Why Don't We Fall In Love.

Amerie-Why Don't We Fall In Love [Kaytranada Edition]

We re-visit the year of 2002 in a funky way with the release of Canadian producer, Kaytranada's take on Amerie's deubt hit, Why Don't We Fall In Love! First off, this is one of my favorite songs of all time, so of course I'm going to blog this. And I've been slowly but surely getting hip to Kaytranada's work and he is truly dope. A lot of his production has elements to it that are retro and would probably get our parents to jig a little yet it's refreshing and futuristic almost which turns us up. And he creates these "editions" or remixes to some of the songs we fuckin' love. With this mix though, Kaytranada earns major respect points from me. Salute, bruh. Oh and by the way, yes I freakin' love this mix! Check it out and fall in love again! ...I need Amerie to come back in the game too. Shooo, Kelis coming back, why not Amerie?!

For more Kaytranada, check out:

kaytranada.com

twitter.com/KAYTRANADA

huhwhatandwhere.com

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Mars Vs Pluto.

DJ Genesis-Mars Vs Pluto Vol.2 Mix

Ever wonder what it sounds like in the space between Mars and Pluto?! Well thanks to the ATL's own DJ Genesis and his latest mix, Mars Vs Pluto Vol.2, we now have a pretty dope idea of it. Genesis fuses sounds from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Kenna, SBTRKT, Major Lazer, Gucci Mane, and many more into this dope mix that would make anyone want to turn up on a few planets. Apparently, I caught wind of this as he re-release but dopeness is dopeness whenever, so who cares. Been able to catch Genesis live a few times while he was performing with Trinidad Jame$ and before T.Jame$' sets, he goes in. He knows how to make the most indie pop shit and the most ratchet shit sound like a match made in heaven and I love it. I think it would awesome if NASA astronauts went on space missions blasting this in a spaceship... am I being to literally now? Sorry, but that would be dope. Check out the mix and enjoy! Word to Greedmont Park too!

For more DJ Genesis, check out:

twitter.com/GenesisHTX

soundcloud.com/genesisftl

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Purple Haus.

ForteBowie x Slim K-Purple Haus

After the ongoing success of his EP, Vice Haus, ATL's own ForteBowie teamed up with Chopstars rep, Slim K for the Chopped, Not Slopped version of the EP now titled Purple Haus! Purple Haus features chopped and screwed versions of all 7 tracks on the EP and includes bonuses such as Something About #Bowie favorite, Impala and the fan favorite loose track, Sephora's Song II! 

Before, I wasn't the biggest fan of chopped and screwed music, it just didn't appeal to me. After Purple Haus though, I'm all over the web looking for C&S versions of my favorite music. Slim K went HAM! How he added Drake's Trust Issues into Sephora's Song II and the amazing fusion of Take'em To Church and If I Die-like it's just magically. Slim K is talented af and he brought out a completely different kind of dopeness in Forte's music. Whether you're into C&S music or not or not even a ForteBowie fan (which would be silly of you not to be), you're definitely going to want to walk through the doors of Purple Haus. Thank Es Later.  1990 in this hoe!

For more ForteBowie and Slim K, check out:

fortebowie.com

twitter.com/fortebowie

twitter.com/SlimK4

twitter.com/Chopstars

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Nasty.

A 2013 XXL Freshmen and recent Def Jam signee, Logic drops visuals for his new single, Nasty! Track is produced by Don Cannon and video is done by GRVTY. Nasty is off his upcoming project, Welcome To Forever! Talk about starting from the bottom, now he's here! Logic has his name in everyone's mouth! Whether it's praise or jokes, more people are watching the DMV emcee and seeing what he has to offer. When I saw the cover of XXL's Freshmen issue, I had to do a double take! I was like "Trinidad?! Ayeee! ...Q and Soulo-yes bitch! ...Wait. What?-LOGICCCCC!!!" I was like a proud mama seeing him on the cover. I'm excited for the success he has had thus far and the success he will have in the near future. Especially after headlining a 32 city tour starting in Atlanta on May 14th! This dude is blowing up and he deserves it. Welcome To Forever drops 5.7.13! Check out the video and enjoy!
Also check out Logic's take on Outkast's Ms. Jackson beat titled, Roll Call!
For tickets for the VMG: Welcome To Forever tour, click here!
For more Logic, check out: https://twitter.com/Logic301 http://www.facebook.com/MindOfLogic 'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Words From A King.

A king in his own right, TN emcee Jimmy Astro releases the visuals to his song, Words From A King! Song is from his latest offering, The Birthday Tape. The video depicts Jimmy and some friends previewing the track in a chill loft. Really cool, impromptu footage to go along with a dope track. The atmosphere they were chilling in matched the vibe of the track well. Take two minutes of your time and vibe out with King Jimmy. Enjoy!
Check out Jimmy Astro's The Birthday Tape here! For more Jimmy Astro, check out: twitter.com/SirJimmyIsDope 'Always More, Never Less'-Es

The Mile High Club.

UMG-The Mile High Club

Somewhere in the small state of Delaware, something epic has happened and it's all thanks to K.Rivers, Aris Sparks, Sam Shep, and Kyon Martin also known as UMG! The collective recently released their project, The Mile High Club! Throughout the project, they guide us through the life and times of four aspiring emcees coming from a land where it may seem like nothing happens. Musically, TMHC is diverse in the vibes of the tracks but it's all really dope Hip Hop to enjoy. I really mess with the samples used in many of the songs- classic records. Each emcee was able to showcase their unique styles while still meshing well together as a group. I really enjoyed this record and it makes me want to go to Delaware for a weekend and chill with UMG. Definitely check it out people! Also be sure to check out the video for their song, Cherly Miller ft. Bobby Rrie, off the project below. Enjoy!

UMG-Cheryl Miller

Rating: UMG's The Mile High Club 8.8/10 dope points
For more UMG, check out: http://themhc.tumblr.com/ 'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Long Day.

Phil The Thrill-Long Day [prod. by Wymmetimme]

The weeks between the close of spring semester and the beginning of summer vacation feel like they are filled with long days and VA's own, Phil The Thrill feels our pain with his new track, Long Day. On this Wymmetimme produced track, Phil tells us about one of his long days as a aspiring artist. I love the sample in the hook and the production is really dope. Also love that Phil took a storyteller role on this track, which makes him truly relatable. Long Day makes you feel like you're chilling with Phil and he's just telling you about his yesterday in a causal conversation. Phil is gearing up for the release of two projects, sleepLESS and Barely Awake II, this year, so look out for those. Lay back and unwind with Phil as you check out Long Day. Enjoy!

For more Phil The Thrill, check out:

twitter.com/philthethrill21

http://flythoughts.com/

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Fortified MC.

In the midst of all the party music that we will soon be hit with this summer, we still need some dope lyricism in our lives and that's where J.Nolan comes in with his latest single and visual, Fortified MC! Track is produced by Frontier and the video is directed by ThePEST. This is J.Nolan first offering off his forthcoming project, Distinction. Fortified MC is high energy track with crazy lyricism from J! He went off and let the people that he is not an emcee you want to look over. I'm excited for this next project from him cause I feel like he is going to have some crazy heat on there for the people. Distinction coming to us in June! Press play and enjoy!
Listen/Download: J.Nolan-Fortified MC
For more J.Nolan, check out: http://soundcloud.com/manifestmovement http://twitter.com/J_Nolan 'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Event: Downtown Festival [NYC]

New York based, Downtown Records is holding their Downtown Festival in seven different cities and they're kicking it off at home in NYC! On May 10th & 11th, the festival will takeover the city's Lower Eastside hitting well known venues like Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, Element, and more! Festival will feature some of the hottest artists out including Black Hippy, Ratking, Inc., Kilo Kish, Earl Sweatshirt, and many more!

This is a great way to kick off the summer festival season-and damn, NYC is lucky! One day and Two day passes are available now!!!

Click here to purchase passes!

For more info, check out:

thedowntownfestival.com

twitter.com/dtfest

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Young & Beautiful.

Lana Del Rey-Young & Beautiful

As we all anticipate the release of Baz Luhrmann's take on literary classic, The Great Gatsby, elegant yet trill songstress Lana Del Rey releases her song, Young & Beautiful, from the film's soundtrack. This song is dope!!! Lana is like the perfect artist to feature on the soundtrack of this movie. She is almost a modern take on a classic 60's singer herself. Lyrically, the song is beautiful and the production is epic without being overwhelming. Say what you want, but gotta admit Lana is the truth! I was going to see the movie either way, but this song for some reason makes me want to see it even more! Check it out and enjoy!

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Jerk Ribs.

Kelis-Jerk Ribs (Call On Me) [prod. Dave Sitek]

After a long hiatus from music, Kelis is back with randomly released single titled Jerk Ribs (Call On Me)! It's produced by Dave Sitek, who's label Federal Prism, Kelis just signed to. Apparently this is the first release of a ton of new music we'll be getting from her this year, and when I say a ton, I mean she's getting ready to drop two albums. Jerk Ribs has a completely different feel from the electronic/experimental music she was making before. It appears that she making music that is more mature and features more live instruments than computer sounds and effects.

 I'm a big Kelis fan, especially of her first album, Kaleidoscope, but I have to admit she fell of musically for some years. I think if she continues in this lane of just feel good music that really shows off her unique voice, she can get old fans to mess with her again and even gain some new ones. Now, multiple blogs have titled this song Call On Me, but according to Kelis' official twitter and the soundcloud that the song is on, it's called Jerk Ribs. So I guess we can call it either of the two. *shrugs* Kelis is back!!! Enjoy!

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Squid.

Izzy Jone$-Squid

When it comes to the music industry, the youth is on the rise and it appears that we are making some pretty epic art right now. For example, take 15 year old ATLien, Izzy Jone$. The artist/producer released his latest body of work, Squid, this month. The project tells an almost fairytale-like story of a king, his queen, and their experience with love, betrayal, and salvation. In other words, it's Izzy's creative take on his journey into the industry. Project is all Izzy too. No features and production is solely done by him. 

When I read that Izzy Jone$ was 15 years old, I have to admit, I almost didn't bother listening to the project. But Izzy has proven that age truly isn't anything but a number. Squid is one of the most solid I've heard thus far this year. I love the concept behind the project and Izzy executed it well. 

He is a diverse artist that pulls inspirations from various sources. I could list all the artists he sounds like to me, but this post would turn into a four paged letter. His rapping is easy going yet energetic and I love the hints of singing he throws into the songs every now and then. I've listened to this project about 5 times now because I'm just truly trying to grasp the entire experience he has delivered to us. Jone$ has an enormous amount of potential and he evolves fast in his artistry. Did I mention this is like his 12th project out?! So yeah, Jone$' grind is real. People, give the kid an opportunity to turn you into a believer. It'll be worth it. Enjoy!

Rating:

Izzy Jone$' Squid  album

8.5/ 10 dope points

For more Izzy Jone$, check out:

http://izzyjonesmusic.bandcamp.com/

https://twitter.com/FakeIzzyJones

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Q.U.E.E.N.

Janelle Monae ft. Erykah Badu-Q.U.E.E.N

One of our wildest dreams have come true with the latest release from Janelle Monae featuring Erykah Badu titled Q.U.E.E.N! This song... bruh. It's so feel good yet powerful. These two amazing women are goddesses but they definitely gave us queens an anthem. And I couldn't help but laugh at some of the lyrics because I know I would be a damn lie if I didn't admit that I twerk in the mirror and act a fool often. Janelle and Erykah mesh so well together. Sonically, they sound amazing together. And big up to Janelle and that verse she spit at the end! She went off in such a intricate way-dopeness! I'm loving this. We need more dopeness like this out. Check it out people!

'Always More, Never Less'-Es

ALito.

1/4th of FL group, The Soulstice, Alex Kidd branches out on his own with his latest video, ALito! Track is produced by Mark Friendly and visuals are directed by Pablo Vasquez. Alex went innnn!!! I'm loving this track and video right now. I love that his delivery is so cool, yet he is just lyrically shredding niggas apart. And his flow with the production was the perfect marriage. This track rides and the visuals are pretty cool to watch as well. The Soulstice is one of the few groups were I truly mess with all the solo work from each of the members just as much as I enjoy their work as a group. I think that just goes to shows how dope they are as emcees. I need more music from all of them-like right now! Press play people!
For more Alex Kidd, check out: https://twitter.com/AlexndrTheBaked http://ritalinwarrior.tumblr.com/ 'Always More, Never Less'-Es

Live By the Gun.

D.O.U.G.H.-Live By the Gun [prod. by Free P & Rmur Beats]

Nashville, TN emcee, D.O.U.G.H. becomes a storyteller of the results of gun violence in his latest single, Live By the Gun. It's off his upcoming project, D.O.U.G.H. Or Die and is produced by Free P and Rmur Beats. With all the talk about gun control and legislation behind it, this track come out just in time. People are so focused on the ownership of guns and not the results of when they get into the wrong hands. We can always count on D.O.U.G.H. to spit some real shit to us about reality. I enjoyed and appreciate this track, and I think you all will too. Enjoy!

For more D.O.U.G.H., check out:

www.IamDOUGH.com

www.twitter.com/_IamDough

www.facebook.com/Dough270

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