SayItAintTone - Can I Live f. Machine Gun Kelly

Wow, I'm truly shocked. Usually I see the name Machine Gun Kelly - and I can't tell you what happens next because that's as far as it goes. I really don't like most of dude's music. Sorry, just my view.

However in this case things are completely different. Not only am I loving this track - and I should mention I have nothing against SayItAintTone, insane-capital-letters-spelling aside, dude rocks the mic - but it's got one of the most inventive and truly pleasant beats I've heard in a minute. The sounds build and build throughout the song and the beat ends up being far from simple. Real nice melodic hook and some good, hard knocking for your Friday.

Who's ready to rage? *This guy*

[Click here to download: SayItAintTone – Can I Live f. Machine Gun Kelly]

M.I.A. - Bad Girls (rmx) f. Missy Elliot & Rye Rye

I don't think I could even say when the last time was that I heard, saw, or listened to M.I.A...which is remarkable given how fucking huge she was when her career took off several years ago. Of course, it could also just be that I've been mad out of it these past few months. This is a remix, and needless to say, I'm posting it because it stomps like no other. I'm loving the all-female line-up, too, especially the recruitment of the insanely talented Rye Rye to spit a verse - which she does in about quadruple time. Straight nonsense. Chyea!

[Click here to download: M.I.A. - Bad Girls (rmx) f. Missy Elliot & Rye Rye]

Pusha T - In This Ho (Lambo) f. Swizz Beats

Good god this shit is repulsive. At first I was like - why is it so god damn quiet? Then the beat drops in and its like a chainsaw getting driven through your skull by a gorilla - but, like, in the good way. All I can say is, I hope Pusha is careful with that Lambo and all those assault rifles in the back, cuz thing is driving. Stop fucking around - git on this hurr sheet.

[Click here to download: Pusha T - In This Ho (Lambo) f. Swizz Beats]

DJ Kay Slay - Microphone Murder f. Freeway, Young Crhis, Tray Lee, & Beanie Sigel

I'm inclined to post anything up here that contains even a smidgen of Freeway. Dude just has such a cool fucking voice. If anyone is murdering the mic on this track, it's Free. Then there's the glaring reality that this track bumps through the floor. Between those two factors, ya'll gotta know I'ma be throwing this heater up here. Off the upcoming Rhyme or Die LP, courtesy Mr. Slay. Hit the DL below.

[Click here to download: DJ Kay Slay - Microphone Murder f. Freeway, Young Chris, Tray Lee & Beanie Sigel]

Juvenile - Fall Back f. Trae Tha Truth & Z-Ro

Z-Ro definitely has a bit of a Nate Dogg (may he rest in power) thing going on on this track right here. Not only that, but the beat goes so hard I think it's just given me whip-lash. Good to see Juvenile bumping so hard on a verse, joined by the always-entertaining Truth man. Juvenile's Rejuvination EP can be purchased on iTunes now.

[Click here to download: Juvenile - Fall Back f. Trae Tha Truth & Z-Ro]

N.A. - For The Family

Never heard of this dude N.A., but this cut is just what is needed to take some shelter from the blazing heat we're getting today. While dropping some super fly piano lines over a head-nodding beat, N.A. logs one in "for the family." I also have to say I'm really enjoying all of the keys and strings I've been hearing in so many of these new jams. Fer realz though, definitely keep an eye on this guy. After this #winner of a track I know I certainly will. Love. Compromise. Lies. Hustle. drops next month. We gettin' moneyz!

[Click here to download: N.A. - For The Family]

Stack Bundles - U Can't Stop Me

According to several sources, a bunch of Stack Bundles (#RIP) tracks have been floating around the Internet in the past few weeks. Here's one that I found that's totally reminiscent of Kanye's early sound (before he became a world-class douchebag). Great samples and the beat totally has that head-bob knocking going on. And if you know anything about my man Stack, you know he's going to deliver. Hit the DL below.

[Click here to download: Stack Bundles - U Can't Stop Me]

Upper West - Common Ground

I want to first clarify that I have almost entirely no interest in the frat rap scene. So call me a chump if you want, but I have to admit that I really love these dudes. Apparently they came out with their debut mixtape West Side Stories - to quite the warm reception - while I was busy at school this past semester. Having missed that, I'm pleased that I at least showed up for this dopeness. It's classic Upper West: up-beat, catchy-as-fuck hook, and some gorgeous piano lines laid on top of it all. I totally understand if you refuse to listen to frat rap on a matter of principle alone. But hey, I'm as big a hip hop head as anyone and I'm totally digging these dudes.

[Click here to download: Upper West - Common Ground]

Voli - Leap Year (prod. Voli)

It's artists like Voli that made me come back to this blog after such an extended break. He reminds me why I love hip-hop, why I love to constantly explore the new territories it's able to enter, and why the search for new music never gets old. This is what I'd call classy hip hop. The beat is inventive (not to mention self-produced and melodically beautiful) in ways that I've never experienced before, with guitars, horns, and... is that a clarinet I hear? And Voli just leans back and settles into the verses like a dream. It's no surprise that this dude has worked with J. Cole. If you're still wondering what intelligent rap looks like - look no further. Voli's dropping a knowledge apocalypse on us right now.

[Click here to download: Voli - Leap Year (prod. Voli)]

Timbaland – Hands in the Air f. Ne-Yo

Not sure if this will actually count toward one of my five posts of the day, being that it's so short. But I just had to post this, for two reasons. For one thing, I fucking love timbo and nearly everything he does, and I think he is consistently overlooked as a powerhouse producer. The other reason is that this is the first track I listened to this morning and it blew my mind. What a dope way to start the day. Get movin'!