I’m sure everyone has heard this by now but it’s the first song by Beyonce I’ve really enjoyed in quite some time. I feel like it’s a response to the new direction of hiphop but, quite simply, a much classier and better version of it. The track is certainly ahead of or at the very least in line with the newest style and it almost seems like it’s just Beyonce and Jay-Z saying to everyone that if this is where you want to go we can one up you at your own game. Impressive to say the least.
Category: HIPHOP
Vera Blue – Lady Powers
This is such a funky song. Is it RnB? Hip Hop? Pop? I’m really not sure. There is no music video for this at the time of posting. All I can find are a bunch of different choreographers doing dances to this track. How does a track first gain popularity as the backing music for dance routines? That’s a bit of a mystery to me; all I can say is that this song definitely makes you want to get up and move, so maybe that’s the only answer there needs to be.
Cro – Bye Bye (MTV Unplugged)
Ignoring the panda mask for the time being, this is a really great tune. This live version especially. Fun uptempo hiphop with a soulful swagger. A thank you goes out to some great germans I had the pleasure of getting to know on a trip through the west coast of the USA for turning me onto this gem. Enjoy!
Anderson .Paak – Am I Wrong (Feat. Schoolboy Q)
Oh boy what a good tune. Such a good throwback to funky summer hip hop anthems of the past. I haven’t heard such a solid upbeat and danceable hiphop jam in quite some time. Jus try and not move when you hear this gem. Yeeeow!
Tinie Tempah feat Jess Glynne – Not Letting Go
Haven’t heard from Tinie Tempah in awhile? Me neither. If he’s been hiding away making more tracks like this one then consider me super excited. The bass that comes in during the chorus is just beautiful. Is it Pop? Hiphop? House? I have no idea. I love songs that blend the lines.
Kid Cudi – Up, Up And Away
A fun little ditty by Kid Cudi. Not sure how I missed it initially, but I’m glad I found it now. A summer vibe for sure.
Allday – You Always Know The DJ
Another Australian hip hop artist to watch. I love the piano on this track, combined with the drawn out bass and rhythm guitar this simple beat just works. Seems quite similar to Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” It certainly shares the same vibe and kick/snare pattern. Either way, enjoy.
360 – Live It Up (Feat. PEZ)
A really feel-good track off the third album from this rising Aussie hip hop artist. I hope he’s got more like this coming in the future because it’s currently on repeat…
Busta Rhymes – Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See
A hiphop classic. As Busta admitted later on, he took some advice with this track from Diddy and Qtip and tried to be “cooler,” and not shout or yell to appeal more to women and club plays. If you listen to the beginning, he purposefully tried to sound like Diddy with the intro to the track. If you don’t already have it, grab a copy here.
Theophilus London – Tribe (Feat. Jesse Boykins III)
Something about this song just struck a chord with me the first time I heard it. Since the first play it keeps getting better with each listen. It’s when that minimal beat and sawtooth bass-line come in at the start of the first verse…it just grabs you. Grab your own here and proceed to repeated listens.