Archive for Download Of The Week
At this point I think we all expect Kanye to only put out incredible music. Well once again Mr. West proves to be the kind of artist who doesn’t just know how to show off his talents, he knows how to showcase others too. The way he put together Cruel Summer is impressive. The G.O.O.D. Music roster is obviously abundant with talent but the way Kanye uses them in all the right spots is what distinguishes this album. The music ranges from braggadocios rap at its finest (Mercy, Clique) to songs with more introspection to them (Bliss, Creepers). It all works together as a cohesive album that I can actually listen to all the way through. In this single driven market that’s really saying something. Cruel Summer is one of the best group efforts I’ve ever heard in hip hop and it’s already sold over 200K. Download it here.
G.O.O.D. Music is definitely earning it’s title this week. Most hip hop fans have gotten their ears on the leak of Cruel Summer and this album Big Sean put out for free (so we’ll call it a mixtape). Detroit is packed with incredible collaborations with Common, Jhene Aiko and J Cole (among others). While a lot of the mixtape is more of the fun we’ve come to expect from Big Sean, songs like Once Bitten, Twice Shy (produced by Hit Boy) have real depth.
Download it here.
Some meat on the bones of this free album. It came out earlier this summer but I’m finally getting a chance to chew on it. Well done Mr. Chrys and your executive producer Timbaland knows a thing or two (or 3…or 4) too.
Jeff just seems to be getting better. On this mixtape he features some of the hottest new songs along with classics from back in the day and it all seems to make sense together the way he mixes them. Shout out to LRG and Complex for sponsoring it.
I’ve previewed it, posted a look at the making of it and now it’s time for you to hear it.
Suite 823 is Mateo’s best work so far.
Download it here.
A soundtrack for some timely sexual healing from her upcoming EP entitled Glory.
Unless you’ve been on a silent meditation retreat, by now you’ve probably heard the news of Frank Ocean coming out about his first love actually being a man. His bravery in the face of hip hop’s antiquated tendencies is remarkable, actually pretty historic. It’s time for tolerance and acceptance in every lane of society so I applaud Frank. I also happen to think his major label debut Channel Orange is a great download. Check out his national TV debut on Jimmy Fallon where he performed Bad Religion (a song that echoes his statement powerfully) then download Frank’s album here.
When the curator of one of my favorite music sites (Herfection) makes a point of emailing me about a new artist, I pay attention. Once again, the incredible ear of Heather Widener doesn’t disappoint cause she’s in the corner of a real hip hop gem with King Mez.
My Everlasting Zeal is the first studio album from the North Carolina native and it features beats by some of my favorites like Omen and J. Cole. King Mez’s voice reminds me of John Forte’s but his lyrics and knack for putting songs together definitely stand apart.
Download it here.
Let’s take a few laps around the sandbox, shall we? Frank swings for the fences with this 10 minute song from his upcoming album Channel Orange dropping July 17th.
Download it here
