The very minimal/menacing “Multiply” is the new single from A$AP Rocky. On “Multiply” A$AP rides a complex but still familiar flow on top a commanding instrumental. We’re into this swerve palette-wise against current mainstream rap (Mustard on the beat hoe) from A$AP Rocky and are very much into “Multiply”.
A$AP Rocky 
(Official)
Rating 8.3
B3 fave Vanic engineers a strong return to the Hypem Chart with new K. Flay collaboration called “Can’t Sleep”. In what adds up to be the perfect boozy/hazy 1 AM dance track, Vanic conjures up a similar winning formula to the much loved “Circles” with machineheart. K.Flay throws the North Shore Chicago attitude up and down the track which in total amounts to a very nice pairing sound-wise between emcee and producer. Reviewed by Brian Litwin
Vanic 
: (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.7
Joey Bad continues to nearly solo carry the banner for young & talented rap. “Christ Conscious” is the very good, gritty, NY-sounding second single from Joey B’s forthcoming debut LP B4DA$$ .
Joey Bada$$ (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
Joey Bada$$
The MMG chief joins Massillon, OH’s own bossman Stalley on “Everything a Dope Boy Ever Wanted”. The soul-driven ride out with the top down Beat Billionaire instrumental is a hanging curve-ball of a beat that Ross and Stalley could knock clear into the bleachers with eyes closed and swinging a foam bat. Stalley’s debut Ohio LP is out October 27. Welcome back, Lebron but Stalley been home.
Stalley 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Rick Ross bro, we need that Rockie Fresh LP, ok? The MMG-signed Rockie Fresh’s debut album still languishes on without a release date. Today, the Chicago emcee took the interwebs to debut a contemplative new track “Hesitate” which also features a soulful ace instrumental from fellow 312’ers Peezy and Cam. Enjoy “Hestitate” below while we get Ross on the phone about that LP release.
Rockie Fresh 
(Official)
Rating 8.1
Kiesza’s “Hideaway” is one of indie in 2014 biggest success stories. The dance-flavored track topped the UK single chart in April and the song’s video has amassed over 100M views on YouTube. “Bad Thing”, Kiesza’s new track, is not “Hideaway” but it is very good. The R&B-styled and Joey Bada$$-featuring (!) song has the accompanying weight and believe-ability that much of the oft-maligned alt R&B blog genre is missing in Sept 2K14. Kiesza is real and “Bad Thing” is great.
Kiesza (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Lord Flying Lotus evokes the otherworldly visceral quality of Donald Byrd’s version of “Cristo Redentor” distilled through modern beats music on “Coronus, The Terminator”. FlyLo’s You’re Dead! LP is due October 7th on Warp Records.
Flying Lotus 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
EL-P and Killer Mike’s announced today their second LP run today (the follow-up to their very acclaimed s/t first record) as Run the Jewels. RTJ2‘s first single “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry” again wrests the best out of one rap’s best beatmakers (and emcees) EL-P — “Oh My’s” booming backbeat is top notch; and one of hip hop’s greatest living rappers Killer Mike — Bigga’s bars are EXCELLENT. RTJ2 is out October 27th for FREE c/o Mass Appeal.
Run the Jewels (Official)
Rick Ross can pick beats. The Bawse proclaimed today his new and appropriately titled Hood Billionaire project today and dropped, with the announcement, the dope af lead single “Elvis Presley Blvd”. Featuring Memphian/Elvis scholar Project Pat, “Elvis Presley Blvd” is that big beat, plodding, soulful Southern-styled hip hop that is currently in a very short supply inside right now’s DJ Mustard-lorded rap world.
Rick Ross 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
ESP aka Canadian producer Eric Pearce remixes rap radio staple Sage The Gemini’s “Gas Pedal” to the tune of mid-to-late 70’s disco soul with super cool results. We absolutely adore it.
ESP (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.7
