I’m rooting for Teairra Mari. Ever since she was played by Jay-Z and Rihanna, I’ve wanted her to get the shine she deserves and the less talented stole. Her severely delayed sophomore effort is being revamped. Her latest single to leak is another urban club banger, which she has become great at delivering. This one is called “Coins” and confidently boast about–what else, materialism. It low-key goes in, so I hope it does something for Teairra’s project.

(Click the downward arrow on the player to download)

Cj..

Big fan of Nipsey. Huge fan of Cali music [The Chronic stays on repeat] and he’s about as Cali as it gets right now. One of XXL Freshman 10 hottest new MC’s, Hussle’s gearing up for his debut album and is kicking things off with the track “Feelin’ Myself” featuring Lloyd [which is heat]. Below is some preview footage of the video being shot in the area where he grew up in South Central Los Angeles.

Nipsey’s first album South Central State of Mind will be releasing later this year. Take a listen and download the Feelin Myself single below.

Download “Feelin Myself” HERE

AR!

Hopefully this makes this Sunday a great one for a lot of you MESH people out there. Lauryn hinted that she could be releasing some new material earlier this year. Of course we all hoped, but no one in the blogosphere got too excited because we all know Lauryn is… well, Lauryn.

But, out of no where, HHnM popped a new joint from our favorite Mis-educated miss today, and it has people wondering.. The track is a nice. Classic L-Boogie; very smooth. Hopefully this means what we hope it does..

Listen and download Repercussions below [click the downward arrow on the left to download]

AR!

William “Rick Ross” Roberts is the most polarizing and interesting man in rap right now.

The same colossal ball of baritone who not too long ago seemed exiled to the most doomed of rap’s realms – that of lost credibility – has proven that good music does in fact trump all.

With his fourth album, Teflon Don, Ross has created a poignant eleven-track escapade doused as much in bombastic beats and bravado as it is in thought provoking, focused storytelling.

Enlisting a slew of heavy-hitting guest appearances (Jay Z, Kanye West, T.I, and Erykah Badu are just some of music’s elite featured), Grammy-worthy production from producers The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, No I.D., Lex Lugar, and the Olympicks (to name a few) Ross has served a magnum opus, worthy of the hype.

Teflon Don, no doubt a reference to Robert’s ability to dodge credibility issues (Ross entered shaky ground when two years ago, despite his insistance on his drug-trafficking past, a Smoking Gun photo showed him in a Miami-Dade county correctional officer’s uniform).

The real treasure of Teflon Don is its cohesiveness. The features, though aplenty are expertly placed and Ross holds his own with the game’s best. On what is probably the best song on the album, Ross stands fearlessly toe-to-toe with Hov on Free Mason. Another gem, the Bobby Seale introduced Tears of Joy, sees Ross poignantly telling of the dual side of fame and it’s trappings (I wanna walk in the image of Christ/but damn that bitch Vivica nice) as Cee-Lo croons a painfully palpable “I ask when someone wants to be me, why?/ My God, I’m scarred…”

Live Fast and Die Young with West drips of a self-destructive braggadocio that brings out the best in both artists, creating a rarity –a hip hop song that not only tells a story, but is sure to set the dancefloor ablaze.

The album then takes a change of pace with the airy No. 1, a jam though well intentioned, is an ultimate train wreck. Ross loses the depth of the album’s first half and dabbles in the forgettable. That is until the two biggest songs of the summer, MC Hammer and B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast). Despite a ridiculous Gucci Mane verse, the songs that have sparked more ad libs  (I think I’m Big Meech! Larry Hoover!) than any other in recent memory, are unforgettable and necessary.

Chrisette Michele provides the album’s biggest surprise as she enchants on the smooth Aston Martin Music with new rap superstar Drake. It is however, the album’s last great song as All the Money In The World, with Raphael Saadiq is another well-intentioned song lacking little punch.

Since his 2006 Port of Miami debut, Rick Ross has continuously improved as an MC. He’s constantly getting better, and he knows it. He’s the man of the hour, and he knows it. He speaks, and we listen intently; and he knows it. Teflon Don is a exceedlingly solid album signaling Ross’ ascension to rap’s big leagues. Is it this year’s best? Not quite. Most intriguing? Most definitely.

Rating: 4/5

MESHWORTHY TRACKS

Free Mason

Tears of Joy

Live Fast, Die Young

B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)

Aston Martin Music

AR!

Yesterday Fat Sax dropped by Hip Hop Nation in NY, and dropped a lil shumn shumn over “Renegade.”

Not the best at first but it get’s better. Just figured this was a good post for those who, you know, courtesy of lying rappers forgotten what an actual freestyle [insert: off the top] sounds like. No blackberry’s here. #noshadeDrizzy lol.

Clearly you know where this vid came from. #clapforem

AR!

Nah it ain’t wednesday, but I figure why not hit ym peoples up with just a few tracks to tide them over until I get to that Teflon Don Review.. [shoutout to Howard U and all it's A-Bldg fuckery for pushing me waaay off schedule]

But I digress.

We got a lil bit of everything here; some club hits, good hip hop, and some in-between. Per usual, I don’t post what I dont think you won’t like. So go ahead and give all these tracks a spin.

[Click the downward arrows to the right of the audioplayer box to download.]

Paris Morton Music

You know Drizzy always making sappy songs to hoes he wanna fuck be with. Hey, long as it keeps him baggin the bad ones, and as long as they sound as dope as this… I ain’t gotta problem with it. Heat.

Yung Joc – Yea Boy

This is just for you to add to your pregame mix. Club hit.. not much else.

Cali Swag District f. JD, Bow Wow, B.O.B., Red Cafe – Teach Me How To Dougie Remix

Anyone else think it’s crazy that CSD made this remix, invited the whole world, but skipped Texas artists all together? Texas or not, this shit goes. Gone head and sway..

Jizzle – Jeezy f. Lil Jon

Mr. Stamp-in-the-middle describes this joint as “who dat” on steroids. I describe it as classic jeezy. 103!

P.S.A. (Pussy So Amazing) – Freddie Gibbs

One of the two songs you probably didn’t already have or haven’t yet heard. Gibbs is one of XXL’s Freshman 10 Hot New Artists. The Gary, Indiana native is skrate hood and keeps it gutta right here with an ode to that sweet ushy-gushy. Eat it up.

Kingpen Slim f. Wale, STS, Phil Adé

Let me find out the urrrea ready to take it past Wale. Nah, jk. Heat’s been coming out of my stomping grounds (yea thats right I can claim it now damnit–3 years in!!). Phil Adé goes off and Wale’s just a big ball of mambo-sauce-filled awesomenes. Beat ya feet and download.

Hope you enjoy.

AR!

Mr. Steal Your Girl [his words, not mine] just released the first single off his upcoming album Passion, Pain & Pleasure set to drop September 14, 2010.

Bottom’s Up feat. Nicki Minaj.

It’s getting really hard to give a prediction on an album off the first single. Sometimes they’re spot on and are a preview of what’s to come, good or bad, and sometimes they’re one of the few good or bad singles on an album.

With that being said, this doesn’t seem like anything spectacular. Yet another pairing of two forces that produce nothing special (whatap Dre, Jay) . Nicki’s verse is.. well, you’ll see lol.

Final verdict: basic.

I’ve heard it before Trey. We’ve all heard it before. If you’re going to retread old waters for a new album (the club-jam ode to liquor), atleast make the newer joint better than your old one (“Say Ahh”).

The album can only get better from here. I don’t think this is a real glimpse into PPP. For Trey’s sake I hope it’s not.. cuz then it’ll be your career, not that bottle of Patrón going bottoms up, homie.

Tip the bottle HERE

PS: And yes, for those wondering, that nows means that Trey Songz, Kanye, Cudi, Big Sean, and Bilal all will be released on the 14th. sheesh.

AR

Though I doubt everyone will.

I get it.

Tomorrow (7/13) strikes the U.S. release of M.I.A’s third studio album /\/\ /\ Y /\ (MAYA).  It seems that critics are having incredibly mixed opinions on the UK-born Sri Lankan songstress who has dwelled in creating music both entertaining and controversial latest offering. Though less political at the surface, MAYA titled off her first name is in many ways is more organic than previous M.I.A. efforts. With a new son and husband, the disc offers an almost battle of old M.I.A (loud, political, controversial) and a newer M.I.A (pop star, mother, lover). The result is an album that at its core, makes you vibe, dance, and more importantly–think.

Opening with “The Message” a short introduction that cleverly boast “….the head bones connects to the neck bone, neck bone connects to the arm bone, arm bones connects to the hand bone, connects to the internet connects to the google connects to the government.”  Intricate and fun tracks “Stepping Up” “XXO” and “Teqkilla” follow. One of the albums highlights “Lovalot” is simplistic and complicated all in one breathe–inspired by the story of a suicide bomber avenging the death of her husband. Other highlights like the raggae inspired “It Takes a Muscle” and the chill vibes of “It Iz What It Iz” establish the album’s overall softer vibe. After the album’s lead single “Born Free”, the disc proceeds with a heavy mix of uptempo tracks like “Internet Connection” and “Believer” and beautifully trance like moments such as “Space” “Tell Me Why” and “Caps Lock”. Although many clam her music to sometimes be cluttered with sounds, chants, machines and more, the intricacies of an M.I.A. track is what sets her music apart from others. If your a fan of M.I.A.’s previous works like songs “Sun Showers” and “Bucky Done Gun” then this album will work for you. MAYA is a great companion her previous albums Kala and Arular and I’m sure I will be listening to its tracks for years to come.

Verdict: MAYA offers a new vision of an artist while holding on to the key elements that made that artist in the first place. A solid effort.

MESHworthy Tracks:

Lovalot

Internet Connection

Space

Believer

It Takes a Muscle

It Iz What It Iz

For your ears:

Cj..

…I always felt a connection. Cause I felt like we came from a similar place, and we payed so many dues. And you know, we all had ups and downs in our lives and shit. And now… this is the highest caliber you can get to. You know what it is! …and it didn’t happen over night. This 14, 15, 20 years in the making. - Kanye West on his collaboration with Rick Ross

Rick Ross owns the summer.

Download Live Fast, Die Young by Rick Ross feat. Kanye West HERE

Teflon Don drops June 20, 2010

AR

Couple of new tracks for your listening pleasure.

First. A new promotional single leaked from the anticipated M.I.A. /\/\ /\ Y /\ album. The track is called “Teqkilla” and like any other M.I.A., it goes in. Like I’ve said before, I’ve previewed the album and it sounds like it will be a definite winner releasing July 13th.

[Download Here]

Second. A track from Outkast’s Big Boi who is gearing to release his solo album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dust. “Tangerine” features T.I. and is a solid track. I like it much better than he current single (maybe I’ll give his album a try after all).

[Download Here]

Enjoy.

Cj..