LCD Soundsystem (This is Happening) [2010]

This is the best LCD Soundsystem full-length album ever released, and Dance Yrself Clean is the jam!

1. Dance Yrself Clean

Kids These Days (Hard Times (EP)) [2010]

This could be the best unsigned, live band I've ever heard. Hailing from Chicago, Kids These Days have been blowing away audiences at smaller venues like Reggie’s, Hideout and Subterranean with their very unique sound. "With three horns, a rapper, a blues-rock trio and a female singer, K.T.D. blends a wide range of influences -- hip-hop, jazz, soul, blues, and classic rock -- into a unique, fresh sound that breaks boundaries while honoring America’s musical heritage."
The members (all trained musicians and all in their teens) consist of Vic Mensa (rapper), Macie Stewart (female lead and background vocals), Liam Cunningham (guitar and male lead vocals), Lane Beckstrom (bass), Greg Landfair (drums), Nico Segal (trumpet), J.P. Floyd (trombone), and Rajiv Halim (saxophone).

Checkout these tracks from this EP:

1. Hard Times (Sorry No Link Available)

2. Darling


3. Summerscent


4. My Days


5. Be (A Night In Tunisia) (Live Version)


6. Walking Down The Line (Sorry No Link Available)

Phil Ade (The Letterman (Mixtape)) [2010]

More from Phil, an older mixtape this time...

1. The Letter


3. Unusual

Jazz Spastiks (12 Bit Spit) [2010]

Members: Coco D & Mr Manyana
Just discovered this Scottish hip hop duo that has an old school tribe kind of a feel. I believe this is their debut album but it seems like these guys have been making music for a while...

2. Penpusha ft. Selph Conscious


4. Yes, Yes ft. Rebels to the Grain (Sorry No Link)

8. Unkutfresh ft. Rebels to the Grain


13. Buzzin ft. Wes Restless & The Primeridian

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.

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)

Chiddy Bang (The Opposite of Adults (EP)) [2010]

Here is a really short mixtape by Chiddy Bang...not sure why it is so short...

1. Opposite of Adults (KIDS)


2. Chiddy Freestyle (aka Pro's Freestyle 1.0)


3. Sooner or Later

Chiddy Bang (Air Swell (A Mini-Mixtape)) [2010]

Members: Chiddy & Xaphoon Jones
I now present to you a mixtape Chiddy Bang did with UK artists such as the Gorillaz, Ellie Goulding, Hot Chip, Tinie Tempah and Kate Nash. Its dope...

2. Breakfast


3. Hey London


4. Pass Out (Freestyle)


6. Stylo Remix ft. Mos Def & Chiddy Bang [Original Artist: Gorillaz]

B.o.B aka Bobby Ray (The Adventures of Bobby Ray) [2010]

This album put B.o.B on the map commercially, probably because of all the soft stuff. Too many of the tracks from this album got played out on the radio unfortunately but here are the few that didn't:

3. Past My Shades ft. Lupe Fiasco (prod. by B.o.B)


9. Fame (prod. by The Knux)


11. 5th Dimention ft. Ricco Barrino (prod. by B.o.B, T.I., Lil' C)


15. I See Ya (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track) (prod. by DA Honorable C.N.O.T.E.)

Pete Philly (Open Loops) [2010]

Here is a brand new release from Pete Philly and despite recording it without the help of his associate Perquisite, he manages to put out a masterpiece.

2. Free


3. Changing


4. Non A Dem ft. Ziggi Recado


5. Remember You ft. Roos Jonker


6. Movin' On


7. US ft. Collective Efforts


9. R Hood


10. Truth Be Told


13. Movin' On with Benjamin Herman Quartet


14. Changing (SirOJ Remix)

Lupe Fiasco "Shining Down ft. Matthew Santos" [2010]

It is hard to believe that a song this good has no album to call its home yet. We won't know till Lupe's next album is released whether or not it makes the cut. Either way this track is one of Lupe's finest...

Devin The Dude (Suite 420) [2010]

Not a lot of hits on this album, but give these two a preview:

2. We Get High


7. What We Be On

B.o.B aka Bobby Ray "Fuck The Money ft. Wiz Khalifa" [2010]

“Fuck The Money” originally was on another B.o.B mixtape (May 25th), however he replaced Asher Roth and re-released it as a single (great decision in my mind).

Exile (Radio) [2009] & Exile (AM/FM) [2010]

Exile has such a unique style I just love listening to his solo projects once in a while. It just so happens that my favorite track off his 2009 album (Radio) features Blu on it in Exile's 2010 album (AM/FM).

Radio:
13. Love Line


AM/FM:
13. Love Line (Remix) ft. Blu

Zion I (Atomic Clock) [2010]

Members: Baba Zumbi & AmpLive
Haven't had much of a chance to listen to this album but this one track stuck out plus I know there are a few Rebelution fans out there. When I get a chance I'll edit this post and maybe add a couple more from the album.

8. Many Stylez ft. Rebelution

Mac Miller (K.I.D.S.) [2010]

For a 17 year old kid I'd say Mac ain't bad but he definitely has plenty of room for improvement. The album is pretty much garbage but listen to these three tracks and let me know what you think.

4. Nikes On My Feet


14. Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza


18. La La La La (Bonus Track)

Damu The Fudgemunk (How It Should Sound, Volume 1 & 2) [2010]

Finally a release of everything Damu has been keeping secret from us....

2. Another Introduction (2007)


4. Clap & Form Your Soul (2007)


9. Its Called The Chill Out (2004)


10. Gone With The Sunset (2005)

Wiz Khalifa (Kush & Orange Juice (Mixtape)) [2010]

I never really liked Wiz, but I do like this mixtape (he should have released it as an album though).

1. Waken Baken


2. Mezmorized


5. The Statement


10. Never Been


13. Still Blazin

The Roots (How I Got Over) [2010]

This album was a complete 360 in terms of quality compared to their last album. Also, Blu somehow managed to get featured on some of their tracks, which really helps make the album.

4. Radio Daze ft. Blu, P.O.R.N. & Dice Raw


5. Now or Never ft. Phonte & Dice Raw


6. How I Got Over ft. Dice Raw


8. The Day ft. Blu, Phonte & Patty Crash


9. Right On ft. Joanna Newsome & STS


11. The Fire ft. John Legend