Fresh Daily is about that daily dose of medicinal dope, but the post-holiday output is rolling out faster than our ears can process. We certainly not complaining, but we wanted to make sure no projects were left unexplored, which is we're offering a Special Round-Up Edition and much like our Week In Pop amigo, we bring it to you in no particular order.
OFWGKTA's smooth operator Mike G dropped The Award Tour EP on the collective's tumblr this week. The EP features several contributions from Vince Staples, who's been a bit quiet since his appearance on EARL, and a verse from our homie Speak!. On the 7-track EP Mike G is at his most sincere, showing signs of trying to rhyme the bad taste of fame out of his mouth. As grounded a Mike G sounds, Vince Staples casually kills'em all, if that's still what you're looking for from the OFWGKTA camp.
Download The Award Tour EP here.
New Jersey's Neako took the initiative with a Com Truise production for the Konami cheat-code flossing “← ↓→ ↑” since it seems no one is trying to drop a remix record for Galactic Melt with rappers going AWOL. Neako claims it's going down, while the money goes up, but he also manages to work in other points on the compass that the arrows in the song title indicate towards. Our ears need more of this audio dope.
Sacramento beat technician Lee Bannon seems to be exploring new territory lately, as was indicated by his DJ set earlier in the month at the final HUMP night at Press Club, a Sactown dive bar. Oddly enough I caught another Bannon set last night opening for Dibia$e, Jonwayne and Africa Hitech. The kid is on the verge of proving he's well-beyond the average hip hop producer or just another School of Dilla/Madlib graduate. Bannon recorded his HUMP set for our friends over at Terroreyes.tv. Here's 28-minutes to supplement that caffiene craving.
The good people in progressive hip hop over at Modern Shark dropped its Sampler Tape Three this week with contributions from Serengeti, Cool Calm Pete, Junk Science, Tone Tank and Scott Thorough. The label continues to specialize in the chunkiest of boom bap, creating a new curve that veers from the norm, but is rooted in warm nostalgia. Sounds like we've got 10 more reasons to stay checking for the sultry sounds coming from the Modern Shark tank.
Stream and download the Modern Shark Sampler Tape Three here.
Typically we don't care much for rappers shouting for coverage on Twitter (be a goddamn professional), but for sport, we gave Chicago's Calez one chance at making an impression. From the opening bass thumps and distorted as F ho chants of “Caution!”, we jumped on board with Calez's claims that “this the type of shit that make you kick ass and smash cops.” Put this track on your Occupy mixtape.
Do people understand how incredible the Black Star reunion is going to be? If not, the Brooklyn duo dropped two fine reminders from two projects coming to your near future. Talib Kweli and Mos… err… Yasiin Bey debuted “Fix Up” on the Colbert Report and now the Madlib-produced cut is streaming and available for purchase. Danke schoen!
In addition to Black Star's long-overdue sophomore record, the group is releasing Black Star Aretha, a mix CD tribute to legendary soul sister Aretha Franklin. The first cut from the tribute “You Already Knew” is produced by Madlib's brother Oh No. While no release dates are set for either project, the group is taking over Kanye's vacant parking spot on Fridays with #blackstarfriday. Stay posted at Black Star Hub.
Black Star, “You Already Knew”
While we're on tributes, Kooley High is paying tribute to fellow North Carolina hero David “Skywalker” Thompson. The group's album bearing his name is in homage to Thompson leading N.C. State to a National Championship in 1974. If Kooley sampled “One Shining Moment” on this record, it will be our favorite song of all-time forever and beyond eternity. Check out Kooley High's video for Big Headed (produced by DJ Pr!nce) below:
David Thompson is out December 6 on Fat Beats Distribution.
