Metal Lungies

Canibus’ otherwise un-spectacular rhymes absolutely shine over a DJ Premier beat that will make your skin crawl. Soundtrack sample, methinks.

Download: Canibus – Golden Terra of Rap (produced by DJ Premier)

via Wax Poetics Digital

Eminem became the best selling artist of the last decade by enrapturing mainstream audiences as an edgy anti-pop hero. He was the scowling, profane answer to sunny bubblegum pop. But pop stars and celebrities are a different breed today. They get on their fans’ level and air out their dirty laundry on Twitter. They have personal blogs. Eminem isn’t the same either. The guy who trashed Britney Spears and ‘N Sync is best friends with a Degrassi alum and he approves of Justin Bieber. Today, Lady GaGa is edgier than Eminem.

So how does he serve an audience that outgrew him while he fought a drug addiction? First, he returned with Relapse, a shock rap album that was as audacious as an episode of Family Guy. Then, he took some time off to record the sequel. Realizing his direction wasn’t cutting it, he changed lanes and dubbed his second attempt at a comeback Recovery and armed himself with a production team of trendy newcomers and established veterans.

On “Won’t Back Down,” Eminem raps with a rage that sounds as genuine as when first eviscerated his wife. He plays up his white trash psychopath miscreant character and indulges in rock star debauchery over a fittingly guitar-centric beat. Self Scientific producer DJ Khalil’s underground credibility cancels out the questionable inclusion of pop-rock singer Pink. But make no mistake, Eminem went pop. The rapper who once listed Redman and Kurupt among his favorites now boasts collaborations with Pink and Rihanna on his new album. While he will never recover his status as America’s tormented stepson, Eminem has proven that he can compensate for that with raw emotion and entertaining lyrical onslaughts.

Download: Eminem – Won’t Back Down (ft. Pink) (produced by DJ Khalil)

via Rap Radar

Has this sample been used before? Regardless, Big K.R.I.T. has the energy of ten rappers and has carved out a nice niche of old school sampling mixed with country rap. For your edification, refer to his album quality mixtape K.R.I.T. Wuz Here. “Money Outchea” is the best money making anthem in recent memory. Granted, I can’t remember anything prior to my last 5 posts. Bump this at your 9 to 5.

Download: Big K.R.I.T. – Money Outchea

via Traps N Trunks

Like his Order of the Golden Dawn EP, Daedelus’ remix of Baths typographically frustrating “?” has an ethereal, contemplative beat made unsettling by an unintelligible chorus from a distant booming voice. Man, LA’s got beats like the Gulf has oil. It seems like every month there’s a new electronic producer from LA with soul-piercing beats. Baths’ Cerulean drops June 22 and is way up on my must-peep list.

Download: Baths – ? (Daedelus’ Snolaxed Remix)

via Pop & Hiss

City of God and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, two of my all-time favorite movies, have one man in common: the throaty, gravelly-voiced Brazilian crooner Seu Jorge. For the latter, Jorge recorded an entire album of acoustic David Bowie covers, which I listen to whenever I’ve had my fill of obnoxious rap music. His first two albums, Samba Esporte Fino and Cru, also get regular rotation when I’m trying to shake stress. For his latest album, Mr. Jorge connected with band Almaz to record covers of American pop hits as well as famous Brazilian songs, all with a deep psychedelic slant.

Seu Jorge & Almaz drops July 27. And what better home for their mind-expanding journey than Now-Again Records? Their global psychedelia compilation Forge Your Own Chains is another must-have.

The album also contains a cover of MJ’s “Rock With You.” I’d post it, but y’all ain’t ready.

Download: Seu Jorge & Almaz – Everybody Loves The Sunshine

And the original:

Bonus: Roy Ayers – Everybody Loves The Sunshine

Tour dates after the break, yo.
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Who drops bangers with No I.D. and Flying Lotus in the same week? Killer Mike (or Mike Bigga, depending on who you ask). Any rapper with those two producers in his rolodex is on the right track.

Update: “Ready Set Go” video here.

Lotus joint at Kia Adult Swim Presents 8 Singles 8 Weeks

Nope, Detroit’s winning streak isn’t over. On “Just Think,” Magestik Legend speaks to the female’s side of a relationship with refreshing clarity and precise rhymes, territory previously covered by Wale with “Diary.” Hidden behind the city’s heavyweigiht talents, Magestik is the D’s best kept secret (evidence). The track appears on producer Apollo Brown’s new album The Reset.

Download: Apollo Brown – Just Think (ft. Magestik Legend)

Much thanks to Mr. Legend for delivering the audio.

Statik Selektah creates a worthy New York anthem that evokes the city’s 24/7 bustle and adds a 2Pac sample on the hook for +5 gulliness. I forgot how ill Pac’s voice was.

This song will appear on the mixtape soundtrack of Styles P’s novel Invincible. If Styles P the novelist is anywhere as entertaining as @therealstylesp, then we’re in for a treat.

Download: Styles P – Sellouts (ft. Bully) (produced by Statik Selektah)

via Nah Right