Man Mantis (Sea Ambulance (EP)) [2011]

Though this post may not be to the average hip-hop listener's liking, I definitely think this Madison, Wisconsin producer deserves some recognition. In Madison he is a major presence in their local music scene and you can see why when you listen to this track off of his 2011 release Sea Ambulance (EP).

1. Sea Ambulance

Chip Tha Ripper (Gift Raps (Mixtape)) [2011]

I'm not impressed with this mixtape really, but I do like this particular track because of the tweak video. I'm sure you will too...

2. Light One Up

TM Juke (Maps From The Wilderness) [2003]

Genre: Electronica / Hip-Hop / Soul
Here is a 2003 release from this dope artist out of Brighton, UK. His music is basically a downtempo trip-hop and I thoroughly enjoy it.

1. Knee Deep ft. Alice Russell & Jim Oxborough


2. Just for a Day (Sunday)


5. Playground Games

The Foreign Exchange (Connected) [2004]

Members: Phonte & Nicolay (Producer)
This is the one and only Foreign Exchange album that I like. Nicolay's production is top notch on this album. Notable artists that appear on this album include Von Pea, Big Pooh, Phonte, Oddisee, Kenn Starr, Critically Acclaimed, and Darien Brockington.

2. Von Sees ft. Von Pea


4. Hustle Hustle ft. Critically Acclaimed


5. Let's Move ft. Big Pooh


6. Nic's Groove ft. Big Pooh


10. The Answer ft. Oddisee, Sean Boog & Kenn Starr


12. Happiness ft. Big Pooh

B-Lones "My Hometown" [2010]

Not sure if lyrically this video deserves to be up here, but I'm posting it anyways because the beat is dope (it has an Adele sample in it that I've heard remixed many times), the MC is apparently from Evanston (My Hometown), and the video is shot right outside Evanston Township High School.

Exile & DJ Day "D Train Routine" [2009]

I wish I was in Amsterdam jamming to a live performance by Exile and DJ Day. Exile is always fresh and DJ Day ain't bad either.

Alphabethead "Shakuhatchi Hyperglide" [2010]

Check out this tweak, live performance by this relatively unknown DJ i just came across. Alphabethead sure knows how to use them turntables!

Mello Music Group (Helpless Dreamer) [2010]

Producers: Oddisee & Apollo Brown
Vocals: Diamond District (Oddisee, yU & X-O), Finale, Kenn Starr, Stik Figa, Tranqill, & Has-Lo.
I just got this album and after a few more listens may post more tracks, but there is one that definitely stands out from the rest. And of course my man Oddisee is on the beats and rhymes this time...

5. Different Now ft. Toine (prod. by Oddisee)

Chris Brown "Look At Me Now ft. Busta Rhymes & Lil' Wayne" [2011]

I can pretty much guarantee that this is the only Chris Brown track you will ever see up on here. The beat is nuts and Busta Rhymes brings so much energy to this track that I just had to post it.

k-os (Joyful Rebellion) [2004]

More k-os? Yes please!

5. B-Boy Stance


7. The Love Song


9. Clap Ur Handz

k-os (Yes!) [2009]

Check it...

1. Zambony


6. 4 3 2 1 (Sorry Embedding is Disabled)

7. Eye Know Something (Yes!) ft. Becky Ninkovic

k-os (Exit) [2002]

I can't believe I had never heard this cat before a week ago. He's from Canada and has a style that parallels that of Zion I and Pete Philly. His music is all over the place and can be hit or miss, but there are definitely more than a few hits. He combines hip-hop, soul, funk, reggae, and other genres of music to give you an experience you won't soon forget. I will be posting more albums by him soon but here are the better tracks off his first studio album (Exit):

5. Superstarr Pt 1 (Yoshua's Song) (Sorry No Link)

6. Freeze


7. The Anthem


9. Higher


10. Masquerade ft. Kamau (Sorry No Link)

PNS & Zavala (Canciones Modernas Vinyl) [2009]

Check out the second half of this album, which features soothing and stimulating instrumentals from an up and coming, Chicago producer named Alex Zavala. If I were you I would skip the tracks by PNS as the beats are kind of flat (boring). I think Zavala has quite the potential, especially in Chicago, but he just needs to steer clear of some of the local MCs that distort his sound.

6. The City is Mine


7. Mal Momento


8. Devon Ave


9. Sin Esfuerzo


10. The Cincinatti Bears

Lupe Fiasco (Lasers) [2011]

After listening to this album my mind has been racing. It is clear that Lupe's record label is as greedy as any other major label today, especially when in a recent interview Lupe was quoted saying he "hates" lasers (because of his record label's involvement). It seems like any time I find a dope artist they tend to blow up, which in my mind severely handicaps their ability to control the direction of their music. After listening to Lasers in its entirety, you can hear how much pop, techno, and random bitches singing hooks have been added to broaden Lupe's audience, which is not necessarily the sound I was waiting all these years to hear. I hope Lupe Fiasco leaves his record label and finds one that fosters his true musical ability. Regardless of my overall feeling of the album, I still have my favorites, and here they are:

1. Letting Go ft. Sarah Green (prod. by The Future)


3. Till I Get There (prod. by Needlz)


4. I Don't Wanna Care Right Now ft. MDMA (prod. by The Audibles)


5. Out Of My Head ft. Trey Songz (prod. by Miykal Snoddy)


6. The Show Goes On (prod. by Kane Beatz)


7. Beautiful Lasers (2Ways) ft. MDMA (prod by The Future)


8. Coming Up ft. MDMA (prod by The Future)


11. All Black Everything (prod. by Wizzo Buchanan)