Belgian singer/songrwriter, Selah Sue, released her debut album Selah Sue in Europe last year. The album premiered in the Top 10 in Belgium, France and the Netherlands and has sold over 400,000 copies across Europe. She is set to release the album to the U.S (and I would assume Canada) on August 21st via Columbia Records. The most popular song from the album is “Raggamuffin”, so Selah decided to mix it up a bit and call on none other than J. Cole to assist her in the re-make of the original song. With that comes the first official single off the U.S release of Selah Sue, “Raggamuffin (Remix)”. J. Cole’s infectious flow is heard on two dope verses that compliment the reggae influence heard in Sue’s voice. Her singing style is what makes her so appealing and really makes the track what it is. I’m digging this song and am looking forward to what else Selah Sue has to offer. Also can’t go wrong with two new Cole verses. Stream “Raggamuffin (Remix)” below.
Kendrick Lamar recently sat down with Nessa of Wild 94.9 for a dope interview that covered Kendrick’s upcoming work, his favourite rappers, his biggest pet peeves, what type of girls he’s into and then finishes it off with a game of “Hump It or Dump It”. Also, just incase J. Coles recent confirmation of these two’s joint album rumours wasn’t enough, Kendrick goes on to confirm the rumours himself. I think that album is the most anticipated of the year for me personally. It’s always cool to know who artists all-time favourite rappers are, so check out the interview below to see who made Kendrick’s list and why.
This settles it. I’m officially a huge fan of albums made by one artist and one producer: Blu & Exile’s Below The Heavens, Fashawn & Exile’s Boy Meets World, Sene & Blu’s A Day Late & A Dollar Short, Killer Mike & El-P’s R.A.P. Music, and now MaLLy & The Sundance Kid’s The Last Great… The Minneapolis duo’s album dropped just two days ago, and is available for free download. I definitely recommend checking it out. Early favourites include “Shine”, “The Renaissance 2.0″, “Winner”, “Good One”, and “Unplugged” (featuring fellow Minneapolis native Brother Ali). MaLLy is scheduled to co-host the upcoming Soundset Festival. Stream and download The Last Great… below.
First I heard of Baltimore native, Ellis was his track Original Manz, back a few months. Off the same upcoming summer album Education of Ellis (E.O.E. for short), we have Misled, featuring the ghost Styles P. Legin, the producer went in on this one, bringing a Tupac sample that fills as a chorus whilst Ellis & Styles P spit their dope verses. Its also great to see a vet in the game, such as Styles P. on an up-comer’s new work, as he did here. With that said, stream and download are below, enjoy.
Writers Guild is a hip hop collective out of Arizona, and today we have their newest track, “Armed”. Produced by Lifted (the latest producer signed to Kanye’s G.O.O.D Music label) “Armed” has a great old school hip hop feel to it, laced with funky boom bap elements that keep this sounding true to the culture throughout. Although this is my introduction to the AZ based collective, they’ve caught my attention quickly with their sharp rhymes and great flows on this track. Be sure to listen to Armed below, and download via Bandcamp
The lineup for the 2012 Rock the Bells Festival has been released and it is stacked. This year the festival will include legendary acts from the likes of Nas, Ice Cube and Naughty By Nature to name a few. As well as a performance from Method Man and Redman of their Blackout album in its entirety. The lineup is filled with the tons of the hottest current artists in the game as well; J Cole, Wiz, Kid Cudi, Mac Miller, TDE (Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock), A$AP Rocky, and many more. Rock the Bells 2012 will also feature the 20 year anniversary reunion of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony as they’ll perform E. 1999 Eternal in its entirety. RZA will play host in all 3 stops which are, San Bernardino, California on August 18-19, Mountain View, California on August 25-26, and Holmdel, New Jersey on September 1-2. If you’re planning on making the trip to what looks to be a hip-hop show to remember, pre-sale tickets go on sale May 19th. Also to anyone that plans to go, hopefully Lupe wasn’t someone you had really hoped to see…
Not long after dropping the visuals for “Fortuna”, off his upcoming Joy & Pain EP, The Come Up Show favourite ANTHM lets loose “Polaris”, his collab with another personal favourite of mine, Blu. Produced by RJF, ANTHM and Blu bring the HEAT on this one. Be on the lookout for ANTHM’s Joy & Pain EP dropping mid-June. Stream and download “Polaris” below [via 2DBZ].
“’Heavy in the Game’ is a line that comes from my favourite 2Pac song. It’s about being immersed in your craft that even though you may want to leave, you can’t – you’ve worked too hard to get where you are and there’s no looking back. As a Canadian musician, especially a rapper, I’m grateful that I’ve been able to be doing this professionally for 10 years. This album represents my best work. I’m proud that a lot of people will be able to relate to this album. Heavy in the Game is about trying to do the right thing even when you are faced with the temptation to slip. – D.O.”
D.O.’s highly-anticipated album Heavy In The Game just dropped today, and is available for free via Bandcamp. Spanning 21 tracks and clocking in at around 1 hour, Heavy In The Game is a solid offering from the Toronto veteran. The inspiration for Heavy in the Game comes from D.O.’s extensive domestic and international touring, his experience with launching independent label Northstarr Entertainment, and his success as one half of hip hop duo Art of Fresh. Early favourites include “Bill Russell”, “Can’t Tell Me” (Remix), “For Heaven Sake”, “It’s On”, “Shut It Down”, and “The Legacy 2.0″. Stream and download the entire album below.
Fresh of Hot 97′s Funkmaster Flex show last night, we have the latest from Childish Gambino, titled Unnecessary. Off his upcoming mixtape, the track features TDE member Schoolboy Q over Gambino’s own beat & the two both go in on it. No release date is set for the upcoming mixtape, but Unnecessary is available for stream & download below.
In my last post about J57, I mentioned that he will be releasing two EPs on May 22nd: 2057 and The Ports. “Four Finger Ringers”, a collaboration between the Brown Bag AllStar and fellow New-Yorker Sene, is the first track we hear off The Ports. Sene’s been on my radar since his 2009 album A Day Late & A Dollar Short, entirely produced by Blu, and has been making a buzz recently with the release of his 2012 album Brooklyknight. “Four Finger Ringers” is just a short taste, but it’s got me excited for the full EP on May 22nd. Both EPs will be available at J57music.com. Stream and download “Four Finger Ringers” below [via Okayplayer].
It’s an event we have been planning for a few months now. The Come Up Show is proud to present the show you definitely want to attend! Maybach Music Group signee Stalley, Juno nominated producer and artist Rich Kidd, The Antiheroes and Ngajuana June 1 at Apk Live. I truly hope everyone understands the magnitude of talent we have put together for this show.
What: The Come Up Show and N.E.C. Presents Stalley, Rich Kidd, The Antiheroes, Nga Live in Concert.
Where: APK Live. 340 Wellington St., London, ON.
When: June 1, 2012. Doors open 9pm.
Admission: $15 in advance. $20 at the door. Get advance tickets online from Ticketdriver You can also email info@thecomeupshow.com if you are looking for physical tickets.
Stalley’s career first took off when his and Ohio DJ Terry Urban’s mixtape ‘Goin’ Ape’ caught the interest of Mos Def; which led to the Ohio emcee opening for Mos on one of his tours. Along with Ross, Stalley’s list of known hip-hop associates is nothing short of impressive; with names like Ski Beatz, Jay Electronica, Wale, Curren$y, and even folk rocker John Mayer.
Rich Kidd is a juno nominated producer, who has produced for artists like Nelly Furtado, K-OS, Drake, Shad, and many more. Rich Kidd emerged in 2009 as a commercially viable producer when the legendary Busta Rhymes used his production for a mixtape cut featuring M.O.P.’s Billy Daze called “Indescribable.” That same year, Juno nominated Kos wrote one of his career’s biggest hits over a Rich Kidd production sampling Phantom Planet’s “California.” “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman” featured Saukrates and Nelly Furtado and the video was nominated for a Best Hip Hop Video at the 2010 MMVAs. He has shared the stage with J. Cole, Jay Electronica, KRS One, Big Krit, Cory Gunz and Kendrick Lamar, and the Toronto Star named him one of Toronto’s top 5 independent MCs.
The Antiheroes consist of Sha and Flex—two emerging emcees from Durham Region with the lyrical finesse and throw-back vibe that remind you why you started listening to hip hop. The duo’s unique blend of vintage beats, catchy samples and effortless wordplay has fans buzzing, subscribing and following worldwide. From their upcoming debut This is FreeDUMB, singles “Fly” and “Circus Clowns” have been featured across industry sites and campus radio—from Germany to Australia—to an overwhelmingly positive response. At once classic and fresh, The Antiheroes are in it for one thing: the music.
Ngajuana
One of the most diverse and complete artists to ever hail from Canada, N.G.A (Ngajuana to his true fans) has shown absolute dedication to his craft. Over a span of 9 years, N.G.A has written 450 tracks and counting. N.G.A has performed more than a hundred live shows and has translated his considerable skills into opening for a good number of prominent hip-hop acts. Ngajuana is in the final stages of preparing to release his third, full-length album: Section One. Section One is entirely produced by the geniuses in the U.K.-based production team: PnT WorldWyde.
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