Author Archives: Baseer Ahmad

[Hip-Hop] Tory Lanez – Diego (Prod. Tory Lanez & Play Picasso)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - January 19, 2015

ToryLanez
DIEGO (PROD. Tory Lanez X Play Picasso)

After a landmark 2014 that saw Tory Lanez establish himself as one of the hottest up-and-comers in the game, it looks like the Toronto native has even bigger plans in the works for 2015. His first banger of the year, “Diego” draws similarities to his previous single “Godfather,” as Tory busts out his Tony Montana flow and expresses his own love for the coco. With a certified hit in tow, Tory also recently announced an expanded Lost Cause tour, this time preparing to hit 18 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The month long trek is set to kick off in February, and you can see all the tour dates over at his official website.

Hip/Hop

Jarell Perry – Quiet Life [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - January 14, 2015

Quiet Life
Jarell Perry x APSPDR+

Soundcloud

It’s been awhile since we last heard from Jarell Perry. Retreating into the “Quiet Life” during the latter half of 2014, Perry spent considerable time cultivating his craft in preparation for his upcoming project, Noise, set to drop later this spring. Today, we have the distinct honor of premiering the very first single from his new EP.

Produced by APSPDR+ (SZA, BOSCO), “Quiet Life,” as you may have guessed, is an ode to the simple things. Unlike many of his contemporaries, the burgeoning singer expresses a desire to eschew the glitz and glamour associated with fame in favor of a much more intimate existence, proclaiming on the chorus that “living loud is lonely.” It’s difficult to argue with his reasoning, as the reticent crooner describes his idyllic vision over an eerie, soporific backdrop complimented by clattering 808’s and numbing synths. The talented vocalist had the following to say about what he set out to accomplish with the pensive number,

It’s a reflective/nostalgic tune I wanted to get out while the buzz of the holidays and winter cuffing season is still palpable. I’ve been doing a lot of inner self-work for the last couple months and this song really reflects that.

Listen/download the new track above, and keep your eyes peeled for Noise, which is shaping up to include a bevy of gifted producers, including the likes of Rusko, starRo, and deebs. Also, if you’re in the Los Angeles area and would like to get a taste of Jarell’s incredible vocals live, make sure to grab tickets for his show at Bootleg Hifi at the end of this month.

Soul

[NEW] Purity Ring – Begin Again

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - January 13, 2015

Purity Ring
begin again

Stream Only

When Purity Ring dropped “Push Pull” last month–their first original single in years–fans grew giddy with excitement at the possibility of a follow-up to Shrines. Well, the extended wait is finally coming to an end, as the band have announced a release date for their upcoming sophomore effort, Another Eternity. Along with the announcement, the talented Canadian duo have also revealed the tracklist for the 10 track album, and have decided to share yet another impressive new tune.

“Begin Again” is a hauntingly hypnotic affair more reminiscent of their earlier material than their previous single. There are similarities between the two songs though, as the duo’s recent output has shown more of a grandiose structure that presumably stems from the fact that band members Megan James and Corin Roddick spent time recording their music together in Edmonton for this project, whereas they were in different cities during the sessions for Shrines.

Check out the tracklist after the jump, and make sure to pre-order your copy of Another Eternity before it hits shelves on March 3rd.

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[NEW] Kanye West – Only One (Feat. Paul McCartney)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - January 1, 2015

Kanye West
Only One

Buy

What better way to end your 2014/kick off your 2015 than with some new Kanye West? Although we still have very little information about the much anticipated follow-up to Yeezus, we may finally have some clues as to what the new project may sound like. Set against a bare bones backdrop, “Only One” is very different from anything we’ve heard from the Chitown native to date, yet still very much Yeezy to its core. It’s a deeply personal cut, as ‘Ye croons to himself through his mother’s perspective, making for an uplifting, yet ultimately calming record as he proclaims on the chorus “Hello, my only one. Remember who you are. No, you’re not perfect, but you’re not your mistakes.” We’re getting a better idea of how fatherhood has changed Kanye, and we’re certainly curious to see how that influences his music going forward.

Grab a copy of the Paul McCartney-assisted single on iTunes, and look for Yeezy’s upcoming ~~lullaby~~ album to drop sometime in 2015.

Hip/Hop
Soul

[Hip-Hop] G-Eazy – Show You The World (Feat. Too $hort) (Prod. Christoph Andersson) + Why Thank You (Prod. Hit-Boy) + I Might (Feat. P-Lo & K Camp) (Prod. Cal-A)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - December 30, 2014

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about G-Eazy in 2014, it’s that he doesn’t release music one at a time. With some holiday fumes still lingering in the air, the slick haired spitter decided to drop off three new tracks to celebrate a landmark year that saw the release of his debut album These Things Happen, and to thank his fans for helping him with his achievements. The first of these three singles finds Eazy globetrotting alongside fellow Bay Area native Too $hort over an upbeat instrumental from his go to producer, Christoph Andersson. The other two tracks have him connecting with some fresh faces, including a dope collaboration with Hit-Boy for “Why Thank You,” and a trap inspired cut called “I Might” which features appearances by P-Lo and K Camp. Check out the tracks below, and make sure to grab a free download for yourself as well.

’G Eazy – Show You The World Ft. Too $hort (Prod. Christoph Andersson)’

Soundcloud

’G Eazy – Why Thank You (Prod. Hit Boy)’

Download

’G Eazy – I Might Ft. P Lo & K Camp (Prod. Cal
A)’

Download

Hip/Hop

[Hip-Hop] Joey Bada$$ – On & On (Feat. Maverick Sabre & Dyemond Lewis) (Prod. Freddie Joachim)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - December 30, 2014

Joey Bada$$
On & On ft. Maverick Sabre & Dyemond Lewis (Prod. by Freddie Joachim)

Buy

Though we thought “Curry Chicken” would be the last single we’d hear from Joey Bada$$ this year, the talented young emcee decided to surprise us last night with one more record before the end of 2014. With the release of his debut album steadily approaching, each preview from Joey provides us with a new favorite tune, making it abundantly clear that we have a potential classic on our hands come 2015. “On & On” is no different–an extremely relatable track that deals with the issue of moving on from the loss of friends and family. Like most of Joey’s tracks, the piano laden instrumental from Freddie Joachim has a distinctively throwback vibe, yet it doesn’t sound played out or outdated. It still amazes us how much insight the Brooklyn native possesses at just 19 years old, and this latest song only makes us that much more eager for the release of B4.DA.$$ on January 20th.

Check out the single above, and make sure to pre-order a copy on iTunes now.

Hip/Hop

[Remix] Dej Loaf – Try Me (Feat. Jeezy & T.I.)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - December 30, 2014

Dej Loaf
Try Me Official Remix ft Jeezy & T.I.

Soundcloud

In a year that saw the emergence of internet rap stars like Young Thug, iLoveMakonnen and Bobby Shmurda, Dej Loaf‘s “Try Me” is still one of the more surprising hits we’ve come across. The Detroit native’s marquee single is oddly addicting, though we never imagined it would take off like it did. After getting that chorus glued in our minds for nearly the entire latter half of 2014 though, it’s no mystery why a bevy of emcees have tried their hands at remixing the track. The latest two rappers to step up to the plate are Southern royalty, as Jeezy and T.I. lend their talents to the latest iteration of the tune. Both emcees come correct with their verses, shaping a supreme remix that’s poised to take this hit further up the charts.