Bonjay had me at the first siren.  A lot of bass & a lot of soul are mixed up with dancehall rhythms and indie electronic sounds to get the sound that will be featured on Broughtupsy, the full-length release from the Toronto-based duo of producer Ian “Pho” Swain & singer, Alanna Stuart.  Bonjay draws a lot of comparisons to M.I.A. & Santigold.  I hope they do indeed go for the win and take their place among these artists.

Download the track Stumble and be ready for that upcoming Labor Day Cookout!  Hit them up on Twitter and let ‘em know what you think!

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Bonjay – Stumble

If you live in LA, you have seen this cat VerBS.  Rocking shorts, a backpack, and the signature red beanie he’ll break out a flow if the mood is right… which is most of the time you see him. VerBS is a real chill and down to earth guy.  The other day I got an email with some info and a link to The Progress Ep 2: Fuck YEa MAn, and I’ve been rocking ever since.  It’s a collection of collaborations, remixes and some unreleased material by VerBS.  SLik d, Sevenday, Versis, Nocando, Alpha MC, Cloud, Vann Clayton, and L.Scatterbrain just to name a few folks featured on The Progress Ep 2: Fuck YEa MAn.  Trust me, I would have bought this if he was selling it.  Download VerBS – The Progress Ep 2: Fuck YEa MAn on BandCamp and check him out on MySpace.  BIG thanks to VerBS for making the music. Keep at it man.

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VerBS – Sing my Song ft. Brezzy Love Joy (prod. Block Cheddar)

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VerBS – Im on ft. Nocando (prod. Thavius Beck)

Sometimes when I catch up on listening to stuff, I think everyone has it already. Well if you already have Dollabin – Styles You Can’t Afford, then this is just a refresher on how dope it is.  And Dollabin’s Styles You Can’t Afford is timeless.  It doesn’t matter how old you are, or which genre of hip hop you’re all about, this will get you grooving without a care in the world.  DJ Ian Head’s jazzy tracks with Verbal Math’s lyrical skills makes for a great combo.

“We love records. As people continue to download mp3s like eating french fries, we wanted to try and make the release of our music a memorable experience, like pulling a classic record from the crate. Similar to jazz albums of the past, we’ve added a set of liner notes, to bring a little more context to each song. We’ve also made individual songs available for download, in addition to the full album. We hope you enjoy.
–  DJ Ian Head & Verbal Math aka Dollabin

Download Dollabin – Styles You Can’t Afford here, and check out projects on Dollabin.com and EveryDayBeats.net. BIG thanks DJ Ian Head and Verbal Math for making the music.

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Dollabin – Welcome

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Dollabin – Motion

I got an email from this cat Keon Supreme, letting folks know that he was dropping his mixtape Supreme.  In the email he also expressed he had lost and gained from making this album.  Reading the email made me jump into it right away.  Knowing the effort it took to make this project come to light, I really felt the sincerity in each song.  When I got to The Flow (produced by Jansport J), I cranked up the volume.  I knew this was going to be an emotional rollercoaster when I got to Love Me Again (produced by Seven 4).  Supreme is worth the listen.  Check out Keon Supreme on Twitter and download Keon Supreme – Supreme on BandCamp.  BIG thanks Keon for the heads up.

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Keon Supreme – 24Hr Quik-E Mart ft. Kaleem “Sincere” Wasif

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Keon Supreme – In Due Time ft. Poetik Force

Tommy Blak (Treklife‘s DJ) posted something on Twitter about a reunion record from The Artifacts.  In turn, I shared the video of  C’mon Wit Da Git Down (1994) with the twitternets.  While listening to the track, I started thinking of another, more recent track that employed the same sample – Lo’ Sweatas, by Project Mayhem.  While debating the merits of making a Cabazon run to get my ‘lo up for the fall, I gave their video a play.

I started wondering if they released other records, or if they went out like Leaders of the New School (via Ustream, instead of YO! maybe?) and that I just didn’t catch it.  I jumped from Myspace to Twitter and ended up on Fake Shore Drive.  I’m just gonna chill out here in this steamy-hot Chi-City state of mind for a little bit, if you don’t mind.  Maybe jump on the train & pop into Jugrnaut or something.  In the mean time, give this track a spin & pop in the video on your lunch break.

Download Project Mayhem – Just Chill here.

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When Exile released Radio, I ran out to get it.  Radio is back and titled AM/FM.  Every track is remixed or features a guest vocalist, you can’t go wrong with an Exile project.  Your Summer Song, a remix featuring J. Mitchell, adds to how dope this track is.  Music video director Jerome D. takes the track to a visual level that I wasn’t expecting.  A nice country side drive in a Chevy Impala with 4 different versions of J. Mitchell, while Exile is wandering through the brush switching stations on his radio, you’ll be hooked watching it again and again.  Jerome D. does a great job visually representing a retro radio feel with the color section, screen distortion, and yes a retro radio.  Go pick up a copy of Exile Radio – AM/FM on Plug Research and the free BONUS tracks on Dirty Science.

When I used to live in Long Beach, Krispy Kreme had the ingenious idea of opening a location adjacent to the East Division station of the LBPD. It’s been a minute since I’ve called Long Beach home, but I’ll bet good money that this Donut Shop has weathered the recent economic storm.

The most visible Donut Shop in the LA area is clearly Randy’s Donuts, off the 405.  However, it’s Donut Man, a little shop quite a few miles outside the city proper (Glendora…just Google it) that inspires my actual Donut cravings.  Kelis’ Milkshake got nothing on a limited edition, (ie. seasonal) Strawberry Donut from Donut Man.

Speaking of limited edition releases, this six-pack of unreleased & re-mastered tracks from the Dilla archives was pressed & packaged into the first J Dilla Serato release back in May.  As a big thank you for everyone that supported this project, Stones Throw let them loose today.  You can download it here.

All to often those hidden stereotypes around what’s labeled “West Coast Music/Artists” (and their sound), tend to hinder great artists from getting heard.  Step out that box, and be introduced to a talent that just happens to reside on the West Coast.  Ab-Soul.  A Carson, California resident with a unique style and creative flow brings “New Air” to the rap world. With the release of his mixtape project “Long Term” in 2008, it was known he’d be a standing presence.  Now with the 2010 mixtape release of “Long Term 2: Lifestyles of the Broke & Almost Famous”, his style continues to solidify not only his presence, but his place in the game.  Check out the latest video from Long Term 2 “Turn Me Up” featuring Kendrick Lamar, and produced by Tae Beast.  Download “Long Term 2” and keep up with Ab-Soul on Twitter.

by Nichelle

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Ab-Soul – Be A Man (prod by Tae Beast)

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Ab-Soul – Long Term 2 (prod by Curtiss King)

I’ve been waiting for this since To Serve With Love.  If you don’t know about Black Spade, this is a good time to be introduced to him with his new mixtape Build and Destroy.  Once you cop it, I guarantee you will be digging up everything else Black Spade makes.  From St. Louis, Black Spade produces banging tracks and has a flow like no other. He’s made an instant classic with To Serve With Love (get it if you don’t have it).  He is a member of the super group Hawthorne Headhunters, has contributed to many projects like Starship 27 compilation, and is now here to Build and Destroy.  This mixtape is filled with crazy production by Black Spade that has a hypnotic sound that you’ll be nodding your head to.  Black Spade has gathered up equally dope guests from Coultrain to El Prez for this project.  This is one of those times I urge you to stop reading and download Black Spade – Build and Destroy NOW!  Check out Black Spade on MySpace and Twitter.  BIG thanks to Black Spade for making the music, and BIG shout to Trackstar, Union LA, & Smoking Section.

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Black Spade – Breakthrough ft. Rockwell Knuckles & Vic Mensah

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Black Spade – The Cool Out ft. El Prez & Vandalyzm

Intalek & Ritchcraft did a bang up job on Lives and Vibes.  A while ago I got an email from Ritchcraft about his instrumental remix album, The Big Band Blueprint.  It was good, and figured I should keep an eye out for this cat.  Well the time has come and he’s teamed up with Intalek; a 23 year old emcee with a classic hip hop flow.  This dynamic duo throws in uptempo tracks you can rock at a party, and mix it with chill-out homie tracks making Lives and Vibes a great balance.  You can’t go wrong with checking out Lives and Vibes.  Download Intalek & Ritchcraft – Lives and Vibes on BandCamp.  BIG thanks Ritchcraft for keeping us in the know with your projects.  I looking forward to your next one.

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Intalek & Ritchcraft – Everyday Money (ft. Honey Time)

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Intalek & Ritchcraft – I’m The Man (ft. Lew Sid and Meeze)