The Knux

In case you haven't heard, hipster rap is all evil embodied for the hip hop purist. The main source of disdain is the Cool Kids, but other acts have drawn ire. Entire the Knux, a hip hop duo originally from New Orleans. They bring a different type of style that is increasingly influenced by indie rock as well as hip hop. They even claim to not see themselves as hip hop artists, as it focuses too much on lyricism and not production. If I've peaked your interest, check this article from complex for more from The Knux, as well as other up and coming artists. 

The Knux- Fire

You can definitely here that indie rock influence on this one. 

The Knux- Bang Bang

But on this one they keep that Outkast flow. 

The Knux- Cappuccino (Remix)

Heartless

I've been waiting on this one, and it has been released, all mastered and everything. I was a little worried when I heard the snippet, Kanye's lyrics and flow seemed empty and delivered with no passion which seemed to go against an album titled 808's and Heartbreak but Kanye picks it up and plays off the first couple of verses really well around the 2 minute mark. 

Kanye West- Heartless 

The Golden Hour

14KT, from the mighty Athletic Mic League out of Ann Arbor, dropped his LP The Golden Hour today. I have yet to pick it up, I'm hoping I will be able tomorrow, but for now he's a one more track off the newly released album. Titled 'The Night', it has that relaxed evening vibe. 

14KT- The Night

Wale x Skyzoo

A nice track serviced with Wale and Skyzoo. And yes Wale mentions mitochondria on this track, which just shows the uniqueness of the Ambassador for the Capital. What makes this track crazy is Wale and Skyzoo set up a timer for 5 minutes to see what they could come up with, and this was the result.  This track is off a rumored mixtape that Wale is doing with 9th Wonder, titled Back to the Feature. Be on the look out!

I was underground but wasn't tryin' to renew the lease. 

Wale ft. Skyzoo- 5 minutes 

And for good measure, here is Skyzoo doing his thing over the J Dilla 'Only One Can Win' beat. Nothing like those smooth Dilla beats. 

Skyzoo- Only One Can Win

Boys Remixes

There have been a lot of 'Paper Planes' remixes popping up from all corners of rap, and it has been tired for a while. So I was relieved when Jay-Z came out with a nice remix of M.I.A.'s first single of Kala, 'Boys'. And Wale followed suit with a nice remix of his own. 

Wale's remix is a more conventional one as he dominates the track. But his flow sounds so good over this beat and he just kills it. Jay-Z however engages in more of a duet of sorts with M.I.A and goes even further into this political tip he's been on lately. 

Wale- Boys (Remix)

Jay-Z/M.I.A.- Boys (Remix)

Hollertronix #9

This bangs so HARD! For those who don't know, Hollertronix, under Diplo's Mad Decent label, has been releasing a series of EP's and this is the last installment. While #8 was with DJ Sega, Diplo does a nice job on this with Buraka Som Sistema out of Lisbon who push that Angolan dance that is so infectious. If you don't know exactly what Angolan dance is, no frettin' I don't either. 

But that's why I respect Diplo and the Mad Decent label, they have always introduced me to new stuff, and this EP is no different. 

Catch Diplo in Detroit on the 22nd! Ya its a weekday, but coming from a person who's seen him a couple times, its worth being completely useless for whatever you may be doing that Thursday. You know this A Milli remix is coming out, it's going to be nuts. 

Hollertronix- Um Milhao

Remember how crazy that Fisherspooner track 'Emerge' was? Another banger. 

Hollertronix- Africa Emerge

Here's the EP for your enjoyment. 

Hollertronix #9 EP

Love Lockdown Video

Everything about this is surprising. From the video debuting on Ellen, to the music video itself, I don't know what's going on. There is Kanye dressed up like a cocaine cowboy in Miami during the 1980's as well as some African tribe or something with technicolor women. But out of respect for Kanye, I'm not discounting it yet. I still love this track though. 

By the way Kanye's new album 808's and Heartbreak is rumored for a late November release. 

Jay Z in the D

As reported last night, I had the privilege of seeing Jay Z give a free concert at Cobo Hall in Detroit. Cobo was packed with an interesting mix of people, as Carrie Underwood was performing at Joe Louis next door. Hova and Miss Underwood don't exactly share audiences, so walking down the corridor was interesting. While the Carrie Underwood fans had cowboy hats the Jay-Z crowd included a guy wearing a shirt with Obama dunking on McCain and a whole lot of Nikes. Shirt by undercrwn if you want to go find it. 

Thanks to getting there early, I was able to get good seats as it was general admission. The entire duration the DJ was playing before the best rapper alive came out I kept thinking to myself how much  Jay Z would normally charge for the seats I sat in. 

When he finally came out to the chants of Ho-Va Ho-Va you could tell that despite the free show he was going to bring it. And bring it he did. From then  chants of O-Ba-Ma were mixed in with HO-VA. 

Get Yo Diamonds Up!

Speaking of Jay Z, a nice little mix just popped up with his name on it. For all of you that thought the Ron Brown song Pop Champagne was all fun until Jim Jones came in, Mick Boogie has come up with a solution for you. He threw some old verses from Jay-Z (Come On Baby with Saigon) and Nas (Nas' Angels...The Flyest) on it, and voila, Jim Jones is gone. 

Ron Brown ft. Jay-Z, Nas- Pop Champagne (Mick Boogie Mix)

My City

A great song from three up and coming artists: Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, and Esso. An ode to everything New York. I found this fitting after spending my night attending a free Jay-Z concert in Detroit sponsored by none other than Barack Obama. A beautiful night of throwing the diamond up and HOVA and Obama chants. Got to love being a swing state. And yes it was epic. 

New York Stand Up!

Skyzoo ft. Sha Stimuli, Esso- My City

Willie the Kid

Normally, when people think Michigan hip hop, they think Detroit. Rightfully so, Detroit has a rich musical history. But this young MC by the name of Willie the Kid, out of Grand Rapids, has been making noise on the west side of the state. 

Willie has started to garner attention since he hooked up with DJ Drama and Don Cannon while attending college in Atlanta. Since he's worked with big names as well including Bun B. Poverty is a clear influence for Willie B, but not in the gangsta rap sense. He claims to not prescribe to the theory that a rapper must 'be hard'. But he also can't be categorized as an intellectual or conscious rapper despite being a recent college grad. 

As a Michigan MC from Grand Rapids who hooked up with the ATL scene, he is certainly outside of the norm, and this uniqueness applies to his music as well. 

Willie the Kid- Pressure

Willie the Kid- Long Live the Prince