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Hip Hop

Mikky Ekko – Pull Me Down (The Internet Remix)

mikky-ekko-pull-me-down-internet-ofwgkta-remix-534x534

The Internet’s (OFWGKTA’s Syd the Kyd & Matt Martians) sultry remix of Mikky Ekko’s great “Pull Me Down” from last year is so good, it warrants a lifting of b3sci’s long standing Odd Future Embargo. Sade just called (yeah’s she’s got our number, deal with it.) and said this remix is too sexy even for her. Get familiar below.

The Internet arizona (Twitter)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
02-19-13

phedee – 1992

phedee

phedee is somewhat of a mystery, relatively undiscovered, the artist is a track monster. Releasing new stuff every couple weeks, there’s always a new gem. At only 19, phedee has a very classic 90s hip-hop/R&B feel as this track’s title “1992” indicates. When listening, it’s impossible not to be reminded of The Avalanches. It’s all over the place, yet so very cohesive. With fluttery effects, and a recurrent piano, you’re instantly taken into an imaginary world where this is your favorite song. Maybe it should be in this world too. By Phoebe Anne Severin

phedee nevada (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
02-12-13

MED & BLU – Burgundy Whip (prod. by MADLIB)

MED & BLU - Burgundy Whip - prod. by MADLIB

The Stones Throw all-star team shows out on the 70’s heroin soul sounds of “Burgundy Whips. “The Burgundy” EP, from which “Burgundy Whip” is taken from, is already out on vinyl (can’t ever fall behind Madlib) but is due for a digital release on February 19th. We, of course, love (as you should too) every hand in this and the track’s quality rides right along with the high quality of its lineup.

MADLIB (Official)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
02-12-13

PARIS 96 – Afternoon

paris 96

Finally! Longtime friends Theophilus London and Jesse Boykins III make it legal with new PARIS 96 collaborative project. First track “Afternoon” is the perfect mix of JBIII’s sophisticated R&B stylings and T. London’s percussive rhyming playboy thing. Expect an EP from these two in April. Psyched!

PARIS 96 (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-08-13

Forte Bowie – Gucci Mane

fortebowie

Forte Bowie, who was recently featured on Trinidad James’ (all gold blah blah blah) “Southside” record, lets loose the first track from his forthcoming Vice Haus EP, “Gucci Mane”. First, “Gucci Mane” (burr burr burr burr) is an incredibly varied (and unexpected) track. The track & Fort adeptly run through gear after gear after gear, from trap-influenced verses, an R&B middle bit, an Ellie Goulding sample to a great 90’s-styled hook. Look out for more from Fort Bowie when Vice Hause drops on the 18th.

Forte Bowie – Gucci Mane

Forte Bowie (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
02-07-13

Phil Beaudreau – This Is Why (Feat. Dawaun Parker)

Phill Beaudreau - This Is Why (Feat. Dawaun Parker)

R&B upstart Phil Beaudreau and producer Dawaun Parker convert another track to the gem category (each track’s been a diamond thusfar) with the beautiful conscious-driven “This Is Why”. The production (between the soulful horns and gloomy textured atmospheres) is absolutely lights out; and that dreamy falsetto chorus hook? Heavenly. Get familiar ASAP.

Phill Beaudreau – This Is Why (Feat. Dawaun Parker)

Phil Beaudreau california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
02-06-13

AraabMUZIK – The Prince Is Coming

araabmuzik

Big Beast AM lets loose (what is presumably) the first leak off his upcoming For Professional Use Only mixtape which due two weeks from today (Feb. 19). AraabMUZIK is about as consistent as they come, and “The Prince Is Coming” is another high marks entry and valediction for the Dipset beatmaker.

AraabMUZIK newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-05-13

OutKast – B.O.B. (Woody Remix)

OutKast - B.O.B. (Woody Remix)

Remix freedom fighter Woody (who impressed the b3 team with his Biggie remixes, mixes material from another member of hip hop’s pantheon OutKast and their Stankonia iconic “B.O.B.”. Remixing a singular track like “B.O.B.” (that really doesn’t need a remix; we’re looking at your bedroom trap dudes) is not a task for amateurs (or anyone really), Woody proves himself again here, however, a capable hand/caretaker with the classics; styling it in manner that is uniquely his and absolutely standalone on its own.

OutKast – B.O.B. (Woody Remix)

Woody california (Official)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-04-13

Gittaa Thomas – Moments

gittaa thomas

We don’t know much about rapper Gittaa Thomas other than; 1) He’s from Chicago 2) He used to be in a rap duo called Gez Lewiez 3) His debut single “Moments” absolutely kills.

Gittaa Thomas – Moments

Gittaa Thomas (Twitter)

Rating 8.8

reviewed by
02-01-13

Cities Aviv – Power Exchange

POWER EXCHANGE. Memphis (surprise! he’s not UK) rapper Cities Aviv, who’s underrated Black Pleasure mixtape was a b3 favorite last year, chops it up on top a female-voiced 80’s soul-sampling beat of his own creation.

Cities Aviv (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-25-13

TNGHT – R U Ready

If Godzilla had Spotify, we’re pretty sure his “Destroy Tokyo Jams” playlist would just feature “R U Ready” 20+ times. It’s that GODZILLA heater.

TNGHT – R U Ready

TNGHT (Facebook)

Rating 8.645

brown8

reviewed by
01-23-13

Ab-Soul & JMSN – You’re Gone

“You’re Gone” is the first preview from Ab-Soul & JMSN’s upcoming collaborative LP, Unit 6. “You’re Gone” is a definite first mark in the dope column for Unit 6 and has Team B3 that much more keyed up for its release. “You’re Gone” is ambitious (like orchestra tones out the ride ambitious), the production is next level, and it sounds nothing like the current rap milieu. Win.

Ab-Soul & JMSN – You’re Gone

Ab-Soul (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-22-13