Earl Sweatshirt feat. Vince Staples & Casey Veggies - Hive [Video]

And now I have yet another reason to be hype for Doris. Earl Sweatshirt has released visuals for his latest single, the Vince Staples and Casey Veggies assisted, Hive. Not only that, but Earl also confirmed the new release date and final tracklist for Doris, due August 20th. I shouldn’t have to say much more to get you excited. The video has a familiar look and feel because it was directed by Hiro Murai, who also did the video for . Check out the video for Hive and the tracklist for Doris.

DORIS AUG 20th pic.twitter.com/Uu853qpkcR

— Earl Sweatshirt (@earlxsweat) July 12, 2013

Whew. Can't wait.. Shout out to Young Modele for the heads up.

You can also preorder Doris on iTunes.

Kendrick Lamar - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe [Video]

It's about time we got some visuals for Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe. Fresh off of his Sweetlife Festival performance this past weekend, the Compton artist released the video for the fourth single from Good kid, m.A.A.d city. So far, the video contains a Mike Epps cameo, a funeral/party and several noteworthy snooks. Sounds about right.

Kendrick continues his World Tour on May 17th, heading out to the Sun God Festival out in California.

Gucci Mane - So Icey 2 [MP3 + Download]

God bless you, Gucci Mane.

This afternoon, while taking a break from parole violations and mentoring the chirrens, Gucci Mane released So Icey 2, the first song from the upcoming album/mixtape, Trap House 3, due May 21. Obviously there's no Jeezy this time around. The streets needed this, Gucci, so thanks. Check it out below.
Pretty far from the original but it goes either way.

Pharrell Turns 40 + The Top 5 Pharrell Hooks [Videos]

In recognition of the 40th birthday of everyone's favorite genius producer not named Kanye [or Timothy], here is list of the Top 5 Pharrell-assisted hooks——in no particular order——as determined by me, my iTunes and embedding-enabled YouTube videos. I went with hooks because there are way too many beats or songs by the Neptunes/Pharrell to narrow down into a readable list. I even threw in the song from way back that started it all. Check these out and bump some N.E.R.D. today for God's sake.

1. Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell - Beautiful
Beautiful really ushered in the musical partnership between Snoop and the Neptunes that would ultimately bring us classics such as Drop It Like It's Hot, From tha Chuuuch to da Palace, Pass It, Pass It and...

2. Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell - Let's Get Blown
This is definitely my favorite Snoop/Neptunes track and I doubt it'll ever leave my iTunes despite having background vocals from.......Keyshia Cole? Sorry, I hope that doesn't ruin the song for you because it definitely almost did for me.

3. Jay-Z feat. Pharrell - Excuse Me Miss
Say what you want about The Blueprint 2 but I enjoyed it [a lot, actually]. Pharrell definitely left his mark on the album with four Neptunes-produced songs, with Excuse Me Miss being the best of the group. No matter where you are when you hear this song, this is a hook that you just have to sing along to. Incredible hook. Oh, and the rest of the song is cool, too.

4. Clipse feat. Pharrell - Gangsta Lean
Gangsta Lean was probably my favorite song on Lord Willin', even above Gridin'. While the better song might be debatable, what cannot be argued is the fact that this is one of the great Pharrell features in history. Random sidenote....Where are Philly's Most Wanted these days? Anybody?

5. Clipse feat. Pharrell, Ab-Liva & Rosco P. Coldchain - Cot Damn
I still think this is one of the most underrated Clipse songs of all time, not saying that there are many, but still. Pharrell's hook is what sticks out initially but this is just a dope song overall. Even WITH Ab-Liva and Rosco P. Coldchain, and that's saying a lot. Check that out, my blog's first Roscoe P. Coldchain reference. I'm distinguished now.

Bonus: Ma$e feat. Puff Daddy - Lookin' At Me
Okay, so I realize that it's not technically Pharrell singing this hook but this is the song that started it all. Plus, the Neptunes did the beat and in hindsight, wouldn't you much rather have had Pharrell on this hook instead of Diddy? Yeah, me too.


Also, Complex put out a list of the Top 25 Pharrell Hooks a couple years back but I didn't actually read it, though. Because, you know, slideshows are annoying.

Happy Birthday, P.

You Need This: Vince Staples - Shyne Coldchain Vol. 1

So yesterday, Modi and I were having a conversation about what music we're listening to right now. At first it took me a second because my iPhone is basically a revolving door of music but Vince Staples' most recent tape, Shyne Coldchain Vol. 1 has been getting heavy rotation pretty much all year. You need this mixtape. Just for proof, I've included my three favorites. But the entire tape is undoubtedly worth a spot on the iPhone. Download here.

Versace Rap

Taxi

SOB feat. Mike G


[Note: It's dope but don't take my word for it because that would be plain old IGNANT.]