Summer Time– Hip Hop Releases to Look Out For This Summer by Ben Wedin

Drums Please: Summer, Summer, Summer Time– Hip Hop Releases to Look Out For This Summer

By Ben Wedin

Summer is always a great season for not only listening to hip hop, but also releases. Last year, Yeezus and a few others dominated the stage. What is there to look forward to this summer? Here’s what I’m most excited for. It’s always hard to know nowadays when record labels delay releases or people try to Beyonce the whole thing, but here are some expected summer releases. For those unfamiliar with these artists, I also included some recommended listening and some sample lyrics.

Ab-Soul: These Days

Soul! This album is slated for a June 24 release, so you shouldn’t have to wait long. He’s frequently described as the ‘paranoid hippy’ of TDE, which doesn’t do him justice. Soul is thoughtful, eloquent, nerdy, but also a gifted rapper. The man is not out to write bangers, but the tracks bump all the same. I mean, the man talks about “pineal gland” in a song with Danny Brown. Who else but Soul?

LISTEN: “Stigmata”, TDE 2013 BET Cypher, “Illuminate” BARS: ‘Wish I could see out of Selassie’ eye / Maybe my sovereignty would still be mine / If all the gangs in the world unified / We’d stand a chance against the military tonight’

A$AP Mob: L.O.R.D.

At first, the association with A$AP was only the woozy Clams Casino-style beats and altered vocals from A$AP Rocky. Then there was Lord$ Never Worry, and A$AP Ferg became widely known. The debut album from the crew may propel another member up the ranks, and this time around, the beats don’t sound like Rocky or the trap-style of A$AP Ferg. The flow and beats are reminiscent of old school Nas, so it will be exciting to hear the final project of the whole Mob together.

LISTEN: “Trillmatic”, “Xscape”, Lord$ Never Worry (Mixtape) BARS: ‘I got a funky-funky style with a funky swag / I bought the funky-funky Nikes got the hat to match’

Azealia Banks: Broke With Expensive Taste

Before Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy”, there was Azealia Banks’ “212.” You can argue the lyrics and beef if you want, but Azealia’s take on all of the crudely sexual and misogynist tendencies of rap is something I’m ready to hear more of. The album’s been in the works for ages now, so hopefully we’ll see a release soon.

LISTEN: “212”, Fantasea (Mixtape) BARS: ‘Reefer and cabanas / All my vehicles handsome / The Mullers with the bezels / I bought ‘em to spoil the fellas’

Bishop Nehru / MF DOOM: NehruvianDOOM

When MF DOOM wants to collaborate with you, you’re doing something right. The 17 yearold wordsmith Nehru who’s already rapped for Disclosure is now teaming up with one of

the gods of underground. Expect archaic samples, insane loops, and sick flow. Also watch for an EP from Bishop Nehru before this album drops.

LISTEN: “You Stressin”, Nehruvia (Mixtape) BARS: ‘I ain’t afraid cause my intelligence is relevant / To my heaven-sent flows and everything embedded in it’

Common: Nobody Smiling

Rap game Obama. After a 2011 release and visiting the White House much to the chagrin of Fox News, Common is ready to bring more conscious-rap to the public. The concept-driven album is going to be about violence in Chicago and will be produced by longtime collaborator No I.D., so there’s a lot to look forward to.

LISTEN: “Open Letter (Remix)”, Be BARS: ‘The same way they said she was the shooter /Assata Shakur, they tried to execute her / I went to Cuba to see her / We should free her, like we should Mumia’

The Cool Kids: Shark Week

Rap can get so serious: drugs, gang life, constantly talking about trying to make it to the top. That’s what made The Bake Sale so great: it was two really cool rappers talking about riding bikes and kicking it. The duo has ended their

brief hiatus and are ready to tell you about their trips to the grocery store in the coolest way possible.

LISTEN: “What Up Man”, “computer school”, The Bake Sale, When Fish Ride Bicycles BARS: ‘Just a F.Y.I, I’m F-L-Y / And for those that can’t spell, I’m a pretty swell guy / I caught a lot of fish I think I’ll have a fish fry’

De La Soul: You’re Welcome

The last time De La Soul had a proper release was 2004. Then, a couple months ago, they made their discography free. They put out a mixtape with new J Dilla beats (which was good!). And now they’re putting out a new mixtape with Pete Rock and DJ Premiere as well as a new album. The quirky but accessible group has been around for a quarter of a century now, so pay homage and listen.

LISTEN: “Stakes is High”, Smell the Da.I.S.Y (Mixtape), “Ego Trippin’ (Part 2)” BARS: ‘Well I’m a better brand cause I’m a superman / I run the block with my circle cause I’m nubian /I got the platinum rust, so don’t even fuss / Cause DJ Paul, he’s down wit us’

Jay Electronica: Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn)

The world is watching, waiting. Jay Electronica put out his first project, Act I: The Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), in 2007, a 15 minute composition without drums, built from the soundtrack to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and snippets from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. There has been only a few singles since, but they have all been fantastic. Roc Nation says the album will be out before 2015, so let’s hope that’s soon.

LISTEN: “Exhibit C”, “Dear Moleskine”, “Exhibit A”, Act I: The Eternal Sunshine BARS: ‘When you cried all your tears out / And one page of your diary can tell you what your year ‘bout / That’s a lonely place / My mama said “Son, why such a lonely face?” / Because the pressure’s on me / Plus I feel like Bill Murray trapped in Punxsutawney’

Kanye West: ???

Assume nothing. Trust no one. Close sources have called the thing a mix of “soul samples and tamed ‘Yeezus’ – nothing abrasive” while Kanye’s DJ has said they’ve moved past “beats like the Yeezus album.” Also Kanye asked for a mix between Otis Redding and Mobb Deep from Evian Christ, so imagine that for a second. How would you have described or expected Yeezus before hearing anything? All that I personally know is that when it comes out, Ian Mercer will tell me of its genius.

LISTEN: “Otis”, “Devil in a New Dress” BONUS: Otis Redding - “Respect”, Mobb Deep - “Shook Ones Part II” BARS: ‘And wash my sins in the blood of Jesus / People sayin’, “Ye we need another Yeezus” …. God sent me a message, said I’m too aggressive / Really!? Me!? Too aggressive!?’

Lil Wayne: Tha Carter V

Remember the Best Rapper Alive? After Rebirth (Does anyone else remember him playing guitar and “Prom Queen”?), Lil Wayne never regained his god-status even after Tha Carter IV. Lil Wayne says Tha Carter V is his last album, which is probably not true, but hopefully this iteration matches the caliber of Carter III-era Weezy.

LISTEN: “Dr. Carter”, “A Milli”, Tha Carter III, Da Drought 3 (Mixtape) BARS: ‘But the kids do watch, gotta watch what we say /Gotta work everyday gotta not be cliched / Gotta stand out like Andre 3K / Gotta kick it, kick it like a sensei’

Mac Miller: Pink Slime

I probably would’ve avoided this Pharrell-Mac Miller thing a year ago. Since then, Mac Miller has been collabing with greats, his voice has become more dynamic, and even the subject matter has become less vapid. His mixtape Faces shows that he’s still developing, so I’m excited to see what a team up with Pharrell can do for him.

LISTEN: “New Faces v2”, “Insomniak”, “S.D.S.”, Faces (Mixtape) BARS: ‘Slave to the W, I don’t hang with losers / I’m in the suburbs doing driveby’s on Razor scooters’

Shabazz Palaces: Lese Majesty

The beat will always save us. 2011’s Black Up could be released today and it would still sound incredibly fresh and modern. Lese Majesty’s 18 tracks and 7 “astral suites” should only continue that, bringing the avant-garde of hip-hop to the next level. This is my top pick. Get excited.

LISTEN: “Gunbeat Falls”, “Swerve... The Reeping of All That Is Worthwhile”, Black Up BARS: ‘Facts stated to enhance what is pre-born / And dance with the white whale on the Pequod / And find your way fast when the road curve / It’s a sea saw / Shall I go, shall I go’

NoFi