Listen: Let Everything Go - @keysera_; A Niles P. Joint

Keys Era has been quiet for a few months, but certainly not unproductive.  The Chester, PA emcee decided to remind everyone of how dope she is with her freshly released joint Let Everything Go.  You can tell by the cover art that the song is decidedly weed-scented, but there’s more depth than that.  Keys serves enough food for thought for anyone with the munchies.  Over a beat that’s skyscraper high, she ponders the effects of hangers on when she’s in need herself.  “Soon as you start making your own wave, people try to hop in” she laments, while understanding that it’s up to her to sort the real from the fake.  This song is perfect while you relax in A/C in the dog days of summer.  Check it out after the break.

Listen: Symmetry - @sabaPIVOT {Written by: @Natural_Nation}

A few days ago, Saba (Chicago rapper, singer, and producer) released a new track called Symmetry. The song is said to be a single from his upcoming project Bucket List. The last body of work we received from Saba was back in 2014 when the rapper had released a mixtape released in July titled ComfortZone. This Chicago rapper has crossed paths with artists like Chance the rapper, Donnie Trumpet, Mick Jenkins, Eryn Allen Kane, and noname, who has actually recently released her debut project this week. Symmetry made it's first appearance on Zane Lowes Beats 1 radio show and took off from there. The song explores the idea of finding symmetry within everyday life, how things align and connect with one another and the benefits that come from things lining up perfectly. Enjoy.

Listen: This Bitter Land - @fatbellybella & @Nas {Written by: @Natural_Nation}

The Land, a motion picture connecting the likes of Nas. Erykah Badu, and Machine Gun Kelly, is set to release on July 29th across parts of the country. The film has made an appearance at the critically acclaimed Sundance Film  Festival and has already received outstanding reviews. The film is a story of brotherhood tied together by a skateboarding set against a troubled scene in Cleveland.

Recently released is a song from the motion picture soundtrack called This Bitter Land.  It is produced by Nas and JB Bontemps. The track is a flawless collaboration between Nas and Erykah Badu, a beautiful slow building song with derelict undertones and emotion hanging on every word. The album is also set to release this Friday, July 29th with a list of featured artists including Kanye West, Machine Gun Kelly, Pusha-T, Dave East, and Jeremih to name a few.  This Bitter Land is currently streaming on Soundcloud, Take a listen below.

Listen: What You Came For - @JeanGreasy (prod. @QuelleChris); A Niles P. Joint

Sometimes the universe sees what you’re interested in and gives you a mixture of said things.  Case in point: over the last couple days I’ve been reading details of the upcoming Black Panther film by Marvel while also looking to buy the comics and another book by Ta-Nehisi Coates.  Add one of my favorite emcees in Jean Grae and I got a new song that I didn’t know I wanted, but is like the ultimate wish fulfillment for my current interests.  The third in a series of hip hop tie-in songs for Coates’ A Nation Under Our Feet story arc (previous installments came from Run The Jewels & Prodigy,) What You Came For is expertly produced by Quelle Chris.  The Motor City maestro builds a soundscape that is the lush musical equivalent of the jungles of Wakanda, combining sound effects, backing vocals, and regal chimes to complement Jean’s seemingly vibranium-enhanced bars.  King T’Challa would be proud.  Check it out below via Bandcamp for streaming and more importantly, purchase.  

Listen: Go Off - @MIAuniverse {Written by @Natural_Nation}

For her latest single new Sri Lanka/London native rapper M.I.A. has teamed up with Skrillex and Blaqstarr, two American DJ and producers, for her newest song called Go Off.

This latest track will be appearing on her upcoming album called AIM which is set to drop September 9th. The song first premiered on BBC's Radio 1 show Annie Mac last week. Go Off fashions M.I.A.s signature upbeat tempo under an array straight forward lyrics and extremely catchy chorus. A visual was released along side of the track displaying a continuous stream of dirt explosions. I'm sure it has some deeper meaning that she will explain at a later date but I must warn you, to the average viewer the video will be extremely uneventful. I have been a fan since the release of Galang back in 2005 so I am eagerly awaiting the release of AIM in September. Until then, enjoy her latest single Go Off.

Listen: Welcome To America - @SamadSavage; A Niles P. Joint

To say the least, last week was mentally and emotionally exhausting.  Police in three separate states unjustly shot and killed three men:  Delrawn Small of New York; Alton Sterling of Louisiana, and Philando Castile of Minnesota.  Sterling and Castile died on consecutive days.  We’ve seen this movie so many times before, we’re weary of the premise.  No matter the name or location, it always ends with a murderous cop either being found guilty or not even being charged for killing a Black man or woman basically for existing while Black.  Add in a bevy of vital Black Lives Matter protests and conservative/racist douche bags trying to rationalize killer cops and you get the point.  This shit is so taxing on the psyche WTM took two unplanned days off, both out of respect for the recent victims of police violence but also because we were so affected by it, creativity was nonexistent.

Samad Savage didn’t rest though.  The Montclair MC wasted no time in addressing current events (“Three Radio Raheems in one week” as he cleverly puts it) in his newest song Welcome To America.  First of all, let me applaud him for using his artistic platform to not only address the current wave of police shootings but also how it plays into America’s systematic racism as a whole (extra credit for apologizing for previously eulogizing Mike Brown but not Sandra Bland.)  It takes courage for ANY artist to speak on a controversial issue.  Some seasoned veterans won’t even do it, and Savage carries the torch at the tender age of 20.  More importantly, he manages to make a track quickly without sacrificing quality.  He gets his point across eloquently and flows smoothly over a multifaceted instrumental by Precise Beatz.  Listen for yourself below.

Listen: White Collar - @shottaspence (prod. @DUCKOMCFLI) {Written by: @Natural_Nation}

Last night at 10pm New Jersey emcee Spencer Lee aka Shotta Spence dropped a new loosie called White Collar. Ever since I heard his name from a friend of a friend of a friend I had my eye out for his music, so when his track dropped last night, I was ready. Many of you may know Spence from his association with Ear Drummers or his endeavors in the fashion world working as a model, stylist, designer, and notable trendsetter. Participating in many fashion shows, one of his most notable events this year was appearing in Yeezy Season 3, a fashion show for Kanye West's 2016 clothing line that debuted this year in Madison Square Garden. With fashion at the forefront, allusions to his music have always remained fairly low key. So, who is this Asian kid rolling with Ear Drummers? The story goes that Spencer met Rae Sremmurd through a mutual contact and old highschool classmate from Jersey. He was commissioned to style the rap duo for their new music video at the time, back in 2014, Up Like Trump. After crossing paths with Mike Will Made-It it Spence has been rolling with Ear Drummers ever since.
If you have happened to pay a visit to his SoundCloud then you know that it's fairly barren. For some time now it has only been sporting one track that has now been replaced by White Collar.  Hearing his previous song I knew this was someone to look out for. So I come as a writer who is excited. But this is why I love being at the front end of the music industry and having my ears fall on music that is new and up and coming. There is so much talent out here ready to be heard especially in New Jersey, so being from Jersey myself and writing for a New Jersey based music blog, it's all love here.  Some music will fall through the cracks, some will be a trending topic, but quality separates itself from the pack. Quality grows roots not leaves and I can hear the time put in. The patience and discipline that comes from recognizing the power of timing and not releasing music before its ready just to appeal to fans or calm your own anxiety. Spencer Lee WILL pop just stay tuned and watch the up fall. In the meantime check out White Collar while we wait for his next project Upfall later in July.

Listen: Meat Cleaver - @BodegaBrovas feat. @JeanGreasy; A Niles P. Joint

While I’m all about positivity and shit in music, I gotta be honest: sometimes, inexplicably, I just want to hear some violent ass lyrics.  This time around, Bodega Brovas has me covered.  The rap trio of Travii the 7th, Keynote, and Headkrack actually hail from three different cities in three completely different regions (Chicago, Dallas, & The Bronx respectively.)  Their geographical differences don't matter, as they're still musically cohesive.  This shines through on Meat Cleaver, which has all of the violence, debauchery, and fun of a Tarantino flick within its bars.   The beat is a nice mashup of 60’s rock and tumbling drums.  To really kick it up a notch, they’ve enlisted underground legend Jean Grae, who might be the master of bombastic rap violence.  Her guest verse is the icing on the cake.  Meat Cleaver is the first single from the Bodega Brovas’ debut album L.G.A. (Loaded Guns & Alcohol.)  Peep game below.

Listen: Gods - @_MAXWELL_ {Written by: @Natural_Nation}

With the the release of his new single, Gods, it is quite clear that Maxwell is gearing up for the release of blackSUMMERS'night. The album will be the second part of his three part musical trilogy that began with BLACKsummer'night back in 2009. We all remember that album. It seemed like Pretty Wings stayed on the charts that entire summer and it was the one song to this day I never get tired of hearing.  Gods is the third song released from the album. Maxwell's voice continues to embody a sultry and sensual tone while developing his music in a way that is simple and clean. He never overcomplicates his music or seems to ever struggle lyrically and Gods is no different. I cannot wait to hear the rest of his upcoming album. blackSUMMERS'night is currently scheduled to come out on the first of July.  Expect my review for WTM soon after.

Listen: My People - Joe College (@lowcollege); A Niles P. Joint

With the way viral marketing is set up in this day and age, rappers have taken to releasing songs as often as possible.  Joe College however, is an old soul and does things at his own pace, trends be damned.  He's back on the scene with My People.  On a beat by a rapidly improving QdottDavis, College subtly forges a pro-Black anthem by mixing around the way adoration with social commentary.  Being that it’s Joe College, his flow is still impeccably cool and has yet to be duplicated by anyone in the Garden State.  Despite the hiatus he’s back just in time to hold us down for the summer.  You can never quite tell what College has up his sleeve next, but this writer hopes that My People snowballs into a new full-length project.  Check it out for yourself below.

Listen: Parallel @davebspacedot (prod.@SangoBeats) {Written by @Natural_Nation}

On June 11th, Dave B released Parallel, a track put together by one of my favorite producers Sango.

These two artists have come together to make a smooth track reminiscent of something that could of been heard on Bryson Tiller's TrapSoul. The track features a sample of a woman speaking in a foreign language which fades in and out during the course of the song. Accompanied by 808's and a drum machine the entire song is an over all vibe banger. Fortunately, you can check out more music by both of these artists through Soundcloud. Enjoy.

Listen: Smoke Break - @StatikSelekt feat. @2chainz

Statik Selektah recently released a song called Smoke Break feat. 2 Chainz.  It starts off with a mellow, electric feel making it a classically chill head-nodding song . The unpredictable uses of the trumpet coming in and out of the beat leaves you wondering if you heard correctly. Seeing 2 Chainz was surprising since the two artists’ flow of music don’t really match, but hearing him rap on this beat made for an attractive vibe that is well appreciated. Overall the song is a great summertime feel as we get deeper into the warmer season.

Statik’s album “8” is set to come out soon, Check out Smoke Break via SoundCloud below.

Listen: 4pm in Calabasas @Drake {Written by @Natural_Nation}

It's safe to say I came in on the late tip with 4pm in Calabasas by Drake and honestly, it is still taking me a minute to really be convinced of the track's actual purpose. Currently, it is being labeled as a diss-track directed towards Diddy, Joe Budden, and a few other rumored names.  A friend of mine really had to break it down to me. It wasn't that I missed the Bad Boy references, the clear quoted lyrics, melodic bites, or the clear instrumental sample. I simply didn't take it personally, but then again why would I when it had nothing to do with me? Drake is smart and he is calculating; while the music industry is notoriously petty. I don't know how much of this is hot air being tossed up a helium balloon and how much of it is actually worth discussing. Either way he got us all talking once again, "ha-ha-ha-ha', got em."

For a break down of the lyrics and a thorough explanation of the beef click here.

Listen: Drug Dealers Anonymous - @PUSHA_T feat. @S_C_; A Niles P. Joint

Instead of digging into a potentially epic piece of steak, sometimes it’s better to savor it.  Same thing goes for new songs.  When Pusha T released Drug Dealers Anonymous featuring Jay Z a few days ago, everybody and their mom’s blog tripped over each other to dissect every punchline.  I decided to wait awhile and give it some more spins to avoid the initial hype wave. And holy shit, this one hits a dinger to lead off the summer.  While Pusha and Jigga will spit coke raps for anybody (if you invited them over now, you’d hear stories of kilograms and rubber bands) there’s no denying that they're the best at this subgenre.  Their creativity never gets boring, no matter the prevalence of the subject matter.

The instrumental is as minatory as they come, as Push has thrived in darkness through his group and solo careers.  Lines like “America’s nightmare's in Flint/ Children of a lesser God when your melanin’s got a tint/ And I can’t even mention what I sent or what I spent/ Cause my name in 18 wheelers is evidence” showcases a baroque way of bringing up bricks.  And Jay steps out of executive mode to remind people about how he got here.  Partially a response to right wing news anchor Tomi Lahren, Jigga is spry in his lyrical acrobatics as he takes the long way through his illustrious cocaine trafficking history.  There are too many pleasant surprises in his stanzas to pick one that stands out.  Look out for a “Damn Daniel” reference that outlives the now played out viral video.

While it’s since been posted and eradicated from both AudioMack and Soundcloud, you can find Drug Dealers Anonymous as a Tidal exclusive if you click here.  Look out for Pusha T’s new album King Push coming soon, along with WTM’s review.

Listen: Bad Boy on Death Row - @DaveEast feat. @TheGame; A Niles P. Joint

Harlem and Compton collide on wax, but it’s in the best way imaginable.  The new Dave East song Bad Boy on Death Row shares the name of the two labels that were at odds in the 90’s.  However, a mutual love of the culture unites him with The Game on this SoundCloud loosie.  There’s no gimmick, hell they didn’t even waste time with a hook.  Over a cool, calm, & collected beat by Buda & Grandz, the two exchange more bars than Halloween for almost four minutes straight.  No matter which coast you live, this is perfect for playing in your AC-infused car during the summer.  Just have a friend riding shotgun to hit rewind constantly, because these guys have way too many quotables to list here.  Gotta commend the Mass Appeal Records emcee East for challenging himself by hosting the lyrically underrated Game on a track.  In the end, they both held it down for their respective time zones.  Take a listen after the break.