Ski Beatz, best known for producing four songs on Reasonable Doubt and Camp Lo’s classic debut  Uptown Saturday Night, has something new to be proud of, thanks to Mos Def and Whosane. “Taxi” from Ski’s upcoming mixtape 24 Hour Karate School abandons the jazz/soul samples of his earlier work in favor of a moody jam that hangs back and lets Mos Def to do his thing.

Download: Ski Beatz – Taxi (ft. Mos Def, Whosane)

via Xclusives Zone

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You can always count on DJ Quik for sunny pool party music. Off Quik’s upcoming album The Book of David.

Download: DJ Quik – Nobody (ft. Suga Free)

via Rap Radar

Though Consequence has a reputation as the easily ignored member of Kanye’s entourage, he’s redoubled his efforts in anticipation of the release of his new album ConsTV. While the album’s main draw will be Kanye’s production, Movies On Demand sees Cons holding his own and standing out among guest appearance from Rick Ross, Pharoahe Monche, Common, and Talib Kweli.

His position as Kanye’s lesser known little buddy allows him to rap about fame and glamor, but also maintain some semblance of humility since he’s far from a household name.

Download: Consequence – Movies on Demand

via Nah Right

This has been out for a minute as a snippet called “Blue Eagles”, this is the full version of the song. For the record: Rae should swapped this, “State Of Grace” and “My Corner” for “Mean Streets” and the Dre tracks on OBCL2. Just incredible rhyming from Rae over a beautiful string and guitar sample produced by Mondee.

Raekwon – Flawless Crowns (prod. Mondee)

I mentioned Koncrete a couple of months ago. His mixtape, Well Grounded, is set to be released on March 26. He just sent us a freestyle, on the much used Over beat.  This dude has a ridiculous flow, and he is definitely an artist to watch.

Download: Koncrete- Kon Air (Freestyle)

Bonus: Koncrete- Too Young To Die

In late December I found out about a little site called ChatRoulette, a site which pairs you with random strangers in the world that have video cameras and have nothing better to do with their lives than talk to strangers (if you didn’t know this you might live under a rock, age can’t be an excuse because old dudes stay posted up on CR). I wish I documented all of my interactions on there, I’ve had Frat Brahs curse me out for a few minutes to talking to Mainland China residents (who were wearing heavy winter coats indoors) about Yao Ming. I’m still trying to convince KnobbzXL to give it a whirl, I think it would transform his life. Anyways, this video is one of the most hilarious things I’ve seen in a bit. It’s some guy serenading random people on the piano, and doing it with amazing wit. I had to play it back a few times (I mean you guys probably don’t remember when I wrote a full paragraph about something, right?!). I hope more videos come out soon.

After the jump I’ve added a few things CR related that I’ve come across over the past few months you might have missed.

Jon Stewart on CR:

Short CR documentary:

Creator of Chat Roulette, 17 talks to the New York Times (RUSSIA STAND UP)

Some crack from the inbox. Brooklyn MC Sene is one of the few New York rappers you should be excited about. Blu produced his last album A Day Late and a Dollar Short.

Download: Sene – Follow Leaders (produced by Tranzformer)

The Usual Suspects are a Chicago-based rap crew who just released their self-titled debut EP online.  Rapper Ebonics kicks impeccable, effortless flows while group producer the Professional provides soulful, surprisingly polished beats. Nothing you haven’t heard before on here, but If you like throwback hip-hop with strong rapping and great beats, do yourself a favour and peep this EP. I’m glad to see the EP making a comeback. More rookie rappers would do well to follow this example and introduce yourself with a strong, concise EP instead of an overstuffed, underproduced mixtape.

The highlights are numerous but two songs stood out to me. “Truer Love” weaves a gorgeous piano sample with knocking drums as Ebonics rhapsodizes about his girl, guaranteed to get your head bobbing. “Cookin’ Up Classics” sees Ebonics spit an impressive double-time flow over a churning, stuttering beat.
Listen to both tracks and cop the whole EP below:

Truer Love (ft.Elle)

Cookin’ Up Classics

Download: The Usual Suspects – The Usual Suspects EP

These two Game tracks leaked via this unofficial mixtape. Game and Ja Rule (remember that guy?) make a surprisingly strong combo, crappy Scott Storch beat and all. See also: “Sunset.”

Download: Game -  Jump Off (ft. Ja Rule) (produced by Scott Storch)

Download: Game – Get Wild

via Hear-It-First.Net

Starlito (aka All Star) and DJ Burn One’s Renaissance Gangter is the South’s answer to Prodigy and Alchemist’s Return of the Mac. Starlito divides his attention between exploring the gangster mythos and ruminating about weed (“Alright”). DJ Burn One supplies a cohesive backdrop of 70s samples that gives Alchemist’s blaxploitation motif on Return of the Mac a run for its money. The mixtape/street album is out now and is definitely worth a listen. You’re going to want to tell people you were up on Starlito early.

Download: Starlito – What I Was Thinking (produced by DJ Burn One)

via OnSMASH