Music Snitch

Ishmael Butler (Butterfly), former member of the 90’s group Digable Planets is currently fronting a new outfit known as, Shabazz Palaces.   While information surrounding Butler’s Seattle based project/band is a tad sparse, there are two EPs for sale on Shabazz’s website.

Take A Listen: 32 leaves dipped in blackness making clouds forming altered carbon from Shabazz Palaces

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Download: 32 leaves dipped in blackness (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

I often hear people clamoring about the unsatisfactory state of hip-hop/rap and reminiscing about the good old days (early to mid 90’s).  I myself am not entrenched in hip-hop culture, but have it on good authority that there are definitely talented MCs floating around.  However, since many MCs thrive on the hustle, you have to look into more independent sources for exposure to them.  After all, corporate owned radio stations don’t typically pick up and play the latest mix-tape circulating around NYC.

Audio Clutch Records recently released the second record within their Beats & Rhymes collection. The new EP, ‘Stereobytes II’, features artists such as Sean Price, Big Twinz, Joell Ortiz, CL Smooth, Lucian and Butta Verses.  If you’re in the mood for some bare bones, MC/producer hip-hop, you might want to give this record a spin.   The EP also comes with a few instrumental tracks from the likes of Jah Freedom, V.I.C and Bean One.

Take A Listen: That’s What We Want from Sean Price and Big Twinz

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Download: That’s What We Want (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

You can grab the EP or tracks on iTunes.

While I attend more rock than rap/hip-hop shows here in Atlanta, I have been hearing about a young up-and-comer who goes by the name of Pill.  After hearing the track, “Coastin”, from Pill’s freshly released free mixtape, ‘4075: The Refill’, I got a hankering for that laid-back blunted sound,  which seems to have sadly faded from accessible media outlets.  You can get the mixtape here.

Take A Listen: Coastin from Pill

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Download: Coastin (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

It seems like every time I blink, Drake has either released a new track, or is featured on a new track…but I’m not complaining. The Boi-1da produced single, “Forever,” which finds Drake working with Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Eminem, is now available on iTunes.

Take A Listen: Forever from Drake (feat. Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem)

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Take A Listen: Money To Blow from Birdman (feat. Drake & Lil Wayne)

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Download: Money To Blow (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

Drake – MySpace

Drake, who is probably most widely known outside the Internet feens by his track, ‘Best I Ever Had’, is switching things up with Nipsey Hussle.

Take A Listen: Killer from Drake ft. Nipsey Hussle

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Download: Killer (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

Drake – MySpace

DJ JS-1, of the renowned Rock Steady Crew, recently released his latest work, ‘No Sellout (Ground Original 2)’ via Fatbeats Records. On this album, DJ JS-1 worked with the likes of Krs-One, Pharoahe Monch, Canibus, Masta Ace, Sean Price, Killah Priest, Aesop Rock, Rahzel, Big Noyd, Pumpkinhead, and more.

The track, ‘Nuthin’, finds DJ JS-1 on the wheels of steel while Brother Ali, CL Smooth, and Sadat take turns on the mic.

Take A Listen: Nuthin by DJ JS-1

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Download: Nuthin (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

DJ JS-1 – MySpace

Video: Kinda Like A Big Deal from Clipse (ft. Kanye West)

Bronx hip-hop artist, The Kid Daytona is set to release his latest album ‘Come Fly With Me’ on June 30th.

On this album, Kid Daytona collaborated with artists such as Kardinal Offishall, Bun B, Mike Maven and Avriel Epps. As for the albums’ production, 6th Sense worked on a large majority of the tracks, but Kid also received a helping hand from Cook Classics, Double 0 and The Government.

Take A Listen: Air Born by The Kid Daytona (ft. Bun B)

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Download: Air Born (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

The Kid Daytona – MySpace