Heavy Rotation: BJ the Chicago Kid f. Kendrick Lamar - "His Pain II"

"His Pain II" is easily one of the realest songs I've heard in a while. I've been meaning to post it since I first heard it in January, but I'm just now getting around to it while listening to BJ the Chicago Kid's album, Pineapple Now-Laters. I haven't listened to the entire album all the way through yet, but I expect nothing but dope soulful music. Listen to "His Pain II" below, and check out SoulCulture's review of the album with previews of tracks from his album as well. Pineapple Now-Laters is now available on iTunes.

ScHoolBoy Q - Habits & Contradictions

Top Dawg Entertainment's first album release of the year comes from ScHoolBoy Q with Habits & Contradictions. For those of you who enjoyed Setbacks, then you can expect more of the same gritty and honest material from his newest album. Soul Culture describes it as one that "jumps deep into the underbelly of society and at times bathes unreservedly in the various questionable ethos." Add dope production plus features from Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Curren$y, and A$AP Rocky, and you can't lose. Check out the album  and a few of the tracks below.

And If You Don't Know - BadBadNotGood

Lately I've been hearing a lot about this hip-hop influenced jazz group out of Toronto called BadBadNotGood. Hearing their cover of Waka Flocka's "Hard In the Paint" is what really made pay attention to the group, although they initially created an internet buzz from their Odd Future and Tyler the Creator covers. Last year they released BBNG, which features hip/hop covers from artists such as Nas, Slum Village, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and others. What separates this group from similar acts is their ability to merge the original hip/hop vibe of the song with classic jazz perfectly. These guys are crazy talented. Hit the jump below for a link to BBNG, an interview with Respect Mag, and a few of my favorite tracks from them....

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.