This week’s Heroes & Super Villains installment is not Holiday-themed (like you really need another spoonful of gross, insincere commercialism shoved down your throat, right?) There are no songs dedicated to Saint Nick, lyrics telling of romantic, snowy mornings or catchy, seasonal jingles, because, let’s face it, Christmas is so not hip-hop. But while you are enjoying the blessings of the Holiday season, here’s five releases from this week that any grumpy hip-hop head can bump in their headphones (because I know you’re not humming to any radio tunes). Merry Christmas, y’all.
1) Asher Roth – “Monday Free”
The blonde Bob Saget Asher Roth helped kick off the week with a lyrical little number, “Monday Free.” It goes great with grilled cheese & tomato soup, apparently.
2) Yancey Boys (feat. Frank Nitt) – “The Throwaway”
Directed by: Josh Polon
Yancey Boys, aka the Yancey brothers Illa J and J Dilla (RIP), followed their dope, Frank Nitt-assisted “The Throwaway” joint up with some due visuals this week. Director Josh Polon films Illa and Frank out in various L.A. spots, spreading the Midwestern love on the West Coast. The Throwaway EP is available now on iTunes.
3) Erick Arc Elliott – “Hills and Valleys”
Juice and Meechy may get the most camera-time, but don’t for a second dismiss the talents of Flatbush Zombies‘ third leg, Erick Arc Elliott. The producer/MC put his super duper skills on show this week with a unique three-part song entitled “Hills and Valleys.” It commences with a jazzy, sax-harmonized interlude, eases into a mellow lyrical interval before blossoming into a beastly, reggae-spiced boom bap banger; tight as hell.
4) Talib Kweli (feat. Ryan Leslie) – “Outstanding”
Directed by: Ryan Leslie
Talib Kweli and Ryan Leslie enjoyed camera time this week, starring in the video to their “Outstanding” collaboration. Kweli is hardly synonymous with the player image, but he enjoys the fruits of being a ladykiller with Leslie, who actually directed the clip. The track was originally featured on the Attack the Block mixtape, but will also be picked up for Talib’s forthcoming Prisoner Of Consciousness LP.
5) Maffew Ragazino – “Friday” (prod. by !llmind)
On the heels of a new deal with Loyalty Digital Corp., Brooklyn’s own Maffew Ragazino dropped a new gem towards the end of this week with “Friday.” It’s the first single from his White Gold EP (which is due out early 2013), and marries Maffew with another BK native, !llmind, who throws an alley-oop CP3 would be proud of with this squeaky, almost eery, digitized beat.
