Happy 40th Birthday, J. Dilla

I know we're a day late but Happy Birthday to Dilla the god. As inspiring and brilliant today as he was when he was with us.


-L.Reels @L_Reels919

[NEW MUSIC] Future feat. Pharrell, Pusha T, Casino - Move That Dope (AUDIO)

 -L.Reels @L_Reels919

#CrenshawTour - Nipsey Hussle performs "Keys 2 The City", "7 Days A Week" in NYC

One of the highlights of last night came when Nipsey took it back to his acclaimed 2010 project The Marathon. Below you'll find his second verse on "Keys 2 The City" spit a cappella, plus the highly recognizable "7 Days A Week", which was one of my first real favorite Nipsey songs. Hit the jump and check them out, and do your homework on The Marathon series. You're welcome.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

#CrenshawTour - Nipsey Hussle performs "U See Us" in NYC

I've been using the word anthem for a few of these songs, deservingly, but this one from Crenshaw had the bounce and grit that fittingly introduced the project as the first full song. Just another example of Nipsey's skill set with the flow from the hook into his verse. Hit the jump to see him perform one of the clear crowd favorites.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

#CrenshawTour - Nipsey Hussle performs "Don't Take Days Off" in NYC

Here's Nipsey doing one of my favorite cuts from Crenshaw (along with "If U Were Mine", which for some reason, wasn't on the set). Hit the jump to witness Hussle's inspiring tone.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

[NEW MUSIC] Future feat. Juicy J & Drake - "Sh!t (Remix)"

My Lord. The long awaited remix to Future's recent frantic cut produced by Mike Will Made It features added Juicy J ad libs for drama, and a vintage trap flow verse from Drizzy Graham. Hit the jump for that new heat.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

[MIXTAPE] Bas - 'Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. 2'

It's always better late than never when it comes to music. I know the Dreamville rapper Bas from his features with J. Cole, notably the "Cousins" record from Cole's Truly Yours 2 and "Hell's Kitchen" from DJ Khaled's Suffering From Success. What creeped under my radar was the Queens native's second volume of his mixtape series Quarter Water Raised Me, which dropped back in May. Coming highly recommended from my hip-hop peers via Twitter, I've provided some of my favorites from the tape, all of which embody the kind of casually creative sounds and approaches I enjoy most from Bas. You can check those out below, and if you like, download Bas' Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. 2 here.

Martin S. @marley_mcfly

[VIDEO] The Underachievers perform "The Proclamation" in NYC

Many congregated up front to join the Brooklyn duo's prelude set. Here they are performing their single released earlier this year, which samples The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter". 

[VIDEO] Joey Bada$$ performs "Amethyst Rockstar" in NYC

Watch the young Brooklyn MC segue from M.O.P's "Ante Up" to his "Amethyst Rockstar" from this year's Summer Knights project.

- Martin S. @marley__mcfly

[VIDEO] Ab-Soul performs "Terrorist Threats" in NYC

Check out Ab performing his verse from one of my favorite joints off his Control System album last year. 

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly 

[VIDEO] The Underachievers come out to "Flexin" in NYC

In an electric opening set the Flatbush duo made their entrance to the bouncey "Flexin" from this year's The Lords of Flatbush tape, which we recommended a few months ago. Hit the jump for some of that beast coast.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

                                                   

[VIDEO] Ab-Soul comes out to "Only 1" in NYC

Check out Ab-Soul's intro set at The Smoker's Club Tour on Wednesday night. The black lip pastor comes out to his "Only 1" verse from last year (full song below). Soul also decided to throw in "Maad City" later in the show. Hysteria.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

COOKIN': Future feat. Rocko - "Chosen One"

Something about Future never quite resonated with me. I still have trouble putting my thumb on what his strengths are as an artist, despite his commercial success and somehow ranking in the top ten of MTV's Hottest MC's list this year. But suddenly I think the Atlanta product is starting to grow on me, circumstantially. I especially loved the way he cooked the hook on "Pain" from Pusha T's My Name is My Name, Rick Ross' new "No Games" single, and I definitely love what he cooks on this 808-mafia-produced trap cut. His sing-trap flow on the second verse is becoming addictive. 

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly