[NEW MUSIC] Chance The Rapper- "Home Studio (Back Up In This Bitch)"

Chano back with more heat. BACK UP IN THIS BITCH.

-L. Reels @L_Reels919

Juicy J & Project Pat - #NeverSobertour in NYC [VIDEOS + REVIEW]

Every event has it's own theme, and this one was pretty simple: party has hard as you need to.

Juicy J and Project Pat made their stop on the Never Sober Tour at Irving Plaza in New York City on Wednesday night, calling together an adamant, widespread fan base that doesn't mind turning up on a week night. Without my photographer/videographer, I arrived about a half hour after the doors opened, early enough to make customary rounds of interaction with my fellow audience members. In my section was about seven white guys, (one of which was from Memphis and had never seen Juicy J live before, the other six in casual business attire) a 19-year-old kid who forgot his fake, and several girls. Word got around that Travis Scott would not be opening as previously scheduled, which seemed to be a general let down, especially for yours truly. Hit the jump for my candid timeline of the Never Sober Tour in New York on Monday night, which included free sneaker giveaways, girls twerking on stage, (two) fans passing out, mosh pit shoving contests, Juicy sharing champagne with the audience, and much more.

The night started with a set from Vinny Cha$e and friends, all of whom were loaded with their own reefer ammunition, adding to an already fumed atmosphere. Most notable was their set for Cha$e's "Biggie & Jordans", which was on his Golden Army mixtape from 2012.

                                  

Next up was Project Pat, who kicked off his set with one of his Memphis anthems, "North North", which was featured on his Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' mixtape all the way back in 2001.

                                  

Juicy J hit the stage around 10:30 and kicked off with the first cut on his Stay Trippy album, "Stop It":

                                  

Change of scenery for "All I Blow is Loud":

                                           

Thumbing through "So Much Money":

                                         

I think the consensus would be that this was the most anticipated segment of Juicy's set, going Three 6 Mafia and directing us as the choir singing "Stay Fly", followed by his verse a cappella and a segue into the hysteric, indisputable "Slob on my Knob":

                                          

Okay, an argument could be made for "A Zip And A Double Cup" too:

        

Or, obviously, "Bandz A Make Her Dance":

                                         

Finally, Juicy takes an intermission to quench the thirst of a fan in the front row, with champagne: 

                             

Other key highlights from Monday night were the sneaker giveaways: both Project Pat and Juicy J threw out shoeboxes of new Jordan sneakers into the crowd. Juicy eventually threw in a pair of Yeezy's as well. Sometimes finding a good party can be difficult. Look no further than the Never Sober Tour. 

Grade: B-

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

Schoolboy Q performs "Gangsta" on the #OXYMORONTOUR in NYC [VIDEO]

Photo Cred: Kevin Wanjau

Watch Schoolboy tear down the opening cut on Oxymoron after the jump.

Schoolboy Q performs "Break The Bank" on the #OXYMORONTOUR in NYC [VIDEO]

Photo Cred: Kevin Wanjau

This record has turned into one of the true anthems on Oxymoron, much due to one of Schoolboy's many effective hook schemes. I think every element of this song is terrific, but especially the sample interjections that work so well in the background of such an aggressive concept. Watch Schoolboy's performance of "Break The Bank" at the Best Buy Theater after the jump.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

Schoolboy Q performs "Collard Greens" on the #OXYMORONTOUR in NYC [VIDEO]

Photo Cred: Kevin Wanjau

You always know which songs will garner a particular audience response, and Q wasn't going anywhere without giving this record justice. Watch Schoolboy perform one of the first sounds we heard from Oxymoron last year, and one of the clear-cut fan favorites from the album after the jump.

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)

                                          

Isaiah Rashad - "Heavenly Father", "Shot You Down" on the #OXYMORONTOUR in NYC [VIDEO]

Photo Cred: Kevin Wanjau

The second opening act on the Oxymoron Tour in New York on Monday night was TDE's rising star Isaiah Rashad, who just released an extremely thorough Cilvia Demo in January. Among several cuts he performed from the tape, hit the jump to see Rashad present two of my favorites from his project. 

"Heavenly Father" Pt. 1

"Heavenly Father" Pt. 2

"Shot You Down" Pt. 1

                                          

"Shot You Down" Pt. 2

- Martin S. (@marley_mcfly)

Schoolboy Q comes out to "Fuck LA" on the #OXYMORONTOUR in NYC [VIDEO]

Photo Cred: Kevin Wanjau

The Best Buy Theater in Times Square was sold out for the Oxymoron Tour on Monday night. Hosted by Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg, fans enjoyed opening acts from Vince Staples and TDE's Isaiah Rashad, but the people were there for the rampant Schoolboy. Check out Q's introduction with the blazing hi-hats and grungy bounce of "Fuck LA" after the jump from the newly released Oxymoron album.

                                             

      

[NEW MUSIC] Meek Mill ft. Yo Gotti - "Know No Better" (prod. by Cardo)

After teaming up for "F-U" on Gotti's I Am album last year, Meek calls for another monster collab which could be the first glimpse at the sophomore album from Meek expected to drop sometime this year. Production from Cardo, who also produced the Dreamchasers 3 intro, "I'm Leanin'". Hit the jump for that bounce.

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)

[LISTEN] Willie the Kid - 'The Living Daylights' (ALBUM)

I've been listening to more of Willie the Kid as of last year. We put his Aquamarine project up for honorable mention on our top hip-hop projects list of 2013. I've also since taken a strong liking to his Masterpiece Theatre EP with Alchemist. The Living Daylights, of course inspired by the chapter in the James Bond series, embodies more of Willie's theatrical tones and slick raps. Take a run through listen of the 13-track album below via Audiomack. 

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)

[ON NOTICE] Mick Jenkins - 'Trees & Truths' (MIXTAPE)

The city of Chicago continues to produce an array of styles and talents, but this one had me pleasantly surprised. Jenkins plays on biblical motifs with the theme of his Trees & Truths project, which dropped early last year but just reached my ears two weeks ago. From the artwork to the Adam and Eve rendition on "The Knowledge of Good and Evil" you acquire the context of Jenkins' prescribed motif. This isn't Christian rap, but at some level, it might be considered empowerment rap. Mellow, jazzy textures supplement Jenkins' alto flow and thorough narrations. With Trees & Truths comes a sense of soothing sincerity, sit-back-and-relax-raps, and an admired consistency in theme and approach. Check out the project with the option for download below.

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)

J. Cole - 'Revenge of the Dreamers' [MIXTAPE]

After announcing a new label deal between his Dreamville imprint and Interscope Record, J. Cole released this brand new 11-track mixtape via Twitter. Contributions include Cole and his label peers Bas, Omen, KQuick, and the original version of "Crooked Smile". Check it out with the option of downloading the tape below.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

[NEW MUSIC] Curren$y feat. Action Bronson - "Godfather 4"

DJ Whoo Kid premiered this new drop from Spitta on Shade 45 today, the first sounds we're hearing on the upcoming The Drive in Theatre EP, which is still without a release date. Curren$y and Bronsolino fans had to be anxious for this one, and it delivers with theatric production from Jet Life affiliate Nesby Phips. Listen after the jump.

- Martin @marley_mcfly


Curren$y - Godfather 4

#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 "Drop Coupes" in NYC

Another clear-cut California anthem off of Crenshaw that had a great live presence, much credit to producer Bruce S. Check out the whole set for "Drop Coupes" in the three-part video below.

- 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

#CrenshawTour - Nipsey Hussle performs "Checc Me Out" in NYC

Watch Nipsey perform one of the anthems from Crenshaw alongside comrade and feature Cobby Supreme, without fellow LA native and hook collaborator Dom Kennedy.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

#CrenshawTour - Nipsey Hussle comes out to "All Get Right" in NYC

Nipsey Hussle appeased his east coast following last night at the Highline Ballroom in New York on his Crenshaw Tour. After stalling the crowd with some Jay Z and Immortal Technique, it was the theatrical precursor of Nipsey talking about his hometown of Crenshaw and Slauson over candid visuals of his neck of Los Angles. Hit the jump and check out the transition into his opening for "All Get Right", the terrifically sampled O'Jays cut from Nipsey's Crenshaw tape. More to come from last night's Crenshaw Tour.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

[VIDEO] 2013 Hip-hop, R&B Lists

 Breaking down our 2013 hip-hop and R&B year-end lists.

[NEW MUSIC] PARTYNEXTDOOR - "I Don't"

See how you're feeling the new drop from OVO's stand out and top three earner on our top 10 R&B projects of 2013.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

[NEW MUSIC] Nipsey Hussle - "Count Up That Loot"

The Crenshaw rapper holds fans over while on his Crenshaw Tour with a new drop that may or may not appear on his anticipated Victory Lap album. As always, Hussle sticks to the formula on this one.

- Martin @marley_mcfly


Nipsey Hussle - Count Up That Loot