B.o.B. & Andre 3000 - "Play The Guitar"

Today B.o.B. released the second single from his upcoming album, Strange Clouds. "Play The Guitar" features   Andre 3000, to whom Bobby Ray is often compared too. The often underrated rapper and 3 Stacks both spit fire verses over the Salaam Remi produced track, which features samples from Bob Marley and T.I. Needless to say this is a dope track, but what else should you expect from B.o.B. and the greatest rapper of all time? Hit the jump below for the song.

And If You Don't Know, Now You Know...Marques Toliver

If you don't know about Marques Toliver, you are missing out a true talent. I recently stumbled upon the violinist/singer/songwriter while viewing some The Mahogany Sessions videos on Youtube. 

Marques created buzz among music bloggers when he released the Butterflies Are Not Free EP this past April. His R&B soulful sound combined with classical strings is unique and intriguing.

A couple of days ago, he released a new mixtape entitled Studying For My PhD. This project is more eclectic, and it features new music from Marques combined with samples. Hit the jump below to stream/download his latest mixtape and to hear live versions of some songs from his first EP.

R.I.P. Heavy D

I was surprised to hear when I got home this evening that Heavy D died today at the early age of 44. I remember listening to Heavy D & the Boyz albums growing up. One of my favorite songs from the Overweight Lover was "Black Coffee" from Nuttin But Love, the group's last studio release.

R.I.P. 

Heavy Rotation - "I'm on Fire" - Ludacris f. Big KRIT

Ludacris has recruited Big KRIT to be featured on a song from his upcoming mixtape, 1.21 Gigawatts: Back to the First Time, that will drop November 15th. The heavy bass beat features a dope guitar and vocal sample from Minnie Ripperton's "Every Time He Comes Around."  I haven't been able to stop playing it since my first listen. Download/Listen to the song below.

Mike Phillips - "A True Story"

Mike Phillips is one of the most dope contemporary jazz saxophonists. I have friends who don't really listen to jazz become a fan. "A True Story (Tabernacle - Atl)", from his debut album You Have Reached Mike Phillips (2002), is one of  my favorite tracks. The song features a "poem that sounds like an erotic encounter between two people, until it turns out to be between a man and his saxophone." Listen to the song below. 

T.I. Back?

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last week, you've had to hear the hype around the new songs released featuring T.I. Fresh out of an Atlanta halfway house, Tip has been featured on songs with Jeezy, 2Chainz, and Future. He also dropped his first single entitled "I'm Flexin'"  produced by Big K.R.I.T. (I was slightly disappointed to hear K.R.I.T. didn't have a verse).  

2Pac - "Violent"

"Is There Any Love?" - Trevor Dandy

In 1971, gospel singer Trevor Dandy released the soulful "Is There Any Love?" While it may not sound like your stereotypical gospel track at first, it still has a powerful message to deliver. 

David Ruffin - "Slow Dance"

David Ruffin's "Slow Dance" comes from his last studio album, Gentleman Ruffin. More known for his work with the Temptations, Ruffin proved he still had it with this 1980 release. You may recognize the artwork as the inspiration for Wiz Khalifa's breakout mixtape, Kush & OJ. If the track sounds familiar and you listen to Little Brother, it's because "Slow Dance" was sampled by 9th Wonder for "Take It Slow" off the The Minstrel Show.  Listen/download the track and album below:

And If You Don't Know...Aloe Blacc's Good Things

If you don't know about Aloe Blacc, you are sleeping good R&B soul music. Aloe is a singer/rapper/musician from California. Last year he released the album Good Things, which I thought was one of the best R&B albums of the year. When I first heard it, I was instantly reminded of soul artists such as Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield, and Al Green. It is refreshing to hear R&B that is genuine and doesn't sound like every other song at the top of the pop charts. His first single, "I Need A Dollar" is definitely a standout track. It is about a man's struggle after losing his job due to layoffs and how he is coping. This song is also used for the opening credits on HBO's How to Make It In America and for a recent Boost Mobile commercial. Check out some of my favorite songs from the album below. And if you don't know, now you know...

Colin Munroe - Colin Munroe is the Unsung Hero (Mixtape) (2008)

This mixtape comes from a singer/producer by the name of Colin Munroe from Ontario, Canada. I first heard of the artist when his remix to Kanye's "Flashing Lights" created a little buzz a couple years ago (if you haven't heard it, listen here: "I Want Those Flashing Lights (Kanye Remix)").  Later that year Colin dropped this project, which sounds like a indie rock-hip/hop-pop mash. Wale, Drake, Dallas Austin, Joell Ortiz, Novel, Mickey Factz, and a few others make appearances on The Unsung Hero. My favorite tracks are "Piano Lessons", "Will I Stay (Remix)", "One More Chance", and "What the Young Man Says." The links to download or listen are below.

Heavy Rotation - "Glory" - Ryan Leslie

Since I graduated, I've been catching up on a lot new music from the last couple of months and was glad to see a single from the very talented singer/writer/producer Ryan Leslie. Although I expected a song similar to "Diamond Girl" or "You're Not My Girl", Ryan instead raps over electric guitar riffs and choral vocals in the debut single. Either way its still dope. Listen/download "Glory" and peep the official music video below. Look out for his next studio album, Les Is More, due in stores on July 4th.

Song of the Day: Caesar Frazier - "Sweet Children"

Today's song comes from the funk jazz organist, Caesar Frazier. I actually first heard this one a while back when I was listening to some Kanye West samples. Ye used this song for Common's "Real People" on his classic 2005 album, Be.

Heavy Rotation - "Base For Your Face" - Lil B, Jean Grae, and Phonte (prod. by 9th Wonder)

Ever since I first heard this track a couple of days ago, I have not been able to get it out of my head. We all know Lil B isn't known as a lyricist, but his flow is decent on this one.

Heavy Rotation - Mike Bigga "Burn"

One of my favorite new tracks comes from the too often slept-on, Atlanta rap veteran Killer Mike (Mike Bigga). I've been a fan of his ever since I first heard him on "Snappin' & Trappin'" from Outkast's Stankonia....

The Spotlight: Big K.R.I.T. - "My Interpretation"

If you have not heard Big K.R.I.T.'s music, you are currently failing at hip-hop music. From Meridian, Mississippi, this rapper/producer definitely possesses the talent, passion, and "Gumpshun" to make it big in the industry.

Stevie Wonder's "Visions" and 50 Years of Desegregation at UGA

 

During the month of January, the University of Georgia is celebrating 50 years of desegregation. On January 9, 1961, Charlayne Hunter - Gault and Hamilton Holmes (my fraternity brother) became the first blacks to register at UGA. Every time I learn about our race standing up for what we deserve, I can't help but feel grateful and proud.