The New Classics Mixtape [January 2009]: Download

It’s been a good month. Tracklisting here, download after the jump.

New Music: Rick Ross, Magnificent [ft. John Legend]

01.30.09

Song: Magnificent [ft. John Legend]
Artist: Rick Ross
Album: Deeper Than Rap
Label: Def Jam Records
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Notes: 1st single from LP
Analysis: Once spring hits, this is my favorite type of hip hop; the kind you can just cruise around to and never get tired of. It’s still January, but we can’t hold that against Ricky Ross on this one.

New Music: Q-Tip, Renaissance Rap (Remix) [ft. Busta Rhymes, Raekwon & Lil Wayne]

01.29.09

Song: Renaissance Rap (Remix) [ft. Busta Rhymes, Raekwon & Lil Wayne]
Artist: Q-Tip
Album: The Renaissance*
Label: Universal Motown
Producer: Q-Tip
Notes: *not actually on album
Analysis: I’ve already talked about my undisputed love for The Renaissance, so it should come as no surprise that I am declaring ‘Renaissance Rap (Remix)’ as the best hip hop song of the month. You should already know what the beat sounds like, but if you’re still sleeping on that album, I will fill you in.

New Music: B-Real, Don’t Ya Dare Laugh (Remix) [ft. Xzibit & Young De]

01.29.09

Song: Don’t Ya Dare Laugh (Remix) [ft. Xzibit & Young De]
Artist: B-Real
Album: Smoke and Mirrors
Label: Duck Down Records
Producer: Scoop DeVille
Notes: none
Analysis: It’s actually the original version of ‘Don’t Ya Dare Laugh’ that will appear on Smoke and Mirrors, so the added bonus on this version is Xzibit, who I personally haven’t heard on the mic in a minute. But these two West Coast all-stars team up for a track that ultimately turns out to be “aiight”.

New Music: Raekwon, Criminology 2 [ft. Ghostface Killah]

01.28.09

Song: Criminology 2 [ft. Ghostface Killah]
Artist: Raekwon
Album: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
Label: unknown
Producer: unknown
Notes: none
Analysis: They don’t make MC’s like Raekwon & Ghostface no more.

New Music: Lil Wayne, Hot Revolver

01.28.09

Song: Hot Revolver
Artist: Lil Wayne
Album: Rebirth
Label: Cash Money / Universal Records
Notes: none
Analysis: After releasing his new, very mediocre single ‘Prom Queen’ earlier in the week, this track appears and proves that Lil’ Wayne is about as “rock” as Kelly Clarkson is.

New Music: Lil Jon, Killas [ft. The Game & Ice Cube]

01.28.09

Song: Killas [ft. The Game & Ice Cube]
Artist: Lil Jon
Album: Crunk Rock
Label: Universal Republic
Producer: Lil Jon
Notes: none
Analysis: Lil Jon’s debut solo album Crunk Rock was supposed to hit stores back in 2006, when ‘Snap Yo Fingers’ was released as a single. I don’t know what has delayed it so long (TVT Records going under didn’t help, I’m sure), but Jon pretty much dropped off the map for the past 2 years, until now.

Music Video: B.o.B., Lonely People

01.27.09

Song: Lonely People
Artist: B.o.B.
Album: Who the Fuck is B.o.B.? (mixtape)
Label: Grand Hustle / Atlantic Records
Producer: B.o.B. & Jim Jonsin
Notes: none
Analysis: Odd that this video is released so soon after ‘I’ll Be in the Sky’, seeing as this song isn’t even going to be on B.o.B.’s debut record (clearing a Beatles sample is rather difficult). However, it is obviously a very low-cost video, so B.o.B. probably just figured what the hell. I may be looking too far into the video, but I think he is drawing parallels between these club-goers and the “lonely people”, aka people living somewhat empty lives, because booty shakin’ and throwing money doesn’t really seem like his style. Regardless, with help from Jim Jonsin, the ‘Eleanore Rigby’ sample is done well, and much better than when Ja Rule trashed it last year. I wonder if Paul & Ringo have checked out this video yet?

New Music: Black Lips, Short Fuse

01.27.09

Song: Short Fuse
Artist: Black Lips
Album: 200 Million Thousand
Label: Vice Records
Notes: none
Analysis: Happy but distorted, Black Lips’ ‘Short Fuse’ carries on my faith in indie rock.

New Music: U-N-I, Return [ft. Talib Kweli]

01.27.09

Song: Return [ft. Talib Kweli]
Artist: U-N-I
Album: Before There Was Love (mixtape)
Label: Honor Roll Records
Producer: Lee Bannon
Notes: none
Analysis: U-N-I already leaked the excellent ‘Cali Soul’ from their upcoming mixtape, and now here is the final leak before it’s release, ‘Return’, featuring the incomparable Talib Kweli.