New Music: Ryan Leslie "Joan Of Arc"

Anyone who’s followed Ryan Leslie over the last few years knows that this Harvard alum has more overall talent than a lot of his R&B contemporaries. His new song, Joan of Arc, shows Leslie’s ability to write, produce, sing and rap over a track without completely ruining it, a rarity for one individual to pull off. This isn’t the first time he’s spit a few bars, but I think when he attempts to rap through the majority of a song, as he does here, it doesn’t connect with the listener as well as it could. His smooth and minimalist vocals on the hook ride perfectly over his mildly haunting instrumentation of minor guitar chords and light synthesizers. It actually sounds like something ‘Ye left off MBDTF, and I’m not just talking about the beat. This tale of a misunderstood relationship, complete with a NYPD voicemail left for Leslie, would have fit Mr. West’s storyline perfectly. While this is the first (potential) leak from his upcoming Les Is More, which currently has no release date, I’m not sure it’s enough for me to anticipate the drop just yet.  Am I alone?

New Music: Pusha T Feat. 50 Cent & Pharrell "Raid"

When Runaway dropped and I realized Pusha T was the newest signee to Mr. West’s G.O.O.D. Music label, the first thing I thought (after, why didn’t ‘Ye just sign Malice too?), was that this was a big move in the right direction for one of the game’s top lyricists. With every new guest verse and the recently leaked My God Pusha had us all salivating for his next body of work, and with this new recordRaid, he’s continuing to build hype around his forthcoming mixtape, Fear of God, scheduled to drop March 21. On Raid the Clipse alum lyrically reminisces on how his days of slangin’ in VA have ultimately turned into a dream life, while G-Unit boss 50 Cent jumps on board to spit on how the only thing that’s changed about him is the money. On the production tip the piano-driven Neptunes track harkens back to the Lord Willin’ days, as does Pharrell’s hook of “ferocious AK’s” that are “sprayin’ on you roaches.” Ultimately it’s more than enough to have me amped for Push’s mixtape and eventual album - are you feeling it too?

New Music: J. Cole "Killers"

My favorite MC right now, J. Cole channels 2Pac in a major way on this new leaked reference track, "Killers," complete w/ Richard Pryor references and his usual out of this world word play. All I need to know now is when this fuckin album is going to drop.

Big K.R.I.T. ft. Ragen Fykes (of Grillade) - Neva Go Back

Underground fave Big K.R.I.T. has proven that he can murder a mixtape and body a freestyle with relative ease.  It seems that the big time eludes him just barely, like if the perfect track that can balance Grade A hip-hop, a soulful hook and some pop appeal were put in the right hands, he would be the next to blow.  With the drop of “Neva Go Back” featuring   indie group Grillade, the King just may have that hit on his hands.  Lead singer Ragen Fykes’ hook paints an easy, laid back picture reminiscent of Mid 90’s Outkast, and perfect for reminiscing about childhoods spent running barefoot in Granny’s backyard.   That tone is perfect for this record, considering it was inspired by and dedicated to K.R.I.T’s grandmother, Miss Linnie, whom he remembers “cooking in the kitchen, something good for my soul.” The song has a timeless feel, brought about by the union of the MC’s rhyming and production skills and Grillade’s arrangement execution.  It’s only appropriate they package that chemistry for all to enjoy with the joint Big K.R.I.T x Grillade EP dropping soon.   Whether the songs blows up or not, I'm sure Miss Linnie is proud. 

Snoop Dogg Ft. Marty James "El Lay"

It seems Snoop Dogg is jumping on the “exclusive releases on a certain day of the week” bandwagon with his new #puffpuffpasstuesdays (a bit long for a hashtag, but hey) and his first release is his ode to OUR (WESTSIDE!) hometown, LA with, you guessed it, "EL LAY" (Get it?) The Dogg Father drops knowledge on all the sights and sounds of beautiful Southern Cali, including riding down Sunset Blvd (’64 Chevy required) and everyone, from teachers to politicians rolling up that Kush.  Consistent Snoop collaborator Marty James sounds pretty good, like John Legend on training wheels, over this laid back, barbeque friendly production from Scoop DeVille.  It’s perfect 2-Steppin’ music for all those 2011 All-Star Weekend parties that will be poppin’ in LA this February.  While I’m sure this track will get major burn in SoCal, the country will have to wait until March for Snoop’s new full-length album, when Doggumentary officially drops. Hometown bias aside, this track bangs and hopefully I’m not letting these Chronic clouds around me cloud my judgment. 

Slaughterhouse Feat. Dres- "Back On The Scene"

Royce Da 5’9”, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden, along with Black Sheep front man Dres are all letting us know that Hip-Hop’s Transformers, Slaughterhouse, are officially Back on the Scene. With a line up like this, and the damn near classic album they dropped in ’09, I for one have been fiendin’ for more from the group. Since then, all of them have dropped fire mixtapes or freestyles, and being the borderline stan I am for Slaughterhouse, my expectations based on recent material has been sky high. Honestly, I’m not sure if this lives up to them. While all of them bodied their verses over M-Phazes’ bouncy, throwback influenced track (peep the The Choice is Yours sample), it was almost like I’ve been spoiled by their over-lyricism, so when they don’t come as hard as possible, I feel cheated. But that’s my hang up. Dres’ hook brings back memories of a time when spitting like these guys was the norm and his voice definitely brings his signature energy to the track. So let the debate begin! Who came hardest? Good use of the sample? Are you picking up the new LP on Feb. 8th?