Awkwafina - Yellow Ranger

Whoa. WHOA. WHOA.

I know everyone is going nuts over My Vag, but this shit right here, b….SOLID. Great production, Awkwafina’s flow over the beat is just perfection. Nice to see her spit outside of the humorous tinged raps. Although she wins in my book for comparing her vagina to one of Beyonce’s waves.

Chance The Rapper - Pusha Man (ft. Nate Fox & Lili K.)

Chance just dropped the mixtape of the summer over here with Acid Rap. To me, Chance is Chicago’s hometown hero: the kid is wildly talented, multi-faceted and his flow is ridiculous but also because his music (his heart, really) is rooted in telling very Chicago stories, even the harrowing stories of constant murder and despair. 

This particular track tackles the cities rampant gun violence but in a way we don’t often hear: he dissects the causes of said violence, those causes being largely social isolation and lack of socio-economic opportunity.

All over a smooth ass beat.

hiphoptoday:

Chance The Rapper - AcidRap (Mixtape) (New)

Click here to download.

If you download and listen to anything today, it has to be AcidRap. It’s immaculate thus far!

Maylee Todd - Baby’s Got It

If music is moving back into the deep waters of deep funk and acid jazz, then I am one happy girl cause everything I’m hearing from Daft Punk to this lovely lady, Maylee Todd, is just impossibly funky. It’s like listening to the female version of Jamiroquai but funkier. 

The bass line is so heavy and the chorus is infectious. And not to mention how rich and full Maylee’s voice has grown over the past three years.

This is a good pop music, if you’ve got the right ears and this is certainly one of my jams for the upcoming summer.

(Source: Spotify)

Mar - My Absolute

So, I left my iPod in a cab a few weeks ago and my oldest external hd crashed so I’m starting anew and thanks to some music my brother tossed my way, I finally got my hands on Mar’s latest EP, Seeing Her Naked.

I’ve always loved his falsetto and scat-like singing but a whole new, vocally confident Mar appears on Seeing Her Naked, especially on this track My Absolute. His voice is absolutely rich and focused, sort of grazing along the beat gently. Souful and sensual and downright outstanding.

I cannot wait for Mar to put out a full length debut album!

Jamie Lidell - Big Love

Jamie has been one of my favorite artist ever since I heard ‘A Little Bit More’ on that one Target commercial and tracked down his Multiply album. I love blue eyed soul but what I love most is Jamie’s deep appreciation of R&B music from all eras, specifically though, from the 80s.

His newest self titled offering is an unabashed homage to the sound of the 80s — rich synths, 808s, drum machines, big boisterous belting and it is fantastic. So authentic in its soul that you would mistake the album for having dropped in the late 80s. Big Love reminds me much of Janet’s Pleasure Principal.

Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines (NSFW)

This beat is toooooooooooo sick — reminds me of an updated Marvin Gaye track, really. Pharrell and Robin Thicke make such a great team and I know lots of folks been talking about J.T. jockin’ Robin’s style but thats impossible. I LOVE J.T. (like I will fight you kinda love) but Robin’s vocal register > J.T.’s. There is also something about Mr. Thicke that is just effortless.

Also, lots of boobs and ass in this video. You’re welcome.

Justin Timberlake - Strawberry Bubblgum

Like most of you, I’ve been listening to The 20/20 Experience over and over and over again.

Ad nauseum.  

I can’t really pick a favorite. I like the whole thing. But, this is a good starting point if you aren’t into listening to albums in sequential order.

loudersounds presents For My Tenderoni - A VDAY Mixtape

Growing up, the music that best represented love to me where always my dad’s early to mid 80s R&B jams. This collection of songs is influenced by those eras and sounds. I also wanted to make this year’s mix a lot more fun and danceable, a bit less sultry. 

Tracklisting

1) D.I Luv - Suff Daddy

2) Party (feat. Andre 3000 & Kanye West) - Beyonce

3) Adorn - Miguel

4) After the Dance [Vocal Version] - Marvin Gaye

5) Turn Me Away (Get Munny) - Erykah Badu

6) Promise in Love - Jose James

7) Call Me - Kimbra

8) Baby Come Close to Me -  Emi Tawata

9) Superheroes - Esthero

10) Rose Book - Houses

11) Nite & Day (Onra Edit) - Al B. Sure

12) It’s A Kiss - Jamie Lidell

13) Running - Jessie Ware

14) Dilettante - St. Vincent

15) Looks Good With Trouble - Solange

16) Fast Car - The-Dream

17) Sweet Life - Frank Ocean

COP IT HERE

Jose James - Do You Feel (Live for KCRW)

I got to witness this shit live last night at Lincoln Hall and let me tell you, even live video doesn’t do this brother’s performance and talent justice. Not only does he have one of the best jazz bands I have seen in recent time, he is just a force of nature. His love for music — soul, r&b, and jazz — is unquestionable and his mastery thereof is not to be missed. Last night was magic — made me remember why I love music, especially jazz.