Got more bars than a prison…

Let’s talk about the Wu-Tang Clan. If you didn’t know, they’ll be releasing a one of a kind project, literally, that will tour the world with them. There will only be one copy made of the album, Once Upon A Time In Shaolin and of course it is going to be protected by a hand carved, nickel-silver box. This isn’t the little leagues, guys. What’s the point of all of this? They’re reinforcing the idea that more work goes into an album from talented artists than a lot of people will ever understand. True artists leave a part of them in every project they touch and in our ADD society, whether they are classic or not worthy of repeated listens, we look for new music altogether too quickly. Maybe as consumers of music, since our behavior of purchasing and enjoying music has changed to that of a chain smoker, artists have given themselves less to their craft. Or maybe it’s the opposite cause and effect. It’s true that music is mass produced and paintings only come in 1/1 editions. But art is art. Peace Wu-Tang Clan.

We realize this column has come to include artists you may be more familiar with now. Treat is as a playlist for when you’re tired of the radio and the clubs. You know the drill: Sound off on our Twitter (@TheSource). If you can do better yourself, submit a track or video to SYLR@thesource.com.

DotKom (feat. Djbari) – “Bees in the back” (Prod. Djbari)

Speaking of the Wu-Tang, the Whoevers emcee rocks over a remake of a classic sample. I’d prefer this tribute to the Wu over a lot of other ones.

 
*Jarred A.G. (feat. Yung Simmie) – “Lanes” (Prod. Smoko Ono)

We’re almost getting to the point of major cities putting out too much talent for the majority to recognize. I certainly hope that Chicago brothers Smoko and A.G. don’t get overlooked. Something to swerve lanes to on a Friday night. Remember to swerve responsibly.

 
*GoldLink – “Planet Paradise” (Prod. Louie Lastic)

This is the kind of Hip-Hop I feel like Andy Warhol would like. It’s futuristic in a retro way, like something supposed to be from 2020 in a 1980′s movie. GoldLink’s debut project, The God Complex drops 4/1.

 
*Alexander Dreamer – “Tonight”

Dreamer has a lot of consistency, especially considering that he produces, writes, records, and mixes all of his stuff. Here’s a slow party jam to go home to after a wild night.

 
*N.A. – “Carnage”

The more I listen to N.A. the more I realize that he’s really built for this Hip-Hop culture. The rhymes and flows fit so well with the !llmind beat and he still has a message. Expect more from his C.O.L.O.Rs. (Chapters of Life on Records) project.

 
*Mani Coolin’ – “Dime”

Mani shares some insightful knowledge he’s learned from his parents and experience. It’s a simpler way to look at what you may think are complicated issues.

 
*YC The Cynic (feat. Homeboy Sandman) – “The Heaviest Cross 2.0″ (Prod. Frank Drake)

YC gets the assist from Homeboy Sandman for the remix to track 9 off of GNK. Hold your tongue next time you want to lash out on someone because you’re having a bad day.

 
*$auce Gawd – “Come Get It” (Prod. SkinnyMooxe)

I’m not always a fan of auto-tune but when I am it’s because it’s over a catchy track that has some weight to it. As in, I won’t blow this track off next month. It’ll still bang. Off of $auce’s upcoming $AUCE GAWD McGRAW (Fall).

 
*Donny Oh – “Vines” (Prod. Grover)

Solid metaphor for the rat race in life by the young emcee. The hook could use some work but the beat and topic at hand mesh perfectly.

 
*Ty Farris – “Lord StepOnRappers Freestyle”

Ty gives the world a freestyle over a Lord Steppington beat to mark the launch of his website. How do you rank him against the Step Brothers.

 
*Rae Sremmurd – “No Flex Zone”

The most recent signees (pronounced Ray Shreemur) to Mike WiLL Made It set the record straight that if any flexing to be done will be strictly done by them. God bless the haters, though.

 
Problem – “2 on 2 be off…SIAHmix”

This track is an example of successful self promotion. While listening to Problem’s “Too On To Be Off” on 2DopeBoyz, I saw a comment by Sicksiah for people to check his remix out of the same track. The comment wasn’t aggressive or conceited. And after checking it out, it was a nice change of pace for a Problem track and the rest of his remixes are well done as well. Rock on, Soundcloud producers.

 
BOOTS – “Alright”

The Roc Nation artist and co-writer (for most of Beyonce), who almost no one has heard of, is finally releasing some music of his own. This track reminds me a lot of Beck but BOOTS has his own agenda when he steps to the mic. This could have some interesting results.

 
J-Live – “Not Listening” (Prod. Korede)

I’m just going to leave this here… Off his upcoming Around The Sun project (4/29).

 

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Bryan Hahn (@notupstate)