Welcome back for this week's edition of Straight No Chase, your one-stop shop source for all things hip-hop here on EARMILK. This comprehensive weekly feature aims to share hip-hop based content we may have missed during the past week, while also highlighting memorable content we did cover. In addition to the recap of our best hip-hop posts, SNC also includes a Video of the Week, Project of the Week, and a brief list of recently released noteworthy projects and upcoming releases.
As any hip hop head worth their salt knows, these days music floods the blogosphere by the millisecond. Consequently, the landscape of hip-hop is forever changing. There are countless rappers, both established and up-and-coming, as well as renowned and budding producers and beatsmiths dropping their fair share of dope music for the listening masses. It is our mission to mine the interweb for both audio and visual gems, delivering them straight to you for your auditory consumption. But enough with the jaw jacking: let's cut straight to the chase.
Straight Killer, No Filler
Though people may get the impression that music bloggers and writers are freaks of nature who robotically comb the Internet for music, never missing a beat, I am here to assure you that we too are fallible humans who in the process of bringing dope music to the masses, may miss a good banger or two along the way. This week's delivery includes a track off Kris Kasanova upcoming project 24K, a cut from Michigan rapper ChrisCo's MI State of Mind, a Na$im Beats produced one-off track from Martin $ky and much more.
Without further ado, let's jump right into this past week's selection of killer tracks:
Robb Bank$ – single
Kris Kasanova – 24K [Mixtape]
Thurz – 517 W Queen Tape [Mixtape]
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/57002040" iframe="true" /]
Rickie Jacobs – single
Supreme Cuts x Haleek Maul – Chrome Lips [LP]
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/56953047" iframe="true" /]
Mr. Muthaf*ckin eXquire – Closed Sessions Vol. 2 [LP]
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/57174996" iframe="true" /]
ChrisCo – MI STATE OF MIND [Mixtape]
The Kings Dead – Jerusalem [LP]
TOPE – WKND BEATS #10: NewKicks [Beat Tape]
Styles P – The Diamond Life Project [Mixtape]
Martin $ky – single
Frank Leone – single
Zilla Rocca – Full Spectrum [EP]
Jasmine Solano – RAP [EP]
Lyriciss – The Balance: Heart [EP]
Roc Marciano – single
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/57067099" iframe="true" /]
ELMNT – Stara-Nova [Mixtape]
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/57188966" iframe="true" /]
DJ Khaled – Kiss The Ring [LP]
Jahzel – Jet Lag: The Mixtape [Mixtape]
J Bizness – Flight Plan [LP]
On The Rocks: Weekly Recap
Here's a five track recap of some of the best hip-hop covered this week on EARMILK. Take a couple of minutes to stroll down memory lane and revisit a handful of tracks brought to you earlier in the week.
This week's hip-hop offerings was admittedly on the lean side. Nevertheless hip-hop fans were treated to some new music including a Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean assisted record from L.A. rapper Mann, producer Eb7#9 's instrumental album Dropped Science, a new remix from Dutch producer Nubbz, new music from Gabriel Stark and Nitty Scott.
For those who may have been snoozing at the wheel, here's your chance to play catch up:
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/56887223" iframe="true" /]
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Adian Coker – "Angels & Demons"
What better way to welcome EARMILK UK newcomer Adian Coker than by giving him a gracious nod for his latest video? In addition to making his inaugural appearance on the site, the up-and-coming UK-based rapper is also slowly establishing a presence outside of his homeland and across the merry old Atlantic. With his self-produced track "Angels & Demons" Coker proves his salt as a able lyricist with his calculated, no-frills delivery.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/57152557" iframe="true" /]
Armed with sharp lyrics and skills both on the mic and behind the boards, Coker is gearing up to release his forthcoming mixtape, a project which will include among other tracks "Angels & Demons". Watch Adian Coker's Tim Brown directed cinematic video, and don't be surprised when Mr. Coker makes his mark on both sides of the pond.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9L6JQHmBfQ[/youtube]
ADIAN COKER | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE
PROJECT OF THE WEEK
While I won't claim to be fully hip to their music or even the least bit familiar with theirbackstory, I can say I know good music when I hear it and consequently thought the crew known as Elekwent Folk's latest effort was deserving of some love and recognition.
Composed of A-Ro, AstroLogical, and Slippery Elm, the Vancouver based collective's new LP's production instantly caught my attention. Upon pressingly play and listening to EF's latest album listeners can expect to be treated to an aural tapestry of rich soulful sample-based sounds, mellowed out vibes and naturally delivered lyrical content. Working off the mutual relationship that exists between the genres of jazz and hip-hop, EF bridges and exploits that bond with a precise level of expertise on notable tracks "Seasons Go", "Wreck Beach Sunrise" and "Mercury Raps".
In addition to production handled exclusively by AstroLogical, the album features guest appearances from Claire Mortifee, Moka Only, Panther and Ashleigh Eymann. Preview those three select tracks and follow the download link to check out Elekwent Folk's Northern Lights LP which available for a price of your choosing. Show some love and support good music via EF's Bandcamp page.
Other Noteworthy Projects
DJ Khaled – Kiss The Ring [LP]
J Bizness – Flight Plan [LP]
Jasmine Solano – RAP [EP]
Lyriciss – The Balance: Heart [EP]
Nina B – Titles Are Played Out [EP]
Styles P – The Diamond Life Project [Mixtape]
TOPE – Wkend Beats #10: NewKids [Beat Tape]
Zilla Rocca – Full Spectrum [EP]
Upcoming Releases – August 28
Nakim – YNWA+$ [Mixtape]
Rapsody – Idea Of Beautiful [LP]
Supreme Cuts x Haleek Maul – Chrome Lips [Mixtape]
Various Artists – Closed Sessions Vol. 2 [ LP] (August 30)
Friday Flashback
Redman – "I'll Bee Dat!"
Though better known as 1/2 of hip-hop Meth and Red, and maybe depending on who you ask as the co-star on the short-live FOX comedy Meth & Red and/or the early 2001 stoner film How High, rap veteran Redman has enjoyed a succesfful career all his own. Unofficialy known as the 10th member of the Wu-Tang Clan, New Jersey bred rapper has released over six solo LPs, several collaborative albums and enjoyed an active career spanning over two decades.
One of Red's most successful solo LPs, Doc's da Name 2000 (1998) released less than a year prior to the Meth and Red's debut LP Black Out (1999), spawned three top 100 Billboard singles one of which was the Rockwilder produced track "I'll Bee Dat!". Recorded as the album's lead single "I'll Bee Dat" along with two other successful singles propelled Red's LP to number 11 on the Billboard charts and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
As a member of hip-hop's 40 and Up Club, a club whose numbers are continuing to swell with the near daily addition of other popular emcee's that made their name in the 90s when FUBU jerseys and Timberlands boots were fashion staples in the world of hip-hop, Redman has enjoyed a fruitful career both as member of Death Squad in the early 90s, a Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate, as 1/2 of Meth and Red and as a solo artist. With a project slated to be released later this year Redman shows no signs of hanging up his mic anytime soon.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si186d57Ra4[/youtube]
That's all for this week's edition of Straight No Chase. Thanks for checking in and checking out our fresh selection of all things hip-hop. As always, feel free to comment on this week's tunes and/or offer up any suggestions and music and video submissions for the subsequent edition of Straight No Chase.
