Weekly Fresh Cuts…July 16 to 21, 2012

This was another great week for hip-hop. One of the highly anticipated releases came from the legendary NAS. Nas has been in the game for a couple of decades now, he deserves the “legendary” title. His album, Life Is Good, proves that he has earned his Don status in hip-hop. The album has been in heavy rotation on my iPod for the past few days. My personal standout tracks include: A Queen’s Story, Stay, Cherry Wine, Bye Baby, Back When, Nasty and Daughters. Some other releases this week came from Angel Haze Reservations LP, Nemo Achida Conversations With Myself, Frank Ocean channel Orange, Masta Ace MA DOOM: Son of Yvonne, Cyhi The Prynce The Ivy League Club, The Alchemist Russian Roulette, Tanya Morgan You & What Army, Snowgoons Dynasty and Phony PPL Nothing Special. Check out the projects from these incredible artists, as well as my picks for Fresh Cuts below!

[EP] SHAD – Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness

Kenyan born raised in London, Ontario, Shad Kabango, takes us back to some classic tracks from the 90′s from the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Prince and PM Dawn. His rhymes are ill and he definitely showcases his skills over some familiar tracks. This five-track FREE EP, samples songs from Shad’s childhood. The autobiographical “it ain’t over” is indeed a lovely track and uses the beat from Lenny Kravitz’ classic “It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s Over”. My personal favorite on the EP is “new Don”, even though it’s only 1:56. Production by DJ T LO, HajahBug and Shad.

Listen & Download here:

[VIDEO] TiRon & Ayomari – Thing Go Right

It’s a great thing that TiRon & Ayomari are still attempting to bring some much deserved attention to their debut album A Sucker For Pumps. Check out these visuals filmed entirely underwater for “Thing Go Right”. And if you haven’t downloaded A Sucker For Pumps yet, please make it a priority.
Directed By: Jason Madison
Cinematography by: Alex Duckworth

[VIDEO] Tanya Morgan – Whatever That’s Mine

As we mentioned last week, Tanya Morgan is back with some fly ass rhymes and beats…good hip-hop. Check out the second video off emcees Donwill and Von Pea’s re-release album You & What Army.

[AUDIO] Class of ’93 – Audio^ ft Earl Monero

Check out this dope track from T-Dot duo Class of ’93, emcee Kzaraw and producer Mega. This is the first track of of their second album Awesome to be released on July 24, 2012. I’m really feeling the production on this track. Check it out:

[VIDEO] Jon Connor – The Way I Am/Fast Lane

Yup another Michigan native. I keep telling y’all about hip-hop from the D, in this case Flint, and how incredibly talented their artists are. I’m convinced everyone from that state was born talented. Take in this new video by upcoming emcee Jon Connor, who was noted as one of our top 5 underground emcees to watch in the first quarter. In this track, Jon rhymes over Eminem classic beats. Look out for Jon’s new project While You Were Sleeping out July 26th.

[AUDIO] Octavio Santos – Fall In Love (For Dilla)

I get nervous whenever someone attempts to do a Dilla cover, but the homie Octavio Santos does a proper instrumental take on the classic “Fall In Love”. Not only did he produce and arrange this, he also did all vocals, instruments and drum programming. Check out the ill horn arrangement:

[AUDIO] 14KT – High Horse (ft. Oddisee & Olivier Daysoul)

This track is HARD as F*CK!!! As I’m typing this, I’m listening to this track in my headphones and nodding my head profusely! The beat is killer and lyrics straightforward…get off your “High Horse”!! The beat for this track is off of 14KT’s instrumental project A Friendly Game of KT. Mello Music Group will be releasing a 4 track EP, One 4 Black, that will feature artists from their roster over some 14KT beats. For this first creation he invited Oddisee for a verse and Olivier Daysoul for the hook.

[AUDIO] Talib Kweli – Push Thru ft. Curren$y and Kendrick Lamar (prod. by S1)

Apparently this track leaked late last year, I personally don’t remember hearing it. I’m actually pleased that I’m hearing the completed version now for the first time. Kweli teams up with two of the most popular emcees in hip-hop right now, Kendrick Lamar and Curren$y. These three lyrically talented emcees, share their perspectives on overcoming roadblocks in life. Look out for this track on Kweli’s Prisoner of Consciousness. Shouts to the dope production by S1.

[AUDIO] Apani B. – Hey (prod. by J Dilla)

Another posthumous Dilla beat…I’m sure this is only the beginning. Emcee Apani B. drops some vocals over this awesome Dilla production, which unfortunately may never be formally released. For those who are not familiar with Apani B., this Hollis, Queens underground emcee has made special appearances on Pharoahe Monch, MF DOOM, Talib Kweli and Mos Def tracks. I’m looking forward to hearing her rock over some more killer production like this, her vocals are so confident and as she says “Yo my shit’ been nice since day one, but since I got Dilla beats I’m more obnoxious”!

[AUDIO] Elle Varner – I Don’t Care

My cousin, BP’s Candace, has been telling me to check out this singer for a hot minute. Well I finally decided to check her out, and I must admit this particular track is pretty damn good. Love the raspy sound of her voice. I’m definitely going to check out some more of her material. This track is off of her upcoming album Perfectly Imperfect, to be released August 7th.

[AUDIO] royceBIRTH – Funky Fly Thing (Prod by Astro Mega from Class of 93)

Check out this fly new track from my twitter homie royceBIRTH. Shouts to the homie Astro Mega for a dope mellow, yet catchy beat.