carolina ardor | Omar Bunyan - Sail Fast Live Slow

South Carolina has never been a haven for good hip-hop music, and I say that as a SC native; but OxyxMoron are definitely constructing a new lane that will introduce SC hip-hop as being good music. As I have mentioned before, each of the three members of Oxy are releasing solo projects and the first member to break into his solo lane is Omar Bunyan. His first release is titled Sail Fast Live Slow and honestly, it’s pretty damn good. My best music experiences are born from my ability to relate to an artist and that’s the type of experience I gained from listening to SFLS. Not only is the production great, but Omar’s flow is consistent and his truth invites you to become a part of his story. I love it when artists provide that type of vibe and I know you will feel the same way once you give it a listen. A personal favorite of mine is Broken Glass…Omar and I share a similar truth on that track. Check out Sail Fast Live Slow below. 

new music | Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe, The Remix

The original piece of this classic has its own lane but the deliverance of Mr. Lamar’s new verses placed an additive into the track that overrides any line Mr. Carter conjured up. Yes, Hov is one of the greats but it’s clear that there is no match for the poetically inclined lyricist that is Kendrick Lamar. In fact, Kendrick could have remixed Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe simply by featuring himself. Fuck what any Jay-Z stan thinks or feels about that, as I’m only stating audible fact.

dido x kendrick lamar | Let Us Move On

Psyched out was the state of my mental when I received word of a collaboration between two of my most admirable artists...Dido + Kendrick Lamar. Honestly, I doubted it at first so imagine my surprise to hear Dido + Kendrick Lamar's voices on a track...together. If the name Dido sounds familiar, it is because she is most famous for her song titled Thank You being sampled by Eminem for his song titled, Stan. I must mention that because some idiots fail to realize that her artistry extends beyond the hook of Stan, as Dido's music is the epitome of emotional integrity. Her album Life For Rent is a classic in my opinion. But anyway, check out her collaboration with Mr. Lamar below.

new music | Stay Awhile by ALTA

People chop and recycle musical genres everyday but in my perspective, good music is good music…regardless of its listening nature. So during my random online surfing for new sounds to listen to I came across an Australian duo by the name of ALTA who labels their music as trip-hop. I’ve heard of this genre before but I wasn’t too familiar with it but basically it’s electronic/techno music that’s chopped + screwed for a slower vibe. Well, ALTA took it one-step further and infused a jazz/soul based sound with it and so far, I’ve been feeling it. The duo consists of Hannah Lesser and Julius Dowson and as of this moment they are unsigned but I believe that if they receive the right amount of exposure, that will definitely change. Download their new EP titled Stay Awhile here or have a listen below. 

Carolina Ardor | J. Cole x The Cure

Carolina ardor is the passion I have for artists who share a similar foundation such as mine of being born + raised in the Carolina region, just an fyi. One of those artists just happens to be J.Cole, who released some new lyrics that flow over a sampled version of The Throne's Lift Off track and it is a nice refresher to receive from him. You may label me biased, but I think J. Cole is one of the few hip hop newcomers that has longevity potential. He still has some areas where he needs to grow but I think that's a great void for artists to possess in their early careers. Yep. 

New Music | Mr. West

So Urban Noize's remix album featuring no one other than Kanye West has officially been released and overall, I think they did an amazing job with the project. I think it's so dope when producers venture out beyond the norm by remixing acapella verses with other instrumentals...because it's not as easy as it sounds. So invest a listen into their Mr. West remix album and check out more from Urban Noize here. 

New Music | Counting Rain

If you are unaware, I did an interview feature with Kirby Lauryen awhile back (read it here) and she continues to impress not only me but anyone who listens to her music. As I told her before, her music is the sound of emotional integrity and by possessing that appeal, there is no doubt in my mind that this young Mississippi native will gain international success. She's a great songwriter, vocalist, and composer; and in case you did not know, she has written a quality song per day for 184 consecutive days. Your favorite artist doesn't even do that. Now some of you may argue with my next statement but Kirby will attain Adele's level of success given a nice 4-5 years...I firmly believe that. So check out one of the hundreds of her beautiful songs called Counting Rain below and listen to more here.   

New Music | Lionhearts

Let me be honest...I don't know who the Harrowers actually are but what I do know is that this track titled Lionhearts is the shit. I randomly stumbled upon this artist last night and once I took a good listen, I blasted this song throughout the crib for the remainder of the night. Yes, that is truth. If anyone knows who makes up this collective and where I can find more of their music (if any) then please let me know. 

New Music | Jay-Z Interview

So Hit-Boy, the famous producer behind Niggas in Paris, has ventured into the avenue of being of a rap artist. This is a moment that most people have been anticipating because his newly released track titled Jay-Z Interview has been spoken about for a long time now. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about Hit-Boy. As a producer, he is very talented and versatile (Note: NIP is not the only great beat that he has ever produced) but as a rapper? Well, I'll just wait until he releases some more material before I form my opinion.

New Music | Lessons for the Lover

So with singles like Climax and Lemme See, my expectations for Usher's Looking 4 Myself album had led me to think it would equate to a second installment of Confessions...Well, boy was I wrong. This isn't a review so I won't dwell into my feelings about this electro-tech-pop shit but I will highlight the one R&B gem from his album that gives me that sensual "Ursher baby" feel which is Lessons for the Lover. A really nice, smooth vibe that just puts you into that moment. 

Listen Up: Kirby Lauryen

So last night on the way home from the The Weeknd's live show (which was damn good by the way), my friend starts to play this  track from a singer named Kirby Lauryen and Wow, did I musically fall in love. This young woman has amazing vocals, not to mention, she also writes and does the vocal arranging for her own songs. Anyway, if you enjoy great music, you will be doing yourself a beautiful favor by checking her out. So listen to one of her collections below, Risk It All. Which I currently have on repeat in the house & the whip...yes, all since last night :) 
Check out more from Ms. Lauryen here & Follow her on Twitter: @KirbyLauryen

New Music: Usher x Rick Ross

Usher x Rick Ross 
Lemme See 

Yes, so Usher proves that even though he took a hiatus, he is still the throne holder as the King of R&B.