The Roots- Right On

Oh hey, Joanna Newsom actually recorded something listenable. Who would have thought?

J Dilla- E=MC²

J Dilla has touched my soul, and the soul of many others. On this, the eve of 2011, I bring you another classic of his. Please, do yourself a favor, and run out and buy The Shining by J Dilla, if you haven't already. It will drastically improve the quality of your life, assuredly. 

7L & Esoteric- Think Back

For the longest time I couldn't remember the names of these guys. I heard them, immediately started to dig their sound, but then couldn't find them again. Thankfully youtube recommended one of their music videos to me. 

Anyway, these guys are from Boston. From what I've heard, the whole album Soul Purpose is worth checking out in depth.

El Michels Affair- C.R.E.A.M.

Holy shit, this is actually the coolest thing since sliced bread. This track just blew my mind right into the stratosphere. El Michels Affair got together and covered a bunch of Wu-Tang Clan classics and somehow I didn't know until recently. This is their take on the juicy classic C.R.E.A.M, but I assure you, the whole album is pure GOLD. I could literally listen to this song on repeat for a year. That's 365 solid ya'll. More evidence of the artistic power of Hip Hop. I wish J Dilla were around to listen to this.

Hand cuffed in back of a bus, forty of us, life as a shorty shouldn't be so rough. . .

And by the way, if you want to buy this awesomeness on VINYL(!) go to truth and soul. 

Binary Star- Honest Expression

This songs gives me chills . . .

Y Society- This Advice

More Y Society . . .

Janelle Monáe- Tightrope

When Tightrope came onto the radio, I sat up and took notice. With a quickness. The official verdict: Archandroid = best album since Thriller. I think I might agree.

Jurassic 5- Get it Together

Boogie!

InI- Grown Man Sport

Have you ever heard the term "eargasm?" Well prepare to have one.

Pete Rock makes me go a big rubbery one. By the way, the sample is Fela Kuti "Water No Get Enemy." My favorite game: "know the sample," followed closely by "guess the nail polish."

Y Society- Puzzles

More hip hop. I swear I actually have an extremely varied musical palette, but it doesn't seem to be very well reflected so far. Anyway, this is some seriously amazing shit. EAST COAST.

One Be Lo- Axis

This song changed my life. I can honestly say it is the FIRST hip hop song that I truly fell in love with. Lo is for everyone.

If you like what you hear, you can learn more about One Be Lo here and here. Also, check out Binary Star, when he was known as OneManArmy and was paired with Senim Silla.

J Dilla wrote the music of my heart

I dare you to listen to this and not melt.

R.I.P.