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 staff-selected noteworthy 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
Crooked I – “The Shady Dynasty”
Crooked I throws himself back into the hip hop limelight once again, this time by laying down a couple of verses over a classic Jay Z instrumental. The Slaughterhouse emcee tears up Jigga’s classic beat from “The Dynasty Intro”, as he spits about the current state of the music industry, Eminem being a Rap God and Shady Records. “The Shady Dynasty” is a great example of the lyricism that Crooked I possess, and it won’t be long until we get another project from the west coast wordsmith.
Naturally Born Strangers (Rich Kidd, Tona & Adam Bomb) – “Jameson Ave” (Prod. Rich Kidd)
Naturally Born Strangers are made up of Toronto natives Rich Kidd, Tona and Adam Bomb. The three have recently joined musical forces and are set to release their self-titled mixtape, which is produced in its entireity by Rich Kidd, at the end of this month and “Jameson Ave is the first cut we’ve heard from them. All three emcees go hard over a bangin’ beat which samples the opening Yeezy line from “No Church In The Wild”. The NBS mixtape coincides with the release of their very own clothing collaboration with Toronto brand Legends League.
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Trae Tha Truth – “Hold Up” (Feat. Jeezy, T.I & Diddy)
Houston native Trae Tha Truth has given us a healthy dose of the south this week, with his brand new single “Hold Up”. Trae comes through with that Houston flow that has become a staple of some of the best hip-hop emcees including the legendary Bun B, over a trap style beat that knocks hard. If that wasn’t enough, we’re also treated to guest verses from southern rap legends Jeezy and T.I as well as a thirty second co-sign from east coast kingpin Diddy. “Hold Up” will be enough to satisfy Trae fans whilst we await the announcement of the release date for his forthcoming album Banned, from which “Hold Up” is taken.
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119670729" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
Casey Veggies – “Faces” (Remix) (Feat. Dom Kennedy)
When the right combination of people jump on a remix, it can have great results. A fine example of this is Casey Veggie’s getting fellow west coast emcee Dom Kennedy to hop onto the remix of “Face”, which is taken from Casey’s mixtape Life Changes, which was released earlier this year. If the track wasn’t already dope enough, Dom injects even more west coast swagger into the mix, kicking off the opening verse that includes a line referring to his recently released album Get Home Safely. He spits, "album leaked a week early niggas still gonna cop”, referring to how the album got out before it’s official release date. Casey is currently working on a new project with MMG signee Rockie Fresh, entitled Fresh Veggies, the release date hasn’t been announced as of yet, but keep your eyes and ears peeled!
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119655799" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
Jhene Aiko – “Stay Ready” (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)
Def Jam’s Jhene Aiko has had quite a topsy turvy year so far. She was involved in a car crash back in August, but luckily she wasn’t seriously injured. She also featured on the hook of a track taken from Drake’s platinum album Nothing Was The Same, which released in September. This week however, was something of a personal landmark for her, as she released her highly anticipated EP Sail Out. The seven-track project has been released in anticipation to her debut full-length album Souled Out, which is due out next year. Although the entire EP is strong, one of the stand out tracks sees her team up with recently crowned GQ rapper of the year and hip hop legend in the making, Kendrick Lamar. The songstress soulfully glides across the spacey beat with her sultry vocals hitting the spot perfectly. Kendrick comes in with an equally engaging flow, and the Compton native talks about being in a relationship and the little things that you do in love.
ON THE ROCKS: WEEKLY RECAP
Here's a recap of some of the best hip-hop covered this past week on EARMILK. Take a couple of minutes to stroll down memory lane and revisit a few of tracks brought to you earlier in the week. For those who may have been snoozing at the wheel, here's your chance to play catch up:
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/113386841" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/118811784?secret_token=s-gGhuK" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120340484" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Pusha T – "Hold On" (Feat. Rick Ross)
First of all, I absolutely cannot believe everyone here at EARMILK missed the release on this, and I’m very much banging my head on my laptop right now because of it. I suppose it’s better late than never though, so here goes nothing.
A bit darker than what I’d prefer the end of the week to bring, but still stunningly beautiful, the visuals are a great complement to Pusha T’s talents, which are ever so clearly exhibited in this track. In the business of “underground” music (used relatively loosely but I think you get the idea), it’s easy to start discrediting every bigger name act as a sell-out, but for many this simply isn’t true. While there are cookie cutter celebrities out there, a lot of them are where they are at now because they worked hard, honed their craft, and spent years grinding. This is the case with Pusha T. Stuck somewhere between the underground scene and mainstream world, he’s managed to highlight that his departure from working with his brother constantly has been worth it. He’s a part of a great label, his album has been fantastic, and things only look stronger.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWwbr-1tAVA[/youtube]
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UPCOMING RELEASES
Kool G Rap & Necro (Godfathers)
Once Upon A Crime
- Psycho+Logical-Records
- November 19, 2013
Esoteric & Stu Bangas
Machete Mode
- Man Bites Dog Records
- November 26, 2013
