING DOPE. They released their new album BROOKLYNATI this week. They are made up of 3 MC's (Von Pea, Donwill, Ilyas) and in my opinion, Von Pea may be the nicest lyricist out today (along with Blu of course). With their Roots stemming from Brooklyn and Cincinnati (hence the album title), they bring a unique style to the hip-hop world. Below is the single off their new album. GO BUY THEIR ALBUM BROOKLYNATI!! (in stores now).

UPDATE: After a thorough listen, this album is RIDICULOUS. Do yourself a favor and add BROOKLYNATI to your rotation ASAP. It is so solid.

*Tanya Morgan- So Damn Down

88 Keys- The Death Of Adam

A Couple tracks from Kanye West's protege', 88 Keys. These are off of his recently released album, The Death Of Adam (2008).

*88 Keys- Stay Up! (Viagra) (ft. Kanye West)

*88 Keys- Nice Guys Finish Last

Black On Both Sides

Mos Def has transcended Hip-Hop with his unpredictable ways of creating music. There truly are no guidelines for him as every album he's put out has been significantly different. Below are some of my favorite tracks from what I would say is his best album, Black On Both Sides (2002)

*Mos Def- Umi Says

*Mos Def- Ms. Fat Booty

*Mos Def- Speed Law

*Mos Def- New World Water

Citizen Cope- Awe

Although I Have plenty Citizen Cope songs (which will be posted in due time) that I enjoy more than this one , Awe fits the mood I'm in today. Almost all of his songs have lyrics, and truthfully, his soulful voice is what separates him from many artists. But today, you get some instrumental goodness from him.

*Citizen Cope- Awe

Erykah Badu- World Wide Underground

In honor of Mothers Day I'll just be doing a single post consisting of a few songs from my favorite female artist, Erykah Badu. These three tracks are from Ms. Badu's 2003 studio release, World Wide Underground.

Happy Mothers Day to all Mothers.

*Erykah Badu- I Want You

*Erykah Badu- Back In The Day (Puff)

*Erykah Badu- Bump It

Shadrach Kabango- The Old Prince

A Couple tracks from the Canadian MC's 2007 studio release, The Old Prince. The first track below (I Don't Like To), which I have posted a video of as well, is definitely one of my favorite hip-hop songs of the past few years. That's what my itunes tells me as well. Shad has quickly become one of my favorite artists.

*Shadrach Kabango- I Don't Like To

*Shadrach Kabango- Out Of Love (Pt. 2)

*Shadrach Kabango- Now A Daze

*Bonus Video For "I Don't Like To"

Japanese Cartoon/Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco is ridiculous. He is denying any involvement in this musical project called Japanese Cartoon, but most know better. Japanese Cartoon is a fake British Accent Indie-Pop band that Lupe Fiasco (or his alter-ego) created and is the lead vocalist for. Why he is being so mysterious about it, I have no idea. But I guess it just adds to the intrigue of the music.

Regardless of if it's your cup of tea or not, the idea that one of the best MC's today can musically flip the script like this, is very promising for the creative future of hip-hop. Here are a few tracks the band has leaked.

(After listening thouroghly, it is definately Lupe on the mic.)

*Japanese Cartoon- Heirplanes

*Japanese Cartoon- Firing Squad

*Japanese Cartoon- Army

One Day As A Lion

One Day As A Lion is a duo made up of lone members from both Rage Against the Machine (Zach De La Rocha) & Mars Volta (Jon Theodore). They formed in 2008 and have only released a self-titled 5 song EP to date, but have plans for a full length album in the near future. If you dig Rage Against the Machine, chances are you will dig this as well. Here are a couple tracks from the above mentioned EP.

*One Day As A Lion- Wild International

*One Day As A Lion- One Day As A Lion

Thicke- A Beautiful World

A Handful of tracks from Robin Thicke's 2003 release, A Beautiful World. A great R&B/Pop listen.

*Robin Thicke- Suga Mama

*Robin Thicke- When I Get You Alone

*Robin Thicke- She's Gangsta

*Robin Thicke- Vengas Conmigo

Galactic- Funk For The Masses

Some Songs from Galactic. One of the best Funk groups there is. These four tracks come from their albums, Late For The Future (2000) & Coolin' Off (1996).

*Galactic- Running Man

*Galactic- Thrill

*Galactic- Doublewide

*Galactic- There's Something Wrong With This Picture

Blu- Amnesia

Another track from my favorite rapper Blu. This is off his creative-minded mixtape, Her Favorite Colo(u)r.

*Blu- Amnesia

Yeasayer- 2080

I caught Yeasayer, a Brooklyn, NY based band, a while back on a late night TV performance (can't recall which one). They were extremely odd (in a good way) and had a ridiculously different sound. I just found their most recent album, All Hour Cymbals (2007). This is the single off of it.

*Yeasayer- 2080

Z-Trip @ Scratch

Some footage of Z-Trip @ Scratch in L.A.. He is just pure beast on the tables.

The Colour And The Shape

Some songs from the Foo Fighters 1997 studio release, The Colour and The Shape. Which in my opinion is their best album to date. The tracks below were not any of the pushed singles from TC&TS, but in time, ended up as my favorites.

*Foo Fighters- February Stars

*Foo Fighters- Hey! Johnny Park

*Foo Fighters- Doll

*Foo Fighters- Walking After You

Pharrell- In My Mind

Just a few tracks from the mega producer Pharrell's Solo Album, In My Mind (2006).

*Pharrell- Take It Off (Dim The Lights)

*Pharrell- Stay With Me (ft. Pusha T)

*Pharrell- Young Girl/I Really Like You (ft. Jay-Z)

El Michels Affair- Enter the 37th Chamber

Some more tunes from the El Michels Affair. These are from their newly released album, Enter The 37th Chamber, which was inspired by Wu-Tang's original music. They put some sweet jazz/funk twists on some of Wu-Tang's classics.

*El Michels Affair- C.R.E.A.M.

*El Michels Affair- Uzi (Pinky Ring)

*El Michels Affair- Protect Ya Neck

*El Michels Affair- Glaciers Of Ice

*El Michels Affair- Heaven And Hell

*El Michels Affair- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

Slum Village- Fantastic, Vol. 2

Going to Chicago for a few days so I wont be posting anything during that time. But here are some cuts from one of my all time best hip-hop albums (production wise). The album is Fantastic, Vol. 2 (2000), by the Detroit based group Slum Village. They have since put out some stuff that hasn't been as solid, but this album was mostly produced by Jay Dee, so you know its legit.

*Slum Village- Fall In Love

*Slum Village- Untitled Fantastic

*Slum Village- Thelonius (ft. Common)

*Slum Village- 2U4U

*Slum Village- Forth & Back (ft. Kurupt)

El Michels Affair- Sounding Out the City

Some real nice tracks from The versatile New York based Funk/Soul band, El Michels Affair. From their 2005 Album, Sounding Out the City. They recently released a Funk/Soul/Jazz album of their spin on some of Wu-Tang's Music. I will get those posted as soon as I upload them.

*El Michels Affair- Behind The Blue Curtains

*El Michels Affair- Detroit Twice

*El Michels Affair- Creation

*El Michels Affair- El Puebo Unido

*El Michels Affair- Yennicita

Blu Vs. Exile- Love Line

My favorite rapper (Blu) goes in on, Love Line (my favorite track), from my favorite producer's (Exile) latest album, Radio. Pretty sweet.

*Blu- Love Line (produced by Exile)

Asleep In The Bread Aisle

Some of that new Asher Roth. His latest album, Asleep In The Bread Aisle, was just released this past Monday (4/20). There is a lot of strong opinions on Asher (whether it be good or bad) .. but the truth is.. the dude is smooth and has his way with words.

Personally, I like it... And when artists like Cee-Lo, Mos Def & Slick Rick co-sign on something, I would like to think whatever it is, it's probably nice..

*Asher Roth (ft. Chester French)- As I Am

*Asher Roth (ft. Cee-Lo)- Be By Myself

*Asher Roth- Lark On My Go-Kart

*Asher Roth- She Don't Wanna Man

EXILE- Radio

Exile > any other producer there is today.

One of my first posts on here were my two favorite tracks from his recently released, all instrumental album "Radio". The album is soooooooo good, that I needed to put some more of it up. He takes his music making to a different level on Radio, as the concept of the album is based around all of the sounds that the radio has provded for us as a culture as time has gone on. If you dig these tracks and want the whole album, get at me.

*Exile- Love Line

*Exile- The Sound is God

*Exile- It's Coming Down

*Exile- San Pedro Cactus

*Exile- Your Summer Song

*Exile- Stay Tuned Here

Brother Ali- The Undisputed Truth

A Few Tracks From Brother Ali's 2007 Album, "The Undisputed Truth". The Album is a classic and it shows up in my rotation more often then not.

*Brother Ali- Here

*Brother Ali- Pedigree

*Brother Ali- Freedom Aint Free

U-N-I - A Love Supreme

The Duo above, called U-N-I (from Inglewood, CA) has been on my watch list for a while.. But with their latest album, A Love Supreme, being released this past Tuesday.. they are no longer just "on the radar".. The album is nuts. Along with their wordplay, the beats are just insane. Realistically, I should post every track on the album (it's that good) , but here are just a handful of them.

*U-N-I - The Grudge

*U-N-I - Hammertime

*U-N-I - Black Sky

*U-N-I - Lauren London

*U-N-I - Hollywood Hiatus

*U-N-I - Lately

DOOM- Born Like This

Some tracks off of DOOM's (after dropping the MF) recently released album, Born Like This . The masked man put out a gem with this one.

*DOOM- Gazillion Ear

*DOOM ft. Ghostface- Angelz

*DOOM- Ballskin

*DOOM- ft. Raekwon- Yessir!

H.I.S.D.- Houston Independent Spit District

H.I.S.D. (Houston Independent Spit District) is made up of 8 Cat's Out of Houston.. and their doing their damn thing. ?uestlove from the Roots, labeled this group as the group "to watch out for in 2009." They definitely represent real hip hop, in an area of the map that has not had any prevalent form of the such, as of late.. A few tracks from their 2 studio albums.

*H.I.S.D.- Only A Fool

*H.I.S.D.- Piano Maze

*H.I.S.D.- Summer So Good

*H.I.S.D.- Never Die

Tiron- Ketchup

A few tracks from Tiron's new album, Ketchup. Ive been waiting for the first song, "She", to be released in the full version for months now.

*Tiron & Pac Div- She (snippet)

*Tiron- The High

*Tiron- My Wingman & Me

Marc Broussard

Mofro- Lochloosa & Brighter Days

Some Soul from the Swamp.

*Mofro- Lochloosa

*Mofro- Brighter Days

Blu- Below The Heavens

Blu= Favorite Rapper.

Below The Heavens= Favorite Hip-Hop Album of the last 5 years.

Here's a few stand out tracks from it (all produced by Exile).

*Blu- The World Is

*Blu- Dancing In The Rain

*Blu- In Remembrance Of Me

Midlake- The Trials Of..

Was educated a few years back on Midlake (Denton, TX) by a great friend living in Portland, Timmy Wheeler. They have since become a favorite of myne. For those who haven't heard of them, here are a few songs from their latest studio album, The Trials of Van Occupanther (2006).

*Midlake- Head Home

*Midlake- Roscoe

*Midlake- Van Occupanther

Shadrach Kabango- Out Of love (pt. 2)

One of my favorite hip-hop pulls of all time. The Canadian lyricist, Shad, at his finest. Off of the (2007) album, "The Old Prince"

*Shadrach Kabango- Out Of Love (pt. 2)

Murs For President!

A couple tracks off of Murs the Millionare's disgusting late 2008 release, MURS FOR PRESIDENT!

*Murs- Break Up (The OJ Song)

*Murs- Can it Be?

Blu- Random Tracks

Before I call it a night, a few more cuts from Godlee Barnes. Just random songs from random mixtapes featuring Blu.

*Blu- Vanity

*Blu- Long Time Gone

*Blu- All The Kings Men (ft. Tiron)

Robert Cray- Strong Persuader Tracks

A few songs from The Virginia based, Blues/Rock legend, Robert Cray. Off of his (1990) Album, "Strong Persuader".

*Robert Cray- Right Next Door (Because of Me)

*Robert Cray- I Guess I Showed Her

*Robert Cray- Smoking Gun

Exile- The Sound Is God & Love Line

Off the super-producer, Exile's, recently released all instrumental album, Radio.

*Exile- The Sound is God

*Exile- Love Line