Monday Mixtape, Vol. 145

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I’m watching the Nats game, and we just blew the lead in the 6th and are now down 5-2 :(

We need some good music to turn that frown upside down!

There are two sides to this week’s mixtape: Side 1 consists of recent rap tracks I’ve been diggin’, including two tracks from Danny Brown’’ new album, uknowwhatimsayin’?, one, “Dirty Laundry,” is produced by the inimitable Q-Tip and the other has Q-Tip rapping on, so this is all win win. Danny Brown is not for everyone, but I was actually just listening to Beastie Boys, and he reminds me a bit of Mike D, no one really sounds like that voice, some may find annoying, but I think his production and songs are interesting. So that’s that.

On Side 1 is also the rapper with the worst name out there, DaBaby. I mean, really? But he just released a new album, and I am enjoying it. Couple of my fave tracks from his album join this mixtape.

Wait…now it’s 7-2. ;(

Side 2 starts with a jam from Pond, that band I really like from Australia (who is not Tame Impala…and not Silverchair), and then two tracks to mellow you out. The first is from Clairo, whose debut album I keep coming back to listen to. I’m not sure what it is about her music and voice, but it’s bringing me back months and months after it’s release. This is the last track on her album, a beautiful ending to a beautiful album.

And finally to end the mixtape, a live track from Jim James and company. Enjoy!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 61

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It's time for a mixtape dedicated to all the hip-hoppers out there! I'm not gonna blow your mind with too many new names (though Caleborate counts), but there are some great remixes (see: Black Hippy's rendition of "THat Part" and Ab-Soul jumping on a remix with the super underrated Bas to his great original "Housewives"), a new track from Danny Brown, and some oldies but goodies, namely Ab-Soul's haunting "Illuminate" and my favorite rapper of the moment, Isaiah Rashad, head-bobbing classic from his first album, "Heavenly Father." For goodness sakes, just inhale this guy's discography and don't stop until next week.

Word is Ab-Soul may be coming out with a new album. Needless to say I'm excited to hear what the extraterrestrial professor has to say.  

Not a whole lot from me other than the tracks. Enjoy!

The 2016 version of "1Train" - Really Doe by Danny Brown feat. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul. and Earl Sweatshirt

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2013's "1Train" was a Royal Rumble of the hottest rappers at that time: A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf. Danny Brown, Action Bronson, and Big KRIT. The production by Hit-Boy explodes and never lets go. It was my favorite rap track of the year (looking back at my Top 100 Songs of 2013, I listed Kayne's "On Sight" higher as a rap song which I still stand by because it's one of those Kanye as Radiohead comparisons I tend to make - no one could make that song but Kanye, no one could envision something like that): 

So now it's 2016 and we need another 1Train! This beat is filthy, first off. In comes Danny Brown, the shrill rapper, with a track off his new album, Atrocity Exhibition, with a who's who of the hottest rappers: Kendrick Lamar, TDE label-mate Ab-Soul, and the reclusive Earl Sweatshirt.

No surprise that the best rapper alive, Kendrick Lamar, KILLS the hook and then kicks his verse down the stairwell. Ab-Soul's verse is a bit too Watch the Throne-ish with his Balmain and BAPE talk, but I find it hard to hate on the man, I love his flows. Danny Brown is an acquired taste. 

Then there's Earl Sweatshirt, who finishes in a tie with Kendrick, mainly with the closing line, "Well it's the left-handed shooter / Kyle Lowry the pump / I'm at your house like / "Why you got your couch on my Chucks?"