BLKHRTS- BLK S BTFL

FOE, Karma, and Yonnas Abraham are BLKHRTS, three of Denver, Colorado's finest hip hop artist with flows as smooth as onyx stone and a sound that is way before its time. Combining a gothic ethos with loud, futuristic production, the BLKHRTS free EP, BLK S BTFL, is a moody body of work that will have your head nodding and heart pumping with intrigue.

With this release, the Denver trio has unabashedly pushed the envelope of what hip hop should sound like. This is an experiment gone right and if you open up your ears long enough, even you might find that BLK is BTFL too. Peace to @KidHum and his rave reviews.


Download: BLKHRTS- BLK HRT, BLK CITY
Download EP: BLKHRTS- BLK S BTFL

Hit the flip side for full album stream.

Free Album: Open Mike Eagle- Art Rap After Party EP

"Everybody's rapping, everybody's selling clothes, everybody's picture taking, shooting videos...everyday in the city of L.A. is everybody's birthday," goes the first hook on Open Mike Eagle's "Art Rap After Party EP" -- a record that solidifies the Chicago-born Angeleno-based rapper as arguably the finest (and funniest) chronicler of the seedy and mustache-marred L.A. underworld.

The follow-up to this year's stellar "Unapologetic Art Rap," Mike Eagle II rambles through the dregs of his new home's coked-out, jungle-juiced wastelands, getting wasted to stay sane. He sarcastically compliments a girl on her asymmetrical haircut, telling her that he hopes she stays ahead of the trends. Then he tells her that she dresses like the Macho Man, Randy Savage.

Those with one-dimensional interpretations might wrongly brand this hipster rap, but Mike is no hipster. He dresses more GQ than Vice and boasts a surliness that could get him tossed from Intelligentsia. Rather than stridently complain, he fulminates against his targets with a caustic wit and an ironic sense reminiscent of a less solipcistic Das Racist. Indeed, Eagle's tangents are even more searing and cogent. He attacks racists for assuming he's going to play 2Pac on a jukebox when he just wants to play "Rock the Casbah." He creates an absurd cosmology -- a 100 proof nightmare filled with wanna-be nabobs and those who have read too much Nabokov.

Balancing his smarts with endearing self-deprecation, he never lapses into self-seriousness. Eagle mocks himself for sending out embarrassing texts, scheming on unfortunate women, and for his own hypocrisy. Mush records has given Pop & Hiss permission to give away the EP for free for the next two weeks. Open Mike Eagle does the dirty work-- throwing Art-Rap after-parties so you don't have to. After all, it's far preferential to eat hummus in solitude. (Be forewarned, the download contains some salty language.)

Download: Open Mike Eagle- Art Rap After Party EP (Left Click, Save As)

Track Listing

1. Everybody's Birthday

2. Haircut

3. Someplace Quiet

4. Four Years Old

5. Last Night

Oddisee & Stik Figa- From the Top EP

I've been pumped for this collaboration project since Stik Figa told me about almost a year ago. A taste of what's to come in 2011:

Riding the success of "From The Top," the first single from the Mello Music Group compilation, Helpless Dreamer, and his mini-documentary released earlier this week, Stik Figa is treating fans with the release of the Oddisee produced From The Top, a brand new five-track EP - for free.

Matching Stik's stylings step for step, Oddisee continues to show off his wide ranging production abilities, utilizing dusty drums and string, horn, and guitar chops throughout to create a multitude of mood-altering backdrop for Stik's musings. "The production Oddisee provides makes these moments fully realized moments," says Stik. "I'm excited for people to hear it, it's somewhat of a coming out party."

Stik Figa and Oddisee will also be releasing their own currently untitled album together in 2011. Stick Figa is also working with long time collaborator D/Will to release their album together titled, Crown & Coke.

The download below contains HQ clean & dirty versions of the tracks, instrumentals, and acapellas. I also added my favorite track, Bucket.


Download: Oddisee & Stik Figa- Bucket
Download: Oddisee & Stik Figa- From the Top EP

Chuuwee- Sunday Afternoon EP

Ever since Chuuwee flipped every up and coming youngin' on their ass and sent them 6 Feet Deep, I have been hooked on his golden era ethos and work ethic. Judging by his output over the last month, Chuuwee isn't here to pound his chest and rest easy over a few blog posts and props. He remains ravenous, aggressive, passionate, and in tune to the talent he possesses, which can be heard in every freestyle and leak he has dropped thus far. This rare mix of desire and effortless aptitude reminds me of another recent Northern California MC success story, but before I make that bold comparison I will let you listen to Chuuwee's latest free EP and form your own opinion.

Sunday Afternoon is a Mini-Tape Chuuwee compiled in one evening. The Tape follows the timeline of how long it took to record and finish each track and features what the 19 year old Sanchez Rivierra does best-- murdering beats while brewing scalding cauldrons of early 90's nostalgia.

This gives away my "bold comparison" from earlier, but-- imagine the possibilities if Chuuwee could find his Exile? (Lee Bannon?). Celebrate another section of hip hop's new youth movement with the free download below.


Download: Chuuwee- Get Out the Fuckin' Car
Download Album: Chuuwee- Sunday Afternoon

Vinyl Frontiers- Unreleased EP

The european production crew known as Vinyl Frontiers have just launched a new label (iMake Records). To celebrate the launch they have released a free EP full of unreleased collaborations and remixes with various North American artists that have yet to see the light of day. The Unreleased EP will also give a small glimpse into future projects with Canadian producer/MC Muneshine and California MC Trek Life. VF explains more below:

“We've met a lot of artists during European tours and through the internet. Producers usually have to settle for just production credits in a booklet, but we have been blessed in a way that all these artists are willing to let us release this music ourselves. So expect a lot of EP's/albums from Vinyl Frontiers within the next year. The first EP will be made with Canada's Muneshine, followed by Cali's own Treklife."

Despite great cuts from popular underground acts like Sean Price, Muneshine, Reef and Oddisee, I was more impressed with the single from legendary Dutch MC Redlight Boogie. I added his track "Betrayal" below, as well as his video with Sean Price from earlier this year, "Heat Rock".


Download: Redlight Boogie- Betrayal
Download EP: Vinyl Frontiers- Unreleased EP

Tracklist:

01 Dj Friss intro

02 Redlight Boogie – Betrayal

03 Maffew Ragazino – Pale Moon Light

04 Muneshine – What Now (feat. Sean Price & Termanology) (Vinyl Frontiers rmx)

05 Treklife – Always Together

06 Reef – You Gotta

07 Oddisee – Such Is Life (Vinyl Frontiers rmx)

08 Kaimbr – Raw Music

Pat Van Dyke & 8thW1- Lux DeVille EP + Smile

I first discovered 8thW1 in 2007 after getting a hold of his future classic debut LP, Love, Money and Music, and have been hooked ever since. 8th's nonchalant nerd-swag has always mixed well with mellow production and my theory proves correct on his latest project with drummer/composer/producer Pat Van Dyke. PVD and 8thW1's new EP, Lux DeVille, showcases the talented New Jersey bred MC connecting more with his emotions than witty punchlines over a streamline of colorful keys, crisp drum breaks, and a myriad of horn loops that will have true schoolers drooling.

The EP will be available as a free download for a limited time only for one week and then will be available on iTunes. Spotted at PHIMB.


Download: Pat Van Dyke & 8thW1- Smile
Download EP: Pat Van Dyke & 8thW1- Lux DeVille EP

1. The Biz

2. No Excuses

3. Free

4. Smile

Free Album: Hugh Augustine The MC- Hurry Up and Wait

South Central Los Angeles MC Hugh Augustine continues to quietly drop gems on us in 2010. We received his first free EP with O*S*Y*M in the first quarter; heard his chemistry with Los Angeles group Warm Brew on their Natural Style album; and now we get to hear Hugh's raw talent emerge within his first studio album, Hurry Up & Wait, available as a free download below.

Download Album: Hugh Augustine The MC- Hurry Up and Wait // Zshare

1. When I Leave

2. Never Coming Down ft. Terry Byrne

3. La Brea

4. Keep Runnin' ft. Taylor Simone

5. Steppin'

6. On My Way ft. Terry Byrne

7. Like I'm Supposed To ft. Dizel

8. Be

9. Too Cool ft. Warm Brew

10. My People ft. Taylor Simone

11. Pictures on Vinyl

J. Period & Black Thought- Live Mixtape (Illadelph Edition) EP

Truelements + Lyrics to Go present the "J.Period Live Mixtape (Illadelph Edition)" EP, a first-of-its-kind J.Period mixtape recorded LIVE onstage at Toronto’s premiere hip hop festival, The Manifesto, Sept. 26, 2010. Starring legendary MC Black Thought (The Roots), the "J.Period Live Mixtape (Illadelph Edition)” EP features a 30-minute barrage of live J.Period remixes with Black Thought ripping rhymes over new and classic hip hop hits, Roots fan favorites, plus a finale segment where Thought pays tribute to his favorite MCs by impersonating them (a la The Roots’ “Boom”).

Download: J. Period & Black Thought- Live Mixtape (Illadelph Edition)

Track list on the flip side.

01. Live Mixtape Intro

02. The Next Movement (Live)

03. Clones (Live)

04. Right On (Live)

05. Bam Bam Interlude

06. Jamrock (J. Period Live Remix)

07. Hip Hop (J. Period Live Remix)

08. Oh Yeah (J. Period Live Remix)

09. Forever (J. Period Live Remix)

10. D.O.A. (J. Period Live Remix)

11. One More Chance (J. Period Live Remix)

12. Shook Ones Interlude

13. Survival (J. Period Live Remix)

14. Simon Says (J. Period Live Remix)

15. Gin & Juice (J. Period Live Remix)

16. Thought @ Work (Live)

17. Rakim - Juice (Tribute Remix)

18. Kane - Raw (Tribute Remix)

19. Slick Rick - Children's Story (Tribute Remix)

20. Guru - Just To Get A Rep (Tribute Remix)

21. Live Mixtape Outtro

22. Bonus: Go Hard (Live At BK Hip Hop Fest)

Free Album: Cloudy October- The Aviator is Dead EP

Armed with an alluring flow that unveils haphazardly like stop motion animation, Portland, Oregon rookie MC Cloudy October demands your full attention from the first bar uttered and beyond. The alternate take of "inlaw", the opening track of his debut album The Aviator is Dead EP, proves my bold claim as Cloudy's tongue pirouettes around a patchwork beat dripping with eerie bass, spooky string scales, and various piano loops. Much like "inlaw", his oddball poetics and infectious delivery on "Lowerface" is also sure to grab underground hip hop fan's attention, as he bounces up and down through a foggy landscape of dark drums and tribal smoked sounds.

Underground hip hop has changed a lot over the past few years: Instead of angst fueled technical raps over abstract production, we have glittery, emotionally charged rhymes over electro-tickled laptop experiments; instead of apocalyptic poetry, we have love letters turned into rap lyrics; instead of Definitive Jux, some would say we have definitive junk. I'm open eared to the new indie hip hop vibe, but it is kind of refreshing to hear that old subterranean sound rise back to the surface.

Cloudy October embodies it and bodies it, so enjoy the EP and the two tracks below on your cloudy October day.


Download: Cloudy October- inlaw (alternate take)

Download: Cloudy October- Lowerface
Download Album: Cloudy October- The Aviator is Dead EP

Free EP: J Bizness 3P Series- Vol. 6: Sahtyre

Let's keep that wave of Swim Team love going...

Rapper's I Know presents Volume 6 of producer J Bizness' 3P Series with Swim Team MC Sahtyre; one of LA's rising lethal lyricists. The first track, Drive, sets the standard and is possibly my favorite Sahtyre tracks of all time next to Liquified Dopeness and Pure Inspiration. Check them all out below.

Swim Team is focused.

Download: J Bizness & Sahtyre- Drive
Downlaod: Sahtyre- Liquified Dopeness
Download: Sahtyre- Pure Inspiration
Download EP: J Bizness & Sahtyre- 3P Series Vol. 6 (Bandcamp) // Mediafire

Free EP/Album: Nemo Achida- The North Star EP

Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years...

The feisty EP would say if it could speak. It has been around the industry for years, but it wasn't until recently that the format became the weapon of choice in independent hip hop. In 2010, we have seen a plethora of EP releases-- most serving as polished demo tapes and short introductions to new artists in a finicky, short attention span, McBlog listener climate-- that have proved to be the perfect way for new artists to break their material to new ears. And the trend continues with Lexington, Kentucky MC, Nemo Achida, and his new album, The North Star EP.

A tick over twenty minutes is all it takes for Nemo to release his dreams into your ear canal (pause). The blunted-in-space production, courtesy of Nemo and Clutch, cradle Nemo's conscious transmissions perfectly, allowing Nemo to paint the night with bright balls of gassed up rhymes.

Full download below.

Download Album: Nemo Achida- The North Star EP // Bandcamp

1. Ode to Hip Hop (Intro)

2. Forth & Back

3. The Almighty Groove

4. When May Comes

5. 420 High Street

6. Black Hole (Adam's Anthem)

Free Album: Unknowneye & Bluntspeakers- The Gift

South Netherlands producer Bluntspeakers and MC Unknowneye join forces on a four track EP that they are giving away as a gift-- The Gift. Many of my American compadres might be worried about the accent or the vocals being in another language, but fear not-- Uknowneye rocks the mic in english and turns out to be a perfect match for Bluntspeakers' banging beats. 

Two sample tracks and the full download below.

Download: Unknowneye & Bluntspeakers - Again Again Again (feat Esperanzah) 
Download: Unknowneye & Bluntspeakers - Sunset
Download Album: Unknowneye & Bluntspeakers- The Gift

Free EP: Mohammad Dangerfield- $Free.99

MCs Hasan Salaam and Rugged n Raw, better known as Mohammad Dangerfield, have released a free EP in anticipation for their debut full length LP coming later this fall. The HipHopDX hosted $Free.99 features eight hard hitting tracks that show off Hasan and Raw's organic chemistry and knack for making crisp East Coast underground music. The EP also features guest vocals from Shabaam Sahdeeq and Sha Stimuli.

Download: Mohammad Dangerfield- $Free.99

Free Album: Sam Wilkes- Booth

After coming across the Los Angeles hip hop group Warm Brew, I was directed to a free EP from a nineteen year old Los Angeles based producer that carries a blues infused, electronic hip hop sound that I can't get enough of.

Sam Wilkes started constructing beats at the tender age of fifteen and was called upon by various Bay Area artists for his production talents, but after years of catering to others' needs, Sam decided to embark on his own journey and began to develop the trippy, electro laced, bluesy hip hop he is known for today.

Wilkes gained a lot of attention last year for his Wilkish Mixtape-- a hipster's wet dream full of hyperactive laser show soundtracks ("Marsha Burns"), nerd raps ("Brody Time" ft. Bro T), and southern swagger tributes ("Mr. Big Shot" and "A Very Hendo Experience" ft. Hendo)-- but it's his 2010 release, Booth, that really shows off his arsenal of talents.

Within its small four track frame, Sam Wilkes utilizes his blues and soul background to build beautiful backdrops such as the Black Keys-esque "Let Him Go," bass buzzed"Willing to Ride," and funky piano riddled "Little Does She Know." Short, sweet, and lethal-- Booth is without a doubt Sam Wilkes' shot heard around the world.

Download: Sam Wilkes- Let Him Go ft. John Ross
Download: Sam Wilkes- Little Does She Know
Download: Sam Wilkes- Mr. Big Shot ft. Hendo

Download Free EP: Sam Wilkes- Booth
Download Mixtape: Sam Wilkes- The Wilkish Mix Tape

Free EP: Kon- Above the Clouds

The phrase "above the clouds" evokes feelings of calm, focus, and freedom in me. I imagine flying or daydreaming, floating above life's beautiful disasters, forgiving myself and others for mistakes; my mind teetering between the future and the past, reminiscing about the good, the bad, the ugly or pondering love, time lost, and the marks I'd like to leave behind.

It seems these same feelings sparked in the mind of Queens, New York MC, Kon, as he created his new EP, the aptly titled Above the Clouds.

Kon's introduction to the world has an impeccable sound. The versatile production from DJ Dyllema, Marcus Sebastion, The Individualz, and Kon himself will exercise your neck as Kon anchors the ship with his crystal clear cadence. The luminous feel of the EP gives a whole other meaning to its title, but is more than likely due to the simple touch of an MC/Producer that also holds a degree in music engineering and has produced/engineered for Ras Kass, O.C., Blahzay, and more.

Besides the EP's altostratus sound, Kon makes quite a first impression. Reminiscent of a fellow New York MC in Sene, his pen is heartfelt, thoughtful, and poetic; his flow is simplistic, precise, and digestible; and his ear for production near flawless.

As Kon prepares us for his debut full length LP, My Glorious Imperfection, we are left with a good feeling about his supposed weaknesses to come. In one debut EP/Demo, Kon has already proven worthy to pilot hip hop fans above the clouds for years to come. Buckle up.

Download: Kon- Ride Wit Me
Download: Kon- Is Anyone There? ft. Silent Knight
Download EP: Kon- Above the Clouds // Mediafire

Free EP Download: Bagir-Ba- Yello-21

Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia by the way of Brooklyn, New York, Bagir-Ba is an emerging producer with a knack for making the weird and eccentric sound crisp and cohesive. His free debut EP, Yello-21, gives beat heads a small taste of his talents. Throughout the EP's ten track frame, Bagir-Ba stirs up a bubbling cauldron full of electronic loops, eerie synths, and Phillip K. Dick like accents.

If you are into Kan Kick, grab this freebie before Bagir blasts off into the blogosphere.

Download: Bagir-Ba- Yello-21

Free Beat Tape Download: Dela- The Robert Glasper Beat Tape

I just flipped my late pass on your desk so I could share this fresh Robert Glasper influenced beat tape I missed while on hiatus.

French hip hop producer, Dela, who had every jazz-hop fanatic on the internet going nuts with his flawless Atmosphere Airlines series, has compiled a beat tape beautifully sprinkled with a mix of trickling ivory from the hands of Blue Note jazz pianist Robert Glasper and dreamy drums and samples from Dela. Sometimes sad, sometimes summery, but always crisp.

Dela continues his quest to make the hip hop world just feel good-- and executes once again.

Download: Dela- The Robert Glasper Beat Tape

Freddie Joachim- Dust [Free EP Download]

San Diego producer Freddie Joachim was dragged and dropped into my headphones in 2007 and hasn't left them ever since. Despite being one of the most hype neglected artists in the blogosphere, Freddie remains hungry and continues to drop crisp, dusty, and serene instrumental records on a consistent basis.

Joachim has recently released yet another free EP of smooth, jazz laced instrumentals entitled, Dust. So blow the dust off of your new talent radar and get acquainted with one of hip hop's rising talents.


Download: Freddie Joachim- Dust [Free EP Download]

1. Out of Season

2. From Yesterday

3. New Way

4. Controlled by Your Love

5. What a Woman Really Needs

Dillon- Cupid's Revenge: The Ain't Shit Suite [Free EP Download]

Dillon Maurer, who you might know from last year's release with Paten Locke called Studies in Hunger, has just released a dope Valentines Day EP, Dillon- Cupid's Revenge: The Ain't Shit Suite. Over 5 Batsauce laced tracks, Dillon explores the topic of Love and all "thangs" associated. That's when he realizes that outer space must be where all the women are at who understand his steez.

Download:  Dillon- Cupid's Revenge: The Ain't Shit Suite [Free EP Download]

Introducing: Nicholas Kopernicus + Audiocentric Unplugged EP

No, Nicholas Kopernicus is not a pasty white Olympic hockey player, nor is he a future, never heard before 7 foot Polish center being looked at for next year's NBA draft. Surprisingly, Nicholas Kopernicus is a instrumental duo that consists of Producer/Pianist/Songwriter Jason "classicbeatz" Minnis and Guitarist/Songwriter Seon Gomez (Yes, he was also a Polish astronomer). The duo has just released their debut album, Audiocentric, which is available via all digital retailers and is being described as a journey through modern music of the African Diaspora and a serene and worldly record full of afrobeat, funk, soul, blues, folk, reggae, and hip hop influences.

Carlito Brigante explains the pure artistry behind the record in his article that covered his photo session with the artists in Bedstuy, NY, saying: "The entire album was created in Jason’s home studio. A 6×10ft room in his Brooklyn’s apartment where Nicholas Kopernicus crafted the album note by note – chord by chord – instrument by instrument – overlapping layers of live instrumentation, leveraging everything in their environment from pots and pans to Jimbe drum recording in the bathroom. Methods and tricks that would be considered unorthodox by many recording engineers but techniques that gives Audiocentric a genuine soul and personality."

Genuine soul is what best describes the instrumentals throughout Audiocentric and the pristine production is illuminated even more when performed organically. To accompany his photo journey in Philadelphia, photographer Carlito Brigante phoned up Nicholas Kopernicus' to provide their talents for the soundtrack of the project. The phone call led to an EP of beautiful acoustic recordings and selections from the Audiocentric LP that can be downloaded for free below.

I also added my favorite track from Audiocentric, which can be purchased from iTunes here.


Download: Nicholas Kopernicus- The Southside
Download: Nicholas Kopernicus – Audiocentric [unplugged] (zip)