Buy You Some (feat Erick Sermon, MC Breed & Kool Ace) (5:16)
Pimp Me (4:19)
Baby D (1:23)
I Must Confess (6:19)
Never Talk Down (feat Rappin' 4-Tay & MC Breed) (5:09)
So Watcha Sayin' (2:54)
I've Been Watching You (feat Parliament Funkadelic & About Face) (7:14)
Gettin' It (feat Parliament Funkadelic & Bonecrusher - remix) (6:16)
Review: In 1996, after 14 years in the game that started with him and Freddy B selling tapes out of the trunk of their car in East Oakland, Too $hort announced he would be retiring On May 21, 1996, he released his 10th studio album Gettin' It with the lead single of the same name featuring Parliament Funkadelic. Retirement was more of a hiatus as Too $hort got back in the game in 1999 with the appropriately named album Can't Stay Away. Though this album was initially intended to be his swan song, Too $hort returned in 1999 with Can't Stay Away. Gettin' It allowed him to go out on a high after earning his 6th Platinum record, but now they're back again and as well as having Parliament Funkadelic contribute to two songs, Ant Banks and Shorty B offer laid-back Bay Area funk along with some G-Funk contributions by Colin Wolfe, L.A. Dre, and Spearhead X. A real classic.
Keep Bouncin' (Street) (feat Snoop Dogg, Will I Am, & Fergie) (2:15)
Pimpin' Forever (4:41)
Money Maker (feat Pimp C & Rick Ross) (4:04)
Strip Down (3:44)
Nothing Feels Better (4:17)
Sophisticated (3:57)
Playa (4:05)
16 Hoes (feat Jazze Pha & Bun B) (3:51)
Baller (feat David Banner) (3:35)
Sadity (feat Kurupt & Daz) (3:34)
I Want Your Girl (feat E-40, Dolla Will & Mr Fab) (3:24)
It's Time To Go (3:32)
Shake It Baby (3:27)
Review: The brilliant Blow the Whistle album by hip-hop legend Too Short returns as a special reissue here and is pressed up to striking gold double vinyl. Originally released in 2006, this album features classic tracks like the title anthem 'Blow the Whistle' which is a great showcase of Too Short's unmistakable flow and raw lyricism. Elsewhere the record fuses classic West Coast hip-hop vibes and more club-ready beats with some big-name guest spots such as 'Keep Bouncin' (Street) (feat Snoop Dogg, Will I Am, & Fergie)' and 'Money Maker (feat Pimp C & Rick Ross').
Review: Alongside Neon Indian and Washed Out, South Carolina-born singer, songwriter, record producer and graphic designer Toro Y Moi is often cited as a spearhead of the early-2010s chillwave resurgence that captivating the US before spreading to the UK through platforms such as BBC 6 Music. The bilingual moniker is almost as poetic as the music itself, which has always been thought provoking, to put it mildly. Hole Erth is the tenth studio album to come from this lackadaisical maestro, and lands two years after the critically acclaimed Mahal. Again, it's deep dive stuff you'd have to be mad or hard of hearing not to get lost in. A sumptuous feast of sounds which are as easy on the ear as they are poignant in the mind. Once again, it's pretty unmissable.
Review: Toro y Moi's Hole Erth, marks a bold shift for Chaz Bear. Combining anthemic pop-punk and autotuned rap, the album reflects his childhood punk and emo influences alongside his hip-hop production strength. The lead single, 'Tuesday,' exemplifies this fusion with serrated guitar tones and a soaring chorus. Featuring artists like Don Toliver, Kevin Abstract, and Benjamin Gibbard, Hole Erth features Bear's deft production and genre-fluidity. It's a daring yet effortless blend of electronic roots and modern sounds, capturing Toro y Moi's essence of constant evolution and experimentation.
Review: Legendary Queensbridge MC Tragedy Khadafi and acclaimed producer Endemic Emerald met a decade ago at Goblin Studios in Queens. They soon found they had shared musical chemistry and have worked on several great songs together. Now they drop Rebel Kings, a new album that again lives up to the hype. Tragedy is in fine flow through as he touches on a wide range of subjects in evocative fashion over the timeless production of Endemic. Nods to the game, childhood memories and much more all comes up on these well-crafted songs with plenty of boom-bap stylings and guest appearances from DJ Eclipse, DJ Akil, Kasim Allah and Foul Monday.
Review: The legendary Phiily collective Tuff Crew was the city's first-ever hip-hop supergroup. They famously toured the US as the warm-up act for 2Live Crew and also played with Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C., Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, LL Cool J, and many others. They dropped four albums in all and this is their celebrated debut long player, produced in collaboration with New Jersey's The Crown Rulers. It showcases their bass-heavy style, crisp drum beats and raw street lyrics with aggressive scratch DJing adding the final touches.
Better That Way (feat Le Syndicat Du Chrome - Jazz reworked) (2:55)
Ronin (feat Hugo Kant - dub) (3:31)
Pills For Your Ills (Afghan Beat) (3:29)
Past Your Time (Trap Reboot) (3:19)
The Journey (Lost mix) (3:17)
Review: South African rapper TUMI teams up with French trio Chinese Man for a genre-defying collaboration here that reimagines hip-hop through a global lens. Drawing from dusty crates and forgotten corners of music history, such as banjo riffs, 1930s swing and Andean flutes, the production is a crate-digger's dream that boldly ventures far beyond traditional hip-hop terrain. The result is a rich, textured sound that's both nostalgic and refreshingly new as TUMI's lyrics weave between irony and poignancy and are grounded in sonic experimentation with sharp social commentary. This is a bold, borderless journey and proof that when cultures and styles collide, magic happens.
Shake Ah (feat Tony Duardo, Optimist music & Ez Maestro) (5:44)
Push 2 Start (2:37)
Back To You (2:34)
Review: Tyla every much burst onto the global r&b scene with her breakout single 'Water.' Se quickly capitalised on summer ubiquity with a self-titled album which showcases her distinct blend of Afrobeat, pop and r&b. It's a mix of the usual tropes - sultry, steamy vocals, lovely smooth bass, rich melodic hooks and polished production that doesnt lose an intimate edge. Tyla brings an energy that's both vibrant and emotional with her vocals and while her most famous single remains her best work, her ability to weave personal experiences into her lyrics adds depth on this record which does a god job of showing her impressive vocal range.
Review: Tyla is an already hotly-tipped South African singer and songwriter but the release of this new self-titled album is sure to take her to the next level and be one of 2024's biggest and best. It's a fusion of r&b and amapiano - a mix of house, jazz, downtempo and rich melody from her native South Africa - that is topped with her seductive and soft vocals. Channeling the likes of the great Aaliyah, it's been proceeded day the captivating lead single 'Waze' and is full of heart melting moments of tender r&b beauty. It has been two years in the making and was recorded in Jamaica so is pulled with subtle sunshine that makes it all the more perfectly timed.
Review: Actively wanting to distance himself from his divisive debut projects 'Goblin' and 'Bastard', American rapper and internet personality Tyler, the Creator pulled off a major tonal shift with 'Wolf'. Featuring his first high-profile features, like that of Mike G and Erykah Badu on the simmering 'Treehome 95', Tyler put it on record that he just wanted to make music for people to get high to as opposed to the aggressive, angsty hardcore angle on 'Yuckers' that got him famous. That doesn't mean that Tyler is dead, 'Jamba' and 'Tamale' still have that crunch for the old-school fans, but 'Wolf' shares much with its successor 'Cherry Bomb' in its awkward transitional sound leaving them as outliers in critics 'Best of Tyler' lists.
These are both amazing albums, with the rare praisers of which earning nothing but respect because, in all honesty, every Tyler, the Creator album is incredible - despite what the self-deprecating genius himself may say.
Review: Tyler, the Creator's fifth studio album was produced entirely by the Californian artist himself, but it does feature guests like Solange, Playboi Carti, Kanye West and Lil Uzi Vert. It immediately debuted at number one and it's easy to see why. Rich with a complex fusion of funk, rap and r&b that glides on Cali-synths and neo soul melodies, the whole thing is tethered to the ground with a hefty low end and follows the narrative of a love triangle as told by American comedian Jerrod Carmichael. Arguably his best work to date, the production is next level and storytelling wholly involving.
Review: Tyson's debut album is a captivating exploration of deep, soulful r&b infused with diverse sonic influences. Produced and co-written with Oscar Scheller, the album spans ten tracks that delve into homegrown bass cultureibreakbeats, street soul and trip-hopiwhile incorporating icy 80s synthpop and expansive 00s r&b. The result is a unique, boundary-pushing sound. Highlights include 'Jumpstart', a smooth, atmospheric piece that blends dub, drum & bass and trap into a mesmerising groove. 'Alien Romance' introduces futuristic elements with inventive soundscapes that merge r&b and hip-hop, creating an otherworldly yet accessible vibe. Meanwhile, 'Angel Dust' wraps listeners in a magical, ambient euphoria, showcasing Tyson's ability to craft deeply immersive tracks. Tyson's raw, emotive vocals and innovative production make this a seamless fusion of nostalgia and modernity that redefines contemporary urban music. Fans of experimental yet deeply soulful music will find plenty to love in this remarkable debut.
Kanye West's new collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign, VULTURES 1, feels unexpectedly cohesive and fully realizedia surprising change of pace for West's recent output. Known for raw and often incomplete releases, this time he brings clear production and a crisp, polished mix. Ty's smooth delivery contrasts with Kanye's own verses, blending effortlessly on tracks like the Donna Summer-sampling 'Good (Don't Die)'. Rhythmic, industrial beats provide a dynamic backdrop, especially on tracks like 'Paid' and 'Carnival,' giving this album a depth that stands out in West's complex, ever-evolving catalogue.
Review: Kanye West's new collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign, VULTURES 1, feels unexpectedly cohesive and fully realizedia surprising change of pace for West's recent output. Known for raw and often incomplete releases, this time he brings clear production and a crisp, polished mix. Ty's smooth delivery contrasts with Kanye's own verses, blending effortlessly on tracks like the Donna Summer-sampling 'Good (Don't Die)'. Rhythmic, industrial beats provide a dynamic backdrop, especially on tracks like 'Paid' and 'Carnival,' giving this album a depth that stands out in West's complex, ever-evolving catalogue.
Review: Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's collaboration offers a compelling blend of hip-hop and r&b, showcasing their distinctive styles. Tracks like 'Burn' and 'Talking' highlight their seamless integration of vocals and production. The splattered vinyl 2xLP edition enhances the auditory experience, complementing the album's rich soundscapes. This release underscores both artists' enduring influence in contemporary music.
Review: Wiki's new album, 14K Figaro, arrives after a slew of collaborative projects with the likes of The Alchemist and MIKE, Navy Blue, Subjxct5, and NAH. The album is produced entirely by Tony Seltzer, a longtime collaborator who helped soundtrack his earliest efforts - including No Mountains in Manhattan, his 2017 debut album for XL Recordings, and Oofie, its potent 2019 follow-up. Guest features include the World's Fair MC Remy Banks, the Bruiser Brigade spitter Zelooperz, and the prolific D.C. native WifiGawd. A curveball in relation to his past projects, the native New York opts for a clean sound, adding in pepperings of drill and net rap - with samply stutters abounding on lackadaisical favourites like 'RL' - yet retaining the streetwise, grilled enfant terrible's omnipresent rawness.
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