More new music from TiRon & Ayomari. The duo decided to release a new EP while they work on their next project. Only a few new songs, but still, quality music.
Chicago producer, No I.D., has recently taking the reigns as the "Chemist" for the collective known as Cocaine 80's. Information on the members is pretty scarce right now but the list includes: Common, Steve Wyreman, Rob Kinelski, Kevin Randolph, James Fauntleroy, Makeba and many more. No I.D. has addressed the lack of information about the collective by stating, “Read The Credits and listen to the music and enjoy…”. FYI, Common totally killed "Summer Madness".
I have a strong feeling that Finally Famous is going to be the Album Of The Year. I'm really happy that Big Sean is getting the attention he deserves after years of being overlooked. Everybody needs to go buy FF when it drops on 6/28/11.
Kendrick Lamar drops another single off of #Section80. #Section80 drops 7/2/11. Produced by Sounwave. Just a stream since this album is actually going to be available for purchase.
1st single from Chaos Theory. "I might not be #1, but still I've got much, much more to come." Nolan drops another hot track over a smooth beat provided by Blizz Cartel. Chaos Theory drops in August.
One of the more promising up-and-comers, The Boy Illinois gives us some visuals to his track "I Quit". My favorite line comes at the end of the song, "Fuck you. Fuck you. You're cool. Fuck you. I'm out of here." Who doesn't love a Half-Baked movie reference? Audio below.
I was going through my inbox when I stumbled upon this. It's great that good music is actually being delivered to me now. The only information I have on The Black Opera is they are a "...a counter-cultural musical movement/organization consisting of an endless collective of emcees, singers, producers, musicians, actors and agents." I'm always a fan of some counter culture.
"Give It All Away" is a single from Smokey Robotic's February release, Outside The Lines EP, which is available now. They're currently giving it away via their Facebook page but seeing how I don't have a FB (and in order to download it for free, you have to "like" it), I'll be purchasing it through iTunes.
This is the first I've heard from Shaun Boothe and I have to say, props to producer Nineteen85. Nothing quite like a Lykke Li sample ("Let Me Go" samples Li's "Tonight") to really help an artist shine. "Let Me Go" will be on Boothe's upcoming, Waiting Room album, dropping sometime in July.
I've almost posted BBC a few times on TOTR but I can't resist posting a track from them anymore. Their new track Shuffle will be off of their upcoming album, A Different Kind Of Fix, dropping 8/29/11. This track is just amazing.
This track came out last year but today was the first time I heard it. Flight Facilities is an Electro/Indie duo from Australia and not too much is known about them. This track features fellow Aussie, Giselle Rosselli. While the production is pretty awesome, it's Giselle's beautiful vocals that force me to hit play again and again. "Crave You" is available for purchase on iTunes.
Back in January, Joywave released their first song, "Golden State". It didn't take long for that track to start garnering them plenty of much deserved attention. Then in March, they released this 77777 mixtape which gave everybody a FREE taste of what's to come from this Electronic/Indie Pop band from Rochester, NY. I really like their ability to successfully blend Indie Pop and Electronic music without going too far into any one genre. TOTR will definitely be keeping an eye on any future releases from Joywave. Enjoy.
A. Skillz gives us a dope remix of Marlena Shaw's "California Soul" that is bound to make it onto at least one summer mix CD. Feels like it should be in a Kia commercial or something and believe it or not, that's not an insult.
SBTRKT's debut self-titled album drops 6/28/11 but the good folks at The Hype Machine have brought us an album stream more than a week before it's release. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to care much about this but then I hit play and 4 tracks in, I realized I HAD to pre-order it. Enjoy the stream and I have a feeling you'll be making this purchase too.
Oh No! Yoko is a indie band from Vancouver and they just released their album, PAU PAU, available via their BandCamp. As a "90's Kid" I can say this track is spot on, especially the part about Oregon Trail. A great track for the summer.
Drake decided to give us another FREE track. Free always works for me plus, he tweaks his chorus from his track with DJ Khaled so now I never have to listen to that track again.
Surprise! Surprise! another new dope artist from Toronto. This is the first I've heard of Brandon Dramatic and this track is from his upcoming album, Domino Jones which drops 7/5/11. I'm definitely marking my calendar.
Jay Rock drops his single from his upcoming album, Follow Me Home which is scheduled to drop 7/26/11. You can pre-order it HERE. Dope production from the unrivaled J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and an amazing verse from TOTR Freshman, Kendrick Lamar.
The single from the former Procussions' member Mr. J. Madeiros. His album Saudade is available now on iTunes and autographed physical copies are available on his BandCamp.
I finally got my copy of The Proven Theory in the mail which was awesome. Eminem and Royce dropped their long awaited EP, Hell: The Sequel so I picked that up. And then I picked up two overdue purchases in Cut Copy and Metric. Enjoy.
A couple of months I posted "Good Girls" and didn't really know what to expect from Cris Cab. He does an excellent job of blending genres and crossing over R&B, reggae, and ska. It all makes for a wonder 7 track EP that would be perfect for hanging out and doing nothing, and I love doing nothing.
Caught this while making my music rounds. Kris Mars reminds me of a combination of Theophilus London and MeLo-X. Pretty dope artists to be compared to.
Kendrick dropped a new single this morning from his upcoming #Section80 project. He had mentioned he was working with RZA for this project so it'll be interesting to see if The Abbot makes any more guest appearances. #Section80 is scheduled for a 7/2/11 release date.
We get an official set of visuals for Frank Ocean's single, Novacane. If you haven't already, check out Nostalgia, Ultra. Def Jam is finally suppose to release the physical copies of Ocean's already successful debut album in July. You'll definitely be getting my money Frank Ocean.
New track from J. Cole courtesy of his website, DreamVillian. Off of Cole's upcoming, Cole World album. It's really cool that Cole dropped this for free.
I'd be lying if I said that my friend and I wouldn't do what they do in this video. The Brown Bag All Star member has just released the video for this single that's currently available on iTunes.
Unfortunately, I don't know much about singer/songwriter/producer, Azeem. What I do know is that you NEED to check this track out. TOTR will definitely be following Azeem and keeping an eye out for any future releases. This track is off of Music In April.
G.O.O.D. Music's, CyHi Da Prynce is gearing up to drop Royal Flush 2 tomorrow but before he did that, he decided to drop what is quite possibly the smoothest track of the year. It says produced by Kanye and No I.D. but something tells me it was mostly No I.D.
Thanks to twitter, I recently discovered this producer's SoundCloud and this accompanying compilation. You can just hit play and enjoy the next 25 minutes.
Inc. recently dropped this new track off of their upcoming EP, 3. The EP is slated to drop 7/26/11. You may recognize Inc. from their recent collaboration with Francis and the Lights. Who couldn't use a musical duo comprised of two brothers who sound like Prince?
Bay area representatives, Warm Brew, dropped this FreEP yesterday. Dope west coast hip hop. If you like the Pharcyde then chances are you'll like this. I heard "Willing To Ride" a while back and despite that, I still can't help but nod my head every time I hear it.
As GCH gears up to drop The Papercut Chronicles II sometime this fall, they gave us their single featuring Maroon 5's, Adam Levine. I'd be lying if I said Levine's opening lines didn't give me a chubby. Prepare to hear this ALL summer.
The good folks at RAC were kind enough to remix Noah and The Whale (not to be confused with the terrible, critically acclaimed movie, The Squid and The Whale) and make them listenable for everybody, not just my friend and I. Apparently, "5 Years Time" isn't for everybody. But this awesome and the original is off of their latest LP, Last Night On Earth.
Alas, it's here. I've been looking forward to this FreeLP for months. Thank you Laws, I'm glad you finally decided that "Yesterday's Future" (aka today) actually dropped today. Unlike the last two release dates. Seriously though, thank you I couldn't wait to get home and listen to it. Enjoy.
Rockie Fresh drops another video from his classic FreeLP, The Otherside. If you still haven't checked it out, you should just go somewhere and die...or just check out The Otherside. Either way, it's up to you. Don't say I didn't give you options.
Skylar Grey drops her first single for free off of her solo album Invinsible (yes with an "s"). She gets assistance from Alex Da Kid who not only produces the track, but who also signed her to his label a couple of years ago. Looking forward to more solo work from her.
Maybe my best week yet for buying cds. Mainly because of Below The Heavens which is a record that epitomizes the idea of "here is a blank check, write any amount and I will pay that amount." Plus, I even got an autographed copy of Paris Jones 1st mixtape. As for the rest of these albums, I thoroughly enjoyed them as well. Anyways, enjoy and remember to support the artist.
Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens
Genre: Hip Hop
Release Date: 7/17/2007
For Fans Of: Little Brother, Pac Div, Tanya Morgan
Just discovered this today by way of one of her music videos. This EP features the 22 year old, Oakland representative covering/reinterpreting songs made by men. Artists covered include Andre 3000, Mos Def, Bob Marley, and more.
Houston singer, Rocki Evans graces us with his highly anticipated release of Simply Twisted. He was even awesome enough to let us name our price, so if you want it for free, you got it. I won't lie, I only paid $5. Mainly because I don't like buying mp3's but I had to show my support. Really a quality release.
TOTR All-Freshman Team member, TiRon links up with long time collaborator Ayomari to bring us The Prequel To ASFP. No complaints here, I'm always up for some free dope music. I really love the cover art.
In case you missed any part of the #PhilAdeFriday series, you need to download this mixtape now. It's really amazing that Phil was able to drop a hot song week after week. Can't wait for Phil Ade's A Different World, dropping 7/12/11.
Prior to House Of Balloons, The Weeknd was apart of the writing/production team known as The Noise. Here is his 7 track EP from when he was apart of The Noise. The track "Birthday Suit" is the same track you know from Drake. The Noise wrote and produced that track as well. None of these songs really sound like The Weeknd but I think it's because these songs were typically being written for other people.
TOTR Freshman Kendrick Lamar dropped a new track from his upcoming #Section80 project. No release date but #Section80 is coming soon. It's always good to wake up to find that Kendrick Lamar dropped a new song.
Francis and the Lights give us 2 new (and free) tracks courtesy of their blog. According to their site, Francis was in LA for a week when he got a chance to collaborate with INC (Andrew and Daniel Aged). These two songs are a result of that trip. By the way, this is Francis and the Lights' debut on TOTR. Sorry it took so long.
More new music from TiRon & Ayomari. The duo decided to release a new EP while they work on their next project. Only a few new songs, but still, quality music.
Back in January, Joywave released their first song, "Golden State". It didn't take long for that track to start garnering them plenty of much deserved attention. Then in March, they released this 77777 mixtape which gave everybody a FREE taste of what's to come from this Electronic/Indie Pop band from Rochester, NY. I really like their ability to successfully blend Indie Pop and Electronic music without going too far into any one genre. TOTR will definitely be keeping an eye on any future releases from Joywave. Enjoy.
SBTRKT's debut self-titled album drops 6/28/11 but the good folks at The Hype Machine have brought us an album stream more than a week before it's release. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to care much about this but then I hit play and 4 tracks in, I realized I HAD to pre-order it. Enjoy the stream and I have a feeling you'll be making this purchase too.
I finally got my copy of The Proven Theory in the mail which was awesome. Eminem and Royce dropped their long awaited EP, Hell: The Sequel so I picked that up. And then I picked up two overdue purchases in Cut Copy and Metric. Enjoy.
Bay area representatives, Warm Brew, dropped this FreEP yesterday. Dope west coast hip hop. If you like the Pharcyde then chances are you'll like this. I heard "Willing To Ride" a while back and despite that, I still can't help but nod my head every time I hear it.
Just discovered this today by way of one of her music videos. This EP features the 22 year old, Oakland representative covering/reinterpreting songs made by men. Artists covered include Andre 3000, Mos Def, Bob Marley, and more. 
