THIS IS LIL WHY

The Notorious B.I.G- Ready To Die

This classic is one of those that always makes the fans wonder if Biggie knew his fate. His debut album shares the name of this single displaying both his anger and vulnerability simultaneously. This track seems like “Suicidal Thoughts” with bravado. Perhaps Biggie had the foresight to realize the power of his voice, one so cogent that it could potentially harm him. Amazing how the description of his actions, his very personal observations helped him rise to fame and possibly contributed to his untimely death. The pen is mightier than the sword- or for Smalls mightier than the glock.

“My shit is deep, deeper than my grave G / I’m ready to die and nobody can save me.”

Azealia Banks- Need Sum Luv

Never ignore an Azealia Banks release! Especially when this girl has just signed to Universal! Mazel, baby! This track lacks her usual lyrical vigor, but she’s still our fav gurl rapper who always demonstrates her vocal prowess over consistently unique beats. She is soooo now.

Give her some LUV.

Mac Miller- Party On 5th Avenue

We consistently find that any track by Mac Miller is catchy, fun, and unique. Can’t really go wrong with this classic sample, so safe bet right there, but his vocals truly incite jubilation! Mac is definitely one to watch. A tour with Miller and Chiddy Bang would be just about more delicious/youthful/classy than a big mac, easy mac, or your mac.

Mac attack mofos! 

The Notorious B.I.G- Suicidal Thoughts

This track off the immeasurably brilliant, Ready To Die, proves a belief we’ve upheld for a while: music is a source of connection. Biggie vulnerably confesses to all the crimes he knows he’s committed, things he may have done wrong, and even admits to the universal fear of belonging and being loved. You certainly don’t have to be a crack dealer to relate to the speculation of the world without you and his sentiment reaches far beyond the environs of Brookyln. It’s frighteningly typical to wonder about the attendance of your funeral, to think about your impact or lack thereof on all you know, so much so that Biggie has left us with this cathartic exploration of his inner demons.

“When I die fuck it I wanna go to hell…”

A Tribe Called Quest- Ham ‘n’ Eggs

Enjoy this sumptuous track right in time for holiday gluttony! This one evokes the immortal words of Z-trip, “You’re taking this shit too serious. It’s hip-hop man, it’s fuckin’ fun.” Lucky for us, Tribe took Z’s advice with this playful ditty.

Don’t forget your breakfast of champions.

Azealia Banks- Liquorice

Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Every time Az releases a new single we’re compelled to post it. This obsession is growing similar to our serious infatuation with Florence + The Machine! Could that partnership ever occur? What an apocalyptic thought: demure versus dirtyyy, but it would represent an epic, fantasy collaboration from our two fav artists atm!

Too much Liquorice (or jet lag) has prob inspired these odd ramblings.

A Tribe Called Quest- Can I Kick It?

Confession time: this song is the reason we were introduced to Lou Reed. Is that shameful or a modern way of discovering the most quintessential music? At least Tribe still fits into the classic shelf of our i-tunes library. This song truly initiated the word “kick” into our vocabulary. We kick it wearing kicks all the time now, but more importantly, this track most certainly paved the way for Obama’s key slogan with a slight alteration from 2nd to 1st person plural…can I kick it?

YES YOU CAN.

Azealia Banks- Runnin’ Feat. Lunice

In honor of our girl, Azealia, making not only NME’s 2011 Coolest People In Music, but also the BBC Sound of 2012 list! In 212 she shows off her ability to naughtily rap over sick electro beats, but here, this track focuses on Azealia’s incredible ability to spit rhymes with remarkable speed.

Azealia will be running away with 2012, foshoooo

Amplify Dot- Semantics Feat. Kano

Um, an edgy female rapper with a Derrida themed track..this might be the answer to the Lilwhy. Amplify Dot aka A.Dot aka Ashley Charles perfectly synthesizes a playful grime style with hip-hop some drum n bass, and inevitably a bit of dubstep (an appropriate amount) considering her British origins. Thank goodness we’ve found someone to silence Treyshawn- imagine the rap beef they could engage in? Picture the foul mouthed badasses A.Dot could produce with Tyler the Creator (both song and child)??? Her album Born Ready is tour de force of British hip-hop, totally fun like any polka.dot.

It’s obvious she was Born Ready, we’re thinking she was conceived prepared!

Rizzle Kicks- Down With Trumpets

Recipe for this track: Combine one sample of Latino inspired Jazz circa 1940 (alternatively, a dangerous tango works) with a pinch of a grime beat straight outta the night club, Fabric.  Stir carefully with playful young vocals, heat to (club) room temperature.  Voila!  Caution: may be spicy for those with bland taste.

Best served with edgy friends.