Lately, the weather has been acting odd. One week, the weather is warm and sunny, then the following week, it’s cold and windy with fall-like temperatures. But there’s nothing odd about producer Oddisee’s instrumental LP Odd Spring. This is the Washington, D.C. native’s fourth and final installment of his season-themed series, which includes Odd Summer, Odd Winter and Odd Autumn LPs. Odd Spring is free for downloading. Peep this banging track from the collection:
Oddisee – Two Way Street (Featuring Muneshine)
Speaking of weather, Nashville, Tennessee is completely under water due to overflown rivers after several days of record-breaking rainfall hit the city earlier this month. Nashville native Young Buck recorded a song recounting the disaster and how citizens are coping in its aftermath. If you want to help the people of Nashville with either a monetary donation or volunteer your services, visit the Red Cross website – Middle Tennessee Red Cross.
Although she is not known for her lyrical skills, R&B’s rising superstar Janelle Monae is being dubbed the “Lauryn Hill reincarnate” with her new track “Neon Valley Street.” The song is indeed beautiful and infectious. Her debut LP, The ArchAndroid, is in stores Tuesday (May 18).
Janelle Monae – Neon Valley Street
Next up, London rapper Dizzee Rascal is making some crazy noise with the chaotic track “Heavy” (featuring Chase Status). Fair warning: this is not your atypical rap song. The lyrics are hard and fast. Plus, there’s enough feedback on the track to make your ears bleed. Not as club-friendly as “Dirtee Disco,” but more in line with Dizzee’s grime style. Dizzee’s new LP Dirtee Disco hits stores on May 24.
Dizzee Rascal – “Heavy” (featuring Chase Status)
Are you ready to rock? Check out Bronx, N.Y. rapper Mickey Factz’s video for “Alpha,” his club-ready, body-rocking anthem. Pump your fists and let’s get alpha!
In dancehall/reggae news, Mavado is catching some heat for his involvement in Drake’s new video for “Find Your Love.” Apparently, Jamaica’s acting Minister of Tourism Edmund Barlett feels that the clip portrays the island in a negative light. In the clip, Drake plays a foreigner who falls in love with a woman who is the trophy wife of the town’s bad guy Puffy (played by Mavado). It’s a story about forbidden love in a town that can be unforgivable to outsiders.
The Minister of Tourism may have a point. Jamaica is beautiful island with its fair-share of problems, buy they don’t need to be associated with guns and thugs in a popular music video. Right? But, on the flip side, it’s just a Drake video. It’s entertainment. Right?
What do you guys think?
In other news, Nas and Damian Marley’s collaborative LP Distant Relatives dropped their album on Tuesday (May 18). The duo explore their musical roots on the album, which has garnered rave reviews, so far. One of the standout tracks from the LP is the somber “Patience.”
Nas & Damian Marley – “Patience” (via Hip-Hop Wired)
Finally, New York rapper Nutso dropped a new video for “My Hood,” his tribute to his hometown of Queens. The clip features Queens rap legends Mic Geronimo and Royal Flush. Props to producer Reef for flipping the Teddy Pendergrass sample.
Pop the hood for mixtapes releases . . .
