1. AllttA (20syl & Mr J Medeiros) - "AllttA"
Electronic hip-hop producer phenom 20syl is a hit in his native France (with the group Hocus Pocus), where he's been a pro musician for the last couple of decades. Frequent collaborator (and a regular subject on this blog) Mr J Medeiros (of Los Angeles) announced a formal partnership with 20syl in 2015. The new entity, titled AllttA, is a mesh of European electronic hip-hop and West Coast flows. Their debut album, The Upper Hand, released on 2/17/17. They're now rehearsing in preparation for a flurry of European music festivals & other shows. Mr J actually relocated to France with his wife (who is from France) and his young son in January and is now working with 20syl in person. Their music has a mature sound: 20syl with his refined EDM hip-hop and Mr J with his conscious raps. This may end up a minor hit in Europe...American fans may not be so kind but this group is worth your time.
2. ...&more... - "Lovely Fools" (Track 6 on the above BandCamp player)
Joint producers & rappers Scuare and No1mportant are fixtures in the Austin rap scene. They perform regularly as the duo ...&more... and also perform as producers at Austin Mic Exchange (weekly hip-hop open mic night at Spiderhouse). Another 2/17/17 release, their second album Existence is Futile was released on the label EXO (Exordium Music). It looks to be doing well locally based on the responses on Bandcamp and for good reason - just like their debut album, this effort is short and sweet and packs a diverse punch of good hip-hop tastes. The beats feature a lot of trippy electronic elements mixed with raw boom bap influences. Both rappers spit quick, fire flows that match the urgency of the beats. There's some upbeat trap here. Some of the sing song-y flows bring a West Coast vibe to the mix. It's a trippy mix of samples and electronic boom bap trap that really show off the musical skillsets of these two dual threat producer/rappers.
3. Azealia Banks - "Crown"
One of rap's strangest players has finally released new music with the promise of a new album coming soon. I'm not even sure where to start in a recap of her last year or so - it seems she's steadily been creating and also famously attacking people via Twitter, IG, and FB. Most recently she went back and forth with Rihanna on Trump's immigration policy. Rihanna also took issue with the revelation that Banks has a closet where she sacrifices chickens. In late October, there was news that Banks was working with RZA and had possibly scored a record deal - but, she went psycho at a party as RZA's guest and lashed out against Russell Crowe. Despite the weirdness and her legal issues, music fans are hopeful that it doesn't bring down the quality of her music. Last week, her Twitter account was reactivated (after months of deactivation due to hate speech against Zayn Malik) and the new song "Crown" hit Soundcloud.
4. Lupe Fiasco - "Tranquillo" feat. Rick Ross & Big K.R.I.T.
Another one of rap's enigmas, and even the Twitter target of Azealia at one point, Lupe has had lots of ups and downs. His controversial stances and statements have brought unwanted negative attention to his personal life. He's threatened to quit music multiple times in the last few years and yet has continued to consistently release albums and mixtapes. 2/10/17 full-length DROGAS Light is supposed to be the prequel to another upcoming album called DROGAS. This album probably won't bring a lot of new fans on board but it should satisfy existing Lupe fans. He's in regular form as a rapper's rapper with crystal clear diction, sharp wit and awareness of social ills. "Tranquillo" is a highlight single about halfway through the album. Joined by stars Rick Ross and Big K.R.I.T., the first verse is Lupe's and he says:
Peace, no material possessions shall cloud my judgement
As I reach, in an ethereal direction to provide my substance
Love is not found but resides insides me, I manifest this
I will respect myself and wear serenity as my necklace
I will replace what I take and have tranquility as my breakfast
Shed a new light on a new path
I will gain rhythm and lose wrath, attain wisdom and refuse graft
And build upon what I built on and wisely regulate time I do have
Cause what is defeat? But just the evidence of my haste
Lack of preparedness, in my waste, so I wait...
Surround myself with nutrition, wholesomeness and true livin'
Use natural codes of conduct to remove schism when the rules missing
I will pursue felicity, find value in simplicity
Altruism and empathy will be the first thing extended to my enemy
Clarity will be the trademark of my friendships
Just invest in my business and appreciative of the rarity of my existence
Wow...that could be a daily prayer. For all the angry rants and strange things Lupe's said, his lyricism and self-awareness is still some of the best. No radio hits on this record but if you already liked Lupe you'll be happy with this effort.
Did you listen to any of my fresh picks? What do you think? Leave your comments below.
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