Danny Swain a/k/a Danny! is the producer for “Clock In” a dare we say early Kanye-esque blend of soulful instrumentals and work hard rhymes from Michigan rapper James Gardin. Love.
James Gardin 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.9
Danny Swain a/k/a Danny! is the producer for “Clock In” a dare we say early Kanye-esque blend of soulful instrumentals and work hard rhymes from Michigan rapper James Gardin. Love.
James Gardin (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.9
Consistent strong>K.R.I.T. gets an Usher-esque feature from R&B hand Rico Love on Jim Jonsin-produced “Pay Attention”. K.R.I.T. who typically produces his own tracks turns to the Lil’ Wayne/T.I./American Idol collaborator Jonsin on the decidedly new (for Big K) “Pay Attention”; as the rapper’s flows and rhyme schemes are notably refreshed here. Cadillactica is the upcoming sophomore record from Big K.R.I.T.
Big K.R.I.T. 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Mr. “Drank in My Cup” Kirko Bangz (the similarly of which to Kurt Cobain took me ages to suss out) is prepping the release of his debut LP Bigger Than Me. The Houston-based Bangz is accompanied on the chill sounds in the cut of “Rich” by mainstream R&B newcomer August Alsina on the hook. We like it.
Kirko Bangz 
(Official)
Rating 8.5
Mr. Yeaaah Man, and author of one 2014’s best singles “Good Kisser”, is on to another something good with new one featuring Nicki Minaj, “She Came To Give It To You”. Working in a similar mid 70’s Curtis/Marvin palette as the aforementioned “Good Kisser”, “She Came To” wins on its A+ rhythmic sensibility and pocket perfect melodies. We love it.
Usher 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4938
JVM’s melodically wonderful “Cavalier” was one of our favorite tracks of last year. Here L.A. duo MOORS fashion “Cavalier” around a great eased-back R&B beat that makes the song brand new (and great) all over again. James Vincent McMorrow’s Post Tropical is out now on Vagrant.
James Vincent McMorrow 
(Official) (Facebook) (iTunes)
Rating 9.0
Producer/emcee Sam Lachow debuts on B3 with the A+ chakra rhymes and production of “Dreams of Gold”. Sonically in a lane with UK artists like Raleigh Ritchie and FTSE while still relevant style-wise to a diverse and current palette that can stretch from Soulection to Ty Dolla $, “Dreams of Gold” is excellent and (finally) a fresh injection of creativity into alt-R&B/hip-hop. (HD)
Sam Lachow 
Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
“The Rap Scott Disick”. Statik Selektah drops “The Imperial”, the second single from his forthcoming What Goes Around LP, featuring fresh verses from Action B., Slaughterhouse bro Royce, and veteran of late night Black Thought. August 19th is the street date for What Goes Around on Showoff Records and Duck Down.
Statik Selektah (Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.0
The recently reformed 90’s Bad Boy hitmakers The Lox sample Mary J. Blige on soulful new Sevyn Streeter-assited single. “Remember”, features the aforementioned Streeter of recent radio hit “It Won’t Stop” fame on a sweet like sugar hook that provides a silky counterpoint for the gravely Kiss and the downbeat-chomping Louch and P.
The Lox : (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.6
Chicago-based DJ/Producer Different Sleep hits the web with a slowed down flip of the backside ode “I Won” by Future and Kanye West. The vibe-y very very good remix is one more reason why the internet has so strongly gravitated to this young whiz they call Sleep. This is baby making music right here.
Different Sleep 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
