Artistic Manifesto

Black Hippy - "U.O.E.N.O."

2013-05-22T18:38:00.002-04:00

TDE emcees Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock recently debuted a promo clip for the good kid, m.A.A.d. city Tour in which they delivered their own hard-hitting version of Rocko's infectious "U.O.E.N.O." 2DopeBoyz recently supplied the fiends with the audio version of this posse cut. Each emcee delivers in succession, showcasing their individual style and prowess as an emcee. Listen for yourself below.

Video: Melanie Fiona covers Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance"

2013-05-22T18:22:00.000-04:00

It's always interesting to hear songs covered in different genres. Melanie Fiona does just that with her smooth rendition of the late Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance," a standout track from Ready To Die. Big's birthday was yesterday, so it's only right. As the video begins, we hear her laying down the different chords to create harmony, then she actually sings the first part of the first verse. Dare we say that she one-upped Faith Evans? Decide for yourself. Watch the video after the break. Props to SoulCulture.

Finish ScHoolboy Q's Verse & Win $500

2013-05-22T18:07:00.001-04:00

Whether you're an emcee or not, ScHoolboy Q's latest media campaign will be of interest due to the $500 prize offering. The West Coast emcee is teaming up with Global Grind and Boost Mobile for a contest allowing fans to submist lyrics for his verse as part of their "Be Heard" series. Not only will the winner have their lyrics included on the final song, he or she will also receive $500 cash. Get those pens ready ladies and gentlemen. Listen to the first part of the verse after the break. Props to Complex.

MeLo-X - "Mojitos and Little Dragons"

2013-05-22T16:45:00.002-04:00

The first thing you hear when this song begins is the crisp, echoing percussion. As the AbJo-produced track continues to develop, MeLo-X asserts himself, delivering a precise verse while backed by smooth, electronic melodies and vocals. The multi-talented Brooklyn native is preparing to release a follow-up to his GOD: LoFi EP, and "Mojitos and Little Dragons" has great vibes that build anticipation for the full release. Listen for yourself below and look out for more from MeLo-X in the near future. Shouts to Potholes.

Video: Atmosphere - "Ain't Nobody"

2013-05-22T15:26:00.001-04:00

Atmosphere came to party, but they don't want to party with you. That is the main premise of their bluesy single, "Ain't Nobody," which receives an interesting visual representation two years after its release as a part of The Family Sign album. The video shows two skateboarding friends being followed by two bikini-clad women throughout an entire day. Watch for yourself after the break.

The Underachievers – “May’s Patience”

2013-05-22T13:04:00.001-04:00

Brooklyn duo The Underachievers made waves with their debut mixtape, Indigoism. Signed to Flying Lotus's Brainfeeder logo, Issa and AK propagate a gritty style that is representative of the area they are from without being stuck in the monotony of the expected. "May's Patience" piques interest for their next project, Chapter 23, which is expected to drop some time this summer. Bluesy instrumentation and just the right amount of bass serve as an excellent backdrop for both emcees to showcase their unique deliveries. Listen for yourself below.

Ta-ku - "Love Lost” (Daughter Edit)"

2013-05-22T11:35:00.002-04:00

Ta-ku revealed via Soundcloud that he'd been wanting to remix Daughter's "Love Lost" for quite some time, and now that we have that remix in our hands it's clear why. For those unaware (myself included), Daughter is a trio from the United Kingdom led by singer and songwriter Elena Tonra. For those who have been listening, Ta-ku has slowly been creating his own lane through his remixes and original tracks. This drifting, ethereal edit continues to do so. Listen for yourself below. Props to Potholes.

Video: T.I. ft. Cee-Lo - "Hello"

2013-05-22T11:11:00.002-04:00

T.I.'s Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. In all honesty, T.I. is more than likely way past his prime. Doesn't mean he's done making good music. "Hello" was one of my favorite tracks, for the mellow Cee-Lo hook and Tip's introspective lyrics. Today, MTV debuted the accompanying metaphoric video, depicting a journey through the desert. Life metaphors, anyone? Watch for yourself after the break.

Get More: T.I., Hello ft. CeeLo Green, Music, More Music Videos

Polyester the Saint ft. Freddie Gibbs - "I Win"

2013-05-21T23:36:00.000-04:00

Even if its not summertime yet, you'll feel like it is when listening to Polyester the Saint's "I Win." A frequent Dom Kennedy collaborator, the Los Angeles native elects to recruit the hard-hitting Freddie Gibbs to add a guest verse over the summery track. This track will be featured on Polyester's latest project, P.O.P., which stands for "Passion, Obsession, Profession," and will hit the streets on May 29th. Listen to "I Win" for yourself below. Shouts to Complex.

Madlib - "The Mad March (Skipping Drunk)"

2013-05-21T19:53:00.000-04:00

As Madlib prepares to drop a new LP called Rock Konducta later this year, he drops "The Mad March (Skipping Drunk)" to give us a taste of what to expect. The limited edition EP will be available at a Madlib Medicine Show in San Francisco, CA on June 7th. "The Mad March" chops up a sample from a marching band stomp and flips it into a unique listen that is more than enough to whet appetites for the release of Rock Konducta. Listen for yourself below. Props to Stereogum.

Fashion: iLTHY Summer Lookbook

2013-05-21T17:41:00.001-04:00

Cleveland-based brand iLTHY's summer line drops on June 8th, and their lookbook is packed full of the bright colors and sharp designs that made us love them in the first place. Check out the full line after the break. If you like what you see, head over to iLTHY.com.

Goodie Mob ft. Janelle Monae – “Special Education”

2013-05-21T16:44:00.001-04:00

Goodie Mob described their forthcoming Age Against The Machine album as "Public Enemy on acid," and in all honesty their latest single is in line with that assertion. "Special Education," which features a chorus from the phenomenal Janelle Monae, features grinding guitar and distorted melodies. It's amazing hearing all of the group rapping again, especially Cee-Lo. Nothing is held back. Listen for yourself below. Look for Age Against The Machine to release August 27. Shouts to Potholes.

Pharrell Williams - "Happy"

2013-05-21T16:22:00.001-04:00

Virginia legend Pharrell Williams teams up with composer Heitor Pereira to produce the soundtrack for Despicable Me 2, which stars Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig. Today we listen to "Happy," one of Pharrell's three original tracks to be included, for the very first time. Pharrell proves once more that he is an expert at crafting mellow, melodic jams made for the summer months. Right on time. Listen for yourself via Rolling Stone.

Francis and the Lights - "ETC"

2013-05-21T13:30:00.000-04:00

Francis and the Lights might be a new name to most readers, but chances are you have heard the work of the alternative pop songwriter/producer. Francis produced "Karaoke" off of Drake's debut album, Thank Me Later, and has released three EPs publicly. After almost three years, Francis and the Lights has returned with a new single, "ETC". The piano-driven instrumentation provides an eerie backdrop for Francis' airy falsetto to float seamlessly throughout the song. Check out "ETC" below, and be on the lookout for more tunes from Francis and the Lights coming soon.

Sir Michael Rocks ft. Dash & Ab-Soul - "In A Minute"

2013-05-21T09:41:00.001-04:00

The aptly named "In A Minute" is a single off of Sir Michael Rocks's forthcoming While You Wait project, which is meant to soothe fans who are anxious for the release of his album, Banco. "In A Minute" isn't a bad holdover at all, featuring verses from Dash and Ab-Soul over some Larry Fisherman (Mac Miller) production. The dark and creepy instrumental sparks some aggressive verses for all three emcees, making for an engaging listen from start to finish. Listen for yourself below. Shouts to Complex.

Lupe Fiasco - "Animal Pharm"

2013-05-21T01:17:00.001-04:00

Lupe Fiasco is back with "Animal Pharm," another dense dose of lyricism that reminds us of what he's capable of. The production sounds like some sort of 1990's video game interspersed with some creepy, more modern sound effects. The lyrics don't let up. Then again, what did you expect? Listen for yourself below.

Beyonce - "Grown Woman"

2013-05-20T23:12:00.004-04:00

We heard a snippet on the Pepsi commercial, and now the full version of Beyonce's "Grown Woman" emerges in the midst of confusion over whether or not she's having her second child with her husband. The song is an upbeat, empowering anthem that is heavily influenced by producer Timbaland's signature style. Look for this cut to appear on Beyonce's forthcoming album. Listen for yourself below.

Video: Action Bronson - "Strictly 4 My Jeeps"

2013-05-20T15:30:00.000-04:00

Is there anyone out there like Action Bronson right now? Bronsolino links with producer Harry Fraud once again for the uptempo "Strictly 4 My Jeeps". Throw in some heavy weightlifting, a cartwheel, some PLUS size "dancers", some nighttime gourmet grilling, AND a cameo from Riff Raff and you have a Jason Goldwatch directed visual that defines Bronson's unique style. The record will live on Bronson and Fraud's collaborative project, Saab Stories, slated to release in June. Peep the video after the break.

Video: Phil Ade - "Nas Told Me"

2013-05-20T13:48:00.000-04:00

"Nas told me the world is yours, best believe I'ma get what's mine." That is the quote that forms the foundation of the chorus to Phil Ade's newly released "Nas Told Me," an edgy Sunny Norway-produced affair that reminds me of Kanye's 808's & Heartbreaks era. Directed by Jerome D., the video is primarily composed of flickering, black-and-white footage, interspersed with iconic imagery. Phil definitely tells his story on this track, expressing the way he feels after enduring past hardships. "Nas Told Me" will be featured on the forthcoming R.O.S.E. project.

Video: B.o.B. - "Through My Head"

2013-05-20T12:33:00.004-04:00

B.o.B. proves that he's unafraid to jump into the political arena with his latest release, a video for "Through My Head." This rock-tinged track combines the Atlanta emcee's pop sensibilities with his polarizing viewpoint in regards to the way our country is being head, making for a song with iconic potential. If I were a movie director, this track would be on my short list for future films. The video, produced by Ricardo de Montreuil and Eliz Eskeranli, plays out like a science fiction thriller, complete with police standoffs and people with superpowers. You know, everyday stuff. Watch for yourself after the break and look for B.o.B.'s Underground Luxury to drop soon. Shouts to IllRoots.

DJ Reflex ft. Childish Gambino - "Body So Tight"

2013-05-20T11:44:00.003-04:00

If you were familiar with Childish Gambino's emceeing in his Sick Boi days, you understand that he's come a long way with his artistry. He continues to learn the finer points of the game as he hones his skills with tracks such as "Body So Tight," a DJ Reflex track that he features on. This bass-heavy record doesn't necessarily play to his strengths on paper- it calls for a more energized emcee to really set things off, but the man holds his own. I would have loved to hear him a bit more fired up, like in "Freaks And Geeks." Listen and decide for yourself below. Shouts to HNHH.

Wale - "Love Hate Thing"

2013-05-20T10:13:00.003-04:00

Maybach Music's own Wale releases "Love Hate Thing," the follow-up single to his chart-topping "Bad." If these two tracks are any indication, The Gifted could potentially mark Wale's retreat from the sound he's been pursuing since joining with Maybach Music. "Love Hate Thing" finds Folarin flossing his more poetic sound over a soulful instrumental that lacks the brazen, over-energized sound typically associated with MMG. Many fans have felt alienated from Wale due to his behavior and most recent releases. "Love Hate Thing" may help close the gap. Listen for yourself after the break. Props to 2DopeBoyz.

Waldo - "Finally"

2013-05-19T23:47:00.001-04:00

Recently signed to the Soulection imprint, Michigan native Waldo possesses a laser-sharp delivery that is quite noticeable in "Finally," his latest release. Produced by forward-thinking producer Sango, "Finally" sports electronic influences that add another level of energy to the track. Waldo discusses the universally relatable topic of the journey to achieving one's dreams in a memorable manner. Listen for yourself below.

Johnny Rain - "Mullholland Drive, My Abyss"

2013-05-19T20:18:00.000-04:00

Californian Johnny Rain is seeking to make an impact with a unique brand of soul music that will reach much bigger audiences in the near future. His latest single, "Mulholland Drive, My Abyss," is an edgy listen from his latest project, Lullaby Of Machine, a self-produced effort that has drawn comparisions to the likes of The Weeknd and Frank Ocean. Listen for yourself below. Props to EarMilk.

Snippet: Chris Brown ft. Aaliyah - "They Don't Know"

2013-05-19T19:37:00.001-04:00

We can't say for sure if this song has anything to do with past beef between Drake and Chris Brown, but doesn't it seem a little suspect that Chris Brown is next in line to honor Aaliyah's legacy after Drake's controversial "Enough Said" hit the streets last August? Regardles, we can hear snippets of "They Don't Know" today. The full track will be included on Brown's forthcoming LP, entitled X. The record features previously unreleased vocals from the late songstress. Listen for yourself below. Props to SoulCulture.