No matter how much time you spend listening to music in your life, there’s always going to be some shit you miss. Last week, a buddy of mine at work, who’s my age and loves hip-hop, was playing this ill song with a crazy beat, and I caught wind of it since he sits at the desk across from me. I thought it was some new shit, but it turns out, it was a Donovan track from 1968 called “Get Thy Bearings.” Honestly, I had never even heard of Donovan, but the song was dope, so I did some investigating.

First, I listened to a few of his other songs on Spotify. Wasn’t feeling them. Totally different vibe. Then, I thought, “I wonder if anyone has ever sampled ‘Get Thy Bearings’ before?” Come to find out, thanks to WhoSampled aka one of the illest sites in the history of the web, that the one and only Biz Markie looped it up on his 1991 song “I Told You.” Props, Biz! Check Donovan’s OG version above, and Biz’s flip below.

Roc Marciano been nice. Here’s the proof. This shit is from 1997!!! According to Roc’s manager Jazz, this is the first of his tracks to ever get play on radio. So dope, he kills it and the beat bangs too. Can’t believe I just heard this for the first time last week.

I listened to this song 1,000 times today.

I first heard about UK reggae songstress Hollie Cook on LargeUp. They posted her cut “Cry,” and I was like, “Whoa, what the fuck is this?” It’s not often that I hear modern-day reggae music that gives me that feeling, but this did.

Anyway, I saw that last week she had a new album out (it’s called Twice), which I had missed when it initially dropped. So I downloaded it on sight, and I’ve been giving it some proper spins for the past few days. Overall, it’s a great album, but the one highlight I HAVE TO SHARE is called “99.” Damn, son. This song is so fire. The beat, the vibe, the melody, the HARMONIES. Super ill. I can’t stop listening to it. I hope you like it as much as I do. Stream above then go get the album. Straight cinematic roots loveliness. Thank you, Hollie.

I slept on Key & Peele, I admit. This shit is mad funny though. Stupid as hell, but hilarious.

Yes! New Nas! Produced by J Dilla! This one’s got that feeling. Enjoy.

The amount of new rap music that drops nowadays that I actually like is fairly minimal. But somehow four songs I want to listen to on repeat came out this week. Check out my favorite of the four first, “Live From the Villa” produced by A Villa and featuring Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, and Willie the Kid. So hard. And below that is some dope new shit by Mac Miller, Drake, and Freddie Gibbs and Madlib featuring Action Bronson, Ransom, and Joey Bada$$. LOL at Mac pushing the black Odyssey in the art for his song, that’s my whip!

 

 

 

*UPDATE*

Drake went ahead and officially released “How Bout Now,” and two other new songs that he knew hackers already god a hold of. “6 God” is tough, and “Heat of the Moment” is a nice one for those who prefer Drake when he’s crooning and spooning. Listen below (link above updated to the official “How Bout Now” stream too).

 

This kid Retch is ill with it. I loved his last project with producer Thelonious Martin Polo Sporting Goods, and this new joint is raw as fuck. Love the video, too. Let’s go Retch!

Every once in a while, I hear a beat that makes me want to hit the rewind button a thousand times in a row. This is one of them. Twist up to this, shit is crazy. Trademark da Skydiver “Keep it 100.”