Free Music
Music Essentials: Ryan Hemsworth
May 23rd
Responsible for crafting melodic rhythms that cull from a mixture of chopped & screwed, r&b and alternative hip-hop, Ryan Hemsworth’s unique delivery has seen fledgling success in the ever changing facet of post-genre beat-making. Sitting alongside the likes of Shlohmo, RL Grimes XXYYXX, Hemsworth’s ability to render hard-hitting club tracks into poignant listening, or find a middle-ground between chart pop and abstract productions has made his music a focal point where all delectable variants find common ground. Hemsworth’s Last Word EP took the sonic airwaves last summer, followed by collaborations with indie rappers Deniro Farrar and Shady who provided suitably brooding lyrics over sets of droning beats. Elsewhere, a long-list of remixes for Grimes, MainAtrrakionz, Frank Ocean, Rhye and Mikky Ekko continue to show Hemsworth’s beatnik palettes on a number of subsidiary releases, proving the last 12-months to be nothing but industrious.
With the launch of the Music Essentials we aim to uncover the obligatory on-road items, muse and necessitates our favorite artists need to pursuit their craft. With that, we thought Ryan Hemsworth would be of perfect fit to launch the series. Not only because we share equal appetites towards music from across the spectrum, but we also knew he would hold a few gems in his Essentials that’ll catch us off-guard. We caught up with the Canadian producer and DJ in New York ahead of his Boiler Room set and got to understand why his Akai APC is just as important as the Japanese Manga comics he holds close.
Doley Bernays – Blessed
May 23rd
The new wave of New York hip-hop has spawned several stars over the course of the last couple years: A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, Flatbush Zombies, etc. On first listen, Bronx emcee Doley Bernays seems to be cut from the same cloth, however, after a few minutes it begins to sink in that there’s something different about this guy. Bernays’ real-life commitments (bills to pay, friends counting on him and, most notably his son), don’t allow him to fully embrace the lifestyle of a rising rap-star, and the grounded prospective that comes from his everyday stresses plays to his advantage. Currently in the process of releasing his Just In Case EP, Bernays shares his single “Blessed,” and with it he’s sure to gain the attention of few new listeners. Give the song a play through down below and let us know what you think.
The Underachievers – May’s Patience
May 23rd
Following the buzz from their debut mixtape Indigoism and the Beast Coastal Tour they did with Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies, The Underachievers hit us with a freebie called “May’s Patience.” A corresponding message was released with this song that said “May’s Patience brings June’s Releases.” It appears the duo will be releasing more new music this June before releasing their sophomore project Chapter 23 sometime this fall.
Ciara featuring Future – Body Party (Miami Marci Remix)
May 23rd
Since last September, Florida-based producer Miami Marci has consistently graced the pages of HypeTrak with a plethora of both high quality remixes and impressive original music. His latest offering comes in the form of his “freestyle bass” remix of the Ciara and Future’s recent collab “Body Party.” Be sure to grab Miami Marci’s Dark Matter EP if you didn’t do so when it dropped back in March.
Kenzie May – Hide And Seek (FTSE Remix)
May 22nd
From Britain sits electronic producer, FTSE who has been getting himself recognized within this past year with his various types of mixes. It is quite obvious that he is a man full of talent and with his newest remix on Kenzie May’s track, “Hide And Seek” his skills and creativity showcase perfectly. Elevating the original to blow your mind and question your thoughts as to why you’ve been missing out on FTSE until now.
Mykki Blanco – Betty Rubble: The Initiation EP (Full Album Stream)
May 22nd
With his brand new EP released yesterday, New York emcee Mykki Blanco gives fans an opportunity to hear what he’s been working on and treats us all with a full album stream of Betty Rubble: The Initiation. Composed of eight tracks and production credits from the likes of A-Trak, Sinden, Supreme Cuts, Matrixxman and more, Blanco looks to expand his fanbase as he continues to put on for his under-represented demographic in the hip hop world. You can check out both his previous singles, “Bugged Out” and “Feeling Special,” off the EP down below, and for the full album be sure to head over to Pitchfork Advance by clicking here. For those interested in purchasing Blanco’s Betty Rubble: The Initiation EP now off iTunes, head here and show your support.
Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul & Jay Rock – U.O.E.N.O. (Black Hippy Remix)
May 22nd
With the good kid, m.A.Ad city tour coming to a city near you, today we showcase a visual promo for the trip, which is captivated by a Black Hippy remix of Rocko’s street-favorite “U.O.E.N.O.” Verses ring in from TDE acts Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock, as you will also see footage of the fellas palling around with Mac Miller — or wait — is that ScHoolboy? Not sure if they’re confused or it’s us. Nonetheless, to check out the on-hand reworking, press play above. Will you be attending the good kid, m.A.Ad city tour?
Sean Garrett featuring Trey Songz & Future – Twilight Zone
May 22nd
Sean Garrett links with fellow crooners Trey Songz and Future on this new triple threat release, titled “Twilight Zone.” The sensual delivery will be featured on the singer-songwriter’s forthcoming mixtape, The Inkwell 2, which is now scheduled to land during the month of July. Per usual when it comes to these three, this one is directed right at the females, as you can check it for yourself by pressing play below. Enjoy.
Youth In Revolt: The Top Five Lines from The 1975′s “Chocolate”
May 22nd
By RapGenius/StereoIQ editor, John Dickinson
English alternative rock band, The 1975, are gaining traction both in the States and across the pond with the release of their latest EP, IV, which is available on iTunes now via Vagrant/Interscope Records. The first single, “Chocolate,” follows two miscreants through a night of delinquent capers revolving around chocolate (that’s hoodlum’s cant for marijuana), and we at Rap Genius are breaking down the top five lines.
5. “Hey now, call it a spliff /
Cause you know that you will /
Oh you buy your boyfriend like chocolate /”
As is seen on “Chocolate,” vernacular is subject to change throughout regions of the world. A girl uses the term “spliff” here to refer to a marijuana joint with tobacco in it, and we sense there may be some dialectal misunderstanding on part of vocalist Matthew Healy. Healy goes on to portray this girl as one who goes through boyfriends as quickly as she does weed.
4. “You say we’ll go where nobody knows /
With guns hidden under our petticoats /
No we’re never gonna quit it /”
Here we see that ruffian imagery paired with underlying sexuality. Determined to make the most of their youth, the duo claims to carry lethal force under their petticoats at all times. This however, may also be interpreted as a sexual double entendre operating within the same line…we’ll let you infer.
3. “We run away from the boys in the blue /
And my car smells like chocolate /
Think about what they say /
Think about how to think /”
Pot-induced paranoia perhaps? Here we see Healy playing mind games with the girl as they’re fleeing from what they believe to be the police in their dank-smelling car, instructing her to challenge authority.
2. “Yeah we’re dressed in black from head to toe”
The 1975 build on their thuggish theme, painting the protagonists as burglars donned in all black. This may be a sarcastic social commentary on the fact that marijuana related crimes, though insignificant in nature, are treated as serious offenses like robbery or violent crime.
1. “I think we better go, seriously better go /
Said it’s better than hanging on /
These lines have dual functions as (1) a possible ending to their nefarious joy ride, resulting in their dual suicide, or (2) a metaphor for the relationship of the our Bonnie and Clyde, which seems to be slowly dissipating. Healy may be suggesting that the two put themselves out of their misery rather than continue on with their naivety.
Check out the other tracks from The 1975’s IV EP.
“The City”
1. The 1975 – The City Lyrics
“Sex”
2. The 1975 – Sex Lyrics
“Me”
4. The 1975 – Me Lyrics
“You”
5. The 1975 – You Lyrics
BOY/FRIEND – Leather Weather (Mixtape)
May 22nd
R&B newcomer BOY/FRIEND makes his proper introduction to the world with his free album, Leather Weather. The 8 track project consists of elegant soul wrapped in the production of MNTN and Sweater Beats. If you enjoyed the bonus track, which was remixed by Kuhrye-OO, you’ll be pleased to know that BOY/FRIEND will be releasing a full remix EP in the near future. Click here to download Leather Weather and you can also see his latest music video here.
