Young multi-genre producer, guitarist and solo artist Atolla gives a shout out to Nas and samples “Life’s A Bitch” on his latest bass-heavy hip-hop production called “Life”. We like how Atolla (who’s new to B3) mixes up the classic tune with a timeless meld of syrupy beats, snappy technicolor chord-heavy instrumentals, and velvety vocal flow. Great track. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
LA-artist SNBRN (never featured on B3) takes an unreleased a cappella sample from late West Coast hip-hop pioneer Nate Dogg and transforms it into a dazzling Rudimental-vibe-vocals-tinged dance jam “Gangsta Walk”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
New-to-B3 Cali production artist ZUPER (who is 1/2 of French house duo Milos) wows us with a supremely soulful mildly-repetitive piano-melody-led jazz-hop diddy called “Daily Routine”. Absolutely beautiful. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
We‘re into the vibrantly simple, Twista “Overnight Celebrity”-sampling, whimsical-watery synth-transfixed track “What’s Ya Name” by B3 featured artist Ian Ewing, who we covered here for his Noh Lifestyle-rep’d eclectic beauty track called “Water”. A seamless combo of luscious keyboard melodics and expressive trap accents mixed with playful electronic effects and the epic Twista sample, the song has a uniquely creative electro/hip-hop hybrid style that we dig. Out via Noh Lifestyle. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
San Francisco/LA-production artist Mikos Da Gawd captures the immeasurable fun-filled spirit of old-style Bay Area hip-hop and elevates it to something new entirely on his outstanding new modern deep house re-vibe of classic Too Short track “Blow The Whistle” (off MDG’s “Caffeine Vol. 2” EP). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
The run-up to Tinashe’s Joyride continues on with sultry new track “Energy”. An expert late-night R&B instrumental c/o of producer Mike Will Made It provides a cool frame for Tinashe’s easy vocal glide (+ a verse from Juicy J!). She exercise, she eat yogurt.
The high-flying SoCal singer/emcee Anderson Paak opens 2016 with a starmaking bit of soul-driven (Hi-Tek produced!) modern pop. Damn.
Bay Area producer Yugi Boi mixes in a deep bass groove, subtle synth infusions and a varying range of pointed sultry percussion to complement and bolster Travis Scott’s honeyed vocals and excellent horn melody on a very cool new remix of “A Team”. We like it better than the original! Great remix. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
For those of you who don’t know, Chance the Rapper’s brother is also an artist. His name is Taylor Bennett and he’ll be putting out an album of his own soon. The upcoming release’s title track “Broad Shoulders” features his older brother over a smooth piano beat and heartfelt verses from both brothers. Upon entering fatherhood, Chance’s lyrics have become increasingly introspective as he battles with the realities of having a child. Reviewed by Jake Goldstein.
Taylor Bennett (Soundcloud)
Chicago’s own Joey Purp is poised to drop his new album soon. In anticipation, he streams a new track titled “Run It Up” produced by Dimeji Faluyi. One of the more interestingly produced tracks I’ve heard of late, the beat switches up more than three times while Joey alternates flows and throws some auto-tune singing in there also. Reviewed by Jake Goldstein.
Joey Purp (Soundcloud)
