A friend of mine told me, “if a rapper has to curse every other word…they’re not a rapper.” John (JR) Robinson is a rapper for sure! The Gifted is one of those albums I can play with my mother in the car and she won’t give me that look like what are we listening to. Gifted has a laid back vibe that will still have your head nodding. John Robinson’s flow it clear, and said with care. I’m digging Gifted because of its comforting classic sound, but keeping it in the now. Download John Robinson – Gifted on Band Camp. Thank you Mr. John Robinson for tweeting about this one.

John Robinson - Her

John Robinson - Cherish Feat. Wordsworth

Real talk, I don’t think I gave Nocando’s stuff a good listen before Prometheus. The times I’ve been to Low End Theory I didn’t really get the full Nocando sound. Now if you’re like me or getting an introduction to Nocando, Zero Hour is perfect. From the production, guests, and Nocando’s flow, I got this in heavy rotation. Time for me to go back and pick up what I’ve been missing. Thavius Beck, Nosajthing, Busdriver, Mexicans With Guns, and a handful of other cats.  You would think they’re shooting for the rap album of the year award or something. I wouldn’t be surprised if the instrumental version of this album dropped shortly. Zero Hour has turned me into a Nocando fan for sure. Download Nocando – Zero Hour from Hellfyre Club on tumblr. BIG thanks Nocando for killing this one.

Nocando – Bernie prod. by Busdriver

Nocando - Westside Rentals

LMNO - Surround Trip

LMNO - Aquaduct

This is another one that I’ve been rocking and needed to write about a while back. Sometimes I get way into it. Keyel was another J-1 connect that I’m blessed to have. Keyel cats are bringing that head nodding hip hop with CLVLND.CTY.CNQRS. I’m not going to cram Keyel into a box by trying to classify the type of music that Keyel is making. What I dig about this album is it’s not a throwback where you have to dust it off, and it’s not light years ahead where no one gets it. It’s now music, you’re good to play this anywhere and anytime. The rhythm of the lyrics feels like each track is telling a story. The ill beats you can get lost in, so just put it on repeat. I’m really digging the flow of CLVLND.CTY.CNQRS, and I’m sure you’ll agree. Download Keyel – CLVLND.CTY.CNQRS on Band Camp. BIG thanks Keyel for making good music. wonder if I could roll into one of those bars that plays junk and switch it with this? Might have to give it a try. BIG shout to aLive.

Keyel - Beats+Raps

Keyel - Christmas Special ft. RIO the Mechanic

My friend, Trackstar the DJ, shot me an email about a youth program called Sessions LA  that he was involved with before he recently moved. Sessions LA is an opportunity for professionals like Trackstar to help and encourage kids through music. Sessions LA has been running on donations from the community and funds they have been able to drum up.  Now they need your help to stay in operation. Check out the video, read more about it, and give what you can. It’s a win-win for everyone, so lets keep building.

Here’s the story: when I moved out West, I left behind the non-profit organization I started in St. Louis to teach youth through Hip-Hop, hoping I’d find a similar organization in California where I could connect with a new group of like-minded individuals who wanted to use the genre as an educational tool. Our St. Louis program was great and provided a handful of kids with skills to help them harness their passion for Hip-Hop while applying real life lessons. However, due to a lack of funding, it was hard to expand past a certain point even though I always saw potential for it to grow. When I met DJ Phatrick in Los Angeles (through friend of TSS, Bambu), I discovered an organization called SESSIONS LA that executed the vision I had for my program and did much more. — Trackstar the DJ

Donate what you can to Indiegogo.com/SaveSessions. For more information check out Sessions LA and The Smoking Section. Check out the album the kids from the program have put together.  BIG Thanks Trackstar.

“I stumbled onto a record store and acquired some interesting vinyl from their surprisingly abundant dollar bin. The music I discovered inspired me to make a collection of raw beats / instrumentals. Memory Palace is the first of a three part series of this music I’ve decided to release.” – Duke

Check out Duke Westlake on Knock Steady, SoundCloud, and Twitter. Download Duke Westlake – Memory Palace here. I honestly hope you charge for this soon. BIG Thanks to the homie Trek Life for the heads up. Duke, I’ll totally check my email more often brother. BIG Thanks for making dope music.

Thurz – Fuck The Police

Thurz – Killers ft. Jazzy

“We had heard about Cameron Falsetti a.k.a. Chanes, for a while now, I think first from Detroit’s Ambassador, House Shoes, we dug a little deeper and we started to see a young man with an already prolific career. Reaching out to him to see if he would be down to give us a mix for the (iN), We were not ready for what we got, all songs produced by Chanes with 8 exclusive joints. Artwork by Mike Combs”

- Andy the (iN)Tern

Anything from the D, there’s always a House Shoes connection. Gotta love that guy. Download Chanes – (iN)TANGIBLES on (iN)SECT Records. BIG thanks (iN)SECT Records for the heads up. And to Mr. House Shoes for getting good music heard.

Chanes – Playground (featuring Miz Korona & Moe Dirdee)

Chanes – Free Money (featuring Moe Dirdee, Freeway & Clemmye)

Episode 008: Purple High

And now for the long awaited next episode of Beats+Crates Radio mixed by DJ Mantron. Purple High is for all you music lovers that want to feel grown. DJ Mantron, through some J Dilla, Mos Def, Nicolay & Kay, The Pharcyde, and J*Davey,  brings you a mix that will have you dancing.  Lately I have been driving a lot, and Purple High has been my soundtrack for the road.  I’ll tell you Life Is Better with Purple High in heavy rotation. Download DJ Mantron’s episode of Beats+Crates Radio: Purple High here.  Click “Continue reading” below to see the whole playlist. BIG thanks to DJ Mantron and J1 aka THE DEER.

Playlist:

Norman Conners – Invitation
Mos Def – Brown Sugar (Fine)
Q-tip – Life is Better
Basic Vocab – Sex
Madlib the Beat Konducta – Yo Yo Affair
P.H.E.A.R – What Happened
Avila Brothers – I Want You Now
Jackson 5 – Where Almost There(Dj Spinna Remix)
Shania D – It’s U
Nicolay & Kay – The Lights ft. Myth &S1 and Nicole Hurst
Erykah Badu – Honey (DJ Day Remix)
Morgan Zarate – Sticks & Stones
J*Davey – No More
Solange – CampagneChronicKnightcap
J Dilla – So Far To Go ft. Common & D’Angelo
Jill Scott – Crown Royal
The Pharcyde – She Said (Mike Caren Remix)
Sylvia – Sweet Stuff

Koncept & Tranzformer – High