Raphael Saadiq meets Sa-Ra.

via FRSH SLCTS

Here’s a formula that isn’t exploited enough nowadays: classic hip-hop beat co-opted by an R&B singer with a verse from the best rapper of the day. This is way better than anything the Grammys called a “Rap/Sung Collaboration” this year.

via In Flex We Trust

Revenge of the nerds.

Download: Computer Jay – Sundial Meltdown (ft. Gaslamp Killer)

via XLR8R

Koncept of the Brown Bag AllStars has arrived as New York’s heir apparent to Tha Alkoholiks. Hat tip to DeeJay Element for making orthodox boom bap that still sounds fresh.

What is this sick filth, Beyonce?? Did Kanye tell you to do this?

Tusk Dance wraps up Mo Kolours’ fantastic trilogy of EPs. Grab it along with parts one and two so you can cross off Mauritius in your music atlas.

I never thought I’d fuck with somber Auto-Tune crooning, but here we are. No matter how you slice it, this is actually dope.

Download: Tha Joker – Can’t Change (ft. Big K.R.I.T., Tito Lopez)

A dreamy, Dilla-esque loop from Ray West’s new beat tape.

I’ve been gushing about Lee Bannon’s experimental boom bap for a long time now, but it turns out he’s a man of many styles. On Caligula Theme Music 2.7.5, the Sacramento producer co-opts SpaceGhostPurrp’s gothic trap rap and brings it back to life.

I was ready to swear allegiance to the Raider Klan last year when SGP petered out and started dropping subpar mixtapes. Lee Bannon is an unlikely surrogate, but he proves versatile with undead bangers like “YG&A,” “Three Bitches,” and “L.I.R.” The influence is clear given the iconography on the promo shirt and an appearance from Raider Klan envoy Matt Stoops on the intro.

Bannon previewed this sudden left turn in November with two tracks on Smoke DZA’s K.O.N.Y. mixtape and luckily, it was no fluke. Maybe he’ll take votes on which sound he’ll conquer next.

Just for contrast, here’s a more traditional track Bannon produced for SuperSTah Snuk’s mixtape due Monday. It’s likely an older beat.

Slum Village still got it. Well, at least T3 and Young RJ do.

Download: Slum Village – Dirty Slums 2