Posted by Frank Wu

Stream: Blu & Madlib – UCLA

If there’s one thing that’s consistent about Blu besides his sharp rhymes and quick wit, it’s the fact that he’s always full of surprises. After randomly uploading his second album with producer Exile onto his Bandcamp page earlier this year, Blu has done it again by posting up UCLA, a brand new album completely produced by Madlib. The two California legends have been reported to be working with each other on UCLA for quite a while, but few details were ever released, with many believing that Blu had once again scrapped a project. Today, we can listen to the entire album or purchase it for a cool 15 bucks.

I’ve yet to understand Blu’s affinity for unmastered, lowish-quality tracks and UCLA is no exception. Although Blu and Madlib deliver and the plain fact that Blu is one of my favorite MCs of all time, the quality isn’t necessarily the best and the project sounds like a work in progress. You can listen for yourself below and purchase it here.

Video: Bon Iver Live Acoustic Session At AIR Studios

Working with record labels 4AD and Jagjaguwar, Justin Vernon and Sean Carey of Bon Iver sat down at AIR Studio’s Lyndurst Hall to record a breathtaking 25 minute live session, a stylistic contrast from the band’s recent shows with a full eleven-piece band. Instead, Vernon and Carey provide an intimate, sit-down session, performing songs from the Blood Bank EP and the band’s  Grammy Award winning Bon Iver, Bon Iver while also throwing in a cover of Bonnie Raitt‘s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (which was also included as a bonus track from Bon Iver, Bon Iver).

Be sure to set aside half an hour this weekend and watch the session below, courtesy of 4AD and Jagjaguwar.

01) Hinnom, TX
02) Wash.
03) I Can’t Make You Love Me
04) Babys
05) Beth/Rest

Listen: Chiddy Bang – “Swelly Extra Well (feat. Chip Tha Ripper)”

Following up last week’s “By Your Side”, Chiddy Bang have posted another song that won’t make the final cut of the highly-anticipated Breakfast. This time, the track is the synth-heavy “Swelly Extra Well” with a feature from Cleveland’s Chip Tha Ripper, who appears on the hook and in a verse. Both acts have yet to release their debut records, something Chip touches on in his verse: “If my album ever drop, I hope it extra, extra sell.”

“Extra Well” will be released again on Chiddy Bang’s Grab A Plate mixtape, intended to help promote Breakfast, which will be available for purchase on February 28th.

Listen: The Dean’s List – “Youth (feat. Sid Sriram)”

Hip hop trio The Dean’s List teamed up with R&B vocalist Sid Sriram for a new track entitled “Youth”, which doubles as the group’s lead single for their debut album Generation X. Set for release in April via aveNUE Music, Generation X will have a series of three singles, with “Take Shape” and “Sex” set to follow “YOUTH” in the coming weeks. With the new release, Sonny, Mendoza, and Mik Beats hope to expand past the college crowd that has embraced their first two mixtapes with their genre-bending sound. Grab the single below for free download.

MP3: The Dean’s List – “Youth (feat. Sid Sriram)”

Listen: ASAP Mob (Rocky, Nast, Ferg, Twelvy) – “Stay Schemin Freestyle”

Harlem’s ASAP Mob members ASAP Rocky, ASAP Nast, ASAP Ferg, and ASAP Twelvy linked up with Simms City TV to record a quick freestyle over Rick Ross, Drake, and French Montana‘s now famous (infamous?) “Stay Schemin” instrumental. The four drop some insane rhymes from off the dome and even take the time to throw on their version of the hook. ASAP are poised to take over the rap game in 2012, with their first ever group collaboration album being released sometime in March. You can watch the new freestyle video or download the full MP3 below.