Mello Music Group, in my opinion, has built up an impressive catalog of independent Hip-Hop in a relatively short period of time. You may already be familiar with their work with Diamond District (XO, yU, Oddisee), Apollo Brown & Trek Life; in which case, the odds are quite good that you agree with me.

Helpless Dreamer is a compilation album that releases Nov 23rd, and is a preview of their 2011 slate. With contributions from Black Milk, Magestik Legend & Roc Marciano, Helpless Dreamer checks in at a solid 13 tracks – from both the lyrical and sonic perspectives.

Highlights include: Oddisee’s innate sense of space on the soulful Different Now, featuring Toine. The Detroit triumvirate of Finale, Invincible & Black Milk on Don’t Sleep. KC native son  Stik Figa‘s collaboration with Oddisee, co-produced by Dunc entitled,  From the Top, which is part of  Oddisee’s effort to promote regional Hip-Hop flavors.

Beats+Crates got the jump on your other favorite blogs with this one.

Download Stik Figa – From the Top prod. Oddisee

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I don’t have to say much about this album… I really don’t.  The title and the music speaks loud enough for it.  I bought Album Of The Year at Fat Beats, dropped it in the CD player on the way home, and drove the long way home to hear it again.  When I got home, I copied it to my computer, iPod, and my iPhone so I wouldn’t be without it.  It drops today (September 14^th), so find the closest record shop and buy Black Milk – Album Of The Year.

All right, let me get to the music.  The Album Of The Year has that Black Milk sound, but bigger.  If that’s possible…guess it is.  Still having that big drum sound, funky samples, hypnotic rhythmic flow, and heavy hitting -with guests like Danny Brown, you can’t help but put it on repeat. The album overall has a complete sound, but each track can hold it’s own.  You just have to listen to it people.  It’s also worth getting a physical copy.  Very clean design with shiny red soil numbers on the cover making a bold statement.  Go to or order Black Milk – Album Of The Year from Fat Beats…now.  BIG thanks to House Shoes.  Black Milk keep making that music.

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Black Milk – 365

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Black Milk – Round of Applause

First off, I have no idea about the water bottle, and second Inka One is crazy with this Zojirushi Mix. I mean check out the tracklist. He goes from Black Milk, Little Dragon, to J. Rocc & Dam Funk. That’s not all, he’s got some local celebrities on this like DevonWho, Aspect 1, & J. Bizness. Inka One drops lots of exclusive and unreleased tracks, so this is a mix worth downloading. I would not be surprised if he knows each people/group personal. Head out to Boombox every 1st Saturday at Grand Star, and also check Soundwaves with Abraham & Ms. Cecilia every Saturaday night/early Sunday morning (midnight – 2) on KPFK (90.7fm) BIG thanks Inka One for the heads up.

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Deep is a banging track and now there’s a video?!  Who needs a music video channel.  I was really digging the intro to the track.  The colors were busted up in some scenes which gave it a cinematic feel.  eLZhi’s The Leftovers Unmixedtape is a must have with a gang of dope tracks.  BIG shout to Gerard (Victor Atillo) for making a dope video. Check out eLZhi – The Leftovers Unmixedtape.  BIG thanks to Jerrod for the heads up.

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Elzhi – Deep

Detroit is one city that is cranking out artists left and right. I got an email from Jon the other day with eLZHi’s latest release The Leftovers Unmixedtape, and I checked it out right away.  eLZHi’s The Leftovers is a 14 track unmixedtape of old promos and projects, but together is a banger.  The lyrics are hands down dope, and all of the producers are home run hitters. I think I even played that track “The Crowd” (produced by Leef)  a few times in a row before I got to the next track.  Call it what you want, The Leftovers Unmixedtape is one you’ll crank up the volume to.  Download eLZHi – The Leftovers Unmixedtape at eLZhi.com.  Keep and eye out for other projects eLZhi drops on MySpace.  BIG thanks to Jon for the heads up.

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eLZhi – Deep (Prod. Black Milk)

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eLZhi – Contra ft. Danny Brown (Prod. Apollo Brown)

14KT’s Nowalataz is one of the reasons I don’t sleep. Dope stuff comes out any time of the day. I got an email from the fam at A-Side Worldwide about 9pm, but I went jogging…and didn’t read it until 11pm. If I slept on this a little longer I would have missed the boat.

I read the title Nowalataz, and it gave me flashbacks of that hard ass candy that could take your tooth out if you chewed it wrong. Nowalataz is nothing like that. 14KT drops some sweet tracks on your ears. Now these are Donut inspired tracks from 2006, and you know how sweet that was. Just like Donuts, Nowalataz is going straight into heavy rotation on the ipod. Take the time to read how these beats came about. It will inspire you. Download 14KT – NOWALATAZ (2nd option link here) while you still can. It will only be up for a week! Check out what 14KT is up to on MySpace or Twitter. BIG thanks to Stephanie for the heads up.

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14KT – The Name Game

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14KT – Black N Gold

Lets talk about one of the best producers out there, Black Milk. This cat can’t make a bad beat. But it’s this video that is refreshing. Rap videos turned every video into a “show and tell.” You know what I mean- “I got this and that, and to top it off I’m going to tell you twice.”  This video is shot in an empty warehouse with just 2 cats rapping about what’s happening in the D.  Now that’s hip hop! Check out more of Black Milk’s videos on his MySpace page, or head over to FatBeats and pick up a Black Milk album.

I don’t think people really know how dope Black Milk is. I found yet another beat tape from him that is all sampled from Price. Hence the Purple reference. Enough of my chatter, and Download the thing! BIG thanks to MOOVMNT.com for posting it.

Download beat tape here.

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Black Milk – Purple Track 6

Check out Black Milk on MySpce