These are some songs that are on heavy rotation on the iPod at the moment and a little commentary on each. So we've established that I've got some time on my hands and I've accepted that...Anyway, hit up imeem.com and like I always say, get familiar.
Every Girl - Li'l Wayne & FriendsThough I think Wayne has started to stretch himself out too thin recently, I saw him perform this on MTV Spring Break with Drake, Jae Millz, and someone else and decided to download it based on that. This would have been better suited for a summer call-and-response anthem, though. It feels like it's too soon.
Lark On My Go-Kart - Asher RothI've been on Asher Roth since DJ Drama and DJ Cannon's brilliant co-signing of the dude on "The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 1" mixtape, which came with a vicious freestlye to the "Cannon" instrumental, among other jewels. On this track, Ash brags about Mario Kart skills, makes Saved by the Bell references, and Cheetos being his "choice of chip". You gotta respect a white rapper that reps for the burbs, especially when he does it with a real grasp of hip-hop and a seamless delivery.
Pennies - The Cool KidsThis beat bangs heavily on the right system. Though the Cool Kids are decidedly retro in references and fashion sense, they definitely take it to 2030 from a musical standpoint. The production is really where it's at on this track, with a hard bassline and what sounds like a loop of that beeping you hear when you leave an old car's door open, which surprisingly makes the song better and isn't annoying at all. Not to mention the catchy whistle which makes the song something you HAVE to rewind once it's done.
Look Up At The Stars - Kid Cudi f/ WaleThese dudes are generations ahead of most rappers in the game right now and this track demonstrates that to death. I'm not mad at the auto-tuned hook, either. For some reason, the movie TRON comes to mind listening to this.
Impress the Kid - Slick RickThis isn't new, but was a recent find for me. Slick Rick re-establishes that his delivery has only become better with age. Come get some, you little bums.
Pop Champagne (Remix) - The Clipse f/ Ab-LivaSo just when I was getting sick of "Pop Champagne" (I swear it took a month for me to admit I kinda liked it in the first place), the Clipse drop verses to it and put Ab Liva on it. Ab is one quarter of the Clipse' side project the Re-Up Gang and is one of the most underrated lyricists doing it right now.
Buggin' Out 2009 - Consequence f/ Kid CudiI don't even think I have the full version of this, but when I first heard this, it sounded like some mid-90s Tribe Called Quest, possibly some De La Soul. Coincidentally, Consequence has been around and been associated with Tribe since he guest-starred on the Midnight Marauders album. He and Cudi both drop crisp verses over what sounds like various jazz loops on some Pharcyde ish.
Walking On The Moon - The Dream f/ Kanye West - If you didn't know already, the Dream just recently dropped a masterpiece and this joint serves as case in point. Dream's in a lane of his own making, but this track (like a few off the last one) smells like Prince to me, mixed with a little Michael Jackson circa Thriller.
Me & Nas Bring It To You Hardest - Slick Rick f/ NasAnother not-that-old Slick Rick joint, the Ruler joins with Nas on this one for a track that sounds like mid-90's New York hip-hop. It almost sounds like a sample RZA would use for a Wu-Tang track, with a strong piano presence and a looped vocal.
Electric Feel Remix - MGMT f/ Jim JonesI don't even know what genre to categorize the original song in, but MGMT did the damn thing with this jam. It's like Brand New Heavies meets the Killers, but don't quote me on that. This is so unique, it warrants no comparison, really. The Jim Jones verses on the remix strangely don't take away from the song at all and I actually prefer that version.
Chillin' - Wale f/ Lady GaGaI've heard a lot of buzz around Lady GaGa, but never really heard her until this track. Wale kills the verses, as usual, while Lady GaGa lays the hook. Is it just me or does she sound a little like Santogold?
Hustle - Nipsy HustleThe coast is back! This track is as California as folding up your Dickies and stuffing them under the mattress to keep the crease in. Reminds me of a cross between Snoop Dogg and The Game. This joint almost makes you want to buy a gold herringbone and a pair of blue Chucks...almost.
Wrong Lover - J. Holiday f/ Rick RossWith a surprising Elton John "Bennie & The Jets" sample, Holiday follows up the babymaker single "It's Yours" with this track featuring Rick Ross. Ross is on his overweight-lover, B.I.G. starter kit swag and Holiday lays down solid vocals.
Renaissance (Remix) - Q-Tip f/ Busta Rhymes, Raekwon & Lil WayneLastly, I don't know where this track came from, but these are four excellent verses in my opinion, which well outweigh the track's obscurity. Probably one of my top five rappers of all time, Raekwon steps up after Bus' rock-solid verse and kills it before Wayne closes with a verse that almost makes you not mad at the fact that he's overexposed.
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