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Hip Hop

Little Dragon – Klapp Klapp (Nosaj Thing Remix) (Feat. Future)

ld

Team LD bring the blogosphere to attention with a big name remix of single “Klapp Klapp”. Piloted by space beats vet Nosaj Thing with the added attraction of a Future feature, the mix is all blinking electronics and vibed down textures and Future. Nabuma Rubberband is available now.

Little Dragon sweden (Official)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
05-15-14

Jazmine Sullivan – Dumb (Feat. Meek Mill)

jazminesullivan

Jazmine Sullivan, who’s biggest entry in the urban charts is probably that Missy-assisted reggae-tinged “Need You Bad” track from a few years ago, makes an emphatic return with the Meek Mill featuring R&B sortee “Dumb”. The minimalist kick drum/vocal sample-driven track is big on energy and charisma while working stylistically in a different/refresing/no Ty Dolla Sign palette of sounds. Give “Dumb” your attention below

Jazmine Sullivan newyork Facebook)

Rating: 8.3

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reviewed by
05-12-14

Vic Mensa – Down On My Luck

vicmensa

New wave Chicago rapper Vic Mensa tries on “The Sound of Disclosure” for a dance-y new track that we love.

Vic Mensa (Twitter)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
04-29-14

Tink – Don’t Tell Anybody (Feat. Jeremih)

tink

Jeremih, the velvet-voiced robo-tune dude with all the hooks, links up with Chicago rapper Tink for “Don’t Tell Anybody” a/k/a a track that should light up hip hop/r&b radio playlists all summer.

Tink (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

reviewed by
04-28-14

Freewxrld – Welcome

freewxrld

“Heartbreaker. I’m the young Tom Petty.” South Florida emcee Freewxrld bodies a vibey Tony Yuniverse instrumental on new one “Welcome” which is excerpted below from the just-released W2F mixtape.

Freewxrld (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
04-18-14

Iggy Azalea – Black Widow (Feat. Rita Ora)

iggy

Island/Def Jam high priority Iggy Azalea knocks out a new trap-ish single with UK popstress Rita Ora. “Black Widow” shines especially in its dark melody tap “Beez in the Trap”-esque verses where the maybe underrated as rhymer Iggy does some serviceable work. While fine in isolation, Ora’s hook is a bit awkward juxtaposed against the musicality of Iggy’s verses but Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” worked in a similar template and succeeded all the same. “Black Widow” isn’t quite “Dark Horse” but it’s definitely holding a bit of potential pop radio shine.

Iggy Azalea (Twitter)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
04-18-14

Tinashe – 2 On (TOKiMONSTA Remix)

tokimonsta

Longtime favorite of B3 TOKiMONSTA completes a slinky vibes-down new mix of Tinashe’s radio breakout “2 On”.

TOKiMONSTA california (Official) (Blog) (Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.3

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reviewed by
03-31-14

SXSW WRAP: 2014

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Jungle 2

It took a minute, but we have recovered. After battling through the post-SXSW plague (aka an annual gnarly cold), curing our hangovers with some proper hydration via resqwater, and yes…actually getting some sleep, we’re back with our annual report from SX. And so it is; straight from the front lines of ATX, here’s a Top 10 report of SXSW Music 2014 highlights from our troops on the ground.

Mike

Jungle
Wolf Alice
Rare Monk
SOHN
KINS
Zella Day
MISUN
SIVU
GEMS
Moses Sumney

Troy

SXSW 2014. I traversed the Doritos #BoldStage, made memories at SXSubway, got social media-relevant at the Tumblr House and sought precious refuge from the apocalyptic World War Z-esque 6th St. throngs; that and I saw some pretty cool bands and artists. From Moses Sumney’s Central Presbyterian stunning vocal sermon to Sango’s star-level beat-making to Soundgarden’s sludgy rooftop stab at Superunkown; the musical component of SX is still at least maintaining a high level. Here’s few of my favorites from the festival.

Moses Sumney
Arthur Beatrice
Sango
Jungle
Angel Olsen
Soundgarden
Sam Smith
Misun
Banks
Kaytranada

Brian Litwin

SXSW 2014 was a big one, making headlines all over the world for puke, corporations and tragedies. For me, SXSW was similar to “Starred” playlist on Spotify; mostly all different genres, all with buzz and a sense of uniqueness. It was a pleasure working with Team B3SCI on their incredible shows and an honor to spend that time with friends in such an incredible city. Here are my 10 highlights of SXSW 2014:

The Preatures
Bipolar Sunshine
Wave Racer
Eagulls
100s
Young and Sick
Cashmere Cat
Kelela
SKATERS
Beat Culture

*Just to sneak one last one in there – the Ray Ban X Boiler Room set was unreal…”

Bruce Rave

Another successful SXSW (South By Sponsorship Week) is behind us. One trend is that there seemed to be fewer rapidly-growing, up and coming buzz bands in that middle level between the big names and the many newbies. Congrats to our Mike and Troy for dropping the first Jungle EP on their B3SCI label, and for Jungle being one of the week’s most talked about bands. I mostly skipped great bands bands I’ve seen, and there weren’t many surprises this year besides the incredibly enthusiastic Gary Numan.

The Strypes
Temples
Gary Numan
Jungle
Moses Sumney
The Crookes
Chloe Howl
Misun
Kid Karate
The Griswolds

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Arthur Beatrice

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Avid Dancer

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Beat Culture

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - GEMS

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - High Highs

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Jungle

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Jungle 3

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Zella Day

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - MISUN

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Moses Sumney

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Rare Monk

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - SIVU

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Tokyo Police Club

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Tove Lo

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents - Wolf Alice

SXSW 2014 B3SCI Presents

reviewed by
03-28-14

YG – Do It To Ya (Feat. TeeFLii) (Daz Dillinger G-Mix)

yg

As well-cultivated connoisseurs of the G-Mix, we can expertly co-sign this new Daz Dillinger G-Mix of one of YG‘s (who outside Rich Homie Quan might be the hottest MC on radio right now) My Krazy Life‘s standout tracks, the “Lets Play House” send-up “Do It To Ya”. Even thugs can get a little intimate w/ the piano.

YG (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-25-14

Waldo – Kobe’s Room (Revision) (Prod. Sango)

sango2

Maybe our favorite producer out right now Sango collab’s w/ resident Soulection emcee Waldo for this jazz piano-driven vibes-down rework of “Kobe’s Room”. Waldo makes his L.A. and S.F. debuts on 3/28 and 3/29 at The Echo and F8.

Waldo (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-19-14

Cubby – Cold (Feat. Kwane and Current)

cubby

BK-based vocalist Cubby makes his formal debut with warm electronics-soaked R&B of “Cold” featuring emcees Kwane and Current. A+

Cubby newyork Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.3

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reviewed by
03-10-14