andnowweemusic

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Delusional Thomas - Bill (ft. Earl & Bill)

Delusional Thomas is Mac Miller's new alter ego and he has just released the self titled mixtape produced under his other moniker Larry Fisherman. Delusional Thomas is basically Mac's vocals pitched up, and although I could see it getting a bit old after a while, something about this alias works well with Larry's dark beats similar to those off Earl's Doris.

Incidentally Odd Future's Earl features on perhaps the best track from the mixtape called 'Bill'. Earl talked about the track a few months back on Sway In The Morning along with the third feature - some "random ass nigga" called Bill, who drops the last and arguably best verse: "Look, fuck these writtens, I don't watch 106 & Park/ I skate through the park in my 106s.."

Other stand-out tracks include 'Melvin' and 'Grandpa Used To Carry a Flask' which features a verse from Mac Miller as his normal self also. The mixtape is worth a download even just for the production. Cop here via The Fader. 

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Roc Marciano - The Sacrifice (prod. Madlib)

Originally having been part of Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad, Roc Marciano had been in the rap game for over a decade now. I've seen his name come up now and again, but never taken the time to have a proper listen to his own material. 

With his newest project The Pimpire Strikes Back however, I couldn't not listen to a free mixtape with production from the likes of Madlib, and features from the likes of Action Bronson. For those like myself who have been sleeping on the Long Island rapper, Roc showcases his talent well through his production and smooth New York flow. 

The standout track on the mixtape for me is the Madlib produced 'The Sacrifice' which you can listen to above or even better download with the rest of this mixtape over at Stereogum

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Nipsey Hussle - Go Long ft. Z-Ro & Slim Thug

Nipsey's been in the rap game for a decade now yet for some reason has only just started getting the credit he deserves, from having music featured in GTA V, to Jay Z reportedly purchased 100 copies of his newest mixtape Crenshaw for $100 a pop. 

I on the other hand, along with probably everyone else but Hov downloaded the LA rapper's mixtape for free on DatPiff (download free) 

The stand out track for me on the mixtape is 'Go Long' which was produced by Ralo, and features Houston rappers Z-Ro and Slim Thug who we haven't heard from in a minute.

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"My first grammy was my first brick

Red carpet, every bad bitch

More BMF than billboard

I got a label deal under my mattress.”

Produced by Kanye West and Joaquin Phoenix, "King Push" is the latest track to be released ahead of Pusha T's upcoming album "My Name Is My Name". Pusha Ton "don't sing hooks" like some other contenders in the rap game* - instead he lets his impeccable wordplay secure his a slot as one of the biggest names of this year in hip hop. "MNIMN" is set to be released with GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings on the 8th October.

*Drake (a.k.a Wheelchair Jimmy)

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Clams Casino - Crystals (GTA V EXCLUSIVE) 

I am not exaggerating when I say that the music featured is what got me most hyped for GTA V, and the main reason was due to an unreleased Clams Casino track that was to feature on FlyLo FM, a radio station within the game hosted by Flying Lotus.

Clams has just put the track, entitled 'Crystals' up on his website for free download - http://clammyclams.com

This is yet another track that has secured Clams Casino's place within my top 5 favourite producers. 

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Nico Jaar gets a rare official remix, as his frequent collaborator + the other half of DARKSIDE,Dave Harrington, drops a throbbing, kind of ominous re-work of “Why Didn’t You Save Me,” featuring breathy vocals from Tamara. Sign up for Jaar’s serial subscription label Other People to get exclusive tracks every week, including this one + more from the label’s first release, TRUST:

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Lauren Berlingeri - Stay High (Hippie Sabotage)

watch the beautiful video of Canadian fitness model Lauren Berlingeri above which is soundtracked by Californian brothers, Hippie Sabotage.

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Wise Blood - Alarm (The-Drum remix)

Chicago beatmakers The-Drum rework one of Chris Laufman’s noisy, sample-based pop songs.

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RÁJ - Ghost

The title of this track is relevant to the artist RÁJ himself due to the fact that like a ghost, no one can be sure they know what he looks like. This is the only song that seems to be available by him, and such an enigma is always sure to grab people's attention. 

Grabbing attention is merely half the battle however, because if the music itself isn't great then the artist may as well be a ghost. Fortunately, like other mysterious musicians such as Burial and Jai Paul, RÁJ's music is beautiful.

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Tinashe - Who Am I Working For

official remix

featuring ASVP NAST produced by Nez and Rio

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Lucki eck$ - Count on me 2

In the past, the majority of the time you follow a rapper and from there you become fond of a producer and perhaps find out more of what they have produced. Things are changing however and the producer is - deservedly so - no longer in the shadows. 

Producers themselves are releasing their own mixtapes, and rappers are jumping at the chance to feature on those from the likes of AraabMuzik, Alchemist, Bangladesh, Mike Will Made It etc.

Anyway my point is that I have found myself following the producer more often, and from there I stumble across some great rappers. This symbiotic relationship was what put me on to Chicago rapper Lucki eck$ after seeking out material produced by Hippie Sabotage.

Hippie Sabotage consist of two brothers from California who produce a wild variety of beats loosely based on trap. On the above track 'Count On Me 2' they have collaborated with Lucki eck$, and it, along with the Charles 'Lucky' Luciano artwork was enough to make me download Lucki's mixtape 'Alternative Trap'.

download the mixtape here

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Lil Ugly Mane - On Doing An Evil Deed Blues

Sludge-rap pioneer Lil Ugly Mane caught my attention at the beginning of last year with the unbelievably cool track 'Throw Dem Gunz'. Since then the southern rapper has released a decent amount of material through bandcamp which I find myself paying for before even previewing. That's when you know you've found a favourite rapper.

He has just released a new single ‘On Doing An Evil Deed Blues' which you can listen to above or purchase over at bandcamp for a price of your choosing - http://liluglymane.bandcamp.com/album/prelude-to-panopticon-on-doing-an-evil-deed-blues-single

The track is simply brilliant and actually fairly upbeat compared to his other sinister material. Still got that nightmarish haze surrounding it that us Lil Ugly Mane fans love though.

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And Now Wee Store Opening Party // Shoreditch Boxpark

Last week saw the launch of And Now Wee's pop up store at Boxpark in London. The launch party itself was a huge success with staff, friends, djs, and of course the customer all mixing and having a great time as the video above shows.

The song's I chose for the video are:

1st half - Stay Positive - Crashed (ft. Queenie)

2nd half - Chance The Rapper - Smoke Again (ft. Ab-Soul) 

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The Underachievers - The Proclamation

Comprised of Brooklyn rappers Issa Dash and AK, The Underachievers are perhaps the most underrated hip-hop duo in the game just now. They are considered as part Brooklyn's Beast Coast movement that also includes fellow Flatbush duo, Flatbush Zombie's, along with Joey Bada$$ and his Pro Era crew. 

The Underachievers managed to generate a fair bit of buzz through their youtube video for the track 'Herb Shuttles' which actually caught the attention of Flying Lotus who then signed them to his Brainfeeder record label.

At the beginning of this year The Underachievers dropped their debut mixtape Indigoism which features 17 brilliant tracks that showcase the duo's tag-team rap skills and their impressive ear for unique beats.

Above is a new track and video from the Flatbush duo that samples 'Gimme Shelter' by The Rolling Stones. I was nervous when reading one of my all time favourite tracks had been sampled, however they've done it justice I reckon.

  grab The Underacheivers - Indigoism mixtape here

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The Weeknd - Kiss Land

Listen to the new track from The Weeknd that uses the same Silky Johnson beat from Main Attrakionz' 'Nothin' Gonna Change'. A great beat and cool to hear Abel Tesfaye's voice melt over it.

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WISE BLOOD - UNIVERSE IS BLESSED

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Tree gets together with Danny Brown for the third single off Sunday School II: When Church Lets Out. Produced by Tree. Get the album May 15th, 2013 via Creative Control/Closed Sessions.