The Chef loves a ballad. As part of his current “Throwback Thursday” series Rae spins a couple Moscato-ref’ing verses around the 2010 Fantasia R&B joint.
Raekwon 
(Twitter)
Rating 8.4
The Chef loves a ballad. As part of his current “Throwback Thursday” series Rae spins a couple Moscato-ref’ing verses around the 2010 Fantasia R&B joint.
Raekwon (Twitter)
Rating 8.4
’90’s rap-referencing “Big Dusty” is the lead single from Pro Era-affiliate Joey Bada$$’s first proper LP B4DA$$.
Joey Bada$$ (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
Joey Bada$$
‘Yonce comes with the predictable, hip-hop linkbait, “elevator incident”-referencing new remix to her hit “Flawless”. The remix’s feature artist Nicki Minaj is the track’s clear victor as the young Ms. Miraj puts down an immediate set of some of her best bars to date. Beyonce and Nicki Minaj, google’em.
Beyonce 
(Official)
Rating 8.5
Internet lightning rod Trinidad Jame$ is no longer a component of the roster of Def Jam. Jame$, who signed a reported $2 million deal w/ the label in 2012, released the decidedly contemplative “Doin’ Me” shortly after announcing the Def Jam departure over the weekend. We like it.
Trinidad Jame$ 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4938
Danny Swain a/k/a Danny! is the producer for “Clock In” a dare we say early Kanye-esque blend of soulful instrumentals and work hard rhymes from Michigan rapper James Gardin. Love.
James Gardin 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.9
Consistent strong>K.R.I.T. gets an Usher-esque feature from R&B hand Rico Love on Jim Jonsin-produced “Pay Attention”. K.R.I.T. who typically produces his own tracks turns to the Lil’ Wayne/T.I./American Idol collaborator Jonsin on the decidedly new (for Big K) “Pay Attention”; as the rapper’s flows and rhyme schemes are notably refreshed here. Cadillactica is the upcoming sophomore record from Big K.R.I.T.
Big K.R.I.T. 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Mr. “Drank in My Cup” Kirko Bangz (the similarly of which to Kurt Cobain took me ages to suss out) is prepping the release of his debut LP Bigger Than Me. The Houston-based Bangz is accompanied on the chill sounds in the cut of “Rich” by mainstream R&B newcomer August Alsina on the hook. We like it.
Kirko Bangz (Official)
Rating 8.5
Mr. Yeaaah Man, and author of one 2014’s best singles “Good Kisser”, is on to another something good with new one featuring Nicki Minaj, “She Came To Give It To You”. Working in a similar mid 70’s Curtis/Marvin palette as the aforementioned “Good Kisser”, “She Came To” wins on its A+ rhythmic sensibility and pocket perfect melodies. We love it.
Usher (Facebook)
Rating 8.4938
JVM’s melodically wonderful “Cavalier” was one of our favorite tracks of last year. Here L.A. duo MOORS fashion “Cavalier” around a great eased-back R&B beat that makes the song brand new (and great) all over again. James Vincent McMorrow’s Post Tropical is out now on Vagrant.
James Vincent McMorrow 
(Official) (Facebook) (iTunes)
Rating 9.0
Producer/emcee Sam Lachow debuts on B3 with the A+ chakra rhymes and production of “Dreams of Gold”. Sonically in a lane with UK artists like Raleigh Ritchie and FTSE while still relevant style-wise to a diverse and current palette that can stretch from Soulection to Ty Dolla $, “Dreams of Gold” is excellent and (finally) a fresh injection of creativity into alt-R&B/hip-hop. (HD)
Sam Lachow Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
