Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 20]

Hello ninjas, and welcome to Sunday Night Soul Volume 20. We embarked on this journey exactly 5 months ago with the goal of finding only the best tunes the internet had to offer. What started off as a fairly modest effort, has now grown substantially to the monstrosity you see here (and we mean “monstrosity” in the most loving way possible). We’re proud to see how the field has expanded to include various different soundscapes, increasingly pushing the genre to new limits. It’s an exciting time for R&B music, and we’re pleased to be to sitting right here in the front row, watching it evolve right before our eyes.Of course, you can hear that growth for yourself below.

This week’s collection includes multiple doubles. By doubles we mean you’ll be seeing more than a few names repeated multiple times throughout. Whether it’s through remixes or features, what it indicates is that plenty of your favorites were incredibly busy this week. Standouts come by way of Zuper, Dpat & Atu, SZA, White Lights, Bipolar Sunshine, Gallant, Z.Woods, Mila J, Rush Davis, Muzi, Ta-Ku, Fei-Fei, subdaio, elkco, Lido, ForteBowieTOKiMONSTAFiggy and Dolphin Tears. That might seem like a substantially long list already, but that’s just scratching the surface of what tonight’s pallet has to offer.

’Zuper – Wake Up With You’
’Plue Starfox – Gold Eater (Feat; Muzzy Legault)’
’Melo B. Jones – Perfect Girl (Produced By Oh4Re△L?!)’
’Chiara Noriko – Where Are You Gonna Take Me’
’Rochelle Jordan – How To Feel’
’abhi//dijon – Let You Know (Dpat & Atu Remix)’
’Aquilo – Part Of Your Life’
’SZA – Child’s Play (feat. Chance The Rapper)’
’// White Lights – Sleepyhead’
’Jay Stones – Agartha (Prod. The Most Hiii)’
’YOUNG & SICK – HEARTACHE FETISH’
’Soulpersona – Hot Shower Interlude feat Princess Freesia (From The Lapdancer album)’
’M&O – House ft Donnie Trumpet’
’Dana Williams – One More’
’James Fauntleroy – I Don’t Wanna Be Alone’
’Bipolar Sunshine – Long Live A$AP (A$AP Rocky Cover) – Radio 1 Live Lounge Late’
’Sam Smith – Stay With Me’
’Clara C – Things Untold’
’Asher Roth – Fast Life (Feat. Vic Mensa)’
’Will Wildfire – Days In The East (Call On Me)’
’Gallant – Jupiter Grayscale (prod. Maths Time Joy)’
’Z.Woods – Undo’
’August Alsina – Kissin On My Tattoos’
’MirImage – Mine’
’Jacquees – Future Baby Mama’
’Coline Creuzot – You Tried It’
’Mila J – Smoke, Drink, Break Up (Remix) (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign)’
’Muzi – TRIBES X ANGELS (FT DIVINE CIGHT)’
’Rush Davis – Sin Pays The Bills’
’India Shawn – Floating Away (ft. James Fauntleroy)’
’Eric Bellinger – Rihanna Feat. K2’
’Nsha Feat. J Staffz – Slow Down (Prod. By J Staffz)’
’MPrynt – Don’t Hurt Me’
’Songwriter TC – Done With Love’
’Tiffany Evans – Footprints’
’Elevation Theory – Valentines Day’
’TeeFLii – 24 Hours ft. 2 Chainz (Produced by DJ Mustard)’
’M&O – Hollow’
’Glass Animals – Holiest Feat. Tei–Shi’
’BANKS – BRAIN (TA–KU REMIX)’
’Madeaux – EPINEPHRINE (FEAT. GALLANT)’
’Tev’n – Chasing Storms (Kwes. Rework)’
’XONA
Umbrella’
’Drake – The Motion (AVAY Rework)’
’O L V – Close To Us (GXNXVS Remix) (Feat. Låpsley)’
’FDLUXX – Repent 94’
’The Code – Her’
’subdaio. – Apsara (ft. Muzzy Legault)’
’Pascäal – Drowning In You (Mincha Edit)’
’Duncan Gerow – Alicia Keys + J Dilla = Girlfriend’
’Duncan Gerow – Brandy + 40 = Full Moon’
’NiceGuyxVinny – Savannah’
’Fortune & MadBliss – Inside’
’Låpsley – Painter (Hazy Mountains Remix)’
’M.I.A. – XXXO (T.Hemingway Remix)’
’Jhene Aiko – My Afternoon Dream (BeAle Remix)’
’BANKS – Brain (Fei – Fei’s Feided Remix)’
’Miguel – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (prod. elkco rmx)’
’Chris Brown Feat. Tyga & Lil Wayne – Loyal (C. Justice Bootleg)’
’Pharrell – Happy (ForteBowie 1988 SOUL TRAIN EDIT)’
’Disclosure Ft. Sam Smith – Latch (Lido Remix)’
’Eric Bellinger ft K2 – Rihanna (Jeftuz Remix)’
’Uness – Top Down Caddy (produced by elkco rmx)’
’Tinashe ft Schoolboy Q – 2 On (TOKiMONSTA remix)’
’Seal – Kiss From A Rose (Durkin 3:30 AM Edit)’
’Foner – ctctct’
’✿ Harrison ✿ – How Can It Be (Feat. Maddee)’
’Stevie Wonder – Superstition (Autograf Remix)’
’Destiny’s Child x WKND – Say My Name’
’Tinashe – Vulnerable Feat. Travi$ Scott (Blood Diamonds Remix)’
’Ariel Camusso & Persian Empire – Time (123Mrk remix)’
’Figgy – Do It Like Us’
’LION KNGS – U & No One Else’
’JEREMIH – F*CK U ALL THE TIME (DOLPHIN TEARS REMIX)’
’Jeremih – Birthday Sex (Andrew Luce Remix)’
’Brandy – Paint This House (Ticklish Reboot)’
’DJ Cassidy feat. R. Kelly – Make The World Go Round’
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[Hip-Hop] Lupe Fiasco & Ab-Soul – Thorns & Horns

LUPE FIASCO & AB-SOUL
THORNS & HORNS prod. by Floss & Fame

After a slew of peculiar releases late last week, Lupe Fiasco appears to be back in his element with his latest single, “Thorns & Horns.” Teaming up with TDE wordsmith, Ab-Soul, the two emcees showcase their lyrical prowess, trading some vicious bars atop some booming Floss & Flame production. The song itself is plagued with watermarks claiming “This version is for Ab-Soul,” which might indicate this isn’t a final cut.

Opting for a much more “commercial” sound with his last few singles, it’s gotten us wondering whether Tetsuo & Youth will truly be a dramatic departure from his previous efforts, or if he’s really just throwing us all for a curveball. You can never really tell what’s going on in Lupe’s mind, so instead of trying to dissect his thought process, we’ll just take things at face value for now with a raised brow.

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[Hip-Hop] Lupe Fiasco – Old School Love (Feat. Ed Sheeran)

Lupe Fiasco
Old School Love (Feat. Ed Sheeran)

Another week, and another Monday. Definitely nothing to get excited about right? Fear not however, because Lupe Fiasco is here to help lift your spirits. With the first single from his upcoming album Tetsuo & Youth, Lu drops off a brand new track that’s perfect for the radio waves, alongside British singer/songwriter, Ed Sheeran. If the title didn’t give it away, the song acts as a tribute to old-school hip-hop hits, with Lupe opening the tune saying, “Give me that late 80’s, early 90’s old-school.” For a hip-hop head like myself, it’s got enough references to make you feel nostalgic about the past, but it keeps the vibe fresh enough to remind you what era Lupe truly operates in. Check out the new track above, and make sure to catch Lupe on his Tetsuo & Youth preview tour, kicking off later this fall.

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[Hip-Hop] Lupe Fiasco – #DopeFrancis (American Trap)

Lupe Fiasco
#DopeFrancis (American Trap)

We knew it was only a matter of time before Kendrick Lamar‘s verse from “Control” elicited some responses. After calling out just about every emcee in the game, it made sense that other rappers would take offense to Kendrick’s words. One such artist who wasn’t mentioned, garnered some attention late last night through his Twitter account. That artist would be Lupe Fiasco (his tweets have become private, but the backlash is just as widespread as before). After going on quite the tirade, and impersonating a few rappers by ghostwriting their responses along the way, fans were clamoring for Lupe to pen a comeback of his own. Finally, it seems as if he listened…well, sort of.

While “#DopeFrancis” (seriously, hashtagged song titles need to die) isn’t exactly a direct response, it does allow Lupe to put his skills on display. If we’re assuming this was conceived over the past 24 hours, then it’s a pretty impressive track, coupling themes of drug abuse with religion almost seamlessly. The song does sound fairly raw overall however, and I think it’s safe to say this is just a throwaway meant to prove that Lupe isn’t one to be slept on in the rap game.

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The Hip-Hop Dojo [Vol. 14]

After way too many delays, I finally present to you the fourteenth edition of The Hip-Hop Dojo. These playlists keep getting larger and larger, which is really a good sign for the state of hip-hop, as it means there’s way too much quality material for me to even sort through on a weekly basis. Like a trooper though, I’ve powered through to bring you some of the best the game has to offer. We have quite the eclectic group here for you, with a few artists showing off their versatility by making repeat appearances throughout the playlist. Among them are returning veterans like Chance The RapperHit-Boy, Alchemist, Action Bronson, and Domo Genesis as well as newcomer, Sean Dee. Hit-Boy in particular had a strong showing this week, tackling some recent singles from two of his favorite idols. For his first effort, Hit-Boy recruits Rockie Fresh to aid him with a remix of Jay-Z‘s “Somewhere In America.” While Jay’s line about Miley Cyrus had everyone in stitches, I have to say Rockie’s little jab at Amanda Bynes might actually be just as clever. On the second cut, Hit-Boy puts his own stamp on Kanye’s “New Slaves,” flashing his shiny “New Chains” for the whole world to see. It’ll be interesting to see what Hit-Boy has ahead of him now that he’s officially parted ways with G.O.O.D. Music.

Leading off this week’s lineup is one of my absolute favorite groups from the 90’s, Camp Lo, who team up with Pete Rock and Mac Miller for a fun little ode to the always alluring Megan GoodAlchemist came through this week as well, releasing a mini-EP in collaboration with streetwear company SSUR, featuring the likes of Freddie Gibbs, Domo Genesis, Action Bronson, Blu and more. If I had to base my decision on production alone, then the dreamy soundscape on Na$im Williams‘ “61 Lilies” would be a lock for the top honors this week. Luckily, each emcee that touches the record has the bars to match. Devin Miles reminds us of at least one reason why summertime happens to be the most beloved of all seasons through his latest single (hint: it has something to do with “Sundresses”). Bishop Nehru recently dropped off one of the most impressive mixtapes of the year with strictlyFLOWZ. We’ve only provided you with a small bite here, but we’d like to think that at only 16 years old, it’s pretty evident that Nehru has a bright future ahead of him.

With the feverish temperatures escalating throughout the country, it’s only appropriate that Ibn Inglor would come through with a furious “COLD STORM” to help rescue us from this blistering heat. If Cazzie Jetson sounds familiar to you at all, it’s probably because he constitutes 1/3 of TMN favorite, THEBLKHANDS. Cazzie brings that same focus and dedication to quality to his solo effort, “$eminole.” Jarred A.G. and Dally Auston continue to show off why Chicago is one of the preeminent cities for hip-hop at the moment, ruthlessly shredding apart this C-Sick produced number like the “Barbarians” they claim to be. Meanwhile, Da YoungFellaz display why they’ve been a constant staple on these pages over the last few weeks with yet another excellent single in “Presidential Rolex.”

Words cannot describe my excitement when I first discovered Atmosphere‘s new single, “Bob Seger.” While the title may seem odd at first, it has plenty to do with this exchange right here. I guess Slug draws his inspiration from Twitter now. With a rumored seventh studio album in the works, we’re hoping “Bob Seger” is just a taste of what’s to come from one of the most accomplished hip-hop acts of the last fifteen years. Speaking of accomplished underground artists, Tech N9ne surprises us with one of his most personal tracks to date, addressing much of the criticism he’s received towards his art, and how he handles it. It doesn’t hurt that he gets a fiery new verse from Kendrick Lamar too.

If you need any more convincing that MeLo-X is one of the illest emcees doing it right now, look no further than “Natural Vibez,” which is equal parts chill-out anthem and equal parts trunk rattler. In case you missed it, check out MeLo’s terrific GOD: HiFi project; it’s an absolutely must listen. Chance The Rapper isn’t quite done with the acid rap, teaming up with ProbCause to bring us a trippy new ode to “LSD.”  It’s a well known fact that Space Jam is easily one of the greatest films ever made (anyone who tries to argue this just doesn’t understand modern cinema), so when I saw this single from Audio Push appealing to my nostalgia, I just had to press play. Sampling a portion of the classic theme song, the West Coast duo transforms the hyped up tune into a certified dance floor anthem.

We hope you guys enjoyed our fourteenth edition of The Hip-Hop Dojo as much as we did! As always, you can send all submissions/suggestions to baseer@themusicninja.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALL THE FREE TRACKS

’Camp Lo & Pete Rock – Megan Good Ft.Mac Miller’
’Alchemist – Camp Registration feat Step Brothers, Action Bronson, Blu & Domo Genesis’
’Alchemist – Tesla feat Domo Genesis, Freddie Gibbs & Hodgy Beats’
’Na$im Williams – 61 Lilies feat. Scheme, Doc, & Sulaiman’
’ANTHM – I Remember’
’Rapsody – Dark Knights featuring Wale’
’Devin Miles – Sundress’
’Bishop Nehru – Mobb Dizzle’
’Joey Bada$$ – Norwegian Breakfast’
’Sean Dee – LiT.’
’Kami de Chukwu – Won’t Not.’
’Mickalas Cage – Cross Roads ft. Chance The Rapper & Vic Mensa’
’Martin $ky
PEARL GAWD’
’Ibn Inglor – COLD STORM (prod. Mhone Glor)’
’Ken Rebel – Rebel Life (Remix) Feat. Brandun DeShay’
’Cazzie Jetson – $EMINOLE’
’Snoop Dogg – Passenger Seat (Prod. Cardo)’
’Curren$y – I Can’t Stop’
’Dom Kennedy – Erica Part 1 (Prod. by Lord Quest)’
’Jarred A.G. – BARBARIANS ft. Dally Auston (Prod. C Sick)’
’Willie The Kid – Medusa feat. Action Bronson & Roc Marciano’
’The Procussions – Fall to Fly’
’True 2 Life Music – We Go’
’Da YoungFellaz – Presidential Rolex (feat. Kepstar & DeVo D)’
’The Underachievers – The Proclamation’
’Blame One & J57 – B.L.A.M.E.57 (featuring DJ Rhettmatic)’
”Ezko – Wake Up Feat. Andy Gruhin, Scolla & THURZ’
’Hit Boy – SomeWhereInAmerica (Remix) Feat. Rockie Fresh’
’Atmosphere – Bob Seger’
’Archie Bang – Blasphemy (prod. By 12 Keyz)’
’Tech N9ne – Fragile feat. Kendrick Lamar, ¡MAYDAY! and Kendall Morgan’
’Doley Bernays – Till We Fall’
’Hayk x dFresh – Elevate (prod. Mike C)’
’Kings Dead – Honest Abe’
’MeLo X – Natural Vibez (Prod. Tom Richman)’
’ProbCause – LSD ft. Chance The Rapper’
’Sean Dee – Bow and Arrows (Feat. Anna Yvette)’
’Audio Push – Space Jam ft. Lil Wayne’
’Chuckie – Makin’ Papers ft. Lupe Fiasco, Snow Da Product & Too $hort’
’DJ Katch feat. Izza Kizza – Let Me In’
’E40 – All My N*ggas featuring Danny Brown & Schoolboy Q’
’Hit Boy – New Chains (James Sommerset)’
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