Posted in Hip Hop

Listen: Ellie Goulding – “High For This (Cover)”

Ellie Goulding, best known for her hit single “Lights” which has been sampled and remixed more times than anyone can count, teamed up with her buddy Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang for an insane cover of The Weeknd‘s “High For This”. I realize that’s a lot to consider in one short sentence so I’ll try and sum it up more clearly: Ellie Goulding + Xaphoon Jones + The Weeknd. One track. Yes.

The pop starlet’s voice meshes perfectly with Xaphoon’s light, twinkling sound to create a cover that actually does justice to Abel’s original version, something that’s arguably very hard to do. You can check it out below or on Ellie’s Soundcloud page here.

MP3: Ellie Goulding – “High For This [Cover] (Prod. Xaphoon Jones)”

Listen: Justin Bieber – “Boyfriend [Remix] (feat. 2 Chainz, Mac Miller & Asher Roth)”

Okay, so this is just crazy dope. For his official remix of new single “Boyfriend”, Justin Bieber enlisted the help of buddies 2 Chainz, Mac Miller, and Schoolboy labelmate Asher Roth. Still don’t believe me? Check out the all-star cast rap all over Bieber’s airy beat for yourself below. Oh and if you weren’t already familiar, the keys and production were contributed by none other than Mike Posner.

MP3: Justin Bieber – “Boyfriend [Remix] (feat. 2 Chainz, Mac Miller & Asher Roth)”

Bieber’s new album Believe, which will be his third studio album, hits stores on June 19th through Island Records. Aside from this official remix, “Boyfriend” was also remixed by the Ying Yang Twins, who contributed two new verses on the song for Bieber. You can listen to that here.

[via Illroots]

Listen: Kendrick Lamar – “War Is My Love”

Not quite sure how this came about, but the new Ghost Recon game will come with a brand new song by TDE’s Kendrick Lamar. Titled “War Is My Love”, the song features a synth-heavy beat that reminds me of Kid Cudi‘s “Mr. Rager”. As always, Kendrick kills his verses with his lyricism and haunting rhymes. The hook isn’t necessarily the greatest, but considering this was made for a game soundtrack, I guess it’s not too shabby. Give it a listen below.

MP3: Kendrick Lamar – “War Is My Love”

Listen: Blu – “Kiss The Sky (feat. Mela Machinko)”

When it comes to Blu, you know that whether or not his new music is mastered, mixed, or even finished, he’ll come hard with the rhymes. With his newest release though, there’s absolutely no need to be worried as it’s about as finished as can be. Released through Coalmine Records, new single “Kiss The Sky” features top-notch and not lo-fi verses from Blu, a fitting chorus from Mela Machinko, and some vocal samples from Lupe Fiasco‘s “Kick, Push”.

I’m still a fan of his glitchy, lo-fi style but I know a lot of you have been waiting for the Below The Heavens-style music to come back. If you’ve been a long-time fan of Blu, this is definitely a huge surprise and a great one at that. Blu hasn’t sounded this focused in quite a long time and it’s refreshing to see that he’s hopefully returning to the style of music that originally got him signed to Warner Bros. Give it a listen below and grab it on iTunes here.

PURCHASE “KISS THE SKY” ON ITUNES

Listen: Asher Roth – “Outside”

Just in time for the summer season, Asher Roth released a brand new song titled “Outside”, an ode to the warmth and greatness of the world that isn’t online and in front of a computer. The song features a highly-appropriate sample of Cults‘s “Go Outside” on the chorus and fresh lines from the former “I Love College” rapper. Instant addition to your summer playlist right here. Asher’s Def Jam debut Is This Too Orange? is currently on the way and there’s currently no word whether or not “Outside” will appear on it.

MP3: Asher Roth – “Outside”