Some Love Shit

Joe Budden was at one point in time my favorite rapper. Mood Musik 4 is one of the greatest pieces of rap work that has released in the last 10 years. The lyrics are at times somber, but Joe manages to explain emotions that otherwise aren't understandable except to ourselves.

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For A Nostalgic Night

I remember myself as a young man in high school. Respected in several circles, I still felt misunderstood by most around me. I yearned for freedom, and though I couldn't find it in those around me, I found it in music.

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Lianne Is Coming With Something New

Lianne La Havas might as well be an angel, albeit one that cries with you. Her debut album, Is Your Love Big Enough, is filled with ballads of love and woeful tales of heartbreak. She has decided to declare her vocal beauty to the world again, and is slated to release a new album in July 2015.

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News!

Jay-Z's high profile recording label, Roc Nation, has officially added new talent to it's roster by signing Chicago native, Vic Mensa.

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New Artist For You

I've personally never heard of AD  until today, but this track makes me want to learn more. In support of his mixtape Blue:89, he released this song a couple of days ago and my is it a heavy hitter.

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Just Watch This

I'm going to have to leave this one for you to watch.

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This Is A Good Cover

The Mahogany Blog is good about showcasing artists that we here in the States may have not otherwise heard of. So when I heard this cover, I had to step away from my 'No covers' stance and appreciate the song.

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For The History Month

You may have missed this is the wake of Drake's mixtape/album releasing the same day.

 Cyhi The Prince is the pleasant shadow of G.O.O.D. music. He has yet to release a debut album, which may be limiting his recognition is many circles, but that hasn't prevented him from releasing quality music.

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Allan Rayman

Courtesy of the Dope House, I've found another artist that has the potential to be pretty good. Allan Rayman, another Canadian, is coming to life right of Toronto. His voice reminds me a bit of Outasight, but the feel of the music is so much different. Mr. Rayman is making some real music here, and the visuals are dope.

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Top Songs of 2014

As all people who write about music do, I am writing a list of my favorite songs of 2014. It’s difficult to listen to every single song that has been released, and I will be straight forward in saying that I haven’t.

I have however given considerable listen to many songs, and I will highlight my favorites. The listening period for this year is from December 25th, 2013-December 24th, 2014.

Riiiight!!

The first time I'd heard of Smoke DZA, it was right after he dropped Substance Abuse. If you take a look on Live Mixtapes, that would date Substance Abuse to some time around 5 years ago. If that's not a throwback, I don't know what is.

After Smoke Dizza dropped Substance Abuse, he came through with

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Finally!

Since The Water[s] dropped this August, this particular song has been on my playlist. It is one of the years best rap songs, using great lyrical content, hook, and instrumental.

Mick Jenkins may have had a hand in this concept, but whoever the director of this video is definitely outdid themself.

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Believe Me

The first time I heard Sha Stimuli, I wasn't sure if I was grasping the song I heard fully. There seemed to be a mix of satire and truth wrapped around lyricism with a hint of pain. I'm not sure if that description is totally fitting, but I think it combines elements of Sha's style.

He is one of the better lyrical artists I've heard, and even though songs in his catalog are dangerously similar, he provides messages through each track. I like him so much I actually bought his work, and that's saying something.

Today's Throwback Thursday track will be that very first song I heard from him, Believe Me. The video attached to the song is indeed silly, but may help you follow along with the lyrics.

Below Believe Me, check out Sha in the Backroom on BET.




Sha Stimuli's Backroom Freestyle

Toss Me

I don't know a lot of people that are into Dom Kennedy like I am. If you do listen to him, you may know that he's referenced to both DJ Quik and Suga Free before. (Check this song, and this song.)

They've all linked together to provide a Old-West-Meets-New-West banger that's been on my radar since it dropped.

Life Jacket is a mellow song, Suga Free and DJ Quik of course bring a very Old West flair to the song, and Dom adds the rap that we're used to today. Check out the video below.

Your Life Is A Prize

K. Drieezy and DisTinct have had a meeting of the minds and created a moving track. My Nigga, though suggestive, is a song steeped in the truth of conditions for black men in the U.S.

This is a good song, check it below.

The Continuance

Jump off Joe Beezy (Joe Budden) has added a fourth part to his acclaimed series, Ordinary Love Shit. This is the lead single from his next project, Some Love Lost.

The tracklist has been released,  as well as some of the dates for the upcoming Some Love Lost tour. Check the dates and also check for further updates as more cities will be added.

The EP will be released November 4th via iTunes.

It's Been A While

Emily, Jessica, and Camilla Stavely better known as the trio The Staves have been rather silent on the creation end as of late. They have toured and  created a partnership with Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) who will be producing their next full length entitled Blood I Bled.

The creative silence is now over. The sisters have released the video for the title track that will be on the Blood I Bled EP (October 28th). The video is a treat, and will take you on a cinematic journey in India. To find this song and their other songs, check their SoundCloud. Enjoy the video below.


*Their album name has been changed to If I Was, and it's set to release March 25, 2015.

Believe In H.O.P.E.

Back when Jhene Aiko was tweeting him on the regular, I found  Hope Wright, (rap name H.O.P.E.) on 2dopeboyz. I enjoyed him almost immediately with his unorthodox word play, and since he was apart of the New West, I had to play. Today's Throwback Thursday song is just like the picture with Jhene, a throwback gem.

Bliss was created long before its 2011 project, Believe in H.O.P.E. Wright debuted, yet is still an impressive song. I adopted the mantra, "Chasing my happy," from the track. Enjoy it below, and if you want to see the video with H.O.P.E.'s then adorable young-one in it, go to the Read More section.

The song looks like it doesn't work, but if you press play, it will.

Sade

Courtesy of mis padres, I stumbled upon a vinyl entitled Promise. It's artist is Sade. We know her from songs like Sweetest Taboo, Ordinary Love, and the famous Smooth Operator. She was a huge artist in the mid 80's to the early 90's, recording and touring with her band of the same name.

The music is heavily rooted in jazz and takes on some of the early characteristics of what we consider today to be classic R&B. Today's Throwback Thursday song is a little known gem by 20-something and younger, yet is a miraculous opener to a wonderful album.

The video is very 80's-esq, but weaves a story around a wonderful song. Enjoy.

Speaking Of James

There was a post about Daniel Caesar and how he is similar to James Vincent McMorrow. This is true, but I'm not sure who would have heard Mr. McMorrow or not. Regardless, he is being presented today.

One of the covers Mr. Caesar did was of Cavalier, which originally played by James Vincent McMorrow.  This song is extremely cryptic and hard follow along with, but the video enhances and gives meaning inspite of all of this. The close angles and limited perspective provide an introspection of the main character and his emotions.

 There is also another song, If I Had A Boat, that is much easier to understand and still just as "life giving" by Mr. McMorrow. I encourage you to check each out below.




James Vincent McMorrow - If I Had A Boat