330. Stalley gets a run on the R&B tip on latest track “Home to You”. Featuring the soulful tones of NY crooner Anthony Flammia, it’s a bit of a different look for the MMG lil’ bro than we’ve heard thusfar but we’re digging it. Wale’s also on the spaced out track turning in what amounts to a relatively forgettable feature; he does however make hip hop’s (probably) first Samardo Samuels reference. Samardo, you made it.
Stalley 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
MMG soldier Meek Mill lets loose “I’m Rollin'” the latest from the Philly rapper forthcoming Dreamchasers 2 mixtape. Produced by “Rack City” beatsmith DJ Mustard, “I’m Rollin'” isn’t “House Party” but it’s still no doubt solid enough to get some run on hip hop radio. Listen.
Meek Mill 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Check out this great new vibed out remix for our dude David Dallas done by his bud Nathan “41” Maclaren. This “Caught in a Daze” mix will be part of an upcoming remix package of Dallas’ awesome sophomore record Rose Tint, due April 3rd. Freddie Gibbs get fried like everyday is Friday.
David Dallas 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
First off, fuck Chris Brown. Now that we’ve got that out of the way. Self-promotion guru DJ Khaled is back with another summer smash with “Take It To The Head”. The smooth heater, sort of in the style of “I’m On One” with a side of current trends in indie R&B, sounds on the first couple listens like a hip hop radio juggernaut. The usual Khaled cast of suspects headline with Rozay, Crazy Nicki & DEWeezy (seriously whoever was running that DEWeezy street team at SXSW deserves a raise cause that shit was EVERYWHERE) making it rain radio-friendly bar after radio-friendly bar. Get behind “Take It To The Head”.
DJ Khaled 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
United Airlines elite status flyer Diplo current run rolls on as he picks up a production credit on this new Azealia Banks track. Diplo’s rapid fire snares nicely frame up Ms. Banks quick-on-the-draw spitting. Try to keep this one out of your head.
Azealia Banks 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
So if you’ve had urban/pop radio on at any point in the last couple weeks you’ve likely heard new Roc Nation ingenue Rita Ora’s RIP track. If you’ve been on the Drake train for a little while, then you’ll likely recognize the hook from his “I’m Ready For Ya” song from a couple years ago. (Oh and that other hook, “can you hear my heart is beating” that’s Nneka’s – “Heartbeat” song from ’09, which maybe more famously was then remixed by Chase & Status). Through the magic of the internet, all of R.I.P.’s component parts have now been fused together into one cohesive (monster) mix. Seems like a bit of a trend has emerged in hip hop (again probably though the magic of the internet and just the broadening of the emerging music dialogue/dynamic/audience) in sampling relatively current hit indie tracks Drake’s Jamie xx/Gil Scott-Heron sampling “Take Care” immediately comes to mind. Spin it and let us know what you think.
Rita Ora 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Yeah, so we scoured the internet, searched wide and far, etc and came up empty on information about the artists involved in this track. Obviously from the accent it sounds like Childhood is of some UK isles extraction and so we’re throwing a soft bet out there that Only Real is British too. (EDIT: We found his Soundcloud, our dude is from London.) Identity verification issues aside “The Drivethough” is a great UK pop/hip-hop track you need to be listening to. Listen.
Only Real (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.2
Last time Stalley and Spitta linked up was for the awesome “Address” which was one of our favorite tracks of 2010. The two MCs hook up again here on the smooth jazz-inflected “Hammers & Vogues” which will appear on Stalley’s upcoming debut LP Savage Journey to the American Dream. The soft rhodes, hushed hi-hats breed beat on “Hammers & Vogues” is the sort of thing $$$$ could rap over in his sleep (or high) (decide which of these two are true) & is the sort of beat that’s right square in Stalley’s wheelhouse too. “H&V”‘s not quite as good as “Address” but it still knocks pretty nicely.
Stalley (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
The internets have been buzzing about this Bassnectar/Lupe collab all week. Teasers, previews, blog promos, etc, etc, the promotional build-up has been extensive. So how’s the track stack up? First, it doesn’t sound really at all like anything we thought it would. (which is probably a good thing.) With its HEAVY bass bang, slowed vocal chop ups, and beefily synthed arpeggios, the track’s pedigree is more Dirty South rap than EDM, L.A.S.E.R.S. or whatever else. Swerve to it.
Bassnectar 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
AraabMUZIK is ON FIRE! Swizz Beatz is not a great rapper but with support from AM’s producing-out-of-his-mind level beat he sounds at least competent here (if not enjoyable). The hipster hammer A$AP Rocky is on the feature here and easily holds up his part of the song with a fresh set of rhymes.
Swizz Beatz (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Just a reminder: Our home state just (IRL trolled your brackets) put 4 teams in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, including Cincinnati, which is not only the alma mater of one b3sci’s writers; (shouts to Erin) but also the hometown of Tanya Morgan members Donwill and Illyas. Right so you know now that Brooklynati is in a stage of full effect. The chill subtle heater “Rock the Bells” is new from the trio and some of the group’s best and most consistent work to date. OATW.
Tanya Morgan (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
By Stephen Dobrinich
K’naan’s track ‘Nothing to Lose’ gets a whole new feel here, courtesy of Will.I.Am, and it’s hard to overstate the transformation. In the original, the quality delivered flow of both Nas and K’naan is all but wasted because of the choices in production. Between the exaggerated hook, contrived inspirational tone, and that fucking annoying dinging noise it’s enough to turn this listener off. Meanwhile, Will.I.Am’s mix rides a soulful sample that brings the cool cool heat.
K’naan 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.5
