Albums/Mixtapes

Hoodie Allen – Leap Year (Mixtape)

by on July 26, 2011

I have been waiting for this FOREVER. Finally, it’s here.

When Hoodie Allen dropped Pep Rally in September of last year, he essentially set a new precedent for what college, sample-heavy, freely distributed mixtapes should bring to the table.

Of course, he did this with much help from RJF, who has proven time and time again he can weave samples in to pure magic. In tandem, the two have churned out another awesome mixtape, albeit with additional production from Hob Hobson and Something Silent (for whom I sadly can’t find links).

In my opinion, Leap Year is only a little bit different from Hoodie’s previous work. Namely, the album is a little less upbeat and energetic (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). However, that’s not to say there aren’t some very peppy tracks on Leap Year. “The Chase Is On”, which was previously featured as a single certainly disproves that. If you need more proof, you need only turn to “Soul On Fire”, which is equally awesome, and one of my favorite tracks on the mixtape.

The less energetic tracks on the album are equally awesome. “You’re Welcome” specifically drew my attention. Can you tell me where you’ve heard the sample before?

“Moon Bounce” is another slower track, and also the only song produced by Something Silent. It might be my favorite song off the project period.

Overall, Leap Year is great. Hoodie Allen managed to break his tempo and tone that some critisized on Pep Rally, while not letting his loyal listeners down. The guys truly loves his music and his fans.


Download: Hoodie Allen – Leap Year (Mixtape)

Check out the back cover art after the jump.


LexiconDon – Set Sail Remix EP (Album)

by on July 19, 2011

LexiconDon is a group that I am slightly unfamiliar with but nonetheless a group that I will keep my eye on in the future. Their recent release of Set Sail Remix EP caught my attention because Jemex, a fellow music blogger and also a dope producer, was featured on it. In fact, he contributes one of my top picks from the EP. My other pick goes to Flash Mode’s groovy remix.


Listen: LexiconDon – Set Sail Remix EP (Album)

Stay updated on LexiconDon’s music by liking them on Facebook.


Lil Wayne – Sorry 4 The Wait (Mixtape)

by on July 13, 2011

I’m only posting this because of the Lil B feauture. Kidding.. seriously, that was just a joke. Truthfully though, I’m not much of a fan of mixtapes where a rapper just rips other people’s beats but this is Lil Wayne, so it’s different. Anyways.. best track on the mixtape? The title track “Sorry 4 The Wait” hands down.


Download: Lil Wayne – Sorry 4 The Wait (Mixtape)


The Glitch Mob – We Can Make The World Stop EP

by on July 12, 2011

It took me a bit, but here it is: the new EP from The Glitch Mob.

The EP is short and sweet at a whopping 3 tracks, but its well worth the 2 dollars and something cents that they are asking for it. Hopefully, you heard “Warrior Concerto” already, seeing as it was previously released for free. In my opinion, it’s the best track on the EP.

The other two tracks, “Palace Of The Innocents” and “We Can Make The World Stop” are good as well. I prefer the former, mostly because it’s a more laid-back track, and well, that’s how I’m feeling today.

Purchase and stream the whole album below, or go here to enter your email to get “Warrior Concerto” for free.


Purchase: The Glitch Mob – We Can Make The World Stop EP


Smokey Robotic – The Shark & The Helicopter (Album)

by on July 7, 2011

The long awaited The Shark & The Helicopter album from Smokey Robotic is finally here! Their eclectic, genre-bending style is showcased in 14 unique and superfuturistic songs. This is their best work to date and a must download. It is hard to name a favorite song on the whole project but “Crack You In Half,” “S.R.” and “Candy Wolf” would be close contenders. I can’t forget to mention the title track either. What a intro to an album?! A song about avocados and hot sauce gets an automatic round of applause from me. Seriously, grab this album and like Smokey Robotic on Facebook to stay updated on all the superfuturistic sounds they are creating.


Download: Smokey Robotic – The Shark & The Helicopter (Album)


Play-N-Skillz – Fireworks (Mixtape)

by on July 4, 2011

Play-N-Skillz’ dedication to dance music is finally here. The mixtape titled Fireworks includes the previously leaked bangers “All in the Lights,” “Survivor” and “She Goes On” as well as plenty more. Excluding those, my favorite cuts off the mixtape include “Oh La La,” “Private Plane” and “Coming Home.” The mixtape also includes some impressive features from Akon, Pitbull, Nelly, and Three 6 Mafia. Happy July 4th to all our American readers. These Fireworks are for you.


Download: Play-N-Skillz – Fireworks (Mixtape)


Album Review: Lil B – I’m Gay

by on June 30, 2011

Thank you Based God.

Now that I got that out of the way… WTF Lil B! No warning! I mean really?!

For those of you that don’t know, Lil B dropped this elusive album with no warning whatsoever in the wee hours of last night. Whatev B, we’re cool because your album is absolutely epic. It’s not epic in a banger, or mainstream production sort of way, but a deeper and really more beautiful sort of way. Of course, if you are already a Lil B fan, you probably expected that. The guy is so very versatile, and truthfully, so very real. In my opinion, a great deal of makes this album so wonderful (sound aside) is the meaning inherent in nearly every track.

That being said, Lil B really spills his guts all over every gem nestled in this 12-track wonder. Not only does he share a lot about himself, but he shares a lot about his perception of the world, which I found valuable. I’m tired of being assaulted by rappers yelling about their bank accounts and disregard for anything other than the thickness of their wallet. While I totally have tons of that music (because lets admit it – it’s party music), its replay value is directly correlated to to how many handles I can afford; which is certainly not the case here.

I’m not the most knowledgable B fan, I really only started listening to him with the release of the new tracks from The Pack in late 2010, but I am wholeheartedly behind the guy. Cheers to artists who care more about the integrity of their messages and persona than how many radio stations feature their solo albums.

Here’s my fav tracks, with “Game” taking the #1 spot:


Purchase: Lil B – Game


Purchase: Lil B – Open Thunder Eternal Slumber


Purchase: Lil B – I Hate Myself

or if you if can’t afford it..

http://www.mediafire.com/?o4z4ebht1gettlh CUZ I LOVE YOU IF YOU DONT HAVE 10 DOLLERS TO BUY MY NEW PROJECT HERE IT GOES FOR FREE- Lil B30 Jun via web Favorite Retweet ReplyLil B From The Pack
LILBTHEBASEDGOD


Kenton Dunson – Creative Destruction 2 (Album)

by on June 27, 2011

To think that it was almost a year ago that I reviewed Kenton Dunson’s first solo album The Kenton Dunson Progressions is crazy to me. He has grown so much as an artist and truly has the potential to be one of the break out stars this year in the music industry. After listening through his latest release, Creative Destruction 2, I think that is almost guaranteed to be the case. He is light-years ahead of most artists when it comes to song writing, production and lyricism. He is the definition of a triple threat.

If you are unfamiliar with Kenton, this album will be a treat for you. There is nothing on this album that you can’t like. In fact, I am having a hard time deciding which songs is my favorite of the whole thing. I can tell you one thing, the Syl Johnson sampled song “Mine Again” is my new summer jam. Definitely grab yourself a copy of this album and remember, this is just the beginning. Expect to be hearing a lot more about Kenton in the near future.


Download: Kenton Dunson – Creative Destruction 2 (Album)


Big Sean – I Do It (Music Video) x Finally Famous (Album)

by on June 16, 2011

Big Sean’s debut album is just around the corner and his video for “I Do It” has been making waves since its release two days ago. Although, it is not my favorite track from him, the song bumps. In my opinion, they probably should have went with a different single as this one comes off like a street single more than anything else. I can understand that they want to make a song that would work in a club but that really isn’t Big Sean’s specialty.


Purchase: Big Sean - I Do It

The real story here is that Big Sean was cool enough to put his entire album up on his Soundcloud for stream (full tracks, no snippets). There is lots of good tracks on this one. My favorites include “My Last,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” “Wait For Me,” “High,” and “100 Keys.” “My Last” is by far my favorite. Chris Brown is on all the hottest tracks latest as much as I don’t care for him.


Listen: Big Sean – Finally Famous (Album)

Finally Famous in stores June 28th.


Chiddy Bang – Peanut Butter and Swelly (Mixtape)

by on May 31, 2011

After a series of compounding events including (but not limited to) two nights of birthday ridiculousness, the end of an internship, the beginning of a new internship, and getting a new roomate, I am back. Cheers to @realjessjohnson for holding down the fort. Oh, and did I mention that one of those nights included attending Laidback Luke’s show in Denver? Yes, purely epic. During my absence, I had the time to download this lovely little mixtape, which I have been bumping at an appropriately loud level since it tickled my iPod.

Peanut Butter and Swelly, Chiddy Bang‘s third mixtape, is purty cool. For me, the mixtape didn’t live up to the glory of The Swelly Express, which rocked my musical taste so hard that it changed direction. But truly, I didn’t turn on the tape expecting The Swelly Express. Xaphoon Jones, for me, has lost some of his splendor. His production gets a little repetitive at times, whereas with previous mixtapes, it still seemed fresh. That being said, the mixtape really shined during the tracks in which Jones broke his mold.

As usual, I have nothing but positive things to say about Chiddy, who in my opinion has a magnificent flow which lives up to its reputation quite well on the tape. I mean, the guy set the world record for the longest freestyle (around nine hours), which takes some skill. As a matter of fact, the track the group released as a single to celebrate the record breaking occasion -appropriately titled “Guinness Flow”- may very well be my favorite track from the mixtape.

Past that, I would say that the “I Can’t Stop” freestyle, which samples Flux Pavillion’s epic bass-slapping track of the same name, was my favorite.


Download: Chiddy Bang – I Can’t Stop (Freestyle)

Equally epic, Chiddy Bang’s take on The Knocks’ “Dancing With The DJ” is sure to be a popular feel-good synthy seventies party track for a while to come.


Download: Chiddy Bang – Dancing With The DJ (Remix)

I definitely recommend checking out the rest of the mixtape. “Cameras” receives an honorable mention, mostly because I am a big Matt and Kim fan. Stream the whole mixtape below, and then download it at the bottom of the page for free. Check out the official tracklist after the jump.


Download: Chiddy Bang – Peanut Butter and Swelly (Mixtape)

Check out the back artwork and tracklist after the jump.


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