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Hip Hop

XV – Boss Level (Prod. Skrillex)

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XV – Boss Level (Prod. Skrillex)

XV kansas (Facebook) (Twitter) (Lesbians Who Look Like Skrillex)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
10-11-11

Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa – Young, Wild & Free (Feat. Bruno Mars)

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For Snoop, 1 out of 3 ain’t bad.

Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa – Young, Wild & Free (Feat. Bruno Mars)

Snoop Dogg california (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
10-10-11

The Knocks – Brightside

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“Brightside” is NYC’s The Knocks first proper single release for A&M records. It’s an uptempo feel good dance track that’s got enough soul built in its guts to make for great repeat listening. Heavy roc.

The Knocks newyork (Facebook) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-10-11

Example – Midnight Run (Flux Pavilion Remix)

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It’s new Flux! The dude FP does his spin on Example’s latest. A little less “filth” and a bit more “bounce” in this mix. Could this be foreshadowing a new stylistic turn for Mr. Pavilion? (DoML)

Example – Midnight Run (Flux Pavilion Remix)

Flux Pavilion england (Facebook) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
10-10-11

The Weeknd – Initiation

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Everyone’s favorite elevator r&b revivalist drops “Initiation”. Track is hot.

The Weeknd – Initiation

The Weeknd canada (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
10-08-11

k-Os – Faith Pt. 2 (Feat. Drake)

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Two of T.O.’s nost requested reconnect on this rework of “Faith” from k-Os’ Anchorman mixtape of last year. AMERICA: k-os rips. Get familiar.

k-Os – Faith Pt. 2 (Feat. Drake)

k-Os canada (Official) (Myspace)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
10-05-11

Hot As Sun – Come Come (Feat. Freddie Gibbs) (The Kickdrums Remix)

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The Kickdrums remix of “Come Come” by LA band Hot As Sun is about as sick as gets. Ominous “Ready or Not Here I Come” horns and strings frame a dope as hell 808 and an excellent gloomy female voiced hook. Yeah, all that and a verse from Gangsta Gibbs! (WHAT?) Where’d that come from? Don’t ask questions, hit the track.

Hot As Sun – Come Come (Feat. Freddie Gibbs) (The Kickdrums Remix)

Hot As Sun california (Facebook) (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.8

brown8

reviewed by
10-05-11

Floetry – SupaStar (Freddie Joachim Remix)

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Remember Floetry? Let b3sci fav Freddie Joachim put this jazzy take on “SupaStar” back into your memory banks.

Floetry – SupaStar (Freddie Joachim Remix)

Freddie Joachim california (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-05-11

Common – Blue Sky

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Here goes the CDQ of that new Common. Is “Blue Sky” focused “Be” “Like Water for Chocolate” Common or it “Finding Forever” “Electric Circus” lazy, comfortable Common. On the first few listens I’d argue for the former. Hit that play button.

Common – Blue Sky

Common illinois (Twitter) (Myspace)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
10-04-11

Elle Varner – Only Wanna Give It To You (Feat. J. Cole)

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At b3sci, if there’s one thing we love it’s cheesy pop & b. Elle Varner’s “Only Wanna Give It To You” is a class example of that genre. With a melody that sounds ripped out of a late 90’s Brandy song and a heavy little 2 step beat, “Only Wanna” will no doubt get you and your boo hyped. Also….. the track’s got a J. Cole feature on it, and with the roll Jermaine’s been riding, that alone is reason to listen. Fortunately for Ms. Varner it’s not the only one.

Elle Varner – Only Wanna Give It To You (Feat. J. Cole)

Elle Varner california (Facebook) (Twitter)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
10-04-11

Snoop Dogg – Be Like Me (Feat. P Money, D Double E, Professor Green)

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If there’s one thing about Snoop Dogg… (it’s that our man is not afraid to experiment or jump something a little outside the “west coast sound”, collabs with Willie Nelson, Ian Carey, Mayer Hawthorne etc.) Whether it’s dough, weed, or both motivating C. Broadus to make some of these choices, that’s hard to really know. Snoop’s one of those guys (like Ludacris, etc) who can, at this point in his career, jump on just about anything and still keep his rep as one of the best to ever do it intact. Here, Snoop jumps on something else a little different, UK bass music. Teaming up with an impressive lineup of Brit MCs, Snoop holds his own despite playing on the home turf of P Money, D Double E, and Professor Green. Check the dub-inflected “Be Like Me” remix below. (DoML)

Snoop Dogg – Be Like Me (Feat. P Money, D Double E, Professor Green)

Snoop Dogg california (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
10-04-11