Happy Thoughts

Some of that true school, mellow-hype, boom-bap rap. Smart, tight rhymes, but not overly academic either. Real stuff, but not just early-90s copy catting. Flavor. Shout out to Savannah, GA. Dope Sandwich. 

 

"Bushido Blades and Blunt Guts"

The debut album from this Savannah, GA-based rap duo is a gritty, anxious, boom bap jewel. Dope Sandwich in the house. Dope KNife on the beats. 

Open Mike Eagle x Gold Panda

This song is dope. Futuristic smart rap. All sorts of cameos in the video, too. Including Hannibal Buress, Jean Grae, Quelle Chris and more. 

 

Get it from iTunes.

Biggie remix

I'm usually not too hot on remixes of classic hip hop tunes of the mid-90s because oftentimes they end up being weaker renditions of the original. When they work is when they don't just leverage a couple of great verses, but change the entire vibe of the song. Recontextualization. That's the name of the game with this super laidback remix of Notorious B.I.G.'s anthem. 

Some new Diamond District

Been waiting years for this follow up. Different style, same vibe. 

"Fuck Google"

Sole's newest collaboration with DJ Pain1 keeps it so real that if you don't end up depressed or angry after listening to the whole record, then you need to slow down on the prescription pills.

Behind Bars Volume One

Dope Sandwich crew drops a new mixtape (more of a free album really) that is chock full of real hip hop sh*t. Sharp lyrics. Listen to Knife's update on Ten Rap Commandments. Raw gold.

"Prickly"

Hadn't heard of Oren L. until pretty recently when he popped up on a bill for a Red Bull Selects night curated by DJ Low Key and headlined by Exile. This new video of his is pretty dope. S/O to HHRC.

Oren L. "Prickly" [OFFICIAL VIDEO] from Fa'al Ali on Vimeo.

"Young Enough"

Cymbalik & Thought dropped this jewel on Damn Son!, which is kinda crazy since most of what I associate them with is ambient footwork, future beats and dubstep. But this here is low-key, dusty real shit that evokes a Wu Tang associate project circa '96-7. 

"Stares & Screams"

This new KidSyc is super fresh. He deftly switches flows over top of a minimal piano line that picks up percussion to build effect. His new album Really Cool is coming soon. 

"Bouillon"

New classic business from established West Coasters SlimKid3, Dj NuMark, Del and Murs. Crisp drums and an infectious piano loop.


via EgoTrip

"E.D.G.E."

London MC Little Simz is back with a new record. Her freebie X.Y.Zed from early 2013 was a favorite of mine. She snaps on the mic over top of floating, spacey future beats. Don't sleep on this. 

Koreatown Oddity

"Title Sequence" speaks for itself when it comes to being ill. Squeeling string loops don't need drums for him to go in. Album coming soon on Alpha Pup.

BishopNehru

Stone cold. 

Miggs

The homies at Dope Sandwich just dropped Miggs' new album Son of A Gun. It's a gem. If you find yourself occasionally yearning for classic New York boom bap, then the mix of dusty samples, word play and braggadocio will hit the spot. 

Outkast

Just got tickets to see Outkast in Denver this summer as part of the lineup for Mad Decent's block party. Dope. This Mick Brooklyn mix is a nice retrospective of rarities, gems and features. 

Some new Jay Electronica

Dropped in a fit of gratitude after SXSW, this is some artful music in the hip hop idiom. 

via OKP

Week of K.R.I.T.

Big K.R.I.T. is scattering jewels all over the internet. One day premiering an exclusive on Spin, the next on Complex, etc. This smooth gem really caught my ear. 

"Dance Off"

Holy crap. This new Wheelchair Sportscamp song is the f%#@ing jam. 

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DL here

"Quamilus Manifesto"

One of my favorite true school hip hop MCs out of the ATL by way of SAV and Jamaica. You need this in your life.