I think we can all agree that there will never be another Billy Mays. He was the Benjamin Franklin of pitchmen, the Rick Ross of pushing product. However, unlike the modern-day rap fan, I’m not quick to crown any new jack on the scene with the slightest bit swagger “the next best thing” or better yet, “a savior.” But I do know talent when I see it. Read the rest of this entry »

Bay Arrrrreeeeaaaaaaaaa! The fine folks at Red Bull are turning the dial to 11 this Friday as they make a stop at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco for their fourth annual Big Tune 2010. Twelve local producers slap and slump their way through the brackets, with the winners being decided by the crowd. Read the rest of this entry »

Anytime the West Coast and Detroit link up, great music tends to be the result. Just in time for sunny days, sunsets and long nights Frank Nitt rolls out a six song EP Jewelz In My Backpack produced entirely by Terrace Martin. I’ve always been a big supporter of Frank Nitt, puzzling to some, but something I boil down to a long history of keeping it so gully on some eloquently gutter beats. You know, rapping about freaks and Rovers over some ill Dilla drum patterns to the present day rapping about macking freaks on “Go Girl” over some airy synths and strings. He’s got that fullback flow, just straight up the middle with no frills. Mr. Martin definitely opened things up for him as well, providing some serious musicianship for Nitti to what he does best.

Jewelz In My Backpack coming soon, but in the mean enjoy “Go Girl” and accompanying video.

Download — Frank Nitt – “Go Girl”

This may be the first time you’ve read the name Cousin Fik. Worry none, you are not tardy but rather on time. Take heed though, Cousin Fik is that dude.

The Vallejo, CA born Sick-Wid-It chain sporting youngsta is poised to make noise, not in the near future but right now. With a sound that exceeds the often entrapping regional wall, he’s got all right tools for success. Read the rest of this entry »

The Fillmore District in the heart of San Francisco was once a cultural mecca dubbed the “Harlem of the West” by the Jazz and Blue’s legends that frequented the area. Over the years much has changed, and although the region’s not completely unfamiliar across the U.S., the effects of gentrification have nearly erased its storied history.

DaVinci’s memories of the area he was born and raised in during the ’80s are stark in contrast to the present-day district. In his music he takes us to the comically dubbed “New Fillmore,” and discusses the changes he has seen in his lifetime and its influence on his art. We stop at one of the last bastions of the neighborhood and meet one of the few remaining pillars of the Fillmore. Though DaVinci no longer lives there, the place he used to call home can be summed up in one simple phrase; “Filmo, no mo.”

The future looks bright for this budding MC fresh off the release of his official debut The Day The Turf Stood Still.

I respect the road Roc Marciano has taken. The former Flipmode role player paid the proper dues, and over the past few years has built a legacy in the underground as one of the last champions of rugged rap. After breaking out on “Cake” with his crew The UN on Pete Rock’s Petesrumentals he has gone on to release a handful of mixtapes and highly praised guest spots with the likes of Marco Polo and The P-Brothers. He seems to make concise and meaningful steps, shunning the current trends and means people go through for attention. Put it this way, Google his name and you won’t find much but mention it to a hardcore Rap head and you’ll get a wealth of knowledge.

With his official debut Marcberg dropping May 4th, and a vinyl EP-recursor dropping on April 20th, a few leaks have surfaced, namely “Snow” and “Raw Deal.” Granted I’m not scouring the NY streets, but I haven’t heard anything like this in a hot minute. From the drum programming to the loops filtered through blunt dust, the sound is undeniable. The rhymes fit the music; minimally descriptive with a cold delivery and dead serious in its intent. You hear it and know everything about it is correct. No flash, just rap and I’m never mad at that. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been listening to Danny Brown heavy since he merked out on “Dilla Bot Vs. The Hybrid” off Jay Stay Paid. After giving up the late pass and catching up on his Detroit State Of Mind I-III mixtape series as well as Hot Soup there is no question that dudes talent is boundless. He spits with an unrelenting vigor, cutting his rhymes with equal parts street and lyricism. You can hear that his influences are broad, and that at the root he takes the artistry MC’ing to heart. He’s got plenty of work if you do some digging, and just recently dropped a new video for “Re-Up” which is below. Might not be the best jump off for a new listener, but he’ll definitely open up some eyes and ears.

“I used to get dome up by crackheads, and still got my balls licked by pretty bitches” might be the rawest opening line to a song I have ever heard.

Download – Danny Brown – Detroit State Of Mind Vol. 1 | Vol. 2 | Vol. 3

Funny how it takes a great song to make you realize how average everything else is that’s coming out.

Aloe Blacc has been experimenting with different sounds and styles for a while now, and it appears he has found his stride. Produced by Truth and Soul, and backed by the Expressions and El Michels Affair, “I Need A Dollar” is captivating from first strike of the piano to the pristine horn sections closing. Aloe himself has never sounded better; his voice more bold and comfortable as he rides the swinging rhythm. Penned with a humanistic eye for detail, “I Need A Dollar” has pop aspirations but resonates on much more profound level. Far from a contrived modern twist of the retro vibe, Aloe has created an authentic hit. Just ask HBO. Read the rest of this entry »

Much like the product itself, Hustle/D-Boy Rap is only as good as it’s packaged. It’s not a lifestyle I relate to, but it does make for an intriguing story when done right. For San Francisco (Filmore to be exact) spitter DaVinci, all the ingredients are in place. His laid back flow and maneuverability over the subtle key and string arrangements in “Hustlers Theme” are stimulating and soothing. There is an honesty in his voice that is void of any braggadocio, leaving all clutter cut with the bullshit to the side. Even if the shoes weren’t ours to fill there are still some jewels to walk away with. Definitely a good start for someone looking to set up shop in this game.

The Day The Turf Stood Still drops March 9th.

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Download — DaVinci – “Hustler’s Theme”

As fan for a minute, I can honestly say this is the Mistah F.A.B. album I have wanted to hear for some time now. In the past, he’s succeeded with a calculated balance on each album. Countering every street/Hyphy song there was always a joint where he flipped the dialog and spit from the heart. Don’t get it twisted, I’ll ride for “Super Sic Wit It” and “Sideshow” as much as the next, but his talent was so abundant it was clear he was capable of something impactful beyond the club.

With Prince Of The Coast, we get just that. The stories are vast and descriptive, the truths he speaks on are engaging and filled with emotion, and on the Rap tip I don’t think many people can fuck with him lyrically. All substance, not filler on this one so clear any preconceived ideas of what F.A.B. is or what Bay Area Hip-Hop sounds like and enjoy it for everything it is.

Download — Mistah F.A.B. – Prince Of The Coast Mixtape | Alt. Link

Stray Shots

Mae Day – Cherish The Day Mixtape

Oh Word Presents 31 Flavors of Love For Sensitive Thugs And Their Shorties (The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Hip-Hop Mix)

Sex4YourEars.com – The Ultimate Sextape

YC The Cynic – You’re Welcome

QuESt – How Thoughtful

Maverik – Pregame

Clipse_Ft._Kanye_West-Kinda_Like_A_Big_Deal-Promo_CDS

DJ Delz & Joell Ortiz – Jackin’ For Beats

Termanology – 50 Bodies 3

8Ball-Almost_Famous-2001

MJG-No_More_Glory-1997

PUSH! Montana – The 5 Heart Beats: 1st Trimester

Substantial & Dub MD Present WINK – Something Substantial

ADaD x Black Milk – – Unbenounced Mixtape

Eulorhythmics – Extended Play EP

Slim Thug – Welcome To Texas: The Mixtape

Stray Shots

In many ways this track is mad late. At this point, Mistah F.A.B. is no stranger on the scene. He’s the dude from the Hyphy movement. He’s the guy who did the Twitter song. Maybe folks have heard him on a verse here and there, or maybe copped a mixtape. But the reality is the majority of the people who acknowledge his existence really don’t know where he came from and what he stands for. Read the rest of this entry »

40 Wata stays innnovating. In anticipation of the March 30th release of his 11th solo album, Revenue Retrievin Day Shift/Night Shift (a double album set to be sold separately), the Bay Area vet exhibits his most unorthodox single and artistically driven video to date. Dubbed “The Server,” 40 spits from a familiar point of view, but it’s his dramatically slowed down flow and breathing room between bass hits that strikes a new chord with listeners. Read the rest of this entry »

Melting Punk, Funk, Rock, and Electronica over a Hip-Hop base J*Davey, the duo of producer Brook D’Leau and vocalist Jack Davey, has created an undeniable pop fusion with broad appeal and individual niche interests. You could mindlessly dance the night away, or study the slump and seductive lyricism for hours and obtain equal levels of enjoyment. It’s a win/win no matter how you flip the coin.

With their latest free EP, Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistapes, the group slows the tempo and showcases their strongest song writing and structure to date. As the title hints, it’s music for the boudoir; sensual, elegant and airy with room to move and squirm. While “Fight The Daylight” is the J*Davey listeners have become familiar with in the past, tracks like “Get Together” and “Crawl All Over” hint at something new. There are no weak links in the five song EP, and with an album on Warner Brothers looming the horizon looks bright for the group. Whether The Mistapes is a glimpse into the direction the group is going or merely a stop on the way to the master bedroom remains unknown, regardless it’s safe to assume J*Davey is doing something special.

And, with the New Year fast approaching, “Fight The Daylight” seemed like an appropriate choice to give you to sample.

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Download — J*Davey – “Fight The Daylight”

Download — J*DaVeY – Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistapes

The name Bored Stiff may not ring familiar, but their contributions to Bay Area Hip-Hop run deep. Hailing from San Francisco’s famed Filmore and Haight districts, the original nine man crew developed a sound heavily inspired by Jazz, penning street minded lyrics loaded with wisdom far exceeding their age. They built a movement behind the music, giving listeners music to identify with and a message to believe in. Read the rest of this entry »

At first the idea of the Plantlife vocalist/producer Jack Splash spitting instead of serenading sounded a little unnecessary, but if “Rick James (Nasty With The Bass),” and the whole Heir To The Throne tape really, is any indication of what’s to come…damn. I need music to genuinely look forward to and be entertained by and Jack does just that. Read the rest of this entry »