Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives

Right around the corner on May 18th, Nas & Damian Marley's collaboration album, Distant Relatives, will be released to many waiting loyal fans. The combination of earthy reggae and passionate deep rap gives the music a unique true sound that could inspire anybody. They may have realized this as they as they take on some controversial topics, but that’s usual Nas style anyway. I've heard all the songs that have fallen off the back of the truck so far (4 leaks), and they've been great, so this album should definitely be something to look forward to. Proceeds go to a project in Africa to build schools. This music is real.

Africa Must Wake Up - Damian Marley & Nas

Strong Will Continue - Damian Marley & Nas

Marshall Mathers back on his grind

Eminem is back and focused. I'm glad he's gettin away from the accent rappin and celebrity bashin and goin back to his 'say it like it is with a chip on his shoulder' roots. He may have lost some loyal followers over the past couple years, but we all know everyone loves a comeback. He's tore apart every beat he's been on over the past couple months and its pretty clear he doesn't look to be slowing his pace. As a long-time eminem fan, I gotta say I like his direction. You be the judge:

First is his leadoff single off of Recovery, Eminem gives us an honest look at his career:

Not Afraid- Eminem

Next is a freestyle using Drakes "Over". I think we've heard the last of this beat thanks to eminem:

Despicable- Eminem

And last, for nostalgia's sake and in case you forgot what eminem can do:

Kill You- Eminem

Sneaky Drake Tracks

Recently I've come across two songs from various sources that have our friend from Toronto, Drake, on them. These previously released tracks were able to somehow fly under my radar, but it was only a matter of time. Both feature a late appearance from Drake, who cools the songs out right at the point where they may be getting too heavy.
Listen to these the whole way through.

Black Magic - JD Era feat. Drake


Throw It In The Bag Remix - Fabolous feat. Drake

Join the Rebellion: StartYourOwnRebellion

I first heard SYOR a couple months ago and I wasn’t sure that they deserved a blog post but since I’ve gotten the three leaks from their upcoming release titled LP3020, they have really grown on me. LP3020 is hardly based on a new concept, SYOR uses songs from Ratatat’s albums for all the production and MC’s Maza Kid.Digit-∅ and Ceddy lay down verses. Producer 07017 touches up the Ratatat beats. This idea has been done a thousand times before but SYOR’s style seems to fit the Ratatat songs much better than others. SYOR has a pretty interesting/weird “mission statement” and they seem to have pretty vivid imaginations as you can see from their self-description:

We are S.Y.O.R

Our members are Maza, Kid.Digit-ø, Ceddy and 07017. We have come together to free the world from the evil Cozack Corporation.

For the last 700 years, every single Global President has been under the control of Kerry A. Cozack through an advanced version of the civilian chips you have lodged in your forearms. Aside from being watched constantly, you are also being robbed of your freedom to express yourselves as individuals. It is said that the most dangerous man in these times is an inspired one. Well, we're inspired, and wont stop until everyone knows the truth.

We encourage you all to remove your civilian chips and live under the radar.

Pretty interesting if you ask me, but the music is sick. They are on J-Cole’s label Dreamville and feature him on a song from the upcoming release. Check our more of the crazyness at http://www.startyourownrebellion.com/ or just listen to these songs:

StartYourOwnRebellion – Let it go (feat. J.Cole)


StartYourOwnRebellion – Million Miles Away


StartYourOwnRebellion – Special

I Put In Work And Watch My Status Escalate

Legendary rapper Guru of Gangstarr died a couple of days ago, At the age of 43 Guru lost his battle with Cancer. With one of the most unique flows ever Guru spit out the hits for years during the golden age of Hip-Hop. I still bump Gangstarr on the Ipod regularly so I thought i'd show the man some respect.

Here's some Gangstarr to keep the memory going

Gangstarr- Work

Gangstarr- Mass Appeal

Marv Ellis spittin some knowledge

First heard Marv Ellis a while back, but I finally got around to pickin up his latest record, Mental Picture Machine, and I'm glad i did. Sometimes he gets a little too experimental for my tastes, but a lot of the time he gets it just right. Still unsigned, everything you hear is self-produced by the MC out of Portland. Intelligent flow with a dope vocab--I guess hittin the library and stackin knowledge comes in handy, who'd a thunk it. He tends to keep his lyrics thought provoking and real, but once and a while he just spits, and I gotta say I'm a fan of both styles when it comes to Marv Ellis. He's often considered a 'spoken word' poet more than a rapper, but in my opinion, he's keepin it pretty hip-hop. Listen for yourself:

Check out his latest album, Mental Picture Machine. Here's a preview.


Broke People- Marv Ellis

myspace.com/marvellis

Sage Francis... Havin' The Best Of Times

If you've ever experienced Sage Francis music in the past it is clear that it is pretty unique. With mad poetic skills Sage tends to speak on political issues and other craziness going on in the world. his record label ANTI pretty much lets their artists do what ever they want. The song "The Best Of Times" takes a while to get into but the beat was made with a classical musician that helps make the transition unreal. Sage Francis music is usually pretty dark but in this track he just talks about the journey through life. His CD "Li(F)e" comes out on May 11th and is produced by indie band Modest Mouse

listen to the full song before you judge it

Update: More B.o.B goodness

Nothing nicer to listen to in the morning is more leaks off of the new B.o.B album that's now coming out may 27th. Airplanes, previously posted on SG, has been completely redone by B.o.B and now includes a verse from Eminem that brings back his old rapping days. Another leak off the album that is going to be getting a lot of plays today is The Kids by B.o.B and Janelle Monae. This track is based off of Vampire Weekend's The Kid's Don't Stand a Chance, and it showcases B.o.B at his best.

Listen hard.

Airplanes - B.o.B (Feat. Eminem, Hayley Williams)

The Kids - B.o.B (Feat. Janelle Monae)

Preview: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray

If you haven't noticed the Straight Goods staff tend to enjoy ourselves some Bobby Ray. With his CD coming out on May 25th, there has been no shortage of B.o.B Music as of late. Giving us a little taste of what we can expect Bobby hooks us a dope track featuring none other than Lupe Fiasco. the track "Past My Shades" supplies listeners with that classic Lupe flow that's been missing in his last couple releases, along with B.o.B's unbelievable hook making ability. The main thing about B.o.B is that he is a classically trained guitarist and pulls off some of the most random samples/ collaborations. The song "Airplanes" featuring Paramore's Hayley Williams is a combo between a punk rock singer and southern rapper but somehow turns out DOPE. The album version will feature Eminem which is damn intriguing.

The versatility of MR. Bobby Ray is ridiculous so i will definitely be purchasing my self a copy of his May 25th release

B.o.B-Past My Shades Feat Lupe Fiasco

B.o.B-Airplanes feat Hayley Williams of Paramore

Loose Ends

No real theme to this post, just sharing a couple songs that have been ripping up my itunes lately. First off we have a song i just found on Seattle MC Grynch's myspace. Its not new but it features another unreal lyricist Macklemore. The original song is by Seattle Hip Hop/Pop act Fresh Espresso.

Fresh Espresso - Something New (Remix) ft. Grynch, Macklemore & Gatsby

Next up is Silly Puddy by Zion I ft The Grouch (from Living Legends). This song has a sick, low-key beat that I can't get out of my head and the Grouch sounds unreal when he comes in.

This next song is by LA electronic producer eDIT (of Glitch Mob) and Wale. eDIT makes some pretty interesting stuff although three quarters of the time its way too cracked out for my taste. I got this song off the Elistaste South by Southwest Music Festival Mixtape a while ago but never gave it a chance til a few days ago. It uses the verses from Wale's song Freaks.

Last but not least is a song by Aussie rapper M-Phazes who I was introduced to thanks to hillydilly.com and finally got around to grabbing his album. I'm getting tired of all this writing so all i'm gonna say about this one is... check this beat out!! so filthy.

M-Phazes - Long Winding Road ft. Split Syndicate

Wale keepin up

Wale's been consistantly staying in the limelight, as he's been throwing some nice verses every now and then to satisfy the masses before his next album. Most recently he's remixed his own song, Pretty Girls, with Chris Brown and Fabolous. With the appearances and new verses from Wale this is song steps it up and makes everything pop the whole way through. He jumped on Rhianna's Rude Boy a little while back too that also worked well for him. Good to see him stickin around.

Rude Boy - Wale

Pretty Girls - Wale (feat Fabolous, Chris Brown)

Debut of Broken Bells

Broken Bells is a group I've turned my attention to over the past couple months. Well group might not be the right word, more like duo. Broken Bells consists of musician/producer Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse), paired with James Mercer, lead vocalist and guitarist for the Portland indie rock band The Shins. The two met a few years back and, as fans of each other's music, decided to work on a project together. The result is some magic for our ears. If you haven't got a hold of some tracks by this dynamic duo yet, it's not too late. If i had to classify the music into a genre, I'd have to say indie, despite the fact that this term is way to broad to capture the unique sound of Broken Bells.

First up is the single off the album, also featured in HBO's new hit series, How to Make it in America:

The High Road- Broken Bells

These next two are also off the self titled debut, and if this isn't enough to get you to pick up their CD, I dunno what is. . .

Sailing To Nowhere- Broken Bells

Citizen- Broken Bells

Wiz Khalifa's next mixtape

Back on the mixtape grind is Wiz Khalfia, who just released his latest mixtape Kush & OJ. The whole thing has a real smooth, relaxing feel to it. The 22 year old's album has already shot to the top of the charts on google searches and tweets overnight, Wiz is on it right now.

Pedal to the Medal - Wiz Khalifa (Feat. Johnny Juliano)

Were Done - Wiz Khalifa

And The Beat Goes.....BOOM HA!

At the tender age of 15 I was introduced to Canadian lyricist Shad K. Hailing from London, Ontario, Shad has already put out two dope CD's which were both local hits. With the hit single "The Old Prince Still Live's At Home" Shad saw his popularity rise immensely, even getting some attention from Kanye West. With his newest CD "TSOL" coming out on May 25th he has recently released a song with Canadian Dj Smalltown Romeo. The beat for "BOOM HA" is funky and serves up nice for Shad's nice and smooth flow.

If you've never heard the lyrical awesomeness that is Shad K make sure you purchase all his music immediately and let your ears do the thinking... countdown to May 25th begins

BOOM HA!- Smalltown Romeo feat Shad K

Chiddy Bang - Air Swell

Whats up people, the "staff" here at straight goods has been ridiculously busy over the past week or so which caused us to miss the release of Chiddy Bang's mini-mixtape Air Swell which dropped a couple days ago. Its got a 7 song track list including a couple songs we've had on straight goods before (Stylo Remix, Under the Sheets) and some new stuff. I'm not even going to post sample songs from the mixtape for this one because if you know what's good for you, you'll download this FREE mixtape as soon as you see this blog. Props to ScottyQ for the heads up

New Asher

Asher Roth has released his latest mixtape since his debut album that earned him all his fame back in 09. The mixtape, Seared Foie Gras with Quince & Cranberry, showcases Asher Roth with a smooth flow and shows him being a bit more serious than his previous album, in some songs. There are a few peaks and valleys to the album but with appearances from the likes of B.O.B, Talib Kweli, Blu, etc, and beats produced by Kanye West, Just Blaze, Will.I.Am, RZA, 9th Wonder, Madlib and J.Dilla theres bound to be some gems in there. There’s even a track with Travis Barker on the drums for a beat.
Listen here first, then check out the whole mixtape here, fo free. http://www.mediafire.com/?irjjcyt0znk

Callin’ Me – Asher Roth

Fuck the money – Asher Roth feat. B.O.B (Produced by Kanye West)

Charles Hamilton - Choices (A Wave for Alex)

Just taking a quick break from trying to smash out a 10 page paper to post this one. Its a change of pace for Charles, and he does a better job of explaining it than I could so I'm going to post a quote from him about the song instead my own thoughts:

The song “Choices” – A Wave For Alex, serves as a reminder of how precious and short our existence is and how our fate can be altered by the choices we make. I swear I could feel Alex as I wrote this song, guiding me through his last moments as if they were my own. Alex paid dearly for the choice of getting in a car with a drunk driver at the wheel. Without the intervention of some very supportive people, I was on a path to a similar destiny. It is hard to think about my own bad choices and substance abuse days and this reminds me of how grateful I am to be surrounded by people, including your family, who cared enough to get me back on track. Although I never had the opportunity to meet your brother, your family has become part of my extended family and this tragedy has had a profound affect on me. My heartfelt prayers go out to you. This song is dedicated to Alex. I can only hope that this serves as a reminder that we should all make wise choices. Listen carefully to the lyrics of this song. Peace.

Charles Hamilton - Choices (A Wave for Alex)